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Shepard Fairey & Antonino D’Ambrosio GRITtv

May Day is observed in most countries outside of the U.S. as International Worker’s Day or Labor Day. The word “mayday” is also a distress signal, a call for help and a call to action. Shepard Fairey, a longtime underground and street artist who came to be a household name with his “Hope” poster of Barack Obama, evoked both of these meanings at once with his “May Day” exhibition at Deitch Projects in New York City.

Fairey’s prints take on an array of political issues and celebrate icons from rock’n’roll, sports, and politics; from Woody Guthrie to Joe Strummer, Muhammad Ali to Aung San Suu Kyi. His friend and frequent collaborator, writer and filmmaker Antonino D’Ambrosio, wrote an essay to accompany the exhibition.

In addition to the gallery show, Shepard hasn’t forgotten his street art roots, painting a mural on the street at Lafayette and Bowery, and several less formal pieces of his have been spotted throughout the city recently.

The exhibit is open through May 29th at the Deitch gallery. We sat down there recently with Shepard and Antonino to talk about art, rock’n’roll, populism, politics, and the common threads that run through all of their work.

Watch the video here.

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KEITH HARING ASC HARLEM CENTER

Please join AIDS SERVICE CENTER NYC as they welcome New York dignitaries and Harlem neighbors to the ribbon-cutting for the new Keith Haring ASC Harlem Center.

Monday, May 17, 2010
10am – 11am
315 East 104th Street, NYC

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AIDS WALK NYC x KEITH HARING FOUNDATION

AIDS Walk NY 2010, Sunday, May 16, Central Park, NYC

Walk with the Keith Haring Foundation team on Sunday, May 16th 2010! AIDS Walk New York, the world’s largest AIDS fundraising event, benefits Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and over 30 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations. GMHC is the nation’s oldest and most comprehensive AIDS service organization, serving approximately 15,000 people living with HIV and AIDS and their families each year, and countless more through its prevention and advocacy work locally and nationally. Visit our team page to register, donate, & walk: http://tiny.cc/KHFaidswalk2010

http://keithharingfoundationarchives.wordpress.com/

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Martha Cooper x Launch Party x OBEY POP UP NYC

Our good friend and past collaborator, Martha Cooper, is launching her new book called Name Tagging tomorrow night at our POP UP store. Come out for good ol’ fashion street scene.

Book Launch Party
Saturday, May 15th, 5-8pm

OBEY POP UP SHOP
151 Orchard Street, NYC.

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Giovanni Reda x Exhibit x Subliminal Projects

THIS FRIDAY!
Subliminal Projects Presents

Demigods & Cosmic Children
A Photo Exhibit and Book Release Reception
by Giovanni Reda
May 14, 2010
8 – 10pm

Subliminal Projects
1331 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

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Ali Canvas Print

“I’m not a big fan of boxing, or organized sports in general, but athletic competition can highlight an inspiring human spirit to triumph over great odds.  Muhammad Ali embodies that spirit, and his dogged tenacity led him to three heavyweight titles.  He also has a charismatic personality who influenced more than boxing.  Ali was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and his boastful wordplay is considered a predecessor to rap.  I wanted to do an Ali portrait for years, but I was worried about legal issues until I was conveniently commissioned to create a portrait.”
– Shepard Fairey
Ali Canvas Print will be released on May 13, 2010 at 11AM Pacific time.  SOLD OUT

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Rolland Berry x Shepard Fairey Jackets

Rolland Berry recently collaborated with Shepard Fairey on a collection of one-of-a-kind jackets. These jackets can currently be seen at the OBEY Clothing pop-up shop at 151 Orchard St. in NY until May 16th.  If you are interested in purchasing please contact [email protected] or call 212.343.7300.

Shepard and Rolland’s paths have crossed many times over the past 12 years and these jackets allude to the mutual respect and understanding each artist has for his counterpart’s work. Featured are 3 coats meticulously designed by Berry, using the imagery of OBEY spliced with classic punk rock iconography.

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Shepard Fairey Art in Iron Man 2?

I have received several inquiries about whether or not I was involved in a piece of art seen in Iron Man 2. I’m friends with the Iron Man movie’s production designer Michael Riva who, along with his wife Wendy, was a big Obama supporter. He asked if I’d mind a HOPE poster spoof in Iron Man and I said “of course not”. I did not personally design the image, nor was I paid for it. All of the Obama HOPE spoofs, positive or negative, are a reminder of the power and importance of grassroots activism to affect things. Additionally, neither is it possible to copyright a style, nor would I want to restrict visual dialog by discouraging others from paying tribute to styles I have used.
-Shepard

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NY1 Online: Artist Shepard Fairey On “Inside City Hall”

Shepard Fairey, the contemporary artist behind the world famous Obama Hope poster, appeared on Friday’s edition of New York City Channel 1’s “Inside City Hall.”

Subject/Subject Closing Event

Subliminal Projects is pleased to announce our closing event in conjunction with SUBject/subJECT, a group exhibition, featuring works from over a dozen female artists handpicked by the gallery and co-curator Deedee Cheriel.

The event will feature live perfomances by the L.A. Ladies Choir, Jaspr Conscious, and Tearist, as well as a special performance by exhibiting artist, Jesse Spears. We would also like to encourage guests to bring items to donate to the Downtown Women’s Center. Suggested items include art materials, books, office supplies, household items, used cell phones, furniture, medical care, and women’s clothing. See a complete list of items below.

Subliminal Projects
1331 W Sunset Blvd, LA, 90026
subliminalprojects.com

Closing Event from 4 – 8pm

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