Brooklyn

A 3000 sq. foot gallery and performance space housed on the 5th floor of 67 West Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Succulent Studios opened earlier this year with an exhibit featuring over 30 artists of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Currently on exhibit —  through June 21 — is PALABRA, an installation-based show featuring works by Rubin, Sek3, Iena Cruz, Beau Stanton, El Sol 25, S. Rose, Katie Balloons and Michael Alan. On a recent visit, I had the opportunity to speak to its owner and founder, Sek3.

Sek3

Could you tell us something about the birth of Succulent Studios? What motivated you to launch this space? It is quite remarkable.

The idea was born in Miami at Art Basel back in December.  Cern, Cekis, Bisc, Stefano Alcantara and I had set up a pop-up show in Wynwood.  It was so successful – with one of my paintings selling the very first day — that I decided I wanted to continue doing shows back in NYC. Cern introduced me to Daniel Weintraub, who soon took on the role of Creative Director. I see street art as the last vestige of originality and this space as the ideal venue for street artists to bring their visions inside.

"S. Rose"

Folks are still talking about your Inaugural Show that opened in early spring.

Yes, it was amazing! More successful that I could have imagined! 33 artists – including legendary writers like Daze and Ket — were represented. A piece by Old School writer FIB was sold raising $800 for dog shelters  —  with an additional $200 donated by Succulent Studios. And despite heavy rains, thunderous storms and issues with public transportation, hundreds of people showed up.

Rubin415

What about your current exhibit? What is the concept behind PALABRA?

It is installation-based with each artist given a particular section to engage in any way he or she pleases.

"Beau Stanton"

How has the response to this exhibit been?

It’s been tremendous with lots of media coverage and great sales.

What would you say has been your greatest challenge?

The sheer amount of work that running this space requires. It’s a 24-hour day job. I need to hire someone just to sleep!

"Iena Cruz"

What’s ahead?

There will be a closing party for PALABRA next Saturday evening — June 21 at 7pm — presenting The Living Installation by Michael Alan.  And then the following week we will be exhibiting a selection of murals created for Governors Ball.  Much more in the months ahead including a show featuring the artwork of fine artists Akira Beard and Jaclyn Alderete and more exhibits with works by street artists. There will also be projects and classes that will directly engage members of the local community.

It sounds great! Good luck!

Interview and photos by Lois Stavsky; photo info: 1. Sek3 2. S. Rose 3. Rubin 4. Beau Stanton 5. Iena Cruz

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

Vexta

Adam Fu at work yesterday

"Adam Fu"

Sexer‘s newly completed mural

Sexer

Solus — in from Dublin — at work yesterday

Solus

 Vers at work yesterday

Vers

FKDL — in from Paris — checks out his progress 

RKDL

FKDL inside the gallery

FKDL-art-exhibit

Jerkface begins

"Brian Jerkface"

Jerkface inside the gallery

"Brian Jerkface"

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

Joe Iurato in Bushwick

"Joe Iurato"

Danielle Mastrion at the Bushwick Collective

"Danielle Mastrion"

Chris Stain at the Bushwick Collective

"Chris Stain"

Stinkfish in Bushwick for the Juicyartfest

"Stinkfish"

Icy and Sot in Crown Heights, Brooklyn

"icy and sot"

Zimer in Bushwick for the Bushwick Collective

Zimer

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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Rezor

Some of NYC’s most exuberant graffiti walls can be found right off the MTA Broadway-Junction station in East New York, Brooklyn. This is Part I of a two-part post of what greets us there:

Rezor

Rez

Sebs

Sebs

Owns

Owns

Slom

Slom

Slash and Jerms

"Slash and Jerms"

Jerms aka DJ JS-1

Jerms

Poet

Poet

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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The following guest post is by Rachel Fawn Alban, a NYC-based photographer, arts educator and regular contributor to untapped cities.

meres-Jose-castillo-and-Zimad in-bed-stuy

Yesterday afternoon, Jonathan “Meres” Cohen and Zimad — whose talents graced the walls of 5Pointz for over a decade — were busy at work near the J Train’s Halsey stop painting a mural for 3rd Eye Sol. Founded by artist Jose Castillo3rd Eye Sol hosts exhibits and events and offers free workshops and children’s arts programming. Here are a few images of the artists and their wonderful work:

Meres at work

Meres

Zimad at work

Zimad

Meres and Zimad together

"Meres and Zimad"

Completed piece

Meres-and-zimad-graffiti-NYC

All photos by Rachel Fawn Alban

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This is the third in a three-part series featuring first-rate graffiti walls that have recently surfaced in the vicinity of the Morgan stop on the L train:

Vizie

Vizie

Rath

Rath

Per One FX

Per

Mast

Mast

Staer

Staer

Veo

Veo

Owns

OWNS

Cuba 

Cuba

Seter

Seter

Sye

SYE

Photos of Vizie, Owns and Cuba by Lois Stavsky; of Rath, Per One, Mast, Staer, Seter, Veo and Sye by Dani Reyes Mozeson; keep posted to our Facebook page for more!

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Fumero

The rooftop of the 407 Bushwick, located at 407 Johnson Avenue, elevates the wonder and energy of street art. I recently had the chance to visit it and speak to its curator, Fumero.

You’ve transformed this rooftop into a vibrant canvas drenched with dazzling colors in an array of styles. How did this come about?

A friend of mine, dj and producer Onda Skillet, lives at the 407 Bushwick.  He was looking to bring some color to the rooftop that was covered mostly with old throw-ups. And I saw this as a great opportunity to bring the energy of the streets up to the roof.

Nicole-Salgar-and-Chuck-Berrett-and-Raquel-Echanique-at-the-407-Bushwick-street-art

You invited such a wonderfully diverse group of artists to paint here. Can you tell us something about how that came about?

In curating this rooftop, I chose artists whom I’ve met — and often worked with — throughout the years in different settings. I asked them to bring their distinct iconography with them. Some had never painted on walls before.

"Gumdrop and Whisbe"

You are consistently active on the streets. What is the appeal of the roof to you?  I remember catching glimpses of your pieces up here from street level and feeling frustrated that I couldn’t see more of them!

That’s part of the appeal. It incites interest. The roof is kind of a secret society. We are free to invite whom we want and no haters are allowed!

Cruz

Where would you rather paint – on the streets or on a rooftop?

I like them both.  They are different experiences. When I paint on the streets, I can engage people. But the roof has a distinct energy that I love.

"Craig Anthony Miller and Federico Cruz"

Your recent event Art in the Air, Music Underground, hosted by Aphotic, featured music, as well as art. Can you tell us something about that? How integral is music to what you are doing at the 407 Bushwick?

Its role is essential. The audio creations, performed by Onda Skillet with his Aerotropic label, were the perfect complement to the art. Opening rooftops to music and art is the next big thing! What’s happening here is a landmark. It is the future.

"JP O’Grodnick"

What about the location of the 407 Bushwick? Any thoughts about that?

The location couldn’t be more perfect. Bushwick is what the Lower East Side was 30 years ago. It’s the hub of cutting-edge art and music. The 407 Bushwick is the new CBGB.

Elle

What’s ahead?

More great energy, art and music! The second Art in the Air, Music Underground will take place this summer. The artists are already lined up, and we are now seeking sponsorship.

Fumero

It all sounds wonderful! What a great outdoor gallery NYC is!

Photos: 1. Fumero; 2. Nicole Salgar & Chuck Berrett with Raquel Echanique on right; 3. Gumshoe and Whisbe; 4. Cruz; 5. CAM and segment of Cruz; 6. John Paul O’Grodnick; 7. Elle, and 8. Fumero

Interview with Fumero and photos by Lois Stavsky; also featured on the roof of the 407 Bushwick are new works by Joseph Meloy, AOM, NS/CB, The Cupcake Guy, Rafal Pisarczyk and Robyn Henderson.

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This is the second in a three-part series featuring first-rate graffiti walls that have recently surfaced in the vicinity of the Morgan stop on the L train:

Vor 138 at work

Vor138

Asend

Asend

 Logek

Logek

Doves

Doves

 Greg Lamarche aka SP.One

SP One

Yes1 at work

Yes1

Photos of Deves and SP.One by Rachel Fawn Alban; Vor 138, Logek and Yes1 by Dani Reyes Mozeson and Asend by Lois Stavsky

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"Dero-Ribs-Deem"

With the wicked wintry weather finally behind us, the Bushwick streets — in the vicinity of the L train’s Morgan station — have once again become a fresh canvas for both local and national writers. This is Part I of a three part series of what’s been happening:

Dero

Dero

Ribs GAK

Ribs

Deem

Deem

Slom

Slom

Bio of Tats Cru

Bio

Sebs

Sebs

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson and Lois Stavsky

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DAIN

Whether seen on gritty city streets or in formal gallery settings, DAIN’s masterfully conceived artworks always intrigue. And those in his upcoming exhibit at Dumbo’s Folioleaf are among his most dazzling to date. While previewing a few of his new collaged portraits at the Folioleaf gallery space at 111 Front Street, we had the chance to ask him a few questions:

What is it about these particular women’s faces that you find so alluring?

I’m drawn to their eyes. The way they stare at us. And like the women in the old Hollywood movies that I love, these women are naturally beautiful.

DAIN

We are wondering why so many of these women’s faces are attached to men’s bodies. What is the significance of this? Is there a message here?

There is beauty beyond the physical. Everything doesn’t have to hang out. Women need to leave something to the imagination.

DAIN

This is quite an impressive body of work. Your distinct aesthetic continues to evolve. Have you any thoughts on this?

I hope it’s getting better. I actually think this is my best work so far.  I’m just starting to scratch the surface.

DAIN

How long did it take you to prepare for this exhibit?

I began working on it in my head many months ago. The final pieces came together in the last few weeks.

DAIN

 Are you satisfied with the results?

So far, yes! If I am not satisfied with a piece, you will not see it in this show.

The public opening of DAIN’s new work will take place tomorrow, Thursday, April 3, 6-9pm, at Folioleaf, 111 Front Street, #226,  in Dumbo. The exhibit continues through Saturday, May 17.

Questions for DAIN by City-as-School intern Anna Louka; photos of DAIN’s works by Lois Stavsky and City-as-School intern Dea Sumrall.

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