Under the direction of Centre-fuge Public Art Project co-founder Jonathan Neville, the once drab trailer on the south side of East First Street is continually reinvented. Here are some images from its current transformation:
Staten Island-based Kwue Molly with the Ology Collective — Col, 2ease & Ski
Brooklyn-based Julia Cocuzza with J Mike Kuhn on her left
Check here for information on how you can submit a proposal to paint on the East 1st Street Trailer.
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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Passionately engaged in promoting the positive values of the cultures of street art, graffiti and hip-hop, the Staten Island-based NYC Arts Cypher is a dynamic ever-evolving venture. For the past few months a host of local, national and international artists have been busily at work preparing for Cypher Fest, NYC Arts Cypher‘s first Annual Street Art Festival. While visiting I had the opportunity to speak to its founder and president, Charlie Balducci aka Charlie B.
When was NYC Arts Cypher born?
It was founded in 2004, and it became an official 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2007.
What spurred you to create it?
It was a way for me to stay involved in all aspects of the arts and entertainment and –- at the same time — engage the community. The realization of it was a dream come true. Of the five boroughs, ours had been the least recognized.
How would you describe its mission?
Its mission is to promote positive values through programs and events related to urban art. NYC Arts Cypher also serves as a networking tool for artists in all five boroughs. And with its open-door policy, it introduces many of our local kids to a range of skills from painting and dancing to acting and producing videos.
What are some of the concerns that NYC Arts Cypher has addressed?
When Amanda Cummings, a local teen, threw herself in front of a bus in 2013, we took on the issue of bullying. And, tragically, the issue of bullying was in the news once again when 13-year-old Staten Island resident Danny Fitzpatrick took his life leaving behind a note that expressed his pain as a victim of bullying. Among other issues we address are: vandalism, drug abuse and conflict-resolution.
Does any particular highlight stand out?
In 2010, we were awarded “best documentary short” at the Staten Island Film Festival for our documentary, M.U.R.A.L
Can you tell us something about it?
Yes. It presents graffiti as an art form – rather than an act of vandalism. It features interviews with a range of people from the youth who are active in our programs to law enforcement officials to such accomplished artists as the members of Tats Cru and Meres of 5Pointz fame.
What are some of the challenges you encounter in overseeing such a multi-faceted space?
Working on sustaining it is the principal challenge, as we continue to expand and offer more programs and networking opportunities.
It seems like a monumental task! How do you do it?
We have support from sponsors like SIBOR, Wheel Concepts and Williams Eye Works. But nothing beats the heart of a volunteer — like Cynthia Valle and Tony Spinelli.
What’s ahead for NYC Arts Cypher?
We are utilizing all our resources to beautify not only our block, but — also — neighboring blocks, as artists from across the globe are now painting alongside local artists. We will continue to engage schools in a range of programs promoting positive values –particularly the Don’t Be a Bully initiative that combats bullying with creativity and Pillz Killz that tackles head on the epidemic of drug abuse plaguing our community. We will also be hosting a pop-up shop and café. And next Sunday, September 10th we will be presenting Cypher Fest, our first Annual Art Festival.
Images
1 Mr. Prvrt & A Visual Bliss with Jorit Agoch at work on the right
3 & 4 Sipros
Photo credits: 1, 2, 4 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 3 Tara Murray; interview with Charlie B conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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A remarkable museum, featuring the artwork of dozens of street artists, muralists, graffiti writers and bombers, is underway in the least likely spot –a 300-year-old historic Glen Cove, Long Island mansion. While visiting this designated city landmark last week, I had the chance to speak to Sean Sullivan aka Layer Cake, who is actively engaged in the transformation of this 9000-square foot site that was once home to one of the five founding families of the city of Glen Cove.
This is remarkable? Whose concept was this?
Joe LaPadula — known among us for his fabulous cutting-edge urban art car projects — knew about this site and saw its potential to serve as a platform to introduce his favorite art form to the public.
How did you become involved with it?
I did a Ferrari hood for Joe’s project, and we discovered that we share a similar vision. And then I involved Harris Lobel who has done a great job overseeing the Drip Project in Mount Vernon’s Mes Hall.
This home is the centerpiece of the First City Project – which has also engaged artists in painting in public spaces. What is the goal of this project?
There are many. The First City Project‘s principal goal is introduce the residents of the City of Glen Cove and surrounding communities to the next generation of urban-themed artists.
When did the transformation of this site begin?
The actual painting began on May 2. I was, in fact, the first artist to paint here.
There is such a wildly diverse mix of art here. How were you able to engage such a variety of artists?
At first I reached out to those I know and like. And then it was a matter of word of mouth, as artists connected to one another.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered in seeing this through?
Working with such a varied range of artists with so many different personalities is, in itself, a challenge. But immediate ones that come to mind are: artists not showing up on time; having to stay up far too late and the inevitable politics that comes with it all.
What’s ahead for the First City Project?
Live art events, gallery exhibits, more outdoor mural projects that engage the community — particularly the youth — student art classes and more.
It’s very exciting! Good luck with it all! And we look forward to news about upcoming events.
Images:
1. Phetus
2. Such
3. Reaps
4. Sean Sullivan aka Layer Cake
5. Ellis G
6. Chris RWK, Nite Owl, Zero Productivity and Easy
7. Pase
Photos and interview by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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The 15th edition of the NYC Graffiti Hall of Fame, presented by Joey TDS and James Top, was launched this past weekend inside the famed East Harlem schoolyard on 106th Street and Park Avenue. Pictured above is by French graffiti artist Pro176. Here are several more artworks captured yesterday:
Rhode Island-based PFunk at work
Local writer Rath
New York City-based graffiti legend Quik
NYC-based, Stockholm native Scratch, the sole female to paint this year!
NYC-based Hops1
NYC-based Poet
Keep posted to our Facebook page for more images of new Graffiti Hall of Fame murals.
Photos by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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Founded and curated by SinXero, the TAG Public Arts Project — a A 501(c)3 Not for Profit in NY State — continues to bring a wonderfully diverse range of public artworks to the South Central section of the Bronx. Pictured above is a mural recently painted by Baltimore-based artist Nether 410. Here are a few others — fashioned by local, national and international artists — that I came upon this past Friday while exploring the streets on and off Westchester Avenue along the 6 line.
Brooklyn-based Australian artist Damien Mitchell, close-up
Hong Kong-based Italian artist Barlo, close-up
The legendary NYC-based Daze
With Brazilian artists TOZ & BR from the Flesh Beck Crew to his left, close-up
NYC-based Sole Rebel
NYC-based Puerto Rican artist Ralph Serrano
Rochester-based Mr. Prvrt and NYC-based A Visual Bliss, close-up
Photo credits: 1 Courtesy SinXero; 2-8 Lois Stavsky
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The windows of NYU’s Kimmel Center are now home to a wide range of street art and graffiti artworks. Presented in partnership with 3rd Culture Creative, a cutting-edge media development company, ART STREET 13 WINDOWS 1 WALL showcases the distinct aesthetic of 15 artists whose works have surfaced on our streets. I recently had the opportunity to speak to its principal curator Pamela Jean Tinnen — who for the past five years has curated New York University’s Kimmel Galleries.
I’m always delighted when universities embrace street art. Can you tell us something about how this project came to be? What might have prompted it?
Yes! Awhile back I went on a street art tour of the Bushwick Collective, conducted by one of my colleagues, Izzy Church. I loved what I saw, and I soon began researching street art. An exhibit featuring street art became a passion project of mine, and the Kimmel Windows Gallery seemed like the ideal site to showcase public art, particularly during the summer months.
Exhibiting works by street artists and graffiti writers in a public space – that can be seen by everyone — is certainly a cool notion! Are there any other particular concepts underlying this exhibit?
Yes. Placing works of street art behind a glass wall also hints at the monetary value of the artworks by those street artists who have achieved mainstream success.
How did you and your co-curators — Izzy Church and Marten Kale — decide which artists to include?
We reached out to our favorite artists, and several of the other artists reached out to us.
Did you encounter any unanticipated challenges in seeing it through?
The unconventional nature of the artworks demanded careful attention to their placement in this particular setting.
I think it looks great! Each window is engaging. How has the response to it been?
The response has been wonderful. I’ve received so many positive messages, particularly from my colleagues.
Until when will it remain on view?
It has been extended through September 12th. And during these next few weeks, be prepared for some surprises as we make some changes in the windows! A closing event will be held on Saturday, September 10th from 7:30 – 10pm in the Grand Hall at NYU Global Center, 238 Thompson Street, 5th Floor. There will be art, music and a cash bar.
It all sounds great!
Images
1. Francisco de Pájaro aka Art Is Trash
2. Gilf!, Iena Cruz and Cope2 with Indie
3. Ron English
Located on Laguardia and West 3rd St, Kimmel Windows also features: John Fekner, ASVP, Lady Pink, Jonathan “Meres” Cohen, Fumero, Raquel Echanique, Federico Massa a.k.a. Iena Cruz, B.D. White, Joe Iurato, Martian Code and Skewville.
Photo credits: 1-4 Lois Stavsky; 5 courtesy Woodward Gallery; interview by Lois Stavsky
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Lady K Fever has been feverishly busy! Along with creating and installing All Along the Watchtower, an interactive public art installation at Marcus Garvey Park, she was also at work curating Inside Out, a group exhibit at the nearby Heath Gallery, to coincide with her installation. This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit both the installation and the exhibit.
Another segment of the Marcus Garvey Park installation — at night
And at the Heath Gallery — Lady K Fever, Mystery
Jenevieve, Two Views
Natalie Collette Wood, Eliptical Star
Marthalicia, Aquatic Boy
Shame 125, Admiring
Bio,Tats Cru, Let the Games Begin
And “the crew” outside Heath Gallery
The exhibit at Heath Gallery can be seen this weekend: Saturday from 12-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm. All Along the Watchtower remains on view through the end of this month. And for a guided walk of it, you can meet up with Lady K Fever, Suprina and the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance members at the nearby Chéri Restaurant, 231 Lenox Avenue, between 6-7pm on Friday evening.
All Along the Watchtower is sponsored by the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance Public Art Initiative with funding provided in part by the Harlem Community Development Corporation.
Photos: 1-3 & 10 courtesy Lady K Fever; 4-9 Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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In addition to its dozens of outstanding murals, Montreal teems with intriguing graffiti and street art — fashioned by both local and visiting artists. Pictured above is Enzo Sarto. Here are a few more we captured last week:
And beginning today Montreal’s annual Under Pressure Graffiti Festival continues the transformation of the city into a visual wonderland.
Photo credits: 1 Lois Stavsky; 2-7 Tara Murray
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All-City Express, a hugely impressive interactive art exhibition, made its world premiere last weekend at Randall’s Island’s Panorama. Under the curatorial direction of 5Pointz Creates leaders Meres One and Marie Flageul, Lady Pink, Tkid 170, Toofly, Meres One, Jerms, Topaz, and See tf painted live, covering digital subway cars with original artwork. Fusing graffiti’s underground roots with innovative video technology, the project was developed by Brooklyn-based AST Studios with Tangible Interaction. Here are a few images captured in the course of this three-day cutting-edge homage to traditional graffiti art.
Five of the 5Pointz Creates crew with Marie Flageul in foreground — on green screen
Lady Pink and Toofly at work on green screen
And with completed piece as viewed on virtual subway train
See tf and Python with completed piece on green screen
Jerms and Topaz as a mix of technologies brings them at work onto a NYC train in real time
T-Kid with completed piece on green screen
And as viewed on virtual train
Meres One at work on green screen
And the trains roll by throughout NYC with AST Studios‘ life-like visual effects and editorial content by Possible Productions
Photo credits: 1, 3-10 Nic Lyte and 2 Rachel Fawn; videos produced by AST Studios
Note: This blog will be on vacation through Sunday, August 7. You can follow us on Facebook and on Instagram.
Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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While visiting the incredible Living Museum housed at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens Village earlier this week, I unexpectedly came upon a graffiti artist at work. He introduced himself as James Kusel, and when I shared my passion for graffiti with him, he spoke about his experiences back in the day and his current mission to give back.
When did you first get up?
It was during my sophomore year of high school. I was 16 years old.
What inspired you back then?
I was working in a luncheonette in Woodhaven, and I saw the black books of the kids who were also working there. It was love at first sight! And getting up was a great outlet for me. I was a troubled kid – almost always alone – and graffiti gave me something to live for at the time…and a sense of belonging. I was passionate about it.
What were your main spots?
I started hitting the trains immediately. Among the lines that I hit were: the M, J, 7, the E and F and the 2 line. My favorites were the BMT flats. I bombed the outsides of the trains with Krylon and Rust-Oleum, and the insides with Pilots, Unis and Flow Markers. I also hit yards and rooftops. I wrote Aero.
What is the riskiest thing you ever did back then?
Everything I did was risky. Here I was a white kid – piecing at 3 in the morning in the M and J yards while ducking from the cops. It’s not where I should have been. But the riskiest thing I ever did was bombing while I was high on angel dust.
How did your family feel about what you were doing back?
My mother hated it. When she couldn’t take any more of me, she shipped me away to High Point Hospital. I spent 2 ½ years there, and since 1988, I’ve been coming here. I’ve been sober now – free of drugs and alcohol – for 28 years. If I hadn’t been locked up during the height of the crack epidemic, I’d be dead now – like so many of my friends from back in the day.
Have you ever shown your work in galleries or museums – besides the Living Museum?
Yes. I painted a gigantic mural at the Queens Museum in 2002 for its exhibit In the Flow: Artists From the Living Museum. By then I had changed my name to Insane. And I’ve painted and shown murals in alternative spaces when I worked as a DJ.
Have you ever studied art in a formal setting?
No. Why should I? I like to do things my way. I’m too cool for art school!
Did any particular cultures influence you?
Black culture. Most of my friends have been Black. I’ve been raised by that culture.
What’s your favorite place to create art these days?
Right here! I love the Living Museum. The people are wonderful, and I feel as though I am a part of a community of artists. There’s a great sense of camaraderie.
Have you any other particular interests and passions?
Yes! I love music, all music. And I am also a culinary artist and ex-surfer.
Are there any graffiti artists whose works have inspired you?
Yes! Among the artists who’ve inspired me are: Dondi, Zephyr, Duster and Lee.
Any shout-outs?
T-Kid! I identify with him and all that he’s overcome.
What do you see as the role of the artist in society?
To keep his talent, the artist must give it away. That is his role. To share it with others.
What’s ahead for you?
I’d like to create more art expressing positive messages and I want to interact more with members of the community.
Interview conducted by Lois Stavsky with Bonnie Astor and edited by Lois Stavsky; photos 1 & 2 Lois Stavsky
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