Here are a few more images of intriguing faces captured in Miami last week:
Jas 9 at work in Wynwood
Jose Mertz in Wynwood
Didi Rok and Miss Zukie in Little Haiti
RasTerms in Wynwood
Photos by Lois Stavsky
Note: First image is of mural by Caratoes
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This past weekend over 100 artists — including such graffiti legends as T-Kid 170, Cey Adams, Cycle, Claw Money and Part One — transformed the blank white walls of August Martin High School into a dazzling, brilliant canvas. Curatated by Meres One with Marie Cecile Flaegul, the freshly-painted artworks represent a multitude of cultures, sensibilities and styles. While visiting yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to August Martin student, Justin Price.
This is all so amazing! Your school is an absolute wonderland! What inspired this magical change?
The walls in our school were recently painted white. They looked dull and unwelcoming. We wanted to bring color and life to our surroundings, so that we would look forward to coming to school. And we wanted to look at art that we could relate to and that reflected our culture.
Whose concept was this?
August Martin’s Future Project Dream Team surveyed 500 students to find out what change they most wanted in our school. The students’ consensus was that they wanted to change the appearance of the school’s interior.
Once you knew what you wanted to do, what were some of the challenges you faced?
We had to come up with a proposal and a budget. That took us at least a month. Then we had to identify artists who could work with us. That was our biggest challenge until we were introduced to Meres and Marie of 5Pointz.
How have things been working out since you met them?
Once we met up with Meres and Marie, everything went smoothly. Meres is an amazing artist and knows so many other amazing artists. And I just can’t say enough about Marie! She is so conscientious and caring.
Most of the students haven’t yet seen the murals. But what kind of response have you gotten from those who have seem them?
They love them. They can’t wait to pose for photos in front of them!
And how have the teachers responded to this project?
Their response has been positive. They know that if the students are happy and motivated, their jobs are easier.
And what about your principal, Ms. Smith?
She’s been 100% behind it. She’s worked hard to make sure that it happens and she has been here with us all weekend.
Why do you suppose there are so many underachievers among the students here?
Many of the students here lack the support systems they need, and they feel easily discouraged. So many are talented and really love discovering new things.
I don’t doubt it! What are your thoughts about this project and its possible impact?
I love it! It makes me so happy! And I think it will have a great impact on the other students.
Why is the project called Operation Skittles? I’ve been wondering about that!
Actually, there are two reasons! Skittles are colorful and this project brings color to our school. And Skittles are the favorite snack of Syreeta Gates, the Future Project Dream director here at August Martin.
Now that makes sense! How lucky you students at August Martin are to have realized Operation Skittles!
Note: Keep posted to the Street Art NYC Facebook page for more images and for news about an event at August Martin open to the public in early June.
Photos and interview by Lois Stavsky
1. T-Kid 170
2. Will Kasso
3. Cey Adams
5, Miss Zukie
6. Kid Lew with August Martin principal Gillian Smith standing to his left
7. Part One
8. Meres One
9. Reme 821
11. Cycle
12. Sjembakkus — in from Amsterdam
13. BK Foxx
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The following guest post is by Houda Lazrak, a graduate student in Museum Studies at New York University.
This past weekend, Hanksy’s much-anticipated show, The Best of the Worst, drew hundreds of street art fans to the former Chase Bank at 104 Delancey Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Along with some of NYC’s most notable graffiti writers and street artists, Hanksy transformed the space into a NYC playground-like arena — with a skate ramp, a Chinese massage parlor and more wonderfully-engaging site-specific installations. Dozens of intriguing, overlapping pieces, paste-ups and stickers paid homage to street art, while, also, poking fun at the scene.
Magda Love and Hanksy and more
Meres and more
Russell King, Col and UR New York
Included, too, was a rather formally installed art exhibit in the wittily-titled Gag-Osian Gallery featuring some of NYC’s most popular street artists.
Mr. Toll at the Gag-Osian
El Sol 25 at the Gag-Osian
All photos by Houda Lazrak; pictured in the first photo are Frank Ape, Lexi Bella and Cosbe
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An extraordinary range of artworks in various media celebrating the iconic Mickey Mouse is currently on exhibit at PIQ at 8 Grand Central Terminal in the Shuttle Passage. Among the artists featured in Twisted Mouse are many who also grace the streets of our cities. I recently had the opportunity to speak to its curator, Sabina Nowik.
Can you tell us something about this exhibit? What is happening here?
It is a celebration of Mickey Mouse with dozens of works ranging from the quirky to the gruesome.
Why Mickey Mouse? What is his significance to you?
Having lived and worked in Orlando, Florida, I’ve always had a special relationship with Disney’s characters. Mickey Mouse represents youth and fun!
How did you bring such an extraordinary array of artists together? How did you find them all?
I knew some of the artists from the previous exhibit here at PIQ; some I discovered via word-of-mouth. And I did considerable online research.
What was the experience like? Was it different from what you had expected?
It was very pleasant, as I had expected it to be. But the installation itself — incorporating everything from soft vinyl to triptych art — came together far more seamlessly than I had anticipated.
Note: Twisted Mouse continues through March, with many artworks to remain on exhibit through April. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8-10 | Friday 8-11 | Saturday: 8-10 | Sunday 9-9.
Artworks
1. Betso, Mickey Splash
2. Eric Orr, Max with Mickey Ears
3. Sienide, Wickey Mouse
4. Miss Zukie, Stuffed Mouse
5. Chris RWK, Tourist Trap
Photo credits: 1 Sara C. Mozeson; 2 – 4 Lois Stavsky and 5 courtesy of the artist
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The Centre-fuge Public Art Project continues its mission to transform the Department of Transportation trailer on First Street and First Avenue into a vibrant open-air gallery. These past few wintry weeks, its 16th cycle has brought an infectious energy to an otherwise cold and stark site. Here are a few close-ups:
Moody at work in mid-December — at the beginning of the current cycle
Joshua David McKenney at work
And to the right of Pidgin Doll — Marthalicia Matarrita, Michael DeNicola, Basil and Lexi Bella
Foxx Faces, Raquel Echanique and Marthalicia Matarrita
Vernon O’Meally, Lelex and Fade, AA Mobb
Arbiter, Miss Zukie, Foxx Faces, BK and Sest2
Pebbles Russell, who co-founded the Centre-fuge Public Art Project in 2012, reports that Cycle 16 will remain in effect for a few more weeks. If you would like to participate in future cycles of this project, send a sketch, along with reference images to other works, to centrefuge@gmail.com.
Final photo by Lois Stavsky; all others by Dani Reyes Mozeson
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Earlier this fall, the Dodworth Street Mural art project began a wondrous transformation of the area on and around Dodworth Street between Bushwick Avenue and Broadway. Here are just a few of the murals that have surfaced:
Eelco ’Virus’ Van den Berg, Rocko and Vera Times
Miss Zukie and Lexi Bella
Col Wallnuts, Marthalicia, BK, Damien Mitchell & Edob LOV3
Photo credits: 1, 3 – 5 Lois Stavsky; 2 & 6 Dani Reyes Mozeson
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The Centre-fuge Public Art Project has transformed the Department of Transportation trailer on First Street and First Avenue into a vibrant rotating open-air gallery. Here are a few more images from Cycle 15 completed last week:
Marthalicia Matarrita at work
Dasic at work
And completed
And here with Sean Gallagher and Miss Zukie
Coordinated by Pebbles Russell and Jonathan Neville, the Centre-Fuge Public Art Project was conceived in 2011 in memory of their friend, Mike Hamm.
Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson
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