Art

Wallpeople Miami 2013: An Outdoor Pop-Up Gallery That Wants Your Art UPDATED

Make it, tape it, and gather for a universal celebration of creative expression. That's what Wallpeople wants you to do.

On Saturday, June 1st, artists in 40 cities across the world will simultaneously turn the walls of their city streets into outdoor pop-up galleries. And yes, that includes Miami.

UPDATE: The Wallpeople venue has changed to Miguel Paredes Studio, 173 NW 23rd St., Miami, due to weather.

Founded in 2009, Wallpeople began in Barcelona as a collaborative art project that invites artistic individuals to create unique moments in specific urban spaces under a unified theme. This year, "Wallpeople 2013: Music Edition" wants participants to apply the boundless influence of music to their work.

Every year, Wallpeople adds ten cities to its growing roster of annual pop-up exhibitions, and Miami's back on their map with the second annual Wallpeople Miami. Put together by Elisa Rodriguez-Vila and Fermin Gonzalez, the event will be held in a lot provided by sponsor Miami Spaces, a realty firm that places emphasis on supporting local artists. The wall, which currently features a mural by Wynwood artist 2alas, will serve as the backdrop for the singular yet simultaneous event.

"The point is for it to be completely open. You don't have to be an artist, per se, to participate...the more artists the better, but even people who have never drawn or taken photos can post something up and it's exhibited for three hours," said Rodriguez-Vila, a cofounder of LAB Miami and coordinator of last year's "Wallpeople Miami" exhibit, which took place behind LAB's former home, The Wynwood Building.

"The works feed off each other. Last year's theme was "Express Yourself," which is pretty broad. Your piece may look one way alone, but when it's collaged on a wall with all these other people's from your city, it becomes this huge art piece," Vila said. The idea is for individuals to come with their art pieces ready to be hung and meet fellow artists from the neighborhood. By the end of the event, participants can take down and swap their works with each other.

Participating is easy. Option one: Make a piece or multiple pieces that reinterpret a specific song in an artistic format of one's choosing; the piece must indicate the singer and song title. Option two: Create any work related to music in a general way -- a tribute to an artist, a concert, a musical moment in one's life, a favorite style, a musical origin, etc. Double-sided tape will be provided by organizers, but attendees are recommended to bring their own mounting tape to facilitate the process.

Accepted formats: Light pieces able to stick to the wall with adhesive tape or glue. If participants are in doubt whether their materials will hold on or not, a test hang is recommended prior to the event. Any technique or format is permitted, provided that the work concerns a musical subject; this includes drawing, painting, text, canvas, illustration, photography, collage, comics, paper, cardboard, wood (light), fabric, crochet, prints, mixed compositions, plates (paper or plastic), postcards, craft, origami, album covers, vinyl, painted cassettes, and post-its.

Unaccepted formats: Works larger than 1x1m. Anything that has to be hung with hooks or is unsupported by tape. Drilling the wall is prohibited, as are offensive works or discriminatory content, due to the event's all-ages nature.

Wallpeople encourages students and aspiring artists to come out and meet Wynwood's up-and-coming creatives, as well as enjoy live entertainment. Wallpeople is also looking for local musical talent to come and support the exhibit, in order to bring its elements full circle. Musicians looking to participate can apply and send their music to [email protected]. During the event, participants are invited to take pictures of the walls and artwork to share them on the official Wallpeople Facebook, as well as their Twitter by hash-tagging #Wallpeople2013.

Miami's Wallpeople 2013: Music Edition will take place, Saturday, June 1, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Miguel Paredes Studio, 173 NW 23rd St., Miami. Email [email protected].

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Briana Saati

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