The street mural on Water Street (at Pearl Street) in Dumbo was painted over yesterday. That’s the ephemeral nature of street art, and we’re suprised how long it’s been up. Over the years, we’ve seen various art on that wall. In 2007, Revok, Retna, Saber collaborated for their mural. In May 2008, a group of 15 visual artists called Concrete Alchemy replaced the mural with their colorful imagery. Then in September 2008, a project called The Monster Project painted a piece titled “eel goddess”.
From May 2009 until this week, Dumbo artist Craig Anthony Miller (“CAM”), with a group called 303 Collectives painted the now famous elephant mural. The new temporary paint job will be up until the developers demolish the building for new townhouses.
According to a Brownstoner post today, “Alloy, the firm that will be both designing and developing the townhouses on the site (and is also responsible for 192 Water Street and 182 Plymouth Street), confirms that his firm gave the building its new look.”
They told Brownstoner, “we wanted to put something up that spoke to the impact of CAM’s work over the past few years and also inserted some optimism at that particular spot. We view all our work as a contribution to the built environment, hopefully a positive one, and while certainly a change from the wall, we’re excited about what the townhouses might be able to add in this little pocket of DUMBO.”
CAM sent us a note of thanks to convey to the community:
The 303 Collective mural on Water street has come to the end of an amazing run, enduring almost four years. It was humbling to see so many people use the wall weekly for a backdrop. Videos, weddings, engagements, fashion shoots, Television Ads and hundreds of tourist visiting the neighborhood monthly. A mural with a message for a Brooklyn community and embraced by more. Dumbo is a place where change is expected and inevitable, and to be honest I did not think the wall would survive a year being such a popular canvas. The mural made a name for itself and within its own rights became synonymous with the neighborhood. Thank you to EVERYONE who showed love and support for the mural and most importantly thanks to Tom, Blue Barn Pictures and The 303 Collective… Coby Kennedy, John Breiner, TRON, and the last edition Sky Davison.
Craig Anthony Miller “CAM”