Golden Age of Graffiti: Subway Art of the 1970s-80s Exhibit at City Lore

City Lore is a NYC based cultural institution that, since 1986, advocates for, documents, and celebrates the traditions and heritage of the diverse communities in NYC through education and public programs.  Last night, I went to their packed-house opening reception for Moving Murals: Henry Chalfant & Martha Cooper’s All-City Graffiti Archive. 

Chalfant (Style Wars) and Cooper (Subway Art) are among the earliest documenters of and campaigners for graffiti as artistry.  The exhibit showcases subway graffiti of the 1970s through the early 1980s.  reproductions of 850+ subway cars photographed by Chalfant and Cooper cover the walls, replicating a trainyard environment.  Walk in and you are surrounded by history, beauty, and ingenuity. 

This exhibit is a must see for those interested in NYC history, culture, and street art.  The work is amazing--from the subway writers to Chalfant and Cooper to the construction of the exhibit itself.  Moving Murals will be open for viewing through July 10th, and City Lore will host several totally cool programs associated with it.

Where: The City Lore Gallery, 56 E 1st St. New York, NY 10003
Gallery hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm
How to get there: Take the F train to 2nd Ave or 6 train to Bleecker St.
For more information: 212-529-1955 x13 or [email protected]

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