video by Pipo Domagas

Artist’s like Gilbert1 are one of the reasons this blog exists. I first ran across pictures of French artist Gilbert1′s work randomly on Flickr and some other European graffiti sites. I would try to get more information about the artist or find more work but never got far. Like alot of Graffiti artists that actively paint in the streets, finding more information about the artist proved to be difficult. Glibert1′s work immediately stood out to me. The rawness and authenticity of gilbert1′s Insitu Murals left me wanting to see more. Gilbert1 is a painter with a spraycan, utilizing paint and harsh and uncut lines the artist embraces the texture. There are graffiti writers that paint art, and there are graffiti writers who live and breathe it in everything they do. The latter is the rarer, and Gilbert1 is the definition of a that graffiti artist. From tags to rollers, to pieces Gilbert1 delivers a unique and genuine style. Looking at his installation type murals I knew his canvas work would be just as relevant. After seeing his canvases for the first time I cant decide which I like better now his walls or his paintings. Writers like Gilbert1 who gain the respect of the street, deserve to be recognized. Im not going to get into the the street art rant, but I will say that people should have been paying attention along time ago. As graffiti continues to become a buzzword and galleries and media start to eat up the culture. I can only hope they give some shine to some of the deserved artists such as Gilbert1. We are glad that through the site we were able get in touch with Gilbert1 and can share his work with you in this artist feature, and in future updates as well. Make sure you watch his time lapse video also intense is the word. Respect

GF

Free! Magazine & Freemagz.com presents:
"FREE! CONNECTION"
A collaboration of art & music under one roof

Saturday, October 1st 2011
at MajaHouse
Jl.Sersan Bajuri No.72. Bandung
4pm - End

Function Hall Area: Art Exhibition
- Lubang Jarum Photography
- StereoFlow (Street Art)
- Arya Prakarsa(Lomonesia Bandung)
- Arastafara Siahaan x Iweng

Function Hall Area: Music
- A.F.F.E.N
- Local Drug Store
- Aonyx

Sugar & Cream Area: DJ Set
- Hogi (Future10/Agrikulture)
- Dina Dellyana (Homogenic)

Also Freemagz Music Dept.
- Gerry BLZ
- Dheve
- Danish W
- Sixteen
- Imbank

Visual Environment
Motionchamber (Synan Recording)

Supported by:
Geeksbible | Dailywhatnot | Rvlx.net | Trax Magazine

As we are catching up on our posts, due to being extremely busy the last month or so. We ran across an older post that we had intended to put out. Somehow we managed to let it slip through the cracks. Featured Artists Boris Delta Tellegen and Greg Lamarche were exhibiting at Guerrero Gallery in a group show titled “Building Context“. It is rare that we are able to catch any show here locally that features Boris’s work or Greg’s for that matter. We were bummed that we were not able to make the opening. Luckily the gallery posted some images of the exhibit which we have posted here along with some work from some of the other artists in the show. The artists included Adam Feibelman, Joey Piziali, Boris Tellegen, Matt Gonzalez, Leigh Wells, Greg Lamarche, and Ray Beldner. Here is a quote to briefly describe the show. “an exhibition featuring works by a set of artists who focus on the utilization of the medium of paper in their craft. This show explores and surveys these artists’ various methods of paper manipulation, which lend to uniquely creative existences to a simple material humbly evident in our everyday lives.” Delta’s works on paper are some of the strongest pieces of art that I have seen from the artist. Delta has worked the paper and manipulated to form a very deep, yet light interpretation of his signature geometric style. The scale of paper compared to his immense sculptural pieces does not reflect a letdown in presence as you might think it would. Even in muted and bleached palettes with the simplest of medium paper, Boris shows us what is possible with less. We were hoping to see more of Greg’s work but there were only 2 pieces on the site. Some of Greg’s typographic pieces, and also an abstract work were exhibited. Both pieces show great creating a nice addition and contrast to the other more muted pieces. Very solid additions to the show. There were also some nice works from the other artists involved. Overall the show was very well curated and we only wish we could have attended the event firsthand.

GF

Here is an update of walls and some bonus Metal from Spanish artist Kenor. Kenor recently finished a massive wall in Lodz Poland as part of the URBAN FORMS GALLERY Project. Kenor also send us some bonus footage of some walls and other recent projects. We love that artists like Kenor are still out there. Not only are they painting these art projects which are great, but also still painting in the streets. Remembering where you come from, yet still being able to grow as an artist might seem like no big deal. I rarely see this as being the case, and It is good to see from an artist. Respect.

GF

We are looking forward to Optimist’s upcoming solo show at Old Crow Gallery titled Man, Animal and the Machines. Optimist a well rounded Graffiti artist from his intense handstyles to his detailed Pieces. His paintings stand just as strong as his graffiti and extend his reach as an artist into a new medium. Optimist’s photo realistic paintings reflect a constant dialogue from the artist about materialism, capitalism and its constant force upon nature. The artist will be exhibiting 8 new paintings for the exhibit. Optimist also was interviewed recently by The Citrus Report you can read the full interview here. If you get a chance to make the show, do so you will be glad you did.

GF

“Old Crow Tattoo and Gallery proudly presents “Man, Animal and the Machine” a solo exhibition of artwork by Bay Area native The Optimist.
This show features a new visual direction for the artist in terms of subject matter, composition, and presentation. “Man, Animal and the Machine” is a series of 8 large scale painting’s focused on the symbiotic relationship between these forces. While also examining the external struggle both positive and negative these vessels have on our earth. “Man, Animal and the Machine”

Saturday, October 8 at 8:00pm – November 9 at 8:00pm
Location
Old Crow Tattoo
362 Grand Ave
OAKLAND CA

Here is a nice set of pictures from one of my favorite Photographers Thias from Paris. The walls include works from Lek, Wxyz, Sowat, Dem189, Moze, Nychos, Outside, Katre, Antistatic, Hopare, Iemza, and Swiz. Paris has one of the most active and progressive graffiti scenes in the world and its great to be able to get a glimpse into what is happening out there thanks to Thias.

GF

Commission work for private collection. Anna and Tommy painted on a driveway. Thanks, I had a great session.

I've always wanted to know how it feels to have wings and fly freely like birds. Well, Tommy knows now.

If you are in San Francisco make sure to check out “Fast Forward” which includes new work from Sueme, Poesia, Jaybo Monk, Mike Bam, Suiko and Robz at 1am Gallery. Here are some Images from the opening and detail shots of some of the work that was exhibited. Titled Fast Forward the exhibit asked the question, what would graffiti look like in the distant future. The artists were chosen based upon the progressive nature of their work. Having in common a graffiti background the artists have all been able to elevate and evolve their work to a new point of reference in this show. The vast contrast of styles, from figurative to abstract was this shows strength. Jaybo Monk shows us the perfect balance between figure and form, geometry and composition. In his painting walking silence Jaybo twists our perception of space with rotating portraits and silhouettes creating the imperfect perfection that we love. Japanese artist Suiko blends color with organic shapes based on his letter forms. His motion of line and clear rendering of color create some very strong pieces. When looking towards the future Poesia first takes us back with new paintings from his reinterpretations of old masters series. His detailed and rendered Old master paintings surrounded by geometric forms and color build a dialogue with the viewer allowing them to contemplate first the past before looking at the future. Solidifying the idea of color and form Poesia correlates the relationships of graffiti with that of arts forgotten masterpieces. Sueme builds space with shape, or the lack there of it. In his triangular geometric pieces Sueme has added some nice texture and an atmospheric feel that compliments the structured mass of triangles. Really like this new addition to his work. The show was curated by Mike Bam who also was showing some highly detailed canvases. His work focused on a futuristic look at what graffiti might look like in tomorrows world, complex and angular lines pulled together by great use of color. Overall this exhibit delivered and we look forward to seeing more work from all the artists involved. You can see more pictures here. Thanks to Scott La Rockwell for all pictures.

GF

“It is an exciting time for the graffiti scene. Walls are being taken down and boundaries are being pushed beyond their limits… This evolution is fusing old with new school, graffiti with fine art. An innovative and fresh art form is emerging that has collectors and fans asking for more.

1AM and curator, Mike Tyau, are pleased to present “Fast Forward”, a group exhibition that captures the progressive evolution of spray can a…rt. The collection includes works from Jaybo Monk from Germany, Suiko from Japan, Sueme from Canada and Poesia, Robz, and Bam from the Bay Area. In the past year, 1AM has showcased graffiti’s roots with the exhibition “The Classics” and present form with “Outside In”. “Fast Forward” is a journey into the future and an imagining of what graffiti as an art form can and will be. Immersed in the experimental, this exhibition aims to excite and surprise fans, artists, and collectors, alike, of the controversial medium’s progression.”

She One, Will Barras, Mr Jago, Bue the Warrior, and Dave Walker recently came together and shot this video as part of the White Canvas Project put together by supremebeing. Here are some pictures from event. Looks like a great project and a great lineup of artists. Here is a brief statement about the project. This looks like it is going to be a amazing show so if you can I would make it.

GF

“The WCP is our forum to experiment with the surroundings and environment as a ready-made and often ignored canvas. We are putting on events and paint jams around the globe with artists and like minds, then releasing limited edition runs of prints on our favourite canvas; the humble white tee shirt. T-Shirts and prints will feature artwork created for or inspired by each event.”

Saber’s typographic, aerial attack on downtown Los Angeles this past Monday got everyone’s attention. His message was clear, end the mural moratorium. The city’s municipal code defines art murals as signage and the permitting process is deeply broken. Art is not a crime, but Los Angeles would like you to think it is.
“These taggers are not misguided kids,” Detective Sergeant Ron Marquez said in a prepared statement, “These suspects are in their 20s and 30s. They are adults who pass themselves off as artists, when in reality, they’re criminals…” (from the Pasadena Star News)

Saber first began thinking about this project back in April, shortly after the opening of MOCA’s Art in the Streets show. Desperate to make a high profile example of someone, the police used Revok’s failure to pay a $3,764.97 fine to hold him on $320,000 bail, and sentenced him to 180 days in jail. The idea of skywriting ‘#Free Revok’ over city hall held some real appeal (especially for those who value a well hit up heavens). It had been clear for months leading up to the exhibition that some in the city were not happy that an important LA art museum was treating graffiti art with seriousness and respect. Homes and offices have been raided, and the words “gang injunction” thrown around. The narrative of the “tag-banger” which tries to blur the line between graffiti artist and gang member has been pushed in LA for years. But that story has a problem; people on the street can tell the difference between the two. Just ask one of the 200,000 people who stood on line at MoCA this summer.

While there are several sources of hostility to public art in Los Angeles, Saber wanted to take a real, specific action. So, just as the letters hit the sky, Saber launched a petition to change the Los Angeles municipal code. So far over 1400 people have signed the petition to end the mural moratorium. If you believe that “murals are not signs and art is not a crime,” please join them. Click here to #EndMuralMoratorium.

By: Piper Wynn Severance, Saberone Studio

Photos courtesy: saberone.com

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