street art

Speaking with Miami-Based Artist/Activist Alessandra Mondolfi

March 14, 2018

With a BFA in Photography and Sculpture from the Massachusetts College of Art, multidisciplinary artist Alessandra Mondolfi describes herself as a “Jill of all Trades.” A recipient of multiple grants and awards, including a Fulbright Grant to Barcelona, Spain, she has exhibited throughout the globe with works ranging from altered photographs to elaborate large scale multimedia installations. These days, Alessandra Mondolfi perceives herself primarily as an artist/activist, whose political artworks surface on the streets of Miami and beyond. I recently had the opportunity to speak to her.

When did you begin to direct your creative talents to the political sphere?

It happened right after the 2017 Women’s March. That was a huge turning point. I took to the streets then using art props as tools of protest. I haven’t stopped, and I’m not stopping. I’m a proud member of the middle-age resistance.

What prompted you to do so? To become so active?

The 2016 Presidential election. It’s a gut reaction to our current state of affairs. These times call for drastic action. Having come of age in Venezuela, I saw first-hand attacks on democracy and on people’s basic values as Chavez ran on a populist front — socialist, but populist. No one took him seriously. They thought of him as a joke. They didn’t think he could win. And when he did, he destroyed his country. The similarities between him and Trump are staggering. My strongest weapon against this kind of fascism is my creativity.

How has your in involvement in this movement impacted you?

It’s been therapeutic. Creating art is a way for us to release our anxieties and give us a sense of purpose, especially in times like these.

And what about others? How has your work impacted others? What kinds of responses has it elicited?

The props that I’ve used at various protests have been shown around the world in a range of media — in print, online and on television. I feel as though I am creating the visual message of the resistance for the media to transmit. Much of what I’ve created has gone viral. Getty and AP images have surfaced in newspapers throughout the world, including Turkey, Bulgaria and India.

What’s ahead?

I’m now working on new props for the March 24th, March for Our Lives in Parkland. These will be followed by wheatpastes that I will post wherever I can.

I’m so glad you’re doing this! Thank you!

Photos: 1 & 3 Lois Stavsky; 2, 4 & 5 courtesy the artist; Interview conducted by Lois Stavsky

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Curious Characters on Athens, Greece Streets: Barba Dee, RKuan, Dreyk the Pirate, Dimitris Dokos, Anna Dimitriou, N Grams & Enas Kanenas

February 27, 2018

Hundreds of intriguing characters swarm the streets of Athens. Those pictured above were fashioned by Barba Dee, RKuan and Dreyk the Pirate. Several more follow:

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Girls on Athens, Greece Walls: Sonke, Lotek, Dimitris Taxis, Refur, Hambas & Achilles

February 24, 2018

From Sonke‘s droopy-eyed ladies to Lotek‘s socially conscious troublemakers, dozens of girls have found a home on Athens’ walls. The image pictured above was fashioned by Athens-based Sonke Wia. Several more follow:

Athens-based stencil artist Lotek

Athens-based, Polish native Dimitris Taxis

Athens-based Refur

Athens-based Antonis Hambas

The prolific Athens street art pioneer Achilles

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Faces in Athens, Greece Public Spaces, Part II: Ino, Achilles, Exit, Waxhead and Neid

February 21, 2018

Featured above — in this second post documenting the range of faces that have surfaced in Athens public spaces — is the work of the noted Greek artist Ino. Several more seen last week follow:

Athens-based Achilles

Unidentified artist(s)

Athens-based Exit

Montreal-based Waxhead

Athens-based Neid

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Faces in Athens, Greece Public Spaces: Achilles, Atek, Borondo and Maz

February 19, 2018

Teeming with intrigue, the streets of Athen, Greece showcase a range of gritty, authentic artworks. Few surfaces remain untouched! The image pictured above was painted by the prolific Athens-based Achilles. Several more images of faces encountered last week follow:

Also by Achilles

Athens-based Atek

Spanish artist Borondo

Maz

Note: This is the first of several post on Athens street and graffiti. Special thanks to Vassia of Alternative Athens and to my StreetArtNYC Instagram followers for introducing me to this city’s vibrant street art scene and identifying the many artists whose works grace these streets.

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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On the Streets of Jerusalem: Maayan Fogel, Elna, Manoel Quiterio, Solomon Souza & more

February 13, 2018

Whereas street art makes its way onto a range of public surfaces in Tel Aviv, it is far less prevalent in Jerusalem. But hidden alleyways and spaces off the main roads, along with Mahane Yehuda — Jerusalem’s marketplace — host a range of intriguing pieces. The image pictured above was fashioned by Haifa native Maayan Fogel. Several more images I recently encountered while wandering the streets of West Jerusalem follow:

The itinerant Jerusalem-based Elna of Brothers of Light

Brazilian artist Manoel Quiterio

The prolific British-Israeli muralist Solomon Souza

Solomon Souza‘s rendition of Amar’e Stoudemire — as seen at the Mahane Yehuda Marketplace, as it was closing

Random installation in the art-friendly Nachlaot neighborhood

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Tel Aviv Shutter Art: Frenemy, Erezoo, B.T.W Binsky, Wonky Monky, Minks and MitzGZR

February 8, 2018

Rarely bare, Tel Aviv store shutters largely host a motley range of characters. The shutter featured above was fashioned by Kristopher Kotcher aka Frenemy, a freelance illustrator and street artist from Austin, Texas currently based in Tel Aviv. Several more TA shutters, showcasing a variety of images, follow:

Haifa-based visual artist and graphic designer Erezoo

Tel Aviv-based visual artist Roee Shachar Jakubinsky aka B.T.W Binksy

Be’er Sheva-native, Tel Aviv-based visual artist Wonky Monky

Tel Aviv-born and based illustrator and street artist Dora Suger Minks

Tel Aviv-based illustrator and street artist MitzGZR

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Faces in Tel Aviv Public Spaces, Part II: Monkey Rmg, Jack TML, Yarin Didi, Faluja & Ana Kogen

January 31, 2018

This is the second in a series of occasional posts showcasing the range of faces that surface in Tel Aviv public spaces. The image pictured above was painted by Tel Aviv based artist Daniel Liss aka Monkey Rmg. Several more that I’ve recently spotted follow:

Shahaf Ram aka Jack TML

Yarin Didi

Tel Aviv-based Itamar Paloge aka Faluja at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station

Tel Aviv-based Ana Kogen at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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A Visit to Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem

January 28, 2018

Located just steps away from Israel’s controversial “Separation Wall,” Banksy‘s Walled Off Hotel claims to offer the “worst view of any hotel in the world.” That may well be, as the mammoth wall, even when covered with art, remains ugly and a sore reminder of the imbalance of power in the region. But the hotel’s interior is a visual delight. Splendidly curated, it is also a fascinating foray into the roots of this 100-year, seemingly endless, conflict.

What follows are several images captured from the hotel’s meticulously maintained lobby — or piano bar :

A variation of Banksy‘s iconic flower thrower

Banksy‘s take on the Biblical verse, “The lion shall lie down with the lamb”

A statue warding off tear gas

The following documentation of the struggle is among the exhibits on view off the lobby

And alongside the hotel, a friendly Wall-Mart, where graffiti supplies, stencils and a motley array of items can be purchased:

Curious as to what local residents think about it all, I spoke to 30-year old Naji, who grew up in a nearby refugee camp. He had the following to say: When Banksy first came here over ten years ago, I welcomed him Some people here didn’t. They felt any attempt to “beautify” the wall trivializes its impact on our lives. Tourists come and go, but we have to look at it forever. But I, myself, feel grateful to Banksy, because he has brought attention to our cause. When people visit the wall to photograph it, they see how high it is, and they can get a sense of what our lives are like living under martial law. And my advice to the artists who come to paint here is: Get to know us first. You need to connect to us, as we feel disconnected from you. As far as The Walled Off Hotel, I’m of two minds. On one hand, it doesn’t represent my culture. But I like that it attracts visitors from all over the world and and that Banksy continues to employ many Palestinians.

The museum and art gallery are open to non-residents every day from 11am – 7:30pm.

Note: The second floor of The Walled Off Hotel is home to a gorgeous exhibit, curated by Dr.Housni Alkhateeb Shehada. of works in a range of media and styles fashioned by contemporary Palestinian artists.

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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Curious Characters in Tel Aviv Public Spaces: Dioz with Pesh, Mr. Andre, Kot Art, Ame 72, Adi Sened and Damian Tab

January 22, 2018

A huge range of curious characters — fashioned by both local and international artists — have made their way onto Tel Aviv’s public spaces. The image pictured above was painted by Tel Aviv native Dioz in collaboration with Lior Bentov aka PESH. Several more follow:

Paris-based Swedish artist André Saraiva aka Mr Andre

Roman Kozhokin aka Kot Art

UK native Ame 72

The prolific Tel Aviv-based Adi Sened

Tel Aviv – based Damian Tab

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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