The Art-Mobility: the Next Wave of Street Art Movement?

It is getting lost on the way to Willaimsberg's every 2nd Friday gallery openings, leads me to discover Theater In A Van (note 1) and  a very unique comic book shop: Desert Island (note 2).  WhO iS aFRaiD oF GeTtInG lOsT?  Especially in a bike riding community, so full of vibrant creativity by young and upcoming artists, and with street art literary on every corner, groovy, yeah.... one feels like the sixty's return, and with less acid, substituted by green conscious little boutique stores dotted in the neighborhood,  little sparkles of doing goodness, and..... wicked fun!!!

Theater In A Van, Parked in Williamsberg, Brooklyn, New York, ready to perform. Photography by Wen Wen Lin

Theater In A Van, Ticket $5-, Photography Wen Wen Lin

The mobile van/truck, recent rise in 3 yrs, has becomes a favorite choice for artist galleries, performing art venue(van theater) and the forever popular food truck.  It is  "hip" and  "chic", it can go anywhere, park anywhere (literally), and ready to open the shop or perform in 5 minutes preparation.  Not only does it avoid the high rent stress (reverse the typical landlord/artist tenant tension), it can choose the place to exhibit/perform, and be seen more crowd and more different crowd, reach more diverse locations. Apart from been more exciting and fun for the artists, they could even hand-pick their audience from the passerby on the street.  The gallery/theater can close in winter time, and open in spring, when the artists and the streets are ready.  It is liken to the olden days, when "the circus comes to town," but with a modern twist; in the case of Theater In A Van, it is definitely first of its kind.

photo courtesy: Theater In A Van

Theater In A Van, Parked in Williamsberg, Brooklyn, New York,  Photography  by Wen Wen Lin 0611

Theater In A Van, back of the van, Willimasberg, New York,  Photography  by Wen Wen Lin 0611

Theater crowd has been in the wan for the past 20 yrs or so, many of us today, couldn't even remember when is the last time that we went to the theater.  When the van parks, and engages the passerby on the sidewalk who has never gone to the theater, it is a MOVEMENT: "Theatre in a VAN! was more than a way to save money on performance space. It’s a way to truly engage a new audience, to reinvigorate society’s interest in theatre."as creator of Theater In A Van Leon Pease said: "It take theater to the street."  Because the theater happens in the back of a suv, it enables to create a unique, and very direct, and less timid, "in the moment of performing" criticism and dialog between the audience and the performers, not seen in the conventional theater.  In this sense, it also serves as a mean of social interaction on the street level.

Detail painting on Theater In A Van, Photography  by Wen Wen Lin 0611

Detail painting on Theater In A Van, Photography  by Wen Wen Lin 0611

Detail painting on Theater In A Van, Photography  by Wen Wen Lin 0611

To my opinion, it will usher a new wave and lead a new way for street art movement, after the graffiti street art movement in the late 1960s' which vibes with Hip Hop culture, bright color & loud fashion, which also dress the theater van's appearance. (note 3)  It is innovative, captivating, transforming-- it "stimulate new perspectives on the art form (theater)."  It is "Banksy in a van" to me, in the theater term.

the troupe performing inside the van, performing "elephant calf": photo courtesy: Theater In A Van

Note:
(1) Theater In A Van:  The project was started and created by theater artist Leon Pease in 2010.  Since then, Theater In A Van has produced 5 plays in one year.  Please refer to their hilarious 5 commandments in their video section on their website, which includes not having to be sober to enter the Theater In A Van.
http://www.theatreinavan.com/index.php

(2) Desert Island is located in 540 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn.  Owner Gabriel is an interesting, soft-spoken guy, who is not only helpful in finding what you are looking for, he is also friendly to chat with.  1-718-388-5087
www.desertislandbrooklyn.com

Desert Island comic book store, photography Wen Wen Lin 0611

very creative display window of Desert Island comic book store, photography Wen Wen Lin 0611

details of display window of Desert Island, photography Wen Wen Lin, 0611

details of display window of Desert Island, photography Wen Wen Lin, 0611

(3) For street art history: please see the most wanted, forever elusive street artist Banksy's recent released documentary film about street art movement: Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)