Welcome to BSA Images of the Week! Longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere today, so presumably we can see more with all this daylight. And yet, the view is somehow clouded from here. The machinations of the city, the state, our institutions, the financial industrial complex, the welfare state – all whir mysteriously before us and behind us. The new Fed Chair made his first public/opaque utterance, and there is some kind of new peace agreement between the US and Iran, yet new bombs explode in Lebanon. In other interesting and unrelated news items, investors gawped as SpaceX dropped 20 percent from its peak during its first week, New Yorkers are worried about videos of unknown people entering and exiting the sewers through manhole covers, and leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, and DeepMind participated alongside elected world leaders at the G7 in closed-door meetings.
On the streets, the art, graffiti, and individual commentary tell a multitude of stories as well, including love, hope, fear, celebration, humor, frustration, mourning, and defiance. Here’s our weekly survey, including Arioh, Buttsup, CRKSHNK, Derek Fordjour, Funk, Homesick, JerkFace, Jocelyn Tsaih, Modomatic, Onur, Optimo NYC, Prez NCE, Stop Men, Werds, and ZimerNYC.
Welcome to BSA Images of the Week! Yo, don’t sleep on New York – we’re still setting an eclectic standard of outlaw graffiti and street art and out-of-your-mind people on the street, in the clubs, concerts, and parks. When the weather warms like this week, all the subcultures emerge again on the streets, out of their apartments after a long winter, looking for action, and thankfully, there is plenty – 5-Borough bike rides, Smorgasbord, Shakespeare in the Park, cherry tree festival at the botanical gardens, LES skatepark, Union Square Market, Washington Park gatherings, Fleet Week. Yes all the prices are going up, but a lot of New York can be enjoyed for little or no money – just go outside.
Let’s see how the Met Gala sidesteps its Bezos-era funding this week during the annual craven catwalk of shallowness and hot air. The usual procession of “stars” will take the carpet—plenty of spectacle, putting very little at stake beyond the attention it generates. As a street art campaign heated up to boycott the event this spring, Hyperallergic’s article from mid-April nailed the gist of it. More recently, bus stop installations hit the message directly by stating “Amazon Powers ICE”. The Met doesn’t know how to do people-powered revolt – unless it can be pulled completely out of its original context (or happened 300 years ago). Remember the thorough de-boning of punk culture for the “punk” themed event in the twenty-teens? It was like a tasty punk Filet-O-Fish.
Surprisingly, corporate media didn’t pick up this new anti-corporate Amazon/Met story. See the video of a street poster installation at the end here.
So here is our weekly interview with the street, this time featuring Depoe, Dirt Cobain, Frank Ape, Gane, Guila, Gushe, IMK X, Jorit, Love X, Miss 17, Modomatic, Ollin, Pear, Qzar, Rems, Sonni, Stikman, Tuney, and Want Pear.
Welcome to BSA Images of the Week! The energy always builds on the streets of NYC as Halloween approaches. The night feels inky and dense, the air cold and damp, with dried leaves and bits of garbage lightly clattering across the sidewalk in sudden whirlwinds. The city’s nerves tightened this week as masked ICE agents descended on Canal Street, pursuing the sidewalk sellers of faux Chanel and Versace shades. And in a curious coincidence, the East Wing of the White House was reduced to rubble — surely a metaphor waiting to be explained.
A piece inThe Art Newspapertracks how the mayoral candidates view the arts: funding, creative-sector jobs, and affordability for artists.
In street art news, we were lucky to catch the naming of a NYC street after Jean-Michel Basquiat this week with his two sisters, step-mom, and the extended family – and an enthusiastic crowd. The City of New York dedicated the Jean-Michel Basquiat Way at The Bowery and Great Jones Street a few feet from JMB’s old studio. Some might consider it an irony that a former vandal gets his way, all these years later. Other’s recognize that these issues are not black and white, but are often GRAY.
Here’s our weekly interview with the streets, this time featuring Chusma, Dirt Cobain, JG Toonation, Mack & Frodrik, Merck, Modomatic, Outer Source, SAMO, Uncut Art, and Unfollow.
Welcome to BSA Images of the Week. As Fall arrives the leaves turn, the lattes spice up, and Washington does its ghoul impression by shutting down the government, shuttering what’s public while pretending it’s principled. This great pumpkin is being hollowed out, and some appear to be waiting for it to collapse. Ah, but we’ve had these tricksters at our door before, their masks artfully placed.
Happily, street art runs the gamut, and not all of it is scary, despite the times. The first piece in this week’s collection seeks to be reassuring by quoting Bob Marley’s song Three Little Birds, when he sings, “Don’t worry about a thing because every little thing is gonna be alright”. (see the video at the end of today’s posting)
Let’s see what the street art tea leaves are saying. Here is our weekly interview with the street, this week featuring Barbara Galiniska, Below Key, Gane, Hope, Jason Naylor, Merk, Mike King, Miki Mu, Modomatic, Pin, Steph Costello, and Tover.
NYC’s 55th annual Pride March down 5th Avenue kicks off today, themed “Rise Up: Pride in Protest,” taking on a decidedly defiant stance on equality for all. Suppose you are in the subway, dance club, or park in Bushwick, Chinatown, or midtown. Like every June, it’s a lavender parade all weekend, with all members of the LGBTQUA+ communities from around the country and the world laughing, dancing, fighting, posing, and canoodling.
Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani clinched the Democratic nomination here this week after defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, possibly igniting a polarized reaction across NYC politics. Hm, wonder if anyone will mention his religion in the next few months. What do you think? But, de facto, he’s going to be the next mayor – unless Bloomberg wants to blow more money before the November election.
Here’s our weekly interview with the street, this week featuring Andre Trenier, Dirt Cobain, Drones, Dzel, Fear Art, Jappy Agoncillo, Jason Naylor, Jeff Rose, Kam S. Art, Manik, Modomatic, Par, Riot, Senisa, Tom Bob, Werds, and Zimer.
Chag Sameach to all who are celebrating Passover. The Hasidim in Brooklyn kicked off the public festivities by lighting fires on sidewalks in various neighborhoods—a surprising and bright flickering of orange, yellow, and white dancing flames are a sight against the cold gray downpour of April. As the smoke wafts through the streets, there’s a moment of panic—wondering if a building is on fire or if war has broken out.
Yes, there are wars of many kinds across this country and worldwide—and times of tumultuous change like these may augur even more conflict. We’re tempted to say “Dark Times,” as it appears we are amid a slow-motion demolition, but we want to reserve such pronouncements.
On the street, New York is—as ever—bratty and bright, bracing and beatific. Someone may cut you off to grab a subway seat, but another person might offer you theirs. We know things aren’t right, and the fog of propaganda seems designed to make us fearful of one another. However, New Yorkers largely settled the identity politics conversation a quarter century ago, and we’re generally not interested in rehashing it. We’re more likely to wonder why the subway still feels rickety, why prices on everything from rent to groceries to concert tickets and restaurant entrées keep jumping out of reach. At the same time, the official inflation rate still claims it’s 2–3%. Really? Where did you get that number?
The most remarkable image we caught this week comes courtesy of someone who may be a new “Splasher” in New York—bloody flash installations dripping down walls and onto sidewalks. The symbolism could apply to so much happening in the world, and the beauty of most street art is this: you create the narrative.
We continue with our interviews with the street, this week including CRKSHNK, Modomatic, Michael Alan, Alex Itin, Word on the Street, Mini Mantis, The Splasher (2?), AS+ORO, Baz Bon, Winnie Chiu, and Priz.
Welcome to BSA Images of the Week. Congratulations to our Muslim neighbors in NYC on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, and we wish them peace, joy, and blessings as they mark the end of Ramadan.
The popping rumble of customized mufflers is back on the streets, a rite of spring as familiar as purple crocuses and snowdrops pushing through browned grass, old 40 bottles, crumpled chip bags, and cigarette butts. The warming weather softens the ground and lets loose the mingled scents of hydrangea and dog pee. And once again, Saturday night Romeos are rolling down their windows, cruising slow, and blasting tracks like Jack Harlow and Doja Cat’s new banger “Just Us”—hoping someone’s paying attention.
On the street art tip, you’ll see Faile has come back with some of their new and old icons remixed, Trump and Elon are widely critiqued in caricature, and vertical graffiti is the new horizontal.
We continue with our interviews with the street, this week including Faile, John Ahearn, CRKSHNK, Modomatic, Qzar, EXR, Ollin, Sto, REW X, Want Pear, Batola, Ooh Baby, Thug Life, and Jayo.
A pioneer of French graffiti from Guadaloupe, Shuck One, is presenting Regeneration at the Pompidou Center’s Black Paris exhibition (March 19–June 30), honoring Black figures who shaped France’s history through large-scale paintings and collages depicting key moments like the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, the 1967 Guadeloupe riots, and the BUMIDOM migration program, alongside portraits of pioneers such as Aimé Césaire, Angela Davis, and Joséphine Baker.
Meanwhile, here’s our interview with the streets this week, including City Kitty, Homesick, Modomatic, Muebon, Hearts NY, V. Ballentine, Nice Beats, Rams, Batola, PEAKS, Adze, Daniel Daz Carello, Andre Trainer, and Maniphes.
Welcome to BSA Images of the Week! Set your clocks back one hour today.
A chilly but warm NYC welcome to the 50,000+ marathon runners from around the globe as they journey through the dirty, potholed streets of all five boroughs in this rudely friendly, alluring, and romantically gritty city. We’ve already forgotten that we lost the World Series this week and are concentrating instead on welcoming our haplessly plodding runners on the street—with raucous cheers in Queens, impromptu bands in Brooklyn, and dancing in the Bronx, the city becomes a big block party today.
Make sure to check out our graffiti and street art on the way!
Also, early voting is in effect in NYC. The new president of the US will be selected, possibly by you.
Here’s our weekly conversation with the street, this week featuring: City Kitty, Homesick, CRKSHNK, Degrupo, Modomatic, Sticker Maul, Leon Keer, Dot Dot Dot, Raddington Falls, D7606, SacSix, Muebon, Werds, RX Skulls, C3, EXR, OSK, She Posse, Outersource, Semz, Silkmoth, Glenn Ligon, Isa De Prez, and All Over Grey.
“Although different views and opinions are important for a healthy society, we can experience a greater increase in polarization in recent decades, which severely limits bridging or interactions.
In this work I would like to express that we are all connected despite differences in opinion. I see communication with positive sentiment and respect as a good carrier for social connection.” -Leon Keer
“The idea for the original Statue of Liberty was conceived in 1865, when the French historian and abolitionist Édouard de Laboulaye proposed a monument to commemorate the upcoming centennial of U.S. independence (1876), the perseverance of American democracy and the liberation of the nation’s slaves
Liberty holds a torch above her head with her right hand, and in her left-hand carries a tabula ansata inscribed JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals), the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. With her left foot, she steps on a broken chain and shackle commemorating the national abolition of slavery following the American Civil War. After its dedication, the statue became an icon of freedom being subsequently seen as a symbol of welcome to immigrants arriving by sea.
In Dotdotdot’s version, just a few days before the upcoming election, much of whose campaign has been marred by racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric, the torch is replaced by a distress flare. A warning to us all.” ~ Nuart Festival, Stavanger, Norway
Street art duo Faile is reshaping the scene, “designing for a new world” in New York this week with their latest venture. Known for their early days of illegal street art in Brooklyn two decades ago, Faile now takes a bold step forward through their partnership with Herman Miller. The collaboration results are nothing short of innovative, distinctive, and wildly imaginative – the kind of creativity we’ve come to expect from these guys, who continue to make the path by walking. Patrick and Patrick have never shied away from taking risks in exploring new techniques of image combination and manipulation. Congratulations to them and their team for yet another remarkable leap!
New York never stops, even when hosting its most high-profile guests. Just this past Friday, a defiant Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN, practically declaring war on the world, while Mayor Eric Adams stood in court, pleading “Not guilty, your Honor,” to charges of bribery and wire fraud tied to alleged foreign donations for official favors. Meanwhile, former President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelensky to discuss the ongoing war with Russia—and likely debated how much more US taxpayers should contribute instead of addressing pressing issues at home like housing for the homeless or universal Medicare for All.
Amid all this, the city’s pulse is changing with the season. The leaves are turning stunning shades of yellow, orange, and red, and the streets are alive with vibrant murals, graffiti, and street art—both legal and not. New York’s energy is palpable this week, and we’re thrilled to welcome visitors from around the world while showcasing the street works from sister cities like Brooklyn and Berlin.
And here we go boldly into the streets of New York and Berlin this week with new extramural stuff from: Queen Andrea, Modomatic, Millo, Dulk, Par, Caro Pepe, Devita, Never Satisfied, JT, Mondo Crew, Mr. Super A, and Carlos Alberto.
Here is our weekly interview with the streets, this week featuring Stikman, Blanco, Lexi Bella, Jerk Face, Modomatic, Savior El Mundo, RX Skulls, Humble, Klonism, RD357, Flaco, REKER, Sintex, and BOFA.
It’s Memorial Day Weekend in New York and there are many commemorations, celebrations and family picnics in the parks. In Brooklyn the Memorial Day Parade kicks off in Bay Ridge at 11 am on Monday, from 78th Street and Third Avenue. The springtime fresh weather continues as we enter the unofficial first weekend of Summer, with lifeguards on our beaches and Fleet Week bringing 2,300 U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard members to New York to see, hear, and taste all that the city has to offer. Also in Brooklyn, you can listen to a concert by high-school musicians of the ISO Symphonic Band at Third Street near Greenwood Cemetary. The musical selections commemorate those who served in the armed forces, and will feature music by some of Green-Wood’s permanent residents, including James Weldon Johnson, Fred Ebb, and Leonard Bernstein. And, of course, there is new Street Art and graffiti to bring commentary and character to many neighborhoods.
Here is our weekly interview with the street, this week featuring Modomatic, Mike Makatron, Muebon, Mike King, Frank Ape, Naito Oru. COSA V, Sen1, Cram, Senkoe, Kreau, No Snitch, Ali Baba, GLAD, Merk 26, Snik, and Ron Muralist.
For decades, graffiti, street art, and contemporary art have spoken with one another, exchanging ideas, aesthetics, techniques, and attitudes along …Read More »
BROOKLYN STREET ART LOVES YOU MORE EVERY DAY
