This is the ninth post in an occasional series featuring the diverse range of artwork on NYC shutters:
Photos: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 & 9 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 3 Tara Murray; 5 & 8 Lois Stavsky
{ 0 comments }
Street Artists
Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, Roberto Clemente and Satchel Paige are among the legendary baseball players whose faces now grace a range of storefronts on and off River Avenue from 158th Street to 162nd Street. A partnership between the 161st Street Business Improvement District and 501 See Streets, this particular project is one of several initiated by 501 See Streets founder and director, Noah Sheroff. I recently met up with Noah to find out more about him and his Paint New York project.
You are on a mission to bring public art to neighborhoods in NYC and beyond. What spurred your interest in street art?
I grew up in a neighborhood that was largely void of art. When I first visited 5Pointz in 2011, I was struck by the beauty and energy of it all. The following year I went on a tour of the Bushwick Collective, and soon after that, I discovered the Welling Court Mural Project in Astoria, Queens. By then I was hooked! I knew that I wanted to bring art murals to communities that wouldn’t otherwise have them.
We are familiar with the murals you facilitated that have transformed the blocks around Yankee Stadium. Have you engaged other neighborhoods?
Yes. Danielle Mastrion painted a mural on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue H in Brooklyn; Miss Zukie collaborated with John Paul O’Grodnick on Benson Street.across from the Lewis & Clark School, and Marthalicia painted on Jerome Avenue and East 198th Street.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered?
It’s been a daunting learning experience! The community members are often apprehensive. Artists tend to question my motives. And the funders are hesitant to fund “a new kid on the block.”
What seems to be the main concern of the community?
They are concerned about the content – about offending the sensibilities of the folks who live in the neighborhood. That is one of the reasons artists are often asked to submit a sketch first.
You are in the process of forging alliances with several Business Improvement Districts. Are they generally receptive?
Yes, the BIDs are generally receptive. They see the art as a way to highlight their businesses, bring commerce to their neighborhoods and attract tourists. I am also forging partnerships with civics and other neighborhood organizations.
What’s ahead?
I’m interested in expanding Paint New York into more neighborhoods and working with a range of community groups. And at this point, fundraising is essential to cover expenses and to pay the artists for their talents and time.
Good luck! And we are looking forward to 501 See Streets bringing more art to our streets!
Note: Find out how you can help support Noah’s project here
Interview by Lois Stavsky; Images 1 & 2 Danielle Mastrion; 3 & 5 Lexi Bella; 4 & 6 Andre Trenier; photo credits 1 & 2 Lois Stavsky; 3-6 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova
{ 0 comments }
The extraordinarily gifted Belgian artist Roa has recently shared his talents and passion for the animal kingdom with us outdoors in Jersey City and indoors at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery. The following images were captured this past Saturday near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel, not far from Mana Contemporary where Roa created his works for Metazoa, currently on exhibit at Jonathan LeVine:
Close-up
Close-up with Roa at work
The mural, full view
And here is a sampling of ROA‘s interactive works at Jonathan LeVine, largely created on found, salvaged materials:
Sturnus Vulgaris, mixed-media
Composition II: Lutrinate, Salmonidae, Anguilliformes, mixed media
Sturnus Vulgaris, mixed media
NY Canidae, mixed media, rear
Metazoa continues through May 2 at Jonathan LeVine at the gallery’s 529 West 20th Street space.
Note: For a wonderfully interactive view of several pieces check out this post on Colosaal.
Photos of Roa in Jersey City by bytegirl; of Roa’s works at Jonathan LeVine, Dani Reyes Mozeson
{ 0 comments }
Some of NYC’s most vibrant and striking murals–on Boone Avenue between 172nd and 173rd Streets in the Bronx–were demolished last year to be replaced by residential buildings. But thanks to the efforts of SLO Architecture, various artists, neighboring Fannie Lou Hamer High School, Maria Krajewski, City-As-School students and several others, the spirit of Boone Avenue lives. Featuring dozens of images, interviews and more, the Boone Room website, constructed by City-As-School students, can now be viewed online. To celebrate its launch, the public is invited to join the City-As-School family, several of the artists and a host of performers and musicians tonight at Exit Room.
Artists interviewed for the Boone Room website include: Cope2, Eric Orr, Marthalecia and Valerie Larko who has preserved the walls in her amazing photorealistic paintings.
Kashink — who was visiting NYC from Paris — to the left of Lady K Fever
Tonight at 270 Meserole Street in Bushwick
Post by City-As-School intern Zachariah Messaoud with Lois Stavsky; photos 3 and 4 courtesy Maria Krajewski
{ 0 comments }
Yesterday famed artist Ron English brought his vision to the legendary wall on Bowery and Houston. We are thrilled that this space is once again serving as Downtown Manhattan’s most exhilarating, rotating, outdoor canvas.
The artist and his mural — to be further enhanced — featuring his iconic Temper Tot and his take on the American flag
Ron English‘s wonderfully sardonic commentary on it all
Another close-up
Note: Ron English continues to work on his mural on Houston and Bowery; he is to begin painting it today, further enhancing his amazing work!
Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson
{ 1 comment }
Featuring an awesome array of outdoor and indoor murals, along with a range of smaller works in different media, Brooklyn is the Future opens this evening at the Vazquez at 93 Forrest Street in Bushwick. Here is a small sampling of what I saw when I stopped by yesterday.
Brooklyn is the Future curator, N Carlos J at work.
Chris Soria at work
Eelco at work
Marc Evan at work
Savior Elmundo, close-up
Ben Angotti, close-up
The two-weekend long exhibit and charity event opens this evening at 6pm.
Photos by Lois Stavsky; the first photo features LMNOPI
{ 0 comments }
Fusing elements of graffiti, painting, drawing and graphic design, N Carlos J creates masterful, atmospheric works both on and off the streets. He is particularly interested in the unconscious as it reflects our inmost emotions. We recently met up with the Brooklyn-based artist and had the opportunity to speak to him.
You have quite a presence in Bushwick and beyond these days — painting murals, organizing projects and now curating. Can you tell us something about your background?
I attended Art & Design in the 80’s, and I was around graff heads all the time back then. Like just about everyone else there, I got up when I could.
Do any early graffiti-related memories stand out?
The first time I tried to spray my name, I ended up covering my entire hand with Krylon paint. It was impossible for me to wash it off, and I knew I had better before my mother would see it.
I suppose your mom wasn’t too happy about what you were doing!
She wasn’t. She thought I was crazy!
Did you continue to study art in a formal setting?
Yes. I attended F.I.T., where I earned a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts. But soon after, I took a 15-year break from art.
Why was that?
I was married, and I felt pressured to earn money.
But these days you are back into it.
Yes, 100% of my time now is devoted to art. When I’m not doing my own art, I am organizing projects, working on commissions or teaching art. And I am busy now curating an exhibit to open next Friday.
Now that art is playing such a central role in your life, do you feel that your formal art education was worthwhile?
Absolutely. It taught me discipline, and it helped me master technique and color theory.
Any thoughts on the graffiti/ street art divide?
I feel that they must coexist. It is a conversation that we must have.
What do you see as the future of street art?
Street artists are going to continue to treat themselves more like businessmen.
Yes, I can see that happening. But that’s a whole other conversation! How do you feel about the movement of graffiti and street art into galleries?
I love it!
Have you shown in galleries?
I’ve participated in many group shows and I’m working on two solo exhibitions for fall, 2015.
What about the corporate world’s engagement with graffiti and street art? How do you feel about that?
If it pays well enough, I have no problem with it.
What about the role of the Internet in this scene?
It is a blessing and a curse. It gives us exposure, and that is, of course, a good thing. But it makes it too easy for others to steal styles and ideas from us.
How would you describe your ideal working environment?
Painting outside on a summer day with hip-hop music blasting.
What inspires you these days?
Listening to music by Kendrick Lamar or CyHi the Prynce inspires me. And reading excerpts from books like A Tale of Two Cities or The House of Rothschild gets me in the right space.
Are there any particular cultures that you feel have influenced your aesthetic?
American pop culture, but Renaissance and post-impressionist painting have also influenced me.
What about artists? Who are some of your favorite artists?
Among those I particularly love are: Borondo, Connor Harrington and Alexis Diaz
Do you work with a sketch in your hand or do you let it flow?
Sometimes I work with a sketch, and sometimes I don’t.
Are you generally satisfied with your work?
No! I am a perfectionist.
How has your work evolved in the past few years?
I tend to more freely fuse figurative and expressionistic elements.
What do you see as the role of the artist in society?
The artist is the keeper of the flame. We are what moves this planet.
What’s ahead?
I’m currently curating, Brooklyn is the Future, a huge, two-weekend long exhibit and charity event to open next Friday, April 17, at the Vazquez at 93 Forrest Street in Bushwick. Among the three dozen participating artists are: Damien Mitchell, Eelco, Ghost, Li-Hill, Mr. Prvrt, Rocko and Rubin. The artists are asked to envision the future of Brooklyn metaphorically or literally. I am also curating a show called Good Times Bushwick for Bushwick Open Studios opening on Friday, June 5 at Express Yourself Barista. It will include a gallery show, outdoor murals, along with a day party and a barbecue.
Wow! It sounds great! Good luck with it all!
Interview by Lois Stavsky with Houda Lazrak
Photos: 1 and 3 (close-up of panel for Brooklyn is the Future) courtesy of the artist; 2, 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 4 & 5 Dani Reyes Mozeson and 6 Tara Murray
{ 0 comments }
Unlike so many of Keith Haring‘s playfully iconic works that exude a child-like innocence, the huge works on exhibit in Heaven and Hell largely suggest an eerie darkness and unfettered eroticism. Here’s a sampling:
Wide view of two untitled works, 1984
Untitled, 1985
Untitled, 1984
Untitled, 1984
Heaven and Hell remains on exhibit at Skarstedt at 550 West 21 Street through next Saturday.
Photos of images: 1, 4 and 5 City-as-School intern Zachariah Messaoud; 2 and 3 Dani Reyes Mozeson. Note: First photo is a close-up from the huge mural below it (R).
{ 1 comment }
In an eclectic range of visual styles and themes, music makes it way to NYC walls. Here is a small sampling:
Zeso, close-up from huge mural in Bushwick
Andre Trenier, lead artist, in the Bronx
Kingbee, Pose2 and Chemis in East Harlem
Meres, Slone, See TF, Shiro, IZK and more in Bushwick
Close-up
Manny Vega in East Harlem
Sonni in Bushwick
Mike Brown on the Lower East Side
Unidentified artist in Bedford-Stuyvesant
Photo credits: 1, 2, 5 – 9 Lois Stavsky; 3 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 4 Tara Murray
{ 0 comments }
