OPENINGS: REVOK-ORDINARY THINGS the Library Street Collective Covered

Last night saw the opening of Los Angeles graffiti artist Revok's one man show ORDINARY THINGS at The Library Street Collective in Detroit and Inside the Rock Poster was there to bring you the images.

Living in Detroit since 2010, Los Angeles graffiti writer REVOK is someone who seems up to the task of expanding his palette beyond the temporal world of street art. Since 1991, REVOK has been making a name for himself by dominating all aspects of graffiti art in cities across the country. With a distinctive style, and a competitive drive unmatched within graffiti circles, REVOK has achieved global attention reserved for a select few.

The show is a compilation of pieces that are made up from a collection of recovered objects cultivated from the streets of Detroit, then thoughtfully reassembled in what could be considered a geographical timeline: one that records the neighborhoods and streets that REVOK has continuously used as the backdrop for his street art since moving to Detroit. Although there are echoes of his background in graffiti art, REVOK is plowing forward with an individual voice as an artist, willing to transition without the shackles of graffiti art trailing behind him.

REVOK also worked with Rime on a huge piece that for me was my favorite. The piece measures a staggering 70' x 70'  and is titled 8448 Van Dyke. Like with all the pieces it's not simply item assembled but they he also added paint to each one.

The gallery was packed all night with graffiti artists and fans alike. Casey EKLIPS Zoltan, Founder of THE SEVENTH LETTER was in attendance as well. I have a feeling the people of Detroit woke up this morning to some new work around the city. 

Revok also had a huge wall of photo displayed of various elements of the city that he has been taking since he arrived in 2010. The more than 90 photos kinda chronicles his travels around his new home town.

Click "Coverage of Gallery Openings" Tab at the top of the page to see all the pictures

The show runs till January 26th, 2013. The Library Street Collective is located @ 1260 Library Street, Detroit, MI 48226 ~ ph#313.600.7443 ~ http://www.lscgallery.com

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Askew The Detroit Beautification Project Mural Completed with video

 When ASKEW first got to Detroit he had an idea of what he wanted to do. But after spending the day in neighborhood where he was going to paint his mural his creative idea took a new route. All set to go Friday night with a projector to help him in rough in his original idea he decided on something a little different a little more abstract that he had wanted to do for a while. He decided to create a mural weaving the Yemanese flag in with the United States flag to symbolize how the people of the neighborhood have become part of America. Two side notes, he loves real dark chocolate and I mean the good stuff and does not like bananas. Be sure to check out the video below also, how he gets the shading and layering is amazing.

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The Art of Dabs Myla for The Detroit Beautification Project

 Dabs Myla were in Detroit this past week for their part in The Detroit Beautification Project and lent their creative ideas and art to the scene. They painted a huge mural on the side of the 323 East Gallery along with a couple of other spots.

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New Art by Steel for The Detroit Beautification Project 2012

 Steel had a little time left while he was in Detroit and could not resist putting up one of his signature pieces

 Steel got the local kids involved as well and they proceeded to put their favorite soccer player names on the wall

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New Art from Vizie Pose and others for Detroit Beautification Project 2012

As the chill of winter has given way to the warm hues of spring in Detroit, 1xRun is excited to unveil one of the largest public arts projects in Metro Detroit history. During the initial phase, executed in the first 2 weeks of May, over 25 internationally renowned street artists converged on Detroit and Hamtramck for an expansive public arts project.

“The artists participating in Detroit Beautification Project span the globe and provide an international and unique perspective on art in the public domain. We as Detroiters should welcome with open arms these artists who have fallen in love with our city and choose to create here...” said Matt Eaton of CONTRAprojects who spearheaded the project.

Beginning at Grand River Ave and Rosa Parks, near the Motorcity Casino on a group a vacant buildings, the project quickly expanded across town and throughout the cities of Detroit and Hamtramck. Building owners, community leaders and local residents have been overwhelmingly thrilled with the bold, colorful and uplifting murals.

Here is some new work by Vizie Pose Nekst and Shank

Hamtramck’s City Council wasn’t entirely approving at first. Council members, even those who appreciated the work, objected to not being informed first, the murals being painted on public property and the possible loss of value for those buildings. But check out the video and the comments by the mayor, it was good to hear.

Video from Michael Jackman Metro Times

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The Art of Revok for The Detroit Beautification Project

Born in Riverside, Ca. in 1977 Los Angeles based REVOK discovered art through his fathers collection of 60′s & 70′s album covers, comic books, and skateboarding. In 1990 REVOK began sneaking out of the 2nd story window of his parents home to write graffiti around his neighborhood… 21 years later not much has changed despite numerous arrests, jail time and fines in the U.S. and overseas.

 REVOK enjoys traveling and painting graffiti, he is currently the target of a political war against Graffiti and street art led by Los Angeles city attorney Carmen Trutanich and the L.A. Sheriffs department. REVOK’s work explores the struggle between opposing perspectives that is perpetual action around us in our shared common spaces.

Revok did this wall with Flying Fortress with the blessing of the city.  

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The Art of Risk for The Detroit Beautification Project

  In a career spanning 27 years, RISK has impacted the evolution of graffiti as an art form in Los Angeles and worldwide. RISK gained major notoriety for his unique style and pushed the limits of graffiti further than any writer in L.A. had before: He was one of the first writers in Southern California to paint freight trains, and he pioneered writing on “heavens,” or freeway overpasses. At the peak of his career he took graffiti from the streets and into the gallery with the launch of the Third Rail series of art shows, and later parlayed the name into the first authentic line of graffiti-inspired clothing.

He got this piece done in a little over 6 hours, faster than anyone.

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