I have mixed feelings about Poster Boy — I like the daring and creativity it took to make his crazy subway ad remixes, but I also think MTA should do more to keep its advertising from being vandalized. You know, so more companies will want to spend money on public transport and keep fares down… not that the MTA wouldn’t just pad their gluttonous salaries with the extra… Anyway, NY Post reports Bushwick resident Henry Matyjewicz was arrested at a show featuring his work in SoHo. In retrospect, Henry, that wasn’t a good idea, though it does seem strange for resources to be devoted to such a minor criminal. “People are getting shot,” and whatnot.
Matt C February 3rd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I’d really like to know if vandalism has any effect on where ad buyers do their marketing. I don’t think it does.
Jeremy Sapienza February 3rd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
In the subways it must. These buyers live in NY and must know that subway ads are immediately defaced. I have almost never seen an ad that was not in some way messed with.
Matt February 3rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Street Artists shouldnt show up to their own openings. It adds mystery and minimizes the arrest potential.
Dresden February 4th, 2009 at 9:10 am
You know – it always feels so f-ing weird waiting for a subway in an area where the last thing on residents’ minds is some garbage advertisement that has nothing to do with their demographic. It’s almost heartless.
Poster-boy’s work I always found delightful. Too bad – being arrested isn’t some kind of a joke. He might go to a park and pick up trash this time, but future work might be limited to a studio.
Steve February 4th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Whenever I see articles about Poster Boy, there are always these excellent examples of his work. What I usually see in the subways is some random chopping of ads, an eye or a head slapped on here or there… Just saying.
Matt February 4th, 2009 at 9:29 am
maybe it’s all photoshopped like those american apparell ad spoofs by stereohell.
Dresden February 4th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I agree with Steve – the “work” I’ve seen is cheap compared with the articles. And it doesn’t really seem like a valid argument about the First Ammendment. I read an interview where he said “slavery was once illegal” like there’s even a fucking comparison. They’re going to throw the book at him. Hard. Especially if he claims innocence or regards it as a circus. Arrogance is never rewarded in a courtroom.
Jeremy Sapienza February 4th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
This is not a First Amendment issue. He is a vandal. A minor one, but there’s no getting around that.
Dresden February 4th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I love it when artists claim the First Ammendment regarding vandalism. It’s like a retard wondering what the monkeys are doing at the zoo.
gary February 5th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
poster boy is a damn hack. his ‘work’ is juvenile and boring. it sucks that he got arrested, because getting arrested sucks, but gimme a break. artist shmartist.
Dresden February 5th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I’m like, supporting Gary here. Only after reading the interview where he said “slavery was illegal once” – which was about the most arrogant thing I’ve heard an artist say in recent memory.
beth March 5th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
poster boy isn’t the only person cutting up ads, so the supposedly mediocre work you’re seeing could be someone’s handi-work.
Poster Boy April 11th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Dear internet gangsters,
You’re taking the slavery quote out of context! It was a comment on capitalism and how it operates as a modern day slave system. The comment was definitely NOT some lame attempt at vindicating myself. I know the Poster Boy work is vandalism, that’s the fucking point. So i guess you’re the retarded monkey worrying about what the vandals are doing at the zoo.
PB
Professional Alternative April 12th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Thanks PB, I agree. As I always say, there’s no end to the oppression of the likes of Dunkin Donuts and Snickers, foisting their slavalicious coffee, donuts, and candy on us. Now, thanks to you slicing up a handful of their ads and showing them at the most expensive gallery in Bushwick, you have hereby VANQUISHED teh eval capitalizmz from our midst. A true hero of the masses against junk food, you are.
Poster Boy April 12th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
The all caps VANQUISHED and z’s on capitalizmz are a nice touch. All too often do people revert to sarcasm when they lack real criticism. I bet you didn’t even go to the show. Not that I really care, but how else are you going to form a valid argument. You are a true internet gangster. You can launch insults and empty criticism from your laptop all you want. At least I have the courage to go out and do something. True, I may not single-handedly bring down public advertising and/or capitalizmz but I’m going to do everything in my power as an artist to incite change.