Peter Krisko headed up the workshop with a power point presentation, that enlightened faculty and students about the various projects albus Cavus’s has done throughout the United States, its ideals about public space, and how this interaction between artist and community enhances and beautifies our lives.

After a thorough tour of the campus we decided which wall we would work on but first it was time to get the students in sync with what we do, and introduce to them our distinct method on how we create. Customarily Chor Boogie and Myself (Pose Two) create from within, meaning we have no preconceived plan of what we are going to create before we create it. We trust, flow and integrate intuitively as painters, as artist and as human beings. We have come to a point of understanding the importance of the process: interacting and engaging with the moment at hand, seizing those opportunities and flowing with them…aliveness!

We had no doubts that this awesome group of students would be able to flow with us but most of these students never used spray paint, our number one tool! Aware of this fact we decided to first allow the students an opportunity to play, get free and express on some canvass boards. What was supposed to be a few moments of trial and practice turned into hours joy and pure expressionism. Although these students never touched a spray can before their individuality and collective spirit shone through and they were ready to collaborate with us.

This project offered Albus Cavus a great opportunity to work with photographers, painters, sculptures and enthusiast who a helped create a wonderful mural that captures the spirit of Dubai the energy of its youth and its vision to create a beautiful city with powerful art.

We are truly grateful to be granted this huge opportunity in such a new and diverse City. Experiences like these are life enriching and eye opening. Hopefully this exchange of creative energy will help raise the frequency in our hearts and minds to increasingly love, share and cultivate our beautiful future.

Public Artists to Explore and Transform Public Spaces in Dubai

Pose2 creating art

(Washington, DC / Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 4 -18, 2008) – American public artists will visit Dubai this week to create innovative public art projects that promote community engagement, civic pride and artistic creativity of local residents. Albus Cavus is an artist collective that reinvents and revitalizes public spaces for better service to community. The scale of the planned Dubai projects range from small murals and sculptures to large parks that are designed to foster imagination and playfulness.

Albus Cavus representatives Peter Krsko, Jason “Chor Boogie” Hailey and Daniel “Pose 2″ Hopkins will travel to Dubai in the first two weeks of October to meet with community members, artists, students and innovative professionals to learn about demand for public spaces. Dubai’s fast-growing metropolis offers an opportunity to be on the cutting edge of community art projects. The three will present their artwork and initiate art ventures that will have positive effect on neighborhood life. This model follows Albus Cavus’s celebrated art projects in New Brunswick, NJ and their recent tour of the East Coast, called the Concrete Alchemy Tour.

The artists grew up in America’s urban centers, surrounded by ill-designed public spaces that alienated the young residents. Their art of graffiti has become a direct response to grey and decaying landscape. Though illegal, graffiti became successful in improving visual state of many neighborhoods ; and, more importantly, graffiti art had a positive impact on community development. Today, the artists Pose 2 and Chor Boogie represent a novel approach to public arts with their advanced technique of painting with aerosol. Their award-winning work is featured in every major city around the United States. Albus Cavus manages Raritan River Art Walk in New Brunswick NJ and is in process of opening additional art parks in Newark, NJ, San Diego, CA and Washington, DC.

In Dubai, a fast growing modern city, public spaces play an important role. What was neglected in American urban development during their boom in early 1950’s must be brought to light, emphasized and embraced in this cosmopolitan and culturally-rich metropolis. “As the city grows, Dubai has a tremendous potential to become an inspiration for global public art and user-friendly urban design that avoids negative public spaces,” said Peter Krsko. The group’s schedule of this two-week trip is packed with workshops and art demonstrations. A series of art happenings organized in collaboration with The Jam Jar, a Dubai-based gallery and community arts center, will explore the arts in public sphere through discussions in creative settings that will involve interactive mural and multimedia presentation with Dubai artists.

Albus Cavus, a non-profit organization utilizes arts to:

• Promote development of strong and healthy communities by involving the residents in projects that result in improved public, gathering and common spaces.
• Design and develop novel interactive and participatory art projects in public space.
• Reinvent existing public spaces that are underutilized, neglected and abandoned.
• Cultivate healthy development of young residents through practical experience in complex projects that encourage team work and democratic process.
• Support artistic excellence by providing necessary consulting services, supplies and mentorship to emerging artists.