Artist Spotlight: Adam Psybe

It's just about 5pm, and the last sliver of actual sunlight is disappearing from the sky as we get off the L train in Brooklyn. As we emerge to the streets, the neighborhood seems to all be housed except a select few young men with thick beards and glasses. It is getting pretty cold out already, freezing really; Our breath stands still for a moment in the air as we begin to venture towards an area of Brooklyn where community meets industry and art. This is Bushwick, and we are entering an open air gallery run by a group of artists known as The Bushwick Collective. This select group of artists paint the walls of the buildings in this area with incredible pieces of art, and in the midst of it all, a "new" artist is rising to the challenge of being recognized on these streets filled with artwork from well known visionaries like Buff Monster and Sexer. And with just a little push and a lot of talent, he would enter that mold.

Beau Stanton

Sexer

His name is Adam Psybe, or just Psybe for short. Since a young age he's been very artistic, but for the past three years he's been working on his craft with a canvas, and really expanding and working on it full time for the past year. His style of painting is extraordinarily surrealistically pleasing. One might call it 'abstract' art, but I'll refer to it as planetary portal geometry.

The first time we saw Psybe's work was up in Maine at The Great North Music and Arts Festival. Although there wasn't a lot of time spent talking to the man himself, his works really spoke out to everyone that came under the art tent. There were times I'd walk by just to admire his canvases again only to find people sitting in front of the paintings in a trance like state, getting lost within these gateways from his mind. It was very appropriate to have him working alongside other amazing artists, including Alex and Allyson Grey.

Now back in NY, Psybe was looking to get involved with more artists as well as to expand his horizons with his art. That is where the Bushwick Collective came into play. Originally, Psybe approached them to get a spot to paint a mural and become part of the collective. At that time, the Bushwick Collective was apprehensive to giving Psybe the wall space due to him only working on two murals in the past, and most of his work being on canvas. As I'm sure this was a let down for Psybe, he did not let it get in the way of building his street cred.

Entrance to Cypress Studios // The Art Space

Down the Hallway Lined with Art

Recently a new art studio opened up in Bushwick called Cypress Studios aka The Art Space. It's a pretty well hidden spot, with a large black gate blocking off the entrance. Inside the studio there are hallways and rooms, a lot of space an artist could rent out as a studio. It was in this space that Erika Bansen, another very talented artist, rented out a room to launch her very own dreadlocks studio, Make Me Dreadful.

While fixing up the room, Adam spoke to the building's owner about possibly being able to use the black gate in front to paint a portal. The permission was given and Psybe went to work. He was adding a mural to the area that he was just denied from. "I was told it was a bad move to do a mural right in their area, but I decided to go ahead with it anyway given I did not think I'll be working with them." Some my consider this a ballsy move, I see it as freedom of speech. After all, this building may be in the same area, but the Bushwick Collective do not own the streets.

His mural began to take shape, and a small portal to a whole new galaxy came to life. He worked on it for full days, from the brisk mornings till the extreme temperature drop at night fall. Little by little his piece came together to create an original painting for the neighborhood. It is truly incredible to look at, and even more so original compared to all the other works in the vicinity. Psybe has added a new flare on Cypress Ave. After his work was finished, he contacted the Bushwick Collective again to show them his piece. They told him that they were watching him the whole week as he worked, and they were happy to have him be a part of them.

Almost completed...

Finished Product "Public Portal One" - Photo by Bushwick Collective

Moral of the story? Don't give up. Don't give in. If you love something, and are passionate about it, just do it and keep on doing it. Psybe didn't step on any toes in doing what he did, and in the end got where he wanted to be. So what's next for Psybe? Well so far he will be working on another portal with the Bushwick Collective and he's also been contacted to paint a building in Brooklyn. The building will be a collaborative piece featuring Psybe and other geometric and abstract artists from the Bushwick Collective. He will also be doing a new acrylic series for a solo show in Denver called The Knew Conscience Gallery in June. There are many great things to come from this artist, and we are excited to see what's next!!

Check out Psybe Visual Arts to see more of Psybe's work and buy some art!! See his work with your own eyes on Troutman and Cypress, a half block west on Cypress, only a short walk from the Jefferson Street Station on the L line.

CounterPoint Music Festival: Artistically Speaking

With CounterPoint Music Festival pretty much right around the corner, we here at EGP are getting excited for all the amazing news coming out on the event. So far, the lineup has been released, a college fan contest is running,  and now a little more information about the artistic side is coming to light.

Geometrical Imaginative Insanity...<3

MCP has partnered with the amazing artist, Greg Mike, to organize a group of artists to participate in the weekend-long live action Visual Arts Installation. These artists will cumulatively cover over 1600 sq. feet of space created what could possibly be the craziest mural seen to date!

LAmour Supreme

PLF

Greg is the founder and Creative Director of ABV, Atlanta's contemporary art gallery and creative agency known for its focus on street art and pop surrealism. And get the rest of this lineup, from straight off of CounterPoint's page, "[Greg] will share the spotlight with the likes of Aaron Crawford, Brandon Sadler, LAmour Supreme, PLF, Sam Parker, Skinner, Trey Moseley, Will Mitchell and, the man - the myth - THE Wolfdog." This is an awesome way to get different types of art involved in relative and unique ways, especially at what looks to be the biggest and kickass festival of the summer! Just take a look at this lineup!!

Get more info on CounterPoint:
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[Space] Flux Productions - Lumpy Space Disco - Getting to Know You Through Party

More recently we've seen new DJs, promoters, photographers, production crews... people trying to make a difference in the scene, popping up. It's become a jaded topic, people saying that all these n00bs want is free entry to a party with the chance to say that they are actually doing something instead of just being a 'raver'. Some of these accusations might be true, but there are those fresh faces that are really moving towards a positive change and that want more than notoriety, they want to help the community move forward and introduce new and fresh ideas as well.

Breaking It Down to the Lumpy Beats By: Ronnie C.

One such group of new producers, is [Space] Flux productions.  Last weekend marked their second venture into throwing a party, the first being When Worlds Collide. That was as [Space] Flux, before that existed Peanut Butter Plur and an event that will go down in history, Power Ravers. That party set the tone for [Space], essentially it was all a cardboard art piece, the Megazord.

"I want art and interactiveness at our parties. The things we can do with cardboard, and the art we make with cardboard... I know it sounds funny, but you know what? Even now we'll take some cardboard and make it into something, like a giant Lady Rainicorn." - Mattypoi Flux

And they did deliver. Hanging out at the Electric Warehouse right above the stage entrance was the colorful wonder. And it's all too true. Decorations are a huge part to any event. As a party-goer, you should have fresh sets in similar locations, ever changing spaces for you to explore and check out what's going on. Putting music on in a room and throwing some lights in the mix doesn't cut it anymore (unless you're in the basement [lol]). For Lumpy Space Disco, all the deco was out. Being an Adventure Time theme, there were so many possibilities with such a wild and zany idea to work with. They had cut outs of different candy castle workers, models of Finn and the Ice King with a graffiti type edge to them. They had a disco ball hanging as well, adding to the disco feel. And of course you can't forget about the lights and visuals.

Dancing With Finn and Jake By: Edwin Cuevas

It Just a Disco Ball Man By: Paus3

D'awww ok! By: Paus3

All around the main room of the Lab were Adventure Time projections with some of my personal favorite scenes in the mix. Biggie Stardust also came out out as the digital hostess to introduce DJs. Behind the visuals was none other than Morgan Freeman (Bluecrash). On lights and lasers was Paradox Productions, and they did the rooms up really nicely, as always. Also on it was Kevin Carpet, lying down by the smoking exit for most of the night. It's always such a pleasure to see him at a party, and you can expect to see him at any [Space] Flux party.

Lasers Galore with Paradox By: Yaz

Morgan with Goreface By: Paus3

"Kevin Carpet! Every time I go to a party I look forward to seeing him. It's not a party unless Kevin is there! I won't have a party unless he comes, I really consider him family." - Maria Flux

Kevin Carpet's the Man! By: Paus3

Any Adventure Time fan would've felt right at home, so many people came in costume! There were so many Finn's, a BMO, a nice mix of Jake, and many different princesses (my favorite was the Fire Kingdom Flame Princess). It was so many people's first or first-five event. It seems to be a trend with [Space]'s parties, they attract the constant new breed. This is defiantly a positive with the way the Flux family is trying to put a positive spin on the scene.

So Lumpaaaaahyyy By: Ronnie C.

omg...Fionna.. score By: Yaz

BMO Getting Some Grind Time By: Paus3

"We've (the NY scene) had raves that are advertised as 'theme parties' but then at the party nothing is really themed. That's when I started thinking to myself, how can we make it better? The first thing I thought of was deco. Deco makes people happy, it's half the fun of going to a party, being emmersed in this new world." -Mattypoi Flux

"It used to be that you couldn't go to a party without cops bothering you asking you if your doing drugs, asking if you're getting into trouble, riding on you whether you're doing something or not. This scene should be a safe haven for party-goers. Our parties are a place where people can come together and just be accepted, not get judged, as long as they don't ruin everyone else's time." -Maria Flux

Griz Ripping it Up By: Ronnie C.

So Much Bass! By: Yaz

The music was blasting all night, with a good amount of dubstep, drumstep, and plenty of hard beats. In town for the first time ever were both GRiZ & Prototype Raptor! GRiZ was actually chilling with everyone in the beginning of the party, he's a mad chill person. For people here in NY, we are not too familiar with him. Anyone would have thought he was the man at the party, having a good time with everyone. It was awesome hearing them spin, brought a whole new flavor to the NYC scene.

Bazinga By: Ronnie C.

A Little Fire By: Ronnie C.

Circles By: Paus3

The party was great, as usual, the post on the wall after the party were raving about how good of a time they had, it's always a positive to see. There was a lot of work that went into this party, and nearly turned into a migraine for [Space] Flux, but in the end, everything was pulled off nicely at the Lab. I can't wait until their next party, looks like it my just be the continuation of Power Ravers... which to you a say [duh].

PHOTOS:

Paus3: SET

Ronnie C. Photography: SET
Edwin Cuevas: SET

Reptar Photography: SET (coming soon)

Delineation Digital Media: SET

Epic Glowrm: SET

Nik Kanter: SET

All my photos: