All posts tagged: Dan Witz

Stolen Space Gallery Presents: “Wild Life” A Group Show (London, UK)

Wild Life

 

‘Wild Life’ A Group Show
02.12.11 – 18.12.11
Artists interpretation of the living world in Sculpture, Painting & Installation.The wild life of wildlife.
A flower growing through the crack in the pavement, the ivy scaling the fascia of a building, camouflaging, cloaking, pulling it to the ground, the tree growing around a concrete pillar, engulfing it slowly, morphing year on year. The birds nest in the rafters of a roof, made up of twigs and plastic ties, the nested young being fed the preservative pumped, calorie powered garbage bin rewards. These are glimpses of wildlife interacting, adjusting, adapting to the environment  that we’ve created, over, around, on top of it, the once green meadow now a sea of steel work, glass and poured concrete, trees confined to their architect planned and perfectly aligned boxes.
But our wild life, this wildlife is playing a slow game, a slow deathly dance between the static, lifeless concrete structures we’ve built and the unstoppable force of nature. Adapt or be adapted, adjust or be adjusted, remember me? I was here before you, I’ve always been here, you need me, I am life.
Is mother nature reclaiming our temporary oasis or is it adapting to the obstacles that we’ve put in its way or are we now having to listen to the reminder that this place is not ours, we are simply borrowing it?

Confirmed Artists:

Josie Morway (Painter)
Rose Sanderson (Collage)

Jennifer Murphy (Painter)
Kelly Allen – (Painter)
D*Face (Mixed media)
Dan Witz (Mixed media)
Jake Wood Evans (Painter)
Roxanne Jackson (Sculptor)
Kelly McCallum (Sculptor)
Jessica Joslin (Sculptor)
Kai & Sunny (Mixed media)
Katja Holtz (Painter)
Renhui Zhao (Mixed Media)In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia.

How long can men thrive between walls of brick, walking on asphalt pavements, breathing the fumes of coal and of oil, growing, working, dying, with hardly a thought of wind, and sky, and fields of grain, seeing only machine-made beauty, the mineral-like quality of life.

If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.

– Charles Lindbergh

StolenSpace Gallery | Stolenspace Gallery, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane | London, UK E1 6QL, United Kingdom

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Images of the Week 11.20.11

Images of the Week 11.20.11

Our Weekly Interview with the Street, this week featuring Cash4, Dain, Dan Witz, Ment, Miyok, Never, Troy Lovegates AKA Other, Stikman, and Stinkfish.

Troy Lovegates AKA Other (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A portrait of a Geisha from Lisa Enxing.  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Cash4 and Ment. An invasion of Jelly Fish from the East River on Bushwick…  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

…and Williasmburg.  (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Dan Witz (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Dan Witz. Deatail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Penny for your thoughts, Thelma. Dain. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Dain’s almost glam here. The mustache helps in the androgyny department. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

“Oh, wait, hold on. I hate when my contact slips. It’s like one eye is totally blurry. ” Dain. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

All together now, say “disaster”. A photographic collage of World disasters by an Unknown Artist. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Miyok and the Church of Scientology. Also, Panties for Diamonds! (photo © Jaime Rojo)

The artist “Never” paints this colorful Swallow on the facade of  the Swallow cafe in Bushwick. By the time you read this the “Morgantown” lettering will probably have been replaced. Some high minded arrivistes tried to re-name Bushwick with the pretentious sounding name of  “Morgantown”.  Despite their best efforts and claims of name coinage the title never took hold. Bushwick is what it is…dirty sounding, dirty on the streets and dirty elsewhere. Love it! (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Sometimes that pointy part of the head on a Stikman makes me think of the Pope. See what I mean? Stikman. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Stinkfish. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Untitled. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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New Street Art from Nuart 2011 in Norway

Nuart 2011, the annual Street Art festival in Stavanger Norway, just wrapped with a small tight roster of international artists putting new murals and installations around this waterfront city of 120,000. An inventive late “Summer Camp” that has brought worldwide attention and fame to the city in the last decade, Nuart continues to creatively stretch and challenge it’s participants while putting them on the street, in the gallery, and in front of the classroom.

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It could be the electronic music festival, the wicked history of goth and black metal spawned here, or the nearly thousand year old cathedral downtown, but something smart skews the outlaw impulses of artists toward exploration here. Perhaps it’s just the contrast of this sharp manicured capital of culture playing host to an art movement associated with urban decay that feeds the uncanny tension in some of the work. Whatever it is, each year there is something of high caliber that helps keep Nuart fresh and relevant.

For Nuart 2011 eleven artists from seven countries worked to create installations, including an indoor exhibition in a complex of buildings that formerly housed a brewery. Participating artists were Dan Witz (US), David Choe & DVS1 (US), Vhils (PO), Herbert Baglione (BR), Dolk (NO), Lucy McCluchlan (UK), Herakut (DE), Tellas (IT), Escif (ES), HYURO (ES), and Phlegm (UK)

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Lucy McLauchlan (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Escif (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Escif, Hyuro (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © John Rodger)

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Hyuro (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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David Choe, DVS1 (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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David Choe, DVS1 (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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David Choe, DVS1 (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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David Choe, DVS1 (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © John Rodger)

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Phlegm (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Dan Witz (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © John Rodger)

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Dan Witz conducted the first ever Workshop for Children at Nuart with great success! (photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © John Rodger)

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Herakut (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © Akut)

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Herakut (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Hera of Herakut (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © Mookie Mooks)

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Herakut (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © John Rodger)

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Dolk (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Vhils (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Vhils (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Tellas (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © John Rodger)

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Tellas (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Tellas (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Tellas (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Herbert Baglione (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © CFSalicath)

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Herbert Baglione (Photo Courtesy of Nuart11 © Mookie Mooks)

With special thanks to the talented photographers: CFSalicath, John Rodger, Mookie Mooks and Akut.

To learn more about Nuart visit their site at:

http://www.nuartfestival.no

This article also appears on The Huffington Post



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Images of the Week 10.16.11

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Our weekly interview with the streets, this week featuring  ECIF, Lucy McLauchlan, Dan Witz, Clown Soldier, Fumero, Hugh Leeman, Jaye Moon, Dain, Stikman, Quel Beast, REKA, BAST, and Infinity.

First we start with a few nice exclusive night time pics from photographer John Rodger who was in Stavanger Norway to capture the art going up at Nuart festival.

brooklyn-street-art-ESCIF-John Rodger-nuart-2011-webECIF Outdoors at Nuart 2011. (for BSA courtesy of Nuart © John Rodger)

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Lucy McLauchlan Outdoors at Nuart 2011. (for BSA courtesy of Nuart © John Rodger)

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Dan Witz Outdoors at Nuart 2011. (for BSA courtesy of Nuart © John Rodger)

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Clown Soldier, Fumero, Huge Leeman, and friends. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Jaye Moon Lego tree house with bird’s nest. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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A well known fact by an Unknown Artist. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Dain. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Immigrant Movement. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Stikman. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Artist Unknown. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Quel Beast and REKA. Produced by MANY. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Bast. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Infinity. Produced by MANY (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Artist Unknown. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Untitled. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Dan Witz at Nuart: Gets Googly With the Kids

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If you are not familiar with Street Artist Dan Witz’s work, it won’t exactly scream for your attention. Rather it will position itself as a chameleon in the metropolis; a rusted weather beaten fixture of the urban landscape, a piece of municipal signage, a barely porous dirt-caked mesh metal air vent.  9 times you’ll overlook it, or maybe 99. But the day you notice it you’ll be caught, trapped by its guile, puzzled and possibly unnerved. What’s in there? More to the point, who?

This week at Nuart Dan had the opportunity to put up his darkly tricky all-in-one pieces at strategic locations in Stavanger where they will be overlooked, then discovered.

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Dan Witz “King Baby: Tou Scene.” (photo courtesy © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz “King Baby: Tou Scene.” (photo courtesy © Dan Witz)

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And new for this Norwegian Street Art festival this year, a workshop for kids took place on Saturday, with Mr. Witz at the head of the class, passing out eyeballs and encouraging reimagining of the urban environment as personified. The simple addition of optical orbs entertained the youthful contingent and helped Dan spread his vision of public space as a playground of ideas.

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Dan Witz  (photo courtesy © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz  (photo courtesy © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz  (photo coourtesy © Dan Witz)

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Fun Friday 09.30.11

Fun-Friday

1. Fountain LA This Weekend
2. NUART 2011 – Stavanger, Norway
3. “Bring to Light” in Greenpoint Brooklyn for the 2nd Year – Saturday Night!
3. “Rituals” on 14th Street, Art in Odd Places
4. Pantheon Projects at THE NEW YORK ART BOOK FAIR AT MoMA PS1
5. Art Platform Los Angeles
6. RETNA at Art Platform (LA)
7. Brian Adam Douglas at Art Platform (LA)

Fountain LA This Weekend

New York’s own specially warped outsiders are in LA this weekend, and BSA is happy to sport support for whatever madness they can stir up, including the Murder Lounge, which Dave Ill says will be in full effect.  (Murder- .slang. To defeat decisively). When you are milling around the big LA shows this weekend make sure you stop by Fountain and say hello to Señor Kesting and check out the Street Art contingent doing their thing on the Left Coast ya’ll.

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(Image Shark Toof © Jaime Rojo)

brooklyn-street-art-fountain-art-fair-los-angelesFountain Art Fair includes a Street Art outdoor exhibition with: GILF!, Eddie Colla, Tiki Jay One, Shark Toof, Chor Boogie, Hugh Leeman, Billi Kid  & CIG, Ian Ross, and Cryptik getting up in the courtyard.

For more information regarding location, time and schedule of events please click on the link below:

http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/?p=24957

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Dan Witz “King Baby” (photo courtesy of NUART © Dan Witz)

brooklyn-street-art-nuart-2011NUART 2011 has arrived and the streets and buildings of Stavanger are a heating up with all the artists getting up and doing what they know what to do best: Paint. Brooklyn’s own Dan Witz already hit the streets with his “King Baby” street installations on faux city street signage. Tonight (Friday) their is a panel debate with artists, Carlo McCormick and Juxtapoz Magazine that we wouldn’t miss.

Artists include DAN WITZ (US), DAVID CHOE & DVS1 (US), VHILS (PO), HERBERT BAGLIONE (BR), DOLK (NO), LUCY McCLAUCHLAN (UK), HERAKUT (DE), TELLAS (IT), ESCIF (ES), HYURO (ES), PHLEGM (UK)

For a complete listing of events and schedules please visit the NUART site:

http://www.nuart.no/

“Bring to Light” in Greenpoint Brooklyn for the 2nd Year – Saturday Night!

“All manner of projectors blasted on the walls with myriad images, forms, and shapes, some breathtakingly beautiful. Other artists created sculptures and installations that worked as light vessels and amorphous creatures while collaborative dancers entertained groupings of appreciative observers.” from BSA’s review on Huffington Post

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Bring to Light Nuit Blanche New York 2010 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OCTOBER 1ST, 2011, Greenpoint, Brooklyn New York. 6:00 pm to Midnight.

Bring to Light is a free nighttime public festival of art in New York City that takes place simultaneously with “nuit blanche” events in cities around the world. Inviting emerging and established artists to make site-specific installations of light, sound, performance and projection art, the event creates an immersive spectacle for thousands of visitors to re-imagine public space and civic life. Bring to Light will transform streets, parks and the industrial waterfront of Greenpoint, Brooklyn set against dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline.

Nuit Blanche (French for “white night” or “all-nighter”) is a global network of locally-organized nighttime contemporary art events. Originating in Paris in 2001, the nuit blanche concept now involves millions of people in cities around the world.

One performance we will NOT miss will be Chris Jordan and Josh Goldberg, who have serious chops in public projection work, presenting CHRONO GIANTS.

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Still from the work in progress for this year’s NY Nuit Blanche from artists Chris Jordan and Josh Golberg. (photo © Chris Jordan)

Also included will be Chris’s timelapse of Hurricane Irene – Projected inside a Giant CLOUD:

For further information, schedule, directions and full details visit Bring to Light site:

http://www.bringtolightnyc.org/

“Rituals” on 14th Street, Art in Odd Places

Art in Odd Places 2011: RITUAL features a wide variety of actions, participatory performances, theatrical presentations, public installations, and small and large-scale interventions all of which revolve around the concept of ritual.

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Alejandro Guzman “El Guaraguao in the Barrio”, 2011 (photo courtesy © Alejandro Guzman)

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Art in Odd Places (AiOP) presents visual and performance art in public spaces with an annual festival each October along 14th Street in Manhattan, NYC from Avenue C to the Hudson River.

Opening Reception for Art In Odd Places Festival 2011

Friday, September 30, 6-9pm

Theaterlab
137 West 14th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues

New York, NY

For a complete listing of artists and a full schedule of events and locations visit Art In Odd Places site:

http://www.artinoddplaces.org/index.php

THE NEW YORK ART BOOK FAIR AT MoMA PS1

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This art book fair always rewards you – just walking around the floorplan of MoMA PS1 is a trip and the books are tripped out. This year we are in a new one – The Pantheon Catalog from Joyce Manalo and Daniel Feral;

“The street has always been the thumping beat that pumps the pulsing lifeblood through creative New York. Yes, there is a lot of action behind the walls in the offices and galleries and studios and stages and clubs and boardrooms, but everyone knows it is the kinetic electricity of life on the street that inspires New Yorkers to dig deeper and dream bigger and play hard.”

~ from the essay Street Art New York, The 2000s, Steven P. Harrington and Jaime Rojo of Brooklyn Street Art.

If that is not enough to make you absolutely plow down crowds to get there, consider the real talents who are going to be there to SIGN YOUR COPY:

***Catalog Signing on Sunday, October 2nd, 3-3:45 PM featuring***

Charlie Ahearn, Chris Pape aka Freedom, KET1 RIS and Toofly

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Joyce will be waiting for you!

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Join Pantheon Projects at The NY Art Book Fair
September 30-October 2, 2011, 11AM-7PM, at PS1/MoMA, Free Admission
Hours: Friday–Sunday, 11AM-7PM

THE NY ART BOOK FAIR
September 30–October 2, 2011
MoMA PS1

MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Avenue at 46th Avenue
Long Island City, NY (map)

Art Platform Los Angeles

brooklyn-street-art-art-platform-los-angeles From their press release; Art Platform – Los Angeles will demonstrate the rich and vibrant cultural landscape of Southern California and underscore Los Angeles’ influential position within the contemporary art world. MMPI is one of the largest show producers in the world, including a growing portfolio of premium art shows. We have assured the continued development and enhancement of the Art Show division by bringing together some of the top minds in art fairs under one partnership”

For more information, location and a complete list of exhibitors please visit Art Platform at:

http://www.artplatform-losangeles.com/

RETNA at Art Platform (LA)

If you can’t wait to see the Retna spread as shot by David LaChapelle in October’s Vanity Fair you can check out these new pieces at Art Platform and see BSA’s photos from his New York show this spring.

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Retna in NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)

New Image Art Gallery will be exhibiting at Art Platfrom Los Angeles Featuring new large-scale paintings on canvas and paper by RETNA Visit them at booth #108

Brian Adam Douglas at Art Platform (LA)

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EdlinLogo2009-webAndrew Edlin Gallery will exhibit Brooklyn Fine and Street Artist Brian Adam Douglas along with Henry Darger, Thornton Dial and Jeremy Everett. Visit them at booth 814.

Brian Adam Douglas
The Center Cannot Hold, 2011
cut paper on birch panel with UVA varnish
6 foot diamater
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Anthony Lister Talks to BSA : Analysis and Constant Consideration

“I’m like a hairdresser I guess.”

Painter Anthony Lister is also a Street Artist. His surreal pop and celebrity culture-infused abstractions are candy encrusted apples which may have something sharp inside. Many are figurative studies and wire frames bending wildly into characters who cavort and mock with blunt swipes of color, overlaid by costumed sexual role play… or is that a personal projection?  Did I mention elegance, defiance, wit? Wait, there is so much here!  Truth is, his work can be a cock-eyed psychological tempest, jarring to the head, strangely sweet.

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Anthony Lister in Brooklyn (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A decade of discovery under his superhero belt, Mr. Lister continues to analyze and build his creative practice and it always includes work inside the gallery and outside on the street. He’s currently preparing for his solo show in Sydney called  “Bogan Paradise” at Gallery A.S. At the same time he’s part of a group show with a gaggle of his Aussie expats on view at 941 Geary in San Francisco for “Young and Free”, including Kid Zoom, Dabs & Myla, Dmote, New2, Ben Frost, Meggs, Ha-Ha, Reka, Rone, Sofles and Vexta.  Not to mention his participation in our show last month in Los Angeles at C.A.V.E. with Thinkspace, “Street Art Saved My Life : 39 New York Stories“.

The artist took some time recently to talk to Brooklyn Street Art about his practice;

Brooklyn Street Art: How much of one of your painted portraits is autobiographical? In other words, what portion of Mr. Lister is super hero, super model, furtive schoolboy, or Homer Simpson?
Anthony Lister: I don’t really think about myself when I paint. My figurative works are more like reflections of characteristics I absorb from real life day to day.

Brooklyn Street Art: If you were to wear colored glasses, which color do you think you would most likely screen the world through?
Anthony Lister: Pink, like John Lennon.

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Anthony Lister in Brooklyn (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: Francis Bacon said, “The creative process is a cocktail of instinct, skill, culture and a highly creative feverishness.” Would you drink that cocktail?
Anthony Lister: Nice words. I agree.

Brooklyn Street Art: What role does analysis play in your creative process when bringing a painting to fruition?
Anthony Lister: Analysis is the outcome of considered processing. Constant consideration is crucial.

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Anthony Lister in Brooklyn (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: A big piece you did on Metropolitan in Brooklyn – you reworked that face a couple of times over a period of months, producing what appeared as a slowly morphing image. Were you covering up tags, or were you unhappy with the original, or maybe combating the effects of age with a little nip and tuck?
Anthony Lister: When I re-work street paintings I think of it like I am a hairdresser. When something is in the public it has a different existence to something living privately in a residence. I’m like a hairdresser I guess.

Brooklyn Street Art: You have spoken about your work as reality, or a reaction to realities. What realities are you depicting these days?
Anthony Lister: I just finished a body of work for a solo show in Sydney. This next body of work is about contemporary Australian culture. The exhibition is titled “Bogan Paradise.”

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Anthony Lister in Brooklyn (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: When you consider the Street Art scene that evolved around Melbourne, how would you characterize its nature in a way that differentiates it from the work in other cities around the world?
Anthony Lister: No different. This whole street art thing has sprung up post the turn of the digital revolution so it is on the Internet quick and the artists who inspire others and the ones who are easily inspired are constantly swimming in the same aesthetic pools of consciousness. Not to mention that most of the prominent artists travel lots so it is easy to see work of the same artist in multiple cities around the world at the same time.

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Anthony Lister in Brooklyn (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: The titles you give your gallery pieces are entertaining, instructive, illustrative. Do you ever want to place a placard near a piece you’ve done on the street – just to make sure the message gets across?
Anthony Lister: No. My street practice is less thoughtful and therefore needs less commentary.

Brooklyn Street Art: When is a painting complete?
Anthony Lister: When it tells me so.

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Anthony Lister in Brooklyn (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Anthony Lister in Manhattan (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Anthony Lister in Miami for Primary Flight. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Anthony Lister in Los Angeles. LA FreeWalls (photo © Todd Mazer)

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Anthony Lister in Los Angeles LA FreeWalls (photo © Todd Mazer)

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Cry me a rainbow, Anthony Lister in Los Angeles. LA FreeWalls (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Anthony Lister in Venice Beach CA. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Anthony Lister in San Francisco for Young and Free at 941 Geary (photo © Andrius Lypia)

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Want to see more work? Just “Lister” it.

www.anthonylister.com

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First Look at “King Baby” in Norway With Dan Witz

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Even in the pristine and civil streets of Stavanger, Norway you may come across the creepy surprise of the “King Baby”, the new powder white bald man character popping out of traffic signs by Street Artist Dan Witz. The peerless Nuart 2011 is underway now with 12 artists from 9 countries arriving in the last week to see what kind of trouble they can get into at this curated out of doors festival. For now, this is what Mr. Witz has come up with, but he’s just touched down so the King of WTF is merely getting started.

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Dan will be leading the first childrens program ever for Nuart on Saturday, but hopefully he won’t be showing the tykes any of these cranky King Babies – a perfect mix of red eyed immaturity and egocentricity ready to jump out and pinch their noses. Actually this guy could calm some of these aggressive drivers in Brooklyn who we’re always dodging, now that we think of it.

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Lookin’ good, Baby King! All photos © Dan Witz

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Read about Nuart 2011 Here

Nuart 2011 includes DAN WITZ (US), DAVID CHOE & DVS1 (US), VHILS (PO), HERBERT BAGLIONE (BR), DOLK (NO), LUCY McCLAUCHLAN (UK), HERAKUT (DE), TELLAS (IT), ESCIF (ES), HYURO (ES), PHLEGM (UK)

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Fun Friday 09.23.11

Fun-FridayWelcome to Fun Friday

1. Abstract Art on the Street
2. “Abstractions” open at Opera Gallery
3. “Contemporary Abstractions” at Mighty Tanaka
4. “Abstract Graffiti” – The Book
5. Art Show and Charity Auction at FUTURE TENSE (Dallas)
6. Please Support “Electric Projected” TODAY
7.MISSED the SHOW? See “Street Art Saved My Life : 39 New York Stories” in VIDEO
8. VIDEO -Street and fine Artist Peat Wollaeger
9. VIDEO Mr.Klevra Vs Omino71 – The Secret Spot 2011
10 VIDEO STEN & LEX at the ATTACK FESTIVAL 2011

“The more frightening the world becomes, the more art becomes abstract”~ Wassily Kandinsky

The street provides a forum from all dialogue and Street Artists can be sometimes divided into categories after you survey the expanse of expression. We’ve been tracking the geometry of  abstraction for the last decade as an aesthetic counterbalance to the more free form gestural markings that are it’s more prevalent neighbors.  The abstract direction continues to garner  attention and you can get a good look at it’s past and present at two New York shows opening today, and learn more about it’s global movement in a recently published book by Cedar Lewisohn.

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“Black and Violet”, Kandinsky, 1923

“Abstractions” open at Opera Gallery

The Opera Gallery new show in Manhattan titled “Abstractions” opens today to the general public. This show will examine the abstract movement from the 1940s through present day with artists that range from Miro and Matta to Bast and Saber.

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Image of Saber courtesy Opera Gallery

Abstractions will be open to the public starting on September 23 at 11:00 am
September 23 – October 16
Free admission: 11:00 – 7:00 daily

Opera Gallery
212.966.6675
Further information on this show please click on the link below:

“Contemporary Abstractions” at Mighty Tanaka

Mighty Tanaka Gallery in Brooklyn continues the theme with some names familiar to BSA readers and a couple of new talents at their show “Contemporary Abstractions” tonight, with the opening reception at their temporary location in  the Power House Arena in DUMBO starting at 6:00 pm.

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JMR image © Jaime Rojo

For more information regarding this show please click on the link below:

“Abstract Graffiti” – The Book

We’ve really been enjoying the schooling and the photography from Cedar Lewisohn in this new book “Abstract Graffiti” and can recommend it wholeheartedly. You’ll recognize a number of these artists from being on BSA, including MOMO on the back cover.

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Art Show and Charity Auction at FUTURE TENSE (Dallas)

Saturday September 24 in Dallas, TX the Future Tense has curated and impressive line up of artists for a worthy cause. An Art Show and Charity Auction to benefit The MTV Staying Alive Foundation. Opening reception and live auction at the Goss-Michael Foundation starts at 7:00 PM.

brooklyn-street-art-mtv-redefine-future-tenseLee Baker, Shepard Fairey, Harland Miller, Adam Ball, Katrin Fridriks, Polly Morgan, Peter Blake, Christopher Gascoigne, Gerard Rancinan, Billy Childish, Pam Glew, Rankin, D*Face, Haroshi, Stuart Semple, Brian Adam Douglas, Pieter Henket, Jamel Shabazz, Elizabeth Eamer, Damien Hirst, Benjamin Shine, Ben Eine, Jeremy Kost, Gavin Turk, Tracey Emin, Joseph Loughborough, Dan Witz, Faile, James Marshall and Russell Young.

For more information regarding this event please click on the link below:

http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/?p=24739

Please Support “Electric Projected” TODAY

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And our friends at Open Space in Beacon New York are seeking your help to save their project “Electric Projected: Reboot”

Dan and Kalene have been on the Street Art scene for a decade, have opened many doors to and championed Street Artists with their Electric Windows project. Today we are asking you to pledge their “Electric Projected: REBOOT” Kickstarter page. They got seriously rained out last month for this exciting project in Beacon, New York – a huge projection show on the side of a factory building. With your help, they are going to do it right next weekend.

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Jared Deal projects Big Foot (photo still © Courtesy of the gallery)

Dan and Kalene say:

“We still need your help to make Electric Projected REBOOT a reality. Since our last email (only 5 days ago) we have received over $2500 in pledges to our kickstarter campaign. Over 100 people have already contributed to this campaign and we are so grateful for this generosity and support. Not a day goes by without people telling us how excited they are for the REBOOT event on October 1st. We are excited for it too, but here is the reality of the situation. If we do not meet our kickstarter funding goal by Saturday Sept 24th at 6pm  Electric Projected REBOOT will not happen on October 1st.

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Aaron Maurer projects Paper Monster (photo still © Courtesy of the gallery)

Please hurry and pledge. They are almost there for their $16,500 goal and your donation will help them reach the finish line. They only have until tomorrow Saturday September 24 at 6:00 pm.

Please click on the link below to go to their Kickstarter:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pilgrim/electric-projected-reboot

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Jack Myeres projects Elia and Cern (photo still © Courtesy of the gallery)

MISSED the SHOW? See “Street Art Saved My Life : 39 New York Stories” in VIDEO

Fabio Cunha shot and edited a video at the opening of “Street Art Saved my Life: 39 New York Stories” in Venice, CA. All those cool LA people milling around … love love

PEAT Makes a VIDEO

Street and fine Artist Peat Wollaeger is out of work – a very modern affliction.

Mr.Klevra Vs Omino71 – The Secret Spot 2011

STEN & LEX at the ATTACK FESTIVAL 2011

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Future Tense Presents: “MTV Re:Define” Benefit Art Exhibition and Auction (Dallas, TX)

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The MTV Staying Alive Foundation today announced the final details of its RE:DEFINE benefit art exhibition and auction to mark the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the AIDS virus, including the full list of contributing artists. Event curators The Future Tense have assembled an eclectic roster of 30 original works valued at over $1m from some of the world’s most exciting, dynamic and sometimes controversial artists, including painting, photography, sculpture and a large-scale public installation in downtown Dallas by street artist Ben Eine. The 30 contributing artists are as follows:

Lee Baker, Shepard Fairey, Harland Miller, Adam Ball, Katrin Fridriks, Polly Morgan, Peter Blake, Christopher Gascoigne, Gerard Rancinan, Billy Childish, Pam Glew, Rankin, D*Face, Haroshi, Stuart Semple, Brian Adam Douglas, Pieter Henket, Jamel Shabazz, Elizabeth Eamer, Damien Hirst, Benjamin Shine, Ben Eine, Jeremy Kost, Gavin Turk, Tracey Emin, Joseph Loughborough, Dan Witz, Faile, James Marshall and Russell Young.

Hosted at the Goss-Michael Foundation in Dallas, MTV RE:DEFINE will be open to the public from September 16 – 23 with a live auction of all 30 works taking place at an exclusive reception on September 24, hosted by Simon de Pury, Chairman of Phillips de Pury & Company. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, which encourages, energizes and empowers young people who are involved in HIV and AIDS awareness, education and prevention campaigns. Simon de Pury, Chairman of Phillips de Pury & Company said, “Phillips de Pury is thrilled to support the fabulous initiative of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and of the Goss-Michael Foundation and The Future Tense.”

The evening will culminate in a live performance by alt-rock phenom, The Boxer Rebellion who are due to begin a major 22-date tour of North America in October to promote their latest album, The Cold Still. Tennessee-born Nathan Nicholson, lead vocalist for The Boxer Rebellion said, “The Boxer Rebellion are proud to support the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and feel privileged to play at this ground-breaking RE:DEFINE benefit event. We take our social responsibilities very seriously, and to be part of an event with such immense social and artistic merit – aimed at empowering young people all over the world to fight HIV and AIDS – is a real honor for us.”

Collectors unable to attend the event in person will have a wide range of absentee bidding options, including the ability to both view and bid in real-time, simultaneous with the live event via the following link:

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/26168

Full absentee bidding information can be found at: http://www.mtvredefine.com/absentee-bidding.php

The catalogue for the event can be found at: http://www.mtvredefine.com/catalogue.php

Sponsors of MTV RE:DEFINE include Moet & Chandon, The Dallas Morning News, Neiman Marcus, Hotel Zaza, Ben E. Keith Beverage Company, Land Rover/Range Rover of Dallas, RP Valet and Crazy Water.

For further information please visit the official website at www.mtvredefine.com You can also follow the project on Twitter via @mtvredefine and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mtvredefine

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Samuel Owens Gallery Presents: “On Every Street” A Group Show Curated by Michael DeFeo (Greenwich, Ct)

On Every Street
brooklyn-street-art-michael-defeo-samuel-owen-galleryMichael DeFeo has been busy curating a large exhibition entitled, On Every Street for Samuel Owen Gallery in Greenwich, CT.

Mark your calendars, folks… the show opens on October 6th and features over 30 artists that work in the streets or use the streets in their works.

Artists in the exhibition are: Above, Aiko, Michael Anderson, Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, C215, Tony Curanaj, Michael De Feo, D*Face, Ellis Gallagher, Keith Haring, Ron English, Blek le rat, Faile, Shepard Fairey, John Fekner, JMR, Gaia, Richard Hambleton, Hargo, Maya Hayuk, Don Leicht, Tom Otterness, Lady Pink, Lister, Ripo, Mike Sajnoski, Jeff Soto, Chris Stain, Swoon, Thundercut, and Dan Witz.

Stay tuned for more details, this is surely going to be one not to miss!

On Every Street
October 6 – November 3, 2011

Opening reception: October 6, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Samuel Owen Gallery
378 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830

+1.203.422.6500

Greenwich is approximately 35 minutes from Grand Central Terminal and the gallery is only a one minute walk from the Greenwich Station.

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Dan Witz WTC 9/11 Shrines

To mark the 10th Anniversary of the events that took place in NYC on September 11, 2001 we asked Street Artist Dan Witz to share with us his images of a series of shrines that he installed in New York during the summer of 2002. It seems appropriate that Street Art paid tribute and facilitated the public mourning and remembrance of those we lost; All manner of artists took to the streets at that time – and it never really stopped. We are thankful for the time and the effort of the many talents, mostly anonymous, who claimed the streets as their own and who buoyed us during those days. And we are thankful to Dan for sharing with us his work here.

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Dan Witz talks about his “WTC Shrines” –

“Starting at Ground Zero, following sight lines of the World Trade Center drawn in a star pattern on my map, I installed about 40 of these on the bases of light poles. At the time I was thinking a lot about art objects’ possible usefulness in the real world. For me paintings have often functioned as secular shrines—as visual instigators to reverie.

The week before September 11th I was up in the Bronx at a housing project photographing the shrine neighbors left at the doorstep of a murdered 9 year old girl (balloons, flowers, stuffed animals, family photos). I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do exactly, it was just my way of sketching. Then the planes hit and the city parks filled with thousands of candles and flowers and other offerings. Again, I went to take photographs, not knowing what I actually wanted, just on an instinct. At the time I used a large format camera, the old style with the hood and long bellows. Every time I put the hood on and focused the ground glass, I got an unmistakably eerie feeling from all those candles—it was bizarre and chilling, and definitely paranormal. I’ll never forget it”

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Dan Witz. Thompson Street, NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn. (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. 23rd Street and 6th Ave. NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

from a publicly posted poem entitled

Don’t Look for Me Anymore
(Alicia Vasquez)

don’t look for me anymore
it’s late and you are tired
your feet ache standing atop the ruins of our twins
day after day searching for a trace of me
your eyes are burning red
your hands cut bleeding sifting through rock
and your back crooked from endless hours of labor…

it’s my turn, I’m worried about you
watching as you sift through the ruins of what was
day after day in the soot and the rain
I ache in knowing you suffer my death

rest in knowing that my blood lies in the cracks and crevices
of these great lands I loved so much…

don’t look for me anymore
hold my children as I would
hold my brothers and sisters for me
since I can’t bring them up with the same
love you gave me
and I’ll rest assured
you’re watching my children

don’t look for me anymore
go home and rest…

Signed A. Vasquez, found on 9/14/01 on the “Wailing Wall” at Grand Central Station

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Dan Witz. Battery Park, NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Financial District, NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Williamsburg, Brooklyn. (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Weehawken, NJ (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Water Street, NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Fulton and Broadway, NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Grand Street, NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Greenwich Ave. NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Ground Zero, NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. Jersey City, NJ (photo © Dan Witz)

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Dan Witz. SOHO, NYC (photo © Dan Witz)

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