Events

Sticker Social Club at “LIC Arts Open” this Weekend

May 17, 2014

Following its hugely successful presence in last week’s Fridge Art Fair, The Sticker Social Club was invited to participate in this weekend’s LIC Arts Open. During the opening reception this past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to speak to Cosbe, an active member of the the club, along with one of its newer members, Fling.

Tell us something about the beginnings of the club. When and how did the idea of a sticker club begin?

Cosbe: It began about two years ago. This Is Awkward and I were looking for a way to involve more people in what we were doing, and we wanted a place where we could all meet up. Also, that was the year that Red Bull sponsored me to exhibit at the Scope Art Fair. And I wanted to have some fun with my friends before heading down to Miami for Art Basel.

DB Burkeman, the author of Stickers: Stuck-Up Piece of Crap: From Punk Rock to Contemporary Art, says that one aspect of the club that he loves is that “it’s like a swap club. Not everyone can draw!” And This Is Awkward, who loves “the idea of sharing, trading and creating art that can then go out to a broader public,” suggests that the Social Sticker Club “helps to facilitate our collective need to create.” What is the purpose of the club? Has it any one goal?

Cosbe: No, it doesn’t have any one specific purpose. It’s organic and always evolving.

Where do club members meet?

Cosbe: That varies. We’ve met at Governors Island, at Katz’s Deli, in Dumbo…

It was originally called the Secret Sticker Club? Why the name change?

Fling: The secret is out!

How did you find out about it, Fling?

Fling: I first met Cosbe and Wisher 914 when they were painting at Welling Court. We then ran into each other again at Comic Con.

What keeps you coming back?

Fling: I’ve met so many great people, and I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with artists such as Cosbe, CB 23, Roycer and Abe Lincoln, Jr.

About how many members does the club have?

Cosbe: Somewhere between 50-60.

What’s ahead?

Cosbe: More stickers, more shows and more interesting places to meet. We’re also working with Bomit to organize something on a large scale that involves other cities.

You guys have been quite a hit here in Long Island City – both at the Fridge Art Fair and at the launch of the LIC Arts Open. Your installation is amazing, and you’ve worked so hard. You are also so welcoming. Everyone is invited to create a sticker, share it and sell it. yungmoonshine, who met up with you guys at this space during the Fridge Art Fair last week, reports that she now has not only “a space and materials to make stickers,” but “also new friends to share materials and make stickers with.” What has this experience been like for the two of you?

Cosbe: It was more than I had expected. I’m grateful to StreetArtNYC for making it possible.

Fling: It’s been a great learning experience. I’ve learned so much – how to build walls, curate, install…

You can visit the Social Sticker Club today and tomorrow — from 12-6pm — at 525 46th Avenue off Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City.

Photos: 1. Kaijune by Rachel Fawn Alban; 2. SSC at “LIC Arts Open” reception by Rachel Fawn Alban; 3. Wisher 914 by Rachel Fawn Alban; 4. This Is Awkward by Lois Stavsky; 5. Fling by Lois Stavsky 6. Ryan Roi at LIC Arts Open reception by Lois Stavsky; 6. Abe Lincoln, Jr. by Lois Stavsky; 7. Baser collage by Lois Stavsky and 8. SSC at “LIC Arts Open” reception by Lois Stavsky

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Fridge Art Fair in Long Island City with Crash, Cosbe, Deps1, Cody, Youth Waste, Alone One and more

May 9, 2014

Located at 5-25 46th Avenue in Long Island City — just minutes from Manhattan — the Fridge Art Fair has much to offer us street art aficionados. Here’s a sampling:

John Matos aka Crash presented by Dorian Grey Gallery

Cosbe

Deps1

Cody and Youth Waste

Alone One with the The Sticker Social Club aka the Secret Sticker Club

The Sticker Social Club aka the Secret Sticker Club — under the curatorial direction of Cosbe

Conceived by Eric Ginsburg, whose portraits of pets are on display at the fair’s Dorfman Projects booth, the Fridge Art Fair — now in its second year — presents an eclectic array of art in all media and styles. It continues through Sunday with live art and performances throughout, as well as pets for adoption today and tomorrow!

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

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“All Girls” at Graffiti Universe in the Bronx with Scratch, Lady K Fever, Mrs, Vik and more

May 6, 2014

This past weekend, the walls of Graffiti Universe — located at 2995 Boston Road in the Bronx — were transformed into an all-girls’ canvas. While up there on Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak to Scratch, who — along with Lady K Fever — organized the event.

This is a first for Graffiti Universe. How did it happen?

Lady K Fever and I had painted together earlier this year. We were eager to involve more female writers. I spoke to Dennis Stumpo, who manages Graffiti Universe, and he offered us nine walls!

Had you girls ever painted together before? How did you decide whom to invite?

Many of us had met and painted together at 5Pointz and a few of us recently did the wall on 207th Street in Inwood. We wanted to include girls who were serious about graff and who could have fun together. I’m from Sweden; Lady K is from Canada; Vic is from Poland; Erica is from Mexico. And graffiti brought us together. We’re all at different levels, but we respect one another and we each want to get better and better. It’s not about who’s the best.

And this seems like the perfect way to hone your skills! Are there any particular challenges that you, as female writers, face?

We have this sense that we always have to prove ourselves. We are often not taken seriously enough.

Have you any messages to the male writers out there?

We can do it without you! We can do it ourselves!

What’s ahead?

More graff And we’d like to do some production walls with characters and backgrounds. That’s the plan!

Good luck! We look forward to seeing them!

Photos: 1. From left to right — Scratch, Anji, Lady K Fever, Erica, Chare and Vik — shutter by Topaz who had to “beg the girls to paint.” 2. Scratch 3. Lady K Fever 4. Mrs 5. Vik

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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The Big Egg Hunt Finale at Rockefeller Center through Friday with Vexta, Enx, Dain, Seen, Indie 184, Retna, Pure Evil, ASVP & more

April 22, 2014

The finale of the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt began this past weekend and continues through Friday. Among the 260 egg sculptures on view at 30 Rockefeller Plaza are quite a few by artists with roots in the streets. Here’s a small sampling:

Enx

Friday marks the final day of the auction with all proceeds going to Studio in a School and to Elephant Family.

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Lady Aiko’s Playful Bunny Party at Red Hook’s Gallery Brooklyn with Closing Party Next Saturday, March 29

March 22, 2014

With a range of stencil artwork on different media — from a skateboard deck to cupboard doors — along with a a playfully seductive mural, Lady Aiko has transformed Red Hook’s Gallery Brooklyn into a magical bunny party. This is a sampling of what can be seen at 351 Van Brundt Avenue through next Saturday.

Kiss

It’s Over

Serious Romance, close-up

Linda

And close-up from huge mural

The exhibit is open Thursday through Saturday, 12-7 and Sunday 12-5. The closing party takes place next Saturday evening, March 29, from 6-10 pm.

Photos of artwork by Lois Stavsky and City-as-School intern Annie Loucka

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Robert Aloia Brings His Curatorial Vision to shny with Cern, Matthew Denton Burrows, Icy and Sot, Leah Weber, Leo Uzai and many more

March 21, 2014

Piece, a wonderfully eclectic exhibit featuring a range of artworks from sketches to completed pieces, remains on exhibit at Spreadhouse through March 28 at 116 Suffolk Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. While most of the artists are familiar to us street art aficionados, some simply have a distinctly urban or outsider sensibility. Curious as to what was going on here, I posed some questions to Robert Aloia who spearheaded the show.

This is a great venue here. Can you tell us something about it?

It is an all-around creative space launched by the film production company, Spreadhouse, aka shny.

How did you discover it? It’s the perfect space to showcase art and its location is ideal.

My friend, the artist Peter Passuntino, had an exhibit here last month, curated by his son Greg. It was the first art show at shny and it introduced me to this space.

What is the concept behind Piece?

This exhibit is my way to showcase this space at Spreadhouse and to give viewers a glimpse into the creative process – from inspiration to finished product. Many of the pieces were created right here!

Among the dozens of artists featured here are many who are active on the streets and others who are new to me. How did you hook up with so many talented folks?

Friends and friends of friends and assistant curators.

What’s ahead?

We’re at work on a number of wide-ranging exhibits. But you can expect to see some street art elements in all of them.

That sounds great. Good luck!

Images: 1. Cern 2. Matthew Denton Burrows 3. Icy and Sot 4. Leah Weber and 5. Leo Uzai

Photos of images by Lois Stavsky

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NYC Sticker Art — Part IV: Screwtape, Skullphone, Kosby, Fling, RAE, Faust, RealAbstract, CB23, Zato and “Sticker Nerds 3” Call for Stickers

March 12, 2014

This is the fourth in a series of occasional posts showcasing sticker art that surfaces on an array of NYC public surfaces:

Screwtape’s homage to Army of One

Skullphone goes small

One of Kosby‘s many musings

Fling’s curious creature

RAE’s lovable, zany character

Faust‘s calligraphic handstyle

Milwaukee-based RealAbstract‘s magnetic sticker

CB 23’s now-iconic character in the rain

Zato’s much-loved fellow

And for those stickerheads who’d like to participate in the upcoming Sticker Nerds 3, organized by the inimitable Skam Sticker, the deadline to get your slaps in is this Friday, March, 14th. Send them to Sticker Nerds 3, Post Office Box 13492, Portland, Oregon 97213.

Photos of NYC sticker art by Lenny Collado, Dani Reyes Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

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SCOPE New York 2014 with Judith Supine, Beau Stanton, My Dog Sighs, Stormie Mills, Know Hope, Peeta, Mark Jenkins, Banksy and more

March 8, 2014

Featured in SCOPE New York 2014 are over 30 artists who are, also, active on our cities’ streets. Here’s a small sampling:

Judith Supine at Black Book Gallery

Beau Stanton at Moniker Projects

My Dog Sighs at Vertical Gallery

Stormie Mills at Vertical Gallery

Know Hope at Thinkspace Gallery

Peeta at C.A.V.E. Gallery

Mark Jenkins at Fabien Castanier

And Banksy at ArtNow NY

Located at 312 West 33rd St between 8th & 9th Ave, the fair continues through tomorrow, Sunday, March 9. General admission is $25.00; student admission is $15.00.

Photos of artworks by Dani Reyes Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

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Yoav Litvin’s “Outdoor Gallery NYC” Moves Indoors to 17 Frost with Enzo and Nio, Cern, Billy Mode, Alice Mizrachi, Chris Stain, Bishop203, Icy and Sot, ÑEWMERICA and more

March 1, 2014

Currently on view at 17 Frost is an exhibit of artwork by artists featured in Yoav Litvin’s remarkable book, Outdoor Gallery NYC. While visiting the exhibit on Thursday afternoon, we had the opportunity to speak to Yoav:

This exhibit is in many ways a reflection of your book. It is wonderfully eclectic.

Yes, like the book Outdoor Gallery NYC, it celebrates the diversity of the incredible range of street art that surfaces in NYC’s public spaces.

How did you connect with all of these artists – whose works are featured in your book and in this Outdoor Gallery NYC exhibit?

I initially met most of them through encountering their works on our streets. I further connected with them via Facebook or Instagram.

Can you tell us something about the process from the time you had your resources – your photos and interviews — to the actual production of the book?

Working with the designer, Steve Mosier, I created a template for a book. I then presented my concept to about 30 publishers. In late summer, I signed a contract with Gingko Press, my first choice. The first copies of the book became available last week.

The book looks wonderful, and your book launch party was quite remarkable. We’ve heard that folks waited on line for hours to get in.

Yes, that was quite humbling. And I feel grateful to everyone.

To what do you attribute the incredible success of the book launch?

My sense is that folks appreciate my particular approach. I have deep respect for all of the artists who share their works with us in public spaces. I admire their visions and their skills. I particularly love the way they challenge conventions.

You are a scientist, as well as a photographer and street art documentarian. Has your background as a scientist affected the way you approach street art?

I suppose it has. It is essential that my research and findings remain “clean” and unbiased. I am interested in presenting something that is important not only on a local level, but on a global one, as well.

In what ways has this project impacted you?

I feel that I’ve developed a distinct personal style and approach to documenting street art.

If you had the opportunity to spend time in another city and work on a similar “Outdoor Gallery” project, which city would you choose to visit?

I’d probably choose São Paulo, Brazil.

The exhibit, curated by Yoav Litvin with Royce Bannon, continues through March 8 at 17 Frost Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Yoav can be contacted at yoavlitvin@gmail.com; for updates, visit the book’s Facebook page.

Interview with Yoav Litvin conducted at 17 Frost by City-as-School intern Anna Loucka with Lois Stavsky; photos of artworks by Lois Stavsky. 1. Exterior of 17 Frost painted by Bishop203, elsol25 and Royce Bannon; 2 .Enzo & Nio, Retro Bomba; 3. Cern, Jardim Electrico; 4. Billy Mode, Love; 5. Alice Mizrachi, Queen, close-up; 6. Chris Stain, Up in the Bronx; 7. Bishop203, Jesus Christ Superstar; 8. Icy and Sot, Race and 9. ÑEWMERICA, small segment of collaborative mural

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Exit Room to Launch Track 1 with Esteban del Valle, Viajero, Nicole Salgar, Ramiro Davaro, Rimx, Sonni, Marka 27, Carlos Pinto and more

January 30, 2014

A wonderfully diverse group of artists have been busy these past 10 days fashioning the walls of Exit Room in preparation for tonight’s opening of Track 1, the first in a series of short exhibitions. Here’s a sampling of what’s been going down:

And here’s a close-up of a collaborative work in progress that we captured last Thursday:

Sonni, Marka 27 and Carlos Pinto

Other featured artists include: Chuck Berret, Ricardo Cabret, Chris RWK, Adam Dare, Jeff Enriquez, Art by Ken, Nepo, John Paul O’Grodnick and Gio Romo. There will also be a live musical performance by Mike Larry Draw X 86 SUPREME. Tonight’s opening takes place at 270 Meserole Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn from 6 – 11pm.

All photos of artists at work courtesy of Dariel Mtz and Zoe; photo of Sonni, Marka 27 and Carlos Pinto collaborative work in progress by Lois Stavsky

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