FUTURECLASSIC featuring KON & AMIR (NYC) + special guest OHMEGA WATTS

Just a reminder that “Reverberations,” an exhibition featuring new works by Che Jen and Kenji Hirata, opens tonight at FIFTY24SF Gallery from 7 to 9 PM.

248 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
7 to 9 PM

It’s where Louis XIV Meets Crash and Blade. We’re talking about the show everyone has been talking about: NYC’s Whole in the Wall. The show is billed as the largest exhibition of American and European street art from 1970 to today, and includes paintings, sculpture and photography.

Whole In The Wall
Words and photos by George Koroneos

The largest graffiti exposition in years was launched in NYC on Thursday, as hundreds of street art fans and fine art collectors made the pilgrimage to a massive two-story gallery to pay tribute to the legendary graf artists from NYC and beyond.

The guest list was a who’s who of the old school street art community – Blade, Haze, Daze, Blek Le Rat…you name a living legend and they were probably there. It was so easy to play guess-the-writer that one almost forgot about the massive amount of art on display. Massive canvases covered in new and old school styles, real Porsche 911 hoods splattered in layers of acrylic adorned the walls, and life-size sculptures were mounted in the middle of the urban garden.

The event was created by Paris, France-based Helenbeck Gallery, run by two twin sisters that are passionate and wild about New York-style graffiti. The same show ran in Paris in November to acclaim reviews and sold out before it closed. It was so overwhelmingly successful that the gallery ran the show in Nice and now New York.

The rationale was simple. Since half the artists in the show are from Manhattan and they get so much attention in Europe, why not bring their work to their hometown with the same prestige and fanfare?

Of the 150 paintings, sculptures, and photos in the show, 50 were commissioned for Whole in the Wall and many of those were created on site. The crown jewel of the show is an installation of 17th century antique King Louie furniture juxtaposed with traditional graffiti art from the likes of Victor Ash and other street greats.

“Jean-Michel Basquiat was able to show that graffiti could be accepted by fine art galleries and that’s what we are trying to do here,” Curator Jean Gismondi told Juxtapoz through a translator. “Nowadays the heirs to Basquiat and the followers of BLADE show that they are real artists. For example SHARP’s inspiration comes from major artists in the Baroque style. Just look at Damien Hirst’s diamond skull. That’s a good example of how street artists can borrow from classic and make it new.”

Whole In The Wall: 1970 – Now
Friday, May 29 to Saturday, June 27
Open 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesdays through Saturdays
529-535 W. 35th St. @ 11th Ave.

Photographer Henry Chalfant in focus

NIC ONE with his signature mini spray can

In the shadow of greats

Kid Lew, Martha Cooper, and Aiko

Martha Cooper shows off her old school jacket… (rules!)

More photos and full scoop here: Juxtapoz

The Ronin Gallery is proud to present:

METALLUM

An Exhibition of Architectural Patterns on Found Metal Objects

From mix media artists: Kofie and Codak

Curated by Zury Ponce

Works include:

Interior & Exterior mural collaboration, Edition of 20 2-color screen prints

over 40 painted file boxes & 40+ new works on found metal by Codak & myself.

Friday June, 5th from 7-11pm.

The Ronin Gallery

1924 Echo Park Ave

Los Angeles CA 90026

p:323.284.8782

info@theroningallery.com

Show Info:

http://keepdrafting.com/?p=693

http://www.theroningallery.com

FREE Soundtrack Download for the show:

http://soundcloud.com/4x4tracktor/metallum-soundtrack

MOS DEF, MADLIB, OH NO & DILLA
Mos Def teams with Stones Throw producers for his new album The Ecstatic, released June 9th. Check out the details:
http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2009/06/mos-def-the-ecstatic

MP3: Mos Def feat. Slick Rick – Auditorium
Produced by Madlib, with instrumental taken from Madlib’s album “Beat Konducta in India”

MADLIB TOUR DIARY & PHOTOS BY EGON
Madlib & J.Rocc’s Europe Tour wrapped up last week in Marseille, France.
http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2009/06/madlib-2009-tour-marseille

The Poketo studio will hold a silent art auction titled, “F%#k Cancer! We Love Justin” to raise funds for the medical treatment of artist Justin Van Hoy. Over forty important Los Angeles artists will be donating their work, with more artists added to the roster daily. All proceeds will go directly to support Justin Van Hoy’s recovery. Those unfamiliar with Justin might not be as distant from him as perceived. As the art director for SWINDLE Magazine, and contributor of works for artists and brands such as OBEY, Roger Gastman, Cobra Snake, and more, Justin’s distinct and captivating work has been feeding our creative hunger for years. All are welcome to the event to acknowledge Justin and those who have been affected by cancer.

Friday, June 5th
7 – 10 PM

Poketo Studio
510 S. Hewitt St. #506 (5th floor) Los Angeles, CA 90013

Auction will be from 7 – 9 PM, winning bidders receive art by10 PM. Cash or check only. No credit cards will be accepted.

Contributing artists include: Shepard Fairey, Saelee Oh, Jeana Sohn, Travis Millard, Mel Kadel, Marco Zamora, Ye Rin Mok, Studio Number One, Sumi Ink Club, Chris Bettig, Sarajo Frieden, Kim Buzzelli, Sheli Ben Ner, Casey Ryder, Saejeen Oh, Skyrocket Studios, Ashkahn, Leah Chun, Bill McRight, Josh Hart, Derek Albeck, Ernesto Yerena, Jesselisa Moretti, Kristian Henson, Zach Gibson, Jeremy Baker, Phillip Lumbang, Matt Goldman, Florencio Zavala, Marissa Textor, Jordan Isip, Damion Silver, Josh Cochran, Caroline Hwang, Amanda Visell, David Weidman, Katsuo Design, Jared Purrington, Blake E. Marquis, Michael Coleman, Ryan Callis, Jason Filipow, Tim Biskup, Ramis Kim, Melissa Contreras… ALSO, goods from Poketo, Obey Clothing, and prints from Mike Giant, Dalek, Saber, Jim Houser, and more.

Complimentary food and drink provided by Poketo and the generous folks at Spitz. Thank you!

Curious?  Visit The Press Play Show to download the project…

Here is a link to download it:
http://sharebee.com/21bf44e0

Get the track listing and Matt Africa’s liner notes over at his blog:
http://matthewafrica.blogspot.com/2009/05/americaz-most-complete-artist.html

If you enjoy this, spread the good word.

Hey, we’re going to be hanging out with our Obey rep at the Marche at the French American school in Berkeley.  Come by for shopping and food! 1009 Heinz, Berkeley from 11am-4pm

www.eb.org