ARTBOXES: zap graffiti call for artists:UK wide: pre launch

ARTBOXES PRESS RELEASE

An innovative new art project the first of its kind in the UK is set to go live  next  week in Liverpool.

The Artboxes idea was set up in the UK by Ian Whiteway, an anti social behaviour officer, from Watford. Ian works with local communities trying to find innovative ways to combat Anti-social Behaviour. Ian an ex police officer said: “The artboxes idea came from the Brisbane, Australia model where boxes were used to combat ASB in the form of graffiti, this idea has been adapted and developed to give local community groups and artists a chance to exhibit their work and designs in a legal way throughout the cities for all to see. It shows there is a place for art in society and graffiti is an art form, I hope local groups will see the work and ask to submit their designs all over the United Kingdom”

The project takes the green insignificant boxes which appear all over the uk on most streets and turns them into colourful local community art forms in a bid to cheer up local areas, the boxes are usually the target of unsightly graffiti which lowers the tone in neighbourhoods, looks bad, costs lots for councils and companies to remove and can reduce house prices as well as cause more damage and graffiti. In cleaning up the boxes and giving the community and artists the chance to design something that will last, it is thought that the neighbourhoods will look after the boxes thus less unsightly graffiti.

Ian has teamed up with Zap Graffiti Arts, based in Liverpool. Zap work across the UK promoting graffiti as a positive art form through tailored mural workshops, training programmes and events.  Kieran Gorman,  lead artist at Zap, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for graffiti artists of all ages and abilities to utilise the space on the street to display their art legally. As this in on a nationwide scale, the initiative is groundbreaking. We aim to challenge the negative stereotypes of graffiti whilst regenerating the areas surrounding the ARTBOXES, and to engage the wider community in both the planning/creation of the artwork, and as an audience.”

Virgin Media has been instrumental in the set up of this project giving the organisers the authorisation to use their green media boxes throughout the country. ”Neal Walshe, spokesman for Virgin Media said:  “We are delighted to be working with Ian Whiteway and Zap to help provide a creative outlet to channel the talents of local graffiti artists. We are confident that our joint efforts will result in a real improvement in the local environment.”

Liverpool will be the pilot area and other major UK cities will follow as the designs take shape. Liverpool council,  who are a very forward thinking and innovative council, are aware of the project and a spokesman Paul Morrison, neighbourhood manager City and North Neighbourhood Management Services, said:  ”This project is about more than bringing brightness and colour to dull cable boxes, it is also about involving young people and encouraging them to take pride in, responsibility for and ownership of, their local area”

DETAILS of the project how you can get involved:

FUNDING:                                     THERE IS NO FUNDING AT THIS STAGE OF THE PROJECT…

However a platform for artists to get active in the public eye….Possible future finacial support depends on the success of this pilot. We welcome support in any kind.

BOX SIZES:                                   3FT HIGH X 2.5FT WIDE (Approx.)

DESIGN SPECS:                         Open…it’s up to you. However there is a design screening process.

Chosen Artists details will be placed on a sticker on the boxes.

SEND DESIGNS TO US:         Via e-mail (Below) Label them clearly with the word “artbox.jpg” at the end.

Example: “DONDIartbox.jpg”

KEEP FILE SIZES SMALL PLEASE!

We welcome projects large and small and at this stage are focusing on the  work of Graffiti Artists in particular, although other mediums are welcome.

If possible, please send us one or two examples maximum of previous works….

WHERE IN THE UK CAN YOU DO THESE?                 Tell us where you want to do the artwork.

DESIGN CLEARANCE:        Artists and groups wil be notified on any decison on design clearnace

We look forward to working with you!

artboxes@zapgraffiti.co.uk Zap Graffiti Arts : 0151 708 7073

WEBSITE: http://www.zapgraffiti.co.uk