EL Mac is coming...

Techniques of Warfare- David Choe

Learning to Spraypaint- David Choe

Why we love HERA.

Undeniably talented. 

Burn, baby, burn.. it's all transitory.

Came across this article on Wataru Ito from Japan.  He spent four years carefully crafting an empire made of paper, but what does this artist look forward to most after completing his project?  Burning it down.  We think thats rad. Check it out.  

all photos courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk.

Read the full story here

Dwarf gets Swallowed by Hippo in freak accident

I didn't believe it when I first heard about this. So, I did my research and here you go... Dwarf. Eaten. Hippo. Doesn't get better than this.

Swallowed. Whole. In its entirety. And they just kept clapping.

Well that was fun...

If you missed Word to mother's show then you missed out on some good shananegans. Arrseted motion snagged WTM before the opening and scored some prime interview time.  Check it out here

And now for a visual recap

Photos below by Michael Ojeda

Photos below by Alex Tarrant

After the festivities came to an end, WTM and crew hopped to the nearest bar and began to celebrate the 4th of July early. Resulting in...

some of this...

and then, some of this...

:)

July First Thursday at Upper Playground PDX

Footage of the the Encore Reception of Alex Pardee's "Self Portraits of Other People That I Drew All By Myself Pretty Much" at Upper Playground PDX on July 2nd, 2009. The event featured the art of Alex Pardee, as well as a raffle for a limited-edition signed Alex Pardee Walrus Rider figurine, beverages provided by Redhook, and music by DJs Deff Ro and Mighty Moves.

New show opens TONIGHT 7pm! Word to Mother

We invite you to join us for Word To Mother's "Young Mind, Old Soul" opening tonight @

248 Fillmore St.,

SF, 94117

And now for some ... Polaroid Fever.

In the cityyy...the city of sanfan cis co.

The boys hit the town running today. They  found a treasure trove of polaroid cameras at a "charity shop" as they called it.  Celebration ensued...

photos by l.b.

Who Is WORD TO MOTHER?

FIFTY24SF is proud to host “Young Mind, Old Soul”- a solo exhibition by Word to Mother, U.K illustrator and painter. WTM started his informal and formative artistic training with a spray can and thirst for expression at the tender age of 12.  Raised in a small seaside town, the memory of stoney beaches, crashing waves, and weathered seamen drives the story behind Word To Mother’s imagery. While the untold history of the castaway wood or tin on which he paints, lends his work undeniable charm and mystery.

His fascination with the resurrection of the discarded has led him to create some of the most intoxicating and dynamic works on the UK scene today. By integrating his own thoughts, memories and love for life, Word To Mother gives abandoned objects a life force they once lost; enhancing the original beauty of the found treasures while recalling the unspoken history held in the textures, cracks and imperfections of its past.

” I like to use things that have already existed as something else. I like the idea of objects having a past and then re-using them. Taking things that have been discarded by someone, seen as useless and then taking it home and turning it into a painting. For me, a lot of the wood and metal panels I find are beautiful without anything on them, so I try to retain as much of the original texture and colour of the object as possible".

The combined essence of the forsaken objects and WTM’s imagery remind us that we do not have tobe old in days to understand the brilliance of youth and the deference due to the past.

 “For me, the idea of having a Young Mind and an Old Soul is about retaining the freedom of youth, the creative and unrestricted energy to continue to question things and to educate yourself, whilst living with a respect and understanding of the past.”- Word To Mother

 We Invite you to Join us for the Opening Reception of 

"Young Mind, Old Soul"

JULY 2nd, 2009

7-9:30pm

248 Fillmore St., SF, CA, 94117

Please email Lynzy@upperplayground.com for information regarding the preview email.

Walrus TV Artist Profile: Rene Almanza

more about "Walrus TV Artist Profile: Rene Almanza"

Iz the Wiz...

As many of us have heard by now, Iz the Wiz died of heart failure last night. 

Our condolences to his family and friends. 

He was an innovator, and  dedicated to his craft. His persistence and thirst for greatness as a Graf writer has inspired countless artists. He was an integal part of the Graffiti revolution and we are grateful for his role in the evolution of the street art genre.  In his own way he successfully helped change the world.

We wish the best for his family. 

Read more on the Wiz at Upperplayground.com

A few reasons to Love Herbert Baglione

More Herbert Here...

Behind the Brush: Che Jen

 I recently had the pleasure of spending a week with Che Jen, one member of the art duo currently presenting "Reverberations” at FIFTY24SF. Che Jen is an admittedly an abstract painter. What is an "admittedly abstract painter"?  It means that Che Jen chases the abstract.  She is an enigma, an exception to the rule. Singled out as a child to be a painter, Che Jen's life not is typical, nor are her paintings. Che Jen is as slick as the graceful and piercing line-work she uses to cut through a sea of typical.

She told me once that her paintings had to move, describing the feeling as "similar to catching that perfect line when you surf." Jen paints as if she is carving through stagnant energy.  Though she does admit, “Sometimes you don’t get to ride the wave as fluidly as you want, you get many thrashings before you even ride one out – I would imagine that’s how it would feel. I don’t know I never surfed."

I asked her what she's thinking about while holding the brush, and she told me that she was just being.  She was being every moment, every thought and life she had ever lived and she simply let her brush translate the ephemeral, to the concrete.

 “Painting is a lot of breathing out my thoughts and working through my words.  Trying to recall an experience and working that out on the wall.”  She laughed a lot, and told stories about her life while she painted the gallery walls. Watching was comforting and hypnotizing; you got lost in how easy she made it look.

Che Jen's paintings, though not landscapes or portraits, tell stories,  they tell the story of a woman who grew up in the epicenter of the hip hop and graffiti revolution. They tell they story of what it's like to cut through the b.s with grace and force.  Avid collectors of her work know they are not simply collecting a piece of beautiful art but,  a piece of a beautiful life. 

I wondered if her father had singled her out because he saw her gift long before she would ever grasp it... I asked her if she looked back on her classical training and was now grateful for where it led her.  She said that it was at times a hard road to accept but it has brought her to a place in life that is as unique and complex as she is, and for that she is grateful.

Reverberations- Opening Night Festivities

Che Jen and Kenji Hirata's " Reverberations" opened this past thursday with a bang. Weren't able to make it? Hopefully these pics will make you feel like you were right there in the mix. Check 'em out.

 Final touches on the door outside...

Thanks to all who came out. It's a stunning show!

Swing by to see the work in person if you weren't able to join us for the opening festivities. Reverberations will be open until June 25th.

Gallry hours 

Tuesday- Saturday

12pm - 6pm  and by appointment

Kenji Hirata and Che Jen kickin it gallery style

They say that when one door  closes another opens, so as we bid farewell to Shinganist, we welcome with open arms,  Kenji Hirata and Che Jen.   These two innovative artists are known for their intensely energetic paintings. Once upon a time Kenji and Che Jen took a leap of faith and hopped into a van with 20 artists on a mission.  What was then only a burgeoning idea from the ever creative mind of Dave Ellis, the "Barnstormers" became a breeding ground for new relationships, life changing revelations, and life long friendships. Years after that fateful trip the effects still linger.

The FIFTY24SF gallery is proud to reunite two members of the Barnstormers Collective to present "Reverberations" opening June 4th. 

Comprised of vibrant colors, and forward moving imagery,  Kenji's work is unique in it's ability to propel the viewer into an unseen, parallel universe where life is lived based on the belief of an ever dynamic tomorrow. He is clear on one thing, his work is made for the open minded. His peculiar shapes and vibrant color combinations make up an entire universe that is aimed at speaking to what is left of our child like nature.

Che Jen's work, most recognized for it's explosive nature, is based in the abstract. Bouncing between bright colors and muted greys, this work is akin to a bottle rocket on the verge of release. The energy is so tightly wound in the work that it's difficult not to feel as if you are on the verge of some great happening while standing in front of them. 

Don't just take my word for it, come check out the show opening JUNE 4th.

"Reverberations"

Opening reception JUNE 4th 7-9:30

FIFTY24SF Gallery 

248 Fillmore St, SF, 94117

All good things must come to an end...

Sadly, SHINGANIST will be coming down at the end of next week (28th).  But, it's been a good run. The stunning work that comprised the SHINGANIST show will not simply be returned to sender, nope not this show; it cannot be stopped. If you are located in the UK be prepared to check out Stolen Space gallery in July to catch Usugrow and crew doing what they do best; rocking out and taking over the world. eh, well, walls at least.   A word to the wise... this show is worth seeing in person, get out of your comfy chair and march your tush over the bridge to check it out.  While you're at it why not buy the boys a beer? You can tell them it's from FIFTY24SF,  and I'll owe you one.

Summer Internship

FIFTY24SF is looking for interns for the summer internship program. We are looking for a few very skilled Bay Area individuals with experience in one or all of the following categories: Marketing Graphic Design Photography Administrative duties  as well as, Experience in the art community

The summer program begins June 1st and will end August 28th. Ideal candidates exhibit great attention to detail, forethought, self motivation, creative problem solving, and ability to follow specific instructions.

Please contact Lynzy@upperplayground for more details.

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