Facilitated by the Galeria de Arte Urbana, or Gallery of Urban Art, a long wall surrounding Lisbon’s Julio de Matos Psychiatric Hospital has evolved into an intriguing open-air gallery, showcasing a range of expressive faces. Pictured above is by Portugese artist Drawing Jesus. Here are several more images captured from this wall that stretches over half a mile:
Also by Drawing Jesus
Brazilian artist Vanessa Rosa
Photo credits: 1 – 4, 6 & 7 Lois Stavsky; 5 Sara C Mozeson
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A renovated industrial complex that how houses some of Lisbon’s coolest shops, design firms and restaurants, the FX Factory is also home to an eclectic collection of first-rate street art. Pictured above is a bee fashioned by Bordalo II from discarded objects. Bordalo II has the following to say about his work: …I belong to a generation that is extremely consumerist, materialist and greedy. With the production of things at its highest, the production of “waste” and unused objects is also at its highest. “Waste” is quoted because of its abstract definition: “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. I create, recreate, assemble and develop ideas with end-of-life material and try to relate it to sustainability, ecological and social awareness.
Here are several other artworks I saw last week while visiting the FX Factory:
French artists Noty & Aroz
Mário Belém, close-up from huge mural
Mariana Dias Coutinho, close-up
MaisMenos, one of his “streetments”
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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With Lamour Supreme’s completed shutter for the legendary Katz’s Deli, the 100 GATES Project has reached its goal of transforming 100 LES shutters into artworks. Produced by the Lower East Side Partnership, the project has been connecting artists with LES businesses through original murals on roll down security gates since the summer of 2014. Beginning today, September 15 through Sunday the 18th, the 100 GATES Project – in coordination with Tiger Beer –invites us to come out for a self-guided walking tour of the gates while enjoying Tiger Beer specials. Pictured above is Lamour Supreme captured at work by travel and street photographer Karin du Maire.
Another of Lamour Supreme, close-up
Houston, corner of Ludlow
And a small sampling of what you will see on your self-guided walking tour:
ASVP, close-up, A. Feibusch Corporation, 27 Allen Street
Hektad, T shirt-express, 15 Orchard Street
For specific information, images and a wonderfully comprehensive documentation of it all, check out 100 GATES Project.
Photo credits: 1-3, Karin du Maire; 4 & 5 Tara Murray
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Under the direction of Centre-fuge Public Art Project co-founder Jonathan Neville, the once drab trailer on the south side of East First Street is continually reinvented. Here are some images from its current transformation:
Staten Island-based Kwue Molly with the Ology Collective — Col, 2ease & Ski
Brooklyn-based Julia Cocuzza with J Mike Kuhn on her left
Check here for information on how you can submit a proposal to paint on the East 1st Street Trailer.
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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Back in 2008, First Street Green converted a derelict building lot at 33 E. 1st Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side into an open art space. In collaboration with NYC Parks and Partnership For Parks, it has successfully incorporated the lot into First Park.
These days, First Street Green provides a wide range of cultural activities and programs in First Park by engaging with artists, architects, cultural groups and community members. It has also become a favorite destination for us street art aficionados, as it has evolved into an intriguing outdoor gallery featuring some of our favorite artists and introducing us to others. Pictured above is a segment of a collaborative mural created during #WeSpyNY, a community workshop conducted by Swiss pop artist Santhori. Here is a small sampling of other works that were seen earlier this month:
Bosnian artist Vedran Misic
Bronx-born, Copenhagen-based artist, musician and activist Peter Missing, close-up of huge mural
Melbourne-based artist Stuart Ringholt
Photo credits:1-4 Lois Stavsky & 5 Tara Murray
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Passionately engaged in promoting the positive values of the cultures of street art, graffiti and hip-hop, the Staten Island-based NYC Arts Cypher is a dynamic ever-evolving venture. For the past few months a host of local, national and international artists have been busily at work preparing for Cypher Fest, NYC Arts Cypher‘s first Annual Street Art Festival. While visiting I had the opportunity to speak to its founder and president, Charlie Balducci aka Charlie B.
When was NYC Arts Cypher born?
It was founded in 2004, and it became an official 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2007.
What spurred you to create it?
It was a way for me to stay involved in all aspects of the arts and entertainment and –- at the same time — engage the community. The realization of it was a dream come true. Of the five boroughs, ours had been the least recognized.
How would you describe its mission?
Its mission is to promote positive values through programs and events related to urban art. NYC Arts Cypher also serves as a networking tool for artists in all five boroughs. And with its open-door policy, it introduces many of our local kids to a range of skills from painting and dancing to acting and producing videos.
What are some of the concerns that NYC Arts Cypher has addressed?
When Amanda Cummings, a local teen, threw herself in front of a bus in 2013, we took on the issue of bullying. And, tragically, the issue of bullying was in the news once again when 13-year-old Staten Island resident Danny Fitzpatrick took his life leaving behind a note that expressed his pain as a victim of bullying. Among other issues we address are: vandalism, drug abuse and conflict-resolution.
Does any particular highlight stand out?
In 2010, we were awarded “best documentary short” at the Staten Island Film Festival for our documentary, M.U.R.A.L
Can you tell us something about it?
Yes. It presents graffiti as an art form – rather than an act of vandalism. It features interviews with a range of people from the youth who are active in our programs to law enforcement officials to such accomplished artists as the members of Tats Cru and Meres of 5Pointz fame.
What are some of the challenges you encounter in overseeing such a multi-faceted space?
Working on sustaining it is the principal challenge, as we continue to expand and offer more programs and networking opportunities.
It seems like a monumental task! How do you do it?
We have support from sponsors like SIBOR, Wheel Concepts and Williams Eye Works. But nothing beats the heart of a volunteer — like Cynthia Valle and Tony Spinelli.
What’s ahead for NYC Arts Cypher?
We are utilizing all our resources to beautify not only our block, but — also — neighboring blocks, as artists from across the globe are now painting alongside local artists. We will continue to engage schools in a range of programs promoting positive values –particularly the Don’t Be a Bully initiative that combats bullying with creativity and Pillz Killz that tackles head on the epidemic of drug abuse plaguing our community. We will also be hosting a pop-up shop and café. And next Sunday, September 10th we will be presenting Cypher Fest, our first Annual Art Festival.
Images
1 Mr. Prvrt & A Visual Bliss with Jorit Agoch at work on the right
3 & 4 Sipros
Photo credits: 1, 2, 4 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 3 Tara Murray; interview with Charlie B conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky
Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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Noted Brazilian artist Mag Magrela recently spent a month in New York City. In partnership with AnnexB — a company focused on promoting Brazilian art in NYC — Mag Magrela painted several murals in different neighborhoods and presented her first NYC solo exhibit, Pindorama in Flames, at Galeria, a delightful gallery/cafe located at 43 Clinton Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Pictured above is Sem mais. The broken boat: eu tenho sue o pedaço que agora é meu in Long Island City. Here are several more outdoor murals:
“Pequenos atos de contra ataque,” Astoria, Queens with the Welling Court Mural Project
“Dá a cara à tapa,” Bushwick
“A paixão das ancas,” Brooklyn Brush X Mural Project
And from her exhibit Pindorama in Flames, at Galeria featuring works created during her NYC residency:
Linha de frente
“Suadade de sertão encantado” — with figure painted live to the right
“Meu murk” – the artist’s signature performance-installation at Brooklyn Brush, Brooklyn, New York
The exhibit at Galeria — featuring a range of works that address the dichotomy between the ideal Utopian world and the bitter real one — continues through September 15th.
Note: Mag Magrela is a featured artist in Alexandra Henry‘s documentary film Street Heroines.
Photos: 1, 3, 4 & 7 courtesy AnnexB; 2, 5 & 6 Lois Stavsky
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Founded and curated by SinXero, the TAG Public Arts Project — a A 501(c)3 Not for Profit in NY State — continues to bring a wonderfully diverse range of public artworks to the South Central section of the Bronx. Pictured above is a mural recently painted by Baltimore-based artist Nether 410. Here are a few others — fashioned by local, national and international artists — that I came upon this past Friday while exploring the streets on and off Westchester Avenue along the 6 line.
Brooklyn-based Australian artist Damien Mitchell, close-up
Hong Kong-based Italian artist Barlo, close-up
The legendary NYC-based Daze
With Brazilian artists TOZ & BR from the Flesh Beck Crew to his left, close-up
NYC-based Sole Rebel
NYC-based Puerto Rican artist Ralph Serrano
Rochester-based Mr. Prvrt and NYC-based A Visual Bliss, close-up
Photo credits: 1 Courtesy SinXero; 2-8 Lois Stavsky
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Not A Crime‘s summer-long street art campaign for education equality continues to enhance the streets of Harlem. Featured above is Paris-based Astro’s first mural in NYC. Here are several more that have surfaced since the spring:
Chilean artist Cekis, close-up
South African artist Ricky Lee Gordon
Australian artist Rone, close-up of Nasim Biglari
Brazilian artist Alexandre Keto, close-up
Harlem’s legendary Franco the Great
South Carolina – based Patch Whisky at work
Close-up from Patch Whisky‘s completed mural
Brooklyn-based Elle at work
Close-up from Elle‘s completed mural
An expansion of last year’s NYC-based mural campaign covering four boroughs and New Jersey, the #NotACrime Street Art Campaign for Education Equality is curated by Street Art Anarchy. Now in its second year, the #NotACrime campaign was founded by Maziar Bahari to expose Iran’s human rights violations.
Note: Keep posted to our Facebook page for additional murals from Not A Crime‘s street art campaign for education equality by Erik Burke, Tats Cru, Col Wallnuts and more. You can also check out videos of artists at work and more on the Education Is Not a Crime Facebook page.
Photo credits: 1, 4 – 6 & 8 Tara Murray; 2, 3 & 10 Lois Stavsky; 9 & 7 bytegirl
Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.
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The windows of NYU’s Kimmel Center are now home to a wide range of street art and graffiti artworks. Presented in partnership with 3rd Culture Creative, a cutting-edge media development company, ART STREET 13 WINDOWS 1 WALL showcases the distinct aesthetic of 15 artists whose works have surfaced on our streets. I recently had the opportunity to speak to its principal curator Pamela Jean Tinnen — who for the past five years has curated New York University’s Kimmel Galleries.
I’m always delighted when universities embrace street art. Can you tell us something about how this project came to be? What might have prompted it?
Yes! Awhile back I went on a street art tour of the Bushwick Collective, conducted by one of my colleagues, Izzy Church. I loved what I saw, and I soon began researching street art. An exhibit featuring street art became a passion project of mine, and the Kimmel Windows Gallery seemed like the ideal site to showcase public art, particularly during the summer months.
Exhibiting works by street artists and graffiti writers in a public space – that can be seen by everyone — is certainly a cool notion! Are there any other particular concepts underlying this exhibit?
Yes. Placing works of street art behind a glass wall also hints at the monetary value of the artworks by those street artists who have achieved mainstream success.
How did you and your co-curators — Izzy Church and Marten Kale — decide which artists to include?
We reached out to our favorite artists, and several of the other artists reached out to us.
Did you encounter any unanticipated challenges in seeing it through?
The unconventional nature of the artworks demanded careful attention to their placement in this particular setting.
I think it looks great! Each window is engaging. How has the response to it been?
The response has been wonderful. I’ve received so many positive messages, particularly from my colleagues.
Until when will it remain on view?
It has been extended through September 12th. And during these next few weeks, be prepared for some surprises as we make some changes in the windows! A closing event will be held on Saturday, September 10th from 7:30 – 10pm in the Grand Hall at NYU Global Center, 238 Thompson Street, 5th Floor. There will be art, music and a cash bar.
It all sounds great!
Images
1. Francisco de Pájaro aka Art Is Trash
2. Gilf!, Iena Cruz and Cope2 with Indie
3. Ron English
Located on Laguardia and West 3rd St, Kimmel Windows also features: John Fekner, ASVP, Lady Pink, Jonathan “Meres” Cohen, Fumero, Raquel Echanique, Federico Massa a.k.a. Iena Cruz, B.D. White, Joe Iurato, Martian Code and Skewville.
Photo credits: 1-4 Lois Stavsky; 5 courtesy Woodward Gallery; interview by Lois Stavsky
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