Los Angeles based street artist David Choe recently had a show in Japan but unfortunately Japanese authorities banned him from attending it. Here he is in a beautiful video shot by Willie T where he presents himself as an artist in his own words along with his fellow artist James Jean.
Kid Zoom
“It is with my deepest regrets to inform you that this morning I received news of the passing of my close friend Sure. Last night he was killed in Afghanistan where he was stationed as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Marine Corps. Sure was born and bred in Brooklyn and recognized for his exceptional handstyle which brought together elements of classic New York graffiti with ornamental calligraphy. His script signatures could be found throughout the city and were a major influence on myself and countless others.”
“Sure also received great recognition as one of the most prominent sticker bombers of all time. Of the thousands of stickers he put up, nearly every one of them was individually hand done in an incredible array of styles. This was recently exemplified in Stickers: From Punk Rock to Contemporary Art (Rizzoli) by DB Burkeman and in Martha Cooper’s latest book Name Tagging (Mark Batty Publishing) which features an interview with Sure”
“Sure was like a brother to me. He was my partner-in-crime and my best friend. I am grateful for the time we had and that everywhere I go in New York City I see his name and know that his presence will be felt by many long after his passing”.
-Faust
– It’s a paraphrase of the Christmas crabby New Yorker who relies on the tourists who pump money into Broadway and Times Square restaurants and FAO and who actually eat those hot dogs and pretzels on the street. In the case of Miami, Art Basel 2010 draws to a close now and one billion dollars are estimated to have been transacted. When you pair that figure with the estimated 2-3000 artists participating, it looks like the artists must have made out rather well, right?
Certainly there were more Street Artists than ever attending the events and transforming walls everywhere with their work and creativity – at least in the unofficially sanctioned areas. At the moment Miami is “The only city in the US where graffiti appreciates property value,” ironically says Mint and Serf, a Street Art collective visiting the tropical city from frigid New York. In an odd twist on the “broken window theory” and urban blight, artists who are normally looking over their shoulder can actually wave to and talk with police who are driving by in some run-down areas where they are given free reign over large swaths of walls. At this sunny moment in time various agendas are intertwined and one wonders how long this golden age lasts.
Street Art photographer and observer Geoff Hargadon took in the breadth of the week on the street and attended a number of the events over the past weeks’ art orgies. He captured many jewels and quick moments with his camera and his 6th sense, which are below. As various larger pieces are unfinished right now, we’ll be going back in a few weeks for a year-end overview.
In addition to an intuitive eye about the art trends happening that impact the scene, Geoff gives a commentary about what else he’s thinking about: “Here is the other thing that’s a trend: property owners have their hands over all these walls for artists to takeover, and then suddenly they are leased out to restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses. It’s hard to know who’s playing whom here – maybe it’s a happy co-existence – but when does the property owner step up to support these guys in other ways? (Unless, of course, it’s already happening.) Either way, artists are playing a big role in the development of these neighborhoods, and whether they know it or not, as the area gets more developed and gentrified, they will eventually run themselves out of town. Whether they are getting paid or not, they are creating their own extinction in Miami.”
Aiko (photo © Geoff Hargadon)
Amaze (photo and clever Photoshop © Geoff Hargadon)
Coco (photo © Geoff Hargadon)
Gaia’s Hands (photo © Geoff Hargadon)
Burning Candy Crew Members Tek33 and Dscreet at work on Dawn Of The Demon.(photo © Geoff Hargadon)
Invader (photo © Geoff Hargadon)
Lister in progress (photo © Geoff Hargadon)
Our weekly interview with the street, this week featuring: Alec, El Celso, Faile, Kenny Scharf, Kouk, Robots, and UFO
The finished Kenny Scharf Houston Street wall has brought a jolt of flamboyant color to New York just as all the leaves have finally been beaten off the trees and we transition to grays. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Alec stuffs this AK with peace and a flag (© Jaime Rojo)
El Celso’s own interpretation of those ubiquitous Peruvian posters (photo © Jaime Rojo)
El Celso (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Faile (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Robots at night (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Kouk’s paintings of American Indians have been appearing in New York City – maybe they are a reference to this land that once was theirs before all the European illegal immigrants swarmed in? (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Kouk (photo © Jaime Rojo)
A dead mouse next to a UFO. New York, New York! (photo © Jaime Rojo)Over the past few days BSA has been bringing you the hot spots to experience the happenings in Miami 2010. Our focus has been to showcase the Street and Urban art satellite art fairs in the Wynwood and Design Districts in downtown Miami. Our friends over at The Huffington Post have their picks and we’d like to share them with you:
“As you read this, there is a giant pulsating orb known as Miami Basel alluring a defenseless international audience of art lovers, collectors and artists to encircle its captivating glow. Amazingly, the main fair called “Art Basel | Miami Beach” started only nine years ago as the sister fair to “Art Basel | Switzerland” and has since mushroomed into an extravaganza with over 20 satellite fairs and numerous parties to go along with it”
Click here to continue reading and to see the slide show at The Huffington Post
Edging closer to advertising slickness, this method of subtle perception jamming that certain street artists have been employing takes another step in this campaign by Amnesty International to draw attention to the American death row inmate Troy Davis. In this collaboration with the Berlin-based, three-person photographic street art collective Mentalgassi , the man’s visage is clear for just a half step as you pass. An apt description of this project, “Making the Invisible Visible”, the installation is an adaptation of Street Art that merits praise.
Troy Davis: Making the invisible visible from Amnesty International on Vimeo.
Yes, Gaia is in Miami (above) along with a buttload of other untanned northerners, and actually Brooklyn has announced that it has closed for the weekend. Just kidding but, if you are looking for walls, you won’t have much competition in the BK this weekend, now that you think about it. There is a lot happening in Miami this weekend and even if you don’t go to any receptions or openings or velvet rope parties you can still have a blast seeing lots of art on the street. Here are some things that might get you hot and sweaty if the temperature hasn’t done that for you yet:
GGG’s Fresh Produce will feature a rocking roster of international artists, including: The London Police, REVOK, Erik Otto, Skewville, Pepa Prieto, Augustine Kofie, Alëxone, Kenton Parker, Tes One, BASK, Dolla, Jim Darling, Dabs & Myla, Stormie Mills, Michael De Feo, Andrew Holder, Jack Hudson, Tristan Eaton, Tatiana Suarez, Surge, Jersey Joe, REMeD, Parskid, Logan Hicks, Escif, Depoe, Remi/Rough, Ryan Bubnis, Mike Perry, Reyes and from the Family Baglione: Flip, Sesper, Thais Beltrame and Herbert Baglione.
Artists’ Reception : 12 | 3 | 10 : 7 – 10pm
70 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33127
Between NW 2nd Ave. & N. Miami Ave
in the Wynwood Arts District
Tonight is the opening for this photography show accompanied by new works. Hotness prevails. As we said earlier in the week, just look at the names on this list and you know what you’re getting. Or, maybe you don’t.
297 NW 23rd ST
MIAMI, FL 33127
OPENING RECEPTION FRIDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2010
7 – 10PM
“Now I Remember” photo installation featuring:
NECK FACE / JERRY HSU / TODD JORDAN/ CURTIS BUCHANAN / JEN REYNOLDS/ TINO RAZO / KEVIN “SPANKY” LONG
and new works by:
OSGEMEOS / JUDITH SUPINE / CLEON PETERSON/ BAST / SKULLPHONE / ALBERT REYES
Hours: Weds. Dec.1 – Sat. Dec.4 : 11am – 8pm
Sun. Dec. 5: 12pm – 4pm
New Image Gallery
info@newimageartgallery.com
Book Signing: December 3rd, 6pm – 8pm
Free and Open to the Public with Free Shuttle Service
New York street artist Dan Witz at the MIA | MI CIELO 2010 Fine Art Exposition. Dan will feature a retrospective selection of street art works, sign copies of his limited edition book “In Plain View: 30 Years of Artworks Illegal and Otherwise”. Signed copies of Witz’s 2011 “Hummingbirds” accordion calendar will be given out to the first 100 guests at the book signing event.
MIA | MI CIELO and NADA Art Fair
Cielo on the Bay
7935 East Drive
Harbor Island
North Bay Village, FL 33141
Primary Flight Closing Party “PLEASE STAND BY” from their own words: “RSVP to guestlist@primaryflight.com or regret it for the rest of your stupid life” Saturday December 4th from 11:00 pm until really, really late – like 29 o’clock in the morning.
12 x 12
Mighty Tanaka presents:
12×12
A Group Show for the Holidays
The holidays’ are upon us once again and now is the time to start thinking about the perfect gift for that special somebody in your life! Celebrating our one-year anniversary at our current location, Mighty Tanaka is very proud to bring you our latest show entitled 12×12. We invite you to come out and join us for this exciting event!
12×12 features both successful, established artists as well as some of the hottest up and coming emerging artists from NYC and beyond. Exhibiting artwork from a wide range of disciplines, this show has a little bit of everything, from the raw to the refined. The displayed work represents the voice of our generation and exemplifies our interpretations of the world.
This large group show features over 70 artists and all the work was completed on small 12”x12” canvases. We will be selling the artwork directly off the walls for you to add to your private collection or to give away as a holiday gift. With various price points and an array of techniques and styles, there is surely a piece of art that will fit nearly every lifestyle.
Featuring the artwork of:
Abe Lincoln Jr., Adam Miller, Alexandra Pacula, Alexis Trice, Anthony Sneed, AVOID, Briar Elyse, Bruno Perillo, Bryan Raughton, Buxtonia, CAM, Chris RWK, Chris Stain, Dark Clouds, Destroy and Rebuild, DOIT, Don Pablo Pedro, DROID, Ed Shawn Herrera, Ellen Stagg, Ellis G, Eric DeFrancesco, Fedele Spadafora, Gary Carlson, Gigi Chen, Gigi Spratley, Hannah Rose Fierman, Hellbent, Hiroshi Kumagai, Infinity, Jac Atkinson, Japa, Jason Grunwald, JMR, John Breiner, John McGarity, John Sunderland, Julia Colavita, Julian Duran, Justin Rymer, Katie Decker, Keely, KOSBE, Lauren Asta, Lee Trice, Lionel Guzman, Mari Keeler, Matt Siren, Max Greis, Melissa Carroll, Mike Schrieber, Nathan Pickett, Nathan Vincent, Nick Chatfield-Taylor, QRST, Quel Beast, Reginald Pean, Rick Midler, Robbie Busch, Royce Bannon, SADU, Skewville, Soosan Joon Silanee, Steven Schreiber, Thomas Cecchi, Tony Bones, Tony DePew, Toofly, UFO, URnewyork, Veng RWK & MORE!
OPENING RECEPTION:
Friday, December 10th, 2010
6:00PM – 10:00PM
(Show closes January 7, 2010)
Mighty Tanaka
68 Jay St., Suite 416 (F Train to York St.)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: M-F 12:30PM to 7PM, weekends by appointment
Office: 718.596.8781
Email: alex@mightytanaka.com
Web: http://www.mightytanaka.com
Small Change
Specter (photo © Specter)“Class, today we are going to make puppets. Jimmy sit down please. Did everyone remember to bring a sock to school today as I had requested last Thursday? Yolanda do you have yours? Jenelle? Good. Let’s see everybody hold their sock in the air. Okay good. Jimmy… Okay these are going to be our “pretend friends”. And does everyone have two buttons for the eyes? Okay, I’ll wait until some people in the back stop talking – I’m sure we all would like to get on with the project. Tony and Lindsay, do I need to split you two up?”
Specter © photo SpecterArt classes at school are just about the funnest thing there is – mostly because they combine work and play and imagination. Brooklyn Street Artist Specter has been making his own imaginary friends on the streets of Paris and Chicago this fall. To be more precise, he’s been making sisters – the ones he says he wished he could have when he was a kid.
The new series is called “Les Filles”, and it is “about my mate’s five sisters and my desire to have sisters my entire life. Now I feel like I have what I’ve always wanted,” explains Specter excitedly, as he contemplates eating some paste while Miss Pennywhistle writes something on the chalkboard.
Specter © photo Specter
Backboard painted by UR New York for “The Art of Basketball” show opening tomorrow in Miami for Art Basel. (image courtesy the artists)Brooklyn Street Artists 2ESAE and SKI, the duo known as UR New York, have arrived in Miami after a long drive from NYC for their big opening at Billi Kid’s “Art of Basketball” show December 2. They started the 20+ hour trip Monday night and BSA spoke to them as they reached Jacksonville, Florida, emerging from the dark swamps of Georgia. They were excited to be only a few hours from their destination and to talk about the video they just finished for the show.
The scene at the setup for tomorrow’s show. (image courtesy the artists)“Basically, instead of doing a time-lapse process showing the backboard being created we figured we would give an inside look into the process of making it in our studio. There was a lot of thought that went into it, considering that this project really hit home to us,” says Mike Baca (AKA 2ESAE) as he describes the way the story unfolds. In the video, both Baca and his art partner Fernando Romero (AKA SKI) lay down multiple layers of screens and paint to build their piece.
On the small screen below UR New York also play some hoops on a New York outdoor court – so emblematic of the buoyant and fleeting scene on the streets of Brooklyn in warmer months. In fact, you can see the ball they used at the show. Maybe they’ll get a chance to use it in balmy Miami.
2ESAE and SKI would like to give a big shout out to HotMop Films for their vision, direction, editing, and production of this video.
For more information about The Art Of Basketball click here
To learn more about URNewYork and see more of their work click here
Dan Witz
Culture Shock Marketing (CSM) presents:
Dan Witz
The Acclaimed New York Street Artist’s
Exhibition and Book Signing
Cielo on the Bay
7935 East Drive
Harbor Island
North Bay Village, FL 33141
Exhibition: Dec 2nd – 5th, 2010, 11am – 6 pm
Book Signing: December 3rd, 6pm – 8pm
Free and Open to the Public with Free Shuttle Service
NEW YORK, November 30, 2010 – Culture Shock Marketing (CSM) is proud to present acclaimed New York street artist Dan Witz at the MIA | MI CIELO 2010 Fine Art Exposition in concurrence with Art Basel | Miami Beach. Dan will feature a retrospective selection of street art works, sign copies of his limited edition book “In Plain View: 30 Years of Artworks Illegal and Otherwise” and carry out some of his clandestine artistic illegality on the highways and byways of Miami. Signed copies of Witz’s 2011 “Hummingbirds” accordion calendar will be given out to the first 100 guests at the book signing event.
Admission is free and open to the public. Cocktails for the Friday evening book signing reception will be provided by 42BELOW Vodka. A Shuttle service will be provided by the City of North Bay Village with looping stops connecting the Wynwood Arts District, Design District, MIA | MI CIELO and NADA Art Fair throughout the four day expo.
More than just a documentation of Witz’s public artworks, “In Plain View” is a diary of three decades of thoughtful and emotional engagement with the ever evolving surfaces of New York City. Embracing a meticulously disciplined aesthetic inspired by the old masters, Witz has spent the last decades making easel paintings as well as street art, leaving various love letters in plain view on the doorstep of his beloved New York City. Dan Witz is in conversation with both the conventional and street worlds of art. His work is inclusive. It is obsessive. It is acknowledged as an original voice, an inspiration and a catalyst.
Besides obvious craftsmanship, the artwork of Dan Witz evinces a rigorous conceptual framework. This framework not only opens up a dialogue with graffiti and street art which dominate the urban environment but also allows for the retention of clear and open lines with the canon of art history.
About Dan Witz
Since receiving his BFA from Cooper Union, Dan Witz has received a grant from the NEA and two fellowships from the New York Foundation of the Arts. His first book, “The Birds of Manhattan,” was published by Skinny Books in 1983. Solo exhibitions include Semaphore Gallery NY (1985,1986), Clementine Gallery (1996), Stolen Space, London (2007); DFN Gallery NY (2003-5, 6, 7, 8, 10) and Carmichael Gallery, LA (2009). Group exhibitions include: Buying Time: Nourishing Excellence, Sotheby’s NY(2001); and Fifteen, NYFA Fellows at Deutsche Bank, NY (1999). Today Dan lives and works in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
More on Dan Witz and his work can be found at his website.
Parking: Cielo on the Bay has generously offered available parking spaces for guest of MIA | MI CIELO with limited spaces. Free street parking is provided by the City of North Bay Village on East Drive just South of the Cileo & Eloquence on the Bay. Additional parking spaces available at Eloquence, the development across from MIA | MI CIELO, for a discounted price.
MIA | MI CIELO will be presented on the 4th floor of the Cielo on the Bay luxury condominium, a high-end residential building. Located on Harbor Island just north of the Art Deco District and the Miami Beach Convention Center, MIA | MI CIELO will transform the Cielo into a destination for contemporary art, performances and events and allow the public, art collectors and enthusiasts visiting Miami to view the increasingly influential contemporary art scene up-close and personal.
Exhibition Hours: Thursday 2nd – Sunday 5th, 11am – 6pm
Dan Witz Book Signing: Friday 3rd, 6pm – 8pm
Cielo Party: Saturday 4th, 7pm – 11pm
For further information on MIA | MI CIELO exhibiting artists and programming please visit www.miamicielo.com.
About CSM
Culture Shock Marketing (CSM) is a New York City-based 21st century media consultancy, focused on serving creative communities. CSM is a valuable strategic partner, energetic and in tune with the innovative markets where art and technology interact. CSM is recognized for strategic and creative approaches to marketing, brand development and positioning in local, digital and global markets. For further information, please visit www.cultureshockmarketing.com.
BROOKLYN STREET ART LOVES YOU MORE EVERY DAY