Graffiti wars
Secret Wars is a graffiti competition like no other
Words Georgina Wilson-Powell
All over Europe, people are getting ready to do battle, one on one with their fellow countrymen and with other nations. Secret Wars is a series of 90-minute live art battles; victory is achieved not with the sword but the mightier marker pen.
Like Fight Club, there are a few simple rules in these word-of-mouth events. Artists may only use black markers on a whitewashed wall and no previous sketches can be used. The winner is decided by a panel of judges and a crowd vote.
"Secret Wars is the first and only global black-and- white live art battle," says Terry Guy, who set up the concept in a bar in Shoreditch, London in 2006. "The ultimate winner of each series wins big cash prizes, a quick route to fame and fortune and gets to travel with us and Secret Wars globally to experience new artistic opportunities.
"Secret Wars not only exposes the artist to a thousand or so people at the event but also to hundreds of thousands worldwide through our website. It’s press and kudos money can’t buy."
Three years ago Terry swapped the green pastures of the Isle of Wight in the English Channel for an office in a converted Tube carriage (a 1980s Jubilee Line train, to be specific) on the roof of a London warehouse. From there he runs a design studio, Monorex, which joins forces with street artists for work on commercial projects.
"I like to find troubled artists and help them make money out of their talent by offering them paid project opportunities, to get off the street and into the studio. Over the last five years, Monorex has gained an impressive list of clients and we’ve been shortlisted for three Arts & Business awards."
Terry has taken the concept to over 20 countries all over the globe, partnering with local bars, promoters and artists so that the events, no matter where they are, represent the local arts scene. Although he has brought the concept to larger, more arts-established cities such as Paris, he’s also set up events in Malmö, Dresden and Helsinki. In keeping with the underground approach, venues range from out-of-the way bars, warehouse art complexes and even a Malmö sausage factory.
"I love going to places like Malmö and Lisbon and seeing a completely different outlook on how to paint. Each country uses the same tools, but draws very different things. Europe is leading the way with regards to being the most unique and creatively diverse continent. Kids in New York were telling me that things have gone stale Stateside and most artists are struggling to find new inspiration; whilst the Europeans have taken on board street art’s history and then added their own spices.
"What’s great is that you can travel on a cheap budget and experience so many styles of art, that’s unique in every European country," he adds.
Terry’s professionalism in expanding Secret Wars as a concept has been behind a lot of its success. He’s forever looking at where next to take it, be it posting videos of previous battles online or networking the growing army of artists he’s in touch with to create new projects.
"I’m a self-trained businessman with an animation degree. I got into street art through some talented artists called Supa Dupa in Brixton, London. We formed the Monorex collective and started jamming and painting at each other’s houses. But my inspiration comes from all sorts of information that used to come through my 56k internet connection when I was younger – I was inspired by Richard Branson, Marvel Comics, streetwear brands, Sega games," he explains.
These live events are riding high on the street art wave that has swept into mainstream culture, partly due to the press British stencil artist Banksy has received in the last few years. The fact that as an art form it is accessible to almost anyone has helped, and Terry’s events across Europe mean that artists from all over the Continent can feel connected as they participate in battles that pit city against city.
"For many reasons street art and graffiti has become this generation’s popular art scene, like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein with Pop Art. Banksy and all these new faces are pushing the creative boundaries, and because it’s on the street anyone can have a go. It’s become so popular that big household brands are commissioning street artists and supporting the scene."
"We want to push for the 2012 London Olympics committee to recognise ‘live art’ as a proper sport – because if people who play darts are regarded as top sports icons then so should talented young artists!" he laughs. "We also have a European super league in the pipeline and will be running a league rather than a cup competition, so things are set to get even more tactical in the world of Secret Wars." Secret Wars hosts contests in London, Malmö, Copenhagen and Oslo. London’s Barbican hosts an event on 17 December. www.secretwars.co.uk
"I’ve been following Secret Wars since the beginning, but it wasn’t until I found myself on the judging panel two years ago, standing on a table in a jam-packed bar in London, that I realised how much passion there is out there for live art."
WIZZ writer Georgina Wilson-Powell
Terry Guy’s City Secret
"Village Underground is our studio’s local, a creative warehouse-cum-bar kind of space. It’s a great blank canvas for all kinds of events and always a perfect place to network and meet like-minded people." 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3PQ, www.villageunderground.co.uk
December 8th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Check out http://www.jaysusphotography.com for more Secret Wars pics!