Last weekend, the walls in Bushwick on Moore and White Streets became the canvas for Miami-based oo4’s East Coast tour. Here is a sampling of what was seen:
Miss Reds at work and more
First photo is of Abstrk and Miss Reds. All action photos by Tara Murray; all others by Dani Reyes Mozeson
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Born in 2011, BucketFeet has since connected with over 2000 artists in more than 35 countries to design original footwear. But BucketFeet isn’t just about shoes. It is a celebration of artistic expression across cultures. Here in New York City, a range of artists — from graffiti writers to tattooists to illustrators — not only share their designs on footwear at BucketFeet’s SoHo venue, but exhibit and sell their artworks there, as well. Here is a small sampling what we saw on a recent visit:
Marka27, this past month’s artist-in-residence, whose artwork has also graced our walls for the Juicy Art Festival
Chicago-based JC Rivera
New York-based Jimmy Sheehan
In addition to the works on exhibit, BucketFeet also sells dozens of wonderfully affordable prints both online and in its NYC store at 108 Wooster Street in SoHo.
Photos of artworks by Dani Reyes Mozeson
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Born in Argentina and now based in Brooklyn, LR is a young photographer and artist with a deep passion for street art and documenting the streets. I met her in late spring in Bushwick when I was interviewing the Argentinian artist Cabaio, whom she had photographed at work earlier that day. We met again last week at Exit Room, and I had the opportunity, this time, to find out a bit about her.
When did you first become interested in photography?
I was 12 years old and living in Buenos Aires. I had told my mother’s friend that I was interested in photography, and he gave me a camera. It was a 35 mm Canon.
And then what happened?
I didn’t know what to do with it. And so I took my new Canon to a camera store, and the shop owner installed film for me and set it on “Automatic.” He said, “Just shoot!” So that’s what I did! And I fell in love with the art form at once.
Did you ever study photography on a formal basis?
Early on, I began visiting photographers’ studios, and I started taking classes with them. The classes were informal – with no more than five students in a class.
What — would you say — is photography’s appeal to you? What is it about this art form that so engages you?
With a camera in hand, I feel that I am somewhat in control of my environment. And it allows me to create compelling narratives. I am obsessed with paradoxes – and recording them.
What brought you to New York City?
I felt a strong need to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone.
How has living here affected you and your passion for photography?
I quickly found myself seeking other Spanish speakers and other immigrants. And the streets became even more important to me. I see public spaces as a reflection of society.
And what about street art? You’ve documented hundreds of images. When first I met you, you had just finished photographing Cabaio at work over at the Bushwick Collective and you seem to be quite involved over here at Exit Room – one of my favorite spaces. What is the appeal of street art to you?
It serves as both a mirror of society and as a perfect expression of resistance. I love the way the artists take ownership of the streets, and their work on city streets looks amazing. Street art has the power to change a city – visually and psychically. It also makes art accessible to people who wouldn’t otherwise see it. It’s an always-open free museum. And documenting the art I discovered on these streets – along with its people – saved my life!
Have you any favorite artists who work on the streets?
Among my favorite ones are: Cabaio, Iena Cruz, Werc and Ever.
What’s ahead for you?
Since coming to NYC, I’ve become more aware – than ever – as to the importance of community. There is a lack of community here, and there is a need for more alternative spaces where people can come together to create and to share. I am beginning an informal series of workshops on photography – similar to the ones I attended back in Buenos Aires. They are on a pay- what-you-can basis. I can be contacted at lucia.reissig@gmail.com. And on a personal level, I am continuing a series I began earlier focusing on immigrant life here in NYC.
Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky. Photos by LR
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The following guest post is by Houda Lazrak, a graduate student in Museum Studies at New York University.
To the discontent of many, the corporate advertisements plaguing the urban landscape have become integral to our every-day visual vocabulary. As a response, street art is often offered as an alternative platform to reclaim public space from the impersonal iconography of corporate publicity. However, Philadelphia native Stephen Powers has employed that very language to empower his own personal vision.
A Love Letter to the City tells the tale of how artist Steve Powers’ witty lettering and profound insight turned advertising on its head. Authored by Powers himself, the book is a visually astonishing compilation of his large scale public art projects in cities across the globe, such as Philadelphia, New York City, Dublin, Sao Paulo and Johannesburg. With each chapter focusing on a metropolis, the book illustrates the artist’s engagement and collaboration with local communities and art organizations to “reflect their collective visions and dreams… to make art for the people.”
Powers’ outrageously honest introduction retraces his debut into the graffiti world under the moniker of ESPO in Philadelphia. In first-person narratives, he highlights his experiences and encounters that propelled him to the status of acclaimed public artist. Readers are treated to his eloquent personal recollections, as well as captivating photographs of his beautifully executed street art pieces.
Steve Powers’ employs signage style graphics to produce poignant conceptual pieces, ranging from single word slogans to multiple line phrases. The publication’s images bear witness to Powers’ ability to marvelously blend colors into the pre-existing urban hues. Prior to hand-painting site-specific murals, Powers deeply immersed himself in the spirit of each city. He embraced the values and needs of communities, deciphered central issues of local histories, and appreciated the soul of its neighborhoods.
In Coney Island, Powers worked with local citizens to revitalize an abandoned space into a sign shop/social club. The shop produced street signage for the inhabitants free of charge, which served to invigorate local businesses, as well as to enhance the community’s visual landscape. In another instance in Dublin, Powers altered his design plans when he saw a neighborhood recurrent tag: “Please call me, I am home, the door is open, ” followed by a phone number. Inspired by the message of love and loneliness, Powers then created a mural that spoke to similar concerns.
A Love Letter to the City provides invaluable insights into the creative mindset of a unique street artist. It sheds light on the back-stories of his sign pieces, from his improbable conversations with passersby to the formally held community meetings. Ultimately, the book illustrates how Powers and his team remarkably wove intricate typographic art into the fabric of multiple cities around the world.
All images courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press
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Outdoor Gallery New York City author and photographer Yoav Litvin continues readings from his book and conversations about New York City street art this evening, August 6, from 5-:30 – 7:30 at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Among the topics he will discuss are: documenting street art and graffiti; constructing and editing interviews, and publishing and promoting his book. Admission is free and you can hop off the Bronx Trolley that provides a free arts and culture tour of the South Bronx on the first Wednesday of every month. Yoav will be joined this evening by the wonderfully talented artist and art educator, Alice Mizrachi, who will speak about her own art and its evolution.
On Wednesday, August 20, Yoav’s special guest, Brooklyn-based street and subway artist Jilly Ballistic, will join him at Word at 126 Franklin Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The discussion will begin at 7pm.
And on Thursday, August 28, Chris Stain, one of our favorite stencil artists and muralists, will be joining Yoav at 7pm at the collectively-owned Bluestockings at 172 Allen Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Photos by Yoav Litvin
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This is the sixth in an occasional series featuring images of males who surface on NYC open spaces:
Icy and Sot at the Bushwick Collective
Jason Coatney in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Never in Bushwick
El Sol 25 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Abstrk in Bushwick, Brooklyn — in this past weekend from Florida on the 004 East Coast tour
Elbow-Toe in Red Hook, Brooklyn
Sien on Bronx Rooftop
Bradley Theodore in downtown Manhattan
Photos of Icy & Sot and Abstrk by Tara Murray; Jason Coatney, El Sol 25, Elbow-Toe and Bradley Theodore by Dani Reyes Mozeson; Sien by Lois Stavsky
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Last weekend, the DOT trailer at First Street off First Avenue was — once again — transformed into a beguiling open-air gallery. Here are a few more images:
Joshua David McKenney at work
Moody Mutz, Jeromy Velasco, Nether and Abitar
Moody Mutz at work
Jeromy Velasco and Nether
Nether at work
This cycle of the Centre-fuge Public Art Project continues through September 25, 2014.
Note: The first photo features Raquel Echanique, Al Ortiz Jr and Joshua David McKenney.
All photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson, except for Moody at work by Lois Stavsky
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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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Two of our favorite artists, Sheryo and the Yok, have been busy — learning the ancient technique of Batik in Indonesia’s jungles of Java. The Yok reports that that he and Sheryo “rode motorbikes around and spent two months in a small village in Java” creating one-of-a-kind works on fabric. Opening tomorrow evening, Friday, August 1st, 7-9pm, at Krause Gallery on Manhattan’s Lower East Side is “Nasty Goreng,” featuring a selection of these hand-made Batik artworks.
Sheryo at work
Hoodbat Party
Piña Colada Java Dreams
Fish Spray Spray
Krause Gallery is located at 149 Orchard Street near Rivington. And for a more intimate look at it all, check out this wonderful video.
All images courtesy of the artists.
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Born in 1986 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Raquel Echanique is making her mark in NYC – both on the streets and in galleries. I recently had the opportunity to speak to the talented young artist whose solo exhibit, Chain Reaction, opens tomorrow evening at 7pm at Spinelli Galleries in Chelsea.
When did you first paint on a public surface? And what inspired you to do so?
The first time I ever painted in an open space was for the Welling Court Mural Project in Astoria, Queens in 2013. It was by chance! My boyfriend – at the time – had been assigned a wall. But because he had to DJ that day, he offered it to me.
What was the experience like?
I loved it! It was surprisingly easy. It actually felt easier than painting on canvas or paper.
Your works on canvas and paper have made their way into galleries worldwide. When was your artwork first exhibited?
I was 17 when my work was first shown in a museum back in Ecuador.
Wow! You were quite young. How were you “discovered?”
When I was 15, I participated in a live painting competition. I won first prize.
How does your family feel about what your work as an artist.
They have never supported it. My mom encourages me, instead, to pursue steady, permanent work.
What percentage of your day is devoted to your art? Do you have a “day job?”
During the day I work at the Whitney Museum. When I’m not working, I’m doing my own art. Art occupies my mind all day!
What are some of your other interests?
I write poetry and I’ve won awards for my poetry back in South America.
Any thoughts on the graffiti/ street art divide?
I love them both. But I think of graffiti as a superior art form – in terms of the skills that it demands.
How you feel about the role of the Internet in this scene?
I think it’s fantastic. We can see what other artists are doing and other artists and the general public can see what we are doing.
Did you study art formally?
For brief periods of time! Twice in Ecuador and once in Argentina.
What inspires you these days?
Everything I see inspires me!
Have any particular cultures influenced your aesthetic?
Certainly South American culture and its tradition of portraiture.
Do you work with a sketch in your hand or do you let it flow?
When I work in my studio, it is without a sketch. When I’m on the streets, I have with me a sketch with a concept.
Are you generally satisfied with your work?
I love it!
How has your work evolved in the past few years?
It’s been getting stronger, especially since I moved to NYC.
What do you see as the role of the artist in society?
To put something really good – aesthetically pleasing – out there.
What about society’s view of the artist? How do you feel the artist is perceived?
The artist is – paradoxically — both respected and degraded.
How do you feel about the photographers and bloggers in this scene?
They are important, as they offer an alternative, more authentic, voice than the mainstream media.
What’s ahead?
My solo show, Chain Reaction, curated by Frankie Velez opens on Thursday, the 31st, at Spinelli Galleries in Chelsea. On Saturday I am participating in the exhibit, Justice, at Succulent Studios in Greenpoint. Next week I will be painting in the TAG Public Arts Project. And — looking ahead — on Friday, October 3, I will be participating in Street Murals: An Exhibition, curated by Kevin Michael.
It all sounds great! Good luck!
Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky. Photo 1, by Lenny Collado; photo 2, Welling Court, 2014 by Lois Stavsky; photo 3, Centre-fuge Public Art Project and photo 4, collab with Fumero by Dani Reyes Mozeson
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