August 2010

Day 2: General Howe’s “Battle of Brooklyn 2010”

brooklyn-street-art-gen-howw-battle-banner082010This historic week for Brooklyn and the U.S. is being marked daily by New York Street Artist General Howe at the sites where the actual “Battle of Brooklyn” took place exactly 234 years earlier. Brooklyn Street Art is pleased to bring you daily updates on the plundering of boundaries between Street Art, performance art, and historical land-marking along with live social media updates by Kianga Ellis. All week we will travel around Brooklyn tracing the troop movements as General Howe stages small-scale battle scenes to connect us with history and possibly examine the childhood pastime of playing “war”.

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-23

“Gen. Washington Assesses Threats”

Not much of a ground battle in Red Hook and Flatbush Pass today, as Street Artist General Howe staged battles where Patriot troops first began seeing the arriving British, who were well equipped with better technology. As they encounter one another, almost by chance, minor skirmishes occur on this day in 1776. Ironically, the majority of deaths are because of faulty equipment, including cannons that misfire and kill Patriots.

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)
General Howe. Patriot soldiers in Red Hook exchange cannon fire with British war ships. (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe explains what happened on August 23rd:Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-23-August-MAP

The Action: General George Washington and his army are uncertain of how and when the British will attack. Some minor skirmishes take place in the area of the Flatbush Pass. Patriot soldiers in Red Hook exchange cannon fire with British war ships. Washington fears that Howe will move his naval fleet upriver, blocking off escape routes north. Few perish on this day. The fatalities and injuries of Patriot soldiers that do occur result from the misuse of their own arsenal.

The Landscape: Red Hook and Flatbush Pass (Prospect Park)

General Howe Fashioned a "Canon" Made Up Of Found Objects (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe Fashioned a "Cannon" made of found objects. (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe. Big Casualties Resulte Due To Malfunction Of The Patriot's Arsenal (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe. The majority of fatalities and injuries of Patriot soldiers that do occur result from the misuse of their own arsenal. (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe. Some minor skirmishes take place in the area of the Flatbush Pass. (© Jaime Rojo)

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This six-day event is shared live with the public complete with historical quotes, the General’s musings, and twitpics by Kianga Ellis on

Twitter (www.twitter.com/kiangaellis)

and Foursquare (www.foursquare.com/user/kiangaellis)

>>>>>>>>><><><><><>>><><><>><>><<<>>><<>

HuffPost-Button

See our interview with General Howe, “WAR ON APATHY” on The Huffington Post

Link to other days in the Battle of Brooklynjust click the date.

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-22
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-23
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-24
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-25
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-26
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-27

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Poster Boy: “The War Of Art” Book Launch. NYC. Miami. Culver City.London

Poster Boy. "The War Of Art"
Poster Boy. “The War Of Art”

As you may know the Poster Boy book,  The War of Art, came out this year. The release of this book has given a few of us the opportunity do something much more significant. At The War of Art book launch on Saturday, Aug. 28th, we will officially kick off a legal defense fund for artists.

Kids Are Rallying Against The Empire (K.A.R.A.T.E.) is a grass roots effort we hope to eventually turn into a non-profit organization. Sadly, when dealing with the legal system most artists don’t know, understand, or are intimidated into forgoing their rights. Artists are often poorly represented in court and do not have financial access to proper counsel. K.A.R.A.T.E. is committed to helping artists defend themselves in court for art-related crimes conceived in public space.

Even at its infancy K.A.R.A.T.E. has managed to get Henry Matyjewicz, a Poster Boy participant, out of prison on appeal only two weeks after being sentenced to 11months by a superior court in New York. Mr. Matyjewicz is now being represented by world class civil rights lawyer, Ron Kuby. Because of K.A.R.A.T.E. Mr. Matyjewicz now stands a fighting chance in court.

I’m officially inviting you to The War of Art book release party. Whether you come to support Poster Boy or K.A.R.A.T.E. I’m hoping to see you there. Personally, I think supporting a legal defense fund is an obligation for those who say they’re supporters of graf and street art, besides the fact that it’s long overdue.

See you there: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26296445@N05/4910264171/

Email us at karatemeat@gmail.com if you’d like to know more about the fund.

Signed copies of the book along with special edition prints are available through nycposterboy@gmail.com. A portion of the sales will go to the K.A.R.A.T.E fund.

Peace,

Poster Boy

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DAY 1: General Howe’s “Battle of Brooklyn 2010”

battle-bannerThis historic week for Brooklyn and the U.S. is being marked daily by New York Street Artist General Howe at the sites where the actual “Battle of Brooklyn” took place exactly 234 years earlier.  Brooklyn Street Art is pleased to bring you daily updates on the plundering of boundaries between Street Art, performance art, and historical land-marking along with live social media updates by Kianga Ellis. All week we will travel around Brooklyn tracing the troop movements as General Howe stages small-scale battle scenes to connect us with history and possibly examine the childhood pastime of playing “war”.

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-22

“His Majesty’s Forces Arrive”

To begin the week the General went down to the waterfront where Staten Island connects to Brooklyn with New York’s youngest bridge, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. This narrow pass through which all ships must go to get into New York City was the shore where over 20,000 British soldiers arrived today.

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)
General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe explains the events of this day thusly:

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-22-August-MAPThe Action: Before dawn on August 22, 1776, thousands of British soldiers land on the shores of Brooklyn, known then as Long Island. The British immediately control the entire coast from where the Verrazano Bridge is located today to Jamaica Bay. American loyalists by the hundreds welcome the large, bright-red mass of British soldiers. Aware that the long anticipated invasion had begun, Patriot riflemen withdraw into the hills burning fields and killing livestock as they flee. British General William Howe, Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s Forces in America, orders his troops to head north toward the Flatbush Pass, located in modern-day Prospect Park.

The Landscape: Dyker Beach Park, Fort Hamilton Park, Coney Island and Flatbush Pass (Prospect Park)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)
General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)
Amazingly, the history books remark on how the British soldiers were shocked by the fruitful bounty of food they discovered on the shoreline when they arrived in 1776 – and today’s installation reveals that it is currently apple season at the same location. Looking at these soldiers, the term “Big Apple” comes to mind. General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)
Pointing out to the Atlantic Ocean at an incoming ship, this soldier discovers Marty Markowitz has put up a sign of welcome. General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)
While based on historical fact, the installations inject improvisational touches from an active childhood imagination. Here General Howe fashions a pizza box as a ship with sails on Coney Islands’ beach. (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)
General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)
General Howe (© Jaime Rojo)

twitter logo

foursquare-logo

This six-day event is shared live with the public complete with historical quotes, the General’s musings, and twitpics by Kianga Ellis on

Twitter (www.twitter.com/kiangaellis) (subject hashtag “#RevWar” if you like)

and Foursquare (www.foursquare.com/user/kiangaellis)

>>>>>>>>><><><><><>>><><><>><>><<<>>><<>

HuffPost-ButtonSee our interview with General Howe, “WAR ON APATHY” on The Huffington Post

Link to other days in the Battle of Brooklynjust click the date.

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-22
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-23
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-24
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-25
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-26
Brooklyn-Street-Art-Battle-Brooklyn-August-27

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Images Of The Week 08.22.10

Our weekly interview with the street, this week featuring Aakash Nihalani, Chor Boogie, Labrona, Peat Wollaeger, ROA, Swampy, Swoon, and White Cocoa

Aakash Nihalani (© Jaime Rojo)

Aakash Nihalani (© Jaime Rojo)

Swampy (© Jaime Rojo)

Swampy (© Jaime Rojo)

Chor Boogie (© Jaime Rojo)

Chor Boogie (© Jaime Rojo)

Swoon (© Jaime Rojo)

Swoon (© Jaime Rojo)

Swoon. Detail. (© Jaime Rojo)

Swoon. Detail. (© Jaime Rojo)

Labrona (© Jaime Rojo)

Labrona (© Jaime Rojo)

Peat Wollaeger (© Jaime Rojo)

Peat Wollaeger (© Jaime Rojo)

The Gardener (© Jaime Rojo)

The Gardener (© Jaime Rojo)

White Cocoa (© Jaime Rojo)

“Oh my god she is such a two-face”, White Cocoa (© Jaime Rojo)

White Cocoa. Detail. (© Jaime Rojo)

White Cocoa. Detail. (© Jaime Rojo)

Labrona. Cash4 (© Jaime Rojo)

Labrona. Cash4 (© Jaime Rojo)

Roa (© Jaime Rojo)

ROA (© Jaime Rojo)

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Oaxacan Street Art Collective Lapiztola : New Print With Curbs & Stoops

Lapiztola

Lapiztola "Grito" Image Courtesy of Curbs and Stoops
Lapiztola “Grito” Image Courtesy of Curbs and Stoops

Qaxacan Street Artists created their name Lapiztola by forging a fabulous play on words – the Spanish word for Pistol (pistola) and the Spanish word for pencil (lapiz). Combined, the name Lapiztola is a hot spicy name well suited for shooting graphic elements rat-a-tat-tat into the Street Art scene in a Mexican city that is beginning to feel under siege.

“Our style emerged from the need to express and demonstrate against what has been happening in our city.”

To see the press release and to purchase this print click on the link below:

Curbs and Stoops

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PaperGirl Rolls into Bushwick: Gaia & Clown Soldier Play Next Door

The Free Art Paper Girls Paint a Street Art Mural in Bushwick (BK)

Radical!, Josh Boyark, Sina and James Rose (© Jaime Rojo)

Radical!, Josh Boyark, Sina and James Rose (© Jaime Rojo)

PaperGirl is bringing a new way to experience Street Art to New York this month. Originally debuted in Berlin five years ago the project also offers you something to take home, if you are lucky.

One thing that you will not be able to take home is the fresh new mural in Brooklyn that PaperGirl put up yesterday with the help of some of their participating artists. Helpfully, the map they painted on the corner of the building gives you the schedule and locations of their upcoming events, which is so handy – although not as lightweight as an iPhone. They gave the artists the chance to experience street painting whilst promoting their New York Project where they give out art to people on the street.

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Radical!, Josh Boyark, Sina and James Rose (© Jaime Rojo)

Radical!, Josh Boyark, Sina and James Rose (© Jaime Rojo)
Radical!, Josh Boyark, Sina and James Rose (© Jaime Rojo)

And while PaperGirl-NY was busy with their mural, Gaia and Clown Soldier were busy with theirs on the same huge wall in Brooklyn. Gaia told us that his pieces were done and that RAMBO was going to go over them with his work. By the time BSA was there RAMBO was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile Clown Soldier had some more work ahead.

Gaia (© Jaime Rojo)
Gaia (© Jaime Rojo)

Clown Soldier, Gaia. (© Jaime Rojo)
Clown Soldier, Gaia. (© Jaime Rojo)

To learn more about PaperGirl-NY Click on the link below:

http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/?p=13428

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Red Propeller Gallery Presents: Guy Denning: “Behemoth” (London, UK)

Guy Denning

Guy Denning "Behemoth"

Guy Denning "Behemoth"

GUY DENNING ‘BEHEMOTH’ SHOW HOTTING UP

Serious momentum is building in anticipation of the long awaited Guy Denning ‘Behemoth’ show at The Gallery in The Crypt , St Martin in The Fields in Trafalgar Square, London, opening 3rd September.

With an interview in ‘The Independent’ last week – Click here to read Guy Denning interview in ‘The Independent’ it looks like Guy Denning is getting the recognition that he truly deserves – a great affirmation that Red Propeller and all who sail on her know great talent when they see it!

A beautiful new TRXTR print is on site this week ‘War Rugs Don’t Fly’ check it out now Click here to see new TRXTR print

Keep an eye on our blog for future developments and breaking news – get insight into and the true story behind TRXTR’s print this week and see Angel 41 as never seen before!
VISIT OUR BLOG

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Fun Friday 08.20.10

Fun-Friday

Skateistan Fundraiser Tonight

Skateistan: 50 Original skateboard decks personalized by artists, including the one from Brooklyn street artist Quel Beast below are going up for auction – All proceeds go to Skateistan, Afghanistan’s first co-educational skateboarding school. The school engages growing numbers of urban and internally-displaced youth in Afghanistan through skateboarding, and provides them with new opportunities in education, access to healthcare and cross-cultural interaction. Check out the decks!

Brooklyn-Street-Art-WEB-Skateistan-Quel-Beast

Skateistan is the only organization which provides girls in Afghanistan with the opportunity to play sports. Skateistan has engaged with the children’s families, schools, and communities to build a grassroots movement to improve their quality of life and Afghan communities. In a country where 50% of the population is under the age of 16, Skateistan’s programs have an important impact on the daily lives of the children of Kabul.

Skateistan brings children together, equipping young men and women with the skills to lead their communities toward positive social change and development.

Living Walls, GAIA, and ATL BBQ, Baby

Doperiffic fast overview of the Living Walls experience this past weekend through the eyes of GAIA and friends. – “An overview of the legal, gallery and street work produced by Gaia leading up to the Living Walls Conference which was organized by Monica Compana and Black Migliozzi with the tremendous help of the Dodekapus Art Collective.”

Primary Flight New Video

Books and Typoe and friends in Miami’s Wynwood District actually have made it a scene there each December, blending the graff with the street art and in the process building a welcoming community for artists.  Sure they pose like they’re all bad*ss N sh*t, but that is jus stylin’ boyeee.

Some of BSA’s coverage from Primary Flight ’09:

Tristan Eaton at Primary Flight

Fairey, English, EWOK at Primary Flight

Primary Flight Update: BASK, Adam 5100, Ron English, Tes One, Lee Quinones, More

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Ripo and Remed: “Poem Rider” Living Walls Update 08.19.10

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Living-Walls-Update2by Jayne McGinn
images by Jenna Duffy

Ripo and Remed finished their mural for Living Walls on Dekalb Ave Tuesday night.

brooklyn-street-art-web-ripo-remed-jenna-duffy-living-walls--web-898

© Jenna Duffy

Working sunburned through the unforgiving Georgia heat and rain, the two international artists unified the wall by using the same vibrant colors; Ripo and Remed hand painted alternating letters in the two artists’ styles to spell out “Poem Rider,” an anagram of their two names.

brooklyn-street-art-web-ripo-remed-jenna-duffy-living-walls--web-892

© Jenna Duffy

It was amazing to watch them work, how they could eyeball off sections of the wall to make the letters even and create a wall with so much movement and depth by hand; they are both have amazing attention to detail and were able to see things that I was blind to. The artists utilized the entire wall, even manipulating an expired White Brothers Auto Parts sign for their signature. Ripo and Remed then continued to flow their artwork on to the adjacent wall, completely transforming the neglected area.

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FERAL CHILD: Living Walls Update 08.19.10

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Living-Walls-Update2

by Jayne McGinn
images by Jenna Duffy

When I arrived at Feral Child’s mural for The Living Walls Conference on the side of Homegrown, a local Atlanta restaurant, the last rays of the Georgia sun were pounding down on him. Brooklyn-Street-Art-WEB-Feral-Child-copyright-Jenna-Duffy_MG_1201-1

photo © Jenna Duffy

Unable to access the wall directly, Feral was hidden behind a barbwire fence, surrounded by a cluster of damaged cars in the parking lot of an adjacent body shop.

Brooklyn-Street-Art-WEB-Beware-Dog-Copyright-Jenna-Duffy-MG_1152photo © Jenna Duffy

I heard I wouldn’t be able to get back there unless I wanted to be the lunch of a “junkyard” dog. I felt like I was in a Jim Croce song in this strange setting for Feral Child, whose first impression is so peaceful.

Brooklyn-Street-Art-WEB-Feral-Child-copyright-Jenna-Duffy____MG_0680

The dog wasn’t the only hurdle that Feral had to jump; the Georgia heat cooks like a convection oven, the blistering heat comes from all sides. After half a day outside baking, Feral’s cans were too hot to touch and risked explosion. He was forced to bring them indoors and chill them in a refrigerator before taking them back to his wall in a cooler.Brooklyn-Street-Art-WEB-Feral-Child-copyright-Jenna-Duffy___MG_0581

photo © Jenna Duffy

Brooklyn-Street-Art-WEB-Feral-Child-copyright-Jenna-Duffy_____MG_0849

photo © Jenna Duffy


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