All posts tagged: LA2

Graffiti, Gallery, the Street: Celebrating the Life and Impact of Patti Astor 1950 – 2024

Graffiti, Gallery, the Street: Celebrating the Life and Impact of Patti Astor 1950 – 2024

A true New York mix of friends and fans recently gathered in Manhattan at the First Street Green Park on the north side of Houston Street for a personal sendoff and remembrance of Patti Astor in a city she loved. Here are some of the paintings left behind, echoing an earlier time with the DNA of today. While the list of organizers and attendees is incomplete, notable mentions include Delta2, Al Diaz, Meres, Futura, Dr. Revolt, Snake 188, Fab Five Freddy, and Charlie Ahearn. These folks and many others played a part in the vibrant Downtown graffiti scene and the broader fusion of hip-hop and punk culture that flourished in NYC during the 1980s. Perhaps it’s obvious to say so, but when you’re creative and follow your passions, you never know how many lives you will touch.

Meres One tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Astor, often hailed as a star, legend, and avant-garde pioneer, left an enduring legacy that inspired countless artists and cultural enthusiasts. Born Patricia Titchener in Cincinnati, she moved to New York City in 1968, attending Barnard College before joining the anti-war movement. By 1975, she was fully immersed in the underground film scene, collaborating with filmmakers like Eric Mitchell and Amos Poe.

Mr. Stash tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Astor’s film career included roles in Poe’s “Unmade Beds” and “The Foreigner,” but her most iconic performance came in Charlie Ahearn’s 1982 film “Wild Style.” In “Wild Style,” Astor played a roving reporter navigating the Bronx’s vibrant graffiti and hip-hop culture, bridging the gap between uptown graffiti artists and the downtown art scene. This role cemented her status as an underground film star and deepened her connection to New York’s graffiti movement.

Shiro One tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

In 1981, Astor and Bill Stelling opened Fun Gallery in the East Village. This groundbreaking space showcased artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jane Dickson, Keith Haring, and Kenny Scharf and graffiti legends such as Futura 2000, Fab 5 Freddy, and Lee Quinones. It became a pivotal venue for the East Village art scene, fostering a community where graffiti art was celebrated and legitimized within the broader art world. In some notable cases, it helped elevate the careers of many artists who would achieve international acclaim.

Call Her Al tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Since her passing, many have highlighted Astor’s multifaceted contributions to art and culture. Her enthusiasm and belief in the value of graffiti art opened doors for a diverse array of artists and supercharged its many distributaries. The vivid energy in these new pieces is a testament to Patti Astor’s lasting impact on the art world, celebrating her legacy as a true pioneer who brought the eclectic vibrancy of New York’s streets into galleries and history.

Charlie Doves. Albert Diaz 1 tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Shiro One. Call Her Al. Charlie Doves. Albert Diaz 1 tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
DZO TC5 tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
LA2 tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
The Duke tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Delta tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
BAK tribute to Patti Astor. Manhattan, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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BSA Images Of The Week: 02.18.24

BSA Images Of The Week: 02.18.24

Welcome to BSA Images of the Week!

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul wants to classify some graffiti as a hate crime. The arts and culture press has been writing alarming headlines about this new proposal by the Gov, but the burden lies on the lawyers who need to prove that the intention of the graffiti writer was to target a protected class of people with a hateful screed. Wonder if they will hand out tickets for poor handstyles, too.

Meanwhile, guess it’s still okay to steal from graffiti writers and street artists.

New York neighbors and peers of the orange man tried years ago to warn the country against him – and yet he was elected. Now Trump has to pay fines for “ill-gotten” gains totaling $453 million. He really hit the jackpot when the judge barred him and his two sons Friday from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation. Leading the country, presumably, is still fine.

A day after the verdict, he was hawking golden Trump sneakers. Let’s see, $453 million divided by $399.00…

Coming up next month in this never-ending reality crime series, Trump Hush Money Criminal Trial Set to Begin March 25 in Manhattan.

Here is our weekly conversation with the street, this week including Stikman, Homesick, BK Foxx, Calicho Art, Werds, Goog, LA2, TBanbox, ICU463, Propa, NAY183, Bukse, Joser, Vicer, Faire, Shicks, Angel Ortiz, Mr. Doodle, and Albie.

BK Foxx for East Village Walls. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
BK Foxx for East Village Walls. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Calicho Art (photo © Jaime Rojo)
icu463 pondering a Picassoesque problem? (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Angel Ortiz AKA LA2 in collaboration with Mr. Doodle. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Angel Ortiz AKA LA2 in collaboration with Mr. Doodle. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
SHICKS (photo © Jaime Rojo)
WERDS. GOOG. VICER. FAIRE. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
JOSER (photo © Jaime Rojo)
HOMESICK (photo © Jaime Rojo)
BUKSE (photo © Jaime Rojo)
NAY183 (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Stikman (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Tbanbox (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Propa (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Albie (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Photo © Jaime Rojo)

In winter’s chill, where frost does bite,
Lost gloves lie, a somber sight.
Left behind in snow’s embrace,
Their warmth gone without a trace.

Untitled. Winter 2024. Brooklyn, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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LA II Exhibition in NYC: “ODE 2 NYC”

LA II Exhibition in NYC: “ODE 2 NYC”

Chase Contemporary is announcing an upcoming solo exhibition for renowned graffiti artist Angel Ortiz, also known as LA II/ LA2. Titled “ODE 2 NYC,” the show will feature 30 new canvas works in Ortiz’s vibrant and playful geometric style, which evokes the atmosphere of early 1980s New York.

Silver on Blue (H&T), 2022
Acrylic & Silver marker on canvas
60 x 72 in

Ortiz, a New York City-based, self-taught artist of Puerto Rican descent, is known for his early citywide graffiti projects with his crew TNS (The Non-Stoppers) and for his collaborations with Keith Haring, which took them around the world to participate in numerous gallery installations, fashion shows, and museum exhibitions. Ortiz’s signature style combines contemporary geometric, abstract symbols with influences attributed to hieroglyphics and calligraphy.

Teflon Don, 2023
Acrylic and marker on canvas
36h x 36w in

His signature motif is his street tag LAII/LA2, completed in a dense, nearly overlapping pattern he refers to as “High & Tight”. He weaves it with geometric patterns and animated characters that he created, such as the TV and Spray Can characters.

Ortiz’s contributions to the art world are said to have been overlooked for a long time after Haring’s death, and there has been an effort from some of those closest to him to rewrite his contributions back into the history books. The new exhibition will give him a new platform – a solo exhibition in New York. Word has it that a full-length documentary may be in the works for release next year.

Purrfect, 2023
Acrylic and marker on canvas
24h x 24w in
Hudson, 2023
Acrylic and marker on canvas
24h x 24w in

“ODE 2 NYC”, LA II/ LA2
Chase Contemporary

On View:
May 18 -June 18, 2023

Opening Reception:
Thursday, May 18, 6-8pm

Location:
413 West Broadway, New York, NY

Click HERE for further details.

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“The City As Canvas” Opens with the Collection of Martin Wong

“The City As Canvas” Opens with the Collection of Martin Wong

Last night the graffiti and early Street Art history from New York’s 1970s and 80s was celebrated by the City of New York – at least in its museum. Criminals and outlaws then, art stars and legends today, many of the aerosol actors and their documentarians were on display and discussed over white wine under warm, forgiving, indirect lighting.

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DAZE in the background sliced by a wall of cans at the opening of “The City As Canvas” (photo via iPhone © Jaime Rojo)

“City as Canvas: New York City Graffiti From the Martin Wong Collection” is an exhibition as well as a book released last fall written by Carlo McCormick and Sean Corcoran, with contributions by Lee Quinones, Sacha Jenkins and Christopher Daze Ellis, and all the aforementioned were in attendance. Also spotted were artists, photographers, curators, writers (both kinds), art dealers, historians, family, friends, peers and loyal fans – naturally most fell into a few of these categories at the same time.

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Futura2000-Zephyr-Martin-Wong-Collection-copyright-MCNY-Feb2014

“The City As Canvas” exhibition at Museum of the City of New York welcome text with pieces by Futura 2000 and Zephyr to the right. (photo via iPhone © Steven P. Harrington)

“City as Canvas” is possible thanks to the foresight, eye, and wallet of collector Martin Wong, an openly gay Chinese-American artist transplanted to New York from San Francisco, which is remarkable not only because of the rampant homophobia and near hysterical AIDS phobia at the time he was collecting but because the graffiti / Street Art scene even today throws the term “fag” around pretty easily. A trained ceramacist and painter whose professional work has gained in recognition since his death of AIDS related complications in 1999, Wong is said to have met and befriended a great number of New York graffiti artists like Lady Pink, LEE, DAZE and Futura 2000, who were picking up art supplies where he worked at the Pearl Paint store – a four story holy place on Canal Street that thrived at that time.

 Brooklyn-Street-Art-Sharp-Paints-a-Picture-copyright-Martin_WongThe show contains black books full of tags and drawings as well as canvasses and mixed media Wong purchased, commissioned, and painted, including a portrait of graffiti artist Sharp wearing a respirator and standing before a canvas he’s working on entitled Sharp Paints a Picture (1997-98).

The mood at the museum was celebratory as guests looked at the 140+ works from Wong’s collection; a cross between an art opening and a graffiti trade show, with enthusiastic peers and fans waiting patiently to speak with, pose for pictures with, and gain autographs or tags in their black books from artists in attendance. The only officers that could be seen were holding back the line of guests to make sure there was no overcrowding of the exhibit.

brooklyn-street-art-dondi-martha-cooper-jaime-rojo-02-14-web

The famous Martha Cooper photograph of Dondi in action in the train yards. “The City As Canvas” exhibition at Museum of the City of New York. (photo via iPhone © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Haring-LAII-Martin-Wong-Collection-copyright-MCNY-Feb2014

A Keith Haring and LA2 collaboration at “The City As Canvas” exhibition at Museum of the City of New York. (photo via iPhone © Steven P. Harrington)

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Artist LA2 with Ramona “The City As Canvas” (photo via iPhone © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Haring-Smiling-Face-1982-Martin-Wong-Collection-copyright-MCNY-Feb2014

Keith Haring (Smiling Face) from 1982 at “The City As Canvas” exhibition at Museum of the City of New York. (photo via iPhone © Steven P. Harrington)

brooklyn-street-art-lee-quinoes-jaime-rojo-02-14-web

Lee Quiñones speaking with a never ending stream of fans before his canvas Howard the Duck, 1988, at “The City As Canvas” (photo via iPhone © Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn-Street-Art-Henry-Chalfant-Lee-train-Martin-Wong-Collection-copyright-MCNY-Feb2014

Digital prints of images shot by photographer Henry Chalfant brought the trains alive. On top is an image of a train with Sharp/Delta 2 from 1981 and below is “Stop the Bomb” by LEE (Quiñones), 1979 at “The City As Canvas” exhibition at Museum of the City of New York. (photo via iPhone © Steven P. Harrington)

 

 

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Eric Firestone Gallery Presents: DOWN BY LAW: New York’s Underground Art Explosion, 1970s–1980s (East Hampton, NY)

ERIC FIRESTONE GALLERY PRESENTS:

I wanted to invite you to the launch of DOWN BY LAW: New York’s Underground Art Explosion, 1970s–1980s, a new exhibition I am co-curating, which opens at the Eric Firestone Gallery in East Hampton on Saturday, August 14.

The exhibition surveys the originators and innovators of the graffiti and street art movements, looking at where they have been and where they have come over the past 40 years. Highlights include:

  • Paintings by Coco 144, whose work in the early 1970s earned him the title “The Marcel Duchamp of graffiti subculture.”
  • Rarely seen canvases from the early 1980s by style master Dondi White, who by age 22 had had seven solo exhibitions and whose painting was in several European museum collections.
  • Zephyr’s animation sequence frames for Charlie Ahearn’s iconic film, Wild Style.
  • Original drawings from “Yo! MTV Raps”, plus original logo designs for the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, and the Cold Chillin’ record label.


Featured artists include Charlie Ahearn, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Blade, Henry Chalfant, Coco 144, Joe Conzo, Martha Cooper, Cope 2, Daze, Jane Dickson, Dr. Revolt, John Fekner, Cousin Frank aka Ghost, Michael Halsband, Keith Haring, Eric Haze, Keo, Eric Kroll, LA2, Lady Pink, Greg LaMarche, Michael Lawrence, Chris Pape aka Freedom, Rammellzee, Carlos “Mare 139″ Rodriguez, Anita Rosenberg, Sharp aka Aaron Goodstone, Jamel Shabazz, T-kid 170, Dondi White, and Zephyr.

EAST COAST SPACE
4 NEWTOWN LANE
EAST HAMPTON, NY 11937
631-604-2386

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Coming Up Friday: Gore B. and “Stokenphobia” at Pandemic Gallery (NY)

The long awaited return of Gore B.

– don’t know why I say it that way but it seems that the streets had a few more historical references and sudden intricate storylines when Gore B. was around.  His new “drawing” show opening at Pandemic Gallery in South Williamsburg tomorrow features densely layered elements in black white and silver – all of his favorites: painted portraits from early photos, symbols from science, religious and maybe astronomy textbooks, ornate filigranic linework, and an ongoing fascination with type styles and letter faces.

A selection of new GoreB. drawings will be on display at the Pandemic Gallery Friday (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)
Some new Gore B. drawings that will be on display at the Pandemic Gallery Friday (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

Detail of new Gore B. (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)
Detail of new Gore B. (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

But Gore B. will not be alone at Pandemic by any means on Friday – “Stokenphobia”, a show about two geometric shapes, will feature the work of around 40 street artists and friends in a show of community love for signage.

Keely's entry into the show (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)
Keely’s entry into the show (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

For the non-eggheads reading this – stokenphobia is fear of circles – so Pandemic has provided small rectangular shaped metal signs to a number of people to create a piece on.

Buildmore (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)
Buildmore (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

Says Robbie D. of Pandemic, “It’s kind of sporadic. There was no real theme except ‘Just do whatever you feel on the objects we give you.’ We provided the metal signs and basically everybody is allowed to do what they want.  So there’s no real theme to the artwork – it’s just about the shapes.”

Street art and graffiti photographer Luna Park has entered this beautiful piece in the show  (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)
Street art and graffiti photographer Luna Park has entered this beautiful piece in the show (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

Shai Dahan and Darkclouds  (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)
Shai Dahan and Darkclouds ready to be hung. (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

Speaking about the makeup of the group who was invited to participate in the show, Robbie D say, “Mainly they are street artists but there are a lot of friends and artists who don’t work on the street but work in a studio. So it’s really just acquaintances and other street art people we respect and have known for a while now – kind of a close group of people that we know.”

AVOID pounded every letter of every word into this sign.  (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)
“Open all doors – real and imagined” opens this metal screed – and AVOID pounded every letter into this sign. (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

On the opposite side of the room, are a number of large frightening circular shapes that are used as canvasses.

Celso's blue lady stroking your stokenphobia (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)
Celso’s blue lady stroking your stokenphobia (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

"Fake Beef" is the name of this piec by Buildmore  (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

"Fake Beef" is the name of this piece by Buildmore - referring to the lively imaginations (or paranoia) of artists who think others are out to get them. It's circular shape and lace-like patterned background also reminded me of a piece that Hellbent did- but now I can't find a picture of it. (photo ©Steven P. Harrington)

Read more about the show HERE

Abe Lincoln Jr., Armer, Avoid, Becki Fuller, Bloke, Buildmore, Cahbasm, Celso, Chris RWK, Chris Campisi, Dana Woulfe, Darkcloud, Deuce7, Dickchicken, Droid, Enamel Kingdom, Egg Yolk, Faro, Gaia, Infinity, Keely, LA2, Luna Park, Matt Bixby, Matt Siren, Moody, Morgan Thomas, Nate Hall, Paper Monster, Plasma slugs, Royce Bannon, Sadue, Shai Dahan, Stikman, Skewville, Ski, Swampy, Tony Bones, Veng RWK, Wrona, 2esae

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PANDEMIC GALLERY PRESENTS: “STOKENPHOBIA” – Everybody Circle Round!

MIC GALLERY PRESENTS: “STOKENOHOBIA”

At PANDEMIC

At PANDEMIC

PANDEMIC GALLERY PRESENTS: “STOKENOHOBIA”

Please join us for the opening of our newest exhibition, “Stokenphobia”. Featuring drawings from Gore B and hand painted signs from over 30 artists. We will be having an opening reception Friday, March 12 from 7-11pm.

Gore B has long been an integral part in the street art scene coast to coast, from hand painted signs bolted around New York City, to crisp roller letters hidden around Santa Cruz.  His work, painted either on canvas or scrawled across the walls of bridge underpasses depicts characters of regional importance and cultural significance.

“Stokenphobia” or the fear of circles and round objects is a fear we have decided to confront head on by displaying the work of many urban artists hailing from New York, Philadelphia, and California on large round metal road signs. If  this  circular display becomes too overwhelming for those afflicted by the phobia they need only to turn around and will find over 60 small rectangular signs painted by the same motley crew of unconventional art misfits. Pandemic is giving those afflicted with Stokenphobia a  chance to confront this debilitating fear.

Artists participating include:
Abe. Lincoln Jr., Armer,  Becki Fuller, Bloke, Buildmore, Cahbasm, Celso, Chris Campisi, Chris RWK,  Dana Woulfe, Darkcloud, Deuce7, Dickchicken, Droid, Enamel Kingdom, Egg Yolk, Faro,  Infinity, Jordan Seiler, Keely, LA2, Luna Park, Matt Bixby, Matt Siren, Moody, Morgan Thomas, Nate Hall Paper Monster,  Plasma slugs, Royce Bannon, Sadue, Shai Dahan, Stikman, Skewville, Ski, Swampy,  Veng RWK, Wrona, 2esae, and more TBA

Hope you all can make it!

Pandemic Gallery
37 Broadway btwn Kent and Wythe
Brooklyn, NY 11211
www.pandemicgallery.com

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Coming Soon! Peep-o-rama with El Celso

Inspired by the seedy side of New York, which has swiftly slipped inside dark clubs

since being scraped off the sticky street and out of Times Square by the Mickeypolice, street artist and curator El Celso is bringing a group show and installation on September 12th called PEEP-O-RAMA.  Echoing slightly the Butt Magazine show at the Asia Song Society in Chinatown this summer, which featured “conceptual” video and booths with strange holes drilled in the walls, PEEP-O-RAMA brings adult themes to 12th Avenue, where freelance sex-workers once roamed free…

Looking for your lost hairpin in Henry's pocket, Ethel? (artist Ryan Frank)
Looking for your lost hairpin in Henry’s pocket, Ethel? (artist Ryan Frank)

Featuring new work by Brent Birnbaum, Celso, Jillian Corbett, Ian Farrell, Ryan Frank, Suzanne Goldenberg, LA2, Jose Landoni, Pamela Lawton, Danny Licul, Linda Lee Nicholas, Dean Radinovsky, Maggie Simonelli, Miryana Todorova, James A. Willis, and special guests, PEEP-O-RAMA will gladly show you their paintings, sculpture, and a full-scale site-specific installation.

PEEP-O-RAMA GROUP SHOW

Saturday, September 12, 12-4 PM

Reception from 6PM-10PM
AK-57 Gallery
830 12th Avenue.

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“PEEP-O-RAMA” at AK-57 Gallery, curated by El Celso

EL CELSO is pleased to announce the opening of PEEP-O-RAMA, a group art show and installation at the AK-57 Gallery at 830 12th Avenue, between 57th & 58th Streets in Manhattan, next to the West Side Highway in the historic ART KRAFT building.

PEEP-O-RAMA showcases the works of Brent Birnbaum, Celso, Jillian Corbett, Ian Farrell, Ryan Frank, Suzanne Goldenberg, LA2, Jose Landoni, Pamela Lawton, Danny Licul, Linda Lee Nicholas, Dean Radinovsky, Maggie Simonelli, Miryana Todorova, James A. Willis, and special guests.

PEEP-O-RAMA features paintings, sculpture, and a full-scale site-specific installation by New York’s most dynamic contemporary artists. The group show opens on Saturday, September 12 from noon-4PM with a reception from 6PM-10PM at the AK-57 Gallery at 830 12th Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.

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