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RVA NO.4 : New Brow! The World of Art Whino.
Posted by: Tony – Mar 29, 2011
Not to be confused with graffiti, street art has blown up and grown into the cultural statement of our generation. Street art is the secret handshake, the open diary, the language of a frustrated people expressed in a full range of emotions and human experience, written on the walls of your local neighborhood sketchy alleyway. “I was here. I had something to say.” A raw, direct connection from artist to audience.
It was unavoidable that this pure expression would find an audience, and that galleries the world over would come calling. DC gallery ART WHINO has been one of the best in presenting the work and dealing legitimately with their artists. Both an equal partner and an encouraging big brother, ART WHINO is the East Coast cog needed to bring this amazing art to the masses. The shows are so good, it kinda makes you wonder why, in a region of over 8 million people, there isn't another gallery like it. I had an opportunity to ask owner and curator Shane Pomajambo a few questions that were on my mind.
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Tatiana Suarez
What was the inspiration for the gallery, Shane?
The inspiration for Art Whino is to put DC on the map for the New Art Scene. Being the nation’s capital, it’s unconstitutional for it not to be!
Jon Lovato
As the scene has grown, what have you seen as positive trends towards the perception of street art? Any negatives?
Street art since the 80's has always been seen as vandalism by mainstream America. As America sinks deeper and deeper into [the] numbness of everyday schedules and routines, street artists are aiming their art more and more at these schedules, routines and propaganda, [and] snapping some people out of it. I believe now more than ever, there is a revolution where people understand and appreciate what these artists are doing.
Melissa Collier
Do you make a distinction between street art and graffiti?
For me personally there is a HUGE difference between street art and graffiti. Graffiti been around since civilization has been. At its essence, it’s an individual’s marking, saying, “I existed and I was here.” Street art’s aim, on the other hand, is less on the individual, and more about activating the space it inhabits.
Rich Salcido
How was your time down at Art Basel this year?
We did the TAKEOVER at Art Basel in Dec 2010 and it was a great success. We brought large scale installations into a a 8000 sq. ft. enclosed courtyard, and had 20 artists exhibit 8' [tall] x 16' wide pieces. With over 2000 people at the opening alone, it was more that we had expected, and a good sign people like what we do!
Nick Morris
Having been there a few times, how big has Art Basel been in promoting the gallery? Is it worth the expense?
Art Basel is the Super Bowl of the art world. With over 60 art openings in 4 days, and over 40,000 art collectors, it’s a great place to go as a visitor, and a great place for a gallery to meet new collectors. If you can pay to play, then [it’s] worth it for sure.
Charlie Owens
You have a group of artists you work with all the time. Who are part of the Art Whino family?
Unbelievably, in over 4 years, we’ve worked with over 1200 artists worldwide. It really has been an amazing experience to meet so many artists, and see so many perspectives on the art scene. Out of 1200 artists, though, some stand out by their professionalism, passion and drive, and have become Art Whino Family for sure. You can see our stable of artists on our website.
Angry Woebots
Going forward, where would you like to see the gallery? Any big things coming up?
The goal for Art Whino continues to be to unify the New Brow world, where you can see artists worldwide in one place. With that said, we have 3 epic shows coming up this year: the G40 Art Summit in the spring, Arts Festivals in the summer, and Art Basel in the winter.
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