New York Magazine just published a rather lengthy article about the person who has come to be known as the "splasher." Seems he gets off on trashing street art around the city on which he posts glass-infused manifestos. Now the street artists are upset because their vandalism is getting vandalized. SVA grief counselors must be working overtime.
The Vandalism Vandal [New York Magazine]
Yeah, it isn't the camera happy tourists and SUV-sized baby strollers making it impossible to walk in SoHo, it's the people selling art. Right.
Art vendors say police get picture all wrong [The Villager]
Thank the lord, some non-offensive chocolate usage!
"Urban sensibilities and New York City flavor are the key ingredients to the early success of Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar, a purveyor of premium chocolates and gourmet sweets located in the West Village. Since starting her business in 2002, Nelson has brought a fresh approach to the stuffy world of premium chocolates by combining confectionery delights with uniquely urban sights - a reflection of her irreverent nature and her love of the arts and New York City.
Her latest creation, Graffiti Bars, promises "Great Chocolate, Pure Street" and includes ten new flavors adorned in wrappers designed by a group of legendary New York City graffiti artists such as Lady Pink, Crash, Spar One, and Blade. Nelson will donate a significant portion of proceeds to a non-profit group selected by the artists - the All Stars Project, a performing arts organization for underprivileged youth that operates in Harlem, Coney Island, Bedford-Stuyvesant and the South Bronx."
Graffiti Chocolate Bars [Format Magazine]
It's not quite game over for Coney Island's fabled Astroland Park.
Developer Joe Sitt, who bought the 3.1-acre summer amusement park to incorporate into his planned, glitzy, Vegas-style complex, told The Post he's "willing to keep Astroland open" - or some form of it - for at least the 2008 summer season if his project is delayed.
"The last thing I want is for Coney Island to go dark," said Sitt.
On Sunday, Astroland opened for what was expected to be its final season, with Sept. 8 as its scheduled last day.
The developer and City Hall remain at odds over whether Sitt's firm, Thor Equities, should get the green light to include luxury condos in its proposed $2 billion, 10-acre, year-round entertainment project. Without the condos, the developer says the project doesn't make fiscal sense.
The Astroland sale has no effect on the park's most popular ride - the landmarke Cyclone roller coaster."
Astroland May Get One More Ride [New York Post]
If you can keep from being distracted by the collapsing buildings on the Lower East Side, you'll notice that both Tonic and Sin-E are closing this month. Thank god, we were just wondering when someone would be kind enough to open up seven more Duane Reads on one block.
Even the mermaids are facing the affordable housing crisis.
This petition has been started to prevent developers from leveling Coney Island. Coney Island has been a substantial part of New York City culture and history since the 1860's. Now that legacy is being threatened by the real estate company Thor Equities, LLC. The bullying, double-speaking and intimidating of Thor Equities is not unlike the stories of Coney Island from the turn of the last century. This time the amusement park itself is being threatened.
Watch these two films about the playground of the world courtesy of fishermansburlesque.com.
