Also announced: street art takes over a 22-carriage freight train, in-depth talks and workshops program, and music series curated by MzRizk
Australia’s largest showcase of urban and street art, Can't Do Tomorrow, has today revealed further programming for its inaugural festival this February (20-29). For 10 days, over 100 street artists, musicians and collectives will transcend on Melbourne’s iconic multi-level warehouse, The Facility, transforming it from top to bottom in an epic celebration of the best in urban art and contemporary culture. Transcending the traditional art fair model, visitors will also be able to purchase original artworks directly from artists, as well as limited edition prints available from a custom-built print store.
Chinese-Australian political artist and cartoonist Badiucao will present the world premiere of his never-before-seen exhibition Made in Hong Kong, Banned in China – previously titled Gongle – following its cancellation in Hong Kong in 2018. Badiucao is one of the most popular and prominent political artists in China, creating work that confronts a variety of social and political issues, which has been used by organisations such as Amnesty International and Freedom House. He originally kept his identity a secret at the start of his career, acquiring the nickname “China's Banksy”.
In this world premiere exhibition, Badiucao blends together portraits of political leaders, exhibits of torture equipment and iconic Hong Kong neon to reconstruct metaphors anew. Made in Hong Kong, Banned in China paints a suffocating reality as Badiucao’s biting cartoons find a physical form. Through this hyperbole and piercing satire, purposeful misrepresentation can find new forms of expression.
Badiucao said: “In the end of 2018, seven months before the massive Hong Kong democratic movement broke out, three days before the opening of my first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, two policemen from Shanghai came to my family in China and threatened them in order to stop my show. The show was cancelled eventually due to the fear of the safety of myself, my family and everyone who helped in the show from Hong Kong. Many efforts have been taken to reopen the show in Hong Kong since but no venue has the courage to host it due to the threat from Beijing and the critical situation in Hong Kong. So, I have decided to bring it back to Australia, my second home, with Can't Do Tomorrow as the first stop of its global tour show.”
The festival also announced today its major collaboration with Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR), which will see Can’t Do Tomorrow artists transform a 22-carriage freight train into one of the largest moving outdoor galleries in Australia. Commemorating the rich history of train graffiti, the group of prolific artists transforming the train includes Merda, Sirum 1 and Kab 101. The partnership is a symbol of laying old grudges aside to celebrate the public form of street art. Once painted, the train will continue to transport grain through Victoria as a celebration of public art in motion.
Can’t Do Tomorrow Festival Director, Zoe Paulsen said: “Street art is one of the oldest forms of public protest and the most powerful work responds to the political and social world we live in. Can't Do Tomorrow is a platform for urban artists to express themselves and we are thrilled to be able to provide a space for Badiucao to present his solo exhibition.
“In addition, our partnership with SSR trains has enabled us to begin a new conversation between artists and train companies. This 22-carriage freight train, transformed by our presenting artists, will see the festival expand beyond the warehouse, taking these works on the move for an even bigger audience to enjoy."
An additional line up of trailblazing female artists set to revolutionise the former 1900s wool store has also been announced. Award-winning multi-disciplinary artist George Rose will transform the talks auditorium from floor to ceiling with a fully-immersive swatch book of colour; former graphic designer and self-taught artist Lisa King (known for her street art works across the Adelaide CBD) will create a new installation driven by the concept “love is to die/ love is to dance”, combining original portrait works and luxe neon signs. Motion graphic designer and media artist Rose Staff will work in collaboration with projection illusionist Nick Azidis to create a new digital work which will take over the facade of The Facility. Alongside an abundance of artworks presented amongst the installations and murals, Aurora Campbell will be in residency in her own pop-up booth, selling a collection of her works inspired by the taboos of the female experience and addressing topics such as body image, revenge porn and female sexuality.
A new way of completely immersing visitors in the world of street art, festival go-ers are actively encouraged to contribute to and interact with many of the installations at the centre of the festival, including (but not limited to) a sailboat floating inside a temporary pool made from an old shipping container by finalist for 2012 Archibald Prize Michael Peck; a new "off the back of a truck" interactive installation inspired by the classic 80s movie tropes of the “shady warehouse district” by renowned Melbourne designer and artist Callum Preston following his popular Milk Bar; a purpose-built shrine consisting of small paintings and written stories dedicated to LGBTQI icons and celebrating LGBTQI identity by culture street artist Kaff-eine; and a total room takeover by UK-born urban contemporary artist Mysterious Al.
Additional artists transforming The Facility venue with paintings, murals, photography, sculptures and illustrations, projections and epic installations include: established street artist Ruskidd known for capturing the natural world in vibrant colour; New Zealand-born fine art and mural artist Jason Parker; internationally established street artist Unwell Bunny; French mural artist LucyLucy; David ‘MEGGS’ Hooke, known for his large-scale murals and detailed paintings that combine elements of nature, industry and pop culture with abstraction; artist and graphic designer Steve Leadbeater; and renowned muralist and street artist Heesco.
TALKS PROGRAM
Alongside the artworks, an extensive program of talks will delve into the inner workings of the street art scene both in Australia and across the world.
Headlining the talks program as the opening keynote speaker is the internationally acclaimed artist, exhibition curator and film director Aaron Rose. Based in Los Angeles, Rose ran the legendary Alleged Gallery in New York City’s Lower East Side district and is well known for his award-winning feature documentary Beautiful Losers following the lives of a collective of artists including Shepard Fairey. Rose will be in conversation with editor of The Design Files Lucy Feagins on Friday 21 February.
In conjunction with his world-premiere exhibition, prolific political artist Badiucao will address his motivations and aspirations as a Chinese political artist in exile in the frank discussion The Dissident Artist on Saturday 22 February.
Collectors, consultants and long-term supporters of Melbourne’s street art culture, Sandra Powell and Andy King, have amassed an incredible collection of artwork by local and international urban artists including works by Banksy, Rone, Andy Warhol, Shepard Fairey and Anthony Lister. On Saturday 22 February, the creative couple discuss the art of collecting.
Founder of new urban arts and culture magazine Grass Fires, Christopher Bradley, leads a panel that examines urban art as political and social currency addressing cultural power structures of our time on Sunday 23 February. In conversation with fine and graffiti based artist Scott Marsh, lawyer turned street artist Kaff-eine and LA artist Aaron Rose, the discussion will explore how these notable players empower people and communities in both the private and public realm through their work.
On Sunday 23 February, author of Land of Sunshine and Street Art Now, Dean Sunshine will moderate the panel discussion Making Cool Sh*t Happen, delving into the development of the global street art scene with Belinda Collins (Creative Event Director, The Social Crew).
Notable names from the urban scene including Marcus Crooke (Founder of Homeless of Melbourne and HoMie), Eddie Zammit (Founder of T-World), Simon Wood aka 'Woody' (Director of Sneaker Freaker Magazine), Nicky Roswell (Director of And Now Creative) and Saul Kaplan (Director of Redwood Press and Boy Wolf) discuss the influence of urban culture on fashion in the panel discussion Dirty Laundry: The Urban Influence on Fashion and Street Style on Thursday 27 February.
On Friday 28 February, artist Tom Gerard will speak with Toby Benador (Director of Just Another Agency), about how artists can know their worth and turn their skills into a profitable product with B*tch better have my money.
Closing the program, renowned street artist Rone will be in conversation with high-profile collector and developer Len Warson in the special event Patron of the Streets on Saturday 29 February, exploring the relationship between patron and artist, and the acclaimed Omega and Alpha projects.
MUSIC PROGRAM
A music line-up of live acts and DJs curated by Melbourne-based DJ MzRizk will run throughout the festival. Performing on stages and in shadowy corners of the multi-level venue, the best of the Melbourne music scene will provide a soundtrack to the artwork and keep the festival vibes going into the night.
Opening night on Thursday 20 February will see a live performance from TEYMORI consisting of producer Amin Payne, Horatio Luna (Bass), Close Counters (Keys) and Felix Meredith (Trumpet) merging the sounds of funk, afro, soul and percussive rhythms into the night. The Closing Night Party on Sunday 29 February will see Cool Out Sun, the super collective formed of N’fa Jones, Sensible J, Lamine Sonko and Nui Moon hit the stage with a night of irresistible beats.
Alongside resident DJ MzRizk, Dj’s set to spin the decks include JNETT, Cara Mia, Benny Badge, DJ Mikey Goodfellow, DJ Do-Something?, Brooklyn Terry (NYC), Sky High Trio - Mike Gurrieri (PBS), Woody (Triple R), and John Bailey (Triple R), HOB - Sensible J, Future Roots, Chris NG, Emelyne, Sophie McAlister, Pietro, Zepherin Saint, Lady Langers, Colette, GSM, Gramps and DJ Sucrose.
ARTIST-LED WORKSHOPS
Los Angeles artist, curator and film director Aaron Rose, in collaboration with French mural artist LucyLucy and illustrator Kate Pullen, will present an artist-led series of Make Something!!! workshops showcasing the powerful and innovative females making waves in the urban and street art landscape, which has long been viewed as male-dominated scene. The workshops invite young aspiring artists and makers to learn skills from mural painting to illustration, from the best self-taught artists on the street.
Urban and Fine Art studio Blender Studios will run a series of workshops throughout the festival for creatives interested in developing street art skills. At the Pre-cut Stencil Workshop, participants will watch a professional street art demonstration with artists from the studio, learn spray-painting skills and create their own art piece using pre-cut stencils (Friday 21 February & Friday 28 February); the Plastics Recycling Workshop is the opportunity to learn from artist Cesar Marulanda (Aoracreo) on how to turn plastic into a functional artwork such as a phone pouch or wallet (Saturday 22 February & Friday 28 February); and the Stencil Workshop will invite visitors of all abilities to watch a professional demonstration and to learn how to make their own stencil, including drawing a design, creating a stencil, and then practice painting (Sunday 23 February and Saturday 29 February).
FOOD AND DRINK
An array of food and drink will keep visitors going throughout the festival.
Neighbourhood brewery Stomping Ground Brewing Co has teamed up with Melbourne-based muralist Justine McAllister to overhaul an exclusive (and elusive) secret bar hidden away amongst the dark corners and winding hallways of The Facility. Opening throughout the festival, the bar will be adorned with Justine’s bold, pop culture and vintage illustration style on a massive scale. As the official Beer Partner of the festival, the independent brewery will also create exclusive, limited edition ‘artist series’ cans of Stomping Ground’s popular Laneway Lager. Exclusively sold at Can’t Do Tomorrow, these will feature 100 different can designs from 61 different artists exhibiting throughout, offering punters a unique collectable from the festival. To get them all into one pack, they’re also creating Australia’s first limited edition 2-metre ‘100 beer can carton’, with only a handful produced and available for sale.
The brand new Tallows Festival Hub open every day until 1am keeps the festival vibe going into the night, where party-goers can gather and unwind after a day full of immersive art.
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