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OBEY x San Diego x MCA SD

The crew and I went down to San Diego last week to do some murals and attend the “Viva La Revolucion” show at SD MoCA. With the help of Nic, Dan, and Spencer, I did my largest all painted mural of the Burmese Monk at 30 feet high. We also did a huge mural on 5th in Hillcrest, and a couple stenciled large icons around. It was a nice way to return to San Diego after having to deal with a good bit of police harassment when I lived there from 96-01. I was on probation there until recently for putting one sticker up! Almost all the artists in the show did outdoor works, which is a big deal for the very clean and conservative city of San Diego. Of course, the younger crowd which the city seems to ignore, was enthusiastically supportive and showed up to the museum opening in record numbers. Maybe San Diego will recognize the positive impact a show like this makes upon the creative community and community at large. Check it out if you are in SD. Thanks to Pedro Alonzo, curator of the exhibition for his hard work, and to all my SD friends for coming to say hello. Photos by Geoff Hargadon.
-Shepard

Viva La Revolucion: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape
July 18, 2010 – Jan 02, 2011
MCASD Downtown, Jacobs Building

View the Exhibition and Other Outdoor Installations at http://www.mcasd.org/vivalarevolucion/

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By The Sword Skateboards

I met Jason Filipow at a skateboard contest in Charleston SC in 1986. The Charleston skate scene was very small and a new skater on the scene with a unique style and bag of tricks stood out. I noticed Jason’s creativity as a skateboarder immediately, and after realizing he was a year behind me at the same school, we became skateboard comrade’s and friends. At that stage, skateboarding and the art and music culture associated with it, shaped our lives, and provided a DIY escape from southern conservatism and the usual high school social system. Jason and I worked on a ‘zine he created called “Streetscribe”, doing photography and paste-up design. We both made stencils and tee shirts. We have stayed friends and continue to collaborate, in many ways built upon the rebellious creative foundation skateboarding provided. Jason and I both admired an innovative skateboarder named Mike Vallely who emerged from the under-represented East coast scene in the mid 80’s. I’m very happy that Jason and Mike have teamed up on a skateboard company that embodies the Do It Yourself ethos that shaped all three of us. Check it out.

-Shepard

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VIVA LA REVOLUCION x MCA San Diego

This coming week the OBEY Crew will be in San Diego participating in a massive group exhibition of todays street art elite.  If you are in Southern Cali, this is an exhibition not to be missed.

Opening, July 17th, 7 – 10pm
July 18, 2010 – Jan 02, 2011
MCASD Downtown, Jacobs Building

A multifaceted exhibition that explores the dialogue between artists and the urban landscape, Viva la Revolución: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape features works both in the Museum’s galleries as well as at public sites throughout downtown San Diego.

The exhibition includes a diverse range of 20 artists from 8 countries that are linked together by how their work addresses urban issues — Akay (Sweden), Banksy (U.K.), Blu (Italy), Mark Bradford (U.S.), William Cordova (U.S.), Date Farmers (U.S.), Stephan Doitschinoff [CALMA] (Brazil), Dr. Lakra (Mexico), Dzine (U.S.), David Ellis (U.S.), FAILE (U.S.), Shepard Fairey (U.S.), Invader (France), JR (France), Barry McGee (U.S.), Ryan McGinness (U.S.), Moris (Mexico), Os Gemeos (Brazil), Swoon (U.S.), and Vhils (Portugal).

For more information please visit http://www.mcasd.org/exhibitions/616/viva-la-revolucion

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Subliminal Projects x Jim Houser X The Homebody

Subliminal Projects is pleased to present, The Homebody, a solo exhibition of new original works by Jim Houser. Through his paintings, installations and mixed-media pieces, Houser tempers earnest introspection with whimsical characters, warm colors and organic materials.  Please Join Us and Subliminal Projects for Jim’s Opening Reception July 10th!

The HOMEBODY
New Works by Jim Houser

Opening Reception:
Saturday, July 10th, 2010 / 8-11PM

Exhibition Dates:
July 10th – August 7th, 2010

More info at SubliminalProjects.com

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Mr. Spray x OBEY x Strange Co

OBEY x STRANGEco, are pleased to announce MR. SPRAY, a new toy series designed by Shepard. Mr. Spray is an original character created in 2004 as a street-art appropriation of an advertising character design of the 1950s, which first appeared in an OBEY print edition . Mr. Spray is the first original vinyl figure design by the artist in eleven years and will be released in mid-July 2010.

The Mr. Spray vinyl figure is produced in limited editions with four distinct color variants: Black and Red, available at select retailers and Strangecoʼs online retail store, plus two special editions: Gold, available exclusively through Obey-Giant and Silver, available exclusively through Strangeco. Visit
www.strangeco.com/mrspray for more information.

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America’s Favorite

I have been an environmental advocate and supporter of clean energy and conservation for many years, leading me to make several art pieces dealing with these topics as well.  In my “May Day” show I wanted to address current issues and also celebrate some of my favorite artists, musicians, and activists from the past.  With my flag series I was referencing Jasper Johns, other images reference Warhol and Rauschenberg. This “America’s Favorite” gas station image was created before the BP spill as a way to comment on our addiction to oil and suggest that it should be in its twilight, but also to pay tribute to artist Ed Ruscha and his beautiful “Standard Station” series of paintings and prints.   There is an emotional sense of nostalgia and Americana conjured by an iconic gas station, maybe even a sense of freedom and exploration.  However, we all know that nostalgia can be the enemy of progress.  Oil extraction is a dead end.  I was just in Portland Oregon for two weeks, and that city is proof that people can change their energy and consumption habits. Yes, there was a bit of self-righteousness to some of the environmentalism, but withstanding that, the place overall is very healthy, friendly, and conscientious.  Aside from not being able to get Equal for my coffee (I’m type 1 diabetic, and sugar is bad for me) I did not find my lifestyle at all compromised by Portland’s environmentalism.  In the wake of the BP spill the “America’s Favorite” gas station image is even more relevant.  I will be donating a portion of the proceeds from this print to the NRDC… Natural Resources Defense Council.  They are concerned with changing policy to achieve environmental and energy solutions, not just putting a band-aid on existing problems.  Check them out at www.nrdc.org I will also be releasing a couple prints inspired by the Gulf of Mexico spill and will be donating to charities helping with the cleanup there.  Look out for those in coming weeks.  If you don’t know Ed Ruscha’s work check it out.  www.edruscha.com
-Shepard

Release Date: 7-8-2010 At a Random Time.  Limit 1 per person/household.  Available in 2 colorways: Red and Silver.  $50 each.  SOLD OUT

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RIP RAMM::ELL::ZEE

Sad news yesterday when we heard that Graffiti, Hip-Hop, and Art Pioneer, RAMM::ELL::ZEE had pasted away.  If you don’t the name, the history, or the legend, feel free to Google Rammellzee and you will see the impact his has made on urban culture for the past 30 years.  Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and close friends.

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Shepard x Shred x NYC

Carlo McCormick, a good friend of OBEY and Senior Editor of PAPER Magazine, has just recently curated an exhibition of some the best and brightest in the art world. Be sure to catch this show if you are in NYC. Shred, curated by Carlo McCormick opens on Thursday, July 1st, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Featuring work by Martha Colburn, Bruce Conner, Brian Douglas, Faile, Shepard Fairey, Leo Fitzpatrick, Mark Flood, Erik Foss, Tessa Hughes-Freeland, Jess, Shelter Serra, Dash Snow, Bec Stupak & Malcolm Stuart, Judith Supine, Swoon, Gee Vaucher, and Jack Walls

Perry Rubenstein Gallery
527 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
T 212.627.8000
www.perryrubenstein.com

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Shepard on Iggy Pop

Iggy is one of my favorite rockers of all time and is undoubtedly the godfather of punk. Iggy grew up outside of Detroit and got the name “Iggy” because he played drums in a high school band called The Iguanas. Iggy formed the Stooges around 1967 and released 2 great records, their self-titled 1969 debut, and Funhouse in 1970, on Elektra Records, who had recently seen great success with The Doors, and were eager to sign high energy rock acts. The two Elektra albums were commercial failures but attracted a small but passionate following including burgeoning Glam star David Bowie. When the Stooges were dropped, Bowie helped get them signed to Sony Records for whom they put out Raw Power adapting their name to “Iggy and the Stooges” because Bowie was primarily interested in Iggy. Though now seen as an influential classic, Raw Power was a commercial failure as well, and the band imploded around 1974. Iggy dealt with drug addiction issues for the next few years, but maintained his friendship with Bowie. In 1977 Iggy and Bowie collaborated in Berlin on a pair of Iggy’s albums, The Idiot and Lust For Life, yielding songs like “Nightclubbing”, “China Girl”, “Lust For Life”, and “The Passenger”. To me, these two albums represent a creative high point for Iggy, and though I love Iggy’s Stooges material, I think the Berlin albums don’t get the love they deserve because they don’t fit a genre archetype the way the Stooges records set the template for punk. This poster was created from the canvas I painted of Iggy based on a Berlin era 1977 photo taken by Ed Perlstein. I think the image captures Iggy’s intensity, which has remained undiminished, and his trademark, even as he has matured. Iggy has done great material since 77/78 including collabs with Steve Jones, and the Teddybears, but I think this poster may reflect Iggy at the peak of his powers. For a good career overview get the two disc “A Million in Prizes” or just pick up all the Stooges records and the two Berlin records.

Check out this interview between myself and Iggy Pop for Interview magazine.  It highlights our conversation that lasted about an hour and a half.  http://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/shepard-fairey/ We are hoping to get the full transcript from Interview soon.

-Shepard

Photography by Ed Perlstein, www.MusicImages.com

Release Date: 7/1/10

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Shepard DJ Set x Portland, Or

For anyone in the Portland area, I’ll be DJing at Ground Kontrol, a really cool old school arcade that also serves drinks on Thursday July 1st. My friend John Goff who helps me with some re-edits and re-mixes will be DJing too. It’s the right price, which is no price, A.K.A. free! As an added bonus, while you might be playing Pac-Man, I definitely WILL NOT be playing “Pac-Man Fever” by Buckner and Garcia (I’m still pissed that I can’t dislodge their name from my memory since the 80’s, possibly causing them to displace something far more important, or at least relevant, I should remember). Oh well, whether you want to remember or forget, either will be more pleasurable with good tunes, drinks, and 8-bit bleeps.
-Shepard

Ground Kontrol
July 1st, 2010, 7pm
Portland, Oregon

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