Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Graffiti party for teens and New Orleans


Graffiti has become a recognized part of the commercial and art worlds; it shows up in merchandise, design, galleries, even the iconic, official Obama "HOPE" poster. Reconstruct Art's participans include several writers and visual artists inspired by graffiti imagery. Since a lot of our teens have not had opportunities to participate enough in the formal arts, they identify strongly with the writers who have used the streets as their canvas and tagging to establish an identity and reputation.


Graffiti and classic hip hop were big draws at our latest event, the Graffiti-n'-Chicken Party. At Chashama's gallery in Jamaica, Queens, teens tagged up a giant canvas, while pro writer Ill Will knocked out a masterpiece with our name and logo on another oversized canvas. When the spray paint fumes became too much, there was dancing, hot wings and open blackbooks at our gallery space two doors down. Don't miss the next art party, or our event this Friday: Sweet Potato Jam!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Union Square Award



"Gon' take a walk down to Union Square/ Never know what you gonna find there"
-Lou Reed ("run, run, run")


In recognition of our work in the struggle for social justice, Reconstruct Art has been nominated for a Union Square Award!



The Union Square Awards were started in '98 when a mysterious, anonymous donor pledged funds to raise awareness of emerging, grassroots organizations that support the interests of the poor and disenfranchised and cultural activity/the arts. Reconstruct Art, of course, serves both interests. Learn more about the awards here.

Side Note:
Why "union square"? Think about all the agitating, protesting and cultural activities that go on there every day (somewhere between the dog park and the artist/vendors and the greenmarket and the skateboarders/breakdancers). "What you gon' find there" may now be Forever 21 and Starbucks, but the spirit of the place is still somehow intact.