This is the second in a series of posts featuring the range of creatures that share our streets with us:
Reka at the Bushwick Collective
Roa in Williamsburg
Never in Bushwick
Phlegm at the Bushwick Collective
Robert Plater in the East Village
Joel Bergner and Wise2 in Bushwick
Kingbee in the East Village
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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I first met Viajero this past summer while he was fashioning a mural on East 111 Street for Los Muros Hablan NYC. I became an instant fan of his distinct aesthetic. A few months later, I caught up with him at the Julia De Burgos Cultural Center for its Dia De Los Muertos 2013 art exhibit.
When I came upon you at work on your mural for Los Muros Hablan, you mentioned that it was your first time painting in the streets. What was it like? Would you do it again?
It was a great experience. I loved working in a public space where I could interact with folks who passed by. Some stopped simply to observe, and others asked questions. And it was wonderful to have the opportunity to bring my vision to the streets of East Harlem – where my grandparents lived when they came from Puerto Rico. And, yes, I would love to do it again.
Could you tell us something about the Diaspora Mural? Who does it depict? What does it represent?
The subject of the mural is a young boy from Puerto Rico. The traditional mask that he is wearing symbolizes his cultural roots. Although I grew up here in NYC, I’m particularly interested in the immigrant experience and the notion of identity.
Your work is quite amazing. Do you have a formal art education?
When I was 12, I began taking specialized lessons at the Pratt Institute. I attended the Arts Students League of New York at age 18. I then earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New World School of Art in Miami, Florida and a second BFA in Graphic Design from the New York Institute of Technology here in NYC.
Was all this formal training worthwhile?
I would say so. I have my own distinct style, but the art education I received drew it out of me and helped me refine it. Yes, my formal training was worthwhile.
Have any particular folks inspired you?
My grandfather was a painter. I have great admiration for him. He taught himself how to read and write in three different languages. My brother is a sculptor, and my uncle is an architect. I grew up among folks who inspired me.
What about cultures? What are some of the cultures that have influenced you?
I’ve traveled extensively through Africa, the Caribbean and Central America. I feel most connected to culture when spending time in countries and cities that hold onto their indigenous traditions. It is these indigenous cultures that have been my primary influence. I acknowledge and honor my indigenous roots in my artwork.
Have you exhibited your work in gallery settings?
Yes. I’ve shown my work in solo and group shows in the United States and in Puerto Rico.
How has the “art world” responded to you? Has it been receptive to your vision?
It has been. I feel that I’ve been able to find my own corner.
Any favorite artists?
My grandfather. He used to paint on coconuts falling from trees. Swoon is a particular favorite among street artists. And I love Whittfield Lovell – his portraits and his installations.
How has your work evolved — particularly in the past few years?
I’ve become increasingly engaged with the community.
Have you any particular theme that you attempt to convey in your work?
I’m interested in memory — in preserving it — especially in relation to our struggles. I like giving new life to found objects that embody cultural memory.
What do you see as the role of the artist in society?
For myself as an artist – it is to offer experiences to people that take them out of their comfort zone. I want folks to think and not blindly follow trends.
And we certainly look forward to seeing your vision on our streets again!
Interview by Lois Stavsky; photo of Viajero on East 111 Street by Dani Reyes Mozeson; photo of completed Diaspora Mural courtesy of the artist; final two photos of artwork at the Julia De Burgos Cultural Center by Lois Stavsky
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This is the third in a series of occasional posts featuring images of children that surface on NYC public spaces:
Joe Iurato at the Bushwick Collective
And the completed piece
Miss 163 in Hunts Point, the Bronx
LNY and Axel Void at the Bushwick Collective
Rene Gagnon at Welling Court in Astoria, Queens
Robots Will Kill in Bushwick, close up from huge wall by Chris, Veng and ECB
Unidentified artist in Chelsea — spotted last week
First photo of Joe Iurato by Tara Murray; final photo by Dani Reyes Mozeson; all others by Lois Stavsky
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I came upon Serringe’s artwork on the streets of Jersey City earlier this year. I soon discovered that he was the force behind Element Tree and dozens of first-rate videos. I was delighted to finally have the opportunity to meet up with him at his store in Weehawken — just minutes away from Manhattan.
Tell us something about Element Tree. When did it launch?
Element Tree started as a blog in 2009. I grew up in Jersey City around a bunch of talented people, and I needed a platform to post their work and share it with others in hopes of promoting them and myself. Artists like Snow, T.Dee, 4sakn, Loser, Then One, Mr. Mustart and Distort — to name a few. There are others, but these are some of the original artists I felt people should definitely know about if they already didn’t.
When did Element Tree become a store?
I rented the space in Weehawken in February 2012. If I can’t do graff 24/7, I want to be around it. I also like the idea of nurturing the culture and keeping it healthy, and this store gives me the platform to do that.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I have a strong entrepreneurial streak. I don’t want people telling me who the “real artists” are. I want to help the people – whose work I love — make money.
Besides the first-rate art that you show here, you also sell art supplies. What do you see as the future of this space?
I will continue to provide affordable art for folks who love graffiti and street art. Not everyone can afford to spend $1500 on a canvas. And I’m interested in providing opportunities for artists — such as commissioned murals, design work for album covers and general creative direction. I see Element Tree as a house of creative energy and incubator for ideas.
What initially spurred your interest in graffiti?
I was always into graffiti from the time I was six years old. My older brother was a writer for a short period of time in the 90’s, and he sparked my brain, along with all the other local writers that were doing their thing when I was a kid. If they could do it, so could I. When I was a young teenager, my mom became ill and begged me not to write graffiti on the streets. She believed in my art, though… so until I was 19 years old, I detached myself from graffiti out of respect for her. She passed in 2004 — and aside from the occasional tag, I know she would be proud of me.
Did you develop any other passions while growing up?
I grew up in 80’s and 90’s: DJs, producers, skateboarders, punk rockers were everywhere. I became interested in all kinds of creative expression, and I began to create home videos with friends as a way to explore filmmaking. Within the past three years, I created 140 videos.
And you also paint in public spaces these days. Since you began doing so, have you had any particularly memorable experiences?
Art Basel 2012. It was the first time I traveled to paint on a wall that was sponsored at a major art event like Basel. Art Primo powered us with the paint and Element Tree’s Mr. Mustart and Distort showcased their talents for all who passed by. It was great experience to paint among people we respected.
Have you exhibited your work?
I’ve been in a handful of shows, but Mustart, Then One and Distort stay doing their thing, showcasing and exhibiting through Element Tree-based projects and also on an independent level. We are currently working on setting up the first Element Tree official group show… so if you’re a gallery owner, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Any thoughts about the graffiti and street art divide?
Eventually they will meet. Street art is still a baby in relation to graffiti. There are many street artists I respect. Banksy is a genius! Other favorites include: Blek le Rat, Invader and Shepherd Fairey. Oh, and if you don’t know… check out LNY. I see good things in him.
How would you explain the reluctance of the art establishment to embrace graffiti and street art?
Most people don’t understand it, and if you don’t understand something, you don’t know how to deal with it.
What do you see the future of graffiti?
It can’t be stopped. And eventually, it will gain acceptance as a legitimate art form.
No doubt!
Interview and photos by Lois Stavsky, photos 1,2 and 3 of Serrenge; photo 4, Mr. Mustart; photo 5, Distort and final image, Then One.
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A range of curious characters have found a home on the streets of NYC. This is the third of our occasional series:
Nychos and Smithe at the Bushwick Collective
Smithe getting his characters up earlier this year — in Bushwick
Media Unit in Bushwick
Unidentified artist in East Village garden
Craig Anthony Miller aka CAM in Dumbo
Galo in Williamsburg
How & Nosm and R. Nicholas Kuszyk aka R. Robot in Williamsburg
Kingbee, Pose 2 and Chemis in East Harlem
Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson, Tara Murray & Lois Stavsky
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This is the sixth in an ongoing series featuring the wide range of faces that surface in NYC’s open spaces:
Reka at the Bushwick Collective
RAE in Bedford-Stuyvesant
JMR in Williamsburg
Raquel Eschinique in Bushwick
Royce Bannon in Midtown West
Russell King in Bushwick
Photos of Reka and JMR by Lois Stavsky; of RAE, Raquel Eschinique and Russell King by Tara Murray; of Royce Bannon by Dani Reyes Mozeson
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Brighton native Frank Malt aka Steam 156 has been active in the global graffiti scene for over 30 years – first as a graffiti writer in the UK, and then as a passionate documentarian of graffiti and street art around the world. Within the past two years he has published two highly acclaimed books, 100 UK Graffiti Artists and Street Art London. I recently met up with him in NYC.
When did it all begin?
I started in 1984 in Brighton as a b-boy. NYC’s Rock Steady Crew — that visited London in 1983 — and the hip-hop videos I saw on British TV turned me on to the break-dance culture. And from that I moved on to graffiti.
What surfaces did you hit back then?
Mostly train lines. My first hit was an electrical box off the train tracks.
Were you ever arrested?
I was chased lots, but I’m a good runner. And I like the adrenalin rush.
Have you ever shown your work in a gallery setting?
I only got involved with producing artwork for a few gallery shows. It was not really something I enjoyed doing that much. One of the shows I put together with a friend was called Icons. It was around 17 of the best British graffiti artists and I also managed to get two legendary New York artists to come over: Iz the Wiz RIP and Sar — both leading figures in the crew the Master Blasters. The show was back in 1992.
Do you have a formal art education of any kind?
No. I hated school. I was always a rebel. I got kicked out when I was 15, and I never went back.
Any particularly memorable experiences from back in the day?
The experience that always stays in my mind happened on one of my first visits to NYC back in around ‘88/’89. I had a guy show me around the Bronx. And when we reached the 238th Street Bridge, we jumped over the fence and got onto the Amtrak lines. I immediately started taking photos of all the graffiti there. Before I knew it, a whole gangs of guys came out from behind the wall throwing rocks and bats at us. I took off running down the tracks, while a huge Amtrak train was tooting its horn for me to get off the tracks. I ran as fast as I could to the next bridge and managed to get over the fence to find a subway station to get me back downtown. I survived.
We’re glad you did! Is there much of a graffiti/street art divide back in London?
Absolutely. Unlike graffiti, street art gets lots of positive exposure and gets picked up by galleries. Banksy kicked it off and pulled others into the scene. Street art has taken over London. It speaks to many more people than graffiti does. And most graffiti writers dislike street artists, and this gets acted out on the streets.
How do you feel about NYC’s current graffiti scene?
I guess it has changed a lot from the early days when I was coming to document the scene here. I remember I found a guy who was willing to drive me around every street in the Bronx for two days so I could take photos. It was pretty incredible back then. I found so many walls, handball courts by Seen, Cope, TKid and all those amazing FX walls. I know they had a big clean-up, but no doubt New York is still the place to be. It’s incredible how much goes on here.
Any thoughts about the role of the Internet in all this?
For me the Internet was good and bad. It was good, because I did not have to queue at the post office to send photos overseas. Everything became so much easier. I used to spend a fortune on postage costs, because I was trading photos with so many writers around the world back then. The bad thing was — I guess — it took the excitement away from hunting to find graffiti. To me part of the buzz and excitement was to see the wall fresh — to hunt it down without seeing it on every media site before the paint had even dried. I love seeing new graffiti before I have seen it online.
How do you feel about the current crop of bloggers and photographers?
There are too many jumping on the bandwagon. Many don’t bring any information. And far too many people who know nothing are putting out books. There’s the potential for exploitation.
Who are some of your favorite artists who work on the streets?
Revok. He’s brilliant. Other favorites include: Risk, Vulcan, Aroe, Smug, Roa, Cope2, TKid, TATS Cru. Too many people to name — so many talented people out there in the scene.
What do you see as the future of graffiti?
Who knows? I just think it will become more and more technically advanced. It will always keep evolving.
What’s ahead for you?
I just want to continue to pursue my passion and share it with others. I have a new book due out next year with an amazing line-up of European artists. I can’t say too much about it at this point, so stay tuned!
It all sounds great! Good luck and keep doing what you’re doing!
Interview by Lois Stavsky; photos courtesy of Frank Malt.
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Last Saturday, Meres painted his first mural since the demise of 5Pointz. His canvas was the outside wall of rag & bone, the trend-setting fashion store — on Elizabeth Street off Houston — that has hosted some of downtown’s finest murals. It’s great to see Meres and his iconic light bulbs back where they belong – with all of us. Here are a few more images captured last Saturday:
Meres takes a break
And leaves a message
Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson
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To the sheer delight of local residents and passersby, the Centre-fuge Public Art Project brought its vision to Miami’s Little Havana during Art Basel Week. Here are a few images captured these past few days:
Elle, Yatika Starr Fields and Ben Angotti
Yatika Starr Fields at work
Ben Angotti takes a brief break
The legendary Korn does his thing — with Kristi Evans below
CS-Navarrete at work
Marthalicia Matarrita does her Mom
Nicole Salgar and Chuck Berrett, close-up from work in progress
CRAM Concepts, Lexi Bella, Matthew Denton Burrows & Danielle Mastrio
Thanks to Eric Ginsburg and the folks at the Fridge Art Fair — along with so many others — for their support. This was just the beginning of the Centre-fuge Public Art Project in Little Havana!
Photo of Cruz by Sara C. Mozeson; all others by Lois Stavsky
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This is the first in a series of posts featuring the range of creatures that share our streets with us:
Roa in the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Never at the Bushwick Collective
DalEast in Dumbo
Craig Anthony Miller aka CAM in Dumbo
Mr. Prvrt at the Bushwick Collective
Jordan Betten in Chelsea
Willow in Gowanus
KingBee in the East Village
Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson, Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky
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