June 2012

COST: “You Can’t Turn Rebellion Into Money” & the Evolution of a Bushwick Wall

June 26, 2012 , , ,

Graffiti Artist and New York City legend COST and his buddy Set recently completed his wall at Bushwick’s “5 Points”. It is a treat to see fresh work from COST on the streets of New York, especially for those of us who were not in the city (or old enough) back in the late 80s/early 90s when he was running with REVS and talking about who had intimate relations with Madonna. Below are images taken over a period of three weeks of the wall’s subtle and gradual transformation to its current form.

COST SET. First week. Work in progress for the Bushwick 5 Points Festival during BOS 2012. (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

COST SET. First week. Work in progress. (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

COST SET. First week. The Wall as it looked during BOS/Bushwick 5 Points Festival. (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

COST SET. Second week. Work in progress. (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

COST SET. Third week. Wall completed. (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

COST SET. Third week. Wall completed. Detail. (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

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A-Side B-Side Gallery Presents: Tinsel & Twinkle “Mini Restrospective” (London, UK)

June 25, 2012 , , , ,

Tinsel & Twinkle

TINSEL & TWINKLE KIDNAP A BANKER!

6th – 19th of July, this is the first retrospective by the art duo – Tinsel and Twinkle – and is also an amazing opportunity to see a large cross section of their work, including previously unseen pieces, and a selection from the back catalogue. This is also a chance to re visit previous art stunts – Tinsel and Twinkle as Traffic Wardens giving away free art, and the wonderfully acclaimed ‘Opinionated Objects’.  All works will be for sale including a run of limited edition prints.

Tinsel & Twinkle have chosen to present their ‘mini’ Retrospective fairly early on in their artistic careers. The works on display offer an insight into their individual artistic concerns. Social and political themes dominate the show, illustrating their quest to highlight, expose and question; bringing contemporary issues to the forefront.
Tinsel’s passionate ideology as an artist is rooted in a desire to create works which question and challenge social and political issues. Her commentary is a personal response to social injustice. Incorporating text into her paintings, the works are littered with action statements, personal mottos, questions, observations and anecdotes, reflective of her earnest approach to dealing with serious concerns.
Twinkle’s work has been inspired by social political issues in Britain both now and as it existed decades and centuries ago. Recently her work has become more universal in it’s consideration. Often satirical and usually political, the content carries dark undertones and attempts to shine a light on where the Human condition repeatedly remains in the dark.
For more information or to RSVP to the Private View contact Stephanie at twinkleandtinsel@aol.com
 
Private View: 7.30-9.30pm Thursday July 5th.

Exhibition: 6th –  19th July

Venue: A-side B-side Gallery, Hackney Downs Studios, 5-9 Amhurst Terrace, Hackney LONDON E8 2BT

Gallery Hours: Thursday – Sunday 12-6pm or by appointment.

Nearest Tube: Dalston Kingsland Overground

Entry: Free
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Inoperable Gallery Presents: Broken Fingaz Solo Show. (Vienna, Austria)

June 25, 2012 , , ,

Broken Fingaz

The Israeli crew will be making their way to Vienna for their next show. The boys were just in London where they presented a selection of past and present works along with some great installations. Parts of this show will now migrate into the walls of INOPERAbLE.

INOPERAbLE

Nathalie Halgand & 401RUSH (aka Nicholas Platzer)

Burggasse 24
1070 Vienna, Austria

Operable Hours: Tu-Fr 13-18h, Sa 13-17h

http://www.inoperable.at/

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Pawn Works Gallery Presents: Jon Burgerman “The Hungry Games” (Chicago, ILL)

June 25, 2012 , , , ,

Jon Burgerman

Jon Burgerman’s,

‘The Hungry Games’ :

Hungry for Sugar, Fat and Money!

U.K. born artist Jon Burgerman has risen to become a prominent figure in the recent boom of practitioners who traverse the disciplines of contemporary art, design, illustration and entrepreneurism. His award winning work can be seen globally from gallery and bedroom walls to cinema and iPhone screens. A sense of British self-deprecation, dry humour and modern-day anxiety imbues his work along with an enthusiasm for salad.

Four years ago Burgerman applied to tender for a job for ‘a large sporting event’ (one which he is not legally allowed to disclose). It involved the devising of a set of mascots. Having designed many variations of mascots, tweaking and adapting them to the feedback of the event organisers after many meetings, presentations and pitches spread over two years, Burgermans work had made it to the final two options. Excited and nervous about the possibility of having his characters chosen for the large sporting event a concern also loomed that the large sporting event would in fact own his work and exploit it for as much financial gain as possible. Whilst away in China, Burgerman received a phone call explaining that his characters had not be chosen.

To soften the blow of not having his art work grace the grand worldwide stage of a large sporting event he has now decided to create his own tiny, localised, sporting event in response, entitled The Hungry Games.

As well as devising a series of artworks, mascots and sundries for the exhibition, Burgerman has invented a collection of sporting activities. Much like the arts, new, young sporting events also need patrons, with sponsorship an integral part of the project. Each event will have its own local sponsor, who will also be represented in the exhibition. The opening night will feature a series of actions that require audience participation, such as The Soda Pop Race, Vegetable Toss Off, Cheese Grating Racing and more.

The artwork surrounding the exhibition will include a series of paintings relating to the events and sponsorships from the likes of The Empty Bottle, Very Best Vintage, Bite Cafe, Color Wheel Studio and more,  referencing popular sporting actions and slogans. Also featured will be merchandise, multiple cut outs and medals designed by the artist.

The Hungry Games, aims to satisfy the viewer in their desire for mascots, commercial tie-ins, collective experience and spectacle, whilst leaving them hungry for more.

The Inauguration will be held on Saturday July 21, 2012 at 6pm sharp with the help of our frineds at The Color Wheel Studio in Chicago’s Wicker Park.  The Opening Ceremonies will continue until 10:00pm and the show will be on display through August at Pawn Works 1050 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, Illinois.

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MART in Argentina: “buena onda” in the Streets

MART in Argentina: “buena onda” in the Streets

June 25, 2012 ,

“Graffiti Saved My Life”

Today Brooklyn Street Art has the pleasure to welcome Rosanna Bach as a guest collaborator. A photographer, writer, and Street Art and graffiti fan, Rosanna is exploring her new home of Buenos Aires and documenting whatever attracts her eye. Today she shares with BSA readers images from local Street Artist MART as well as an interview she had with him in his studio. Our great thanks to Rosanna and MART for this great opportunity to learn about his history as a graffiti writer and how it turned into a career as a painter.

MART (photo © Rosanna Bach)

Mart was kind enough to invite me up to his apartment/studio in the barrio of Palermo where he grew up. Palermo is also the barrio where has left his mark, a trail of colorfully spirited murals. Beginning as a graffiti writer, Mart says he has been painting since age eleven. In our interview he shares his artistic and personal evolution over the past fourteen years painting in the street. He also shows us the drawings he’s preparing for an upcoming exhibit.

As I was admiring a compilation of photographs and drawings sporadically hung above the staircase of the entrance, Mart comments to me, “I like photography more than painting.”

Rosanna Bach: Why?
MART: I find meaning in things that I’m not familiar with. I’m familiar with painting. I know how to do draw, although I don’t draw hyperrealism for example but I know how I could do it. But photography is incredible.

Rosanna Bach: For me it’s the opposite.
MART: Because you’re a photographer.

Rosanna Bach: But anyone can take a photo.
MART: Anyone can paint. Do you understand why I like it? Because it’s not mine.  I feel like painting is my world and photography is another, like dance. I love dance. I’d much rather go to a dance recital than an exhibit. Exhibits don’t captivate me in the way that other art forms do; it’s like “Hmmm.. yes, yes, alright got it.” I’m very quickly able to read the person.

Rosanna Bach: You are interested because you want to learn about other worlds?
MART: But it’s not because I like it that I feel the need to do it myself. You respect what you do otherwise it’s like a lack of respect. I prefer seeing other “worlds” because they move me.

Rosanna Bach: So did you start out painting alone or was it something you did with your friends?
MART: I was very young – already in primary school when I started writing “Martin” all over the walls. My sister had a boyfriend (Dano) who was older then me and he exposed me to hip-hop style graffiti. He taught me how to do it – I thought it was so great. So I started writing “Mart”, Mart, Mart, Mart, Mart, Mart…. all over the streets until I got bored of writing my name, until it made no sense anymore.

Rosanna Bach: How long did it take you to tire of that?
MART: A considerable amount of time but I learned a lot of things. I learned how to paint.

 

MART (photo © Rosanna Bach)

Rosanna Bach: And your style? I’m sure it’s evolved a lot over the years.
MART: I started with graffiti but simultaneously started drawing and that’s what led me to this.

Rosanna Bach: And the figures you draw? I find them to have a lot of hope and a little magic…
MART: I think that’s how I live, in a world of magic all the time. I feel like a very fortunate person, and I’m grateful for that. I don’t take it for granted. I’m lucky that I’m well, I’m happy, my family is well..

Rosanna Bach: This is a mentality that many of us are lacking.
MART: That is the exact reason why I paint in the street; For others, not for myself .  Of course it is for me a little as well because I obviously enjoy doing it but mostly it is for others. That’s why I paint what I paint, things with “buena onda” (good vibes). To paint for myself in a frame would be strange. It’s for everyone, that’s what I find interesting about painting in the streets. And I’m not talking about graffiti because it’s made for a closed community. Like, “Dude you have a great outline” — wonderful. It’s for a micro-world and it can only be appreciated by a select few… “my name” is all about my name my name my name.

 

MART (photo © Rosanna Bach)

Rosanna Bach: But you once started like that as well.
MART: And I’m thankful for that because it’s what made me understand in time that I was painting in the streets for a reason and thanks to graffiti I learned to paint large and I learned quickly.

Rosanna Bach: So your figures are your interpretation of your life. Do you take ideas from your dreams sometimes?
MART: I love dreaming I dream a lot. But they’re not interpretations of my dreams. Or perhaps they are — But I don’t believe so.

Rosanna Bach: You could say that they’re your alter-egos?
MART: Its my feelings, my interior. So, yes.

MART (photo © Rosanna Bach)

Rosanna Bach: When did the transition occur when painting became your profession?
MART: There were two elements that paralleled with each other. One of them was a big job for the Cartoon Network that I got asked to do when I was 18 — an ad campaign with graffiti. And the other was that my friends went to prison. We’d always lived in this barrio, and when I was younger my friends and I were delinquents. So I realized that painting was a way to distance my self from that. With painting I can earn a living and not do bad by anyone. So I chose to paint. It wasn’t only an evolution of me as much as it was as a person, an adult, as a man. I chose that path. I chose the good path.

Rosanna Bach: That’s interesting because usually people relate graffiti to delinquency and vice.
MART: For me graffiti saved my life. I have my house and thanks to graffiti.

Rosanna Bach: Are your parents creative at all?
MART: No. But they’ve always been fully supportive. They’re like my angels. They used to drop me off to paint all over the place. They love me very much.

Rosanna Bach: Do you travel a lot?
MART: When I can and I want to I do. I like traveling. But how can I explain it? I like being patient and I like living peacefully. I don’t feel a burning need to travel, I do it when I want to in the time I want to. I want to live for many years and feel like I’m going to live for many years. That’s also why I don’t send photos of my work all over the place — I don’t like excess. Fame isn’t my prime objective. If people know my work it’s because I wanted them to see it in the street and that they understand what it’s about and what I’m about.

Rosanna Bach: I find that mentality to be quite true to a lot of graffiti artists around here, it comes from quite a pure place.
MART: I don’t know, but I paint for my city.

Rosanna Bach: Do you think you could paint for another city one day?
MART: Maybe. I don’t know, perhaps Berlin. I’m going there for three months this summer

Rosanna Bach: In the graffiti community here, most of them are your friends. So your friends are quite a big part of your working life. Have you ever wondered what it would be like without them?
MART: Good question. I’ve never thought about it. It would be very different. Firstly if I hadn’t met Dano I never would’ve started painting in the first place. I wouldn’t exist. And if my friends left I think I’d go and find them.

Rosanna Bach: If you weren’t painting have you ever thought of what else you would do?
MART: I have but it’s not worth wasting my time to be honest. I paint, that’s what I’m already doing. That’s what I do.

 

MART (photo © Rosanna Bach)

MART (photo © Rosanna Bach)

MART. POETA (photo © Rosanna Bach)

MART (photo © Rosanna Bach

Please visit MART at the site below to learn more about his art.

http://flavors.me/airesmart

To view more beautiful photography from Rosanna visit her Tumblr page below:

http://rosannabach.tumblr.com/

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Images of the Week 06.24.12

June 24, 2012 , , , , ,

It’s looking good out here! First Day of Summer hit New York this week and the temperature was 99 degrees in the park, the heat index was 110 degrees on the basketball courts and the Street Art quotient shot off the charts.

Here’s our weekly interview with the street, this week including Chris Stain, Darkclouds, David Pappaceno, Ed Purver, Emmanuel Benoit, Gia, Hanksy, Jaye Moon, Jeice 2, Lambros, Logan Hicks, MOR, Paul/Instigator, Rene Gagnon, Swoon, and Veng (RWK).

It’s getting hot out here, so take off all your clothes. Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Ed Purver for BAMart: PUBLIC 2012 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

SWOON. An all time favorite and familiar image fresh in Brooklyn again. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

SWOON on the steps. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Emmanuel Benoit (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gaia. An old work freshly wheat pasted in Queens (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Jeice 2. “Renacimiento” A hand made spoon engraving in Spain. (photo © Jeice 2)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Veng RWK gives this old piece in Greenpoint a fresh update. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Hanksy (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Artist Unknown (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Rene Gagnon (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Darkcloud and David Pappaceno at Woodard Gallery Project Space. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

MOR (photo © Jaime Rojo)

LAMBROS (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Paul/Instigator. Bob Dodd’s Policeman. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Jaye Moon (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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Ronzo and Fine Feathered Sculpture Friends in London

June 23, 2012

Feels kind of like it’s been street sculpture week on BSA since we dove deep into UFO 907 and the Showpaper show at BAM, but we also wanted to just show you a bit of the London Street Art sculpture activity that seems to happen in earnest in more integrated fashion. If you are looking for examples, check out CityZenKane, Doctor Cream, Christiaan Nagel, Issac Cordal, and Space Invader.

Ronzo on the lookout in London (photo © Ronzo)

And check out Ronzo, an artist/designer/sculptor who has recently been known for putting a certain little bird in selected locations to kind of keep an eye on things. Sometimes with a multi-colored wash, sometimes in a straight concrete hue, these Birdz look like they could take off if you clap your hands. With gold chain, baseball cap and kicks, these B-boy style birdz also join a line of little characters Ronzo developed over the last decade that include a cockroach, a credit card monster, and a little hooded vandal  called “Ed Von Tag”.

Here are some recent images from his site that show the birdz in situ.

Ronzo in London (photo © Ronzo)

Ronzo in London (photo © Ronzo)

Ronzo in London (photo © Ronzo)

Very Nearly Almost (VNA) put together this inside look into the practice of Ronzo, who casts and prepares his figures entirely from beginning to end in his studio and installs them with a bit of humor.

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Fun Friday 06.22.12

June 22, 2012

1. Happy GLBT Pride Weekend New York
2. Remi Rough at Unit 44 Gallery (UK)
3. Moody at Pandemic (BKLYN)
4. VHILS at Galerie Magda Danysz (Paris)
5. BLADE Cuts Through Zurich
6. Shepard Fairey OBEY in Paris by Zeller (VIDEO)
7. Wall Writers by R. Rock Enterprises (VIDEO)
8. Taggin One Liner by GoodandShiddy (VIDEO)

Happy GLBT Pride Weekend New York

Celebrating the first anniversary of legalized marriage equality in the State of New York AND the 6 months since the repeal of the US military’s ban on GLBT officers serving openly, this weekends’ parties, celebrations will be punctuated by a march attended by 1.7 million people in the street. Keith Haring would have been proud.

A work by Street Artist Keith Haring this spring at the Brooklyn Museum courtesy the Keith Haring Foundation (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Remi Rough at Unit 44 Gallery (UK)

Remi Rough has had a big year exploring on the street and with commercial projects they say, but they may just be trying to manipulate you. Check him out for yourself tonight at Unit 44Gallery in Newcastle.

Remi Rough at the Moniker Art Fair in London 2011. (photo © Geoff Hargadon)

For further information regarding this show click here.

Moody at Pandemic (BKLYN)

Winner of Best Title for a Show Award, which we have right here on an engraved brass panel glued to a handsome wood block! Moody has been a New York graffiti artist under another name for many years, and as a street artist as Moody for more than a decade. Saturday Pandemic mounts “America Runs on Graff”, and you’ll get to see what his newest gig is.

Moody (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For further information regarding this show click here.

VHILS at Galerie Magda Danysz (Paris)

Portuguese Street Artist VHILS has a a new solo show opening on Saturday at the Galerie Magda Danysz in Paris, France. Go see for yourself why this artist has quickly become one of the most followed and admired Street Artists. His portraits hold their own, revealing themselves as he selectively destroys parts of the wall he’s on.

Vhils for Open Walls Baltimore 2012 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For further information regarding this show click here.

BLADE Cuts Through Zurich

The ArTicks Gallery in Zürich, Switzerland brings New York City Graffiti royalty BLADE for his solo exhibition aptly tiled “Blade: The KIng of Graffiti” opening on Saturday. The artist will be present so bring your black book you might get lucky to score a tag.

BLADE at MoCA, Los Angeles in 2011 for the exhibition “Arts in the Streets” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For further information regarding this show click here.

Shepard Fairey OBEY in Paris by Zeller (VIDEO)

Wall Writers by R. Rock Enterprises (VIDEO)

Taggin One Liner by GoodandShiddy (VIDEO)

 

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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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Bob Bar Presents: Pamela Castro AKA Anarkia Boladona “The Myth” A Solo Exhibition (Manhattan, NYC)

June 21, 2012 , , , , ,

Anarkia Boladona

Inspired by the classic existentialist text The Second Sex (Le Deuxième Sexe) by French feminist scholar Simone de Beauvoir, Brazilian graffiti artist Anarkia Boladona’s exhibition The Myth interprets the various stereotypes mythologizing the female “other.” Focusing on the relationship between sexuality and gender, Boladona depicts recognizable religious figures (such as Eve), and then counters, complicates, and compliments them with empowering mythological figures of her own creation.

Panmela Castro is an activist artist whose social policy work, primarily focused on gender equality, provides the core inspiration for the content of her provocative paintings. With her work, Castro challenges patriarchal notions of public space as related to sexism, sexuality, subjectivity, and power relations. She has a BFA from the School of Fine Arts at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and is currently in the Master of Arts program at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. She has received numerous awards including the Hutúz Prize for Graffiti Artist of the Decade, the 2012 Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation Award for Extraordinary Women, and the Vital Voices Global Leadership Human Rights Award. In 2012, Newsweek Magazine nominated Panmela, alongisde Brazilian President Dilma Roussef, as one of the “150 Women Shaking the World.” With years of experience writing graffiti and fighting for women’s rights, Panmela has been invited to paint in cities across the globe, including but not limited to: Berlin, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Paris, Prague, New York, and Toronto. www.panmelacastro.com. Castro is the Founder and President of Rede Nami, a feminist urban arts network in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rede Nami seeks to promote human rights whilst, and by, strengthening the artistic, intellectual, and professional skills of women living in favelas. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Rede Nami’s programming costs. For more information about Rede Nami, please visit: www.redenami.com

bOb Bar

235 Eldridge Street

New York, NY 10002

212-529-1807

www.bobbarnyc.com

 

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HuffPost Arts @ 2 : “most widely read arts blog in the world”

June 21, 2012

And thank you for your unrelenting support of Street Art and Street Artists

This week marks the two year anniversary that Arianna Huffington and Kimberly Brooks and team launched HuffPost Arts and we congratulate them on this achievement. An artist herself, Kimberly has employed that special vision, enthusiasm, and guidance to the venture,  allowing it to grow in an organic way, encouraging many voices to sing and many views to be seen. Like Kimberly says in her piece today, “We embrace the idea that everyone is an artist.”

“Here we are, two years later, after the merger with AOL, our expansion into Europe, Canada and Latin America — the art, writings and comments you see here now constitute the most widely read arts blog in the world,” she says as she surveys the journey.

 

Brooklyn Street Art is proud that we have been contributors to HuffPost Arts since its inception with our in-studio interview with Street Artist Gaia right here in Brooklyn on June 17, 2010.  Since that time we became regular contributors to the page with 63 pieces on Street Art around the world, in studios, and in museums. With Brooks’ avid encouragement and the expert guidance of Arts Editor Kathleen Massara, we have even been able to scoop publications like The LA Times and the New York Times with our reviews of LA MoCA’s “Art in the Streets” and the Brooklyn Museum’s important Keith Haring show this spring.

Kimberly likes to say that bloggers are like the Street Artists of the Internet.  She may be pulling our leg, or she could be right on target. Whatever it is, we’re happy as hell about it!

The full list of our pieces for Huffington Post Arts Page over the last two years:

See Kimberly’s cover story and a full compliment of images from her first two years here.

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