January 2021

BSA Images Of The Week: 01.31.21

BSA Images Of The Week: 01.31.21

A few weeks ago we saw a populist uprising invade one of this culture’s most sacrosanct public institutions out of anger and disillusionment, among other factors; generally a repudiation of what was perceived as a corrupt cabal who ignores the will of the people. Within days the news was full of stories of the State tracking down and cracking down on the dangerous insurgents and tracing their words and actions. Alliances were suddenly severed, fingers were wildly pointed, threats were issued, straw men swiftly collapsed. An historic quake, the tremulous ground is still shifting.

This week we witnessed another social-media-fueled populist uprising that is shaking the opaquely vexing market of stock trading. Again we hear that this is an unwelcome ambush – one that is fanning the class rift between self-styled ivy-league “elites” and everyday workers (or out-of-workers) who radically barge into a space they are not welcomed in. With access to the wheel, seemingly moments later, Robin Hood puts on the brakes for traders, stemming a hemorrhage for the wealthy. Wall Street warriors are at once calling for regulations on an industry they have steadily de-regulated for decades. The financial and rhetorical upheavals apply great strain to the very foundations again. Everyone is incredulous.

We’re don’t intend to oversimplify here, but you have to admit there appear to be parallels in these stories.

In the end, we see the ripples through street art. Actually, sometimes we see the antecedents to events like these as well – but we may not recognize them as such until later. One cryptic prophet and cultural critic from the street art world, Don Leicht, passed away this week after a very trying illness. His original use of the digitalized Invader predates the high profile street artist of the same name; his comic/cutting assessments of modern hypocrisy echoed across walls of New York as early as the inception of the video game itself. A long time trusted friend and creative collaborator with street artist John Fekner, Leicht was quickly memorialized with this new installation on the street (below).

Here’s our weekly interview with the streets, this week featuring 1UP Crew, Bastard Bot, Below Key, CRKSHNK, De Grupo, Don Leicht, Duke A. Barnstable, Ethan Minsker, Freedom, John Fekner, Maks Art World, Nick Walker, No Sleep, and Young Samo.

A tribute for artist Don Leicht, conceived by Adrian Wilson.
In a collaboration with John Fekner, Wilson used his original stencils. The project was coordinated by Wayne Rada and Ray Rosa at the L.I.S.A. Project in Manhattan.
John Fekner. In Memoriam. Don Leicht. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Reposted from John Fekner:

“Don Leicht (October 12th, 1946-January 22nd, 2021)Don was my fierce older Libra brother, colleague and collaborator throughout almost fifty years of friendship. Don was a passionate and devout painter who played by his own Bronx cool rules; whether as a teacher in the public school system in the South Bronx, or in his hand-written personal writings or hand-cut metal, plastic or cardboard sculptural works, all visually charged with a deep meaning and social purpose. His imagery could spark a laugh or a smile; but were intended to cause a reaction within a viewer’s heart, mind and soul.

Don was a steadfast bridge to carry me through my sometimes unwieldy behavior. He would provide answers with care, understanding and positivity; whether it was in person or through a 10-minute or hour phone call. Within our conversation (and with many of his friends), he would always repeat the message as to be sure that you ‘got the message’ and would act accordingly. Don always had a simple soothing solution: ‘Get one thing done by the end of the day.’

Don was preceded in death by his wife Annie; and he will be deeply missed by his two sons, Anthony and Nicky, who helped their father throughout his overwhelming health issues, especially in this past year.

Walk on dear friend. We celebrate your life work!”

Another street memorial to radio and television talk show host Larry King by Maks Art World. Larry King 1933 – 2021 “Those who have succeeded at anything and don’t mention luck are kidding themselves. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Freedom is back! Actually Freedom never left. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Bernie and friends…(photo © Jaime Rojo)
Bastard Bot combines the death of rapper MF Doom, who fashioned myriad masks, with the Bernie Inauguration meme. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
The Pandemic Twist! Bastard Bot (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Ethan Minsker (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Urban Russian Doll NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Below Key (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Trump with a big black dot blotting his visage. McConnell peering out through the splatter to see a raging fire. Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
CRKSHNK (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Nick Walker (photo © Jaime Rojo)
No Sleep (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Young Samo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
1UP Crew (photo © Jaime Rojo)
We wish Duke A. Barnstable good luck with his New Year Resolutions… (photo © Jaime Rojo)
De Grupo likes Pele. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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Chip Thomas: “Pandemic Chronicles” in Phoenix, AZ

Chip Thomas: “Pandemic Chronicles” in Phoenix, AZ

Pure poetry.

Sometimes art in the streets can be like that – a reflection of your intellectual musings and your heart’s leanings. Because he has often taken a path less traveled, photographer / doctor / activist / organizer / producer / teacher Chip Thomas (aka Jetsonorama) seamlessly slips into and out of all of his roles. In this way, he may also appear as poet.

“Believe” by Esther Belin

As every one of us has had to travel to the well again and again to find reason and inspiration to deal with the impact of the pandemic and economic depression, each of us is transformed; our muted characteristics heightened, our definitions re-examined, our priorities re-configured. Time and again it is gratifying to see how the community of artists can translate these phenomenon into art in the public sphere.

“Believe” by Esther Belin carved in steel.

Chip Thomas tells us, “In October I was invited by Kirk Strawn of Phoenix, AZ to install a collaboration piece with poet Esther Belin titled “Believe” which is found in chapter 4. The poem anticipates our post pandemic future.”

To create the book called Pandemic Chronicles, Volume 1, Chip Thomas danced with his many disciplines – sometimes producing art in the public sphere with a partner, other times collaborating on the print project, or working with patients and the medical community. Over time the number of expressions captured collect into a holistic appraisal of the moment we are in.

Chip Thomas AKA Jetsonorama. “Believe”. Phoenix, AZ. (photo © Chip Thomas)

“I spent April to August 2020 collaborating with poets Esther Belin (Navajo), Ursual Rucker, Olmeca, Jess X Snow, Mahogany L. Browne and visual artists Titus Brooks Heagins and André Leon Gray,” he says of the resulting project. Today we feature some of the words and images that came from those collaborations. We also allow Mr. Thomas to narrate the work as he finds most appropriate.

To get your own copy of Pandemic Chronicles, Volume 1 you can go to Just Seeds https://justseeds.org/product/pandemic-chronicles-volume-1/, publisher for the hard copy. As a free online book you can also go to The Art Journal http://artjournal.collegeart.org/?p=14294)The book focuses on the early part of the pandemic and is divided into 4 chapters:
1. Response,
2. Life Goes On,
3. Loss, and
4. Hope, Redemption and Empowerment. 

Chip Thomas AKA Jetsonorama. “Believe”. Phoenix, AZ. (photo © Chip Thomas)
Chip Thomas AKA Jetsonorama. (photo © Danny Upshaw)

“The building used for the installation of ‘Believe’ was originally constructed in 1951 and was the home of Canyon Records.  Besides being one of the oldest independent record labels in the music industry the label focuses on Native American music. The building at one time also housed a tv studio which produced a popular cooking show.”

Canyon Records archives. Recording studio. (photo © Chip Thomas)
Canyon Records archives. Engineer with Native Man. (photo © Chip Thomas)
Canyon Records archives. Female engineer. (photo © Chip Thomas)
Canyon Records archives. Set for cooking show. (photo © Chip Thomas)

“In December 2020 I was invited also by the Heard Museum to install another collaboration with Esther.  This poem is titled ‘Sonnet of Lament’ which comes from chapter 3, ‘Loss’.”

Chip Thomas AKA Jetsonorama. “Sonnet of Lament”. Poem by Esther Belin. Heard Museum. Phoenix, AZ. (photo © Chip Thomas)
“Sonnet of Lament” by Esther Belin
Chip Thomas AKA Jetsonorama. “Sonnet of Lament”. Poem by Esther Belin. Heard Museum. Phoenix, AZ. (photo © Chip Thomas)
Chip Thomas AKA Jetsonorama. “Sonnet of Lament”. Poem by Esther Belin. Heard Museum. Phoenix, AZ. (photo © Chip Thomas)

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BSA Film Friday: 01.29.21

BSA Film Friday: 01.29.21

Our weekly focus on the moving image and art in the streets. And other oddities.

Now screening participants at Festival Asalto 2020:
1. SOFLES MIXTAPE Vol 1.
2. SOFLES / FAST FORWARD
3. Reisha Perlmutter / RBG
4. BKFOXX / Don’t Tell Me How To Be A Girl

BSA Special Feature: Sofles Mixtape!

Two in a row from SOFLES! First, the Mixtape – graffiti, canvas, and commissions from ’15 to ’20.

SOFLES MIXTAPE Vol 1.

SOFLES / FAST FORWARD

Reisha Perlmutter / RBG

“It reminds me of so many things I believe in,” says this fine artist who made one the best ones on the streets of Brooklyn in 2020 – a half portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a recessed doorway.

“The paintings born in studio giving birth to raw paintings on the streets,” she wrote on her Instagram. “Humbled to honor this woman, and the pursuit to speak in all forms, whether through paint, or through words.”

BKFOXX / Don’t Tell Me How To Be A Girl

This mural is from a couple of summers ago, but we still dig it’s message. BKFoxx says, “This is a Public Service Announcement from BKFOXX”

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Saype in Cape Town, South Africa with “Beyond Walls”

Saype in Cape Town, South Africa with “Beyond Walls”

Three frescoes in Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa are the latest installments of hands and arms joined with one another for the French large-scale land artist Saype.

Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the artist at work on the land-art fresco at the Philippi township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)

The pieces are created in Sea Point (6000 m²), the Philippi township (800 m²) and the Langa township (800 m²) and together represent the 9th stop on his worldwide “Beyond Walls” project.

Given the crises that the world is experiencing with the Covid-19 pandemic and the historic divisions in South Africa, Saype says he chose to present a fraternal vision in these three neighborhoods of Cape Town.

Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. The artist at work on the land-art fresco at the Philippi township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)

Project organizers say “The current crisis reinforces Saype’s optimistic will to present these universal frescos of benevolence and togetherness,” even though he knows that it may represent, “a modest contribution to reunite a city whose historic scars have not yet healed.” Recognizing that the society is still striving to recover from the dark time of apartheid, here is an artist who is using his talents to help heal wounds.

Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at the Philippi township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)

Just finished on January 21, organizers say that the three frescoes were created using approximately 1000 liters of biodegradable pigments made out of charcoal, chalk, water and milk proteins.

This project is carried out in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa, the International Public Art Festival, Baz-Art and the City of Cape Town.

Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. The artist at work on the land-art fresco at Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. The artist at work on the land-art fresco at Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the artist at work on the land-art fresco at the Langa township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at the Langa township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at the Langa township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
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Documenting The Art Of Protest with Miss Rosen

Documenting The Art Of Protest with Miss Rosen

We’re honored to be interviewed by Miss Rosen in the photography magazine Blind. Here is the introduction of her article with a link to the full story.


By Miss Rosen for Blind Magazine.

“If graffiti changed anything, it would be illegal,” street artist Banksy said. Jaime Rojo and Steven Harrington of Brooklyn Street Art reflect on the relationship between street art, activism, and photography.

BLM. Manhattan, NYC. July 05, 2020. Photo © BSA/Jaime Rojo

Though we are surrounded by omens portending the future before it occurs, many refuse to read “the writing on the wall.” The confluence of graffiti and political action dates back to the Biblical story of Belshazzar’s feast when a disembodied hand scrawled words on the palace wall in a language no one could understand. According to the Book of Daniel, the young hero deciphered the message and warned the king the great empire of Babylon was going to fall. 

Raw Raffe. Brooklyn, NYC. November 13, 2020. Photo © BSA/Jaime Rojo

The parable, contained within the larger story of apocalypse, is uncannily timely given the resurgence of graffiti and street art, two of the most vital, viral forms of contemporary art. Long intertwined with photography and activism, today’s “writing on the wall” has become the medium of the proletariat in the fight against the oppressive power structures dominating everyday life around the globe.

Though we are surrounded by omens portending the future before it occurs, many refuse to read “the writing on the wall.”

Miss Rosen

Throughout history artists have taken to the streets to draw attention to the issues at stake in the hopes of radicalizing the populace. From the use of wheat-pasted posters in the 1910 Mexican Revolution and John Heartfield’s anti-Nazi and anti-Stalinist crusades of the 1930s to 1968 student uprisings in Paris and Mexico City, artists have long taken to the streets to expose the corruption of political institutions. Although their works are local and temporal, photography has played an integral role in preserving and distributing their messages far and wide. 

Unidentified Artist. Brooklyn, NYC. July 19, 2020. Photo © BSA/Jaime Rojo

“Humans have always had the urgency to leave their mark behind. Walls and rocks have been their canvases for millennia,” say photographer Jaime Rojo and editor Steven P. Harrington of Brooklyn Street Art. “By the 1980s, graffiti writers like Lee Quiñones routinely addressed social and political topics when using New York City subway trains as canvases. Likewise, street art in 2020 has referenced police brutality, structural racism, feelings of alienation, disgust with politicians and a vast economic chasm that is shredding the fabric of society.”

Click HERE to continue reading the full article in Blind Magazine…



Miss Rosen is a New York-based writer focusing on art, photography, and culture. Her work has been published in magazines and websites including Time, Vogue, Artsy, Aperture, Dazed, and Vice, as well as books by Janette Beckman, Joe Conzo, Jane Dickson, Arlene Gottfried, and Allan Tannenbaum. As publisher of Miss Rosen Editions, she has produced books including the legendary hip-hop epic Wild Style: The Sampler by Charlie Ahearn (2007), Do Not Give Way to Evil: Photographs of the South Bronx, 1979–1987 by Lisa Kahane (2008), and New York State of Mind by Martha Cooper (2007).

MissRosen.com



Blind is a magazine that invites you to take the time to see, read and understand the language of photographers. Photography reveals not just what our senses perceive, but also how our sensibility acts: what moves us, touches us, and binds us.


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New Kobe Tribute on Street in Barcelona on 1st Anniversary of Tragedy

New Kobe Tribute on Street in Barcelona on 1st Anniversary of Tragedy

It’s been a year since tragedy struck families and fans of the globally revered retired basket ball star Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in California with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, baseball coach John Altobelli, five other passengers, and the pilot. The impact on fans was huge in many ways, and a week after his public funeral “among the items thus recovered were 1,350 basketballs, as well as ‘25,000 candles, 5,000 signs or letters, 500 stuffed animals, 350 pairs of shoes and 14 banners,’ according to Wikipedia.

Today we have a brand new tribute from one of his fans for his fans in Barcelona by street artist Karma.

Artist Karma in Barcelona, 2021 (© the artist)
Artist Karma in Barcelona, 2021 (© the artist)
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“Street Art Rebellion” Joins “Extinction Rebellion” to  #loveplanet

“Street Art Rebellion” Joins “Extinction Rebellion” to #loveplanet

Street Art Rebellion & Extinction Rebellion have created a participative poster campaign called #loveplanet. Artworks available to everyone for FREE and for many ecological fights around the world.

Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo © Eric Coquelin)

As we continue to explore the art of rebellion around the world and the artivists who are using their communal talents around the world to turn the tides of environmental disaster, we bring you the French organization called Street Art Rebellion, who along with the global environmental activists called Extinction Rebellion have conjured a participatory action for you. It is a participative poster campaign called #loveplanet and organizers say they would like to think that the action takes the form of a collective collage campaign in France and abroad.

Yseult YZ Digan. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)

Like Extinction Rebellion each of these 48 artists believe that we have a moral responsibility to take personal action, whatever our personal politics about other issues are.

 “Life on Earth is in crisis,” says the group on their website. “Our climate is changing faster than scientists predicted and the stakes are high. Biodiversity loss. Crop failure. Social and ecological collapse. Mass extinction. We are running out of time, and our governments have failed to act. Extinction Rebellion was formed to fix this.” The two groups say it is a participative poster campaign called #loveplanet, and artworks available to all and for all ecological fights around the world. The campaign is documented on the groups Facebook page since it began in September and they hope they will spread the news and inspire more artists to join in.

SETH. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)

“We encourage society as a whole to continue and expand the movement.”

Today you can join in by downloading artworks donated by these artists as posters and put them up around your neighborhood, your area, your street.

Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo © Kathy Lamri)
Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo © Kathy Lamri)
Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo © Oliver Aubry)
Post Industrial Animist. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)
Skount. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)
Melle Terite and Philippe Herard. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo © Kathy Lamri)
Melle Terite. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)
David De La Mano. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)
David De La Mano. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)
Jean-Michel Ouvry. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)
Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo © Eric Coquelin)
Stormie. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)
Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo © Eric Coquelin)
JACE. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)
Jober. Street Art Rebellion #loveplanet (photo courtesy of Street Art Rebellion)

Click HERE to download your FREE poster.

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BSA Images Of The Week: 01.24.21

BSA Images Of The Week: 01.24.21

Many people in New York and around the world breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when our native son from Queens got on that helicopter with his immigrant wife and
A. left the White House and,
B. flew to Florida.

But for this week anyway, the streets are saying let’s give Biden and Harris and this new administration the congratulations and the honeymoon they deserve. We wish them (and us) the best!

Here’s our weekly interview with the streets, this week featuring Anna is a toy, Bastard Bot, CRKSHNK, Elfo, Jason Naylor, Lunge Box, Praxis VGZ, and Queen Andrea.

The meme that won the inauguration based on a photo by photojournalist Brendan Smialowski. Zui NYC brings Bernie out with his mittens. Background by Anna is a toy. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
So is the present. Karma Artist in Barcelona. (photo © Lluis Olive)
Bastard Bot (photo © Jaime Rojo)
CRKSHNK (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Jason Naylor (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Elfo some where in Italy. (photo © Elfo)
TV Boy in Barcelona inspired by Boticelli (photo © Lluis Olive)
TV Boy in Barcelona inspired by Boticelli (photo © Lluis Olive)
That’s Queen Andrea, not QAnon. Also for the record, this is Brooklyn Street Art, not the Boyscouts of America. Although we are easily confused with them often (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Praxis (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Lunge Box (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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“Things that feel nurturing” : LUSH at Hashimoto Contemporary in NYC

“Things that feel nurturing” : LUSH at Hashimoto Contemporary in NYC

The winter city streets are frozen and foreboding right now.

It’s late January and, like many people in the Northern Hemisphere, you are venturing outside only out of necessity, or boredom with your Covid lock-down walls. With leafless trees, closed businesses, barren social calendars, and endless grey cold concrete to greet you – one wonders how nature can be so cruel.

In the face of these realities, Jennifer Rizzo at New York’s Hashimoto gallery decided to festoon the interior space with flowers and plants, curating nearly three dozen artists to create something LUSH.

Andy Decola “Temptation”. Lush/Hashimoto Contemporary. (photo courtesy of the gallery)

It may seem odd to become fixated on this most traditional of subjects in the modern skew of our worldview. Somehow we cannot imagine art collectors beguiled by the natural world. But these times are crying out for new solutions, or at the very least, a salve for our psychic wounds. Hashimoto may be onto something indeed.

Aldrin Valdes “Sunny days indoor with Ingres. A neon bougie fantasy”. Lush/Hashimoto Contemporary. (photo courtesy of the gallery)

We asked Jennifer Rizzo about the new show, how she conjured it, and how her garden grows.

BSA: How many flowers do you have blooming in the gallery right now?

JR: So many! Thirty-three artists came together for this show, many of them incorporating multiple flowering plants and species into their works. Then there’s the actual flowering plants in the space. I think I’d need a field guide and a few hours to take an official count of all the lovely varieties blooming in the space. 

Hola Lou “Jungla de noche”. Lush/Hashimoto Contemporary. (photo courtesy of the gallery)

BSA: Certainly there is a history of people collecting nature-inspired art, including landscapes and botanicals – but it hasn’t exactly been in “fashion” for some time. Is this show a reaction in some way to the current climate politically, socially, economic?

JR: In some ways it is a personal response to what we have collectively been living through this past year. We are all spending more time at home than ever, many gravitated to cooking, baking, picking up new hobbies such as musical instruments or gardening. For most urban dwellers, gardening happens on a windowsill. In times of uncertainly, I know I look for things that are comforting and in a way, familiar. Things that feel nurturing. What can be more beautiful, accessible, timeless than nature in art?

Jeff Canham “Plants Clusted”. Lush/Hashimoto Contemporary. (photo courtesy of the gallery)

BSA: How do some of these works represent “modern” reworkings of this traditional theme? Can you give a couple of examples?

JR: I wanted the exhibition to present a survey of the scene, and see how contemporary artists are interpreting the subject matter, going beyond the traditional still life of a vase full of flowers, although works of that nature can be quite beautiful as well. 

A few examples of artists who pushed well beyond the expected are;

  • Aldrin Valez’s small scale mixed media works, with figures dressed in fashion’s inspired by the prickly spikes of a cactus or the rounded petals of a flower. I love the concept of wearable art, and Aldrin’s high fashion interpretation of “make a piece inspired by the flowering species.”
  • Hola Lou’s abstract painting, titled Jungla de Noche. The artist’s boldly simple lines and minimal approach really pushed the concept, yet captured the rumbling energy of a jungle alive at night.
  • Jeff Canham’s whimsical cacti, housed in actual terra cotta planters. They are super playful, and have a flattened two dimensional quality even though they are three dimensional sculptures.
  • MC Marquis hand painted typography on vintage floral plates. The artist has been working on her plate series for a few years now, merging the traditional vintage plates with phrases that are topical and relatable.

MC Marquis “Where is my mind”. Lush/Hashimoto Contemporary. (photo courtesy of the gallery)

Bianca Nemelx “Couldn’t find the forest, so I grew onw of my own”. Lush/Hashimoto Contemporary. (photo courtesy of the gallery)
Jeremiah Jenkins “Blooms”. Lush/Hashimoto Contemporary. (photo courtesy of the gallery)
Karen Lederer “Watermelon Tulips”. Lush/Hashimoto Contemporary. (photo courtesy of the gallery)

LUSH
Hashimoto Contemporary, New York
curated by Jennifer Rizzo
January 16th – February 6th, 2021

Participating Artists:
Destiny Belgrave | Thomas Campbell | Marleigh Culver | Andy DeCola | Genevieve Dionne | Gregory Euclide | Lizzie Gill | Rachel Gregor | Hell’O Collective | Hola Lou | Seonna Hong | Jeremiah Jenkins |Louise Jones | Natalia Juncadella | Gabe Langholtz | Karen Lederer | Madi | MC Marquis | Jet Martinez |Lara Meintjes | Josie Morway | Bianca Nemelc | Hallie Packard | Melanie Parke | Daisy Patton | LucienShapiro | Katherine Sherwood | Denise Stewart-Sanabria | Tiffanie Turner | Aldrin Valdez | Anna Valdez |Marcello Velho | Hillary Waters Fayle


For the exhibition, the gallery has teamed up with garden design company Primrose Designs NYC, led by Kris & Elena Nuzzi, who created the botanical installation within the gallery space.

The exhibition will be on view from Saturday, January 16th to Saturday, February 6th. The gallery will be open by appointment only.

Hashimoto Contemporary210 Rivington StreetNew York, NY 10002

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BSA Film Friday: 01.22.21

BSA Film Friday: 01.22.21

Our weekly focus on the moving image and art in the streets. And other oddities.

Now screening participants at Festival Asalto 2020:
1. Isaac Cordal
2. Elbi Elem
3. Akacorleone
4. Lida Cao
5. Diego Vicente
6. Karto
7. Marta Lapena
8. Sawu
9. Slim Safont

BSA Special Feature: Festival Asalto 2020

In Barrio San Jose (Zaragoza) the Festival Asalto mounted its 2020 edition in spite of, and perhaps because of, the very strange time that we are living in. Once considered an expression of the counterculture, illegal street art has evolved in some ways to spawn legal mural festivals that actually reinforce a sense of normalcy. The organizers and participants of Festival Asalto had to overcome logistical obstacles as well as the fears of many to mount the outdoor exhibition this year, and we salute them for their fortitude and successes.

Isaac Cordal at Festival Asalto 2020

Elbi Elem at Festival Asalto 2020

Akacorleone at Festival Asalto 2020

Lida Cao at Festival Asalto 2020

Diego Vicente at Festival Asalto 2020

Karto at Festival Asalto 2020

Marta Lapena at Festival Asalto 2020

Sawu at Festival Asalto 2020

Slim Safont at Festival Asalto 2020

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“Change” A Short Film By Doug Gillen in Kosovo

“Change” A Short Film By Doug Gillen in Kosovo

“This is a celebration of them directly,” artist Helen Bur says as she describes her new six-story high painting in Ferizaj, Kosovo. Warm and idiosyncratic, it is a candid photo of local youth whom she paints in this once war-torn area. Even today, about 20 years after the end of hostilities and with the enormous “peace-keeping” US Camp Bondsteel nearby, a mixture of Albanians, Serbs, and Roma all are rebuilding a common life in the shadow of not-so-past events.

Axel Void and Helen Bur. Mural Fest Kosovo/Void Projects. Ferizaj/Kosovo. (photo © Besart Bega)

Given such taut social politics that govern the memories and leave their mark on the daily lives of residents, Scottish film maker Doug Gillen jumped in to record the observations and experiences of artists and local creators who were there for a mural festival. One current fashion for murals created for these public art events is to be “responsive” to the community. Undoubtedly you can see that many of these are reflecting the environment – including more literally the botanicals of the region.

Local Musician. Mural Fest Kosovo/Void Projects. Ferizaj/Kosovo. (photo © Doug Gillen)

Elsewhere Gillen captures the stories of locals, including one resident who recalls being ‘usurped’ by a ‘hooligan’ who took over her attic and who brought sex workers there during the conflict. You can sense the relief she feels to finally tell her story in a public way. These singular stories provide clarity and can be rather jewel-like.

Muralist Ampparito touches on the denial that is also in play as he describes his mural which addresses the ultimate non-controversial topic bound to engage a respectable constituency: weather.

Aruallan and Axel Void. Mural Fest Kosovo/Void Projects. Ferizaj/Kosovo. (photo © Aruallan)

“When you arrive at a place that you don’t know and you want to talk about serious stuff” the artist explains with a smile, “I think you have to be careful.” For both the sensitive and the coarse, it is a given; whether its political or personal self-censorship, it will enter the life of an artist at one point. “It’s like when you don’t talk about something, sometimes you say more than if you don’t talk about it.”

You can see how the commitment to acknowledging and participating with community is realized by a talented collection of artists – like the aforementioned Ampparito, Aruallan, Micheal Beitz, Helen Bur, Emilio Cerezo, Doa Oa, Alba Fabre, Ivan Floro, Maria Jose Gallardo, Retry One, Zane Prater, Vlada Trocka and Axel Void.

A local on Ferizaj. Mural Fest Kosovo/Void Projects. Ferizaj/Kosovo. (photo © Doug Gillen)

Artist and organizer Axel Void may embody similar contradictions as he describes goals of the pro-artist organization named after himself. “In a way it’s a similar idea to every, like, Void Projects – which is pretty much trying to cut out the middle man and trying to have a more direct interaction between the artist and the people.” That being said, the annual mural festival relies on private and institutional partners, staff, professionals, and the efforts of volunteers to mount it as well as a biosphere of media professionals and amateurs and private platforms to help Void and the artists get the word out about their creations around the globe.

Executive producer Lebibe Topalli rests her finger carefully upon the local pulse, and she parses words gently when describing the challenges of mounting this event today as she thinks of Kosovo of two decades ago. To even have considerations regarding the ‘art world’ at an earlier time “would have been a luxury,” she says. 

“The difference is best recognized by the people who have experienced it.” As the debate in the street art world continues about the elusive ideal mix of factors for the perfect mural festival, filmmaker Gillen helps capture those who struggle as well with their sense of responsibility to the community.

Produced by Fifth Wall TV in collaboration with the Kosovo Mural Festival and Void Projects

Film Executive Producer Charlotte Pyatt

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Street Art Says “Happy Inauguration” to Biden and Harris

Street Art Says “Happy Inauguration” to Biden and Harris

The streets have been anticipating the arrival of the new president and vice president for a few months now. Today it took place and the U.S. has a 46th President – Joe Biden and 49th Vice President – Kamala Harris.

President Joe Biden by Mah Cima (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Vice-President Kamala Harris by SacSix. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris by Winston Tseng. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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