Category Archives: Books

London: VNA Issue 28

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Very Nearly Almost Magazine launches the VNA 28 Limited Edition, featuring a screenprinted box set from Rebel8’s head clothing designer, Mike Giant.

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The issue features the first interview with the entire Da Mental Vaporz crew from their infamous Exquisite Corpse paintings to what keep them going for over a decade.

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Da Mental Vaporz @ Galore DK
DMV – Copenhagen 2011 – Photo by Butterfly

Taking a look at INSA’s career to date, VNA delve into his past, from his childhood bedroom posters to his very latest app release – a neat little piece of tricknology by the name of ‘GIF-ITI”.

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INSA – London 2012 – Photo by Butterfly

VNA 28 also features exclusive interviews with NUNCA, DAN HILLIER, SMUG, NICK WALKER, ALEXANDER MITCHELL/BACKWOODS, CHAD MUSKA, 1UP CREW AND INTI…

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Nick Walker – Bristol 2012 – Photo by Butterfly

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Pics courtesy of VNA unless otherwise stated.

The book launch party is held at Nelly Duff in Columbia road tonight from 6-9pm.
To buy regular copies of VNA 28, check the online store:

www.verynearlyalmost.com/shop/vna-issue-28-pre-orders

Books: Patti Astor – Fun Gallery…The True Story

Patti Astor - Book signing

The original ‘Queen of the Downtown Scene’ Patti Astor, has released her memoirs, Fun Gallery… the True Story, chronicling her experiences and those of her friends during the 1980′s legendary NYC East Village scene.   The book features stories about Keith Haring, Fab 5 Freddy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, DONDI, LEE, Kenny Scharf, Zephyr and more.

Patti Astor was recently in Brighton at the Inkd Gallery doing a book signing and reading some excerpts from her fabulous experiences.

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Personally signed copies of FUN Gallery…The True Story are available at www.thefungallery.com

 

London: Herakut – After the Laughter

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German duo Herakut is back to London for the release of their new book titled ‘After the Laughter’ . To celebrate the launch they also produced a new series of work curated by Shea&Siegler.

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Featuring female figures wearing tight shiny catsuit with animal hats, sometimes a  horse, a cat, a wolf or squirrels, Herakut masters  spray paint to create hyperealist portraits. Looking closer, one can even see the artists reflection in the subject’s eyes.

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More pics from the opening here

Further info on the show and book at Shea&Siegler.

Herakut – After The Laughter
May 31st – June 10th 2012
The Gallery, 99 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 2TF London.
Curated by Shea & Ziegler in collaboration with Moniker Projects

Paris Opening: Mausolee with Lek x Sowat

Mausolee - The show

On August 12, 2010,  French graffiti artists Lek and Sowat found an abandoned supermarket of 430,000sq. ft  in the north of Paris. For a year, in the greatest of secrets they invited forty French graffiti artists to collaborate and create an illegal graffiti Mausoleum.

As the monument  is not accessible for safety reasons, Lek and Sowat  recreated a few murals and installations in an abandoned apartment to share their experience with the public .

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During the two years, they discovered traces of life from squatters that left in a rush.  For the exhibition, the artists brought back  toys, letters and objects as a tribute to the families living in the Mausolee.

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An installation made of found signage on site, staff instructions and reports reminds of the golden days of the supermarket as key role to the community.

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The opening was also the occasion to celebrate the release of the book (available here) and a video retracing all the visual process of this adventure.

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The stop motion video made of 8000 pictures is now visible online

More info on the project and participating artists at mausolee.net

 

London: Walls And Frames Book Launch

 

The latest book by Gestalten, Walls & Frames, edited by Maximiliano Ruiz focuses on emerging international street artists and documents how they are transitioning from street to galleries, using innovative tools and techniques that are shaping a new direction of contemporary art. Featuring interviews with the artists and colourful pictures of their studio artworks, curator Maximilian Ruiz reveals a wealth of informative insights about their working methods, context and perspectives involved in this energetic and inspiring scene.

Within its 272 colorful pages, Walls and Frames dedicates double pages spread with current work by Aaron Noble, AJ Fosik, Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Alexandros Vasmoulakis, Alëxone Dizac, Amose, Andrew McAttee, Anthony Lister, Antony Micallef, Axel Void, Basco-Vazko, Base 23, Ben Frost, Blek le Rat, Bom-K, Boris Hoppek, Boxi, C215, Cekis, Conor Harrington, D*Face, Dan Witz, Daniel Muñoz aka San, Dave Kinsey, Der, Dixon, Docteur Gecko, Doze Green, Dran, Duncan Jago aka Mr. Jago, Eine, Ekundayo, El Mac, Evan Roth, Evol, Faile, Faith 47, Fefe Talavera, Gaia, George Morton-Clark, Herakut, Herbert Baglione, Interesni Kazki, Jaybo, Jeff Soto, Jeremy Fish, Jesse Hazelip, Johnny “KMNDZ” Rodriguez, Joram Roukes, Jorge Rodriguez Gerada, Josh Keyes, JR, Judith Supine, Katrin Fridriks, Kevin Cyr, Kofie, L’Atlas, Lightgraff, Logan Hicks, Ludo, M-City, Mark Jenkins, Mark Whalen aka Kill Pixie, Maya Hayuk, Medo & Demência, Meggs, Miss Bugs, Miss Van, Morten Andersen aka M2theA, Mr. Kern, Mudwig, Nicholas Di Genova, Okuda, Patrick Evoke, Paul Insect, Pedro Matos, Peter Owen, Pose, Pure Evil, Remed, Remi/Roughe, René Almanza, Retna, Ripo, Ródez, Sam3, Sat One, Shepard Fairey, Sixe, Smash 137, Sowat, Sten & Lex, Stephan Doitschinoff, Tec, Tilt, Troy Lovegates aka Other, Turf One, Vitché;, Wendell McShine, Will Barras, and Zosen.

German artist EVOL, currently showing at POW is adorning the front cover of the book.
To celebrate the international release, some featured artists have created original handmade color sleeves, which are for sale during the launch parties in London and Berlin.

Walls and Frames Book Launch

The author and some of the artists like Miss Van, Will Barras, George Morton-Clark, Pure Evil were present at the London release party at POW to happily sign regular copies of Walls and Frames.

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More pics about the London launch party here

Next launch party is taking place in Berlin on Thursday 15 December at Gestalten Space [Sophienstrasse 21, Berlin]

More info about the book and some examples of the originals created by the participating artists can be found here