Puente: A Public Art Project in CórdobaThings we love17May

When discussing Argentine urban art, there’s a tendency to talk only of Buenos Aires. However there’s also a wealth of artistic talent to be found outside the capital. The city and artists of Córdoba for example, deserve recognition for their own developing urban art movement.

Tec hails from Córdoba and his stunning Ruta 9 project from 2010 aimed to beautify the derelict buildings alongside the abandoned Cordobese motorway, with the desolate geographic expanse providing an impressive backdrop.

And in the last year or so, the street art scene in Córdoba has been given a huge boost  thanks to the efforts of Kosovo Gallery, its first urban art gallery, co-run by the street artist Elian.

In addition to producing many wonderful exhibitions in the last year, Kosovo has also been instrumental in developing public art schemes, helping to establish the strong link between the gallery space and the streets and people of the city.

Puente (Bridge) is the title of their latest public art project which is supported by the local government and private sector. The idea of Puente is to use street art to encourage urban renewal. Alongside the painting of murals by the talented artists Martin Ron, Elian, Gualicho and Peter Quatrix, areas will be improved with more street lights, cleaner streets and better access for people with disabilities.

This is a great example of how artists, local councils and corporations can work together to beautify cities and in turn make the streets more enjoyable and secure environments.  In a country where street art is accepted and welcomed by the communities there is such great potential for harnessing artists talents and using street art to create positive urban change.

Kosovo will be sending out an open call for Argentine artists interested in participating in future editions of the project.

Pop Up II: Lo DesconocidoEvents03May

For a week in March the fleeting magic of street art moved indoors,  bringing color and vibrant company to a period building in La Boca.  This event is the second of its kind produced by artist Poeta, following the success of the first pop up art gallery which took place two years ago in the neighborhood of Las Cañitas.

This time around Poeta teamed up with curator Lucas Zambrano to create an even more ambitious temporary art installation and gallery.  During the days leading up to the opening Pop-Up II: Lo Desconocido (The Unknown) was abuzz with activity as artists transformed massive walls and cavernous rooms with murals, installations and framed works. The event featured work from 30 different artists, including Kid Gaucho + Federico Felici, Mart, Dardo Malatesta, Pelos de Plumas,Amor, Ever, Jaz, Roma, Elian, Poeta, Nerf, Shonis, Cabaio Stencil, Corona, Trystan Bates, PumPum, Georgina Ciotti, and Zumi among others.

This edition of the pop up called upon the participating artists to challenge themselves creatively:

“Jump into the unknown, forget about everything we know.  A refuge is merely a place of security, and therefore a limited space where there are no surprises.  What we’ve already learned distances us from the adrenalin-filled uncertainty of throwing ourselves with abandon into the unknown.”

For artists accustomed to working outdoors, where their work is at the whim of the elements and the local public, the prospect of moving indoors could be viewed as an easy transition into a comfortable, controlled environment. The event sought to challenge this perception by encouraging artists to push themselves, maintain the ephemeral quality of their art and experiment in this new environment.

Artists responded to the challenge by testing out new materials, processes and innovative mediums. Ever created a massive mural of Chairman Mao which combined mural artwork with a delicate collage created using found materials – discarded paper and plastics. Mart created an interactive installation in the form of a wooden bicycle and rider which visitors could operate. Poeta created one of his beautiful geometric abstractions, adding strips of luminescent neon tape which gave a new dimension to the piece as the light faded.

Under a bright full moon the closing party stretched on into the early hours of the morning as artists, friends, family and neighbours from La Boca came together in a celebration of ephemeral and unconventional art.

Installations:

Kid Gaucho + Federico Felici / R3NDER + FIEND / SebaAcampante / Mart + Ale / DardoMalatesta

Mural Art:

Itu Plumas + Amor / Ever / Jaz / Roma / Elian / Malegría / Poeta / Nerf / Shonis / Cabaio / Pol Corona /

Exhibiting Artists:

Trystan Bates / Diego Roa / PumPum / Franco “Jaz” Fasoli / Rudi Caretti / Georgina Ciotti / Marina Zumi / Martín Lapalma / Yorke / Elian

Concept: Christian Riffel

Curation: Christian Riffel, Lucas Zambrano

POP UP Gallery in La BocaEvents27Mar

A couple of years ago the artist Poeta lead a remarkable art project. For a single weekend a dilapidated house in Las Canitas was transformed into a pop-up gallery, featuring murals, installations and artwork from a selection of urban artists.

This year Poeta has found a new location for the project – a beautiful period building in a secluded part of La Boca. For the past few days a host of artists have been working on the exterior and interior walls, creating murals, installations and gallery space for artwork and video works.

The opening event took place last Friday – giving visitors a chance to get to know the space, view some of the works in progress and a selection of gallery artwork on display.

Tonight (Wednesday, March 17th) is main event – the closing party, and the first and possibly only opportunity to see the completed installations and murals.

This will be one of the most impressive urban art events of the year. Do not miss!