Total DXTR

operationtirana — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:20:40 +0000

Here’s a little motion feature of “The Total War” put together by our man Aljoscha Nimz. The picture shows DXTR in the first round of eliminations vs. Attila from Berlin.

Rocky Business – Find Away

operationtirana — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:32:22 +0000

Yet on another note of “The Total War”, on request of a lot of y’all who saw Rocky Business at the party, here’s their first video clip, shot by none other than our man Tone:

Home Sweet Home

operationtirana — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:33:25 +0000

Albania. We’ve been and gone, but won’t forget you fast.

Our first impressions were that there was almost no graffiti in the city except for political slogans and jewels of street wisdom such as “fuck me hardcore.” We also knew at least of our suitcases hadn’t made it with us. But before even leaving the airport we began to see the hospitality that this country is rich in. The airport is where Morcky accidentally met who was to become our unofficial tour guide, Irte. Biggest thanks to Irte for helping us with everything from finding materials (and the only place in town to buy real spraypaint), speaking with people about painting their walls, defending us the few times it wasn’t welcome, andshowing us great places to eat, as well as sharing the “real stories” about the local politicians, restaurant owners, tv hosts, and other characters we met while in town.

This was proper street exchange and shared experiences using our paint and their walls as currency. Tips were accepted in the form of a beer or raki and smiles and stories were traded freely.

If a picture is worth 1000 words, then we antied up for something like a million. Check all the content here.

Operation Tirana Day 4

operationtirana — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:11:24 +0000

It was a morning after.

It was a morning after a long day and night, but the morale stayed as energetic as it’d been all week. No medals and we were moving slowly, but surely, and laughing a lot. The sun was shining again. Even with my sunglasses, the first hit was like an espresso and my whole head had to adjust to the pick me up. At first what I saw confused me. How did that wall get painted?

It’s been a trip full of uncomplicated mystery and smiles that seem to have some staying power. By the time we left Tirana both everything and nothing had changed. The Eagle was still the Eagle, Morcky and Peter were TV stars and most of us were looking forward to being home where we might long for some happy Albanian Days.

Read the full story at No New Enemies

The Total War Recap

operationtirana — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:01:19 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Mazine HQ for “The Total War 2010″. It was definitely a night to remember. With great people, big smiles, cold drinks and the Arts. For those of you who couldn’t make it, Swanski won the contest. The crowd went ape shit and the judges succumbed. Rocky Business played a killer set and Nomad DJed the final. Big shout out to Mimmie, Alex, Martin and Roberto of Mazine fame, for their support, help and endless hours of work put into making this happen. Dope.

Our friends Todd of Frank’s Chop Shop and Tone also came over. Tone took a bunch of pictures. Here’s a little appetizer:

Tone is an awesome guy and a great photographer: Jump to his website for the full set.

Operation Tirana Day 3

operationtirana — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:07:10 +0000

To cap off a great 3rd day we were invited on a popular Albanian TV show

Morcky kept yelling GALO, which is a reference to our mate Andrea Galvagno who you’d love to have on your team when you find out you’re competing against young models in some sort of name that song challenge. Galo. Galo. Galo. When asked about the hunger strikes, we responded that we were there for the tomatoes and because as far as countries with Eagles on their flags go, Albania was good by us. Like I said previously, our politics were not begging for transparency like the newspapers seemed to do as the hunger strike came to a close. We were transparent. So transparent that the host asked us if we were on drugs, which none of us was. This was even before Morcky managed to spritz some nasty red bullish energy drink into the air and spray the show’s host, or drew a cock and balls on the table where we sat. It was however after the host had sort of warned us to be serious by saying that lots of people around Albania, Korsovo and Macedonia were watching. We won the Mega Battle, and the Mega Mega Battle, and even the Mega Mega Mega battle, but in a winner takes all Mega Mega Mega Mega Battle we lost. The girls delighted. Our friends watching in a nearby bar told us that people were almost as outraged as Irish fans watching Thierry Henry handle the ball as the French confirmed their presence in South Africa this summer. When the show finished, the host didn’t thank us. He just got up and out, hustling back stage in a way I interrupted as either extremely pissed off or just arrogant. In my eyes, this show was exactly the kind of numbing globalization that could continue to ignore places like Albania.

Off screen the walls continued to gain color …

Read the full story and see all the pix at No New Enemies

Albanian Youths, Tomatoes and Hunger

operationtirana — Sat, 08 May 2010 18:48:01 +0000

While our politics is playing football with kids in the streets or feeding homeless dogs, more than 200 ‘real’ politicians are sleeping in the streets, making their beds in plain view of the Prime Minister’s office as the Socialists demand a recount. ‘The government stole the elections,’ says Tirana’s mayor Edi Rama.’

Read the full story and grab all the pix at No New Enemies ….

Get There, Get Going

operationtirana — Thu, 06 May 2010 20:19:21 +0000

It wasn’t easy getting here, but then again it was. Sometimes we imagine our stress. All we’ve been stressing since we got to Tirana is how to make the most of our time. From no paint, no permission and no plan, things quickly sorted themselves out. Operation Tirana is out of the gates, the troops are revived and so far its been a pleasure. Here’s an excerpt of observations during the first 48 hours.

Read the full report and grab more pictures at No New Enemies

Down For The Cause

operationtirana — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:47:57 +0000

The London Police at Operation Tirana

operationtirana — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:13:14 +0000

The London Police started when big english geezers headed to Amsterdam in 1998 to rejuvenate the visually disappointing streets of the drug capital of the world.The motive was to combine traveling and making art to create an amazing way of life not seen since the days of king soloman. Known for their iconic LADS characters and precision marking TLP have recently celebrated 10 strong years in the art world and their work has graced streets and galleries in 35 countries during this time. London policemen have come and gone but founding members are still known to walk the streets of every city in the world spreading love with pens and stickers. The current duo have managed to form a partnership more cohesive than Han Solo and Chewbacca in Star Wars and are continuing to produce slick artwork that is tighter than a butlers cuff. Never be scared, don’t be a hero and let the good times roll.

2009 shows:

April 2009. Solo show. “10 years on the circle line”. Stolenspace Gallery London

May 2009. Solo show. ”10 years later”. Go Gallery Amsterdam

September 2009. Solo show. “Brothers in Arms”. Carmichael Gallery Los Angeles

October 2009. “Nimbus Vapours” Group Show curated by Ron English. Opera Gallery New York

October 2009. “True Self” Group show. curated by Gary Baseman. Levine Gallery New York

December 2009. Galo and The London Police. Factory Fresh Gallery. Brooklyn New York.

2010:

March 2010 “The London Police ride again” BLDG Gallery, Kentucky.

thelondonpolice.com/NewTLP