Meet Javier Melus – Spain’s leading pop artist

He throws life experiences, icons of popular culture, fashion, comics, television, advertising, consumerism, urban art, music, graphic design and so much more into a huge pot, gives it a stir, and creates pop art to his very own recipe! Meet Spain’s leading pop artist Javier Melus and find out how he ticks and works, how he gets inspired and how he turns what’s happening in the world around him into art. No limits is definitely his motto, as he combines luxury goods labels with American comic characters on discarded road signs or wooden slats. Anything that catches his attention gets used, leading from one idea into another and then into a concept. No wonder then that he has fans in private clients and collectors all around the world. Watch the video to get inspired yourself and then go to his website for his latest creations to see what might tickle your fancy! (javiermelus.es)

Javier Melus – Pop Art

Pop Art is a world-famous modern era style of art adapted by many artists across the world. One Spanish artist making headlines in this style is Javier Melus. TA-DAH.TV caught up with him whilst exhibiting on the Costa del Sol in Andalusia, Spain. Before heading over to the European-wide channel’s Art & Culture section to hear from the man himself, here is everything you need to know about Javier Melus and the crazy world of Pop Art.

What is Pop Art?

Pop Art as a famous art movement, started in the 1950s, and was deemed a revolution against traditional art. It challenged the traditional methods and views of fine art, instead focusing on pop culture and incorporating its imagery into artistic pieces. Flourishing across America and Britain, well-established, household names were born as a result of this exceptional shift in the art world, including the world-famous Warhol, Lichtenstein, David Hockney, and Peter Blake. Often inspired by imagery of the advertising world, consumerism plays a huge part in the pop art movement. Most notably, Andy Warhol’s use of Campbell’s Tomato Soup in his famous 1962 piece. You hear the name Warhol and instantly picture images of the ever-beautiful Marilyn Monroe, depicted using the silk-screening technique. It is not unusual within the pop art movement to spot notable faces of the period, in fact this is a popular choice, with many pop artists focusing on the images of famous singers, actors, and musicians. Despite its roots in the 50s and 60s, Pop Art is still popular today, with modern day artists continuing the movement, with their own styles.

Javier Melus and His Pop Art Style

Self-taught Javier Melus discovered his love for art at a young age, venturing outside to paint the world around him. His passion derived from the influences of artists such as Warhol, Basquiat, and Equipo Crónica. Choosing to explore popular culture in his art, you will spot famous cartoon and Disney characters such as Pink Panther and Bart Simpson. With consumerism being the key focus of his art with the incorporation of recognisable designer brands, such as Louis Vuitton. His aim is to reflect the real world into his work, peppered with a pinch of salty humour, while adding his unique touch.
Melus enjoys exploring using different fabrics and textures to stand out from the crowd. Notably utilising wooden slats and discarded road signs as his canvas. Alternatively, to give a 3D effect, he uses Perspex mounted on a board, making the vibrancy of his bold colour choices pop! Javier Melus really is unique, it is not everyday you catch Mickey Mouse with his trousers down! He has even given Mona Lisa the modern-day makeover. For all pop art fans, you can not ignore the talent of Javier Melus, Spain’s leading pop artist, it is so easy to fall in love with his creative work. Visible in many an exhibition, his art can be found across Europe and the rest of the world. Selling both to private clients and collectors, not just in his native Spain, but across the globe. His work has gained a great following of fans and art lovers.

Pop Art Around the World

Warhol and Lichtenstein are just a snapshot into Pop Art as an artistic movement. Delving deeper into this artistic revolution you will find Pop Art has various interpretations around the world, developing the movement for global audiences. With France, Spain, Japan, Belgium, and even Russia following in the steps of the American and British artists, the world saw various versions of Pop Art form.

Usually as a result of political or social unrest in countries around the world, which was typical of the 60s and 70s, artists sought to incorporate the challenges of the era into their work. Taking dramatic global events and turning them into art was a common theme. Groups of artists even formed to produce artistic pieces. Equipo Crónica, comprised of Rafael Solbes, Manuel Valdes and Juan Antonio Toledo formed in 1964, is just one example of this. This group in particular were inspired by emphasising the importance of art in society, whilst revolting against the fascist movement at the time. Subsequently the revolution of Pop Art can be considered more than just an artistic movement, but also a great message to society.

Anne Sophie Mutter European Tour dates 2023

She is the one and only Anne Sophie Mutter – Germany’s most famous violinist! Supported by the unique and world-famous conductor Herbert von Karajan since teenage, she made her first public debut appearance at the Lucerne Festival in 1976. Since then, she played in the best houses the world over, and even had several works composed just for her by an international set of composers. Impressive stuff…what’s even more impressive is that she stayed at the top of her game for all these years! She has worked with all the great conductors in classical music, including von Karajan, Barenboim and Zubin Mehta. She has played at all the most important classical music festivals, and so simply must not miss any opportunity to hear her play live near you, so check her European tour dates now:

  • 27 Jan: Reykjavik, The Mutter Virtuosi at Harpa
  • 19 March: Cologne, Benefit Gala 100 Years Cologne Chamber Orchestra at Cologne Philharmonie
  • 16 May: Wroclaw/POL, Polish Premiere of Ghost Trio at National Forum of Music
  • 20 May: Bad Füssing/GER, German Premiere of Ghost Trio atGrosser Kursaal
  • 22 May: Oviedo/ES, Spanish Premiere of Ghost Trio at Auditorio Príncipe Felipe de Oviedo
  • 23 May: Valencia/ES, Spanish Premiere of Ghost Trio at Palau de la Música de Valéncia
  • 24 May: Luxembourg, Luxembourg Premiere of Ghost Trio at Luxemburg Philharmonie
  • 27 May: Basel, Schweizerische Premiere of Ghost Trio at Stadtcasino
  • 28 May: Bern, Schweizerische Premiere of Ghost Trio at Casino Bern
  • 01 June: Vienna, Austrian Premiere of Ghost Trio at Wiener Konzerthaus
  • 02 June: Essen/LUX, Luxembourg Premiere of Ghost Trio at Philharmonie Essen

For more information visit:

anne-sophie-mutter.de

Billie Eilish – Winner of Best Int’l Solo Artist sings the title song to next 007 film ’No Time To Die’

The Brits are back! This is the biggest gong for pop music this side of the Atlantic. Category’s include Best Male Solo Artist, Best Female Solo Artist, Best Group, Best Song, The Mastercard Album Of the Year, Best New Artist, Best International Female Solo Artist and Best International Male Solo Artist. So, what’s going to happen this year? Stormzy’s still around, who is nominated for 3 gongs in the Best Male Solo Artist, Best Song of the Year and Album of the Year categories. And other than your regular house hold names, it’s quite interesting to see that veteran Bruce Springsteen is up in the Best Int’l Male Solo Artist listing – is that for real even? It’ll be an exciting night still, as many want to see Lewis Capaldi, who is up for 4 gongs, hopefully gets to go home with more than one trophy.
The awards trophy is designed by a different personality every year, and for 2020 Sir Anish Kapoor has been bestowed with the honour, so winners will be taking home an original sculpture by the Brit-Indian sculptor, who specialises in art installations and conceptual art. He wins the ranks of fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, artist Tracey Emin, artist Damien Hirst, architect Zaha Hadid, pop artist Peter Blake and architect David Adjaye.
Make the night as bit of a ‘thang’ by sorting yourself & your friends with special hospitality or VIP tickets to make it a night to remember! (brits.co.uk)

At the Brit Awards in 2020, up for Male Solo Artist are top-dog acts like Harry Styles, Dave, Lewis Capaldi, Michale Kixanuka and Stormzy (again!). For the girls, we’ve got Charlie XCX, FKA Twigs, Freya Ridings, Mabel (Neneh Cherry’s daughter) and Mahalia nominated for Best Female Solo Artist. The Best Group category sees bands like Bastille, Bring Me The Horizon, Coldplay, D-Block Europe and Foals competing for the award, whilst the Mastercard Album of the Year reflects the Best Male Solo category with Dave’s ‘Psychodrama’, Harry Style’s ‘Fine Line’, Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent’, Michael Kiwanuka’s ‘Kiwanuka’ and Stormzy’s ‘Heavy is The Head’ – bit unexciting, we think, but there you are.

The Song of The Year has a bit more competition than the usual 5, so here are the 10 tracks will be fighting for the top spot this year:

* AJ Tracey’s ‘Ladbrole Grove’
* Calvin Harris & Rag’n Bone Man’s ‘Giant’
* Dave feat. Burna Boy’s ‘Location’
* Ed Sheehan & Justin BNieber’s ‘I don’t care’
* Lewis Capaldi’s ’Someone You Loved’
* Mabel’s ‘Don’t Call Me Up’
* Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus’s ’Nothing Breaks Like A Heart’
* Sam Smith & Nomani’s ‘Dancing With A Stranger’
* Stormzy’s ‘Vossi Bop’
* Tom Walker’s ‘Just You And I’

The list of categories to be awarded also includes the choice for Best New Artist, which has Aitch, Dave, Mabel, Lewis Capaldi and Sam Fender up for winning. Only 1 girl shortlisted amongst 4 boys – what about diversity and inclusion?

Now to the international awards, where further trophies will be handed out to one act in the Best International Female Artist category, which includes Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Lana del Rey and Lizzo. Whilst Bruce Springsteen, Burna Boy, Dermot Kennedy, Post Malone and Tyler The Creator will be biting their nails to see, if they’ll bag Kapoor Brit Award.

And the winners at the Brit Awards 2020 are:
MALE SOLO ARTIST: Stormzy
FEMALE SOLO ARTIST: Mabel
BEST GROUP: Foals
SONG OF THE YEAR: ’Someone You Loved’ by Lewis Capaldi
MASTERCARD ALBUM OF THE YEAR: ‘Psychodrama’ by Dave
BEST NEW ARTIST: Lewis Capaldi
INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST: Billie Eilish
INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST: Tyler, The Creator