If one thinks back to the more rhapsodized iterations of East Village (i.e. the one that was significantly less safe and pointedly more interesting than today’s incarnation), one of the most pervasive images that spring to mind is the wide, open, rubble-strewn lot. Often compared to London after the Blitz, the East Village used to be pockmarked by these vacant spaces, the remnants of tenement fires set by arsonists. Just so we’re clear, this phenomenon was not something to be celebrated. It was the very real fruition of urban decay -– a city feeding on itself.
Peruse through any cinematic depiction of the neighborhood during that era – from “Smithereens” (right) to “Downtown `81” to “Permanent Vacation” to “Mondo New York” – and you’re likely to spot these forbidding, lonely spaces.
In many instances, however, various enterprising and resourceful local artists made full use out of these lots, either turning them into gardens, sculpture parks or massive canvases for street art. One such artist was a gentlemen named Scot Borofsky.
I stumbled on Borofsky’s work by accident, but I want to say I dimly remember some of his paintings, but I may just be entirely projecting. In an case, Borofsky made use of his gritty, urban surroundings by creating what he called “The Pattern Walk.” Here’s the official description…
Scot Borofsky's Pattern Walk: an outdoor site-specific installation of more than 25 original designs rendered in spray paint in NYC's East Village. Created by the artist working at night with spray paint and folding ladder, between the years 1982-1985, during the East Village art movement in Alphabet city. Find out more at virtualeastvillage84.com.
Cool, right?
For the sake of illustrating this post, I’ve taken the liberty of utilizing one of Borofsky’s photos at the top, but to see the full range of his work, be sure to click here and here.
Today, of course, most of the vacant lots are long gone, and any available lots certainly don’t stay dormant for long. I sincerely doubt there are any traces of Borofksy’s work left on the walls of the East Village, but maybe if you look hard enough … you might still find a trace of the Pattern Walk.
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