When was the last time you went to an art show at 1780 Broadway? If ‘never’ was your answer, you’re correct. It’s not a gallery, and from what we understand, it isn’t about to become one, save for the evening of Friday, September 6th, when it will serve as the venue for Common Ground Pop Up Show. So what should you expect?
Curated by skater and filmmaker Ethan Barnett, whose past projects include Hudson Valley DIY scene hubs HICA Gallery and Young 845, the international show will feature the films, photography, paintings and multimedia work of nearly 30 young, professional artists, many of whom will be having their Bushwick debut. Organized loosely around the elements of a contemporary skate aesthetic (the precise photorealism prized by skate photographers like Marco Hernandez, who is featured in the show, and the grotesque cartoons that often appear in skateboard design both crop up), the effect is simultaneously pensive and cheerfully brash. The evening will also include performances by Earl Boykins and Sleeper’s Bells, the latest solo project from Jesse Alexander of Battle Ave, and DJ sets by Lord Raja and others.
So that’s this coming Friday, September 6th, at 1780 Broadway off the Chauncey stop on the J; it opens at 7 and wraps up at 11:30PM. The show is sponsored by Korean skate wear company Artifact, skate shop 2nd Nature, Red Hook recording studio Atomic Sound, and Blood of the Young Zine. See you there – we might skate down if we’re feeling confident.
