Resisting commercialism: "Art, Advertising, Activism and Alchemy"

“The Power of Public Art”
Art created specifically for the physical public domain is powerful, simply put, because it is accessible by all. There is no admission fee and there are no cultural standards. The appeal for artists to create public works rests within the idea of a censorship-free means of expression, direct, uninhibited contact with the viewer and, in some situations, the ability to do it anonymously. Public art, like the typical urban landscape, is temporal and subject to the ebb and flow of cultural, political and economical conflicts that are relevant at the time of installation. Public art can be provocative and at times divisive in its intent.
 

“The problem of ubiquitous and aggressive advertising.”
Over the past five decades advertising has become an integral part of the cosmopolitan human experience. On a daily basis the average American is exposed to an estimated 600+ laden commercial messages telling them where to shop, what to buy and the emotions embedded in each product. These ubiquitous and aggressive messages play a central role in society as they propagate ideas and concepts about the standard of living and by manufacturing an ambiguous version of the American Dream. Outdoor advertising has monopolized shared spaces preventing public usage, in turn blocking open visual communication.

“The renaissance of urban activism”
Through visual pranks, optical illusions and large to small scale installations street artists around the world are using public spaces to contradict the false messages of commercial advertising and to reclaim ownership of the public domain for those that use it every day. With audacious acts of civil disobedience these artists are in part re-enacting the Reclaim the Streets movement first rectified in the 1990’s as a form of resistance opposed to the dominance of corporate forces. Urban activism today aims to ignite a resident’s psychological investment in their community, illuminate issues of public space and to challenge the people's relationships with advertisers.
 

 
“The alchemical conversion of public spaces when these concerns meet”
On Friday, November 20, four distinguished and award winning artists with different but overlapping practices will speak together for the first time on the transformative intersection of art, advertising & activism.

Jordan Seiler, of the provocative Public Ad Campaign: replacer of advertising with beautiful art and organizer of the staggeringly ambitious New York Street Art Takeovers.

Gabriel “Specter” Reese: the pioneering Artist, emerging from a traditional graffiti background to become the creator of remarkably innovative street works that deal with socially marginalized people and places.

Jason Eppink: the Urban Alchemist transforming video ads into video art with a simple filter and trashed chairs into treasured seating by clever relocation.

Posterchild: the incredibly prolific creator of hundreds of conceptual and sensitive street works, including sculptural, kinetic, robotic and interactive installations, guerrilla gardens, stencils, and posters.

Hosted by Wonderland in Astoria, Queens, these artists will talk about their practices, followed by a Q&A panel. Each artist will display past street works on 20 different screens throughout the space. Posterchild and I Am will also be unveiling new mural works.

Wonderland
3801 23rd Avenue
Astoria, Queens
Doors open at 7pm and the conversation begins at 8:30 with the Q&A at 9:30 p.m.
Free admission and drinks available