Many are interested in the man who wears a hat and a bandana to cover his face: Los Angeles-based graffiti artist Alec Monopoly. He hides his identity for two reasons. According to him, he is forced to do this for legal reasons. He was pursued by cops in New York and his lawyer said he should remain anonymous.
Over the past few years, street graffiti has become more and more interesting, and quite a few street artists have gained popularity by creating such works while maintaining their anonymity. Alec Monopoly is the man known as the "Kim Kardashian" of the art world. Monopoli, whose real name is Alec Endon, started out as a street artist but has now become famous all over the world. Not too surprising for the son of wealthy New York financiers.
He is a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer, which produces watches. Swiss watchmakers call him the company's "art provocateur." It is also threaded works of art. He creates original works for the brand and transforms their boutiques into art galleries. Working with watchmakers was his lifelong dream. He dreamed of designing his own watch and depicting him artwork on the watch dial. His clients have already included such celebrities as Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg, Adrien Brody and Miley Cyrus.
Artist Alec Monopoly likes to wear a hat, but his face is usually covered with a bandana. He admits that he real passion- this is graffiti and walls. He said that Wynwood Walls, an area in Miami, is just an amazing place for creativity. This is because you can draw on the walls there without worrying about the police arresting you for vandalism. Monopoly remains behind a mask, but doesn't shy away from anything when it comes to his evolving art.
Why Alec Monopoly hides his face
Alec Monopoly began his career in New York. Since he is a graffiti artist, he had to paint the walls of the city. The local police didn't like it. They tried their best to track him down. Because of this persecution, he was forced to hide his face. To continue the development of his creativity, the artist moved to Los Angeles.
Despite its popularity in this moment, he still poses for photos with his face covered. He fills his Instagram content with photos of himself wearing masks and gas masks. Sometimes there are photographs where he simply covers his face with his hand. Monopoly says it's a way to keep the art world focused on his work and not his face.
Alec Monopoly
From July 2 to July 29, the Moscow Multimedia Art Museum on Ostozhenka is hosting an exhibition of Alec Monopoly, an iconic American street art artist and creative consultant for the watch brand TAG Heuer. Alec started painting graffiti at the age of 12 and, by his own admission, still sometimes takes a can of paint and paints city walls. This kind of art is not approved by the authorities, so the artist covers his face with a scarf.
Alec Monopoly calls Banksy his main name in art. Street creators are connected by anonymity and a critical attitude towards today's reality. Alec’s work is filled with irony for the world of finance, so in the wake of the 2008 crisis, the artist made a banker in a top hat from the game “Monopoly” the main character and mascot. This character appeared under the name Rich Uncle Pennybags. pennybags from English - "bags of coins"), became known as Mr. Monopoly, and in the Alec Monopoly universe his name is Monops. Alec also drew another pop culture character from the world big money- the richest drake in the world, Scrooge McDuck, scrooge from English - "miser").
Alec Monopoli sold his first work at the age of 12 for $500; today his paintings cost tens of thousands. Fans of Alec's work include movie stars Seth Rogen, Robert De Niro and Adrien Brody, pop star Miley Cyrus, and legendary rapper Snoop Dogg. The street artist managed to work in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Singapore, Paris and many other cities in Europe and Asia.
In 2016, Alec Monopoly became a creative consultant for the Swiss avant-garde brand TAG Heuer, whose motto “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” corresponds to the spirit of the artist’s work. Officially, Alec’s position is called “art provocateur”. In July 2018, the turn came for the first personal exhibition in Moscow!
TAG Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver and Alec Monopoly
Alec Monopoly x TAG Heuer exhibition in Moscow
Alec Monopoli personally came to Moscow for the opening of an exhibition at the Multimedia Art Museum. The artist painted the Russian balalaika in his recognizable manner, turning the traditional musical instrument into a unique art object. Celebrities attended the opening Russian show business: Timati, Andrey Malakhov, Feduk, Igor Vernik, Sergey Mezentsev, Ingrid Olerinskaya and others. At the end of the evening there was a charity auction in favor of charitable foundation"Friends".
The process of creating a street art masterpiece
The joyful atmosphere of the event is conveyed by the video chronicle of the premiere day.
Opening of the Alec Monopoly x TAG Heuer exhibition - video
Exclusive Alec Monopoly x TAG Heuer watches
Since the start of cooperation in 2016, the TAG Heuer line has released a number of interesting hours, created with the participation of Alec Monopoly. In 2017, a special model was released in the Formula 1 collection - the dial depicts a character in a Mr. Monopoly jacket and top hat, but with his face covered with a scarf. The hero, combining the features of the artist's mascot and Alec himself, is called Monopi and is often found in his works.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Alec Monopoly Limited Edition Watch
In Moscow, visitors to the exhibition will see a unique TAG Heuer Carrera watch, painted by Alec in the style of street art. Featuring the TAG Heuer Caliber Heuer 01 and a skeletonized dial, this automatic chronograph is TAG Heuer's bestseller, inspired by motor racing. At the same stand is the TAG Heuer Aquaracer model, also carefully customized by the graffiti maestro. This is a classic dive watch and an example of bright masculine style.
TAG Heuer Carrera and TAG Heuer Aquaracer watches at the exhibition of Alec Monopoly and TAG Heuer at the Multimedia Art Museum on Ostozhenka - video
Also, the organizers of the exhibition in Moscow presented a special edition of the Connected Modular 45 smart watch. The dial of each of the 300 limited edition pieces is decorated with an image of a familiar character in a top hat and with a scarf on his face.
Special edition Connected Modular - only 300 units
The exhibition in Moscow features 17 paintings and 2 art objects: a sculpture of Mr. Monopoli, symbolizing the partnership between Alec Monopoly and TAG Heuer, as well as a balalaika with an exclusive painting.
Monops sculpture
The canvases depict Monops, Monopy and Richie Rich - a character from comics, cartoons and films, a millionaire child. Like other Alec Monopoly heroes, he is associated with the world of finance.
Exposition
Steve McQueen and the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition watch
A special place is occupied by avant-garde portraits of Steve McQueen in the role of racer Michael Delaney from the film “Le Mans”. This is an iconic character for the TAG Heuer brand - he appeared in the picture with a square TAG Heuer Monaco chronograph on his hand. The model's popularity soared after the film's release.
First spotted on the streets of New York in the late 2000s, images of Mr. Monopoly and Scrooge McDuck spread across the States and then beyond with the speed of viral YouTube videos, turning its creator Alec Monopoly into one of the most sought-after contemporary artists. However, despite the fact that today the whole world knows the graffiti artist, no one has ever seen his face.
The Monopoli exhibition was organized by TAG Heuer: since 2016, Alec has been the art con-sultan of the Swiss watch brand
Jude Law's character in the series"The Young Pope"asserted: the most successful projects in world culture - anonymous. Is that why you don't open up?
This is purely a safety issue. Graffiti is punishable by law in the States, and for New York cops, catching a “particularly dangerous” artist seems like the ultimate dream. So my lawyer recommends that I remain anonymous if I want to continue drawing on the streets. And I want.
Have you ever been to a police station?
Been there. ( Laughs.) To be honest, I barely got out.
Your mother is an artist, and classical school. How's your hobby?
At first she was against it: she was afraid of trouble. Besides, at first I just drew inscriptions - she didn’t like them. But when I came up with Mr. Monopoly, she adopted my style.
Monopoli is a court graffiti artist of the fashion industry; he was involved in collaboration with Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Philipp Plein
How did you come up with it?
At the height of the 2008 crisis: the economy was in decline, people were on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I started drawing a good-natured banker just as a joke. And look how far it took me.
The theme of money in your works is the main one, but you don’t seem to condemn wealth.
Yes, I can hardly call myself a socially charged artist. I’m just sending a positive signal to others: love, create, prosper.
The Moscow exhibition includes 17 paintings depicting iconic graffiti characters and a sculpture of the good-natured banker Mr. Monopoly, symbolizing the partnership with TAG Heuer
But graffiti is protest art, and it turns out that you are going against its essence, and even collaborate with brands like Tag Heuer.
Believe me, I have turned down many offers and only do what brings me pleasure. For example, TAG Heuer doesn’t just give me the opportunity to paint watches - in fact, the brand provides me with a means of transportation to travel across countries and even eras. Naturally allows you to travel through time.
What is time to you?
The most valuable thing is that it is limited, it cannot be bought and reversed.
Why do you draw?
The main goal has always been to exhibit in museums, so now I don’t know what to dream about. ( Laughs.)
They say that after seeing his graffiti at the exhibition, another great hoaxer of our days and your idol Banksy said: " We lost. We ended up in a museum".
For me, this is a victory - this is how the paintings become immortal. To be honest, I think Banksy is delighted too, just showing off.
Do you know him?
No, but if they were, I would never admit it.
Collaboration with famous brands does not prevent him from remaining a street artist
Your work can be found in many private collections, such as those of Adrien Brody, Benicio Del Toro and Robert De Niro. Do you know how much the most expensive one was sold for?
Not sure. Fortunately, my paintings are constantly increasing in price.
Do you collect art?
Yes, I just started recently. I’ve already purchased Warhol and Beuys, and I plan on Keith Haring and Basquiat, when I earn money for him - that’s who the really expensive artist is. ( Laughs.)
As an art consultant, Mono-poly has more than once taken part in the creation of limited edition models for the TAG Heuer brand. For example, a Formula 1 watch with the image of a banker and a tourbillon, which was subsequently auctioned at the Global Gift Gala in 2017
As part of his first visit to Moscow, famous street artist and trap DJ Alec Monopoly painted graffiti dedicated to the Russian capital
The plot of the graffiti is based on sticker packs invented by participants in the global sticker art competition Viber’s Sticky Fingers 2: My City, My Vibe. The basis was
Kupiki by Paramon Parfenov and I love Moscow by Tanya Zaytseva, which won special sympathy from the TimeOut.Ru editors. Alec Monopoly's style, unlike most graffiti artists who prefer large-scale abstract canvases, is characterized by working
with specific characters around whom the viewer’s attention is concentrated. Moscow graffiti at VINZAVOD, the creation of which also involved the winner of the first season of the Viber’s Sticky Fingers competition Stanislav aka drawkman, fits into the outline of Alec Monopoly’s concept, developing at the intersection of pop art, cultural criticism and social protest.
The work on the project was followed by Alec's friends and fans around the world in his personal Viber public chat, where he kept a photo diary of his first visit to Russia. Among other interesting shots, there is even a photo of the artist with the famous Russian rapper Timati from their joint walk along Red Square. By downloading Alec Monopoly's original sticker pack from the Viber sticker store, you automatically subscribe to his public chat.
5 unexpected facts about Alec Monopoly
- He considers it unfair when his success is attributed to the wealth of his parents and their connections. The artist claims that his family was neither rich nor poor - an ordinary family with average income. Alec's popularity today is the result of hard work and determination, and no amount of fees will affect his loyalty to his ideals.
- An idea can easily drown your favorite Rolls-Royce. What can you do for the sake of art!..
- One day he dropped everything and flew several thousand kilometers to fix memorial graffiti in honor of his friend, which had been damaged by attackers.
- Believes in karma and loves the color pale blue.
- Single, free, open to new meetings and experiences.
Before applying the final touches, on the eve of presenting the finished drawing on the “Wall” to the city, Alec gave exclusive interview as part of a lecture with the curator of the exhibition
Viber's Sticky Fingers by Miloslav Chemodanov. Alec Monopoly spoke about the vicissitudes of his creative path and the specifics of working in the genre of graffiti and sticker art and shared his views on current trends world street art. The public talk ended with a spectacular performance: Alec Monopoli painted another graffiti right in front of the audience. The artist depicted a traditional figure on a special canvas
Mr. Monopoly in full size.
The controversial street artist Alec Monopoly drew this specially for the site. unusual portrait the new American it-girl Sofia Richie, and Liana Satenstein recorded what they talked about during the session.
Photo: Dusan Reljin. Hair: Leonardo Manetti. Makeup: Anne Kolhagen. Production: Eli MizrahiPhoto: Dusan Reljin; Courtesy of Alec Monopoly Alec Monopoly
Today, in a New York studio on Chelsea Piers, two people meet who managed - albeit in completely different ways - to become stars of social networks. On the one hand, there is the rising it-girl 17-year-old Sofia Richie, the daughter of singer and composer, author of multi-platinum albums Lionel Richie, the sister of the first it-girl of the early 2000s, Nicole Richie.
Today is her turn to be in the spotlight. Sofia is being hunted by the paparazzi, her fan club is constantly growing, and the number of followers on Instagram is about to reach a million: both of them like the way she combines things Saint Laurent with casual clothes. Now Sofia is finishing her school course with private teachers and is going to enter Parsons School of Design to study fashion and then launch her own clothing brand.
On the other hand is street artist and graffiti master Alec Monopoly, who is not at all ashamed of his love for everything flashy. Justin Bieber of the art world. Non-trivial murals and paintings, improvisation on the theme contemporary art early 2000s and bold social position attracted the attention of stars to him, in particular rapper Future and socialite Khloe Kardashian, who can easily go out in the evening with a Birkin bag decorated by him.
At first, Monopoli seems to crave everyone's attention: he shines like a new penny - he is dressed from head to toe in Philipp Plein, he has numerous gold chains around his neck, and a massive watch with diamonds on his wrist. But in reality, everything is completely different: Monopoli is afraid of the police and never appears in public with his face open. The happy owner of a Rolls Royce and an address in Beverly Hills prefers to remain in the shadows, as at the very beginning of his journey. He sold his first painting in high school for $500, and became famous and acquired the pseudonym Monopoly during the financial crisis in 2008, when he first made his signature graffiti of the old man in a top hat from the game Monopoly.
What brought Richie and Monopoly together? Richie will pose and Monopoly will paint her portrait in the artist's typically dazzling, vibrant style. They chat with each other as they go, and Monopoly even takes a break to cover Sofia's shoes with paint and writing. "Super!" - she admires. When the shoot comes to an end, they do joint photo for Instagram. And then “likes” pour in like an avalanche on both of them, like money in Monopoly.
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Alec Monopoly: Where did you grow up?
Sofia Richie: In Beverly Hills. And you?
A.M.: In NYC. I was constantly getting into trouble there because of my graffiti. Four years ago, I even had to flee to Los Angeles when the cops raided my studio. I hopped on a train to New Jersey and then continued on. Six months later I was finally caught, and I had serious problems. That's why I hide my face: my graffiti is illegal.
S.R.: How has your family influenced you?
A.M.: My mother is an artist, so I learned to draw along with reading. What about your relatives? S.R.: My father and sister are workaholics who love their work. And - although this may be hard to believe - they didn’t help me at all. So I started looking for myself and making my own way.?
A.M.: I think he's cool. I love to draw, and thanks to him, I had the opportunity to take a portrait of my friend and show my work to a new audience. I'm very happy about this.
S.R.: What do you think about our obsession with social media?
A.M.: I'm a fan of social networks - I spend all my time on Snapchat and Instagram. Both here and there I am Alec Monopoly - I try not to invent anything complicated. Typically, I paint my graffiti on the streets or in art galleries, and people are scattered all over the world, and most of them do not go to galleries. Through social media I can show my work a large number of people. How do you feel about your popularity on social networks and everyone’s attention?
S.R.: This is a new feeling for me, I’m interested. And it’s not easy, because now my every move is being watched. But I still like it: now I can influence many people. Why do you prefer to remain anonymous?
A.M.: This is how the world of graffiti works. People ask me all the time: “Why do you hide your face?” People don't understand that I try to remain anonymous. Anonymity means the freedom to draw where you like, despite all the rules and laws. And at the same time, you don’t have to be afraid that you will be arrested, because no one knows who you really are. I was constantly getting into trouble because of my graffiti. Four years ago, I even had to run away when the cops raided my studio.
