Don’t Panic

As mentioned earlier (here), last Thursday the Dirt Cheap team took a trip down to the Bench NQ store in Manchester for the launch of the Don’t Panic exhibition…

Mural in the Bench store, the store itself is pretty nice looking with some interesting displays.

The event took place in the Self Made Gallery, below the store. A nice, fairly large space with plenty of white wall space!

Video from the launch night.
WARNING – NSFW – CONTAINS NUDITY!

As well as showcasing some of the best Don’t Panic posters from over the years the Private View also had live Life Drawing and music. A half naked model posed with Samurai sword, fans and feathers whilst some of Manchester’s finest, including Hammo & Benjamino drew quick sketches. The DJ, Rich Reason, played some pretty dope tunes all night with a mix of Hip-Hop, Funk and Soul.

The artwork was displayed with plenty of space and the room was nicely lit, it was good to get a look at some of the work I had never seen before… particular favourites were Hammo’s and Eelus also French artist C215 who was featured in a past Dirt Cheap Mag.

Their was a great turn out from local artists, students, and photographers and a well stocked bar! I can’t wait to get down to another event there, as there promises to be an exciting and varied program in the future.

Shamefully I even came home with spare drinks tokens… Am I getting old or something?

If you want to see the actual artwork you will have to get down there and see it in the flesh!

The exhibition runs from 19th of October – 12th November. At Bench NQ, Manchester.

Bench Homepage.

Don’t Panic Homepage.

Dont Panic Poster Exhibition

Dirt Cheap will be attending this event tomorrow, it promises to be a pretty cool exhibition and will be a great chance to check out the new Bench store…

For the first time Don’t Panic will be showcasing their internationally recognised posters featuring work by Banksy, Shepard Fairy and Hammo to name a few.

The exhibition will take place at the Bench Manchester NQ store and to celebrate, Bench and Don’t Panic are holding a Private View evening on the 18th with live art from 5 of Manchester’s finest, music by Rich Reason, free drinks, goody bags and life art sessions where party attendees can join in drawing.

For private view RSVP to – portia@canoeinc.com
18/10/2012 from 6 – 8pm
At Bench NQ, Manchester.

The exhibition runs from 19th of October – 12th November.

Erosie

One of my fave graff/street/artist/illustrators (eugh I just made myself feel ill) Erosie has a new show, his first solo show in fact. So if you are in Paris, I would strongly recommend you go see it!

‘Implosion’ solo show. January 21 to February 11, 2012 at the Immanence gallery 21 Maine Avenue / Avenue side immanence 21 Avenue du Maine / backyard 75015, Paris.

More Erosie here.

Trespass

Our lovely friends at Taschen have some amazing new books due for release. Here we will feature a couple of sneak peaks, first up is ‘Trespass. A History of Uncommissioned Urban Art’

First off the book is HEFTY! its both big and heavy, and at this price it’s a lot of book for your buck! There are of course already a wide range of books discussing the ‘street art’ culture many focusing on individuals, or the scene as a whole or the art of a particular country. This book is pretty much an overall view with quite a decent coverage across the scene as it stands today, obviously a difficult task with the range of ‘street art’ styles and schools that have developed.

The book is structured into chapters which groups works such as posters and stencil work, advertising/subverted advert style and more installation like pieces. Along with sections on the history, law, the philosophy and ideas associated with the scene.

It is definitely a cut above most other ‘street art’ books I have seen, firstly due to the excellent design and presentation not only is the print of a high quality, small touches such as the ‘bubble effect’ on the yellow tape of the cover alluding to the classic warning tape… a small touch but a nice one none the less. The large format of the book is a bonus, especially when the double page spreads are utilized which makes for stunning images.

Secondly the people involved in this book really are experts in the field, written by Carlo McCormick in association with Marc and Sara Schiller of the famed Wooster Collective, THE resource for street art online. Also text supplied by the likes of Banksy do go a long way towards pushing this book from a standard ‘run of the mill’ book to one that is succinct and indepth with the credibility to back it up.

All the biggest names are featured including work from Jean Tinguely, Spencer Tunick, Keith Haring, Os Gemeos, Jenny Holzer, Barry McGee, Gordon Matta-Clark, Shepard Fairey, Blu, Billboard Liberation Front, Guerrilla Girls and Banksy, 150 artists in total.

Unpublished images of street art by Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and unpublished photos from the vaults of Martha Cooper insure this is not just a recycling of every other street art book.

Definitely one for the coffee table, a good read/flick through for anyone, and essential purchase for a fan of the scene.

Purchase online here.

Trespass. A History of Uncommissioned Urban Art
Carlo McCormick, Marc and Sara Schiller, Ethel Seno
Hardcover, 23.5 x 32 cm (9.3 x 12.6 in.), 320 pages
£ 27.99

ISBN: 978-3-8365-0964-0
Edition: English

Two Faced

Two Faced Art

A look at the two sides of graffiti. Illegal/Legal & Street/Gallery. Not a bad way to waste 5mins, A simple message but true why are people still going to prison for graffiti?!

Exit through the gift shop

Trailer for Banksy’s film.