Which City Has The Best Street Art - LA, NYC, or London? (PHOTOS)

These are 3 of the lamest graffiti works I've seen. Blogs were the source for the images and there were many better choices to go with when I checked out the blog sites. For those that live in or visited either NYC, LA, or London you know they have way better works than what there 3 pics shown here. Why only 3 to begin with anyway? There are several other countries around the world that have a thriving graffiti scene that would allow this post to at least feature a top 10. This article could have been way better.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Exhibit wanting to turn street lights into stars is up, but did it light up visitors?

Given how I was working on a constellation series about a year ago, I was assuming James Holland's application of constellations in his street photos would evoke some meaning. Shame on me for having expectations!

The photographs of city lights were beautiful and simple on their own. However, the "connect the dots" aspect of the work made it seem immature. The result just looked like an extended glares from street lights. James' created the lines by drawing on a glass clamped to the camera lens. Interesting technique.

Even though the end results weren't moving, as a New Yorker, the purpose of this series of works is not lost on me.

(c) James Holland "Would You Asterism"

"Without the opportunity to see natural constellations, he would link streetlights together in his mind, turning an ordinary view into something fantastical" Press release

In cities like New York, it is difficult to see the stars. The only time the city goes dark is if there's a blackout otherwise, people's windows, cars, billboards, store fronts, etc are always lite up. Street lights and city lights illuminate surroundings instead of the stars or the moon.

If have seen the exhibit as well, feel free to share your thoughts.

Envoy Enterprises is located at 131 Christie Street. Lights will do dark on "Sky Lines" on August 28th.

The ART of Graffiti at Benrimon Contemporary

And I thought I was cool when I learned how to do bubble letters in Junior High!

Aight New Yorkers, ya'll know graffiti when you see it with tags and characters. This exhibit at Benrimon Contemporary takes the appreciation and beauty of its work to a new level. The work will be up until August 10, 2010.

Now when I walked outside after viewing the show, there was a couple that asked me about what exhibit was being shown. I tried to sell it but not everyone understands or wants to appreciate graffiti. Whether you think you do or not, there is no harm in checking it out. Either you will gain an appreciation you didn't have before or be further impressed with the kind of work that can be done with an aerosol can.

"An urban art culture has grown in popularity and adapted various forms, art dealers saw an opportunity to promote a new art form within the white walls of a gallery" Press release

When I visited the gallery, I had a chance to talk with curator Mario Ramos. He along with Claudia Bumbas are owners of 1HUNDREDB, a LES storefront that serves the urban art culture.

Featured are pieces by PNUT, Cap1, Stayhigh149, Noc167, Richard Hambleton among others with tribute to Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Stayhigh149 has a NYPD ticket dated 1969 proving that he is one of the founders of bringing street art to the masses.


On their blog http://1hundredb.blogspot.com/ or flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/1hundredb they also have pics from opening night with the numerous artists it includes. I included an example where it looks like the event was a nice chance for the artists to show appreciation for each others work and for fans to meet in person the mysterious artists who's work they've only seen on the streets.

"Graffiti on the subways cars was a phenomenon witnesses by New York City's straphangers during the early 70's and lasting in intensity until 1989."Press release

Mario is an awesome guy and this is an awesome show. When I walked in 2 days after the opening (which had over 1,000 people) , I could still smell the fresh paint from a live installation (subways doors included ;)) done on one of the gallery walls. He pointed out that while looking at the tags on the mural, it may look like a mess at first, the taggers respect each other's space. If by accident someone writes over someone else's tag, the offender would write "Sorry" to the other person..

We talked about how the form of art has become one more thing to issue fines or jail times for. Some parts of Europe are turning into what NY was in the 70s and 80s, as NY artists seek places around the world to express themselves.

The freedom of expression NYC once had and was known for is now highly regulated. 

Artists now are now using stickers to leave their mark.

Now advertisers are leaving their mark on the subways. $$$$$$$$$$ (To the MTA that if given all the money they would need to get out of their convenient deficit, would still have NO IDEA how to manage their money. Honestly I feel if business students took on the MTA finances, they would have it solved in a semester)....but anyway.

What are your thoughts on the branded subway cars? Would you prefer that, plain or cars done with original art?

I recommend checking out the work at Benrimon Contemporary so you have a better perspective to answer that question (if you don't have the experience of all 3 in the subway already).

Paying tribute to the traditional roles of women

Currently, Ceres Gallery [547 West 27th Street Suite 201] has an exhibit featuring their member artists which closes Saturday July 17th. I'll get to my thoughts on some of the work I saw in a moment. First I want to give props to Ceres. I didn't know it existed until I visited (gallery spaces in Chelsea turn over fairly frequently). The mission of Ceres is:

"...a non-profit alternative center dedicated to the promotion of contemporary women in the arts.... We believe that the arts provide an important social service and that art has the power to enhance and enrich the quality and depth of our lives." Ceres brochure

AWESOME stuff Ceres. Hopefully artists in any career and creative part of their life can also appreciate what you're doing.

The work that were shown at this exhibit was wide-ranging in size, subject matter and techniques. The work from their member artists here: http://www.ceresgallery.org/artistmain.htm


One portion of the gallery space featured work by Dare J. Boles Lot of Women. One of the 16 she has on display is shown here.

Dare is a mixed media artist using patterns, pictures of faces and objects, as well as textures to create layers in her work. Without the use of shadows, the work remains very much 2-dimensional. The pieces at this exhibit was no larger than 16'' x 20'' and all reasonable price ranging from $325 - 900. Huge difference from a non-profit versus a for-profit where you would see several more zero's on the price list (of course through the sale of work is how the galleries help to pay the rent).



She had an interesting mix of work all centered around what womens roles are within their respective societies. Her pieces spanned from African, Asian, Muslim, American, African-American cultures as well as several others. She adds "Historically, a woman's role in life has been determined by society." The same goes for the role of men.

"I am inspired by the sunny climes of the Caribbean, the rich colors of Africa, and the quiet beauty of the Asian culture. Always, my art is about finding unique and personal means of expression and a continuing search for ancestors." Dare J. Boles artist statement

In some societies these roles of care-giver are positions women are born into and perhaps not encouraged to think for herself while for others, it has now become a choice to have your purpose to be that of pleasing men or to be a housewife. One may feel that women in the world have come a long way to claiming independence as entrepreneurs, Presidents, Prime Minsters and choosing to be single mothers. In Dare's work, are the women in her work unfulfilled or content? From her pieces, I felt respect for those that have and have had these roles. IT just made me think about what I would be doing if I lived in the 1800's or even 800's. 
Fortunately, I'm happy in my present.