This is the seventh in a series of occasional posts featuring images of children that surface on our public spaces:
Gustavo Nénão in Chelsea
Joe Iurato in Jersey City
Stinkfish in Bushwick
Jef Aerosol at the Bushwick Collective
Danielle Mastrion in Staten Island with the Centrefuge Public Art Project
Photos: 1 City-As-School intern Zachariah Messaoud; 2, 3 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 4 Dani Reyes Mozeson
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“There’s some amazing talent here,” commented a rather staid looking older man – dressed in a three-piece suit – as he saw me approaching the former Pep Boys shop in Downtown Jersey City. And, indeed, there is! Thanks to the efforts of the indefatigable Greg Edgell aka Green Villian and the dozens of artists who came together last week, the former shop now boasts some of the finest graffiti to be found anywhere. Here is just a sampling:
Mr Mustart and Distort
Mr Mustart and Era
Mr Abillity and Chopla
Pomer
Distort and Mr Mustart
Clarence Rich, Dzel and Nark
Paws 21 — with Green Villain to the right
The Pep Boys shop is located on 410 Marin Boulevard, a few blocks away from Newport Mall. Originally slated for demolition this past Friday, the building will remain for at least another month. We will be back!
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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Featuring 30 artists from 15 different countries, Theorum: You Simply Destroy the Image I Always Had of Myself opens today, Sunday, May 3, at Mana Contemporary‘s 50,000 square foot Glass Gallery. Curated by Ocravio Zaya, it presents an eclectic range of rich artworks in various media from painting and photography to large-scale installations. Visually engaging and psychologically charged, the works on exhibit question and challenge our perceptions of ourselves and appearances, in general, while “contemplating a world turned upside-down.” Here are a few more images:
NYC-based Susan Siegel, one of many images from an elegantly dreamy installation of her paintings
Lima native Santiago Roose, (Bridge) Between the particular contradiction and general antagonism
Cuba native Marìa Magdalena Campos-Pons, My Mother Told Me I Am Chinese
Lima native Elena Damiani, The Discovery
Lima native Nicole Franchy, Hinter Scapes
Puerto Rican artist Radames “Juni” Figuearoa, La Casita Amarilla
Exhibit curator and noted art critic Octavio Zaya, center standing, in La Casita Amarilla
Along with several other thoroughly engaging exhibits, Theorem: You Simply Destroy the Image I Always Had of Myself — featuring many artists whose works also surface in the public sphere — opens to the public today, Sunday, May 3, at Mana Contemporary, 888 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Complimentary shuttle service to and from the Mana’s Open House will be provided every half hour starting at 12:30 PM from Milk Studios at 450 West 15th Street in Manhattan and returning every half hour from Mana starting at 2 PM. Mana is also easily accessible via the PATH train’s Journal Square stop. Ample free parking is also provided.
Photo credits: 1, 2 & 4 Sara C. Mozeson; 3, 5-9, Lois Stavsky
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The extraordinarily gifted Belgian artist Roa has recently shared his talents and passion for the animal kingdom with us outdoors in Jersey City and indoors at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery. The following images were captured this past Saturday near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel, not far from Mana Contemporary where Roa created his works for Metazoa, currently on exhibit at Jonathan LeVine:
Close-up
Close-up with Roa at work
The mural, full view
And here is a sampling of ROA‘s interactive works at Jonathan LeVine, largely created on found, salvaged materials:
Sturnus Vulgaris, mixed-media
Composition II: Lutrinate, Salmonidae, Anguilliformes, mixed media
Sturnus Vulgaris, mixed media
NY Canidae, mixed media, rear
Metazoa continues through May 2 at Jonathan LeVine at the gallery’s 529 West 20th Street space.
Note: For a wonderfully interactive view of several pieces check out this post on Colosaal.
Photos of Roa in Jersey City by bytegirl; of Roa’s works at Jonathan LeVine, Dani Reyes Mozeson
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After six weeks of polishing a five-foot–tall marble cube to perfection back in 1982, German sculptor Ewerdt Hilgemann rolled it down a steep slope. He liked what he saw, as its mangled, contorted forms represented “the ultimate beauty of creation.” And since 1985, Hilgemann has been forging sculptures using a unique vacuum process, which “implodes” geometric shapes causing the material to deform according to natural laws.
At once tough and sensuous, a series of Hilgemann’s seven stainless steel sculptures surfaced on the streets of our city this past summer. We were mesmerized! Opening tomorrow at Mana Contemporary is Panta Rhei, an exhibit featuring six of Hilgeman’s sculptures installed outside the Mana Glass Gallery and inside the building’s lobby.
Cube Flower, as seen in early fall on Park Avenue
Dancers, close-up, as seen in early fall on Park Avenue
And at Mana Contemporary, as seen yesterday in the icy snow
The artist
And his wondrous smaller works as viewed indoors at Mana
Also opening tomorrow at Mana Contemporary are: Making Art Dance, curated by Jeffrey Deitch; John Newsom: Rogue Arena and David Levinthal: Hitler Moves East.
The opening events are free and open to the public. You can RSVP here for free transportation from NYC. Shuttle service to and from the event will be provided every half hour starting at 12:30 PM from Milk Studios (450 W. 15th Street) and returning every half hour from Mana starting at 2 PM.
Photos: 1-5 and 7 by Dani Reyes Mozeson; 6 by Lois Stavsky
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On our recent visit to Jersey City this past Friday, Gregory D. Edgell aka the Green Villain gave us a tour of some of Jersey City’s newest murals, including some wonderful ones that he curated. Here’s a sampling of those:
All photos by Lois Stavsky, except for Kem5, courtesy of Greg.
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“Works of art in public spaces can have a highly beneficial effect upon the environment – beautifying it, sparking debate, and nurturing public interest in visual art,” concluded Reykjavik’s Executive City Council in a recently released report. Among those artists selected to add style and intrigue to apartment building walls of Iceland’s capital is the celebrated Icelandic pop artist Erró. As there has always been somewhat of a crossover between street art and comic art, the choice seems perfect. And here at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, a short ride from downtown Manhattan, an exhibit of the celebrated artist’s works, presented by Galerie Ernst Hilger, opens tomorrow.
Here is another close-up from Erró‘s bold, comic-inspired work, Excalibur Saga, on display:
And his Official Portrait of Sigmund Freud is one of many psychologically intriguing and provocative works also on exhibit:
Mana Contemporary is providing free shuttle service to us New Yorkers to and from tomorrow’s 1pm opening. Buses depart every half hour starting at 12:30pm from Milk Studios at 450 West 15th Street.
Photos of artworks by Lois Stavsky
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Based in Weehawken, New Jersey, Sean Lugo has been sharing his distinct vision and talents with us not only on the streets of nearby Jersey City, but here in NYC, as well. I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to him.
When did you first get up? And where?
It was back in 1998; I was 17. I tagged up around my neighborhood in Union City, NJ.
Had you any preferred surfaces back then?
Nope! Any open space was fine.
How did your family feel about what you were doing?
I was living with my sister at the time. She thought I was an idiot!
Have you any early graffiti-related memories that stand out?
I remember going to a Mets game with my father and seeing graffiti on the trains and at 5Pointz as we rode by on the 7 line. I was amazed! It was the most graffiti I’d ever seen anywhere. I was about 12 at the time.
What percentage of your day is devoted to art?
Just about all of it! I work as an art handler during the day, and then I spend about five hours each day working on my own art.
Any other interests?
Sports. I love football!
Any thoughts on the graffiti/ street art divide?
I don’t personally feel the divide. They are both outlets for us to express ourselves.
How do you feel about the movement of graffiti and street art into galleries
I like it! I’d like to see even more gallery owners open their spaces to us. Folks who run galleries need to be more aware of what’s going on in the streets.
How you feel about the role of the Internet in this scene?
I think it’s beautiful. It’s connected me to so many others.
Do you have a formal arts education?
No. I’m self-taught.
What’s the riskiest thing you’ve done?
Well, definitely the stupidest was bombing with Werds off the High Line. We climbed up via a truck, and after spending over eight hours up there, we had to jump down to reach the ground.
What inspires you these days?
Concepts. I’m inspired by the masks that people wear as they try to project a false illusion of themselves. Most people are fake. And it is the incongruity between who people appear to be and who they really are that drives my art these days.
Has your aesthetic been influenced by any particular cultures?
I’m influenced by all cultures – but particularly my own, the Spanish culture.
Do you work with a sketch in your hand, or do you let it flow?
I draw everything out, and I like to choose a spot before I draw.
What is your ideal working environment?
A quiet room with any kind of music in the background.
Are you generally satisfied with your finished product?
Yes.
How has your work evolved in the past few years?
It’s become more dramatic, and I engage with it more seriously.
How’s that?
I look at life differently than I used to. On August 1, 2011, I was in a car accident in Jersey City. The guy who hit me died, and I almost did. As a result of this trauma, I’ve come to understand just how brief and fragile life is.
And can you tell us something about wheat pastes – your preferred medium?
Yes, I love using wheat pastes because they perfectly mirror life’s temporality.
What do you see as the role of the artist in society?
To spur others to become more creative.
And what about how society views the artist? Any thoughts as to how others view you?
Too many folks view art as a business.
Any favorite artists who share their work on the streets?
So many! But to name a few: LNY, Ekundayo, Vinz, NoseGo …
What’s ahead?
I want to continue doing art on the streets and interacting more with public space. I’d love to create an entire, interactive scene just using wheatpastes!
Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky; photos 3, 5 and 6 by Lois Stavsky; others courtesy of Sean Lugo.
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In my meanderings around Jersey City this past year, I came upon a number of first-rate murals by a wonderful array of artists signed Savage Habbit, along with the artists’ signatures. Just who or what is Savage Habbit? I found out this weekend as Inez, its founder, gave me a tour of Savage Habbit’s walls and answered some questions about its mission:
Just what is Savage Habbit?
It is foremost a blog that was founded in 2011. It is dedicated to showcasing the best art that has made its way onto the streets across the globe. Among Savage Habbit’s missions today is to bring more street art to our local community.
What motivated you to launch Savage Habbit?
I wanted a blog that represented the art that I love, and the only way I could do that was to start my own.
And what about the murals?
I’m a New Jersey girl. I was born and raised here. I wanted to walk around my neighborhood and see art in my community. And I wanted to give back to my state. These murals benefit everyone!
When did your first mural surface?
Last year — in 2013.
What has been your greatest challenge?
Finding walls.
You seem to have facilitated quite a few murals. How do you find the artists?
Some contact me, and others I contact when I see that they are in town.
What’s ahead?
There are five confirmed walls. Savage Habbit’s next wall will feature Nanook and Mata Ruda.
And what about the name “Savage Habbit?” What does it represent?
The name is derived from a Wu Tang quote: Ricochet Rabbit had a habit, he was a savage. We are savagely passionate about our habit, art!
That sounds right! We look forward to seeing more art on the streets of Jersey City.
Brief interview and photos by Lois Stavsky
1. Alice Pasquini, close-up
2. Mr. Mustart
3. Li-Hill at work yesterday
4. Ekundayo
5. Sean Lugo
6. Case, MA`CLAIM, close-up
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On my recent visit to Jersey City, Gregory D. Edgell aka the Green Villain gave me a tour of some of the city’s first-rate graffiti murals, including a number of recent ones that he had facilitated. Upon further exploration, I came upon some amazing street art walls. What follows are samples of both and a brief conversation with Greg:
What brought you to Jersey City? And when did you first come here?
I moved here in 2009. My best friend – at the time – had moved into a huge warehouse that seemed like the ideal venue for artistic expression. And that’s what brought me here.
What changes have you observed since moving here?
Jersey City is increasingly attracting more artists and is slowly developing a street art culture, but there are still far too many blank walls.
Where do you think it’s all going?
Jersey City has the potential to be just as creative as any neighborhood in NYC. It could even be more so, as it’s not as expensive. Within the next five years, this will happen!
Mana Contemporary has certainly enhanced Jersey City with its studios, exhibition spaces and more. And soon it will be launching the Mana Museum of Urban Arts, the world’s first permanent space dedicated to street art and graffiti. Any thoughts about that?
I think it’s amazing and particularly wonderful for the global street art and graffiti community, as Mana Contemporary has the backing to create a first-rate educational platform for this art form.
And what’s ahead for you?
I am currently facilitating a series of murals by some first-rate artists. Among them are: Sheryo & the Yok, Rubin, Jerkface, Mr. Mustart and Distort & Then One.
That sounds great! We’re looking forward to seeing them — as Jersey City is just minutes away from Manhattan!
Interview and photos by Lois Stavsky
2. Post
3. Li Hill
5. Sean Lugo
6. SP.One
7. Enoe
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