(Photo by Josh Derr)
A collaboration by a group called 303 Collectives (named for the studio number at 135 Plymouth Street in Dumbo) painted the Water Street wall (between Jay and Pearl Streets) over the Memorial Day weekend. I spoke with Craig Anthony Miller (aka Cam) yesterday, who was kind enough to speak about how it got started and the images in the painting while traveling in his car. 303 artists include Cam, Demon 202, Tron, John Breiner and One 9 (who wasn’t there for the painting).
If you know Dumbo, you’ve seen Cam’s work on Pedro’s wall and on reBar’s wall, which has a recognizable stylized images of faces and animals. The Water Street wall started when Cam and Demon 202 contacted the wall owner, who ok’d the project. The theme is one of harmonizing artists of different styles with the 4 elephants representing each artist. The message that in life, there are obstacles and barriers that are lifted away to result in success.
The middle of the mural of two elephants passing eachother symbolize communication. These elephants bear the name of the artist, Demon 202 (cool way of incorporating words without looking like traditional graffiti. See an example of Demon’s prior piece (from artcrimes.com) that show this.) The elephant ears are like speakers. Cam’s elephants, to the left and right of Demon’s elephants have a Ganesh style to them; something Cam’s been into lately. The right one is a full body Ganesh and the left a partial one. Ganesh or Ganesha is a Hindu elephant deity of success and remover of obstacles.
The 2 angels represent guidance and protection from the barriers in life; the left one done by Tron and the right by Cam. The wolves in each corner (John Breiner) symbolize life’s surroundings and that we all need to be aware of the negatives lurking in the background. These images of life moving through a bamboo forest are brought together by the message that our interactions with eachother can create a community of harmony.
Speaking with Cam, you get the sense that he’s a spiritual and grounded soul who has artistic talent. Both Cam and John, who I spoke with, know and respect the history of the artwork on that wall and wanted to bring a similar note of ‘brightness and peacefulness’ to Dumbo. We look forward to more collaborations from these artists and they’re looking to do something for the 2009 D.U.M.B.O. Art Under the Bridge Festival, which will take place on September 25-27, 2009.
Please comment below on your feedback on their work and your ‘interpretations’. You can see more of their work on craiganthonymiller.com and johnbreiner.blogspot.com.
{DumboNYC Flickr set of 303}
Previous Water St art:
{Concrete Alchemy Street Art Displays Their Talent on Water Street, 17May2008}
{Revok, Retna, Saber Live Wall Painting on Water Street, 06Aug2007}
I love the elephants and the fact that this was painted with a reason and symbolism in mind.
I’m looking forward to the festival this year. It was a great experience last year!
I love the elephants and the fact that this was painted with a reason and symbolism in mind.
I’m looking forward to the festival this year. It was a great experience last year!
Beautiful. Can’t wait to check it out in person.
Beautiful. Can’t wait to check it out in person.
this is the best one yet
this is the best one yet
Am I the only one that disapproves of the graffitti projects in the neighborhood. It reflects badly in a classy neighborhood. Pedro basically looks like a carnival poster.
Am I the only one that disapproves of the graffitti projects in the neighborhood. It reflects badly in a classy neighborhood. Pedro basically looks like a carnival poster.
This is by far the best mural to go up on that wall. My w window at work looks down onto it, and it brings a smile to my face every time I look out.
This is by far the best mural to go up on that wall. My w window at work looks down onto it, and it brings a smile to my face every time I look out.
Graffiti is illegal, this is a mural.
You disapprove of murals.
I used to live on water st a block or two away. You would know my house because there was blown up car outside of it for 6 months at a time the city would just leave. Just because they build a few establishments raise the rent and illegally evict doesn’t Equal class, actually quite the opposite..
Graffiti is illegal, this is a mural.
You disapprove of murals.
I used to live on water st a block or two away. You would know my house because there was blown up car outside of it for 6 months at a time the city would just leave. Just because they build a few establishments raise the rent and illegally evict doesn’t Equal class, actually quite the opposite..
Graffiti is a form of artistic expression, and as we’ve seen in other street art threads here, opinions of them are subjective. Stuff like this is what makes art accessible for residents and speaks to people. This is what makes Dumbo a great neighborhood; not the sterile new buildings and stiff ‘suits’ declaring war on graffiti.
jbee is on point. How does this reflect badly? And how do you define a classy neighborhood? Yeah, people say this a lot, but if you don’t like it, why do you live here?
The artists of 303 have talent and I love the details in the mural. Look at the reflection of purple, red, and green light on the elephants. I love the dark wolves, Tron’s angel, and Cam’s ganesh elephants. On top of that, I hope their message of communication and harmony (despite the obstacles) bring them much success.
Graffiti is a form of artistic expression, and as we’ve seen in other street art threads here, opinions of them are subjective. Stuff like this is what makes art accessible for residents and speaks to people. This is what makes Dumbo a great neighborhood; not the sterile new buildings and stiff ‘suits’ declaring war on graffiti.
jbee is on point. How does this reflect badly? And how do you define a classy neighborhood? Yeah, people say this a lot, but if you don’t like it, why do you live here?
The artists of 303 have talent and I love the details in the mural. Look at the reflection of purple, red, and green light on the elephants. I love the dark wolves, Tron’s angel, and Cam’s ganesh elephants. On top of that, I hope their message of communication and harmony (despite the obstacles) bring them much success.
to graffiti:
yes…u are the only one. that mural rocks! looks amazing. i saw them doing part of it last weekend and can’t wait to see the finished product. the colors are amazing!
to graffiti:
yes…u are the only one. that mural rocks! looks amazing. i saw them doing part of it last weekend and can’t wait to see the finished product. the colors are amazing!
jbee contrary to what your interpretation of a mural is. I can tell you this is graffitti. It looks just like the mess that they put up at pedro’s and at the pizza shop on bridge. and I don’t live in the neighborhood. Only work here and would rather see cleaner “sterile” walls in the neighborhood.
jbee contrary to what your interpretation of a mural is. I can tell you this is graffitti. It looks just like the mess that they put up at pedro’s and at the pizza shop on bridge. and I don’t live in the neighborhood. Only work here and would rather see cleaner “sterile” walls in the neighborhood.
Graffiti – you’re entitled to your opinion. You’re in the minority though – this is a ‘creative’ neighborhood. In creative neighborhoods, stuff like this goes on. Deal with it or work somewhere else.
Graffiti – you’re entitled to your opinion. You’re in the minority though – this is a ‘creative’ neighborhood. In creative neighborhoods, stuff like this goes on. Deal with it or work somewhere else.
to Graffiti ) Please explain how ” you can tell me this is graffiti”.. and if it’s not worth you responding was it really worth you commenting?
to Graffiti ) Please explain how ” you can tell me this is graffiti”.. and if it’s not worth you responding was it really worth you commenting?
and your are totally entitled to your opinion, i was just curious how you arrived at what i assume is an educated statement..right?
and your are totally entitled to your opinion, i was just curious how you arrived at what i assume is an educated statement..right?
I’m not a fan of graffiti and think most of the “art” created and/or displayed, etc in this neighborhood is crap but this one is actually not disgusting me. This doesn’t look like typical ghetto thug graffiti to me. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with colorful murals if the art is actually art. As opposed to scribble scrabble words/names or paintings that look like a 5yo did them.
I’m not a fan of graffiti and think most of the “art” created and/or displayed, etc in this neighborhood is crap but this one is actually not disgusting me. This doesn’t look like typical ghetto thug graffiti to me. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with colorful murals if the art is actually art. As opposed to scribble scrabble words/names or paintings that look like a 5yo did them.
This isn’t grafitti. It’s public art. Why do you call it grafitti? Because it’s painted on a building? This isn’t a wall full of tags. This is an incredible display of creative talent to be admired.
This isn’t grafitti. It’s public art. Why do you call it grafitti? Because it’s painted on a building? This isn’t a wall full of tags. This is an incredible display of creative talent to be admired.
Who you talkin’ to Willis?! Did I not just say it wasn’t disgusting or graffiti like? Dehr.
Who you talkin’ to Willis?! Did I not just say it wasn’t disgusting or graffiti like? Dehr.
Love it!
Love it!
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good
good
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