LOOK INTO MY OWL

After months of work and hundreds of buckets of paint the latest wall animation from Blu is ready to thrill you. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the video in its entirety.

Blu, Big Bang Big Boom, still from video, 2010.

“Big Bang Big Boom” is a narrative, frame-by-frame animation that runs a course from the initial big bang that sparked our Universe to a hypothetical end to our own planet.

Blu, Big Bang Big Boom, still from video, 2010.

Despite the potentially alarmist nature of the material, Blu’s sense of play can be felt running through the entire video. This endearing quality is enhanced with a marvelous soundtrack by Andrea Martignoni.

Blu, Big Bang Big Boom, still from video, 2010.

This is the most impressive animation that Blu has done to date. This is saying a lot as there has been some astonishing work in the past. “Big Bang Big Boom” continues to evolve with new ideas in addition to providing a perfect balance of two and three dimensional animation with powerful transitions.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to screen Banksy’s film “Exit Through the Gift Shop” at the Mayan Theatre in Denver. I’d recommend seeing the film with little foreknowledge but if you must, continue on for minimal spoiling.

Banksy, Exit Through the Gift Shop, still from video, 2010.

French born filmmaker Thierry Guetta (AKA Mr. Brainwash) set off on a quest to document the recently enlivened “Street Art” scene. He tirelessly followed some of the most celebrated artists of the genre as they applied their wares to public places. His footage piled up but Guetta had little success in his efforts to make sense of the work in the editing room. Banksy took over the project and the final cut became “Exit Through the Gift Shop.”

Banksy, Exit Through the Gift Shop, still from video, 2010.

The premiere of the film received excellent response at the Sundance Film Festival. While the London debut took place in a disused tunnel under Waterloo Station complete with lush seating. A typically brilliant move for the master marketer.

Banksy, Exit Through the Gift Shop, still from video, 2010.

Mr. Brainwash and Banksy inspire passion in both directions. Discussion forums and blog comment areas quickly fill up with hatred and defense. During the New York premiere, the online tabloid Art Fag City went into a sputtering rage over unfounded reports of ethical impropriety concerning the marketing efforts for the film. The infantile attacks were corrected and eventually a ludicrous retraction was posted.

Heavy handed reaction from those slow to adopt change can be expected. This sort of response has been seen over and over throughout the history of art. The savvy collector should raise an eyebrow because this is the same sort of nonsense that Andy Warhol was forced to endure during his lifetime.

If you miss this film, you have truly been left behind. Watch the trailer (complete with a song that I can’t get out of my head) below.

Banksy
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Now playing in the U.S. and Canada.

KATSU, Tagging Over Picasso, still from video, 2010.

Two great new videos of KATSU sprucing up some national pride. KATSU is perhaps best known for his use of a manipulated fire extinguisher to paint large areas in public spots.