Art world ringmaster and impresario Jeffrey Deitch has been bringing art to the people in some zany ways the last few years, including with parades and offbeat museum shows.
His funhouse approach reached a new zenith last year when he got access to a lot just half a block away from the raucous Coney Island boardwalk. It was there that he curated a “Coney Art Walls” installation of billboard-size artworks by some of the more freewheeling muralists currently working on four continents: North and South America, Europe and Asia.
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Coney Island Art Walls. Photo by Sandra Hale Schulman.
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The 2016 edition opened on May 27, 2016 and all projects were completed by June 18, 2016, in time for the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade. This year’s project features 21 new wall projects along with gourmet food stands and special events featuring some of the Circus Sideshow denizens of the Coney Island Museum.
The art installation is presented by Thor Equities and the firm’s CEO Joseph Sitt, owners of the property on Stillwell Avenue where the multiple murals are on display. And “Coney Art Walls” isn’t just art. There are food stands set up in shipping containers, including Table 87 for pizza, Calexico for Mexican and Dinosaur Barbecue. There are plenty of tables and picnic style seating just right for having a nosh and taking in the view.
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Coney Island Art Walls. Photo by Sandra Hale Schulman.
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Coney Island Art Walls. Photo by Sandra Hale Schulman.
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Newcomers to the mural project this year include artists Nina Chanel Abney, John Ahearn, Timothy Curtis, D*Face, Jessica Diamond, Tristan Eaton, Eric Haze, Icy & Sot, London Police, Nychos, Pose, Stephen Powers, Tats Cru, and Sam Vernon. Returning artists creating new works are Lady Aiko, Mister Cartoon, Crash, Daze, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, and Marie Roberts. Murals from 2015 still on view were made by Buff Monster, Eine, Ron English, How & Nosm, IRAK, Kashink, Lady Pink, Greg Lamarche, Miss Van, RETNA, eL Seed and Sheryo & Yok.
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Coney Island Art Walls. Photo by Sandra Hale Schulman.
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Coney Island Art Walls. Photo by Sandra Hale Schulman.
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Bordered by Bowery Street, West 15th Street and Stillwell Avenue near the Coney Island boardwalk and beach, “Coney Art Walls” attracts thousands of visitors throughout the summer and beyond. It’s adjacent to the original Nathan’s restaurant and within walking distance of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Luna Park, the Cyclone, New York Aquarium, the new Coney Island Amphitheater and MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.
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Coney Island Art Walls. Photo by Sandra Hale Schulman.
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On a recent visit there I went for the full Coney Island experience—having a hot dog at Nathan’s, strolling the boardwalk with newly sunburned beachgoers and then walking to the Art Walls. The lot was pretty empty at midday, which made for better viewing of all the murals. There are some very inventive works included. One features divers that resemble sculptural elements; another has a mock game booth called “Down a Clown”; and another is a wildly colorful mural made of vintage Coney Island postcards.
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Coney Island Art Walls. Photo by Sandra Hale Schulman.
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My favorite effect was hearing the rumble of the roller coasters and screams of the passengers while viewing the murals at the same time. The day I was there a roller disco rink was being set up in the center of the Walls park.
Art lovers who visit the project will also find it worth a short walk to see the Coney Island Museum and Freak Show over on Surf Avenue. The vintage roller coaster cars, bearded lady, midgets and head-to-toe tattooed freak show hosts offer a peek into the admittedly bizarre popular entertainment of not so long ago.
“Coney Art Walls” will be on display through summer 2016 at 3050 Stillwell Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224
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