BLEK a dit: ART is War

Do you know Blek? Do you know Le Rat? [French in the text]
Have you met street rats?
Yes!? No?! Oui!!

Have you ever bumped into street art featuring rats,,,
rats encore, nothing but rats...
Rat-toujours...
And, again rats, and rats; always rats...???

Well, if you've never stumbled across graffiti street art of rats' design, it either means, you're a square-minded person, who doesn't look further than his nose; since rats are just everywhere!...
But maybe you live in 1 bubble, where air is so pure, no rats have dropped by so far to say hello; and obviously, you have decided to break up with the rat race socialites and upbeat lifestyles, hence, missing out Z RAt!

Sirdab has dug it for you, as the man who inspired generations of stencil artists
(including Banksy)
is definitely worth a bubbly post,
since it's THAT kind of news Sirdab's folks are constantly looking forward to.

So, Here is the Story...

One of the most influential figures in street art, French graffiti artist Blek Le Rat made his U.S. solo exhibition debut, on April 5, as his work -- old & new-- was on display at Shepard Fairey's new Subliminal Projects Gallery, in L.A.
The show --dubbed "ART is Not Peace But War" --featured 15 canvases, photos and one big-scale installation, on which the artist has painted his trademark stencils.
Large original paintings sold like pancakes; and an appearance by the Rat himself seemed to have added great energy to Fairey's [brilliant] initiative, in choosing to feature, first and foremost Blek Le Rat, for the Grand opening of his Art Space.

An what about the whole rats' fuss--aside from being the French artist's nickname?

Blek le Rat was one of the very few first street artists to use stencil art, way back in the early 80's, where his iconic rats were massively tagged & re-tagged in Paris' urban environment.
As a result, Le Rat gained a rat-tat recognition, and followers 'shroomed' ever after, with rat-a-tat impact...

As equally bubbly, it would be noteworthy to mention here, a book by Blek Le Rat --you can check out there-- that is coming out in May 2008, published by Thames and Hudson.

A definite must buy for graffiti lovers, the book is a unique view inside the life and work of one of the most low-key, but also one of the most loved street artist of our times.
From small and simple stencils to complex multimedia events, the distinctive and groundbreaking art of Blek le Rat is to be showcased, for the first time, in "Getting through the Walls;" and as such, it will be demonstrating the fascinating development of his technique and creativity, over the two past decades.

While shedding light on the evolution of urban art, this upcoming book is said to covers Blek's motives and working methods, as well as his deep exploration along with his own comments on the meaning of his art.

Banksy has been quoted, saying:

"Every time I think I've painted something original, I find out that Blek le Rat has done it as well, only 20 years earlier."

APRIL08 - BLEK A DIT: ART IS WAR