R.I.P. – SOTRU Examines Memorial Murals
By Zak Rosen
Graffiti and murals have become so integrated into the fabric of so many of our cities, that I often forget to stop to look at them. In Brooklyn, as well as dozens of other places around the country, a specific type of mural exists among the cryptic tags, and colorful cartoon-esque characters. Often comprised of a simple portrait, along with a name, birth and death year, and sometimes a message, memorial murals began to sprout up all over NYC in the 90s. Today, it might be safe to say that there’s at least one memorial mural in every neighborhood in the city.
The people memorialized, often on the sides of buildings, are just as varied as the style of the mural. A Brooklyn blogger, Bed-Stuy Banana, has created quite a comprehensive photo set, and Google map of most (if not all), of the memorial murals in Bed-Stuy (a neighborhood in central-Brooklyn). I encourage you to take a virtual tour over at her blog.
In our upcoming State of the Re:Union Brooklyn Episode, we explore the culture of memorial murals and the mourning, memories, death, life, friends, family and art that goes along with them.
Stay Tuned!
Rest in Peace – Jose Orengo Born in Dec. 10, 1977 and Died Dec. 4, 2001 (23 years old) Artist: Ariel Moreno from INKSPOT in Queens (Photo courtesy of Bed-Stuy Banana):
Rest in Peace - Jose Orengo Born in Dec. 10, 1977 and Died Dec. 4, 2001 (23 years old) Artist: Ariel Moreno from INKSPOT in Queens (Photo courtesy of Bed-Stuy Banana)
In Loving Memory of AKEEM SULUKI Sunrise 12.22.1998 – Sunset 5.20.2008 (10 years old) Hit by a car. Location: Macon Ave. and Malcolm X Boulevard Artist: Gano Grills (Photo courtesy of Bed-Stuy Banana):
In Loving Memory of AKEEM SULUKI Sunrise 12.22.1998 - Sunset 5.20.2008 (10 years old) Hit by a car. Location: Macon Ave. and Malcolm X Boulevard Artist: Gano Grills (Photo courtesy of Bed-Stuy Banana)
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Tags: art, Bed-Stuy, brooklyn, graffiti, memorial murals, sotru, State of the Re:Union
