More information can be found at can be found on the calendar here

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It was a hot summer night in Minneapolis.

Two dark figures with backpacks crossed a dimly lit road and jumped a fence that led to the freeway. The incognito duo found the perfect, high-visibility location and unloaded their gear: a gallon of paint, a roller and a slew of brightly colored spray paint cans. The two young graffiti artists commenced painting. Semi-trucks sped by. Cars honked and headlights flashed. Adrenaline-pumped hands whisked side-to-side just inches from the bland, monotonous highway wall. Aerosol paint cans clattered and clanked as a shadowy masterpiece began to take shape. After ten minutes, time seemed to lag by as the zoned-out traffic hummed in the background. Twenty minutes passed and just as soon as it began, it was over. The two street artists hurriedly slipped away leaving their graffiti art installments for morning commuters to eyeball.

Hopping the fence again they instantly noticed a slow-rolling car nearby — a chase was imminent. The undercover police car that passed them whipped around and peeled out, wheels spitting black tar towards the yellow street lights above. Both of street artists hit full sprint and used their paint-stained finger tips to scale an eight-foot wall. One of the two wasn’t quick enough as the police officer came barreling out of the police car and grabbed his paint-filled backpack midway up the wall. Determined to not get caught, the street artist slipped out of his backpack, then his coat, and started sprinting down the uneven sidewalk. Seconds later he hit the ground, hard. Face bloodied and scrapped, the Taser prongs were still pulsating inside him. Attempting to breath he tried to turn on his side. Another excruciating shock absorbed through his body. It wasn’t until two more electrocuting blasts rimmed through his vertebrae that he was told “don’t move or I’ll charge you again.”

The next three days in jail brought on a metamorphosis that culminated in the creation of the street art project that is now know as HOTTEA. “The transition between mediums came from confinement, isolation, as well as finding happiness and hope,” says HOTTEA.

HOTTEA is composed of two artists, one of which that started writing graffiti art back in 1996 under a different name. He took inspiration from Boston-based Monk and Minneapolis’ Ewok. “I liked how those artists specifically chose their locations well,” says HOTTEA, “Much of graffiti is all about placement.”

The HOTTEA project developed after a trip to jail, but it was also heavily inspired by past experiences: A grandmother teaching the skill of knitting, anti-gay bullying from kids at school, and, most importantly, the relationships that that were developed along the way — negative, or positive. HOTTEA explains, “The HOTTEA project embodies the similarities and differences in all of us. I wanted to base the project off an idea that had room for growth. We are always growing as people and the dynamic between people gives endless possibilities.”

HOTTEA’s latest work named “Socorro” was created on the top of a Seward-neighborhood highway bridge. “The meaning is to create a piece about two people with different backgrounds finding similarities and meeting halfway to form a closer bond.” HOTTEA explains. “The purpose is to create something beautiful and interesting for people to look at and experience.”

According to the New York Times, guerrilla art, or “craftivism” like the HOTTEA project “could become as potent a social movement as urban farming.” And The Guardian refers to graffiti knitting as an “epidemic” and highlights the London-based Knit the City collaboration of yarn artists.

Despite the popularity of the movement, uncomissioned street art is still deemed illegal almost everywhere in the world. Besides recent “Graffiti Zone” designated areas in Taiwan and Australia, street art still carries heavy fines and jail sentences in the United States, England and most other countries. In 1994, Michael Fay, a student living in Singapore, was even given four cane lashes, four months in jail, and a $2,233 fine for spray paint vandalism.

Craftism, guerrilla art, or yarn bombing — such as the works by HOTTEA — is also classified as vandalism despite the lack of damage to personal or public property. Fines have been handed out by police and installations ripped down. HOTTEA has had four run-ins with police, all ending in warnings. Street art blog Unurth.com founder Sebastian Buck disagrees with common perception, “[To me] yarn bombing is such an interesting thing. I wouldn’t classify it as graffiti, because to me that term infers spray paint, but I would include it under the broader umbrella of street art.”

Many artists question why law enforcement and select groups of citizens fight for a public space so bland. It’s just plain boring, many street artists agree. “At its best, street art brings a humanity to stark urban environments,” says Buck, “and yarn bombers definitely achieve that.”

*Photos by Tristan Pollock and Anthony Kwan.

Socorro from Hot Tea on Vimeo.

The exhibit consists of several of Andrea’s peices each displaying text often taken from lyrics, or head shots of famous (and infamous) men of pop culture.  Each piece is a layer upon layer of glitter creating depth of light and mirror imagery.  The sparkles are magnificent!

Andrea Stanislav 

With this work, as with Andrea’s 2008 exhibit  at the MIA, I love it.  I love pop culture, I love fashion, I love all that glitters…I love it…and then I feel guilty.  It is the guilt that leads me to think that there is so much there.  Here is my take.

To me the work is strong beyond the initial warm feeling of “I like it” not because of the familiarity we have with the lyrics or the images.  Not because of how it can be related to pop-culture, but rather when you add a heapiing spoonful of sugar to something the general public will devour it.  I see the work as commentary on how pop-art/pop culture is so consumable regardless of the message attached.  In addition, by the time the message has gotten to the masses such as “Clockwork Orange” or the “Sex Pistols”– it is so disassocatiated with it’s original affiliation that it no longer holds it original meaning.  It is a sliver of the whole, a mirror of itself with nothing substantial behind it.  An image, a reference and as it was referred to in the artist talk, a sampling. 

If you get the chance, see the exhibit with someone and discuss it.

as always,

emma

With 2008, so many art’s organizations felt the impact of the current fiscal environment.  If you haven’t already it is time to make your support known.  Support the galleries, the non-profit organizations, the artists.  Become a member, attend a benefit, buy some art, donate supplies, volunteer your time. 

It feels nice.

 

To a Shiny 2009,

Emma

Enjoy the films!
Enjoy the pretty fire!
emma

Each spring is the wonderfully fantastic Voltage Amplified…followed by fashion weekend. Voltage (part fashion/part rock) is the 16th, so if you haven’t picked up your tickets, get them now! It’s an inspiring event regardless of if you are a fashion snob or a fashion snub.

Fashion weekend runs the 18th through the 20th, so check out the Voltage site for further details. It is blooming with fashion inspired events…including two mplsart sponsored events, Eluded Love & Connoisseur.

And in the spirit of spring, art & fashion an animation short from prada…

enchanted,
emma

Minnesota Monthly published a wonderful article outlining his accomplishments, contributions and passion for artists. Take a read.

thank you Yuri!
emma

The happy note on the back reads:

You have found American Face!
You are encouraged to keep this pillow, but first, please participate in
The American Face Art Show.
Bring your pillow to the Caffetto Coffee shop between February first and twenty-eighth.
708 W. 22nd Street Minneapolis,MN 55405.
Full details about how to participate will be available at caffetto
-OR-
www.americanface.blogspot.com
Please direct additional inquiries to: Americanfacempls@gmail.com or just google it.

So in my possession I have Robyne 62/157 (blue) & Jessie 52/157 (red)

Hope you find yours!

Cheers,
Emma

may your 2008 be full of magic!

much love,
emma