To BSA’s Muslim brothers and sisters, we hope your Ramadan has been fulfilling as it draws to a close this Tuesday. Amid the spiritual calm, Friday’s earthquake and its aftershocks have certainly rattled us in New York and across the Northeast—a rare tremor that would barely raise an eyebrow in LA, given their familiarity with the earth’s whims. But for us, a 4.8 is no small shake! Adding to our week of natural spectacles, Monday brings an eclipse, inviting us all to don those dope glasses and gaze skyward as a celestial dance sweeps across the continent. It’s been quite a lineup: an earthquake to kick off the weekend, a celestial blackout to start the week. What’s next on the cosmic agenda? A swarm of locusts? Let’s hope the universe has checked off its list of surprises for now.
We start this week’s collection with a new text piece of unknown origin but one that strikes at the heart of life here in 2024 for many. Could this be an advertisement for the new album by Future and Metro Boomin? A spectrum of emotions and styles, the new collection is from two guys whose collaborative efforts have been making significant waves in the music industry for a half decade. Debuting at number 1, as an album “We Don’t Trust You” has been described as a monumental success, showcasing the synergy between Future’s distinctive rap style and Metro Boomin’s innovative production. The out of context graffiti message, “We Don’t Trust You,” captures a poignant irony: while distrust might seem like a safeguard, history shows that a society where trust is deeply eroded becomes fertile ground for manipulation by autocrats and tyrants.
And now, here are images from our ongoing conversation with the street, this week, including: Praxis, Homesick, Lexi Bella, Modomatic, Danielle Mastrion, Mort Art, Claw Money, Jorit, Isabelle Ewing, Paolo Tolentino, JG, Marthalicia Matarrita, Gia, and 1RL.
In the heart of Lwala, Kenya, a place where the warmth of the sun is matched only by the warmth of its community, two artists, Martha Cooper, an esteemed New York ethnologist and photographer, and Seth, a visionary French street artist and muralist, embarked on a remarkable journey a few weeks ago. Their mission, rooted in a shared passion for integrating children’s creativity into their work, led them to the vibrant classrooms and playful corners of Lwala, capturing the imaginations we all had as kids – against a backdrop of education, care, and community.
Cooper, with a distinguished career spanning over seven decades, has traversed the globe, documenting children’s inventive play practices and turning her lens toward the ingenuity that flourishes in the spaces between childhood and the urban landscape. Seth, on his canvases of buildings, brings to life the dreams and stories of Lwala’s children in murals that echo the community’s pulse.
Lwala, situated near the shores of Lake Victoria, is more than just a geographical location; it’s a nexus of culture, learning, and artistic expression. Through the eyes of Cooper and the brush/cans of Seth, the essence of Lwala’s youth shines brightly, depicting scenes of everyday life transformed into extraordinary murals.
As Seth described on his Instagram, the interaction is key. “The walls of the Lwala primary school are covered with small drawings and graffiti,” he says. “Treasures just waiting to be discovered, to which I sometimes enjoy adding my touch.”
This collaboration marks another chapter in the duo’s journey of artistic exploration and social commentary, previously witnessed in places like Tahiti and Haiti. Yet, Lwala stands out for its own spirit and this natural integration of art into the lives of its children. The murals, vividly capturing scenes from daily life to imaginative escapes, become a canvas where the children’s own artworks also find a place, transforming school walls into collaborative galleries of dreams and aspirations. Martha Cooper’s photography captures these moments of interaction, where art and life converge, offering glimpses into the playful ingenuity that has been the focus of her lens many times in her life.
“We asked kids to bring their homemade toys (my ongoing subject). The most creative were wheeled sticks they called ‘motorbikes’ with an engine sound made by a stick hitting a plastic bottle as the wheel turned,” she says. “There were also guns shaped from mud, balls made of trash, paper hats, thin scarves knit from scraps of wool and stick needles and jump ropes.”
Among the observer’s voices echoing the significance of this project, Valentine Otieno’s stands out, “Some of the best memories for the school will be in this art. It will exist for years, and what Seth gave the school is a gift for ages,” he writes on her Instagram page. “Thanks Martha for covering all this through your incredible lense skills and the few snap lessons.” Mode2, a legendary figure in graffiti and urban art, remarks, “The only limits to their resourcefulness is their imagination,” highlighting the boundless creativity captured here in Lwala.
At 81 (she celebrated her birthday while here), Cooper’s journey to Lwala with Seth is a testament to capturing childhood’s essence and art’s transformative power. Without sponsorship, driven solely by passion and friendship, their visit to Lwala becomes a narrative now woven into the fabric of the local school – a vibrant testament to the enduring power of art and the universal language of play.
In the bustling street art/graffiti scene of Porto, Portugal, a fresh wave of new pieces informed by folklore gives rise to “Street Gnomes,” a captivating solo exhibition by the Estonian street artist Gutface, also known as Ingmar Järve.
Hosted by Circus Network, this show, funded by the EU, the Goethe-Institut, and the Estonian Embassy in Lisbon, runs until April 11, 2024, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of mythical beings reimagined for the urban jungle – imbued with a certain warmth that may make you nostalgic for a time you never lived through. Gutface, a Tartu-based freelance artist, illustrator, and graphic designer, brings his personal tour de force to Portugal after entertaining audiences across Europe with the Stencibility Street Art Festival and his vibrant contributions to the collective @ajuokse.
“Street Gnomes” looks to redefine the gnome, a figure steeped in European folklore, traditionally seen as a guardian of the earth and its hidden treasures. Gutface often transposes these mythical guardians from their idyllic garden settings to the concrete sprawl, where they embody the spirit and toil of unseen urban caretakers: the road workers, electricians, plumbers, and garbage collectors who keep our cities seamless and functioning. The artist experiments and succeeds with various mediums; through a mix of ceramics, tufted carpets, risography, and bold speckled street art, the exhibition highlights a symbiosis between nature and urbanity.
At the heart of this exhibition is a narrative and a style that merges the raw energy of street art with less obvious storytelling. Järve invites us on a journey through the city’s veins, where every corner and crevice is alive with the silent hustle of its gnomish caretakers. “Street Gnomes” may also strike one as a testament to the transformative power of street art and a celebration of those who labor in the shadows, ensuring our urban ecosystems and imaginations thrive. Gutface’s work, deeply rooted in the vibrant street culture and community-driven ethos of Tartu, Estonia, connects the fantastical with the mundane, inviting viewers to reconsider the sources of that magic pulsing through the city’s concrete heart.
Happy Easter to all the Christians today, and we hope all the kids get a chocolate bunny in their basket and go on an egg hunt in this new green grass Mother Nature has brought to the park for everyone to enjoy. It has been such an entertaining and rewarding hunt this week looking for new works popping up like daffodils on the street in NYC. We hope you enjoy some of these new works, a boon to the creative spirit that is running the streets in all five boroughs, no matter the season.
And now, here are images from our ongoing conversation with the street, this week, including: Praxis, Sara Lynne Leo, UFO 907, Aneko, Sluto, Viler, QUAZAR, Bones, Luch, Deluxe, WaliC, Suka, Ring, and TCONE.
As founding members of the Martha Cooper Library at the Urban Nation Museum in Berlin, Brooklyn Street Art (BSA) proudly showcases a monthly feature from the MCL collection, illuminating the extensive and diverse treasures we’re assembling for both researchers and enthusiasts of graffiti, street art, urban art, and its numerous offshoots. Below, we present one of our latest selections.
Text Steven P. Harrington and Jaime Rojo Photos by Sebastian Kläbsch
Herbert Kohl and James Hinton, Golden Boy as Anthony Cool. 1972.
Herbert Kohl and James Hinton’s “Golden Boy as Anthony Cool,” published in 1972, is a seminal work in the study of urban graffiti and street culture. Not only an academic exploration; it’s a journey into the heart of graffiti as a form of personal expression, rebellion, and cultural identity. Kohl’s insightful essays paired with Hinton’s evocative photographs provide a window into the lives of young people in the urban landscapes of New York City and Los Angeles as they simultaneously boil, wane and flourish in the late 60s and early 70s. These vibrant and vibrating communities are chronicled, whether affluent suburbs or struggling neighborhoods, each appears to brim with stories cryptically told through tags and murals on walls and doors.
As a crucial part of street art history, “Golden Boy as Anthony Cool” is an essential resource for anyone interested in the roots of modern graffiti culture. Its compelling blend of vivid imagery and profound analysis not only makes it an invaluable addition to any collector’s library but also a portal to the dynamic world of urban street art. Simple and unassuming, the book is testament to graffiti’s evolution, offering a deeper appreciation for the art form and the voices that shape it.
On the street, Curacao feels like a vibrant heart where Caribbean warmth meets urban art in a spectacular showdown. It’s an island—a canvas painted with rich strokes of history, culture, and innovative thinking. Nestled off the Venezuelan coast, Curacao stands out with its Dutch heritage, swirling in a cocktail of languages, cuisines, and, notably, street art that tells stories deeper than the clear blue waters surrounding it.
Willemstad, the capital, is not just a city but a UNESCO-listed testament to colonial architecture, Caribbean vibes, and mural magic. Here, historical narratives meet modernity, and old Dutch houses stand tall, often awash with color. Beyond the postcard-perfect Handelskade, a current revolution in public art-making brings paint, passion, and a sense of purpose, led by a vibrant local creative community.
Enter Street Art Skalo, a pied piper of this visual revolution, transforming the neighborhood of Scharloo Abou from a forgotten area into an outdoor museum. This isn’t merely a beautification effort spearheaded by the chamber of commerce; it’s an eclectic transformation that breathes life, creating a dialogue that invites locals and tourists alike to wander, wonder, and witness the neighborhood as it is reborn.
Curacao’s mural scene is as diverse as its coral reefs, featuring everything from intricate stencil works to grandiose murals stretching across buildings. Themes delve into identity, heritage, colonial past, global issues, and natural beauty—all greeted with Caribbean flair. From the alleys of Scharloo Abou to the bustling streets of Punda and Otrobanda, Curacao offers a kaleidoscope of styles and techniques, mirroring the island’s multicultural heartbeat.
Thanks to light artist Chris Jordan, who shares with BSA Readers his photos of recent discoveries on Curacao. Through his photos, Chris captures an island that is not just surviving but thriving, propelled by creativity. It’s good to know that here one can look beyond the beaches, dive into its streets, and find some real treasures.
Spring officially arrived this week, along with torrential rains and sometimes flooding. Happy Nowruz to all our Persian friends, and Happy Purim to the youngsters in costumes going to parties this weekend. The city’s walls reflect a new blossoming of talents joining with those more established in the visual arts, a usual mismatch of styles, coded messages, and obvious imagery. If you love New York, it is with the ongoing expectation of eclecticism mixed with the expected, and as it pertains to graffiti and street art, its a crowded party of all sorts of guests all speaking at once, each hoping to be heard in the din.
And now, here are images from our ongoing conversation with the street, this week, including: Turtle Caps, She Posse, Kosuke James, IAC, Ratrockster, Solo, Merg, Erat, SenOne Original, COSA.V, and Sen1.
Fans of manga and anime are mourning the loss of a legendary figure in the industry, Akira Toriyama, who passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 68. Born in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, he was not just a prolific manga artist; he was a visionary who brought to life some of the most iconic characters and stories in the world of Japanese pop culture. His most renowned creation, “Dragon Ball,” transcended generations and geographic boundaries, embedding itself in global pop culture and inspiring an era of manga artists.
Toriyama’s influence extended beyond the printed page; his creative genius was instrumental in designing the characters for beloved video games like the Dragon Quest series and Chrono Trigger.
By many accounts, he had humble beginnings drawing animals and vehicles, but he eventually had what some would call a revolutionary impact on manga and anime, a testament to the universal language of art and storytelling. Despite facing challenges and opposition, Toriyama’s dedication to his craft and innovative spirit paved the way for his legendary status. The aesthetics and themes of Toriyama’s work, including a fusion of traditional and futuristic elements, resonate with fans of street culture and graffiti, showcasing his widespread influence.
Today we look at a new mural in Barcelona Spain by Eslicer and Keneone, with shots by photographer Lluis Olive-Bulbena. As we remember Akira Toriyama, we celebrate the stories he told and the boundless imagination and creativity he inspired in artists and fans alike, leaving an indelible mark on the world of art and entertainment.
A coastal city in Southeast Texas, Beaumont is 90 miles east of Houston and 30 miles west of the Louisiana border. At the third Beaumont Mural Festival the debut of the new mural by acclaimed artist Sebas Velasco is a momentous occasion, and we bring you fresh shots of the process and final work. Inspired by his collaboration with longtime friend and photographic collaborator Jose Delou, it’s no surprise that Velasco’s latest piece captures an essence of urban life with depth and emotion, an idealized measure of modern existence against a perhaps less-than-ideal cityscape.
A youth adorned in classic sportswear, set against the backdrop of a dynamic cityscape, the striking portrayal is based on a local resident who agreed to be the subject of Velasco’s art; somehow, it embodies a fusion of American influence and stoic solitude reminiscent of artists like Hopper. With his attention to detail, Velasco enhances the scene’s post-industrial elements, infusing them with warmth and vibrancy. The immediacy of the gaze holds the viewer accountable, studying it all more closely, wondering what stretches beyond the confines of the mural.
Velasco’s blurred aesthetic warms the night, eschewing traditional photographic realism in favor of a wilder, more dynamic energy. His approach, reminiscent of the gestural abstraction of artists like De Kooning, prepares the scene with rawness and a sense of movement; a mural that not only enriches the cultural landscape of Beaumont but also serves as a testament to the transformative power of public art.
Happy St. Patricks Day to all our Irish brethren and sisteren (?) — unless you are unlucky to be a gaylesbitrans Irish resident of Staten Island: their official Saint Patty parade bans all of those other types. Our 5th borough always complains that it doesn’t get enough attention because Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens hog the spotlight. So bigotry, because why not? But Manhattan shouldn’t bray too loudly; we’re old enough to remember the LGBT bans by The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) at the beery 5th Avenue parades for decades.
And now images from our ongoing conversation Specter, Cern, Homesick, Peter Phobia, Dzel, REW, Folk, Appear 37, BRK. Nover NYC, GUS, Hand of Tess, 1krlOs, Pirdb!, Kool Hand, Croke, Regae, Nova44, and Spyee.
We’re excited to introduce the inaugural Martha Cooper Scholarship (MCS), celebrating Martha Cooper’s legacy in capturing human cultures through photography. This scholarship presents a unique chance for photographers from Africa or Latin America to engage in an eleven-month artistic journey in Berlin.
As founding members of the Martha Cooper Library, we will select an individual who embodies her spirit, vision, and legacy alongside Martha and a panel of experts in art, academia, and photography and the Urban Nation Museum. This is not just a scholarship in her name; it’s an opportunity to contribute to a global dialogue and to represent the Urban Nation Museum and the Fresh Air program. The Fresh Air theme is “I AM FLUX: The Freedom of Being and the Possibilities of Becoming,” reflecting on human transformation and social issues.
If your artistry and vision resonate with these themes, this could be your path to making an impactful statement in documentary photography. Apply for this transformative opportunity to join us in continuing Martha’s story.
The Martha Cooper Scholarship (MCS) offers a unique opportunity for an individual from Africa or Latin America to dedicate themselves for eleven months to an artistic project through the medium of photography. With the newly announced MCS, the Foundation Berliner Leben acknowledges the importance of documentary photography and purposefully offers a production scholarship for professional photographers who use their photography in an effort to promote a positive impact on the world. The scholarship is based on the annual topic of Fresh A.I.R., the scholarship program of Stiftung Berliner Leben, which addresses social and political developments that affect us in the present, and highlights the diversity of human experience and perception of the world.
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The chosen photographer will be invited to live and work in one of our Fresh A.I.R. residencies in Berlin Schöneberg.
The current call is for the 10th class starting in January 2025 and ending in December 2025.
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Thematic Call: “I AM FLUX: The Freedom of Being and the Possibilities of Becoming”
Art can convey the relevance and complexity of themes of our time in unexpected ways. Under the title “I AM FLUX: The Freedom of Being and the Possibilities of Becoming,« the 10th class deals with the inexhaustible capacity for development and transformation of human beings and their perspectives on themselves.
We encourage artists to critically examine selected socially relevant thematic complexes and apply with projects that contribute to raising awareness about the call’s contents and enriching ongoing discourses.
Within the framework of »I AM FLUX,« three thematic fields of action, namely »HORIZONS OF BEING,« »WHISPERS OF EXISTENCE,« and »BEYOND LIMITS,« are being introduced. Project ideas will be supported in which at least one of the three thematic focuses finds expression in the artistic works.
1. “HORIZONS OF BEING” In the first thematic field of action, “HORIZONS OF BEING,” artists and cultural practitioners are invited to investigate the multi-layered and dynamic nature of gender identity. Through artistic expressions, the focus is primarily on embodiments, practices, and self-perceptions of people who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth.
Funding will be provided for: • Projects that address the diversity and manifestation of gender identity and/or the development and shaping of gender possibilities, realities, perceptions, and representations. • Projects that identify and critically artistically reflect upon the current heteronormative hierarchical structure of gender, both in its institutional and everyday routine forms. • Projects that promote a broader conception of gender.
2. “WHISPERS OF EXISTENCE” The second thematic field of action, »WHISPERS OF EXISTENCE,« is intended to emphasize the metaphysical dimension of art. The imagination is intended to be challenged and expanded in diverse ways through artistic expression.
Funding will be provided for: • Projects that place art as a metaphysical activity at the center, addressing and reflecting upon ontological questions. • Projects that artistically process a transgression of the experiential reality of the natural self.
3. “BEYOND LIMITS” The third field of action, »BEYOND LIMITS,« serves as a platform supporting the exploration of various approaches through which art and creativity, in conjunction with other influences, endeavor to redefine the boundaries of the human in new ways. Funding will be provided for: • Projects that aim to experimentally expand human potential or those centered around (self-)creation within the imaginative space of natural or technological (further) development. • Projects that examine ‘Creative Artificial Intelligence’ and the fundamentally changing possibilities of artistic expression resulting from applying the latest technologies. • Projects that delve into historical forms of surpassing bodily boundaries and explore the visions, opportunities, consequences, and dangers associated with them.
Application for a scholarship in 2025 Application deadline: Sunday, 21 April 2024 Applications are only accepted via Email: FreshAIR-office@stiftung-berliner-leben.de For a successful application, please include the following documents: • Curriculum vitae • Project outline/description • Budget plan
You can find further information about Fresh A.I.R. at
Durham is a historic city located in the northeast of England, known for its medieval cathedral and Norman castle, both of which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s also home to Durham University, one of the oldest universities in England. Here you can enjoy charming cobblestone streets, ancient buildings, and a picturesque setting on the River Wear. Rich history and contemporary culture; what’s not to like?
In the heart of Durham chilly evening air a new public art installation recently sprouted like a beacon of collective voice and personal expression. “On Blank Pages,” was a brainchild of renowned public artists Luzinterruptus, commissioned by Artichoke for the luminescent tapestry of Lumiere Durham 2023. Known for their signature blend of literary love and interactive engagement, the artists once again wove a narrative that turned passersby into poets, thinkers, and artists.
“On Blank Pages” has journeyed through the veins of cities worldwide, but its stint at Lumiere Durham was not just another dot on the map. This one became a monumental dialogue between the public and the pulsating questions surrounding the UK’s judicial system- a thematic choice that bore a bumper crop of words and opinions. The installation – a sprawling wall blanketed with over 2,200 white-sheeted notebooks – stood not just as an art piece but as a testament to freedom of expression, resilience against the elements, and a profound ecological consciousness with its cement-derived paper.
But what truly set the Durham iteration apart was its thematic heart. Diving deep into the labyrinth of the judicial process, prisons, and the remnants of colonial regimes, the project turned a mirror to society’s deepest flaws and silent cries for justice. Workshops across the UK funneled diverse voices into this wall of reflection, creating a tapestry of public opinion that was as raw as it was real. This was not just art for art’s sake; it was a societal pulse check, an open forum where the wind carried whispers of reform, critique, and hope across the illuminated nights of Durham.
The beauty of “On Blank Pages” lies not just in its visual spectacle but in its ability to morph with each contribution – a living, breathing entity that reflects the collective soul. As the public poured their thoughts – the piece transcended its physical form, becoming a monument of shared narratives and unfiltered truths. Durham wasn’t just hosting a festival; it was nurturing understanding and evolution, page by page, voice by voice.
Lumiere Durham is commissioned by Durham County Council. LumiereLondon is commissioned by the Mayor of London. Artichoke is a registered charity, funded by Arts Council England.
For a decade, SaveArtSpace has transformed New York’s streets into open-air galleries, reclaiming advertising spaces as canvases for public expression. …Read More »
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