That's right tas! Rub it in! Ha ha!

There's a new teaser each day! Just need to keep an eye on his IG account!

Email just went out

Cheers tas, can't wait to see what he's done for the show... and very envious of New Yorker's who hav it on their doorstep.

About that email, there's a couple of things that I'd like to comment on, but I've been bleating on a bit too much lately. Shall I get opinionated again!? Promise it'll be boring...

Go for it AP. It's late.

Opinions are the only thing that matter

'Keep your eyes peeled for a selection of off-site murals popping up during Harrington's residency in the area.'

Where I'm coming from is years ago street art was about reclaiming the streets with illegal art, whether it was political, confrontational, personal, beautiful or just plain mad.

Street art was edgy, appeared at night and surprised you in the morning when you walked past a previously blank wall. There were no agendas (apart from the artist's obviously), no curators or sponsors.

In a way a lot of street art (I'm not saying all) was a direct counter-balance to the generic, force fed multi-national corporate advertising we're all subjected to but don't ask for.

It was underground, illegal, edgy and your parents didn't like it... oh how things have moved on.

Most of you'll know my pet hate, the phrase 'mural' when talking about street art, so the quote from the email above perfectly clarifies why I have an issue with it.

Nowadays 'Street Art' has become so main stream and accepted by most levels of society, councils protecting illegally painted pieces, even clamouring for street art festivals as they know the masses like them.

To me 'Street Art' is illegally painted work and sanctioned walls by artists who've done their time, getting up for the love of painting (that's a hard point to get across!)... Insect, Invader, Sickboy, Gold Peg, Burning Candy and Banksy to name a few (people will have a different list to me!).

After that there's a real crossover between 'Street Art', 'Urban Art' (which you could say is just gallery based) and public sanctioned art (organised by local groups, authorities/councils or individuals). But personally I wouldn't call it pure 'Street Art'.

I'm presuming the email was from Laz who're organising Connors show, and it is pure establishment, tired sanctioned advertising to promote a show and make money. Not only are Connors amazing pieces (I use that phrase because I think it stems from 'Street Arts' roots in graffiti when 'masterpiece' was shortened) being carergorised (in my view) horrendously as murals, but they have no shame blatantly using the 'Street Art' as nothing simpler than advertising. Might as well hire a few billboards and newspaper ads.

Hmmm yeah, if you can make heads or tails of that well done... I did warn you!

Haha I'm nearly over it commissioner, think that may be my final rant on the matter... as I said starting to bore myself! And I totally understand how things change and move on, whether for better or worse... just grates me . C ya tomorrow.

Yes, you're right @lurkersutd

I think my main point, that got totally lost in my mad ramblings last night, is the street art has been relegated to a pure advertising vehicle to promote the show. I know it's been happening for ages, and many shows adopt the practice, I just think this use of street art as pure promotion rather than standalone art could be renamed 'Street Advertising'.

I think I'm just coming from an old school angle, and as is always the case don't like change, but as I've also said with popularity and money talking goal posts change. I am not begrudging Connor (I really like his work) or Laz, the show is what it is, and they are using marketing to it's best ability.

I'm not trying to come across as an ars*h*le, just find the whole shift from underground success to established acceptance jarring.

Must be tricky, with commercial pressures and representation pulling one way and the roots of that pulling the other? Painting on pre agreed, authorised walls cannot be categorised in my view with being cutting edge and risky?

Having said that it's a great way for the public to be exposed to this sublime ability. I recall seeing something Vhils had done whilst in London with a drill, looked brilliant and cannot have been authorised but I get the impression this is the exception...

To summarise, urban art, if you can make a decent living out of it, ceases to be urban!?

Nice. You gonna head down?

Lots of pics please!

Will go check it out 

Who's going to the show this weekend? Looking forward to meeting some more forum members

Nice guy  



Makes me want one of his prints even more !