imaginAsian Art Collaboration brings interactive art to CDBF
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival was pleased to introduce a brand-new element to our cultural palette in 2011: The imaginAsian Art Collaboration, a showcase of artists working with the public to illustrate a theme for each year. The 2011 theme was “Ode to Japan,” and four separate art projects were created by different organizations during the festival. Some of the mural panels from the imaginAsian Collaboration were auctioned at the annual Fall CDBF Gala as a fundraiser.
The debut of imaginAsian Arts Collaboration was a big hit with both the local arts community festivals guests, and we’re planning on an even better display and collaboration of artwork for 2012!
The imaginAsian Mural Collaboration was funded in part by
Denver County SCFD Collaboration Funds.
The four art projects that make up the imaginAsian Mural Collaboration all shared the theme of “Ode to Japan,” and the general public and festival visitors helped to guide the artwork:
Arts Street, a non-profit organization that mentors and trains underserved youth to learn skills so they can enter careers in the arts, managed one of the projects.
Arts Street’s “Ode to Japan” project was based on YOUR suggestions on what represents Japanese culture and art. What springs to mind when you think of Japan? Sushi? Anime? Cool gadgets and video games? Arts Street’s teachers incorporated your suggestions, and allowed members of the public to contribute on the painted panels. www.arts-street.org
The creative artists who create comics for Squid Works created a three-sided mural with the “Ode to Japan” theme.
Squid Works is a Colorado-based comic book creator’s cooperative. Their members consist of independent cartoonists, artists, and writers. While the styles and types of offerings are varied at Squid Works, there is a unifying level of passion and originality provided by its members.
Squid Works is actively involved in local comic events and annually administrates events such as the 24-Hour Comic Challenge where participants challenge themselves to draw a 24-page comic book in 24 continuous hours. Check Squid Works out online at www.squidworks.com
Rawh Expressions is a Denver-based mural and clothing company that pushes freedom of expression for youth. Through painting, poetry, photography, fashion, and other innovative forms of art, they create work that is authentic and unexpected.
They work with the community to spark creativity and collaborate with local artists to produce diverse and unique designs. Their creativity comes straight from their sketchbook, served RAWH.
Three Rawh artists, Ratha Sok, Khundy Son and Jin Oh created a CDBF project with spray paint and a bit of graffiti. www.be2kool.com/
This was a fun interactive multimedia collaboration with your contributions attached, along with crocheted flowers and other Japan-themed items, to a piece constructed by the Ladies Fancywork Society.
The Ladies Fancywork Society began in 2007 as an underground crochet street-art crew bent on spreading fiber art throughout Denver and has grown into an artist collective capable of putting together large-scale projects, international art shows, and installations. www.ladiesfancyworksociety.com
