Street Art NYC | From the streets of New York

The Bushwick Collective Readies for Today’s Block Party, Part II: Mist, Crash & Tats Cru, Yes One, Damien Mitchell, Li-Hill, Telleache, Buff Monster & more

June 6, 2015

Yesterday was another busy day at the Bushwick Collective, as a range of local and global artists prepared for today’s block party. Here’s a glimpse of the action, which continues today:

French graffiti artist Mist joins Crash and Tats Cru

And, yes, today’s the big day!

Note: And for background information about the Bushwick Collective and its founder Joe Ficalora, be sure to check out this this short video, produced for the Tribeca Film Festival, if you haven’t already.

All photos by Tara Murray

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The Bushwick Collective Readies for Its Annual Block Party: Jerkface, Owen Dippie, Solus, The Toasters, Werc & Gera Luz, MCA, Ghost & more

June 5, 2015

The Bushwick Collective is once again home to a range of first-rate local and global artists, as it readies for its fourth annual block party. Here are a few more images we’ve recently captured:

New Zealand-based Owen Dippie

Dublin-based Solus

UK’s The Toasters

Mexican native Werc and Peruvian native Gera Luz

MCA with Skize

The legendary Ghost, RIS

The Block Party, sponsored by Kobra Paint takes place tomorrow, Saturday, at Saint Nicholas Avenue and Troutman Street right off the Jefferson stop on the L line.

And — in addition to the art — there will be much more!

For a wonderful introduction to the Bushwick Collective, check out this short video produced for the Tribeca Film Festival. The Bushwick Collective is also featured on the Google Cultural Institute.

Note: First photo features Jerkface.

Photos: 1-3 Lois Stavsky; 4 & 6 Tara Murray; 5 & 7 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova.

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Juguetería/Toys Warehouse — Interactive Exhibit by Studio Sweet Home — to Open at Exit Room NY for Bushwick Open Studios

June 4, 2015

The Studio Street Home duo — Colombian native Yeimi Salazar and Puerto Rican native Melvin Sanchez — began collaborating six years ago, soon after they met in NYC. Their first solo exhibit will open tomorrow and Saturday at Exit Room NY during Bushwick Open Studios. While visiting Exit Room last week, we had the opportunity to speak to its art director Daniela Zoe.

It’s great to see Exit Room NY so alive again! What a wonderful home for Studio Sweet Home‘s first solo exhibit!

Yes! To coincide with Bushwick Open Studios, I wanted to feature artists with a unique multidisciplinary approach. And I’m delighted to host Studio Sweet Home here at Exit Room NY, as J uguetería/Toys Warehouse is a great opportunity for the artists, our space and the public.

Can you tell us something about this upcoming show? What will Juguetería/Toys Warehouse feature?

There will be paintings, installations, sculptures, video projects, and performances. There will be something for everyone – as Juguetería/Toys Warehouse is not just an art exhibit, but an interactive experience. A participatory performance will be held at 7pm on both opening days.

Have you worked with Studio Sweet Home artists Yeimi Salazar and Melvin Sanchez in the past?

Yes, they have participated in group shows before here at Exit Room NY.

What was it about Yeimi Salazar and Melvin Sanchez that initially drew you to them?

Their mastery of their craft, their talents and their versatility. And I love the way their works attract participants.

What do you expect those who visit the show to take away from it?

The constructed objects and scenarios are certain to engage the viewer’s senses. There will be so much to see, stories to hear and objects and people to touch. And there are many subtle, suggestive, somewhat ironic, messages.

What’s ahead for Exit Room NY?

We are expecting a visit from a legendary street art crew in August. We will keep you posted!

It sounds great! Good luck! We are looking forward to it all!

Note: The exhibit’s opening will take place tomorrow and Saturday, the first two days of Bushwick Open Studios. The exhibit will then continue until June 26. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Friday from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. EXIT Room is located on 270 Meserole Street, a short walk from the Montrose stop on the L train.

Interview conducted by City-As-School intern Diana Davidova. All photos courtesy Studio Sweet Home and Exit Room NY.

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The Beautiful Decay of Fear: Installation Underway for this Weekend’s Bushwick Open Studios with N Carlos J, Kirby Santos, Justin Carty, Danielle Mastrion and more

June 3, 2015

Exuding beauty, decay and fear, the extraordinarily atmospheric The Beautiful Decay of Fear opens Friday at 12pm. We visited yesterday evening and got a glimpse of the installation in progress. Here are a few close-ups:

Another image by curator N Carlos J

Kirby Santos, close-up

Justin Carty, close-up

Danielle Mastrion at work

The site of the exhibit is 225 Starr Street, where you will be greeted by a masterful outdoor mural by the wonderfully talented Ben Angotti.

Photos: 1 & 2 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova; 3-5 Lois Stavsky

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The Impact Show, El Momento del Impacto, Continues at Williamsburg’s Cafe de la Esquina with: Savior Elmundo, Danielle Mastrion, Esteban del Valle, Juan Carlos Pinto, Albertus Alburg, Ben Angotti and more

June 2, 2015

Highlighting the impact that Mexican civilization has had on other cultures, The Impact Show, El Momento del Impacto, presents a stunning array of artworks that reflect various aspects of the Mexican experience. Here are a few more images that can be seen in the backyard garden of the lovely Cafe de la Esquina in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Danielle Mastrion

Esteban del Valle, close-up

Juan Carlos Pinto

Albertus Alburg, close-up

Ben Angotti

Curated by Savior Elmundo and Frankie Velez, the Impact Show remains on view for the next several weeks — with a closing party 7-10pm on Thursday, June 25 — at 225 Wythe Avenue, a short walk from the Bedford stop on the L train.

Note: First image is a close-up from Savior Elmundo‘s Frida.

Photos: 1 – 6 Dani Reyes Mozeson and 7 Lois Stavsky

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Veteran Writers on a Graffiti Mission in Bushwick: Checker 170, Styx, Ghetto 149, Keon, Chris 217, Mark 198 and more

May 31, 2015

Mission Graffiti arrived in Bushwick earlier this month featuring several veteran writers who generally paint in Upper Manhattan and in the Bronx. Here are a few images of their wall in progress:

Styx and Ghetto 149 at work

Keon at work

Airbrush and tattoo artist Israel Garcia and his character join the writers

The crew

And a few of the completed pieces — along with shout-outs to the original Mission Graffiti writers — that we captured this past week:

Chris 217

Mark 198

Note: First photo features Checker 170

Photos: 1-5 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 6 Tara Murray; 7 Lois Stavsky and 8. City-As-School intern Diana Davidova

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Tel Aviv-Based Artist Klone in Solo Exhibit at Garis & Hahn and on the Streets of Brooklyn and Tel Aviv

May 30, 2015

On view through June 20^th at Garis & Hahn at 263 Bowery is Topography of a Daydream, a solo exhibition of works by the Tel-Aviv based artist Klone. A huge fan of Klone’s distinct aesthetic since I first saw his works on the streets of Tel Aviv several years ago, I was captivated by his new drawings, sculptures, animations and site-specific murals featured in his first solo exhibit in NYC.

With his mythical creatures, Klone explores his childhood memories of emigration from the Ukraine to Tel Aviv, taking us along with him on his journey.

All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, Ink on paper

Close-up

Installation, various media

Ways to Hide, Paper, metal, wire and paint

Newly painted in Red Hook, Brooklyn

In Tel Aviv, as seen this past fall

Photos credits: 1 & 4 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova; 3, 5, 6 & 9 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 7 & 8 Lois Stavsky

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Mural Art Beautifies the 191st Street Subway Tunnel and Entrance with: Queen Andrea, Jessie and Katey, RRobots, Cekis and Cope2

May 28, 2015

The once drab and dull 900-foot long tunnel connecting Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue at the 191st Street subway station is now a wondrous canvas featuring bright and bold graffiti and fine art. While visiting it last week, we had the opportunity to speak to Jessie and Katey, the Baltimore-based duo, who — along with NYC-based artists, Queen Andrea, RRobots, Cekis and Cope2 — were selected to paint murals along the tunnel.

We love the way you are beautifying this Upper Manhattan tunnel. How did you two first meet? And how did you two — Baltimore-based artists — become involved in this NYC project?

We met when we were both students at MICA: Maryland Institute College of Art. And about four years ago, we started painting together. We’ve both lived in New York, and when we heard about the Department of Transportation‘s open call for artists who specialize in painting large scale murals, we applied.

What aspect of the project most appealed to you?

We loved the idea of returning to NYC to paint such a huge, awesome space.

What was it like working with the other muralists on this project?

It was great, and getting to know them all was wonderful.

What about the Department of Transportation? What was it like working for the DOT?

It was the bomb! They even supported us with potties!

cope2-graffiti-tunnel-DOT

Were there any particular challenges?

At one point the walls cried, and we had to repaint some spots. But — overall — the entire experience was awesome.

Photos of images:

1. Queen Andrea, Lois Stavsky

2. Jessie and Katey, Lois Stavsky; 3. Dani Reyes Mozeson 4. City-As-School intern Diana Davidova

5. Queen Andrea, Dani Reyes Mozeson

6. RRobots, Dani Reyes Mozeson

7. & 8. Cekis, Dani Reyes Mozeson

9. Cope2, Tara Murray; 10. Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Outdoor Gallery NYC Author Yoav Litvin on the Streets of South America with: Inti, Gonzalo Sánchez Painters, Stinkfish & the APC Crew, Entes & Pésimo, Decertor, Marcelo Ment, Tarm1, Nove and Apitatan

May 26, 2015

Outdoor Gallery NYC author Yoav Litvin recently returned from a five-month trip abroad, where he explored the street art in several key South American cities and towns. I had a chance to catch up with him last week:

Those of us following you on Instagram got a mere glimpse into your incredible adventures on the streets of South America. You visited Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. What spurred your interest in that region?

I was curious. I had seen amazing works from South America online, and while I exploring the streets of NYC, I had met a number of South American artists.

In what ways did your findings meet your expectations?

I expected to be blown away and inspired. And I was — beyond any expectations.

What were some of the highlights of your trip?

There were so many! Among them were: walking around the streets of Lima with Entes; coming unexpectedly upon an art festival in La Paz, Bolivia and being in São Paulo during its 3rd annual Graffiti Fine Art Biennial.

Do any particular impressions stand out?

The juxtaposition between Peru’s rich culture and history and its current street art particularly struck me. And navigating Bogota was what NYC was like for me in the early 80’s. I always had to keep my eyes open!

What about some of the challenges along the way?

The biggest challenge — I would say — was the language. And living in the Vidigal favela in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro certainly was an experience.

Where do you think the street art scene in South America is going? Do you think it will continue to remain so authentic?

It is difficult to generalize as each city and town is unique. But I suspect that it will continue to thrive.

What’s next for you?

This Wednesday evening, May 27, I will be speaking about my personal style as a street art and graffiti documentarian, along with the role — as I see it — of the street art photographer. After sharing some of my experiences in photographing NYC street art and graffiti and publishing Outdoor Gallery NYC, I will speak about my recent trip abroad and present many images of street art that I photographed in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. The event will take place 7:00 – 9:00pm at Nowhere Studios, 582 Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn.