POP UP Gallery

For a single weekend, an abandoned house in Las Canitas was transformed into an art installation, with the interior and exterior walls featuring works from Jaz, Roma, Poeta, Tester, Triangulo Dorado, Mart, Dardo Malatesta, Whiskii, Mar del Plata, Sebastian Lartigue & Estudio Tokyo.

Each room featured work with from a different artist, and each took a different approach.Whilst some rooms were immaculately restored, others were left as they were found – with the textures of crumbling plaster and the shadows cast by peeling paintwork contributing to the artwork.

The installation was part of a program of events run by Red Bull called “House of Art”, which has seen various buildings in cities across the world transformed by local artists.

Plenty of brands work with street artists, commission murals and create “graffiti” style advertising, but Red Bull have been more successful than most – mainly through their commendable stance on creating opportunities, then standing well back from the artists and giving them creative control over the project.

With branded presence kept to a minimum, the “House of Art” was reminiscent of the inaugural exhibition at CCEBA, where street artists transformed another derelict building (a former orphanage) into an extraordinary collaborative art space.

Turbo parade

On a cloudy day in March, the Doma collective gathered in Palermo to do what they do best; to bring positivity, energy and life to the streets. The Turbo parade celebrated the end of an era and the beginning of new adventures for the Doma guys, as their gallery, Turbo, closed after 3 years and they get ready to work on new projects and develop their online gallery.

The carnival-style parade gave many friends and supporters of the gallery the chance to celebrate Turbo, who braved the rain to take part and dressed up in colourful costumes that the Doma guys had spent weeks creating. Once the costumes were on, banners and bikes filled the streets and the carnival danced around Palermo to culminate in Plaza Mafalda with fireworks and applause from happy, energised people.

The Turbo gallery has been a staple fixture on the graffitimundo tour since we began in 2009.  As one of the only galleries in Buenos Aires to consistently showcase street art, it has raised the profile of many young or outsider artist, who otherwise may not have had the chance to exhibit. The exhibitions have given many people inspiration and joy. We thank the Doma crew, Paula and Leo for their work at the gallery and wish them every success for future endeavours.

Long may the spirit of Turbo continue! Que siga el baile!

Thank you to Doma for letting us use the photos. More from Turbo’s flickr here