All posts tagged: Manhattan

Images of the Week: 03.24.13

March 24, 2013 Artists

March 21 hit us this week and that means Spring and that means more birds, flowers, sidewalk sales, thigh-high shorts, and Street Art and graffiti are on their way! Great to find this new brick wall falling apart by Aakash Nahalini in the subway this week, and then to learn that it is a sketch for future ideas. Also we’re on the look out for a new sculptural Faile tribute to Revs somewhere on NYC streets, and you might have seen a few new bird houses from XAM. Aside from some of the regular players, you can be sure there are some new kids on the block because this form of expression continues to expand and whether its a one-off, or the start of a long career, the street continues to inspire artists to get their stuff out there and skip the proscribed route.

Meanwhile, here’s our weekly interview of the street, this week featuring Aakash Nihalani, Ayatollax, Bast, Be Super, David Gouny, El Sol 25, Foxx Face, and Oculo.

Top image > Aakash Nihalani does a study for a near future installation. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Aakash Nihalini test for a near future subway installation. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Aakash Nihalini test for a near future subway installation. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Be Super does a little short circuiting of an illegal poster (photo © Jaime Rojo)

David Gouny continues to take his exploration of chubby sculpture in the streets of Paris, like this “CCTV Contaminated Fat Virus” (photo © David Gouny)

El Sol 25 “You and Me” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Foxx Face (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Oculo (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Ayatollax on the streets of Paris. (photo © Ayatollax)

Which one will you choose? Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

BAST (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Spring is here! (photo © Jaime Rojo)

The Standard High Line. New York City, March 2013 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Please note: All content including images and text are © BrooklynStreetArt.com, unless otherwise noted. We like sharing BSA content for non-commercial purposes as long as you credit the photographer(s) and BSA, include a link to the original article URL and do not remove the photographer’s name from the .jpg file. Otherwise, please refrain from re-posting. Thanks!

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Joshua Liner Gallery Presents: “Direct Address: An Inaugural Group Exhibition” (Manhattan, NYC)

March 20, 2013 Afghanistan

Joshua Liner Gallery is proud to announce the opening of its new home—a street-level, 2,600-square-foot exhibition space located at 540 West 28th Street in the Chelsea Arts District. The gallery’s relocation to a ground-floor space contributes to the life of this burgeoning block, which boasts new high-rise construction, the final section of the High Line, and redevelopment of Hudson Yards just to the north.

To celebrate this milestone move, the gallery is pleased to present Direct Address, an inaugural group exhibition featuring works in diverse media by longtime gallery figures as well as new additions to the program. Participants include the following artists:

Alfred Steiner, Clayton Brothers, Cleon Peterson, Dave Kinsey, David Ellis, Evan Hecox, Greg Lamarche, Ian Francis, Jean-Pierre Roy, Kris Kuksi, Oliver Vernon, Pema Rinzin, Richard Colman, Riusuke Fukahori, Shawn Barber, Stephen Powers, SWOON, Tiffany Bozic, Tomokazu Matsuyama, and Tony Curanaj.

Direct Address makes full use of the gallery’s 500+ square feet of added space and 15-foot ceilings. Graphic design, typography, digital imagery, and assorted printing techniques variously inform works in painting, mixed media, and collage by the Clayton Brothers, Evan Hecox, Greg Lamarche, and SWOON. Allusions to cartoons, cultural icons, and the collective unconscious turn up in watercolor-on-paper works by Alfred Steiner, as well as in Cleon Peterson’s stylized depictions of mass violence. Working in enamel on aluminum, sign-painter-turned-artist Stephen Powers combines image and word in a new selection of his visual aphorisms, or Daily Metaltations.

http://joshualinergallery.com/exhibitions/direct_address_march_21_2013/?utm_source=Direct+Address+Reminder&utm_campaign=Direct+Address&utm_medium=email

Paul Kasmin Gallery Presents: Kenny Scharf “KOLORS” (Manhattan, NYC)

March 20, 2013 Afghanistan

Kenny Scharf, Kolors

4 April – 4 May, 2013

515 West 27^th Street, New York
Opening Reception: Thursday, 4 April, 2012, 6 – 8pm

Paul Kasmin Gallery is pleased to present Kolors, an exhibition of new paintings and sculptures by Kenny Scharf, including ten new paintings and three large-scale sculptures, on view at 515 West 27^th Street. The paintings, inspired by Color Field masterworks, deceptively present themselves as backdrops for the sculptures. Upon closer inspection, the tonally unified paintings beckon the viewer into vibrant, other-worldly, biomorphic atmospheres composed of a variety of shapes, dimensions and details. The three never-before-seen sculptures revisit the classic icons of Scharf’s repertoire of symbolic imagery developed over thirty years. Scharf’s exhibition possesses a unique energy and exuberance, highlighted by both his monochromatic cosmic paintings and nostalgic sculptures. A fully illustrated catalog, published in collaboration with Standard Press and Damiani, will accompany the exhibition.

Two weeks prior to the opening of Kolors, Scharf’s large-scale sculpture “Squirtz”(2013) will debut outdoors in The plaza at The Standard, Highline March 15 – April 1, 2013.

http://www.paulkasmingallery.com/exhibitions/2013-04-04_kenny-scharf

Talking With Crash About Popeye and The Houston Wall

March 20, 2013 Artists, Interview

He first wrote “Crash” on New York streets and trains in 1974 but he still finds ways to entertain and challenge himself artistically. Now managing a successful gallery career that has him globe trotting much of the year, John Matos considers himself a closet pop artist, and the similarities to Lichtenstein and Rosenquist are always there, along with his nostalgia for pop iconography. But at his heart he’s still a graffiti writer from the South Bronx and that’s why he invoked the collaborative energy of the Tats Cru and other friends when putting up his latest public work – a mural for the Houston Wall now on display in New York’s lower Manhattan at the corner of Bowery.

Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A week after completing his part of collaboration on the same wall for photographer Martha Coopers’ birthday with artists other old school train bombers and friends, Crash hit this wall hard like Popeye, the sailor man. “The mural on Houston Street – an accomplishment for sure,” says Crash as he surveys the expanse that took about a week to complete and that will run into summer for everybody to see.

Brooklyn Street Art: Can you talk about the piece that you just finished?
Crash: When I was approached to paint it, I felt the weight of over 30 years of painters that I’ve admired and felt it an honor to be someone to be added to that group. The piece was meant to depict the mix of Pop and Graff/Street art and how it’s developed in the last 40 years.

Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: How did Popeye work his way into the show? Is he an old friend, or does he just have a good PR agent?
Crash: I wanted to do a very Pop image that is known throughout history…I thought that Popeye would be a cool image. I painted Popeye recently for an installation at a museum/foundation in Switzerland and the beauty of nostalgia hit home, so I thought, “Why not do it again?”

Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: Did you have any help on this job?
Crash: Basically I had some young people come in to help block out areas of the wall using a simple acrylic enamel – which would make it mush easier to fill and blend the spray paint with. With them I was able to basically fill in about half of this incredibly large wall on the first day. Then on Thursday, The Tats Cru rolled by. They are family, so they came by and they helped some with the stars and stripes motif on the right side of the wall. Otherwise it was all me for three long days, but it was great fun and it always brings me back to the early subways…awesome.

Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: You did a cool collaboration on Martha Cooper’s birthday wall with Daze last week. Do you remember the first time Martha photographed your work?
Crash: The first time Martha photographed me was at her studio, I think in 1980 or ’81 – and she has photographed me ever since – a long association for sure

Brooklyn Street Art: Have you seen any good graff or street art recently?
Crash: There is some great art being made all around the world. There are so many artists out there and I don’t want to let any one out, so I don’t want to list any names and miss somebody.

Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bristol based Street Artist Nick Walker stopped by to see Crash at work. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Photographer Joe Conzo’s reflection in a car window as he chats with Crash. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Getting the shot. Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Crash (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Republic Worldwide Presents: “Die Wunderkammer Objects of Virtue” An Exhibition of Artistic Oddities. (Manhatan, NYC)

March 19, 2013 Afghanistan, Artists

Open to the public from March 21st through May 1st, 2013, Republic Worldwide deconstructs and reimagines the traditional Wunderkammer through works by over a dozen New York based contemporary artists that will stoke your sense of wonder and odd delight. Artists include Paul Brainard, Kate Clark, Lori Field, Aaron Johnson, Melora Kuhn, Dennis McNett, Hayley McCulloch, Pop Mortem, Lucia Pedi, Mac Premo, Graham Preston, Christy Rupp, Tom Sanford, Sigrid Sarda and Madeline Von Foerster. Curated by Keith Schweitzer and Jason Patrick Voegele.

The Wunderkammer, or “Cabinet of Curiosities,” evokes the encyclopedic wonder and spirit of discovery that was the glory of the European enlightenment. Historically, room sized displays of exotic oddities and artifacts were unceremoniously presented in salon style to fascinated general audiences who were hungry for natural science, culture and entertainment at the dawn of the age of reason. It could be described stylistically as a turned out junk drawer of the sublime.

http://www.republicworldwide.com/events/diewunderkammer.html

Images of the Week 03.17.13

March 17, 2013 Artists

We just took a tray of green jello shots out of the freezer and you can kiss anybody you want because today we’re all Irish, even Shakisha. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you, unless you are one of the thousands of gay or lesbians dis-invited as usual from marching down 5th Avenue yesterday in the parade.

Here’s our weekly interview of the street, this week featuring Alice Pasquini, Amanda Marie, Foxx Face, Futura, HRH Queen Elizabeth, JR, Lädy Millard, Nick Walker, OCMC (Oh Captain My Captain), PM AM, Raemann, Shie Moreno, and WK Interact.

Top image > Alice Pasquini (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Alice Pasquini. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Alice Pasquini (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Amanda Marie (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Amanda Marie. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Her Royal Highness is hawking this royal brand of air, harvested from the finest sources near Sandringham House and the wooded areas around York Cottage, no doubt. Raemann (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Nick Walker (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Graff master Furtura is getting up in a new Street Art way with Oh Captain My Captain AKA OCMC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Foxx Face (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Shie Moreno (photo © Jaime Rojo)

PM AM (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Lädy Millard (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown. This updated poster featuring the ubiquitous Kate Moss reminds us of some of the work of the great Conceptual American artist the late David Wojnarowicz.

JR (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Untitled. Seagram Building. Manhattan, March 2013. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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WK Interact in “360”, A Survey of Conflict in Degrees

March 13, 2013 Artists

“If his work on the street is an indication, it has been a constant state of war. Look at these images and themes that reappear in WK’s work since he first came to New York; Ever-present fear, violence, anxiety, overheated sex-play, fishnets & firearms, contorted figures racing, martial arts kicks to the head, hand-to-hand combat, boxers swinging, prisoners tied and bound, hooded figures snapping heads of bound businessmen, terrifying escapes in progress, maniacal twined and twisted forms and faces, propaganda, undercover spies, official seals, gun assembly diagrams, digitized labels, ID fingerprints, cameras, surveillance, camouflage, radioactive symbols, streaming codes and bureaucratic text passages, black military choppers hovering overhead, contorted soldiers screaming “bring me back”, a permanent state of survivalism…” – to quote ourselves from our 2 part series on WK Interact a few years ago.

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Now in 2013 Jonathan Levine Gallery plays host to a survey of the Street Artist that blew our minds when we traipsed through Soho in the 1980s and 90s, when Manhattan was still cool and had the authentic atmosphere of a vibrant arts “scene”. As we look at the new display that spans his career from street to gallery so far, the cultural explosions of that time and their dancing reflection as captured by WK in his large scale street installations of black and white, we realize it was an accurate depiction, and a prophetic one.

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

As a result, a brand new visitor will be just as taken by this collection as one twenty years ago. Given the increasingly militarized aspects of the modern day, what might have seemed like a paranoid future vision by WK now looks like contemporary society. What keeps all of it immediate and alive is how WK infuses the most static piece with the movement, the speed, the rush of the street.

“My work is very black, it’s very bold, it’s very graphic, it’s very strong. There is nothing really friendly like a little bird flying around or a pink piglet… it’s totally not that. But I live in New York City and I am responding to that kind of contrast.” ~ WK on BSA

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact “360 A 25 Year Survey” is currently on view at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery Pop-Up at 557 W 23 Street, NYC. Click here for more details.

Click here to read our interview with WK “The 25 Year War: WK Interact in New York. Part I

Click here to read our interview with WK “The 25 Year War: WK Interact in New York. Part II

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LNY Talks About “The Golden Hour”

March 11, 2013 Artists

Street Artist LNY was in the Fountain Art fair this weekend and is on the street 24/7 right now in lower Manhattan as part of a Fourth Arts Block public arts project directed by Keith Schweitzer.

The sweeping careening necks of the long billed birds are wrapped around a malfeasant from below, wrestling in a violent and epic struggle while both are tossed by the waves in a lyrical, illustrative hand.

LNY “The Golden Hour” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

LNY tells BSA what “The Golden Hour” refers to; “Its name comes from the medical term referring the period of time after traumatic injury during which treatment is most likely to prevent death,” he says. As the city continues to struggle with rebuilding and relocating our dispossessed neighbors four months after Hurricane Sandy, the Street Artist says this mural relates to the unprecedented damage lower Manhattan sustained from the natural disaster.

“Its a dense, violent narrative but the colors make it pleasant so I am very happy with the reactions so far, ” he says.

LNY “The Golden Hour”. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

LNY “The Golden Hour” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

This mural is part of Fourth Art’s Block public art program and was produced by MaNY.

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Images of the Week 03.10.13: Happy 70th Birthday Martha Cooper

March 9, 2013 Artists

“I can’t believe it. I never expected this, ever.”

The Houston Street Wall was the site of a sidewalk surprise birthday party Saturday for photographer Martha Cooper, who was planning to stop by for what she thought would be a new mural shoot. The world famous graffiti photographer had no idea that artists How and Nosm had begun masking the letters of her nickname out of their mural at 7 a.m. to prepare for an all-star cast of some big graffiti and street art names from the last 4 decades to create a larger-than-life birthday card for her.

Thanks to speedy social media, a sunny early spring day, and her stature as an historic photographer of fortitude and integrity, the impromptu guest list ballooned throughout the day for this street side celebration, while the boisterous honking New York traffic rolled by.

Above: Happy Birthday Martha Cooper (photo © Jaime Rojo)

The “Marty” wall begins at the Houston Wall in NYC as How and Nosm buff their mural and mask out her name. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

By the time Martha and her cousin Sally arrived with wall organizer Meghan Coleman just after noon, the “MARTY” letters had already been half completed and she stood staring with mouth smiling and agape, waving at the cluster of photographers shooting her atop the Houston Street meridian. A second later she was laughing and racing across the street, camera in hand, ready to capture the painting action and get mobbed with well wishers. Cooper confessed to being pretty overwhelmed by the sight of her name so big. For her part, Sally, a confidant and buddy since they attended grammar school together in their hometown of Baltimore, busted out into tears.

How & Nosm at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Just inside of one day the famed wall that has hosted the likes of Haring, Scharf, Fairey, and Faile was suddenly regaled in eye-popping color and a variety of styles by Lady Pink, How and Nosm, Bio from Tats Cru, Freedom, Free5, Crash, Daze, Terror 161, Faust, and Aiko – producing a head spinning and sweet greeting to a person whom they all respect and admire for her work and determination. In addition to the steady flow of fans, writers, artists, bloggers and photographers asking to have a photo taken with one the few photographers of New York’s 1970s subway graffiti scene, a number of friends stopped by to have some birthday cake and watch the painting – like Wild Style director Charlie Ahearn, his brother artist John Ahearn, hip-hop photographer Joseph Conzo, and master sculptor Simon Verity, among others.

The brand new “Marty” mural is up for an incredibly short time, possibly only days, so if you have an opportunity or inclination, catch this personal and public display of affection for a lady who helped us all appreciate art in the streets.

Bio from the Tats Cru at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Crash shows his sketch for his portion of the wall. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko(photo © Jaime Rojo)

Crash at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Martha (center) arrives and gets a big surprise. Flanked by Meghan Coleman on the left and Cousin Sally on the right. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Davide (Nosm) greets Martha. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Faust at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Freedom at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Freedom signs a book and talks to a young admirer. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

“Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Daze at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Terror 161 at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bio at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A possible devotee of the Seapunk movement walks past “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

A New Yorker captures the action from the comfort of his taxi while waiting for the light to turn green. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bio does the official birthday wish.”Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Lady Pink at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm at work. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

“Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Aiko at work, or rather, her shadow. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Laboutins and aerosol make a riveting combination for Aiko. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

All the artists with Marty. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Marty poses for us. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

BSA loves Martha Cooper. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko. (photo © Leah )

The final shot. “Marty” at the Houston Wall in NYC; A tribute to Martha Cooper in collaboration with How & Nosm, Faust, Freedom, Terror 161, Bio, Daze, Lady Pink, Free5, Crash and Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Fountain 2013 Shots of Street Art Above and Below

March 9, 2013 Artists

The Fountain fair raised the Street Art to the rafters this year with an installation curated by Mighty Tanaka Gallery and Robots Will Kill. The canvasses wave above the exhibit floor in this historic Armory space while below thousands of people milled through the booths of a varied collection of this years offerings. Here are new shots of the work we found Friday in the first full day of this weekend full of art fairs.

Fountain Art Fair 2013: Alan Ganev, Dark Clouds, CERN, Chris RWK, Veng, Danielle Mastrion, NEVER, ND’A, Joe Iurato, Chris Stain, See One, CAM, Miguel Ovalle, JMR, Apolo Torres, Keely, Quel Beast and Cake. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Fumero does Marilyn, Biggie, Keith. He says he has coined a term to describe the school of work he and others are evolving within as “Grafstract Expressionism” (photo © Steven P. Harrington)

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For Crochet Street Artist OLEK “The End is Far”

March 6, 2013 Artists

For those who follow this sort of thing Street Artist Olek has monopolized the category for pink and purple camouflage crochet sculpture on the street.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say she actually invented the category, owing as much to the D.I.Y. and hand-crafting movements as to public artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, whose work also lusts for custom wrapping everything that occupies space. Where Christo might prefer tarps and massive scale multi-week installations, Olek is content for now to hand-crochet her bespoke skin covers for bicycles, shopping carts, strollers, the Wall Street Bull sculpture, and every inanimate object in her apartment.

Now we can add to that list candelabras and human skeletons.

In her new solo show “The End is Far” at Manhattan’s Jonathan Levine Gallery, the Polish born Street Artist (please don’t say “yarn-bomber”) again covers the entire interior of the exhibition space with the sweet poppy palette in which so much of her street work has been sheathed. Possibly new here is the focus on adornment; brocade and appliqué treatments that are deliberately fussy and feminine, and a dining set that curves toward Victorian.

Somehow this added ornamentation clouds the candy camo and cushions the blow of her cursively tart twists on homey axioms like “All We Need Is Love and Money,” and “Being Beautiful on the Inside is What Counts Ha Ha Not Really”. With metallic yarn stretched across skulls and wine bottles and chalices, the tough stuff is softened by the thickness of the cover, and the attitude of pure play.

Fresh from very publicly beating a rap for assault in London, she happily calls sexism on the carpet and champions human rights as part of her work, and you’ll see elements of this here too. Call this a show about candy colored empowerment. Call her a creative force to reckon with, and possibly adore (But don’t be too saccharine; she’ll call you a pussy). With this much attitude and determination, you can expect expansion and refinement to intensify during this still blooming career, and one can imagine Olek crocheting a way to wrap an entire city before it is all over.

Olek “The End is Far” is currently on view at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Click here for further information.

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My Plastic Heart Presents: Philip Lumbang “The New Adventures of Awesome Bear” (Manhattan, NY))

March 5, 2013 Afghanistan

Philip Lumbang is inviting us into the world of his Awesome Bear character in his solo show The New Adventures of Awesome Bear, opening on March 15 from 6 – 9pm. We’ve seen Awesome Bear as Yoda, Voltron and even as a Ninja Turtle, and now we’ll take a further look into the depths of this character’s world. Philip has been creating bear creatures for awhile now, recognized for this in our bear-themed show last February, Rabid, Wild & Docile. Early on in his work as an artist, Philip’s bears were used to channel the noise, traffic and bad habits he found in LA, but over time, his bears shifted from rude to charming and served as a counter to the world’s problems. We can see that shift in the happy demeanor and wide grin of the Awesome Bear character, which we are excited to celebrate in Philip’s solo show.

http://www.myplasticblog.com/mph-exhibits/the-new-adventures-of-awesome-bear-philip-lumbang-3152013/

The New Adventures of Awesome Bear
New works by Philip Lumbang
Opening night Friday, March 15
6:00PM – 9:00PM
Exhibition runs until April 14

myplasticheart
210 Forsyth St.
Lower East Side
New York
646.290.6866

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Birch Bark, Rosehips, and a Family Affair: Faring Purth’s New Chapter in Mural Form
November 12, 2024
In her latest mural, Faring Purth delivers a powerful reflection on connection, continuity, and the complexity of evolving relationships—a true …Read More »
BSA Images Of The Week: 11.10.24
November 10, 2024
Well, the world ended this week—again. Yet here we are, still standing, and so are you. It turns out Donald …Read More »