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First City Project — Historic Glen Cove Mansion Transformed into Graffiti and Street Art Mecca — Opens to the Public

March 2, 2017

The First City Project has been busy at work transforming a historic 9000-square foot Glen Cove, Long Island site into an extraordinary Mecca of street art and graffiti. Curated by Joe LaPadula, Sean Sullivan and Harris Lobel — with the assistance of Brandon Aviles — it opens tonight, Thursday, March 2, to the public. While visiting yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to the projects’s founder Joe LaPadula.

This place is remarkable. You guys are making history! There’s such an amazing mix of styles and genres here. It’s home to some of my favorite artists, as well as others who are new to me. What made you decide to open it to the public on this particular date?

The Glen Cove BID (Business Improvement District) is holding its annual meeting on this date, March 2nd. And as I had recently been nominated to serve on its board, I thought that this space would be an ideal place for the BID to meet on this date. And, then, why not invite the public?

The local residents here seem quite enthusiastic and curious. And as this place is a street art and graffiti aficionado’s dream, many folks are likely to travel into Glen Cove, Long Island from NYC, NJ and beyond. What can visitors expect to experience at this opening?

For the locals and surrounding communities, it will be a new experience. They will be introduced to the next generation of urban-themed artists. And for everyone, it will be a chance to see some great art and meet dozens of talented artists. There will also be a huge variety of refreshments from Sweet Agenda Cafe‘s Dough Donuts to catered Italian meatballs to Garvies Point Brewery‘s craft beer. We will even have a Gorilla Cheese Food Truck on our grounds.

How many artists are included here? It seems that every step I take, I discover someone new!

There are 125, and we are still counting!

What was your greatest challenge in dealing with so many artists with so many different sensibilities?

Placement was the hugest issue.

How can folks visit this space, if they are unable to attend the opening event?

They can contact me or one of the other curators — Sean Sullivan or Harris Lobel.

That sounds great! Good luck with it all.

Images

1 Dain

2 Layer Cake NY

3 Karen Bystedt and Joe Mac LaPadula

4 Rocko

5 Dom

6 Marc Evan

7 Ben Fronckowiak

8 Joe LaPadula, Brandon Aviles, Sean Sullivan and Harris Lobel (left to right)

Photo credits: 1-5, 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 6 Harris Lobel

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Moscow’s Artmossphere Street Art Biennale Founder Sabina Chagina to Speak at Columbia University

March 1, 2017

Sabina Chagina, the founder and organizer of Moscow’s massive Artmosphere Street Art Biennale, a city-wide program of international street art in Moscow, will speak tomorrow evening at Columbia University. In a presentation hosted the Harriman Institute and Causa Artium, Ms. Sabina Chagina — on her first visit to NYC — will address what it takes to make such a massive undertaking succeed in the unique context of the Russian capital, an unlikely setting for an inherently anti-establishment art form.

For the past several years, Sabina Chagina has brought dozens of first-rate street artists to Russia, where they work — along with local ones — both inside key venues and outside on the streets and walls of Moscow.

Sabaina Chagina’s presentation will take place tomorrow evening, March 2, 6-8 pm at 601B Pulitzer Hall at the Graduate School of Journalism, 2950 Broadway at 116th St.

Images of artworks:

1 Italian artist Agostino Iacurci

4 Russian artist Aske

5 Spanish artist Okuda

All photos courtesy Causa Artium

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Looking Back at HKwalls Street Art Festival 2016 as HKwalls 2017 Nears: Okuda, Dmojo, Suiko, Egg Fiasco, Clogtwo, Colasa, Peeta, Faust & Roid

February 27, 2017

A celebration of street art and creative collaboration, HKwalls 2017 will take place in the industrial district of Wong Chuk Hang from March 18 to March 26. Since its launch in 2014, HKwalls has actively engaged the public, while providing opportunities for artists to showcase and share their talents — as they bring intrigue and color to Hong Kong’s streets. The images featured here (1-9) were painted during HKwalls Street Art Festival 2016.

Madrid-based Okuda

Malaysian artist Dmojo at work

Japanese artist Suiko

Manila-based Egg Fiasco

Singapore-based Clogtwo

Taiwanese artist Colasa at work

Italian artist Peeta

NYC-based Faust and London native Roid

Among the artists to be featured in HKwalls 2017 are: Zoer, Amuse, Merlot, Snik, Mauy Cola and Swoon, who several weeks ago visited Hong Kong and wheat pasted an entire tram — a collaboration among HKwalls, Hoca Foundation and Hong Kong Tramways — for HKwalls 2017.

During the nine days of HKwalls 2017, there will also be other activities — including a print exhibition featuring the artists’ works and a closing block party on March 26th. Among HKwalls‘ partners are: Vans, eico paints, MTN and Eggshell Stickers.

Photo credits: 1, 2 & 7 Cheung Chi Wau; 3, 5 & 6 Cheung Wai Lok; 4 Kyra Campbell and 8-10, courtesy HKwalls

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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BG 183 on The Wall — His New Solo Exhibition at Wall Works NY

February 24, 2017

Opening tomorrow — Saturday evening — and continuing through March 29, BG 183′s new solo exhibit — aptly titled The Wall — is on view at Wall Works NY, a contemporary art gallery in the South Bronx. A brief interview with the legendary artist — one of the founding members of the famed Tats Cru – The Mural Kings — follows:

Your exhibit is titled The Wall. Can you tell us something about the theme of this solo exhibit?

Yes! It’s about bringing images that are on huge walls outside onto canvases inside.

What inspired it?

People would often suggest that I paint on canvas what I paint on the streets. This way they could bring an image of what’s outdoors home with them.

About how many works can we expect to see in the exhibit?

I’ve completed close to 25.

And how can folks meet you?

They should come to the opening — Saturday, the 25th from 5-8 — where they can meet me, take photos and get autographs! Many other artists will also be there!

Congratulations!

Thank you! When Wall Works reached out to me last year to do my own solo show, I felt honored. I hope to see you there!

Interview conducted by Karin du Maire and edited by Lois Stavsky; photos 1 & 3 courtesy Jenny Norberg aka Scratch; 2 & 4 Karin du Maire

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In West Palm Beach, Florida with: Tristan Eaton, Sipros and Pipsqueak, Kobra, Astro, Herakut, Case Maclaim & PichiAvo

February 21, 2017

Presenting a diverse range of mural art by over 30 local, national and global artists, Canvas 2016 has brought soul and spirit to Downtown West Palm Beach, transforming it into an intriguing outdoor museum. Pictured above is by Tristan Eaton. Here are several more images I captured this past Sunday:

Brazilian artist Sipros with the Dutch duo Pipsqueak, close-up

Brazilian muralist Kobra does Albert Einstein, close-up

Parisian artist Astro

The German duo, Herakut, close-up — with a message

German artist Case Maclaim

Spanish muralists PichiAvo

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Street Art for Mankind Battles Child Slavery with: Bruno Smoky & Shalak Attack, Mr. Cenz, Mr. Dheo, Victor Ash, Jo Di Bona, Trek6 and more

February 19, 2017

In its mission to shed light on the plight of child workers and raise funds to halt child slavery, Street Art for Mankind — a non-profit public charity that promotes art for social change — has engaged dozens of artists renowned for sharing their talents and visions in public spaces. Pictured above is a huge mural fashioned by Clandestinos currently on view at 7401 NW Miami Ct in Little River, Miami. What follows are several more images — some just seen this past week in Miami and others captured last month in New York City at the closing ceremony for #AtThisAge, the first United Nations exhibit featuring street art.

Clandestinos — Bruno Smoky and Shalak Attack — at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

London-based Mr Cenz, close-up, as seen in Miami

Mr Cenz at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

Portuguese artist Mr. Dheo in Miami

Mr. Dheo at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

Copenhagen-based Victor Ash in Miami

Victor Ash at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

Parisian artist Jo Di Bona in Miami

Jo Di Bona at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

Trek6 in Miami, his home town

And Trek6 educating youngsters on the art of the spray can on the Miami grounds of Street Art for Mankind

The dozens of murals remain on view through tomorrow, Monday, at 7401 NW Miami Ct in Little River. And, also, tomorrow, 70 masterpieces — from 4×4 feet to 40×8 feet — will be be auctioned. Check here for further info about the closing day’s activities and the auction that will raise funds for the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) to help rescue and rehabilitate enslaved children across the world. And there’s much ahead for Street Art for Mankind as exhibits, workshops and auctions are planned for Paris, Sao Paulo, Dubai and Seoul.

Photo credits: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 & 12 Lois Stavsky; 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 Karin du Maire

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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FAAM Presents Major Street Art Auction: Faile, Iena Cruz, Tracy 168, Luis Berros, Abstrk, Speedy Graphito, Banksy & more

February 17, 2017

While visiting Miami’s Design District yesterday, I had the opportunity to preview FAAM‘s sixth edition of its “Major Street Art Auction.” Pictured above is one side of Faile‘s hugely impressive tower. Here are several more images of works that will remain on exhibit through Sunday, with a live auction tomorrow, Saturday evening, at 5PM.

Another view of Faile‘s Tower with Banksy’s Caveman on far right

Federico Massa aka Iena Cruz, Glass Eye, Acrylic on canvas

Tracy 168, Wild Style, Mixed-media on canvas

Luis Berros, Khalo, Mixed media on wood panel

Tats Cru and more, Mixed media with enamel paint on digital photo on five foam core panels

Abstrk, Untitled, spray enamel on wood panel

Speedy Graphito, American Kings, Acrylic on canvas

Flyer with info — featuring Banksy’s Caveman

Photos of artworks 1-7 by Lois Stavsky

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Apostrophe NYC Base 12 Artists at Mana BSMT: Ryan Bock, Kolter Hodgson, James Reyes, James Rubio, The Real Love Child, Sei Smith & Alana Dee Haynes

February 16, 2017

A collaborative hub for artists, the Mana BSMT occupies the entire lower level of Mana Contemporary‘s Jersey City headquarters. After completing their residency there, Apostrophe NYC’s Base 12 artists presented their artworks in a series of installations and performances this past Saturday evening. The image pictured above was fashioned by Ryan Bock, whose talents have also made their way onto walls on the Lower East Side and Bushwhick. Here are several more images we captured:

Also by Ryan Bock, Sacrificial Shanking

Kolter Hodgson, Cryami, close-up

James Reyes

James Rubio with his new Power of Prayer paintings

The Real Love Child, close-up

Sei Smith, Yellow and Blue — as observed by Houda Lazrak — with artist as masseur

Alana Dee Haynes, Photo Booth — with fashions designed by the artist

Photo credits: 1-7 Lois Stavsky and 8 Houda Lazrak

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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At the Ironbound Boxing Academy in Newark, New Jersey: Where Boxing, Graffiti and Education Merge

February 13, 2017

Several Newark-based graffiti artists, collectively known as The Artchitectz, have been busily transforming the inside of an abandoned football stadium in Newark into a boxing academy and — soon to be — educational facility. Operating in partnership with the City of Newark, the mission of the Ironbound Boxing Academy is: “Build your skills. Build your brand. Build your future.” On Saturday, February 4^th, the Ironbound Boxing Academy — a component of Ironbound USA, founded by Gary Bloore — hosted an Open House celebrating the completion of phase one. Pictured above is the work of Torch Fuego and Risky. What follows are several more images, captured by Rachel Fawn Alban, providing us with a glimpse into the interior of the Ironbound Boxing Academy.

Torch Fuego

Remi3 with the Ironbound Boxing Academy‘s mission

Two young Ironbound Boxing Academy members “building their skills”

Torch Fuego, as the Ironbound Boxing Academy readies for this year’s Paint for Pink

Keith Colon, Gary Bloore, Obalaji Baraka & Torch Fuego

Located at 226 Rome Street, The Ironbound Boxing Academy is open Monday 4:00 – 6:00pm; Tuesday – Friday: 4:00 – 7:30pm and Sat: 12:00 – 4:00pm.

Photos by Rachel Fawn Alban

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ALL BIG LETTERS — Curated by RJ Rushmore — Continues Through March 3 at the Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery in Haverford, PA

February 11, 2017

On view at the Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery in Havorford Pa. is ALL BIG LETTERS, curated by Vandalog editor RJ Rushmore. In his “attempt to demystify graffiti,” RJ focuses on the tools and strategies of writers – rather merely on their styles. And he succeeds brilliantly. What follows are several images from the exhibit, largely illustrative of the various tools and strategies employed by writers in their quest to attain recognition. Pictured above is a huge wall painted by Faust who initially made his mark on our streets with hundreds of stickers featuring his exquisite handwriting.

Curve, an installation featuring his writing on a range of found materials

Lee Quinones, Howard the Duck

Martha Cooper, photography; below — a range of tools of the trade — both homemade and commercial

EKG, The Tools of Graffiti

A sampling of stickers from DB Burkeman’s stuckupofficial collection

And accompanying the exhibit is a catalog with an outstanding selection of images, accompanied by insightful essays by both RJ and Carlo McCormick. Located on the campus of Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, the Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery is about a 30-minute ride from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. ALL BIG LETTERS can be seen through March 3.

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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