A new construction on Yas Island is unlike any building you’ve seen in the city.
The urban art scene is virtually non-existent in Abu Dhabi right now, but that may be about to change. Soon to be certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest privately owned graffiti wall, the O1ne, Yas Island bar is a circular building on (you guessed it) Yas Island. Inside is the next big thing to happen to Abu Dhabi’s nightlife – O1ne, Yas Island is a bar and club owned and operated by Sky Management, the people behind Beirut’s wildly popular Sky Bar. The art on the outside was designed and created last month by 18 of the best graffiti artists from all over the world. The artwork is inspired by nightlife and what may be happening inside the building, explains the art director Roy.
It has taken more than two years to design as well as two weeks and more than 5,500 spray cans to execute the huge circular building opposite Du Forum.
TOAD spoke with Marcelo Jou, a Brazilian artist who worked on both Sky Bar’s design in Beirut and O1ne, Yas Island’s art in Abu Dhabi. He has previously worked in Spain, New York, Holland, Berlin and various other places around the world.
What do you think Abu Dhabi is like compared to other places you have been, in terms of street art?
The scene here doesn’t exist at all, I think. In Brazil, Europe and the United States the scene is bigger and we have a lot of businesses based around it. I think here is a good start, the support was really great – it was nice to work here. The weather is a little complicated, we did night shifts, we had to change our lives around to be awake at night and sleep during the day. I am from Brazil – it’s hot there too, but not like this.
Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I didn’t expect to be an artist but it came to me naturally. I like to draw, I do sculpture, it wasn’t planned but I am grateful it did.
How was it working with 17 other artists?
It’s always nice. I think for me street art is about this, street art – graffiti – was always done with friends or with other artists. Most of the time, we work alongside more than one artist. I like it, I like exchanging experiences and ideas – to get to know people in new cultures is priceless.
We designed the wall together on paper. When we worked, we always would do a bit and then come down and talk a bit. Especially with this project we have to talk a lot and spend more time together, designing and collaborating.
How did you all combine your art on such a big scale?
In this case, we projected first – we had sketches which we projected onto the wall, we could do freehand but it would take so long, so we project the outlines and then we fill it. The good thing here is, because we control the machines ourselves we can move them back and turn them around to look at what we are doing from a little step back to make sure it’s all okay.
How do you think Abu Dhabi’s art scene can grow?
From what I am seeing I think the scene is pretty new. It’s a matter of time, I think this project will plant the seed to grow for ideas for street art. It’s like me, the art affected me, I saw it in magazines and I thought ‘wow man, this can be done by a spray can.’ I hope people will see this and start to be influenced too.
And to those who are interested in legal street art?
Do it, do it – don’t be afraid. The world is full of good experiences and street art is for me, my old school. I learnt it on the streets and for me, here [touches heart], it’s my good.
O1ne, Yas Island is opposite Du Forum and opens on October 31 www.facebook.com/o1neyasisland. See more of by Marcelo’s work at www.marcelojou.com.
