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NEW YORK DESIGN WEEK—New York Art Department is proud to present PRIVATE PROPERTY, a collaborative project
between downtown-New York lifestyle brand ALIFE and Brooklyn-based contemporary furniture manufacturer UHURU.
PRIVATE PROPERTY brings together high-end sustainable furniture design and downtown New York graffiti culture: The
project counts on the participation of infamous graffiti writers EARSNOT, SEMEN, JIM JOE and KR; legendary Lower East
Side hang out Max Fish and its unruly clientele; and lifestyle brand ALIFE—all of whom have produced self-titled pieces.
To be displayed for sale during New York Design Week, the idea behind the project began as a friendly conversation between
Alife and New York Art Department founders Robert Cristofaro and Arnaud Delecolle, and Uhuru founders Jason Horvath and
Bill Hilgendorf. The four agreed to collaborate and create a New York-centric project that would represent all partiesʼ respective
areas of expertise.
The result is a unique collection of handcrafted sustainable furniture that plays with the concept of vandalism, private property
and each's appropriation of the other.
PRIVATE PROPERTY is produced by creative consultancy and design company New York Art Department with support of
lifestyle brand-consultancy company WhY-Q.
"The collaboration between ALIFE and Uhuru creates a dialogue between designers and artists, Urban landscapes and
interiors. Ultimately, it will aim at producing a merging of viewpoints to challenge conceptions between fine art and furniture,"
says Jason Horvath.
“This project allows ALIFE to play and execute with yet another medium. This is the first time ALIFE applies its vision to
furniture, but it's something we've wanted to do for a long time. It's more quality content from the ʻalifevisionʼ,” says Arnaud
Delecolle.
“The artists selected for this project represent Alifeʼs vision of the New York graff scene. Each individual chosen in this lineup
is recognized within the New York downtown lifestyle as a trailblazer in his respective niche. Whether it be manufacturer of art
supplies, DJ to the “Downtown”, wordsmith or just an infamous personality within the graffiti scene, all have all paid dues and
contributed to this art form,” says Rob Cristofaro.
"Getting involved with NYAD to produce Private Property was a no brainer for WhY-Q. For the past 10+ years WhY-Q has
produced avant-garde events such as Ryan McGinley's first solo exhibition & the NY Minute Exhibition in Rome, we felt this
was one of those events: Real New York street art collaborating with real New York high end furniture design. It hasn't been
done before," says Why-Q Partner Teddy Liouliakis.
For press inquiries and/or additional information, please contact Pia Arrobio. piaarrobio@mac.com 626.483.4343
About the Metal Stoolen: The Metal Stoolen was created using scraps of steel from Brooklyn area metal shops. Bundled
together haphazardly and encased in a ring of longer pieces, the hollow ends of metal form the objectʼs top. This produces a
dynamic pattern filled with highly charged empty space. The effect is like a photonegative of the original Stoolen. The eye-
catching powder coating adds to the pieceʼs sculptural quality and highlights the tension between positive and negative space.
About the Antique Mod Mirror: When the reflective silver backing on mirrors ages and oxidizes, it produces the lacy clouds of
black spots so often seen in antique mirrors. Uhuru has developed a technique that mimics this natural process and tarnishes
select areas on a mirrorʼs surface.
For press inquiries and/or additional information, please contact Pia Arrobio. piaarrobio@mac.com 626.483.4343
About UHURU
Uhuru is a design + build furniture company dedicated to sustainability and creating timeless designs. Uhuru
builds each piece by hand, in their Red Hook Brooklyn studio. Many of the items Uhuru creates, utilize materials
that have been reclaimed, recycled, repurposed, reused or otherwise rejected from their original function.
Founded in 2004 by Rhode Island School of Design graduates Jason Horvath and Bill Hilgendorf, Uhuru is
focused on continuing to push the boundaries of contemporary sustainable design.
About ALIFE
Alife is a lifestyle concept based on and in downtown New York City. It is focused on art and creativity with a
strong penchant for originality, even if that means stealing it. Alifeʼs mission is to showcase, elevate and
perpetuate the downtown culture from which it is born. Alife is a curator of all that downtown represents and
speaks to an international downtown audience that is as close as down the block and as far as across the globe.
Since its first shop opened in 1999, Alife has supported artists and artists have supported Alife. Whether graffiti
writers, fashion designers, musicians, photographers or other, young artists found a safe place in Alife. Alifeʼs
genuine respect toward artistsʼ work, its notable commitment to quality of execution and authentic interest in
original projects earned it a reputation as an important company to work with within the international downtown
creative community.
About NYAD
New York Art Department is a creative consultancy and design company with a focus on art, events, content and
branding. NYAD is directed by Arnaud Delecolle and Robert Cristofaro, co-founders of influential downtown
lifestyle-brand and retail concept ALIFE. info@nyartdept.rog
About WhY-Q
For nearly a decade, WhY-Q? has worked to forge strategic alliances and meaningful collaborations between the
creative community and market leading luxury and lifestyle brands across the globe. By helping companies
engage with their audiences through avant-garde cultural events and initiatives, WhY-Q? is consistently sought
after for its ability to cultivate strong and memorable connections between consumers and brands.
For press inquiries and/or additional information, please contact Pia Arrobio. piaarrobio@mac.com 626.483.4343
JIM JOE
About KR:
Craig Costello a.k.a. "Krink" or "KR", is one of the most visionary and inspirational street artists working today,
and is also the creator of KRINK, a line of the finest quality handmade inks and markers, beloved by artists and
vandals alike. For more information about Krink, please visit krink.com or contact info@krink.com
For press inquiries and/or additional information, please contact Pia Arrobio. piaarrobio@mac.com 626.483.4343