Cabaio’s first solo show "La Lluvia" opens in Galeria UNION, 26 June

Galeria UNION is proud to present “La Lluvia”, the first solo exhibition from Cabaio.

Cabaio began painting in 2001 in the stencil collective Vomito Attack, unleashing dark humour and caustic socio-political commentary in the aftermath of the economic crisis. He currently works solo under the name Cabaio, and as part of the art collective Chen-Chen, together with Brasilian artist Clara Domingas.

Cabaio has a distinctive style, using multiple layers of stencils to create intricate and visually arresting works. For his first solo show, Cabaio has created a diverse collection of 20 artworks on paper, canvas and wood. The exhibition presents aesthetics and concepts developed throughout his painting career, both in the streets and his studio, in a deeply personal collection of works that range from the emotive and intimate, to the polemic and political.

The chaotic beauty of life in the city requires us to live with overwhelming levels of visual stimulation. Cabaio demonstrates a heightened sensitivity to his urban surroundings and  ‘La Lluvia’ acts as a form of catharsis for the artist. He channels  the volatile energy of the city, capturing its chaos and beauty which he transforms into unique works of art.

Opening: Thursday 26 June,  5pm-10pm
Closes: 28 August
Venue: Galeria UNION, Carlos Calvo 736, San Telmo, Buenos Aires
Opening Hours:  Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12-17hs
Please email us prior to your visit to arrange a viewing: info@galeriaunion.com

graffitimundo joins the Google Cultural Institute

graffitimundo is pleased to join Google’s Cultural Institute as a partner on Google’s new Street Art Project which launched today. graffitimundo is one of 30 global partners to contribute to this new platform which aims to document and preserve street art from around the world.

graffitimundo has uploaded more than 300 images to form a collection of some of the best examples of urban art from Buenos Aires, both past and present. In addition, graffitimundo’s curated exhibitions explore different aspects of the scene and its history.

The high resolution images can be viewed at high levels of magnification, revealing minute levels of detail such as brush strokes and wall texture. The images are available for viewing purposes only and the platform is strictly non commercial, all intellectual property rights remain with the artists.

Jonny Robson from graffitimundo says, ‘ The Google Art Project supports our work in documenting and promoting the Buenos Aires urban art scene. We have created a collection of works which give viewers from around the world an insight into this extraordinary scene.’

The project launched  with events in Paris and Buenos Aires. The Buenos Aires event will featured live painting and projections from artists Pum Pum, Cabaio and Chu.

Visit graffitimundo’s collection of works here.

Interview with Oz Montanía

The walls of Buenos Aires are a channel for politics, activism, art and expression and play an important role as a means of communication within the city. The city’s reputation for art and expression has attracted artists from across the world to paint in Buenos Aires, who come to paint and collaborate with local artists. Oz Montanía recently visited Buenos Aires and created a spectacular new piece working together with the artist ICE.

Oz was born in Paraguay in 1985, and has been immersed in art and illustration since his childhood. He first began painting in the streets at the tender age of 12, and by the time he was 17 he had developed an immediately recognisable style. He has since spent the last 8 years travelling the world, painting in Toronto, Santiago de Chile, Johannesburg, Cartagena, Sao Paolo, Lima and Zurich among others.

graffitimundo caught up with Oz while he was in Buenos Aires and he shared a little of his vision with us.

GM: When was the first time you painted in Argentina?

OM: – I had visited Buenos Aires for a design conferences, but the first time I came to paint here was back in 2009, and I painted with Ice, a local artist I met. We were invited to paint in a show called Sinvergüenzas (no regrets) in the Spanish Cultural Centre, painting alongside local and international artists.

GM: I know the art scene has developed a lot in Paraguay over the years. What’s the situation with policing? Is street art and freedom of expression controlled?

Paraguay doesn’t really share the same 30 year history of vandalism and street art that Brazil, Chile and Argentina all share. But 35 years of living under a military dictatorship has definitely left people with a desire to get out in the streets and paint. Police don’t really view it as vandalism, even if it’s done in broad daylight. It’s pretty relaxed in that sense, you can paint beside the Congress, in front of police stations and nothing happens. Of course there is always an exception, and the occasional isolated incident, but it is not common. And in Asunción there are loads of places to paint… abandoned houses, parking lots, ruined buildings etc

GM: Many visiting artists have told us that the aspect they find most interesting about the street art scene in Argentina is the interaction and collaboration between artists. What do you think of this perspective, and how did you feel about working with Ice?

OM: Working with Ice really changed the way I paint. Before I met Ice I think the way I painted was pretty basic – basic forms, shadows, light, outlines – a very comic book style. Ice is obsessed with the details – he uses spray paint like he’s doing tae-kwon-do! He’s very technically gifted, and that really inspired me to try things I hadn’t done before. We got along really well and we worked very productively together. We have since set up workshops in Asunción and Montevideo, collective exhibitions and we are both participating in events in Chile, Brasil, Uruguay and Peru. We have also done a few commissions. We have a great working relationship.

GM: Did anything happen to you while you were painting in Argentina that made you think “this could only happen here…”?

OZ: In Latin America in general, the people you meet while you are painting are very engaging, but Argentina it is something else! If you paint in the street, you have to get used to talking to every single persons who walks past, you answer a million questions and end up meeting the whole neighbourhood! People are always offering you water, ladders, beer, cookies even pot… I’m sure this might not happen everywhere, but it’s seemed to happen all the time whenever I’ve painted here.

Together with Ice, Oz has created hundreds of works in various parts of the world, and their latest collaboration can be seen in Buenos Aires, in El Quetzal (Guatemala 4516) bar in Palermo. Entry is free and the wall can be seen from 7pm onwards Tuesdays to Sundays.

To find out more about Oz and his work, visit www.facebook.com/pyrotaurus

(Interview by Ana Laura Montenegro)

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