Geurilla Gallery to Hit Wellington

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Geurilla Gallery to Hit Wellington

Wellington is about to be taken over by an art exhibition with a twist. There’s no gallery, no entry fee, and even the curator isn’t sure exactly where the art will be. Chalkbomb Wellington is a visual art installation taking place as part of the 2013 Wellington Fringe Festival, and marks a change for event organizers, The Industrial Burlesque Collective.

“While our previous events have focused on musical and theatrical spectacle, says IBC director Eli Joseph, “’Chalkbomb’ places an emphasis on visual art, and shifts our audience from spectator to contributor. Plus, this time there’s no dancing girls”

Chalkbomb Wellington takes its name from street art slang. “Bomb” means “to cover many surfaces in one area”, often with an emphasis on speed. Other forms of bombing include Yarnbombing, where surfaces and objects are covered in knitted or crocheted wool, several examples of which have been seen around Wellington.

The idea behind Chalkbomb is simple, on FRIDAY 22 FEB? willing participants chalk something in a public space. Despite its basic premise, the event carries a deeper message. “We want to show people that art is something anyone can be a part of. That’s why we picked the Fringe Festival. The Fringe is all about giving people the chance to take part in making something, in our case that’s making art out of blank concrete. Art isn’t just painstaking oils or hours of watercolour. It can be as quick and as temporary as chalk on a wall. Art doesn’t need to be hard.

There is a fine line between street art and graffiti. The Wellington City Council paid thousands of dollars last year to remove graffiti and tagging on public and private property. In contrast, Tattoo Apartments commissioned Wellington street artist Drypnz to paint murals throughout their Wigan Street complex. Other artists such as BMD and PNTR have painted vibrant work all over Wellington walls and public spaces.
“At the end of the day art is subjective. If someone takes offence to a Chalkbombing that appears near their property, all they have to do is throw some water on it.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media