Ben Eine

Currently living between Paris and Los Angeles, Belgium-born filmmaker Cedric Godin was recently in New York City for the US premiere of his award-winning film, “X art,” at the Chelsea Film Festival. After viewing the insightful film and panel discussion featuring Patty Astor, Henry Chalfant, Enrique Torres aka Part One and Nick Walker — moderated by Marie Cecile Flageul — we  posed a few questions to Cedric.

What inspired you to produce this film?

I had just completed my first film, PTSD, and had returned from California to Paris. I wanted to get back to work as soon as possible, and as I was seeing street art exhibitions and events everywhere, I decided to do a documentary about the street art movement and culture. Even though I had followed the movement since 2012, I never really thought of doing something on it until I returned to Paris from California.

What is the significance/meaning of your film’s title, “X art?”

After I decided to do a documentary, I started to research the street art culture. Rapidly, I realized how complex the world of street art is. So many artists, techniques, movements, markets… It appeared to me that as street art is such a huge subject, it would be an interesting challenge to get people to better understand it. I had a working title but after a few months “X art” came, as the X suggested “the unknown,” “the transgression,” “the X factor” and more.

So I chose the letter X to start  from “the unknown” —  in order to learn and digress to a point where it would become clearer for an audience and hopefully awaken within viewers the curiosity to investigate the culture on their own after seeing the film.

How did you go about choosing/deciding which artists to focus on?

They had to have a career, a real social or political message in their work, a continuity in their journey and an artistic goal. It was important for me that the artists had enough experience on every level to be able to transmit their passion, techniques and journey to as large an audience as possible.

When did you begin filming “X art”

I started to meet with artists in 2016.

In the film there is a focus not only on the artists and their artwork, but also on the art market. Why did you choose to turn your lens on this aspect of the scene?

Simply because these days, you can’t avoid the financial aspects of things. Fortunately or unfortunately, the market has a big influence on how artists develop their careers. Of course, there are pros and cons, but I wanted to give the audience an idea of what’s happening. From there they could visit galleries, events and auction houses and form their own opinions on the subject.

Did anything in your findings particularly surprise you? In what ways may have making this film personally impacted you? Do you find yourself paying more attention to street art and graffiti?

Of course, I do pay more attention. It is funny to see how my eye, three years later, is more “educated.” When I see a painting or a wall, I can recoup more information to understand and form an opinion on that particular piece. I have also learned how to be a good collector.

What were some of the challenges you faced in seeing this project through?

The usual challenge of being an “indie” filmmaker… time and money. Fortunately, the world of street art is a very generous world for the most part. 99% of the artists were just amazingly helpful. My friend and partner Olivier Le Quellec, a street art fan, financed the project with me. Dotmaster and Ben Eine, two famous UK-based artists, offered to design the poster. Eric Brugier, the French gallerist, connected me to several artists who themselves connected me to more. I think you can’t get into this world if you are not well-connected, but once you are in, you feel like a family member.

How have viewers responded to it?

Amazingly! The most touching thing is when people come up to me and say they have learned something; some are even motivated to further research artists or elements they weren’t aware of.  To me, if filmmaking has a purpose. It is to learn and to transmit.

What would you like your viewers to walk away with?

The will to go deeper into the subject  —  to read, to research, to see events, to meet artists. And we have an incredible chance to be able to do it.

What’s next?

Ideally to secure distribution for “X art,” as I humbly think that this little film has its cultural role to play. I’m currently working on a TV show and a feature film. I work in so many directions these days that I couldn’t tell you what is going to happen next…I will let you know very soon!

Congratulations on “X art.  We certainly hope it is widely distributed and, yes, we are looking forward to what’s next!

Images:

  1. Film poster designed by UK-based artists Dotmaster and Ben Eine
  2. Cedric Godin
  3. Film clip featuring Ben Eine and Pure Evil
  4. Parisian graffiti artist Nasty
  5. Patti Astor, co-founder of the legendary FUN Gallery
  6. Henry Chalfant, noted American photographer and videographer, whose current exhibit, Art vs. Transit, 1977-1987, at the Bronx Museum is a must-see!
  7. The famed UK-born street artist Nick Walker at “X art” Chelsea screening

Photo credits 1, 2, 4 – 6 courtesy Cedric Godin; 7 Ana Candelaria 

Interview questions: Houda Lazrak, Ana Candelaria and Lois Stavsky

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This is the eighth post in an occasional series featuring artwork on NYC shutters:

Sweet Toof on the Bowery for the LISA Project

"sweet toof"

With Darkclouds

sweet-toof-dark-clouds-shutters-street-art-nyc

Ben Eine in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx

"Ben Eine"

Ramiro Davaro in the Bronx for the Tag Public Arts Project

ramiro-davaro-street-art-shutter-nyc

Kashink in Bushwick

Kashink

The Drif on the Lower East Side for the LISA Project

"the drif"

Buff Monster on the Bowery

buff-monster-street-art-shutter-bowery-NYC

 Photos 1, 2, and 7 by Tara Murray; 3 and 4 by Lois Stavsky; 5 and 6 by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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This is the fourth in an occasional series of artwork on NYC shutters by both local artists and those visiting from abroad:

England’s Ben Eine and Sweet Toof — as seen in the snow this past Sunday in Bushwick, Brooklyn

"Ben Eine & Sweet Toof"

Sweet Toof of the London-based Burning Candy Crew at Welling Court in Astoria, Queens

"Sweet Toof"

Muck123 and UFO on Manhattan’s Lower East Side

"Muck123 and UFO"

Darkclouds, Deeker & Flying Fortress at Welling Court in Astoria, Queens

Darkclouds, Deeker and Flying Fortress

How and Nosm on East 14th Street in Manhattan

How and Nosm

How and Nosm at Hunts Point in the Bronx 

How-and-Nosm-graffiti-in-NYC

Carlos Pinto does Bob Marley in Flatbush, Brooklyn

Carlos Pinto

Beau on Manhattan’s Lower East Side

Beau

And — Pixote bringing stylish Brazilian writing to the streets of NYC

Pixote

 Photos by Lenny Collado, Dani Mozeson, Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky

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Notoriously difficult canvases, NYC shutters continue to attract both global and local artists. Here are a few current ones:

Bristol native Nick Walker in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District

"Nick Walker stencils on NYC shutter"

"Nick Walker stencil art on NYC shutter"

More after the jump!

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Not many street artists make their way up to Manhattan’s Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods.  Ben Eine, Aiko, in collaboration with Indie184, and Peruvian artists Jade and Pesimo, who collaborated with Ket, are among those who did.

Ben Eine

"Ben Eine Street Art in NYC"

More after the jump!

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