Coronavirus Pandemic – The Effects on Street Art.

While the Covid pandemic has tormented our reality in the previous year, compelling practically the whole world to enter lockdown and individuals to remain at home, the inventive reaction to the emergency has been remarkable from a few viewpoints.

Mural by artist Ponywave on Venice Beach in Venice, California.

Specialists living in self-segregation or under severe lockdown measures turned inwards for inspiration and various heretofore unexplored paths, mostly due to the inescapable state of introspection and the shortfall of actual human interaction.

Many have rediscovered art in surprisingly ways, among the oddest being the Getty Museum's initiative to reproduce famous artworks through "tableaux vivant". The project has circulated around the web and a large number of gems can be found under the hashtags #Gettychallenge and #betweenartandquarantine on Instagram.

However, while the vast majority were at home, street artists have discovered their way to bring pressing messages of hope, strength, and as a type of dissent – in some cases with a portion of harsh humor – performing as solitary actors in cities which unwittingly resembled the emptiness of Edward Hopper‘s paintings.

Since the situation is gradually getting back to normal in numerous nations, we will soon discover that the pandemic, as well as many different aspects of our lives, has also affected the appearance of our urban environments.

Probably the most well known pieces of the new Coronavirus-inspired street art have been the help and appreciation to all key specialists who have been facing incredible individual danger on the front lines, especially healthcare workers and medical professionals.

The most noticeable of these pieces is likely Super Nurse!, that the street artist known as FAKE (@iamfake) has painted in Amsterdam. As a "tribute" to all medical professionals and first responders all throughout the planet. It shows a nurse wearing a face mask emblazoned with the Superman logo.

"A tribute to all first responders and healthcare professionals all over the world. To encourage them and show appreciation. They protect exactly what is the most valuable and priceless in our lives. Not only now, but also in the future. I hope this is valued more than just words."

Meanwhile, street artists were wandering out into calm roads, the lord of spray painting, the elusive Banksy, had turned on this ocasion to canvas "Game Changer", an image picturing a child playing with a nurse superhero toy, while Batman and Spiderman toys lie disposed of in a close by wastepaper container.

The work has been unveiled at the Southampton General Hospital in southern England alongside a note by the artist for all hospital workers saying: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if only black and white.”

However, numerous spray-paintings, stencils, and posters have sprouted up to spread messages of encouragement and hope to ordinary people.

In addition to reassurance and support, there have been exhortations to adopt safe behaviours, first and foremost staying at home, but also washing one’s hands and respecting social distancing as the only way to protect oneself and others.

@tvboy, L’amore ai tempi del Covid19, Milan

But what might street art be without its standard capacity to sharply communicate dissent?

If issues like privatization, surveillance, increasing marginalization, housing were already addressed by artists in the public space, now more than ever, street art has become part of the discussion around contemporary politics.

Powerful allegations against government officials have appeared on the walls of cities across the globe, along with more general criticism of today’s societal contradictions.

Jair Bolsonaro, conservative leader of Brazil, who has discouraged social distancing and lockdown, when asked about the country’s rapid increase in Covid-19 cases replied “So what? What do you want me to do?” has been represented wearing a clown nose by Brazilian street artist Aira Ocrespo, in addition to the wording “Bolsonaro’s mask against Coronavirus”.

Street artists have demonstrated to be the ideal mouthpieces for whole communities, including levity and sharp commentary on different aspects of the pandemic, at times playfully, at times cynically.

Tensions and social changes, unavoidably affect art.

Despite the fact that it is currently hard to anticipate what the coronavirus pandemic will mean for artwork in the immediate and further future, the powerful immediacy of street art has once again demonstrated its ability to catch the overall state of mind just as to communicate the manifold contradictions of our time.

Discover The Process! How To Commission A Mural

AMC Reklam 2019

What is it that makes a mural commission such an astounding wall transformation? Perhaps the very idea of transfiguring walls into canvases already brings partial resolution to the question! Murals have the spatial advantage of just smoothly blending in, creating a sense of unified embodiment with all surroundings. They simply hold a strong and authentic vibrance. Favorably, this concept can be fulfilled ideally in almost any environment. Personifying diverse matching possibilities, murals have nowadays successfully become rather popular additions to cafes, hotels, residences, offices, and co-working spaces, whereupon it all makes you wonder: what lies behind the scenes? What is the making of? Let’s discover the entailing components of our mural commissioning processes, all the way from a simple idea to the completed, final product.

AMC Arboga 2019

1 | Setting The Foundation

Every successful project requires a solid starting base. In this initial stage, we will clarify all the aspects of your vision as a client, including budget, location and any other additional specifics. For instance, this might include the open and direct discussion of your likes and dislikes. What looks good to you? And what most certainly doesn’t?! A concrete description of your particular taste helps Add More Colors Street Art Agency ensure a more easily loveable outcome. We promise to listen carefully, with detailed consideration for each pronounced value. Becoming familiar with the many diverse aesthetics we offer allows for a more confident decision making, which is why we encourage clients to spark with curiosity and just eagerly explore through the possibilities!

1.2 | Setting The Foundation: Budget

Deciding on a budget brings attention to the primary following: artist fees, equipment costs, materials, potential travelling costs (if an artist is flown overseas), and a finalizing protection filter to ensure the quality of the mural is preserved. Costs may vary according to each individual situation, so it is important to be acquainted with every aspect of the commission! Artists often charge per square metre, meaning that prices go up as size goes up. The level of expertise and past experience of an artist will also naturally play a role in this expense. Uprising artists might charge a reasonably lower fee, whereas established ones tend to settle for a higher figure. Once the mural is finished, we also recognize that the addition of a protection filter might play a crucial role in averting unexpected changes. This depends on the weather conditions of each location. With such big efforts behind the making of a mural, it is needless to say that it is in our core values to care for its perpetuity. If the mural is exposed to humidity or rain, then we even more strongly emphasize on this; any fading or flaking of the art can be ruled out through application of a protection filter. We recommend calculating with this step when initially setting the budget, as so to entail all that is necessary for a long lasting, vibrant artwork.

1.3 | Setting The Foundation: Wall Materials

Prior to getting in contact with Add More Colors, we recommend clients to prepare wall photos, style ideas and any discussable matters regarding the location. If opting for an outdoor mural, it is important to carefully inspect the wall by a professional, as certain materials are more or less prone to durability. Brick, concrete and plaster are typically the optimal surfaces for such an execution, whilst aluminium and unsealed wood are not.

2 | Choosing An Artist

Who is the talented medium who will turn your imagination into a picture? The options are vast, and so we continue by reaching out to a list of mural artists, proposing the project outline and all relevant factual considerations given by the client. This is not only an essential step in the current commissioning process, but also an excellent opportunity for us to network and develop a closer relationship with potential artists. We then find out their costs & lead times to finally provide you with a number of candidates that are locally available and best match your taste & preference.

To facilitate the selection between recommended artists, we also make it an effort to accurately showcase past works and projects of each individual. This way, you as a client may easily tap into a clear vision of what the mural site is to become.

Remember, a mural is a captivating statement; it expresses in conspicuous abundance. Choosing to work with a well known artist might magnetize a bigger audience towards your business. Nevertheless, the collaboration with local artists is an honorable way to support growing talents and engage with the close community.

3 | Sketching

Before fully commencing, draft sketches of the artwork are sent to the client for approval. Elements, color schemes and content may be adjusted to precisely fit as an ideal model-- The goal is to turn your imagination into a visible translation!

4 | Preparing The Space

In favor of an untroublesome plan of action, the health and safety of anyone involved is of uttermost importance. Any inappropriate objects should be removed from site, ensuring that it is a safe space for an artwork installation. All workers should be provided with a designated storage space for tools and materials, as well as any required work permits. Communication should be clear and direct, so that anyone around the area is clearly aware of what is undergoing, and how long the process may take.

5 | Transforming The Wall

The artist has received the green light! Without further ado, it is time to execute the design. The needed time frame to complete the artwork may vary depending on the size and quantity of walls that are to be transformed. If you wish to find out more about various artistic techniques and their unique applications, we covered it all in our last article!

6 | Finalized Handover

During this stage, a final walk through is carried out, with detailed attention to possibly needed touch-ups or general adjustments. As we state above, the goal is to fully ensure a precise translation of the client’s vision-- from the very start to the very finish. Once all is accomplished, we may sign-off and count this endeavor as yet another successful mural commission!

By Julia Arguello Busch

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Creating Art In The Streets: Which Kind To Go For?

The Ways Of Street Art & Graffiti In A Modernly Distinct World

by Toni Cuboliquido

Have you ever paused and felt the strong presence of urban art? It is something our senses absorb consistently. Whether just a glimpse or a larger moment of appreciative observation, it is undeniable that urban art plays an indispensable role in the mood and atmosphere of a space. So what exactly is behind the making of such captivating, enormous crafts? Sculptures, installations, 3D pavement art, commission murals... You name it! To achieve a better understanding of this ever evolving, multifaceted world, there are a few concepts to first become familiar with. Let’s embark into their definitions, the various artistic techniques and materials that can be applied to each modality, as well as the effect of environmental engagement. We will cover all the services Add More Colors can offer and acquaint you with how we make all of this a smooth course of action. Street Art or Graffiti - What is the difference?

by Ruben Poncia

Yes, there is a difference! Let's get to the proper definitions. As we cover in our latest article ‘’Graffiti and Its Evolution’’ , this form of expression used to be, to most of its entirety, an illegal act seen as unharmonious and aesthetically disturbing. Now, things have changed into what is perceived as an admirable addition to the streets. Same thing goes for street art! The key in distinguishing the two modalities lies in the observation of the used techniques. Graffiti tends to be characterised by spray painted lettering, not typically learned from an academic perspective. Street art commissions, however, encompass other methods and materials, such as wheat paste, brushes, stencils, etc., possibly incorporating traditional art methods.

Artistic Techniques: Wheat Paste

A wheat paste collage is a less time consuming technique utilizing printed posters. It holds precision despite its efficiency against the clock. It’s fast, detailed, and can also be integrated into painted murals. The outcome is rich in layers and textures! Artistic Techniques: Stencil Art Stencil is a straightforward technique resulting in very clear designs, seen as quite likeable by the general public. This makes it a great candidate for street art, whether on its own or combined with other modalities. Environmentally Sustainable Art! What better way for creativity to flourish, than doing so in coherent harmony with planet Earth? Our artists can find ways to create with the use of fully sustainable, natural materials, leaving no trace of harm or interference with the natural world. It is not only a graceful act towards our Planet, but also an excellent reminder of how inseparable we are from nature itself. Does that resonate with your vision? Then environmentally friendly street art might be the way to go! Whether for permanent or temporary installations, the creative possibilities are infinite. Environmental Engagement Another way street art makes itself shine is through the direct engagement with the surrounding environment. In other words, creatively transforming what is around to become an integrative part of the masterpiece itself. Artists may completely modify random objects, making use of their forms to contour into creation an entirely new definition. There are countless ways in which this can be easily accomplished. For instance, incorporating existing trees or plants into a mural painting! We Design For Any Space Or Situation

Gorestyle at Betting Connections

To put it simple, we can use our expertise and adapt our creativity to any given space. If so desired, we may provide street art for indoor offices, businesses, houses, or any kind of interior space. We can create installations that are either temporary or permanent, of any size you possibly can dream of. For instance, you may be interested in a street art installation for a music festival, corporate event, or public gathering. It is all most certainly achievable; we shape your vision into reality. Street Art and Graffiti: Deeper Into Their Roots Let’s rewind and discover in more depth what lies under the tip of the iceberg. As we mention above, the main characterising aspect of graffiti tends to be a more lettering focused technique, repetitively bending words to clearly convey its contorted writing trait. Giving little to no value to a background or characters, graffiti became, in its unvaried definition, consequently less appreciated by the public. Furthermore, writers faced a rather risk involved approach, creating everything there and then, in a rushed, less detailed manner. This lack of acceptance and rebellious attitude certainly brings a reasonable amount of pressure to the life of the artist, linking it to paranoia, violence and often sadly, a broken heart. The victories were felt only briefly, not equally balancing to the enormous sacrifice they would have to undergo. From a contrasting standpoint, the works of wheat paste and stenciled pieces were significantly well appreciated by the audience, as this kind of art portrays much more easily relatable content. Street art works were typically prepared previously at another location, then applied conveniently to the desired destination. Graffiti arts surely hold a sense of integrity, however also a burden of broken souls. The constant heavy caring of unpleasant consequences is much to demand from a purely artistic heart. Recognition within the graffiti community does not necessarily translate to success in the artistic industry. There is simply not much credit to be taken. As a result, the birth of a new movement came to shine. Post-Graffiti Movement The uprising movement of post-graffiti shows the natural gesture of evolution in action; a new paradigm has come into play, inspiring artists to redefine their artistic characteristics and go beyond a simplified lettering technique. Still, this movement is to be attentively distinguished from the ‘street art’ category. When communicating with artists, mislabeling the modalities is not usually taken lightly. It is important we paint the full picture, so to speak, recognizing the differences between each path taken, and giving appreciative value to all of the authenticities in this multifaceted realm. The Societal Integration Of Street Art And Graffiti Ever heard of Banksy, Keith Haring, or maybe Shepard Fairey? Coming closer to a conclusion, there is indeed a great selection of street and graffiti artists who have become a beloved part of our modernly distinct world. Today we see many creative minds who stem from this background, all presently standing out in art galleries as some of the most well known figures in contemporary art. Transcending the past lack of recognition, the aforementioned artists now sell for millions at auction houses. Other famous graffiti artists who are now successfully in the spotlight are: Barry McGee, Jose Parla, Retna and OsGemeos. How Add More Colors Makes It Happen

by Tim Timmey i Helsinborg

When it comes to creating street art commissions, we make sure everything falls into place harmoniously. We leave no trace other than the art itself, with respect and consideration to all decision makers of the process. Our best efforts are put into a smooth, legal approach, in which the goals of the client are met with precision. We also offer video services to capture the unfolding of your masterpiece! See how the artist brings it all into life, allowing for a deeper understanding of this creative process. In the end, it’s all about telling a story. What story do you want to tell?

By Julia Arguello Busch