intrigued by the video teasers circulating on Facebook featuring
nationally noted artists like Charly Palmer and Maurice Evans assuming
the personas of, what seemed to be, a blend of trash-talking WWF
wrestlers, ’70s blackploitation throwbacks and street hustling sidewalk
artists.
How could one not be intrigued?
What is an art battle? In order to find out, I had to go deep into
Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward past an unfinished process of gentrification. Low-income housing sat a stone’s throw from trendy new eateries,
creative start-up companies and eclectic artist’s spaces. The setting was
the new Stuart McClean Gallery on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue situated in
an old cotton warehouse.
What’s an art battle? It’s the brainchild of artists-romoters Dwayne
“Dubleyoo” Wright and Fabian “Occasional Superstar” Williams. Both of
these incredibly talented artists have been involved with innovative
presentations of urban arts and cultural previously, like the hugely
popular Art, Beats and Lyrics, so I knew it would be on some other ish.
Visual artists from the commercially established
to graffiti writers and tattoo inkers went head-to-head creating live
1) still lifes, 2) figure drawings (it got real interesting when one
female model was willing to get aux naturale for art’s sake. Her
partner, perhaps intimidated by the large throng of art “lovers” had
second thoughts and said, “Hell to the naw!” So tops went back on.) and
3) monster portraits of each other.
What’s an art battle? An overwhelming presentation of work, I really
couldn’t take it all in at one time, mixed with a generous helping of
tongue-in-cheek campiness, great music (shout out to DJ Cha Cha Jones)
and a whole lot of fun!
I can’t wait till round 2! –stanley yorker
