nearly there (photo: Ramon Martins)

After airports, long hours over the Atlantic Ocean, small bottles of whisky, questions from suspicious immigration officers and a bit of waiting, Caramundo finally welcomes the graffiti artists for the largest open air Brazilian urban art event in Rotterdam.
It was a long journey, and the graffiti artists Dalata, Onio, Stile, Gais, Ramon Yusk and Horoiwa, who would be staying in the house of a local gallery owner, received great news. The organizers incredible ability to negotiate resulted on a major change of events; and the one month stay of the artists would now be in the luxurious Hilton Hotel.
The second surprise didn’t take long to reveal itself. Besides hosting the 10 artists, the Hilton was also welcoming the musicians of North Sea Jazz Festival, a huge jazz festival that was happening in the city. Figures such as George Benson, BB King and Erika Badu could be spotted transiting smoothly between the hallways, and at the end of each night, the musicians met in the hotel lobby for a jam session that always lasted until morning. Needless to say, the Brazilians felt head first in the party, and the last day of the North Sea, quickly turned into a welcome celebration.
The following day, despite a twinge of hangover, jet lag and a just few hours of sleep, it was time to get the bicycles. The most traditional mean of transport in the Netherlands was the most logical choice for the graffiti artists to find their way around the city. However, some difficulties came along. Everyone’s biggest enemy in the beginning was undoubtedly the reverse pedal brake, and after some small collisions and moments of quick panic, the guys got hold on it and soon they were moving with a certain elegance through the streets of Rotterdam.

Despite the fact that everyone became more comfortable in their bikes, closing the padlock adequately was still a relatively difficult. The proof came when instead of a bicycle, all that was there was a lonely open lock. Bike stolen, welcome to Holland

Hedwig, Anouk and Carol welcoming the boys (photo Ramon Martins)

 

jam session (photo: Gustavo Faria)

Ramon and Gais feeling home at the Hilton with Maria (photo Gustavo Faria)

Onio just before his bicycle got stolen... (photo Gustavo Amaral)

text by gustavo faria