‘Get-Up State’ in Ithaca, New York returned for a second year of celebration. BATES, JURNE and KEMS joined over 50 graffiti artists from around the world for a three day weekend of painting. Onlookers watched as the murals took shape and visited an exhibition of work from the special guest artists.
What better way to get the scoop than from the good peeps at ‘Cap Matches Color’ who were knee deep in the action.
“Get-Up State 2015 is now over but we still don’t have a name for it.
For the second time, Cap Matches Color with strong support from both Ironlak AVT Paints and the Tompkins County Public Library, brought in artists from all over the US and Europe to the small, secluded college town of Ithaca, New York. Last time in 2013 Get Up State was part of a larger event celebrating hip-hop history, but Get Up State 2015 showed us exactly how intimate and organic such an event on its own can be.
Starting on Thursday, artists began to roll in casually and acquaint themselves with the two huge warehouse buildings of the Cornell University Press, who graciously allow Get Up State to paint entirely. The eclectic and laid back mood of Ithaca seems to affect even those who’d never before visited the town. Perhaps the thirty-plus mile drive from any interstate highway is what does it, but this jewel of a town seated at the bottom of Cayuga Lake can easily put people into a totally different mind state.
The event coincided with the release of Cap Matches Color’s long awaited book project, Two Decades Of Digging, which aims to document the rich culture and history of spray paint and its devoted users and collectors. With the generous support of Ironlak AVT, nearly 60 artists had a planned advance selection of Sugar Artists Acrylic and Yard Master paint to work with, and their colors bounced off each freshly primed wall regardless of base color. Co-sponsor Tompkins County Library engaged the local tourism board for support and again as in 2013, helped arrange a televised dedication by the mayor of Ithaca as part of the conclusion on Sunday. But not before a remarkable five minutes of Buddhist monks’ chanting to bless the walls, with all in attendance pausing in contemplation.
Get Up State has been a remarkable event, an opportunity to relax, create, engage, and to be included even if only a spectator. It’s something we guide into place and then let happen, with considerable support, labor, and organization. But the way it just seems to unfold and happen in front of us is a different matter entirely, and there isn’t one word that describes it. Next time, come see for yourself.” –Cap Matches Color Crew
