All posts tagged: Obey

“Unmute Gaza” Dispatch, Artist’s Participate in 83 Cities, 30 Countries

“Unmute Gaza” Dispatch, Artist’s Participate in 83 Cities, 30 Countries

In the midst of ongoing turmoil, the Gaza Strip is engulfed in a conflict that has now stretched into its fifth harrowing month. The escalating violence has led to the tragic loss of over 30,000 lives, including countless children, marking a somber chapter. Amidst this backdrop of sorrow and chaos, a beacon of artistic activism addresses the darkness: Unmute Gaza, a bold initiative melding the worlds of photojournalism and visual art to break the silence surrounding the war’s devastating human toll.

Artist, Raquel Aparicio. Photojournalist, Belal Khaled. (image © courtesy of Unmute Gaza)

Unmute Gaza represents a collective outcry against the indifference of the global community and media. This creative coalition has rallied around the poignant snapshots captured by five courageous Gazan photojournalists: Belal Khaled, Mahmoud Bassam, Sameh Nidal-Rahmi, Saher Alghorra, and Majdi Fathi. These photographers’ raw, unfiltered depictions of life amidst conflict are translated by artists worldwide. The striking images, reimagined as paintings and sketches, serve not only as powerful testaments to the human spirit but also as rallying cries for action and empathy.

Artist, Faith47. Photojournalist, Mahmoud Bassam. (image © courtesy of Unmute Gaza)

Highlighting the intersection of activism and art, the Unmute Gaza movement recently partnered with environmental powerhouse Greenpeace to unveil a compelling piece by renowned artist Shepard Fairey (video below). Inspired by Belal Khaled’s haunting imagery, Fairey’s work—portraying a blood-stained Palestinian child beneath the pleading words “Can you hear us?”—was dramatically displayed at Madrid’s Reina Sofia Museum. This collaboration epitomizes the campaign’s reach and impact, with Unmute Gaza’s message resonating in public spaces across 83 cities in 30 countries worldwide, urging us to confront the harsh realities of war and to amplify the plight of people demanding to be heard.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FILES FOR PRINT FREE OF CHARGE


Greenpeace climbers unfurl an image by Obey based on a photo by photojournalist Belal Khaled. Reina Sofia Museum. Madrid, Spain. January, 24, 2024. (image © Greenpeace/Mario Gomez)
Greenpeace climbers unfurl an image by Obey based on a photo by photojournalist Belal Khaled. Reina Sofia Museum. Madrid, Spain. January, 24, 2024. (image © Greenpeace/Mario Gomez)
Artists, Maverick Mura and Axel Void. Photojournalist, Sameh Rahmi. (image © courtesy of Unmute Gaza)
Artist, Paola Delfin. Photojournalist, Belal Khaled. (image © courtesy of Unmute Gaza)
Artist, Paola Delfin. Photojournalist, Belal Khaled. (image © courtesy of Unmute Gaza)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FILES FOR PRINT FREE OF CHARGE

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BSA Images Of The Week: 01.21.24

BSA Images Of The Week: 01.21.24

“Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”

– Bertolt Brecht


Welcome to BSA Images of the Week!

Our current reality appears quite bent, and maybe art has the power to straighten it out, but you won’t see a lot of political stuff on the streets right now ironically. Here and there, yes, but as the US stirs the embers of resentment into a third world war in the Middle East that will possibly metastasize with other warring regions, it appears that we collectively look again at our belly buttons.

Brooklyn is booming with some fresh work this week, with a winter snowstorm that left us with a white blanket to augment the freshest street art and graffiti. This week, Barcelona’s KRAM shows up in BK with their eclectic styles interplaying. Sice is nice, QUAZAR climbs up, and Toney crosses, and Parisian/Londoner/Brooklyn-based Oscar Nett is hyperrealistic and geometrically dramatic, giving us some Li-Hill vibes, no?

Here is our weekly interview with the street: this week featuring Obey, Cost, Jason Naylor, Degrupo, Optimo NYC, Kram, Hek Tad, Muebon, Slomo, Oscar Lett, Konozco, Toney, Mishka Bobisha, Rack, Klash, QUAZAR, Trip, Sice.

Muebon (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Slomo. Kram. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Slomo. Kram. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Slomo. Kram. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Optimo NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Sice (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Konozco (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Jason Naylor (photo © Jaime Rojo)
TRIP (photo © Jaime Rojo)
QUAZAR. DARE2. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Hek Tad. Cost. Obey. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Degrupo. Rack. Klash. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentifed artist. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Mishka Bobishka (photo © Jaime Rojo)
TONEY (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Oscar Lett (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Oscar Lett (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Oscar Lett (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Oscar Lett (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Untitled. Winter 2024. Brooklyn, NY. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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BSA Images Of The Week: 02.26.23

BSA Images Of The Week: 02.26.23

Welcome to BSA Images of the Week! Optimo NYC on the Houston wall yo! Born and bred, a true New Yorker, and deserving of this wall after paying dues for years. Why does this wall sometimes look better when curated by the street? The holy chaos that reigns here is the pure DNA of the city, unbossed and unbought.

This week the street art is fresh! Never mind the proxy wars, the exploding trains, the 30% YOY drop in 401Ks, the transitory inflation that wasn’t, the Chinese spy balloons that weren’t, the Nordstream 2, the effort to privatize Social Security, the polarization that is encouraged by the media, and the increasing difficulty of New Yorkers to pay the bills… we still have a lot of extraordinary artists, and they are profligate! Also, we have Flaco, the Central Park owl fugitive, and his adorable ear tufts.

Here’s our weekly interview with the street, this week featuring: Shepard Fairey, Sticker Maul, Modomatic, Bad Brains, NYC Kush Co, Optimo NYC, Pest AC, Valentin Vewer, Holly Sims, Eternal Possessions, Cloudy is Here, and Gosup.

Optimo NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Optimo NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Gosup (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Cloudy is Here (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Cloudy is Here (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
NYC Kush Co (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Eternal Possesions (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Holly Sims (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Modomatic (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Shepard Fairey’s tribute to Bad Brains from a photograph by Glen F. Friedman in collaboration with The L.I.S.A. Project NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Sticker Maul (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Valentin Vewer (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Valentin Vewer (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Pest AC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Pest AC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Pest AC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Pest AC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Pest AC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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Character Witness

Character Witness

Sometimes it is a talisman who is having adventures on the behalf of an artist, a part of him/herself who stays behind and watches the area.

At other times it is a character seen through a mirror, an alter-ego who represents a fictional part of their inner world who has been set free onto the street to interact. It may be a branding element, a logo, or signature that lays claim to the artwork it is attached to. By itself it is often a form of marking territory; a practice begun by graffiti writers decades ago.

Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Whether it is a symbol or a figure, it is undoubtedly a personification of some part of the artists id, one that is so individual that you can spot it from a distance and if you are a fan, you’ll smile in recognition.

Many street artists have a discernable style, that is true; a hand-style, a recurrent motif, color palette, a topic that reappears, a technique of application, even a likely location in the urban landscape where they are most likely to appear.

Of that number, fewer have developed a character or a motif so well defined in our minds that it can stand alone, but we have found a few over the decades. Each is imbued with memory, with place, with personality, with character.

And, as ever, we are witness.

Aiko (photo © Jaime Rojo)
City Kitty (photo © Jaime Rojo)
City Kitty (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Dark Clouds (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Dark Clouds (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Katsu (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Katsu (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Kaws (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Little Ricky (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Little Ricky (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Matt Siren (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Matt Siren (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Michael Defeo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Michael Defeo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Shepard Fairey (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Shepard Fairey (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Oculo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Oculo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Overunder (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Overunder (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Skewville (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Skewville (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Stickman (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Stickman (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Stik (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Stik in collaboration with LA2 (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Sweet Toof (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Sweet Toof (photo © Jaime Rojo)
UFO 907 (photo © Jaime Rojo)
UFO 907 (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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Shepard Fairey Considers  “Strategies for a Revolution” in Rome

Shepard Fairey Considers “Strategies for a Revolution” in Rome

Starting the year with “Strategies for a Revolution”, Shepard Fairey exhibits in Italy at Wunderkammern.

Contemporary society is so subsumed into the corporate model that street artist/fine artist Shepard Fairey still appears revolutionary in his basic demands for equity, dignity, and justice.

Shepard Fairy. American Rage. “Strategies for a revolution” at Wunderkammern Gallery. Rome, Italy. (photo courtesy of Wunderkammern Gallery)

Thirty plus years have evolved his language of propaganda into a signature amalgam of Russian constructivist, punk rage, the so-called underground, and an evermore refined eye for high-note linework and ornate graphic patterning. Here in Milan, the Wunderhammern similarly have an eye for the finer sensibilities, after curating many primary and secondary street artists in the last 10+ years on community murals and in gallery exhibits; and have been financially successful enough at it to open this new second location in Via Giulia, auspiciously welcoming Fairey into this not-so-brave new Covid-bashed world.

Embracing his visual language and socially political wit, “Strategies” includes a series of unpublished works selected by Shepard, a review of the themes that resonate most now in this context personally and generally. It’s a good time to gaze at the messages, the art of delivery, the tenor of these works – all while assessing this time that feels like a turning. A re-set. A time no doubt that will include revolution. 

Shepard Fairy. Justice Woman. “Strategies for a revolution” at Wunderkammern Gallery. Rome, Italy. (photo courtesy of Wunderkammern Gallery)
Shepard Fairy. Louder than a bomb. “Strategies for a revolution” at Wunderkammern Gallery. Rome, Italy. (photo courtesy of Wunderkammern Gallery)
Shepard Fairy. No future (RED). “Strategies for a revolution” at Wunderkammern Gallery. Rome, Italy. (photo courtesy of Wunderkammern Gallery)
Shepard Fairy. Radical Peace (BLUE). “Strategies for a revolution” at Wunderkammern Gallery. Rome, Italy. (photo courtesy of Wunderkammern Gallery)
Shepard Fairy. Revolution in our time. “Strategies for a revolution” at Wunderkammern Gallery. Rome, Italy. (photo courtesy of Wunderkammern Gallery)
Shepard Fairy. Sonic firestorm. “Strategies for a revolution” at Wunderkammern Gallery. Rome, Italy. (photo courtesy of Wunderkammern Gallery)
Shepard Fairy. Eyes Open. “Strategies for a revolution” at Wunderkammern Gallery. Rome, Italy. (photo courtesy of Wunderkammern Gallery)

Shepard Fairey (OBEY)

 Strategies for a revolution

 Via Giulia 180, Roma

29 January – 22 February 2022

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AKUT: Insights Gained From the Faces of Street Artists on Display in Heidelberg

AKUT: Insights Gained From the Faces of Street Artists on Display in Heidelberg

The culmination of a decade-long photography and painting project by artist AKUT (one half of Herakut) brings many of your street art heroes a new level of super-hero status in Heidelberg, Germany, right now until February 25th.

AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series. MadC (photo courtesy of AKUT)

Asking friends and colleagues to sit for a photograph, AKUT (Falk Lehman) projected images of their own artworks across their closed eyes, leaving them gleaming under the imprint of their own distinctive motifs, their skin soaking in the patterns, colors, wildstyles of their own works.

AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series. Obey. (photo courtesy of AKUT)

Now that the Insight project has gathered more than 70 photographs of his cherished circle, AKUT brings the unique program, curated by Metropolink, to the old commissary at Patrick-Henry-Village. Some faces you’ll recognize, others are rarely on public display. All of them keep their eyes closed and their secrets to themselves, preferring introspection to opening their windows to the soul.

“The projection of an artwork onto the face creates a mask-like, archaic expression,” he says, and one wonders if these masks are more obscuring or revealing.

AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series. Kryptik. (photo courtesy of AKUT)

In addition to the photography show, AKUT invited four artists to collaborate on canvasses with him,  including KKADE, MADC, STOHEAD, and JULIA BENZ. Additionally he collaborated with the artist KKADE on “the street” for an inaugural mural to celebrate the project in the giant hall of the commissary. The images are stunning, even stirring, in their mystery.

Only AKUT’s uncontested mastery of the photorealist technique can enhance the poignancy of these photos; his hyper sensitive application of texture and volume enables another spirit to free itself from the handpainted works in a way that may supercede the original shot.

Considering the Insight theme, it is evident that on display here as well is the potential network of social and personal connections that one may accrue over time in this street art/contemporary art milieu. If you possess additional talent for listening to the stories of others, not to mention the art of documentation, there can be rich friendships forged too.

AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series. Fafi. (photo courtesy of AKUT)
AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series. ECB. (photo courtesy of AKUT)
AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series. WIP. Jonone. (photo © Alex Krziwanie)
AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series. WIP. Jonone. (photo © Alex Krziwanie)
AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series. Jonone. (photo courtesy of AKUT)
AKUT. “Insight”. Installation. (photo © Shreiber Poetter)
AKUT. “Insight”. Photo series installation. (photo © DNA Creative Collective)
AKUT. “Insight”. Canvas Collaboration. Kkade. (photo © Sandra Lehmann)
AKUT. “Insight”. Canvas Collaboration. Kkade. (photo courtesy of AKUT)
AKUT. “Insight”. Canvas Collaboration. Julia Benz. (photo courtesy of AKUT)
AKUT. “Insight”. Canvas Collaboration. Stohead. (photo courtesy of AKUT)
AKUT. “Insight”. Canvas Collaboration. MadC. (photo © Sandra Lehmann)
AKUT. “Insight”. Canvas Collaboration. MadC. (photo courtesy of AKUT)
AKUT. “Insight”. Canvas Collaboration. MadC. (photo courtesy of AKUT)
AKUT. “Insight”. Mural collaboration with Kkade. (photo © Shreiber Poetter)
AKUT. “Insight”. Mural collaboration with Kkade. (photo © DNA Creative Collective )

The “INSIGHT” exhibition will be on view until February 25th, 2022 at Metropolink’s Commissary in the Patrick-Henry-Village in Heidelberg. (in compliance with the current hygiene restrictions)

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Labor Day 2020 and the Dire State of Everyday People

Labor Day 2020 and the Dire State of Everyday People

Today we celebrate American worker’s contributions to our society. The workforce is the engine moving our country to the realization of our dreams and goals. The men and women who get up every day to seek a decent living in this country are increasingly under assault by the corporation’s manipulation of people and profits. Our labor unions have been decimated and the workers’ rights chipped away little by little, or a lot by a lot. All of it began with Reagan and it hasn’t stopped since. Congress is beholden to special interests with most of our elected officials’ ears more attuned to the lobbyists’ demands roaming the halls of Congress than to the ordinary people’s plight for help for better wages, better work conditions, better parental leave, better health insurance.

Shepard Fairey. Los Angeles, CA 2011 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

The Pandemic has only exacerbated the already perilous conditions among the middle class and poor Americans. Most working-class individuals were already living paycheck to paycheck with little if any savings to confront personal, family crises. The poor have always counted on the safety net that the government has put in place to help alleviate their financial and health burdens but those services have been either privatized for-profit or totally eradicated. When Covid-19 took hold of the whole world and Trump made the situation in the USA worse, the majority of Americans have found themselves steps removed from the economic precipice, or pushed into it. Strangely, Democrats also are not coming to the rescue.

There are many lessons to be learned from this Pandemic, one of them will undoubtedly be the abysmal difference between those with money and those without it to confront this crisis. The rich are getting incredibly richer and the poor are getting poorer. Lockdown has been difficult for all of us but certainly easier for those without financial difficulties.

Shepard Fairey. Los Angeles, CA 2011 (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Almost 30 million Americans have lost their jobs, and their hopes of getting them back are slimmer by the week. If there is to be an economic recovery in this country the divisions of who’ll benefit from said recovery will be sharply divided. While the stock market has hit record levels of wealth, ordinary Americans have seen greater inequality. So you might wonder, what are we celebrating today? Our workforce is in tatters and our service economy has been decimated.

Shepard Fairey made the works shown above in LA almost a decade ago, and his message resonates even stronger today.

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BSA Images Of The Week: 02.16.20

BSA Images Of The Week: 02.16.20

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Welcome to BSA Images of the Week!

Here’s our weekly interview with the street featuring Add Fuel, Almost Over Keep Smiling, BR163, Crash, Degrupo, Disordered, Early Riser, finDAC, Fours, Jason Naylor, Leleus, JL, Maya Hayuk, Obey, Sara Lynne Leo, Surface of Beauty, Telmo & Miel.

Sara Lynne-Leo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Sara Lynne-Leo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Jeleus OBEY (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Degrupo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Early Riser (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Crash x BR163 for The L.I.S.A. Project NYC (photo © Jaime Rojo)
FinDac. Wynwood, Miami. December, 2019 (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Surface of Beauty (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Jason Naylor (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Telmo Miel in Wynwood Miami combined their portraiture with abstraction. Detail A. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Telmo Miel in Wynwood Miami combined their portraiture with abstraction. Detail B. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Maya Hayuk work in progress. Detail. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Add Fuel (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Fours (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Almost Over Keep Smiling (photo © Jaime Rojo)
JL (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Disordered (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Untitled. Brooklyn. February 2020. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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BSA Images Of The Week: 07.28.19

BSA Images Of The Week: 07.28.19

Robert Muller testified before Congress this week and no one seems happy. The spin-masters distort his words and his findings to accommodate their own personal narrative…and to continue to distract us from the thieve’s hands in our cupboards across the country.

Corporate Democrats and Corporate Republicans won’t get rid of this guy, but at least it will distract us from the lowest tax rates on the rich in our lifetimes, global warming, gun violence, increased poverty, racist immigrant-bashing policies, increased homeless populations, and a corrupted medical insurance system. So far, these distractions are working splendidly.

Sorry, that’s an unhappy way of welcoming you to BSA Images of the Week! You deserve better!

The news is that summer is in full swing and people are on the streets cooling off in public fountains, dancing, watching outdoor movies on roofs and in parks, seeing theater and music performances, and hopefully hitting Coney Island for a beach splash or a thrill ride.

The streets are being plastered with art. Some with political and social messages, some with a sense of humor, others with an acute sense of popular culture. A few are just plain pretty to look at. Whatever the style, the intention or the placement, what’s important is the fact that it’s happening again with gusto. Artists are out as well, sharing their ideas and their experiments with us, all for free and with permission to touch and photograph.

Here’s our weekly interview with the street, this time featuring Almost Over Keep Smiling, Frederic Edwin Church, Judith Supine, Mattew Hyte, Shepard Fairey, The Postman Art, and Winston Tseng.

Judith Supine (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Judith Supine (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Judith Supine (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Judith Supine (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Mattew Hyte (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Winston Tseng (photo © Jaime Rojo)
The Postman Art (photo © Jaime Rojo)
To our surprise, we found this large canvas 101″ x 89″ attached to a wall outside. It’s an oil painting. At first, it seemed incongruous as a piece of street art but once we got our faces close to the canvas we discovered that the artist, whose identity we don’t know, included small graffiti tags, exceedingly well camouflaged, on the rocks. This felt like we had won the day’s prize for our treasure-hunting expedition. We thought it was possibly a copy of a Hudson River School of painting. Lo and behold! With some sleuthing, we discovered that the painting is indeed a replica of a painting by Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900) who was a leading member of the Hudson River School of painters. The original painting was executed in 1867 and it now hangs at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh. The tags on the rocks, those have to be a newer addition. Scroll down for the graffiti details and at the end for a photo of the original painting. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Niagara Falls from the American Side. 1867. Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900). Scottish National Gallery. Edinburgh.
A reprise of a classic from Shepard Fairey (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Shepard Fairey has PeruAna in view. Those two names used to be in Williamsburg, Brooklyn regularly so it is a surprise to see them together on this fresh “collaboration”(photo © Jaime Rojo)
Almost Over Keep Smiling (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Almost Over Keep Smiling (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Back in the saddle again. Cowboy with Sunflowers. Brooklyn, NY. July 2019. photo © Jaime Rojo)
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BSA Images Of The Week: 07.21.19

BSA Images Of The Week: 07.21.19

Dog days of summer be damned, the Street Art in all of its fabulous illegal varieties, the true Vox Populi (and self-advertisment) persists and insists through the streets this July.

On the topic of illegal, we’ll state it again for the many persons who have an incorrect impression – Street Art, by definition, is illegal. If it is not illegal, please do not call it Street Art. That work you are looking at is probably a mural. Unfortunately we’ve seen some recent flagrant misuses of the term by some folks who probably should know better.

Good to see “Hysterical Men” here in New York, after admiring the campaign from Philly. The artwork reminds us of Robbie Conal as well, who is reliably skewering public officials with his wilting depictions of them on posters on the street. This week we also were reminded of Chicago’s Dont Fret when we saw the work of Matt Starr, with his textual witticisms. Don’t get us wrong, its not a criticism to have similar work – it’s just an observation.

Finally, considering the treatment of immigrants, the mounting fascism, racism, misogyny, and rageful ignorance being modelled and engendered from the highest offices in the land, we’re shocked that, with a few notable exceptions, Street Artists are not taking those messages to the streets. So much for its reputation for being activist. Not so much.

Here’s our weekly interview with the street, this time featuring Benjamin’s Brother, Bones, Cammix Vx, Captain Eyeliner, Diva Dolga, Domingo Zapata, Dr. Nothing, Hysterical Men, Invisible Essence, Little Ricky, Matt Siren, Matt Starr, Mattew Wythe, Mr. Djoul, Obey, Praxis, Raddington Falls, Rammellzee, Sara Lynne Leo, Sinclair, Sunflower Soulz, The Postman Art, and You Go Girl!

Sara Lynne Leo (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Choose Love (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Mattew Hyte (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Obey (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Sunflower Soulz (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Hysterical Men…fighting for women’s rights…the wrong way… (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Hysterical Men (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Praxis (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Praxis (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Matt Starr (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Matt Starr (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Domingo Zapata (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Matt Siren (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Dr. Nothing (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Bones (photo © Jaime Rojo)
CammixVx (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Unidentified artist (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Invisible Essence . The Postman Art. Captain Eyeliner (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Symbol…FYI (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Benjamin’s Brother (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Diva Dolga . Raddington Falls . Little Ricky (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Sinclair (photo © Jaime Rojo)
You Go Girl! (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Mr. Djoul (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Rammellzee looking dapper at Beyond the Streets exhibition in Brooklyn. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Untitled. Palimpsest in Manhattan. July 2019. (photo © Jaime Rojo)
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BSA Film Friday: 05.31.19

BSA Film Friday: 05.31.19

Our weekly focus on the moving image and art in the streets. And other oddities.

Now screening :
1. ENCHENTE (FLOOD) Eduardo Srur and Tché Ruggi
2. “LA PARED ES NUESTRA” por ESCIF (spanish)
3. Shepard Fairey. Facing the Giant: Three Decades of Dissent. Part 1
4. Hot Tea. New installation in Asbury Park, NJ for Wooden Walls Project.

BSA Special Feature: ENCHENTE (FLOOD) Eduardo Srur and Tché Ruggi

News from Brazil this month reminds us that annual flooding in São Paulo kills people and destroys homes, thanks to the city being built on one of the largest river basins in the country. Public artists Eduardo Srur and Tché Ruggi combine mural painting and sculpture to address the struggles that people here face – including the displacement of people and homes and destruction of their lives.

The artists say, “With its exponential urban growth, the conflict of space between the water and the city is getting more violent each year. The public art portrayed is an answer to this sad reality of São Paulo. The film put light on this conflict and approaches the relation of the public art with the city and its inhabitants.”

“LA PARED ES NUESTRA” por ESCIF (spanish)

A new retrospective video on the community wall created in response to a people’s history. Inspired by the neighborhood movements of 1970s Spain, specifically the city of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, an open call to paint a central wall was responded to by 300 applicants in 42 countries. The jury selected 12 finalists and in council with local city council, local artists, and local historians and community leaders, an international jury selected Street Artist and ‘artivist” Escif as winner of the residency.

With thanks to the artist, the community, and to Kaligrafics urban art organization and Contorno Urbano Foundation and jury members Jaime Rojo (Brooklyn Street Art, NY), Mónica Campana (Living Walls, ATL), Veronica Werkmeister (IMVG, Vitoria), Fernando Figueroa (Doctor of Art History) and Esteban Marín (President, Fundación Contour Urbano), here is the story.

Shepard Fairey. Facing the Giant: Three Decades of Dissent. Part 1 by Chop ’em Down Films.

For more on this video please see our story Facing the Giant: Three Decades of Dissent”

Hot Tea. New installation in Asbury Park, NJ for Wooden Walls Project.

A public art project now on display – for more info please see our full article and interview “Windswept Public Art at the Beach: Hot Tea’s New Installation in Asbury Park”

Hot Tea. Time-Lapse showing process for the installation above in Asbury Park.

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BSA Images Of The Week:02.18.18

BSA Images Of The Week:02.18.18

BSA-Images-Week-Jan2015

Welcome to Images of the Week! Great stuff this week from Portugal, Spain and good old NYC to flip your Aunt Betty’s wig.

The big news this week of course was that the 5 Points graffiti compound case was awarded to the 21 plaintiffs. But its not just local: it may have national implications when building owners will be insisting on contracts with anyone who paints their property. It may also confuse and scare off many opportunities for artists, where building owners will simply say no to the proposal.

The settlement, which we covered in Tell It to The Judge ; Graffiti Artists Win in 5 Pointz Case, has infuriated many and thrilled others expressing their opinion on social media. One of our 5 Ptz postings on Facebook this week garnered 1,300 comments, a nest of misunderstanding mediated by the occasional level head, offset by congratulations and victory laps. Naturally, folks from other parts of the country insulted us New Yorkers. Welcome to the world of graffiti and Street Art!

The Black Panther movie has many New Yorkers enthralled as it premiered on Tuesday night at the Museum of Modern Art. Theaters drew entire families and school groups many standing in line in costume as they waited to see powerful and positive black super-heroes and heroines. The Times Magazine says it is a defining moment for black America .

Nationally we are all still trying to grapple with another school shooting, producing more Thoughts and Prayers, and another round of Mueller indictments that continue to encircle the White House.

Finally, Brooklyn’s Kehinde Wiley pulled the curtain down with Barack Obama at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery to reveal his official portrait  – HERE.  Just kidding, here are Barack and Michelle’s official portraits.

Here’s our weekly interview with the streets, this week featuring Atomik,  Bigod, City Kitty, Daniel Eime, Desla, Exit.Enter.K, Fatal Fake, Free the Nipple, Gane, Gebraël, Kram, Little Ricky, Obey, Texas, We’kup, and Zest B.

Top Image: Daniel Eime in Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Going out on a limb here to say you may see MOMO, Vhils, and James Bullough similarities merged here. Nonetheless, its a solid mural by Daniel Eime here in Bairro Padre Cruz, Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Bigod. Bairro Padre Cruz. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Unidentified artist (we couldn’t decipher the signature) Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

City Kitty (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Atomik. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gane . Texas (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Free Boobies. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Triple Nipple. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Free The Nipple. Yeah! Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Unidentified artist. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Little Ricky (photo © Jaime Rojo)

We’kup . Exit. Enter. K. Obey. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Unidentified artist. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Unidentified artist. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Desla (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Zest B. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Gebraël. Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Smile. Bairro Padre Cruz, Lisbon. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Fatal Fake . Kram. Barcelona, Spain.  (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Fatal Fake . Kram. Barcelona, Spain.  (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Fatal Fake . Kram. Barcelona, Spain.  (photo © Lluís Olivé Bulbena)

Bill S. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Untitled. Yawn. Brooklyn, NYC. (photo © Jaime Rojo)

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