The Split mayor believes that the festival will set standards for graffiti and art valuation versus vandalism and destroying city surfaces and façades.
The city of Split relaunched the project ‘xSTaticJAM – Graffiti Gathering’ as a continuation of the successful and recognizable ‘xSTatic’ International Festival of Extreme Sports and Graffiti Art which was held from 2009 to 2013, reports Dalmatinski Portal on August 16, 2018.
With the desire to highlight and support the positive aspect of graffiti art, noting the creative freedom and personality of the artist, mayor Andro Krstulović Opara believes that the program of this year’s ‘xSTaticJAM – Graffiti Gathering’ festival focuses on youth education, and establishes standards for the evaluation of graffiti and art against vandalism, scribbling, and destroying city surfaces and façades.
“The hip-hop and graffiti scene in Split is very alive, and this has been proven over the past years. I believe that the worshipers of this culture are satisfied with the support of the City of Split and sponsors, given that this project is a valuable thing in which the creativity of these people is channeled in predetermined places, as opposed to wild drawings out in the open. ‘xSTaticJAM – Graffiti Gathering’ is primarily educational where young people will see the nobility of this art discipline. Throughout the series of workshops, it will raise awareness of the preservation of these areas, as well as the rise of this significant culture. Because of this, we have determined that the workshops will be at the Youth Center, that the already defined area at the eastern entrance to the city will be painted, and that Put Supavla, which is one of the best mural spaces, will host a competition with a handful of other activities. We look forward to it and we hope it will grow and develop in the coming years,” said Mayor Krstulović Opara.
This year’s festival will consist of an educational part that includes a free ‘graffiti school’ that will be held daily from August 27 to September 1, 2018, at the Beton Cinema of MKC. Lecturers will be experienced graffiti artists, and the school will consist of theoretical and practical parts. After interesting, thematic lectures, the participants will gain the knowledge for the final project on September 2, 2018, which is painting the sculpture wall of Skalice. The best work will be chosen.
The creative and entertainment part of the gathering will continue at the Turkish Tower on September 8 and 9, 2018, when local and international graffiti artists will paint self-standing wooden panels. This will turn the attractive location into a unique creative workshop and outdoor exhibition. Citizens and visitors will be able to watch the entire drawing process and enjoy music, food and drink.
For the end of the gathering, from September 14 to 16, 2018, international and local artists will paint public areas, and specifically two walls at the eastern entrance to the city.
