Happy New Year!

Argus piece in Vestre Skostredet

"If one asks himself what living individual who gives most of the Bergen population's sense of identity, I think (after Herman Friele who has moved out of the town hall) that is the 80 year old Otto. Otto Fredrik Wollertsen had the street as his home for the most of his adult life. Through his daily hunched walks through the city's streets for decades, by bike, cassette player and harmonica, he's become a part of Bergen's soul. And through his choice of life, he has seen the world from the standpoint almost no other know. Therefore, his story uniquely enriching." - Ole Hamre in 2008

Ottoen strolling by a big wall poster on EU leadership

HAPPY NEW YEAR, GOOD PEOPLE!!

It's warm inside!

It's warm and cousy inside and December offers just a few hours of light a day. Bergen Street Art (BSA) have moved inside. The Gallery at USF (United Sardines Factory) and BSA have curated the largest assembly of street art works from local artists to date. BSA is a collective or assosiation of artists that promote street art and organizes different activities like workshops, discussions and street art happenings. The exhibition this time was a showcase, and the works was not for sale. 

These artists are usually found in the streets outside, in and around Bergen city. Some of them still active vandals. Others haven't done any interesting stuff in the streets for years.

I'm usually critical to street art inside, even if the artist is Dolk (See the blogpost: 'Wildlife'). And I must say that the 'LEGAL' exhibition was no exception. This art inside becomes toothless and misplaced. If the  exhibition is regarded as presenting the status of street art in Bergen today, I think the status is in no good shape. With a few exceptions, the works do not give much hope for the future, regarding creativity, quality and impact.

My personal faviourites (and few exceptions) in BSA are Argus and johnxc. In addition, I like LaStaa, but would have liked to see more new works from the artist out in the streets.

I like Argus for his productivity and variability, always cutting new stuff and presenting original works. I like the relatively new "tile style". His stencil motives, made up of triangulated tiles in different shapes and sizes, are fresh and I've seen nothing like it in the street art world. Argus is a creative force and I regard him as the leading street artist in Bergen today.

Argus Stencil at USF (outside)

Argus have not found reason to present works on "soft" canvas made for livingrooms yet.

 I love the "Strindberg maniacs" of johnxc. His portraits are figurative, but made experimental with, I think, inflicted madness :-). johnxc often us magazine papers as canvas and paste them up on the wall. I think his style is original and distinctive and he's the only street artist contributing to 'LEGAL' that I could concider putting up on my wall.  johnxc have found a way that actually works both outside and inside.

johnxc work inside at 'LEGAL'

Works from the showcase:

johnxc to the left and stencil 'Salome' by Yatzy to the right

The new king of chess: Magnus Carlsen portrayed by LaStaa

Upper left is the 'The Angry Boy' by LaStaa (inspired by the famous statue of Gustav Vigeland), Bottom Left a stencil by Chris Stain and right, stencil and installation by Habitus

Some of the artist made pieces outside in the USF area, and I think those were the best works presented of BSA 'LEGAL'.

Fisherman portrait by Yatzy

David Hasselhoff on duty by LaStaa

Earlier on I wrote about the 'exhibition' in the old paint factory, and found the abandoned buildings great for street art inside. A perfect venue for BSA, but probably did not reach a large audience and sadly destroyed after brief time by other vandals. USF is a major institution for art, film and music in Bergen, and in this respect a very good venue for showing street art when it comes to reaching a larger audience. That's the biggest achievement of 'LEGAL'. And maybe others, talented, will be inspired to do art in the streets.