Archive for August 20th, 2008
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
Free Tibet Graffiti Artists Detained in Beijing
Artist James Powderly, a founding member of Graffiti Research Lab, is currently being detained in China for an attempted protest during the Olymics against Chinese occupation of Tibet. Powdery planned on using his invention, the Green Lantern, a flashlight-sized laser capable of projecting beams as far as 30 feet, to project the words “Free Tibet” on an undisclosed building near Tiananmen Square. Five other Americans were also arrested for successfully illuminating a banner made out of “throwies” – self-powered, adhesive L.E.D lights also developed by GRL. The demonstration was part of Students for a Free Tibet’s ongoing 2008 campaign and protest against the Olympics.
New York Times article here
The Green Lantern projects a Graffiti Research Lab tag on the Brooklyn Bridge. (Photo via GRL)
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
Dzine Tricks Out Deitch
September 07, 2008 — October 18, 2008
Deitch Projects, 4-40 44th Drive, Long Island City
There’s no question that Deitch is bringing the heat this September. If simultaneous shows by Chris Johanson and Swoon weren’t enough, the gallery is also having the first New York exhibit by Chicago’s Carlos Rolon, aka Dzine. Rolon’s tricked-out bikes, boats and cars garnered a lot of attention at this year’s Venice Biennale and Art Basel Miami. Expect to see more of Dzine’s tricked out rides when The Beautiful Struggle opens on Sunday, September 7th.
Check out more of Dzine’s work on his site here
Dzine, “Lil’ Dnipro” lowrider bike installation, 2008. (Photo via Dzine)
Dzine, Deitch Booth, Armory Show, 2008. (Photo via TAC)
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
Espo Waterboarding for Real
Photo: Sam Horine
Taking his animatronic Waterboard Thrill Ride peep-show one step further, Steve Powers (ESPO) conducted a real-life waterboarding demonstration at a private Coney Island location this past Friday evening. For eight seconds, the artist and three volunteer lawyers became victims of the controversial military interrogation technique, which many say constitutes torture. Check Artforum here for the full story. Below is a brief excerpt from the article.
“Powers, now hooded, was roughly guided to the inclined waterboarding table. (As Ritz explained afterward, the head is laid below the heart so that less water gets into the lungs, allowing the interrogators to prolong the procedure.) Ritz then stuffed a large black rag into Powers’ mouth, held the artist’s nose with one hand, and poured a steady flow of water onto the rag like a frat boy pours a pitcher of beer. After about eight seconds, Powers began to twitch and jerk on the table, and Ritz quickly removed the rag. Dazed and flushed, the artist was led out of the room.”