Chris Fleming and his partner Jaime McGuigan from Newcastle came up with the exchange idea. They travel all over the Europe and they have already visited 9 countries and 13 hostels without much money spent. All the money they spend is the one they get from renting out their apartment in New Castle. They exchange art for accommodation - Chris does all the art and Jaime organizes activities such as providing accommodation, writing blog, taking photos, making videos, searching for places to visit, etc. Because of that they get along very well.
Before this exchange project they had “formal” jobs. Chris worked in an office and Jaime was a restaurant manager. But they got fed up with it as they were working late hours and they didn’t have much time for each other and they weren´t doing things they really love.
One day they were standing in the kitchen and talking about how they could explore the Europe, do things they love and all that with low budget. That’s how they came up with the idea of exchanging art for accommodation.
Chris said that it feels like old days: “I give you what I have and you give me what you have”. People seem to like it. In his opinion art should be accessible to everybody. His intention is not to earn money, but just to do art, meet people and explore countries they hadn’t have the chance before.
About the exchange project
They contact hostels and arrange the exchange; the main idea is to work just with hostels. Chris talks to owners or managers about the art, what he’s going to do and where. While he’s doing the art they let them stay in hostel for free. Everyone gets the best from each other.
About the art
He’s been doing this for 9 years now. His art are actually graphite that are made from cut outs – stencils. Chris cuts out different layers of real sized people and different monuments of the local area, then he sprays them on the wall. The cutting out takes lots of time and when that’s over the spraying goes quickly.
Their experience is amazing, he is getting the opportunity to put his mark all over the Europe and hopes that people will recognize his art and follow it from city to city.
About the people
Chris and Jaime said that people are amazing; they have met some great people during the tour that helped and support them in so many different ways, so they think they will stay friends and hope they will meet each other as soon as possible. When they go back to Newcastle, Chris is planning to do an exhibition and invite all the people they´ve made friends with during the tour.
About Celje
They were staying in MCC HOSTEL for one week and during that time Chris made some graffiti on two big walls in front of the hostel. Even local television came to see his work and they interviewed Chris. Residents have shown great interest in his work and everybody loved them. We are pleased that they have chosen to work with us. In spring time they are planning new tour across the Europe and we hope they will return to Celje to make some new graffiti.
