So, today we hit 100 confirmed artists for Totally Pasted. My initial goal was 200 but since this is so early in the planning stages, let's up that to as many as possible. I have said all along that if I get 1000 artists, I will just build a bigger wall. I have already received 6 or 8 parcels in the mail and expect a bunch more this coming week. I am simply blown away by the early support for the project. Whether its artist participation, the press, gracious sponsors, this project has far exceeded all initial goals. So, once again... thank you! I cannot wait to actually build the wall and install all the amazing artwork from around the planet!
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We are over 70 artists confirmed from 11 countries. That's insane! So happy to have such amazing early support. So, thank you artists!
Also, if you would like to read a great article about the project, click HERE. Thanks to Leah Collins from CBC Arts for taking the time and interest in the project. I added a Press page to the site. I didn't have it before because I never honestly thought I would get any press. But it seems like a few others are interested so you will get to hear me repeat myself over and over a few times in papers and on sites and stuff. Please continue to spread the word about Totally Pasted to your artistic and non-artistic friends. Everyone is welcome to participate. Thanks again for everything. I cannot wait to actually build this thing! Submissions seem to have leveled out over the past couple of days but that is to be expected. If artists kept confirming at the pace of the first 4 or 5 days, I would have to build a wall a mile long. But that doesn't mean we are ready to go. Yes, we have over 60 artists confirmed for the project but the goal is 200+. So, keep spreading the word and letting everyone you know what a great project this is becoming.
Also, yesterday I was interviewed by Leah from CBC Arts. This is a huge deal for a project this small. Its not some podcast recorded in a dank basement (although I am certainly open to dank basement podcast requests) but a national platform here in Canada. Its like having the BBC interview you in the UK or ummm... is there still media in the US? Well, basically the largest media outlet in the US. I think that's Buzzfeed. I kid... I kid... But yeah... Huge deal for a project like this. If you know anyone else (bloggers, podcasts, national broadcasters) who might want to spread the word about Totally Pasted, send them my way. The most intriguing news of the past week has been the interest in hosting other Totally Pasted events in other parts of the world. I am currently writing up a sort of "How To" guide to host such an event. I certainly do not want to discourage anyone from organizing an event in their hometown but if it is to be under the Totally Pasted name, I suppose I should set up a few guidelines. I want this to be an annual event in my area and want to keep the name ummm... honest and true to vision? I guess? I don't really know how to put it. But yes... if you are interested in hosting Totally Pasted in your area, I encourage you to contact me. Let's do this. I guess that's it for now. Let's get the word out there and let's make Totally Pasted an event for which we can all be proud. Al Totally Pasted was never really meant as a political statement. It was simply a way for rural kids to become exposed to more art and to maybe raise a few dollars for a worthwhile cause. I had my own political leanings but they were never really part of the vision behind the project. But after a week of organizing and talking to other artists and after an announcement of massive budgetary cuts to the arts in the US, this has become a political movement.
Art has always been at the forefront of social change whether it be protest songs, thought provoking visual arts or even a funny sign at a rally. Art has the ability to change people's views. Art can be a rallying point. Remember the HOPE poster by Shepard Fairey? It became more than just an image. It became synonymous with the dreams of a better nation. We, as artists, have an obligation. The ability to freely create art is not a right but luxury and if we we do not use this ability to create for the betterment of society, we have failed as artists. We must use whatever powers we have, although limited in reach and scope, to help create a place of acceptance and compassion for those who are not as lucky as we are when it comes to freedom of expression. When we see fascism and propaganda creeping into everyday life, it is our job to combat that in any manner we see fit. So, yes. This wall is a political statement. We will not be silenced by politicians like Trump, Farage or yes... even Kevin O'Leary. These men are simply old, wealthy white men who are scared of losing the enormous power they have been given by a society that is scared to move away from the old, wealthy white man model. This is a wall of acceptance, peace, love and most of all, change. If I lose followers or patrons or volunteers, that is ok by me. They can continue building their own walls around countries, races and religions. They are likely too busy to help out with this little project anyway what with all the hate mongering. Al So, this project is literally 6 days old. There are about 60 confirmed artists, 11 countries and 1 tired guy from Northern Ontario involved. I have already had interview requests from major media publications, asked about hosting more Totally Pasted events in the USA and overseas. But the best part of this process so far is talking to so many other artists. Developing a network of creative people who are willing to give their time and work to a good cause. You may not see it but we are in a fight. A fight for our rights as artists to speak up and be heard. To show our work openly and freely. I am finding out quickly that this project is more than just about building some wall, plastering it with random paper and maybe raising some cash for a food bank. Its about creating a tight knit, like-minded, creative fighting force for change. Ok... a little hyperbolic but not far off base. This project may have been dreamed up by some bored fisherman in the Canadian wilderness but it would never have got off the ground without the people involved. So... here is a day 6 thank you. We only have a few thousand days left to go in the fight.
Totally Pasted has only been made known to the public for 5 days and the early response has been incredible. Over 50 artists from 11 countries have committed to the wall. About 200 Instagram followers. 260 unique website visitors and over 1000 page views! Not bad for a little art project based in the middle of nowhere in Northern Ontario, Canada. We have our first sponsor, Neel Custom Stickers, who will be supplying us with a nice batch of stickers to give away. And more sponsorship is in the works for printing services, wood/ building supplies and even the flour used for wheatpaste. So things are really moving along with Totally Pasted. Again, this project would be nothing without your support. Please share our link on social media and help spread the good word. Thank you, all!
Wow... In just 2 days I already have about 40 artists committed to Totally Pasted. I can't believe how quickly word has spread and how many countries are already represented! So far we have Canada, USA, Germany, Scotland, England, Egypt, France, Australia, Brazil and Iran. So come on Argentina and Italy and Japan and South Africa and Iceland and Algeria and Mexico!!! Let's do this!
Ummmm... who cares? Totally Pasted sure doesn't. Grab some printer paper, tape like 8 pages together and draw anything. Paint a feminist slogan. Go to www.blockposters.com and print out a big image that you like. This project is not just about street art. Its just art. But what if I paint on canvas with oil? Then take a photo of your painting, click on the Block Posters link above and print it out at home as large as you like! But I make tiny collages and don't think my work is right. WRONG! Use Block Posters to blow up your artwork and I'll happily glue it to a wall. Everyone from every corner of the globe is welcome to this project. Don't use fancy paper. Cheap paper works best for wheatpasting. Don't make a special trip to the art supply store. You have everything you need at home. There really is no excuse not to be a part of Totally Pasted. So, gather up some pens and paper and crayons and create something today!
So, why did I decide to build a wall and cover it with art? Not going to lie. Got the idea from Donald Trump. He has been spouting shit about a wall for so long now that it just sort of crept into my brain. But no one will be turned away from this wall. Let's call it a wall of inclusion. The other reason I decided to build this wall is simple. I grew up in a tiny village just outside a small town. Art was not a viable life choice. I had limited access to artwork in general and street art did not exist. I have been fortunate to travel all over the world to cities full of art like New York, Detroit, Chicago, Paris, Berlin, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Many kids in my hometown are not that lucky. They never see what is out there in the art world. Yes, the internet has opened up street art and fine art to the masses but there is nothing like seeing it with your own eyes. Being able to touch it. Snapping a selfie in front of it. Hopefully, by building this wall and covering it with art from around the globe, some kids who haven"t been exposed to something like this might look at it and say, "Hey... I want to do that!" So, and I can't believe I am saying this but, thank you Mighty Lord Cheeto for giving me the idea and motivation to build my own wall. And thank you to everyone else who has already committed to the project and to those who will in the near future! Without you it will just be a pile of wood. With you it will be a symbol of solidarity and change.
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