Intervention- AOC x 9E

Thursday, June 9th, 2022

For its first residency “Forme(s) Collective”, 1872 Maison d’Artistes called on 8 artists from 2 collectives : Lx.One, Augustine Kofie, Carlos Mare and Remi Rough from the collective AOC (Agents of Change) and Stéphane Carricondo, Romain Froquet, Théo Lopez and Clément Laurentin from 9e Concept . From May 23 to 29, 2022, the artists, divided into 4 duos, worked on the blockhouses of the Gurp beach in Grayan- et-l’Hôpital in France. They have honored in their own way the humanist values of sharing, encounter, history and memory in an immense in situ creation. In a fraternal way, like the liberators of D.Day, they came from the United States, England and France to express their message of peace and solidarity on these vestiges.

To give an artistic unity to their approach, they chose to pay tribute to the inventors of the disruptive camouflage used during the 1914-1918 war : the Razzle Dazzle. The point was not to camouflage boats but to give life and shine to blockhouses through their art. In a roundabout way, their reflections allow them to return to the sources of historical avant-gardes : Cubism, Futurism, Vorticism. With their free but organized interpretation, they used the blockhouses to develop an original reinterpretation of geometric abstraction and graffiti art : a perfect illustration of the vorticist precepts where energy is queen because “the point of energy is maximum when it is stationary.

Credits

Artistic direction : Lx.One

Artists : Augustine Kofie, Stéphane Carricondo, Carlos Mare, Romain Froquet, Remi Rough, Théo Lopez, Lx.One, Clément Laurentin des collectifs AOC et 9e Concept

Production : 1872 Maison d’Artistes, 9e Concept Production management : Julie Guinamant Photo : Thomas Lang
Video : Jules Hidrot

Assistants : Mites, Jerk 45, Ned, Gaël Lefeuvre Sound recording : Baptiste Martineau Wording : Renaud Faroux, Julie Guinamant Print : Atelier Arcay

Partners : Unikalo France, Boesner France, Château Labadie, Technipub
Contributors : Nicolas Laugero, Julien Arruti & Aurélie, Loïc Thibaut, Maxime B. & Céline DC., Sylvie J.

Special thanks to : Mites for the spot and the involvement, Xavier Hallab & Jim for the opening dinner, the town hall of Grayan-et-l’Hôpital for the technical support, and Pôle Magnetic Bordeaux.

Augustinekofie.info

Monday, November 8th, 2021

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The official collection of up to date studio works, mural and exhibition archives can be found at augustinekofie.info. KEEP DRAFTING will be a hub for archives, select limited releases and news.

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Interview with VANTAGE POINT

Tuesday, September 1st, 2020

Had the great opportunity to speak with the good folks at Vantagepointradio.com in the first half of 2020. Spoke freely on my creative endeavors and how I attempt to manage my outputs.  Also had the chance to share some music that inspires me including Yusef Lateef, Narada Michael Walden, Sadistic Candle and The Nonce.

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Streaming on Vantagepointradio.com as well as iTunes, Spotify & Mixcloud.

Mural Intervention| Renaud-Bray | ARCHAMBAULT, Montreal

Tuesday, October 30th, 2018

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

A post shared by Augustine Kofie (@keepdrafting) on

Title: Story line

 

Client: Renaud-Bray | ARCHAMBAULT

 

Interior lobby mural intervention, Fall 2018

 

Coordinator: Louis-Nicolas Coupal of ARTGANG

 

Location: Renaud-Bray ARCHAMBAULT Headquarters, Montreal Quebec

 

Details: Acrylic polymer on drywall. 100’w x 6’h.

 

VIEW PROJECT DETAILS HERE

Mural Intervention| Los Angeles Offices of CBRE | Film by FORM Follows FUNCTION

Monday, November 25th, 2013

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KOFIE @CBRE documented by FORM follows FUNCTION

 

In the Spring of 2013 I was approached by CBRE & Gensler to create a mural for their newly acquired 400 South Hope office space. Though they purchased the entire building, the top 2 floors of the 26 story high rise would be home to their main Los Angeles Headquarters. After many meetings and litigations the project began in the mid summer during mid construction of the space. 2 weeks and some 20 gallons of acrylic later the mural was completed. This would mark my largest privately contracted indoor mural and a milestone in my public display catalogue. Many thanks FORM Follows FUNCTION for the documentation, Lew Horne, Nary La, Gensler and my 2 assistants Michael ‘Puede’ Hernandez & Ixchel Lara [complete credits here].

 

 

Augustine Kofie: LA’s own brings his craft to CBRE by Amy Dittoe

 

Against the backdrop of CBRE’s new space is a mural that symbolizes the company’s transition to a new way of working. It’s complex and thought-provoking, challenging the traditional muted colors and right angles of yesterday’s office. It redefines the 25th floor as something beyond a collection of workstations and conferences rooms. It’s a place we go to be inspired.

 

The piece was created by Augustine Kofie, an LA-based artist with a history of defying convention. He’s dabbled in everything from t-shirt design to fine art, constantly experimenting and refusing to identify with just one artistic medium. “I’m a mixed kid who does mixed media,” he says. “I’m a fine artist with a foundation in graffiti arts. It’s the core of it. It’s why I do art. I didn’t study it; I learned it by trial and error, by sweat and tears.”

 

Deeply rooted in its LA identity, the piece is a system of colors and angles that communicates an aura of renewal and progress. It’s a reflection of both CBRE and downtown LA, two entities in the midst of profound reinvention.

 

Art and real estate services aren’t often mentioned in the same breath, but at 400 South Hope the two have combined to make something truly original. In seeking a complete overhaul to its traditional ways of working, CBRE found inspiration in Kofie’s work. And while he doesn’t always take on commercial projects, Kofie noticed something genuine in CBRE’s commitment to progress.

 

“I liked the way you guys approach me,” he said. “I like the energy. And this is serious; this is a new space. It’s for the employees. I like all those factors.” Kofie agreed to the two-week project and collaborated with senior management. The result is a timeless blend of earthy and bold tones, masculine angles tangled with feminine arcs. “I do paint subconsciously,” he said. “A few turns in one area changes the dynamic of the piece.”

It’s a complicated balance that is reminiscent of Kofie himself. Growing up in LA, he experimented with countless artistic media and tools. He can’t remember a time when he didn’t consider himself an artist.

 

Kofie’s partially credits his mother for his inclinations; a former art student at UCLA, she held on to her passion while she raised a man who would eventually become world-renowned for his work. “I took over this career that my mom was originally supposed to do,” he said. Rather than photographs, the majority of Kofie’s childhood likenesses are captured in a sketch. His mother would often draw him as he slept.

 

In contrast, Kofie’s father had more mechanical leanings combined with an entrepreneurial spirit. “My father was always independent,” Kofie said. “He never worked for anyone.” A talented artist who explores unorthodox media and exercises a keen sense of business, a combination of Scottish, Irish, German, African American and Choctaw Indian heritage, Kofie is a living narrative of the forces that combined to create him.

 

Now, CBRE has a piece of that shared journey. The downtown LA mural is most appreciated in context, a celebration of an idea and the visionaries who brought it to life. It’s a story of progress, diversity, balance and the will to break with convention.

 

And it’s a reminder that those who get to the future first are the ones that embrace change, rather than fighting the inevitable. That’s the story not only of CBRE, but of Los Angeles as well. “LA is constantly in redevelopment,” Kofie said. “It’s never going to settle. It’s always going to be reevaluating itself and repositioning itself.”

 

 

More:

+ CBRE journey to a new way of thinking

+ LA DT News: Does a New Downtown Office Design Mean the Death of the Cubicle?

+ FORM Follows FUNCTION post 

 

 

Mural Intervention| Sowat & A.Kofie | The Mausolée, Paris

Monday, May 27th, 2013

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‘Under The Influence’

Sowat & Kofie

Spring 2013

The Mausolée

Photos: Nibor Reiluos

 

FULL Shot here

 

My visit to Paris for my California Soul Exhibition included a few special side projects with some select Parisian artists, among whom Sowat of Da Mental Vapors, a long time supporter of one of my prime LA crews UTI (Under The Influence). For the occasion I was given the guided tour and allowed to paint in the now infamous Mausolée, a supermarket left abandoned in a Parisian suburb. Here is a link of photographs taken by Nibor Reiluos documenting the entire intervention of us in an atypical environment.

 

More on Nibor Reiluos here

A beautiful time-lapse of the Mausolee project here

2 Man Exhibition: ‘Gather’ documented by Gregor Rohrig, Cape Town

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

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Cape Town based photographer Gregor Röhrig documented myself and Paul Senyol over a period of two weeks, while we worked independently and collaboratively on artworks for the ‘Gather’ live exhibition presented by The Lovell Gallery in association with Salon91 Contemporary Art Collection.

 A link to the complete photo essay. 

Mural Intervention: Circulations in an abandoned train factory; East Boston, Mass

Sunday, January 2nd, 2011

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Spray-paint on distressed brick & cement.

Abandoned train factory in East Boston, Massachusetts.

Winter/ December 2010

 

Photo Credit: HeatherMcgrath

 

Another shot on my Flickr

Other Photos on Flickr from my Massachusetts trip 

Mural Intervention: Dublab Studios, Los Angeles

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

kd-dublabstudio.jpgI was blessed to paint on one of the DUBLAB recording studio walls in the early summer of 2009. I knew that a desk, computer and mixing board were going to be posted in my particular wall, so I worked out a design that I felt was according. Dusted ochras, burnt siennas, oxidized browns and ivory’s were me choice of color here.Dublab is turning 10 this year, and to celebrate here is the list of events for October in Los Angeles.

Mural Intervention: The Plant Studio, Downtown LA

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

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The Plant Studio Mural for Hit & Run

Acrylic & House Paint on primed drywall

Los Angeles, Ca. July 2008

 

 

Brandy Flower  invited me to molest a well sized wall in their first large scale studio appropriately located in Downtown LA.

 


Mural Intervention: DJ Dusk Memorial Wall with RETNA AWR, Los Angeles

Sunday, July 1st, 2007

kofmodusk-07.jpg2007. Acrylic on Drywall. Private Space. Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Retna AWR on the handstyles which is a 2-Pac quote….“Now of course I want peace on the streets- But realistically painting perfect pictures ain’t never worked- My misery was so deep.” The names in gold read….“DJ Dusk, Verse, Ayer, Kev”... Fallen Soldiers. Much Love to The Captan Family. You can see a shot taken in progress by Theo Jemison HERE.

Japan 2007: PARCO projects and commission in Tokyo

Monday, June 25th, 2007
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Contribution No. 09 / Live art for Parco Gallery

Kichijouji Prefecture, Tokyo Japan, Summer 2007 

Acrylic on canvas. 

Painted live Outside The Parco Store in the town of Musashino, in the Kichijyoji Prefecture.

Invited to paint to commemorate the opening of my friends Camo Store. 

 
 

Live Art: Parco Gallery. Shibuya, Japan

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Contribution No. 8 [2007]

Acrylic on canvas. Painted live at Shibuya PARCO Gallery., Tokyo Japan.

 

 

Invited to paint to celebrate the opening of my friends Camo Store. It was a saturday during holiday, so it was more packed that usual. On top of that Maroon 5 were aound the corner signing autographs at Parco Radio. My man Sebastian Angle Killed the filming which you can watch below. The piece is on display @ the 6875 Office in Kaigan, Minato-ku.

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Cream Of Her Profile, 2007

Watercolor Acrylic on Canvas

2 1/2′ x 2″ x 5 ‘

 

 

During my 2007 visit I was commissioned by Win & Kim of LOL Salon to paint a piece for their savvy retro Unisex Hair Salon in Yoyogi-Uehara located in the Shibuya Ward. This was a last minute project that came about while the word spread I was in town that ended up being one of everyones favorite. What made it even more special was that I painted the piece in the salon for the employees and select friends and clients. They straight closed up shop for the day to watch it go down. The canvas & the area was already masked & prepped for me, very on point. Afterwards, a feast of Sashim to celebrate.

 

 

Japan 2006: Shinkawa & Kyusjhu projects

Tuesday, June 12th, 2007

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Shinkawa Cho-Ku, Japan. July 2006

I was commissioned to paint a ‘Contribution’ style piece for a customer in the Ubiquily office of Shinkawa. Shinkawa is the business district of Tokyo & my distributer has been established here for a number of years. In the background is a piece I painted live a few years previous at a Stones Throw event in Shibuya.

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 Kyusjhu. Fukuoka Prefecture. July 2006

 

 Fukuoka is the third-largest island of Japan & most Southwesterly of its four main islands. I was commissioned by Mr Fuji to paint his boutique in the Fukuoka Prefecture called Past-Present-Future. Went with the red-black-grey color pallet to match the decor of the store.

 

This was another ‘dead of summer’ Japan trip, so the humidity was on blast as usual. Island humidity tends to elongate the painting process, but I was in no hurry. Fukuoka was hit with a pretty heavy Quake the previous year & the damage was still very visible.

 

 

Japan 2004: Stussy & Frank 151 party in Dakianyama, Tokyo

Sunday, December 5th, 2004

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Double booked this night. First off, live art @ the Back Channel Store. The Piece was auctioned off the a lucky ticket holder. 

 

Next was the Stussy & ALIFE party for the Frank 151’s Wu-tang issue @ Club UNIT. Painted Ol Dirty Bastard in a room between the stage & the entrance for the event. This club was super packed and the crew at Stussy took really good care of me. At one point U-God made it through, approved of the piece and sign the corner.

Wu-Tang forever.

Mural Installation: Pacific Design Center for LA LA LA: Design By Design And Not By Design

Friday, April 4th, 2003

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Mural Installation

Summer 2003

LA LA LA: Design By Design And Not By Design: LA Architecture.

Curated by Perlof/Webster @ The Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles, CA.

 

 

 

Documentary courtesy of LAFCO


 

LA LA LA: Design By Design And Not By Design was a  giant 12,000 square foot installation produced by LAFCO, Perloff/ Webster and Kymaerica at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood during WESTWEEK 2003.

 

My mural installation  was to go along with a film aboutthe  Los Angeles homeless polulation, so my flowing shapes represent freeway cement and iron freeway systems. I was still developing the ‘aging’ of my shapes with the use of water & stain at this time, a practice i picked up during odd jobs on fils sets as a scenic painter.

Japan 2002: Flow Clothing mural installation, Odawara

Thursday, April 11th, 2002

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 Flow Clothing Store. Odawara, Japan. 

This was my first gig on my second work trip to Japan. The crew at Flow Clothing all listen to classic American Funk & Soul music, so the request for the mural was Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Sly, Hendrix & George Clinton. The shop was clean, long & pretty narrow so my photos are what they are. That’s Odawara Donjon by the way on the top. The first Odawara Castle was built around 1200 AD. Since then, it had been destroyed & rebuilt several times. The Present day castle is a reconstruction built in 1959 based on the original design. Inside are displayed suits of Japanese armor, tools, weapons and the model from which this reconstruction is based. Inspiration. So savvy. 

Mural Intervention: Kareem Abdul Jabbar portrait commission, Tokyo

Friday, October 26th, 2001

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My first time to Japan in the fall of 2001.

This trip was to have a sit-down with my soon to be Draftsmen distributer as well as paint a commission of a Kareem Abdul Jabbar portrait from ‘Game Of Death’. I took my sweet time working on this piece which was displayed in the AMP Showroom in Harajuku.