Whitecross Street Party 2015 The Party

Whitecross Street Party 2015

This is one of London’s gems, a great event for locals and lovers of open air festivals.  Along with live street art painting, there is a variety of music, craft stalls, street theatre and events for children.  And of course, there is plenty to eat and drink.  All sponsored by Arts Council England, Islington Council, Peabody plus supporters Artcore International, Barbican and Spectrum Media and Music Project

I’ve covered the street art in detail on my previous post the street art.  This post shares my pictures of the whole event, walking from the Old Street end towards the Barbican.

 

 

The sub-heading of this festival is “The rise of the nonconformists” and it relates to the street art. But this street theatre duo offered an original way to to clean your plants.  I missed their act because they were just leaving as I arrived.  But I caught a couple of shots.

 

Street theatre at Whitecross Street Party 2015

 

 

There were at least three areas for live music.  This was the traditional and popular rock/pop music area.

 

 

 

The laid back vibe was visible every where.

 

Street art portraits by Paul Don Smith

 

 

Filthy Luker: remote controlled wheelie bin

This wheelie bin moved!  And it squirted water and beeped at me when I filmed it on my phone.  In the background the band were playing Paranoid by Black Sabbath.  What a delightful coincidence.

 

remote controlled wheelie bin from Filthy Luker

 

 

The dog spotted me and posed for this shot.

 

 

Trash Monster by Filthy Luker

Notice those two red eyes!  This is no ordinary pile of rubbish.

 

Trash monster by Filthy Luker.

 

Look at the next shot. Can you spot the difference?

 

Trash monster by Filthy Luker

 

Yes, its shrinking.  Inflatable art from Filthy Luker and you can see it in action on Filthy Luker’s website

 

 

 

Street art by DS on Whitecross Street

 

Local youth group get into Brazilian carnival mood.

 

Whitecross Street Party, craft stalls

At the narrow Barbican end of the street were the food and craft stalls. I ended up walking behind them to travel up and down the street more quickly and it gave me a fresh perspective.  Guess what this man is buying?

 

 

 

Whitecross Street Party 2015: the street art fans

Most artists I know are driven to create but its much more fun if people enjoy your work as well.  I enjoyed watching the fans as much as the artists.  This final selection of shots celebrates the fans.

 

Artist Andrea Tyrimos.

 

Artist Vinnie Nylon entertains these esteemed Whitecross Street Party regulars.

 

Himbad fans snap every stage of his progress

 

 

 

Artist Himbad nears the final stages of his painting. Fans check their photos. T-shirt portrait by Alo

 

I chatted to the guy with the Alo portrait t-shirt.  There weren’t any for sale. This man had designed it from his own photographs. Okay if he’s not selling them but a bit dodgy if he is because then he’s breached the artists’ design rights.

 

Artist KEF! adds his abstract signature motif to this fan’s street party poster.

 

Another happy fan with one of Zabou’s stencil’s.

 

So was it all a load of rubbish?  No, most definitely not.  When the woman with her survey asked me if I had any suggestions for next year.  I said no but please do it all again.  It was a fabulous afternoon and I look forward to returning in 2016.