On a bike ride recently, I was excited to find that the barrier protecting my bike lane from oncoming traffic had been painted with a series of pastel, interlocking gears. With some research, I realized I was reaping the benefits of the NYCDOT Urban Art Program, which invigorates the city’s streetscapes with temporary art installations.

The section I noticed, titled Teeth and Groove, had been completed by local artist Eugenie Tung and a group of volunteers on April 16 for Hands on New York Day. This particular barrier runs along the bike lane on Flushing Avenue, from Williamsburg West street to Navy Street. Other artists involved in the Barrier Beautification project include Julia Whitney (West 155th Street and Edgecombe Avenue, Manhattan), Taliah Lempert (Flushing Avenue, Williamsburg), and Corrine Ulman (97th Street and Centreville Street, Queens).

This is not the first public art work that Eugenie has created for DOT—she also produced fused glass windows representing the daily lives of New Yorkers for the Canarsie line’s New Lots station. She’s one of many artists taking advantage of public funding to help invigorate the streets of New York.

I love the way Eugenie’s illustrations of interlocking gears connect to the larger concept of transportation, particularly as Manhattan and the outer boroughs struggle to balance pedestrian, public transportation, bike, and vehicle traffic congestion. Although many car owners argue that the barricaded bike lanes take up precious driving and parking space, bikers love the safety the lanes provide.

It’s an especially well-timed message, since the warmer weather draws bikers (like me) out in droves. Maybe the bright illustration will help remind us all to be more sympathetic and aware of bikers, walkers, and cars as we speed towards our destinations.

It’s a perfect example of the way street art has the opportunity to speak to and draw attention to community issues in a way few other artistic mediums can.

Check out more of Eugenie’s work here: www.eugeniestudio.com/

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NEW YORK – Recently, I took advantage of the mild weather to check out the walls of the former Donnell Library, temporarily home to the Pantheon: A history of art from the streets of New York City. I was lucky enough to run into co-curators Daniel Feral and Joyce Manalo, who talked me through the pieces on display. Pantheon is part of Chashama’s Windows program, an effort to make unused public spaces available to hundreds of artists. It’s located just across from the MOMA, at 20 West 53rd Street.

“We organized the pieces to show an evolution of street art,” said Joyce Manalo, one of the co-curators. “It was very organic the way it came together—one artist suggesting another, then another.”

She gave me a little history on all the thirty-three artists adorning the walls of the Donnell, from old-school graffiti-pioneer LSD’s bright canvas to sculpture-artist Vudu’s bicycle-part tower to public artist Richard Hambleton’s splashy silhouette. The side-by-side pieces really demonstrate how dramatically street art has evolved from spray-paint tagging to thought-provoking pieces that speak to social and political issues. The exhibition catalog contained pictures of the works accompanied by essays by the artists explaining their work and process.

In addition to the exemplarity artwork, check Daniel Feral’s amazing and incredibly comprehensive Graffiti and Street Art diagram, inspired by Alfred H. Barr’s Cubism and Abstract Art diagram housed across the street at the MOMA. Check out pantheonnyc.com for more information.

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LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. – As someone who regularly rides the “7” train, I’ve always enjoyed the last colorful vision of the graffiti-art Mecca known as 5Pointz before ducking into the subway tunnel toward Manhattan. Sadly, it’s unlikely I’ll be able to appreciate the sight for much longer, as Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the building decorated with some of the best-quality street art in New York, has announced that he intends to raze it in favor of a high-rise apartment building.

Sure, the proposed development—13,000 rental units and a mix of amenities including shops and a swimming pool for residents—might help revitalize Long Island City, but the area will also lose a cultural landmark.

5Pointz was founded by prominent New York graffiti writer Jonathan Cohen, better known by his tag “Meres One.” He developed the five-story industrial complex into a safe spot where writers could create aerosol paintings without fearing police interference—it is the only legalized site of aerosol art in any of New York City’s five boroughs.

“There’s no excuse for the writers not to do their best work,” said FivePointz volunteer Marie Cecile Falgeul, commenting on the unique freedom afforded those who contribute art to 5Pointz. Working on safe walls, influenced by both experienced and novice writers, artists can plan their pieces and execute them thoughtfully. The results—the decadent, detailed and elaborate murals, tags, and posters on display at 5Pointz—have helped elevate urban street art from its illegal origins to a respected form of expression.

The walls at 5Pointz boast pieces from some of the biggest names on the graffiti scene including Cope2, Tats Cru, and Stay High 149. Writers travel from all over the world to decorate 5Pointz and to mingle with the graffiti community. Cohen provides them with space and supplies, and dedicates the most prestigious and visible walls to those most highly regarded.

While the news of the imminent razing of 5Pointz came as an unpleasant surprise to the staff that curates the outdoor art center, they are nothing but appreciative of the eight years that Jerry Wolkoff has allowed them to turn the 200,000-square-foot factory into a gallery of high-quality graffiti.

“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support we’ve received. We’re just going to live in the present and have no intention of creating conflict with Mr. Wolkoff,” said Flageul.

The 5Pointz group has decided to continue as usual with the next season, until they receive notice to stop. If Wolkoff follows through with his plan to demolish the block-long complex, the unique graffiti will survive only in photographs.

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