Remember the mural we mentioned in our Overtime article a couple weeks ago that RETNA (featured) painted for Louis Vuitton? Footage has now been released of the MSK-affiliated writer working on facade of the LV Miami Design District store, covering it with his signature urban calligraphy. Even more interesting have been the rumors that RETNA will be collaborating with the fashion house on some apparel after LV imagery was seen in some of his paintings and he was seen sporting a scarf with his markings on [...]
It looks like Chinese contemporary artist and political dissident Ai Weiwei recently released a parody video of the viral video sensation Gangnam Style. In this cover of Psy’s smash hit, the footage alternates from actual scenes from the music video to AWW and his studio staff dancing to the song including the now-famous horse dance moves. As to the reason for the remix – perhaps the title “Grass-Mud Horse Style” gives a clue as it is a reference to a Chinese Internet meme that uses a pun that [...]
Back in March, we covered extensively French photographer JR’s canvassing of Los Angeles with his iconic imagery as part of his Wrinkles in the City project. Now AM photographer and filmmaker Carlos Gonzalez of theonepointeight has created a video documenting the experience for the newly formed MOCAtv channel. Check out the footage below… Discuss JR here.
After bringing you part one of a video series documenting last year’s POW WOW event, we now have part two & three to share with you. Produced by Banzai Media, the footage brings an in-depth look at various aspects of the annual art retreat in Hawaii including interviews with local artists and their thoughts as to what the art festival means to the local community, a closer look at the creation of the murals including explanations from the artists, the associated luau and hunt, the artist complex known [...]
Tomorrow night, Mark Whalen (featured) will be unveiling all new works at the Merry Karnowksy Gallery. Entitled Portals, the name certainly can be descriptive of the imagery seen in his paintings – strange beings that look like they might have appeared through doorways into another dimension or world. Whalen has come a long way since his days as a Sydney based street artist known as Kill Pixie, and this return to the Los Angeles showspace sees him further explore what we saw from him at last year’s exhibition there [...]
It feels like only yesterday when we finished up the phenomenal gathering of street artists known as POW WOW. Expanding both the presence inside and out, this year’s event took a giant leap to expand upon its premiere last year in Hawaii. Check out a slick look put together by Banzai Media at the outdoor works by a slew of international artists as they visually transformed the industrial neighborhood of Kaka’ako to psych you up for 2013!
AM has always seen Mark Warren Jacques (interviewed) as much as a storyteller as an artist since we became immersed in his work a number of years ago. His latest solo exhibition opens this Thursday at Portland’s Breeze Block Gallery and is entitled Each Story In This Story Has A Story. Heartfelt sentiments interlaced with abstracted narrative, explosive colours and the very tightest of line-work are just some of the elements that are to be found within his work. We got to spend some time with Mark and [...]
Leading things off this week is a video introducing the new Doggy Radio from Yoshitomo Nara. Limited to a run of 3,000 pieces (comes with metal dog tag with its unique edition number), the sculptural edition is a fully functional sound system including radio, Bluetooth, USB or auxiliary input capabilities. Also, with the twist of the nose, stroking under the chin, or touch of the collar, you can control various functions. Watch the video below for more details… Julian Schnabel puts on a masterclass (via Beautiful/Decay). Timelapse and insightful commentary from [...]
The Bay Area-based ABOVE (interviewed) was recently invited to paint at the 7th annual International art festival ASALTO in Zaragoza, Spain. He chose a 120 foot long wall to highlight an issue that has been front and center for the people of the country – their 24% unemployment rate (the unemployment rate for those under 25 years old, is a staggering 53%). He enlisted the help of the local Spanish people who posed in his studio to have their silhouettes traced for the project. Check the video and more photos [...]
This week’s video Rewind has a mini-documentary (source) on Gary Baseman (featured) produced by Eric Minh Swenson at the very top of the list. The in-depth interview reveals his thoughts behind his character Toby and his travels, his love for masks, how his sketchbooks document his travels, creating his own holiday, various characters he has created, the mythology behind his imagery, his personal history, and more. The footage also gives you an extensive look at his studio. Look for a major retrospective from Gary at the Skirball next [...]
The return of our video Rewind sees a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the giant Yayoi Kusama statue that is currently installed by Louis Vuitton on the top of Selfridges in London. This was all arranged by Louis Vuitton as part of their campaign for a fashion line they collaborated on with the Japanese artist. ABOVE’s new mural on social media. Interview with Selim Varol and a tour of his Berlin show featuring his collection. Time lapse video of Marshall Reese and Nora Ligorano’s melting Middle Class [...]
Earlier this year, German graff duo Herakut teamed up with Lucent Dossier (covered) to bring a unique show which was both part live painting, part acrobatic extravaganza. Many fans of both Herakut and Lucent missed out on the performance since it only played twice in front of an audience. However, here we have a short documentary directed by theonepointeight, which shows a rare behind the scenes look into the making of the show as well as the final performances. Looks can be a bit deceiving [...]
