If you’re the type who let’s the media decide how you feel about the world, you might be inclined to feel pretty negative about the state of things. Wars are raging, stocks are falling, and the environment has gone to shit. But those of us who turn the volume down on network news stations, while keeping our ears tuned to less impersonal sources, see something different happening. Something Good. People are waking up, bridges are… being built, challenges are being met and transcended. We are learning to speak to one another in manners that transcend the language barrier. And one of the most profound, universal dialects that we can speak is the language of art.

Not only has the technological boom of the late 20th century changed the way we communicate globally, it has had a profound effect on the manner in which art is displayed and promoted. 20 years ago art students were warned that having their art online would not only cheapen it, but open it to the threat of plagiarism and misinterpretation. The past few years has seen the art world, and the young artists who are constantly redefining it, embracing the digital world. This has allowed an interchange of ideas and styles so monumental that even the most stridently old school of critiques will have to admit: The game has changed.

Collaboration has become common place. Mixed media has taken on new meanings. And the notion that a group show requires a coherent visual theme is an idea on the endangered species list. This August 14th, preeminent contemporary art publication Curbs & Stoops will open their inaugural group show including pieces in a variety of media from a wide range of the world’s brightest rising talents including: Aaron Nagel, Ashley Zelinskie, Carlos Donjuan, Chor Boogie, Hector Hernandez, Jeffrey Pena, Korakrit, Lapiztola, Pep Williams, and UR New York. The show will serve as a visual manifestation of the publication’s written goal to provide exposure to stellar talents who have one common theme to their work: It’s good. It’s really fucking good.

If you are in the New York area RSVP on the facebook event here.

“California Urban Street Artists.” at Alexander Salazar Gallery puts together some of our favorite California based street artists — and what a bunch to choose from! Some of the artist exhibiting in the show opening on July 18th will include Chor Boogie, Mear One, Justin Bua, Saratoga Sake, Crol, and Mr. Maxx Moses all showing side by side.

Need a better reason to go and check out work? The galley will donate a 15% of the proceed from this week long show to San Diego Youth Services. The charity has served as a community for the “at-risk, abused and homeless to share their stories while respecting their confidentiality.”

Alexander Salazar gallery is at 640 Broad Street in San Diego, CA

Images: 1. Our homeboy, Chor Boogie. 2. Mear One 3. Mr. Maxx Moses

Curbs and Stoops is launching the Boogie Glass Can on our website in June. The glass spray paint can is a collaboration between artist Chor Boogie and glass artist Ashley Zelinskie. The unusual combination of glass artist and street artist amalgamates into an unexpected piece that combines delicacy and simplicity with bursts of color. The two artists were brought together by Curbs and Stoops curator, Jeffrey Pena because of their interest in creating works that encourage an emotive relationship between the viewer and the piece. Both artist, despite their mediums, share an interest in igniting public space.

This is more obvious in Chor’s line of work as a muralist. But, Zelinskie was recently commissioned by Brown University to install a human sized coccoon which encouraged pedestrians to climb into the sculpture which is surrounded by ornate glass pendants.

The artist, Chor Boogie who is a master of aerosol cans has had mural commissions from top organizations all around the world including the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, and shows in Australia, Dubai, Brazil and Mexico City. One of his most prominent work “The Color Therapy of Perception” is a 100 foot mural commissioned by the San Francisco Art Commission’s “Art in Storefronts” project in order to improve the tenderloin neighborhood.

Zelinskie is a recent graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design where she graduated with one of the most competitive glass classes to have gone through RISD glass, a program which was started by prominent glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. Pre order yours here.

The film maker Sarah Fisher is putting together a provocative documentary focused on renowned artist and muralist, Chor Boogie. “Spraypaint: The Fine Art of Aerosol”, as the movie will be called focuses on the life and work of Chor Boogie. It provides incredible insight into the artist’s life. So far the team has collected over 40 hours of footage including top artists such as Pose2, Apex and Neon.

In order to complete the production phase on the documentary the small group of filmmakers need to raise 5000 dollars in funds, all of which will be put to good use. The team has a strict deadline of March 7th to raise the money, so please go to their kick starter website by clicking here and donate as much as you can. Because it is a low budget film, every little bit helps.

If you are not familiar with Chor Boogies work and process check out the Senses Lost TV video below of him painting in Toronto. You can also see more of Chor’s work on his website at www.chorboogie.com You can check out the film’s wordpress by clicking here.

Chor Boogie recently finished one of his most amazing and inspiring murals to date. The impressive mural called, “The Perception of Color Therapy” shows Chor Boogie’s explosion of colors and patterns which he is known for. But this incredibly sized mural is not only interesting because it is nearly half of a city block but also because Chor Boogie showed his devotion to public art by finishing the mural even after being stabbed in the neighborhood while working on the mural. A week after the accident he returned to work on the mural which was commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Council in an effort to beautiful the community.

The Art in Storefronts program takes abandoned storefronts in San Francisco neighborhoods and adds welcoming and visually interesting works by artist on plywood covered storefronts. This particular mural “explores the healing aspect that colors have on the subconscious and their conscious effects on modern-day society”. The artist believes that color has the power to move the viewers and has a “healing power” which he incorporates into his imagery.

For more on Chor Boogie, check out his website at www.chorboogie.com. His work is also included in the book Mural Art Vol. @ which showcases large scale work by many artists including Chor Boogie himself. You can also become a fan of Chor Boogie’s facebook group by clicking here. The last image is a portrait of the artist in front of an earlier piece.