Graffiti art or graffiti "art"?

These articles are particularly well timed, since someone tagged the wall of Studio 1021 yesterday. While we enjoyed their choice of a playful purple instead of the bland neutrals they usually use on our walls, it was still a nuisance. Even though we "erased" the work, it reminds me of discussions I've had in modern art classes, and I'd like to hear what you all think.

Is graffiti art?

Ultimately, this harkens back to the essential question of the definition of art. Even though the graffiti on our studio was upsetting to us, I'm not completely willing to discount all graffiti as a mere nuisance. I remember traveling in Germany and Switzerland and being absolutely blown away (in a good way) by graffiti. It exists on walls (there is/was one rather memorable wall with graffiti in Berlin), on trains . . . and I have to say, some of it was truly beautiful (in my opinion, of course). So, I follow the school of thought that graffiti can be art. However, I'm not compelled to say that, therefore, ALL graffiti is art. I can say that I appreciate the questions it raises about the definition of art, and I think it is always a fascinating discussion.

Think about performance, installation, and public art that has been controversial. What are some of the characteristics of the work that compel the viewer to evaluate or disregard it? In the 60's Ed Ruscha joined the canon of modern art with his "word paintings." He often painted words and sayings on his canvases; how different is this from painting on walls or other objects with a spray can? I'm feeling like stirring things up today. What do you think?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/08/positive-graffiti-the-mos_n_674761.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2010/08/17/129251257/misrach

LONG POSE 9+ HOURS! MUST SIGN UP!!

To all Studio 1021 fellow artists!

To address various requests, we have decided to try to set up a 9 hour pose, broken up into three weekly sessions of three hours each from 6-9 pm. They will be held on the following days in September:

Thursday, September 2nd, 6-9
Thursday, September 9th, 6-9
Thursday, September 16th, 6-9

In order for this to work, you must sign-up by Friday the 20th of August, and there must be a minimum of 6 people signed up by then or it will be canceled. The cost is $50 for the three workshops and will include wine and light snacks. If the minimum attendance registration is reached by Aug 20th, the $50 fee must be pre-paid by August 27th (cash, check or PayPall accepted). I apologize for the “strict due dates,” but it necessary in order to assure Melissa, the model, time enough to book other work if it ends up not happening, for as of now she is holding these three dates for us.

To sign up, please respond with an email to info@studio1021.com and please include all necessary contact information.

As I mentioned above, the model will be Melissa, and there will be a potential fourth session to be held on the 23rd, if we decide as a group that we want and/or need it.

This is a GREAT opportunity to do a refined painting and/or drawing! All levels of ability are of course welcome! Let’s make this happen!! :)

Sincerely,
Patrick and Sonia Farrand

Paris' Art Scene Goes Underground . . . Literally in Caves!

Check out this fascinating article about a totally off-beat art scene in Paris! Tunnels that were constructed in the 17th century and also include catacombs from the era are being used as an unconventional canvas for art. A small but growing group of Parisian's steal away into the caves to explore the history, paint murals or throw a party. Some areas of the tunnels are restricted from public access, but that doesn't stop everyone. One muralist interviewed for the story has just unveiled his third mural in the tunnel, which took him one year to complete.

I love to hear about how artists bring their creativity to unexpected places. I think, when you open up to it, the entire world is a canvas. Yesterday, I was picking up some clay for my next round of sculptures and read this post on the memo board, "Art should not be held captive in museums. It should live among us."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704271804575405283969684798.html?mod=WSJ_ArtsEnt_LifestyleArtEnt_4

Studio 1021 Teams up with Arts Council for LB Arts Month

As the arts community in Long Beach becomes more united and visible in the community, the Arts Council for Long Beach is giving all art-related businesses a fantastic opportunity for creativity in October! October is National Arts and Humanities Month, and the artists of Long Beach want to make it a smashing success. The Arts Council for Long Beach has created GLOBAL, a citywide celebration of the arts. Creative businesses all over Long Beach will be participating with exhibitions and performances, from all branches of the arts! This is so exciting for both our studio and our city, because we are all here to see the creative energy grow and flourish.

As part of GLOBAL, Studio 1021 will be showcasing an exhibition of painting, ceramics, and iron work while celebrating our one-year anniversary in business! Our exhibition's opening night will be Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 7-10 p.m. Come on out and enjoy the food, drinks, and, of course, ART! We are also looking into small-scale musical performance options, so you're ideas are appreciated (we don't have a ton of space, but we'd like to support local musicians and listen to live music).

More to come, but put 10.2.10 on your calendar for Studio 1021!

Summer is here! Sign your kids up for art classes at Studio 1021!

LOCATION FOR SUNDAY 23RD!!

The location for this coming Sunday the 23rd, "Painting Outdoors. Landscape. People. Places," will be on the Marina Green Park in downtown Long Beach. There is MUCH to paint there, from the Green Park itself, the Queen Mary, the harbor with many boats, the ocean and beach off to the east, Long Beach Convention Center, skyline and buildings of downtown Long Beach and anything else you can choose to paint! There is ample parking (must pay) and is easy to get to from Studio 1021, less than 5 minutes away. I will be there by 9:45 setting up, you will see me on top of the "small hill/rise," closer to Linden Ave. The event is free, so please come and paint with fellow artists! Remember to bring sunscreen, water, etc., that you may wish to have with you . . . and of course all of your painting supplies! I will bring extra drawing benches that work fine to paint on if you don't have an easel. See you Sunday at 10 a.m.!
Located just off of E. Shoreline Dr., just east of Shoreline Village, "across" from Rainbow Lagoon Park and Long Beach Convention Center. From Studio 1021, go west to Alamitos Ave., turn left, take that through Ocean Blvd and it turns into E. Shoreline Dr. Follow it down a slight hill to S. Linden Ave, turn left and then right into the parking lot. I will be right there.

"Painting outdoors. Landscape. People. Places"
There has been a strong interest from my fellow artists to schedule an outdoor event . . . so here it is!! Let's give it a try! Sunday, May 23rd at 10am. I will be in contact with all of you and keep you informed with all the particulars as I figure them out myself. I'm looking forward to it, and thank all of you for your continued support and ideas. We are very happy to be a part of this artistic community and we look forward to its continued growth!