NEW YORK – East First Street between First Avenue and Essex has been plagued by construction for most of 2014, which makes the Centre-Fuge Public Art Project even more of a welcome blast of color. The colorful MTA trailer gives artists much needed legal space and neighborhood residents a welcome blast of color to drown out the reality of plywood and orange cones.

It was Mr. Prvrt’s gray and black raccoon on the North Side of the trailer that hooked me. Putting aside the 14-year-old boy inside me that giggled at the idea of an artist named Mr. Prvrt painting a beaver, this creature was undeniably adorable, with its little paws clasped together and longing blue eyes. I wanted to give it a cookie.

The panel next door by Marthalicia Mattarita features the face of a baby with what is either purple octopus arms growing out of its head, or just a hat I need to buy immediately.

Speaking of hair related inspiration, there’s a piece by Australian artist Vexta, a woman standing against a gray background, whose hair, messy and brushed to the side, dissolves from the roots into a group of birds. It made me want to ask for her hairdresser’s number, because mine never does that when it’s messy.

Centre-Fuge will be on East First Street between First Avenue and Essex Street through 2015.

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