By José Gandue @Gandour
In recent days the streets of Bogotá They have been surprised by very particular advertisements for rock concerts. These pieces develop a rather peculiar illustration style, where the lines encourage curiosity and wonder, and the use of color breaks with the routine boredom produced by advertising spaces scattered throughout the city. These are posters that not only excite because of the novelty they announce, but by the graphics printed on them. We have also seen the development of these proposals in more specialized environments. in collectible items that arouse unusual interest.
The person responsible for this phenomenon He is a character whom his friends call Tavo Bernal., But in the art world it's called Scribble. This illustrator, designer, and urban artist was born in the tourist city of Girardot and studied in the heart of the coffee region, in Manizales, before traveling the world and working in Buenos Aires, where his work It was reflected in prints, walls, bars, and other urban structures. He settled in Bogotá a few months ago, where his work It has been reflected in records, posters, advertising promotions and public spaces. Her portfolio is recognized in various parts of the continent, and she has a series of exhibitions scheduled throughout Latin America in the near future. Her shyness creates mystery and It is virtually impossible to see a photo of him with his face uncovered. Similarly, when talking about his experience, he finds it easy to elaborate, explaining what has happened in his life and how he sees the world:
Who is Garavato?
Garavato is the result of games, curiosity, music, drunkenness and travels by Tavo. It's like the child who doesn't want to let Tavo be a person as society dictates. Tavo is the one who pays the bills, collects payments, faces the customers, and invests so that Garavato can have fun.
How can we describe Garavato's art?
I think and feel that Garavato's art is nothing new; they are pieces that, consciously or unconsciously They are revolving around me at the moment of creating or developing a project. A color that's really catching my eye, or one that stuck with me from a trip or a time of year; the textures of an artist I follow, the lyrics of a song I haven't stopped humming since the weekend. It's like the Spanish illustrator says. Fist in his lectures: Learn to be a white-collar thief. When you go to a museum, you don't steal the whole museum; you steal the most valuable painting or diamond. That's what I think, and I've started to discover that's what I do with my projects. I like to draw the sketches the way I used to. Alberto Breccia y Frank Miller, I like to diagram like Obey, I like to paint like DJ Lu. It's like a cook; I blend the flavors and aromas of each ingredient to make my dish., in this case my project.
In the age of Facebook and other social media, some believe that all effective communication is digital, so why continue to insist on creating physical pieces for the public on the street?
Why not do it? Digital content reaches people in more remote places with internet access. In my case, if it's a poster for a show, it goes directly to the artist, wherever they are in the world., But the beautiful and essential thing about doing it in the street is that it's analog, it's unique And in a minute, thousands of people pass by, and just seeing it for one or two seconds changes their mood, breaks their routine, or makes them think, "Damn bums." Besides that, those street pieces... They can become very high-quality collector's items, such as screen prints, fanzines, t-shirts. .
How much value does good graphic design add to the promotion of a musical event?
A lot! Music touches your soul, makes you move your body or head, makes you more agile, helps you concentrate, a thousand things., But the graphic promotion provides the tip, or the X factor, to make it more memorable., Because it's visual, it's eye-catching, and if it's good and you like it and it touches you, you say, "Remember when we went to the concert? Yes, I have the poster, I have the t-shirt." What's more, I think the tickets should have some collectible value, not be so boring, but oh well. I see it that way because of my romantic feelings about the graphics and the music.
Have your customers always understood it that way?
There's a bit of everything, and it depends on the client. If he only sees money and is looking for money, he doesn't care what you offer as long as you do it right away. Some have come to understand that over time, and see more value in it. Obviously, you have to invest more, but in the same way you'll earn more and gain more credibility and trust from your target audience, and it's very good that you see it that way, because when you're working on creating the concept, there are ideas and suggestions from both sides. This way I learn more about how a show should be readable depending on the niche., They learn from how many pieces, times, and media. The image of the bands they bring, and what they invest in their art, should also be taken advantage of. The attendees are grateful. And they're sure to pay because the show has its little gifts, like stickers, t-shirts, and posters.
Among your work, you've done street art, and it must be said: not all citizens are happy to see their walls "defaced." How, given these concerns, can graffiti be justified?
I don't consider what I do or am passionate about to be categorized as graffiti or street art., That's why there aren't that many walls on the street with images of Garavato. There are more interns, either by client request or by self-offering, like the few that exist in Bogotá. I'm very curious; in this case, I use illustration to confront a wall, a sheet of paper, a piece of furniture, a t-shirt—any surface. That's why when I face a wall, I don't do it the same way a graffiti artist does. No one has said anything bad about my walls, neither to passersby nor to fellow graffiti artists; I've seen a lot of respect, just as I've respected everyone else's. Likewise, I think the claims that people aren't happy with graffiti are misleading. It must be out of envy for not being able to do what they are passionate about., They find their habitat visually unpleasant, or perhaps they simply don't understand. They must be asking, "How do these young people make a living?".
He has created pieces for concerts by prominent international artists. Have they become familiar with his work? Have they said anything to him?
Yes, they have. They even bring pieces with them, and they sign posters for me. For example, with the artwork for the Marky Ramone concert on May 2, 2013 in Bogotá, I wasn't living in Colombia and my client, the event promoter, He told me that Marky had taken pieces, And he said that of all the art on that tour, the Colombian art was his favorite. Both Doyle (Misfits) and Marky liked the picture on my Instagram account back then.
In Argentina, I was invited by a group of illustrators Gig Posters, ...to create a photo of each band that went to a festival. I was assigned Beirut, and what he told me Santiago Pozzi, the greatest illustrator and poster designer in Argentina, The band approved it. They requested a few minor changes from the businessman. Then they cancelled their South American tour., But at least I knew they saw my work.
Machine Head promoted my artwork on their social media. Fermin Muguruza, the vocalist of Negu Gorriak and Kortatu, owns several of my pieces, and during his last visit to Colombia... He promoted on his social media the screen print that I illustrated and produced for his concert with Sistema Sonoro Skartel. Le Chat Lunatique, a band from the United States, liked the artwork I did so much that they contacted me to do their latest album; that was three years ago. Today, luckily for me, and I still can't believe it, The image of Iggy Pop's visit to Colombia was published., And Iggy's official account followed my post.
There's something worth noting: You create art for artists you admire. Does that always happen?
I've been lucky to to be able to create artwork for bands I follow, admire, and whose records I own. I wasn't familiar with LeChat Lunatique and Beirut, but I listened to them, liked them a lot, and accepted. Now, I'd like to develop more projects. I've been able to further solidify my portfolio in the area of gig posters to offer my work. to bands that I'd love to see featured, Well, let's wait for others to appear and see if I have the time and if I'd like to do it.
What's new on the way for Garavato?
Several projects are already underway, including music projects with bands I dreamed of that have now arrived (they will be announced soon)., as with their own clothing projects, and other products. A couple of exhibitions in Brazil and Bogotá, with the possibility of going to other cities in other countries, and of continuing to travel, to continue feeding curiosity.
