This May, The Cooper Square Hotel and Art Production Fund unveil the second installment in their Art Wall Project series. Managing partner Klaus Ortlieb designated the south-facing wall of The Cooper Square Hotel as a venue to showcase public art in order to celebrate the East Village and its long history as a welcoming place for emerging artists. Every few months, the hotel invites Art Production Fund to present new murals by contemporary artists. The latest piece is by artist Shepard Fairey, and it coincides with his Deitch Projects gallery show opening on May 1st, the last show at the renowned SoHo gallery.  Fairey’s art wall at The Cooper Square Hotel is among the largest of a number of murals that he’s currently working on around the city.

Shepard Fairey is a Los Angeles-based contemporary artist, graphic designer, and illustrator, who first became known for his “OBEY GIANT” stickers which he created while studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. This design has since emerged into a worldwide street art campaign, as well as a body of fine art. His work is rooted in the counterculture of punk rock and skateboarding while also using references from current events and pop culture. His work became more widely known in 2008 when he designed the Barack Obama “HOPE” poster. Fairey has a unique approach to design and the ability to create new, thought-provoking work while maintaining his sense of style. Today, Fairey’s work is included in the collections at The Smithsonian, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art and several other museums and galleries worldwide.

This past fall, The Cooper Square Hotel unveiled its Art Wall Project.  Nic 1, Vizie, Joyce Pensato and Shinique Smith, who represent a range of graffiti and gallery practices, painted and tagged for over two weeks, layering their work on top of one another’s.

Art Production Fund is a non profit organization dedicated to facilitating ambitious projects by contemporary artists, reaching new audiences and expanding public participation and understanding of contemporary art. Past Projects include: SHOW, Vanessa Beecroft, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1998; PLAN B, Rudolf Stingel summer 2004, Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall and The Walker Art Center; Prada Marfa, Elmgreen & Dragset, Valentine, TX, 2005, permanent; Greeting Card, Aaron Young, Park Avenue Armory, 2007; Electric Fountain, Noble & Webster, Rockefeller Plaza, 2008; The Whitney Biennial, Park Avenue Armory, 2008; Members

 present
The Fiery Furnaces
Special guest DJ Alexandra Richards

Tuesday, June 29
7 PM

THE PENTHOUSE at Cooper Square Hotel
25 Cooper Square (3rd Avenue btw 5th and 6th)

Tickets to be purchased $50
http://musicunites.org/events.html

RSVP@MUSICUNITES.ORG

The Annie O. Music Series is a monthly showcase for musicians around the city and the world. Curated by former music publicist Annie Ohayon.  The concerts take place in The Cooper Square Hotel’s scenic 21st floor penthouse, which provides a breathtaking backdrop and 360-degree views of New York.

With a thriving design, literature, intellectual, and music community, the area offers live music, poetry, antiques, and art nestled amongst one of the most varied assortments of ethnic restaurants and vibrant nightlife in all of Manhattan.

Ripe with history, the East Village is often considered as the birthplace of several artistic movements, including punk rock, and is home to the City’s oldest continuously operated saloon, McSorley’s Old Ale House, which opened in 1854.

The area houses several university communities, including part of New York University, the New School, and the renowned Cooper Union, one of the most selective colleges in the United States with programs in architecture, art and engineering.

The East Village has experienced a major resurgence in recent years, as striking architecture, trendy cafés and new boutiques continue to enhance the historic character and charm of this colorful neighborhood.

Famous for its nightlife and club scene, the neighborhood was instrumental in the development of folk music and jazz. Legendary night clubs The Village Vanguard and The Blue Note continue to host some of the biggest and greatest names in jazz weekly, and many popular restaurants and bars keep the area constantly booming.

Every year on October 31st, Greenwich Village is home to New York’s Halloween Parade, the largest Halloween event in the country. Thousands of people gather and participate in the mile long parade of outrageous costumes, parade floats, masqueraders, pets and more.

Make sure to explore the historic Washington Square Park and watch the street performers and chess players who often frequent the area. Greenwich Village is also known for its prominent role in the gay liberation movement, home to the landmark Christopher Street and the Stonewall Inn, both centers of the gay rights movement.

The area is also a thriving residential community, home to many celebrities who relish the more creative, laid back atmosphere of the neighborhood.

Old-world shops stand next to avant-garde boutiques, and much of the area’s rich history is preserved in monuments, museums and landmarks.

Art galleries and nightclubs are always alive with events, from music performances to poetry readings. Day or night, there is never a dull moment on the Lower East Side.

The penthouse at The Cooper Square Hotel is open for business.  Standing on the terrace with a glass of wine and nothing but a glass partition between you and the view is just sublime.

Klaus Ortlieb, the dashing managing partner of the hotel is unveiling his collection of unique minibar offerings in the hotel’s rooms, including delicate jewelry from Tina Thor, a makeup kit from Lorraine Abeles, and a fragrance by red flower called Wanderlust, based on Klaus’s love of books, cigarettes, and Chardonnay.  That has to be an acquired taste!

As the area developed, it boomed into a thriving art scene, with many galleries and studios occupying the large industrial loft spaces of the neighborhood.

Over recent years, this downtown neighborhood has morphed again into a chic and picturesque retail destination. You’ll find funky boutiques, big name retailers, charming restaurants, cafés and bars all contributing to the area’s hip reputation.