Artists and designers turn security gates into street art for colourful New York project
By Kim Megson 16 Dec 2015
The 100 Gates project aims to beautify the neighbourhood Credit: Nina Loschiavo
Street artists and New York businesses have joined forces to beautify the city’s Lower East Side using one simple tool: spray paint.
One hundred metal storefront security gates in the Manhattan neighbourhood have become city-sanctioned canvasses for a carefully selected group of graffiti artists, illustrators, graphic designers and abstract painters – including rising stars Shantell Martin, Faust and Mr Stash.
The creators have each been partnered with a local business to develop a unique, site-specific mural for the gates. The only stipulations? No politics, no religion and no nudity.
The project, aptly named 100 Gates, is the brainchild of artist and skater Billy Rohan, who partnered with the New York non-profit Lower East Side Business Improvement District in mid-2014.
A grant of US$30,000 (€27,500, £20,000) was secured in January to pay the artists and fund materials, and 85 gates have been transformed since then. The remaining 15 are set to follow in early 2016.
“It’s been a dream project and has brightened lives in the neighbourhood, no question,” said one of the project’s leaders, Natalie Raben, in an exclusive interview with CLAD.
“It’s all about beautification, creation and community. It’s been a lot of fun to see how the collaborations have panned out. Really, it’s the perfect poster child for a public art programme.”
Raben added that the project could be easily replicated elsewhere: “We hope we’ve created a platform to take this to the next level. In a way it’s been a pilot project, and if funding can be found, it could absolutely spread to other neighbourhoods like East Village and beyond.”
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Artists and designers turn security gates into street art for colourful New York project
POSTED 16 Dec 2015 . BY Kim Megson
The 100 Gates project aims to beautify the neighbourhood Credit: Nina Loschiavo
Street artists and New York businesses have joined forces to beautify the city’s Lower East Side using one simple tool: spray paint.
One hundred metal storefront security gates in the Manhattan neighbourhood have become city-sanctioned canvasses for a carefully selected group of graffiti artists, illustrators, graphic designers and abstract painters – including rising stars Shantell Martin, Faust and Mr Stash.
The creators have each been partnered with a local business to develop a unique, site-specific mural for the gates. The only stipulations? No politics, no religion and no nudity.
The project, aptly named 100 Gates, is the brainchild of artist and skater Billy Rohan, who partnered with the New York non-profit Lower East Side Business Improvement District in mid-2014.
A grant of US$30,000 (€27,500, £20,000) was secured in January to pay the artists and fund materials, and 85 gates have been transformed since then. The remaining 15 are set to follow in early 2016.
“It’s been a dream project and has brightened lives in the neighbourhood, no question,” said one of the project’s leaders, Natalie Raben, in an exclusive interview with CLAD.
“It’s all about beautification, creation and community. It’s been a lot of fun to see how the collaborations have panned out. Really, it’s the perfect poster child for a public art programme.”
Raben added that the project could be easily replicated elsewhere: “We hope we’ve created a platform to take this to the next level. In a way it’s been a pilot project, and if funding can be found, it could absolutely spread to other neighbourhoods like East Village and beyond.”
Local artists been partnered with businesses to develop unique, site-specific murals for their security gates Credit: Nina Loschiavo
$30,000 in funding was raised to buy materials and pay the artists Credit: Nina Loschiavo
Art works were created by graffiti artists, illustrators, graphic designers and abstract painters Credit: Nina Loschiavo
Rising star Shantell Martin has produced work for the project Credit: Nina Loschiavo
Work began in January, and the last gate will be finished early next year Credit: Nina Loschiavo
The gates have proved popular with local residents and tourists Credit: Nina Loschiavo
85 of the gates have been completed so far Credit: Nina Loschiavo
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theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
