All posts tagged: Jonathan Levine Gallery

Dan Witz Goes Hardcore in NYC with Mosh Pit Collection

Dan Witz Goes Hardcore in NYC with Mosh Pit Collection

“After photographing in the mosh pits for awhile I began to get familiar with patterns in the music. Eventually it got to the point where I could sense the moment coming when things would really cut loose and go berserk,” says painter Dan Witz about his process and method for catching the moment when the roiling mass of hardcore music fans hit the perfect state of frenzy.

“NY Hardcore Paintings”, opening this past Saturday night and on view currently at The Jonathan Levine gallery in Chelsea, presents Witz with his new body of convulsing bodies and to say they are a revelation is only part of the story. When we saw his first mosh pit paintings a few years ago we were struck by the raw thrilling chaotic energy and calculated abandon in them – and reminded of many such nights in the 80s and 90s in lower Manhattan when we also joined in the fray.

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Dan Witz “NY Hardcore” Jonathan LeVine Gallery (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

With this many pieces displayed at once you begin to see mosh pits more as a cultural phenomenon, sociological study, and expression of the cognitive polarity produced when marginalized subculture creates communal gatherings. Disregarding Witz’s masterful command of oil and light for moment, it may occur to you that this cathartic explosion is not terrorful, but a volunteer community jam and permission-based S&M soiree with basically total strangers.

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Dan Witz “NY Hardcore” Jonathan LeVine Gallery (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

The mosh pit as derived from earliest punk rock shows, while stylistically posed as one of utter chaos, has just as many bylaws and conventions as traditional dance and extreme sport – and is usually well contained so that non participants can enjoy it from the sidelines. Yes, there is the occasional poked eye and heavy bruise, but it’s only the rube or provocateur or boneheaded jock who tramples the line and ruins it for the rest. Otherwise, it can be a communal, euphoric expression of collective rage, measured aggression, and celebratory dissatisfaction where everyone experiences a sense of relief, and release.

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Dan Witz “NY Hardcore” Jonathan LeVine Gallery (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

As with his street work, Witz is hiding in plain sight, and the myriad social-psychological undertones are the most relevant, as well as the ones they trigger in a viewer. One is remiss to not point out that the majority of participants here are of caucasion descent, and while that may be merely a trapping of the culture depicted, one may wonder what would be triggered in viewers if the majority of participants in these celebratory rage-fests were of another background.

Don’t be surprised by the appearance of a guest star in the silently boisterous “Hardcore” compositions here contained by canvasses and frames – and take note of the passages, outstretched limbs, points of impact, gestures that point more to the supportive than the adversarial.

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Dan Witz “NY Hardcore” Jonathan LeVine Gallery (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Dan Witz “NY Hardcore” Jonathan LeVine Gallery (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Dan Witz “NY Hardcore” Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Detail. (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Oh, that was a close one! Dan Witz “NY Hardcore” Jonathan LeVine Gallery (Photo © Jaime Rojo)

 

Dan Witz “NY Hardcore” is currently on view at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery in Manhattan. Click HERE for details.

 

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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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POSE Back in NYC

POSE Back in NYC

Chicago based graffiti artist POSE is back in New York City for Armory Week and he found a window of opportunity to hit up a wall this week.  Last time he was in town it was for his Houston Wall with Revok in the beastly New York heat last summer, so obviously he is a pro who can endure the polarity of temperatures because it is still bitter on the streets right now. Actually maybe the cold caused this mural to go up so rapidly on Lafayette in conjunction with The L.I.S.A. Project NYC and the Jonathan LeVine Gallery.

The new colorful piece is a furtherance of his experimenting with “pounce patterns” and his own remixed deconstructing of pop and commercial elements from vintage sign-language. We have it from a good source that the work on this wall is only a teaser for what’s coming in warmer months – a Summer Blockbuster about five stories high. Don’t touch that dial.

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POSE (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE. Alix Frey, Director at Jonathan LeVine keeping it cool. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE switching out the cap. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE. A + (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE. Reflection. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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POSE (photo © Jaime Rojo)

 

POSE is also showing with JLV at the Volta Art Fair with a solo presentation of works at 82 Mercer Street this weekend. More information via the gallery.

 

 

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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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Street Artists At The Fairs For Armory Week NYC 2014

Street Artists At The Fairs For Armory Week NYC 2014

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Not quite spring, the Art Fairs are arriving in New York ahead of the tulips. We strolled the impossibly long aisles and peered into the booths to find the folks who have at other times been called “Street Artists”. This weekend they’ll be fine artists, and the list is quite a bit longer than years past as the professionalization of the street continues.

Shows like the Armory, Scope, Volta, and Fountain are good testing venues to see the commercial viability for many of these artists and some have foregone representation – preferring to foot the bill on their own. Since walking the streets to see their work requires multiple layers and hats and gloves – traipsing through the fairs can be far preferable than dirty old Brooklyn streets. It’s also nice to see how some of these folks look in a tie or a blouse – or even just hit a comb. Here below we include some possible gems for you to hunt down.

THE ARMORY SHOW

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Pace Prints

How & Nosm at Pier 92

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How Nosm at Pace Prints (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For The Armory Show Art Fair location, dates, times, booth numbers, etc… click HERE

SCOPE ART FAIR

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Andenken Gallery

Amanda Marie, VINZ

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Vinz at Andenken Gallery (image courtesy the gallery)

Black Book Gallery

Judith Supine, WK Interact, Ben Eine, Cycle, James Reka, Cope2, Indie184, Shepard Fairey

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Judith Supine at Black Book Gallery (image courtesy the gallery)

C.A.V.E. Gallery

PEETA, Pure Evil

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Pure Evil at C.A.V.E. Gallery (image courtesy the artist)

Fabien Castanier Gallery

Speedy Graphito, Mark Kenkins, RERO

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Speedy Graphito at Fabien Castanier Gallery (image courtesy the gallery)

Fuchs Projects

Rafael Fuchs, Aakash Nihalini, Skewville

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Skewville at Fuchs Projects (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Krause Gallery

Ben Frost, Hanksy

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Ben Frost at Krause Gallery (image courtesy the gallery)

Moniker Projects

Beau Stanton, Ben Eine, David Shillinglaw, Greg Lamarche, Jon Burgerman, Pam Glew, Ron English,  Muffinhead, Keira Rathbone.

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David Shillinglaw at Moniker Projects (image courtesy the artist)

Natalie Kates Projects

Skullphone, Swoon

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Skullphone at Natalie Kates Projects (photo © Jaime Rojo)

 

ThinkSpace Gallery

Know Hope

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Know Hope at ThinkSpace (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Vertical Gallery

Stormie Mills, My Dog Sighs

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Stormie Mills at Vertical Galler (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For SCOPE Art Fair location, dates, times, booth numbers, etc… click HERE

VOLTA NY

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Jonathan LeVine Gallery

POSE

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Pose at Jonathan LeVine Gallery (image courtesy the artist)

For VOLTA NY Art Fair location, dates, times and booth numbers, etc… click HERE

FOUNTAIN ART FAIR

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Fumeroism, Jay Shells, Leon Reid IV, Vicki DaSilva are all showing at Fountain this year

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Vicki DaSilva at Fountain (image courtesy the artist)

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Fumero at Fountain (image © Jaime Rojo)

Urban Folk Art

Adam Suerte

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Adam Suerte (courtesy Urban Folk Art)

Street Art Installation curated by Mighty Tanaka

Alex Emmert will be curating the Street Art Installation and he has invited Chris Stain, Alice Mizrachi, Skewville, Cake, Chris RWK, Joe Iurato, Rubin, EKG, Gilf!, Omen and LNY.

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Rubin will be part of the installation of Street Artists at Fountain Art Fair (photo © Jaime Rojo)

For Fountain Art Fair location, dates, times, etc…click HERE

 

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Images Of The Week: 02.23.14

Images Of The Week: 02.23.14

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Here’s our weekly interview with the street, this week featuring 1up, Bishop203, Bradley Theodore, Cash4, Deekers, El Sol 25, Hiss Keeley, Kevin Cyr, King Amsterdam, Ludo, Mosco Clandestino, Not Art, ROA, Royce Bannon, Smells, Sweet Toof, Trap Art, and Zimer.

Top Image >> Sweet Toof joins Deekers, 1UP, Roa and Keely on this little wall of horrors. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Sweet Toof and Smells collab on a roof top. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Bradley Theodore gives Anna and Karl a face lift. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Hiss (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Cash4 . Smells (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Clearly this is Not Art (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Trap Art. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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The Padlock Menagerie (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Ludo up close at the show “Fruit of the Doom”. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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An unusual thing for Ludo – a sculptural reprise of his recurring image “Fruit of the Doom” from his solo show at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Ludo “Fruit of the Doom” solo show at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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El Sol 25, Bishop 203 and Royce Bannon adorn the facade of 17 Frost Gallery for  the “Outdoor Gallery NYC” show. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Kevin Cyr “Right Place, Right Time” solo show at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Kevin Cyr “Right Place, Right Time” solo show at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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King Amsterdam (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Zimer (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Mosco Clandestino (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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Untitled. Central Park, Manhattan. 2013 (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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WK Interact in “360”, A Survey of Conflict in Degrees

“If his work on the street is an indication, it has been a constant state of war. Look at these images and themes that reappear in WK’s work since he first came to New York; Ever-present fear, violence, anxiety, overheated sex-play, fishnets & firearms, contorted figures racing, martial arts kicks to the head, hand-to-hand combat, boxers swinging, prisoners tied and bound, hooded figures snapping heads of bound businessmen, terrifying escapes in progress, maniacal twined and twisted forms and faces, propaganda, undercover spies, official seals, gun assembly diagrams, digitized labels, ID fingerprints, cameras, surveillance, camouflage, radioactive symbols, streaming codes and bureaucratic text passages, black military choppers hovering overhead, contorted soldiers screaming “bring me back”, a permanent state of survivalism…” – to quote ourselves from our 2 part series on WK Interact a few years ago.

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Now in 2013 Jonathan Levine Gallery plays host to a survey of the Street Artist that blew our minds when we traipsed through Soho in the 1980s and 90s, when Manhattan was still cool and had the authentic atmosphere of a vibrant arts “scene”.  As we look at the new display that spans his career from street to gallery so far, the cultural explosions of that time and their dancing reflection as captured by WK in his large scale street installations of black and white, we realize it was an accurate depiction, and a prophetic one.

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

As a result, a brand new visitor will be just as taken by this collection as one twenty years ago. Given the increasingly militarized aspects of the modern day, what might have seemed like a paranoid future vision by WK now looks like contemporary society. What keeps all of it immediate and alive is how WK infuses the most static piece with the movement, the speed, the rush of the street.

“My work is very black, it’s very bold, it’s very graphic, it’s very strong.  There is nothing really friendly like a little bird flying around or a pink piglet… it’s totally not that.  But I live in New York City and I am responding to that kind of contrast.” ~ WK on BSA

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

 

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact (photo © Jaime Rojo)

WK Interact “360 A 25 Year Survey” is currently on view at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery Pop-Up at 557 W 23 Street, NYC. Click here for more details.

Click here to read our interview with WK “The 25 Year War: WK Interact in New York. Part I

Click here to read our interview with WK “The 25 Year War: WK Interact in New York. Part II

 

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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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For Crochet Street Artist OLEK “The End is Far”

For those who follow this sort of thing Street Artist Olek has monopolized the category for pink and purple camouflage crochet sculpture on the street.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say she actually invented the category, owing as much to the D.I.Y. and hand-crafting movements as to public artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, whose work also lusts for custom wrapping everything that occupies space. Where Christo might prefer tarps and massive scale multi-week installations, Olek is content for now to hand-crochet her bespoke skin covers for bicycles, shopping carts, strollers, the Wall Street Bull sculpture, and every inanimate object in her apartment.

Now we can add to that list candelabras and human skeletons.

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

In her new solo show “The End is Far” at Manhattan’s Jonathan Levine Gallery, the Polish born Street Artist (please don’t say “yarn-bomber”) again covers the entire interior of the exhibition space with the sweet poppy palette in which so much of her street work has been sheathed. Possibly new here is the focus on adornment; brocade and appliqué treatments that are deliberately fussy and feminine, and a dining set that curves toward Victorian.

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Somehow this added ornamentation clouds the candy camo and cushions the blow of her cursively tart twists on homey axioms like “All We Need Is Love and Money,” and “Being Beautiful on the Inside is What Counts Ha Ha Not Really”. With metallic yarn stretched across skulls and wine bottles and chalices, the tough stuff is softened by the thickness of the cover, and the attitude of pure play.

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Fresh from very publicly beating a rap for assault in London, she happily calls sexism on the carpet and champions human rights as part of her work, and you’ll see elements of this here too. Call this a show about candy colored empowerment. Call her a creative force to reckon with, and possibly adore (But don’t be too saccharine; she’ll call you a pussy). With this much attitude and determination, you can expect expansion and refinement to intensify during this still blooming career, and one can imagine Olek crocheting a way to wrap an entire city before it is all over.

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

The hand crocheted pugilistic art of Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Olek “The End is Far” is currently on view at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Click here for further information.

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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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Olek Sneak Peek – It’s a Pink Crocheted World and “The End is Far”

For those of us who follow this sort of thing Street Artist Olek has monopolized the category for D.I.Y. pink and purple camouflage crochet sculpture on the street.

More later on that tip, but right now we want to share with you a BSA sneak peek of “The End is Far” as Olek races to completely cover the interior exhibition space for tonights’ opening at Jonathan Levine.

Call it a show about candy colored empowerment. Call her a force to reckon with, and possibly adore. And if you do, champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries will be accepted.

OLEK  (detail of photo, re-shot © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK at work on her installation. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

OLEK “The End is Far” Opens today at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Click here for more details.

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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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Jonathan LeVine Gallery Presents: OLEK “The End is Far” (Manhattan, NYC)

Jonathan LeVine Gallery is pleased to present The End Is Far,  a series of new works, a site-specific installation and live performance by Polish-born, New York-based artist Olek, in what will be her second solo exhibition at the gallery. Known for her bold work and vivacious persona, Olek’s ever-expanding interventions involve covering a multitude of people and objects in camouflage-patterned crochet including: bicycles, cars, shopping carts, construction vehicles and prominent public art sculptures such as Wall Street’s Charging Bull; Alamo (Astor Place cube) and Gato de Botero in Barcelona.

This exhibition follows what proved to be a very eventful year for Olek. In 2011, she was placed on house arrest after a dispute with an aggressive male patron escalated at a London bar. Subsequently, despite creatively and financially stifling circumstances, Olek found herself motivated by the experience, determined to cover legal expenses and fight for her freedom. Granted permission to leave the UK between court appearances, 2012 became the most prolific year of the artist’s career to date, as she took on numerous international projects, public installations and commissions. She was part of the 40 Under 40: Craft Futures exhibition at the Smithsonian, for which her entire crocheted studio apartment was exhibited. During the rest of her travels, Olek collaborated with women around the world, in Brazil, Hong Kong and Poland, learning new techniques and experimenting with different materials.

The End is Far features new multi-layered crocheted sculptures and panels inspired by the events that transpired last year. With the addition of finely crocheted lace doilies, metallic gold ribbon and a new approach to typography, themes of freedom, justice, feminine power and strength are conveyed through subject matter such as boxing gloves, skulls, skeletons, sickles and horseshoes. An installation room containing a dining table set with china, overflowing fruit bowls, wine bottles and goblets will serve as an isolated environment for Olek’s crochet-covered female performers during the opening reception.

Olek – opening reception

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Sneak Peek: How & Nosm “Late Confessions”

Twin Street Artists How and Nosms’ new solo show titled “Late Confessions” with the Jonathan Levine Gallery opens tomorrow at a pop-up show in Manhattan. This exhibition, painstakingly executed in their now iconic style is a watershed moment in their transformation into contemporary artists with stellar street DNA.

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

The temporary Chelsea venue was under five feet of water in November because of Hurricane Sandy, and it is a fitting metaphor as the murky storm waters had to be laboriously pumped out and damaged walls replaced before the brothers could reveal this confessional journey through interconnecting storylines of personal history, subconscious, and memory.

A visitor is free to travel through four unique installations; A white chapel with shelved books and three dimensional walls, a red memorabilia room that includes framed stencils used on myriad walls, a spare dark alley with a glowing light box at the end, and an expansive room showcasing a glistening contemporary rococo sculpture lacquered in black paint. Compartmentalized and open, the show invites you to be intimate and stand back with graphically sharp, cheerful and dark, canvases and objects of varying size and complexity.

Self-constrained by a palette of red, white and black, the brothers show their athleticism and abundant confidence here, pushing themselves and their fans to expand and explore together. Give them space and they know how to go big across a wall or a gallery; give them a quiet minute and they’ll tell you a couple of secrets you would not have guessed.

See our studio interview as they prepared for this show “How & Nosm Studio Confessions”

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

How & Nosm (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Click here to read our studio visit for more confessions.

How & Nosm’s pop-up exhibition “Late Confessions” with the Jonathan Levine Gallery opens on February 1st.  at 557 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011. Click here for more details.

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