Marvin The Poet

We used to call Marvin "The Mayor of Greenwich Village". That is until he moved to the very trendy Lower East Side. He used to be a gallery owner, representing some of the best emerging artists of the time. Now he is an accomplished poet whose work is haunting, despairing and cutting. Just like one needs a biscotti with every cup of espresso, art needs poetry.

Marvin is a fitting cresendo close to Poetry month.

Here is a video of Marvin in action.

Love Me

Just like the Papa Loves Baby tags, I am sensing a trend with the tag Love Me. Who is this great desirer of love? What is the backstory? As always, your comments are welcome.

Charlene Weisler Photography at Kevin Barry Gallery

My latest solo show of my Urban Montage photographs is currently at the Kevin Barry Gallery located at 25 Victory Blvd in Staten Island, New York City. The show runs from April 16-June 11, 2009. This past Thursday night, April 16, was the opening night reception. The party drew close to 90 art enthusiasts who drank, ate and helped tag the entry wall.

A special thanks to Kamillah Hanks, Executive Director of the Downtown Staten Island Council, who curated the show with enthusiasm and expertise and to Kevin Barry, whose eponymous gallery is a great space to showcase art. Check out the Flickr photos of the event.

Here is a video of the opening night. I was not able to get everyone - my apologies to those who are not in the video - but you can see that a good time was had by all. If you missed opening night, please stop by the gallery in the next few weeks. It is about 4 blocks from the Staten Island ferry terminal - along Bay Street to Victory Blvd.




The opening was announced in Time Out New York Magazine which ran a full page article in this week's edition:



And here is the link to the article on their website which also has 20 of my photographs in a slide gallery.

Subway Performance

Is street performance street art? I say yes.
Here is a video of a group of street performaers who create theater in NYC streets and venues. In this video they had brunch on a NYC subway train. From business meeting to surprise party, the "play" rolls through Manhattan into Brooklyn as curious onlookers .... errr the audience of riders .... looks on.
Check it out:

April is Poetry month

Art and poetry are cut from the same cloth. Put a poem in your pocket and help celebrate Poetry month in NYC this April. There will be slams aplenty and where there are slams, there is street art.

What will your poem be?
In celebration of National Poetry Month in April, New York City is hosting the 7th annual Poem In Your Pocket day (PIYP) on Thursday, April 30, 2009. Be part of the excitement by carrying a poem in your pocket. You can write your own poem or borrow one from your favorite poet; just make sure to share it with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Poem in Your Pocket day will offer a series of poetry-inspired events throughout the city, including a full day of open-mic sessions for NYC public school students in Bryant Park. All month long, there will be a series of poetry-inspired events throughout the city. To learn more, visit the Events Calendar. www.nyc.gov/nyculture or www.nyc.gov/poem

Subway Art Gallery Opening

Street Art? Subway Art? Subway Gallery Opening? It is all related! is the site for a group of artists - performance and art. They are the ones behind the no-pants subway ride. Their October "opening" was announced via a platform sign:




and included such work as a Bravo cable TV ad, a pay phone and a gate (which had a red dot indicating a sale).



Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 80 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City.