In the summer of 2011, a large mural of Bradley Manning appeared near McCarren Park. Straddled between Williamsburg and Greenpoint, the image had “Hero” written above the smiling face of the world’s most famous whistleblower, who had supposedly leaked hundreds of thousands of secret U.S. documents to Julian Assange and Wikileaks.
I tracked down the artist of the mural, known as Bamn, who agreed to an email interview.
GP: When did you paint the mural? How long did it take?
BAMN: I did this mural early June 2011 with a paint roller. It didn’t take more than thirty minutes. I had to work fast because I didn’t really have permission.
GP: Why did you choose that particular spot for the mural?
BAMN: There was a suggestion from a friend who works nearby that something should go on the wall. I didn’t ask for permission, but I figured that if I was questioned my friend could back-up my “story”. What amazes me is that the owners haven’t removed it.
GP: The mural is shocking, given that Manning is the most public figure in a long time to possibly be tried for treason. I was very surprised the first time I saw it. Was this your intention?
BAMN: What’s shocking to me is that whistle-blowing is considered treason. I support Manning and Wikileaks wholeheartedly, but the mural was painted for the public. My only intention is to spark dialogue.
GP: What has been the reaction to the mural? How long until “Traitor” was written over it? I found this guy on the web who was not a fan.
BAMN: Reactions to the mural have been overwhelmingly positive. Every time I pass that wall I see people posing and taking pictures.
It took about a month for someone to build up the courage to write “traitor” across the mural. Then, according to my friend who works nearby, within an hour some random guy* put black tape over the word “traitor.” Then the next day my friend fixed the mural with paint. I expected dialogue, but never did I imagine it to be so immediate and literal.
As for that blogger, I don’t pay attention to people who can’t formulate an intelligent argument.
It’s the last days of Spring? Oh well, whatever it is, it’s nice and we won’t be seeing many flowers for a while. Here are some gorgeous snaps from MarcusofBrooklyn from Greenpointers Flickr pool.
On a dark Tuesday night, I walked down Kent and pushed through a doorway obscured with old burlap sacks to reveal a room full of energetic sailors, paddlers, and waterfolk. Over a round of Dark n’ Stormies – a requisite nautical drink of Gosling’s rum, lime, and ginger beer – introductions were made, and it was hard not to feel a lively mood in the attendees at this meeting of the North Brooklyn Boat Club (NBBC).
They had a right to be upbeat – several million dollars have recently been green-lighted for the refurbishment of a bulkhead and 8,000-square-foot boathouse in northern Greenpoint, at the mouth of the Newtown Creek, and the NBBC is heading up the efforts to design the space and programming.
The group is well picked for the task. In attendance was a healthy array of experienced seagoers, including kayak guides, sailors of both the river and the bounding main, and a boat builder. All are excited to be presented with a space to share their love of the water with the community, and anyone living in Greenpoint with a hand to lend to the space should definitely keep an eye on their website and attend the next meeting, the details of which are below. Discussed at the meeting:
-Safety is a major concern for all involved. While these folks are no stranger to a good time, they take their roles as teachers and stewards of the waterfront very seriously, and discussions of the exact certifications to acquire are becoming more important as the hope is to have hulls in the water this coming spring.
-Water quality issues are, of course, a concern. However, the point was raised that the water quality at the mouth of the creek is similar to that of the East River as a whole, and those who decide to ply the inland waters can be educated and suitably protected from associated risks. The question of water aeration (conducted on the Newtown Creek to increase dissolved oxygen, necessary for many types of marine life) possibly causing pollutants to become airborne was raised; however, at this time, there’s no scientific evidence supporting or disproving this concern.
-Other boathouses in NYC that can be used as models.
-The importance of including all members of the community who want to use the waterfront, including fisherwomen/fishermen
-If you’re a landlubber built like a T-rex – tiny arms and giant legs – play bike polo. If, however, you’re built like Popeye and similarly unsinkable, consider kayak polo:
I’m very excited by the prospect of a Greenpoint boat house and plan on lending my hand to the efforts to get this going. If you’re interested in becoming involved, come to the next meeting of the NBBC, to be held at:
• Williamsburg Independent Film Festival (11/17-11/20) begins tonight. Screenings schedule
• Greenpoint Slideshow Photographers #1 @ Black Rabbit (91 Greenpoint) 8pm, a projected slideshow of Greenpoint photography by Kramer O’Neill
• The Yard Launch Party (The Yard) 6:30-9:30pm, Williamsburg/Greenpoint’s new Space to Work opens its doors to the neighborhood with drinks, food, DJ, and more! Featuring the unveiling of our custom mural by artist Marcelo Zissu, RSVP
• Anxieteam @ Tommy’s Tavern (1041 Manhattan) 9pm-12am, FREE, Anxieteam perform dressed as spray cans! Plus music by Jeff Kessel, The Oblique Mystique, and White Whine, RSVP
David Brody @ Pierogi
THURSDAY 11/17
• Civic Pride: New Jersey @ Word (126 Franklin) 7pm, Get your Jersey on with Vol.1′s Civic Pride! The series, focusing on writers with a connection to a particular city, state, or region, returns with an event focusing on the Garden State, More info
• Yummy Eats Happy Hour @ Daddy’s (435 Graham) 7pm, an assortment of tasty sliders with tailgating starting at 7pm for the Jets vs Broncos NFL game: crispy pork belly, beef short rib, cajun crab, veggie & bean plus drink specials, More info
• David Brody @ Pierogi (177 N. 9th) Opening Reception 7-9pm, An exhibition of recent paintings by David Brody. Brody takes his time to develop abstractions that verge on representation and hover between architecture, biology and geology
• Lynn Talbot @ Pierogi (177 N. 9th) Opening Reception 7-9pm, an exhibition of new paintings by Lynn Talbot. Through them she continues to propose a visual and metaphorical dialogue between realism and abstraction, between historical and contemporary painting; in them realistic, small-scale still life tableaux share the canvas with formal shapes and text.
• Old Time Musketry @ Pete’s Candy Store (709 Lorimer) 9pm, Old Time Musketry will not wield American Revolution-era weaponry, but bring music that draws on the exuberant spirit of early jazz, the poignant melodies and soulful grooves of rock and folk music
Lorene Taurerewa @ Yes Gallery
FRIDAY 11/18
• Watercolors and Other Things @ Yes Gallery (147 India) Opening 7-10pm, Artwork by Lorene Taurerewa, More info
• Idiots Delight @ Janet Kurnatowski (205 Norman) Opening 7-9pm, a group art show curated by Craig Olson
• Vinyl Release! The Middle Eight’s STRANGE LOOP live, on film @ Matchless (557 Manhattan) 8-11pm, Descend into madness with The Middle Eight for the most immersive, all-out rock show in Brooklyn, Performances also by: Friend of Mine, Abby Payne, Photon Dynamo & the Shiny Pieces, Ducky, RSVP
• Old Timey Camera Tour @ Veronica People’s Club (105 Franklin), 9am, FREE, Greenpointers sponosored community photography meet-up. We will load our old cameras with fresh film (if we can remember how) and tour the beautiful neighborhood. RSVP
• Trash & Treasure Sale @ Lutheran Church of the Messiah (129 Russell) 9:30am – 2pm, hop for clothing (all new), household goods, jewelry, books, holiday decorations, homemade holiday chocolates and so much more! There will be homemade cakes, bagels, hot dogs and coffee while you shop.
• Jasper Hills Farm & Cheese @ Eastern District (1053 Manhattan) 3-6pm, Free sampling of some of America’s greatest cheeses: the spicy Bayley Hazen Blue; the creamy, woodsy Harbison; the sharp, earthy Cabot Clothbound Cheddar; and more!
• A Night at the Opera – Scenes Program @ Greenpoint Church (136 Milton) 8pm, $25, OperaOggiNy presents “A Night at the Opera,” including scenes from some of opera’s most popular works
• Welcome Home Secret Project Robot @ Secret Project Robot (389 Melrose, Bushwick) 8-11pm, A group show featuring works by the Secret Project Robot Family in the new space, RSVP
SUNDAY 11/20
• Healthy Heart Healthy Bones @ El Puente Community Health & Environment Institute (289 Grand St) A Free Community Wellness Clinic to Inform and Screen Women About Heart Disease and Screen Children under age 18 for Bone Problems. Schedule an appt, call Edda Santiago (347)532- 2809
• Crappy Cinema Council @ Public Assembly (No.6th & Wythe) 7pm, FREE, “We are some dudes. We watch crappy movies and make fun of them,” Theme: TRAILERS theme, More info
• 13 Thames, 3rd Floor AvantElectroExpectroExtravaganza @ 13 Thames, 3rd Fl, 8-11:30, $5, a truly diverse feast of innovative music curated by Michael Durek
• Ska/Punk Night @ Matchless (557 Manhattan) 7:30pm, $10, DJ Grace of Spades, The Pandemics, The Hard Times, Across the Aisle, The Rudie Crew
COMING UP
Brooklyn Fork & Spoon Singles Supper 12/17 Reserve now
Old Timey Camera Tour is a FREE Greenpoint community photography meet-up. We will load our old cameras with fresh film (if we can remember how) and tour the beautiful neighborhood.
Join other photographers for some coffee at Veronica People’s Club (105 Franklin St) then a walk around the neighborhood taking pictures with your old timey camera!
I am sure we will stop for some grub and perhaps some afternoon cocktails…
We will scan them, upload them to Flickr photo pool and post them on the website!
If you need an old timey camera, let us know. We may be able to provide a few extras. Point and shoots, polaroids, holgas, all are welcome! Anything with film.
RSVP to meet at 9am. If you’re going to be late or bail, email greenpointers (at) gmail.com so we can head out by 9:30am.
We will be updating our twitter feed with locations using hash tag #oldtimeycamera so you can join in whenever you want during the day.
Last year’s Greenpointers Holiday Gift Guide was such a success we are bringing it back this year! From Black Friday 11/25 to Christmas Eve 12/24, sponsored posts from local shops will feature tips and gift ideas for Greenpoint shoppers. If you are a local business and want to participate in this fun holiday shopping event, email greenpointers (at) gmail.com. Spaces are limited.
Did you feel the mini-earthquake the other day? Don’t worry, it was just our beloved Greenpointers’ writer Joann Kim of UpDownAcross paying us a visit. After living diagonally across from Winthrop Park, she had the nerve to move to Lower East Side. But she is back and bought me dinner like a good friend.
I had been craving big Polish food and nearby the Northside Bakery, Division of Old Poland Foods LLC serves order-as-you-go hearty Polish meals. I discovered the exquisiteness of their glass display and all the home cooked goodness inside when I was desperate for chicken soup.
First, perfectly seasoned chicken broth to which they add noodles, fresh parsley and carrots. And then the pierogis happened.
We went big for $16:
Joann got a gigantic roasted chicken leg, pierogis, boiled beets. I got a gigantic cabbage stuffed with chopped pork and beef, roasted red potatoes, boiled beets and red cabbage slaw.
Dessert for 2 was a cheese stuffed crepe from Polish heaven.
I grabbed the beers from the Standard. The bakery doesn’t serve alcoholic beverages. We ate everything right out of the take-out containers on my kitchen counter, but you can sit and enjoy your meal cafeteria style with an elevated view of the happenings on Nassau Ave.
See more photos from Greenpointers Flickr pool contributor: Digital Front.
These interiors are incredible. I especially like the cake plate on top of the fridge and the twin bedding.
