Contemporary art is sometimes thought of as an austere affair: ascetic in palette, serious in tone, a subject for sober contemplation. That stereotype is broken -ecstatically and in color- by the work of OSGEMEOS, pioneering twin Brazilian artists with a practice as firmly rooted in the rule-breaking world of urban graffiti as it is in the lofty realms of museum and gallery. Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo first wielded their spray cans (and spun their discs and breakdanced with friends) in São Paulo's hip-hop scene in the 1980s and '90s. From that vibrant milieu, they drew the lesson that art is at its best and most meaningful when everyone is invited to the party.
OSGEMEOS combines historical and contemporary elements of Brazilian society with graffiti, hip-hop and youth culture: Endless Story an invitation to the artists' extensive body of work, which includes murals, paintings, sculptures, installations and videos, using a symbolic visual language often inspired by dreams.
They are known for their spindly yellow characters who can be seen dancing, writing graffiti, interacting with their urban environment and stretching globally high over buildings and train cars -OSGEMEOS creates works that invite readers into a surreal, chimerical world full of motifs that give access to another realm or the deep psyche. This fantasy world, which they call Tritrez, is the pinnacle of their vision: a land of wonder that reflects the versatility of Brazil itself.
OSGEMEOS: Endless Story, the first major English-language monograph by the Brazilian twins driving international graffiti culture. The coffee table book is given a third dimension by Hirshhorn Eye (Hi) technology: readers can activate videos via their smartphones of the artists and curators of the exhibition discussing the works in both the book and the exhibition.
Specifications
Title: OSGEMEOS: Endless Story
Author: Marina Isgro
Publisher: Rizzoli
Size: 266 x 343 mm
Size: 344 pages
Language: English
Material: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780847866397
