LOOK INTO MY OWL » GRAFFITI

BLU – BIG BANG BIG BOOM

l00k — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:05:59 +0000

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.

BANKSY – EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP

l00k — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:44:00 +0000

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 – NEW VIDEOS

l00k — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:39:41 +0000

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.

MR. BRAINWASH – ICONS

l00k — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:33:06 +0000

Valentine’s Day marked the opening of “Icons” the latest show from Mr. Brainwash. The line was around the corner for the opening at the 15,000 square foot building in the meat packing district. Special thanks to Alanna Sarti for taking these excellent photographs.

Mr Brainwash, Icons, NYC, 2010.

Mr. Brainwash
Icons
14 February – 31 March 2010
415 W. 13th Street
NYC

THE WYNWOOD WALLS – MIAMI

l00k — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:30:05 +0000

The Wynwood Walls is an ongoing outdoor mural project produced by Deitch Projects and Goldman Properties. Twelve murals were completed for the opening including work by Aiko, Os Gemeos and Nunca, Stelios Faitakis, Jim Drain, Shepard Fairey, Futura, Barry McGee, Ara Peterson, Clare Rojas, Kenny Scharf and the team of Swoon, David Ellis and Ben Wolf. Here are photos of some of our favorites.

AIKO, The Wynwood Walls, Miami, 2009.

Shepard Fairey, The Wynwood Walls, Miami, 2009.

Kenny Scharf, The Wynwood Walls, Miami, 2009.

The Wynwood Walls
NW 26th Street & 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL

SHEPARD FAIREY – MIAMI

l00k — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:54:12 +0000

On our way to Art Miami, we bumped into Shepard Fairey and crew working on a huge outdoor mural in the 3000 block of North Miami Avenue. It had been more than a decade since we had connected with Shepard, it was good to catch up a bit.

Due to some storms headed this way, the Obey crew was working through the night. They expect to keep going for the next two days. We should be back through the Wynwood Arts District soon, so check back for photos of the finished piece.

Shepard Fairey, Miami, 2009.

DAN WITZ – DARK DOINGS

l00k — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:26:19 +0000

“Dark Doings”, the first solo exhibition in California for Dan Witz is the current show at the Carmichael Gallery in West Hollywood. The imagery is derived largely from a recent visit the artist made to the red light district in Amsterdam.

Dan Witz, Sarah (Bloody Fingers), mixed media on digital print on plastic, 2009.

Unauthorized artwork in public places has gone through many advances over the past several decades. It used to be the goal of graffiti bombers to to go large and loud with the intent of being seen. This attitude has by no means died but a subtler, perhaps more sublime aesthetic has begun to creep in affected considerably by the work of Dan Witz. His inventive urban treasures are reward for staying alert despite the daily grind.

Dan Witz, Mean Monkey, mixed media on digital print on plastic, 2009.

In the past, Witz has voiced an apprehension about showing his work in a gallery setting. Much of the pleasure that he derives from creating art comes from street level interventions in unusual places. “Dark Doings” seeks to integrate the power of the work in its accustomed habitat with the necessities of a proper exhibition space. Many of the prints are mounted on plastic, some have been marked and otherwise disturbed. The pieces have been either framed or mounted to unhinged doors. Photographic images of the prints in situ are also on view, extending the virtual sensation of “being there.”

Dan Witz, Scott (Photo), digital print on photo paper, 2009.

Dan Witz
Dark Doings
5 November – 3 December 2009
Carmichael Gallery
West Hollywood, CA

JAYBO (AKA MONK) – HEADSCAPE: TALES FROM THE DRIFTERS

l00k — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:59:20 +0000

The first solo show in London from Jaybo (aka Monk) is up at Signal Gallery.

Jaybo (aka Monk), Ateles, 2009.

The French born resident of Berlin has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. He co-founded Style Magazine and has also worked as an actor and musician. His recent efforts have been given over to the creation of art.

Jaybo (aka Monk), Mutations 1, 2009.

The medium for these works is spray paint on canvas. The aerosol arts have been traditionally limited to graphic character design. Jaybo exhibits a control over the can that advances these portraits into intimate territory. It is clear that he has captured more than simple likeness in the paintings for this show. Look closely and you will discover much about the soul of the subjects through the meditations of the creator.

Jaybo (aka Monk), Rainbow Eater 1, 2009.

Jaybo (aka Monk)
Headscape: Tales From the Drifters
17 July – 11 August 2009
Signal Gallery
London

BANKSY VERSUS BRISTOL MUSEUM

l00k — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:08:04 +0000

The mysterious British Pop icon Banksy is opening a new museum show in his hometown of Bristol. This is not the first time that Banksy’s work has hung in a museum but it is his first exhibit with consent from the house.

Banksy Versus Bristol Museum, 2009.

The exhibition titled “Banksy Versus Bristol Museum” was installed in near complete secrecy. Museum staff and visitors were told that a movie was being filmed in the space while a stencil on the front door claimed, “CLOSED for essential maintenance work.”

Banksy Versus Bristol Museum, 2009.

This is the artist’s largest installation to date. It is a multimedia extravaganza with remnants of “The Village Petstore and Charcoal Grill” covered here last year. Several of the animatronic works appear as they did for the New York show but many have been revisited alongside an impressive body of new work.

Banksy Versus Bristol Museum, 2009.

Most of the three story Edwardian Baroque building has been appropriated for the exhibition. It should be an ironic clash of art and space but the new pieces in particular do not seem out of place.

Banksy Versus Bristol Museum, 2009.

For more info see the trailer below. The video features a walktrough of many of the major elements and some clips from the process.

Banksy Versus Bristol Museum
13 June – 31 August 2009
Bristol’s City Museum & Art Gallery

SPECTER – ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM

l00k — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:18:40 +0000

Specter has just unveiled a four story installation at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

The piece is mixed media on cloth and was completed in only two months. The Trompe l’oeil technique used to create this impressive work provides a stunning contrast to the subject matter. An architecture of need is displayed in two dimensions that seems to add physical support to the structure in which it is housed.

We recently released an exclusive limited edition print with Specter through NOWhere Limited. The print is still available here.