Always a showcase for NYC — mostly veteran — writers, the always-rotating walls off the 1 train on 207th Street and 210th Street increasingly host artists from abroad. Here is a sampling of what was sighted this past week:
London-based Trans1
London-based Noir
NYC-based veteran writer Ree
Bronx-based veteran writer Rocky184
Veteran writer Keon1, mgs gnd
Legendary Bronx-native T-Kid
Photos 1-5 and 7 by Lois Stavsky; 6 courtesy of Keon1
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The following post is by Houda Lazrak, a contributor to StreetArtNYC and an M.A. candidate in Museum Studies at NYU.
Founded in 2010, Underdogs is a Lisbon-based gallery and cultural platform that offers unprecedented visibility to public art in Portugal’s capital city. Here are a few images I captured while on the tour offered by Underdogs, an integral part of its public art program:
Portuguese artist Vhils and Italian artist Pixel Pancho
Brazilian twins Os Gemeos; Italian artist Blu on detail on right
Polish artist Sainer of the Etam Cru
Brazilian artist Nunca
West Coast-based Cyrcle, segment of larger mural
NYC-based European artists How & Nosm, large segment of huge mural
All photos by Houda Lazrak
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Curated by Ad Hoc Art, the Welling Court Mural Project is once again bringing a wonderfully diverse array of public art to Welling Court and its neighboring blocks in Astoria, Queens. Here is a sampling of what’s been happening as artists ready for today’s official launch:
RRobots and Evan Cairo to his right
The 6th Annual Welling Court Mural Project officially opens with a block party today, Saturday, June 13, at 30th Ave & 12th Street from 12-8PM.
Note: First image is of Icy & Sot.
All photos by Tara Murray.
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Conceived and curated by Lady K Fever, A Timeline of Handstyles: Signatures from the 1960’s to Present Day, presents an extraordinary array of writers’ signatures spanning three generations. While visiting the space — across from the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse — I had the opportunity to speak to Lady K.
I love this! There is so much history here. What prompted you to organize this?
When I first hit the streets, I did so as a tagger. And the first book I ever read on this culture, The Faith of Graffiti, alerted me to the significance of the tag. On a more personal level, this wall is also my way of paying homage to the old school writers who were so supportive of me when I first moved to NYC.
This wall serves as a canvas for early legends, as well as for some of the new artists on the scene. How did you get the word out?
I spoke to a number of writers from different generations, and asked them to invite others.
What were some of the challenges you faced in curating this?
Figuring out the logistics of it all, engaging younger writers, and dealing with the inevitable politics.
Were there any particular surprises?
Folks rumored to be dead suddenly surfaced! Seeing Swan 3 was, perhaps, the biggest surprise! What a pleasure that was! And I was surprised — and delighted — that so many folks were willing to travel here from afar to tag this wall.
What’s next?
I’d love to curate a huge warehouse and engage far more people.
The mural will remain on view through the end of this month — with a special public viewing on Sunday, June 28, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Note: Special thanks to Delicioso Coco Helado for providing the space and supporting the project.
Photos: 1-7 Lois Stavsky; 8 & 9 Lady K Fever
Note: Photo 2 features Charmin 65 and Swan 3; photo 3 Stella Isabella; photo 4 Nicholai Khan; photo 5 Dun One; photo 6 Meek; photo 7 Broham380
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Highlighting the impact that Mexican civilization has had on other cultures, The Impact Show, El Momento del Impacto, presents a stunning array of artworks that reflect various aspects of the Mexican experience. Here are a few more images that can be seen in the backyard garden of the lovely Cafe de la Esquina in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Esteban del Valle, close-up
Albertus Alburg, close-up
Curated by Savior Elmundo and Frankie Velez, the Impact Show remains on view for the next several weeks — with a closing party 7-10pm on Thursday, June 25 — at 225 Wythe Avenue, a short walk from the Bedford stop on the L train.
Note: First image is a close-up from Savior Elmundo‘s Frida.
Photos: 1 – 6 Dani Reyes Mozeson and 7 Lois Stavsky
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Mission Graffiti arrived in Bushwick earlier this month featuring several veteran writers who generally paint in Upper Manhattan and in the Bronx. Here are a few images of their wall in progress:
Styx and Ghetto 149 at work
Keon at work
Airbrush and tattoo artist Israel Garcia and his character join the writers
The crew
And a few of the completed pieces — along with shout-outs to the original Mission Graffiti writers — that we captured this past week:
Note: First photo features Checker 170
Photos: 1-5 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 6 Tara Murray; 7 Lois Stavsky and 8. City-As-School intern Diana Davidova
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On view through June 20th at Garis & Hahn at 263 Bowery is Topography of a Daydream, a solo exhibition of works by the Tel-Aviv based artist Klone. A huge fan of Klone’s distinct aesthetic since I first saw his works on the streets of Tel Aviv several years ago, I was captivated by his new drawings, sculptures, animations and site-specific murals featured in his first solo exhibit in NYC.
With his mythical creatures, Klone explores his childhood memories of emigration from the Ukraine to Tel Aviv, taking us along with him on his journey.
All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, Ink on paper
Close-up
Installation, various media
Ways to Hide, Paper, metal, wire and paint
Newly painted in Red Hook, Brooklyn
In Tel Aviv, as seen this past fall
Photos credits: 1 & 4 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova; 3, 5, 6 & 9 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky
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The once drab and dull 900-foot long tunnel connecting Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue at the 191st Street subway station is now a wondrous canvas featuring bright and bold graffiti and fine art. While visiting it last week, we had the opportunity to speak to Jessie and Katey, the Baltimore-based duo, who — along with NYC-based artists, Queen Andrea, RRobots, Cekis and Cope2 — were selected to paint murals along the tunnel.
We love the way you are beautifying this Upper Manhattan tunnel. How did you two first meet? And how did you two — Baltimore-based artists — become involved in this NYC project?
We met when we were both students at MICA: Maryland Institute College of Art. And about four years ago, we started painting together. We’ve both lived in New York, and when we heard about the Department of Transportation‘s open call for artists who specialize in painting large scale murals, we applied.
What aspect of the project most appealed to you?
We loved the idea of returning to NYC to paint such a huge, awesome space.
What was it like working with the other muralists on this project?
It was great, and getting to know them all was wonderful.
What about the Department of Transportation? What was it like working for the DOT?
It was the bomb! They even supported us with potties!
Were there any particular challenges?
At one point the walls cried, and we had to repaint some spots. But — overall — the entire experience was awesome.
Photos of images:
1. Queen Andrea, Lois Stavsky
2. Jessie and Katey, Lois Stavsky; 3. Dani Reyes Mozeson 4. City-As-School intern Diana Davidova
5. Queen Andrea, Dani Reyes Mozeson
6. RRobots, Dani Reyes Mozeson
7. & 8. Cekis, Dani Reyes Mozeson
9. Cope2, Tara Murray; 10. Dani Reyes Mozeson
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Outdoor Gallery NYC author Yoav Litvin recently returned from a five-month trip abroad, where he explored the street art in several key South American cities and towns. I had a chance to catch up with him last week:
Those of us following you on Instagram got a mere glimpse into your incredible adventures on the streets of South America. You visited Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. What spurred your interest in that region?
I was curious. I had seen amazing works from South America online, and while I exploring the streets of NYC, I had met a number of South American artists.
In what ways did your findings meet your expectations?
I expected to be blown away and inspired. And I was — beyond any expectations.
What were some of the highlights of your trip?
There were so many! Among them were: walking around the streets of Lima with Entes; coming unexpectedly upon an art festival in La Paz, Bolivia and being in São Paulo during its 3rd annual Graffiti Fine Art Biennial.
Do any particular impressions stand out?
The juxtaposition between Peru’s rich culture and history and its current street art particularly struck me. And navigating Bogota was what NYC was like for me in the early 80’s. I always had to keep my eyes open!
What about some of the challenges along the way?
The biggest challenge — I would say — was the language. And living in the Vidigal favela in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro certainly was an experience.
Where do you think the street art scene in South America is going? Do you think it will continue to remain so authentic?
It is difficult to generalize as each city and town is unique. But I suspect that it will continue to thrive.
What’s next for you?
This Wednesday evening, May 27, I will be speaking about my personal style as a street art and graffiti documentarian, along with the role — as I see it — of the street art photographer. After sharing some of my experiences in photographing NYC street art and graffiti and publishing Outdoor Gallery NYC, I will speak about my recent trip abroad and present many images of street art that I photographed in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. The event will take place 7:00 – 9:00pm at Nowhere Studios, 582 Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn.
Note: All photographs © Yoav Litvin, 2015
1. Inti, Santiago, Chile
2. Gonzalo Sánchez “Painters”, Valparaíso, Chile
3. Stinkfish and the APC Crew, Bogota, Colombia
4. Entes & Pésimo & 5. Decertor, Lima, Peru
6. Marcelo Ment & 7. Tarm1, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
8. Nove, São Paulo, Brazil
9. Apitatan, Quito, Ecuador
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This is the first in a series of NYC couples that were spotted around town:
London Kaye in Brooklyn
Belin in Manhattan
Unidentified stencil artist surfacing in different Williamsburg locales
Uta Brauser on van parked in Brooklyn
Damon Johnson in Brooklyn
Frank Ape in Brooklyn
Jordan Betten — in the backyard garden of Henley Vaporium in Manhattan
Photos: 1-5, Dani Reyes Mozeson; 6 & 7 Lois Stavsky
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