The Wall Project

Maxi — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:50:37 +0000

Rich Mix and Havana Club are calling on amateur or professional artists to submit designs for a specially commissioned wall art project, taking place over the next twelve months at the Shoreditch cultural hotspot, Rich Mix.

The art competition includes three commissions launched by three live events, hosted in conjunction with the start of Rich Mix’s new seasons.

Artist Remi/Rough launched the Havana Club Wall Project with his interpretation and vision of the values that make Havana so unique. The celebrated urban artist was specially commissioned to design and paint an interior wall that runs the entire length of the Rich Mix events space.

Artists are invited to submit their entries to panel of experts, led by Remi/Rough, who will select two winning designs to feature on the Rich Mix interior wall throughout the year. “The design must embody the unique and inspiring attitude that reflects the true values of the Cuban capital – humanity, spontaneity and creativity, this refreshing attitude highlighting the informality, passion and generosity of the people of Havana.”

Although I have my doubts that there is any such thing as a “reflection of the true values of the Cuban capital” I believe this to be a good opportunity for every artist that feels inclined to make a feel-good wall piece.

Design sketches must be submitted to Rich Mix (visualarts@richmix.org.uk) as a jpg before March 21. Check their website for more info.

Urban Abstract

Maxi — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:00:24 +0000

Remi/Rough worked on the highly acclaimed Underbelly Project in New York, recently returned from Primary Flight at Art Basel Miami and was commissioned by Wahaca to paint their new Wardour Street restaurant. His recent work is an evolution of the letterforms and colors known from his early graffiti pieces. Lines, shapes and form are dramatically skewed to create a perspective, suggesting that they occupy a three dimensional environment. The vibrant compositions and textures evoke graffiti from an imagined futuristic society. In a nutshell: Remi/Rough paints at the forefront of Urban Abstractionism.

Beginning of February Remi/Rough, together with Steve More, will exhibit their work at A”; an exhibition celebrating Urban Abstractionism. The title A’ refers to their starting point of reshaping letters of the alphabet and integrating them into an urban context. It also refers to the Avant-garde, Abstraction and Alternative aspects within their work – all of which are central to their approach, reiterating a new interpretation and a new beginning for what was urban art – the urban abstract internet casino movement.

Steve More’s work has a tactile quality that is derived from the surfaces in his environment. Found and discarded materials are assimilated into pixels, questioning how the computer age affects our perceptions of time and place. His work is crafted using the forming and subsequent erosion of materials as an important part of the process. In contrast, Remi’s work is less premeditated and more concerned with immediacy of the moment.

“A is an exhibition at the forefront of an urban abstract movement whose roots come from a time before the hype of street art. Interest in this movement is steadily gaining momentum and Remi/Rough and Steve More are amongst its finest exponents.

“Remi/Rough and Steve More first met in the early 90’s and worked closely over the following ten years, playing a progressive role in the international graffiti art scene. Their focus on self-expression and originality whilst working in the urban vernacular has had a lasting influence on their own works and on the generation that came out of that era.

“Like a handful of other artists of that era their work diverged but similarities remain highly evident. Notable members of this urban abstract movement include Marco Grassi (Milan), Jaybo Monk (Berlin) Retna (LA), Joker (Portland), Augustine Kofie (LA) LX One (Paris), Antistatik (Strasbourg) and Jose Parla (NYC) – all of whom are beginning to reap success with their work.”

Who: Remi/Rough & Steve More
Where: Blackall Studios / Leonard Street EC2A / London
When: February 1- February 6

Modart » Remi/Rough

The Wall Project

Urban Abstract