The commoditization of ‘urban’ art takes another knock this month, with the arrival of ‘Urban In Ibiza‘. If the event’s name isn’t enough of a contradiction in terms, some of the art on display is, to us, about as Urban as Waitrose. We blame the brand that has become Banksy. Still, there are glimmers of hope in this, the most abused, art forms. Curator, Inkie, hails from the Bristol School of Graffiti (again, an odd concept, but at least it’s developing some exiting new artists) and he’s got a bulging contact book. Rounding up some of the current crop of urban artists, he’s showcasing where, he thinks, Urban Art is at right now. We’re unsure whether he really knows. But we’re intrigued to see how Drum’n'Bass DJ turned classical conductor Goldie brings to the exhibition, with his latest works on display. Urban in Ibiza runs at the swanky Atzaro Hotel. Kids from Brixton and Huyton probably won’t be allowed in. Jade Jagger will.
On 12th August, Inkie’s set to create a piece live, with superstar DJs pumping out the soundtrack, and Swimwear label, Graffiti, parading their wares around the flootlit pool. Make no mistake, the streets of the southside Projects are a long, long way away.
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