What on earth has the Rep come to? This is NOT art...

Wow the REP are embracing urban art and championing it, well done to the REP for developing their audiences rather than the same old........

who are the poets, cant wait to see...

Can you define what art is Loyal Repper?

I always thought visual art and poetry count as art or has the arts scene changed since last night?

Will this be the last Rep project before the rebuild?

What is and isn't Art are age old questions not within the scope of my comment. But what is important is to understand the relationship between Art and Audience. Mozart, Rodin, and Dali are all gifted artists recognized as "greats". But does their Art resonate with 21st century youth? Does Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" resonate with anyone under 50 who isn't also White, male and British? Well yes...me...but I'm a poet. This is my craft so I've studied Pope but my audience hasn't. They know 50 Cent, Eminem, Alicia Keys and Coldplay. Is "Art" not for them as well? Of course. What Aerosal Arabic does is he takes the thoughts and concerns of today and packages it in an art form that young people, urban people, diverse peoples can relate to. In fact it gives them a better appreciation down the road for other artists and art forms perhaps even the dead White men that often times are subtly the "standard bearers" for Art. My suggestion? Come to the event and see for yourself.
-Brother Dash
Spoken Word Poet and Writer
www.brotherdash.com

Some interesting discussions happening here - just to answer David's question, this won't be the last performance before we close for two years - we'll be open for the whole of 2010 as normal. Much of the programme for 2010 is now onsale (take a look through the website to see what's on offer). Our scenic workshops (where 'Writing On The Wall' is taking place) will be demolished early in 2010 - you can find out full details here http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/about/library-of-birmingham/faqs/.

I tend to agree with Loyal Repper. Graffiti is the pass time of delinquent youths. Since when was it classified as ART? Birmingham is degenerating further into a ghetto city, regrettably, I fear the Rep is encouraging this by showcasing a Graffiti act.

Graffiti, I have always thought, was tantamount to vandalism. I would never have imagined that such activity would be considered "art" by a reputable organisation such as the Rep. This is the latest development in the slow and painful demise of British art - query: how can the Arts Council promote such activity with, presumably, tax payers' hard earned money?

Woooowww !!!!!!

I work with young people and we have been waiting years for something like this. I think this is going to bring in a whole new audience, something I think is needed in the arts.

Thanks to the Rep for being the pioneers in this fantastic partnership !!!

Keep up the good work and look forward to attending . .

Peace

M

Just because someone's work is on brick rather than canvas I don't see why that means it can't be classed as art. Of course some graffiti is vandalism, but some people actually pay to have this kind of work done to their own building. I believe it's simply appealing to a different group of people

its called being inclusive not just saying it, i suppose you would say banksy's work isn't art either. The Rep are clearly trying to rep for all communities which will allow non "traditional" attendees to be exposed to unmade beds!.... i mean real art

Art student - starting a sentence with 'I would never have imagined' says it all really - open you eyes and your mind and do 'imagine' - or just go and ask your lecturer - who I would hope, would acknowlegde street art and poetry as artforms as much as any others....and if not - they need to open their eyes and minds a bit too...

If you really are that doubtful about this project, then I would simply suggest, buying a ticket and going to see it - it might just change your mind - you never know - you might just learn something new and you MIGHT just enjoy yourself!!

Personally, this particular artist isn't a favourite of mine, but I find it so sad when people are so closed minded about what Art is, and who it's for - and for that matter what the REP is, and who thats for too.

So well done to the REP - keep programming a wide and diverse range of work - including the tradional stuff - as that's just as important as embracing the new.

And good luck to the closed minded folk with 'this isn't art' posts above....you're going to need it!!

This seems to be the argument that has been around for decades - what is art? For me the discussion is not about Graffiti but around who is the REP for. The REP is funded by the public and should cater for a wide range of people from different communities. Street art has the right to share the same platform of convential art which is usually for a certain audience. Poetry has been around for centuries and is an artform that has the right to be at the REP, even if it is called spoken word these days. For me this is not an argument about art but a class argument. REP - programme more activities like this

I wonder who do people think they are to say what is art and what isn't,
there really is a lit of people paying for graffiti their homes, businesses etc , in fact that is exactly what me and many others do for a living at http://www.graffiti4hire.co.uk

Personally I cannot wait to attend this event and I will be telling all to attend- look forward to purchasing my tickets for a good seat-

Peace.

No doubt the evenings event will be pure entertainment and fun. But art? I have my doubts. Its more of a circus show.

It's not up to anyone to decide what Art is. It cannot be defined and is VERY subjective.

The idea that arts only art when it's done on canvas or sculpted by bi-polar depressives with odd sounding European names is a bit pompous to say the least. Furthermore, if Damien Hirst can get away with pickling large animals, I don't see why graffiti is an issue.

I'm completely against vandalism, but feel there is no harm in people graffiti-ing sensibly. If anything it'll give young people something to do with themselves. Some form of enjoyment other than trying to look hard, chasing girls or getting drunk. And it's productive; breeding creativity.
Mohamed Ali, evidently, is a genius with his hands.

Good on the organisers for putting this event together. Having only heard of Amir Sulaiman from the above list of poets, I can confirm the man has an amazing way with words. I'm sure the other performers are great too and cannot wait to come along :)

Loyal repper/Artstudent - here is a 'crazy' suggestion - why dont you go and see it before passing judgement on something you have not yet experienced... just an open minded thought

This looks amazing. Well done to the Rep for showing us proper urban art!

What an amazing and exciting project for us brummies! Iv been following aerosol arabic for some time now and his ability to connect and unite individuals from various backgrounds is revolutionary!

Two words sum this event up and whether or not is art.

SOLD OUT!

what a fantastic performance,art collaborated with poetry.very realistic,related to all ages.my mother thoroughly enjoyed it, she is 74!!! shame the workshops going to be demolished.plz lets have more of these events.people from all backgrounds united, keep them coming plz.