Nina Siegal

For a while, I covered graffiti and hip-hop culture in New York for The New York Times. Some of this reporting finds its way into my novel. Here are a few of the articles you can find online now:

From the Subway to the Streets, a 1998 lengthy feature article that appeared in “The City” section, giving a basic overview of the new generation of New York’s of graffiti writers and self-proclaimed vandals.

Night Scrawlers Have Their Day, Though Prices Disappoint, a 2000 article that appeared in the “Metro” section about an auction of graffiti paintings at Guernsey’s auction house in New York. It was an historic event, bringing together the full panoply of graffiti writers, past and present. I think this is my favorite story from my graffiti coverage.

Artists Say Museum’s Works are Really Theirs, a 2000 story that appeared in the Times’ “Arts” section about a legal claim by a group of graffiti writers against the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The artists said that about a dozen works, which had once been exhibited the Sidney Janis gallery, had been donated to the museum unlawfully, and they wanted them back.

Taking a Hip-Hop Route to Teaching a Love of Language, a 2000 “Education” section story about a program designed by Toni Blackman to teach young people about poetry through freestyling.

Giuliani Protester Arrested in Vandalism Inquiry, a 1999 “Metro” story that appeared in the Times’ “Metro” section about the arrest of ESPO, or Exterior Surface Painting Operation, aka Steve Powers.

Exhibit Becomes Opportunity for Arrest, a 2000 “Metro” story about a vandal-squad arrest at an exhibition at a SoHo art gallery, Deitch Projects, which featured work by graffiti artist Todd James, aka REAS. James was arrested across the street from the gallery on the way to install his work.

For Some, Hip-Hop Show Not Hip Enough, a 2000 “Arts” section piece about reactions to the Brooklyn Museum of Art’s hip-hop exhibition.

Gambling on a Hip-Hop Musical, a 2000 “Arts” feature about an Apollo Theater’s project to bring together hip-hop music legends such as Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Caz and D.J. Hollywood through musical theater.

Hope is Artists’ Medium in the Bronx, a 2000 “Metro” section story about a South Bronx cultural center using break-dancing classes, graffiti-writing programs, and modern dance to encourage positive change in Hunts Point.

Extending the Life and Lore of Graffiti, a 2001 story about international graffiti writers using the Internet to reach other writers. This one appeared in the “Circuits” section of the Times.

The ABC’s of Graffiti, a 1999 short neighborhood report that appeared in “The City” section of the Times, about the website @149thStreet, a pretty great resource for old- and new-skool writers.