AlphabetArt_FinalZine

Alphabet
art
THE STREET
ART OF
ALPHABET
CITY
MCKENNA C POE

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untitled
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5: “THE GREAT WALL..
CREATED BY BRADLEY THEODORE / 2016
6: “LIBERTY”
This mural was created by esteemed 7: ASAP artist ROCKY Bradley
Theodore. Born in Turks and Caicos, raised between
New York and Miami, Theodore is 8: an “A internationally TRIBUTE TO VICT
recognized artist and collaborator. After graduating
from the School of Visual Arts, Theodore 9: “BELLO eventually AMANECER
moved back to New York where his artistic career took
off. With roots in graphic design, 10: Theodore’s “ALPHABET beginnings CITY”
as an 9 artist came from painting chromatic murals of
skeletons depicting contemporary 11: pop “RIP culture LUIS” and
fashion royalty. 11
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12: “STONEWALL MUR
Theodore’s art has been internationally recognized from
10-foot murals 2on the streets of 13: New “BEYOND York, Tokyo, THE and WAL
Milan, 7to sold-out solo exhibitions in London. Evoking
the universality 9 of color, skeletons, and celebrity,
Bradley Theodore distills figures to skeletal forms, a
confrontation that the artist calls “an act of living”.
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4: “THE REVOLUTION...
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phabet mysterious City pink
INS
RE
K
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baby doll heads
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ARTIST UNKNOWN / DATE UNKNOWN
1: “UNTITLED” - BRADLEY THEODORE
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2: “BABYDOLL HEADS”
3: “MAKE MAGIC EVERYDAY”
4: “THE REVOLUTION...”
5: “THE GREAT WALL...”
6: “LIBERTY”
7: ASAP ROCKY
8: “A TRIBUTE TO VICTORIA CRUZ”
Other Baby Locations
Manhattan New York
Wicker Park Chicago
Denver Colorado
Hollywood California
9: “BELLO AMANECER BORINCANO”
These tiny, pink, plaster baby doll heads are popping up all over New York, and all
10: over “ALPHABET the United States, CITY” cemented to public buildings and fixtures. Little is known
about who they belong to or why they were made, but many have their theories.
11: “RIP LUIS”
The artist is rumored to be Yiannis Bellis, a Greek-American artist who has lived all
12: across “STONEWALL the US. He believes MURAL” that the inspirations for his art derive from his innovative
13:
dreams,
“BEYOND
the depth
THE
of
WALL!”
nature and through his everyday tasks; he believes there are no
mistakes.
People have come forward claiming to know the artist responsible for the heads, and
know the message behind them. “The baby heads are to remind us of the suffering
of the children in Syria.” That is a reference to the six years of war in Syria that
have affected an estimated 7.5 million children, 2.4 million of whom are struggling to
survive as refugees”. None of this information is confirmed.
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make magic
Everyday
CREATED BY BRANDON SINES / 2018
“The passion and desire to make art started for me as soon as I could hold a crayon.
My work represents the notion of mystical connections, striving towards a greater good
and having fun while you do it”. — SINES
Artists Brandon Sines created his piece de resistance “FRANK” in 2010 after moving it
NYC to pursue his art. Since then, Frank
Alphabet
Ape has become a global phenomena, and Sines
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has taken to putting up his likeness all around New York, and across the world. Recently
Sines was awarded a massive installation at the World Trade Center, hand painted murals
around New York City, and had a series of works featured on Link NYC’s digital Kiosks
as part of #ArtOnLink. It’s easy to understand why so many people are passionate
about Frank; look at his lovable face!
A B C
On Frank, Sines has this to say: “Frank Ape is a
mystical creature who lives in New York City amongst
the humans but without human restrictions. Frank has
special powers that even he continues to discover as he
is tested by the many challenges of life. Frank embodies
positivity and equality, and cares about all living things.
He believes in using imagination and play to “create
your own universe” and inspiring other people and
animals through thoughtful actions. Frank can be seen all
over the world on any given day but it is New York City
that he calls home. Frank is an extension of everyone
and everything. Helping others helps everyone.” 7
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1: “UNTITLED” - B
2: “BABYDOLL HEA
3: “MAKE MAGIC E
4: “THE REVOLUTI
5: “THE GREAT W
6: “LIBERTY”

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the revolution
Will not be
Televised
CREATED BY CHICO / 2017
Alphabet City
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This proto-rap classic was influential in the development of socially
conscious hip-hop. Jazz poet Scott-Heron originally recorded it for his
1970 live album Small Talk. The spoken word poem is stripped down,
accompanied by only congas and bongo drums. “The Revolution Will Not
Be Televised” was a popular slogan of the Black Power movement of the
1960s. Scott-Heron wrote it in response to The Last Poets 1970 spoken
word classic “When the Revolution Comes”, which opens with the line:
“When the revolution comes some of us will probably catch it on TV,
with chicken hanging from our mouths.”
This particular mural was painted by Antonio ‘Chico’ Garcia, widely
known as just CHICO, a prominent muralist on the LES.
D
You will not be able to stay home
1: “UNTITLED” - BRADLEY THEODORE brother
2: “BABYDOLL
You
HEADS”
will not be able to plug in
3: “MAKE MAGIC turn EVERYDAY” on and drop out
4: “THE You REVOLUTION...”
will not be able to lose yourself
5: “THE GREAT WALL...” on skag and skip
6: “LIBERTY” Skip out for beer during commercials
Because the revolution
7: ASAP ROCKY
will not be televised
8: “A TRIBUTE TO VICTORIA CRUZ”

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The Great Wall of
African American Women
CREATED BY SACSIX / 2017
“We change by leading. We each have the power to do amazing things and inspire millions of
people. Be great like these African American women.” -SacSix
This piece was created as part of a mural party organized by Robert Galinsky, an active member
of the neighborhood, and manager of these particular buildings. Even though the activity isn’t
officially sanctioned, he’s taken it upon himself to curate art on the walls of the city-owned 7
building he manages.
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Liberty
CREATED BY STIK / 2013
“Liberty
Alphabet radical history
is a power of Tompkins salute in Square. recognition The park of the
has
C
been workers
a platform riots and
for the
activists more recent
since 1988
the 1874
housing
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riots.” - STIK
This LES mural was created by British artist Stik.
He started painting unofficial, socially
1: “UNTITLED”
conscious
- BRADL
murals in his hometown of Hackney, 2: East “BABYDOLL London HEADS”
in 2001. His simple stick Dfigures wordlessly tell
the story of his community and he 3: frequently “MAKE MAGIC EVERYD
collaborates with hospitals, charities 4: and “THE homeless REVOLUTION...”
organizations. Working from his East London studio,
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these projects 5 4are largely self-funded 5: “THE and he GREAT now WALL...”
creates monumental artworks with communities
across the world.
6: “LIBERTY”
His work in New
7: ASAP
York
ROCKY
reflects his “love 8: “A TRIBUTE affair” TO VICTO
with social history of the
city. “I never 9: had “BELLO an arts AMANECER B
education. I 10: just “ALPHABET developed CITY” a
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real fondness and admiration
for the people 11: of “RIP New LUIS”
11 York in particular. Coming
8 from the East 12: End “STONEWALL of MURA
London, I feel
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with the Lower East Side,
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where there’s also a very
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strong radical history”.
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Alphabet City
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1: “UNTITLED” - BRADLEY THEODORE
2: “BABYDOLL HEADS”
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3: “MAKE MAGIC EVERYDAY”
AsAP rOcky
CREATED BY 4: JULES “THE REVOLUTION...” “MUCKROCK" MUCK / UNKNOWN
5: “THE GREAT WALL...”
6: “LIBERTY”
7: ASAP ROCKY
8: “A TRIBUTE TO VICTORIA CRUZ”
9: “BELLO AMANECER BORINCANO”
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Jules Muck began writing
graffiti as a teen in Europe
and England in the 90s.
She moved to NYC by
1999 and fell into mural
work under the wing of
prominent artists for the
time. Muck’s real passion is
to “paint on things she’s
not supposed to paint on
but those opportunities
are rapidly decreasing as
she is ever invited to paint
on more and more walls
and things” She enjoys
painting humping bunnies
on RVs and dressing up
any manner of vehicle. The
butterflies featured in the
mural are also a common
motif among her work.
This particular mural
depicts artist ASAP Rocky.
ASAP has won numerous
awards for his rapping and
writing talents including
two BET Hip Hop Awards,
a MTV Video Music Award
Japan and a MTV Woodie
Award, as well as being
nominated for two Grammy
Awards, six World Music
Awards, three MTV Video
Music Awards.

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2: “BABYDOLL HEADS”
A Tribute D to VictOria
3: “MAKE MAGIC EVERYDAY”
Cruz and StonEwall
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CREATED BY SAM KIRK FOR 4: “THE WORLD REVOLUTION...” PRIDE MURAL PROJECT / 2019
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“Victoria Cruz is a Puerto 6: Rican “LIBERTY” transgender woman who’s lived in New York since
age four and devoted much of her life to activism dating back to Stonewall. Now
72, she remains involved with 7: ASAP the ROCKY Anti-Violence Project and part of David France’s
Netflix documentary “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson,” which chronicles
Johnson’s LGBTQ activism
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along
“A TRIBUTE
with that
TO
of
VICTORIA
Cruz and
CRUZ”
Rivera”. — Sam Kirk
9: “BELLO AMANECER BORINCANO”
Artist Sam Kirk creates artwork to celebrate people and to inspire pride and
recognition for underrepresented 10: “ALPHABET communities. CITY” Her work walks the viewer through
various 9 moments, focusing
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on
“RIP
a celebration
LUIS”
of culture, discovery of identity, and
the politics that we have been fighting for generations. her art is a continual
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study, 8 sharing her experiences 12: “STONEWALL in the shifting MURAL” landscapes of our neighborhoods.
Part autobiographical, and part fairytale, her vibrant color palette reveals profound
stories laced 2with optimism. 13: “BEYOND THE WALL!”
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1: “UNTITLED” - BRADLEY THEODORE
This mural was created in partnership with NYC Pride as
part of the Stonewall 50th Anniversary and World Pride
celebration in New York City. The fifty graffiti murals were
commissioned to be created in time for the Anniversary,
which is widely considered the spark of the modern
LGBTQ rights movement. The project is a collaboration
between NYC Pride, LISA Project NYC, HSBC, and
significant supporting partner, Macy’s. The project’s goal is
to foster “public dialogue on LGBTQ+ rights and queer art
throughout New York City”.

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Bello Amanecer Borincano
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DESIGNED BY PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS THROUGH A CITY-SPONSORED PUBLIC ARTS PROGRAM 12/ 31984
In June, 1984 Carmen Pabon began the garden Bello Amancecer with the goal of providing a place 2
8 for the elderly and children
in the neighborhood. Carmen works with a group of elderly people who plant flowers in addition to holding a weekly ministry,
providing food, clothing, and classes and workshops to the elderly, and feeding the homeless three times a week.
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The mural portrayed two Puerto Rican children holding hands looking toward the future, while painted behind them in ocean blue
was “Fuerzas Irresistible,” a poem by Jose de Diego, a Puerto Rican Nationalist poet. To the right of the poem, projected in
relief from the wall, was brightly painted sun, with a face that is modeled on a traditional Puerto Rican carnival mask. Framing
the poem were symbols of the immigrant experience, such as a certificate of naturalization, and these are painted so that they
fade into the brown-gray of the wall, conveying an impression of fading memory.
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Alphabet D
City
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YOK AND SHERYO AND THE GREEN VILLAIN
PROJECT / 2015
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This mural was 5 4
created by the artist duo Yok and
Sheryo in conjuction with the Green Villian arts group
and artists Steiner, Victor Ving, Elmo, Kevin Lyons,
Roachi and Buffmonster. Based in Brooklyn, Yok and
Sheryo’s work is inspired by South East Asian culture
as well as the surf, skate and music scene.
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“The mural represents Alphabet City in a more literal
way. We painted 26 letters wrapped around the block
on Ave C. Some of the letters are inspired from the
community some are inspired by NYC as a whole”.
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The mural has quickly become a symbol of controversy
that shows the clash between 11 the old and new New
York and the boundaries 8 of corporate and community
space in the area.
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1: “UNTI
2: “BABY
3: “MAKE
4: “THE
5: “THE
6: “LIBER
7: ASAP
8: “A TR
9: “BELL
10: “ALP
11: “RIP
12: “STO
13: “BEY
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this building on Christmas Eve 2015, a father of five.”
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9: “BELLO AMANECER BORIN
10: “ALPHABET CITY”
11: “RIP LUIS”
CREATED BY THE COMMUNITY / 2019
12: “STONEWALL MURAL”
13: “BEYOND THE WALL!”
“In memory of Luis Alberto who died on the job in
Late in the summer of 2019, workers finally removed
the scaffolding from the under-renovation, four-story
townhouse between Avenue C and Avenue D. This was
the first known activity here since Dec. 24, 2015,
when a worker - Luis Alberto - fell three floors to his
death inside the building.
His death prompted Mayor de Blasio and Department
of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler to announce
in February 2016 that they were going to quadruple
the penalties for serious construction-safety lapses,
conduct a wave of more than 1,500 enforcement
sweeps, and require new supervision at construction
sites citywide to protect workers and the public amid
the building boom.

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STONEWALL
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1: “UNTITLED” - BRADLEY The project THEODORE is a collaboration between NYC Pride, LISA Project NYC,
HSBC, and significant supporting partner, Macy’s. The project’s goal is
2: “BABYDOLL HEADS” to foster “public dialogue on LGBTQ+ rights and queer art throughout
3: “MAKE MAGIC EVERYDAY” New York City”.
CREATED BY KENNY SCHARF FOR THE 4: WORLD “THE REVOLUTION...” PRIDE The mural was painted by artist Kenny Scharf. “My ambition as a
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MURAL PROJECT 5/ 42019
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professional artist is to maintain the course that I set 30 years
ago by establishing my work in the fields of painting, sculpture,
6: “LIBERTY” and performance. Every project I undertake is building on my past
This mural was created in partnership with NYC Pride as experiences. My original approach is unchanged; it is a personal
part of the Stonewall 50th Anniversary and 7: World ASAP Pride ROCKY challenge to produce the best work possible every time. One very
celebration in NYC. The murals were commissioned
8: “A TRIBUTE
to be
TO VICTORIA important CRUZ” guiding principle to my work is to reach out beyond the elitist
created in time for the Anniversary, which is considered the boundaries of fine art and connect to popular culture through my art.
spark of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. 9: “BELLO AMANECER My BORINCANO” personal ambition has always been to live the example” (Scharf).
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11: “RIP LUIS”
12: “STONEWALL MURAL”
13: “BEYOND THE WALL!”
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Beyond the Wall
Mas Alla Del Muro
CREATED BY JOEL “ARTISTA” BERGNER / 2019
This mural was created by Joel Bergner, also known as Joel Artista, as part of the Artolution Productions project.
Artolution is a community-based public art organization that seeks to ignite positive social change through
collaborative art making. They facilitate projects around the world that connect diverse peoples in order to address
common social objectives. Their projects bring together children, families, local artists, educators and community
groups with the main objective to address critical issues related to armed conflict, trauma and social marginalization
by cultivating sustainable global initiatives that promote healing and resilience through public art.
They utilize visual public art mediums such as mural art and community sculpture, as well as performance genres
like dance, theatre and music. In their workshops, participants address various community issues and collectively
decide on the subject and content, culminating in the collaborative creation of works of public art. Through this
process, emphasize is put on building positive relationships among participants, communicative skill-building, the
sharing of knowledge and the encouragement of community activism. This particular mural was created by Joel and
15 young people who recently arrived from Central America as part of the Artolution program.

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PARSONS 2020