New York, NY (March 16, 2011) - TT Gallery is proud to present the exhibition of COPE2, Transition, from April 7th – 18th, 2011.

Opening reception Thursday, April 7, 7pm-10pm.

Transition, a solo exhibition of new works on canvas by Bronx based artist COPE2. As his first solo exhibition at the gallery, Transition, features canvases with various types of mediums reflecting on graffiti aesthetics synthesized with fragments of street art elements. These new chapter of paintings arise from the obstruction of producing graffiti pieces in the streets paradigm to a permanent transfixed surface. COPE2 integrates color and texture to translate his raw energy, intertwined with his trademark bubble letters and tags, into abstract compositions on canvas.

Among the original paintings on exhibition will be 100 limited edition giclée print on archival paper titled Most Wanted, 18” x 24”, 2011.

COPE2’s paintings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and auctions throughout the United States and abroad. He is a self-taught artist who is a celebrated figure for over 30 years in the graffiti art culture. One of New York City’s most prolific graffiti artists, he began tagging his name in the South Bronx in 1978. He developed his style in the subways and streets of the Bronx creating graffiti productions throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s achieving international recognition for his distinctive style. In recent years COPE2 has been commissioned by Time Magazine and designed a set of sneakers for Converse and a full clothing collection for Adidas. He has worked with Steiner Sports collaborating with the New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter producing graffiti on memorabilia. His work has even crossed into the virtual realm with appearances in video games such as Mark Eckos: Getting up and Rockstar Games: Grand Theft Auto IV. He has also delved into curating successful group art exhibitions. Today, you can catch COPE2 in the studio creating art on a daily basis. COPE2 crosses between art world, mainstream and street culture alike.
www.cope2.net

COPE2 (Fernando Carlo, Jr.) was born in 1968 in Manhattan, NYC. He currently lives and works in the Bronx, NY.

Solo Exhibitions (selected) Fine Lines, Skalitzers Contemporary Art, Berlin, Germany; Cope2, Defiance Gallery, Chicago, IL

Group Exhibitions (selected) El Museo’s Bienal: The S-Files, El Museo Del Barrio, New York, NY (forthcoming); Urban Art, World Cultural Heritage Site, Völklin, Germany (forthcoming); Under The Influence, Phillips De Pury & Company, New York, NY; The Art Of Basketbal_l, Public Works Department, Miami, FL; _Burning Hearts, Galerie MathGoth, Paris, France; Pop Art, Freeman‘s Auction, Philadelphia, PA; Down By Law, Eric Firestone Gallery, East Hamptons, NY; Color Correct, Eden Gallery, New York, NY; Graphic Attack, 1AM Gallery, San Francisco, CA; N’ap Boule: A Benefit for the people of Haiti, Anonymous Gallery, New York, NY; NOW: Art of the 21st Century, Phillips De Pury & Company, New York, NY; Come Correct, The Showroom Gallery, New York, NY (Guest Curator); New York Legends, McCaig & Welles Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (Guest Curator); New York, New York, Phillips De Pury & Company, New York, NY; Graffiti – Street Art, Millon & Associés, Paris, France; Street Art, Artcurial, Paris, France; TAG au Grand Palais, Gallizia Collection, Paris, France; Art Urbain, Dominique Asselin, Paris, France; Subway Series: The New York Yankees and The American Dream, The Bronx Musuem of Arts, Bronx, NY; Graffiti Art Auction, Guernsey’s, New York, NY; Tags, Bombs & Scratchiti, Martinez Gallery, New York, NY;

Cope2: True Legend monograph, 275 Pages, 2003. Righters.com

Image courtesy of the artist.

TT Underground Gallery
91 Second Avenue Lower Level, New York, NY 10003
Tele: 212.673.5424 Web: www.tt-underground.com
[email protected]
Gallery hours: 2pm-7pm daily closed Monday

It’s your lucky day ladies! We’re giving away not one, but TWO Marc Jacobs scents - Daisy Pop and Lola Velvet! Both fragrances are in limited edition collectible bottles. Inspired by Pop Art, Daisy Pop is bold, bright and full of energy and Lola Velvet celebrates a one-year anniversary with a touch of class. Entering is as easy as 1-2-3, all you have to do is:

To Win Daisy Pop….
1.  “Like” Daisy Pop on Facebook
2.  “Like” M.I.S.S. on Facebook
3.  Leave a comment on the Daisy Facebook page saying why you want to choose the scent.

To Win Lola Velvet….
1. “Like” Lola Velvet on Facebook
2. “Like” M.I.S.S. on Facebook
3. Leave a comment on the Lola Facebook page saying why you want to choose the scent.

All entries must be made by next Tuesday, September 7th, Midnight PST.  Good luck!  If you don’t win, you can purchase Lola Velvet and Daisy Pop Art this fall at Bloomingdales and select specialty retails nationwide.

*Prize ships only within the United States.

If you’d like to learn more about the scents, read on…

Read the full story

Art HERstory: Aya Takano

Sickness is a gift and a curse. Of course nobody likes to feel under the weather, but being home allowed me to resort back to one of my favorite childhood past times. To this day, there is nothing like curling up on the couch with a bowl of cereal to enjoy some grand old cartoons. As of lately I’ve paid a lot more attention to the characteristics of anime and other forms of Japanese art. The color, shapes, and over exaggeration of facial features and movement is like nothing we have here in the States. Aya Takano (1976 - ) took the components of anime and manga and molded them into her own pro-female paintings and drawings. Apparently she has made quite a name for herself, both stateside and abroad.

"Earth." This a perfect representation of what Aya's work is all about. The women are lounging in the atmostphere all nude and empowered and such. The ladies pictured are surrounded by various life forms found on Earth. It all makes sense: women, life, and mother Earth.

Aya was born in Saitama, Japan and received the Bachelor of Arts from Tama Art University in Tokyo. Her mediums of choice are inks and acrylics. Whether sketching or painting, Aya’s works often depict female heroines with the recognizable over-sized eyes and large heads. Many of her works also depict these women partially or totally nude. The colors are there as well. Her inspiration comes from Japanese anime and American science fiction.

"Noshi & Meg, on Earth, Year 2036." Women running rampant, doing what they want in the empty streets of Japan. If this isn't empowering for women I don't know what is!

Hard work definitely paid off for this chick. Her work landed her on the roster of Takashi Murakami’s Kaikai KiKi. The guy is a freaking Japanese art guru. He is most famously known in the states for his $5,000 limited edition Louis Vuitton bags. I SO wanted one.

This is one of my favorite Takano works. The colors are cool. It looks like a still from a cartoon. She looks like a superhero of some sort. Oh yeah, the outfit is awesome too!

Kaikai KiKi was originally founded by Murakami to promote his work, but eventually grew into something much more powerful. The company evolved into a collaboration of like-minded artists looking to come together to promote their work. Mission accomplished! With Murakami as curator, how can your work NOT get recognized?

"A Night Walk - A Pink Moon Emerged." This sketch brings to mind a damsel in distress in a horror movie. I feel like a killer is about to jump into the frame at any minute. The large, dark eyes of the female, the pet bat, cloudy atmosphere, and pink moon all add to the dark mood of the photo.

Aya began participating in the late 90s and still works to this day. Her eye popping displays of pop art are beautiful, creative, and politically driven to an extent. The empowerment of women is an obvious theme. Kick ass Aya!

"A Drive with A Night Dog." This drawing leaves a lot to the imagination. I love the drama you feel from just looking at the woman's face. I wonder what she sees in front of her.

Image Layout: Phaymiss

Project: M.I.S.S. Editorial: “A Woman’s Work” fashion spread & cover in Hell Yeah! Magazine
Role: Creative Director & Producer
Notes: Rosie the Riveter meets Roy Lichtenstein in this fashion spread featuring work wear in the Pop Art Issue of Hell Yeah! Magazine