graffiti

Devi1 – HMZ / TG on: Graffiti, Street Art, Style Wars 2, Subway Trains, Gaza and more

October 16, 2013

Currently featured in Style Wars 2, Devi has painted and DJ’d throughout the globe. I met up with him here in NYC.

When and where did you first get up?

I grew up in Palestinian refugee camps, as that’s where my mom’s human rights work took us. And so my first tag was on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Then when I was 16, we returned to London. And that’s when I got heavy into trains. The best were “Messy Mondays.” We stole paints, drank beer and hit the trains.

How does your mom feel about what you are doing?

At first she hated it. She worried about me, and she hates illegal activities. But she saw that there was no stopping me and that I was finding a way to survive doing it. So she’s come to accept it.

What percentage of your time is devoted to graffiti these days?

I’m always following it. And I do graffiti workshops with kids in war-torn zones. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Ramalla, Nablus, Jenin, Jericho and Gaza.

What was that like? I’m curious about Gaza.

I loved working with the kids, but the place broke my heart. There’s no money in Gaza. The city runs off generators, and it’s run by a bunch of gangsters with grenades waging a “holy war.” I escaped weekends by going off to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. But for those who live there – there is no escape.

Have you any thoughts about the graffiti/street art divide?

There is definitely a divide. Graffiti is a lifestyle and culture. It attracts many angry people, along with those that just want to have fun. It’s important for a writer to stay up and stay recognized — representing his crew and hood and keeping the writing element of hip-hop alive on the streets. I can’t pretend to know what goes on in a street artist’s heads. But I know it’s a different mentality.

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

We all dream of making money some day from doing what we love. But if you’re doing it for exposure or more fame, you’re a toy.

Have you shown your work in galleries?

I recently had an exhibit in Tampa, Florida of photos of my graffiti on trains.

What is the main source of your income?

I d-jay and I sell paintings.

What brought you to the U.S.?

I’m featured in the independent film, Style Wars 2, and I came in for a private screening that Henry Chalfant had organized in Hollywood. And — while here in the U.S. — I wanted to explore NYC, possibly play some DJ sets and go to the upcoming NYC premiere of Style Wars 2.

What’s ahead?

To continue to inspire the next generation to spread positive and creative energy. It’s more than just vandalism.

Interview by Lois Stavsky. Photos courtesy of the artist. The graffiti shop pictured is Capzoola in Tel Aviv.

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“Write of Passage” to Explore History and Impact of American Graffiti Art

October 14, 2013

A six-week long educational program that explores the impact of American graffiti art on global culture, Write of Passage opens to the public with a historic exhibition this coming Saturday, October 19. Curated by Sacha Jenkins, a noted graffiti historian and editorial director of Mass Appeal, the exhibition at Red Bull Studios New York, 218 West 18th Street serves as a centerpiece to Write of Passage’s educational program.

Several installations, rare canvasses, photos, sketches, vintage apparel and over 100 original graffiti artifacts document the evolution of graffiti art, celebrating its local origins and global influences.

Among the four installations that bring graffiti to life are a subway train & tunnel installation and a tattoo parlor installation from noted graffiti artist/tattooist Mr. Kaves.

Artists whose works are featured include: Daze, Futura, Haze, David “Chino” Villorente, Alan Bortman, Chris Pape, Easy, Miss 17, Freedom, Cycle, Fargo, Greg “SP” Lamarche, Krink, Mare 139, Cost, CES, Jay “J.SON” Edlin, Keo, Mark Ali Awfe, False, Tommy Rebel, A-ONE, Dondi White, Serve, Ed “Metal Man” Walker, Kaves, Trap IF, False, VFR, , Cope 2, Daze, Harley Spiller, Haze, Henry Chalfant, Louie KR.ONE Gasparro, YES 2, Samuel Kleiman, Sharp, Todd “Reas” James and Wane COD.

Write of Passage will be open to the public every Saturday from 1-5 p.m. through November 23.

All photos courtesy Write of Passage/Red Bull New York: 1. photo, Alexander Richter; 2. jacket, Serve; 3. strap hanger sculpture, Mare 139; 4. Kaves, Brooklyn tattoo parlor 5. photo, Henry Chalfant

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Faces in NYC Public Spaces, Part V: GATS, Dasic, Lamour Supreme, Lee Trice, Judith Supine, Meres, Skullphone, Raquel Eschinique & Epic Uno

October 11, 2013

This is the fifth in an ongoing series featuring the range of faces that surface daily in NYC’s open spaces:

West Coast – based GATS at the Bushwick Collective

Dasic in Bushwick

Lamour Supreme and Lee Trice in Bushwick, close-up of huge mural

Judith Supine in Williamsburg

Meres at 5Pointz

Skullphone in the East Village

Ecuadorian artist Raquel Eschinique at 5Pointz

Epic Uno in Long Island City

Photos of GATS, Lamour Supreme & Lee Trice collab, Judith Supine, Meres, Skullphone and Epic Uno by Dani Reyes Mozeson; photo of Dasic by Tara Murray; photo of Raquel Eschinique by Lois Stavsky

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Vibrant visions in East New York, Brooklyn: Rez, Bugn APK, Sebs, Domane, Ceos, Air3, Vers and Bie MOG

October 6, 2013

The vision of Rez and Bugn ABK, a huge wall off the Broadway-Junction subway line in East New York has recently been transformed into a magical mural featuring elements of graffiti, traditional portraiture and collage. Here are some images we captured last week:

Sebs, Domane and Bugn

Ceos and Air3

Vers

Bugn

Rez

Bie MOG

“We loved painting in this neighborhood,” reports Bugn. “We had lots of interaction with the folks who live here, and it was great to paint where folks appreciated us. This is just the beginning!” As to the choice of figures portrayed – Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson and Abe Lincoln – Bugn had the following to say: “We’re not kids anymore. We put our heavy hitters up. These are the people who inspired us as we were growing up. Women are on the way!”

Photos by Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky

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Boone Avenue Refashioned — Part I: Marthalicia Matarrita, Cern, Lady K. Fever, Cope2, UR New York, Skeme, Reme, Chris RWK & more

October 1, 2013

It’s been busy up on Boone Avenue near the Sheridan Expressway in the Bronx these past few days. Here are a few images captured yesterday during its current transformation:

Marthalicia Matarrita

Cern and Lady Fever at work

Cope2

Fernando Romero aka Ski at work

Skeme, Reme at work and Chris RWK

All photos by Tara Murray. Part II to follow.

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Bishop203 at Low Brow Artique

September 20, 2013

Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to interview one of our favorite people, Bishop203. A first-rate artist who’s been hitting a range of surfaces from abandoned factories, freight trains and walls to black books and canvases for years, Bishop203 is now the owner of Low Brow Artique, a superb space at 143 Central Avenue in Bushwick.

When did you first conceive of opening a business?

It was something that had been in the back of my mind for quite awhile. But growing up, I’d always wanted to be an art teacher.

So – what happened?

I hated school, and I failed all of my art classes. Actually, I failed just about all of my classes. And when my friends went on to college, I stayed behind for two more years and then graduated to painting freight trains.

And how did Low-Brow Artique – one of our favorite spaces – come to be?

About a year and a half ago – soon after my father died – I thought to myself, “I’m not doing anything much with my life, so why not open a business related to what I love?” But I didn’t have a business plan or anything. At first, I thought I would open an art supply store, but I wasn’t sure I had enough knowledge to do so at that point. And so I decided to focus on graffiti supplies, as I knew enough about hooligans to run a business catering to fellow hooligans.

What made you decide to set up shop in Bushwick?

I felt there was a need for it here. There was no other outlet for graff supplies in my neighborhood, and with Joe Ficalora, the curator of the Bushwick Collective, making so many walls available to artists coming here from all over the world, the local aerosol art scene was booming.

We notice you have just about every brand of spray paint here at really good prices. There are also markers, pens, black books, a variety of hand-printed and home-made goods, and t-shirts. What else is available?

Canvases, wood panels, screen print supplies, Liquitex paints, Krink and much more. I’m also about to start stocking Montana 94.

And your gallery has become one of the most popular graffiti/street art venues in NYC. Tell us something about that.

I love it. It gives me the opportunity to showcase my favorite art. And it was especially wonderful for me to recently feature my dear buddy Bisc’s work. Bisc and I go back years, and his show was my most successful one. It was epic.

What are some of your goals for Low Brow? Where would you like to see it go?

I love teaching the young bucks of the next generation. I can see myself giving formal classes here. And I want to help up-and-coming artists achieve their dream by exhibiting their work.. That, perhaps, may be my greatest legacy.

How do folks find out about your space?

It’s word-of-mouth. The graffiti world is small, and everyone wants to be up on the latest news.

And what about your artwork? We see it regularly at 5Pointz and in this part of town. What’s happening with it?

Well, for the most part, it’s taken a back seat to what’s happening here at Low Brow. But I’m ready to step up my game, especially when it gets too cold for much to be happening on the streets. And just this week, I was delighted to have a print released by my fellow hooligan, Bisc, who in collaboration with his partner at Daylight Curfew, has begun a monthly print series.

What do you see as the future of graffiti and street art?

I see it as just getting bigger and bigger. Just check out what’s been happening down the block.

Interview by Lois Stavsky with Tara Murray; photos by Lois Stavsky; print image courtesy of Daylight Curfew

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NYC’s Expressive Doors, Part III: Judith Supine, ASVP, Bishop203, Craig Anthony Miller, The Yok, 13 Portals Project, Gaia and Jordan Betten

September 18, 2013

This is the third in a series featuring images of New York City’s doors that sport everything from tags and stickers to sophisticated images.

Judith Supine in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

ASVP in NoLita

Bishop in Nolita

Craig Anthony Miller aka CAM in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

The Yok in Williamsburg

One of 13 Portals on the Lower East Side

Gaia in Long Island City, Queens

Jordan Betten in Chelsea

Photos of Judith Supine and 13 Portals by Dani Mozeson; ASVP, Bishop and the Yok by Tara Murray; CAM by Lois Stavsky

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COCO144: The Evolution of an Artist

September 16, 2013

COCO144 is a pioneer New York City-based graffiti/street artist. He started tagging in 1969, co-founded United Graffiti Artists and introduced the stencil into the graffiti movement in NYC. This interview was conducted and edited by Yoav Litvin. Yoav is a writer, photographer and author of a forthcoming book on NYC graffiti/street art.

You were there at the beginning of it all. How did graffiti start?

Graffiti is what the media called it. What I call the writing movement started in NYC back when I was in junior high in 1968. It began in the Inwood section of Manhattan with Julio204. Then in 1969, it took off in Washington Heights, with writers like Phil T. Greek and TAKI 183.

Why did writing start?

Writing was a reflection of the times — the socio-political and economic realities back then. It was a combination of the spirit of the anti-war movement, frustration with economical and social inequality, and racial and political tensions.

How do you feel about the evolution of it all? Where’s it heading? What’s the difference between today and back when graffiti just started out?

It has changed from a social scream of the inner city to a large-format, graphic design-like urban beautification movement. Go out right now and try to write your name on a wall, you’ll get arrested! Try to paint anything else and you’re more likely to get away with it. Back then, we wanted to be known within our circle of writers for destroying the system; you hit, do your thing and were cool to be incognito rather than celebrating who you are. That’s changed today.

Why do you think this movement has spread throughout the world?

Making your mark is a contagious virus with no known vaccination or cure.

Who do you consider are the pioneers?

My contemporaries, far too many to name, but I also feel that folks who are really interested in knowing the history of the movement should do their research.

How did you get your name – COCO144?

COCO was a term of endearment given to me by my parents when I was 3 months old. I grew up on 144^th St. in Harlem.

What are some of your preferred mediums?

Markers, spray paint and later I developed the stencil for obvious tactical reasons.

What were some of the concerns and dangers you had to consider?

Going into the yards you always had to consider the third rail. Other than that, there wasn’t much security to worry about at that time.

How have you evolved as an artist?

My name has developed and evolved in a calligraphic sense. I’m still working with my name. I see it as a process of constant rediscovery of myself; my name is a big part of who I am. Today I am influenced by my workplace, a Science Research Institute in Manhattan. I integrate the sciences into my name. I find it fascinating that both art and science utilize and emphasize the process of experimentation/trial and error. Both also greatly value and rely on curiosity and modesty as driving forces. Lastly, both accentuate the importance of the process as much as that of the final product.

1) Photo, 1970

2) Photo, 1972

3) Photo, 1974

4) Photo, 1984

5) Photo, 1995

6) Photo, 2009

7) Photo, 2010

All photos ©COCO144

For a slideshow by COCO click the following link: COCO

For an interview with Yoav on Street Art NYC see here.

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At 5Pointz — a Fusion of Cultures and Styles with: Bis & Vor, Christiaan Nagel, Shiro, Part One, Yes1, Meres, ND’A & Bishop, the Har Crew, Zeso, Joel Bergner and Dase

September 5, 2013

Dozens of new artworks, representing a wide range of cultures, styles and approaches, have surfaced this summer at 5Pointz. Here are a few from NYC’s ever-evolving open-air gallery:

Veteran graff artists Bis and Vor

Austrian artist Roofie

Japanese artist Shiro with Part, Yes1 and Meres

ND’A and Bishop

The Mexican Har crew, close-up

Har Crew, complete mural

French artist Zeso

Brooklyn-based international muralist Joel Bergner

Barcelona-based artist Dase

Photos by Dani Mozeson, Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky

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Speaking with Bisco Smith

August 25, 2013

Currently based in both LA and NYC, Bisco Smith is celebrated for his graffiti on walls, as well as for his audio and visual work within hip-hop culture. WORLD UPSIDE DOWN, a recent collection of this talented artist’s works, is on view at Low Brow Artique, 143 Central Avenue in Bushwick, through September 7^th. We spoke with Bisco soon after his hugely successful opening:

When and why did you start getting up?

I was about 12 or 13 years old when I started writing.

Any particular inspirations at the time?

I grew up skateboarding, and we were all into writing. Just about everyone in my school had a black book. We also avidly followed Chino’s Graf Flix section in the Source. This was sometime in the mid-90’s.

What was your preferred surface – back then?

Abandoned buildings. I grew up spending day after day inside of a huge dead factory. We could paint anything and everything in there.

Any early graffiti memories that stand out?

The first time I got taken down to the train tracks, a party got broken up by the police and on our escape, we ended up under a bridge filled with burners.

What is the riskiest thing you ever did?

Train tunnels and some less-than-solid rooftops. I remember getting caught between two trains, coming on opposite sides, while I was standing between two third rails. That experience will make you appreciate life all over again.

Why were you willing to take that risk?

I ask myself the same question now.

What percentage of your time is devoted to art these days?

Just about all of it. Both visual arts and music.

Do you have a day job? What is the main source of your income these days?

I work as a graphic designer and I mentor kids. I have a strong moral compass, and just about 98% of the work that I do is for the right cause. I’m involved with various community-based organizations including ARTS By the People, based in New York and New Jersey.

Have you any thoughts about the graffiti/street art divide?

Graffiti has a code, street rules, that “street art” doesn’t have – and that’s one of the reasons for the tensions between the two. But I don’t think there’s enough respect on either side.

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

I think it’s great when people can make a living doing what they love – and also impact others.

Would you rather work alone or collaborate with others?

When I’m working on walls, I prefer to collaborate. More often than not, I paint with my friends and crew mates: Leias, Bishop203 or Meres

Is there anyone in particular with whom you would like to collaborate?

Jackson Pollock – if he were alive.

Any favorite graff artists?

Ces. Since Videograf 8 dropped, that whole 90’s era in the Bronx really was my favorite.

Do you have a formal art education?

Yes. I studied communication design at Pratt.

Was it worthwhile?

Very much so. It taught me a trade. There’s work in graphic design.

How do you feel about the role of the Internet in all this?

Both positive and negative. I love the connections and opportunities, but miss when style was localized

What inspires you these days?

Lately, I have been heavy on instagram and tumblr checking out other artists, working artists.

Are there any particular cultures that have influenced your aesthetic?

Hip-hop culture for sure.

Do you work with a sketch-in-hand or just let it flow?

I let it flow.

Are you generally satisfied with your finished piece?

For the most part, but in the end — for me — it’s more about the day and the moment. The end result is a bonus.

How has your work evolved through the years?

Although I continue to work on the streets, I no longer need its framework to create. I think my artwork is more focused these days – especially if I know it’s headed to a gallery.

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

Balance out the mundane, as well as make people think.

What about the role of the photographer? The blogger?

It is important to document what’s out there and happening. I think its essential to any movement.

Any thoughts about sanctioned vs. unsanctioned art?

I like them both. I think both are needed and both allow for their own outcomes and impacts.

The Europeans seem to appreciate and respect graffiti far more than we do here in the States? Any thoughts about that?

If it doesn’t make money here, society seems to not appreciate it.

What’s ahead?

More visual explorations, socially engaged work, and gallery exhibits.

Interview by Lois Stavsky. Photos: 1. Bisco on exterior of Low Brow Artique, photo by Lois Stavsky; 2. & 3. Bisco in WORLD UPSIDE DOWN, photos courtesy of the artist; 4. Bisco, Meres, Bishop203 & Leias at 5Pointz, photo by Lois Stavsky; 5. Bisco & Leias on exterior of Low Brow Artique, photo by Tara Murray and 6. Bisco in Watts, photo courtesy of the artist

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