Today March 9th, 2019, marks the 60th Anniversary of the introduction of the world’s most famous fashion doll, known to us simply as Barbie. In honor of this lovely icon of pop culture, I dug up a set of photos I took earlier this year that I have dubbed the Golden Barbie Street Art Shrine, even thought it has less to do with Barbie than it does with the mission of NYC street artist Hispano Man (@hispanoman). Check out his Instagram for more art and information!
Golden Barbie Street Shrine was Spotted on Elizabeth Street Near the Corner of Prince Street in the Nolita Neighborhood of NYC!
Flowers, Photos, Artwork and Gifts from Fans and Mourners Stretch Eight Feet Deep in Front of David Bowie’s Former Home in Downtown NYC (All Photos By Gail)
I’m sure I am not alone when I say that I haven’t really felt centered since I heard the news of David Bowie’s death when I woke up at 6:00 AM on Monday morning. No matter how many bittersweet memories of seeing Bowie in concert back-in-the-day, or engaging personal accounts of ways in which David Bowie profoundly impacted countless lives that I read in my FaceBook news feed — and, trust me, the verbal tributes haven’t stopped coming — this news just doesn’t seem like it could be real. It’s almost like I need to ‘see the body,’ so to speak, for it to really sink in. Because I thought David Bowie was going to live forever. Didn’t we all?
I like to think of myself as being respectful of other’s personal space but, despite being somewhat mortified at the thought of exploiting David Bowie’s death in any way, or getting in his family’s face when they just want their privacy, the more I thought about it, the more I felt compelled to just go to his house; to make my own pilgrimage to visit the memorial shrine that fans have built over the two short days since he passed, which is growing in front of the building where David Bowie lived with his wife Iman and daughter Lexi. I didn’t know exactly where the building was, but I know downtown pretty well and I recognized a fairly distinctive landmark from seeing many on-the-scene TV reports, so I was able to figure out where to go.
“Let’s Dance” Graffiti Adds a Bit of Levity to an Otherwise Reverent Shrine Site
A light mist was falling as I walked uptown from the subway station, and the air had that still crispness, indicating that it could just start snowing at any minute. I hoped it would not start snowing just yet. And then I saw the crowd.
My photos are not great because I forgot to turn on my flash for some of them, and also I was trying not to step on, or in front of, anyone else who wanted to get pictures of this very beautiful tribute of love for a man whose music touched almost everyone I know. The collection of beautiful, fragrant flowers, personal David Bowie artwork, toys, gifts, and a small collection of Jesus Candles, is surrounded by metal police barricades, but if you have something you want to add to the shrine, the police will let you walk around and lay it where you feel it should rest. Everyone was very, very cool and respectful.
Up front: The cover story from Tuesday’s issue of AM New York, a free morning daily, generally available as you enter or exit the subway.
There is so much artwork left by fans, and I can’t even imagine what has already been covered and buried deep under flowers and mementos.
Here’s a sentiment we all wish were true.
I wonder who left that little Teddy Bear, and if it held any special message meant for David.
Bowie’s music played unobtrusively as I stood and took in this scene, and I could hear people sniffling, but a reprieve from the wracked sobbing that I imagine we have all been doing a bit of. It was very peaceful. I think David would have really loved to see such an outpouring of adoration from his fans.
I wish everyone who loved, and now mourns David tonight could see how beautiful this place is, and feel how much love went into creating it. I didn’t want to intrude on his family’s grief, but I almost felt like I had to go so I could represent for those who are not able to be near this energy.
God Speed You David Bowie. We will Miss You Forever.
Foodie-ism ascends to a higher plane at Peter Anton’s The Foodhist Temple, up now at Unix Gallery. For this sensorally-immersive exhibit, Unix has transformed itself into a red-walled sanctuary displaying objects of adoration in the form of larger-than life sculptures of decadent food items. A Cheeseburger Deluxe Platter, several brimming Boxes of Chocolates and a mammoth Chocolate Layer Cake on a Pedestal are among the righteous treats nestled amid a plush-carpeted shrine, complete with dimmed lighting, New Age mediation music, lit candles and fresh flowers. Visitors are asked to remove their shoes upon entering.
As an aside, the carpet feels amazing against street-weary stocking feet.
Cake Worshipers at Foodhist Temple Opening Reception
To facilitate a blissful worship experience, pillows and rugs are scattered across the gallery/temple floor, so that devotees can comfortably prostrate themselves before the Food Idol of their choice. At The Foodhist Temple, Believers can relax, reflect, and achieve a heightened awareness of the importance of food and all of its pleasures.
Entire Box of Chocolates About Equal to the Height of a Person
The hyper-realist detail in these monumental sculptures — which Anton crafted using wood, metal, resin, clay, and both acrylic and oil paints — is extraordinary.
Say Cheese-Burger!
Gallery View With The Foodhist Faithful
Achieve a State of Egg-Stacy!
More Chocolates!
Visitors will pass by this little shrine on the way to the two smaller, rear galleries. There, you will encounter:
Sacred Sushi!
Hole-y Donuts!
Still More Boxed Chocolates! They Seem to Radiate a State of Enlightened Bliss!
Benevolent Bacon!
At The Foodhist Temple, all are Welcome.
Peter Anton’s The Foodhist Temple will be on Exhibit Through May 9th, 2015 at Unix Gallery, Located at 532 West 24th, in the Chelsea Gallery District.
A Jonathan LeVine Teletubby is Part of the Art Army by Mike Leavitt (All Photos By Gail, Click on Any Image to Enlarge for Detail)
It is no secret that Worleygig.com is a huge fan and supporter of the Jonathan LeVine Gallery and that we try to attend and cover every show! So, it was lots of fun to find ourselves at the opening reception of The Color and The Fury group show, celebrating 10 Years of great art at Jonathan LeVine!
Installation View, Before the Crowds Swarmed In!
I’m not sure if ice cream treats were served at some point during the evening, but if they were it was after we left. In addition to an exhibit of selected works by LeVine-represented artists, one wall of the gallery is dedicated to a site-specific, shrine-like installation of memorabilia from past shows, oddball props and various likenesses of Jonathan LeVine himself created by artists like Mike Leavitt and Dan Witz — also very fun!
Speaking of Ice Cream Treats, here is a lifesize-ish cut out of Jonathan LeVine as an Ice Cream Sandwich!
The Many Faces of Jonathan LeVine!
The wall was full of little Tableaus like This One of Jonathan with his Fans, Friends and Supporters.
We enjoyed finding little reminders of shows past tucked among the many cards and mini shrines along the wall.
I wish I could say that I remember what that Grey Suit was about, but I do not.
In honor of JLG’s dedication to and support of the Street Art of The World!
I wonder what is in that jar? Is it little Gummy Jonathans?
Don’t you want to go see all of this stuff in person after I have teased you mercilessly with my awesome photos? I know you do.
You can see this painting by Brett Amory while you are there.
And this one by SHAG.
And this one by Pose, which I really like.
If you love art, please make sure to see the Jonathan Levine 10th Year Anniversary Show while it is up, until March 21st, 2015, at 529 East 20th Street, 9th Floor, in the Chelsea Gallery District.
I wonder if Cincinnati’s Tweens realize how much their awesome song “Be Mean” sounds like 1979-era Buzzcocks as fronted by Lydia Lunch. Does vocalist/guitarist Bridget Battle even know who Lydia Lunch is? Who Cares?! These kids rock!
Tweens embrace a BubbleGum Punk ethic that resists any trace of smarm, which I appreciate. Fleshed out by Peyton Copes on bass and Jerri Queen on drums, the trio’s self-titled debut album, from which “Be Mean” is culled, was produced by Eli Janney, whom I still associate more with being the bassist for Post-Hardcore band Girls Against Boys than for his long-standing reputation as a studio genius, so what does that say about me? I haven’t heard the full record yet, but just based on this one song and that Eli Janney association, I am going to guess that it is amazing.
Check out Tweens’ bitchen website at This Link and buy the album on April 8th! Enjoy!
