In honor of MIFF’s 30th birthday we wanted to take the XXX campaign outside of its print and online ads and create something unconventional. Enter the GET UP KIDS, a group of local artists whose work can be seen throughout Wynwood (and in Rick Ross’s new music video). Once the talented group agreed to recreate the XXX with their own twist, it was time to find a location. 1140 North Miami Avenue and visible from 395? Sold. Sparing you the next few steps (lawn mowing, paint bargaining, etc) we take you straight to the 48-hour art project that started on Saturday, September 29th at 8:00 am and lasted until the very early hours of Monday morning.
The two-day extravaganza became a block party at times, with onlookers coming in to snap photos, friends delivering pizza all set to the sounds of spray cans hissing away. The hot Miami sun reached a melting 93 degrees but that did not slow down these guys. As the XXX’s took shape,the exxxcitement grew, colors began to fuse, and characters became alive.
The photos don’t do justice to the details that went into each inch of this 100 x 24 foot wall. There’s popcorn, film cameras, a VHS tape and well…you’ll have to see it in person. A few cafecito and paint runs later, the Miami Blonde that can be seen in Jean Marc Calvet’s Miami Juice was smirking for all of Miami to see. The GET UP KIDS put on their finishing touches, packed up and exclaimed that this will be the “last time we’ll touch a paint can…this week.” The boys have a show coming up for Basel so keep your eyes peeled.
The wall is located on 1140 North Miami Avenue in downtown Miami and is visible off the 395 exit.
See the XXX mural from start to finish in our flickr gallery.
