Central St Giles – urbanism at its best

I did not expect to walk through what, actually, turned out to be a truly enjoyable experience. I am talking here about the new urban development named Central Saint Giles, comfortably wedged between Bloomsbury and Soho in London.

I suspect the sunny weather that day helped here, but I was truly amazed by the imposing and colorful buildings that make up this very modern workplace, which includes office space, shops, restaurants, cafes, apartments and an outdoor public piazza. Bright green, yellow and orange are the colours used for the huge facades, which clearly make them stand out amidst the surrounding urban buildings.

While enjoying a walk on the spacious and bright piazza, I was happily surprised to encounter a couple of sculptures, one of which is by the artist Steven Gontarski; a five-meter-tall piece, adding another layer of colour to the landscape.

Urbanism like this can be beautiful, by either inspiring the architect (Renzo Piano) or being integrated into it.

http://www.centralsaintgiles.com/

Central Saint Giles

Ob 08 by Steven Gontarski
Central Saint GilesOb 08 by Steven G0ntarski

Central Saint Giles

The Regent's canal art festival

Regent's canal festivalI like walking down the Regent’s canal, just for a stroll but also to spot street art. Many famous street or graffiti artists such as Banksky or Team Robbo have let their spray cans go wild on the walls of the surrounding buildings or bridges along the path.

Come to the canal this summer and get away from the Olympics madness and enjoy art, from performances, visual art to music. The Regent’s canal festival will be held from the 13 to the 15th July 2012. The submissions are being taken right now and until the 10th June 2012 so hurry and get this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Link to follow to submit your work – http://bit.ly/JzTdbk

“Regent’s Canal Festival celebrates the 200th anniversary of the formation of the Canal, while engaging local communities provides an excellent platform to deliver a wide range of artistic disciplines – such as audiovisuals, performances, visual arts, live experiences, events and music.

The Regent’s Canal Festival is taking place alongside the canal, crossing boroughs from Little Venice to Limehouse Basin. The Festival will be transforming the Regent’s Canal into an artistic and cultural hub raising awareness of environmental issues through the arts.

In order to create this, we are looking for art works that thematically fits our artistic vision, enhancing the look and feel of being surrounded by water.

The pieces may be interactive or purely visual spectacles, they can potentially incorporate elements of water or fire but they must be relatively durable and suitable for all weather conditions. Floating and light sculptures are particularly welcome.”

Regent's canal festivalThis application is most applicable to existing art works that you would like to exhibit to a wider audience. But if you have a new project that you like to create for the Festival don’t forget to send all the budget details.”

Deadline for project submission: Friday 1st June, 10pm

For all enquiries please contact laura.bottin@regentscanalfestival.org.uk

If you are interested in hearing about the upcoming programme of the Regent’s Canal Festival please email info@regentscanalfestival.org.uk to join our mailing list.

Follow as http://www.facebook.com/regentscanalfestival

The making of HERO by Miguel Endara

Some artists such as Miguel Endara have got magic coming out of their fingers and in this case out of his Micron Pen. 3.2 millions ink dots were needed to recreate a portrait of his father and it took him 210 hours to complete the piece which is not only a proof of dedication but also a very powerful illustration where the subject seems to be sleeping face on the canvas.

The Making of “Hero” from Miguel Endara on Vimeo.

French artists at Genty Fine Art’s Christmas Show

I have always loved the saying “you learn something new everyday”; mainly because it is a saying my grandfather always drummed into me and also because I think it is a very accurate description for the ‘art world’.

“L’arbre juane” by Francoise Bossut

This was especially the case when I met David Genty. Genty Fine Art mainly work with established French contemporary artists or artists who have lived and worked in France. For me this was an area I have not really come across as most of the artists I am friendly with, interested in or collect are predominantly English or British.

In addition to the French connection Genty Fine Art showcases sculpture as well as paintings which is another area I have never really ‘got in to’. I think this is predominantly a collector issue in that I can collect works of passion (that are on paper, canvas or print) without really thinking about where they will go, whereas with sculpture I have always felt that the piece has to be carefully thought about to ensure it fitted with the home – plus its not as easy to store sculpture!

David and Helen Genty founded Genty Fine Art as Galerie Genty in Western France in 2005 and changed to the current name when they returned to the UK in 2009. Having studied Philosophy, History & Theory of art and living in France for many years David has an excellent working knowledge and friendship with the artists they represent.

Genty Fine Art’s Christmas Show was therefore a great way to see the selection of artists Genty Fine Art work with, with my two favourites being Jean-Claude Mathieu (sculpture) and Francoise Bossut (paintings). David and Helen were on-hand to provide the right mix of enthusiasm and information about the works complimented with festive mulled cider and mince pies.

Christmas Show
Christmas Show

Exhibition: 10th – 23rd December
Genty Fine Art, Tygers Head, Tonbridge, Kent

For more information visit: www.genty.co.uk
© Genty Fine Art and the Artist(s)

La Pandilla art : morphology

We have come across La Pandilla art and have liked very much the uniqueness of it. The recurrent theme it’d seem is the animal morphology: different species of animals are blended together creating totally unique specimens.

Definitely odd at first, this approach appears powerful and give the viewer plenty to think of what and why we look the way we are. You will find a few examples of their work below.

Make sure to check out the video too about the duo artists.

La Pandilla " Art-Pie
Living Walls Concepts | Cabbage Town, Atlanta 2012
La Pandilla | Art-pie
Primer Mural en Wynwood Miami Art Basel 2011

Static at Whisper – Moments of clarity

StaticLondon gallery, Whisper, is proud to present its new exhibition opening in April 2012, ‘Moments of Clarity’, by the creative duo STATIC – an artistic extravaganza, showcasing an exciting collection of new layered acrylic works, as well as a variety of live art events.

STATIC is the creative output of East London based artists Tom and Craig, who have been working as one since 2006. The combination of their backgrounds in Graphics and Fine Art allows for their collaborations to create an award winning aesthetic that fuses elements of urban art with fine art.

‘Moments of Clarity’ debuts an evolved body of work from the artists. This exhibition will showcase STATIC’s new ‘layered’ work, which toys with light, reflection and transparency to create unique pieces mixing screen printing and stenciling on layers of glass, Perspex and aluminum. This practice results in ‘floating’, deconstructed portraits and multi-layered symbols and patterns, in which hope, dreams and escapism are visualised.

Words from Whisper Fine Arts gallery

Private view on the 26/04/2012 | Show runs until 26/05/2012

Video teaser below

The Friends of Tony Romanoff at Pure Evil

Following his appearance in the adidas is all in campaign, London street artist Lucas Price a.k.a. Cyclops has been hard at work on his latest exhibition ‘The Friends of Tony Romanoff’.


Words from Pure Evil gallery

This film below documents the show and is narrated by the eponymous Tony Romanoff who uses an electronic voice generator to speak on the artist’s behalf.

Featuring brand new conceptual photographic work, as well as two dramatic installations in the gallery’s basement, there’s also a beautifully packaged, limited 7’’ single available to purchase at the gallery or selected vinyl emporiums.

Where: Pure Evil gallery
When: 1/4 till 13/4/2011

Art-o-mat – vending machines selling art

The concept is pretty simple – Art-o-mat machines sell small works of art from retired and converted cigarette vending machines. But each dispenser is also to my view a stunnig work of art.

The recurrent style of these machines is often retro and many artists have got involved a=ver the years and the span of art available would please any art enthusiasts. They are spread mainly across Americas so if you are not around, get yourself over on the website and won yours today and if you are an artist, submit your art for the Art-o-mat machines!

We have included below some of the best machines we came across (images from Art-O-Mat)

Art-O-Mat | Art-PieArt-O-Mat | Art-Pie

STREET ART ENCOUNTERS