Cans Festival
May 4, 2008 10:28 pm All, Graffiti, LondonCans Festival – May 3rd-5th 2008
I decided to check out the Cans Festival which was publicised just a few days ago. The location had been kept a secret while Banksy, Bandit, Jef Aerosol and others transformed a bland tunnel near Waterloo Station, into a street art extravaganza.
I hadn’t been expecting queues, and was told they were an hour or so long 
I was told it was worth waiting for, and I can confirm that it definitely was!
I snapped some random graffiti while waiting in the queue.
This was even before I was in the tunnel itself.
Finally in!
I think everyone in there had a camera of some sort. It was actually quite a mission to get pictures without someone’s arm or head in view.
A couple of pieces by Jef:
This is by Hutch:
Most of these are best full-viewed in order to appreciate the intricate details.
These guys were still adding stuff to the exhibition
I guess this is Lily Allen
I’ve never seen a burned out car like this before:
I like noticing the small details..
This gorgeous piece is by Mark Jones aka farkfk
I saw a guy sitting and reading, and I asked if he was one of the organisers. He said he was an unofficial organiser. I asked him what he meant and he said he was one of the artists. I asked which one, and he said he couldn’t tell me his name, despite my efforts to persuade him Could it be Banksy?!
I asked to take a picture and he said that was fine. Of course I managed to snap him with his eyes shut. Go me!
He told me all the walls would be cleaned eventually, and the cleanup operation would cost £300,000. It seems like such a shame to get rid of it all though. He said the graffiti would still be on show for a while still.
[EDIT] I have just been informed by the genius that is Jef Aerosol that he is in fact stencil artist, Pure Evil – I guess the T-Shirt wasn’t a big enough clue for me! Thanks Jef 
Here is one of Pure Evil’s stunning pieces:
This guy below in the hoodie was just sitting on the sofa for ages , observing people walking past. Maybe this is Banksy!?!?
I think the piece that impressed me the most was this:
The image was chiselled out of the wall itself – amazing. It was produced by Vhils.
It’s our new Mayor! The wonderfully competent Boris. I still cannot believe he got the most votes.. something must have gone seriously wrong!
The event was open to the general public to showcase their work, and artists were still working away.
What a great opportunity for these guys to have their stuff alongside major graffiti artists.
At the end of the tunnel there was a book for anyone to draw/write in. I couldn’t think of anything original enough so hey, may as well spam! 
Well that’s it – graffiti overload over!
I think this has got to be the best art exhibition I’ve been to. The atmosphere was electric – there was music blaring out from one of the cars, soothing piano pieces from the other end, and you could see ongoing art being produced. What I love is that this art is meaningful and powerfully projected. There were so many statements being made. It was thought-provoking, humourous, colourful, eclectic, and just ace really. There was so much to see.. I’m convinced that in the time I spent there, I must have missed a lot of the fine details. I could have spent the whole day if I’d had the time!
Thanks to all the artists who contributed to this spectacular arrangement – you guys have done a tremendous job.
stelios :
Date: May 4, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
its a shame their are going to get it all down. its like controlled rebelion. which is shit but anyway, I loved the CCTV tree. hope it makes some impact instead of just a show.
Scott :
Date: May 4, 2008 @ 11:24 pm
Awesome Tanya, thanks for sharing.. and that picture of “maybe banksy” with his eyes closed *giggle* Happens to everyone!
Media Districts Entertainment Blog » Cans Festival :
Date: May 4, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
[...] Bloggage by Tanya added an interesting post today on Cans FestivalHere’s a small reading [...]
Halfang :
Date: May 4, 2008 @ 11:56 pm
Lovely pictures! Well done again!
See you next saturday? ;)
harry :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 12:50 am
you are very lucky to see the graffiti up close. i wish i had been there; banksey is one of my most favorite contemporary artists.
Kaze32 :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 3:15 am
I believe your second picture of the guy on the couch is Banksy! I was looking at his book at Barnes&Noble and there are a few (blurry but distinguishable lol) pictures of him. He’s pretty damn skinny lawl. :] I wish I could’ve been there, that would have been SO awesome. You’re lucky. Thanks for taking the pictures!!!
Caitlin :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 3:47 am
aaaaaaaaand this is me saving them all onto my computer so i can stare at them when my internet is down. completely AMAZING, this is why i adore graffiti.
amazing pictures as always…. the guy on the couch was one of my favorites.
Prodnose :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 7:16 am
This is “art direct”, without the patrons and the dealers artists seem to hate so much but on whom they are dependent!
Johnny Gee :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 7:25 am
Living in Australia it was hard to get to this show so thanks for sharing..great stuff
StefEr :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 7:50 am
I love the post. I wish I was there :) Lucky you.
The pictures are great I will Photoshop/*crop a couple of them and use them as desktop backgrounds.
Sweet.
anonymous :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 9:53 am
awesome post. thanks for all the pics.
Kent Garage | Un peu de street art :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 10:28 am
[...]  Vive le printemps Aérosolé! Partager: Ces icones representent les sites de bookmarking social dans lesquels vos lecteurs peuvent partager et faire découvrir vos pages. [...]
jitendra :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Hello !
You have a great site. I love it.
Thanks mate.
jitendra :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Hello !
You have a great sit her with some awsome photos. Keep up the good work.Looking forward to more.
Thanks.
Shashank :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 11:26 am
like the camera tree one…btw your site keeps acting up…was trying to post a comment yesterday and no-go
Suzan :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
Damn! That looks like a freaking amazing event!
I love these captures:
http://tanya-n.com/CansFestival/IMG_2413b.jpg
&
http://tanya-n.com/CansFestival/IMG_2536b.jpg
at :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 3:33 pm
graffiti for the masses… I don’t think he could of come up with more bland, obvious pieces QQ
Sebastian Toth :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
Awesome !
tanya.nagar :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
Eeek thanks for pointing that out. Not sure why it was acting up – I’ll have to check it out.
tanya.nagar :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
At the Anon protest? Hm.. maybe! ; )
tanya.nagar :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
True!
Just for your info – none of this work is up for sale.
tanya.nagar :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
You’re welcome! It’d be very amusing if that really was Banksy, although it’s a tad unlikely.
Thanks for the comment. : )
pete :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
Thanks so much for the photos and the text. I really enjoied it!
chix0r :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 10:26 pm
Fantastic shots, really wish I had gone down to London for the weekend just to see this!
Cherry Bakewell :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
Ace photos, Tanya! You really captured the atmosphere as well as taking some awesome shots.
I didn’t want to leave the place. Street art heaven…Did you spot any of our cakes at all? Wish we could’ve taken more…
Cherry Bakewell :
Date: May 5, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
Amazing shots. You’ve really managed to capture the atmosphere too. Wasn’t it brilliant? I went back 3 times and could’ve spent even longer there. Definitely want to see more things like this in London…
Did you find any of our cakes at all? we left them about today…myspace.com/thegreatcakeescape
x
Matt :
Date: May 6, 2008 @ 9:59 am
That was an amazing exibition, i found the site of small children playing on the playhouse with barbed wire disurbing. It’s a shame that the sign above the piano saying ‘Play me*’ is now behind the piano where people can’t see it. None the less it didnt stop us having our chamber music and the most amazing and political art in the world.
I got to ghet my peice up there.
Stiff Rowlands :
Date: May 6, 2008 @ 10:07 am
Great shots Tanya. You did well to avoid the blur of passing heads! We made our contribution yesterday morning. It’s not often you get to stencil with an audience :)
Aidan (Wodewose) :
Date: May 6, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Some great shots there, Tanya – thanks for sharing what looks like a terrific exhibition. Banksy is probably the only artist working today who I’d call a genius. I see the show officially closed at 10pm last night, but I may go down on Friday when I’m in town to see if the works are still up and viewable.
As for Boris being mayor, it’s so surreal even Banksy couldn’t have made it up.
naina :
Date: May 6, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
wow, these graffiti were the best ever….. nice shots by the way…
James :
Date: May 6, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
arse
Circus clown :
Date: May 6, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
Not enough clowns! Please take more pictures of clowns, particularly blonde female slutty ones.
Jeremy Toop :
Date: May 6, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
I have to agree with James on this one!
isa :
Date: May 6, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
Does anyone else see a certain irony and hypocrisy in the fact that 300000 pounds will be spent taking down art that comments on wasted money and a lack of perspective?
gerda :
Date: May 9, 2008 @ 9:25 am
wow, awesome pictures, cool story! ah yes, waterloo station … too bad i don’t live in london anymore! [i re-blogged one pic and a link to your post on my page] i am so jealous.
;)
lpt :
Date: May 9, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
Are you serious? Why can they not just leave it be? I mean, surely the people who use that public thoroughfare will be more than happy to give it up for preserving the art. I think they should designate an area for this event so it could be done every year!
Then again, that would take the fun out of it a little…
Beyond cool piccies Tanya! I second the clowns comment. More clowns!
Thanks for posting.
Ben Doverangrin :
Date: May 10, 2008 @ 1:59 am
This is the 2nd time I have stumbled upon a site about this event.Thanks for the pictures!
Ryan :
Date: May 10, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
Fantastic! Thanks for capturing these, I really wish I could attend.
Cheers from Boston!
A tunnel in London turned into an art gallery « Days Of Our Life :
Date: May 11, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
[...] May 11, 2008 in Art, Culture, Thoughts Tags: Bandit, Banksy, cans festival, Jef Aerosol, street art I love the idea! Check it out here. [...]
Dawg’s decency campaign starts working « :
Date: May 11, 2008 @ 5:51 pm
[...] (There is a whole graffarti exhibition here if that rattles your tin) [...]
Bas :
Date: May 12, 2008 @ 1:31 am
Hey, thanks for the original shots! You know people are going to hijack these and they’re going to start appearing all over the net without any attribution, right? :-\ I get a bit paranoid about my pics these days.
Bloggage by Tanya » Blog Archive » Anonymous VS Scientology IV :
Date: May 12, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
[...] Cans Festival [...]
Red3 :
Date: May 14, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
Nice pics. Thanks
moonhead :
Date: May 29, 2008 @ 9:24 am
Hi Tanya
seems we took many images from the same angle!
I have some on: http://thecansfestival.wordpress.com/
and also my daily blog site: http://moonhead.blogtog.com
all the best
John
Time Traveller 23 :
Date: June 5, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
Oh how nice! Wish I could experience this live! Nice photography and the art is amazing!
sir jorge :
Date: June 19, 2008 @ 12:46 am
another set of amazing images.
sundizzle :
Date: June 19, 2008 @ 3:29 am
to isa: thanx for saying what i was gonna say!
Xan :
Date: June 23, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Thank you for this wonderful post, Tanya! i went along to this exhibition not long ago and took some rubbish pictures on my camera phone, but now! :D
Wonderful pictures, thank you very much!
doudy :
Date: June 23, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
Great post, I loved it.
Please check out my watercolor paintings Blog:
http://doudysketche.blogspot.com
Jon :
Date: June 28, 2008 @ 11:19 am
I visited the tunnel this week and it’s a great experience. Some of the pieces you have photographed have been painted over or tagged on but plenty are still there plus there are some new ones. It’s absolutely ridiculous that the council may remove it all when it could become one continually changing work of art. Millions of pounds are spent each year funding art galleries which display some pieces of art which haven’t taken the same amount of skill and effort and don’t contain the same level of social commentary as some of the art created at the Cans Festival, and yet huge amounts of money may be spent in destroying it. Do these people really not have the intelligence to look at Banksy’s graffiti remove piece for 30 seconds and realise the stupidity of it?!
paresh :
Date: July 5, 2008 @ 11:51 am
great wonderful post.
Dramarama :
Date: July 5, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Really nice stuff
Thanks For Everything
youshouldknowme :
Date: July 29, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
Looks like a whole lot of Banksy rip offs to me.
Marvo :
Date: August 5, 2008 @ 10:02 pm
Nice work, i went up on Sunday, its a pity that all of the good pieces have been stencilled over with addons and additional bits.
you captured the best….we all gotta stick together on this style of art, it was a great oppertunity to do some stencillin with ‘the bigger boys’!!!
Marvo x
McCow :
Date: August 6, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
@ youshouldknowme Imitation is the best form of flattery……
@ tanya……nice post…:)
Lynda :
Date: August 14, 2008 @ 2:09 am
this is beautiful, wish i could see it in person…. damned them tearing it down. :(
sneaky peter :
Date: November 18, 2008 @ 1:51 am
Good thing there is so much money in the world and we can reproduce it like madmen, but this art was the only of it’s kind! In that tunnel when people could still see it!
wallxxx :
Date: November 20, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
nice!! check this
wallxxx :
Date: November 20, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
nice!! check this
dau-al-set :
Date: June 16, 2009 @ 11:25 pm
i love this one http://tanya-n.com/CansFestival/IMG_2447b.jpg
Twitter Trackbacks for Bloggage by Tanya » Blog Archive » Cans Festival [tanya-n.com] on Topsy.com :
Date: August 21, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
[...] Bloggage by Tanya » Blog Archive » Cans Festival http://www.tanya-n.com/?p=112 – view page – cached I decided to check out the Cans Festival which was publicised just a few days ago. The location had been kept a secret while Banksy, Bandit, Jef Aerosol and others transformed a bland tunnel near Waterloo Station, into a street art extravaganza. — From the page [...]