Graffiti/Post Graffiti, a testament to street graffiti entering the hallowed grounds of major art galleries and institutions in the early 80s featuring Basquiat and his New York contemporaries. And New York New Wave at PS1 - this seminal show, curated by Diego Cortez features the work of Robert Mapplethorpe, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and interviews with Kurt Hope and Diego Cortez.

Downtown Calling (US 2009, Shan Nicholson, 75 min)
Narrated by Debbie Harry, Nicholson’s film – and European premiere - looks at the creative music and filmmaking explosion that occurred in downtown New York in the late 70’s, particularly the birth of hip hop, and features reminiscences from DJ Arthur Baker, graf artist Fab Five Freddy, ESG, and Wild Style filmmaker Charlie Ahearn.

When I lived in NOLA a few years ago, the Grey Ghost (a man who would go out at night and paint over gorgeous works of street art with grey paint) was rather big problem. Right after I left, I know he was busted for covering up a mural and received a court summons. Does anyone know what happened to him? I hope he was stopped! Would welcome all comments. If you have any links to stories, please share! I am writing about the effects and challenges of urban street art.
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