ha!
Just saw a Paul Richard sign smack in the middle of Fairey’s wall asking for no graffiti to be added to it…
AlterEgo – The Movie
I watched this movie last night…and I am incredibly impressed with Daniel’s work. It all really came together and it’s a solid piece of documentation. This movie is a robust view of the art form, its history and its current perils. It’s exciting, informative, absorbing and personal. I love it, can you tell? If graffiti is somehow part of your life, you need to watch this. No, actually, everyone should. The DVD is available here.
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(previous post)
I’ve been waiting for this moment for a while now. My good friend Daniel has finished his film. He has traveled the world to capture great graffiti artists doing their work. I am so proud of him and this will be a kick ass movie. If you happen to be in Berlin, go to the premiere. If you are stuck at work (like me), check out the website alterego-themovie.com.
“Tags, throwups and pieces are part of almost every major cityscape around the world, and are more or less part of our everyday life. Continue reading “AlterEgo – The Movie”
Come and Support! – update
One of my photos will be part of this rad art event in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Please come! mbp URBAN ARTS FEST.
Here are some shots from the party. Click them for more.
JMR’s latest.
Photos by ©marikeeler
Gawker’s MOM & POPism
Gawker Artists got 28 graffiti/street artists to contribute their work on these wallpaper store fronts (curated by Billi Kid reinterpreting James and Karla Murray’s latest book, Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York), which were surrounding this very nice rooftop at a Soho party last night… I was torn about it during the evening. I sat with a friend and took in the environment, people watched and exchanged thoughts on the situation.
I have to admit, it felt a bit awkward for me. Contrived. Out of place. I see the graffiti/street art world as the anarchists artist medium, but the soho elite in their attempts to be part of a surfacing underground culture is part exploiting it, and the artists themselves are either allowing themselves to be exploited or are in on the joke. I do think it is important to bring up the conversation of graffiti picking up momentum and gaining praise as an art form… but it just seems wrong to force these two completely opposite (and mostly clashing) worlds together. But then again, some might argue that street artists trickling into the gallery world would be just as blasphemous. Yet it does bring up an interesting conversation. What do you think of this mesh? Are you comfortable with it?
I thoroughly enjoyed the work by the way, as I enjoy and respect graffiti. It just sparked this question that I thought I’d share and would love to hear from you. Pictures from the party on my flickr.
Mighty Tanaka Presents Alexandra Pacula & JMR
detail of Vivacious Arcade, Oil on wood. © Alexandra Pacula.
I took some time to stop by Mighty Tanaka‘s latest show including both artists Alexandra Pacula & JMR. Very different work, but they fit together well in this large gallery… JMR’s abstract, bold & colorful shapes were very vibrant and great to look at in this vast white space, I personally enjoyed his more sculptural pieces. Across the way were Alexandras’ large paintings of a darker color palette, showcasing the sometimes blurry nightlife in NYC. Her oil paintings have wonderful color and her brushwork was free-flowing yet thought through. JMR’s line work and layered pieces were also great to study and take in. Tomorrow is the last day to check out the show before it comes down, so sneak over to 139 West 14th St in Manhattan before 8pm and see it all for yourself. I took some shots, view them here.
© JMR.
Below is a video of JMR working on one of the pieces for the show…
Os Gemeos on Bowery/Houston NYC
On this wall once stood a Keith Haring tribute mural. It was drowned by tags and graffiti for many years, but it was recently resurrected and stood strong. But a week ago, it was replaced by the brazilian duo Os Gemeos, known for their illustrative caricatures, strong color and their respectful reputation in the graffiti world. Deitch Projects approached the twins with this commission to replace the Haring wall.
I love this, it really brightens the street, the area, the people (as did the Haring piece). There is much detail and needs to be enjoyed in person. I hope this one stays up for a long time, and I kind of wish Deitch will come up with a project of this stature to replace the Hollister mess on Broadway and Houston… Many more images on my flickr, as usual.
Os Gemeos dedicated the wall to the late artist, Dash Snow.
Work to Do – 112 greene st. studio
Royce Bannon & the Endless Love Crew have put together a pretty incredible show at the 112 greene st. studio. 50 artists took over the floor, walls, ceilings and doused them with art. what a treat to see all these talented street artists in one space. my buddy alex from Mighty Tanaka gave me a tour of the studio and the work, which was a real plus. he’s going to help me caption the show on my flickr set…(’cause i have an awful memory). But wanted to thank him for being a great host.
This show has been extended and will be up ’til May 1st. You should swing by and immerse yourself in some street art culture. I left inspired.
a village pet store
banksy style.
If you are in the hood, swing by banky’s latest. The rabbit is filing her nails…chicken nuggets dip in sauce…the monkey breathes, blinks, and chews while watching tv…the hot dogs wiggle in their cages…giant fish nuggets swim around in a bowl…lizards are camouflaged in a darken room…twitty bird is old and featherless…
There’s a lot to look at and the anthropomorphism of these objects made me smile, laugh out loud, and think about the all ironies in this small room.
Here’s a blurb from Banksy about ‘The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill’, which I grabbed from Wooster Collective…
Banksy: “New Yorkers don’t care about art, they care about pets. So I’m exhibiting them instead. I wanted to make art that questioned our relationship with animals and the ethics and sustainability of factory farming, but it ended up as chicken nuggets singing. I took all the money I made exploiting an animal in my last show and used it to fund a new show about the exploitation of animals. If its art and you can see it from the street, I guess it could still be considered street art.”
outsiders ny
The guys from Lazarides Gallery in London & Newcastle popped up at 282 bowery. On my way to Delancey, I stumbled into this unexpected gallery. It’s so refreshing seeing a lot of work on a large space in this city. Temporarily, the walls of 282 bowery are a good example of urban decay ironically decorated with current graffiti and street artists work. The collective totals 19 artist from all over the world including Blu, Faile, Ian Francis, Vhils and David Choe. The work varies from all kinds of genres. I truly enjoyed seeing this and will return to pay attention to detail and take notes. If you don’t have the chance to see it, I took photos of the work. check them out here. If you are in NYC, the show is extended ’til Oct 26th. a MUST see.
lost and found
©marikeeler
Sometimes I get some rolls back with pictures I had taken a while back…I just got a roll of slide film which I shot during my trip to Berlin 3 years ago… I posted just a few on my flickr if you want to take a peek. mostly street art and graffiti.