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    “Ekkolokation” by Augustine Kofie in Aalborg, Denmark

    Street artist Augustine Kofie, in collaboration with KIRK Gallery, has created a new mural entitled “Ekkolokation” for Out In The Open 2021 Mural Festival. Kofie was first approached by KIRK Gallery to contribute to the festival over a year ago, but due to postponements because of Covid-19. The location for the mural is unique, with its confluence of paths, pedestrian walkways, one-way roads and a train line system all intersecting at the foot of the wall. In planning the mural, Kofie made sure to integrate the architecture of the building and the community as well. “Ekkolokation is an abstract composition that highlights 4 triangular shapes echoing each other near the top of the wall, all shadowing one another, lit up from different angles by varied light sources. They come together like the multiple paths that converge upon the site.  Structurally complimenting the angles of the home’s rooftop, the 4 triangles are supported by several transparent level squares, which in turn echo the bottom part of the building.”“Another point of convergence can be found at the foot of the mural, where the lines all seem to bounce downward toward a confluence, a meeting place. Two partial, transparent, circular forms weave through the mural. One acts as a halo around the center of the design, bringing a feminine form to contrast the linear forms, and creating another point of convergence here. The second, smaller circle echoes the larger one, but uses the lower right corner of the wall as its center point, the junction to all of the foot paths of the street” Augustine Kofie explained.“I designed the mural on the basis of these two concepts, echo and convergence, which have visual, sonic, structural and social articulations, allowing the mural to echo and speak to the city and to highlight and amplify this site of convergence” the artist stated.With a deep interest in process and structure, Augustine Kofie creates works of intense detail centering order and tension in both his studio pieces and mural interventions. The precision of Kofie’s “drafted” art is inspired by mechanical drafting and the language of modern architecture and uses the paper detritus of the 20th century as building blocks.In his quest for balance, Kofie harmonizes opposing and contradictory dynamics, setting futuristic compositions against vintage earth-toned palettes and creating technically complex, meticulously structured formations through handmade line-work and layering.  Active in the west Los Angeles graffiti scene since the mid-nineties, the artist’s work reflects the influence of the craft of deconstructing lettering, street culture, contemporary music, and 1960s-70s iconography to create a unique language. More

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    Mural by Helen Bur in Aberdeen, Scotland

    Nuart Festival alumni Helen Bur, was the final artist in residence to add to Nuart’s 2021 run of city-wide mural art in Aberdeen, an antidote to the lack of art-related initiatives taking place during the events of the last 17 months. Bur was commissioned by Nuart to bring her traditionally-influenced, narratively-poetic style to the walls starting in the last week of July. A British-born and currently London-based artist, Bur has made her name in perfecting the mesmerising depth of figurative oil work on canvas, then transferring those techniques to urban settings, using emulsion on a vastly larger scale. As for her subjects, Bur chooses to present figures captured in snapshots of their lives – unexplained moments of oddity and curiosity, sometimes unsettling, others farcical – that focus in on the moment, the reaction to it and a sense of mystery without context. “After the murals I painted of Alice and Hugo there two years ago were demolished, the team kindly invited me back and I thought it was only right to bring back Ally and Hugo, with their new addition, Ruby-Rae! This painting is a tribute to them, their endless kindness, a homage to gentle power and taking up space with softness and femininity” artist Helen Bur stated.Bur’s piece can be found on Union Wynd, and stands tall at over 16 meters high, a mammoth final flourish for Nuart Aberdeen Summer 2021. Check out below for more photos of the mural. Photo credits: Clake Joss Photography More

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    Our Towns Brings A Series of New Murals To Basildon

    BasildON Creative People & Place initiative recently teamed up with ReFRAMED Productions and the two realized Our Towns, an innovative street art initiative that brought a number of large-scale murals to the streets of Basil-don town center in the past few months. With the initiative’s focus on putting the local community at the heart of driving and delivering diverse and engaging projects, this original concept partnered world-class artists with local organizations in order to create murals inspired by Basildon and reflecting on global issues seen through a local lens. Under the subtitle Our Towns: Climate, this series of murals aims to inspire and encourage conversations around climate, with a monumental art installation influenced by the local ecology and chosen by residents. The entire program was aligned with the Creative Estuary effort to transform 60 miles of the Thames Estuary across South Essex and North Kent into one of the most exciting creative clusters in the world.INSA © Doug GillenUnique in their approach Our Towns coordinated their activity with the residents who choose between ‘people and our behaviors’ or the ‘planet and our impact’ topic. After the voting, ‘planet and our impact’-themed mural was realized by INSA, shining a light on the near-threatened green-winged orchid frequently found in Basildon. The large-scale public work continuing artist’s series of GIF animations of graffiti work aka GIF-ITI, was painted using Graphenstone paints which are free of toxic components, accentuating the environmental focus of the entire undergoing. Meanwhile, the legacy of the concept will revolve around a series of workshops for local youth, as well as the development of Basildon town’s first Voluntary Local Review. VLR will assess and report on a city through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while monitoring progress on social, economic, and environmental factors in partnership with the University of Essex.INSA © Doug GillenIn similar manner, other murals developed over the summer were focused on such locally important and universally recognizable topics such as elderly population, diverse voices to LGBTQIA, and traveling communities,. By completing 8 public art interventions that celebrate difference and commonality the project is hoping. to spark important social and environmental discussion. The full lineup of participating artists include Aches (IRE), Franco Fasoli (ITA), Marina Capdevila (ESP), Erin Holly (UK), Gabriel Pitcher (UK), INSA (UK), Michele Curtis (UK), and Helen Bur (UK).Franco Fasoli © aruallanAches © Doug GillenAches © Doug GillenErin Holly © aruallanGabriel Pitcher © Doug GillenGabriel Pitcher © Doug GillenHelen Bur © aruallanHelen Bur © aruallanINSA © Doug GillenINSA © Doug GillenMarina Capdevila © Doug GillenMichele Curtis © Doug GillenMichele Curtis © Doug GillenMichele Curtis © Doug Gillen More

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    DesignerCon UK Lands In London

    DesignerCon, the hugely successful US event, makes its UK debut this month. Bringing together urban art, cult toys, sneakers, fashion, NFTs and more all under one roof, this is a must-do for all modern collectors and superfans.DesignerCon is an annual art and design convention that smashes together collectible toys, customs, plush, designer apparel and so much more with urban, underground and pop art in a celebration of all aspects of design from all over the world.For all those interested in non-fungible tokens, DesignerCon will be joining NFT Art guru Ricky O’Donnell as he hosts a world exclusive live NFT event. Fans can learn how to buy, sell, collect and bask in the glory of NFT platforms and networks, or ask Ricky questions directly in an open forum.Kingdom of Trainers boss Franklin Boetang will be hosting “The Kingdom”, an exclusive showcase of creative urban brands. In this arena, you’ll also be able to join Forcefield, who launch their UK website at the event, ride a special bike track created by Mate Bikes, view a bespoke installation by KarlaCorn and shop brands such as Cabral Mercer and Sailing Soul. For toy collectors, there will be collectables available exclusively to buy at the show, celebrating the Designer Con mascot “Vincent”. Check out Bearbricks Marty Vincent by Scott Tolleson , Dissected Vincent by Jason Feeny or Kidrobot Vincent Dunny.The Mighty Jaxx Artist Spotlight will showcase up and coming talent such as Amr Design, Christopher Luke, Da Star, anti-suicide toy Grum Reapur and more.Kicking off at the ExCel Centre, the event opens this Friday, August 20th.  Tickets are priced at £50 for Weekend VIP, £20 for standard Weekend and £10 for Day Passes.VIP ticket holders will receive a variety of products and perks that general admission does not receive. From Friday VIP night, to weekend early bird entry, exclusive giveaways, VIP line access for faster entry, VIP lounge access and a whole bunch more…GET YOUR TICKETS HERE  More

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    New wall by Case Maclaim in Breda, the Netherlands

    International street artist Case Maclaim has created a new wall in collaboration with Blind Walls Gallery in Breda, the Netherlands. The mural is a tribute to NAC supporter and clubicon Hein van Poppel, who volunteered for the local football club for many years.Most people will remember Van Poppel as ‘the man of the corner flags’, as he collected the corner flags after ever match and made a show of it. In the early eighties he realised a football court in his neighbourhood of Westeind where many tournaments were held through the years.Blind Walls Gallery was appointed the ultimate spot for this more: the wall right in front of the football court. Several elements in the mural refer to Hein, NAC and the sense of unity that arose after realising the football court.German mural artist Case Maclaim sketched a situation of a daughter resting on her father’s knees. The girl is exhausted after a day of playing, a reference to the football court. Case also incorporated the corner flags and the NAC-scarf Hein wore during his honorary match in 2013.Case Maclaim is a graffiti painter who relies on his highly developed talent to create pieces that combine brilliant photorealism with a strong note of surrealism.Andres Von Chrzanowski’s artworks transport a strong visual message of movement and unity through overlays of hands in different positions; this movement is not just meant to be the depiction of physical body movement, but also political, societal action. Throughout his oeuvre, Case is creating a subliminal language understood by all, and after all, a hand gesture can tell much more than words ever could.Check out below for more photos of the mural. Photo credits: Edwin Wiekens, Rosa Meininger More

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    “Growing Wiser” by Telmo Miel in Aalborg, Denmark

    Dutch artistic duo Telmo Miel just finished their latest mural at the 7th edition of the “Out in the Open” festival. The mural entitled “Growing Wiser” is located at the school of Klostermarken in Aalborg, Denmark.“The painting depicts a girl, reading multiple books with as many hands as she needs to hold them. Some books have been read, and stacked on top; There wisdom is gathered, symbolized by the owl. Around the corner is another one behind the books she’s reading, as hidden new skills to obtain.”Telmo Miel is composed of Telmo Pieper and Miel Krutzmann. They are famous for making impressive murals and paintings characterized by hyper-realistic as well as abstract elements.Their work is characterized by its uniqueness, formed by the two different styles of the artists. The work of Miel is rather romantic with picturesque features whereas the work of Telmo is humorous and provocative. Their work also shows a mix of techniques, combining spray paint and paint to create photorealistic, surreal and abstract compositions. Both artists work separately and come together with the sketches to analyse what combinations can be made. The result shows a great sense of technique and style with great attention to perspective and details.Telmo Miel, together with other artists making murals right now at “Out in the Open 2021”, will be opening a group show in collaboration with KIRK Gallery on Saturday. More

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    “CryptoPunk Pineapple 00001” & “Another Angel” by Ludo in Paris, France

    Parisian street artist have recently shared his new pieces located in the streets of Paris, France. This first mural entitled “CryptoPunk Pineapple 00001” which depicts a pixelated pineapple skull smoking a pipe. His next mural shows an other angel watching the charts in light of the pandemic.As one can see on the murals, Ludo’s work primarily focuses on the combination of nature and human technology. He is constantly active with works across Europe, using trademark monochromatic paste-ups with dripping green highlights. The use of green shades is used as a simple method to gain recognition. It is a well-known mix that Ludo uses to convey his artwork, designs, and messages.Check out below for more images of the Ludo’s new pieces. More

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    Banksy new street works in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

    Looks like Banksy is spending his summer holidays in the UK as a few pieces have just popped up in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.As usual with the elusive British artist, he dropped a series of brilliant works which are sure to be enjoyed by the local vacationers.Could it be related that Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Lowestoft are submitting a joint bid to become the next UK City of Culture in 2025?Expect to hear from Banksy confirming these works shortly. More