BSA Images Of The Week: 04.14.24 / “Return2Burn” in Hunts Point, Bronx

Welcome to BSA’s Images of the Week. We decided to dedicate this weekly survey to the artists of “Return 2 Burn”, its organizers, and the streets that brought us here.

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The new “Return 2 Burn” exhibition at the old train station in Hunts Point, Bronx, serves as a modern continuum of pivotal artistic moments from New York’s vibrant past, echoing the groundbreaking energies of the Fun Gallery, The Times Square Show, and initiatives by Collaborative Projects Inc. (Colab) and Fashion Moda. These seminal venues and events of the early 1980s, such as the Fun Gallery (1981-1985) and The Times Square Show of 1980, were instrumental in merging the diverse cultural and artistic energies of “uptown” and “downtown” scenes. They featured artists whose names would become prominent like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Futura, Daze, Crash, Jenny Holzer and many others who intertwined with the emergent graffiti and street art movements against a backdrop of punk, hip-hop, and an unprecedented cultural fusion across the city.

This week, the art world mourned the loss of Patti Astor, the trailblazing founder of the Fun Gallery and a pivotal character in Charlie Ahearn’s iconic film “Wild Style.” Her legacy, which has deeply influenced the intersection of hip-hop, graffiti, and urban culture, remains a testament to her visionary impact on New York City’s vibrant art scene.

“Return 2 Burn” builds upon this legacy by featuring contemporary and legendary artists like Skeme, Tkid 170, Martha Cooper, and Al Diaz—who notably co-created SAMO tags and cryptic texts on the street with Basquiat—linking the historical narrative of New York’s street art from its inception to the present. These artists, alongside others such as Chris from Robots Will Kill, Indie, Buff Monster, and Wane, were part of the vibrant opening night crowd, celebrating the ongoing narrative of street art within the Bronx and all of this city’s boroughs. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the energy of enthusiasts, collectors, storytellers, and historical figures of the graffiti and street art scene.

This collection of photos was shot while the exhibition was still being assembled—”work in process” shots. Their sometimes raw quality on view signals that the exhibition is a living entity produced by many hands; and it is expected to evolve throughout the spring and summer. New artists will continue to add installations, contributing to the dynamic transformation of the space and ensuring that the exhibition grows in scope and impact.

The opening night, a massive success, underscored the exhibition’s role as more than just a collection of artworks but also a gathering place for the community and a hopeful signpost for our collective creative future as we enter such uncertain times. It is a vibrant testament to the evolution of graffiti, street art, public art, muralism, and their enduring significance in urban culture. The installed pieces—captured before the doors officially opened—are a diverse and dynamic reflection of the art movement, a snapshot of this moment at this location that recognizes the hundreds of artists at work on New York streets at any moment.

Through the visionary efforts of curators like Robert Aloia and Jennifer Giraldo of Outlaw Arts, and their collaboration with Majora Carter and James Carter of Bronxlandia, “Return 2 Burn” reminds us how exhibitions can serve as cultural synthesizers, continuing the transformative traditions of street and graffiti art. Their dedication ensures that the legacy of New York’s unique art scene not only persists but also adapts and thrives, engaging new generations of artists and audiences alike. Moreover, the vital role of those who document, write about, and archive these events is crucial; without their work, such exhibitions’ rich history and transformative impact would not be preserved for future inspiration and influence.

In the grand narrative of New York City over the last century, where subculture has always been given wide berth, plenty of fuel, and eclectic spaces to develop and grow—a sentiment rooted deeply in the Punk tradition of D.I.Y.—the creation of venues for artists reflects the city’s essence. And while we appear to be losing gallery spaces, we always have the streets. In New York City, D.I.Y. isn’t just a concept—it’s synonymous with NYC itself.

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The lineup includes: Aiko, Al Diaz, Austin Pinon, Basie Allen, BlusterOne, Buff Monster, Camella Ehlke, Cassandra Mayela, Chris RWK, Dr. Revolt, Faust, Ghost, Giz, Indie 184, JJ Veronis, John Fekner, Jon Burgerman, Judith Supine, Kade198, Lamour Supreme, Martha Cooper, Matt Siren, Modus, Peter Paid, Pork, Queen Andrea, Roycer, Saman & Sasan Oskouei, Sheryo & Yok, Skeme, Tkid, Totem, UF0907, VFR, and Wane One