beautiful game - beautiful art

Every four years since 1930 (except in 1942 and 1946 thanks to the Nazis), the world's biggest single-event sporting competition takes place. It is estimated that over 700,000 people watched the 2006 final match in Germany, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa was broadcast to over 200 countries. As you probably know by now, the 2014 World Cup will happen in Brazil and it starts tomorrow, June 12. I figured I'd better get this blog posted now, because I'll be a bit preoccupied through July 13. 

This next month might be a good time for a guest blog by one of our artists who actually couldn't care less about football (I won't mention names), but this installment is about the artists who do. Read on, and please  leave your comments below...

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As with any major sports event, there's no shortage of 'merch'. FIFA has commissioned some pretty cool posters over the years to commemorate the World Cup, and this year is no exception. In addition to the official 2014 poster (see above), they've asked artists to create posters for each of the cities in which the matches will be played: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal,  Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo.

Meanwhile, across the pond in Somerset, England... the Gallery Contains Art will present England Expects.... The World Cup Art of Kosmo Vinyl from June 18th - 29th. The show will open with 14 World Cup themed collages done in Vinyl's "Lick and Stick" Pop & Punk influenced style—a style that will come as no surprise considering his involvement with both The Clash and Ian Dury. As the World Cup progresses, Vinyl will add a new piece for each of the games England plays in. "I'll be watching the second England game in the local pub and then produce a piece the next day at The Gallery. If England keeps going in - I keep going," adds the artist. "The World Cup runs for longer than the show and I'll worry about what to do with any extra pieces when the time comes."

Here at home in Decatur, Georgia USA - the boys at the Brick Store Pub will break their tradition of no TVs (as they do this time every four years) to broadcast all 64 matches in their Belgian Bar. In the spirit of the beautiful game, publican Dave B's private collection of vintage World Cup posters will be on display Upstairs and to the Left.

Finally, for all you  fans who will be nursing your hangovers (from all that soccer and other indulgences) come July 14, fear not! You'll have something to look forward to in September when we present the US debut of Kosmo Vinyl's original art celebrating his beloved West Ham United in the Atlanta  area (dates and location will be announced here). Who knows, he might even bring an England piece or two if we're lucky - although I reckon they'll all be sold by then. For now, let the games begin...

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