more pictures and the official video will be launched soon. Heres some just for now..
Video trailer of the event:
Shots from the night itself:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SalShanPhotos/WritingOnTheWallMainEventPressImages?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvzktr44sXsKQ&feat=directlink#
Check the full process over 10 days:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ssssaleem
Taking graffiti-art and weaving it together with live spoken-word poetry in a theatre space was always a dream. A dream that started 4 years ago, walking down a street in Copehagen and the idea came together then at that moment. From then i knew, i wanted to take graffiti-art to another level, and i wanted to join forces with like-minded poets, to celebrate the power of the word. Taking the word through poetry as well as visually to create something really powerful. This vision was a huge challenge and i knew i had to build a strong team to make this happen. So this is what ‘Writing On The Wall’ is. A collection of the best poets that i have come across, the best photographers, and the best videographers, to create a truly unique experience to a packed out auditorium which at the heart of it all, was this vibrant colour, and transformation of ugly grey walls, the love of graffiti art that started so many years ago in my life, 25 years ago in fact, now truly became a reality.
You may have heard about the ‘Writing On The Wall’ show that i am doing at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (also known as The REP). This is no doubt, the biggest event I have had to deliver, and certainly the biggest walls I have ever painted. When i painted 60ft tall walls in melbourne Australia last year as part of the melbourne International Arts Festival, I thought those were big. This is 8 times the size of that!
It has taken 10 intensive days of painting, beginning at 9am ending at 10pm every day, with the help of one support artist called matt Reeves – a great artist. The two of us have been working non-stop, using a scissor-lift (those lifts that go up, but need a fulltime licensed operator!). Finally I can say with deep satisfaction that the bulk of the artwork is now complete, and just the ‘live elements’ left to be done during the performance itself, which is only about half an hours worth of painting. Some of you may have seen the pictures I have added to facebook, or on the REP’s website itself. These pictures are limited in what they show, which is deliberate. We hope the scale of the walls and the sheer impact of seeing them in reality will present as a nice surprise to the public.
It is quite exciting to deliver this project right here in the city that i was born and raised, and in a much-loved mainstream venue, affectionately refered to as the “REP” theatre. I have painted walls in major cities across the globe such as New York, London, Singapore, melbourne, Sydney, Kuala lumpur, Amsterdam and Chicago, but nothing beats the feeling of doing my biggest show to-date right here on my doorstep for the people of my city. It is quite a blessing in fact, that I have been given the space for nearly 2 weeks prior to the event, to develop the artwork, working at a nice pace, unlike a lot of the projects where i am painting away far from home, i’ve been able to take it easy and have enjoyed the process. Just 5 minutes drive from my home, unlike the 23 hour flights i’ve endured to take art to communities on the other side of the world!
A good friend of mine, advised me before i started – just enjoy it. That was brilliant advise. The most stressful project i’ve ever embarked upon, with 3 poets and a live performance to manage and deliver, I always knew this would be a challenge. But I get a buzz from the stress, and the chaos, but its always so great to stand back after the show is done and dusted, and say “its done, and what a success – thank God”. That feeling is quite something!
I thought I would write up something to share with others at this stage. This is something special, the process has been magical, and i am confident that the show itself will be a success – God willing.
We have had some interest from the press, which is always good, and had write ups in The Guardian Guide, and Independent Sunday magazine, as well as BBC website and radio. So all i can say is, let the show begin. Spread the word, and witness a historical event. If your not from Birmingham – that is no excuse, as this show will be worth travelling for. This is not a show for the people of Birmingham, but its for all to come from afar and experience – the only reason its in Birmngham, as this is where my late-father chose to live. I was born a brummy and i felt it a duty to deliver this show right here on my doorstep….
Get your tickets online:
http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
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