The Smell of Aerosol is in the Air

Last weekend, on Sunday, October 27 the annual Graffiti Jam, referred to as the Garden Park Urban Art Festival and Loop Graffiti Jam, took place in downtown St. Catharines.

Over 30 artists from Niagara and surrounding areas came together in Fulton’s Alley off of James St. to reinvent the walls and businesses. Once again, the art that was created did not fail to amaze me. I’m not surprised, since the artists spent an entire day and even longer working on their pieces. I think to an artist, a piece is never really completed...I'm not an artist, but I value art. I’ve learned over the years that there is always going to be something you can add or change, but either way it will still look awesome. 

I was impressed with the amount of media and sponsors the event had this year which helped make it a real success. The best part about the event is that all proceeds raised are going to Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Catharines-Thorold (a charitable organization dedicated to adult volunteers being mentors for children.) Also, each artist was supplied with a blank canvas to be painted and auctioned off to support BBBS. 

Live music and DJ’s performing throughout the day gave visitors even more entertainment. Each year the event keeps getting bigger and better. A lot of time and planning goes into an event like this and a big thanks to John Fulton who runs the event each year, as well as the sponsors and businesses who allowed the art work to be displayed. 

I'm excited to see what next year brings. Hopefully, the success of the event will draw attention towards these talented artists and create more legal art walls in the community.

Check it out on Facebook

Keep Shining...

City and Colour - A Look at Melbourne Street Art

I recently returned home (Canada) from being abroad for the past year (New Zealand/Australia). Before moving to Australia, I knew that Melbourne or somewhere close to it was where I wanted to settle for a bit. Mainly because it is a place with a unique culture and a strong presence of arts, theatre and music. I arrived in St. Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne in November 2012 and immediately felt comfortable and a little at home. 

Side of Iddy Biddy Bar off Acland Street

Off Carlisle St. Balaclava

Off St. Kilda Road

Alleyway off Acland Street, St. Kilda

One aspect of Melbourne that attracted me was the appreciation and accessibility of arts and culture. Melbourne is known as one of the greatest street art capitals of the world. The first time I went into the city to explore I could spot a wall with vibrant colours sticking out and saw an amazing portrait of the Joker. I soon discovered that this was Hosier Lane. Over the years, Rutledge and Hosier Lanes have become a popular tourist attraction with hundreds of people visiting daily. However, there are different opinions on the artistic quality and reputation of the spot. 

While wandering along the busy streets you never know what you're going to see, but I do know you're going to want to remember it. The laneways have people taking pictures and doing all kinds of photo shoots every day. For those who like change, within weeks it's out with the old and in with new on these walls. 

You could easily spend a day exploring all of the alleys and laneways that offer a variety of pieces and the best part is, it’s free. 

For a self-guided walking tour visit here.

Artists outside of Blender Studios

The iconic walls truly add colour to the city and the range of street art will never disappoint. You will be amazed with the work of the artists when you take the time to notice the little details and really focus on a wall. 

Most of these pieces are done on walls where artists have permission. Basically anyone, at any time can paint. But if your smart, you will make sure you have some artistic talent before attempting to burn someone else. 

Blender's Laneway

If you really don’t want to miss anything and would also like to hear what an actual street artist has to say about it all, you can go on a Melbourne Street Art guided tour. The gallery that runs the tours called Blender Studios, also often hosts many different shows. I had the chance to check out one of the shows called 'I fucking <3 Melbourne' by Will Coles. Check out his unique perspective on street art and consumerism. Follow on instagram: mrwillcoles

Keep your eyes open and go explore! If you're lucky, maybe even spot some artists in action.

Even if you're not in Aussieland, explore a city near you...

War on graffiti

From previous posts you will notice that I believe graffiti can be art and I appreciate graffiti writers who put meaning into their work. If you have ever been to Toronto you have probably noticed at some point some form of graffiti. There is a thriving street art community in Toronto and it has become a part of its backdrop.

This past week I had planned on going to Toronto to attend an art gallery opening (based on graffiti) and I wanted to tell you guys all about it in this weeks blog post. Instead, I decided to get sick and be stuck in bed. Luckily, I can still tell you all about it, just not my own first-hand experience and without any personal photos.

For those of you who don’t know, Toronto Mayor (Rob Ford) has been trying to ‘clean up’ Toronto by getting rid of all possible marks of graffiti. About a year ago, he declared a war on graffiti. He decided that he would make business owners pay to remove graffiti off their buildings, even if it was an amazing piece of art and the owners liked the work. Many comments on this issue are that he should be working with the artists, not against them. I agree with this statement. Many artists are just going to retaliate and fight for what they want, which many artists have done. Watch the news clip below.

And with that, SPUD a Toronto graffiti writer, stood up for what he believed and has been aiming his work at Rob Ford. He has been spray painting the streets of Toronto and creating canvases with images of the Mayor as a grotesque worm, a smog cloud, and a human “gravy train,” as a reaction to the mayor’s crackdown on graffiti. 

On Thurs. March 8, 2012 “CENSORED” art gallery opened. The gallery takes Spud’s work inside, both graffiti and fine art pieces, to express his thoughts on the Ford administration's censorship of Graffiti as an Art form. SPUD’s show hopes to highlight the art in graffiti and settle the argument once and for all – graffiti IS art. The gallery reached capacity and had people waiting in line to get in, meaning it is more than just street artists interested in Spud's work. 

Watch promo video here.
Between The Lines Presents Censored: SPUD vs. Mayor Rob Ford) from betweenthelinesdoc on Vimeo.


Read National Post interview with Spud here. 

The show is open to the general public for the month of March. If you happen to be in Toronto this month, check it out! Located at Don’t Tell Mama Gallery Space. 108 Ossington Ave. Toronto

Local Art: Street art is not a crime

For this blog post I want to continue with my focus on the local hip hop scene in Niagara, specifically graffiti. First, I am going to make it clear what I mean by graffiti, since it is a term that gets tossed around a lot.  

While searching for definitions I found these from the Oxford Dictionary: 
Art: the use of the imagination to express ideas or feelings, particularly in paint and drawing

Graffiti: drawings or writing on a wall etc., in a public space

Vandalism: the crime of destroying or damaging something, especially public property, deliberately and for no good reason

I realize that people have their own opinions on art and whether they consider graffiti to be an art form. I believe that there is bad graffiti, which is vandalism, when people purposely destroy or tag property. But I am talking about the artistic side of graffiti, artists with a real talent and who give meaning to their work. One of the main reasons is the prospect of fame and recognition of one's artistic talent. Artists also use the walls as a form of self-expression. Vandalism is illegal, but street art should not be. 

I have lived in St. Catharines my entire life (that would be 22 years) and it wasn’t that long ago I realized the art that exists on the street walls, under bridges and highways in the city.  There is a legal wall in downtown St. Catharines, located in the alley way beside L3 Nightclub on James St. Artists have permission at certain times of the year to paint on these walls. 

2010 Live Aids Niagara Graf Jam (Legal Wall, St. Catharines) 

Graffiti can be in the form of murals or productions, when many artists come together to paint a similar theme. It’s unfortunate that there are not very many legal walls in the area for artists to express themselves and showcase their work. Instead, if you want to see real artwork it is at places like the thoth and trussle, located under highways and bridges, not visible or known to most city residents. 

'District 905' - Thoth, St. Catharines

And if you don't know, now you know

Hey everyone and welcome to my blog. Hip Hop, as most of you know, is very popular in Canada and the United States. Everyone at some point has been a part of its culture, whether you have heard a song, seen someone dancing or emceeing and have walked by a piece of art.

It was in high school I began having a real appreciation for music and discovering my taste, especially hip hop and its culture. Since I started university it has been my goal to work in the entertainment industry. I have decided to focus on this goal and combine it with my love for hip-hop, but all things hip-hop (music, break-dancing, graffiti, emcee’s) both underground and mainstream.

I want to open your eyes to something you may not have much care for or reintroduce you to something you may have forgotten about and better yet help expand a love you may already have. There are several blogs out there strictly about hip-hop, but I hope mine brings you recent news and info about today’s hip hop, while never forgetting the influences of old school hip hop. I will be posting videos, photos, music and information related to hip hop not only from North America, but also other countries. I am not an expert, I don’t make beats and I can’t bust a good rhyme, but I have a passion for real music and lyrics, art and dancing that I want to share. So don’t be afraid to leave your comments, ask me questions or add to my discussion. 
Peace, love and hip hop.

"I start thinking, how many souls hip-hop has affected

How many dead folks this art resurrected

How many nations this culture connected." - Common, The 6th Sense