FESTIVALS.

As South Africa prepares for the upcoming World Cup, other festivals are underway. For one week in mid-February, public spaces in Cape Town will be transformed by the yearly festival – Infecting the City – a provocative national and international performance and public art event. Artists from countries around the world, including Zimbabwe, China, Greece, and the Netherlands, are participating in this entirely free and accessible event.

One of our favorite parts of the festival is the Take a Child to Art initiative, where 50 and 100 young people are led on guided tours of the performances and installations each day. Their photos, reactions and impressions are then posted online daily. Be sure to check out Infecting the City’s website. It has tons of images, video, and information about the events, participating artists, festival history and public art at large. Here’s what the organizers have to say: “We want to position the arts literally and figuratively at the centre of society, to redefine the urban terrain as a space of creativity, and to effect social enrichment and transformation through the arts.” Click Read More for additional information.

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EVENTS: Tim Burton is one of our favorite film producers. From Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride and the Nightmare Before Christmas, he continuously amazes us with his limitless imagination and creative ability. Whether you’re a fan or know little about his visual genius, you’re in luck because from November 22, 2009 to April 26, 2010 the Film Library at the MOMA in New York will be hosting an exhibit honoring his work.

The exhibition includes a wide range of Tim’s work. In it you’ll find work ranging from his film series to art dating back to his adolescence. They’re all available for viewing. So if you’re in NYC, delve into the imagination and creative process of one of America’s most unique cinematic artists. It’s one not to miss. Click Read More for additional information.

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There’s an excellent exhibit coming to San Jose. Exsitu Insitu presents the clever works of Sam3. Known for his silhouette-style murals, his art gently conveys powerful messages.

This will be Sam3’s debut solo exhibition inside a gallery. The work for this show will be made on-site at Anno Domini in the days and nights prior to the September 4th opening. 
Per the exhibit, “After graduating with a fine arts degree from a Granada university, he worked as waiter, a roadie, an illustrator in Barcelona, and then in animation in Madrid for a year before he ‘slammed the door on alienation’ and abandoned the path of a corporate future. In 2006, Sam made a vow to dedicate his life to his art and has since created murals in 24 cities in 13 countries from Palestine to Brazil leaving metaphorical images that are to be deciphered and ‘owned’ by the community.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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MWM does it again. With each gallery opening, we’re more and more impressed. His tireless passion for moving lines, fun colors and exciting patterns keep us tuned in. There’s no way to pull away, but who’d want to. We love his work. His latest event, entitled Momentum, is open to the public at Chorus Gallery in Somerville, Massachusetts.

As MWM explains: “This show celebrates 5 recent series of my Artwork: Watercolor Paintings, Cut Paper Collages, Printed Textiles, Vectorfunk Posters, and 5 Hand-Painted Bike Frames. Along with the artwork, there are Tees & Cycling Caps that I designed the graphics for, and a Mega-Mural I painted on the exterior.” Check it out if you’re in the area. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Last week 329 hot air balloons set off into the skies for the largest gathering of its kind – the Loraine Mondial Air Balloon Rally, held in Chambley France. Seeing one balloon in flight is beautiful, but seeing this many is awe-inspiring. Luckily the flickr community caught it all. If you’re looking for a brief mental escape or some travel inspiration, check out their Loraine Mondial photo group. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Simple clean messaging is an art form, and one that is beautifully echoed in the exhibit Your Bright Future. Running until September 20, the installation presents the works of twelve artists from South Korea who were born between 1957 and 1972.

As described by the LAC Museum of Art: “Coming of age amid political turmoil and increased freedom, they are keenly aware of their position as citizens of an increasingly prosperous but divided country in a rapidly globalizing cultural and economic environment. By focusing, often humorously, on the ephemerality of life and identity as well as the limitations of communication across languages, cultures, and generations they make presence, absence, and change the center of their work.” You can view the exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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There’s still time to catch STAGES, an exhibit presented by Nike and Lance Amstrong featuring some of the world’s most talented contemporary artists. A few of our favorites include José Parlá, Cai Guo-Qiang, Kaws and Shepard Fairey. The exhibition runs until August 8. So if you’re in the Paris area be sure to check it out.

The overall purpose of STAGES is to raise awareness for the fight against cancer. As they state, “[It’s] more than an event. It is a unique celebration of human potential inspired by Lance and dedicated to the fight against cancer. It unites the world of art, philanthropy, and sport by bringing together some of the most renowned figures in art to produce work inspired by Lance and his fight against cancer. All work is available for purchase with proceeds directly benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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