Behind the scenes of the big SÃO PAULO group show...

Was over in Culver City today and swung through the Scion spot to get a lil' advance look at the big SÃO PAULO exhibition that we have already previewed here a couple times. The group show has been curated by Choque Cultural Gallery out of Brazil and features fellow Brazilian artists Carlos Dias, MZK, Ramon Martins, Silvana Mello, Speto, Titi Freak and Zezão...

By far the showstopper, Titi Freak's huge piece (pictured above with the artist) is just beautiful and hits you the moment you walk through the door. He was still busy putting some finishing touches on the surrounding wall mural/install when we swung through (close up below)...

The gallery was abuzz with activity... power saws, hammering, painting... spray paint fumes hanging heavy in the air...

Lil' glimpse at the progress of Zezão's collaborative wall mural with Speto... the two were very busy putting the finishing touchs on the mural and preparing to hang their works for the show. Zezão's new pieces are by far the best and most creative I've seen yet from him. You'll have to wait until the opening to see 'em, but they incorporate miniature manhole covers, bits of old brick walls from model train kits... just really creative pieces.

Speto (seen above) putting the finishing touches on his big piece for the show, before getting to installing it over the mural he just completed with Zezão (see below)...

Stephan Doitschinoff, aka Calma

Calma will be signing copies of his new book, Calma: The Art of Stephan Doitschinoff as well as screening Temporal, the short documentary film about Doitschinoff's work, prior to the opening reception this Sat, February 28th from 6-7pm... this was just announced, so be sure to get by early if you have the chance.

Calma was also hard at work finishing up his beautiful installation... all that he had to do when we left was just some hand lettering above the red banner that hangs towards the top of his install (finished pics of the install will be posted here this weekend). The laser cut shadow box center piece (similar to recent works in his Jonathan LeVine and Anno Domini Gallery solo shows) is just beautiful and really needs to be seen in person to appreciate how delicate they are and how perfectly these laser cut shadow boxes frame and compliment his work. Calma was telling me that all the banners and flags in the exhibit (as well as his recent solo shows) were all made by local artisans that come from the small town where he lives in Brazil.

Choque Cultural's latest find, Ramon Martins, seen above (on the left) working away on his mural, alongside artist Carlos Dias (on the right)...

Ramon Martins applying the finishing touches to his background mural... his work is really striking with a vibrant color palette that pulls you in as soon as you see the work.

Baixo and Eduardo from Choque Cultural Gallery alongside artist Carlos Dias.

Speaking of Carlos, check out a nice interview that Juxtapoz just posted with him here.

Opening Reception: Sat, Feb. 28th 7-10PM

SCION Installation L.A.

3521 Helms Ave in Culver City / 310.815.8840

'Sao Paulo' – group show curated by Brazil’s Choque Cultural Gallery featuring works from Titi Freak, Speto, Calma, Carlos Dias, Ramon Martins, MZK, Silvana Mello, and Zezao

(On view through March 28th - don't miss this one!!!)

www.scion.com/space