A delicious delectable from a couple of years ago, this Banksy will be on display at the “Whole in the Wall: 1970 – Now” show opening on Friday.
You can read our interview with the Co-Curators here.
Ratsy from Banksy (courtesy Helenbeck Gallery)
With thanks to Andrew Michael Ford.
May 29 to June 27, 2009:
“Whole In The Wall: 1970 – Now”
Blek Le Rat
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Masters from the 1970s NYC graf movement (Blade, Crash, Daze, Jonone, Quik, Lee Quinones, Rammellzee, Sharp) and European art stars (Victor Ash, Banksy, Blek le Rat, Ikon, Sozyone, Plateus) are among 19 painters, sculptors and photographers showing contemporary works in “Whole In The Wall: 1970 – Now”. It’s an unprecedented, museum-quality, 150-piece exploration of street art’s ongoing transition to, yes, fine art. The pieces are all original and rare; many are new.
piece by Sharp courtesy Helenbeck Gallery
The show is an ambitious, two-story, 25,000-sf installation on Manhattan’s industrial West Side, juxtaposing street artworks with authentic 17th Century antiques. It will be an unprecedented presentation.
The official website for “Whole In The Wall”: www.helenbeckgallery.com
Facebook group “Whole in the Wall” by Helenbeck Gallery – Paris
Brooklyn Street Art Interview with the Co-Curators of this show
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“Whole In The Wall: 1970 – Now”
Friday, May 29 through Saturday, June 27
11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesdays through Saturdays; or by appointment
529-535 W. 35th St. @ 11th Ave. (former Splashlight Studio)
“WHOLE IN THE WALL: THE LARGEST AMERICAN & EUROPEAN STREET ART EXHIBITION IN NEW YORK – ARTISTS FROM THE 70’S TO NOW”
That’s a grand claim, and the Helenbeck sisters are going to try to back it up in June. The curators of this show are planning to pair New York writers from the 70’s and 80’s with European street art stars of the 00’s and present them in Louis XIV drawing rooms furnished with genuine articles from the period.
The show’s numbers are grand too; 150+ pieces, 25,000 square feet of exhibition space, 40 years of art. Promising to shake collectors and historians awake to the relevance of graff and street art in the continuum of fine art, it remains largely unknown what impact this show can have on the street. At the very least, it’s a bold courageous approach to further the ongoing conversation about Street Art’s relevance to the art world.
In the midst of installation, the co-curators of the show, Brigitte & Chantal Helenbeck, give us some insight about their approach and what they hope people will get from the “Whole in the Wall”;
Brooklyn Street Art: Why does this show juxtapose theses genuine antiquities, originally created for the upper classes, with an art form more frequently associated with the working class?
Brigette & Chantal: We think that Street Art has become a real part of the contemporary art scene. By juxtaposing these Street Art pieces with antiquities we would like to underline the entrance of contemporary street art in the history of art.
Brooklyn Street Art: Can you pick one particular pairing of an artwork and an interiors setting in this show that made you laugh with glee?
Brigette & Chantal: We never really laughed, but were often amazed and surprised to notice how two genuine and high quality works of art create a balance and a force between them, no matter which time they belong to. The audience always finds the pairing interesting.
Brooklyn Street Art: As you know, New York (particularly Brooklyn) is currently experiencing an explosion of new street art. Are there any particular street artists of the new crop whose work excites you?
Brigette & Chantal: We are in New York also to discover this new crop, which one day we can maybe bring to Europe so that people can discover their works in future exhibitions. We cannot put out a name, but the spirit of our gallery, which has been an experimental territory for young or acclaimed artists, has definitely been thrilled by the extreme creativity of young artists here in New York.
Brooklyn Street Art: As co-curators and twins, have you had the same vision for this show, or do your tastes differ a great deal?
Brigette & Chantal: We are alike and very different at the same time, but we function as a team and all our final decisions are a mix of our sensitivities and tastes. We find a way to agree at the end, and what people see is a jigsaw version of the two of us.
Brooklyn Street Art: A show of this vast scope must take a huge amount of planning, logistics, and effort. What has been the most surprising part of the process for you?
Brigette & Chantal: To discover New York in a different way, definitely. We learn from people here every day and this turns out to be an extremely interesting experience. This is the logical direction of our professional path, and also part of a journey that we’ll continue in the future.
Brooklyn Street Art: Popular perception of graff and street art continues to evolve. When people walk away from the show, what you like them to be thinking?
Brigette & Chantal: We would like them to see that these artists and their works have their place in the contemporary art field and they are part of the future history of art. We are satisfied when people enjoy our exhibitions and discover new forms of art and new talents. This exhibition in particular is very alive, full of movement, colorful, like the Americans are, and like this city remains despite this difficult economic crisis worldwide.
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Friday, May 29 to Saturday, June 27
Open 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesdays through Saturdays
529-535 W. 35th St. @ 11th Ave. (former Splashlight Studio)
‘GET RICH QUICK’
A Selection from the Collections of our Collectors
Featuring
Antony Micallef, Banksy, Barry McGee, Bast, Beejoir, D*Face, Dalek, David Choe, David Choong Lee, Faile, Ian Francis, KAWS, Nick Walker, Paul Insect, Shepard Fairey, Skullphone, Space Invader, Swoon, Will Barras and more to be announced!
Address: Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Avenue
West Hollywood CA 90038
Opening reception: Thursday, May 7th 2009 / 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Exhibition Dates: May 7th – May 28th 2009
For Immediate Release:
Get Rich Quick at Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 from 7.00pm – 10.00pm! Carmichael Gallery is proud to present a selection of artwork from some of the strongest voices in the contemporary art world, including Antony Micallef, Banksy, Barry McGee, Bast, Beejoir, D*Face, Dalek, David Choe, David Choong Lee, Faile, Ian Francis, KAWS, Nick Walker, Paul Insect, Shepard Fairey, Skullphone, Space Invader, Swoon, and Will Barras. Both original works and a selection of rare, sold-out prints will be on display.
Contact art@carmichaelgallery.com to preview available work. Please note that these artists are not represented by the gallery.
The exhibition will be open for viewing through Thursday, May 28th 2009 from 1.00pm -7.00pm.
The gallery is still accepting submissions for this show; please contact art@carmichaelgallery.com if you have strong pieces you are interested in consigning.
Also opening May 7th: ‘When All The Stars Are Gone’ – A Solo Exhibition of New Artwork by Thais Beltrame in our Front Gallery and Alexone in our Showcase Space
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For media inquiries contact: Elisa Carmichael
Email: elisa@carmichaelgallery.com
Tel#: (323) 969-0600
it’s not hard to see their reflection on the Brooklyn streets, which may serve as tea leaves revealing the messages swirling around us and in us. Each individual act of creating is of significance, yet it is the cumulative effect of the groundswell of new participants that seems so powerful, so hopeful in it’s desire.
Naturally, at the beginning of this selection of images from 2008, we are featuring the most visible street art piece of the year by Shepard Fairey, which appeared here on the streets of Brooklyn and transcended mediums to reach millions of people. Shepard’s graphic design style and his images of the man who would be president helped many to quickly glimpse the character and message of Barack Obama.
A Winning Campaign (Shepard Fairey) (photo Jaime Rojo)
The image was replicated, adopted, adapted, transformed, re-formed, lampooned even. It became an icon that belonged to everyone who cared to own it, and a symbol of the change the man on the street was looking for. Like street art, Obama’s message was taken directly to the people, and they responded powerfully in a way that brought a historic shift; one that continues to unfold.
Elsewhere on the street we saw themes from topical to fantastical; crazy disjointed cultural mash-ups, celebrity worship or destruction, Big Brother, icons, symbols, death, war, economic stress, protest, dancing, robots and monsters and clowns and angels, and an incredible pathos for humanity and it’s sorry state… with many reminders of those marginalized and disaffected. We never forget the incredible power of the artist to speak to our deepest needs and fears.
The movement of young and middle-aged artists off the isle of pricey mall-ish Manhattan and into Brooklyn is not quite an exodus, but boy, sometimes it feels that way. The air sometimes is thick with it; the creative spirit. The visual dialogue on the street tells you that there is vibrant life behind doors – studios, galleries, practice rooms, loft parties, rooftops.
Even as a debate about street art’s appropriate placement on public/private walls continues, it continues. From pop art to fine art, painterly to projected, one-offs to mass repetition, Brooklyn street art continues to grow beyond our expectations, and our daily lives are largely enriched by it.
This collection is not an exhaustive survey – the archival approach isn’t particularly stimulating and we’re not academics, Madge. The street museum is always by chance, and is always about your two eyes. Here’s a smattering, a highly personal trip through favorites that were caught during the year.
[svgallery name=”Images of Year 2008″]
Uh-Oh, You Caught Me: Banksy in Manhattan (photo Jaime Rojo)
WAIT! Put those Scissors Down! I'm totally serious. (photo Jaime Rojo)
Ahh, the ever clever, ever witty and talented Banksy stopped by to bring cheer to New Yorkers who are watching Wall Street go down the toilet. Thanks Banksy!
BROOKLYN STREET ART LOVES YOU MORE EVERY DAY