Noah Prebish at San Damiano Mission/Lot Radio, GOS 2017
Since the introduction of its first archetype, the modern “art gallery” continues to evolve into many different forms today—as artists can be found showcasing their work in more intimate settings outside the institutional format of endless rooms and luminous ceilings.
During Greenpoint Open Studios (June 3-4), one can easily come across several types of art in unusual places; like an ambient soundscape from The Lot Radio (17 Nassau Ave) at the San Damiano Mission, where you can expect to hear a range of midi sound loops through its historic 700-pipe organ. Since its opening a little over a year ago, The Lot Radio has held several events within the church to raise money towards the pipe organ’s renovation. The program during GOS will be performed by composer and DJ Noah Prebish, who plays in the band Psymon Spine when he’s not at The Lot.
“Throughout the day, we’ll have different sized loops playing that will work similarly to a Steve Reich tape loop, so no sound will repeat exactly the same,” explains Noah. “When you walk into the church, each loop is going to sound a bit different. This will kind of showcase the abilities of the organ, which can be played really fast or really slow, or with several different tempos at once.” Prebish will also be accompanied by local musicians like Bryan Ujueta of Mr. Twin Sister and others, who will improvise with instruments over the loops.
Be sure to catch Noah’s soundscape piece at the church (85 North 15th Street) and scope out some of the other types of unexpected art you can find in the neighborhood after the jump. Continue reading →
Are you the style queen or king of minimalism? Oak (55 Nassau Ave) has a pack of too-cool-for-school pieces that are perf for Greenpointers with a streamlined capsule wardrobe. With their simple-but-chic with rough around the edges aesthetic, it’s no wonder that this shop is a Greenpoint mainstay.
Browse some of our top picks for major swag and style.
* Fight the Feed @ Legion Bar (790 Metropolitan Ave) 8pm, $10, How do you really affect change? Does marching in the street actually reach the offices of power, or do you need to get a meeting in those offices before they’ll really listen. We break down the protest memes, and get to what really makes a difference, Buy tix ♫ Bad History Month, Dust from 1000 Yrs, Yazan @ Park Church Co-Op (129 Russell St) 8pm, An intimate show of solo performances, More info ♫ Deep Space Brooklyn @ Output (74 Wythe Ave) 10pm, $10, Known as an adventure into future dub, spacey vibes, and abstract grooves, Deep Space features dj’s, musicians, dancers and poets who represent a breathtaking range of styles celebrating dub’s impact on so many forms of art, Buy tixContinue reading →
Rally for a Better Loft Law | Thursday May 25 | 7-9pm @ San Damiano Mission | 85 N 15th St
If you know any North Brooklyn artists in live/work spaces, you probably know someone who is affected by the Loft Law. Artists and creatives are being pushed out of many NYC neighborhoods, including our own Greenpoint and Williamsburg, and luckily you can support the local art community to help artists stay put. On Thursday evening, all are welcome to join tenants, artists, elected officials and housing advocates to show support for the 2017 Loft Law “Clean-Up” Bill. Speakers will include state and local elected officials, loft lawyers, artists and tenant advocates.
Our homes are sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle of city life. Greenpoint is an especially fun and relaxing respite from the daily grind for many of us with Transmitter Park, cozy bars, and zen coffee houses and blissful yoga and meditation spaces. But, what about your own place?
Enter Light + Ladder. This airy design studio based in Greenpoint crafts pieces that will make your home feel both relaxing and cool. Check out these 10 picks to transform your house into an oasis. Continue reading →
There are over 400 Greenpoint artists participating in this year’s Greenpoint Open Studios. Thank you, and congrats, Greenpoint!
While we encourage everyone attending to explore and wander among the studios all weekend, we wanted to put together a few suggested routes, roughly 1 mile each, that could help you navigate the neighborhood, or at least have a launch point!
Starting in McCarren Park with the participating artists of the Go Green! festival, this self-guided walk takes you through and around the park, visiting artist studios on and near Manhattan Avenue before concluding with a special musical performance at The Lot Radio and the San Damiano Mission…
I make leather handbags, clothing, and hand painted textiles – all influenced by the high end designers I have worked for in the past and the rock and roll spirit of the 1970’s in New York City. Love combining leather, lace, and fringe in not so overtly feminine ways.
It’s hard getting to the beginning of anything, but with Troost (1011 Manhattan Ave) in Greenpoint, it might help to keep in mind a street sign in Kansas City: Troost Ave. “I just liked the way it looked,” the owner, John Ortiz says, one evening during a sit down at Goldie’s, on what we both agree is the “other side” of Greenpoint. Troost opened its doors in 2011. It started as a café, beer and wine bar. But it’s grown since then to include a full bar and live music. But John is specific. It is “not a music venue. It’s a bar that has music.” It having music occupies a lot of the conversation.
“It’s interesting,” he says, “to see artists respond when you put limitations on them.” The limitations are familiar to anyone who attends shows or is a musician in New York. They come down to two things: noise and space. “It’s almost always worked out. One or two cases, maybe.” One aspect that keeps things going is a good relationship with the neighbors. “They all have my number. They’re great. Sometimes I get a text saying, ‘hey, last night was a little loud,’ but for the most part, the relationship is really good.” Another is just figuring out who could and should play. Who does the approaching? “It’s pretty much word of mouth, musicians putting me in touch with other musicians,” he says. Continue reading →
Norman (29 Norman Ave) is now officially open as an all-day café, restaurant, and bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Though there were a few months of delay, it seems that spring is the perfect time to welcome this sustainable restaurant to the neighborhood. Norman shares a beautiful sun-drenched location with creative space A/D/O, and the cuisine benefits from the bounty of the season. This large and airy cafe is a great casual dining destination in this warehouse sprawled area of Greenpoint.Continue reading →
If you haven’t been before, Greenpoint Open Studios is an epic showcase of local art. Over the course of one weekend (this year June 3-4), hundreds of local artists open their studio doors to the public for an exciting peek inside their craft. It’s an uncurated, free event that allows visitors to get a glimpse of the process and space where artwork is created while engaging directly with its creators. Brooklyn has a long-standing reputation for being a hotbed of creativity and GOS is going to represent its northernmost tip in true Greenpoint fashion—by keepin’ it real—providing an open platform for showcasing the various expressions of our creative community’s imagination and skills. This year, we have more than 400 artists participating, and an exciting lineup of events: Continue reading →
Macha Jewelry is a witty, brazen little jewelry line that some Greenpointers might not know about. Bernice Kelly started the brand in 2009 and opened her design studio on West Street. Naturally, I had to share these sparkly gems with you. The pieces are certainly pretty but also carry a rebellious edge – it’s fine jewelry with a twist. And, what’s not to love?
If you’re thinking of making a shiny or glittery splurge this season, check out these ten new arrivals at Macha for your oh-so-cool spring aesthetic. You can also get a peek inside Bernice’s craft at her studio during Greenpoint Open Studios (June 3-4) in a couple of weeks.
