Is Shepard Fairey Trying To Switch His Sources?

In a recent statement, artist Shepard Fairey explains some reasoning behind his lawsuit against The Associated Press, which he hopes will protect him from copyright infringement claims over his “Hope” portrait of President Obama. The strange thing is that Fairey acknowledges referencing a photo by AP photographer Mannie Garcia, but claims it was “not the one being circulated by press.” However, that’s not true as James Danziger, a gallerist who showed Garcia’s referenced photo in an exhibit of Obama imagery, points out in an open letter to Fairey: Read more »

Pirates Demand $2 Million for Captain

The courageous seafaring union captain held hostage by the Somali pirates attempted an escape by jumping into the water and swimming away but was quickly reeled back in with gunfire. His captors are now demanding $2 million for the return of Capt. Richard Phillips who is being held on a lifeboat like the one pictured. The FBI joined the negotiations and the U.S. Navy is ready to pounce, but the fearless pirates claim they’re not scurred of the maritime might, telling Reuters: “We are not afraid of the Americans. We will defend ourselves if attacked.” |NYDN|

Gowanus Canal May Become Superfund Site

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to declare Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal a Superfund site, a move that would bring in federal money to thoroughly cleanup the polluted waterway. The EPA reports that sediment in the canal is “contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals and volatile organic contaminants (VOCs), and significant contamination associated with coal tar.” There’s widespread support for flushing out the canal, however critics worry that proposed developments in the area will be delayed, or even killed, by the cleanup efforts. Some developers are even concerned that the Superfund status has too much negative stigma, as though the 1.8-mile cesspool didn’t have any already. |NY Times|

Photo by Will Sherman

Poster Boy Should Remain Underground

This past weekend, the subway ad modifying artist known as Poster Boy unveiled his first solo exhibit at Eastern District in Brooklyn. The show basically consisted of a massive cut up Dunkin’ Donuts vinyl billboard that was stretched across the main wall. Unfortunately, like many street artists before him trying to make that transition from the streets into a gallery setting, the concept just doesn’t come off as interesting when taken out of its illegal element and it becomes a softer, less edgier version of his unsanctioned work. But we can’t knock everything from the show, the exterior sign is brilliant (after the jump) and we’ll still be on the lookout for what happens below the streets.
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Police To Begin Shooting Snuff Films

New York State Police will begin testing gun-mounted video cameras this year, with the hope that the footage “can eventually help clear cops or vindicate victims involved in police shootings around the state.” While we applaud the move and attempt at transparency, it’s the NYPD that should really be experimenting with these, as well as cameras mounted on batons, fists, walkie-talkie antennas, and tasers too. |NY Post|

No Bail for Ninja Man In Murder Case

Dancehall veteran Ninja Man was denied bail “when he appeared before the Half-Way Tree Gun Court in St. Andrew Tuesday morning to answer to murder charges.” The longtime “Don Gorgan” and his son are being investigated in the March 17th shooting death of Ricky Trooper. He returns to court on May 7th. |Radio Jamaica|

Photo: Blatantly stolen from the Afflicted Yard

Graffiti ‘Queens Arrive’ In Williamsburg

Women have always been at the forefront of graffiti, but as is in most male-dominated endeavors, don’t always get the credit they deserve. Tomorrow night they’re front and center: “Queens Arrive,” a group show curated by Indie 184, opens at McCaig Welles Gallery in Williamsburg. Featuring some of the best female artists with roots in graffiti like ACET, CLAW, FAFI, and SILOETTE, the show promises to “showcase their intricate styles and personalities; bringing a refreshing perspective to the graffiti and street art gallery scene.” The show opens at 7 PM tomorrow and will be on view through May 4th at 129 Roebling Street.

“Square Claw” by CLAW MONEY courtesy of McCaig Welles

Unions Defeat Somali Pirates!

It’s not U.S. warships or international flotillas that are going to stave off the onslaught of Somali pirates, it’s American unions. As Mother Jones points out, the crew of the Maersk Alabama, which was recently accosted, but later regained control of the ship are part of the Seafarers International Union* and they don’t mess around. Unlike non-union scabs, they’re well trained for any situation, after all they attended the “union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education” according to a statement from SIU:
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