MANILA, Philippines - The Showdown Crew, a young group of 14 graffiti artists of different ages who are united because of our love for the graffiti art, took the immediate feelings and adjectives brought on by viewing the Swatch Full-Blooded watches.
We appropriated concepts such as royalty, masculinity, femininity, exclusivity, class, attitude — and incorporated images which resounded with these characteristics — such as the untamed yet mature demeanor of the bear, the commanding presence of the black wolf, the elegant and feminine grace of the blue peacock. But the images are not just limited to animals. The sophisticated, reserved male is present in his element of earthy brown. Abstract landscapes also abound, the feeling of fantasy brought about by the bubbly and youthful color of mint green. A skull stands at the end of the hall, symbolizing the finality of white yet also depicting the imaginative possibilities arising from a clean, blank slate.
Centered inside the room are designer Jerome Lorico’s customized mannequins, each embodying the colors of the Swatch Full-Blooded Collection. Individually decorated with metal and plastic rattan, they serve as the dialogue between the walls and the character of the watches themselves. They are the silent ambassadors to the loud, vibrant, creative exhibition space.
On the right side of the wall, in true graffiti fashion is the phrase “Full Blooded” — bold, colorful, energetic; a testament to the new and current — resounding with the identity of the watch collection. Peppered in between these elements are small, personal images taken from Showdown Crew’s experience from the streets as graffiti artists.
Finally, the floor serves as the canvas upon which everyone created his or her own artworks. Young and old alike enthusiastically took part in the interactive exhibit — by drawing inspiration from the installations and the artworks, each one expressed themselves in their own personal and unique way. The result was a lively mix of color and creativity — a new and exciting space within the mall where one obviously gets into the spirit of the modern, trendy and stylish Swatch.
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(Editor’s note: Dean Africa, a senior student at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts major in Painting, is a member of the Showdown Crew.)
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The Swatch Back to Skull series, “Full-Blooded” Part 2, is now at the newly opened Swatch Interactive Billboard at the Swatch Store, SM Megamall, Upper Ground Floor, Bldg. B. Take part in the creation of another interactive billboard! Be part of the Swatch Art experience.