02/05/2008 09:36:00
Elusive street artist Banksy has organized a London exhibition with a difference. Eschewing conventional art galleries, Banksy's exhibition will take place in one of the Capital's many railway tunnels.
According to the Times, London's artistic elite will convene in Lamberth tonight before perusing the massive outdoor mural in a yet-to-be disclosed location.
Banksy gathered graffiti artists from around the world to contribute to his project, entitles the Cans Festival, including the Dutch artist Hugo Kaagman and Argentinian artist Frederico. London-born artist Leon travelled back from Los Angeles for the event. Speaking to the Times, he said:
"It's traditional for graffiti artists to paint together, but it's never happened in Britain on this scale."
For four days members of the public will be invited to add to the exhibition with the aid of stencils. Banksy said:
"I've always felt anyone with a paint can should have as much say in how our cities look as architects and ad men. So getting to cover an entire street with graffiti is a dream come true, or as some people might call it — a complete and utter nightmare."
The exhibition opens to the public on Saturday morning and will run until Monday evening. It is expected to attract thousands of spectators.
While installations will be taken down after the Bank Holiday weekend when the tunnel will revert to public use, the responsible artists hope that their graffiti will remain on the walls for Londoners' to enjoy.
This will be the first Banksy exhibition in Britain since 2005's Crude Oils.