After getting laid off from her job as a sommelier at a Manhattan restaurant as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Greenpoint resident Amanda Geller turned to her paint brush set and began working on a series of nude paintings of her friends.
“It started out as a joke when I asked my friends in a group chat if they wanted to ‘send me their nudes’ for me to paint,” Geller said. “Now after five days I have had around 30 people send their pictures — some that I don’t even know.”
Prior to mass social distancing and the closure of non-essential businesses, Geller attended weekly figure drawing classes in the neighborhood. “I have received a lot of awesome feedback so far and have had the amazing opportunity to paint women of so many different body types,” she said, adding that she extends the invitation to the greater Greenpoint area.
Many of the women she has painted also work in the hospitality industry and have recently been laid off. “After the quarantine is over I plan to launch an online gallery showing and donate a portion of the proceeds to women in hospitality who have lost work due to the shutdown,” Geller said.
“Mostly the project is something fun during these crazy times that celebrates women and all types of beauty. A woman takes a nude when she is feeling sexy and fucking awesome and I love capturing that in a piece of art that they can show off and feel good about themselves.”
Read more of Greenpointers’ interview with the sommelier-turned-painter: Continue reading →
One room inside The Faurschou Foundation (148 Green Street). Pieces by Ai Weiwei, Louise Bourgeois, Cecily Brown, and Tracey Emin. (Photo: Megan Penmann)
This past weekend, Greenpoint debuted an impressive new art venue, cementing the neighborhood as a destination for art in NYC. The Faurschou Foundation opened its doors at 148 Green Street on Sunday (December 15th), and it’s an open-to-the-public art venture that’s been years in the making. Faurschou Foundation was started nearly a decade ago by Jens Faurschou, a Danish art collector and former art dealer who has founded many art institutions over the course of his career. The foundation also has spaces in Beijing—the largest—and Copenhagen, which is about the size of the Greenpoint location.Continue reading →
I hardly noticed when NYC’s gritty vibe, with graffiti ubiquitously peppering the subways, started fading away. I notice it more now, now that it has devolved into the realm of nostalgia, of how things used to be, and reemerged into a respected art form – enough to have mass-market appeal and allow a rebellious kid who went around tagging up to grow up and make a career out of these once seemingly aimless interests.
“Beyond The Streets,” an exhibition celebrating “street art, graffiti, and beyond” is the brainchild of Roger Gastman, born from his affinity for counter-culture. Underlying the grandiose scale at which the works of 150 artists show in over 100,000 sq ft of space at Williamsburg’s Twenty Five Kent, is a personal homage to the excitement and allure of those formative years that buttressed the evolution of his passions into a sold-out show in L.A. In its NYC debut, the array of art including new works from widely recognizable names like Shepard Fairey, show alongside ephemera for context and memorabilia from Roger’s personal collection.
The juxtaposition of underground and mainstream, of play and profound, sets a unique experience of discovery that appeals to visitors of all ages. One minute you stumble upon a collection of graffiti-ridden model trains by Tim Conlon and the next minute you will find yourself immersed in a beautiful installment of flowers by DabsMyla. The majority of artwork has been made exclusively for the show, and for those of us who are locals you might see some familiar names – FAILE, whose mural dons the brick wall in Transmitter Park, is one of the participating artists.
The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative and the Brooklyn Navy Yard announced an open call for artists to display their works at the former Naval Hospital Cemetry, now a public greenspace known as the Naval Cemetery Landscape at 63 Williamsburg St. W. The budget for installation and materials is up to $1,000 and the application deadline is July 15th.
The 1.7-acre greenspace opened to the public in May 2016 after being fenced off for decades. The site was an active cemetery through 1910 where more than 2,000 deceased U.S. Navy and Marine Corps servicemen were buried until being relocated to Cypress Hills National Cemetary in 1926, according to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
More details on the artist selection criteria from the Brooklyn Navy Yard:
SELECTION CRITERIA
Proposals for potential artworks cannot disturb or penetrate the ground as it is a burial site.
The concepts or subjects of the artwork must relate to the ecological, historical, or cultural context of the Naval Cemetery Landscape. Works that enhance or emphasize the sacred and natural quality of the space are strongly encouraged.
Works cannot obstruct the boardwalk or access to the space in any way. If the proposed piece is a time based performance medium it must be able to occur during operating hours (10am-4pm). Any ticketed performances must be free to the public unless paid performances are approved in writing by BGI.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
· A written description of proposed artwork, including: title, medium, dimensions (height x width x depth), weight, installation method and anchoring procedure; and a short statement clearly articulating how artwork related to NCL’s historical, ecological and/or cultural context (not to exceed 250 words)
· If proposing existing work: photographs or slides of artwork; include reference to human scale.
· If proposing a new work: working drawings or photograph of maquette to scale.
· Artist’s statement and resume
· Proposed location for the installation within the Naval Cemetery Landscape
· Up to ten images of the artist’s previous work. All images must be clearly labeled with the name of the artist, title of the work, media and dimensions.
· Budget not to exceed $1,000
RELEVANT DATES:
· Application due: July 15
· Finalists notified about studio visits/interviews by: August 6
· Final selection/artists notified by: August 16
· Studio visit/work-in-progress check-in: Mid-September
· Installation period: October 16 – 18
· Presentation Day: October 19
· Deinstallation period: October 20 – 29 (Exact date and deinstallation details to be finalized with artists and NCL staff).
RESPONSIBILITIES
ARTIST RESPONSIBILITIES:
When exhibiting at NCL, the artist assumes responsibility for funding the project, as well as for obtaining insurance and site remediation. Other artist responsibilities include:
· Propose high quality art that responds to guidelines.
· Provide funding for fabrication, installation, maintenance, insurance, and site restoration.
· Obtain necessary insurance policies naming the City of New York as additional insured.
· Some projects may require technical reports prepared by a licensed engineer.
· A security deposit, which will be returned to the exhibitor upon restoration of the site.
· Oversee installation of artwork (tools, materials and equipment not provided by BGI).
· Coordinate with BGI and BNYDC for publicity.
· Monitor and maintain the artwork during the display period.
· Oversee de-installation of artwork and site remediation.
· Grant Brooklyn Greenway Initiative / Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation the right to a royalty-free, perpetual license to use any depictions of the artwork for non-commercial purposes (credit will be given to the exhibitor).
BGI RESPONISBILITIES:
· Review, select and coordinate projects recommended by the advisory committee based on Selection Criteria.
· Prepare legal documents for signature by artist or organization.
· Grant artist sole ownership and copyright of the final design and artwork.
· Provide general coordination assistance with press, mailing, and other city agencies.
· Produce identifying signage to display at the Naval Cemetery Landscape for event. Alternative signage can be produced at cost to the exhibitor, subject to BGI approval.
♫ Brooklyn Air Guitar Championships @ Saint Vitus (1120 Manhattan Ave), 8pm, $15, New York’s best air guitarists battle it out to find which of them will represent Brooklyn in the US Air Guitar Championship! Part rock show, Buy Tix ♫ Democratic Primary Debate Watch Party @ Syndicated Bar (40 Bogart St), 8pm, FREE, the top-20 current candidates (by poll + individual donor numbers) split up into two nights of debates, More Info ♫ Stone Series: Simon Hanes @National Sawdust (80 N 6 St), 7pm, $25, a world premiere of an entirely new composition, Buy Tix ♦ Brooklyn Short Film Festival: 2019 @ Wythe Hotel, (80 Wythe Ave), 730pm, FREE, screening of short films for the 2019 edition, complimentary beverages and snacks, RSVP
THURSDAY 6/27
# World Pride Fundraiser “Infused” Dinner @ Archestratus (160 Huron St.), 630pm, $125, the Dru Project’s World Pride fundraiser featuring a “taste the rainbow” themed menu, featuring a variety of seasonal vegetables to tantalize the eye and the tongue, Buy Tix ♫ The chill | rooftop session @ The Lightning Society (245 Varet St), 7pm, $25, restorative/yin yoga, live sound meditation, breathwork with essential oils, reiki, and hands-on therapeutic adjustments, Buy Tix ☺♫ HOT & FUN: Comedy and Karaoke @ Baby Grand (Greenpoint 55 McGuinness Blvd), 8pm, FREE, NYC’s hottest comedians followed by karaoke,RSVP ☺ No Suggestion Weekly Open Mic @ Muchmore’s (2 Havemeyer St) 630pm, FREE, a mic geared towards improvisers & sketch comedians who want to work on their standup & characters, More Info
FRIDAY 6/28
♦☺ Always Happy Comedy Bop @ Brooklyn Bazaar
(150 Greenpoint Ave), 730pm, $5, night of never-before-seen comedy videos and shorts, submitted each month by NYC’s top comedians and filmmakers, More Info ♦ Mustang | Films on the Green @ Transmitter Park (2 Greenpoint Ave), 830pm, FREE, five sisters, driven by the same desire for independence, fight back against the limits imposed on them; in Turkish with English subtitles, More Info ♫ Evening on the Ganges: Indian Classical Music @ Sacred Arts Research Foundation (107 Green St), 7pm, $20 (suggested), a sarod-flute-tabla concert, Buy Tix ♫ The Vocal Kalimba – Circle Songs @ Golden Drum (97 Green St), 730pm, $20 (suggested), a community music healing experience inspired by the circular music and rhythms of the Kalimba, More Info
SATURDAY 6/29
♫ This Party Is Killing You: A Very Special Robyn Pride Party @ Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave), 1145pm, $15, expect your favorite Swedish chanteuse plus bumping beats plus tracks by queer icons keeping you grooving all night long, Buy Tix
♫ PRIDE @ A/D/O (29 Norman Ave), 3pm, FREE, Starchild & The New Romanic (DJ), Lauren Flax, and Debit will provide a colorful soundtrack to accompany YAKI TIKI tropical refreshments, RSVP ♫ MAMITA PEYOTE + ESCARIOKA @ Kingsland Bar (269 Norman Ave), 9pm, $10, Rocksteady, Reggae, Ska-Jazz, Cumbia, Swing, Funk, Rock, Gypsy Punk and Latin Pop, Buy Tix ♫Al-Kimiya rhythmic meditation @ Horti Play (70 Eckford St), 4pm, $75, extended kundalini breathwork and guided sound meditation, Buy Tix ^ Well-Read Black Girl Book Discussion: Sister Love @ WORD (632 Manhattan Ave), 3pm, FREE discussion on the book “Sister Love: The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974-1989,” More InfoContinue reading →
It all starts tonight: Greenpoint Open Studios is here! Over the next three days, hundreds of local artists will open their homes, workspaces, and studios to expose their craft and showcase their work. Join us for a weekend of community and art, get your steps in walking from studio to studio, and — as always — support local artists!
For a full rundown of the weekend’s festivities, see our exciting schedule of events below:
GOS 2019 Launch Party
TONIGHT, Friday June 7 7:30 PM–Midnight
Greenpoint Open Studios 2019 will launch at Brooklyn Bazar (150 Greenpoint Avenue) with music, dancing, full bar with frozen cocktail specials, and creative activities like live painting, art installations, video projections, and more. FREE swag bag full of art supplies for registered artists and the first 100 visitors courtesy of Blick Art Materials will be provided. All are welcome, and the event is free — just register here.
Greenpoint Open Studios 2019
Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 Noon–6 PM
For one weekend, 300+ local artists and designers open up their Greenpoint, Brooklyn studios to the public to showcase work in a variety of mediums. From paintings, sculptures, film, photography, weaving/textiles, to ceramics, and more, there are seasoned artists to be visited and emerging artists to be discovered in the northernmost tip of Brooklyn. Map out your journey with our online guide!
GOS 2019 Wrap Party
Sunday, June9 6:30–9 PM
Join local creatives to wind down the art-filled weekend festivities of Greenpoint Open Studios 2019 with food and drinks at One Bedford! We will be spinning records, projecting artwork by GOS 2019 participants, and making fresh watermelon soju cocktails. Register for free here.
Bisected by the rumbling BQE and hugged by Newton Creek, the southeastern parcel of Greenpoint is a hot spot for a self-guided Greenpoint Open Studios walking tour. Are you up for an adventure off the beaten path? Ready to see some fabulous art and get to know Greenpoint’s industrial southeastern edge? Continue reading →
A new installation from artist Nassia Inglessis of Studio INI opens today at A/D/O (29 Norman Ave).
“Urban Imprint” (courtesy of A/D/O)
The “immersive, kinetic,” outdoor installation entitled “Urban Imprint” opens today (5/17) and will run through September 2nd; registration is open for free artist-led tours.
The “immersive” feature of the installation is highlighted by a rubber canopy which shape-shifts above the viewer’s head as they walk underneath, making for great Instagram snaps. Continue reading →
GOS is an un-curated event where local artists and creatives open up their studio doors to share their work with the public. Last year more than 400 artists participated and tens of thousands of art lovers swarmed our beautiful neighborhood to weave in and out of art studios and spaces. And again this year, throughout the inspiring weekend there will also be parties, artist-led workshops, talks and guided tours.
Who should register?Artists of all mediums, designers, crafters, fabricators, performers, and anyone who has work or work-in-progress to show inGreenpoint.
Today (May 1st) is the last day to get the $15 Early Bird Registration price! After today, the cost to sign up will go up to $40.
Your address will be on the publicly available GOS online map and a printed guide that is distributed all over North Brooklyn
Registered artists open their doors on June 8th and 9th to visitors, from 12pm-6pm each day
*Note: You can also sign up if you are a Greenpoint artist without a space to show your work. A few local venues have generously offered up their space to show artists’ work during GOS. You can let them know you’re interested by signing up on the forms here.
BBBBB (Buket’s Bunny Boy Beach Bed), 2017, oil on canvas, by Buket Savci
These are dark times, there’s no denying it. From political unrest and environmental crisis to smaller gripes like seasonal allergies and MTA woes, it’s easy to get bogged down in this concrete jungle we call home. But Buket Savci, this week’s featured artist, is here with a salve in her magnificently colorful and fantastically buoyant works. Buket’s paintings, along with Jacob Hicks’, will be the inaugural works at Wrong Side of the River (67 West Street, Suite 312) now through May 3. Their exhibition, Wonderland, is a welcome balm to our times and a stunning exercise in collaborative creativity. Below, we get to know Buket and her work, but most importantly her contagious and relentless optimism.
Greenpointers: How long have you been in Brooklyn?
Buket Savci: I live and work in Brooklyn; I’ve been in Bushwick for a little over three years. Before that I lived in Astoria for almost 10 years. But I’ve had my studio in Greenpoint since I received my MFA from New York Academy of Art in 2012. I also studied painting at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
Your Wonderland series is so fun! What was the inspiration for that at Wrong Side of the River?
I am so glad to hear you enjoy our title for the show. I have been working on these series of paintings for a few years now, which are about the fleeting moments of pure joy and happiness. I create paintings addressing the ephemerality of happiness while using objects like balloons as a metaphor for our short lived contentment.
I really enjoy using saturated vivid colors, and I think everything else is so negative and dark so at least my paintings should be colorful and fun. That’s why I use the colors that makes me happy, and I enjoy including humor in my art. But actually I am not that joyful. Life is not easy and I had my share of traumas. Unfortunately a few years ago I had a major depression and even my psychiatrist was constantly telling me that my art will save me. Painting is my passion, and it is this wonderland where anything can happen, so I choose to make it fun and colorful like a playground.
Passengers, 2018, oil on canvas, by Buket Savci
There is this profound quote from a Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet; he asks to Abidin Dino, who was a famous Turkish artist. “Could you make a painting of happiness?” So all these led me to question what is real happiness, when and how we feel real joy, and how do I express this through painting.
Painting lets me live these fleeting moments in detail and throughly over a course of weeks even months. I want to create a niche of fantasy, where both the figures and I as the painter can be just like a child — innocent and playful, carefree and bold. A visual playground far away from all the darkness enclosing us outside and inside, blossomed through sincerity and trust.
♫ Brooklyn Air Guitar Championships @ Saint Vitus (1120 Manhattan Ave), 8pm, $15, New York’s best air guitarists battle it out to find which of them will represent Brooklyn in the US Air Guitar Championship! Part rock show, 
THURSDAY 6/27
SATURDAY 6/29
