As previously noted, people have been tagging the motorcycle mural by David Flores, the last commissioned art for the space. At one point it was completely covered.
This prompted Jessica Goldman Srebnick, co-chair of Goldman Properties and curator of this wall, to issue a statement on Instagram in late May:
The creative process is an utter joy to watch. Filling a fire extinguisher with paint and spraying to destroy a work of art is not talent. It is sad and not only ruins the opportunity for countless artists, it ruins the opportunity for a neighborhood to live with glorious world-class art. The Houston Bowery wall could be just another advertising wall, but we’d prefer it to be a powerful beacon of the best of a movement.For now, we don’t wish to wipe away what’s been done, we are simply taking a break...
Also on the wall now: A wheatpaste of Goldman Srebnick holding a fire extinguisher, courtesy of @DeGruppo...
Better look than the canned garbage that generally goes up.
ReplyDeleteGod this is depressing. The Bowery Wall showcased a variety of artists, acted as an attraction for our neighborhood bringing business, and was the exact opposite of the destructive behavior of the jokers constantly tagging it. Having this wall covered in tags just encourages more damage to small businesses.
ReplyDeleteWish our worthless representatives would stand up and the cops would do something
meh
ReplyDeleteit's all art but and it's a big but it's used to be disrespectful to go over another artist piece but here we are shame, the fire extinguisher taggers are not without skill take a lot of "can control" to throw up those tags but man go find some grey ugly wall to beautify have respect for fellow artists if we don't respect one another all hope is lost
ReplyDeleteArtists are permitted serve the ruling elite in the way they are permitted only.
ReplyDeleteGood point, 10:35am. It's so offensive that we can't go tag the Sistine Chapel in the name of art.
ReplyDeleteTaggers are to graffiti art what bad singers are to American Idol contestants: they all think they’re much better than they really are. Bad singers can’t hear themselves sing, because if they could they would never sing again. And taggers can’t see how awful their work is, they just see their own name getting up and actually think they have accomplished something.
ReplyDeleteTagging is actually a lot like many mental illnesses which have to do with affirming one’s own identity, akin to the flasher on the subway. He wants you to look at him because that’s the only thing that makes him feel real and alive.
Whatever happened to the Keith Harring mural? That was the only thing that got any respect. Better to just paint it black.
ReplyDeleteThe tagging of the Bowery wall is quite sad. I always looked forward to the pieces as I passed by each day. When I saw the tagging of this and the Blondie mural on Bleeker, I knew the pandemic and the chaotic state of the world had claimed another victim. Hopefully exhibits will return soon. On the flip side, what has happened has been an exhibit in it own right. I think leaving it this way for a short period was a smart move. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again.
ReplyDelete