Inspired Ingenuity — Isaac Cordal

The guys over at Intercity are currently working on a creative project with Havana Club called Inspired Ingenuity and have got in touch and asked us if we would suggest an artist or piece of work that we thought might fit in with that theme.

Inspired Ingenuity is a competition they are running which aims to challenge creative people, be they artists, musicians or whatever, to take the everyday and transform it into something special. Over the coming six months they will select one winner each month and the final winner will win a trip to Cuba. The 'Inspired Ingenuity' title is a reference to the spirit of the people of Havana, who pride themselves on their ability to create what they need from what they have.

The first artist that came to mind straight away was British artist Adam Neate. An artist who over the years has created literally thousands of beautiful paintings all of which were initially painted on found cardboard boxes which he collected from the streets of Whitechapel. Once the found cardboard was in his his studio he would re-use the discarded boxes as canvases, which when transformed with his work were placed back out into the streets for members of the public to enjoy and take home.

While we thought that this artist fitted and was in keeping with the Inspired Ingenuity vibe, Adam Neate is no longer working in the streets. After many years of giving away his cardboard painting for free he has moved onto larger scale gallery pieces and as such we feel we wanted to pick another artist who is currently creating works on the streets of East London.

So, we are going to nominate Isaac Cordal (pictured above), whom some of you will have heard of and if not you many have seen his street pieces and not been aware it was his work.

In the city we are surrounded by it, we walk on it nearly everyday and if you haven't already worked it out it's the boring grey stuff we call concrete. With so much of it in this concrete jungle that we occupy, we love that Isaac has taken this medium often overlooked and used it to create his miniature figures. And similar to the earlier works of Adam Neate, Isaac too leaves his cast of sculptural concrete figures in the streets, where eagle eyed passers by can become the owners of these concrete dwellers. Often perched up high on walls and ledges watching passers by below them these figures are so subtle that they are frequently missed but once seen they bring a sense joy to those fortunate enough to stumble upon them.

If you have an idea and want to get involved in the competition head over to Havana Club's Facebook page for more details.

1. Image 01 ©Invisiblemadevisible
2. Image 02 ©Isaac Cordal

TitiFreak at Onethirty3 space

'One thirty 3' is an artists project space based in Newcastle upon Tyne which over the coming year will host six innovative and exciting wall based painting installations.

The invited artists will create site-specific art installations which will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to experience large scale examples of the best in contemporary street & urban art from around the world.

Open for just one night only to the public, the first date and artist to work in the space has been named. Titifreak will be working his magic in the space on the 24th February 2011. Alongside the installation work each show will be accompanied by one original painting and a Limited Edition of 33 signed and numbered prints. Places for the event are limited and we suggest you email your name to attend. RSVP: info@onethirty3.com

6.30pm-9.30pm on Thursday, 24 February. 2011
Onethirty3 | Unit 22 | Hoults Yard | Newcastle upon Tyne

Other artists lined up for the rest of the years events look equally impressive and the 2011 Roster includes: April/May: Sickboy/Word to Mother - June: Herakut - August: Retna - October: Gaia - December: A Special Guest!

Remi/Rough & Steve More — A

A is an upcoming exhibition of future perspectives... The future perspectives of two very different artists who have shared ideas, time and concrete. The title 'A' is as much about a new beginning as it is a reference to the Avant garde or Abstraction of their Alternative works. The Alphabet was the starting point for both Remi/Rough and Steve More's careers and the fact they have now developed those classic icons and forms into heavily abstracted formations and broken landscapes, reiterates a new beginning.

The artists first met in the early 90’s and worked closely over the following ten years, playing a progressive role in the international graffiti art scene. Their focus on self expression and originality whilst working in the urban vernacular has had a lasting influence on their works, and each other. Since they parted ways in 2003 their work diverged but some similarities remain highly evident.

The title for the show ‘A’ holds a significant meaning for both artists: It symbolises new beginnings and heralds a coming of age. It also gives a nod to their past muse: Letter form (A being the first letter of the alphabet). It also bears light on the ‘Abstract’ world in which they convey their ‘Art’, and their ‘Avant garde’ attitude with which they produce it.

‘A’ opens on Tuesday 1 February and will run until Sunday 6 February.
Blackall Studios | 73A Leonard Street | London

Street Art — Seen on the streets 02

We finally managed to hit the streets again this week with our camera and grab shots of some of the work on the streets. More soon.

To view more from the streets of East London check out our Invisiblemadevisible flickr.

Spending Time With Posterchild

Keith Haskel produced and shot this video featuring street artist Posterchild while he was installing some work in New York.

Duster Video Interview

Back in December the London Miles Gallery hosted an afternoon with New York subway artist Duster. The event saw Duster traveling outside of the USA for the first time in his life, and those in attendance got to hear him talk about his legendary career as a New York subway graffiti artist during the 70's and 80's.

While he was in London, Addict Clothing TV caught up with the artist for this video interview.

Following the huge success of the London event at London Miles Gallery, Duster plans to head to Amsterdam this May and host a similuar event featuring screenings, Q&A plus a private show of his Art work. Check the artists blog for updates on this planned event.

Street Knowledge Exhibition

Gallery North in Leeds is set to host King Adz 'Street Knowledge' exhibition. The show will feature works from artist featured in King Adz book also titled 'Street Knowledge' and will include Asbestos, Blek Le Rat, Hush, James Dodd, King Adz, Wilma $, Hugo Kaagman and Laser 3.14.

The show opens on the 9 January.

Gallery North | The Design Quarter | The Redbrick Mill | Batley

Neighbors — Mike Giant (Trailer)

Neighbors is the working title of a project which will feature a series of short stories about individuals from various neighborhoods in San Francisco. Part conversational interview, part documentary – we will get to know the individual in the context of their work and home environments, in order to gain a deeper understanding of their influences on the community. The above trailer features Mike Giant. Find out more about the project on the Neighbors film website.