Sourcing LostLES

The work I create, regardless of industry, centers around the idea of designing narrative, story-telling environments. Whether the set for a Broadway show, the runway for a high-end luxury brand fashion presentation, or the transformation of a restaurant for live broadcast of the Democratic National Convention, I have worked for 15+ years developing a body of work on the principle that physical space is an experiential media that assists in the telling of a story. As an artist, I am significantly influenced by sculpture, architecture, light and photography. Ultimately, the spaces I work with and in serve to underscore and inspire the designs I create. www.lot71.com.

Kevin Gregor, my friend and owner of Tiny's Giant, approached me in February with the idea of designing an installation for his restaurant. Having lived in the EV/LES for 12+ years, I have long been a fan of this part of Manhattan. The neighborhood has a cultural diversity different than any other part of the 5 boroughs. The historical heritage of immigrants, my family's included, resounds in this area through the architecture, the storefronts, and the lasting cultural markings of industry and arts. I have often drawn from the rawness of spirit and visceral character unique to the EV/LES in my work and my research. Ultimately, I began to consider the 'place' (neighborhood, community, environment) as the driving narrative for the work I would create.

Approaching this project, I wanted to use the physical space of Tiny's Giant as a canvas for my ideas. I wanted to create an experience that would re-imagine a well known space with a new narrative. Tiny's Giant will celebrate it's 10th anniversary this fall and no doubt, it's somewhat of an icon in the culinary landscape of our 'hood. Meanwhile, that particular street corner is rife with the exuberance and vibrant spirit of this place throughout the summertime.

LostLES is a celebration of this iconic neighborhood in several ways. Tiny’s is set behind two plate-glass windowed walls that create a transparent, double-sided environment - from the outside, an intimate space on a vibrant LES street corner; from the inside, court-side seats to experience the vibrancy flow by, in all directions. Inspired by the camera obscura photography of Abelardo Morell (www.abelardomorell.net), the mural is a reflection of the old Lower East Side superimposed across the new. I shot a photograph of an old tenement building on Orchard&Broome that we will project inside Tiny's Giant from a single source. The image will streak across the walls and ceiling of the space, and a group of scenic artists (several who are local to the EV/LES) will then paint the mural from this guide. The resulting effect will appear as a cast silhouette, or reflection, of the old architecture that has redefined the sculptural space of the restaurant. Ultimately, the graphic/2-d image will transform the 3-d space, rendering the space with a new narrative/experience. In the work is a metaphorical play on exterior space over-layed on interior space, as well as a visual comment of the old tenement architecture re-imagining a space for the new. It will transform Tiny's Giant into a jewel-box, experiential stage of the LES. It's a celebration of the old architecture in a manner that incorporates the functionality of a restaurant space - it ought to feel, and should appear as though, people eating at Tiny's are dining under the cast shadows of the old wrough-iron fireescapes of the Lower East Side. The work is intended as a gesture of honor to the old architecture, and in our painting style, the scenic artists will be informed by the longstanding traditions of street mural and graffiti artists in the neighborhood.

I too am discouraged by some of changing skyline of the EV/LES. While I'm not entirely well-read on the matter, I find it staggering that this area was not landmarked or otherwise, considering that close to 25% of US Citizens can trace their genealogical roots to this neighborhood. I certainly appreciate modern architecture - there are qualities of Tschumi's Blue Building, as well the New Museum, that appeal to me within the context of the EV/LES. However, respect for the past and balance of context for the new is very important to me, and there are certainly several instances of egregious condo-fication here that pain the eye. Ultimately, the context/balance of which I write guided the choices I made for LostLES. I am hopeful that with my installation I am able to create a space that celebrates the past with a deference to the present. I do not intend my work to be sentimental, but rather simply an encouragement to open one's eyes anew and reflect on our surroundings - cultural, architectural, and spatial.

Opening Night Celebrations

Save the Date! Friday June 5, 2009.

Please send invitation inquires to mike@lot71.com, and your names will be added to our lists.

The opening cocktail party at Tiny's Giant (129 Rivington St) will be from 830-1030pm, and the After Party will be at Cafe Charbon (170 Orchard St) from 10pm onward.

We look forward to seeing you at the opening, and celebrating this innovative art installation and iconic neighborhood.

LostLES Fundraising

"If you're a lover of the LES, you gotta check this out. Local artist/designer Mike Brown will transform a local space into an immersive visual exploration of the hood's rich n' gritty culture. He's raising funds to bring the work to life... please click the link below at Kickstarter to learn more... and support the art today".

Fundraising for LostLES and this celebration of community is open online at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lot71/lostles-at-tinys-giant. Pledges large and small are greatly appreciated, and for every $25 pledged, you are entered (x) times in a lottery to win a limited edition, signed, framed 20x24" color print of Michael Brown's design illustration of the project.

Opening night celebrations will be held June 5th at Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop, 129 Rivington St on the Lower East Side, and a nearby venue for the After Party. Please contact mike@lot71.com to inquire about details.

Cultural Partnership

A great discussion has begun between LostLES and the Henry Street Settlement about building a cultural partnership. Proceeds from our fundraising will go to the Abrons Arts Center.

Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop

Artist Statement

Michael Brown, an environmental designer and EV/LES resident for over 12 years, announces his premiere solo art installation: LostLES - a panoramic mural at Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop that celebrates the vivid character of the Lower East Side through its distinct architectural heritage.

On the corner of Rivington & Norfolk streets, Tiny’s is set behind two plate-glass windowed walls that create a transparent, double-sided environment - from the outside, a jewel box space on a vibrant LES street corner; from the inside, court-side seats to experience the vibrancy flow by, in all directions.

From both his Jewish family heritage and his long term residence in the LES, Michael Brown conceived of the design as a celebration of the iconic neighborhood in which millions of Americans claim genealogical roots.

Inspired by the camera obscura photography of Abelardo Morell (www.abelardomorell.net), and seen as a reflection cast across the walls and ceiling of the restaurant space, the panoramic mural will be painted by local artists, equally devoted to celebrating the spirit of the LES to which they have been longstanding cultural contributors and participants.

The cultural diversity, richness of spirit, and visceral exuberance of this urban place drives the narrative for LostLES, an immersive panorama that will transform Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop into an experiential stage to see and be seen on within the heart of Lower East Side.
Michael Brown's ideas for the installation grew out of living in the EV/LES for 12+ years. The project is both a celebration of the neighborhood, as well an opportunity to give back to it.

Following the opening night at Tiny’s Giant Sandwich Shop on friday June 5th, an invite-only Lower East Side After Party will be held to gather friends, supporters, and active community members to continue the celebration of LostLES, and the neighborhood itself. Discussions are underway to form a cultural partnership between LostLES and the Henry Street Settlement, whereby proceeds from the fundraising for this installation will be donated to the Abrams Art Center.

LostLES will be on view through the summer of 2009, culminating with the 10th anniversary celebrations of Tiny's this September.

LostLES @ Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop Coming June '09