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Graffiti Writer or Street Artist? Norwegian Artist Martin Whatson Says He’s Both
In the world of public art, there’s this persistent debate that seeks to categorize art into two neat little, mutually exclusive, boxes: graffiti or street art. And artists working in public spaces are often called upon to define themselves: graffiti writer or street artist, choose a side, make a choice, fill out a commitment form, and sign it. Martin Whatson, the Norwegian artist, has an answer: Both.
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Vulnerability and Strength with Brittney S. Price
As a child, there was no mention or representation of Black artists in Palm Springs, CA-based muralist Brittney S. Price’s school curriculum. So she became what she did not see. Since then, Price has been grateful for the opportunities to push Black culture forward in a town that only had 12 high school students in an entire high school. Brittney was one of them, and the artist we see today is not the same artist from yesterday. By sharing her love for art and passion for life through her murals, we see a future where Black creativity is a necessity for a thriving community through public art in the form of mural making.
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EINE STADT WIRD BUNT: Unlocking the History of Tags
A graffiti exhibition is the last thing you would expect in a museum known for its archaic form and looming historical presence. Despite its novelty, the carefully curated “EINE STADT WIRD BUNT: Hamburg Graffiti History 1980-1999” is the Museum of Hamburg History’s highest-attended exhibit. With over 75,000 visitors since its opening in November 2022, the museum has extended its run until January 7th, 2024.
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Park Avenue’s Tunnel Vision
The section of the fabled street just below 42nd Street, where Grand Central blocks the road forcing traffic to go around via the Park Avenue viaduct, is among Manhattan’s busiest pedestrian thoroughfares. The perfect place for some art. That’s exactly what Patrons of Park Avenue (POPA) had in mind when they started featuring art installations on the Park Avenue Malls. Yes, even Park Avenue has its underground, quite literally, and this one has a distinct downtown edge to it. Read Scott Orr’s account of what happens under Park Avenue.
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The Renaissance of Long Beach, CA
Long Beach Wall has been bringing murals to Long beach for over 7 years with a mission to change the face of Long Beach through art, one wall at a time.
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Pay Peanuts, Get Monkeys: The Devaluing of Public Art With Lucas Geor
“It’s funny the hand that artists play in gentrification. Artists will move into an area because the rent’s cheap, maybe the buildings are a bit run down so people don’t mind you painting on the walls. They make the area look cool, and people start to come, and then developers catch on to it. They put up apartment blocks. And then they run out all of the artists who live there. That’s kind of the cycle. As more and more of that happens, I guess people just seem to think that art is for free, you know?” – Lucas Geor
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A Q&A with Carlos Eduardo Porras from the Venezuela Art Fair
Meet Carlos Eduardo Porras, Venezuelan fine artist known for his vibrant depictions of nature and positive attitude. UP MAG sat down with him for a Q&A in review of this year’s Venezuela Art Fair, which he participated.
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Raise the Level, Rock the Boulevard, Reach the Bourgeoisie
The opening of Shepard Fairey’s show “Printed Matters: Raise the Level” marks debut of the world-renowned street artist in STRAAT Amsterdam’s post-industrial art hall. Read UP’s firsthand account of the opening night.
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Renz Renderz: Creating a New Reality
Renz Renderz, whose complex, layered images blur the lines between technology and reality speaks with UP about her career’s journey.
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Press Release: Summer Sundown Show – Curated by UP Magazine
[New York, NY] – Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of breathtaking beauty and artistic brilliance as the highly anticipated “Summer Sundown” Art Show commences its grand opening on August 17th. Hosted at the prestigious One Art Space in the heart of TriBeCa, this exhibition promises to captivate art enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike with a mesmerizing array of contemporary artworks, influenced by street art and graffiti culture.
About the Exhibition: “Summer Sundown,” curated by Up Magazine, is an exploration of the evanescent and vibrant essence of the summer season. Featuring a curated selection of works from both established and emerging artists, the exhibition aims to unravel the multifaceted elements of human emotions, experiences, and perspectives as they relate to the fleeting beauty of summer. With an eclectic mix of paintings, pulling from a diverse array of influences the show transcends boundaries and invites visitors to celebrate the fleeting moments that define the summer season.
