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Post by StephenW on Apr 19, 2009 23:44:40 GMT -8
Known for his wooden arrow mobiles, clever wordplay pieces and most recently, his social and political commentary stencils, ABOVE has long been putting up work throughout the world that both brings huge smiles and invokes serious contemplation. Posted up an in-depth interview with this prolific street artist which you can read here.    |
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Post by jsutherland on May 3, 2009 0:39:27 GMT -8
Loved the interview and very clever works of ABOVE. This young artist is really going to go far and continue to impress.
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Post by sleepboy on Jun 22, 2009 11:22:57 GMT -8
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Post by jsutherland on Oct 20, 2009 9:16:47 GMT -8
Big bump for ABOVE. Dude never fails to impress or seem to stop moving! go go go....Above!
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Post by sleepboy on Nov 17, 2009 22:07:25 GMT -8
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Post by hellosir on Nov 18, 2009 8:50:57 GMT -8
Big bump for ABOVE. Dude never fails to impress or seem to stop moving! go go go....Above! i always assumed Above was a girl? Just based on the blog goabove.com/you learn something new everyday. cool interview |
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Post by gamma888 on May 2, 2010 12:07:59 GMT -8
According to White Walls' press gallery, it's Above's first ever gallery show with Blek le Rat.  All of these pieces got red dots already... impressive...   I loved his simple messages on his pieces... for some reason, they do remind me of Espo's works but with different style...  Of course, lastly, his first ever original "above" sign messages hanging WITHIN a gallery... |
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Post by vandalog on May 2, 2010 15:34:18 GMT -8
I like the arrows for the same reason I think its cool to have one or two space invader invasion kits. But the rest of the show? I'll take ESPO's signs over those any day of the week. Too bad, because I'm generally a fan of ABOVE's outdoor work.
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prettypikey
Junior Member
Art Doesn't Help People, People Help People.
Posts: 71
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Post by prettypikey on May 2, 2010 16:59:04 GMT -8
I love ABOVE's previous work and I was really looking forward to last night's show, but I'm sad to admit I was a little disappointed with his part of the installation. The recreations of his outdoor stencils were amazing to see in person (Love is in the Air, The kid flying the arrows like a kite) and I liked the hanging arrow installation but I really wasn't felling the wordplay pieces covered in resin, which dominated his portion of the show (maybe 15-20 pieces, seemed like a lot). A major reason I like ABOVE (and started following his work in the first place) is his ability to contextualize his art work in a particular environment. Be it his stencils, his arrows or his wordplay pieces, I always admired the way he positioned his work within a specific situations. I feel like a lot (if not all) of that was lost in this gallery installation. This show did not make me lose faith in ABOVE, he is still hands down one of my favorite artists (In fact does anyone know how to get a hold of one of his "Stealing from the Rich" prints?). This was his first indoor gallery show, so I still have hope that he can figure out a way to successfully transition his creativity indoors. I have a feeling it was a pretty successful show for him financially, It just wasn't to my aesthetic. If you haven't check out his website, you really should. I love his stencils and I think his website does a good job contextualizing each of them... He's a great artist, very witty too! goabove.com |
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prettypikey
Junior Member
Art Doesn't Help People, People Help People.
Posts: 71
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Post by prettypikey on Jun 7, 2010 14:15:24 GMT -8
I've never bought an art print before and I'm seriously considering buying a Madrid ABOVE city series print... Its not my favorite stencil and I'm not particularly in love with the typography he chose, but the price point is right for my meager budget and I'd love to start my Art collection with an Above piece...
Any advice or opinions?
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Post by svenman on Jun 7, 2010 14:57:27 GMT -8
I've never bought an art print before and I'm seriously considering buying a Madrid ABOVE city series print... Its not my favorite stencil and I'm not particularly in love with the typography he chose, but the price point is right for my meager budget and I'd love to start my Art collection with an Above piece... Any advice or opinions? well, if you like it and the prices is right, why not? consider the framing costs - maybe the size will fit into a standard frame to keep costs down? |
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prettypikey
Junior Member
Art Doesn't Help People, People Help People.
Posts: 71
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Post by prettypikey on Jun 7, 2010 18:43:45 GMT -8
I've never bought an art print before and I'm seriously considering buying a Madrid ABOVE city series print... Its not my favorite stencil and I'm not particularly in love with the typography he chose, but the price point is right for my meager budget and I'd love to start my Art collection with an Above piece... Any advice or opinions? well, if you like it and the prices is right, why not? consider the framing costs - maybe the size will fit into a standard frame to keep costs down? That is exactly why I was thinking of picking it up... Why not. :-) I hadn't even considered the framing costs. Thanks for mentioning that as well. |
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mike
Full Member
Posts: 154
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Post by mike on Jun 8, 2010 17:11:05 GMT -8
I've never bought an art print before and I'm seriously considering buying a Madrid ABOVE city series print... Its not my favorite stencil and I'm not particularly in love with the typography he chose, but the price point is right for my meager budget and I'd love to start my Art collection with an Above piece... Any advice or opinions? I'd say don't do it. If you don't like the image, don't like the typeface (and I totally get that) then why exactly are you bothering? If you like his art then it surely must be worth hanging on for an image you actually like and would want on your walls. The studiocromie arrow prints are superior to these in every way, maybe look to those instead? |
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prettypikey
Junior Member
Art Doesn't Help People, People Help People.
Posts: 71
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Post by prettypikey on Jun 8, 2010 22:19:13 GMT -8
I've never bought an art print before and I'm seriously considering buying a Madrid ABOVE city series print... Its not my favorite stencil and I'm not particularly in love with the typography he chose, but the price point is right for my meager budget and I'd love to start my Art collection with an Above piece... Any advice or opinions? I'd say don't do it. If you don't like the image, don't like the typeface (and I totally get that) then why exactly are you bothering? If you like his art then it surely must be worth hanging on for an image you actually like and would want on your walls. The studiocromie arrow prints are superior to these in every way, maybe look to those instead? It's not that I don't like the image, it's just not one of my favorites. It exemplifies many of the characteristics of Above's work that I usually appreciate, particularly the way his piece interacts with elements in a specific location and the overall positive tone. Thanks for recommending the studiocromie prints as well, I really like above's arrow mobiles out in the cities, but It's not something I'm looking for at this time. I think I've decided against purchasing this print and I'll hold out for something I'm really in love with that is still in my price range... I'm going to resist the impulse-buy urge, for now :-) |
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Post by sleepboy on Apr 18, 2011 14:59:30 GMT -8
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Post by svenman on Apr 19, 2011 2:18:06 GMT -8
those new text pieces are pretty poor.
surely if you are writing text as parables, then you should be saying something interesting. or at least quirky to hold interest.
i don't agree with his assessment of academia in the slightest.
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Post by Weezy on Apr 19, 2011 18:34:50 GMT -8
Agree. Pure claptrap.
Weezy
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Post by karengolden2 on Jun 19, 2011 23:47:47 GMT -8
Hello forum members, *Above has teamed up with Zero+ publishing to make his new book titled Passport Passport is a large book 12 inches X 12 inches (30 cm. x 30 cm) 148 page hardcover with paper jacket book showcasing Above's global travels and artworks in over 45 countries and 80 cities around the world. ABOVE:PASSPORT will be release in a limited edition of 1,000 copies and 15 special deluxe edition hand made box set made from Above himself. Each of the 15 deluxe edition box sets will be a unique 1-off wooden box that will house the book inside. *Introduction texts from Shepard Fairey, FAILE, Wooster collective, and Tristan Manco. Passport has over 40 other quotations from other street artists from around the world talking about Above's artworks and travels and experiences they have had painting together. Swoon, Eine, Blek le Rat, Hush, Espo, Space invader, Dolk, and Anthony Lister to name a few. *Pre-sale orders are now available here >http://www.zeropluspublishing.com/above.htm#images/above_3.jpg *DELUXE BOX EDITION OF 15 HANDMADE BOXES FROM ABOVE PRICE UPON REQUEST BY EMAILING HERE info@zeropluspublishing.com  ABOVE: PASSPORT BOOK // ISBN 978-1-937222-03-1 A SAMPLE OF IMAGES FOUND IN PASSPORT        CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE INFORMATION: www.zeropluspublishing.com/above.htm#images/above_3.jpg |
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Post by karengolden2 on Aug 16, 2011 21:07:47 GMT -8
New process photos of the 15 deluxe wooden box edition. Above is making only 15 of these deluxe boxes for his soon to be released book titled Passport. Above screen printed the title and passport stamps onto these wooden strips that will then be composed to build the frame of the deluxe box. We will be posting more photos of his process from time to time. There is also a special edition of 200 Above: Passport series to be release soon. Any and all questions should be sent to info@zeropluspublishing.com  full view.  close up right  close up left |
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Post by karengolden2 on Aug 19, 2011 1:29:45 GMT -8
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Post by karengolden2 on Aug 21, 2011 20:53:10 GMT -8
Here are some images of the screen printed side wooden pieces that will make up the deluxe edition box to house Above:Passport passport stamps close up  all questions regarding release date and price for the 15 deluxe box set should be emailed to ZERO+ publishing ( info@zeropluspublishing.com ) We are sorry but we do not have the answers to these questions. |
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Post by karengolden2 on Oct 8, 2011 15:00:38 GMT -8
We just got new images and links from Above's publisher ( ZERO+) about their special boxed edition of Above's book Passport. This edition is limited at 200. Take a look at this enormously big and detailed boxed series. Judging by the looks of this boxed edition there was a lot of time, detail, and money invested in this to make such a stunning project.  This is the file image of the front cover of the box. We were informed that Above and ZERO + both wanted to mimic every aspect of the real United States passport. The publisher said that Above wanted the same vinyl and gold leaf embossing on the cover of each box to replicate that of the normal US passport. The actual cover has gold leaf embossing and replicate vinyl that of US issued passports.  This is the exterior box that houses inside the actual larger than life Passport. This box set is enormous and details such as printing on the exterior box and spine of the box were included.  Opening of the exterior box showing the large Above Passport box.  Holding the Above: Passport boxed edition. Look at the size reference. This edition is housed in a vinyl clamshell box placed in a publisher’s shipping box Size: 20.5 tall x 16.5 wide x 2.25 depth " (52.1 tall x 41.9 wide x 5.7cm depth)  Opening of the Passport box to reveal Above:Passport book. There will be a signed, dated, and numbered gicleé print that will also be included inside the Passport box. Attention to detail with the secure fitting of the book as well as the gold ribbon underneath all make getting the book in and out of the large passport box easy and secure.  This is the image of the gicleé print to be included in each of the special boxed editions. Above will sign, date, and number each print.  Here are all 3 of the exterior box, the Passport box, and the book all spread out. *Please click this link to see more technical specs about the book and to purchase. This edition is limited at only 200. CLICK HERE to see more details, technical specs and to purchase. www.zeropluspublishing.com/above_special.htm#images/special_1.jpg |
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Post by sleepboy on Apr 10, 2012 9:40:40 GMT -8
Africa has had a devastating history of blood diamond wars. Blood diamond refers to a diamond mined in a war zone and then sold to finance an invading army’s war efforts, usually in Africa where more than two-thirds of the worlds diamonds are extracted. This site specific social / political word play was painted on the exterior wall of Johannesburg’s largest diamond trader Jewel City. Jewel City is a six-block mega-precinct that serves as a base for some 300 diamond traders as well as South Africa’s Diamond Board and State Traders Association. Jewel City is the largest diamond exporter in the southern hemisphere with over R7-Billion worth of Diamonds being exported every year. I was able to get away with this diamond wall heist because I told the owners I would paint in big letters “Diamonds are a woman’s best friend” on the exterior of their building. The owners loved the idea and all quickly agreed. The next day I had started painting but what the owners didn’t know is that I lied to them and was hijacking their wall. Like any premeditated robbery, situations are not what they seem and shit can flip from best friends to worst enemies in a few moments. I assume the owners were too busy trading diamonds inside the mega centre they never took the time to come out and see I was painting a controversial word play about the diamond trade and how it’s fueled so much bloodshed in wars making it one of man’s worst enemies. |
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Post by sleepboy on Jul 9, 2012 19:07:25 GMT -8
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Post by karengolden2 on Jan 23, 2013 18:07:42 GMT -8
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