Sunday, January 31, 2010

Abandoned in Williamsburg

Williamsburg has become an amazing study of contrasts. Amidst a few remnants of stunning architecture and scores of new sterile condos are scenes like this one.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Jef Aerosol Does Basquiat

The iconic Jef Aerosol has created a wonderland of stencils of mostly icons. The stunning, not-to-be-missed exhibit continues through February 21st at Eastern District, 43 Bogart Street.

Gatsy @ "One Night Stand"

I stopped by "One Night Stand" early last night -- while it was still possible to check out art. I was impressed by the eclectic mix that crossed generations, sensibilities and styles. 'very cool! I also got to check out some artwork I hadn't seen elsewhere. I'd seen this drippy character on stickers from time to time, and I loved it in a gallery setting.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sti(c)kman Again on the LES


On the LES
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
I had to look twice at this stunning installation on Houston Street to recognize who it is. It's obviously been around for awhile. I love everything about it -- its colors, textures and background.

That Wall on Wooster Street


Wooster Street
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
When I first started documenting street art -- almost three years ago -- this space on Wooster and Grand was one of the most impressive spots around. Not so these days. Though some strong pieces do appear from time to time, it is mostly in a state of decay -- kind of a metaphor for the entire downtown street art scene.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Stickers Spotted on 1.27.10

Walking from the financial district through SoHo, I did spot some stickers I hadn't seen elsewhere. Among these was a Hasid dancing. It. looked like it belonged more in Jerusalem or Sefad than in downtown Manhattan!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Staying Alive 2 @ Hamilton Fish



Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
The Hamilton Fish Park Branch of the New York Public Library presents STAYING ALIVE 2: A CRU OF CHARCTERS , a captivating selection of artwork by three talented urban artists of diverse backgrounds and ages. Featuring a “cru of characters” by David Alicea aka LETHAL, Moriah Ressler and Twelph, the exhibit opens with performances by the Lethal Weaponz Cru and Nelson “Chief” Seda on Thursday, February 4th from 5-7pm and continues through March 1st, 2010. The Hamilton Fish Park Branch of the NYPL is located at 415 East Houston Street on the Lower East Side. For further information, contact Lois Stavsky @ 917-562-8468.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Mural Art in Armenia, Colombia

I had the opportunity earlier today to check out some of the photos my daughter took while vacationing in Armenia, a city in Quindio in Colombia. While most of her photos captured an extraordinary, breathtaking natural world, she did come across a bit of street art. This is from a mural that she says she "almost missed."

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Jef Aerosol Does JAY-Z

'great to have Jef Aerosol in town! I'm loving this Jay-Z. It's one of his new stencils to be featured in "All Shook Up" opening on January 29th at Eastern District, 43 Bogart Street.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Stefanie Gutheil @ Mike Weiss

I went back to Chelsea on Friday to check out a few galleries with Endi Collado -- a young artist who's worked with me at Hamilton Fish -- and his brother Lenny. So much of what takes up space in Chelsea galleries is uninspiring. I did, though, enjoy these zany characters created by Berlin-based artist Stefanie Gutheil. I love her use of bold colors and various collage elements. It was all kind of a natural high and worth a visit! The exhibit continues through February 20th at 520 West 24th Street.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Bogota Character


Bogota Character
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
My daughter just returned from two weeks in Colombia. Though she only spent a few days in Bogota, she kept her promise to document some of the street art. I will be checking out her photos in the days ahead. The characters -- as the one pictured here -- always enthrall!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Faust In Chelsea


In Chelsea
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
I'm used to seeing Faust's splendid signature on stickers all over town; but this is the first time I've seen it on a mail box. It certainly got my attention!

East Village Paste-Up

I'm rarely on 2nd Avenue below 6th Street. Yesterday was an exception as I decided to walk from Houston to 14th St. via 2nd Avenue. I was greeted by abandoned storefronts -- some with alluring paste-ups and tags -- on the east side of the avenue. The sticker here sums it up.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

In Bogota



Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
This looks wonderful! 'so exciting to see so many cool things happening in Bogota -- an oasis of amazing street art.

Hand-made Sticker Art On the LES


On the LES
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
This past week I've noticed a renaissance of hand-made sticker art. I found these three on Delancey Street.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Sti(c)kman on Eldridge Street


On the LES
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
Walking from Delancey to the Grand Street stop on the D train, I decided turn left on Eldridge, as there's often something cool happening across from the Woodward Gallery. Yesterday was no exception. I was greeted by a captivating Sti(c)kman installation, along with a variety of figures posted on nearby mailboxes and assorted public spaces. This one particularly intrigues me. I love the way Sti(c)kman continues to morph.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

What Happened?

As I was walking on the south side of Delancey today on my way to my dentist, I was stunned by the many empty storefronts. When I worked at nearby Seward Park High School -- just a few years ago -- every store was occupied. Now their windows serve as a canvas for writers and taggers. The entire Lower East Side is a study of contrasts.

Chelsea Street Art: Army of One


Chelsea Street Art
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
By the time I spotted this riveting installation, I felt that I already knew "Army of One," as I had spotted him on at least a dozen stickers in the Chelsea gallery district earlier in the day. I would have liked to take him home. But I didn't!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Robert Williams @ Tony Shafrazi Gallery

If it weren't for my intern's prodding, I probably never would have checked out this exhibit. I have a deep prejudice against pop surrealism as it generally has none of the rawness and energy of graffiti and street art (and somehow often gets exhibited in the same spaces.) Yet I'm glad I checked out Robert Williams' exhibit at Tony Shafrazi. Brilliantly installed, it is the perfect showcase for Williams' ingenious, meticulously crafted work. I'm impressed and a bit less prejudiced against this particular genre.

Friday, January 8, 2010

James Marshall aka Dalek @ Jonathan LeVine

I headed over to Jonathan LeVine this afternoon as I wanted to check out Dalek's latest work before the exhibit closes tomorrow. I was impressed, as always, by his use of colors and shapes and the amazing crispness of it all. It was definitely tantalizing, but something was missing. I'm not sure what. I guess I miss his characters!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

D'face in West Village

'thrilled to discover this amidst mostly shredded wheatpastes in the Meatpacking district!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Stickers Spotted in the Cold on 1.6.2010

I had to be down at the Foundation Center (16th and 5th) earlier today, and I couldn't resist sticker-hunting along 14th Street after I left. Not much new in this freezing weather, except for a number of -- what appeared to be genuine -- twenty dollar bills in the Meatpacking District!

Friday, January 1, 2010

In the South Bronx


In the South Bronx
Originally uploaded by LoisInWonderland
Reviewing some of the photos I took up in the Bronx this past year, I came across this one. I'm so used to seeing "Jesus Saves" on stickers in masterful calligraphy downtown, I almost missed it as a tag.