Art Battles

Helping to bring graffiti artists out of the shadows, Sean Bono started Art Battles in NYC’s Lower East Side. A live graffiti competition, the event retains the street’s sense of urgency by limiting the time allotted to sketch. No take-back strokes or do-over drawings. But in the end, this doesn’t get painted over – it gets sold to the highest bidder.

The live audience thrives on contestants’ improvisation, last minute changes and quick bravado. Much like the DJ Battles of the early ‘90s, the pressure to perform is tangible. Staged spontaneity requires not just talent, but showmanship. This graffiti-without-penalty builds upon common street art with its ingenuity. Not to mention, the law-abiding contestants charm the audience with their poise and focus.

As alley artists pit against each other, the timed event incorporates competition by placing the artists side-by-side. The audience, sipping Budweiser cans in the gallery basement and swaying to live DJs, votes for the crowd favorite.

Though MTV showed interest in the idea last spring, future plans are not yet determined. For now, the events new home at 45 Bleecker St will continue to give emerging artists the spray paint and soapbox they need.

Check out the next battle on Friday, April 4, 2008.