An exhibition of huge works painted by Keith Haring in the 80’s remains on view through Saturday, June 14 at Gladstone Gallery. While all are characteristic of Haring’s boldly, playful aesthetic, some exude a dark social and political sensibility — referencing such themes as the AIDS crisis (pictured above), greed and economic inequality. Here’s a sampling:
The gallery is located at 515 West 24th Street in Chesea, Manhattan.
Photos of images by Dani Reyes Mozeson
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The walls along Meserole and Waterbury in Bushwick and on and near Borinquen Place in Williamsburg have become canvases for an extraordinary array of magical murals. They are among the highlights of the Juicy Brooklyn Art Festival launched by Exit Room. Here’s a sampling:
Chilean artist Dasic Fernández
Mexican artist Werc
Bogota-based Stinkfish
Argentinian artist Ever at work with Zio Ziegler
Close-up from huge collaborative mural by Puerto Rican artists Rimx, SON and Ricardo Cabret
Mexican artist Marka27, close-up
The Juicy Brooklyn Art Festival begins today, Thursday June 5, at 270 Meserole Street in Bushwick and continues through Saturday. Keep posted to our Facebook page for images of more magical murals that are surfacing along Meserole and Waterbury.
All photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson — except for Stinkfish by Lois Stavsky
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Nick Kuszyk‘s impeccably-crafted robots are among NYC’s most seductive images. With their bold colors and expressive movements, they brilliantly enhance our urban landscape. I had the opportunity to speak to their creator, R. Nicholas Kuszyk aka RRobots, shortly before he left for his one-month residency in Jaffa, a seaport town on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.
When and where did you first get up?
It was back in 1993 in the suburbs of DC.
Had you any preferred surface or spot back then?
I hit whatever walls and trains I could.
Who or what inspired you at the time?
Cycle and Cool Disco Dan were among my main inspirations.
Do any early memories stand out?
My friend’s older brother had a black book and a copy of Videograf. It seemed monumental. I was 12 years old when I discovered another reality.
How did your family feel about what you were doing?
My parents didn’t know what I was doing. But my family has always been supportive of my art. My mom is an interior decorator and my sister does cool drawings.
Were you ever arrested?
No. I never got caught.
Most of us here identify you with your signature robot. Can you tell us something about it? When was it born?
It was born in 2000, and my first legal robot wall surfaced in 2002 in Richmond. Since then, it has traveled to over a dozen cities in the US and abroad to Berlin, London, Prague and now to Tel Aviv.
Why a robot? What does this robot represent?
I like its simplicity, its universality. It’s up to you to decide what it represents.
How do you feel about the movement of street art and graffiti into galleries?
It’s fine.
Is there anyone with whom would you like to collaborate?
Satan.
Are there any particular cultures that have influenced your aesthetics?
The skateboarding culture and graffiti.
Do you work with a sketch in hand or do you just let it flow?
I always have a general idea of what I will be painting. But I don’t prepare sketches.
Are you generally satisfied with your work?
It depends.
Do you have a formal arts education? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. I studied art at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts. It was definitely worthwhile, as it widened my perspective.
How has your work evolved in the past few years?
It has become more geometric, and the robots are becoming less central to my pieces and more integrated into them.
How do you see the role of the artist in society?
The artist is here to educate and to entertain. And the street artist has a distinct role – to increase property values.
Note: Nick’s exhibit, consisting of artwork created during his one-month residency, opens tomorrow, Thursday, June 5 at SAGA, a new space for art in Jaffa.
This interview was conducted by Lois Stavsky; photo 1 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn by Lois Stavsky; photo 2, courtesy SAGA; photo 3 at Welling Court in Astoria, Queens by Tara Murray; and photo 4, courtesy SAGA
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These past few days have been busy at the Bushwick Collective. New walls have been surfacing daily and the Collective has launched its first indoor exhibit. Here’s a bit of what we captured yesterday and Thursday:
Vexta‘s mural — as seen yesterday — and Vexta at work here
Adam Fu at work yesterday
Sexer‘s newly completed mural
Solus — in from Dublin — at work yesterday
Vers at work yesterday
FKDL — in from Paris — checks out his progress
FKDL inside the gallery
Jerkface begins
Jerkface inside the gallery
Also on view in the gallery — located at 426 Troutman Street — in the heart of the Bushwick Collective are works by: Blek le Rat, Solus, Rubin 415, Chris Stain, Dan Witz, Zimad, Joe Iurato, Sexer, Beau Stanton and Atom. And at tomorrow’s block party you can see and celebrate it all with live street art, bands, food trucks, a beer tent and giveaways.
Photos of Vexta, Adam Fu, Solus and Vers by Lois Stavsky; of FKDL, Sexer and Jerkface by Dani Reyes Mozeson; gallery images of FKDL and Jerkface by Houda Lazrak
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Celebrated for his tantalizing murals characterized by bold, primeval graphics, West Coast-based Zio Ziegler is one of our favorite artists. We’ve been huge fans since we discovered his distinct aesthetic on the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn over a year ago. A self-described entrepreneur, as well as an amazing artist, Zio Ziegler recently worked with PBteen to design a collection of bedding, backpacks, murals and more. We were delighted to meet him this past Wednesday evening at I. S. 289 in Tribeca, where he had been working with students as a visiting artist. Zio’s newest installation that was created for Hudson River Middle School was on view, along with selections from his just-launched PBteen collaboration. City-as-School student/intern Michelle Natanzon also had the opportunity to ask Zio a few questions:
What inspires your art?
My art is my personal response to the world. It comes from my soul. Literature is also an influence. I am trying to be less linear and more natural in my expression. The children here are wonderful teachers!
How does working on a project for Pottery Barn differ from painting in your studio?
It is a matter of putting my art on a different kind of canvas. I need both experiences. I love working on projects.
What about companies? Have you any feelings about working with private businesses?
I don’t think of it in terms of “selling out.” It’s about using leverage with companies as a way to canvas the world. It gives me the opportunity to share my art with people who would not otherwise experience it. But I certainly would not change my style to fit the demands of any business.
What about the streets? Would you rather work in your studio or paint on the streets?
Both. I like them both. I try to achieve a balance.
What has the experience of working with Pottery Barn been like?
PBteen has been really great! (Excuse the shout-out!) It is an ideal partnership. Pottery Barn, itself, started from a garage and is now global.
Note: You can meet Zio Ziegler tomorrow — Saturday afternoon — from 3-5 at PBTeen-NYC, 1461 Second Avenue and 76th Street.
Photos 1, 3, and 5 courtesy of PBteen; photo 2 of Zio at Hudson River Middle School by Lois Stavsky; and photo 4 of Michelle interviewing Zio by Houda Lazrak
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This is the fourth in a series of occasional posts featuring images of children that surface on NYC public spaces:
Joe Iurato in Bushwick
Danielle Mastrion at the Bushwick Collective
Chris Stain at the Bushwick Collective
Stinkfish in Bushwick for the Juicyartfest
Icy and Sot in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Zimer in Bushwick for the Bushwick Collective
Photos of Danielle Mastrion and Zimer by Dani Reyes Mozeson; of Joe Iurato, Chris Stain, Stinkfish and Icy and Sot by Lois Stavsky
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Imagination in Space – a group of talented artists repurposing the use of city space as an alternative to traditional galleries – brought their vision to the East Village this past Tuesday. In partnership with London-based We Are Pop Up and NYC-based watchmaker Martenero, The Allies have launched their model of “borderless creativity” at 37 East First Street. Among the works featured are quite a few of interest to us street art aficionados. A small sampling follows:
UK graffiti pioneer Inkie
London-based Elmo Hood
Brooklyn-based Misha T
From the launch with noted culture critic Carlo McCormick in attendance (bottom, right)
And a close-up of the backyard — — transformed by Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture students — the setting of its daily morning yoga classes
Also on view and for sale are works by NYC-based photographer Joey L, illustrator Sam Spratt and multi-media artist Yazmany Arboleda, along with Martenero‘s customized automatic watches and selections from Heidi Gardner’s esoteric jewelry designs. Perceiving its space as an alternative to traditional galleries, The Allies aims to transform city spaces into pop-up galleries — more vibrant and accessible than traditional art-sales venues. You can visit the space through Tuesday at 37 East First Street.
Photos of Elmo and backyard by Dani Reyes Mozeson; all other courtesy of The Allies
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Barcelona-based Txemy creates innovative, colorful images composed with lively lines and strokes. Muro is best-known for his fanciful characters — in a variety of uncanny situations — that make their way onto city walls. The current exhibit — “Universal Weapons” at Exit Room NY — features a range of intriguing work from both Spanish artists, including some beguiling collaborations. Here’s a sampling:
Txemy and Muro, Untitled, Mixed media on paper
Txemy, Tiro al Aire, Spray paint on paper
Muro, Alphabet “H,” Mixed media on paper
Txemy and Muro, Untitled, Mixed media on paper
Txemy, Weapons, Spraypaint on paper
Final photo by Rachel Fawn Alban; all others by Lois Stavsky; image on Exit Room door by Icy & Sot.
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Brooklyn-based RAE — whose folksy sculptures, stickers, paste-ups and paintings on NYC streets always delight us — recently returned from Ethiopia. And we had some questions for him:
What took you to Ethiopia?
I had connected with the non-profit organization H2 Empower Inc that had recently completed construction of the first community library in the town of Hosanna.
What was your role there?
I worked with kids building sculptures out of found objects and painting the walls outside.
Those of us who follow you on Instagram had the opportunity to witness an exhibit, as well – with goats in attendance!
Yes, we staged an exhibit in the living room of the home of a local family we met in town.
How did it all culminate?
We successfully raised funds to furnish an empty, unused wing of the Alemu Woldehanna Community Library with tables, chairs and a computer station. That financial goal has been met, and the furniture making will soon be in production.
Who will be involved in the next step?
The students at the nearby School For The Deaf in Hosanna, Ethiopia will be making the furniture.
It all sounds great! Welcome home!
Photos courtesy of the artist
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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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