September 13, 2011

Adidas all originals: I Art Soweto takes over at Thesis






Johannesburg, 4th September 2011 – all originals i art soweto - a community mural project curated by /A WORD OF ART – took place in Soweto from 2 September to 4 September.

The project, which started in the community of Woodstock, in Cape Town in March 2011, is now in its second and final leg in the community of Mofolo in Soweto.

The i art soweto experience saw a selection of 10 artists given a brief to create a mural on an old building at Mofolo Park. The Thesis concept store in Mofolo, Soweto was established in 2007 and produces its own line of clothing. The artists also interacted with the local children from the nursery school across from Mofolo Park and held a painting and art workshop for them on Friday, 2nd September.

“We want to promote and celebrate local artists, mural art and the original culture within the communities we interact in. We started with Woodstock in Cape Town and we have now moved to Soweto and we believe working at the park in Mofolo and at Thesis is a great way to interact with the community and create a colourful and creative vibe,” explains Ricky Lee Gordon, /A WORD OF ART curator of the all originals i art sa project.

Partners that were involved with /A WORD OF ART in curating and producing the i art sa project as well as getting public participation included adidas Originals and Thesis.

“We are honoured to have partnered with /A WORD OF ART once again and believe that our brand is the perfect fit to help interact with the community of Soweto by celebrating street art and its positive influence on local culture. We believe that the project has done wonders in showcasing the talented artists in the area through the link with Thesis and the brand’s support of originality and street culture through i art sa,” says Andrew McDade, the Senior Category Manager for Originals at adidas SA.

The i art soweto project culminated with the unveiling of the mural produced on the wall at the Thesis store on the 4th September. The unveiling of the mural also coincided with a poetry session, which happens throughout the year at Thesis on the first Sunday of each month.

The sessions see a social connection of creatives and people that are like-minded coming together under the roof of the Thesis concept store to share in the sounds of true music ranging from soul, jazz to hip hop and poetry to comedy. Live elements rule the platform with new and established acts performing to the usually electric crowds that gather together on such days.

To celebrate the i art sa project (i art woodstock and i art soweto) an exhibition of photographic prints of all of the murals, books and documentary about the project will take place at Main Street Life in the Maboneng Precinct at the end of September. The exhibition will be followed by an i art sa after party with a host of local and well-known musicians for you to enjoy.

We will be following up with media soon on the exact exhibition and party details but for further information and updates please stay tuned to the project website and blog I ART SA.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/adidasoriginals

Twitter: @adidasZA

I-ART-SA website:http://www.i-art-sa-project.com/

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