Brimming with color and intrigue, the artworks that surface in Little Haiti — largely by local artists — are among Miami’s most seductive. Here are a few more:
Also by Luis Valle
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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Walls
Walking along Second Avenue from Wynwood to Little Haiti, I came upon dozens of intriguing artworks in Miami’s Buena Vista neighborhood. Here are a few more:
Renda Writer and Claudia La Bianca
With Neks One
Note: First image is by Nate Dee
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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Here are a few more images of intriguing faces captured in Miami last week:
Jas 9 at work in Wynwood
Jose Mertz in Wynwood
Didi Rok and Miss Zukie in Little Haiti
RasTerms in Wynwood
Photos by Lois Stavsky
Note: First image is of mural by Caratoes
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An incredible variety of faces — representing a range of styles, techniques and sensibilities — make their way onto Miami’s walls. Here’s a small sampling of what has surfaced in Wynwood:
PichiAvo. a larger segment of huge mural in Wynwood Walls
Miles Toland, close-up
Christina Angelina aka Starfightera and Fanakapan, close-up
Kevin Ledo and Fin DAC, close-up
Photo credits: 1 & 2 Sara C. Mozeson; 3-7 Lois Stavsky
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While in Miami this past week, I visited Chor Boogie‘s current exhibit, Heiros Gamos: A Vision of Feminine Power, at Wynwood’s Macaya Gallery. I also had the opportunity to speak to its curator, Daniel Stanford.
I’ve been mesmerized by Chor Boogie‘s aesthetic since I first saw his vibrant murals on the streets of various cities several years ago. But I don’t often get to see his work in gallery settings. What spurred you to curate an exhibit of Chor Boogie‘s artworks?
Patrick Glémaud, Macaya Gallery‘s director, and I met Chor Boogie during Art Basel 2015. After viewing several of his artworks, Patrick felt that the Macaya Gallery would be the ideal place to showcase Chor Boogie‘s distinct aesthetic. And I was pleased to have the opportunity to curate an exhibit of his works.
What is it about Chor Boogie’s aesthetic that appeals to you?
I was taken by his level of precision and complexity. His technique is superior.
And as is evident in his murals that have surfaced in public spaces, Chor Boogie‘s choice of colors is always brilliant. His works consistently arouse both my senses and my mind. Just what is going on here?
These works — as the title suggests — reference a sacred union. The artworks pose the question, “Sacred or profane?” as they present a vision of feminine power. Aesthetic elements of the Rococo and Baroque periods, along with Madonna iconography, are reinterpreted through the medium of spray paint and contemporary street art styles.
What challenges did you face in curating this exhibit?
The works currently on display are quite diverse and also very rich. The biggest challenge was presenting a variety of distinct works in a balanced way.
You certainly seem to have achieved that! What’s ahead for Macaya Gallery?
Our next exhibit is a collective show featuring works by Emma Dunlavey, François Duerinckx and Mercedes Lasarte. A select group of Chor Boogie‘s paintings will remain, and a series of his political works will be featured later this year.
Images:
1. Chor Boogie, The King and Eye, on the exterior of Macaya Gallery
2. Chor Boogie, Immaculate Conception
3. Chor Boogie, The Silver Queens, close-up
4. E. Bast in collaboration with Chor Boogie, The Nine Virgins, close-up
5. Chor Boogie in collaboration with Daniel Stanford, The Color Visions of Raquel
Photos: 1 courtesy of Daniel Stanford; 2-4 Lois Stavsky and 5 courtesy of Chor Boogie
Note: To find out about the inspiration behind this body of work, check out Chor Boogie Shines Love Into Macaya Gallery by Alexandra Martinez in last week’s Miami New Times.
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Hosting several renowned bands and musicians, Mount Vernon’s Mes Hall is also home to The Drip Project, an ever-evolving treasure trove of images painted by some of NYC’s best-known graffiti artists and most notorious bombers. Last week, we made our way to Mount Vernon to speak to Drip Project director Harris Lobel.
This is such an amazing space. What a treasure! How did you discover it?
I’ve known it for awhile. Several of my friends — who I grew up with in Riverdale — use it as a music studio.
And when did you begin curating it?
About six months ago.
Riverdale — where you grew up — is quite void of graffiti. Do you remember where and when you first noticed it?
Yes! I was eight years old when I discovered a piece by Tracy 168 on 231th Street and Broadway. I fell in love with it at once, and kept on returning to it.
And these days you seem to love it all! Your personal Instagram, @streetart_photography, features quite a range of street art and graffiti. When did you become so engaged with it all?
When Banksy was here in NYC in 2013 for his Better Out Than In residency, I kept up with his new works daily. Then — after he left — I continued hunting and photographing works on the streets. Within a short period of time, I became thoroughly obsessed with graffiti and street art.
We can certainly relate to that! How did you make contact with all the great writers who have painted here?
I’d met Plasma Slug awhile back, and he introduced me to many of the others. I also got the word out through my Instagram page.
Can you tell us something more about the Drip Project? What is the inspiration behind it?
It’s basically a collective featuring artists whose styles I love. The inspiration to launch it came from the photography I’ve posted on my Instagram page and the response that it got.
What do you see as your role? Where are you going?
I would like to promote the artists whose works I love by exhibiting their work and managing the placement of their works in gallery shows. I am also interested in producing a variety of original goods in different media that reflect their styles.
How does your family feel about this?
They love it! My father is a photographer and has been totally supportive.
You’ve done an amazing job — so far — in reaching out to so many first-rate artists. What has been your greatest challenge in launching the Drip Project?
Getting folks to come out to Mount Vernon — as many haven’t been here before. And providing artists with money for paint and transportation is another challenge.
How can artists who are interested in participating in the Drip Project contact you?
The best way would be via my email: Harris.Lobel@live.com.
And what about folks who would like to visit and check out the amazing art?
Yes! They can contact me too — at Harris.Lobel@live.com, and I will arrange to meet them here. There’s a bus from the last stop on the 2 train that stops nearby, and we are just a short walk from the Metro North.
It all sounds great — and so much fun! Good luck!
Images
1. Tracy 168
2. & 3. Plasma Slug
4. Belowkey
5. Stu
6. Snoeman
7. Kingbee
Photo credits: 1, 2 & 4 Lois Stavsky; 3, 5-7 Tara Murray; interview by Lois Stavsky
Note: This blog will be on vacation through March 30. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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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When I stopped by the wall on 207th Street — one of my favorite Uptown spots — this past Friday, I met veteran writers Kron One, Nest 156 and Bind 156 at work on a mural to serve as a backdrop for a Minx video. Yesterday I returned to see the completed wall. What follows are a few images captured both days:
Nest 156 at work on Friday
Nest 156‘s completed piece
Kron One at work on Friday
Kron One, as seen yesterday
Bind 156 at work on Friday
Bind 156, as seen yesterday
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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This past Sunday. a group of veteran writers — several members of the legendary Mission Graffiti Crew — brought their classic graffiti styles to Bushwick. Here are a few more images captured:
And earlier on — with Kit 17 at work on his outline — on the right
Australian writer Perv
Plot 162
Photo Credits: 1-3,6, 8-10 Tara Murray; 4, 5 & 7 Patrick Styx
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Currently on view at Eden Fine Art in SoHo is No Days Off, an ingenious installation of vibrant images in a range of media by the wonderfully gifted Queens-based graffiti master Hoacs. While visiting the space this past Friday — while Hoacs was adding the final touches to No Days Off for his Saturday evening opening — I had the opportunity to speak to him.`
This is amazing! What a brilliant installation! How long have you been working on it?
I began several months ago — in mid-December.
Integrated within the huge pieces painted on the walls is a range of media here. I love the varied surfaces you’ve painted on. Can you tell us something about that?
Yes! With the exception of several canvases, everything has been painted on pieces of discarded wood that I found. I hand sanded and treated them all before painting on them. Each is distinct.
What would you say was your greatest challenge in executing the installation — as everything seems to work so well together?
My chief concern was my choice of colors. It is important to me that the individuals walls — particularly those across from one another — work well together.
This space and this neighborhood couldn’t be more perfect! How did this wonderful space come your way?
A friend of mine, the jeweler Mr. Flawless — another Queens native — knows the owner of this gallery and introduced us.
What would you say is the principal difference between working on the streets and working in an indoor space like this one?
When I paint outdoors, I am at the mercy of the elements — the cold, the heat, the rain, the winds — and I often stop what I’m doing to speak to folks who drop by. I also tend to paint with others. Here — I am in my own world!
Are you satisfied with the way it is looking?
Yes! I got to do exactly what I wanted to do!
What about the title of the exhibit, No Days Off?
Graffiti is a passion that comes with huge demands! There are “no days off” for a graffiti writer!
How can folks see the exhibit?
Eden Fine Art SoHo is s located at 470 Broome Street and is open seven days a week, 9AM to 9PM.
That’s perfect! Congratulations!
Interview by Lois Stavsky
Photo credits: 1-3, 5.-8 Lois Stavsky; 2 & 4 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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Host to some of the most stylish graffiti walls in NYC, Bushwick never lets us down! These were captured this past week:
And if you are anywhere in the vicinity, be sure to check out Hoacs’s brilliant solo exhibit opening tonight — Saturday — at Eden Fine Art.
Photos of Bushwick graffiti by 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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