His name is #codefc

If you are keen on graffiti, you must have seen #codefc stuff on some walls, one of his latest and probably most seen is the Olympic runner with the message “Fuck 2012 – I am ready now ”

The man behind #codefc has been active as a graffiti artist for a long time, for about 22 yrs actually but he has been using #codefc for the last 12 years. #codefc references to a hexadecimal color code use in web technologies which coincidentally can be broken down into the word “code” and “fc”, the initials of our artist in question.

#codefc started to do graffiti in Rome where he got arrested doing a train carriage. Keen on using stencils, most of his stuff are location related, some of his projects are coDe-DAY in Normandy , stuDIED in Cambodia or viet-code in South Vietnam where fictive characters are invented and stencil on a surface.

Some of you will have notice the use of what looks like a filming camera. Talking to #codefc, we found out that he is also a keen film maker and that the camera depicted in his works is S8 cinecam which is also used as a logo.

#codefc paint as much as in London than abroad and some of of his works can be seen below.

2012Sprinter from #codefc on Vimeo.

Robert Brandenburg at Gallery 1988

In “Pooh… and Other Sh*t,” Robert Brandenburg brings “hijacked” art to Gallery 1988 in Venice Beach, CA.

As a self-taught artist from Ohio, Brandenburg brings an expansive perspective to viewers. Born in 1954, he paints contemporary works that offer a light repose from the mundane.

His versatile style allows him to incorporate renderings into a variety of works on a variety of mediums. Less art than humor, he creates an entertaining interlude and encourages viewers to recreate everyday scenes in a less than ordinary manner.

Renamed The Bird, Brandenburg alters a metal sign from 1956 used to advertise the Ford Thunderbird. In the original a couple speeds away in the automobile, waving to onlookers. In the re-mastered version, the passenger extends her middle finger to the people standing by. From metal to cardboard, In Mammy Cakes Brandenburg alters a Hostess Cupcake box from a chocolate frosted vanilla cupcake to a white mouthed image mirroring minstrel shows that ran in America from the 1830’s into the mid-1900’s. During these often severely racist performances, white men painted themselves in black face.

To compliment his images, Brandenburg includes brief bios and explanations into the life of his creations. One of his works, Hannah Lecter, features a young girl on a greeting card. Originally, she was eating a tasty piece of chocolate but Brandenburg coated the original snack with a dripping red acrylic paint to make it appear as if she indulges in human flesh.  The title and corresponding story names her as Hannibal Lecter’s love child. He also alters several Norman Rockwell paintings depicting the ‘ideal’ family life of 1940’s America including one from Rockwell’s “Four Freedom” series entitled Freedom from Want. Brandenburg redubs it Freedom from Stress and replaces the original turkey with a glass pipe, beers, and whiskey explaining, “experience suggests that the happy family is going to need a little more than turkey to keep things running smoothly for the rest of the day.”

Brandenburg brings a fresh look to “normal” images by incorporating himself into a variety of mediums at his new solo exhibition. By redesigning iconic images, he urges society to reexamine omnipresent sights that do not always reflect truth.

“Pooh… and Other Sh*t” hijacked art by Robert Brandenburg at Gallery 1988 Venice
Dates: January 7 – 28, 2011
Hours: Wed – Sun: 11AM – 6PM

Remap 3 – Street art project from Athens

If there is one country that needs a push right now, it has to be Greece. Remap, an international contemporary art platform open and free to the public, could just what Greek people need to hopefully put a smile back on their faces.

ReMapKM’s main purpose, which is held bi annually in the area of Kerameikos-Metaxourgeio in Athens, in tandem with the Athens Biennial, is to goal is to create an alternative platform for the production and experiencing of contemporary art within the urban context.

The REMAP event is in third edition this year runs until the 30/10/11 which a multitude of shows and events. Read the full program.

Big names include APSET, BOOHAHA and RTMone & SIVE and these artists have come up with an installation made of human faces expressions with alongside them, a made up ladder which is supposed to lead them up to the sky where they can free their minds. The reference here is easily spottable: the need for city inhabitants to escape the sometimes tough urban jungle. Some photos of the installation are included below and are courtesy of montana-cans.com website which sponsor the paint for the event.

Bunny suicides from Andy Riley

When we first saw Andy Riley’s Bunny Suicides illustrations, we immediately love them but also found them very funny.

In a nutshell, rather desperate bunnies try to end their lives by any means they can think of and find themselves in ingenious yet dramatic situations.

You are looking at dark humour so these might not be your taste but cute bunnies might?

We included 9 of the best illustrations of the illustrator we spotted online

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley | Art-Pie

Chasinghosts or documenting the London street art scene

Time has come for the Chasinghosts duo to celebrate their time snapping street art wonders in London. Indeed they are are launching the first edition of the Chasing Ghosts Photo book.

The book contains 40 pages with 150 full colour photo’s dedicated purely to the streets of London. This edition is limited to only 50 copies, each signed and numbered.

The launch party will take place on Tuesday the 29th of March 6pm to 9pm and hosted by the LAVA Gallery:

Where
LAVA Gallery | 11 Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, London, W1B 5PW

When
29th March 2011

Majajani show at Rich Mix

Majajani at Rich Mix | Art-Pie

This exhibition aims to show Chila Kumari Burman’s work from 2000 to the present. For more than twenty five years Chila has been creating powerful images of contemporary Asian Feminisms.

Born in Liverpool to a Hindu Punjabi family Chila’s art explores issues of class, gender, ethnicity, identity – but through the prism of defiance and love. Her work is informed by popular culture, Bollywood, fashion, found objects and a long-sustained examination of self-portraiture.

Majajani at Rich Mix | Art-PieMajajani at Rich Mix | Art-Pie

The exhibition will showcase a dazzling array of media:  printmaking, collage, mixed media, photography, sculpture and painting. Through all of these media Chila’s aim remains steady: the provocative undermining of fixed categories.

A definite must-see show

What – MAJAJANI
When – Fri 3 April – Thu 30 April
Where – Rich Mix, 35 – 47 Bethnal green road, Shoreditch (Mezzanine + Lower Cafe Gallery)

Majajani at Rich Mix | Art-Pie

'Air I breathe' – the new Gazelli Art House show

I have been looking forward to this new exhibition by the guys at Gazelli Art House, not just because of the promising line-up of artists but also about the venue this show is held at – Rochelle school. This is one of those venues any artist would love to have at disposal for shows – it is on two floors, airy, high ceilings, great light, several rooms. It just works for art shows and shall leave up to the expectations for this show which is installation based sculpture focused.

‘Air I breathe’ is the 4th show of a series of 5 exploring the classical elements, and in particular the contradictory nature of air.

Mila Askarova, curator of this show and founder of Gazelli Art House has gathered top talents for this show and John Wynne’s sound installation(whose speaker installation in Saatchi’s ‘Newspeak’ exhibition was critically acclaimed) will resonate throughout the venue . Hyper-real sculptures of people from the duo Little Whitehead (AKA Craig Little and Blake Whitehead) will also provoke reactions

Add to this, Kate Terry‘s work of dramatic, tense, thread installations and Yoonjin Jung‘s site-specific installations marrying oriental painting with a desire to explore the idea of ‘Seeing the Unseen’ and you know you will be up for a fine evening of must-seen art.

PV 8/9 6-9pm | Show: 9 till 7/10/11
Rochelle School, Arnold circus, London E2 7ES

RSVP at RSVP@GAZELLIARTHOUSE.COM

John Wynne
John Wynne
Little-Whitehead
Little & Whitehead

Wonderful World, solo show by Gérard Rancinan

Gerard RancinanWhere: Londonewcastle Project Space
When: 7-24 June 2012

Thursday evening I managed to drop by the Londonewcastle space to see first hand the Rancinan show presented by The Future Tense. I  had known about the exhibition for some time and was really keen to visit. I was not disappointed.

Opening from The Future Tense

“Gérard Rancinan is one of the world’s leading contemporary fine art photographers. For the past 7 years, Rancinan, along with writer Caroline Gaudriault, have been developing the ‘Trilogy of the Moderns’ – a revolution in three acts. Pitched somewhere between comedy and tragedy, this vivid photographic tableau and accompanying texts paint a picture of a confused humanity, blindly groping in the darkness, obsessed with fame and guided only by an absolute desire for generalised happiness.”

Gerard Rancinan

Walking through the show I envisioned myself watching the film Donnie Darko and playing out scenes from which include the infamous bunny head. In addition the irony was that I was humming “Mad World” the corresponding score to the film. Batmanesq and cartoon imagery which although perhaps has been included within other contemporary art, I do not feel this is in any way reproduced. It feels new, yet old, fresh yet re-worn and very much engaging.

Gerard Rancinan

The narrative which accompanies the show, actually does not waffle or meander through meaningless meanings, it provides a commentary, which I find sits well with me. This is the first time for many months where the ideals which are being conveyed actually mean something to me. References to a society documenting its own history via social mediums are made and the act of me writing these very words endorse this. In addition the term ‘non places’ and ‘non people’ have been used which when used in conjunction with the virtual Twitter & Facebook world actually have a relevant description of contemporary society.

Gerard Rancinan

The works themselves are comparable to hyper realistic painting, coupled with well staged and well shot content arranged in such a way that just works. The sheer size of the works give an air of importance to them whilst drawing you in to the content. Another perfect fit to the show is that the final piece of work for the series was actually shot in real time at the exhibition using real people attending the show. This for me bridged the gap between aesthetic and interactive art in a way which I hope everyone can appreciate.

Ed Bartlett of The Future Tense said to me that “to fully appreciate the show you must come back” and he is right.The show runs until 24 June 2012. For more information visit: http://londonewcastle.com/arts-programme/events/2012-06-07/wonderful-world

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