Luna’s 2012 Personal Faves

Now that it’s thankfully almost over, I’ll admit that for largely personal reasons, 2012 was not a banner year. I would have liked to travel and photograph more, but that simply wasn’t in the cards. I’ve selected 30 of my favorite photographs from 2012, which includes both sanctioned and unsanctioned work I shot in New York, Toronto and Boston. These choices highlight outstanding work that resonated with me throughout the year.

This slideshow was made possible by the likes of Steve Powers, Elik, Irgh, OverUnder, Gen2, Oze108, Muk123, Sp One, Skid, Sev, Vyels, Won, Secr, JR, Evoke, Lexr, Ewok 5MH, Rubin, Paeday, Reverend, Olek, Revs, Swoon, Swampy, Rime, Wane, Stay, Roa, Kuma, Elbow-Toe, Smells, Cash4, JA, Flying Fortress, Nychos, Chris RWK, Veng RWK, Score, Most, Barry McGee, Celso, Skewville, Judith Supine, Read More Books, Cost, Keely, How & Nosm, Os Gemeos, Noxer and many more. Thank you for continuing to inspire.

“Many Hands” Silent Art Auction for Staten Island Hurricane Sandy Relief

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Staten Island is close to the heart of many in the extended Robots Will Kill family. Kev/RWK has organized the “Many Hands” Silent Art Auction for Staten Island Hurricane Sandy Relief with the generous support of artists such as Chris RWK, Veng RWK, Mike Die, Joe Iurato, Intro TDP, Evoker, Demer and many more. Come show your support this coming Friday at 5050 Skatepark. All benefit proceeds will be donated to the Carl V. Bini Foundation, a charitable organization that has been very active in Staten Island Sandy relief.

Friday, December 21, 2012
7:00-10:00pm
5050 Skatepark
354 Front Street
Staten Island, NY 10304
1 347 857 6007
10 minute ride on S51/S74 bus from Staten Island Ferry.

M-City Returns to Welling Court

M-City in progress (photo by Luna Park)

Three years after he first painted at Welling Court, Polish stencil artist M-City returned to the quiet Queens neighborhood yesterday to paint another one of his signature, large-scale murals. Tirelessly working against the clock in a race against the setting winter sun, M-City signed off on his stenciled carousel at dusk, having taken roughly five hours to complete. Up next he paints a massive wall in the South Bronx – when it’s done, I promise you won’t be able to miss it.

M-City in progress (photo by Luna Park)

M-City in progress (photo by Luna Park)

M-City in progress (photo by Luna Park)

M-City signing his piece (photo by Luna Park)

M-City carousel (photo by Luna Park)

How & Nosm at Houston & Bowery

How & Nosm detail (photo by Luna Park)

After Os Gemeos in 2009, How & Nosm are the second set of twins to paint the Houston/Bowery wall. This is but the latest mural for the increasingly sought-after duo, having just completed back-to-back mural installations in Stavanger (Norway) and Prague (Czech Republic). The wall references Superstorm Sandy and is dedicated to the memory of developer and street art supporter extraordinaire, Tony Goldman, who recently passed.

How & Nosm (photo by Luna Park)

How & Nosm (photo by Luna Park)

How & Nosm (photo by Luna Park)

How & Nosm (photo by Luna Park)

How & Nosm (photo by Luna Park)

A previous iteration of the wall was painted by Lady Aiko earlier this year. Click here for a round-up of the last 5 years on the wall.

OYE, Read!

Read *Open*Your*Eyes (photo by Luna Park)

I can’t think of a better way to start my week than coming across a brand new roller by one of my favorite artists! Open your eyes and read motherfucking books all day!

Read (photo by Luna Park)

Read (photo by Luna Park)

Read (photo by Luna Park)

Barry McGee in Downtown Brooklyn

Barry McGee (photo by Luna Park)

Downtown Brooklyn is one mural richer with this piece created by Barry McGee, commissioned by Vanity Fair, sponsored by Cadillac, and painted on a 96′ x 97′ wall on the side of Mark Morris Dance by Colossal.

Barry McGee (photo by Luna Park)

Barry McGee (photo by Luna Park)

Barry McGee (photo by Luna Park)

Barry McGee (photo by Luna Park)

Barry McGee (photo by Luna Park)

Barry McGee (photo by Luna Park)

Fall Wheatpastes in Brooklyn

Swoon detail (photo by Luna Park)

The last month has seen lots of new activity by old favorites. New wheatpastes have gone up in Brooklyn: Swoon and Over Under in Red Hook, ECB in Bushwick and Judith Supine in Williamsburg.

Swoon (photo by Luna Park)

OverUnder (photo by Luna Park)

OverUnder (photo by Luna Park)

ECB (photo by Luna Park)

Judith Supine detail (photo by Luna Park)

Judith Supine (photo by Luna Park)

Judith Supine (photo by Luna Park)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” Unveiled in Park Slope

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Since completing a successful Kickstarter campaign back in early March, public artist Leon Reid IV has been hard at work fabricating the miniature lending library and public art installation known as “The Hundred Story House“. Inspired by a similar community book sharing installation producer Julia Marchesi witnessed in Berlin and modeled after the brownstone homes which line the streets of Park Slope, Leon’s latest installation was unveiled in the neighborhood’s JJ Byrne Park in front of The Old Stone House this past weekend.

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (Photo by Luna Park, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” opens in JJ Byrne Park (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Brooklynites of all ages enjoyed interacting with the house, opening the windows to deposit their own books on the shelves inside and exchanging them for new ones. Books ran the full gamut of reading levels and genres, with everything from Captain Underpants (a book popular for obvious reasons) to Fight Club and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

A father helps his son to some books (Photo by Luna Park, © Leon Reid IV)

Who can resist a free book? (Photo by Luna Park, © Leon Reid IV)

Local children show off their favorite books (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

It’s family time at Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Quality reading time in the park (Photo by Luna Park, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV lends a helping hand at his opening for “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV and filmmaker Julia Marchesi, his producer for “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV, Public Artist and Published Author (Photo by Luna Park © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (Photo by Luna Park, © Leon Reid IV)

Judy Blume has still got it! Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (Photo by Luna Park, © Leon Reid IV)

Even babies love “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

“The Hundred Story House” will be on display through the end of October, so take this opportunity to indulge your love of reading while watching adorable and excited children who are just discovering theirs!

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Leon Reid IV’s “The Hundred Story House” (Photo by Luna Park, © Leon Reid IV)

A miniature Mr. and Mrs. Reid oversee “The Hundred Story House” (photo by Becki Fuller, © Leon Reid IV)

Noh J Coley – In the Midst of Living

Noh J Coley In the Midst of Living

Having closely followed Noh J Coley‘s development as an artist over the last few years, I couldn’t be happier that his first solo show opens this Friday at Weldon Arts. I don’t want to give away too much and spoil the surprise, but I will say this: Noh J does not disappoint, delivering a room full of exquisite, framed drawings alongside several large sculptural installations. Do not miss!

Noh J Coley In the Midst of Living

Noh J Coley In the Midst of Living

In the Midst of Living from Christian Carroll on Vimeo.

NohJColey – In the Midst of Living
Opening: Friday, September 7th, 6pm—9pm
Weldon Arts
181R Irving Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237

Brooklyn Shelf Life finds a home outside of BAM

Showpaper presents Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

In celebration of its 150th Anniversary, the Brooklyn Academy of Music commissioned Showpaper to build a five sculpture installation called Brooklyn Shelf Life.  Each sculpture has been built not only to stand alone as a piece of art work, but they are also used as a way of independently distributing Showpaper’s free bi-weekly, print only publication about the DIY music and arts scene in the NYC/tri-state area.  Much like his past projects for Showpaper, curator Andrew H. Shirley brought together pairs of street & graffiti artists to upend and reinterpert the ubiquitous NYC paper box.  So far three of the sculptures, the collaborations by Swoon & Ryan Doyle, Leon Reid IV & Noah Sparkes, and Cassius Fouler & Faust, have been installed outside of BAM (right around the corner from the new bike racks designed by the eternally inspiring David Byrne).  The pieces by Gaia & Adam VOID and UFO 907 & W. Thomas Porter have not yet found a home, but hopefully we will see them on the street or in a public space in the very near future.  The UFO 907 & W. Thomas Porter collaboration, in particular, is way too epic to be kept under wraps…but until then, here are some pictures and an interview with the guys over at Brooklyn Street Art.

Showpaper boxes by Swoon & Ryan Doyle, Leon Reid IV & Noah Sparkes, and Cassius Fouler & Faust find their home outside of BAM

Leon Reid IV & Noah Sparkes for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Leon Reid IV & Noah Sparkes – Stylin n’ Profilin’

Leon Reid IV & Noah Sparkes for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

RIP Surer – Faust & Cassius Fouler for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Faust & Cassius Fouler’s collaboration for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Faust & Cassius Fouler collaborate for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Faust & Cassius Fouler collaborate for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Swoon & Ryan Doyle’s collaboration for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Swoon and Ryan Doyle’s collaboration for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Detail shot of Swoon & Ryan Doyle’s collaboration for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Detail shot of Swoon & Ryan Doyle’s collaboration for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Swoon & Ryan Doyle’s collaboration for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Swoon and Ryan Doyle’s collaboration for Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Showpaper presents Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM

Showpaper presents Brooklyn Shelf Life at BAM