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100 Graffiti Artists From Across Globe Bringing Color To South Side 'Hoods

More than 100 graffiti artists from around the world will do live painting in Englewood from noon-7 p.m. Saturday. [Dmnology]

ENGLEWOOD — More than 100 graffiti artists from as far away as Hawaii and France will bring a splash of color to Englewood Saturday as they create art for a community plagued by violence and blight.

The “Meeting of Styles” isn’t a city-sponsored event. This year artists will return to Englewood after a 12-year hiatus and paint along 59th Street between Damen and Western avenues from noon-7 p.m. The theme is “Absolute Freedom.”

The meetup of graffiti artists started in Germany in 1998 and was first brought to Chicago in 2004. West Town resident Damien, who uses the graffiti artist name “Dmnology,” said his friend Zore, who'd seen live painting in Europe, suggested they do something similar in the U.S.

The annual event has grown significantly over the years, allowing graffiti artists to come together to do some good, he said. When the event is held in Chicago, organizers try to keep it on the South Side, he said.

“One of the reasons is that those neighborhoods need it, especially Englewood,” Dmnology said.

The community "needs beautification, and you don’t really see the city trying to do much, so we kind of take it upon ourselves to bring that beautification to the neighborhood.”

Artist “Tom Wild Sketch” is coming in from France to take part. He met Dmnology in France three years ago, and the two have done some murals together. Tom has visited the United States, but not Chicago.

“I’m a huge fan of "The Blues Brothers,' so it’s a pleasure to see Chicago before New York City or any other city,” Tom said.

Artists will join him to paint a viaduct. The painting is only for invited artists, but people are welcome to watch, Dmnology said.

The point of “Meeting of Styles” is to bring together different artists.

“It’s kind of way to bring different graffiti artists, with different backgrounds and styles from all over the world and together to create something positive and beautiful for the rest of the community to see,” Dmnology said.

Historically, graffiti artists have had a bad reputation, and while that image is improving, it still has a ways to go.

“There is still kind of a stigma,” Dmnology said, adding that graffiti art has always been viewed as vandalism. Street artists, on the other hand, are more widely accepted. He said their more abstract and character-driven work is often preferred over graffiti artist lettering, known as “wild style."

“It’s basically like taking a letter and just twisting it and making it our own crazy style that you can barely read,” he said.

The best spot to see the artists at work will be at 2200 W. 59th St. There will be an after-party at Mos Space, 2515 S. Wabash St., from 7 p.m.- 2 a.m. Saturday. Attendees can enjoy music by live DJs, a mural unveiling and drink specials.

People can check out the finished work and take photos on Sunday. For more information visit www.Meetingofstyles.com.

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