mosaicmannyc:

Jim Power, aka The Mosaic Man, Launches a Rebuild “The Legendary Mosaic Trail” Campaign on Crowdfunding Site, Indiegogo

NEW YORK, April 29th, 2013 — Renowned New York City artist Jim Power, aka The Mosaic Man, today launched a fundraising campaign to rebuild his famous Mosaic Trail on Indiegogo, a leading international crowdfunding platform and community.

About the campaign:

For over 25 years, Jim Power, aka The Mosaic Man, has created one of the largest and longest lasting public arts projects with his Legendary Mosaic Trail. The trail of whimsical mosaic designs on lamp poles, planters, sidewalks and storefronts throughout New York City are some of the most recognizable and universally acclaimed works by a local artist. The various pieces are often dedicated to an historical event, person, or landmark, i.e. 9/11 or the former Fillmore East, or simply act as sign-posts and markers. The works are, for the most part, created using recycled materials, built to last, unique to the city, and add a great deal to the quality of life in the neighborhood. In 1988, Jim was authorized by the DOT to build up to 80 light poles. In 2004, he was inducted into the City Lore Peoples Hall of Fame and received an official proclamation from Mayor Bloomberg recognizing him for his selfless contribution to the city. Over the years, Jim’s work has been featured in countless television programs, newspapers, books and magazines worldwide.

All that, and Jim has never received any significant funding for his project from the city or outside groups. And, unfortunately, due to vandalism and destruction, only about a quarter of the lamp posts that make up the original trail are still fully intact.

So, he turns to you…

Now, you can help support the rebuilding of The Legendary Mosaic Trail!

Proceeds from the campaign will go toward supporting all facets of the rebuilding of the trail.

Not only will contributors help support the rebuilding of a part of New York City history, but they will also receive exciting and unique perks related to the trail itself, from stickers or T-shirts featuring Power’s designs, to one-of-a-kind original pieces of art or “artwear,” to opportunities to have your image or brand included on a pole for all to see!

The campaign is the culmination of several years of work by Power and his cohorts to build up visibility about his work on the trail and its impact on the city. The trail as a whole tells the story of an ever-changing neighborhood, what came before, what’s here now, and perhaps what will be in the future.

Power has often said that he is not out for fame. He feels he has a “responsibility to the people who love this work.” He makes his art “for the community that he loves and that loves him so dearly in return.” He is thankful for the continued support from the public throughout the years, and this campaign is the latest way for people to bea part of something big and help Jim see his vision through.

“We’ve got over 50,000 people on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. If everyone gave just a few bucks, we could do this and the world wouldn’t know what him ‘em!” says Power.

The campaign lasts through Friday, May 24th, 11:59PM PT.

You can read more about the campaign, view the exciting perks available, and donate here.

Local boy does good!

About GPICT

mosaicmannyc:

jdx:

unbreakable.

One year later.

You can send a message to Japan or make a donation to the Global Giving Japan Rebuilding Fund here.

jdx:

viva el suck.

Social Security: Closed

Message!

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the metaphor in this picture.

Related:

S.O.S.S. (Save Our Social Security)

So, this is happening…

Cougar, The Musical

…more than meets the guy

Conceived and Written by Donna Moore
Direction, choreography and additional writing by Melinda Buckley

At Theatre at Saint Peters 
(54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue)
3 performances only!

Saturday, Jan 9 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM
Monday, Jan 11 7:30 PM

with
Donna Moore
Kathleen Weaver
Christopher Hollowell
Ariel Heller
Music Director Rick Hip-Flores
with Brad Carbone, drums & Steve Gilewski, bass
Produced by A.C. Productions & TIGER Theatricals
Associate Producer Colleen Finnegan

Cougar, The Musical is a multi-character story about a newly divorced, forty-something mom who is down on her luck. Wounded and abandoned, she reinvents herself by unleashing her inner cougar and ultimately finds self-love and empowerment.

The American Paradox

In a survey of attitudes toward artists in the U.S. a vast majority  of Americans, 96%, said they were greatly inspired by various kinds of art  and highly value art in their lives and communities. But the data suggests  a strange paradox.

While Americans value art, the end product, they do not value what artists do. Only 27% of respondents believe that artists contribute “a lot” to the good of society.

Further interview data from the study reflects a strong sentiment in the cultural community that society does not value art making as legitimate work worthy of compensation. Many perceive the making of art as a frivolous or recreational pursuit.

Other insights further illuminate the depth of the paradox:

• A majority of parents think that teaching the arts is as important as reading, math, science, history, and geography.

• 95% believe that the arts are important in preparing children for the future.

• In the face of a changing global economy, economists increasingly emphasize that the United States will have to rely on innovation, ingenuity, creativity, and analysis for its competitive edge—the very skills that can be enhanced by engagement with the arts.

hydeordie:

I am extremely intrigued in this paradox of the value of art/artists. Further exploration is required.

blakeley:

Duh, it’s because most artists suck.

Ha! Richard beat me to it!

I reckon 96% of said art that Americans truly value is produced by 4% of the “artist” community.

The rest of you are just “unemployed.”

sloaneberrent:

Yes, yes. This seems about right.

rickwebb:

via img513.imageshack.us

Friday I’m In Love. - discovered by Benjamin. Author unknown.

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

Go ahead and start singing along…

“I don’t care if…”

LOVE IT.

The first Thursday’s the best.

Anyone have a hi-res version?