Artists don costumes to revamp public spaces

Explosive colors and vivid artwork lit up a misty Saturday afternoon at the Monster Jam 2K9, with ghosts and ghouls decorating the northernmost stairwell of Deiner Park in New Brunswick.
Hosted by city-based artist collective Albus Cavus, the community mural painting project allowed families and graffiti artists to get creative at the Raritan River Art Walk, a mile-long path between the concrete cliffs of Route 18 and the river. Youngsters came in costume to enjoy crafts and candy, while others learned about and tried their hand at urban art.
“I believe public art can bring a lot to a community,” said Peter Krsko, the collective’s co-founder. “People love to watch and [the] reactions are very positive. It’s not just an art gallery. People can jump in and contribute, and that’s what we want.”
The Raices Cultural Center, a New Jersey non-profit organization, helped contribute to the day’s events with activities like mask and puppet making, poetry by Verbal Mayhem and a parade to the south end of the River Walk.
“People of different artistic disciplines and cultural backgrounds are coming together in a celebration of art and ancestors,” said Nicole Wines, the center’s co-director.
The center promotes cultural awareness through music and visual arts, and holidays like Halloween and the Day of the Dead are good opportunities to honor the deceased, she said.
The majority of the Albus Cavus’ 50 contributors produced their art where the River Walk ends at the construction zone near Boyd Park, and people passing through stopped to watch and ask questions.
Monster Jam attracted many independent street writers, including Soul, a masked University alumnus.
Soul said he wears a mask when painting in public because it’s not always legal, but remained masked Saturday to follow the theme of Halloween.
He demonstrated the different styles of graffiti ranging from quick, word-based “throwies” to more complex “burners” that incorporate complex visual designs and take much more time to complete.
But Soul, along with many others, lamented the day’s weather.
“When the walls are wet, the paint runs. I have to come back later to finish my burner,” he said.
Despite his dissatisfaction, passersby were impressed with his work ¬¬— the word “Soul” written in 4-foot high letters with the “o” in the form of a mummy.
Since the collective’s founding in 2002, Albus Cavus has expanded to Washington, D.C. and even globally. Members as far as Dubai lend their creativity to transform urban environments under the umbrella of the group.
Krsko said he hopes to follow up the Monster Jam with similar events to create a growing tradition.
While the Raritan River Art Walk is still an unknown place to many in New Brunswick, Krsko said he hopes to help make the city’s best-kept secret an important beat in the heart of the community’s culture.
 

Comments

2 comments

Zigfreid

Mon Nov 16 2009 18:49

Me too.

Rick

Tue Nov 3 2009 16:08

Great article, makes me want to check out this place.

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