Street Art NYC | From the streets of New York

The 5Pointz Family Returns to Queens — Transforming the Interior of August Martin High School: Meres One, TK-170, Will Kasso, Cey Adams, Zeso, Kid Lew, Part One, Miss Zukie, Reme 821, See TF, Cycle and more

May 11, 2015

This past weekend over 100 artists — including such graffiti legends as T-Kid 170, Cey Adams, Cycle, Claw Money and Part One — transformed the blank white walls of August Martin High School into a dazzling, brilliant canvas. Curatated by Meres One with Marie Cecile Flaegul, the freshly-painted artworks represent a multitude of cultures, sensibilities and styles. While visiting yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to August Martin student, Justin Price.

This is all so amazing! Your school is an absolute wonderland! What inspired this magical change?

The walls in our school were recently painted white. They looked dull and unwelcoming. We wanted to bring color and life to our surroundings, so that we would look forward to coming to school. And we wanted to look at art that we could relate to and that reflected our culture.

Whose concept was this?

August Martin’s Future Project Dream Team surveyed 500 students to find out what change they most wanted in our school. The students’ consensus was that they wanted to change the appearance of the school’s interior.

Once you knew what you wanted to do, what were some of the challenges you faced?

We had to come up with a proposal and a budget. That took us at least a month. Then we had to identify artists who could work with us. That was our biggest challenge until we were introduced to Meres and Marie of 5Pointz.

How have things been working out since you met them?

Once we met up with Meres and Marie, everything went smoothly. Meres is an amazing artist and knows so many other amazing artists. And I just can’t say enough about Marie! She is so conscientious and caring.

Most of the students haven’t yet seen the murals. But what kind of response have you gotten from those who have seem them?

They love them. They can’t wait to pose for photos in front of them!

And how have the teachers responded to this project?

Their response has been positive. They know that if the students are happy and motivated, their jobs are easier.

And what about your principal, Ms. Smith?

She’s been 100% behind it. She’s worked hard to make sure that it happens and she has been here with us all weekend.

Why do you suppose there are so many underachievers among the students here?

Many of the students here lack the support systems they need, and they feel easily discouraged. So many are talented and really love discovering new things.

I don’t doubt it! What are your thoughts about this project and its possible impact?

I love it! It makes me so happy! And I think it will have a great impact on the other students.

Why is the project called Operation Skittles? I’ve been wondering about that!

Actually, there are two reasons! Skittles are colorful and this project brings color to our school. And Skittles are the favorite snack of Syreeta Gates, the Future Project Dream director here at August Martin.

Now that makes sense! How lucky you students at August Martin are to have realized Operation Skittles!

Note: Keep posted to the Street Art NYC Facebook page for more images and for news about an event at August Martin open to the public in early June.

Photos and interview by Lois Stavsky

1. T-Kid 170

2. Will Kasso

3. Cey Adams

4. Zeso and Awez

5, Miss Zukie

6. Kid Lew with August Martin principal Gillian Smith standing to his left

7. Part One

8. Meres One

9. Reme 821

10. Remiks and See TF

11. Cycle

12. Sjembakkus — in from Amsterdam

13. BK Foxx

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Kids on Walls — Part VII: Gustavo Nénão, Joe Iurato, Stinkfish, Jef Aerosol and Danielle Mastrion

May 8, 2015

This is the seventh in a series of occasional posts featuring images of children that surface on our public spaces:

Gustavo Nénão in Chelsea

Joe Iurato in Jersey City

Stinkfish in Bushwick

Jef Aerosol at the Bushwick Collective

Danielle Mastrion in Staten Island with the Centrefuge Public Art Project

Photos: 1 City-As-School intern Zachariah Messaoud; 2, 3 & 5 Lois Stavsky; 4 Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Imagination in Space Presents David Safhay in Extrapolating Nature through Saturday at 2 Rivington Street

May 7, 2015

Fusing natural elements with man-made materials, sculptor and fine artist David Safhay creates an astonishing range of distinctly inventive works in various media. Presented by Imagination in Space — in partnership with Parasol Projects — David Safhay‘s first New York City solo show remains on view at 2 Rivington Street through Saturday. Here’s a glimpse:

Nefertiti, Bone, fossil, shells, stone, epoxy

Witch’s Brew, Bone, found objects, shell, colored pencil, epoxy

Glyphtich, 1 of 3, Formica color core laminate, cherry wood, ebony inlay

Psychedelic Relic, Polythermal clay baked on composite abhor vitae skeleton

Photos: 1 courtesy of Imagination in Space founder Greg Spielberg (pictured above); 2, 4 and 5 Lois Stavsky; 3 City-as-School intern Diana Davidova

Note: First image pictured, Composition of Compositions, walnut casing, wood, iron, rock, fossil, mixed media

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Pyramid Oracle in Return — a Surprise Show with New Works from London Opens Tonight at City Bird Gallery

May 6, 2015

After spending five months in London, Pyramid Oracle is back for a bit in NYC. Opening today at 6pm at City Bird Gallery is Return, a five-day show featuring work he developed in the UK. We met up with the artist yesterday, as he was getting ready for this evening’s exhibit.

Your works began surfacing here on NYC streets about two years ago. We were struck at once by their haunting, somewhat melancholy, beauty. What is the inspiration behind these works?

I’m inspired by the people, places and things I’ve experienced. I try to capture wisdom from the great mysteries, while depicting our existence in a sort of subliminal lull. I’ve been particularly inspired by the Native Americans I’ve met in Montana and New Mexico.

When and where did you begin sharing your work in public spaces?

I started around 2008 doing work throughout the Midwest. My work first started getting recognized primarily in Chicago.

What motivated you to get up on the streets?

I was hanging around train riders, graff artists and vagabonds. I was doing most of my work while traveling and spending so much time on the street that it seemed like the natural thing to do.

Where – besides NYC, Chicago and London – have you gotten up?

Minneapolis, Baltimore, Philly, Portland, and Miami. And in Iowa — Cedar Rapids, Iowa city, Ames, Fort Dodge and Des Moines.

Just who is Pyramid Oracle?

Pyramid Oracle represents the body of work that I am developing. It is constantly evolving.

Who are some of your influences?

Among the artists whose works have resonated the most with me through the years are: Gaia, Swoon, Mata Ruda, LNY and OverUnder.

What would you like folks to come away with after seeing your work? Have you a message to convey?

It is open to interpretation, while its primary purpose is to facilitate a means of reflection and illumination.

Return opens this evening at 6pm at City Bird Gallery and remains on exhibit through Sunday. The gallery is located at 191 Henry Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Interview by City-as-School intern Diana Davidova with Lois Stavsky; photos 1-3 Lois Stavsky; 4 Diana Davidova

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Artists Convert Former Jersey City Shop into a Graffiti Mecca: SP.ONE, Mr. Mustart, Distort, ERA, Mr. Abillity, Chopla, Pomer, Clarence Rich, Paws 21, Optimo Primo, AIDS Crew and more

May 5, 2015

“There’s some amazing talent here,” commented a rather staid looking older man – dressed in a three-piece suit – as he saw me approaching the former Pep Boys shop in Downtown Jersey City. And, indeed, there is! Thanks to the efforts of the indefatigable Greg Edgell aka Green Villian and the dozens of artists who came together last week, the former shop now boasts some of the finest graffiti to be found anywhere. Here is just a sampling:

Greg Lamarche aka SP.ONE

Mr Mustart and Distort

Mr Mustart and Era

Mr Abillity and Chopla

Pomer

Distort and Mr Mustart

Clarence Rich, Dzel and Nark

Paws 21 — with Green Villain to the right

The Pep Boys shop is located on 410 Marin Boulevard, a few blocks away from Newport Mall. Originally slated for demolition this past Friday, the building will remain for at least another month. We will be back!

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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NYC Shutters – Part IX: Claw Money, Fumero, Daze, Iena Cruz, Plasma Slug, Madsteez, Armas Carino, Margot Bird and JR

May 4, 2015

This is the ninth post in an occasional series featuring the diverse range of artwork on NYC shutters:

Photos: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 & 9 Dani Reyes Mozeson; 3 Tara Murray; 5 & 8 Lois Stavsky

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Theorem: You Simply Destroy the Image I Always Had of Myself Opens Today at Mana Contemporary’s Glass Gallery

May 3, 2015

Featuring 30 artists from 15 different countries, Theorum: You Simply Destroy the Image I Always Had of Myself opens today, Sunday, May 3, at Mana Contemporary‘s 50,000 square foot Glass Gallery. Curated by Ocravio Zaya, it presents an eclectic range of rich artworks in various media from painting and photography to large-scale installations. Visually engaging and psychologically charged, the works on exhibit question and challenge our perceptions of ourselves and appearances, in general, while “contemplating a world turned upside-down.” Here are a few more images:

NYC-based Susan Siegel, one of many images from an elegantly dreamy installation of her paintings

Lima native Santiago Roose, (Bridge) Between the particular contradiction and general antagonism

Cuba native Marìa Magdalena Campos-Pons, My Mother Told Me I Am Chinese

Lima native Elena Damiani, The Discovery

Lima native Nicole Franchy, Hinter Scapes

Puerto Rican artist Radames “Juni” Figuearoa, La Casita Amarilla

Exhibit curator and noted art critic Octavio Zaya, center standing, in La Casita Amarilla

Along with several other thoroughly engaging exhibits, Theorem: You Simply Destroy the Image I Always Had of Myself — featuring many artists whose works also surface in the public sphere — opens to the public today, Sunday, May 3, at Mana Contemporary, 888 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Complimentary shuttle service to and from the Mana’s Open House will be provided every half hour starting at 12:30 PM from Milk Studios at 450 West 15th Street in Manhattan and returning every half hour from Mana starting at 2 PM. Mana is also easily accessible via the PATH train’s Journal Square stop. Ample free parking is also provided.

Photo credits: 1, 2 & 4 Sara C. Mozeson; 3, 5-9, Lois Stavsky

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Yonkers-Based Multimedia Artist Michael Cuomo Readies for YOHO Open Studio, Wall Works NY Pop-Up Show and Solo Exhibit at Art Cafe

May 1, 2015

Huge fans of Michael Cuomo‘s street and subway interventions, we were delighted to visit his studio as he was getting ready for YOHO Artists Open Studio, in addition to a WallWorks NY pop-up show and a solo exhibit at Art Cafe in Brooklyn. Here’s a sampling of what we saw:

Lucky, fashioned from found objects

Big Mouth, fashioned from found objects

Self-Portrait

The Tempest

Untitled

Note: Michael Cuomo’s studio is located at 578 Nepperhan Ave., Suite 505; Wall Works NY’s pop-up show — featuring a wondrous array of artists including Nick Walker, Tats Cru and Crash — opens tonight and continues through the weekend at 28 Wells Street, 2nd floor. And Michael’s solo exhibit at Art Cafe opens May 6 from 6-9 at 886 Pacific Street in Brooklyn.

Photo credits: 1, 3-5 Lois Stavsky; 2. City-As-School intern Diana Davidova; YoHo Open Studio graphic designed by John Wujcik

You can check out a detailed schedule of what’s happening this weekend in Yonkers — including live painting by Crash, Fumero and Damien Mitchell — here.

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Rebirth in Yonkers with Crash, JPO, Tats Cru, Daze and more

April 30, 2015

In celebration of Yonkers Arts Weekend beginning tomorrow, May 1, and continuing through Sunday, May 3, several new murals will grace Downtown Yonkers. Among these is the wonderfully vibrant one curated by Wall Works NY. Here are a few more images we captured on a brilliantly sunny day earlier this week:

John Paul O’Grodnick and Crash at work

Daze beneath his “eye” with Nicer, Tats Cru — to his left — at work

Nicer, BG183, Bio Tats Cru and Daze

Posing for a final shot

A perfect tribute to the revitalization of Downtown Yonkers, the mural is located at 45 Main Street near Getty Square and Broadway.

Note: Standing in the first photo are John Paul O’Grodnick, Crash and BR163

Photo credits: 1 & 4 Lois Stavsky; 2, 3 & 5 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova

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Noah Sheroff on 501 See Streets: Revitalizing and Beautifying Communities through Public Art with Danielle Mastrion, Lexi Bella and Andre Trenier

April 29, 2015

Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, Roberto Clemente and Satchel Paige are among the legendary baseball players whose faces now grace a range of storefronts on and off River Avenue from 158^th Street to 162^nd Street. A partnership between the 161^st Street Business Improvement District and 501 See Streets, this particular project is one of several initiated by 501 See Streets founder and director, Noah Sheroff. I recently met up with Noah to find out more about him and his Paint New York project.

You are on a mission to bring public art to neighborhoods in NYC and beyond. What spurred your interest in street art?

I grew up in a neighborhood that was largely void of art. When I first visited 5Pointz in 2011, I was struck by the beauty and energy of it all. The following year I went on a tour of the Bushwick Collective, and soon after that, I discovered the Welling Court Mural Project in Astoria, Queens. By then I was hooked! I knew that I wanted to bring art murals to communities that wouldn’t otherwise have them.

We are familiar with the murals you facilitated that have transformed the blocks around Yankee Stadium. Have you engaged other neighborhoods?

Yes. Danielle Mastrion painted a mural on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue H in Brooklyn; Miss Zukie collaborated with John Paul O’Grodnick on Benson Street.across from the Lewis & Clark School, and Marthalicia painted on Jerome Avenue and East 198^th Street.

What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered?

It’s been a daunting learning experience! The community members are often apprehensive. Artists tend to question my motives. And the funders are hesitant to fund “a new kid on the block.”

What seems to be the main concern of the community?

They are concerned about the content – about offending the sensibilities of the folks who live in the neighborhood. That is one of the reasons artists are often asked to submit a sketch first.

You are in the process of forging alliances with several Business Improvement Districts. Are they generally receptive?

Yes, the BIDs are generally receptive. They see the art as a way to highlight their businesses, bring commerce to their neighborhoods and attract tourists. I am also forging partnerships with civics and other neighborhood organizations.

What’s ahead?

I’m interested in expanding Paint New York into more neighborhoods and working with a range of community groups. And at this point, fundraising is essential to cover expenses and to pay the artists for their talents and time.

Good luck! And we are looking forward to 501 See Streets bringing more art to our streets!

Note: Find out how you can help support Noah’s project here

Interview by Lois Stavsky; Images 1 & 2 Danielle Mastrion; 3 & 5 Lexi Bella; 4 & 6 Andre Trenier; photo credits 1 & 2 Lois Stavsky; 3-6 City-As-School intern Diana Davidova

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