Been meaning to photograph all the graffiti and street art that can be seen around the Bushwick area of Brooklyn. Then the annual BOS, short for Bushwick Open Studios rolled around. For those who don’t know what BOS is, it’s when artist around and from the Bushwick area open their studios to the general public. Sponsored by Arts In Bushwick, the audience can see various paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, etc., by various artists. The public can explore different parts of Bushwick, particularly on the L subway line. Stops such as Morgan Avenue, Dekalb Avenue, Jefferson Street, and continuing up to where the borderline crosses into Ridgewood, Queens.
Last year I participated in BOS 2012. This year, I was content just checking out places around the Jefferson stop on the L line. After stopping in a few scattered studios, and coming across some real pretentious artist who advised me to “create the problem, then solve the problem…”, I snapped these photos.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
The early summer sun was already in full blast. This started to remind me of some of the street art I had seen during my visit to San Francisco during April 2000.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
The street art below reminded me of contemporary artist Kenny Scharf. Maybe this was his work.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Street art/graffiti in Bushwick. Late May/Early June 2013. Photography by Michele Witchipoo.
Suddendly me and two others stumbled upon this car wreck. Actually we discovered this wreck a month earlier. Happily this wreck was not removed, making it a perfect photo opp.
Here in my car/I feel safest of all/I can lock all my doors/It’s the only way to live/In cars – Cars by Gary Numan. 1979. Photo by Michele Witchipoo June 2013.
A few pop culture references came to mind. The song by Gary Numan Cars, Warm Leatherette by The Normal (later covered by Grace Jones, Giddle and Boyd, and countless others), the novel Crash by J. G. Ballard, and the pretend car accident scene in John Waters’ flick Female Trouble. So a little bit fun was had as we joined the car crash set.
See the breaking glass/ In the underpass/ See the breaking glass/ In the underpass/ Warm leatherette – Song “Warm Leatherette” originally recorded by The Normal in 1978. Photo by Michele Witchipoo June 2013.
Warm leatherette, Feel the crushing steel, Feel the steering wheel. Warm leatherette melts, On your burning flesh, You can see your reflection, On the luminescent dash. – Warm Leatherette. Song originally covered by The Normal, 1978 on Mute Records. Photo by Michele Witchipoo June 2013.
Onwards we continued out quest for more street art, graffiti and more BOS festivities.
Traveling onwards in my quest to capture the street art in Bushwick, Brooklyn near Jefferson Street. Photo by Michele Witchipoo June 2013.
Disgruntled texting woman among the Bushwich street art. Photo by Michele Witchipoo June 2013.
Lots of arty revelers were out in the streets of Bushwick. Spoted a topless woman walking around with a drawn on mustache. Out of respect I didn’t take a photo of her. This other lady caught in the middle of street texting was caught in the digital crossfire instead. The heat was beating upon us cynical folks. Therefore it was onto to Cobra Bar to cool off.
Cooling off at Cobra Bar with an iced coffee and good tap brew. Photo by Michele Witchipoo June 2013.
At the Cobra there was tri-hawked artist Antoinette Johnson showing her paintings and photos of her hair sculptures. The battery was dying in my digital camera at this point, so this was the best I could come up with.
Painting by artist Antoinette Johnson, who showcased art and photos of her hair sculptures. Photo by Michele Witchipoo June 2013.
Artist Antoinette Johnson, who exhibited paintings and photos of her hair sculptures. Photo by Michele Witchipoo June 2013.
Cause the weather was getting too hot, we stayed at the Cobra for a few rounds. Bringing us to the end of this blog post. Hopefully next year I’ll tale part in the next BOS fest.
FYI…if anyone knows any of the artists, whose work is shown in the street art photographs, please send me an email to Witchipoo@witchesbrewpress.net. I’ll update this post with the proper info asap.
Photographs may not be used without permission. Again, please email me if you wish to use any of the above photography. Thank you.
Links:
Bushwick Open Studios
The Cobra Club
Kenny Scharf
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