This week, New York Art Life magazine had the incredible opportunity to interview Ritu Cipy, an extraordinary independent curator and promoter of Urban Arts. Cipy’s passion and love for art are contagious, and she truly believes that the ’80s were an outstanding time for the arts, whose reverberations are felt to this day.
One of Ritu Cipy’s recent achievements is curating an art exhibition featuring New York-based urban artists called “The Image in The Street.” This exhibition celebrated urban art and showcased the talent and creativity of these incredible artists. It was an unmissable visit for art enthusiasts and anyone interested in experiencing the vibrant and dynamic world of urban art.
New York Art Life Magazine: In the vibrant tapestry of urban art that adorns the streets and lanes of New York City, one name that has emerged is Ritu Cipy. You dedicated your life to understanding and spreading the essence of urban art. Your journey is a testament to the transformative power of art in the urban landscape. New York City, a melting pot of cultures and creativity, has long been a magnet for artists worldwide. Within this dynamic environment, you found your calling and became an integral part of the city’s artistic evolution. You are inspired by the 80s.
Ritu Cipy: The 1980s marked a pivotal era in Manhattan, as “post-graffiti” street art began to flourish in the then largely vacant neighborhoods of SoHo and the Lower East Side. This period witnessed the birth of a new artistic expression that transcended traditional boundaries and ventured into the realm of public spaces. The Chelsea art district soon followed suit, becoming another vital hub for urban art, with galleries hosting formal exhibitions of street artists’ work. I am inspired by the city’s pulsating energy and the myriad stories etched on every corner.
New York Art Life Magazine: Brooklyn, with its distinctive neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Dumbo, especially near the waterfront, has been recognized as a significant site for street art.
Ritu Cipy: Certain. However, perhaps the impact of evolving street art is most palpable in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, unofficially known as New York’s Mural District. Through its murals and installations, Bushwick has helped transform street art into a vibrant canvas reflecting urban life’s diversity and dynamism.
Street art is not merely an aesthetic endeavor but a dialogue between the city and its inhabitants. This art invites viewers to engage with their surroundings in new and meaningful ways, challenging them to see beyond the surface and appreciate the layers of history, culture, and personal narratives that define urban existence. In doing so, New York has played a crucial role in elevating street art from a fringe activity to a respected form of artistic expression.
New York Art Life Magazine: Your dedication to promoting urban art is commendable. Through your work as an independent curator, you not only showcase the talent of these artists but also help bridge the gap between the public and the art world. By curating exhibitions like “The Image in The Street,” Cipy provides a platform for these artists to reach a wider audience and create a dialogue between the artwork and the viewers. You have recently achieved a significant milestone by curating an art exhibition titled “The Image in The Street,” which highlights the work of New York-based urban artists. This exhibition serves as a platform to celebrate the talent and creativity of these exceptional artists, showcasing their unique artistic expressions.
Ritu Cipy: The event opened its doors on April 23rd, 2024. With its vibrant and dynamic display of urban art, this exhibition quickly became a must-visit for art enthusiasts and those curious about exploring the world of contemporary urban art. “The Image in The Street” exhibition provided an immersive experience that showed how the streets of NYC still inspire artists. The showcased artworks reflected New York-based urban artists’ diverse backgrounds and perspectives, offering a glimpse into their unique artistic journeys. From vibrant murals to intricate graffiti, each piece resonates with the energy and spirit of the city streets, showcasing these incredible artists’ raw talent and creativity.”The Image in The Street” exhibition not only celebrates the talent and creativity of these urban artists but also provides an opportunity for visitors to engage with this unique form of artistic expression. The vibrant and dynamic nature of urban art is brought to life within the exhibition space, allowing viewers to experience the energy and excitement that permeates through these.
New York Art Life Magazine: “The Image in the Street,” a meticulously curated pop-up exhibition, has successfully brought together an ensemble of extraordinary artists celebrated for their distinct styles and ability to transcend the conventional spaces of art galleries and studios. The remarkable talents of Michael Alan Alien, Lisa Champ, Al Diaz, and Chris RWK have been featured in this unique showcase. Their work exemplifies a dynamic shift in contemporary art practice, moving from the confines of canvas to the raw and unfiltered canvases of New York City’s brick walls.
Ritu Cipy: This exhibition showcases Al Diaz’s genius—a modern artist with an iconic past.
Michael Alan Alien’s technique is a meticulous amalgamation of various mediums, including extremely fine-point pens, watercolor, spray paint, oil, and pastels. This diverse palette allows him to create depth and texture that give life to his human figures, which eerily appear like ghosts amidst the chaos of colors and forms. The precision in his use of fine point pens contrasts with the fluidity of watercolors and the vibrancy of spray paint and oil, creating a dynamic tension that is both unsettling and mesmerizing. This exhibition showcases Alien’s unique talent and highlights the innovative ways contemporary artists are pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms.
Lisa Champ captures the essence of New York’s complexities— a simultaneously adored, maligned city, celebrated and criticized. Her poignant piece, “Nobody Loves New York Like New York,” is a powerful testament to the deep, often tumultuous relationship between the city and its inhabitants. This artwork embodies a raw and unfiltered expression of love for New York, highlighting the unique bond that New Yorkers share with their city despite its imperfections. Champ’s work is not just art; it is an invitation to reflect on the multifaceted nature of urban life and the resilience of those who call New York home.
New York Art Life Magazine: And Chris RWK, Damon Johnson. A concentrated exhibition of pure Art.
Ritu Cipy: Chris RWK, renowned for his distinctive cartoon style, demonstrates profound sensitivity in his artwork. His ability to infuse a mechanical form with warmth and affection is a testament to his mastery as an artist. This unique approach not only sets Chris RWK apart but also challenges viewers to find humanity and emotion in the most unexpected places.
Damon Johnson epitomizes the essence of a creative force that transcends conventional labels. His work embodies the spirit and philosophy that fuels street art while simultaneously challenging and redefining the boundaries of urban art.
New York Art Life Magazine: in all that, there is always evident love for New York and its creative power
Ritu Cipy: New York City holds a special place in the hearts of artists and art lovers alike. The city has given birth to various art movements and has been a breeding ground for creativity. The birthplace of urban art, New York has been a hub for artists who have used the city streets as their canvas, bringing art to the masses. From graffiti to street installations, New York’s urban art scene has captivated audiences worldwide.
New York Art Life Magazine: Art, much like philosophy, has historically served as a bellwether for societal shifts and future preoccupations. This predictive quality is particularly evident in the realm of urban art, where the dynamic and immediate nature of the medium allows artists to respond to contemporary issues with striking immediacy. You, as an expert observer of New York’s vibrant street art scene, what will be the main themes on which the art will express itself?
Ritu Cipy: Through this expressive form, the coming years will see a substantive exploration of three critical themes: climate change, world politics, and artificial intelligence.
These themes represent a potent blend of concern and optimism, reflecting a collective yearning for a more sustainable, private, and ethically engaged future. Through New York’s urban art lens, we have a unique opportunity to engage with these pressing issues, encouraging reflection, dialogue, and action among a diverse audience.
New York Art Life Magazine: As an art expert who has succeeded in New York, you could give three pieces of advice to young artists and creatives who want to immerse themselves in the city’s frenetic artistic life.
Ritu Cipy: First and foremost, it’s essential to immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene that New York has to offer. The city is full of galleries, museums, and artistic events that provide countless opportunities for inspiration and growth. Secondly, I highly recommend pursuing every form of artistic experimentation and embracing the unknown. Creativity is unlimited in New York; artists should take advantage of this freedom by exploring various mediums, techniques, and styles. By stepping outside their comfort zones and pushing their artistic boundaries, young artists can discover new perspectives and possibilities they may never have considered before. This experimentation not only fuels personal growth but also opens doors to unexpected opportunities and discoveries in their artistic careers.
Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance of networking and building connections within the arts community. Building a solid network helps young artists establish themselves in the industry and gain recognition for their work.
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