Gumball 2012 trailer: Out Here by 13th Witness

So the Gumball 3000 is still going. You don't hear about it a lot these days, or it could be that I'm just not in the loop. This is a trailer for a film by 13th Witness, shot entirely in Super 8, with commentary from the likes of Futura, Bun B, Evidence of Dilated Peoples, Terry Kennedy and Nigel Sylvester.

Futura sprays a wall in a gallery

Futura's a bit more discerning in his choice of walls these days, which is why he opted for the Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont in Paris for his exhibition entitled Expansions. Part of this involved a large  mural, the painting of which was captured on film.

Futura 2000 - Galerie de Noirmont - Paris - Live Painting from Guillotine on Vimeo.

Futura sunglasses: on your face

One thing you can say about Futura - whatever he turns his hand to, he does it with style, from a spraycan painting to a pair of handcrafted sunglasses.

Look at these sunglasses he's done in collaboration with Kaneko in Japan.

Available here

Futura x 12ozProphet: time heals

Futura x 12ozProphet Feature from ALSO KNOWN AS on Vimeo.

Call me an old woman, but Futura lost a bit of my favour after he promised to send me something which I never got. I don't know what it was - could have been a dog turd in the shape of a Pointman for all I know, but I trusted him with my address and what happened? Nothing. In fairness to Futura I don't actually know if it was him who was emailing.

And if you are reading this Futura, or Futura impersonator, I have moved.

So it is with a degree of reluctance that I post this video of the New York graffiti artist and his collaboration with 12ozProphet. It isn't so much the colab as the insight Futura offers to his background, from the beginnings as a writer on the street to his well-known works with the likes of Unkle.

But I recognise a legend when I see one and to that end I wish Futura the best of luck. Even if he is a bit flaky on the postal front.

Futura x Descente cycling jersey

When you consider Futura's background as a messenger in New York, it's a bit surprising that his clothing line hasn\t featured more cycling collaborations.

There was a project with Lance Armstrong for the Tour de France legend's Livestrong brand and that's been about it until recently.

This jersey in collaboration with Descent ticks all the boxes in terms of functionality. You have the rear pockets, dropped back, and a striking enough design to get you noticed but without making you look like a motorway maintenance engineer on his way home from work.

Available at the FL Shop

Futura: behind the Pointman

It's funny how the ways in which different artists live their lives reflects their work. Do you remember Jeff Koons's studio a while back? Like some sort of art production line, where a team of helpers creating these giant shiny inflatable prawn swimming aids and collaged pop art. Very regimented, very precise.

Then you have Futura, whose office is a cross between a lost property department and a curiosity shop. He's got Dunks wobbling at the top of shelving racks, 4ft tall Pointmen, and boxes of clothing, and computers, and paint cans and more toys. Then a table full of (Sony) remote controls, and enough rails of military inspired fatigues to equip an expeditionary force.

He probably doesn't do his art in there. That paint would get everywhere.

But I know where I would rather work. You might have your art lab Mr Koons, but I bet I know who's having more fun.

PS: The whole point of this post was to show you the video, above. He gives you a potted history of his career. It's well worth a watch.

Oh, and there's a couple of people I didn't credit in that last post. Futura's daughter Tabatha part of the girls' clothing label Married To The Mob, who filmed the video, and his son Timothy, known as 13th Witness who took the pictures. And I said Futura was in the army when it was actually the air force. It's a wonder he didn't send a Lego Stealth Bomber after me.

Video via Slamxhype

Futura: The Lego pieces

It must be great being a recognised artist. Once you reach that status where people actually want to buy what you create you have a free rein to go off and do just about anything you want and call it art.

Take Futura. Perhaps one of New York's better-known graffiti artists, after a spell in the army which couldn't have been much fun, he has spent much of his career doing what he likes and then selling it.

Using this very mantra he has, in no particular order, painted subway cars, walls and anything that gets in the way, provided the artwork for Unkle, produced his own clothing line, and done countless other things I probably don't even know about.

This time he's decided to play with some Lego. I mean who wouldn't? Especially when you can build stuff like train sets and alien assault rifles.

Ever felt you're missing out on something?

ALIEN ASSAULT RIFLES COURTESY OF LENNY MCGURR & LEGO. from tabatha mcgurr on Vimeo.

Via Freshness via Slamxhype