Heading Back to Miami

I’m looking forward to heading south for a few days. Miami Art Basel rolls back in town December 1st through the 5th. I’ve got a few things lined up again this year, including The Underbelly Show, Graffiti Gone Global, Fountain, and more. Here’s what’s up:

THE UNDERBELLY SHOW

After a full year underground, The Underbelly Project is resurfacing this December in Miami during Art Basel. Presented in its own pop up gallery from 1 December – 5 December, the show will feature original artwork from many of the 103 international artists that participated in the hidden subway project. This exhibition will highlight the essence of the abandoned New York City station known as the Underbelly.

Workhorse has stated: “The New York Underbelly was an important chapter for us, but the story hadn’t been comprehensively told. The Underbelly Miami show gives us a chance to present the broad scope of documentation – Videos, photos, time-lapses and first hand accounts. The project is about more than just artwork. This show gives us a chance to show the people and the environment behind the artwork“

PAC has stated: “While the experience each artist had in their expedition underground can never be captured, it is my hope that this show will highlight some of the trials and tribulations associated with urban art taking place in the remote corners of our cities. Too often the practice of making art in unconventional venues remains shrouded in mystery and I hope this exhibition will shine a faint light on those artists who risk their safety to find alternative ways to create and be a part of the cities they live in.”

Included in the show are street, graffiti and fine artists alike. The full line-up of artists include: Faile, Dabs & Myla, TrustoCorp, Aiko, Rone, Revok, Ron English, Jeff Soto, Mark Jenkins, Anthony Lister, Logan Hicks, Lucy McLauchlan, M-City, Kid Zoom, Eric Haze, Saber, Meggs, Jim & Tina Darling, The London Police, Sheone, Skewville, Jeff Stark, Jordan Seiler, Jason Eppink and I AM, Dan Witz, Specter, Ripo, MoMo, Remi/Rough, Stormie Mills, Swoon, Know Hope, Skullphone, L’Atlas, Roa, Surge, Gaia, Michael De Feo, Joe Iurato, Love Me, Adam 5100, and Chris Stain.

Fashioned to simulate the rawness of the abandoned station four stories beneath the bustle of New York City, the exhibit will attempt to capture the experience of artists’ that were invited leave their creative mark four stories beneath the city streets. The show will feature video footage of artists at work, still documentation, as well as recorded sounds heard in the tunnel.

Exclusively at The Underbelly Show, the unreleased We Own the Night: The Art of The Underbelly Project book, will be available as a limited edition collectors boxed set before the public release in February. This boxed set will include a hard cover book along with 9 unreleased photos packaged in a hand crafted oak box engraved with the names of each artist that contributed to the project. Before the general viewing there will also be a book signing featuring many of the aforementioned artists.

The gallery will be located at 78 NW 25th st

GRAFFITI GONE GLOBAL EXHIBIT

Graffiti Gone Global (www.gggexhibit.com) announces its fifth consecutive exhibition running parallel to Art Basel Miami Beach 2011. This year’s show presents the designs of famed architect Marc Fornes, accomplished designer and architect Volkan Alkanoglu, artist and curator Billi Kid and the Art of Basketball featuring selected works painted on the official basketball court from the 2011 NBA All Star Game in Los Angeles. Artworks by prominent artists who continue to challenge the status quo in urban contemporary art such as Cope2, David Cooper, Ewok One 5HM, Jack Aguirre, Joe Iurato, The Dude Company and Shiro.

Powered by SushiSamba (www.sushisamba.com).
Supported by Public Works Department (www.publicworksdept.com)

FOUNTAIN ART FAIR

Similar to what I did in New York this past March, I’ll be doing an 8′ piece for Fountain’s street art installation – curated by Samson Contompassis of Marketplace Gallery. (www.fountainartfair.com). Artists include: Sharktoof, Chris Stain, Olek, Hugh Leeman, Chor Boogie, OverUnder, White Cocoa, Army of One, Clown Soldier, Joe Iurato, Cake, Tip Toe, Elle, Ian Ross and Know Hope.

STREET ART

In addition to the exhibitions, I’ve got a couple walls lined up in Wynwood thanks to Adjust Gallery and ArtWhino.

It’s going to be a busy few days down South…can’t wait.

I also want to thank, once again, Guerilla Galleries and Jerry Artist Outlet for their generous support with paint, supplies and the occasional helping hand in preparations for this trip.

See you in Miami!

Joe

Alive in Albany

Day 1

It’s Sunday, September 11th, 2011. I’m en route from Jersey to Albany with 250 cans of Montana spray paint, a mountain’s worth of stencils, paste ups, gator board, ladders, drills, brushes, rollers, bucket paint, 2 cups of coffee and a freezer burned bagel. Of course, not all the cans are for me – but the bagel’s totally mine. And with 30 minutes left in the drive, I go for it since I have no idea when I’ll eat next. I’ve only got two days to spend at Living Walls, and there’s a lot of work to do.

I arrive at the Marketplace Gallery. Samson Contompasis, gallery owner and organizer of Living Walls, greets me with a Viking-like bear hug. Sitting in a well-lit corner of the gallery, White Cocoa is drawing a portrait of a fellow artist. Over Under is sitting on the floor next to her. Outside the gallery Broken Crow is chillin on the roof. And Nohj Coley is gathering bucket paint for the day. Paste ups are tacked to the walls ready to be plucked for the street, sleeping bags are strewn across the floor, and art supplies occupy every inch of the room. It looks more like a summer camp for street artists than a gallery right now. And that’s because it’s basecamp for Living Walls. I’m inspired. It’s time to paint.

Samson Contompasis

White Cocoa

Over Under/ Broken Crow…extracurricular activities in the Marketplace

241 Central Avenue: Mural 1

The piece I’m doing is on a 40 footlong wall that belongs to an all-faith worship center. The grass smells like piss and it’s evident by the trash scattered about that things happen out here, and I’m not talking about miracles. People immediately flock over to see what’s going on as I roll out a sea of bright yellow paint among a generally gray area.

As the piece takes shape, the curious stares turn to smiles – and people gather to watch and just hang around. I work until dark and get about 3/4 of the way through.

Juan, the caretaker of the center, and who’s been checking in on me throughout the day, generously offers a shower and a floor to crash on. I want to get up early and finish the piece by noon, so I gratefully accept.

Day 2

The piece is finished by noon.

Photo by Julia Zave

Photo by Julia Zave

Me and Juan in front of the completed piece

After a brief stop with Samson and ROA to check out ROA’s wall (which has a dead squirrel at the foot it…wonder what he’ll paint?), I’m off to Rensellaer to paint on a highway buttress. I want to rock this by dark, so I get right to work.

Photo by Julia Zave

Photo by Julia Zave

Originally I had a quote for this piece which said, “Now winter comes slowly, pale, meager and old”, but I changed things up last minute. It reads, “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time” – a quote by Leo Tolstoy that I believe applies to the world we are living in today. Only our children will turn this planet around and put it back on track through advocating peace and unity. Like growing wise, it’ll happen in time and time only – a natural progression. All we can do is teach them what’s right and let time take its course. No bomb or bullet can compete with that idea.

The piece is completed at dusk.

I make a quick stop back at the gallery, say my goodbyes and head back to Jersey.

Back At Home

Something is unsettling over the next day or two. I know I’m not done – I keep saying to myself I have to go back…for at least one more day. For nothing else, there’s a decaying Cathedral I want to do work in, and I also want to try installing at least one 3-dimensional street piece. Albany, at this moment, is the cultural hub of the art world and a big part of me needs to be there. There are just things I want to do. So I plan on heading back thursday for the day…rain or shine.

Thursday: Day 3 in Albany

Thursday morn. I’m driving. Yep, it’s raining. The whole way up to Albany it’s coming down in sheets. I figure I could do what I need to do in the rain if need be, and I keep going.

I arrive at St. Joe’s Cathedral around 11 am. The place is magnificent. The architecture, the art, all in a perfect state of decay. John Grider of Broken Crow is sitting at an old piano and the haunting melody sounds like an orchestra in the hallowed space. Other artists are reorganizing, painting, preparing – as the rain’s driven everyone indoors. I explore the place and find beautiful details, like names, dating back to the late 1800s, signed in pencil on small wooden doors. Broken bits of gold leafed wings and small pieces of 200 year old iconography. I plan on floating a couple pieces off the wall, above the front alters, in collaboration with the existing works of original church art. Chills rip through my spine upon the thought. I’ve never been a very religious person, but I’ve long taken a great interest in the phenomena of faith and spirituality. Regardless of what I believe or don’t believe, this place is so incredibly beautiful, powerful and humbling. I am privileged, and I take great care to do this right.

  One of the areas where I will be installing

The first installation. Photo By Julia Zave

The Second Installation. Photo by Julia Zave

It’s hard for me to describe how I feel after installing these pieces. I can only say I’m very satisfied, and that this is one of the greatest moments for me, personally, as an artist. I tear up the stencils and leave them behind in the Cathedral – it just seems appropriate.

With a couple hours of daylight left, the rain ceases. Just before I head home I want to get one last piece up in the street. I intended on floating one more piece I had painted off of a structure, the way I do in my smaller shadow box pieces orwhat I did in the church, but the gator board the piece is painted on is proving to be fragile and I need to install it in a place that’s a bit more protected. This is all an experiment. Nohj Coley and NDA tell me about a few places place down the road that might work. We head over and find the perfect spot. It goes up in an old doorway with a small handful of screws, and I’m officially done in Albany…

Living Walls was a major highlight for me. I’ve learned and grown because of it, and I’m honored to have had the opportunity. It was a grassroots event, full of good vibes and people, and its heart and soul was in the right place at all times. I think I took more home with me, as a learning experience, than I left back on those walls.

Special Thanks to:

I want to thank Samson for inviting me, being amazingly organized and professional in the thick of it, and for simply being an infectiously happy and genuine dude. He set a great example and benchmark for this community.

Thanks to Juan for the hospitality and conversation. The dude drives his car on vegetable oil…he’s got to be a good seed.

Thanks to my wife for understanding why I do what I do and putting up with my crazy ass whenever I prepare for an event like this. I can be a wreck, yet she somehow holds it together until I pull through.

I also want to thank Stan Sudol of Guerilla Galleries for being an awesome friend and second pair of eyes – whenever I need one. The dude’s always there to help me figure shit out.

Lastly, I want to thank Jerry’s Artist Outlet  for once again generously supporting me on this trip. Above being sponsors, they’ve been good to me and my family for quite some time now. As supporters of street art and graffiti in general, they were also official sponsors of the event as a whole. Please help me show love by supporting them back.

Joe

“Fall And Rise”

Thanks to everyone who came out for the opening reception of “Fall and Rise” on Saturday. I had a great night and I hope you enjoyed yourselves, too. For those that couldn’t make it, the show will run at Art Whino Gallery until September 12th. If you happen to be in the area, please drop by and check it out…

Here are a few shots of the installation:

 

 

 

 

Art Whino Gallery

120 American Way
National Harbor, Md 20745

Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Thursday: Noon-8pm
Friday – Saturday: Noon-10pm
Sunday – Monday: Noon-6pm

The Street Spot (Studio Visit and Interview)

Rebecca Fuller of The Street Spot paid me a visit at the studio last week. We had great conversation and  a few beers and here’s what came out of it…

Thanks to Becki and Luna for putting together such a nice piece and having me on their awesome blog.

 

-Joe

 

Interview with Artsprojekt

Last week I was the featured artist on Artsprojekt. Click here for the interview.

Fall And Rise: Solo Show at Art Whino

My solo show, “Fall and Rise”, will open at Art Whino Gallery on August 20. More soon…

 

 

Welling Court Mural Project

I had a great day out painting in Queens on Sunday for Ad Hoc’s Welling Court Mural Project.  While the art going up was great, what made the day most special were the people. The artists, the locals, the travelers coming to check it out – the vibe was amazing. I want to thank Garrison and Alison at Ad Hoc Art for including me in their project. I had a blast…

“Yard Work” With SNOW

I recently had the great pleasure of collaborating with graff legend, SNOW, for an episode of Element-Tree’s “Yard Work” Series.

Many thanks to Christian “Serringe” Santiago for the wall, the hospitality and the production. Please check out his site Element-Tree

Also, thanks to SNOW, for an inspiring  and fun day out in the sun. Check him out at Fly Dragon

Click the picture to see the video:

“Among The Fallen” : Install for the G40 Art Summit

The G40 Art Summit:2 opened this weekend in Washington, DC. For those of you who remember the enormity of the first G40 in Crystal City, this one’s just as big. Over 2,000 works of art, from large scale installations to vinyl toys are on display. Providing the vibe, Vitamin Water also joins in this time with its Uncapped concert series. Shane Pomajambo from Art Whino estimated 11,000 people came through Friday and Saturday night. If you can swing it, this is a show not to miss.

About My Install

I’ve been working more and more with depth lately, while also finding an intriguing dynamic between photo and stencil. My focus has turned to making shadow boxes – using images taken with my Holga (a plastic medium format analog camera) in the backgrounds and then floating in cutouts of spray painted stencils. I’m really enjoying this new approach, and I’m completely inspired to stick with it. So for this install, I decided to keep in line with the smaller works I’ve been creating and go 3 dimensional as opposed to painting a mural.

The photos were taken not too far from where I live in Northern, NJ. An entire neighborhood had been vacated and abandoned years ago. Fully furnished homes, a hospital, a fire house..all of it just left to fade. I’ve had a little obsession with these buildings for a awhile now, but it wasn’t until recently I decided to begin documenting them. Shortly after I shot the first roll of black of white film, many of which are used in this installation, I started thinking of ways to collaborate artistically with this environment. Originally, I thought I could “breathe life” back into it in a sense by creating life size paintings, mostly cutouts, and staging them in and around the buildings – of children playing, dogs barking, old folks dozing off in chairs on the front porches. Scenes of better days. It was something I talked about often but just kept putting off and never pursued. Sadly, I recently went back to find that 90% of the buildings are gone. Just holes in the ground. It’s a lesson in procrastination and that time is constantly fleeting. Nothing is permanent.

These works originated with that idea in mind. Coupled with the style of imagery I’ve been painting the past year or so, the pieces attempt to crystallize a fascinating place that no longer exists. The install is titled “Among The Fallen”. Below are a few shots:

“Beauty Reigns”

“Drifter’s Serenade (A Tribute To Picasso’s ‘The Old Guitarist’)”

“Restoration of Self”

“Safety Net”

If you’re interested in purchasing any of the pieces, please contact Art Whino.

G40 Art Summit @ vitaminwater uncapped LIVE
2213-2217 14th St
NW Washington DC 200

G40 Exhibit Schedule:
Exhibit runs: May 19th – June 17th,  2011
Open Hours: Tuesday & Thursdays: 5 – 10pm,
Fridays & Saturdays: 12pm – 11pm
Sundays: 12pm – 6pm

Mondays: Closed

NBA Backboard “Blake Griffin”

 “Blake Griffin: 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Champion”

72″ x 40″

Stencil and spray paint on an official NBA backboard.

Licensed by the NBA

More info soon on the Public Works Dept. event this will be featured in.

Thanks all-

Joe