Wildlife

A classic black and white stencil, a colored one and a toy version. One collector bought them all.

Dolk have moved inside. It's cosy and warm to see his works on a white wall in well a organized environment like the gallery. However, maybe freezing and wet, it's quite extraordinary and unique to gaze his illegal works otside. The works outside do not belong to anyone. It's for all and it is free. Outside is more wild and exiting. In a interview with local press Dolk says that he does'nt do illegal works anymore, but also states that he everyday sees walls around in town that he would like to paint. So there is hope.

Did Dolk kill street art with this piece?

 The "Wildlife" exhibition is regarded as the most successful exhibition in Bergen ever, by public interest and economically. Almost all the works were sold before the doors opened. About 30 000 to 50 000 dollars for each piece.

Classical cu

t outs by Dolk All three of them originally done illegal in Bergen

A new development in Dolk's art is installations. He exhibits two pieces this time. "Puppy Love" and "Goldrush".

"Puppy love" was originally made as a stencil. R2D2 is mounted by a dog (or wolf)

"Goldrush" is a wild bull crushing slot machines

I still think that Dolk's art is best outside, best as street art. The exhibition is interesting because it shows some developments in his art and and style. I think the figures or motives in newer pieces is more "seriocomical" now than before. I think earlier pieces was more warmer, and sometimes just clever and witty.

This piece is named "Dear Flasher" and was bought by a russian collector

This work is called "3D"

I'm was not suprised by this exhibition. I smiled a bit, but did not laugh. I reflected on some of the works, but they did not make me puzzled. And I was not excited.

Moving inside: Streetart for sale!

          I was happy when I got to know about StreetSmart, and exhibition event with local and international Street Art artists here in Bergen. "Bergen Kjøtt" in Sandviken was a perfect venue. 11 artists with 40 works all together. Prizes in the range of about 110 pounds to 9000 pounds.  As a fan of of outdoor street art. I have mixed feelings about moving this kind of works inside, into the galleries and into a commercial setting. As a traveller, and a frequent visitor of galleries, I love art both inside and outside. When I left the Street Smart exihibition yesterday, I still had mixed feelings. Some works did work, and some did not. The highlights for me at this exhibition was the works by L.E.T.  As far as I know, L.E.T. is a franco/german street art artist based in Düsseldorf. I´ve never seen his work outside.

Works by L.E.T.: I´m so angry I made a sign!

 Martin Whatson and DotDotDot is two norwegian artists that was well represented at the exhibition. I love both artists outside works, but inside? Actually not. I just dont think its good enough and/or original enough. Both artists uses a lot of references to art (popart and street art) in their works which makes them recognisable, but these references is used so frequently that it becomes boring. 

Their more famous brothers Banksy and Dolk do the same references with succes, but in a very unique way. 

In the middle: Match This by DotDotDot

Both artists had similar stencils in different sizes, but why is it so that a big piece is so much more expensive? Repetition is a part of the Street Artist´s "weapon and teqnique" and is best in the streets (outside) because the environment makes all the difference. At this exhibition it looked more like a commercial need. And artists have to survive too :-), I guess and use their momentum (with reference to mr. brainwash).

Two of the biggest works: Martin Whatson to the left and DotDotDot to the right

The venue "Bergen Kjøtt" was great and the works nicely placed and very well organized. I missed a folder or an info paper with small presentations of the artists. it´s a great initiativ from Goblin.mag and I hope they will do this more and better. My wish would be less focus on sale and more focus on presenting street art with more long term exihibitions. This exhibition lasted only two days. 

 The exhibition also worked as a sosial gathering and a meeting place! It was nice to spend some hours there!

One of the most interesting works (from a local point of view) was the piece made by Argus outside on the wall. A comment to the exhibition? I wonder when we finally will see Argus inside....