public art

Pau

Artworks in a range of styles by local, regional and international artists continue to surface along Asbury Park’s waterfront. Here are a few more:

Cope2 and Joe Iurato

cope-joe-iurato-street-art-asbury-park

Indie 184

Indie-graffiti-street-art-asbury Park-New Jersey

Mike La Vallee aka Pork Chop

Porkchop-street-art-Asbury-Park-New-Jersey

Logan Hicks

Logan-Hicks-street-art-Asbury-Park

B Ready

Be-ready-asbury-park-street-art-new-jersey-

Harif Guzman aka Hacula

Harif-Guzman-street-art-asbury-park-new-jersey

Note: The first image is by Chilean-German artist Pau

Special thanks to Billy Schon of FreshPaintNYC for sharing these images with us.

{ 0 comments }

Joel-Bergner-and-Israeli-and-Palestinian-youth-mural-fragment-l

We recently spoke to Brooklyn-based artist Joel Bergner aka Joel Artista about his experiences this past spring working with Israeli and Palestinian youth.

What brought you to the Israel?

I ‘d worked with artist and arts educator Max Frieder last year in the Middle East in a program for Syrian refugees and, also, in Cuba. He invited me to partner with him on this trip — organized by his Artolution project with the support of private donors and the U.S. Embassy and Consulate — to Israel and Palestine.

What was the purpose of the trip?

The main purpose was to provide creative opportunities for Israeli and Palestinian youth, who rarely interact, to meet each other through our educational workshops and collaborate on public mural projects. Through this work, they formed relationships with each other and were able to begin positive dialogues. 

Israeli-and-Palestinian-youth-with-Joel-Bergner-paint-mural

Was your experience in this particular conflict-ridden landscape different from what you had anticipated? 

I had thought of the divide in this region as largely an Israeli-Palestinian one. But I came to realize that the situation is far more complex. There is a considerable divide between the religious and secular and divisions within certain communities themselves. I also wasn’t aware of the situation of the East Jerusalem Palestinians who do not have Israeli citizenship; in fact, they don’t have citizenship to any country in the world! Most can get Jordanian passports even though they are not Jordanian citizens, and it is these passports they use when they travel abroad. We worked with a Palestinian friend who was in this difficult and complex situation, and he brought us all around the West Bank and taught us a great deal. He was an inspiring guy for me because of his positive and tolerant perspective toward all the people of the region.

Did you feel personally affected by the conflict?

I was there on Jerusalem Day, when the Israelis — particularly those on the right — celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City. That was a particularly tense day, as there were protests and a highly charged and violent atmosphere in the area between the east and west sections of the city.

Israeli-and-Palestinian-youth-mural-at-American-Consulate-in-Jerusalem

What — would you say — was you greatest challenge? 

Getting the Israeli and Arab kids to interact with one another in a meaningful way and actually work together.

Were you able to overcome this challenge?

Yes. Most came to value the idea of working together for a common purpose. One of the groups came up with the image of a boat floating on a sea. Out of the boat grew a tree with branches that became human figures. They wanted to send a message that despite differences, they all have the same roots, and that they are all on the same boat together.

Mural-by Israeli-and-Palestinian-youth

In what ways was your experience in Israel different from other countries where you’ve worked with youth?

I’ve worked in many countries with youth from very difficult environments, including those who have experienced war and other forms of violence, but this was my first time purposefully bringing together two sides of a conflict in order to spark dialogue. These are young people who are taught to fear and hate the other side. But many told me individually that once they came face to face with each other and worked together, joked around and had conversations, it became impossible to see the other as an enemy. They realized that they had so much in common. It was incredible to see them bonding and becoming friends. One day we all broke into a spontaneous dance party! It was beautiful to see them just acting like normal teenagers together. While this will not solve all the complex problems in region, I hope that it will be a seed. 

Israeli-and-Palestinian-youth-celebrate

What was the final project?

The installation of a huge mural at the Hand in Hand School, which was then installed at the US Consulate in Jerusalem.  There it is visible to people from all backgrounds as they wait to apply for their visas.

Any thoughts about the future of this region?

After working with these kids, I do have some hope for these youth. One of their murals, in fact, told a story of the journey from conflict to peaceful coexistence. But I don’t see any easy resolution to the larger conflict.

Joel-Bergner-and Israeli-and-Palestinian-youth

And what about you? Any further plans to work in this region?

Yes, we are planning future projects for communities in the Middle East. These will include the participation of local artists and educators, who will be trained to facilitate their own arts-based community programs. The plan is to turn this concept into a global organization that will focus on advocating for social change through public art. 

Interview conducted by Lois Stavsky; all images courtesy of the artist

{ 1 comment }

Jerkface

This is the thirteenth in a series of occasional posts featuring the diverse range of trucks and vans that strike our streets.

Jerkface, another view

jerkface-truck-art-nyc

Wane

Wane-graffiti-truck-Bronx

Col Wallnuts

Col-graffiti-truck-NYC

Bishop 203

bishop-truck-graffiti-nyc

CashRFC

cashrfc-graffiti-truck copy

Li-Hill

lihill-art-truck-nyc

 Photos: 1, 2, 6 & 7 Dani Reyes Mozeson; Fred Miteff aka Nic707 and 4 & 5 Lois Stavsky

{ 1 comment }

dorothy-gale-street-art-centre-fuge-public-art-project

Earlier this summer, the Centre-fuge Public Art Project once again transformed the now-famed trailer on East First Street off First Avenue, bringing color and intrigue to Manhattan’s East Village.

D. Gale at work

Dorothy-Gale-at-work-Centrefuge-public-art-project-east-village

Vince Ballentine

Vince-Ballentine-Centrefuge-public-art

 Smurfo 

smurfo-graffiti-centre-fuge-public-art-project-nyc

HissXX

Hissxx-street-art-centrefuge-public-art-project-NYC

Pawn

Pawn-street-art-centre-fuge-public-art-project

Kingbee

Kingbee-centrefuge-public-art-project-street-art-nyc

Wide view with PawnKingbee and Ramiro Davaro

centre-fuge-public-art-project-nyc

Photos: 1, 3-6 & 8 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 2 & 7 Tara Murray

{ 1 comment }

eder-muniz-and-meal-street-art-graffiti-ithaca

On our recent stopover in Ithaca, New York, we were delighted to discover the rich and varied street art and graffiti — by local, national and international artists — that have found a home there.  Here is a small sampling:

Italian artist Alice Pasquini, close-up

alice-pasquini-close-up-street-art-Ithaca-NY

Brazilian artist Eder Muniz

eder-muniz-street-art-character-ithaca-NY

Peruvian artist/activist Paloma Abregu Arroyo and Ithaca-based Caleb R Thomas, close-up

Paloma-Abregu-Arroyo-and-Caleb-R-Thomas-street-art-Ithaca

Oakland-based artist Desi Mundo

desi-street-art-ithaca-ny

French artist Roti

roti-street-art-ithaca-new-york

The legendary Copenhagen-based graffiti writer Bates

bates-graffiti-ithaca-new-york

Ithaca-based Meal

meal-graffiti-street-art-ithaca-new-york

 First image is a collaboration between Eder Muniz and Meal 

Special thanks to Meal for introducing us to Ithaca’s rich public art and to Fresh Paint NYC for connecting us.

Photos: 1, 2, 5, 6 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 3, 4 & 7

{ 1 comment }

Cernesto

Within the last month ArtBattles local champion, Cernesto, and European ArtBattles champ, El Niño de Las Pinturas, have painted — to our delight — huge murals in the East Village and in Soho.

Cern‘s completed mural in the East Village

cern-cernesto-mural-east-village-nyc

El Niño de Las Pinturas, completed mural in the East Village

el-nino-completed-mural-east-village-NYC

El Niño de Las Pinturas, close-up in the East Village

el-nino-Art-Battles-NYC

Cern in Soho

cern-mural-street-art-nyc

El Niño de Las Pinturas in Soho

el-nino-street-art-nyc_edited-1

 Photos: 1-3 & 5-6 Tara Murray; 4 Lois Stavsky

{ 0 comments }

Committed to healing and transforming communities by beautifying the urban landscape, Wall\Therapy has brought dozens of magical murals to Rochester, New York. Here are a few we discovered on our brief stopover last week:

Montreal-based Omen

Omen514

Italian artist Peeta

Peeta

West Coast-based Troy Lovegates aka Other

Troy-Lovegates-aka-other-street-art-Rochester-New-York

Tel Aviv-based Know Hope

know-hope-street-art-rochester-new-yori

Rochester’s own Mr Prvrt

Mr-Prvrt-mural-street-art-rochester-ny

West Coast-based Sam Rodriguez

sam-rodriguez-street-art-New-York

Brazilian artist Binho

Binho-street-art-rochester-NY

And kicking off this Friday, July 17, is WALL\THERAPY 2015 featuring an extraordinary array of artists including NYC-based Li-Hill, Vexta and Daze. 

Photos: 1,2, 4-6 Lois Stavsky; 3 & 7  Sara C Mozeson

{ 0 comments }

We love the way discarded and found objects — or fragments of them – are transformed into public art.  Here’s a small sampling:

RAE BK in Manhattan

rae-recycled-art-street-art-nyc

Jim Power aka the Mosaic Man captured at work in the East Village

Jim-power-recycled-street-art-east-village-nyc

Fragment from a pole fashioned by Jim Power

Jim-Power-street-art-nyc

Michael Cuomo in the Bronx

Michael-cuomo-hand-made-mask-recycled-art-NYC

Unidentified artist on the Lower East Side

recycled-art-Lower-east-sde

Photos: 1, 3-5 Lois Stavsky; 2 Dani Reyes Mozeson

{ 1 comment }

"Lady Aiko"

Featuring over two dozen beautifully-executed murals representing a diverse range of artistic styles, Coney Art Walls is a cause for celebration. Here are a few images captured this weekend.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh pays homage to the long-time residents of Coney Island

Tatyana-Fazlaizadeh-street-art-mural-coney-art-walls-coney-island

Lady Pink

"Lady Pink"

Kashink

Kashink

Sheryo and the Yok 

Sheryo-and-the-Yok-street-art-coney-island-coney-art-walls

El Seed

"El Seed"

Roa, close-up

Roa

Buff Monster

"Buff Monster"

Curated by Jeffrey Deitch, Coney Art Walls is located at 1320 Bowery Street off Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island.  And on Sundays — through September 6 — a curated summer music series and dance party happening takes place from 5pm – 11pm.

Note: First image is of mural by Lady Aiko. Keep posted to the StreetArtNYC Facebook page for many more photos of Coney Art Walls.

All photos by Lois Stavsky

{ 1 comment }

trans1-street-art-mural-Bronx

Currently gracing the walls of Graffiti Universe up in the Bronx is a range of styles from photorealistic portraiture to stylish graffiti. Here is a sampling of the work fashioned by both international and regional artists:

Italian artist Jorit does the legendary TAKI 183

Jorit-street-art-Taki183-NYC

Vins and Signl, EOS 

vins-and-signl-graffiti-Bronx-NYC

Norwegian artist Stay One, KD

Stayone-kd-graffiti-nyc

Graffiti Universe is located at 2995 Boston Road in the Allerton section of the East Bronx.

Note: First image is by London-based Trans1

Photos by Lois Stavsky

{ 1 comment }