Dec. 8, 2010 By Christian Murray
Last month, a mural popped up on the NW corner of 40th Street and 47th Avenue, on the side wall of a real estate agency.
The artists responsible for the work belong to a group named Smart Crew USA, a NYC-based team of artists/vandals that are known for their art and tagging throughout the city. Most of the members of Smart Crew are from Queens.
A representative of Smart Crew said in an e-mail that they did this “as a favor to a friend” who owns a business nearby. The business owner had been complaining about the wall being tagged, according to the e-mail.
“We just put up something that most people would consider ‘nicer’ …to deter the less visually-appealing graffiti.”
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i suggest the artist make a t-shirt with this graphic…..i’d love to wear this 🙂
The idea was copied from a wall mural originally created in 1988 on the brick wall of Sunnyside gardens pizza place – now Donatos Pizza 60-22 39th Avenue Woodside, NY 11377. It was there for many years but was lost when the restaurant removed the wall when the expanded. I should know, I painted it. I wish I could upload photos. Email me and I’ll forward them.
John- i would love see the ‘88 original! Also, have you seen the new show Sunnyside that will air on 9/26? The show poster has this art as the main showcase.
this is really well done. very thoughtful design and well executed. bravo!
As an artist, I think any building owner has the right to have whatever they want on their property. It’s nice, but even if DaVinci showed up to paint the Mona Lisa I have to wonder if the owner gave permission to do this.
If so, great.
If not, shame on them.
Private property rights have to be respected, regardless if you’re a hippie, tea partyer, left, right, whatever.
LOVE IT!!!! Thanks Smart Crew!
“Screw you. Graffiti is art”
Now why you wanna go and say that love, huh?
Why can’t you just chime in without resorting to such nastiness? The second sentence was fine; the first was completely unnecessary.
Mind you, I am taking no position on the topic, and I have no relation to the person you’re responding to.
But this is a good and necessary local news site, so let’s keep it cool. Be nice.
Always amusing and predictable how those who are so definitive on their pronouncements on what is or isn’t “art” don’t actually create any themselves, or even evince much knowledge on the subject.
would you also call the graffiti on all the stores security gates art also.
Screw you.
Graffiti is art.
not art, its graffiti!
It is done well but its still graffiti. I saw it and did not like it but if the owners of the building like it, let it be!
Luke
There is a big difference between a graffiti writer vs. some kids who are out writing on stuff to just rebel/cause trouble (as most youths do.) The funny thing is that most graffiti writers (that do the nicer stuff) get their start this way. It’s kind of like a catch 22 of sorts.
For the most part, unless there is some kind of existing problems between Smart Crew and other graffiti writers, I think that this piece will be respected. I also think that it’s funny how people consider anything done w/ spray paint “graffiti”. This particular work would definitely be considered a public mural.
awesome. more plz.
I too was upset when I saw the school mural painted over. I’m hoping the kids will fix it.
Smart Crew I mean 🙂
I would love to have more of these in the neighborhood! It is quite nice! Of course, painting a mural doesn’t mean people won’t vandalize it. Look at the children’s mural for the school over on 46th St/47th Ave. Someone painted lines through it.
I love street art. “ART” being the important term. I would welcome Street Crew back!!!
I second what Jodi says. Looks great and very representative of our colorful little nabe.
These guys are bad.
http://www.smart-crew.com
That is beautiful and a joy to look at.
Happy to say I get to see this everyday. Looks amazing, and we need more great looking murals like this in Sunnyside.
As long as they had the appropriate permission, this is first rate work…
It is excellent!
Very nice street art. Brightens my day whenever I pass by. Smart Crew did a good deed here.
Love It
Looks great and representative of the neighborhood. I’ll be passing by to check it out in person.
Of course this is a mural and not graffiti. Not everything painted on the side of a wall is considered graffiti.
As far as graffiti goes, this isn’t bad. It reminds me of those 1950’s postcards people bought along Route 66.
Here’s an example:
http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/LW003326.html
The representative of Smart Crew could not have said it any better.