Posted at March 12, 2010

Street Art – New York City

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Author: Kathryn Frengs (264 Articles)

Travelfusion's Social Media Officer, I manage all of our online marketing and presence on Twitter, Facebook, our blog and more. I love my job!

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I’m really excited to continue our series on street art today with a special look at New York City.  A place that was initially too overwhelming for me on my first visit, I have grown to love visiting the city that never sleeps over the years.  No trip to New York City is the same as there are so many things to see and do – it’s as though you’ll never have time to see it all!

New York City is also a really great place for street art.  From the typical to the wildly different, like the city’s inhabitants, the street art scene is varied, fun and offers a little something for everyone.

I absolutely love this shot of the massive “LOVE” sculpture on 55th Street.  The best part – check out the t-shirt the girl’s wearing.  What a great capture – double the love for New York!

i love new york

Photo credit: ForsterFoto

This is a great shot of one of my favourite types of street art – the chalk drawing.  There’s something really special about watching art in the process of being made, and the fleeting nature of these pieces.  The minute the rain (or street cleaner) comes along, they’re gone forever*, so it’s important to enjoy them while they are there to be appreciated.  The best part is that there will be new pieces quickly popping up where the old ones once were.

(*Photographer Ed Yourdon has commented that the Michael Jackson piece that he photographed [below] actually withstood winter rain and snowstorms and is still visible – that’s amazing!  Thanks Ed for the photo and for the insight!)

nyc chalk art

Photo credit: Ed Yourdon

I love the smugness of this little guy who was spotted in the East Village, along with his big heart!

nyc street art

Photo credit: SliceofNYC

Dr. Spock in drag?  Sure, why not?  This is a great reminder of the “anything goes” mentality of New York City where you can go to reinvent yourself and anything is possible!

spock street art

Photo credit: dandeluca

I’ve saved the best for last today.  Check out this interactive, mobile and “personal” installation by artist Agata Olek.  A Polish artist specialising in hand-crocheted pieces, Olek created quite a stir with her head-to-toe crocheted bodysuits made especially for the “Art in Odd Places” festival in 2009.   While the piece itself is certainly eye-catching, perhaps my favourite part of this photograph is the guy sitting next to it.  In a total “only in New York” type of moment, he sits there as though there’s nothing out of the ordinary whilst reading his Michael Jackson book.  The whole scene, including the subway map in the background, is just fantastic.

Thank You for Your Visit, Have a Nice Day (Wearable Sculpture) b

Photo credit: See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

I had to include another photo of one of Olek’s human pieces because the reactions of the passers by is just priceless.  I know I’d probably react the same way if I stumbled across this unusual and unique street art in New York!

Thank You for Your Visit, Have a Nice Day (Wearable Sculpture) b

Photo credit: See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

Head to New York City this summer to enjoy all the city has to offer and spot some of your own favourite street art while you’re at it!  Direct return flights from London to New York City start at only £361 this June.  Consider me there!

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  • New york is really one good place to visit if you want to see some amazing street arts. One of my favorites is the LOVE statue.
  • Ed Yourdon
    Actually, the street art by Hani (shown in the Michael Jackson photo, which I photographed) has lasted for several months, through quite a few showers, rainstorms, and snowstorms. Hani has also drawn a very elaborate chalk drawing of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Sotomayor, at Broadway and 97th Street -- which Justice Sotomayor herself came to see. It, too, has lasted for several months ... though I have to admit that it has faded a bit at this point.

    Ed Yourdon
  • Travelfusion
    Hi Ed,

    Thank you for your comment and for sharing your fantastic photo through Creative Commons. I really appreciate your insight as I had no idea that these gorgeous chalk drawings had that long of a "life" and that they could survive through such weather! I'll make a correction to the post accordingly.

    Thanks for writing!
    Kathryn
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