From the Wall Street Journal:
By Tanyanika Samuels
At 2 a.m. Thursday, a weary Aaron Lazansky-Olivas spray-painted pastel yellows and greens onto wooden panels that would become an art installation at the Andrew Freedman Home in the Bronx.
“I’m fading,” he admitted with a laugh.
The abstract graffiti artist is part of a duo working virtually round-the-clock in a tag team art challenge. Inspired by adrenaline-driven shows like “the Amazing Race,” the Artist Chain Reaction competition pits five teams against each other to create art installations. The winners, to be named March 10, will share the $1,000 prize.
Of all the eclectic exhibitions here in the last two years, Artist Chain Reaction is the most ambitious, Ms. Alfieri said. She encouraged viewers to visit repeatedly throughout the weekend to be “part of the art making process.”
For abstract painter and sculptor Natalie Collette Wood, that voyeuristic element adds an intriguing dimension to the challenge.
“Having people watch you create energizes the work,” said Ms. Wood, who spent Wednesday night using small strips of black tape to fashion galaxies on the gallery wall. “I think it will help the artists make something new and exciting, something they probably wouldn’t make alone.”
Nearby, artists Andre Trenier and Justin Hicks were in the throes of an animated conversation comparing personal styles. Mr. Trenier is a painter known for using sneakers as his canvas. Mr. Hicks infuses music, text and video into his creations.
“We’ve been discussing why we make art and what art means to us,” said Mr. Trenier, who noted they both share a love of hip hop culture. “Hopefully in the end, people will get a sense of our commonality.”
Read the rest at the Wall Street Journal: http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2014/03/07/a-tag-team-art-competition-launches-in-the-bronx/
And don’t forget to check out their slideshow!
