Monday, August 31, 2009

Found in the East Village

I almost never walk along Avenue C when I head over to the Village from Hamilton Fish. But when I did take that route on Friday, I discovered one of the most interesting doors in town -- with layer upon layer of stickers and paste-ups -- many of which I'd never seen before.

Found in the East Village

Walking along Avenues B and C in the East Village on Friday, I was struck -- once again -- by the clear demarcation between the folks who've lived down there for years and the relatively new residents. Jarred by the sudden transition of barely adequate bodegas into upscale cafes, I noticed this!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

The 5Pointz Wedding


5Pointz , LIC
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
What a setting for a wedding! And I love the backdrop. 'seems as though the groom is already on his way out!

5Pointz Anew


5Pointz, LIC
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
Dani returned to 5Pointz earlier in the week to discover that the scaffolding that had been up for the past few months was finally removed. Missing, too, are the stairs on both sides. Most of the writing on the walls is new, the top row dedicated to writers who have passed away.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Cope


Bronx Graffiti
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
As Mikey drove me around the Bronx yesterday, I probably saw more Cope2 pieces in a few hours than I saw in the past few months. This one may be my favorite. I love its colors and flow. 'cool how all of Cope's pieces refer to both his mom and Indie.

Beond @ Da Bakery


Beond @ Da Bakery
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
'went with Mikey over to Da Bakery, an impressivel new graffiti shop and gallery @ 1700 Southern Blvd. in the Bronx. 'loved the artwork on exhibit, the selection of magazines and books, and the limited edition artist cans by Montana -- two of which I bought! Situated right off the 174th Street stop on the 2 or 5 train, it is easily accessible. 'looking forward to returning.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Bronx Graffiti Character


Bronx Graffiti
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
Mikey Colon, a passionate graffiti photographer who is in the process of updating his website, http://www.kingsofnewyork.net/, gave me a wonderful tour earlier today of some of the best walls in the Bronx. 'could not believe the range of characters and diversity of styles. Among my favorite characters is this one grasping onto the iconic bee.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Stickers from "Fresh from the Streets"

One of the highlights of "Fresh from the Streets" is a wonderful collage of dozens of stickers -- many hand-made. I loved this "installation."

"Fresh from the Streets"

I took advantage of being back home in Teaneck to visit "Fresh from the Streets," in nearby Demarest. An affluent, white-collar suburb, Demarest seems the least likely place for an exhibit of graffiti and street art. 'not quite sure why that location was chosen. The exhibit, though, was fun and we had the place to ourselves. Among my favorites is this wall with work by the inimitable Veng and Will Kasso.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Jerusalem Stencil Art, 2005

I just discovered a CD of photos of Jerusalem stencil art taken by my daughter in the summer of 2005. I was struck by how anti-war and critical of the state so many are. Interesting that when I was just there following the Gaza invasion, the stencils were mostly apolitical in nature.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Jon Burgerman @ Giant Robot

Whenever I'm in the neighborhood of Giant Robot, I stop by -- as there's always some cool exhibit up. The current one features wonderful doodles of zany characters by the British cartoonist Jon Burgerman. It continues through September 16th @ Giant Robot @ 437 East 9th Street.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Tats Cru in the East Village

Walking along Avenue A was quite eerie. Every other store was either shut down or going out of business. Adding to the eeriness was an unsettling mural by Tats Cru. This is a close-up from it.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

What a Magazine Cover!

'catching up on a week of emails, I discovered this amazing magazine cover from Mexico with Logan Hicks' stencil work on it. I love it!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Mural on South Fifth and Bedford

I headed into Williamsburg yesterday to check out the exuberant mural on South 5th and Bedford recently created by some of the finest female street artists around. It was the perfect mix of varied styles and sensibilities that all came together.

Monday, August 17, 2009

GATS in Williamsburg

Gee, this character really gets around. After coming across him a number of times earlier today on the Lower East Side, I saw even more variations of him in Williamsburg this evening. The one captured here is quite large! Impressive --

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Chris Cortes is Back in Town


5Pointz, LIC
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
And creating some amazing work @ 5Pointz. Dani photographed this today. 'looking forward to getting over to 5Pointz sometime soon myself.

Friday, August 14, 2009

from IRAN INSIDE OUT

'finally made it over to the Chelsea Art Museum to check out "Iran Inside Out" -- an overly-ambitious exhibit of over 200 works by 56 contemporary Iranian artists. While most of the artists live and work in Iran, 21 live outside of their native home. The work varies tremendously in themes and sensibilities. It is a bit much to absorb. I found this installation of dozens of postcards -- reworked with black magic marker -- somewhat disconcerting. Not surprisingly, the artist, Shahram Entekhabi, is currently based in Berlin.

West Village Street Art

I first saw this character at Jonathan LeVine's gallery. It is part of WK Interact's "12 Angry Men" series. I spotted it again on the Lower East Side, but it disappeared quickly. Last night I found two in the Meatpacking District in the West Village.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A New Kid on the Block


Chelsea Street Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
I'm not sure who he is, but I ran into him three times on the same block in Chelsea this afternoon.

Sti(c)kman in Chelsea


Chelsea Street Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
Since I first discovered Sti(c)kman on the Lower East Side about two years ago, I've been intrigued by his many mutations. These -- that I found in Chelsea this afternoon --are particularly stunning.

Another Unusual LES Sticker


LES Sticker Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
It took me awhile to see what was going on here. I was struck, at first, simply by the colors and contour lines.

LES Sticker


LES Sticker
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
It's always fun to discover a unique, hand-crafted sticker. I discovered this as I was rushing to buy some spackle at the hardware store on Avenue B. Interesting and intriguing!

Monday, August 10, 2009

C215 in Venice


C215 in Venice
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
My friend, Daya, discovered this in Venice. 'so glad she sent it to me. What a treasure!

East Harlem Graffiti

While I was in Paris, Dani discovered some walls in East Harlem that have been around for awhile.

Back to the Bronx


Bronx Graffiti
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
While I love much of what I saw in Paris, I missed the kind of "wildstyle" graffiti that I came upon near 149th Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx on Friday.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Art Urbain @ Pavillon Carré de Baudouin

The charming urban art exhibit, Art Urbain @ Pavillon Carré de Baudouin, was a great introduction to some of Paris's older, established street artists. The giraffe is the work of Mosko et Associes and the figure on the right is one of Jerome Mesnager's creations.

Bonom in Paris


Paris Street Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
Among the most intriguing characters in Paris are the large animals and creatures sprawling across tops of buildings. They are simply signed "Bonom."

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Tian @ Home


Paris Street Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
I enjoyed seeing Tian's work in his hometown after coming upon it so many times these past few months in New York City and in Brooklyn.

Mysterious Character in Paris


Paris Street Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
As the week progressed, I kept on seeing more and more variations of this character in different poses. Usually posted quite high, he remains unsigned. I have not been able to identify the artist.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Space Invader in Paris


Paris Graffiti
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
Space-Invader is everywhere in Paris. I must have seen dozens each day. It's rare, though, to see it juxtaposed with throw-ups and tags!

Paris Stencil Art


Paris Stencil Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
The only Blek le Rat stencils that I found in Paris were those on a wall in a book store that was promoting his book. I would have loved to see more!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Paris Sticker Art


Paris Sticker Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
In my few days in Paris, I saw at least one dozen variations of this image, each on a sticker. They all work for me!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Alex One & Completed Mural

While visiting Native's studio space again today in Belleville, I noticed that Alex One had just finished the mural he'd started yesterday. He told me that it will be installed tomorrow at FondationCartier's "Born on the Streets" exhibit.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Paris Mural


Paris Mural
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
'so great to revisit this wonderful mural in Belleville. This close-up features the work of two of my favorite artists anywhere -- Native and ZenTwo.

C215 in Paris


C215 in Paris
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
'so much fun to watch Chris put up a stencil in his home town and to observe the kids who stop to watch in wonder.