With the city's roll-down gates just acting as metal canvas for those with spray cans, they're being phased out... but not without a final farewell. The New Museum has teamed up with artists, as well as the Art Production Fund, to adorn some downtown gates with graffiti before they're taken away. This is all part of the Festival of Ideas, and this specific project is called “After Hours: Murals on the Bowery."
According to the NY Times, 17 artists are involved, including Rirkrit Tiravanija, Mary Heilmann, Glenn Ligon, Barry McGee and Ingrid Calame. The images they create will be painted onto the gates by Colossal Media, known for their hand-painted advertisements around town.
The murals are expected to pop up over the next few weeks, and will remain for two months—look out for them on Bowery, from Houston to Canal streets. As long as Shepard Fairey isn't getting a gate, we approve!
