Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Kenny Scharf and Robbie Conal to Guest Star on The Simpsons

On March 4, Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Kenny Scharf and Robbie Conal will guest star on the 23rd Season of the iconic television series, The Simpsons in an episode titled, “Exit Though The Kwik-E-Mart.” In order to get back at his dad, Bart goes undercover as a graffiti street artist and plasters Homer’s unflattering image all over Springfield. But one night, Bart and Milhouse get caught in the act by the established street artists and to Bart’s surprise, they invite him to exhibit his satirical artwork in his very own gallery show.

“Part of being on ‘The Simpsons,’ is you’re being honored as a reference point in culture,” Fairey says. “But you also can’t be too sensitive about that part of culture being made fun of…There’s irony that comes with something outsider becoming insider. And they do a great job of examining that.”-Shepard

It's kind of weird, Shepard is easily the most recognizable of the above artists in mainstream culture but his character doesn't look as spot on as the others in my opinion.

Video: Here Comes The Neighborhood VOL 1.3 "Kenny Scharf"

In the third episode of the stellar web documentary series Here Comes The Neighborhood , Kenny Scharf returns to Wynwood to expand on a piece he started in 2009, one of the original Wynwood Walls. Having seen street art evolve from the New York City graffiti scene in the 1980s, to its status today as an established and respected international art movement, he reflects on his life and career as an Artist. He addresses the downside of art being treated as fashion, and articulates the importance of creating a project where the art itself is not for sale. Kenny also discusses the pros and cons of gentrification and how it relates to the Wynwood district.

HCTN EPISODE 3 : KENNY SCHARF from Here Comes the Neighborhood on Vimeo.

Video: Here Comes The Neighborhood VOL 1.1 "Introducing the Walls"

Last week we brought you a preview of the upcoming series Here Comes The Neighborhood and if you took a moment to watch the video you are probably just as excited as we are to be watching the first episode which we now have below for our readers.. In the first episode founder Tony Goldman explains his vision for a town center, while Jeffrey Deitch, Arts Manager Meghan Coleman and Co-Curator Medvin Sobio offer their insight into the project's significance, taking us into the present day expansion. In addition, Photographer Martha Cooper and Miami based Mural Project Primary Flight weigh in.

Participating artists in this episode include: Kenny Scharf, Shepherd Fairey, Kunle Martins (Earsnot), Gaia, Shie Moreno, and Patrick McNeal from the artist collective Faile.

Featuring Original Music from: Hanni El Khatib, Ducky, Tommy Mas and Clams Casino.

HCTN VOL 1.1 "Introducing the Walls" from Here Comes the Neighborhood on Vimeo.

WTF: NY Mag’s ‘Basquiat in the Bodega

Here is a story I read on the weekend and opted not to post originally because I thought it was a joke but now I’ve seen it in several places so it’s time to stop the lunacy!  

New York Magazine did a piece titled “The Devil on the Door” - Could a painting on a dope dealer’s storefront be the last work of Jean-Michel Basquiat? The piece is available to read here in its entirety. So what’s the problem? The problem is that the painting is clearly a piece by artist Phil Frost! Troubling to see various art experts and historians discussing the in’s and out’s of this lost Basquiat, might be time to retire.  I don’t even know what to say other then wow you people are dinosaurs! But it gets even better… Kenny Scharf, a legendary graffiti artist had this to say “I wouldn’t say that it’s his greatest painting, but it’s not a bad one.”  Once again WOW, Kenny and Phil are part of the same art movement and are both well known not just in their world but the art world at large, these guys have even shown together before in the past, What a joke.