Sculpture

BX200 Exhibit BRONX NOW Brings the Best of the Bronx to Brooklyn: John Ahearn, Tats Cru, Eric Orr, Crash, Andre Trenier, Mrs and More

May 3, 2016

Splendidly curated by Laura James and Eileen Walsh, Bronx Now showcases a wide range of artworks in different media by some of the best artists working in the Bronx. Among these are several whose works also enhance public spaces. While visiting the exhibit on Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak to both curators and pose a few questions to Laura James, the co-founder of BX200.

Just what is BX200? And when was it launched?

BX200 is a directory of 200 artists, all of whom live or work in the Bronx. It was officially launched at the Bronx Museum of the Arts in March 2015.

What is its mission? And what spurred you to launch it?

Its mission is to connect our borough’s best artists to as wide an audience as possible from curators to collectors to other artists. My initial incentive in launching it was to get to know other artists living and working in the Bronx.

You and Eileen Walsh have, obviously, accomplished so much working together. The directory looks great, and this exhibit is wonderful. How did you two initially meet?

Awhile back, Eileen had invited me to participate in an exhibit she was curating elsewhere. Then when she read about BX200, she was eager to partner with me.

The art here is spread across two rooms, and it all looks amazing. How did this great space come your way?

Eileen introduced me to it, and I thought it would be an ideal setting to introduce a selection of Bronx artists to folks who frequent Brooklyn spaces, particularly in Bushwick where so much is happening.

How did you decide which artists to include in Bronx Now? Some of the artists are quite young and relatively unknown, and others have established reputations and have exhibited in renowned museums.

We were interested in presenting a snapshot of the Bronx featuring works that we love — in a variety of styles and media — from a wide range of artists.

The exhibit opened with a reception Saturday evening How did the opening go?

It was fantastic! About 300 people came and we had Andre Trenier painting live

What are some of the other events we can look forward to this week?

This Thursday, May 5, there will be a Bronx Now Artist Talk from 6-8pm. Participants will include Tats Cru, John Ahearn, Rebecca Allan, Danny Peralta and Alicia Grullon. And this Saturday there will be a closing reception from 5-8pm with a performance by Paco Cao. From Wednesday through Saturday’s closing, the gallery — located at 119 Ingraham Street — opens at noon. Enter through Terra Firma.

Congratulations on BX200 and this wonderful exhibit! I’m looking forward to more.

Images

1. John Ahearn with curators Laura James and Eileen Walsh

2. Bio, Tats Crew

3. Eric Orr

4. Crash

5. Nicer, Tats Cru

6. Andre Trenier, close-up

7. MRS

Photo credit: 1, 2, 4-7 Lois Stavsky; 3 courtesy Laura James; interview 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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Battery Park’s Alluring Public Art: Fritz Koenig, Ned Smyth, Tony Cragg, Jim Dine, Constance Mallinson and Nancy L Steinmeyer

March 18, 2016

As the line between street art and public art continues to blur, we find ourselves increasingly intrigued by the range of public art that surfaces in NYC parks. What follows is a sampling of what we’ve captured these past few months in Battery Park.

German sculptor Fritz Koenig, the Sphere, the sole surviving artwork from the grounds of the original World Trade Center

Ned Smyth, The Upper Room, close-up

British artist Tony Cragg, Resonating Bodies (one of two bronze sculptures resembling giant musical instruments)

Jim Dine, The Ape & Cat (at the Dance)

Constance Mallinson, Souvenir (fragment) for the Cool Globes traveling exhibition

Nancy L Steinmeyer First We Scream, Then We Are for the Cool Globes traveling exhibition

Photo credits: 1-5 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 6 Tara Murray

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

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Searching for Public Art in Riverside Park on a Snowy Sunday Afternoon: Sukyung Kim, Kate Jansyn, Paola Morales, Lee Apt and Ken Shih

January 25, 2016

On a mission to find public art in my Manhattan neighborhood, I hit Riverside Park yesterday afternoon. Here’s a sampling of what I found walking among the snow drifts — overlooking the Hudson River — from 72nd Street down to 59th Street:

Sukyung Kim, Flow 1 – Cascade