For Closure

In West Farms Square there is a new sculpture titled “For Closure” by artist Gabriela Salazar. It is a 26-feet-tall artwork made from locally salvaged doors and resembles a house of cards.

I ran into these young women and asked them to pose for me. And they were just A*W*E*S*O*M*E. You will see more photos with these DIVAS but before that here is some history of the Artwork.

I took the following excerpt from the artist’s website:

It is meant to represent the fragility of the housing market.

“A lot of people already talk about financial collapse so I don’t necessarily expect the piece is going to bring more attention to that, but I do hope it humanizes that experience a little bit, reminds people that all these homes are actual people’s lives,” said artist Gabriela Salazar

The temporary art work was brought in through a partnership between the Bronx River Art Center and the Department of Transportation’s Urban Art Program.

“For Closure” will be on display for seven months.

I think “For Closure” is in the perfect spot. I see my neighborhood changing everyday. So many businesses are closing down and there is an increase of homelessness in the Bronx. Homes are going up everywhere but it seems more are moving out of the neighborhood than moving in.

Just this week when I was passing out ‘Saving Kayton’s‘ flyers, I ran into a mother with three children who asked me about helping her find an apartment. She seemed very desperate.

Speaking of  ‘Saving Kayton’s‘ I am still working on the project. I spoke to Bronx officials and emailed friends and family hoping for the story to fall into the right person’s hands…now we just have to wait. It’s sad that we have to fight so hard for a store with such history and good quality to stay in our neighborhood. However, if landlords don’t care enough  about single mothers with children then why would they care about a store?!

Best Friends

Artist: Gabriela Salazar

Sculpture: “For Closure”

Models: Elizabeth, Tiffany, Eva, Deborah

Best Friends

Artist: Gabriela Salazar

Sculpture: “For Closure”

Models: Nana & Elizabeth

24 Hour Car Repair Center LTD

This is Mike and Adil. Arabic cousins. I thought they were Italian at first…actually they could have passed for anything since we all are so mixed up.

When I put the camera to my face, Mike ran in to get his shades. So much for the candid shot I was aiming for!

They’ve been working in this business for seven years and counting.

Their location is 1831 East Tremont Ave.

Motorcycle Season

So, I think,  Spring is motorcycle season. As a matter of fact, I hear one right now!

I was walking home and they were all waiting for the light. I didn’t even realize that I knew one of the dudes until I took the picture.

The whole neighborhood was watching and waiting for them to take off. It was time to cross the street and people weren’t even crossing the street, they were just waiting for them to race off. And they all had different sounds on their bikes. Which intensified the moment.