Has anyone checked out the McGorlick Park Flickr pool? We have some talented urban wildlife photographers in these parts, some who expertly photograph our favorite rodents: the squirrel. I just HAD to share these. Plus, I’ve included a baby squirrel video that if you don’t watch you are missing out on seeing the cutest things that God ever invented.
GOOD NEWS! We have acquired the domain Greenpointers.com. When Justine started off, she named everything Greenpointers (Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Etc) but when the site Greenpointers.com became available (it was originally a website for green LED pointers) the owner gave her an exorbitant price. RUDE! After a major game of hardball, we have the domain!
Both thegreenpointers.com & greenpointers.com will point towards the website so the transition should be seamless, but we need a logo and a site overhaul. I can already hear the grumbles. I hate change like everybody else, but the site will run more efficiently and will offer a better viewing and reading experience; simple and clean. Consider this your warning!
I took a stab at a simple logo, based off a rubber stamp. I literally made a stamp, then scanned it. Thoughts?
It’s with much excitement that Greenpointers announces the marriage of Jen and Peter. They got married near a “secluded beach” in an outer borough (not Brooklyn) inside a box truck along with hundreds of other “couples.” Each of them married their favorite person in the whole world: themselves.
All of this was part of a night of roving art installations set up inside box trucks for a few magical hours. The location of this box truck interactive performance block party is texted to guests the day of the event, changes each year, and we are not at liberty to divulge the location. Half the fun is finding it, and only builds once you arrive.
Doubts built once I left Greenpoint and searched for the trucks, all the while thinking, “Geez, we better find it. I told so many people to come and what if it’s not here?”
We found it. The first truck was blacklit and guests were given glow in the dark markers to create group artwork on the walls.
My friend Jon had this to say about the next one: “The idea of being blindfolded and groped by a bunch of strangers isn’t really interesting to me,” so we skipped that truck, from which we could hear the screams of joy (perhaps) from the guests inside the bouncing vehicle. Later another friend got on that long line and started peeling off things that might interfere: “Take my bag and my glasses…and my pants?”
Then we walked down to the end and entered a truck that seated about 20 eager guests who were attentively watching hardcore porn while a comedian in doctor’s garb made hilarious commentary. I spotted Greenpointers writer Peter in the front row, laughing hysterically with a few friends. He was having his viewing tastes carefully examined by Dr. Porno Jim, obviously NSFW, and had this to say of the experience: “Dr. Jim saw immediately that my love of [CENSORED] and hopping [REDACTED] blue-black vinyl [FOR THE CHILDREN'S SAKE, NO] was indeed a more common taste than I thought, and prescribed some excellent material for it.” As a stunning display of vegetables began to take a starring role, we moved on.
For our own entertainment we timed how long Peter stayed in there: 14 minutes. What a champ! [Peter's note: Anything for my readers.]
After the porn truck experience, it was apt to enter the confessional truck, in which you tell your worst sin to a priest (and whomever else is listening) in exchange for a donut and possibly urine-laced coffee. The prize varies according to the severity of your sin, but you don’t know if bigger is necessarily better. I got a mini donut; make of that what you will.
The Fishing Truck, where we threw an object attached to a clothespin on a rope over a curtain then received a present in return was fun as was the Saloon truck, where we got wooden bar tokens and drank diet coca cola while shooting (with a real pellet gun) ducks (that are plastic) while being cheered on by wild-west Ladies of the Night.
We spent the end of the evening in the marriage truck. It was quite enlightening to look at yourself in a mirror and vow all sorts of things. I vowed to allow pictures of myself that aren’t attractive to be seen in public. Which may happen in a book published by the “the encouraging priestess.” The joke was that after one marries one’s self, it’s back to Dr. Jim for the honeymoon.
I would tell you about the next one, but as a fellow blogger told me, “it’s against the rules,” plus I don’t know where it is until the day of…
You know I’m an espresso girl, but when the leaves start to change colors and I’m bundled in a scarf, it’s time for tea. Seek and ye shall find. Great friend Miguel is visiting from Japan and the best part of his stays are our cozy morning tea ceremonies. I needed to get me some Earl Grey stat. But good Earl Grey. While getting a sneak preview of local artist Paul Duncan’s solo show at Allan Nederpelt Gallery, gallerist Beverly tipped me off to Bellocq. Its one of those places that you repeat: “Where?” Kent St and West.
Only open on Fridays and Saturdays Bellocq, “an artisan tea company and purveyor of evocative blends” is on the corner tucked into an industrial building on West. A plain white paper sign hangs on the door, but walk inside and enter another world, a calm candlelit respite where you can go on a spicy journey with your senses.
The name Bellocq interestingly comes from the New Orleans photographer of the same name, who created stunning portraits of prostitutes and “found beauty in places where others did not,” as Michael, one of three owners of Bellocq explains. After walking along the littered potholed streets of the industrial waterfront, I certainly found beauty in Bellocq.
Giant yellow tins line the walls with curious names like Little Dickens and Kikuya. You can stick your whole head in and take a whiff of some of the most brain stimulating aromas while learning about the hidden wonders inside.
Most tea blends are made with a cheap black tea base and flavored with artificial additives, the bergamot in Earl Grey being a big offender, Michael explained, but not at Bellocq. They master their craft with the best rule in the book, “quality over quantity” and the Earl Grey I took home was superb and smooth, made with “the finest quality organic full leaf ceylon black tea scented with natural Sicilian bergamot,” plus the most stunningly hued blue cornflowers were a feast for the eyes. Go figure, I travel all the way across McGuinness (practically the other side of the world) to find me some tea and it has some Sicilian in it!
Stay tuned: Bellocq will host weekly events to include music, food, lectures, workshops and art installations.
Bellocq
104 West St
Fridays & Saturdays (noon-7pm)
The Greenpoint Soup Kitchen Supper Club will be hosting its final fundraiser of the year this Friday, October 21, 2011 at the Greenpoint Reformed Church (106 Milton). The event will open with cocktails with music by Brooklyn musicians Holler, from 6:30-8:00; followed by a four-course vegetarian meal.
Suggested donation is $20. Proceeds from the meal and the bar go towards purchasing fresh produce for the Soup Kitchen’s weekly meals during the winter months, when donations from CSAs no longer come. The Facebook page says, “consider this our ‘un’can’ drive.”
RSVP to annefay (at) gmail.com to reserve your spot and remember ”As always the meal is TBD, but how could it not include squash, leafy greens, apples and pears?”
As the weather inevitably changes, Anna shows us how to deal with the elements.
L: What do you do for work? A: I’m a manager. I’m relatively new to NY.
L: Do you live in greenpoint ? For how long? A: Now I live in Greenpoint 2 months. I like this place.
L: What’s your favorite thing about greenpoint?
A: I’m inspired by everyday things usually…people on the street, scents, photographs, etc. Like seeing the beauty in the mundane.I am a big fan of modern art and I am a fan of old things. I like flea markets.
L: Where are you from? A: I am basically from Italy. I should take a test (TOEFL). As I would like to enter the school of visual arts.I like this place.
L: What’s your favorite piece to wear nowadays? A: Lancel is my fave bag brand.I like serafini sneakers, gravati moccasins. I like Patrizia Pepe, Harris Tweed.
L: What are you wearing today? A: Today I have a jacket from The British Millerain Co.I hope you understood my English.
• Collaborative Means@ Flux Factory (39-31 29th St, LIC) 7pm, FREE, A series of artists working collaboratively and collectively, relying on cooperative strategies for the realization of ambitious projects. Talks, screenings, and live performances. More info
• Smiths Karaoke@ Black Rabbit (91 Greenpoint) 8pm, 2 mics & some Cure songs available, too.
THURSDAY 10/20
• Public Hearing: Open Space Alliance@ Swinging Sixties Senior Center (211 Ainslie) 6:30-8pm, discuss relocation East River State Park Concerts
• Pretty Things Babayaga Launch Party @ Brouwerij Lane (78 Greenpoint) 7-10pm, Jim Garnes spins you favorite soviet hits
FRIDAY 10/21
• The L Mag & Northside Festival’s A Very Unofficial CMJ Party @ Cameo Gallery (93 N 6th St) 1:30pm-4:30pm, FREE, performances by Hunters, PUJOL, Widowspeak, Forest Fire & Heavenly Eat
• Supper Club @ Greenpoint Reformed Church (106 Milton) 6:30pm, $20, 4 Course Vegetarian Meal with Cocktails, plus performance by Holler, Benefits Soup Kitchen, RVSP annefay (at) gmail.com. More info
• Open Call Show @ Greenpoint Gallery (390 McGuinness) 8pm, Open Call for Artists in all Mediums, win $200 & solo exhibition, More info
• Ugly Art Room Presents All That Remains @ Picture Farm (338 Wythe) Opening Reception 7-9pm, An International Collage Exhibition of Epic Proportions, Sponsored by Narragansett beer, Music by DJ Ning Nong RSVP
SATURDAY 10/22
• BK Diggers 150th Anniversary Celebration @ McGolrick Park, 1-4pm, a collective of activists, artists and historians whose aim is to reclaim the psycho geography of our neighborhoods and expose ignored perspectives in history
• Vibes to Touch Open Mic & Art Show @ TBD (224 Franklin) 9pm, FREE, Performance by Aisling Peartree, Artwork by Rico Tomas, Poetry By: Fiya, Ada Reyes, Bert Tejeda, D.Limones, Jendog LoneWolf RSVP
SUNDAY 10/23
• 48 HRS @ Camel Art Space (722 Metropolitan) 12pm-12am, artists meet for a marathon art-making session, sleep over in the space and exhibit their work the next day. The entire event will take place over a 48-Hrs, RSVP
• Newtown Creek Boat Tours @ Pier 17 South Street Seaport, 10-12/1-3, $10. Charter tours the length of the Newtown Creek. Buy Tickets
• Brokelyn.com’s Brokedown Throwdown @ Public Assembly (70 N6) 3-7pm, $5, Sixpoint Open Bar 3-4pm, “Yo Momma So Broke” Contest, Costume Contest, Mushroom Ride
• Carve for Farms Benefit @ Warsaw (261 Driggs) 4-8pm, $10 Kids/$12 Adults, a Greenpoint-Williamsburg CSA pumkin carving and food fest benefit for farms devastated by Hurricane Irene. Pumpkin Pierogis!
• The Mac Off @ Huckleberry Bar (588 Grand) 5-8pm, $10 to judge & eat, Free to compete: email info (at) theclaque.org, proceeds benefit The ClaqueRSVP
• County Fair Opening Party @ Orange Marmalade (421 Graham) 6-9pm, Vintage Men’s & Women’s, Kitchenware, Oddities, Whisky! More info
TUESDAY 10/25
• Momofuku Milk Bar Book Event with Christina Tosi @ The Brooklyn Kitchen (100 Frost) Christina will show you some of her sweet and savory recipes and you can get a signed copy of the book at a discount, RSVP
• EPA Newtown Creek Superfund Public Meetings @ St. Nick’s Alliance (2 Kingsland, Garden Level) 20m, 4pm, 7pm, 9pm, An informal public info session hosted by the EPA to discuss upcoming field work at the Newtown Creek Superfund site as part of the first phase of the remedial investigation. EPA representatives will be available to answer questions.
• Johnny Marnel, Torn Curtain, Bridges and Powerlines, Dear Lions @ Pete’s Candy Store
• Skull, Occultation, RASPBERRY BULBS, Villains @ St. Vitus
WEDNESDAY 10/19
• Pressed And, Noah Wall, Megafortress & Gem Club @ The End, More Info
• Avi Wisnia, BEL AIR @ Pete’s Candy Store
• Dead Stars, Nordic Nomadic, THE MAIN STREET GOSPEL, WEIRD OWL @ St. Vitus
• CHELSEA WOLF, Religious To Damn, Hunters, The Love Butchers @ Europa
THURSDAY 10/20
• Gun Lake, ABADABAD, RADIATION CITY, SUCKERS @ Pete’s Candy Store
Friday 10/21
• Battle Cross, TURBID NORTH, Barn Burner, Skeleton Witch, KVELERTAK @ Europa
• Robin Bacior, SEA OF BEES, GABRIEL & THE HOUNDS, Patrick Bower, David Liebe Hart Band, Bird Call, Chris Riffle @ Pete’s Candy Store
Saturday 10/22
• AGENTS OF WOE Record Release @ Veronica People’s Club (105 Franklin)
• Adam Arcuragi, Aficionado, TS And The Past Haunts, Alyson Greenfield, Stephanie Carlin, Seryn, Dog Soldier, Wojcik @ Matchless
• Tamar Haviv, Corner Youngblood, Ceramic @ Pete’s Candy Store
The way images move through a photo studio, it makes sense to put a collage show in one in order to symbolically organize all the flashing fragments. Picture Farm, one such studio, will be housing All That Remains, a group exhibit presented by the local, yet nomadic project called Ugly Art Room.
Before the dreamlike and poetic mosaics land on the studio walls, they’ve collected in the Greenpoint apartment of the show’s curator, and one of 28 participating artists, Charles Wilkin. The stored works seem to mesh naturally with Wilkin’s own workspace and personal collection.
“My discovery of collage was accidental” the artist told Greenpointers. “Running late to a drawing class with an armful of photos from the previous class – but without pencil, paper, or drawing materials – my teacher suggested that I just do collages.” Wilkins is also a graphic designer and that history honed his understanding of the medium. “It’s all scraps that came from the graphic arts, reassembled by artists. And that’s where the turning point came for me. A career commercial artist, good at it but almost bored with design, I took the collages I was doing at home and was able to apply them in a design setting.”
Artwork by Charles Wilkin
It’s just that blurring space between “fine” art and illustration that this collection makes work. “David Plunkert was the first artist I saw that was doing that similar style that was illustrative without being illustration”. Wilkin’s casual and informed manner echoes All That Remains’ mix of canny and imaginative creativity. “Design, illustration, typography, to me its all art. It’s all composition. One thing that collage did do was free me from the constant problem solving of making a logo.”
Curator Charles Wilkin
Talking to Wilkin in his home and around his own collection and studio space, it’s easy to see why he sticks with the physicality of the LIFE magazines and discarded photo albums he’s gathered over the years. Only a few pieces in the show are digitally produced and he reminds himself that the work is reused print. “I love the tactility of paper and the physical act of cutting, gluing, and arranging paper. On the other hand digital collage frees the image from the size restraint of the found object. It can be bigger.”
“With the norm of sound bites and the world shrinking and cultures clashing together this show becomes more relevant. I wanted to show what’s going on now but the work I found was never overtly political.” Looking at the work only bolsters Wilkin’s excitement for what he has unearthed. He’s done a good job at collecting the collected.
“I think this kind of work has always been on the fringe, so now is a good time for the show. When you look at the work here, even though there are different styles, there is an underlying theme of mystery and uncertainty that’s very relevant to what’s going on now. It pulls from the past to analyze the present so that hopefully we can move to the future. That’s the beauty of collage.”
UGLY ART ROOM PRESENTS: ALL THAT REMAINS
October 21st – November 19th, 2011
Ugly Art Room (via Picture Farm)
338 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Opening Reception: 7-9pm, Friday, October 21st, 2011
Mathilde Aubier, Paul Burgess, Cless, Virginia Echeverria, Fred Free, John Gall, James Gallagher, April Gertler, Ashkan Honarvar, Colin Jenkins, Gordon Magnin, Clarita Mata, Jeffery Meyer, Tom Moglu, Randy Mora, Julien Pacaud, Lilly Pereira, Dave Plunkert, Ciara Phelan, Eduardo Recife, Kareen Rizk, Javier Rodriguez, Valerie Roybal, Katherine Streeter, Leigh Wells, Charles Wilkin, Lionel Williams, Bill Zindel
If you’ve met me, you know I am as tall as a super model (among the little people population) so all my jeans need a hemming. I went to Loren, over on Nassau & Manhattan and while perfectly fitting me, I got to chatting with Loren Cronk, the owner. I’ d heard through the grapevine he had worked for Ralph Lauren, my current employer, but that is not where his long journey that ended him up here in Greenpoint began.
Aside from employment over the years by Levi’s, Polo, Rocawear, Ecko Unltd (my last employer) & Lip Jeans, he launched his own start-ups: Bilt, Beta Project & Civic Movement. With a resume like this, Loren doesn’t consider himself a “fashion designer,” but we can at least call him a denim designer, since he designs his own Soldier & Brave line, which he sells along with a few other brands as well as vintage and custom denim in the store.
Specializing in denim has been successful for Loren’s Greenpoint shop rather than designing full clothing lines. Aside from the financial benefits of a business tailored to creating one kind of product, he is able to work on his own terms. To focus so closely on materials, fits and washes and because his customers buy directly from him, he gets real time feedback, not from a fit model (with perfect proportions), but from real people who wear his jeans.
Aside from selling denim, Loren specializes in custom jeans, for customers he calls “denim heads,” as well as denim repair, which is why I was visiting the shop.
A new product are these awesome denims bags he creates in the store with 19oz “hard to find” Japanese salvage denim in 4 different styles and sizes and the straps are made from old leather belts. With computer compartments, they are perfectly sturdy for toting around your laptop. Most wearable denim is made in the 14oz variety.
He carries local designers as well. The baristas over at 5 Leaves, Carlos and Alston, hand paint onto vintage denim vests; the themes are based on made-up games.
And when Loren isn’t busy working in the shop and hanging around the neighborhood with his family (he lives 3 blocks away), he is out searching for killer vintage finds, like this rad eagle vest or this bad ass autographed Rod Stewart jacket he proudly showcases in the store window.
WEDNESDAY 10/19
CMJ.com
