CRAZYTOWN

Art on Allen: Bansky, NeckFace, and Alex Cao

2010-05-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

I am lucky enough to live in Chinatown on the edge of the lower east side, and conduct most of my daily errands walking up and down Allen St. The other day I realized I walk past quite a bit of art. And I had my camera. So I took pictures and here is what I saw, a little about each artist and their websites

ALEX CAO past Delancy on Allen

I walk by this guys studio/store/gallery/whatever it is all the time- Its right between White

Slab and Congee Village. Everytime I go past he has some kind of black and white photo of a

celebrity in the window. However on closer inspection I see that these are made up of tiny little

portraits of someone who has something to do with the larger portrait- i.e. Andy Warhol made

up of tiny Maos, Marylin Monroe made up of tiny JFKs, I forget the other ones but u get it. I

Looked at his website and evidently he's a commercial photographer (who must make a lot of

money to have his own spot on Delancey and Allen) but he doesnt feature any of his artsy pieces

his website. Anyway check him out- I like his Photos because they're a lot of fashiony faces, much

much like my work.

NECKFACE past the Tenement Museum behind a chain fence

I see Neckface's shit around the neighborhood quite a bit. As a matter of fact he tried to tag

next to Banksy's piece (which is the next artist) but they painted over it. Whoever "they" are.

Anyway he's a young artist with that "ten year old" style. He's a favorite of Juxtapoz magazine,

he's 3 years younger than me, and he's persistant. Anyway check him out.

BANKSY right after Canal in front of an Asian restaurant supply store

So Banksy was in town recently for an opening and did one of his pieces on this wall.

UNFORTUNATELY (or not) other little assholes tagged over it spoiling the effect. However is

that wrong? The Shepard Fairey Mural met the same fate however that brings up an interesting debate:

If these guys started as illegal graff artists in the classic rebellious style- but now are rich and

sponsored by Target and having shows all over the world, then I think its the young artists

influenced by them paying homage. So obviously Im divided because part of me wants to see the

work clean and as it is supposed to, and part of me likes the fact that the next generation

is carrying on the graffiti tradition.

So if you get a chance take a lil walk down Allen, there are also a lot of restaurants, bars

galleries and stores to browse, especially a block over on Orchard. :)

GALLERY WEEK: Tokidoki, Deluxx FLUXX, and Sex With Robots

2010-05-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

GALLERY WEEK IN NYC

Its always some art shit here, right? But tha

ts why I like living here soooo these are three things that filled my day up on the beautiful Friday May 7th of Gallery Week, Mercury in Retrograde be damned. WARNING- for men reading my blog, especially if you are straight please proceed to the second section of this article, which contains more man friendly content, by looking for the red 2.

FIRST of all I WILL have my own makeup line some day. And that deciscion was solidified in my mind by divine inspiration when taking my

usual route through the Union Square Sephora (enter on 4th av between 17th and 18th streets then slip through and around, a spritz here, some glitter there, gloss everywhere, and boom leave out the 17th st side and slip into Barnes and Knoble to bat your lashes at the brooding guy browsing through the art magazines) But I digress.

Im looking for some colored eyeliner when BAM- what do I see right in front of me but a FULL FANTASY TOKIDOKI MAKEUP DISPLAY. Now I love Tokidoki. for those of you that dont know its created in the spirit of Japanese young culture by and Italian- genius Simone Legno. http://www.tokidoki.it -check it out

I used for Donutella and Choco Cromatico Eyeshadow for my eyes, the Sabochan Perfetto Eyeliner, and Cactus Friends LipInk in Fantastico lipgloss- and the kicker is the lip stains and eyeliner are packaged and applied like MARKERS. Simone Legno is an artist get it/ Markers? Genius.

2 See how easy that was? THEN I shayshenayed over to the

Faile and Bast Deluxx FLUXX Arcade on Allen. I loved it. It had been blinking at me as I passed it all week- be it by taxi,15 bus or foot- as I did my daily errands which cause me to go up and down Allen all day I kept seeing this flashing thing at me that said Arcade. Then I read about it. Then I went in and played and took pictures.

I think it is a great contemporary exhibition. WAY better then any bullshit Ive seen at the New Museum lately. As a matter of fact I would love to give these two three floors at the New Museum and see what kind of visual ineractive art whoppers they would feed to the masses. After that last guy (Urs Fischer) who did the giant shits and the melting piano ANYTHING would look good. (btw I loved the mirror boxes at that show- Im not a hater)

They made it a total experience with a 7 games in the front and a blacklight foosball table in the back. There were a lot of noise and lights so I was glad I was by myself so I could really have one on one interaction with the show. Each game is the shell of games we (if we are over 20) probably played at arcades, supermarkets, the skating rink, wherever. We know the joysticks and buttons and fake guns- but they've used it as their medium and reprogramed these to be art games, seemingly under your control but really you are being sucked in to the artists control playing with you and his images engaging you. Awsome mind fuck. BUT to top that off its totally POP and collage looking with familiar images of beauties and beasts sliced up and dancing on the screen in front of you, on the walls, on the floor, and in the well composed music individual to each game. Its how I like my art: pretty, meaningful, and fun

Last I went to my girl Gia's night at Amnesia called "Sex with Robots" where she paints these naked girls to look like robots then they walk around and dance while people get their drink and dance on. Needless to say love it, I will be involved in the future, and love that tiny ass bitch.

One love from Chinatown- Keepin you up to date on Crazytown

Review of HBO's "How To Make It In America"-AKA A BIG OL MALE FANTASY

2010-03-16T23:41:00.000-07:00

Soooooooooo...first of all do you have cable? If you dont you probably dont know about this show How To Make It In America- especially if you are striving (not struggling, dont like to use that word) in New York City as an artist, designer, singer, musician, curator, writer, producer, etc. etc. etc. Anything creative. Anyway if you do make room for that 60$ DVR bill and see this or know about surfthechannel.com lets talk about this fuckin show.

It comes off all stylish- the opening is like an urban outfitter's add made out with fader magazine. I like it. But I distrust it. So I watch the first five episodes. And you know what?

I still distrust it BUT I want to be on it, lol- and the main guy and his five o clock shadow annoy me but his latino friend reminds me of a bunch of guys i know who are trying to make it in New York and always have a scheme or an idea and endless hope.

I have to talk about the awesome redeeming characters- Martha Plimpton and Luis Guzman are the only ones who are real- they are the seasoned actors. I still appreciate the story line though- late twenties following your dreams. Especially the scene where the young jean makers go to talk to John Varvatos and his lackie tells them to give up. They get in the elevator and they're like fuck that- thats what it takes.

But my real beef MY REAL BEEF- who the fuck are these girls they hang out with. EVERY SINGLE WOMAN IN THIS SHOW HAS IT EASY FUCKIN PEASY. The main dudes ex is a successful interior designer, their art gallery runnin skinny bitch friend has a rich dad that she doesnt take money from- cause running a gallery is so lucrative, especially when you just start one. And of course there are endless gorgeous young women at their house parties- but these guys are broke? I dont think so. The only woman I really love is Martha Plimpton- who plays brilliantly the designer the main dudes ex works for. She's clever, crazy and believable.

So I'm gonna keep making it in New York and keep watching to see if this show gets better (dont judge me ).

Chelsea Openings 2/18/10

2010-02-21T14:58:00.000-08:00

Thursday I hopped on the train out of Chinatown and ventured over to Chelsea for some free wine...er I mean some Art Openings. I like to go see who is selling what for ten times the amount of my rent- it inspires me to keep up my awsomeness as an artist extrordinaire. As some of you may know gallery openings in Chelsea are typically from 6-8, and if one wants to drink one tries to show up sooner rather than later. Ever since I moved to New York I love going to openings in Chelsea, especially on a Thursday when there are dozens going on between 20th and 25th street and 9th and tenth avenues. (the best place to check for openings and shows is artforum.com gallery guide) I stayed on 24th and 35th street and hit up about 7 galleries in an hour. I saw some good, some great, and some forgettable. After about 5 wines and a beer I was ready to head back home and digest what I saw so I could tell the blog world all about it, and this is the best of what I saw:

Kyle Staver at Lohin Geduld Gallery

Good show full of paintings- paintings with light and people in them that werent boring. I thought this was interesting and they had Pelegrino along with the white wine and these things make me happy. Plus I met the artist, an enthusiastic woman in her 50s that had a nose like the figures in her paintings. Thats how I spotted her. And I told her that. She wiggled her nose and looked at her paintings and said, "are you a painter?" and I said, "yep" and that was the end of it... bad story....

George Rickey at Marlborough Gallery

AMAZING to say the least. I spent the most time at this one. It was visually stunning. George Rickey was a kinetic sculptor in the 60s through to the end of last century. In a room full of people I spaced out watching "Seascape III"- Edward Scissorhand like spikes gently moving up and down like the sea. The fact that someone could create such delicately moving sculptures out of big pieces (and little of pieces) of metal is great art.

Gary Simmons at Metro Pictures

Walked in and out. Nice concept, big paintings, smeared visions, I like the black.

Jacco Olivier at Marianne Boesky Gallery

Though George Rickey was incredible, this show inspired me the most. This artist truly combined painting with video and it was incredible- totally contemporary and painterly at the same time. There were time lapse videos of paintings that seemlessly melted into each other. I sat and drank my Budweiser, listened to Beach House on my ipod, and cruised the universe in paint that Olivier created. My new task is to animate my own paintings. XOXO to Jacco Olivier.

DRAGULATOR: GO DRAG YOURSELF!!

2010-02-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

Gentlemen Start Your Engines, And May The Best WOMAN Win!!

I am just (Lady) GAGA for Rupaul's Drag Race- and Season 2 starts tonight at 9 on Logo. But even if you don't have cable (sux for you) you can go to http://www.dragulator.com, scan in a pic and Drag up some creativity. I've been making everyone fierce from my best friend to my boyfriend (His Drag Name is Trouble Woodbine, down bitch) and so should you. Its lots of fun and when your done you can upload your pics of fantasy right up to facebook. Here's some sample queens I made. ENJOY!

Under The Bridge Show at 47 Gallery 47 Monroe Gallery Lofts 47

2010-01-31T14:05:00.000-08:00

January 15th I tried my hand at curating my first show. It featured Mirandom, Marthalicia, Josie Zetina, Lissette Barros, Gigi Bio, Lexi Bella, and Danielle Mastrion. It was a fabulous turnout and not the last. Thanx Ladies- Here's the write up about the show:

47 Monroe Gallery Lofts Presents:

Under The Bridge:

Downtown Art

An Exhibition of some of New York's best female

emerging artists today

The word recession is used a lot these days to talk of negative situations, however history has shown us that "these uncertain times" are times that art and culture thrive. Much like the late 70s and early 80s the artists, musicians, and New York culture thrived in abandoned buildings and loft spaces during another "uncertain time" economically in this city. Economic times like these prove who is in it for the creation of something new and refreshing when there's nothing else to lose and the herd is thinning. This is when true generations of artists make their mark.

The idea of "Downtown" being a place of convergence of creativity is a concept born in New York City. In the 20th century from the Village which nurtured Abstract Expressionism and Jazz half a century ago, to the L.E.S. giving us Basquiat, Madonna, Blondie and Keith Haring around the time everyone in this show was born, the idea of something being "Downtown" was synonymous with being cool and making things happen. This shows goal is to continue this tradition into the 21st century.

This show is about 7 artists and photographers making their mark in New York NOW. They are painters, photographers, djs, fashion designers, graphic designers, teachers, mothers, and artists. They work, struggle, and succeed with their visions and create a new community and a new movement in today's Downtown Art.

Lexi Bella New Year Round Up

2010-01-27T19:56:00.000-08:00

I know its the end of January and lots of things have been Crazy in Crazytown for the last few months, but Im plugging away at this blog and my promise for the New Year is to not only to become rich and famous, but be diligent about updating this blog and bringing you some good shit.

November brought with it a solo show for yours truly at the new 47 Monroe Gallery Lofts in Chinatown. It was the first opening the gallery had had and was a success. The silent auction proved lucrative and drinking and danced ensued. People stayed into the wee hours of the morning as the discussions about art and smoke became more slurred.

This December I couldn't spare the time I did last year for Miami Art Basel so I held down the fort in NYC and attended Miss Marthalicia's Holiday Party the day of the snowstorm. I had no idea as I lugged my plate of Xmas cookies from Chinatown to |76th st. in the Bronx how fucking far away it was, but an houre later I was drinking and eating with some favorite art people deep in the comfort of her basement.

Holidays passed, as they do.

New Year's passed, I blacked out around 4.

And here we are- Im all fresh and ready for some next decade partying and bullshitting in the New Year...and reporting it all on here.

August 27th Art Battles

2009-09-15T22:47:00.000-07:00

On August 27th at 11pm I was lucky enough to participate my third Art Battle that took place at La Pouisson Rouge. (for more info on Art Battles or what an art battle is please go to artbattles.com ) I was super excited to be the ONLY WOMAN in the battle representing for the ladies. It was to be myself, Ben Angotti, Kevin Ragnott, and Leif McIlwaine. The the man with the master plan Sean Bono- art battles was his brainchild - called me and told me these people that Radar want to follow two of the artists the day of the show leading up to the battle to showcase on their webchannel. AND GUESS WHAT? I was one of the people they picked! Let me take this opportunity to share with u an excerpt from the ABOUT on their page:
RADAR is a weekly, series produced by WBP LABS – a division of the Workbook Project. The series is a timely, insiders view into the cutting edge of storytelling and creativity, and the attendant tools, tech, models and community. RADAR highlights innovative projects and events across different creative disciplines, hangs with creators and founders, and digs deep into process, method and participation. For more about Radar and to see episodes go to www.radar.workbookproject.comSo the day of was pretty exciting and busy.

I spent the morning fretting about what I would be painting, and on and of the phone with the producers of Radar. The other artist was Leif and they went to tape him first in the morning and me in the afternoon since I told them I don't usually wake up until 1pm anyway. Being concerned about this distracted me from being nervous about totally fucking up my painting in front of the audience later that night. Im confident but as a live artist that is always even in the tiniestway a concern. They came and interviewed me and video taped me around the Lower East Side doing things like shopping and hanging with my drag queens. It's gonna be dope I cant wait to see how they chop it up and put it together. I think it will be episode 13.

Later that night I arrived at the space early at 9pm (call time was 930 I thought) Noone was there and we couldn't even go in the greenroom yet because the show before ours was still going on. So I shey-shaneyed down the stairs in my heels and false eyelashes carrying about 25 lbs of paint and brushes on my shoulder. OH I FORGOT TO TELL U WHAT I WAS WEARING!!! I wore a sparkly gold bodysuit from American Apparel with a black tight nit skirt over the bottom, snake skin zip up strappy heels by BCBG and a simple heart shaped periodot necklace with matching earings. My hair was swept up on the left side with a big sparkly flower and makeup was sharp. I was fierce. "At least Ill look good if I lose" I thought. And this thought brought me comfort lol. Get to the bar and I was so happy to see Miss Marthalicia Matarritamy muthafucking homegirl and the Fabulous Jess Kantor Art Battles pr woman extrordinaire sitting at the bar with a big smiles on thier face. It made me feel better. Martha's done more of these then I have and she's my best friend in the live art circle, truly a great artist and my sister, so I sat down ordered a glass of wine and started chatting.

The Battle FINALLY started at 11:30 (thanks for being late Leif) and there was a huge crowd. There was of course the thrill of hearing your name being called as you walk up to the blank canvas and stare at it like, "fuck now I really have to do something" but there is something exciting and addictive about that moment. After and hour and a half...which in my opinion was too long when u start so late but whatevs, my boy Ben Angotti won the battle (and it was well deserved) and won a studio space and show at the gallery Under Minerva in Brooklyn. I proceded to go out into the night and celebrate until the sun was rising. Good event.

"500 Days of Summer Made Me Want to Vommit My Heart Into My Lap" by Aaron Ginsburg

2009-07-27T09:39:00.001-07:00

This is a review of 500 Days of Summer as told to me verbatim By Aaron Ginsburg

-For whatever reason they hit the hipster girl whose from the suburbs and moves to the city and likes the Smiths nail on the head. I can tell whoever made it went to NYU. When the main character guy is at the roof party and and the main hipster girl he loves shows another girl her engagement ring (she's engaged to another guy) and he sees it I stood up in the theater and was like " NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO..." That's the exact shit that happens. I'm the type of dude that gets super attached and doesn't step up to the plate. And she's like, " I don't want labels, lets just do what we do." and then one morning she's married to some pussy. Its funny that I went o see the movie on a whim, this girl invited me. I happen to know this girl is super retarded, she already has boyfriend and just wants some guy to be with her at the movies, and I know that shit and its all good, but REALLY. And we go to see THIS MOVIE? Bitches just be doin' weird shit. And that's what this movie's about. It hurt. It literally hurt to watch that shit. Aesthetically I could have cared less. I laughed definitely. Most of them were gay jokes, all of the were gay jokes. Every time I laughed it was a gay joke.

AND this dude, whose name I cant remember but I know he was on Third Rock From the Sun. Hes straight pussy, cause he continuously allows this bitch back into his life. Its so funny when they show up sad and wet at your door. They show up at 2:30 wet, even if its not raining with the puppy face and I'm like, "What r u trying to do? Ruin my fucking life." I would have yelled at that bitch so bad. It so funny when people in movies act like normal people. Cause if I was that dude Id be like throwing shit out the window! I would be straight psychotic. I would be like, "WHAT WHAT?!" I would be mad. And then at the end he meets some pathetic excuse for "his new girlfriend." And I'm like "good luck tryin to forget about Summer you faggot" and this girl looks like she got punched in the chin! And her name is Autumn?
Definitely go see this movie. But it hurts to watch.-
Aaron is a designer, artist, and writer. Check out his bedding and clothing line Ducksworth at ducksworthny.com and his blog at the thedoverdorchester.com
http://www.ducksworthny.com/
http://www.thedoverchester.com/blog/

Welcome to Crazytown

2009-07-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Im Lexi Bella. Im an artist living in New York City and I have lots of adventures, participate in lots of events, and see a lot of shit. This blog is a type of art, life, and event review I had an idea about for a long time and now my friend Marthalicia finally pushed me over the edge and inspired me to write. I hope to fill it with images and writings about my experience as an artist in Crazytown, along with events, exhibitions, musical performances, movie and album reviews, and happeneings written by me and some friends. Images and happenings soon to come until then enjoy some images of my work and me and my friends!