July 15, 2004
Bar Barramundi, New York CIty
The steel shutters in front of commercial spaces get
battered over time by people and the elements. In New York City especially, they also get bombed by graffiti--some
of which is art, some just plain
vandalism. Occasionally, a shop proprietor will commission art for
their store front or take the DIY approach and paint the
shutters themselves. Here the protective skin of the popular Lower East Side
bar Barramundi has been given an eclectic decorative
treatment. The paint is faded and the style is rough, but the effect is like that
of folk-art. Behind the arty facade is a dive bar for rock
kids, artists and assorted alcohol-swilling hipsters. We like the animal pattern along the
top of the shutter and how the painting uses a different color
and pattern for each horizontal shutter strip. Note the address
on the center door shutter and the bar hours on the right.
Masumi Hawkins Photo
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