Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: The Word On The Street
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
After I posted yesterday’s selection of development-related graffiti (and this is putting it kindly) I encountered this splendid example on Huron Street just east of West Street. It is pretty straightforward.
The Word On The Street, Part II: Special Crosstown Local Edition
Filed under: 11101, 11222, Crosstown Local, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Hooliganism, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, The Word On The Street
Last night the Mister and I went out to dinner for his birthday. This required patronizing the G train. In transit inspiration (if one can call it that) struck!
P.S.: I spied the above missive at Court Square on the trip home. Note how the MTA seems to have left a nice big blank area for, um, “feedback”.
The Word On The Street: Special North Brooklyn Development Edition
Filed under: 11211, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Hooliganism, Street Justice, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, The Natives Are Getting Restless, Urban Artifact, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Many of you have undoubtedly noticed that I have not been terribly prolific on the blog. This should not be construed as a lack of interest in the affairs of this community (or this city in overall). Quite to the contrary: I have been quite busy. About a month ago I had a revelation: why not tap into what is the Garden Spot’s most renewable resource? This, of course, is garbage.
Think about it, gentle readers: litter is not only free but by making regular “collection” runs I am, albeit in a small way, making this community a cleaner place. What’s more, by (tongue firmly in cheek) “up-purposing” Greenpoint garbage I am raising awareness about the problem here. And we most assuredly have a problem.
Presently my focus is on drug baggies. These, as I have discovered, come in an array of colors and designs. The working plan is to fill the following 5 1/2 inch diameter snow globe with them.
The working title for this piece is “Taste the Rainbow” (for obvious reasons).
As you can see it is still in progress. Very pretty if I may say so myself! Over the last month I have acquired no less than 181Â 182 baggies. These were “sourced” exclusively in Greenpoint/11222. I felt parameters needed to be established. What’s more, Williamsburg probably would have proved to be too easy. But I digress.
This project has led to a number of fascinating discoveries. For starters, most of the baggies I have found were discarded (and presumably consumed) in our public parks. I have long suspected this was/is the case— now I have some numbers to back it up. Playgrounds are not spared either. The item to the left was found in the playground at WNYC Transmitter Park. I also found five on the premises of the Vincent V. Abate Playground. One specimen had the Superman logo emblazoned on it. Regardless of one’s position on the “war on drugs” you gotta appreciate that kind of wiseassedness.
This piece’s working title is “Magic Carpet Ride”.
The other location I have found a significant number of baggies is development sites. Especially those which are stalled and/or sport sidewalk sheds. Sidewalk sheds = privacy. Makes sense. Drug paraphernalia is not the only thing I have found at them, hence the (ostensible) purpose of this post. I have spied a few sullen utterances of revolt scrawl on them during my rounds. I am not the least bit surprised by this. Follows is a curated selection of those I found especially compelling and/or entertaining. Enjoy!
1. India Street
This one is somewhat indecipherable but the rage come across nonetheless.
2. 26 West Street
There are not less than three churlish missives on this one. Two are plainly visible. Follows is the third one. It is located to the left of “No Future”.
And last, but hardly least…
3. Orient Avenue at Olive Street
As you can see this property had been served a Stop Work Order. Let’s go in for a closer look!
Great stop more of these bastards.
If the Department of Buildings is paying attention someone is very appreciative of your work. Happy Monday!
Urban Artifact: Special India Street Pier Edition
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Artifact, Wow, WTF
For approximately the last month I have been foraging “urban artifacts” around the Garden Spot. These are being (tongue firmly in artisanal cheek) up-purposed to works of art. Ar some point I imagine I will write about this project here. Or maybe I won’t? Who knows.
What I do know is India Street between the East River Ferry Pier and West Street has proven to be a gold mine. It can be reliably counted upon to provide a number of interesting (and generally unsavory) items. For example:
- One defaced Police Benevolent Association card dating from 2009.
- Drug baggies. LOTS of drug baggies.
- Condoms, used and otherwise.
Let’s just say I grown to expect the unexpected. Which brings me to today’s find. It is located at the foot of the India Street Pier where the red arrow is in the above photograph.
Nothing says “Welcome to Greenpoint” quite like a combined sewer overflow sign festooned with not one, but TWO fish heads. After I took the above photograph a fellow at the adjacent construction site remarked that this was “pretty crazy”. That, it most assuredly is— but I have come to expect this kind of thing in the 11222. On that note I will leave you, gentle readers, with this. Happy Thursday!
The Word On The Street: AMEN!
Filed under: 11222, GENIUS, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Hooliganism, The Word On The Street
I have seen a great deal of graffiti over the years. This is arguably one of if not the most brilliant of the lot. The message in and of itself is a winner, but what really puts this missive over the top is its placement: Lorimer Street at Bedford Avenue. Anyone who is familiar with this area can attest a great deal of drinking (both legally sanctioned and otherwise) comes to pass in this area. I have never seen Jesus among the quaffers— but who really knows? The ways of the son of god are mysterious! Bravo, anonymous hooligan. WELL DONE!
The Word On The Street: Big White Cock
Anyone who may be in search of one (and you know who you are) swing by the Vincent V. Abate Playground’s basketball court, which is where I found these delightful missives. In closing, during today’s sojourn of our parks/open spaces here in the 11222 I encountered much evidence of merry-making. A great deal of which was clearly not the handiwork of children…
Greenpoint Feral Furniture Watch: Special Parks Edition
Filed under: 11222, Feral Furniture, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Anyone in the market for a comfy chair take notice: this rather comfy model presently graces McGolrick Park.
Be advised, however, it is a bit of a “fixer-upper”. I am not even going to venture as to what it may sport in the way of “value-added”/”inhabitants”…
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Old Glory
Filed under: 11222, Dog Shit, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Hooliganism
Before anyone asks, no I am not responsible for this act of hooliganism (which hails from a tree pit on Freeman Street).
(Taken August 14, 2015.)
New York Shitty Video Du Jour: The Shit They Don’t Show You On “Girls”
Filed under: 11222, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
Something interesting happened on Manhattan Avenue yesterday evening. NOTE: This video contains “language”. So if you are work and do not want a summons from your Human Resources Department exercise caution. Conversely if you DO want HR to pay you a visit, play this good and loud. It contains pretty something to offend everyone. Happy Thursday!
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