NYC-based Street Artist Denis Ouch has been busy lately painting images of Superheros in Face Masks all over the city. His most ambitious contribution to the series so far seems to be this monumental mural depicting masked-up versions of Superman, Batman, Thor (who technically is a God, not a Superhero), and Wonder Woman, accompanied by the urgent plea “Save Us Justice League” in white (and Ouch’s tag in pink).
The mural expands across two facades of the building at the corner of 8th Avenue and Greenwich Avenue (by the Mobil Station), in Chelsea.
NYC could use some saving, now more than ever I suspect.
If you dug Michelle Pfeifer’s deranged take on Batman’s seductive nemesis, Catwoman, then you must own this Meow T Shirt designed by CarloJ1956. It comes in lots colors and sizes and is currently on sale for 20% off the regular price of just $21.95 at This Link!
Some art is just better in the dark. I discovered the completely enchanting artworks of Sam Tufnell this year at the Context Art Fair and was instantly delighted by his vibrantly-colored, translucent sculptures of pop culture subjects that sit on illuminated pedestals. Fantastic.
When I heard about Inappropriation, Tufnell’s current exhibit over at Castle Fitzjohn Gallery, I knew I had to bring you some serious photos and news of this cool happening. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am a little bit late to the game at this point, and now we are in the final week of the exhibit, so there is no time to waste! Get thee to Castle Fitzjohns, post haste!
Sam Tufnell is a graduate of the SVA, who exploded on to the art scene a few years ago with his unique style of visually appealing, yet intrinsically satirical, illuminated sculpture. After selling out consistently at major art fairs, his first Museum show last year (where a piece was stolen!), a collaboration with the New Museum, numerous public installations, such as Gnome Mountain (which I have also seen referred to as “Gnomes on the Mountain”) not to mention — but you can see I am about to — his works becoming a hot item with major collectors, Castle Fitzjohns decided it was time for a full on solo show, and Inappropration was born.
Tufnell has created a totally immersive illuminated environment that encompasses the full gallery space. Viewing the work in this unlit setting, it becomes an almost HD experience from a visual perspective. The subject matter of these works encompass a mini-retrospective of the different series that have been been a hit for the artist over his career, as well as new works created just for the show.
Tufnell’s cast resin works are almost otherworldly to see scattered across a full, darkened gallery setting. The translucent plastic, gathered in assemblages of the strange objects that our culture creates and leaves behind — crumpled cans, Darth Vader heads, Batman figurines, booze bottles, coffee cups, toys and small scale busts of Marilyn Monroe, Jesus and Benjamin Franklin — create a remarkable beauty with their tones of dayglo pink and yellow, blue and green, like a random commentary on the modern world crafted in Jello. It reminded me of Mike Kelley’s expansive Superman Origin Story that was up at Hauser & Wirth a couple of years ago. If you saw that exhibit, you will understand the comparison.
Sam Tufnell’s Inappropriation Will Be On View Through June 30th, 2017 at Castle Fitzjohns Gallery, Located at 98 Orchard Street, Just South of Delancey, in NYC.
Like all of the colorful, cast acyclic resin sculpture’s by artist Sam Tufnell, Dadadadadadada(2017) sits on a lighted pedestal to create a wildly appealing glow that really sets the work off. We spotted Pink Batman and his friends (see photo below) in the booth for Castle Fitizjohns Gallery at Art New York / Context Art Fairs at Pier 94. Below is the full work, which is a unique piece that sells for $5,500.
Fans of Andy Warhol, Comics, or Soup can get this colorful, rad design on a T-Shirt for just $19.95, or on other swag priced accordingly, at This Link!
Jamie and I were out at Coney Island to see the Fireworks on the Friday before the Friday before the Labor Day Weekend. As we sat eating hot dogs and fries at the boardwalk-adjacent tables by the Nathan’s that faces the beach, I noticed a Pink Panther earning some cash by posing for photos with tourists. Because a panther’s gotta make a living.
Between The Capes By Rich Simmons. Let The Homo-eroticism Begin! (All Photos By Gail)
A new movie called BATMAN v SUPERMAN: Dawn of Justice opens today (March 25th) in theaters nationwide, but all I want to know is, in a battle between these two legendary Superheroes, how does Batman not get this Bat Ass handed to him by the Man of Steel? Because Batman, as super studly as he looks (I’d do it) has no real Super Powers. All of Batman’s tricks are gadgets he keeps in that utility belt thing of his. So, Kryptonite aside (and really, how is there even Kryptonite on the earth, after the entire planet Krypton was been completely obliterated? I ask yez.) there is just no way Superman is not picking up the Batman like he was a feather and chucking him off into outer space. Superman, FTW!
Also: Free Popcorn!
Anyway, whatever I’m missing about Kryptonite-infused arrows and whatever, I don’t care, because I really love both of these guys in tights equally. Just last night Geoffrey and I were hanging out at Taglialatella Galleries on 10th Ave checking out all kinds of cool Batman and Superman (plus, other Superheros) artworks for sale, plus free wine! Here are some of our favorite pieces from the show!
Here’s a huge piece featuring Superman By Mr. Brainwash. Ideal if you need to cover a lot of wall space.
Superman By Andy Warhol
Another, smaller Superman By Mr Brainwash. Who knew Superman was a fan of Campbell’s Soup?
Superhero Lovers By Rich Simmons
Wonder Woman By Mr Brainwash
Fight Like a Spider By Peter Mars
Spiderman made an appearance.
All America Heroes: Superman & Batman by Peter Mars
In this piece, I think they are getting together to do some laundry.
Seeing Through You: Superman By Peter Mars
Unstoppable: Batman and Robin By Peter Mars
Robin gets a token shout-out!
They are still friends!
Batman V Superman is up now at Taglialatella Galleries, Located at 231 Tenth Avenue, between 23rd and 24th Streets, in the Chelsea Gallery District.
I’m not sure who does the Dasani Air street art — which has been floating around the east village since 2013 — but this one (spotted on Bowery just below Houston) was new to me. I’ve seen it with Queen Elizabeth sucking on a canister of Dasani Air (clearly parody of Coca Cola brand’s Dasani Water) but Batman is pretty popular as well.
Update October 2020: Since it was announced that Dump now has the Covid, I saw a bunch of these “Trump Air” paste-ups on First Avenue walking from 27th to 14th Street. Despite their recent appearance the image goes back to 2017. I’ve also discovered that the artist is Raimann (#Raimann1 on Instagram).
All Photos By Gail. Click on any Image to Enlarge for Detail
When we first entered Lyons Wier Gallery for Greg Haberny’s Burn All Crayons show, I was sure we were walking into some kind of old school punk rock exhibit (which maybe had less to do with the art’s crude, DIY visual aesthetic and more to do with the music that was playing in the gallery: always a good sign).
But despite its very punk rock vibe and (again, good on ya) Burn All Crayons juvenile visual aesthetic is directly connects with Haberny’s statement on the over medication children in America, a subject he knows of first hand. Many of the pieces in the exhibit draw on the artist’s personal experiences.
Taking a few lines from the exhibit’s Press Release, “Burn All Crayons epitomizes the diagnostic impact of [Haberny’s] own childhood and conveys a thought provoking dialogue that has a profoundly comedic overture bordering [on] the absurd.” Yeah, that pretty much says it.
This exhibit is only up for another week or so, and I recommend it highly.
Greg Haberny’s Burn All Crayons will be on Exhibit Through October 5th, 2013 at Lyons Wier Gallery, Located at 542 West 24 Street in the Chelsea Gallery District. Gallery Hours are Tuesday -Saturday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Detail of the Gallery Ceiling, Which is Riddled with No 2 Pencils
