New Yorker of the Week

AugTue 2010 Filed in: New Yorker of the Week

Bryan Close

Craft: Artist/Photographer
Why we think he’s cool: Is standing up for the rights of other street artists
Where to find him: thelightdynamic.com
Interview by: José

Jessica and I were strolling through Union Square looking for someone to interview when we came across Bryan Close. He was carrying his own art on his shoulders with a sign that read “Mayor Bloomberg Stole My Vending Table.” We knew this was the guy we needed to talk to.

Jose: Explain to me what’s going on here.
Bryan: As of July 19th of this year, New York City passed a law that limits the amount of spaces for “expressive-matter vendors” in Central Park, Union Square Park, Battery Park and the Highline, but particularly in Union Square.

J: What have the numbers dropped down to?
B: Our community is about 300. On any given day there would be 75 to 200 artists. Now they dropped their numbers down to 18 unfortunately. On the off days they up it to another 40 spots, but it’s still a significant cut.

J: What are considered the off days?
B: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. That’s the day The Farmer’s Market isn’t here.

J: What’s the reasoning behind their ruling?
B: The official reason behind their ruling is that the artists are causing congestion. It’s crazy ‘cuz we’re out here on the First Amendment. This is our freedom to express ourselves in a public space. The only real card that the city can play is the public safety card. So that’s exactly what they did. They said we come and cause congestion, but if you compare, and I love them, but if you compared us with the Farmer’s Market and the Holiday Market, we cause significantly less congestion.

J: I might have to agree with that.
M: Totally. I’m actually a plaintiff on the court case, and we follow the lawsuit against the city in hopes of getting these laws overturned. In my opinion, a lot of it is a money issue. We’re out here and we don’t have to pay rent. I’m a sole proprietor, I pay sales tax on all my sales and income tax just like anybody else, but I don’t particularly pay rent out here.

J: Well, how much would it cost to rent space out here?
B: To rent space in Union Square Park in particular, the starting rate for the smallest amount of space for a 48-hour period is $8,000. The Farmer’s Market pays a million and half a year. The Holiday Market pays two and half million a year for 30 days.

J: Why is it so expensive?
B: This is Union Square where everybody comes. Tourists and locals alike hang out or just pass through, unlike a place like Times Square, which a lot of people avoid. This is prime real estate. I’ve been out here for two and half years and every year you get more and more corporate events, promotions or concerts. When money is involved, the city is going to cater more to those folks than the artists out here doing their thing trying to make a living.

J: Before we go, how would you describe your art?
B: Two-dimensional visual art. I’m a photographer. I’m well published. Well published around the world. All my work is photographic prints. True photographic prints. Chemically processed photos. And I sell them in unlimited editions. Street art for life. I love it. I’m not big on other people taking a chunk of my profit or out of my customer’s wallets. Affordable, accessible.

J: Bryan, I think what you’re doing out here is fantastic and I hope that you guys get what you deserve.
B: Thank you. I really appreciate it.

neighbor

Photo by Bryan Close from thelightdynanic.com

How did Bryan Close answer our Outsider questions?

1. List a few things in your fridge.
B: Milk, ketchup, lunch meat and ice cubes.
2: Describe your ideal New York date.
B: I like the day of the date. Just finding a free or cheap event. Poetry readings. Anything cool and random.
3. Which crowd would you avoid the most: shoppers on Canal Street, tourists in Times Square or New Yorkers during rush hour?
B: Times Square.

Tags: new yorker, Interview, Art, Artist , Jose