A couple of weeks ago the California-based street artists AngelOnce and GoopMassta made their maiden voyage to New York City to embark upon a sizzling collaborative endeavor that culminated with their latest duo show, “Pink & Green 2, The Hype Series”. The two also spent their time in New York working on new murals that can be found around the city from Queens and Brooklyn to Staten Island. Their most recent work introduces locals to their well-loved original characters: GoopMassta’s “charming hip hop frog” and AngelOnce’s pink elephant, Angry Charlie.
The two artists commemorated this momentous occasion with “Pink & Green 2,” the an event that could be considered more of an experience than a show at 3rd Ethos Gallery in Bushwick, Brooklyn on June 25th, 2018. Their takeover transformed the intimate gallery space into a full-on in-your-face extravaganza of eye popping colors, retro themes and animal prints.
GoopMassta and AngelOnce created an arrangement of pieces that jumped off the wall with their cheeky juxtaposition of corporate street associated signage from the likes of Supreme and Nike, as they paired these accents with original designs. Some pieces even used light to further emphasize their bombacity. Many included red plastic tags punched through their canvases, in a measure that played into their big-box store, corporate consumer product references. The works shown for sale were also accompanied by limited edition prints, patches, stickers and pins.
The opening event itself accentuated the show’s wild flair. Attendees donned whimsical 3-D glasses and meandered through the pieces with wonder. Part way through the evening, the artists themselves also treated attendees to a high-energy raffle featuring miniature handmade token pieces from the artists. The DJ bumped an all-vinyl playlist throughout the evening, and at one point, money guns were brandished, dispensing heavenly loads of cash. In addition, attendees received packed swag bags on their way out, stuffed with stickers, numbered prints, and even more hundred dollar bills.
Both artists’ work tell a story of tenacity and big dreams, and advocate for the value of hard work and hustle. AngelOnce does so through his work with Angry Charlie, who is seen throughout the artist’s visual work and additionally through his latest foray into avidly crafting hand-designed toys. GoopMassta’s ambitious green frog embodies the character of a hip hop star on a hopeful rise “up the charts with caviar dreams and champagne wishes.” The artists also incorporate the imagery of their sunny upbringings into their work, with AngelOnce’s ability to catch “the attention of young and mature audiences alike” and GoopMassta’s use of dazzling “colors, flow, and a sense of urban lifestyle.”
The provocative show found a natural home in 3rd Ethos, a creative collective located in the heart of Brooklyn’s artistic scene and focused on a wide variety of influential mediums from art and fashion to cuisine, music, and design. “Pink & Green” blurred the lines between visual image and actual experience through not only the inclusion of innovative new techniques and styles, but also their commitment to showmanship. Now that these two artist have made in in New York, it will be fascinating to see what they continue to do everywhere else.
Pink and Green 2, The Hype Series
AngelOnce x GoopMassta
June 29-July 2, 2018
3rd Ethos Gallery
154 Knickerbocker Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237
AngelOnce: Website | Instagram
GoopMassta: Website | Facebook | Instagram
