While organised groups of locals residents debate with Hackney council on the merits of protecting all Banksy works found in the borough. Another heated 'what is art?' debate is raging through the councils corridors of power. Afterall one may argue the fact a unique graffiti tag on a wall is art but we don't think the question of whether ROA's rabbit piece is art has any place in this debate. ROA pieces are all around London particularly in East London and many other cities in Europe. The artist did his first solo show in Pure Evil's gallery in Shoreditch September 2010. Belgium based ROA has been on the rise over the last couple years and Hackney was blessed with numerous pieces who have stood the test of time.
The council seems to be getting it completely wrong in its approach to white washing street art graffiti. They appear to welcome anything that Banksy paints on walls while opting to scrub everything else. ROA is one of the hottest names in the street art world right now and if monetary value is what drives the decision to keep Banksy enshrouded in perplex plastic then ROA's work is highly collectible and soon worth a wee fortune. Hang on though, did we miss a page or something, wasn't it the cutting edge media industry of Brick Lane legend coupled with the street art graffiti movement which created this air of sophistication within the borough that is globally known for its Murder Mile?
ROA's rabbit has been there for months and in that time no-one has painted over it which also shows a mark of respect for the work. If the council white washes the wall just how long do they think it will take before they return to white wash some shabby scrawling. The owner of the premises told journalists "It's quite the opposite of what they're saying it is, it's not a blight – it really adds to the local area. If it was some horrible graffiti then they'd have a point, but it's a thing of beauty in Hackney Road, which is not the greatest area in the world. Among the bingo halls and shops you've got a really nice artwork, which really adds something."
The council told journalists "The graffiti ... is clearly visible from the road and, whilst it is not the council's position to make a judgment call on whether graffiti is art or not, our task is to keep Hackney's streets clean. As part of our enforcement policy, which is informed by Defra guidance, we initially contacted the property owner on an informal basis and offered advice, including what they needed to do if they wished to retain the piece of graffiti. This was followed by a letter and another visit to the property before the removal notice was served. However, we are currently holding our enforcement action to allow the owner a further opportunity to seek planning advice about retaining the piece."
They painted over the Banksy in Church Street last year so we're expecting to see a white wall anytime soon though we hope to see the rabbit for much longer...
A petition has been started so if you wish to see this piece on the wall for longer then please sign the petition and lets help to keep street art on walls and anything else deemed a canvas.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?PremROA&1
Norman Parker spent 24 years in Britain's hardest prisons before emerging transformed from time spent away into a prolific serial writer and TV / Film narrator. Norman is a friend of Wayne's so LSD were lucky enough to be granted unlimited access to his books for stories in the magazine. Norman has been pretty busy working on films and TV projects so its been hard to pin the man down to catch up with his exploits.
Norman's latest offering is a book called In the Realm of the Soul. Anyone thats spent so much time away has clearly done much soul searching but before Norman went away many moons ago and since he came out of prison the man has lead an extremely colorful life. Mr Parker is old school which usually equates to the persona of a perfect gentlemen, well mannered and groomed in every aspect of his life. They just dont build them like the Norman Parker's of this world any more. Follow yet another epic mind fuck adventure in exotic locations dotted round the world. Parker's Tales are the true stories of a man on a journey and the latest book In the Realm's of the Soul are testament to the uniqueness of Norman Parker.
Norman is giving digital copies of the book away for FREE at his website...Go Now and download (no sign ups / registering)
DIRTY OLD TOWN.
After great acclaim in the USA, we are proud to present The first UK Sneak Preview of “Dirty Old Town” http://www.dirtyoldtownmovie.com/
...for friends family & colleagues
Free Admission / entry strictly by invitation only
Dirty Old Town is a tale by young trio Jenner Furst, Daniel B Levin and Julia Willoughby Nason. In association with Blowback Productions and Executive Producer Marc Levin, this debut feature narrative is emblematic of a new wave in low-budget filmmaking that seeks to redefine the independent landscape.
In this gonzo tone poem, Bowery Billy Leroy has 72 hours to save his star-crossed Junk Store from extinction. Longtime actor and nightlife legend Nicky D steers a cosmic catastrophe into resolution as the half-baked “John Wayne” of Mott Street. There are also first-time acting debuts from the film’s Producer Paul Sevigny, the restaurateur and Club Guru, Ashley Graham the young full-bodied super model and Janell Shirtcliff, who plays the film’s siren and female lead. The score includes choice musical contributions from established indies like Brian Jonestown Massacre, Elvis Perkins in Dearland and A.R.E. Weapons. Also featuring new songs from singer-songwriters Lorraine Leckie and Chelsea Crowell.
The St Leonard’s church where the film is being shown, is a perfect, exciting venue, and we hope it makes the occasion authentic and different for you all. We would strongly suggest bringing coats/a warm jumper etc, as the church may get chilly. Feel free to bring cushions for those that love extra comfort! we plan to serve hot toddies throughout the movie - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Leonard's,_Shoreditch
The screening will start at 7.45pm PROMPT
The Filmmakers will be in attendance at the screening.
RSVP - redgalleryinfo@gmail.com
as this event is strictly by invitation only.
The aftershow party will be at the Red Gallery 1-3 Rivington Street, EC2A 3DT
LONDON DEBUT PERFORMANCE BY NEW YORK CULT MULTI MEDIA ARTISTS: THE COUNTESS FAIRYTAIL PUNK (The Girl With The Horse In Her Hair )
DJ'S: MARK MOORE, J SAUL KANE, PAUL SEVIGNY, GOBSAUSAGE
and a special midnight screening of the documentary CAPTURED. http://www.capturedmovie.com/
more info: East End Promise/ourhistory/Red Gallery
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112690252083894
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8554348947
http://www.eastendpromise.com/
Dreweatts Auctioneers will be holding their next Urban Contemporary Art Sale on Thursday 21 October 2010. It kicks off at 7pm at Dreweatts London at their Bloomsbury premises: 24 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London.
K-Guy has a unique 1/1 piece called DEATH OF VENUS up for grabs. A twenty-first century, cosmetically enhanced reworking of the Botticelli masterpiece, Birth of Venus.
'Personally I always thought the old girl looked a bit sad and now the nip and tuck generation has dealt womankind a rusty scalpel?' K-Guy
Piece Details
Acrylic, spraypaint and silkscreen ink on coroded galvanised steel sheet formed into a tray type thing. Signed, stencilled and numbered on reverse, 90cm x 90 cm x 6cm (35 1/2 x 35 1/2 x 2 1/4in) accompanied by a certifcate of authenticity.
To view the online catalogue go to the site http://www.dnfa.com/ . If you're interested in buying stuff, here's the details for online bidding http://www.dnfa.com/auctions.asp?view=saledetails&aucno=20430&avail=1
Nice Tool...
Mural Locator is a simple to use web tool that helps people locate murals around the world. The growing database of locations, photos, and documentation on Mural Locator brings murals and mural artists to a larger audience.
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3. Word searches can also be used to find the artwork by location, subject, or artist.
MuralLocator.org makes global murals more accessible and keeps people informed of this ever developing and growing art form.
