Secret Wars Semi Final (2) Alfamale vs. Inkie

March 8th @ Juno








Yo last nite was off the hook - it lived up to its name as battle of the century with both Inkie and Alfa smashing it on the wall....but after a tense draw (1-1 on judge votes) and a draw on the clapometer...we went again for the crowd vote and Alfa won by 4 decibels...Thanks to all those that came down!so roll on the finals - we have some great suprises in store so dont miss this event...

check out www.secretwars.co.uk

GRAND FINAL - MARCH 31ST also go check

WWW.SECRETWARS.CO.UK

Secret Wars Q Final (1)

Roll up Roll up and bear witness to the first Secret Wars Quarter Final. The entire first round has led up to this point. These past four months have been worth the wait, as all the previous battle winners move one step closer to being crowned the Secret Wars Champion of 2006. It is the second time the artists get to step up again in the tournament and they surely had a lot of pressure on their backs. First up was the battle between Gustav Balderdash and Okkle. Gustav had pre-arranged a holiday abroad on the night of December the 16th, so artist Chris stepped in to fill his place. Similar in style, Chris would be a fair opponent for Okkle, who would not have been pleased with a total switch around.

Before the battle began, word was stirring that artist Okkle deserved to win. The fact that he had come right from the beginning of the tournament meant it wasn’t right for a newcomer to jump straight to the quarterfinals. A new twist in the format of the judging meant that each win would be determined by a crowd vote.

Organiser Terry Guy recently purchased a clap meter, which can determine the loudest crowd noise. Instead of having the traditional three member-judging panel, the decision was made to have two people and the clap meter to decide who should win. If the two judges pick a different winner each then the clap meter will have two different attempts at choosing which artists received the loudest cheer. Once battle’s commenced it was immediately apparent that Okkles attention to detail was second to none. His piece consisted of five little chick-type characters adorned in military/ kung fu gear attempting an attack on opponent Chris across the wall. Each character drawn was carrying a particular weapon of choice, one throwing a grenade, and another with a missile in hand.

New artist Chris did not disappoint with a detailed piece similar to that of Okkle. Both artists managed to entertain with their humorous characters. Chris centred his piece around a gnashing pit-bull dog with human headed pigeons surrounding. Along with the gangster pigeon and a chav pigeon, Chris appeared to even make a dig at his opponent by drawing a pigeon with similar facial features and hairstyle as Okkle. Although artistically not a better piece, Chris’s design appealed to the crowd who voted it the winner in the clap meter challenge at the end of the battle. In between the battles, beat boxer Harry was back again for a sequel in his success at the previous Secret Wars back in November.

With a lone set of approximately 8minutes, Harry pumped up the crowds’ energy before the second battle. Even artist Morgazmic stepped up with his own beat boxing style. As ever Harry was a success and we will all undoubtedly see him at following parties.Back for their second time in the tournament artists Mr Shrew and Teck 1 were due to compete against each other for their place in the semi-finals.

Totally different in style and complexity many thought that the battle was not really fair as Teck 1would always have an upper hand, being a more diverse artist. However as everyone saw with the previous battle, anything can happen on the night. Mr Shrew’s piece was very simple in design with a boyish character holding a ghetto blaster and roller paintbrush with the slogan “Lets Party” emblazoned next to it. Not really in keeping with the whole battle theme, Mr Shrew literally got hovered up by Teck 1s piece, which consisted of an exterminator character vacuuming a little Martian character similar to Mr Shrew’s piece from his first battle back in August. Tattooed on the exterminators arm read the words “Shrew Get Slew”.

Without a doubt Teck 1s piece blew everyone away, but the clap meter only affirmed it when the deafening crowd voted Teck the winner. Lets see what Gustav Balderdash and Teck 1 can do against each other in the first semi-final round in February as we get one step closer to the Secret Wars grand Final.

Photography by Dwayne from Sense Magazine

Pete Fowler / Jon Burgerman Interview..Secret Wars *All-star* edition

1. How would you describe your style?

JB: Wibbly and wobbly.

PF: My style came about by watching cartoons and reading comics. I would say I have a graphic cartoony style, though it has developed over the years. I tend to focus more on content than on style really.

2. What do you think about the concept of events like tonight’s Non Permanent Secret Wars?

JB: I’ve always been a fan of things where people can come and draw. I think it’s a really positive thing.When I was younger, doodling was a much more nerdy thing. But now it is in the public domain it’s a cool thing. It’s not nice when art is always for passive involvement. I like the fact that the crowd can get involved.

PF: I really like them. I used to work for a company in Japan that done events similar to this. It also can be compared to events like Doodlebug in Manchester. I appreciate the whole concept of the crowd being givens pens for their own chance to draw. There is a freedom to create, which is like being at junior school. I like the fact that there are no rules to it.

3. What does it feel to be part of the first All-Star edition of Secret Wars?You have done a lot of projects over the years. What’s been the highlight for you?

JB: I’m very humble and I’m very honoured to be part of this. The whole thing kind of leaves me feeling a bit weird, but in a nice way.

PF: It feels really good. I have unfortunately missed all the previous Secret Wars so it’s the first time I’ve been part of this and I really feel honoured to be invited. I know Jon Burgerman and Ian Silverstone really well so it’s all fun.

4. You have done a lot of things over the years. What has been the highlight for you?

JB: Probably doing a computer game for Sony called Wipeout Pure. I had all of the 3D designers making whatever I wanted. I like any project that people trust your own ideas, anything like that is good.

PF: If I were honest I would have to say Kia car commercials. A long time ago I would have said the Super Furry Animals job, but it was incredible to work alongside Aardman for the animation. Definitely out of Kia and Super Furry animals.

5. What’s the next big thing you have lined up?

JB: It’s difficult to quantify. I have some exhibitions coming up, a show in Edinburgh, an exhibition in Paris with two other artists and also Amsterdam. I have quite a few commercial projects in the pipeline, but not sure when any of those will be ready.Getting the chance to do your own work is always a joy as it gives you a chance to develop.

PF: For the last couple of years I’ve been working on various animation projects. We are starting an animation pilot with BabyClaw working alongside amazing young writers. We are preparing the pilot script and animation for BBC3, which has taken about 3years to develop. I’m also putting together a couple of compilation CD’s, one called heavenly and another for the pop heads which should be out some time in the summer.

6. Where’s the weirdest place you have travelled to for a job?

JB: The most obscure place was Düsseldorf. I have been to Dublin, which was lovely, but all the people I met there were weird, but lovely. It’s really good I get to see so many places.

PF: Uri Geller’s house.

7. Have you guys ever worked together before? Are there any other artists out there who you would love to collaborate with?

JB: I did some painting with peter in Manchester at a bar called Common a few years back, but we have also been at things where we doodle together. Yes there are lots. It would be nice to work with some of the big guns like Warhol, but he is dead. There are loads of great artists around. Events like this give a good chance to meet people who you haven’t worked with before.

PF: I have done live painting events with the guys before. Hmm there are lots of artists I would love to work with. I don’t know how it would work, but someone like Peter Blake is a must.

written by Gabriella Weekes (Nani?)http://nanilondon.blogspot.com/

Monorex goes on tour in Dubai with Mos Def, Q Tip and De la soul...Starring Teck 1

Coming soon...

Secret Wars (On Tour) // Tag team special (Monorex vs. Grafik Warfare) - Birghton @ Riki Tik

The Monorex team smashed it in this Tag team battle against the local heroes Grafik Warfare....Thanks to all the peeps that came down and the sponsors who supported this event.

Sorry to those who had to queue for ages to get in, the place was a cooker - with a pile up of people inside....

Edding, Ecko, Art Republic, Don't Panic, Tuaca, Lock up, Route one, Triage, Eclectic Threads...





photos by Delarge


www.secretwars.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thesecretwars

nonpermanent featuring Secret Wars (On Tour) - Birmingham @ The Custard Factory

nonpermanent featuring Secret Wars "Allstars edition" - Pete Fowler vs. Jon Burgerman

All in the name of charity....we dropped a huge live art bash up at the lovely Custard Factory in B'ham, and what an event it turned out to be.

With lots of creative heads turning up including Ian Stevenson, Kid Acne, Pete Fowler, Jon Burgerman, Lunartik, Teck 1, Agent, and more - we decided to give out £3000 worth of POSCA pens to the crowd and then asked them to get involved by doodling on the endless amounts of white walls! what a mess they left.....10 large buckets of emulsion to clean!

A big thanks to Ian and Matt for laying this whole show on and look forward to collaborating again in the near future...

Our future home - a Shoreditch train carriage...

New home from March 07...Fully working train carriage in East London

Office commission - Simple Genius @ Whitechapel

Coming soon...

Secret Wars - 1st Semi Final - Teck 1 vs. Gustav (Chris)

With the final only a matter of weeks away, the crowds turned up in droves for the Secret Wars semi final between Gustav Balderdash and Teck 1. Juno bar was all set for the night, having had a pre semi final Secret Wars revamp on the walls. The whole venue is plastered with black and white spray from various artists who either have been or possibly will be Secret wars entrants in the future.

It all looks very well put together and just syncs the battle to the venue even more. The night was to see a slight change from the regular formula with only two artists stepping out in front of the crowds. With obviously half a wall extra to fill for each contender, the battle would be rendered a much harder task to pull off. Because of the extra space the artists had an extended time of 120 minutes to finish their piece, rather than the usual 90. Pens a ready and with the timer set the battle could begin. As anyone who has ever witnessed any of the tournaments will know, it is impossible to decide on a favourite contender till the end of each battle. It is only when you have the whole finished piece n front of you that you can really judge the artists technique and planning.

From the offset it was clear that the two artists had totally different artistic approaches. Gustav Balderdash immediately got down to his sketch filling a small amount of space with what looked like the start of a human shaped character. Teck 1 on the other hand started with a sketch that filled the whole space, followed by a quick dash up the ladder to adorn the surface with black paint, reminiscent of his first battle against Fybe back in September of last year.With each of the pieces taking shape, it was easy to see the different use of space between the two artists. Gustav had drawn a fierce wrestler character wearing a mask and the words “El Nino” engraved on its teeth. The wrestler, whilst holding two plugs had robot like arm extensions protruding from its wrists giving the impression that this character was powering something robotic.

This little detail may have been a slight dig towards Teck 1’s famous robot character. Teck 1 as always kept the battle theme alive with a cleverly thought out plan to attack Gustav’s crew, The Undergrowth by composing a piece of a country scene with a granny mowing down the lawn. Included were the slogans, “Mown Down” and “The Undergrowth”. Once the timer announced the battles end, the judges Hugo from Daydream magazine and Andreas from German sticker company Cromatics had to climb the ladder and cast their vote. After a five minute long explanation from Andreas, he voted for Teck 1, leaving the next vote down to the crowds.

With an 118 decibel Secret Wars record high reading on the clap meter, and to the surprise of many of the crowd (especially the Teck 1 fan who had turned up with a mega phone in hand) Gustav Balderdash won the vote. It was all up to Daydream’s Hugo to determine the fate of each artist by casting his deciding vote. With all eyes and cameras facing the front, Hugo announced that the winner of the first semi final was … Teck 1.Congratulations to both lads who done well to get so far. Who will join Teck in the live grand final? Why not come on down to Juno bar on March the 8th to find out.

written by Gabriella Weekes (Nani?)http://nanilondon.blogspot.com/

Check www.secretwars.co.uk for more details.