Iconoclashes: Berglin & Valla

Iconoclashes Erik Berglin and Clement Valla, ArtHack Day, Metropolitain Museum of Art public web archive, Mulherin+PollardIconoclashes Erik Berglin and Clement Valla, ArtHack Day, Metropolitain Museum of Art public web archive, Mulherin+PollardIconoclashes Erik Berglin and Clement Valla, ArtHack Day, Metropolitain Museum of Art public web archive, Mulherin+PollardClick to enlarge

I went to galleries on the Lower East Side this weekend here in NYC, and had it not been for my friend Eric, I would have definitely walked on by the Mulherin + Pollard gallery having glanced through the window quickly and seen a room full of oversized photographs of classic sculpture. Once inside, there was something a little off about these photos. Fortunately, one of the gallery owners came over explained the process behind the images, which I ended up really liking. Iconoclashes, as this series of works is called, was created by artists Erik Berglin and Clement Valla at Art Hack day (an event that had intrigued me at the time) a few months back. Berglin and Valla used images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s public web archive that were tagged with the keywords ‘God’ or  ‘Religion’. Using an algorithm in Photoshop, the works were randomly grouped and digitally merged, resulting in surprisingly odd, and in some cases surreal, statues. Because the Met shoots all of its art with the same background and lighting, the melding of the objects is more believable. The clashing of these objects from various time periods and cultures make for some very interesting and unlikely artworks. Even the white space on the right of the images is a result of a clash between vertical and horizontal images, confusing photoshop into leaving an irregular edge.

I found the whole concept fun, as well as technically curious, and, at least that top image, makes a nice sculpture in its crazy combination.

Iconoclashes showed  at Mulherin + Pollard through June 9th, but you can see many more of these visual mash-ups here and here.

NYC Culture on the Cheap

Culture on the Cheap, NYC, Free and Cheap things to do in NYC, New Site, AnnouncementIf you’re here looking for our regular NYC Culture on the Cheap post, we have exciting news for you. Starting today, Culture on the Cheap will be its own separate site offering links to free and cheap things to do in NYC in art, music, design, film, theater, dance, food, architecture, talks, tours, and general fun. It won’t focus specifically on weekends anymore, though most activities may still be weekend-centric. So go take a look! You can sort by Event Date, Price, Genre, or even a specific date on the calendar.

If you like what you see, please share it with you friends and lovers! Sisters and brothers! Like our page on facebook or follow us on twitter.

It’s just up today, so please bear with us if any glitches should arise.

Liu Bolin: Hiding in New York

Liu Bolin, Hiding in New York, Hiding in the City, Mask Exhibit at Eli Klein GalleryLiu Bolin, Hiding in New York, Hiding in the City, Mask Exhibit at Eli Klein GalleryLiu Bolin, Hiding in New York, Hiding in the City, Mask Exhibit at Eli Klein GalleryClick to enlarge

In preparation for his 5th solo exhibit at New York’s Eli Klein Gallery titled MaskLiu Bolin (previously here and here) had a live performance where visitors could witness the creation of a new photograph in his Hiding in New York series. Emma and Daniela went over to check it out with some friends and took a few photos of the process. The performance started with Bolin wearing a pre-painted suit with matching images of the rifles and peg holes on the wall behind him. With assistants all around him busy at work for the whole two-hour period, Bolin’s suit was touched up and perfectly positioned to blend in with his backdrop before they moved on to his vaseline-covered (or so it appeared) face where they painted each detail for the final disappearance.

The show Mask opens today at the Eli Klein Gallery in Soho and runs through July 21, 2013. We assume the in-progress rifle photo will be included in the show along with many more of his Hiding in the City series and the JR collaboration that took place last year.

Photos of Liu Bolin by Ana Slade. All other photos courtesy of the artist and Eli Klein Fine Art.

NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 5/24

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/24/13 to 5/27/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend. art, Design, Music, Film, theater, architecture and general fun.

Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/24/13 to 5/27/13)
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/24/13 to 5/27/13). It’s Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer! Usually a quiet weekend in NYC and perfect for strolling around and enjoying a slower pace.
1. ART: Fri 5/24: Chuck Close Photo Maquettes. FREE
2. ART/TECH/PARTICIPATORY: All weekend – Karen Finley’s Sext Me if You Can – an interactive performance installation, limited edition of paintings inspired by “sexts” that she receives from participating patrons. 3 to 6pm. FREE
3. ART/PHOTOGRAPHY: All weekend & through 9/8 – ICP Triennial: A Different Kind of Order – focuses on artworks created in our current moment of widespread economic, social, and political instability. Includes 28 international artists who employ photography, film, video, and interactive media, many of which have been featured on this very blog (Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Sohei Nishino, Walid Raad, Subotzky/Waterhouse, to name a few). FREE Fridays 5 to 8pm. Other times $14
4. FOOD/DRINK: All weekend – Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club at South Street Seaport right on the water with views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
5. ART: Fri 5/24 & Sat 5/25 – Volumes for Sound by Melissa Dubbin & Aaron S. Davidson. New works influenced by the geometries of sound. Funneling, folding and porting sound requires physical structures.
6. MUSIC: Fri 5/24 – David Grubbs celebrates the release of his recent collection of songs and forthcoming 75 Dollar Bill. 8pm FREE
7. ART/VIDEO: All weekend – Ende Tymes Novo Apocalyspe. A festival of noise, video, art, and experimental liberation at The Silent Barn. all events – $15/night, $35/weekend.
8. ART/MUSIC/FUN: All weekend – Opening weekend on Governor’s Island with music, performances, LMCC’s Open Studios, biking. Varying activities from 11 to 5pm. FREE.
9. MUSIC/ART: All weekend – Brian Eno: 77 Million Paintings. A constantly evolving sound and image-scape. Brian Eno brings his acclaimed audio-visual installation to the former location of Café Rouge. A generative work – making itself as you watch it – which explores a vast set of permutations of visual and sonic elements made by Eno. $5 suggested donation. 145 W. 32nd St.
10. THEATER/PUPPETS: All weekend – Labapalooza Festival of New Puppet Theater from the Lab. Times vary. $20 to $25
11. ARCHITECTURE/TOUR: Sat 5/25 – West Side Story: The Evolution of Lincoln Center from its origins as a Robert Moses urban renewal project up to its reimagining by Diller Scofidio and Renfro. AIANY Tours 10am to 11:30am $15 to $25.
12. ART: All weekend – Ellsworth Kelly’s Chatham Series at MoMA. FREE Fridays from 4 to 8pm.
13. FOOD/DRINK/FILM: All weekend – See/Change at South Street Seaport, an initiative to get people back to the Sandy-stricken area. Smorgasbar, Front Row Cinema, performances and more. This weekend is a preview of what’s to come the rest of the summer. FREE
14. TRANSPORTATION/FUN: Mon 5/27 (Memorial Day) – Citibike! Preview Week begins for Annual Members
15. MUSIC: Sat 5/27 – Mon 5/27 – NY Philharmonic Memorial Day Concert at St. John the Divine. 8pm. FREE
MORE…
All weekend: Beaches! It’s the start of the beach season and there are plenty of nice beaches just a subway or train ride away. We’re partial to the Rockaways though it’s still boardwalk-less post-Sandy and there may be a shuttle bus involved along with the subway for now, but Coney Island, Brighton, Long Beach, Sandy Hook, and Jones Beach are other options. $5 to $16 (transportation).
All weekend in Art: Ugo Rondinone’s installation Human Nature at Rockefeller Center. FREE
TV/FILM: Arrested Development Screening Marathon. 12:30 to 6pm. $8 to $10.
FILM/FUN: Fri 5/24 & Sat 5/25 – Rooftop Films. 8pm. Fri “Love Hurts”; Sat “The Kings of Summer”. $13.
Plus ongoing – Smorgasburg in Williamsburg. Hester Street Fair on the LES. Last weekend for Madison Square Eats.

Caja Oscura: Javier Corvalán

Caja Oscura (camera obscura) by Javier Corvalan in Paraguay, original and contemporary architectureCaja Oscura (camera obscura) by Javier Corvalan in Paraguay, original and contemporary architectureCaja Oscura (camera obscura) by Javier Corvalan in Paraguay, original and contemporary architectureClick to enlarge

This is a unique, if a little odd, solution to a project on a tight budget. Paraguayan architect Javier Corvalán, inspired by his film director client, designed a house in Asunción whose upper volume—a tilting metal box which houses the kitchen and living room—doubles as a camera obscura inundating the interior with the upturned image of the surrounding landscape through a pinhole. But it isn’t just a nod to the cinema, there are very practical reasons behind Corvalán’s design. With high heat and sunshine the majority of the year in Paraguay, the comfort of shade is very welcome. The tilting feature allows for ventilation and added light as necessary. The budget for the project was a tight 20,000 euros and using materials such as corrugated metal on the top exterior, with concrete and stone sourced from a nearby quarry for the base, and MDF panels on the interior as well as the lack of windows, helped to keep the project on budget. In addition, due to social and economic differences in Paraguay, the crime rate is rather high and security is a serious consideration. The clients’ long absences would have exposed the house to risk of robbery or vandalism but Corvalán’s solution is a virtual hermetic box.

Photographs by Pedro Kok

via domus

Marloes van Doorn: I Love Kuldiga

Contemporary photography, Latvia, Marloes van Doorn, I Love Kuldiga SeriesContemporary photography, Latvia, Marloes van Doorn, I Love Kuldiga SeriesContemporary photography, Latvia, Marloes van Doorn, I Love Kuldiga SeriesClick to enlarge

This is a charming project. Dutch photographer Marloes van Doorn arrived in Kuldiga, Latvia and wanted to connect with its people. Limited by the language barrier and being someone who believes in the universal language of love, van Doorn decided to start hugging the people of Kuldiga. The result is her series of photographs titled I Love Kuldiga and varied reactions by the huggees, which ranged from laughter to deep emotion. Very sweet.

via jeroe napers

Sohei Nishino: Diorama Maps

Diorama Maps, photo collaged maps by Japanese artist Sohei Nishino. Fantastically intricate and beautiful maps based on his own journeys through the cities and memoryDiorama Maps, photo collaged maps by Japanese artist Sohei Nishino. Fantastically intricate and beautiful maps based on his own journeys through the cities and memoryDiorama Maps, photo collaged maps by Japanese artist Sohei Nishino. Fantastically intricate and beautiful maps based on his own journeys through the cities and memoryDiorama Maps, photo collaged maps by Japanese artist Sohei Nishino. Fantastically intricate and beautiful maps based on his own journeys through the cities and memoryClick to enlarge

Possibly my favorite exhibit (and I’m not one to use that term loosely) in the several art fairs I visited this past weekend was Japanese artist Sohei Nishino’s amazingly intricate and simply spectacular Diorama Maps at Pulse. This ongoing series currently consists of thirteen cities from all over the world that Nishino visited. The artist walks around on foot shooting with film from various locations, taking thousands of photos and cutting up the multitude into small pieces then piecing the enormous mounds together by hand. The Diorama Maps are almost a bird’s eye view of each city, emphasizing key elements that follow the artist’s memory and perception more than a precise map. The results are truly breathtaking. These small images don’t do them justice. Definitely worth clicking on the images for a larger view or looking at the cropped, close-up images. They remind me of David Hockney’s photo collages, yet at a more massive—in their elaboration rather than size— and detailed level, but I did have a similar reaction the first time I saw Hockney’s collages.

Newspaper Photobombs

commuter photobombs other commuters with newspaper images, goofy photos, fun photos, humor, celebritiescommuter photobombs other commuters with newspaper images, goofy photos, fun photos, humor, celebritiescommuter photobombs other commuters with newspaper images, goofy photos, fun photos, humor, celebritiesClick to enlarge

These cracked me up. Someone (an anonymous commuter) has definitely found a way to keep themself entertained on their daily commute to work. There’s definitely an art to these, as simple as the concept may be. He/she really have matched position and even tonality on most of these folded newspaper mashups with unsuspecting co-commuter bodies. Nicely done.

via laughing squid via left eye

Alma Haser: Cosmic Surgery

Alma Haser, Contemporary Photography, cosmic Surgery, origami facesAlma Haser, Contemporary Photography, cosmic Surgery, origami facesAlma Haser, Contemporary Photography, cosmic Surgery, origami facesClick to enlarge

I first saw Alma Haser’s portrait series Cosmic Surgery a couple of months back and then in person at the Scope Art Fair. There’s something disconcerting at first glance but these origami/kaleidoscopic faces are definitely surprising and hard to ignore. There’s sort of a double-take effect. London-based Haser had been working on self-portraiture, being a model at the ready, but more recently she has started taking portraits of others. She tries to find ways to combine working with her hands with her photography and origami, one such way, has clearly become an integral part of these images.

The series has three distinct stages. Firstly Alma photographs her sitter, then prints multiple images of the subjects face and folds them into a complicated origami modular construction, which then gets placed back onto the original face of the portrait. Finally the whole thing is re-photographed.

Haser likes the alien and futuristic transformation caused by the origami faces. By simply folding an image she makes the portraits her own creations.

via gup

NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 4/26

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Free& Cheap things to do
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (4/26/13 to 4/28/13) from participatory art events, to music, dance, talks, a design conference, outdoor garden and cherry blossoms, oh and food! Fun and interesting events all weekend long, ’cause it’s spring and spring in NYC is the best (after summer, of course.) Click through on images above for official event pages with more info or in the descriptions below.
1. FOOD/TOUR: Fri 4/26 & every Friday: Free Chinatown Food Tour – sample tasty fried dumplings, tapioca bubble tea, sticky buns, candied crabs and more. You choose what treats you would like to taste and how much you would like to spend. Suggested amount for snacks $7 to $10. 1pm to 3pm. Reservations required.
2. PARTICIPATORY ART/PHOTOGRAPHY:  All weekend & through 5/10 – JR’s Inside Out Project Photo Booth in Times Square! (see post) FREE
3. DESIGN:  Fri 4/26 – Bordo Bello NYC through July 2nd. A skateboard art show at the AIGA National gallery. FREE.
4. ART: All weekend & through 9/8: Orly Genger’s monumental installation of hand-knotted brightly colored nautical rope takes over Madison Square Park. Much cooler than the rendering on the site. FREE.
5. ART/PERFORMANCE/PARTICIPATORY/TOUR:  Fri 4/26 – Concrete Escort I, II, III, IV at the Guggenheim. Ei Arakawa’s performance-based work. Axe-wielding man, participatory sprinting down the museum’s spiral walkway and other activities/performances. 6pm and 8pm. $20 to $25.
6. MUSIC: Fri 4/26 – Catch-Pop String-Strong: This duo come from Serbia and Kosovo, play viola and cello, often singing. they are both intense and full of humor. 6:30pm FREE w/RSVP
7. MUSIC:  Fri 4/26 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr indie-pop duo at Music Hall of Williamsburg. 8pm $18 to $20
8. DANCE: Fri 4/26 & Sat 4/27  – Anna Sperber – The Superseded Third 8pm $15
9. ART/TECH: Fri 4/26 & Sat 4/27 – Alchemy & Art – Part I. Features 3D prints from Lily Su and Heidi Lee In addition, there will be live demonstrations, including Kinect body scanning and 3D printing with Ultimaker and Up! desktop printers. Opening Fri 7 to 9pm. Sat 4pm to midnight including party. FREE
10. DANCE: Fri 4/26 & Sat 4/27 – Comedy in Dance Festival. All shows at 8pm. $12 to $15.
11. DESIGN/CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP: Sat 4/27 – DIY Days is about the accessibility of ideas, resources and networking that can enable creators to fund, create, distribute and sustain. 9:15 to 6pm with Social Mixer from 6:15 to 8pm. FREE
12. MUSIC/FOOD/FUN: Sat 4/27 – F.O.R.T: CSAA’s interactive multi-tiered garden opens with all day music, food, and general merriment. 12 to 7pm at the Silent Barn. FREE
13. MUSIC: Sat 4/27 – The Losers Lounge perform selections from the Music Division’s historic Brill Building lead sheet collection, with commentary by division chief George Boziwick. at NYPL 7pm FREE
14. PARTICIPATORY/FUN: Sat 4/27 – Flux Factory’s Tween Dweam Social with YouTube Karaoke, Viva Bodyroll and dancing. 8pm $10 to $12.
15. PHOTOGRAPHY/WORKSHOP: Sun 4/28 – Pinhole Camera Workshop, Picnic & Bus Trip. $25 includes travel, film & loaner camera for the day, plus picnic. Sign up.
16. ART/PARTICIPATORY: Sun 4/28 – Photographer/Videographer Laurel Nakadate invites you to PS1 to confess, detail, and atone for shameful acts of the past publicly in the VWDome. 4 to 6pm. $10.
17. PERFORMANCE/FUN/MUSIC: Sun 4/28 – Sakura Matsuri, the annual cherry blossom festival offers over 60 events and performances that celebrate traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens 10am to 6pm. $15 to $20.
18. NEXT SUNDAY/MUSIC: Sun 5/5 – The National at PS1 performing their song “Sorrow” for 6 hours straight. Get tickets now: $15.
MORE…
FOOD/CRAFTS/FUN >> Sat 4/27 & Sats thru 10/26– Hester Street Fair kicks off their season. 10am to 6pm. FREE
ART >> All Weekend & till next April– Busted – the High Line’s latest commission. Figurative sculptures, celebratory portraits, and commemorative monuments installed on and around the High Line. FREE
ART >>  Fri 4/26 & Sat 4/27 and through June 22nd – Here and There. New work by Maya Lin exploring environmental issues at Pace 57th St. FREE
ART >> All Weekend – Fashion Center Space for Public Art, a vibrant series of public window displays which showcase the work of local artists. This month through May: the paintings of Diane Englander. 215 West 38th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenue) FREE

NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 4/19

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Free& Cheap things to do
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (4/19/13 to 4/21/13) in art, music, film, performance, architecture, photography, and more. Fun and interesting events all weekend long. Click through on images above for official event pages with more info or in the descriptions below.
1. MUSIC: All weekend – New York City Opera Moses in Egypt & La Perichole. $25 and up
2. ART/MUSIC:  Fri 4/19 and Sat 4/20 through 5/25 – Running to Stand Still.  New works by Ken Solomon of 100 iPhone size watercolor paintings that form a close-up listen of one man’s self-deprecating portrait of white American man transitioning from vibrant, curious youth to mid-life. At Josee Bienvenu Gallery. 10am to 6pm. FREE
3. THEATER:  All weekend  – Mayday Mayday: A True Story by the Man Who Fell . “Laugh out loud funny and tear-inducingly moving.” 8pm.  3pm on Sunday.$25 to $35.
4. POETRY/PERFORMANCE:  Fri 4/19  – Strand Poetry Slam. 7 to 8pm $15.
5. MUSIC:  Fri 4/19 & Sat 4/20:  The Losers Lounge tribute to Elvis Costello. $25
6. FILM: All weekend and through 4/28 – Tribeca Film Festival. See schedule $8 to $16
7. READINGS/LECTURES: Fri 4/19 & Sat 4/20 – Shakespeare Week readings, lectures and poetry in the South Court Auditorium in  the NY Public Library. 1:15pm. See schedule
8. ART/TECH: Sat 4/20 & through 5/4 – A. Bill Miller’s Gridworks: 12 to 5pm FREE
9. THEATER/MULTIMEDIA/PERFORMANCE:  Sat 4/20 & Sun 4/21 – The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer. A multimedia, one-man, micro-epic puppet show. “Akin to a theatrical Wall-E.” See showtimes. $30.
10. FILM/TALK:  Sat 4/20 – Hear the filmmakers of “The Pretty One” discuss their drama about a woman’s decision to assume her twin’s identity. 3pm Soho Apple Store. FREE
11. MUSIC:  Sat 4/20 – 7th Annual Record Store Day – venture into the doorway of your favorite local record shop this coming Saturday, for this year’s exclusive releases not available via download. Here are some releases and here is a map with events. FREE
12. PHOTOGRAPHY/MUSIC: All weekend – Madonna: Retrospective of never before seen photos at W Times Square. FREE
13. RIDE/MEMORIAL: Sun 4/21: 8th Annual Memorial Ride to remember pedestrians & cyclists killed in NYC over the past year. 12pm. See ride schedules. FREE.
14. ART/LITERATURE:   Sun 4/21 – Brooklyn Zine Fest. Flip through zines from more than 80 writers and artist. 11am to 6pm. FREE
15. ARCHITECTURE: All weekend & through 7/14 – The Woolworth Building@100 at the Skyscraper Museum. 12 to 6pm. $5.
MORE…
ART >> Fri 4/19 –Claes Oldenburg: The Street and The Store 
Claes Oldenburg: Mouse Museum/Ray Gun Wing. FREE Fridays from 4 to 8pm at MoMA.
ART/TECH >> Sat 4/20 – Rhizome Seven on Seven Conference pairs seven leading artists with seven technologists in teams of two challenging them to develop something new. 12 to 8pm. $39.50

JR’s Inside Out Project in Times Square

JR, street art, Inside Out Project Truck in Times Square, Public Art, Participatory Art, Black and White Self PortraitsJR, street art, Inside Out Project Truck in Times Square, Public Art, Participatory Art, Black and White Self PortraitsJR, street art, Inside Out Project Truck in Times Square, Public Art, Participatory Art, Black and White Self PortraitsClick to enlarge

Well this should be fun. French street artist JR (previously here and here) is bringing his large-scale participatory Inside Out Project to NYC starting next week. People are invited to take their self-portraits in a specially designed photo booth stationed in Times Square. Some of the black and white instantly-printed 3′ x 4′ posters will be displayed in Times Square but each portrait-taker is encouraged to take their poster back to display publicly in their home community.  The photo booth truck will be making early visits to the four other boroughs as well, with the initial portraits featuring community members from NYC Hurricane Sandy-affected areas.

Inside Out New York City coincides with the world premiere of the documentary film Inside Out: The People’s Art Project on April 20th as part of the Tribeca Film Festival, and will later have its television debut on HBO on May 20th.

I would imagine there will be lines, so you might want to pick a weekday to head over to the photo booth truck, but based on our own personal experience with the Inside Out Project, I highly recommend participating one way or another.

Inside Out New York City will run from April 22 to May 10, 2013 in Times Square.

Photos courtesy Times Square Alliance; Inside Out Project; Inside Out NYC’s facebook page; and collabcubed.

One Square Meter of Roots: Swarte

Swarte, Manuela Vulpescu, Corina Olaru, Contemporary Romanian Art, One Square Meter of Roots, Digital Photography and painting Swarte, Manuela Vulpescu, Corina Olaru, Contemporary Romanian Art, One Square Meter of Roots, Digital Photography and paintingSwarte, Manuela Vulpescu, Corina Olaru, Contemporary Romanian Art, One Square Meter of Roots, Digital Photography and paintingSwarte, Manuela Vulpescu, Corina Olaru, Contemporary Romanian Art, One Square Meter of Roots, Digital Photography and paintingClick to enlarge

It’s hard not to think of Gotye’s Someone that I Used to Know video when looking at these works by Romanian duo Swarte. But love, anger, and heartbreak don’t seem to be on Corina Olaru and Manuela Vulpescu’s agenda. Instead, their collaborative series of 18 pieces titled One Square Meter of Roots combines painting, drawing, body art and, finally, photography, in an exploration of what made more than 70 tribes from all over the world able to survive and conserve themselves over time. The balance between emotions and symbols varies from one work to another, offering personal reflection and identification to and from the viewer with each artwork’s message and story explained here by the artists.

Coming Soon: Natan Dvir

NYC Street Photography series by Natan Dvir focusing on billboards/ads/plywoods, series titled Coming Soon. Contemporary photography, street scenes, ZaraNYC Street Photography series by Natan Dvir focusing on billboards/ads/plywoods, series titled Coming Soon. Contemporary photography, street scenes, Tommy BahamaNYC Street Photography series by Natan Dvir focusing on billboards/ads/plywoods, series titled Coming Soon. Contemporary photography, street scenesClick to enlarge

My favorite kind of street photography usually involves humor, but I’ve also noticed that I’m drawn to photographs that juxtapose large images, be they street art murals, bridge arches, or other structures, with miniature-looking people in front of them. Israeli photographer Natan Dvir combines both quite successfully in his series Coming Soon. Arriving in NYC in 2008, Dvir was struck by the super-sized ads/billboards at street level and their effect on the urban landscape, and began photographing them. The resulting images emphasize not only the evident contrast in size but socio-economic levels and ad-agency-dreamworld vs. reality as well.

You can see many more of Dvir’s photographs on his website or in person  at the Anastasia Photo Gallery on the Lower East Side in NYC where his work is being exhibited through May 19, 2013.

via NYTimes

Sergei Sviatchenko: Less

Sergei Sviatchenko, contemporary photo collage, ukrainean contemporary art, Less series,Sergei Sviatchenko, contemporary photo collage, ukrainian contemporary art, Less series,Sergei Sviatchenko, contemporary photo collage, ukrainian contemporary art, Less series,Sergei Sviatchenko, contemporary photo collage, ukrainian contemporary art, Less series,Click to enlarge

I love all of these photo collages by Ukrainian-born artist Sergei Sviatchenko who lives and works in Denmark. In his Less series, which seems to be an ongoing project started in 2004 with subtle variations such as Less Paint and Lessroyal, Sviatchenko takes familiar everyday objects and recontextualizes them delivering the imagery in new, dynamic forms.

These collages have a surreal bent to them that’s just great, and how about that wallpaper (third image down from the top)? That would be fun to have at home or in an office.

You can buy prints of some of Sviatchenko’s works here, and a recently released book on his work titled Everything Goes Right & Left If You Want It.

Eran Gilat: Life Science

Science and art combine in Eran Gilat's photographic series "Life Science"Science and art combine in Eran Gilat's photographic series "Life Science"Science and art combine in Eran Gilat's photographic series "Life Science"Click to enlarge

Israeli scientist and photographer Eran Gilat combines both passions in a visual study influenced by his constant exposure to various biological tissues and specimens. His photo series Life Science offers an artistic expression of scientific observations, research methodology with an emphasis on aesthetics. Disturbing to many, there’s an eerie beauty to these somewhat morbid painterly photographs. Hard not to compare them to 17th Century Dutch still lifes.

Mark Hartman: Billboards

Mark Hartman Photography, Billboards, photo series of billboards with ripped down postings creating a collage effectMark Hartman Photography, Billboards, photo series of billboards with ripped down postings creating a collage effectMark Hartman Photography, Billboards, photo series of billboards with ripped down postings creating a collage effectClick to enlarge

Some of my favorite “street art” is the type that occurs naturally, unplanned, with no single artist responsible. It’s the collage-like effect created by the little bits of postings and ads left behind and piled upon each other on billboards and plywood throughout the city. It’s actually been a longtime (unfulfilled) plan of mine to try to recreate this effect on a wall in my home. New York based photographer Mark Hartman has honed in on this very subject matter in his personal photo series project titled Billboards. He describes himself as curator, picking and choosing specific parts of these shredded walls, beautifully cropping and photographing them.

via Prism

NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 3/8

Free Cheap NYC events weekend 3/8, Danny Deep Blue Sea, TheaterFree & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/1307-FountainArtFair_NYC-culture-on-the-cheapFree & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13

Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13

Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13Free & Cheap Things to do in NYC weekend 3/8/13 to 3/10/13

Cheap things to do this we
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (3/8/13 to 3/10/13) in art, music, theater, performance, dance, architecture, film, design and general fun. Click through to event pages for more info, either on images above or in the descriptions below.
1. THEATER: Fri 3/8 and Sat 3/9 – Danny and the Deep Blue Sea: One-act play set in the Bronx where a man & woman emerge from their dark pasts into an empathetic embrace. 7pm FREE
2. ART: All Weekend – Spring/Break Art Show at the Old School in Nolita. 20 curators curate non-traditional art with theme of New Mysticism. Noon to 9pm.  $5
3. FILM/TALK: Fri 3/8 and Sat 3/9 – Fusion Film Festival  NYU’s premiere film and tv festival celebrating women in film. FREE
4. DESIGN: Fri 3/8 & through 4/5 – We the Designers: Reframing Political Issues in the Obama Era  FREE
5. ART: All weekend – Independent Art Fair. Featuring over 40 international galleries representing fourteen countries. FREE
6. ART: All Weekend – VoltaNY Art Fair. (One of my favorites) This year in Chelsea. 11am to 8pm  Sun to 6pm $15. 82 Mercer.
7. ART: All Weekend – Fountain Art Fair  smaller independent galleries, collectives and artists who wish to gain access to a larger audience. $10
8. FILM/VIDEO: All Weekend – Moving Image Contemporary Video Art Fair takes place in a tunnel! 11am to 8pm through Sat. Sun 11am to 4pm FREE
9. FOOD:  Sat 3/9 – Vegan Spring Break Shop-Up: Vegan & gluten-free baked treats and more. 12 to 5pm FREE
10. ART/TALK: Sat 3/9 – Tumblr Art Symposium: part discussion and part exhibition, explores the fast-evolving artistic landscape of Tumblr, 6pm to 1am  FREE with RSVP
11. FILM: All Weekend – Queens World Film Festival 2013: $10
12. MUSIC: Sat 3/9  – Wahoo Skiffle Crazies at Union Hall. Doors 8pm. $8
13. FOOD: Sun 3/10 – FSNYC’s 3rd Annual Duck-Off.  1pm to 3pm. $25
14. PERFORMANCE/ART: All Weekend & through 3/15. The Introducing Series at The Windows, Roger Smith Hotel: 13 artists, who represent a broad range of young makers and experienced performers, will exhibit their presence in this space for a full 12-hour day. FREE
15. ART: All Weekend – The (Un)Fair: Guerilla-style art show in a 19th Century Hell’s Kitchen building with almost 100 works. 11am to 8pm. FREE
16. ART/FOOD: Sun 3/10 – LES Gallery Stroll noon to 6pm and Brunch at various locations from 1 to 3:30pm. Brunch with RSVP FREE
17. ART: All Weekend – Nathan Sawaya & Dean West In Pieces; LEGO art and photography collaboration; 10am to 6pm through 3/17 FREE.
ALSO in LEGO: Fri 3/8 & weekdays through 3/20 –Piece by Piece Sean Kenney LEGO sculptures and artwork. FREE
18. MUSIC: Sun 3/10 – Organist, composer and friend Harold Stover plays works by Cesar Franck & Camille Saint-Saens. 5:15 at St. Thomas Church. FREE
MORE…
>>FILM/FUN: Fri 3/8 – Movieoke at Videology. Karaoke for movie geeks! 8pm. FREE
>>ART: All Weekend – New City Art Fair, Japanese Contemporary Art. In Chelsea. FREE
>>ART: Sat 3/9 – Bushwick Gallery Late Night. 6pm to 10pm. FREE
>>WALKING TOUR: Sun 3/10 – Exploring the Glamorous Afterlife at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx. 1pm to 3pm. $18.