Helsinki based artist Jonna Pohjalainen showed real creativity and imagination with this art project, which she created during her time at the Environmental Art Workshop at the Open Air Art Museum in Pedvale in Latvia. We think this is genius for its clever simplicity and wow impact.
We love the rawness of the imagery caught by Spanish photographer Ernesto Martinez Oliva, also known as "imaego killed ConvulsoClick!!" The motivation for his shots was driven by the appreciation of the talents of local graffiti artists. Based in Sant Esteve de Palautordera, 50km north of Barcelona, Ernesto discovered the work of artists Aryz and Poseydon amongst others. These talented individuals were working in abandoned industrial complexes, creating amazing work, for free borne simply out of passion. Knowing that much of their artwork could end up destroyed by a bulldozer Ernesto decided to preserve this cool graffiti through photographs and we think his shots are pretty cool.
Art-o-mat established by Clark Whittington, in the USA in 1997 is a novel way of using old cigarette vending machines. Instead of vending cigarettes the Art-o-mat machines vend original small pieces of art instead in boxes the same size of old cigarette packets. With over 400 artists contributing art to Art-o-mat from 10 countries this idea helps artists to get their name and reputation out to a larger audience and for the customers it enables art lovers to buy very affordable art is a cool way. Artists include 2D artists and 3D artists such as sculptors and jewellery makers. Art-o-mat machines are now found throughout the US in various places including hotels and art museums.
We like it when people mash things up to create new characters and really like the Hello Kitty mashups from Auckland based illustrator and Photoshop wizard, Joseph Senior. Sadly these aren't real but we think they should be. We especially like the Darth Vadar and Clockwork Orange ones but some other cools ones on Joseph's site worth checking out.
FEATURE: LONDON TOP 7
#6 The Village Underground is a great nerve centre for the creatives in London. Established to provide affordable studio space for artists the founders took an innovative approach by converting retired underground tube carriages to showcase creative talent working with and supporting a network of designers, artists, musicians, VJs and filmmakers. They have also restored an old Victorian warehouse which forms the backdrop for various events including musician showcases, club nights and exhibitions. Village Underground are also expanding their cool concept to other cities including Berlin and Lisbon. Their website features upcoming events, so if in the Shoreditch area of London this is sure worth a visit.
