urban art

Boundless Brooklyn & myplasticheart Present Water Towers Designed by: NoseGo, the Drif, Toofly, Rob Plater, Darkcloud, Stencil1 & more

November 2, 2014

Over two dozen talented toy designers and graphic artists — many of whom also work on the streets — customized water tower models using Boundless Brooklyn’s Water Tower kits. The results are on exhibit through November 21 at myplasticheart at 210 Forsyth Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Here are a few more images by those artists who also use the streets as their canvas:

The Drif

Toofly

Rob Plater

Darkcloud

And Stencil1 — as seen from the outside looking in

For those of you who would like to try designing your own water tower, kits are available here.

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson; the first image is of NoseGo

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“BQE: Brooklyn Queens Elite” Continues through Sunday at Dumbo’s PowerHouse Arena with: Ambi67, UR New York, Alice Mizrachi, KEL 5MH, David Cooper, Cernesto & more

August 22, 2014

Featuring the artwork of a dozen talented Brooklyn and Queens natives, BQE: Brooklyn Queens Elite continues through this Sunday, August 24th at Dumbo’s powerHouse Arena. Here are a few more images from this exhibit curated by Queens native Yvette “Yvey” Hidalgo.

Included, too, are works by Ernie Paniccioli, Greg Larmache, Olivia Jarowski-Lovera, TooFly, Tommy Rebel and WRY TCK. The powerHouse Arena, also home to a wonderful bookstore and more, is located at 37 Main Street in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

The first image is a close-up from a mixed-media work by Ambi67. Photos of images by Dani Reyes Mozeson.

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SinXero, Sexer and Chris & Veng RWK Transform Bronx Skyline

August 1, 2014

The Tag Public Arts Project, founded and directed by SinXero, is continuing its transformation of the Bronx’s visual landscape. In addition to the alluring murals that have surfaced on the streets within the past few months, new artwork recently made its way up to a rooftop, visible from the 6 line.

Sexer (left) and SinXero at work:

SinXero pays tribute to the legendary graffiti artist Christopher Lee aka Shadow in “Shadow’s Kiss”

Sexer is “Soaring High”

And Chris and Veng RWK bring their iconic characters along

All photos courtesy Tag Public Arts Project

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Sek3 on Succulent Studios, PALABRA, What’s Ahead and more

June 13, 2014

A 3000 sq. foot gallery and performance space housed on the 5^th floor of 67 West Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Succulent Studios opened earlier this year with an exhibit featuring over 30 artists of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Currently on exhibit — through June 21 — is PALABRA, an installation-based show featuring works by Rubin, Sek3, Iena Cruz, Beau Stanton, El Sol 25, S. Rose, Katie Balloons and Michael Alan. On a recent visit, I had the opportunity to speak to its owner and founder, Sek3.

Could you tell us something about the birth of Succulent Studios? What motivated you to launch this space? It is quite remarkable.

The idea was born in Miami at Art Basel back in December. Cern, Cekis, Bisc, Stefano Alcantara and I had set up a pop-up show in Wynwood. It was so successful – with one of my paintings selling the very first day — that I decided I wanted to continue doing shows back in NYC. Cern introduced me to Daniel Weintraub, who soon took on the role of Creative Director. I see street art as the last vestige of originality and this space as the ideal venue for street artists to bring their visions inside.

Folks are still talking about your Inaugural Show that opened in early spring.

Yes, it was amazing! More successful that I could have imagined! 33 artists – including legendary writers like Daze and Ket — were represented. A piece by Old School writer FIB was sold raising $800 for dog shelters — with an additional $200 donated by Succulent Studios. And despite heavy rains, thunderous storms and issues with public transportation, hundreds of people showed up.

What about your current exhibit? What is the concept behind PALABRA?

It is installation-based with each artist given a particular section to engage in any way he or she pleases.

How has the response to this exhibit been?

It’s been tremendous with lots of media coverage and great sales.

What would you say has been your greatest challenge?

The sheer amount of work that running this space requires. It’s a 24-hour day job. I need to hire someone just to sleep!

What’s ahead?

There will be a closing party for PALABRA next Saturday evening — June 21 at 7pm — presenting The Living Installation by Michael Alan. And then the following week we will be exhibiting a selection of murals created for Governors Ball. Much more in the months ahead including a show featuring the artwork of fine artists Akira Beard and Jaclyn Alderete and more exhibits with works by street artists. There will also be projects and classes that will directly engage members of the local community.

It sounds great! Good luck!

Interview and photos by Lois Stavsky; photo info: 1. Sek3 2. S. Rose 3. Rubin 4. Beau Stanton 5. Iena Cruz

McDonald’s World Cup Launch Party Features Live Art by UK-based Ben Mosley and more

June 6, 2014

In celebration of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil, McDonald’s has reinvented its French fry packaging. Twelve artists from around the world — many who are active on the streets — were chosen to create the special new designs to celebrate the game.

Among those selected from the 500 artists who submitted designs was UK-based Ben Mosley, who descibes his piece, Fans of the World (close-up pictured above), as a homage to the World Cup. “I believe the World Cup brings people together in celebration from all walks of life and backgrounds,” he explains, “so calling my piece Fans Of The World makes sense to me because it represents everything that I believe to be good about the game.” And at McDonald’s World Cup Launch Party held last night in Midtown Manhattan, we had the opportunity to meet the talented artist and watch him paint.

Also on view at last night’s party were original designs, along with the final products, of the other 11 artists whose works were selected to package McDonald’s fries. Here’s a sampling of what was seen:

São Paulo-based artist Eduardo Kobra — whose wondrous aesthetic has graced Chelsea for the past two years

Hua Tunan, a graffiti artist and painter, based in Foshan, China

And representing the U.S., Tampa, Florida – based graphic designer and street artist Tes One

Other featured artists include: David Spencer, Australia; Mügluck, Canada; Skwak, France; Roman Klonek, Germany; Doppel, Japan; Egor Koshelev, Russia; Adele Bantjes, South Africa and Martin Satí, Spain.

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson

Note: This post was created in partnership with McDonald’s. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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WALL WORKS: The Art of Graffiti at Great Neck’s Gold Coast Arts Center with Meres One, Zimad, Shiro, See TF, Kid Lew, Hunt Rodriguez, John Paul O’Grodnick and more

January 31, 2014

On exhibit through February at Great Neck’s Gold Coast Arts Center is WALL WORKS: The Art of Graffiti featuring works by 5Pointz (Rest in Power) curator and CEO Jonathan “Meres” Cohen and other artists who found a home at 5Pointz. Here’s a small sampling:

Meres

Shiro

See TF

Kid Lew

Hunt Rodriguez and daughter, close-up from sculpture, “Rest in Power, 5Pointz” (Click on link for video clip with full view)

John Paul O’Grodnick

Zimad

First image of Zimad and Meres, close-up from photo by Richard Alicia; all others by Lois Stavsky

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Exit Room to Launch Track 1 with Esteban del Valle, Viajero, Nicole Salgar, Ramiro Davaro, Rimx, Sonni, Marka 27, Carlos Pinto and more

January 30, 2014

A wonderfully diverse group of artists have been busy these past 10 days fashioning the walls of Exit Room in preparation for tonight’s opening of Track 1, the first in a series of short exhibitions. Here’s a sampling of what’s been going down:

And here’s a close-up of a collaborative work in progress that we captured last Thursday:

Sonni, Marka 27 and Carlos Pinto

Other featured artists include: Chuck Berret, Ricardo Cabret, Chris RWK, Adam Dare, Jeff Enriquez, Art by Ken, Nepo, John Paul O’Grodnick and Gio Romo. There will also be a live musical performance by Mike Larry Draw X 86 SUPREME. Tonight’s opening takes place at 270 Meserole Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn from 6 – 11pm.

All photos of artists at work courtesy of Dariel Mtz and Zoe; photo of Sonni, Marka 27 and Carlos Pinto collaborative work in progress by Lois Stavsky

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Carlos Pinto, Ken Hiratsuka, Linus Coraggio, Megan Kindsfather, John Paul O’Grodnick and more at Tribeca’s Elena Ab Gallery

December 28, 2013

Currently on view at the Elena Ab Gallery, 185 Church Street in Tribeca, the Collective Show celebrates a diversity of cultures, styles and techniques. Among those artists featured who have also shared their visions in public spaces are: Carlos Pinto, Ken Hiratsuka, Linus Coraggio, Megan Kindsfather and John Paul O’Grodnick. Here’s a sampling:

Another signature Carlos Pinto portrait

Internationally acclaimed sculptor Ken Hiratsuka, commissioned by Goldman Properties to create a huge granite sidewalk sculpture for 25 Bond Street

Celebrated metal sculptor Linus Coraggio, whose work is documented in Trespass by Carlo McCormick and Wooster Collective founders Marc and Sara Schiller

Megan Kindsfather, close-up

John Paul O’Grodnick

Among the other works on exhibit — of particular interest to us street art aficionados — is an early work attributed to Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Launched earlier this year by the painter Elena Ab as a meeting space for friends, artists and collectors, the Elena Ab Gallery is open daily from 12-8pm and by appointment.

First photo: Carlos Pinto, Keith Haring close-up by City-as-School intern Eduardo Dibone; all others by Lois Stavsky

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Exit Room: A New Bushwick Art Gallery & Cultural Space Presents “Outsight In” w/Danielle Mastrion, Nepo, Ricardo Cabret, Cern & Rimx

December 21, 2013

The brainchild of Dariel Mtz and Daniela Croci aka Zoe, Exit Room is more than just another art gallery. Located at 270 Meserole Street, minutes away from the Montrose Ave. stop on the L train and next door to the Well, it serves as an incubator and showcase for film productions, spoken word performances, musical presentations, as well as for visual art. The current exhibit, Outsight In, features works by Rimx, Danielle Mastrion, Nepo, Ricardo Cabret and Cern — all providing “insights through outside perspectives.” Here’s a sampling:

Danielle Mastrion

Nepo

Ricardo Cabret

Cern, close-up

Rimx, close-up

Exit Room is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5pm to 8pm; keep posted to Exit Room’s Facebook page for news of upcoming events, including a video program on Thursday, January 16.

Photo of Dariel and Daniela by Stefano Ortega; Rimx, courtesy of Dariel; all others by Lois Stavsky

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Centre-fuge Public Art Project, Cycle 11 with: Elle, Phetus, Matthew Burrows, Nicole Salgar & Chuck Berrett, CS-Navarrete, Mor, Joseph Meloy, Demer, Miishab, Royce Bannon, Damien Mitchell, Korn and more

November 27, 2013

The now-iconic trailer on First Street and First Avenue is undergoing yet another transformation. For its current cycle, Cycle 11, the Centre-fuge Public Art Project invited artists who’ve painted there this past year to return. Here are a few images captured earlier in the week from the still-in-progress huge, energetic collage of distinct styles.

Matthew Denton Burrows at work; Damien Miksza on left; Phetus on right