Twelve of Hawai‘i’s top graffiti artists will compete in the nation’s largest graffiti art competition, which encourages graf writers to communicate social justice issues and empower communities with spirit and beauty. First and second place winners will advance to the finals where they will compete in Oakland against the winners from the Los Angeles and New York City competitions.
In addition to a number of vendors and workshops happening throughout the day, Prime, who is the founder of art collective 808 Urban and partnering with Estria to organize the event, will present “History,” an interactive narrative of the past, present and future of Hawaiian culture through activities and workshops that encourage youth to become more involved in the community.
“The Estria Foundation and 808 Urban … have taken graffiti and turned it into a positive tool for youth to express themselves,” says Vince Hazen, head of the Honolulu Academy of Arts’ education department. “The Graffiti Battle has the potential to encourage and improve the work of young artists, both for participants and audience.”
Workshops will run all day from 12 to 7pm and will include the following: the history of graffiti calligraphy, graphic design, T-shirt stenciling and a blackbook battle. Be sure to check out the FLUX booth, where we’ll have some prize giveaways and an interactive workshop.
The Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle
Presented by The Estria Foundation, 808 Urban and The Honolulu Academy of Arts
Saturday, September 3, 2011
12 to 7pm
Linekona at The HAA
1111 Victoria Street
For more information visit estriabattle.com
From NYC artists CERN. Image courtesy of estriabattle.com