Giftin' #5: Legit Los Angeles graffiti billboards #publicworks

Still looking for a unique present for your b-boy or b-girlfriend? This series of mini graffiti billboards produced by LALA Arts could be the answer! Hip hop giftin' idea #5!

How & Nosm, NYC

Risk, L.A., CA

Sket One, CT.

Driving across Los Angeles you will see how much billboards rule Los Angeles. They have even been replaced by L.E.D. megascreens which continue to pollute our environment and clear-headedness even more. So, it's refreshing, albeit illegal, when graffiti artists takeover a strategically placed billboard with an artistic message.

LALA Arts celebrates this act of counter-commercialism by collaborating with some leading lights of the graffiti scene in what is labeled "Public Works." Read more about this initiative below. Surprisingly, the Public Works art series has the support of the out-of-home media agency, MacDonald Media. Could this partnership be a way to control illegal defacing of commercial billboards? Who knows...?

LALA Arts has recreated some of these Public Works on miniature scale which will sit nicely on your bookshelf! Choose from Now & Nosm (NYC,) Risk (L.A.,) or Sket One (CT.) $100 each.

#PUBLIC WORKS from Jason Wawro on Vimeo.

"LALA Arts and MacDonald Media are excited to announce the launch of the second part of the groundbreaking Public Works project, which is currently on display on billboards and outdoor media throughout the greater Los Angeles area.  The show premiered at LALA Gallery in downtown Los Angeles in August,  where guests were invited to see the works up-close and personal. 

The exhibit includes both hand-painted and printed murals which will be displayed throughout Los Angeles on a rotating basis through the end of the year.  Contributors include world-renowned artists Ron English and Shepard Fairey, as well as How & Nosm, Insa, Push, Revok, Risk, Seen, Trustocorp, WCA Crew, Uglar and Zes. Participating L.A. billboard companies include  Clear Channel, Regency, Mahlmann, Lamar, Empire, and CBS." LALA Arts

INSA, U.K.

SEEN, NYC.

Ron English, L.A.

Uglar, L.A.

Sold Out...INSA "LA Papers"

It started with an email blast from INSA entitled, "MISSION TO LA," and ended with me collecting one of INSA's 12 customized paintings from the trunk (boot) of his Lincoln motor in downtown Los Angeles. Hustler style!

Here's what went down  INSA's goal was to paint a huge (over 4,000 sq. ft. correction from INSA: 9,300 sq. ft. surface) arts center building in downtown LA which was organized by Daniel Lahoda of LA Freewalls. Could this be the largest mural in Los Angeles?

Before and After @ the corner of 4th and Hewitt (credit: Stevio)

The challenge and plea for help from INSA was "to raise the basic costs of flights, car hire etc."  He added, "I want to fly and paint next week!"

"MISSION TO LA....

I have a new mission and i WANT your help!
I am a strong believer in keeping art free, or more precisely making money to re-invest in art and not just for profit. And i am always trying to involve those that follow my work (YOU GUYS) in new projects. Some good examples of this are the SWAPSHOP from last year and the recent 'SELF REFLECTION' installation, where all the work was given away.
So now i have a new experiment and it relies on 12 people getting behind it and supporting the mission!"

Mission Possible 

"Here is the mission: I want to see if I can raise all the funds for this trip and fly within the week- THIS WEEK!
I could of course just pay for the flights myself or coincide it with another trip out there- but then that would be no fun.
So here is how i hope to raise the funds:

• Spray-paint and ink on 350mgs paper.

And NOT ONLY that, perhaps more importantly the supporters will get:

• their names painted on the final LA wall as a thank you
• a photo of their name and a hand written thank you letter for their support.
• a goodie bag with t-shirt, postcards and stickers

Not bad huh?!?!" INSA email letter

INSA's car trunk stash of LA Paper paintings and t-shirts awaiting collection.

The Lucky 12  On Monday, April 23rd at 9am PST / 4pm GMT 12 lucky people got to buy one of INSA's LA Papers prints and a t-shirt online. In return, INSA got to raise the cash to travel knowing that his fans all want to pitch in and support something extraordinary. When I spoke with INSA about what he'd created literally overnight, even he was surprised: "I got messages from people who missed out, who still wanted to get involved and contribute something to my artwork projects."

Here are the pics from my visit to downtown LA on May 3rd, which was day two of INSA's painting. He was probably half way through when I left the hood and he had two more days of painting before heading home to the rain in London!

Update The final mural will feature a list of all the 12 sponsors, but rather than tags, INSA, LA Freewalls and the ARTshare organization wanted a more official "plaque." A digital vinyl stencil will add all the names to the wall. I'll try to post pics of the finished wall. That's just icing on the cake!

I'm a fan I've been a collector of INSA's work since around 2007 (when Fedex damaged my canvas somewhere between London and LA) so it was nice to catch up with him and add a new, historic piece to the collection. Thanks INSA!

2 in 1 Openings: LA Freewalls Inside and LALA Arts

This Saturday in Los Angeles, Daniel Lahoda kicks open the doors of LALA Arts with a special group show.

What's special is that Lahoda - in a continuation of his "LA Freewalls" mural activism and advocacy - brings LA's mural artists indoors to paint in his LALA Arts space. Read more about LA Freewalls here at KCET and watch the video below.


LA FREEWALLS from Jason Wawro on Vimeo.

This show brings 28 of some of the most recognizable mural artists under one roof. There are a few names I'm not familiar and then there are some of my favorites: INSA all the way from London Town, Dabs and Myla, Kofie, Risk, Craola, Retna and from the old skool, Daze.

Lady Aiko
Anthony Lister
Askew One
Augustine Kofie
Becca
Cern One
Christopher Brand
Craola
Cryptik
Cyrcle
Dabs and Myla
Dan Witz
Daze
Evan Skredestu
How and Nosm
Insa
Jaybo Monk
JR
Kid Zoom
Kim West
Ludo
Pepper
Poesia
Push
Retna
Ripo
Risk
Roa
Ron English
Saber
Swoon
Zeser

The show opens Saturday April 21st, 2012 7-10pm

LALA Arts
1335 Willow St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
www.lalaarts.com

UK graffiti artist INSA goes "All-Nation"

Earlier this month UK graffiti artist, INSA, made his national TV debut with an film bringing his signature legs and heels and bosoms to the living rooms of Channel 4 viewers.

Insa's directorial debut, "Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places," featured as part of the Random Acts series which is a brave new short-form daily arts program which will showcase 260 specially commissioned three-minute films "chosen for their bold and original expressions of creativity."



"Looking for..." is the second of five original artworks Channel 4 commissioned from Protein, a creative agency in London. Alongside INSA's images is music by beatmakers, Darkhouse Fam.



In Protein's words: "INSAʼs work, contrary to what some may think at first glance, speaks to an inquisitive and informed viewership. His beautiful women, large bottoms, oiled skin, gold chains, high heels or name brand sneakers serve as modern icons and symbols of our lavish, unsatisfying, and money obsessed lifestyles."  Watch the video and you decide.

"Television as art, rather than about art, Random Acts will enable a diverse supply of both established artists and emerging talent to create their own pieces, unmediated by presenters and unfettered by the conventions of conservative arts television. The short films will disrupt the schedule with content including, but not restricted to, spoken word, dance, animation, video art and music.

To ensure a diverse, surprising and consistently excellent supply of talent, we'll work with a group of creatives including Tate Media; youth media brand, Vice; cutting-edge dance company, Ballet Boyz, FACT, and some of the country's most imaginative production companies to create each and every Random Act." Random Acts, Channel 4

Insa's return of the Swap Shop

Insa's lastest art project is inspired by the ground-breaking '70's BBC TV show, Swap Shop! Check out the video clip from 1981...Adam's comments on the music biz sound like they could've been uttered yesterday!

BBC's Swap Shop 1976-82

Here is the deal:
Insa has 20 of these rare t-shirts, never available in stores to giveaway.
Insa will swap one shirt per person.
Insa will consider swaps for anything you would like to offer!
Insa will NOT accept money!
You have until the 20th March 2011 to email in your offers. Email here.

Then Insa will pick his 20 favourite swaps and they will get a shirt in exchange for their offered item.

THE OFFER DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A CONSUMER GOOD- IT CAN BE ANYTHING FROM INSA INSPIRED ARTWORK, PHOTOGRAPHY to ALCOHOL or DEDICATED VANDALISM.

King Fantastic x Kristina Rose "Why? Where? What?"

INSA recently painted a mural in Los Angeles and got pornstar Kristina Rose to ride around in a bikini as part of his photo shoot?! To see the art click here.

This King Fantastic video (LA-based rappers Killer Reese One and Troublemaker I was corrected: Killer Reese One is the rapper, Troublemaker is the beatman! Thansk J.C!) stars Kristina as a maid-gone-rogue...and it's a tamer version of what she does at her day job!

R-rated Please don't watch if you will be offended by nudity and dope gangta rap beats!


Why? Where? What? from King Fantastic on Vimeo.

#INSA in San Francisco (and Los Angeles and London)

INSA, London's pervy graffiti artist, is in California!

He opened his first solo show in San Francisco last week. "MORE" will run at Upper Playground's FIFTY24SF Gallery until February 28th, 2011.

INSA's new work still has his signature saucy imagery of women, feet and heels, all realistically painted and adorned with strategic paint drips. But he's added classic hip hop gold chains, wax-like scultures and light installations.

"Within the new body of work in 'MORE,' INSA explores themes of aspiration and expectation, wants versus needs, and happiness versus success in his most comprehensive study to date. MORE will feature 9 new provocative works, with INSA utilizing media such as sculpture and lights adding to the 'glamour' of his work." FIFTY24SF

Gifitti art Check out some an example of INSA's admired "gifitti" art. This is the main gallery room at FIFTY24SF. It took me a minute to work out how to grab this animated gif, which is far quicker than it took INSA to create this image!

Keep it street And check out below some of INSA's street paintings during his Cali trip. First L.A. with pornstar Kristina Rose, then San Francisco. For more (literally) of Kristina check this out.

Playpen, L.A. (Credit: Jetsetgraffiti.com)

Playpen, L.A. with Kristina Rose (Credit: Jetsetgraffiti.com)

INSA mural on the corner of Scott & Oak, SF. (Credit: Upper Playground)

Tate Britain INSA's blowing up! His "Mary" lightbox installation and infamous elephant dung-heeled shoes at the Tate Britain ("The home of British art from 1500 to the present day") can't be bad for his profile and commissions.

Credit: Luxury Travel Advisor

"Anonymous but prolific street art king Insa has collaborated with some of the biggest and most popular brands in the world including Nike and beyond. 'Bring the Noise' debuts his latest work - a lightbox installation and pair of high heels – inspired by Ofili's notorious 'Virgin Mary' painting." Tate Britain, Bring the Noise 2010.

Get inside #graffiti artist #Insa's London studio

As I was packing to head back to England for Christmas, I found this U.K. story on Juxtapoz online. It's a rare visit to graffiti artist, Insa's, London studio.

Merry Christmas...I hope you get to spend it with your loved ones!

"His Southeast London studio views more like the workshop of sexy elves than the creative base of a highly sought after contemporary artist. Coffee cups litter a worktable alongside spray cans and markers. Sawdust lines the floor, high heel prototypes perch next to staple guns and rows of pornographic lighters suggest an in-progress installation. A custom lowrider bike hangs from a wall opposing a four-foot square mechanical spinning lightbox with gold and chrome mirrored panels featuring Darlene from Ice-T's 1988 album 'Power.' " Katie Zuppann, Juxtapoz Magazine September 2010

U.K.'s Inkie and Insa take it thru' Europe

The Fool's Gold Tour shouldn't be mistaken with the hip record label of the same name (founded by A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs.) But, this is 'hip' in a 'hop' kind of way!

Scotland's Recoat Gallery is taking Bristol old skool graffiti artist, Inkie, and his graffiti fetishist partner, Insa, to hit up four European cities. It seems Scotland doesn't have any graff talent?! ;)

This past week the tour hit London, UK, Brussels, Belgium and Berlin, former east Germany. Next and final destination is Warsaw, Poland.


1st London Paint for Fool's Gold from Recoat on Vimeo.

Guest list? If you're near Warsaw tonight go check out the afterparties happening: the Fool's Gold launch party and the "Tights and Leggings" mixtape (inspired by Insa no doubt) official afterparty.

Listen and download the mixtape below from Poland's production duo, Supra1.

Tights and Leggings Mixtape Volume One by Supra1 by Pigeon Promotions

Nike and SoleHeaven: graffiti art collaboration

Tomorrow is the opening of "Kicks N Canvas" in London's trendy Eastend. If you are into sneakers and graffiti art then you're in for a treat, if a slightly commercial one. (My email invite says adidas Stan Smiths, but the website says Nike...confusing.)

"The idea for the event is to bring together two of SoleHeaven's most loved pursuits - Kicks & Art. We've locked down a scorching line-up of 21 artists primed and ready to paint. The concept of the show is to confront traditional graffiti writers and artists with a new canvas, and thats a pair of pristine all-white Nike kicks.

We are throwing down the sneaker gauntlet to see them transfer their styles from the metal shutters, concrete bridges and underpasses on to a pair of trainers. Every artist will be hand painting and customizing a pair of kicks and teaming it up with a 50x50cm piece."

A Goldie stenciled painting will be available on the night. Hopefully, there will be some nice paintings up for grabs. My Inkie and INSA canvases sit nicely with my U.S. art collection.

Insa gets some (more) US love...

Sex sells, and so do sneakers and no one mixes these two up better than my man Insa! Upper Playground's Citrus Report profiles UK's Insa. I have one of his canvases on my wall. Can you guess which one?

INSA hits Los Angeles

This weekend was a great one for Hip Hop....Vapors Magazine and Kangol hosted the opening reception and the first LA show for *INSA*.

I looked up INSA, who's from Leeds, but based in London. His blog has some old pics of his bombing, but this LA show featured INSA’s Graffiti Fetish. The canvases were great...the fetish of feet mixed with high heels and Nike sneakers...very well executed and a clever take on a cliched theme.

INSA is a mate of Inkie's so we had a chat. He also said that he'd painted with the TATS Cru in New York a while back. Small world!

INSA in NYC
"His first solo show in NYC saw the iconic design wrapped around many objects of desire such as a lowrider bike, custom sneakers, ladies’ underwear, as well as a classic 1968 Lincoln Continental and now this set of three luxury woven fabrics. More photos and info can be found at www.insaland.com."