Urban Art Jumps off the Page and Pushes Boundaries
Although the terms “urban art” and “graffiti” are often viewed in a negative light, being associated with vandalism and defacement, their true roots stem from the human need to express oneself – and that is exactly what people witnessed at the kick-off of the 2nd Annual Hopscotch Festival, Landed: Live Art Jam.
Teaming up with Hopscotch, The Circle transformed the Ondaatje Courtyard next to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia into a mecca of urban art forms. Featuring all facets of artistic expression, the courtyard came alive with performances by award winning hip-hop dance group The Woods, musical performances from local band The Caravan, and live Graffiti art demonstrations happening throughout the space. The main highlight of the evening was watching international artists Matthieu Limo and Christian Toth use a 28 foot long boat as their canvas. A J24 Sailing boat also received a new paint job from Aaron Li-Hill who diligently worked throughout the evening revealing the image of a giant octopus sprawled on one side of the vessel. In true urban art form, Limo, Toth, and Li-Hill transformed both boats into true works of art – showing the versatility of Graffiti art as an art form that is not limited to just a canvas.
Although the presence of Graffiti in the art world has been questioned, there is no doubt that it has captured the eye of an extremely diverse audience. People of all ages flocked to the courtyard to view the live art demonstrations and festivities. It was especially inspiring to see the large turnout of youth who were there cheering on and supporting the artists.
Whether it’s reinventing the definition of art, engaging the community, or showcasing the tremendous talent of local artists and artists from across the country and world, Landed: Live Art Jam featured it all.
