Getting Pasted, with ASVP

Classic ASVP 'sociability' paste-ups in Chicago, 2010

In a world where technology allows artists cheap, easy access to print off 1000's of digital renderings with minimal effort, NewYork-based artistic duo ASVP are standing out. While the artists' identities (as well as the acronym ASVP) remain shrouded in mystery, the time and attention to detail they put into their handmade, silk-screened pasters is attracting some serious attention. 

"Nearly everything we do is totally original artwork that is hand drawn, first in pencil, then in ink, then refined over-and-over again and slowly redrawn again in an ultra-clean digital form that gives us the ability to pull super clean, high quality prints. Then we burn our own screens and make our own prints.

We're learning that some people think the images are lifted because of how clean they are. This kills us... The handmade quality is an integral part of who we are and what we hope people will appreciate what we're doing."

Their pieces can be seen on the streets of cities around the world, like London, Zurich, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong, and all across the US in cities like San Francisco, Detroit, Cleveland and here in Chicago where there are still a couple of old ASVP pieces riding from years ago. So when you do spot one, take a minute to appreciate the fact that it wasn't spit out of a copier at Kinko's. 

This Dude is Hairier than Kate Moss

We've seen some incredible, avant garde art come out of Paris over the last 150 years: from Impressionism and Surrealism to Yves Klein and JR, but none of it has prepared us for the comic art hybrids that have been appearing on Parisian streets as of late.  Ladies and gentlemen,  meet Hairier than Kate Moss.

When first crossed paths with HtKM (as he likes to be known) at the end of 2012 when we noticed his "Tooning" series.  We were blown away by his ability to seamlessly combine iconic characters, creating surreal, sometimes disturbing images that echo the fragmented consciousness of popular culture. Simultaneously familiar yet unknown, these absurdist collages exude a freshness that one seldom encounters.  They are like noting else out there.

HtKM has recently begun working on some indoor projects as well, like these hand-finished mixed media on canvas pieces.  We see big things in the future for this cutting edge Parisian street artist and his unique cast of characters.

For more info on HtKM, or to see more of his available works, check out maxwellcolette.com.