It is based in Netherlands and is also 2009 Guinness World Record Holder for world's largest anamorphic street painting. It was founded by Peter Westerink in 2003 with a mission to celebrate the fine art of XXL street paintings across the world.
Planet Streetpainting also powers a Street Painting online magazine, 'Chalk Magazine', which is due to release in 2012. Not only this, they are on the mission to create the world's first documentary on Street Painting as world wide phenomenon, expected to release in 2012/13.
The company recently caught attention of the World with their latest painting at Chalk Festival 2011, '3D Lego Army'; featured on top blogs and attracted people online on an international scale.
It is a great honor for us to have Peter himself on our blog to reveal about his company, his creations and everything. Scroll down for his interview and spell bounding creations; you simply can't afford missing them:
Peter, let's start with a brief introduction of yours.
I am the founder & director of Planet Streetpainting.
I come from a family of educators and travelers. Went to Business School from which I graduated in 1992. Held a variety of management jobs but my heart just was not in it. Since 2003 I am pioneering in the field of Fine Arts and International Street Painting in particular. Since 2007 as a full-time entrepreneur, specializing in unique and high quality street painting concepts with Planet Streetpainting. Such as the creation of the World's Largest 3D / Anamorphic Street Painting (2009), the launch of a Street Painting online magazine (chalk!magazine, 2012/2013), as well ass the start-up of the world's first documentary on Street Painting as a world wide phenomenon (expected release in 2012/13). Currently our team is developing and executing unique streetpainting projects across the globe with the Planet Streetpainting Group.
What influences the artist within you?
Since I am not trained as an artist, nor do I aspire to be one, my main focus is on the business side of projects. I do however want to express myself creatively and be part of the things we create, and therefore I am always part of the artists' team when we do the XXL projects. So I learn on the job, both as a streetpainter and as an entrepreneur. What inspires me is to try out new things, go the road less traveled and create things of beauty. And always in close collaboration with like-minded people.
Peter, your recent street painting at Sarasota Chalk Festival is outstanding! We would love to know more about it.
Our general purpose is to inspire and surprise people by creating something of great beauty and ephemeral character. This particular piece, designed by Leon Keer (Art Director Planet Streetpainting) was inspired by the terracotta army in China, but it was also created in support of the release of fellow artist and countryman Ego Leonard.
As mentioned, this specific signature piece was made at the International Sarasota Chalk Festival, Sarasota Florida USA. It took the team (consisting of Leon Keer, Ruben Poncia, Remko van Schaik, Peter Westerink) 6 days to complete the artwork. The city cleaned the streets, and washed it away after it had been on display for 2 days. Usually the artwork lasts for a couple of weeks or even some months, depending on materials used and weather conditions.
Tell us about your Guinness 3D World Record Project. It is absolutely a masterpiece.
We set a new 3D Guinness World Record in September 2009 in The Netherlands. We had been playing with the idea of doing a large 3D project for some time, and we're waiting for the right moment I guess. Then the opportunity presented itself as we were approached by the city of Rijssen, who were looking for something special to officially open their new town hall square. The idea of doing a successful Guinness World Record attempt resonated strongly with everyone, and thus we decided to go for it. We assembled a team of 6 experienced streetpainters (four from the Netherlands and two from Germany) and came up with a cool design. It took us 4 days to complete this anamorphic painting of 750m2, thereby breaking the previous record with circa 350m2. The record stood for some time, but was broken again in May 2011, and that record has been broken just recently and set at approx. 1100 m2 (London, Oct. 2011). We do however have plans to set a new record...
Rijssen, Netherlands, 2009
You've worked on so many wonderful projects! I know it'd be hard to pick but which one is the most special for you?
It is impossible to pick. Each project has its own character and uniqueness. Both due to the variations in designs, sizes and locations. We travel to far away places such as Siberia, Mexico and the Middle East, as well as Europe and the America's. And from each project we take in new experiences and inspirations. It's like comparing apples and pears. What I can say is that probably the Terracotta Lego Army is our most important piece so far, in the sense that it presented us to a broad public audience around the world in a very short time span. Introducing us as it were as 'the new kids on the block' in 3D land.
Which project has been the most challenging one so far?
Well, to be honest each project has its challenges, but the one we did recently in Liverpool, a tribute piece commemorating the fact that the Beatles had their first gig at the Cavern in Liverpool this year 50 years ago, was probably the most challenging so far. We had come up with a unique design, never been done before, and also quite large: a 360 degree panoramic 3D of approx. 300m2 with the actual viewpoint in the center of the art piece. But only a week before the start of the project, they told us that we had to downsize as much as 50%. So we had to come up with a new design within a week while being on the job somewhere else at the time. Working projects back to back. In the end everything worked out fine, we had a great response and were happy with the end result. But wow, what a ride!
A typical question! You're know internationally for your work..how does it feel?
That is truly a wonderful feeling. We do what we love and love what we do. And if we can inspire people all around the world with our art, that is great and also a very fortunate thing. After all, the world is our canvas. :-)
You're on the mission to create world's first documentary on Street Painting. Would you like to tell us more about it?
Since street painting is ephemeral by nature, there's not much on record. With it's revival, which started some 40 years ago, just before the internet era, still not many people know about its history and evolution. Many people know about 3D from what they see on the internet, but the story of street painting is a much bigger and richer one. I wanted to tell the story about the magic of it. How is it possible that this artform, which originated in Italy and has a tradition going back as far as the 16th century, has meanwhile in just 3 decades, grown into a worldwide movement with internationally renowned artists and hundreds of thousands of fans? From New Zealand to Brazil, from Scandinavia to the Far East.
So far there has only been one short documentary about Kurt Wenner, made by National Geographic, in the 1980's. But that was before street painting became a global phenomenon, and was focusing mainly on the artist. I felt it was time to share with the public at large more about the past, present and future of this great performance art. That's why I started the project and we are currently trying to find means to actually shoot the documentary.
Do you have any dream project?
Projects close to my heart are the I Madonnari documentary as well as the birth of Chalk!Magazine. But if you ask me what my ultimate 3D dream project is, that is a tough one. We are currently working on a few ideas of our own for famous places in Rome, Mexico City and Amsterdam in collaboration with others. Special places of great history and high public attendance. But we're also hoping to venture out into the world of architecture, incorporating entire buildings into our 3D designs (thereby going horizontal as well as vertical). I guess my dream project would be a project which demands from us to push our limits artistically and freely. Resulting in something beautiful, new and exciting and surprising, and for everyone to enjoy.
I Madonnari documentary:
Share your fondest memory throughout this artistic journey.
There's not one, there are many. As said, each project has its own character and uniqueness. Giving us special and fond memories, of new places, new people, new friends, different cultures (music, food, art, etc.). It broadens our horizons, as artists and as individuals. We live and learn, and in the process become more conscious of who we are and what is truly important. Not always without growing pains, but that is part of it too. We take it all in and use it as an abundant source of inspiration for future projects.
Many other artists would look up to you for inspiration. What message do you have for them?
I can only quote a few words of wisdom here that have inspired me on my journey, and still do.
It's called Providence, by WH Murray.
"But when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money— booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!
- W. H. Murray, from The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951)
And a final word for our readers..?
Follow your heart. Always. Begin it!
Here are some more images of amazing work by Peter:
Peter, thank you for sharing your inpiring journey and great work with us. It was a pleasure having you! Best wished for your magazine, documentary and upcoming projects from E-junkie!
Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.
Great Artists!!!!!!