As a gamer who has been immersed in the vibrant world of digital art for years, attending Secret Walls Miami during Art Week was like stepping into a real-life pixelated dream. The energy was electrifying, the atmosphere pulsating with creativity and community spirit. It’s not every day you get to witness live paint battles where artists clash in a high-stakes showdown, all while grooving to the beats spun by none other than Blue the Great himself!
Secret Walls collaborated during Miami Art Week with 7-Eleven® and artist Blue the Great to reveal a line of merchandise inspired by skateboarding. On December 5, the CitizenM Hotel rooftop served as the venue for the collection’s unveiling, showcasing Blue the Great playing as a DJ while displaying his iconic bandaged mummy figure reimagined through the lens of skate culture. The limited-edition items were made available at the event, with the complete collection going live online on December 12.
The night capped with a Secret Walls live paint battle, where local artists Cory Van Lew and Brian Butler clashed in a high-energy showdown. Cory Van Lew took the win, judged by crowd cheers. We caught up with Secret Walls founder Terry Guy to dive into the event’s impact and his vision for the future. Read the full interview below.
How does the Miami edition of Secret Walls stand out during Art Week? For more than ten years, this event has been known for its grand scale, hosting live paint battles that align with Miami’s lively street art scene. Each year, a gathering of skilled artists, enthusiasts, and collectors generates an exhilarating ambiance, transforming the occasion into a festival of creativity and camaraderie. This time around, their partnership with Blue the Great x 7-Eleven has added another layer to the experience, providing engaging settings that echo Miami’s artistic vitality. Every year we aim to bring something fresh and unexpected compared to the previous event, making it our annual finale and a source of inspiration for the upcoming 12 to 24 months.
How does Secret Walls promote camaraderie among artists while keeping the thrill of a live competition? By combining both community and competition, they create an atmosphere that encourages artists to stretch their creative limits in a collaborative setting filled with mutual respect and shared love for art. This blend fosters a sense of unity among the participants, even in the midst of the competitive environment. Many artists have found our shows to be places where they’ve made new connections, honed new skills, and tested themselves under pressure. Notable names like Matt Gondek, Brett Crawford, Sophia Chang, and Blue the Great are among those who have recently graced our stages.
We draw inspiration from sports and entertainment, viewing the upcoming World Cup and Olympics as significant platforms for us to emphasize the “artists are athletes” concept. Since our inception, our ambitious aim has been to reintroduce art into the Olympic Games, and after working with numerous sporting leagues, brands, and organizations, we feel confident that we can reach this goal within the next decade! Pharrell has expressed a similar vision, so if he or anyone familiar with him would like to facilitate a connection, we would be extremely grateful for it. 🙂
Secret Walls serves as a global stage where artists from around the world can exhibit their skills, thereby empowering and uniting various art communities. By organizing live events that promote artistic expression, it bridges artists with audiences and possibilities, creating a sense of unity and collaboration that surpasses geographical limitations. We are extremely proud of our contributions over the past 20 years and are motivated to strengthen this impact for the next 20 years.
I can’t forget those initial times when we used to transport artists across Europe, most of whom hadn’t ventured beyond their hometowns before. They were new to the idea of working and collaborating overseas. During that period, there were numerous instances of artist-fan connections igniting for the first time. We could sense something extraordinary was on the horizon.
As Secret Walls continues to grow and make its mark worldwide, it’s looking to innovate by testing new formats, teaming up with brands, and embracing cutting-edge technology to attract more people and offer artists greater possibilities. The main goal is to constantly challenge creative boundaries and extend the global reach of Secret Walls, always staying ahead in the live art scene. Additionally, we aim to develop our LA venue, which spans 13,000 square feet, located near downtown LA, and present a diverse range of programming both within and beyond regular Secret Walls events.
In the coming years, Secret Walls focuses on shaping the future of its brand, and one key internal initiative we’re thrilled about is the Secret Walls Academy. This platform functions as our educational hub for art, partnering with schools, youth groups, museums, global organizations, and brands to nurture budding artists by offering hands-on creative experiences.
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2024-12-11 19:56