2011

Anonymous Gallery Presents: “Fresh Kills” A Group Art Exhibition. (Mexico City, Mexico)

Fresh Kills

 

 

 

 
November 17 – January 15
Opening reception: November 17, 6pm – 10pm  (11/17/11)
 
Aaron Young . Agathe Snow . Barry McGee . David Ellis .
Greg Lamarche . Hanna Liden . Richard Prince . Swoon . Tom Sachs 
_____________________
Anonymous Gallery’s inaugural exhibition in Mexico City reflects the gallery’s current
and future program. FRESH KILLS will serve as a small survey of 9 important artists
that have lived and worked in New York City and that are actively influenced by their
surroundings, use materials’ specific to the region and who have directly transformed
the landscape of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
The selected artists aptly apply resources that most would see as refuse or appropriation
but contextualize those items in their artwork, giving it a completely new vitality and
aesthetic verbalization. With demystifying visuals, materials are treated with subversion,
where process and application are placed in the same framework, giving each object
cultural signification. Ideas of perception are evaluated through development as the
dematerialization of the trivial is transformed into symbol – art.
For over 60 years the 2,200 acres known as Fresh Kills Landfill was where 650 tons
of garbage was added each day. Now a multi-phase, 30 year, site development for the
refuse will become Fresh Kills Park. At almost three times the size of Central Park
it will be the largest park developed in New York City in over 100 years.
The transformation of what was formerly the world’s largest landfill into a
productive and beautiful cultural destination is described as
“a symbol of renewal and an expression of how our society can restore balance to its landscape.”
The exhibition FRESH KILLS is inspired not only by artists that come before this group
such as Gordon Matta Clarke and Sherrie Levine, but also Mexican contemporaries
such as Teresa Margolles, Damian Ortega, Dr. Lakra, and Gabriel Orozco
who have been inspired to use materials that reflect their culture, environment and times.
These artists: Richard Prince, Tom Sachs, Aaron Young, Agathe Snow, Hanna Liden,
Swoon, Barry McGee, David Ellis, and Greg Lamarche on different levels and in different
ways, directly give their art and the culture of New York City the same contextualization
– through process, presentation, perspectives, character and relevance
– RENEWAL!
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BSA Backyard Salon: Autumn Sun, Spraypaint, Wheatpaste, Bloody Marys

Dreamers with empty hands
All sigh for exotic lands
But It’s autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again

This autumn in New York
Transforms the slums into Mayfair*

Bishop 203 sets  shop. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Don’t know if it was Mayfair but the Bloody Marys were spicy and the late autumn sun was shining Saturday in this back lot in Brooklyn. Gilf! Invited some buddies over to experiment on a corrugated metal wall for the afternoon, and the vibe was relaxed and fun as TipToe, Clown Soldier, Quel Beast, Bishop 203, and Gilf! took time to try some new ideas and just let the creative spirit run free.

TipToe cuts a waxy translucent paper, which he applies in layers to create a gossamer effect. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A perfect sort of salon for BSA; Artists borrowing supplies, giving opinions when asked, offering insights, trading techniques, introducing new friends, noodling around, discovering… When it comes to free time for discovery and walls to try new stuff and hang out with creative peeps, there is only one thing to say. “More please!”

Quel Beast fits his panels to the corrugated panel, effectively re-inventing the space with his technigue.  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Clown Soldier checks out the stage. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gilf!s sketch for her piece. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gilf! putting on the pink. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bishop 203 has experience with these kinds of walls, and says he digs ’em. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bishop 203 and Gilf! and the autumn sunlight. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

TipToe anchors his piece before wheat-pasting. Dude is a scientist about how to mix the best paste, btw. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Quel Beast, Clown Soldier and Bishop. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gilf! reprises her stencil as a large freehand sketch. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Quel Beast added a lot of dimension and form and shading with posca and handpainting. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Tip Toe. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Clown Soldier, Quel Beast and Bishop. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Tip Toe. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Clown Soldier. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Quel Beast. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bishop 203. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gilf! (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Tip Toe, Clown Soldier, Quel Beast, Bishop 203 and Gilf! (photo © Jaime Rojo)

* lyrics to “Autumn in New York”, by Vernon Duke

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LUDO : New Video of Studded Leather Strapped Posies

Detail image image © and courtesy Ludo

French Street Artist and fine artist Ludo can go big and these days he usually does but even with his largest pieces the devil is always in the details, hidden just inside your subconcious.

Ludo. Still Image from the Video.

In the new mini video released by the artist, a gauzy haze envelopes the installation of a floral orgy of S&M strapped cluster of blossoms with erect pistols pointing proudly through the center of their petulant petals.

Ludo. Still Image from the Video.

No one on the street is perturbed as they rush by and he pumps up and down the walls with his hydraulic lift. Ludo’s been working on a solo show in Amsterdam opening end of this month, but “This is the big one that killed my back,” says the artist.

 

 

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Images of the Week 11.13.11: JR’s “Inside Out” Project Special

Images of the Week 11.13.11: JR’s “Inside Out” Project Special

This week we take you to the scene of a brand new eye-opening JR installation in Manhattan – Seen from the outside and inside.

Street Artist JR continues to plaster parts of New York City with over-sized black and white portraits of Native Americans from North Dakota for his Inside Out Project. The images were taking by photographers in North Dakota and sent to the IOP to be printed and installed in Manhattan.

JR “Inside Out Project” First day installation on 10th Avenue. View from the High Line Park. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

This newest installation took place this week over two days on four window panels in an empty retail space of a corner building in Chelsea. On the first day JR was on site lending a hand to the half dozen interns who came to help and to learn how to wheat paste in this cool little spot across from the High Line Park on 10 Ave and 19th Street.

A second installation went up on the windows on the 19th Street side of the building, providing a second pair of eyes to surveil the area.  The wind was gusting like a mad mother-in-law and the cold was almost bitter –  but that didn’t put a dent in the enthusiasm of the team made up of Natalie, Paola, Moira, Will, Nina, Nastasia, Rosie, Austin, Hillary, Gina and Rhiannon; Each have interned at either JR’s studio or with the Inside Out Project.  It was cool to see teamwork and good spirits intact promptly at 9:00 am as they set to unroll panels, fight the wind and slap up gallons of gooey wheat paste on the windows. Marc, from JR’s New York Studio was there to give a quick lesson wheat pasting and to oversee the installation.

JR “Inside Out Project” First day installation on 10th Avenue. Street level view. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR’s “Inside Out Project” second day begins on the window panels on 19th Street. Here is the mock up in hand. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”. Process shot taking from inside the space. We gained access while a construction crew was pouring a cement floor getting the space ready for a retail tenant to move in. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”. Process shot taking from inside the space. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project” tools of the trade. This wheat paste is said to be imported from France. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”: Rosie was shooting with film for documentation. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Getting a look inside of the windows on 1oth Ave.  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project” An inside view of the windows on 1oth Ave.  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”. Installation completed. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project” Inside view of the windows on 19th Street. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”. Inside view of the corner window panels on 19th Street and 10th Ave. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”. Same corner outside view. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project”  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

JR “Inside Out Project” An overview from the High Line Park. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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BSA Supports “STYLE WARS … the Outtakes” – You Can Too

A New Project to Preserve the Additional Footage – Please Support the Kickstarter Fundraiser

Directed by Tony Silver and produced by Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant, STYLE WARS is an indispensable documentary that captured NYC Street culture in the beginning of the 1980s. Anyone who values the contribution of this examination of a moment near the birth of hip hop and graffiti culture will be familiar with the players that Chalfant and Silver profiled and the electricity that fueled a cultural movement that eventually went global.

 

“There is a lot of amazing and historically significant material there which never made it into the finished film”, says Chalfant today as he describes his new project to recover and restore the hours of remaining recordings and to create an outtakes reel from that 1981-82 project.

New footage of Case (above right) and Seen is expected to be preserved and presented in STYLE WARS Outtakes.

Spread the word! BSA would like to encourage you to donate to this Kickstarter campaign to make this project happen and to post this on Facebook and Tweet it. Write to your friends to ask them to throw a buck at this project that promises to deliver  many new shots of trains not seen since ’81 and some surprising masterpieces rescued from oblivion.

New trainyard images and adventures like this still for STYLE WARS Outtakes.

They have cool stuff for various pledges – we’re hoping to score the “Art is Not a Crime” poster designed by Mare139.

But even if your stocks of green are low right now, you can forward this to one of your buddies. Style Wars is for everybody, and this history is yours.

Rock Steady Crew and friends at Shafrazi Gallery in Soho – a still from the new footage to be restored.

STYLE WARS … the Outtakes

HERE’s the KICKSTARTER for you to contribute to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1254583771/style-wars-the-outtakes

 

 

 

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Opera Gallery Presents: The London Police “Who Cares Wins” (Manhattan, NY)

The London Police

The London Police “The Mathematical Skills of Sailor Hicks” (Image courtesy of the gallery)

This show opens to the public on November 17 from 8-11pm. There will be live music from The London Police Dog Singers, Abner Preis, and a surprise guest.

Artist Bio:

The London Police started when big English geezers headed to Amsterdam in 1998 to rejuvenate the visually disappointing streets of the drug capital of the world.
The motive was to combine traveling and making art to create an amazing way of life not seen since the days of King Soloman. Known for their iconic LADS characters and precision marking TLP have been together for over 13 years and their work has graced streets and galleries in 35 countries during this time. London policemen have come and gone but founding members are still known to walk the streets of every city in the world spreading love with pens and stickers.

The current duo have managed to form a partnership more cohesive than Han Solo and Chewbacca in Star Wars and are consistently producing slick artwork that is tighter than a butlers cuff. Never be scared, don’t be a hero and let the good times roll.

For more info check www.thelondonpolice.com

OPERA GALLERY NEW YORK
115, Spring Street
NEW YORK NY 10012 – USA
Tel (1) (212) 966 66 75

 

 

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Gregory Siff – VIDEO PREMIERE – “G” Shot/Edited by Carlos Gonzalez

Gregory Siff – VIDEO PREMIERE – “G” Shot/Edited by Carlos Gonzalez

Hot off the video boards

Here’s the brand new video, less than an hour old, of Gregory Siff pouncing on an LA wall to prepare for his big solo opening tonight in LA. Big Ups to Carlos Gonzalez for slamming together an action packed video, timed perfectly to it’s musical score.

And the debut is all for you, the BSA readers.

Tonight – The Site Unscene Presents: “G” Gregory Siff Solo Show (Los Angeles, CA)

http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/2011/11/07/the-site-unscene-presents-g-gregory-siff-solo-show-los-angeles-ca/

See Carlos’ photos of Greg hitting up a wall on BSA from this week.

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Fun Friday 11.11.11

Fun Friday 11.11.11

I think I missed the morning rush today because I hit the street earlier than usual… and got a seat on the subway (!) because I woke up at 5 a.m. thinking about Papandreou, Berlusconi, Merkel, Obama, and the 3 ring circus shaping up as the 2012 election. The great thing about worldwide impending calamity is, political hypocrisy and economic depression makes artists dig deeper for ways to portray both. That’s why we’re starting today’s Fun Friday with hi-larious satire by the number 16 puncher of all time, Mike Tyson. Always look at the sunny side peepul!

1. CAIN! Mike Tyson for Herman Cain 2012
2. K-Guy’s solo show “Iconic Irrigation”
3. TEEBS at Pawn Works (Chicago)
4. Gregory Siff’s solo “G” at The Site Unscene (LA)
5. Poster Boy in Brooklyn at Might Tanaka Saturday
6. Augustin Kofie “Circulatory System” at White Walls (SF)
7. “Art As A Weapon” (VIDEO)
8. “Luck Be A Lady” – a Frank Sinatra 1965 performance

CAIN! Mike Tyson for Herman Cain 2012

Give it up for Mike Ya’ll! He don’t know karate but he knows KaRazy… just like in the Matrix!

K-Guy’s solo show “Iconic Irrigation”

Opening today to the public at the London West Bank Gallery, a solo show by Street Artist K-Guy, who’s political and social indictments range from Catholic Church hypocrisy to international banking scams portrayed as “crisis”.

K-Guy’s commentary outside the tent village at Occupy London. (photo courtesy of Graffoto)

For further information on this show click here

TEEBS at Pawn Works (Chicago)

A multi-talented California based artist and musician, Mr Teebs’ solo show is called “Lady Luck” opening today in Chicago at Pawn Works Gallery.

Teebs. Still from the video “The Art of Teebs” by Theo Jemison.

To see the video click here

For further information regarding this show click here

Gregory Siff’s solo “G” at The Site Unscene (LA)

Brooklyn born actor, film maker, Street Artist, fine artist Gregory Siff has his solo show “G” today in Los Angeles.

Gregory Siff across a Wall (photo © Carlos Gonzalez)

For further information on this show click here

See Greg hitting up a wall on BSA from this week.

Poster Boy in Brooklyn at Might Tanaka Saturday

There is only one, or maybe there are many, Poster Boy/s. The subterranean subway poster slicing hasn’t been so apparent for a minute, but maybe it’s because PB has been slicing at the old kitchen table in preparation for a proper show. “Not for Prophet” is the title, summoning up the Pharisees, the tax man, and the folks down on Wall Street. Let’s see who and what gets cut.

Poster Boy. Detail (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Image by Poster Boy. For further information regarding this show click here

Augustin Kofie “Circulatory System” at White Walls (SF)

Augustin Kofie solo show “Circulatory System” opens tomorrow at the White Walls Gallery in San Francisco.  Graffiti writer and fine artist. Old Skool Bomber. Wildstyle. Mid-Century Abstractionism. American Modernism. Choose One and Stick with it, right? Read our interview with him – Augustine Kofie in Studio

For further information regarding this show click here

“Art As A Weapon” (VIDEO)

Jeff Durkin documentary “Art As A Weapon” explores the intersection of Street Art, Democracy and Buddhisim. View the film’s teaser here.

Jeff’s film is currently in production please help him complete his film with your generous contribution by clicking on the Kickstarter link below:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artasaweapon/art-as-a-weapon

“Luck Be A Lady” – a Frank Sinatra 1965 performance

Stick with me baby I’m the guy you came in with.

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The Art of Teebs : Musician and Street Artist (VIDEO)

Teebs learns a new language and cuts himself loose

California based Fine and Street Art artist and musician Teebs is currently in Chicago working on the last details for his solo show at Pawn Works Gallery. On this video he opens up and talks about being more in touch with his own feelings and having his brain spilled over onto the floor. He is experiencing a creative rebirth and inspiration comes to him from the simple things in life.

Teebs. Still from the video shot by Theo Jemison

Teebs. Still from the video shot by Theo Jemison

Teebs. Still from the video shot by Theo Jemison

 

 

Teebs’ solo show “Lady Luck” at Pawn Works Gallery opens this Friday. Click here for more information.

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SEGO in Mexico City (VIDEO Premiere)

Street Artist Talks About the Mexican Mural Tradition and “Simbionte”

Mexico City is plastered with plazas, throbbing with thoroughfares, and well stocked with statues of the Virgin of Guadalupe. It also has an active decentralized street art scene that is informed by it’s muralist history of the last century as well as the emerging international style.

SEGO in video still from “Simbionte”

And while the greater area of the city in the valley holds about 21 million people, you can spend and afternoon unperturbed in a downtown commercial square next to the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC Chapultepec), and wreck a wall with a few cans and a blackbook sketch.

SEGO in Mexico City in video still from “Simbionte”

Street Artist SEGO, an easy going and determined Street Artist, hops up and down the ladder, jogging back a few meters to check his progress and zooms back to the wall to build his image.  As is common in work on the street, people stop by to comment, ask questions, and in one case, to sing a tribute to the art and the artist.

An impromptu musical tribute to SEGO in video still from “Simbionte”

In cooperation with Gonzalo Alvarez at MAMUTT and Filmaciones de la Ciudad, SEGO debuts his new piece here on BSA just for you.

SEGO IN MEXICO Part II from Filmaciones de la Ciudad on Vimeo.

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London’s Bricklane : A Few Shots of Street Art at the Moment

London continues to apply mud masks and disappearing creams in anticipation of presenting a sparkling face for the 2012 Olympics, and usually that would mean Street Art gets buffed right? Kind of. It’s a tricky position when Banksy has made your city a worldwide tourist destination for many and the Cans Festival is still talked about three years after it brought hundreds to a tunnel next to Waterloo Station.  So Street Art persists for selected engagements in selected venues – with and without permission, as ever, despite the whole of UK being covered by millions of cameras.

Photographer Geoff Hargadon shares some images with BSA readers of his foot tour last month in Shoreditch. Part II will follow soon.

Ben Slow portrait of Billy Brown Jr. (photo © Geoff Hargadon)

Juany. (photo © Geoff Hargadon)

Ben Eine. (photo © Geoff Hargadon)

ROA. (photo © Geoff Hargadon)

Grimbsy Street. (photo © Geoff Hargadon)

Untitled. (photo © Geoff Hargadon)

Milo Tchais and Macay. (photo © Geoff Hargadon)

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Monster Island in Williamsburg; 2004-2011

By now it has been very well documented that Monster Island in Williamsburg, Brooklyn has closed its doors after seven years of art exploration and experimentation with murals, art shows and music concerts. The building is set for demolition and it is rumored that it will be replaced by a Whole Foods Store.

During these years we’ve watched the exterior of Monster Island with great interest as it was an every-changing heaven for emerging artists to show their stuff to the public. The environment engendered creativity; With non for profit art galleries and performance spaces, an underground music venue, a surf shop, a screen-print studio, a recording studio, several artists studios and a family of lovely street cats, Monster Island was a symbol of what Williamsburg was all about; artists and community struggling to make cool stuff for each other and sometimes a big audience. Since the early 1990s, ad-hoc love-driven venues like this have opened and closed, along with art parties, loft performances, artist collectives, and a loose association of art galleries. The settlement of writers, dancers, bands, performers, and all sorts of artists helped give the area a decided edge, even if you couldn’t convince your Manhattan friends to come visit the neighborhood at night.

Kid Acne (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Now “The Edge” of course is the name of a corporate looking glass tower on the waterfront and the moderate frightened masses began their march to Williamsburg after the developers re-zoned 30+ blocks in North Brooklyn in 2005, transforming it quickly to a New York suburb with quirky, kooky shopping opportunities. It’s an old story, but we have to tell it; Now the rents are too high and the culture is increasingly inhospitable to artists and the Monster Island landlord has a different plan for the lot and the lease wasn’t renewed.  Williamsburg is going upscale just like Manhattan and the rest of the city and for struggling artists and the venues that give them shelter and nurture them this is another reason why we are watching people move to other neighborhoods or out of New York altogether. In a way, this is what NYC is all about; Re-invention and greed.

We have been photographing the ever-changing facade of this building that was offered as a canvas for local and visiting artists all over the world to put their art up. Today we pay homage and say farewell to this iconic institution and to the people that endeavored to make it unique with a photo essay of the numerous murals that went up there since 2004. We have made an effort to identify most of the artists. Please let us know if you know the names of the artists we have tagged as unknown or if we erroneously credited a piece of art.

Armsrock (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Armsrock (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Maya Hayuk (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Ripo and Maya Hayuk (photo © Jaime Rojo)

 “This Wall Could Be Your Life” was a 7-year project conceived, curated and solely funded by Maya Hayuk. “For the following seven years artists were invited from all over the world, given paint, space and freedom to create” Maya Hayuk. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

This spring the Lilac bush outside the building was majestic. Punto and Blok’s mural on the background. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Wolfy (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Noah Sparkes (photo © Jaime Rojo)

ROA (photo © Jaime Rojo)

ROA pulls a rabbit out of a hog. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

MOMO and Zosen  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

MOMO and Zosen working on a makeover. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Waldo with a hook looks on as an artist works on a makeover. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Troy Lovegates AKA OTHER. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Troy Lovegates AKA Other, Deuce 7 and Pork. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

YOTE (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Hellbent and Hellcat (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Cat with Punto’s mural in the background. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

I just finished my installation. Time to take a cat nap. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A Spring 2011 model. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Skewville (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Kyle Ranson and Oliver Halsman Rosenberg. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Julia Langhof (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Maya Hayuk. As a final collective event, a paint pour and block party was organized in September. Multiple artists went up to the roof and poured paint down the walls, a colorful blessing on the home that gave so many opportunities to artists and built community.  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Maya Hayuk. Paint Pour (photo © Jaime Rojo)

An unknown artist painted this figure while the building awaits demolition. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Chris Uphues gives the building a heart while it awaits demolition. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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