Apr 27, 2011

NeSpoon - a little bit different street-art.

Poland has its own unique street art and NeSpoon is an artist who certainly deserves attention. Why? Because of the pretty little things she makes. She is decorating Warsaw with so called “jewellery of the public space”. You can find them on walls, pavements, dustbins or even trees and baroque sculptures. NeSpoon prefers to call her work “outdoor art”, not “street art”. That’s because most of it is not strictly on the streets, but also in parks etc. Also the technique is pretty unusual. It’s ceramics. NeSpoon's typical and favourite pattern is Polish traditional lace imprinted in clay. 

The purpose of NeSpoon's work is to make public places look better, more interesting, prettier. She says that she would like to save the world and make it a better place. But she perceives it is impossible to do it all by herself. So she is doing her best by adding her bit of positive energy into Warsaws streets and other spaces. She would like to bring a smile to people’s faces every time they discover one of her small applications.

NeSpoon is also the first artists I know who makes so called “children street art”. Ceramics made by her in shapes of colourful ladybirds and lovely dragons have a specific purpose. They are made to teach kids how to find something charming in walls and in the nooks, and that sometimes small things are also very important things.

The art of NeSpoon proves that you don’t need anything big and well exposed to make the city look happy and interesting. Searching for tiny details can bring you great fun and satisfaction. So, while having a walk around Warsaw (but not only!), keep your eyes wide open and maybe you will find pieces of urban jewellery! 






NeSpoon in Łódź - in cafe Owoce i Warzywa (Fruits and Vegetables)

PS. Visit NeSpoon's blog. And here is a little tip where to find some of NeSpoon's works in Warsaw.

Read more about Polish street art:
Adidas defeated 
Chopin from the block

Apr 4, 2011

Adidas defeated

Three demonstrations, the 6th anniversary of the Pope's death and a Graffiti Jam against Adidas - that is how the Varsovians spent last sunny weekend.
"Did you have fun?", you might ask and I would answer: "A lot of it".
There are two types of fun in Poland.
The first one is a kind of Ibiza-party-style, internationally recognized, transplanted into Polish soil from the West and treated as a holy cow. Having fun is obligatory if you want to be a cool part of a global village.
The second one is our traditional way of having a great time. We call it "zadyma", which literally means "a heavy whiteout", but is used to describe a state of chaos, fight (also a hooligan, but not only) and a demonstration of solidarity.
Spontanous gathering seems to be our national sport and it delivers us lots of fun.
Last weekend, in Zamkowy Square three groups of demonstrators met. There were: animals' rights' defenders, people commemorating the WWII masacre and Yael Bartana with her artistic project of bringing Jewish people back to Poland.
Can you imagine it? Vegetarians,combatants and the Jews - all at the same time and place.
A few quarters away (and a day earlier) there was a crowd of people praying and singing John Paul the Second's favourite song but I think our Pope would be delighted if he joined the Graffiti Jam in Służew.
There is a cult wall of streetart there. A couple of days ago Adidas blurred it to put their advert on it. It was the worst marketing move I have ever seen. 27 thousand people joined "Adisucks" group on Facebook afterwards. A great number of them gathered in reality to protest against this brand. "Money is not a king", they declared and on the the wall they sprayed a portrait of the Pope. He was a big fan of "zadyma" too.

Read more about Polish street-art:
NeSpoon - a little bit different street art 
Chopin from the block