All posts tagged: Swoon

Brooklyn’s in Da Huset: Nuart Update 09.07.09

September 7, 2009 ,

Avoiding Mutiny at Skur2

It's peaceful setting and appearance belie the action inside (photo Logan Hicks)
Nuart Main Gallery: It’s peaceful setting and appearance belie the great struggles of humanity inside (photo Logan Hicks)

What is it with that Norwegian air that makes some people so fresh?  Or maybe that’s the beer…

One off-handed reference to Empires and before you know it, some closet soldiers start falling into character and spouting military metaphors and going off about seiges and skullduggery.

We aren’t completely positive what our in-the-field reporter is talking about but until they have a live blogging tent at Nuart this is what we can pass along your way, dear reader…. (The apparent rift between Baltimore and Non-Baltimore contingents has been independently verified however)

In the field, Chris Stain breathlessly relates the events as they unfolded;

“Yesterday BK converged in Stavanger at 1200 hours and planned a city-wide assault under the guise of NUART.   During the meeting Skewville and Chris Stain were informed by Swoon that Stockholm and Copenhagen were not in Germany. ”

Lessons in geography.

Lessons in geography.

Swoon
“Swoon and accomplice Ben Wolf formed a plan to conquer the eastern wing of SKUR 2 by setting up an ambush in an adjacent alley.” (photo Chris Stain)

Logan
“Infantryman Logan Hicks wasted no time breaking into a full war cry with a new tactical approach on stenciling” (photo Chris Stain)

Leon Reid IV
“…while the diabolical Leon Reid got busy drafting his piece for installation to take out a bank in the city center.” (photo Chris Stain)

Infantryman Logan Hicks wasted no time breaking into a full war cry with a new tactical approach on stenciling
“David Choe was meet with resistance when attempting a mission in allied territory.” (Photo Logan Hicks)

Finally, it was brought to the attention of NUART commander-in-chief Martyn Reed that two of the BK artists were originally from Baltimore and subsequently were made to ride in the back of the bus and eat at separate lunch counters to keep from contaminating the rest of the troops.

;dfkj
End apartheid in Stavanger! I’m putting this on my Facebook profile and if you really cared you would too. (Now, Baltimore is in Sweden right?)

dfg
“But seriously folks this sh*t is gonna be a classic!” – Private Stain

Thanks to Chris for keeping us posted!

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Nuart Update * 5 Pieces Underway in Stavanger * Choe, Hicks, Stain, Swoon, Skewville

September 6, 2009

“From Humble Beginnings We Built Our Empire”

Okay, not to get carried away – and anyway there are a fair number of anti-empire peeps out there….The next phase of Nuart begins tonight and street artists from New York have started in earnest deep into the Norwegian night to bring the best of Brooklyn to the walls.  While Brooklynites are back home celebrating the long Labor Day weekend with backyard, rooftop and sidewalk barbecues, Brooklyn street artists have begun the hard labor of installing brand new works in the main exhibition space for the Nuart Opening Weekend coming next.

Skewville
Skewville is unpacking the suitcases and rolling out the orange caution fence and milk crates.

Chris Stain
Chris Stain lightly sketches the outlines of a working fella.

Logan Hicks
Unveiling a new piece and style that he’s been working on, first to appear is a stairway by Logan Hicks

Swoon
Brooklyn favorite Swoon anchors her piece with a figure.

David Choe
David Choe is already pulling out the stops at 3 a.m.

Thanks to on-the-spot Workhorse Logan Hicks for letting us all take a look behind the scenes.

Nuart Festival

Great Shots from Ian Cox Here

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AIKO’s biggest Stencil So Far: Power, Sex, and the Saxophone

AIKO’s biggest Stencil So Far: Power, Sex, and the Saxophone

September 2, 2009 , , , ,

Aiko Nakagawa shows off her newest stencil (photo Martha Cooper)

Street Artist Aiko worked with the Younity Collective to put up a large mural as a gift to the community recently right next to the Williamsburg Bridge. The all-woman collective, started in 2007 by Alice Mizrachi and Maria “Toofly” Castillo, empowers individuals as artists by creating projects together and celebrating the strengths that each one brings to the game. Now nearing 60 artist members, including multiple disciplines and many names in Graff Art and Street Art you might know such as Lady Pink, Swoon, Drexel, Martha Cooper, and Shiro, the Younity Collective offers much needed support to artists through comraderie and community projects.

When asked about her approach to the project, Aiko agrees that it is very personal, “It made me feel happy to keep working on the mural. It’s a nice feeling to create something beautiful for everybody’s everyday life. If I have a talent to encourage people, make them smile and to cheer them up, that’s totally great.”

Aiko

Aiko plays her cards with a full hand (photo Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: Is it fun to work as part of the Younity collective?
Aiko: It was fun to be part of Younity’s project and I’m glad they called me up. Even though I rarely go bombing with boys, staying away from illegal street activities and focusing on indoor works these days, it brought me all the good energy about working in public space and spending time with other artists again. Plus all girls were very chill, no beef.

AikoAiko (photo Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: The stencil is quite large! Do you usually work that big?
Aiko: A big wall is such a great challenge. I love listening people say “Holy Sh*t, Aiko!!!” from behind me while I’m painting. Actually a lot of people who have been following my exhibitions might notice that my works are getting bigger and better. Stencil is my favorite tool to paint with and I’m so good at using the knife. It took me at least a few days to cut such a giant stencil like that. It killed my fingers and the material is really delicate to handle, transport, and place on the wall. Winds and a bumpy surface is enemy for painting. But what a wonderful feeling to see the finally sprayed image on a wall after all this effort. Big stencils are such joy.

Detail of mural by Aiko (photo Martha Cooper)

Brooklyn Street Art: Your main image is a woman playing a saxophone – is that because
of the jazz club inside?
Aiko: The image of the sexy lady with saxophone was also the request from the owner, who runs the historical live music house, WMC Jazz (Williamsburg Music Center). I love music and dance, and I’m very happy to contribute to the local community in Brooklyn.

Aiko (Detail)

Aiko (Detail) (photo Jaime Rojo)

Brooklyn Street Art: Your colors are very feminine and strong for this piece. How do
you choose your colors?
Aiko: If we can say that paintings are results of an artist’s conversation with themselves and it appears as color and image on the wall, I guess that color is my feeling at this moment. I am in the really feminine, very sexy and super strong phase of my life.

**************************************************

Lady Aiko embarks this fall on a long trip to participate in shows abroad.

Aiko’s Website

Younity Collective

The Younity Collective are: Alice Mizrachi, Maria “Toofly” Castillo, Albeni Garrett, Aiko Nakagawa, Alexandra Casula, Alexia Webster, Jane Dickson, Amanda Lopez, B.I.C., Cece Carpio, Dee Keating, Diana McClure, Diana Schmertz, Diva, Drexel, Erotica, Faith47, Female Sneaker Fiend, GMO$, Heather N. Hayashi, Helene Ruiz, Katrina “RUKUS” Knutson, Kelly Jeanne Lever, Krista Frankln, Lady Pink, Laura Meyers, Lexi Bella, Lichiban, Lisa Case, Lisa Marie Thalhammer, Mad C, Martha Cooper, Meridith McNeal, Muck, Nancy Rodriguez, Nanibah “Nani” Chacon, Naomi Martinez, Niz, Not Bad For a Girl, Kerri O’Connell, Paulina Qunitan Jornet, Petra Moser, Queen Andrea, SHIRO, Sofia Maldonado, Stephanie Land, Swoon, Nanilla Medallions, Andrea Celilia Bernal, Gabriella Davi-Korasanee, M.I.S.S., Nubby Twiglet


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Street Signals 08.29.09

August 29, 2009

Skewville Unveils New Website

After being in development for 13 years, Droo says the new Skewville site is ready to roll!

Actually, that’s not how long it took to build the site – just it’s content.  This roll-through left-right scroller is a quick primer for the uninitiated on the history and accomplishments of Skewville and the multiple projects they have embarked on over the last decade plus.

Or, as Ad and Droo say, “If you don’t know – now you know.”

All the round the whirl
All the round the whirl with Skewville irony

From launching galleries to launching thousands of pairs of their wooden dogs over wires around the globe, to offering shows to their peers and participating in shows internationally, and always adding their smart-aleck commentary about the street art “scene” to the discussion, these brothers have piled a sizeable stack of HYPE.

Complexity and mastery comes with practice. Blah Blah Blah
Complexity and mastery comes with practice. Blah Blah Blah

This must be the place. Skewville actually was a physical location and a lifestyle for the middle class and unfamous.
This must be the place. Skewville actually was a physical location and a lifestyle for the middle class and unfamous.

No strangers to sarcasm, the brothers have conceived and built a number of contraptions to get their message out.
No strangers to sarcasm, the brothers have conceived and built a number of contraptions to get their message out.

Currently the Skewville Corporation is participating in Nuart, a festival in Stavanger, Norway that celebrates the contributions of Brooklyn Street Artists.

See the New Site HERE
See the Gallery Factory Fresh HERE
Brooklyn Street Artists at Nuart Festival Sept 10 – Oct 11
Check the Tubeness below to see a piece that MTV Brasil did – After the first minute in Portuguese, Ad DeVille pretty much takes the show!


Vandalog’s RJ Hard at Work on “The Thousands”

His first “Pop-Up” is taking shape this November in London

The Thousands

An open and sincere voice in the street art blog world, RJ Rushmore is a stone cold street art lover.  Albeit still in his teens, this guy posesses a maturity and modesty that many of his peers may not develop for another 10 years. More significant; his industry is matching the size of his dreams.

This time the dream is a “Pop-Up” show featuring the big names in street art today, exposing a larger audience to the genre that has captured the imagination of the youth culture.

RJ has been planning the show for many months methodically and feels secure about it’s ultimate success but he is very aware that he is taking a big leap to undertake this labor of love, where most of the work won’t even be for sale.

So far the 40 pieces in the show are from most of the big names in street art – Adam Neate, Banksy, Barry McGee, Jenny Holzer, Bast, Swoon, Kaws, Os Gemeos, Shepard Fairey, Herakut, Blek le Rat and others.

People are jumping into “The Thousands” every day as word spreads, and RJ’s been sorting out the details that come along with this kind of show – Artists, Collectors, Permissions, Love.  In addition he’s working on a companion coffee table book to be published by Drago in November with photos and bios and a few guest contributors like Gaia and Panik.

His first exhibition includes some of the better known names and he’s looking forward to doing a future show with more emerging artists, but he’s smart to limit the scope the first time out. “The purpose of my efforts is to bring street art to the attention of a wider art community, and the best way to do that is to take the very best street artists’ artwork instead of all the emerging artists that I might love and think are promising”, says Mr. Rushmore.

The Thousands will be open from November 18th through the 22nd of November at Village Underground in London. Keep up on the details at the blog for “The Thousands” HERE

Vandalog is his street art blog

AD HOC Forms Alliance with Eastern District

Curating a Quick Show that Opens Today!

Eastern District, a 400sf gallery opened for about a year in Bushwick is looking to extend it’s reach by asking street art veteran gallerists Allison and Garrison Buxton to curate a new show in the ED space next door.  Most people know that Ad Hoc Art recently announced it’s downsizing it’s square footage due in their 49 Bogart space and stories of ED’s impending closure have been swirling around also.

Well, this is how neighbors do it in Brooklyn: by reaching out and working together. If either one of these parties had been the snooty white-box types, it never would have worked. But this is an arts community that knows that the resulting strength is greater with two.  When asked by ED to partner on shows, Ad Hoc Art happily and quickly accepted the invitation to curate and bring their peeps too.  Now they are looking at ways to bring more great shows to ED. That’s very good news for the nascent Bushwick gallery scene, not to mention the artists who get to show there.

And that brings us to today.  Garrison says, “AHA & ED have a Bushwick-focused show opening specifically highlighting very local talent from the hood where it all started.” Included are AHA/Bushwick favorites like like Destroy and Rebuild, LogikOne, Michael Allen, Molly Crabapple, Pagan, and Robert Steel”

Ad Hoc Art’s is now planning a fall exhibition featuring the work of Joe Vaux and Gilbert Oh to open in November at Eastern District and more shows planned into the winter, such as veteren British/French street artist Jef Aerosol in January.  For now, it sounds like the Ad Hoc extravganza and shenanigans will continue!

Prepare for exciting art extravaganzas and shenanigans in the present and continuing into the near future, for Bushwick and beyond.

And of course the current show at Ad Hoc:

Chris Stain, Armsrock, and Ezra Li on Display till September 6th.

SuperDraw Keeps Developing – Now it’s an Iphone App

Remember BSA’s Projekt Projektor last year at the Dumbo Festival, full of new projectionists stretching the definition of Street Art?  Remember the projectionists at the end of our Street Crush Show in February?

Then you’ll remember Josh Ott, or SuperDraw.  Dude developed an interactive interface for people to project their own art through a project with their iPhones, and at our shows he eagerly transferred it to your phone for free so you could slap your work all over the Manhattan Bridge.

True, GRL keeps setting some of the standards, but we firmly believe that the future of street art may be vibrating in your front pocket right now.  There is a whole crop of projectionists and video and multimedia artists that are sharpening their skillz for that Brave New Street Art World as we chase the wheat-pasters.

SuperDraw

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Stavanger Norway Celebrates Brooklyn Street Art! The NuArt Festival

Stavanger Norway Celebrates Brooklyn Street Art! The NuArt Festival

August 27, 2009
The Nuart Festival runs

The Nuart Festival runs September 10 – October 9, 2009

EXCLUSIVE BROOKLYN SPECIAL! NUART-NUYORK

Stavanger Norway meet Brooklyn New York.

Some of the worlds leading street artists are flying for a week or two to Norway to participate in a street art festival that celebrates the Brooklyn Street Art with many of the same artists you’ll find right here. Leon Reid arrived yesterday, Chris Stain tomorrow, both to prepare to hold workshops with creatives and Norway National TV’s main cultural program “Safari” will be interviewing and following Swoon on the streets.

The roster includes;
SWOON, DAVID CHOE, BEN WOLF, JUDITH SUPINE, BRAD DOWNEY, LEON REID, GRAFFITI RESEARCH LAB, LOGAN HICKS, CHRIS STAIN, SKEWVILLE

As you know, New York is a city of immigrants, and the first Norwegians launched for New York 184 years ago and established their largest colony in the BK – creating a neighborhood of 200K plus people speaking Norwegian in bars, stores, and streets of Brooklyn.

The Nuart festival calls back the Brooklyn Flava by importing some of the greats from the streets of Brooklyn to exhibit, teach, and revel citiwide with panel debates, talks, film screenings, and fundraising.  It’s all BROOKLYN, all the time.

Over the next few weeks BSA will keep in touch with events in our Sista City, Stavanger and get you some insight into the cool stuff that happens there for the Nuart Festival.

Know Hope straightens out a line of tears.

Previous Nuart festival artist Know Hope straightens out a line of tears.

Stencil work from D*Face

Stencil work from D*Face

Chris Stain on the wall at NuArt

Chris Stain on the wall at NuArt

Heracut at Nuart

Herakut at Nuart

Nuart Festival

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Swoon, Chris Stain, and the Poloroid Kid

June 10, 2009

Mid-Week beauty to consider.

When we talk about street art, graff, fine art, high art, low-brow art, or peanut butter and jelly sandwich art, it’s all about the CREATIVE SPIRIT.  Like an orgasm, pretty much whatever it takes to access it, people are best served by tapping into the creative spirit.

Here’s a threesome everyone can enjoy – Swoon, Chris Stain, and the Poloroid Kid.

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“Get Rich Quick” Collectors Group Show at Carmichael (LA)

March 23, 2009 , ,

‘GET RICH QUICK’


A Selection from the Collections of our Collectors

Featuring 

Antony Micallef, Banksy, Barry McGee, Bast, Beejoir, D*Face, Dalek, David Choe, David Choong Lee, Faile, Ian Francis, KAWS, Nick Walker, Paul Insect, Shepard Fairey, Skullphone, Space Invader, Swoon, Will Barras and more to be announced!

Address: Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Avenue
West Hollywood CA 90038

Opening reception: Thursday, May 7th 2009 / 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Exhibition Dates: May 7th – May 28th 2009

For Immediate Release:

Get Rich Quick at Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 from 7.00pm – 10.00pm! Carmichael Gallery is proud to present a selection of artwork from some of the strongest voices in the contemporary art world, including Antony Micallef, Banksy, Barry McGee, Bast, Beejoir, D*Face, Dalek, David Choe, David Choong Lee, Faile, Ian Francis, KAWS, Nick Walker, Paul Insect, Shepard Fairey, Skullphone, Space Invader, Swoon, and Will Barras. Both original works and a selection of rare, sold-out prints will be on display. 

Contact art@carmichaelgallery.com to preview available work. Please note that these artists are not represented by the gallery. 
The exhibition will be open for viewing through Thursday, May 28th 2009 from 1.00pm -7.00pm. 

The gallery is still accepting submissions for this show; please contact art@carmichaelgallery.com if you have strong pieces you are interested in consigning.

Also opening May 7th: ‘When All The Stars Are Gone’ – A Solo Exhibition of New Artwork by Thais Beltrame in our Front Gallery and Alexone in our Showcase Space
________________________________________
For media inquiries contact: Elisa Carmichael
Email: elisa@carmichaelgallery.com
Tel#: (323) 969-0600

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Swimmingly Swell Swoon Scene at Secret Project Robot

March 19, 2009

A few hundred artists and fans and applicants for sailing the high seas

converged on Secret Project Robot in Williamsburg on Saturday night to witness and bid on a silent auction of artwork to raise funds for SWIMMING CITIES OF SERENISSIMA.

The planned voyage/community event/art installation will sail from Slovenia to Italy this spring, and a multitude of artists donated work to the show. Many more are hoping to be part of the trip itself.

The well organized event was quickly crowded with people signing up to receive their bidding code name and place their bids on forms next to the art.  A smartly dressed dj spun vinyl 45’s of 70’s soul classics while volunteers at tables offered screen-printed t-shirts and posters in the back rooom and projections washed over the walls.

The collaborative community spirit was palpable, and good humored fun-seekers romped about the space kissing cheeks (and pinching some too).

Cyclops has a lot on the mind (photo Steven P. Harrington)
Cyclops has a lot on the mind (photo Steven P. Harrington)

A Wall of Bidding Opportunity (photo Steven P. Harrington)
A Wall of Bidding Opportunity (photo Steven P. Harrington)

Swoon on the left, bid in progress on right (photo Steven P. Harrington)
Swoon on the left, bid in progress on right (photo Steven P. Harrington)

A beauty by Swoon on rusted tin (photo Steven P. Harrington)
A beauty by Swoon on rusted tin (photo Steven P. Harrington)

A final farewell fundraiser is this Saturday March the 21st.

Headed for the Mediterranean (courtesy Swimming Cities)

Click this to support the ambitious trip.

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BENEFIT SILENT AUCTION FOR SWIMMING CITIES OF SERENISSIMA

March 10, 2009 ,
"Their Eyes were watching God" (Patrick May)

"Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Patrick May


BENEFIT SILENT AUCTION FOR SWIMMING CITIES OF SERENISSIMA:
Secret Project Robot, March 14th, 2009

Secret Project Robot – 210 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (at Metropolitan)
March 14th – Benefit Silent Auction 7:30pm – 10pm, Dance Party 9pm – 3am

swimmingcities.org
secretprojectrobot.org

Secret Project Robot will host a silent auction to benefit SWOON’s latest nautical art project Swimming Cities of Serenissima. The benefit will take place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on March 14th. The bidding begins at 7:30pm and ends promptly at 10pm. Dancing and Djing by The Paw and Dirty Finger will follow the silent auction. Here is a selection of the participating artists:

  • SWOON
  • Maya Hayuk
  • Monica Canilao
  • Tony Bones
  • Michelle Handelman
  • Patrick May
  • Santiago Mostyn
  • D-Dock of Hobby Horse
  • Imminent Disaster
  • Radek Szczesny
  • Ryan Doyle of the Black Label Bicycle Club
"Sky Watch" (Radek Szczesny)

"Sky Watch" (Radek Szczesny)

The Swimming Cities of Serenissima is a fleet of three intricately hand-crafted vessels that will navigate the Adriatic Sea from the Karst region of Slovenia to Venice, Italy in May of 2009.  Designed by the artist SWOON, the floating sculptures are descendants of the Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea (Hudson River, 2008) and the Miss Rockaway Armada (Mississippi River, 2006 and 2007). The Swimming Cities of Serenissima are built from salvaged materials, including modified Mercedes car motors with long-tail propellers.  For Swimming Cities, SWOON will collaborate with 30 artists from the United States, including OBIE award-winning playwright Lisa D’Amour. As the Swimming Cities move toward Venice, the crew will collect and install keepsakes in an ark-like cabinet of wonders that will be on display on the boats when they arrive.  Once in Venice, the boats and crew will offer intimate performances that incorporate music, shadow puppetry, and story.  The project is produced with the assistance of Deitch Projects, Paper Monster and Black Rat Press.

Secret Project Robot is a not-for-profit space located in the forest of Monster Island and represents the Mighty Robot A/V squad, HappyFun art group and Sound Artists Robot Death Cult. It is a 2000 square foot performance, and installation centered experimental space founded upon the idea that art should be fun.

For information contact A’yen Tran ayen@swimmingcities.org. Secret Project Robot is located at 210 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221 (at Metropolitan).
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Two Andrews talk about “From the Streets of Brooklyn”

January 6, 2009

An unprecedented show of Brooklyn street art starts off 2009 at ThinkSpace gallery.

Bam! The year has barely started and the momentum from the previous giant year for street art blows clear into January with a new show of 50 artists from the streets of Brooklyn.

ThinkSpace Gallery, a warm-hearted community space and home of rockin’ shows in L.A. since 2005, plays host to it’s brothers and sisters across the continent with a salon-style show of street artists, graff writers, a hot photographer, and live on-the-street work by the chalk artist from BK.

In the middle of the installation craziness, the curator of the show, Andrew Michael Ford (gallery director at Ad Hoc), and Andrew Hosner (co-founder of ThinkSpace), talked with Brooklyn Street Art about the show:

BSA: So how did AdHoc and ThinkSpace hook up to do this show?

Andrew Hosner: Andrew and I have been friends for a while, and met while he was still doing some curating before hooking up with the Ad Hoc crew. One day we were just shooting the s**t about some show ideas and I tossed out the idea of bringing Brooklyn to Los Angeles…

Andrew Michael Ford: I’ve followed what ThinkSpace shows for quite some time and I was always very impressed with the work. I also have always felt that the folks who run ThinkSpace and myself have very similar tastes as far as curating art goes. Something like this has been talked about or at least thought about for quite some time and when Thinkspace approached us about doing it I felt like it was the right place and right time.

BSA: Is it a kind of East-West cultural exchange?

Andrew Michael Ford: The show is about bringing a large group of Brooklyn street artists and graf writers to Los Angeles. We haven’t discussed bringing LA artists to Brooklyn but I would be open to talking about something like that for the future.

Thundercut (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

Thundercut (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

BSA: Brooklyn’s streetscape is pretty dense and is largely accessible by foot. Do you think the L.A. scene is more spread out? How do the two differ, in broad strokes.

Andrew Michael Ford: I have never been to LA but I heard you need a car to get anywhere out there so I assume it’s gotta be pretty spread out.

Andrew Hosner: I think you nailed it on the head, Brooklyn is much more condensed and has more of a community vibe to it I feel, whereas LA is the true meaning of urban sprawl, being one of the most spread out and varied big cities out there. There’s no real community vibe, save for lil’ pockets here and there, but the breadth of the city kind of goes against the notion of all that.

Dan Witz "Scott" from show "From the Streets of Brooklyn" (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

Dan Witz "Scott" from show "From the Streets of Brooklyn" (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

BSA: Maybe this is impossible to put your finger on, but what would be a couple of characteristics that distinguish Brooklyn street art from other cities in the world?

Andrew Michael Ford: For me it started in NYC. I mean, graf started in Philly but really came into it’s own in NYC. I just don’t see that kind of history anywhere else. I see the lineage of graf into street art and that is why so many graf writers have been invited to this show. It’s not just about who is doing a lot of street art. It’s about who is getting up and staying in the streets of Brooklyn regardless of tools being used. I don’t like it when street artists from other cities look at graf here in NYC as some kind of background for their work. It’s a massive slap in the face to all graf writers. Brooklyn street artists have a lot more respect for graf than street artists I have met from other cities, especially from Europe. Maybe that’s the thing that distinguishes what’s going on in the streets of Brooklyn from other places.

Imminent Disaster (earlier work) (courtesy ThinkSpace and Ad Hoc)

Imminent Disaster (earlier work) (courtesy ThinkSpace and Ad Hoc)

BSA: You are showing a LOT of artists…did you have enough (Think) Space?

Andrew Hosner: Hahaha… it will be a very packed show hung salon style, going off of color palette and style. Should look amazing, but it is going to be a visual overload for sure. Patrons will be overwhelmed by Gaia and Rachel Lowing’s thought provoking install immediately upon entering the gallery, then passing through the entry area will be met by a tidal wave of artwork, coming at them from all directions, floor to ceiling… before turning the corner into our project room in the back where Disaster’s massive undertaking will greet them.

BSA: A bit like herding cats?

Andrew Michael Ford: Not really. Honestly, everyone involved believes in this show so much and have been very supportive and helpful in putting it all together.

Matt Siren (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

Matt Siren (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

BSA: Will you have time to give Mr. Ford a tour of the sickest sites while he’s there?

Andrew Hosner: It’s hard to say since the focus will be our show, but hopefully on Saturday after the show has passed we will get out to see some of the hotter spots about LA to enjoy works outside. With so many coming to town for the opening, there’s a good chance we’ll be able to watch some of Brooklyn’s finest… cool thing is, all will be able to watch Ellis G. on opening night doing his thing on our block, and I can’t wait for that.

Andrew Michael Ford: I would love to see some stuff by Saber if possible. But really anything good being done would be great to check out.

Ellis G. (courtesy Ad Hoc and ThinkSpace)

Ellis G. (courtesy Ad Hoc and ThinkSpace)

BSA: The Brooklyn scene keeps evolving rapidly; what is one trend that you are seeing that is telling you about the future?

I see more and more people throwing up wheatpastes in the streets that I don’t feel are well executed or well placed. I mean, there is room for everything and I love to see what people feel they need to put up but it does worry me sometimes when I see tons of poorly crafted wheatpastes thrown all over the place with no thought to where it is being placed or the quality of the imagery they are producing. I would just like to see people take a little more time in the creation of their art and in the selection of the spots they decide to hit.

Elbow-Toe (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

Elbow-Toe (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

BSA: Whose work is exciting to you right now, and what does it say to you?

Andrew Hosner: I love the work of Elbow-Toe, whose work is really a statement on the state of things in our society right now. His every man piece is by far one of the most powerful and extremely well executed works of this past year. You can look at that work 20 years from now and know that it was referencing the economic struggles were going through currently, while also hinting at the 1st great depression. Powerful work.

Also very inspired by the works of Imminent Disaster, due to her strength in so many different creative outlets… Chris Stain also is someone who should be looked up to. Thought provoking work and just a great overall cat.

Stikman (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

Stikman (courtesy ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

Andrew Michael Ford: I think that street art needs to interact with the space where it is placed (good placement is key) and it needs to engage the viewer. Working big can sometimes do this but sometimes it can be a big massive nothing. It’s tough to point to a specific artist but if I had to pick one I can say I’m really intrigued by what the artist Stikman does, as he uses a wide variety of mediums and techniques and always catches you off guard with the placement of his work. Very smart work.

Anera (image by Luna Park) (courtesy Luna Park, ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

Anera (image by Luna Park) (courtesy Luna Park, ThinkSpace and AdHoc)

BSA: What impression do you think the gallery-goer in L.A. is going to come away with about the Brooklyn street art scene?

Andrew Michael Ford: That’s a great question but sadly one that I have no answer to. I haven’t got a clue what kind of reception we will get when we arrive. I am hoping this can be a positive experience for everyone involved.

Andrew Hosner: I hope they come away feeling inspired and filled with the desire to visit the streets of Brooklyn in person, so they can experience these works as they were originally meant to be, and also feel compelled to explore the works of each in the show further, hopefully coming away with a new favorite that they will watch in the years that lay ahead.

I think many will also be surprised at the sheer breadth and quality of work on view – it is definitely an eye opener type of exhibit. Hopefully this will help to open their eyes to the beauty that is all around them in Los Angeles and abroad. So many walk through their city with blinders on, and it really is a revelation when you start to take in and appreciate the work of urban artists.

ThinkSpace Gallery

AdHoc Art

From the Streets of Brooklyn

More stuff on ThinkSpace and Andrew Hosner from the art collector blog

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Year in Images 2008

Year in Images 2008

January 1, 2009 , , ,

Paradigm Shifting and Cave Writings

Looking back at the powerful changes in ’08,

it’s not hard to see their reflection on the Brooklyn streets, which may serve as tea leaves revealing the messages swirling around us and in us. Each individual act of creating is of significance, yet it is the cumulative effect of the groundswell of new participants that seems so powerful, so hopeful in it’s desire.

Naturally, at the beginning of this selection of images from 2008, we are featuring the most visible street art piece of the year by Shepard Fairey, which appeared here on the streets of Brooklyn and transcended mediums to reach millions of people. Shepard’s graphic design style and his images of the man who would be president helped many to quickly glimpse the character and message of Barack Obama.

A Winning Campaign (Shepard Fairey) (photo Jaime Rojo)

A Winning Campaign (Shepard Fairey) (photo Jaime Rojo)

The image was replicated, adopted, adapted, transformed, re-formed, lampooned even. It became an icon that belonged to everyone who cared to own it, and a symbol of the change the man on the street was looking for. Like street art, Obama’s message was taken directly to the people, and they responded powerfully in a way that brought a historic shift; one that continues to unfold.

Elsewhere on the street we saw themes from topical to fantastical; crazy disjointed cultural mash-ups, celebrity worship or destruction, Big Brother, icons, symbols, death, war, economic stress, protest, dancing, robots and monsters and clowns and angels, and an incredible pathos for humanity and it’s sorry state… with many reminders of those marginalized and disaffected. We never forget the incredible power of the artist to speak to our deepest needs and fears.

The movement of young and middle-aged artists off the isle of pricey mall-ish Manhattan and into Brooklyn is not quite an exodus, but boy, sometimes it feels that way. The air sometimes is thick with it; the creative spirit. The visual dialogue on the street tells you that there is vibrant life behind doors – studios, galleries, practice rooms, loft parties, rooftops.

Even as a debate about street art’s appropriate placement on public/private walls continues, it continues. From pop art to fine art, painterly to projected, one-offs to mass repetition, Brooklyn street art continues to grow beyond our expectations, and our daily lives are largely enriched by it.

This collection is not an exhaustive survey – the archival approach isn’t particularly stimulating and we’re not academics, Madge. The street museum is always by chance, and is always about your two eyes. Here’s a smattering, a highly personal trip through favorites that were caught during the year.

[svgallery name=”Images of Year 2008″]

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C.Damage & the Bear Dude on the Brooklyn Block

C.Damage & the Bear Dude on the Brooklyn Block

December 11, 2008 , , , ,

You’ve seen him, sometimes in a vest and tie, sometimes with polkadot pajamas, a fireman’s uniform, or a formal tuxedo;

The bear dude is on stickers all over the place. At first C.Damage was pretty quiet and maybe a little reserved, like the bear, but with time and practice the style quotient has evolved and now the real style is taking off.

Coming up this Friday at Ad Hoc you can see a new wood block of this bear at the Brooklyn Block Party, a strong show concentrating on one specific technique really popular among many Brooklyn street artists right now.

The First Generation (photo C.Damage)

The First Generation (photo C.Damage)

Brooklyn Street Art: When was this little bear Dude born?

C.Damage: He was born in Chicago, around 2004. He went through many transformations in his process to becoming the bear you see today. For a long time, he didn’t have feet! I couldn’t figure out what his lower half looked like, so he was a waist-up character. But he’s finally comfortable with himself.

Brooklyn Street Art: What is this bear saying?

C.Damage: The conversations he has with other people are usually private. Every once in a while, I’ll overhear someone say positive things (about the bear) – that is, that it makes them feel good. I am more concerned with eliciting a response than the type of response. Some people like him, some people might not like him. But on the whole I think he’s a pretty likable character. He’s a jokester – he doesn’t take himself too seriously.

I'm a real big celebrity. I'm this megastar. (photo C.Damage)

I’m a real big celebrity. I’m this megastar. (photo C.Damage)

Brooklyn Street Art: One time in Williamsburg I saw one of your bears in Hasidic garb. Does Mr. Bear like costumes?

C.Damage: Now that he’s comfortable with himself, he’s been playing around with different personas. I think the first costume he ever put on was a viking hat and giant clock chain as Flava Flav. He also likes to wear t-shirts – the “I love NY” one is his favorite – and suits. And there are usually holiday versions – Santa, a pilgrim, a mummy, Uncle Sam, the Easter Bunny. There are a lot of variations. Some of them last longer than others. There’s some one-of-a-kinds up out there too.

Brooklyn Street Art: Now that cold weather is settling in over Brooklyn, will he be hibernating or looking for warmer climates?

C.Damage: He’ll still be around to face the New York winter, but he is also taking a trip to Los Angeles to spend January 9 to February 6 at the From The Streets of Brooklyn show at thinkspace gallery. The show is curated by Ad Hoc Art in Brooklyn. It’s a pretty amazing way to start the new year, after wrapping up 2008 with the Brooklyn Block Party at Ad Hoc Art.

Brooklyn Street Art: The work that you are showing at Ad Hoc is definitely your style, but it’s different from the stickers and paintings that people know you for. Have you made blocks much in the past?

Bear-bot Army (photo C.Damage)

Bear-bot Army (photo C.Damage)

C.Damage: Yeah, I’ve done small block cuts for stickers in the past, which is how I got into this show, but doing a larger print was definitely new. This was a completely different scale for me, which is funny because if you look at the show, the size of the other artists work blows my piece away. I’m not known for my print work, or for doing giant prints for wheat pastes, so people might not be expecting to see me in this show. But when people see it, they’ll make the connection to my stickers and paintings. I think it’s a good new direction for my work, but not too far from where I was before.

C.Damage displayed a new range of approaches at the Brooklyn Street Art party in May '08 (photo C.Damage)

C.Damage displayed a new range of approaches at the Brooklyn Street Art party in May ’08 (photo C. Damage)

Brooklyn Street Art: How did you get to this point and how does it fit your artistic style?

C.Damage: I have been putting up work for a few years, mostly unnoticed, but somewhat consistently. I think I got to this point by just doing my thing, regardless of other people’s opinions or popular trends. I have a long way to go until I get to where I want to be, with solo shows and a more complete body of work. But I think I’ll get there through persistence. There’s no time limit for me to get there, so I’m just enjoying the ride.

Ho! (photo C.Damage)

Ho! (photo C.Damage)

Brooklyn Street Art: Hmmm. Beary interesting. What’s up for 2009 for C. Damage?

C.Damage: Well, 2009 starts with the From the Streets of Brooklyn show in L.A. and a cool show I’m in around Valentine’s Day that is still coming together. I think some of my work will be published in the near future too; not too long ago, I had the pleasure of talking with Martha Cooper, and she took some great photos of some of my stickers that will be shown in her next book, released soon. I’m doing a few more blocks for prints to work on my style, so maybe you’ll see some prints up in the street at some point. Beyond that, I’m not sure what’s next, but I’ll take it as it comes.

C.Damage’s Flickr Site

Check out C.Damage’s new block print as well as those of many others at the Brooklyn Block Party this Friday at Ad Hoc.

“Brooklyn Block Party”

Richard Mock, Swoon, David Ellis, Mike Houston, Martin Mazorra, Dennis McNett,

Judith Supine, Elbowtoe, Gaia, c.damage & Imminent Disaster

December 12th – January 4th 2009

Opening Reception: Friday, December 12th, 7-10pm

An exhibition of original hand cut blocks, both wood and lino, along with the prints pulled from each block.

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