Smash 137

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Art Star No.28. LETTERS AND STRIPES, 2010. Bleached silk screen two-component printing process and clear lacquer on denim.

Basel-based Smash137 is Switzerland’s best known graffiti artist and one of the world’s most prolific writers - you can see his work on streets from New York to Moscow. Drawing influences from Western calligraphy, he’s renowned for his exact letter forms and for constant innovation in his field, skills that have enabled him to make a smooth transition from street to gallery. SMASH137's recently-published book, Smash Proof, was accompanied by an exhibition in Berlin.

Questions & Answers

" What kind of art do you make?"

I work with letters, shapes and lines.

" Where can I see it?"

Along tracksides, abandoned buildings, factories and other forgotten places.

" How do you feel about Polo Jeans Co.'s ART STARS project?"

It's a good opportunity to paint a star.

" Describe your finished ART STAR in a sentence?"

This is my America.

" What did you think when it first arrived at your studio?"

This star is yours.

"You were asked to use the Stars and Stripes for inspiration. How did you incorporate it into your star?"

Very well.

" What else inspired you?"

Big and shiny American cars.

" How did you find working with denim?"

Not as difficult as I’d first imagined.

" What processes did you use to create your piece?"

Silkscreen and bleach, but the biggest part was drawing the 50 ‘Star’ sketches with a marker on paper.

" What are you most proud of about the result?"

My star looks pretty simple and flashy on first look but, once you get closer, you can look at it for minutes and still discover new shapes and lines.

" Describe your denim style…"

Loose.

" Who else's star are you most looking forward to seeing and why?"

I guess Delta because I’ve admired his work for years now.
I am also looking forward to seeing the stars of Stefan Strumbel, Case and Ripo because they are all partners and friends of mine and I’m interested to see how they’ll make the move from canvas and concrete to a star.

Profile

  • Name: Smash 137
  • Location: Basel, Switzerland
View website

Exhibitions

Location: CITADIUM, PARIS, France

Dates: April 26th – May 17th

View exhibition

Polo Jeans Co. Ralph Lauren Art Stars

Polo Jeans Co. Ralph Lauren Art Stars

In January 2010, Polo Jeans Co. Ralph Lauren commissioned over 40 of Europe’s most exciting young contemporary artists to customise stars made from the finest American denim.

With the iconic Stars and Stripes flag for inspiration, each young artist was tasked with creating something totally unique: beyond the shapes and sizes of the Art Stars, the only limit was their imaginations...

Each Art Star will appear in a Polo Jeans Co. store, before joining a public exhibition in London in late 2010.

Contemporary art and fashion aficionados will have the opportunity to own one of these exclusive Art Stars.

All the stars created will be brought together in a public exhibition in London in late 2010 and auctioned in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people with cancer between the ages of 13-24.

Teenagers don’t stop being teenagers because they have cancer, which is why Teenage Cancer Trust builds specialist units in NHS hospitals, staffed by teenage cancer specialists.

These units are designed for and by young people and aim to give teenage cancer patients the very best chance of a positive outcome whilst being as close as possible to normal life.

State-of-the-art facilities keep patients occupied during long, and often grueling stays, whilst bringing teenagers with cancer together so they can support each other.

Visit www.teenagecancertrust.org to find out more.

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