Photo By Gail
Hey, check out this fun Graffiti Wall, which I spotted on Spring Street just west of Hudson Street, where the works of various different street artists are represented, including CON$UMR (Love Spray) and Libby Schoettle (Phoebe New York), and child street artist Ethan Armen (who is currently 9 years old!) among many others. What I want know though is who make this awesome Legless Cow? Tips in the Comments, Please!
Photo By Gail
Swedish graffiti artist André (André Saraiva, AKA Monsieur André or Mr. A) revisits a classic Peanuts comic strip scenario as Snoopy interacts with Saraiva’s signature stick-figure doodle, Mr. A, on the wall of a downtown parking lot.
Part of The Peanuts Global Artist Collective, This Piece was Spotted at 304 Hudson Street at Spring Street in SoHo, NYC.
Not a Cheesecake (All Photos By Gail)
The French Cheese Board opened its first US concept store in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood in Mid-May, and we attended the opening party; because, free cheese! At this boutique storefront, which is located at 41 Spring Street, Certified Cheese Masters will showcase their knowledge of flavor chemistry and cheese and beverage pairings.
Continue reading Cheese That Looks Like a Cake
Photo By Gail
This fierce predator of the deep was photographed while menacing the Smokers’ Patio out back at the Double Down Saloon on Avenue A near First Street.
This thirsty Shark was spotted on Mott Street near Spring on the exterior of the Spring Lounge. Shark Attack!
All Photos By Gail
When we showed up outside the former Germania Bank Building at around 6:30 PM on Saturday, May 16th, fully expecting to be admitted to Vito Schnabel’s First Show Last Show one-night-only art event taking place inside this mysterious landmark, we found the sidewalks adjacent to the corner of Bowery and Spring clogged with disappointed scenesters who already knew what we were yet to be told: that the much hyped-up-the-ass event had been cancelled.
Fortunately, we had been at Frieze all day and were too exhausted to give much of a shit. Plus, there were other things going on — this being New York City — and we ended up having a pretty fun night on our own.
The following Monday, I read online that those wishing to view the exhibit could email Schnabel’s office and request an appointment for the hours of Noon to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, with Monday May 25th being closed for the holiday. Pretty non-user-friendly hours for anyone with a day job, but I sent off my request for “5 PM on Friday May 22nd” and then promptly forgot all about it, until I saw an email in my box at 10 PM on Thursday, saying that I had an appointment for 2:15 PM the next day. Let’s just say, I made it work. And Geoffrey came along with me, because a once-in-a-lifetime experience like this really needs to be shared.
For those of you who don’t live in NYC, and therefore don’t know the legend of this iconic building, 190 Bowery was originally built in 1898 to house Germania Bank. The century old building is known for its neo-Renaissance detailing, such as the arched windows and ornate outer facade, which, for as long as I can remember, has been covered in graffiti and street art.
Art By City Kitty
This is, I think, the main reason that everyone who has walked past it assumed that the building was long abandoned. Who imagined that this was once NYC’s largest private residence?
Photographer Jay Maisel bought the building in the mid 1960s and has lived in it with his family ever since. In the decades that I’ve lived in NYC, the building has appeared lifeless and was perpetually shuttered, shrouded in deep mystery — until Masiel sold the place last year to real estate developer Aby Rosen, and it suddenly started making the local news. Rosen’s plans to lease it out as office space or turn it into Condos has made everyone who aches for the preservation of old New York a bit sick to their stomachs. It was Rosen, along with Julian Schnabel’s son, Vito who hosted the show.
Art By Dylan Egon
Here’s what we saw once we got inside.
This large room was used by the Maisel family as a basketball court, hence the yellow and black tape on the floor.
The hoop formerly hung above the door, but has now been taken down. The floor is a mix of natural polished wood and its original ceramic tile mosaic. The wood “court surface,” I imagine, was added to facilitate game play, but maybe not. The largest pieces of art in the show were in this room.
Untitled (Diptych) By Joe Bradley
The above painting was installed at the top of a small fight of stairs that lead, well, nowhere, really.
But doesn’t this look like some kind of vault? I think so.
The interior’s original finishes and fixtures look like they haven’t been updated in fifty years: like the owners moved in and lived in the building “as is.” That tells such a rich story right there.
Post Continues After The Jump!
Continue reading Inside The Germania Bank Building at 190 Bowery