Greenpoint
Cafe Cito Bogota
FOUND IN WILLIAMSBURG: Froot Loops
(in More Ways Than One)
I was recently asked by a colleague if I knew anything about the “underground” art parties that are reputedly being thrown in Williamsburg. The fact of the matter is I do not. As some of you, dear readers, might recall I am by education (and to a lesser degree, trade) an artist in my own right. During graduate school I was even a teaching fellow— but I digress. I was often asked by my fellow students if my work was the product of partaking certain mind-expanding substances. They always seemed disappointed when I gave them the honest answer: no. I was (and still am) simply strange. I mention the previous anecdotes because as I was walking around Williamsburg recently I stumbled upon something quite remarkable.
At first I thought this was your standard “Bloomieville” (homeless encampment)…
and a pretty nice one at that. It isn’t.
The first indication that something was amiss was the scattering of Froot Loops next to the mattress.
After a little poking around I found the box. (NOTECAVEAT: this and any of the following images can be seen in larger format by clicking on them. Do so at your own risk.)
Yup.
Same goes for the advertising insert on the bed.
This, which is also located under the sidewalk shed.
Here’s the other side.
This, which can be found around the corner on Kent Avenue. As you can see now Frank Gehry has entered the picture— and what a picture it is!
And finally this— which can be found at the intersection of Metropolitan and Wythe Avenue.
Let this be a lesson to all you aspiring artists out there lest you decide to expand your mind and do a little creating. Sometimes it’s better to just let that Sharpie be. It is not cosmic consciousness that is powering your pen: it’s the drugs.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Sunset
From Grand Ferry Park.
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Photos Du Jour: Fear & Loathing
Hope Street
Kent Avenue
North 3 Street
River Street
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Street Art Du Jour: Northside Vs. Southside
River Street
Grand Street
Dunham Place
Kent Avenue
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Photos Du Jour: On The Waterfront
Filed under: Williamsburg
Kent Avenue
Metropolitan Avenue
River Street
Grand Ferry Park
Miss Heather
Attention All Urban Photographers & Street Art Enthusiasts
If you happen to be on River Street do not take a picture of this.
And sure as hell don’t shutterbug this.
Why, you ask? Because if you do it might result in you (and your husband) being questioned by New York’s Finest as to what you are doing. This is what happened to the Mister and I this evening.
Hello there, we see you’re taking photographs— why?
Miss Heather: I think the shadows and diagonals are visually pleasing.
We saw you take photographs of graffiti back there.
Miss Heather: Yeah, someone spray-painted the word “meat” on the wall and I found it interesting.
Because it’s sort of “beefy”?
Miss Heather: Exactly. I happen to be a vegetarian.
Seeing where this conversation was headed (nowhere good— and soon) the Mister jumped in and after some more “dialoging”, they left us to go about our business. Inasmuch as interfacing with the NYPD can be amicable it was: tense, but polite. Still the experience left me wondering:
Why?
Perhaps these chaps have been instructed to watch photographers— especially those who happen to document “graffiti”? The only logic at work here I can think of is the presumption that when people (such as myself) document this stuff it is going to somehow encourage the people responsible for it to continue their nefarious work (and, in so doing, lower everyone’s “quality of life”). I suppose this is possible. BUT…
it’s been my experience that derelict buildings (of which north Brooklyn has many— such as the one above example which is located around the corner) do more than their fair share of lowering my quality of life.
Nice, eh?
The above can be found on the front door of this Kent Street deadiface. Call me subversive, but I don’t really see how this could possibly be construed as making this building an eyesore. It has achieved that very readily on its own. Rather smashingly, I will add. One piece of street art graffiti isn’t going to make any difference; if anything the above bit of mischief adds some sorely needed “value” to this turd. It certainly makes me smile, anyway.
Speaking of which, a building doesn’t have to be old and decrepit to elicit social commentary, oh, I mean graffiti.
CASE IN POINT: Northside Piers.
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Photo Du Jour: FREE
Filed under: Williamsburg
From River Street.
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Photo Du Jour: Street Skates
Filed under: Williamsburg
From the intersection of River Street and Metropolitan Avenue.
Miss Heather
THIS WEEKEND: A Very Special Sabbath Celebration
Filed under: Williamsburg
I have a confession to make: I despise the holiday season. Not only are the days too damned short (Sunset at 4:30 p.m.? Is this really necessary?) but the reason for the season seems to be lost on most. Instead of being kind to their fellow man and lending a hand to those less fortunate than themselves many of our fellow New Yorkers are quibbling over who will purchase that last widescreen television, electronic gizmo (that will undoubtedly be obsolete in a year) or trampling some hapless temp at Walmart. In other words acting like class “A” certified assholes. And some Americans have the temerity to wonder why the rest of the world hates us? But I digress.
Fortunately this upcoming weekend there will be an event for people like myself: Monster Island’s 7th Annual Holly Jolly Sabbath.Those of you who are angry, tired, wanting this Christmas thing to be over already and are Black Sabbath fans (like myself) here are the rules.
There is no mention as to whether Ronnie James Dio “Sabbath” will be included in this event. I certainly hope not. I’m an Ozzy gal 100%!
Holly Jolly Sabbath
December 21, 2008 (no time indicated, but I am certain the later you show up the more interesting it will be)
Monster Island
Metropolitan Avenue between Kent Avenue and River Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211
For the record this post was writted while listening to “Crazy Train”.
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
