Results: Georgian sentences graffiti

We were trying not to be lost in translation during this task. First we were divided into small groups.and asked to think of quotes, sayings or song lyrics in our native languages. Then we translated them to english and after that - with help of georgian members of the group - to georgian. Prepared like this we went to the town to spray this linguistic mixtures on the walls, pavements etc. Take a look.

Animation Evening

One of our main goals to achieve during Urban Creatures exchange was to do something with/for the local community. That's why we were really happy to organise this evening. A lot of people of Rustavi gathered to attend our event. We've shown some early animations, we've choosen only silent ones, so there wouldn't be any problems with subttles etc. We've also chosen some background music. We see this event as a big succsess. We've had a lot fun.  

Georgian graffiti, big objects out of balloons, glow in the dark jars, film animation

After games and energizers the groups went to the city to spray Georgian graffiti on the walls and floors of abandoned buildings, and some of the people hung the music instruments (done in a workshop from the previous day) in the city.

We had čufte for lunch and then Martyna and Masia led us to a nearby building, abandoned and littered with empty beer bottles, plastic cups and cigarette packs. The place was crying for help. There we were, ready to boogie with balloons, paint, sprays, and glow in the dark paint. Let the photos speak for themselves (they're coming, don't worry :)), and if you come to Rustavi, make sure not to miss this sight.

In the evening, time flew by as we enjoyed a film projection in a pleasant atmosphere, lit by the glow in the dark objects, made in the workshop.

Workshops survey

We've made a survey about workshops in which you can participate during the exchange. We won't have time for everything, so please vote which ones you like the most! Also please do it as soon as possible, because we would like to prepare ourselves.

The survey is here.

Let's unite and make art!

Inspiration?

"It appears that the tradition of men dressing up as wild animals and monsters, which dates back to neolithic times and shamanism, is still very alive nowadays. The mythological figure of a “wild man” represents the complicated relationship humans have with nature and life and death cycles."

 I don't know is anyone up for making costumes. Maybe let's ask the local community of some legends connected with the area of Georgia we are going to? I think it would be interesting. But maybe it's more a job for an ethnologist. Maybe I associated this "dressing up as wild animals and monsters" with "creatures" in the name of our project. Or maybe I just wanted to show you these beautiful costumes.

More here.

Inspirations: Urban guerrilla street art

Inspirations: art in public space in Poland that we like

1. Palm tree in the middle of Warsaw. Joanna Rajkowska "Pozdrowienia z Alej Jerozolimskich" ("Greetings from Aleje Jerozolimskie")

2. An artificial pond, lawn and benches in the middle of Warsaw. Joanna Rajkowska "Dotleniacz".

3. Pink glowing deers in Warsaw. Luiza Marklowska, Hanna Kokczyńska.

Inspirations: the powet of art in public space is sometimes in the right location

Last year in Warsaw there was an exhibition of Mauricio Cattelan's works. One of the sculptures was placed outside the gallery becoming the most powerfull part of the art show. The piece is named "Him" and it's a figure of a kneeling boy. It was placed in the area of the former jewish ghetto. There was no access to the sculpture it was only visible through a little hole in one of the gates on "Próżna" street. The viewer could only see a figure of a kneeling little boy from the back. Was he praying, asking for forgiveness, showing remorse, crying?

Of course there was no answer to this question, the only clue is tis that the boy turns out to be Hitler. 

It's hard not to see that the main power of this sculpture is it's location. It doesn't belong to the neutral interior of an art gallery but to a historical place that has witnessed something. It has to be in this specific public place to gain importance.

Inspirations: Inflatable monsters

Works done by Joshua Allen Harris. How do you like it? We love it! Maybe we can do some plastic bag monsters during workshops and hang them on the trees or street lamps?

Some background music

Le  Tigre

Slideshow at Free University

 

We favor the simple expression of the complex thought.
We are for the large shape, because it has the impact of the unequivocal.

We are for flat forms because they destroy illusion and reveal truths.

The artist was attempting to make art more than something to just look at,
they wanted it to be something to be involved in, something too big to ignore.

It is our function as artists to make the spectator to see the world our way,
not his way.

Let's start! About the project.

"Urban Creatures - redefining public space" is a project that gathers
young people from 4 countries (Armenia, Georgia, Poland and Slovenia)
to make artistic interventions together. 40 participants will meet in
Rustavi, Georgia at the end of September 2013

We are focusing on the subject of art in public space. We want to find
out what art can do for the society, what kind of tool is it and what
power does it have.

During the workshops we will exchange our experiences with art, we
will discuss the examples of it's good and bad use in public space and
we will organize and participate in different workshops.

Ewentually, what's the most imporatnt, we want to act ourselves!
Before that we need to find out what is our position in the town we
are only visiting. We don't want to change it only by ourselves. We
want to improve it! To do that we need to ask the local community in
which little intervention they would like to participate.

Let's unite and make art!