Street art is, by nature, controversial. To some, it's vandalism and an eyesore. To others, it's a great backdrop for their next Instagram shot. But to the artists themselves, it's their way to broadcast the social and political currents running through a city.
"The street is the common denominator, the bell curve and the barometer of all things,"street artists Enzo & Nio write in the new book "Outdoor Gallery - New York City". "You go to the street when there is nowhere else to go. You go to the street to shout at the world... The streets serve as a mirror on society."
"Outdoor Gallery" author Yoav Litvin is a photographer, writer, and doctor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience who has made it his mission to document this ever-shifting conversation in New York's streets.
"There's a raw character to NYC that is unique," Litvin said to Business Insider. "After all, it is the mecca of graffiti and street art and has an interesting and troubling history." In fact, New York City is the birthplace of the graffiti "writing" movement of the 1960s, which evolved into the image-driven street art we see today.
But despite the city's rich past with graffiti, its not a street art free-for-all; Litvin says the authorities are "very strict" compared to other places, and artists caught in the act can be fined up to $350.
Below, a selection of the most noteworthy, provocative, and eye-catching works currently on display in the city, as Litvin sees it. Go now, before they're gone.
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Thanks to the radical (and often illegal) nature of the medium, street artists tend to be enigmatic characters with provocative perspectives and political messages. This chimney in Long Island City is decorated with an austere, pensive piece by brothers and artists Icy and Sot.
Location: Long Island City, Queens
Artists: Icy and Sot
Story: Since 2006, the two Iranian brothers and stencil artists have contributed to Iranian and international urban art culture through their stencil work, usually depicting human rights, ecological justice, and social and political issues.
Buff Monster's eerie creations, like this eyeball-filled wall, are both creepy and striking. "As the empire city, New York City attracts the best of the best and all eyes are directed here," Litvin said.
Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn
Artist: Buff Monster
Story: Buff Monster is a popular artist famous for his signature use of the color pink. Over the last 15 years, he's crossed over as both a street artist and gallery artist, and his meticulously executed paintings have been shown in galleries around the world.
Brazilian artist Alexandre Keto puts up stylized murals like this one in Long Island City, drawing attention to race and class issues.
Location: Long Island City, Queens
Artist: Alexandre Keto
Story: As an artist and educator, Alexandre Keto uses bold, stylized portraits to highlight contemporary social issues.
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