A few weeks back, arts nonprofit chashama launched an exhibit co-curated by Daniel Feral and Joyce Manalo called "Pantheon: A History of Art from the Streets of NYC," in the windows of the former Donnell Library in Midtown, situated, tellingly, just across the street from that other pantheon, MoMA. The exhibition brings together 33 graffiti writers and street artists— art blog Curbs and Stoops name-checks "work by John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres, [plus] newer work by descendants like Ellis Gallagher and El Celso"— for a giant street-level window display of street art over the past 40 years. The brightly colored, Disneyland-on-acid collection is dedicated to "avant-rap and graffitti legend" Rammellzee, who died last year.
The good folk from Pantheon are also dispatching a team of "guerrilla street librarians"— collaborators who set up and staff a portable info table— and "incognito street docents" who offer a primer on early graffiti and street art by walking viewers through the exhibition piece by piece.
The whole shebang was scheduled to close last weekend, but due to popular demand, it's been extended through May 1st. Check here for a schedule and to make an appointment to participate in artist Jordan Seiler's study, in which passerby are being asked their thoughts on the unauthorized use of public space. Hey, the more Dolly we can get on the streets, the better.
