Walls

FIT Students and Alumni Take to the Street with Chalk

October 31, 2014

Earlier this week, FIT students and alumni took to sharing their skills with the public outside FIT’s buildings on Seventh Avenue between 27 and 28 Streets. Here’s a sampling of what went down:

Angel Garcia with Darien Merriett at work to his left

Jhowee Chiang — work in progress — to the right of unidentified artist at work

Victor Saint-Hilaire, close-up

Daisy Ruiz

Anita Stevens Rundles

Chase Michaelis — segment — to the left of artists to be identified

Meagan Meli to the left of artists at work

Photos by FIT alumnus Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Banksy in New York: Writer and Photographer Ray Mock Chronicles Banksy’s New York Residency

October 30, 2014

The following guest post is by Houda Lazrak, a graduate student in Museum Studies at New York University.

Last October, the British stencil artist Banksy paid an unexpected visit to New York City. And fervently chronicling the elusive artist’s daily workings — during his month-long residency — was writer and photographer Ray Mock. The founder of Carnage NYC, Mock presents — in Banksy in New York — a comprehensive and insightful account of the month that captivated us street art aficionados, along with so many other New Yorkers.

For each of Banksy’s pieces, Mock offers a short narrative, providing insights into the various sites and neighborhoods, as well as into the artworks and the reactions they elicited. Each account is complemented with a range of photographs — from selected close-ups to shots of strangers’ poses with the pieces.

In addition to chronicling the pieces that surface throughout the month, Mock shares first-hand insider anecdotes. We follow him on his adventurous rides to the designated locations and we meet some of the others out there — who, too, are obsessed with locating and photographing every Banksy piece that appears. Mock also offers us intriguing background information. He recounts, for example, how a half-joke by a local resident to charge for photographs of the East New York beaver stencil resulted in a price tag of $20 for each photograph shot that day.

As Banksy’s pieces — particularly those that are politically-motivated — are contingent on location, the local viewers’ reactions and interpretations are part of the process. Banksy’s piece, Ghetto 4 Life, in the Melrose section of the Bronx, for example, did not go over well with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, who had loved Banksy’s previous Ronald McDonald installation.

Despite all the attention Banksy’s residency received in the media, Mock provides us with something that was lacking — an overarching personal account of Banksy’s legacy on this city’s urban and social landscape. We speculate, along with Mock, on Banksy’s possible intentions and we embrace the artist’s uncensored creative expression.

In addition to the limited edition of the book — with a screen printed cover — which can now be purchased via Ray’s site, a new hardcover edition will be available for pre-order on his site starting on November 3. It will also be in bookstores by Thanksgiving.

All photos by Ray Mock

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In East New York, Brooklyn: Nicole Palapoli, Bugn, Rez, Meres, Sek3, Topaz, Lites, Jerms and Adam Fu

October 29, 2014

Just one block off the MTA Broadway-Junction station in East New York, Brooklyn are some of NYC’s most intriguing walls. Here’s a sampling of what I captured earlier this week in the bright sun:

Nicole Palapoli and Bugn

Adam Fu

Note: The image of Lites’s piece features the fashion model Tabitha Annette Miller, whom I met along with her stylist Sheryl Roberts during a photoshoot by RedHanded Imagery.

Photos by Lois Stavsky; keep posted to the Street Art NYC Facebook page for more images of recent walls in that location.

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Stencil Art Pioneer Blek Le Rat at the Quin and on NYC Streets

October 28, 2014

New works by the legendary French stencil artist Blek Le Rat – whose rats first surfaced on the streets of Paris in 1981 – can now be seen at the Quin on West 57^th Street and on the streets of our city.

Here are two more works from the exhibit Escaping Paris, curated by DK Johnston, at the Quin:

The Violinist

Obama

And the artist — captured — signing a spray can at a reception held earlier this month at the Quin

We, also, discovered the following two new pieces on the streets of Manhattan:

In Little Italy for the LISA Project

And the artist’s iconic portrait of Andy Warhol on West 57^th Street

The first image is a close-up from The Tango Dancers.

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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STREET MURALS at Bushwick’s Be Electric with Chris & Veng RWK, Nicole Salgar & Chuck Berrett, Fumero, Raquel Echanique, Magda Love, Sonni, Joseph Meloy, Cern, Esteban del Valle and more

October 25, 2014

With new murals outside and an array of artworks inside, Be Electric Studios on 1298 Willoughby Avenue is the site of a new exhibit featuring over 20 street muralists. Here are a few images captured hours before it opened last night.

Chris & Veng RWK and Nicole Salgar & Chuck Berrett

Nicholai Khan at work, Fumero, Raquel Echanique, Chris & Veng RWK and Nicole Salgar & Chuck Berrett

Magda Love at work

Sonni

Joseph Meloy

Cernesto

And Esteban del Valle adding some finishing touches to his indoor mural

Curated by Kevin Michael, the exhibit continues through Monday, 12 – 11pm.

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Bogotá Native Praxis Brings His Vision to NYC

October 24, 2014

Known for his socially conscious, often satirical, stencils that have surfaced throughout his native Bogotá and beyond, Praxis has lately been sharing his vision and talents with us here in NYC.

What inspires you to get your work out there on public space?

I love to paint anywhere, on any surface – but especially in places where I know that folks will appreciate it. I also like to paint in neighborhoods where there isn’t much art. Those are the spaces that need it. I like bringing cheer to others!

Have you any messages that you wish to convey in your artwork?

There is always some concept or message behind what I do. I’m especially concerned with animal rights and human injustice.

Are there any specific cultures that have influenced your aesthetic?

Certainly the culture in which I grew up in Bogotá. I’ve also been influenced by African culture and from what I read. I read a lot!

You’ve been in NYC for a few months now. Any particularly striking differences between painting here and back home in Bogotá?

Back home, there is more of an appreciation for artists who paint on the streets. The people love it. They bring us drinks and food, and they always make us feel welcome.

Any thoughts on the graffiti/ street art divide?

I don’t feel it. Many of the writers I know work with or alongside street artists.

How do you feel about the movement of graffiti and street art into galleries?

It’s a great opportunity for us to make money some money, although I often don’t like the attitude of some of the folks who run the galleries. And graffiti and street art really do belong on the streets!

Do you prefer working alone or collaborating with others?

Both; I enjoy the mix of different styles.

Is there any one artist with whom you would especially like to collaborate?

C215.

Any thoughts about the role of the Internet in this scene?

It’s useful.

Do you have a formal arts education?

I did study art formally – but just about everything I learned was by painting with other artists.

What’s the riskiest thing you’ve done?

Bombing in cities far from home – like Berlin.

Were you ever arrested?

Twice back home in Bogota. I ended up each time spending over 12 hours with drunks and thieves – but they all liked graffiti.

How would you describe your ideal working environment?

Painting in La Candeleria in downtown Bogotá.

What percentage of your day is devoted to your art?

All of it! When I’m not painting on the streets, I work as an illustrator.

Are you generally satisfied with your finished piece?

Of course!

How do you feel when you look back at the work you did a number of years back?

I feel that my skills have improved.

What do you see as the role of the artist in society?

To bring happiness to others.

What’s ahead?

I will be showing in STREET MURALS: An Exhibition, curated by Kevin Michael, opening this evening, October 24^th 6pm-11pm at Be Electric on 1298 Willoughby Avenue in Bushwick, BK.

What do you see yourself doing in five years from now?

I would just like to paint all day every day!

Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky; images 1 and 5 courtesy of the artist; photo 2 by Lois Stavsky; photos 3 and 4 by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Team LowBrow vs Team Supreme in Secret Walls Battle for the LISA Project’s Second Anniversary Party

October 21, 2014

This past Saturday, the LISA Project celebrated its second anniversary party with a spirited Secret Walls battle in the now-famous parking lot on Little Italy’s Mulberry Street. Team Lowbrow’s Bishop 203, Mastro, Zimad, and Steiner competed against Team Supreme’s Lamour Supreme, Jeremyville, Boy Kong, and Nick Gazin. Here are a few images:

Bishop 203 and Zimad (R)

Mastro

Lamour Supreme at work

Jeremyville‘s draft

The illustrious judges: Sean Corcoran, Martha Cooper, Terror 161 and Carlo McCormick

The winning Team LowBrow members with LISA Project founder and director Wayne Rada

And the beloved “Taggers Delight” wall with NYC-based illustrator Sashalyn leaving her mark — to the left of Stikki Peaches

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Kids on Walls — Part V: Jef Aerosol, Jerkface, LMNOPI, Kaffeine, Solus and Sexer

October 20, 2014

This is the fifth in a series of occasional posts featuring images of children that surface on NYC public spaces:

Jef Aerosol at the Bushwick Collective

Jerkface in NoLita

LMNOPI in Bushwick

Kaffeine for the Welling Court Mural Project

Solus in Little Italy for the Lisa Project, close-up

Sexer in the Bronx for the TAG Public Arts Project

Photos 1, 3, 4 and 6 by Dani Reyes Mozeson; 2, 5 and 7 by Lois Stavsky

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The Bronx Graffiti Art Gallery to Open Tomorrow with Tats Cru, Ces, Kingbee, Lady K Fever, Scratch and more

October 17, 2014

The Bronx Graffiti Art Gallery, a new outdoor public art space located in the courtyard of Gustiamo at 1715 West Farms Road, officially opens tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, 1-5pm. Committed to preserving and celebrating the culture of graffiti in NYC, its first exhibit features works by such Bronx legends as Ces, Kingbee, and Tats Cru, along with artwork by its curators, Lady K Fever and Scratch.

Here’s a sampling of what’s been going down:

Tats Cru‘s Bio, BG 183 and Nicer

Ces

Kingbee

Lady K Fever

BG 183 and Scratch

Hush Tours will provide free transportation from Manhattan to tomorrow’s event. For further information, contact Hush Tours at 212-714-3527.

All photos courtesy Scratch.

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Fresh Paint NYC’s Billy Schon on Graffiti-Hunting, Photography and His Newly-Released Instagram Archives

October 16, 2014

Billy Schon, one of NYC’s most passionate and knowledgeable graffiti documentarians, regularly shares his expertise with us on his blog Fresh Paint NYC and on his Instagram. His book Fresh Paint NYC (2010) is among the best resources out there for those of us who love graffiti — from unsanctioned tags to legal walls. And his recent project — The Instagram Archives – is a treasure of 96 photos shot by I-phone that Billy personally selected from his thousands of Instagram photos. I recently had the opportunity to speak to Billy about his recent project and more.

When did it all start? When did you first become interested in graffiti?

Back in 1996 — when I was 16 — I spent a lot of time skating on the streets. That’s when and where I began to meet writers.

What about your incredible wealth of information? Had you any sources besides those writers that you, yourself, met and got to know?

I used to pick up graff magazines while visiting Tower Records. Magazines like Stress, On the Go and Skills.

When did you first begin taking photos of graffiti?

I began after 9/11. At that time I had stopped skating – cold turkey.

Were there any photographers out there who particularly inspired you?

Definitely Jim and Karla Murray. They were actively documenting graffiti at the time and encouraged me to do so.

Have you any personal favorites from among your photos?

Many! Among them are: a Taki 183 tag found in Manhattan; the original Hostos building in the Bronx with its incredible history; Sane hidden under layers of poster advertisements.

You seem to enjoy exploring and uncovering graffiti history.

Yes! I particularly like photographing places that are difficult to access and spaces that no longer exist – where works are hidden.

You can purchase The Instagram Archives here.

Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky. Photos from FreshPaintNYC’s The Instagram Archives: 1. Bridgeport; 2. Mike Giant; 3. Daily Routine; 4. Era PFE & 5. Taki 183

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