Street Art NYC

Centre-Fuge Art Project Transforms East Village Trailer into Vibrant Canvas

May 17, 2012

While walking along East First Street off First Avenue early this year, we were delighted to come upon a huge trailer transformed into a vibrant outdoor canvas. In the past few months, this same trailer has featured the works of some of NYC’s best-known street artists such as Claw Money and Optimo Primo, along with images fashioned by artists who rarely paint or exhibit in public spaces.

Last week we had the chance to observe some of NYC’s most active street artists at work on the trailer and meet some others whose work was new to us. We also discovered that these artists were at work on Cycle 3 of The Centre-Fuge Art Project conceived by First Street residents Pebbles Russell and Jonathan Neville in memory of their friend, Mike Hamm.

Here are some images from Cycle 3:

Brooklyn-based artist Danielle Mastrion pays homage to Adam Yauch aka MCA, a founding member of the legendary Beastie Boys.

Local illustrator and graphic designer Michael DeNicola brings an eerie family abroad.

Thanks to Bishop203 and Elle, Brooklyn’s iconic character arrives on the scene.

The prolific Fumero whose distinct aesthetic can be seen on walls throughout NYC brings a slice of paradise to First Street.

Brooklyn-based visual and performance artist Jade Fusco, aka DMZL, graces the trailer with an array of quirky creatures.

And designer, graffiti writer and fine artist CRAM Concepts (center) honors all moms — just in time for Mothers Day.

Cycle 3 of Centre-fuge will be on view until July 12^th, 2012.

Photos by Lenny Collado, Tara Murray & Street Art, NYC

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5Pointz Launches Its 10th Season

May 10, 2012

5Pointz, New York City’s aerosol art Mecca, officially launched its tenth season this past Saturday. Veteran writers, newbies, break-dancers, graff lovers, hip-hop aficionados and tourists, along with curious passersby, all came together in celebration. Here are some scenes:

Native New Yorker Demer has been an active graffiti writer since the early 80′s, beginning with NYC subway trains. These days his work is featured worldwide in print, in exhibits, on movie screens and on walls. Early Saturday he was busy at 5Pointz.

Active on the streets of the Bronx and beyond, aerosol art master Sien aka Sien Ide collaborated with Bronx native and acclaimed artist Eric Orr, one of the first writers to incorporate symbols into graffiti and to collaborate with Keith Haring.

Break-dancers shared their talents, as well.

A number of long-term walls, including those by the Madrid-based Ego Crew and Paris’s 2rode, also greeted visitors.

And, of course, there were new pieces by Jonathan “Meres” Cohen — under whose direction, relentless commitment and curatorial vision 5Pointz has attained international acclaim.

Although the threat of closure looms, that didn’t seem to be on anyone’s mind on Saturday.

Photos by Lenny Collado and Dani Mozeson

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New from Artist/Sculptor Jaye Moon on Chelsea Streets

May 4, 2012

Huge fans of Jaye Moon’s beguiling Lego installations that surface throughout NYC, we are delighted that two new ones have made their way to Chelsea streets this past week.

“Jerry” alludes to influential NYC-based art critic, Jerry Saltz:

And one more variation of the artist’s signature houses constructed from Lego and Plexiglas:

Images courtesy of the artist

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Speaking with ND’A

April 30, 2012

We’re great fans of your wondrous characters that have found a home on the walls of our city. Who are these characters? Are they inspired by folks you know?

No. They’re straight from my head. They’re kind of a mix-up, I suppose, of different comic characters inspired by a range of sources from Marvel comics to Warner Bros cartoons.

When did you first start getting up in the streets?

About two summers ago. OverUnder got me into it. We started painting together, and he sort of encouraged me to start putting up work. I was drawn to it right away and got hooked.

Does the ephemeral nature of it bother you?

No. It actually helps me develop my work at a faster pace. There are just so many ways your work can get destroyed. Instead of getting frustrated, I try instead to not treat each piece as a precious object, and that frees me up to work more. If I was to get too worked up about everything that didn’t last, I’d be depressed all the time.

Have you any favorite spots?

Not really. I almost never make a piece with a spot in mind. Coney Island, the Bronx and Philly are all spots I’d like to do more work in.

Any fears when you’re getting up?

I tend to move around a lot, so when I’m up high I’m always a little concerned that I’m going to do something stupid like walk off a ledge.

Have you ever been arrested?

I did end up spending one night in jail. I got chewed out by the Sergeant at the Bed-Stuy precinct who said ridiculous crap – like, “How would you like it if I tagged all over you!?” The whole thing was kind of ridiculous.

I guess they just don’t get it! When did you first come to NYC?

I was actually born here. But I grew up mainly in Portland, Oregon. Then six years ago, I came to NYC for the summer. And I never left. I just feel like this city is more to my pace than the West Coast. I’m much more productive here.

We’re certainly glad you stayed! Have you any favorite artists?

Some of my favorite comic artists are Robert Crumb, Jack Kirby and the Hernandez Bros.

What about printmakers? Any favorites?

Quite a few. Ben Shahn and Saul Steinberg come to mind. I like anything with a heavy line that is a bit sloppy. It makes the work more relatable to me.

You’re quite a prolific painter. Have you had a formal art education?

Well, I recently went back to school to finish up my undergraduate degree. I was about half way done, and figured I should probably finish it up.

Do you feel it has had a positive impact on your artwork?

I have mixed feelings about it. In a lot of ways school sort of slows the creative process down. I’m definitely making more work now that I’m back in the real world.

Have you exhibited your work in any galleries?

I was in a three-man show at Pandemic Gallery a while back. It was with my friends, Labrona and OverUnder. It was stressful for me because I spent a long time worried that I was going to look like a fool. Those other guys are really solid, and I didn’t want to be the weak link. In the end it came together, but I remember thinking after it was done that I didn’t want to do that ever again! I’m beginning to think it’d be cool to try it again at some point, though.

How do you feel about the role of the Internet in all of this?

Without it, I wouldn’t know who anyone is!

What’s ahead?

I’d love to travel and paint some walls in other cities. Maybe even go to other parts of the world. But locally, this is a good time of year to just knock on doors and see who’ll let you paint the side of their building!

Good luck! We sure hope those doors open!

Photos by Tara Murray & Street Art NYC

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Chilean Street Art Pioneer Nelson Rivas aka Cekis Introduces the “Fence Series”

April 24, 2012

Chilean native Nelson Rivas aka Cekis, one of the pioneers of the Latin American street art movement, began painting on the streets of his native city, Santiago, when he was sixteen. Since then, his artwork has graced the walls of a range of cities from Sao Paulo to Paris. Based in NYC for the last seven years, he has painted murals throughout Brooklyn and beyond. Recently, Nelson held his first open studio featuring the Fence Series, a series of paintings on the theme of immigration and the concept of self-imprisonment. While visiting Nelson’s studio last week, we asked him a few questions.

What inspired you to create the Fence Series?

Various personal experiences and encounters have sparked the concept of these paintings. When I moved out of Chile, I left behind almost everything I’d ever known: my family, my friends, and my career as a graffiti artist. When I came to NYC, I had no money, poor English language skills and hardly any friends. I had actually exiled myself from freedom and comfort, and I began to feel fenced in. It was a fence I had imposed on myself to enable me to grow as an artist. Once here, I met many immigrants with incredible stories. These people and their stories spurred me to further explore the theme of fences, particularly as they relate to immigrants.

How long have you been working on this particular series?

A couple of years ago, fences began to surface in my studio work. At first, they appeared as a subtle layer of texture, and then they gradually evolved into an essential element of my work. In the last six months, however, I started to play and experiment with fences as the main feature of my work. I started creating different colored fences, overlapping them, and intertwining them. I transformed the fence into a metaphor for imposed or self-imposed oppression, division, and the yearning for freedom.

How would you describe the process of creating your work?

The more I work and develop the concept, the more natural the process becomes. I don’t have any particular formula. If I did, I would start to get bored.

What materials do you primarily work with?

I’ve been working with lots of acrylic markers, acrylic house paint, spray paint, paper, wood and photos.

How has working in a studio been different from working in the streets?

I love painting on the street, but in NYC it is quite difficult to get new walls. It is easy to feel paranoid even when you are a legal resident. This is the main reason I started painting in the studio. I love painting murals, but I’ve come to enjoy the idea of experimenting, exploring and trying out new ideas on paper, wood or canvas. Also, when I work in my studio, I have fewer distractions. Then when I go outside, I apply some of the techniques I’ve developed from my studio work to my huge public works.

What’s next?

I’d like to continue painting at home and eventually share these latest pieces in a gallery setting. I recently received a grant to paint outdoor murals in Sunset Park later this spring. And I plan to travel abroad in the late fall to participate in a huge street art festival scheduled to take place in South America.

Good luck! We’re looking forward to seeing your outdoor murals in the months ahead.

Photos by Street Art NYC & Nelson Rivas

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DAIN: The Artist behind NYC’s Beguiling Portraits

April 18, 2012

Dain’s intriguing portraits have been part of NYC’s visual landscape for years. Curious about the man behind these beguiling images, we posed a few questions to the Brooklyn-based artist:

We are mesmerized by your portraits that seem to recurrently surface throughout NYC. We just love them. Who are these figures –mostly females — that greet us just about daily?

Thank you for your kind words. They are faces of eyes that speak to me.

Tell us something about the process of creating them.

I usually take the face of a woman and a match it to the body of a man. I mix in collage, spray paint, bright colors and some graff.

What about the dripping eye? We’re not sure what it represents.

I’d rather not say.

And why have you chosen to post your portraits in public spaces?

Unlike many of the massive murals that seem to be popping up like car ads, I still smile when I stumble upon a rusty old door way in the back alley of Chinatown and see some art.

When did you first start getting up?

I started by doing graffiti in grade school.

You are obviously taking risks, as the “authorities” haven’t been too kind these days to those artists who continue to use the streets as a canvas — especially when their work hasn’t been sanctioned. Any thoughts about that?

Not really. I’m adding beauty. I’m also selective about where I put up my work.

Have you a formal art education?

No. If that works for you, you got my blessings.

How do you feel about exhibiting your work in galleries? Your work looks fabulous on just about any surface in any venue.

Thank you again…you are kind I really enjoy bringing a taste of the streets to the galleries.

What’s ahead?

I’m working on a few projects, and I have a couple of shows coming up at the end of this year/early next year…hitting more streets!

Great! We’re looking forward.

Photos by Street Art NYC; all images from NYC streets, except for final one, which is from Leo Kesting Gallery, 2010

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Busy in Bushwick: Gilf!, Bishop 203 and Never at Work

April 15, 2012

Brooklyn-based Gilf! has been busy this past year gracing NYC’s landscape with playful images that often expose our political and personal hypocrisies. Inspired by Morton Salt’s famed Umbrella Girl, Gilf!’s most recent piece, When it Rains it Pours — featuring an eerily fashionable figure with Gucci bag in hand – suggests wastefulness and indulgence in a time of economic crisis.

Gilf! began painting on Friday –

And continued yesterday –

Nearby, Bishop 203, one of Brooklyn’s most active street artists, began fashioning a variation of his signature character onto a parked trailer.

And on the opposite side of the trailer, Never got busy with his iconic owl.

Keep posted to our Facebook page for the completed images!

Photos by Lenny Collado and Tara Murray

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The Yok, Sheryo & Never in Bushwick, Brooklyn

April 9, 2012

Distinct backgrounds, nationalities and styles seamlessly came together this past weekend on Bushwick’s Moore Street. Despite the fierce winds, the mood was mellow as the Yok, Sheryo and Never – all based in Brooklyn these days – graced the visual landscape of their current locale.

After some months abroad, Australia’s Yok is back in action here in NYC with his wondrous characters.

Working alongside the Yok, is Singapore native Sheryo. A member of the Army of Snipers crew, she has been sharing her talents and her uncanny, oddly appealing, characters with folks around the globe for the past few years. Currently based in Williamsburg, she recently began getting busy here in NYC.

And adding to the cast of characters and intriguing narrative is Never’s — constantly evolving — signature owl.

Photos by Lenny Collado and Tara Murray

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Noted Artist/Sculptor Jaye Moon Brings Her Vision to NYC Streets with Legos and Plexiglas

April 4, 2012

While in Manhattan’s Chelsea district and Brooklyn’s DUMBO this past month, we came upon captivating mini-homes constructed from Lego pieces perched onto trees We discovered that they are the works of the internationally acclaimed Brooklyn-based artist, Jaye Moon. Delighted that she had chosen to share her vision with us passersby, we posed a few questions to her:

Why do you choose to share your work with passersby in the public sphere?

I have been creating sculptures made out of Legos and Plexiglas such as suitcases, lunchboxes, containers, and drawers with living spaces inside.

My theme is about portable and instant living in the contemporary world. As an extension of my art project, I wanted to create urban landscapes that integrate actual architecture and nature with Lego bricks to share my ideas with the public.

Do they generally last? How do you feel when they don’t?

Sometime they last for a long time. Actually it depends on where I install them. If the locations are conventional, they are gone quickly. However, I don’t feel bad about that, because I want my work to function as mobile homes that can be taken away for their own purposes. Even though I don’t know how long they will last, I always make sure to leave enough spaces for trees to grow.

Why do you choose to work with Lego pieces?

Our lifestyles are portable and instant, and I am interested in creating modern architecture that reflects this. For me, Lego bricks are the perfect objects for they are associated with architectural forms, as they are ready-made – based on industrial and mechanical functions. These days we are trying to create universal living conditions that fit in anywhere — for anybody. The concept of Lego blocks is fitting for our mass-produced consumer culture, which I believe will continue to be our cultural trend in the future.

My tree houses also remind us of those homes that people sometimes wrap with cloth in the winter to protect them from cold weather, and viewers can also see the bricks’ primary colors sticking out from the green leaves before noticing that they are just plastic blocks.

Have you noticed folks’ reactions to your pieces as they pass them by? What kinds of responses have they elicited?

As soon as people pass by my work, they seem to feel connected with my projects, because they are made out of Legos. Toys are universal and innocent and bring people nostalgia of childhood memories. Someone said that he wants to climb up the tree house and fit inside. I see people with big smiles when they pass by my work, and that makes me happy.

What’s interesting is that every time I revisit the sites, I discover that something has been changed. Sometimes the doors are opened or closed. Sometimes bricks are missing; other times, people actually add their own bricks to the tree houses. I learned that people’s interactions recreate the shapes of the tree houses so they’re no longer my projects alone. This is what’s great about public art.

Outdoor photos by Street Art, NYC and Lenny Collado; Highrise II. 2007, courtesy of Newman Popiashvili Gallery

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The Iconic Sti(c)kman in NYC

March 30, 2012

Stickman street art in LES NYC The Iconic Sti(c)kman in NYC

A number of years back, a robot-like stick-figure began to migrate from the streets of Philadelphia, where it was conceived, to New York City. Little is known about its creator, who sometimes goes by the name “Bob,” other than that he’s continually devising variations of his iconic character and sharing them with us. Sometimes stenciled onto sidewalks, other times pasted onto walls and often installed as a wooden 3-D character, Sti(c)kman maintains a consistent presence on the streets of NYC.

We first started noticing him in lower Manhattan where we were intrigued by his endless variations.

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Alice Mizrachi, Cern, Gaia & Jaz in Long Island City, Queens

March 23, 2012

Street Art New York Queens Alice Mizrachi 2 Alice Mizrachi, Cern, Gaia & Jaz in Long Island City, Queens

Home to graffiti and street art Mecca 5Points, LIC also hosts a number of first-rate pieces on public spaces, generally devoid of street art. Here are a few pieces that we recently came upon.

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Tats Cru, Daze, Crash, Goldie and More Refashion Hunts Point’s Visual Landscape

March 20, 2012

The weather was glorious yesterday as the huge wall on Drake Street in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx served as a canvas for some of NYC most famed writers, along with their guests, including the legendary DJ Goldie in from the UK. Here are some images from the day:

Bio at work

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A Surge of Stylish Walls in the Bronx: Retna & Cope2, Rubin415 and Sen2

March 16, 2012

Since early March there has been a surge of stylish walls up in the Bronx. We are looking forward to the many more certain to surface. Meanwhile, here are three of our favorites:

LA Retna’s collaboration with COPE2. This is a segment–

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Skewville at Woodward Project Space on Manhattan’s Lower East Side

March 12, 2012

One of our favorite public spaces that features street art is Woodward Gallery’s Project Space on Eldridge Street. The most recent work to surface is Skewville’s. It replaces KA’s and MTK’s.