"Free Art Friday"
I have been familiar with the term "Free Art Friday" mostly by following artists on Instagram. the idea is very simple. Artists create pieces that are left in the streets on a Friday morning, free for any member of the public to take at home.
An artist that has been doing this the past 2-3 years is the British artist My Dog Sighs whose work can be found HERE. He is also the Administrator of the Facebook Page "Free Art Friday" that counts 10,700 members.
The same artist started a group on Flickr back in 2007 which can be viewed HERE
Recently in Norwich, a Free Art Friday was organised by Moosey Art Gallery on the 10th of April as a promotional event prior to the gallery's opening show in which I was one of the featured artists.
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| https://www.facebook.com/MooseyArt |
Unfortunately I was not in Norwich on that day. However I decided to turn the Free Art Friday to an ongoing project with the vision to gather a growing number of local artists.
1st FAF, 17th of April 2015
My first Free Art Friday was on the 17th of April. I put one of my prints in an envelop and left it in a corner in the centre of Norwich.
At 9.30 in the morning the streets were already crowded and leaving the envelop in more visible spots was impossible.
2nd FAF, 24th of April 2015
For my second FAF I chose to buy an object from a second hand shop and customise it in my style before leaving it in the streets the following morning.
This tiny train wagon I found in a second hand shop would be a great FAF gift.
I used spray paint for the first layer and then added the details by using permanent markers. The resemblance to a real size train covered in graffiti is exciting.
The following morning I reached the centre at about 6. Only a few people were by then in the streets and birds stealing food from garbage bags before the Cleaning Stuff ruins their feast.
Getting up earlier gave me the opportunity to be completely alone and choose a central spot for my little gift.
The picture below was uploaded on my social media accounts as a clue for people:
However, I am not aware of who collected it but I made sure it was gone the same afternoon.
3d FAF, 1st of May 2015
For my 3rd FAF I looked for a bigger object and one that would have smoother surfaces so that I can have more freedom with the details.
I bought this vase from my neighbourhood's second hand store for only £2.5
The first layer was painted by using spray paint and the details were added with permanent markers.
The person who finds it also receives a note that is hidden inside the vase. the text on the note reads:
Dear friend, this piece is free for you to take! "Free Art Friday" brings art to the streets and makes us people to explore our city. If you like my work and would like to see more please visit the links below:
flickr.com/donbiletos
instagram.com/donbiletos
bilosgraffiti.blogspot.com
I documented my morning from the moment that I put the vase in my bag until i leave it somewhere in the centre of Norwich. Documenting the creation of the piece is equally valued to the documentation of the action as well as the audience's responses as they are all parts of which a "Free Art Friday" consists of.
The image below was uploaded on my Instagram account as well as on my Facebook Artist's page with the caption: " Here is my clue for today's Free Art Friday. If you are in Norwich you can probably guess where this is. Good luck! "
It was exciting to receive a comment on the picture of the vase from the person that had found it! Audience engagement is achieved.
For the past three Fridays I have been going out in the streets to leave my artwork early in the morning. The preparation takes almost the form of a ritual. On the previous day, the busy and tiring Thursday, is when I try to find a nice object that i am going to paint on. It is essential for me to buy these objects from second hand shops or find them in the streets as a part of the cycle of life of objects.
Another important aspect of my approach is to paint on three dimensional objects. My first Free Art Friday was just an envelope with a print inside. As the weeks passed, I tried to create three dimensional works as an opportunity to experiment but also as a way to create something that people can place in their space and will need no framing or nails on a wall.
I do not mind at all going through the process of finding the objects or getting up at 5:45 every Friday morning. I value every second of it as it is a very special way to promote my work and brings art and joy to other people that receive a gift.
Further material can be found on the links below:
4th FAF 8th May 2015
Working in the 3D Workshop for the Jeff Koons exhibition gave me the opportunity to use some of the cut wooden pieces for another FAF. I assembled two of the pieces and painted the tiny sculpture with markers.
The picture below was uploaded as a clue on my social media accounts.
Facebook Page
Recently I created a "FAF Norwich" page on Facebook. Artists can post their pictures and people can find out more for FAF. The page has already 62 members:
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