Grab your caffeinated beverage and skedaddle down to ArtServe this weekend to experience the gritty counter-culture art gathering that is known as RedEYE.
"Forget that nervous little adjective: 'edgy,'" notes Byron Swart, Managing Director of ArtServe and event founder. "RedEYE is an overstimulation of the eye. As you walk through the spaces, you confront so much, that you're often not sure if you're a viewer or part of the installation."
This year, RedEYE welcomes Torche Perkins, a metal sculptor currently on HGTV's Brother Vs. Brother. He heads a lineup of artists from both street and gallery backgrounds including dance, graffiti, music, fashion, and standard 2D visual art.
Using a Fiat as his canvas, urban realist artist Miguel Paredes will create a RedEYE custom dash. "Miguel has a huge following around the world, and we're thrilled to have another artist of that caliber participate this year," says Jaye Abbate, ArtServe President and CEO.
"Torche, Abstrk, and several other well-known artists were a part of RedEYE from the beginning," adds Abbate. "They leveraged the massive crowds and buzz generated by RedEYE as a platform to bigger things and it's so exciting to see their careers taking off in all directions."
The event, now in its eighth year, is also expected to draw thousands of tattoo art aficionados.The ground-breaking reception will include live music performances, live graffiti art by Miss Marvel, Remote, Mad Neon, and Abstrk. Indie film maker Michael Chasin premieres Red Shorts; Body and Soul performs a dance installation piece, and an open mic is hosted by local poet Renda Writer.
All the while, DJs spin while models shake their tush on the catwalk donning pieces designed by students under the guidance of fashion curator Sharon Ali.
RedEYE is Saturday, July 20, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Artserve, 1350 E, Sunrise Blvd., in Fort Lauderdale. Presale tickets are $7, door admission is $10. Visit artserve.com, or 954-462-8190.
By Marisa Cutaia
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