RCGNTN: make local your focal

The Is This Home, Truly? exhibition at Tanjong Pagar Distripark saw a showcase of familiar artists with their new art. Curated by Zaki Razak and Zul Othman, the large white clean space held works of 6 Singaporean graffiti artists who have worked hard to become the names associated with Singapore street art scene – Antz, Skope, Slacsatu, The Killer Gerbil, TR853-1 and Zero.

Another graffiti artist was holding his exhibition at the venue as well, Daze, who had the whole next room to display his works. Some might gripe about how local artists have to ’squeeze’ in one room while the foreign artist has the room all to himself, but I say that the smaller space allowed people not just to look at art but mingle; honestly, the other room was much more quiet.

What I also liked about it was that putting different products from different creative minds all together made the walls seem like a storybook to read. Instead of repeated ideas in different forms, each section off the walls told a different story and represented a different idea which was, to me, refreshing.

The different kinds of crowd that came that night was also very fascinating; we had people in the street scene and then we had people who frequent exhibitions and buyers. The responses these two groups of people have were very different; the street scene people looked uncomfortable at first but when they got accustomed to the slightly stifling environment, they were the ones who looked like they had the most fun while the other kind of crowd just drifted by, talking in soft voices possibly deciding if they should get some art for their home.

Not much can be said to sum up the art that was on display because it is so diverse and varied, and of course, inspiring. So do go check it out for yourself. The exhibition is open till 22nd March and is located at 39 Keppel Road #02-04, Tanjong Pagar Distripark.

The time has come for our first ever party set to happen on the 20th of March 2010 and we cannot be more excited!

RCGNTN has teamed up with the party demons of Sup to bring you what is possibly the best street party ever. Starting the celebrations at 7.30pm, the quiet ho-hum Haji Lane will transform before your beady eyes to become the loudest and most people packed street in Singapore.

In line with our main purpose of showcasing local talent, RCGNIZE!- The First Edition aims to bring more awareness to the talent our country has to offer. The event will see a stellar line-up of artists who will be returning street art to the streets in a live art demonstration featuring the likes of local heroes Antz, ZERO, Sheryo, Clogtwo, Anwar as well as The Killer Gerbil. Definitely a  sight to see.

Not only that, we’ve got a photography exhibition that showcases the different aspects of local urban culture brought to light by photographers Haiqal (showcasing his work with fixie event T.O.S), Bum Ariffin (on his photos of Baybeats) and Juffrie Friday (showcasing his passion with skate photography) inside Sup Clothing itself. The store will also house works by sneaker customizers Hypethetic and Lazy as well as toy customizer Phu, doing and showing what they do best.

And who can resist FREE stuff? Doorgifts for the first 50 and if you like what we do and support our cause, do spend on our lovely limited edition tees (only 40 made!) and you may just stand to win some sneakers from our sponsors New Balance and PF Flyers as well as Hundreds tees from Boards n Stuff. Damn even I want in on that!

On top of that, it’s going to be a hell of a party with help from our sponsors (New Balance, PF Flyers, Tiger, Bacardi, Redbull, Boards n Stuff and Stage57- THANK YOU!) as well as the very generous and very crazy guys of Sup Clothing.

Here’s to an awesome night!

For the first time in Singapore, Red Bull will be hosting it’s popular international pop art competition here on our sunny island. We have come to associate Red Bull with vibrancy and creativity and this competition proves that the brand strives for nothing less.

Red Bull Art of Can was officially launched on the 1st of March, and will be concluding with an exhibition for 10 days at the new *SCAPE from 2nd to 11th of July and finally a judging. The only rule participants have to abide to is to use Red Bull’s trademark cans as part of their artwork, which deserves more thumbs up from us for their recycling efforts.

The great thing about Red Bull Art of Can competition is that anyone can take part and the sky’s the limit. I love how they don’t put a cap on anyone’s creativity because creativity is wild and unpredictable. And the prizes are nothing less than the best, I personally feel that getting even the 3rd prize would make me a very happy winner; the prizes are a trip for 2 to Berlin, weekend trip for 2 to Melbourne and a Canon DSLR camera for 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Red Bull sure knows how to make people happy.

It’s a win-win situation for everyone because even the public (for the self-proclaimed uncreative people) can get in on the fun by voting on their website! A lucky voter will win a Canon digital camera.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! Registration is now open online at www.redbullartofcan.sg from now to 15 May!

Clogtwo is dbl O’s featured artist for the month, and if you missed out his opening exhibition or came in a little late, you would’ve missed this ingenious video thought out by the man himself. Screened when the exhibition was about to start, the video is proof of the effort put in by the artist, who thoughtfully put up a short skit where he was caught by terrorists and couldn’t appear at the exhibition.

Clog’s work never ceases to impress, and his new work “The TerrorWrist” is of no exception. The big-ass 6×3 meter mural pictured above depicts the meaning of Scientology translated through his own vision, with the analytical mind battling the reactive mind in the struggle between religion and science.

above: Organic Pseudo People
Totally love the way he incorporates the body’s inner organs such as the heart, brains, guts and gore.

above: Tumorism on a skate deck

above: Circus Freaks

above: The Virgin Mary (Science vs Religion) – via Syamim Mom (c) 2010

On top of that, Clogtwo also released an album titled “We’re Not Enemies”, a collaboration between five non-musicians, namely Imran Zainal, Desmond Shen, Musa Bagushair as well as members of Electrocaine Avneesh and Clogtwo himself, to produce an experimental album based on actual occurences that our beloved world is facing today. A pretty good listen, and an intriguing one at that.

Overall, the experience was a good one. Though more can be done to make the place more conducive for showcasing artwork, it is a good initiative by dbl O. Check out more of Clogtwo’s work over at www.clogtwo.com.

Coming up this 6th March at DBL O Art Space 7 comes Clogtwo, possibly one of the craziest artists I have seen as yet. Ttiled Terror-wrist, be prepared to experience some of the most detailed and unbelieveable display of technique and creativity this man has to offer. Plus with his most recent experimentation with ‘tumorism’- the style derived from the understanding of a parasite that feeds on the host (metaphorically applied on the act of modern human civilisation), be sure to check it out.

My man The Killer Gerbil doing an interview piece while he was in France & The Netherlands. Produced by a Singaporean based in Holland – Hasan Ismail / rastAsia – I must say that this interview is truly one-of-a-kind. Luthfi answers all his questions in his native Malay tongue whilst the questions are posed in either French or Dutch. Now that’s what’s up!

Oh, Scope One is also making a European trip. Spain to be exact. Let’s hope there’s a video feature somewhere. Anyways, mad props to rastAsia for this awesome piece. Great music selection too I must say. Peace from the Lion City my friend.

One.

Who said graffiti or street art cannot be seen as fine art?

Coming from a strong background based in the arts, ZERO’s works revolve around street culture, pop culture and current affairs. Like all artists, ZERO strives to communicate with the audience in the form of a social commentary through his art; but unlike many, his work constantly tries to integrate and negotiate the function of design and advertising within the framework of conceptual and traditional fine arts.

Observing his pieces from Warp 02, abstract characters coupled with expert technicalities as well as use of colour brings out much vibrance to many a dull background, and never fails to grab the attention of many. Though it is preconceived that art of this kind or calibre can only be achieved with a paintbrush, I have personally borne witness to him using the humble spray can and executing the same, if not more outstanding work.

Other than Adidas, ZERO has also been involved in numerous events and exhibitions as well as an integral part of the ARTVSTS collective. He is also one half of the INGLORIOUS RASCALS as well as an Associate Artist with the Substation.

The Killer Gerbil has had a fruitful trip in Europe, doing what he does best and representing our little red dot over in the colder regions of the world, from Paris to Holland. Check out the remarkable mural he did for his nieces as well as the green and red ‘Gerbil’!

If you want to experience some of the best graffiti Singapore has to offer, you should make Fortune Cookie Projects’ “Is This Home, Truly” your first stop. Curated by Zaki Razak and co-curated by Zul ‘ZERO’ Othman, the exhibition will house the works of well-known and award-winning artists and veterans such as:

Scope (above)

The Killer Gerbil (above)

Slacsatu (above)

ZERO (above)

TraseOne (above)

as well as our January 2010 masthead artist, Antz (above).

Starting from March 5th, 2010 at 8pm till March 22nd, 2010 at 6pm, be sure to head down to Fortune Cookie Projects at 39 Keppel Road, #02-04 Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Admission is free.

The Siloso Beach Beach Party 2010 Graffiti Showcase might be over, but it’s pieces like these that stay timeless. Invited to do a collaboration piece to combine both their art, ClogTwo (Zinc Nite Crew) and Nazir created a piece titled ‘The Radiohead’. What caught my eye was that it displayed such technicality and skill, with ClogTwo’s excellent 3D piece as well as Nazir’s stenciled monogram background, combining the two flawlessly (not to mention the seamless transition into the location).

For a little ‘Graffiti 101′, head down to ClogTwo’s blog! More pictures on the process below: