The first in the Street Paper series sees a whopping twenty-four images. A strange mixture that includes graffiti and advertising twisted by my eye.

Having just edited and reordered this set, I will try to express my intentions and observations. The mixture occurs because on some level it’s all advertising. I guess I am saying that a poorly pasted advertising is art in the same way a Faile or Bäst slap up is art. It’s the undulations of wet paper or water drops or tears, shadows and chain link fencing that  recontextualize the imagery. The connection is that they are all paper.

Most importantly, it’s my eye and mind that is conceiving all of this. As the observer, these are my pieces even if I didn’t make them. I love them and they have become a huge part of what I create.

Now back to the pieces. Gorgeous serialized images by Faile and Bäst provide the framework for this set. Single pieces smattered about create a nice thread.

As a counterpoint the advertising pops throughout. Everything from the horror of a PETA ad covered in water droplets to a poptastic ad for The OC distorted by sloppy workmanship.

An album cover rendered in psychedelic color is covered by the shadows of tree leaves is visually inseparable. If I didn’t tell you, you wouldn’t know the shadows aren’t part of the original image.

The true New York aesthetic is uncovered in torn and water damaged imagery that is then covered by cyclone fencing. Layers upon layers.

This duality really started to take hold at the African antiques gallery. Things with patina and decay were highly valued and commanded a higher price. While right up the street the new Apple store opened. Home of the pristine and perfect. This duality is one summation of New York City.