Latest news with #Bushwick
New York Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
For the Artist Sam Moyer, Inspiration Was Set in Stone
In a world so full of distractions, Sam Moyer's art tricks us into paying close attention. The 42-year-old artist, the subject of two high-profile exhibitions in New York, once stacked dozens of hand-painted glass blocks in the window of a downtown New York art gallery to make it look like a solid red brick facade. From inside, backlighting brought each individual brushstroke into focus, revealing the material's masquerade. A few years earlier, at a gallery show in 2014, she affixed fabric dyed to resemble geological formations to slabs of marble. It was nearly impossible to tell which surface was which without walking right up to the wall. 'I don't want to say it was a gimmick, because it wasn't coming from a place of a gimmick, but it was definitely trying to pull something off,' Moyer, dressed in overalls and a T-shirt, said on a recent afternoon. In the front room of her studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn, stone slabs in shades of gray, pearl and peach lean against A frames; it looks more like a granite supply store than an artist's work space. Moyer is a trickster — but a very mild-mannered one. Over the past 18 years, in large-scale installations and modest objects, she has provoked a what's-going-on-there response from the viewer, to 'bring an awareness to the land or the space or the light or your body that you wouldn't have had before,' she said. She first drew the attention of art-world tastemakers in the early 2010s, when she began showing dyed canvases she had made by dragging a piece of fabric the length of a school bus through a field on Long Island and leaving it out to dry. Cropped from the huge swath, the final works evoked rumpled bedsheets, light-dappled surfaces and variegated stone. 'A lot of people said, 'It looks like marble,'' Moyer noted. On a 2013 visit to the Rothko Chapel, the nondenominational temple in Houston created by the Abstract Expressionist Mark Rothko, Moyer had a stroke of inspiration. She wrote herself a note: 'Put the marble in the painting.' Moyer learned about creating captivating illusions with light and material on movie sets, where her father was a gaffer on films including 'Risky Business' and 'Groundhog Day.' But unlike a moviemaker, Moyer wanted to draw her viewers' attention to the mechanics behind the illusion, not obscure it. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Post
25-05-2025
- New York Post
Pigeon-costumed activists cry fowl over NYC pet shop as cops try to defuse tensions
Flock off! Pigeon-costumed bird-lovers Sunday clashed with employees of a pigeon-supply store in Brooklyn – where the screaming matches were so intense they had to be broken up by cops. Advertisement 6 A cop tries to de-escalate tensions between animal-rights activists and workers at a pigeon-supply store in Brooklyn on Sunday. Nicole Rosenthal/NY Post Animal-rights activist Tina Piña Trachtenburg corralled roughly a dozen fellow bird enthusiasts to join her outside Broadway Pigeon & Pet Supplies to protest owners Michael and Joey Scott over allegations they illegally kidnap and sell Big Apple pigeons to Pennsylvania hunters for target practice. Trachtenburg, known as Mother Pigeon, previously told The Post she believes the Scotts raided a flock she feeds at Maria Hernandez Park fewer than two miles away April 1 to restock their bird supply. Advertisement Netting pigeons on public property, including city parks, is illegal and considered animal abuse, according to the city's website. Pigeon shoots are illegal in New York, but they are still legal in Pennsylvania, and while it does not appear to be illegal for a New York business to provide the birds for them, activists say it is beyond cruel. The Scotts argued that the activists are pigeonholing the wrong people — with the brothers claiming they breed the birds they sell and aren't required to ask what their buyers do with them. 'I can't say that somebody didn't come in here that I don't know and then bring them [to Pennsylvania],' he told The Post, likening the sale of pigeons to selling feeder fish or mice used as snake food. Advertisement 'That's not my business to ask what they're doing with the birds,' Joey said. 6 Costumed protester Tina Piña Trachtenburg, a k a Mother Pigeon, claims her favorite Bushwick flock was recently ransacked by the owners of a local pigeon supply store. Nicole Rosenthal/NY Post Back in July 2008, the store's lawyer admitted that the shop sold birds to a pigeon broker in charge of a pigeon shooting tournament in Pennsylvania, The Post reported. Many pigeons used for Pennsylvania target practice are illegally trapped in New York City and transported across state lines, according to a 2018 report from the New York City Bar Association. Advertisement The report found that some of the birds 'suffered a slow and painful death, were denied veterinary care, and in some cases, had their heads torn off and bodies smashed by children hired to collect their bodies.' 6 Pigeon-loving activists accuse the shop's owners of illegally 'netting' street pigeons and cruelly selling them for shoots in Pennsylvania. Nicole Rosenthal/NY Post Joey previously told The Post that his birds, peddled for about $10 a pop, have been sold for weddings, funerals and dog trainers that 'kill them. 'Some people come [buy birds] to do voodoo sacrifices, I'm sure,' he added. Michael walked away when asked by a reporter whether he sells to out-of-state hunters. Joey said their pigeons are bred on the rooftop coop above the Bushwick building they own, are descendants of the birds they inherited from their grandfather in 1971 — and not a single one is from the street. 6 Broadway Pigeon & Pet Supplies employees, including Joey Scott (left), spar with activists at Sunday's protest. Nicole Rosenthal/NY Post 'Netting' pigeons has been a phenomenon for decades in the Big Apple, activists say, with 311 reports dating back to at least 2010. Advertisement Last month, a Pennsylvania man was arrested after he was caught on camera netting a flock in Manhattan, and another poacher was spotted in Jackson Heights, Queens. Activists argue the netters are becoming more brazen because 'lackadaisical prosecution' has failed to deter the growing crime. 'You don't see my brother in that picture,' Joey argued of the photo from Manhattan, adding that there are 'a lot more pet shops' that are accused of netting besides his. 'They never caught me, they never caught my brother,' he said of the protesters. 'The fact is that people do it all the time. But whoever [it is], they're not selling to me.' 6 Store secretary Lisa insisted the shop 'takes good care' of the birds it sells. Nicole Rosenthal/NY Post Advertisement 6 The protesters argue that pigeons have rights, too. Nicole Rosenthal/NY Post The protest got so heated at points that a half-dozen police officers were at the scene to try to defuse tensions, including one who had to break up several verbal spats between the pigeon store's secretary and an activist. A longtime customer, who declined to give his name to The Post, taunted protesters outside the shop by shaking a cardboard box of about a dozen live pigeons he just purchased for his Bronx coop. Advertisement 'When people buy the birds and they abuse them, it has nothing to do with [Michael],' the customer told The Post. 'If people buy birds and do what the f–k they want, it's none of his business,' he said. 'He's here to make money.'
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Actor Michael Pitt charged with sex abuse, assault of ex-girlfriend in New York
Actor Michael Pitt , known for his TV roles on 'Boardwalk Empire' and 'Dawson's Creek,' is accused of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, choking her, and attacking her with a cinder block and a piece of lumber at his New York City home, according to a grand jury indictment. Pitt, 44, whose lawyers denied the allegations, was arrested Friday on nine counts including first-degree sexual abuse, criminal sexual acts, assault, attempted assault and strangulation. The indictment cites four incidents between April 2020 and August 2021 at Pitt's home in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez's office declined to comment Wednesday beyond the allegations listed in the indictment. Pitt's lawyer, Jason Goldman, said he already had exonerating evidence and expected the case to be dismissed. 'Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr. Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes — can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unreliable individual,' Goldman said in a text message to The Associated Press. He added, 'In reality, this baseless claim is suspiciously raised some four or five years after the alleged incident, from a time when the two parties were in a completely consensual relationship.' Pitt pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday and posted $100,000 bail, Goldman said. He is due back in court in Brooklyn on June 17. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, which the woman in Pitt's case has not done. The indictment alleges Pitt forcibly touched his ex-girlfriend sexually in April 2020. In August 2020, the grand jury alleges Pitt forced oral sex on the woman and assaulted her with a 4-inch-by-4-inch (10-centimeter-by-10-centimeter) piece of lumber. The indictment also says Pitt attacked her with a cinder block twice in June 2021 and choked her in August 2021. TMZ reported in 2022 that Pitt was arrested in Brooklyn for allegedly punching a man after taking his phone and, two months later, was brought to a hospital under police escort after a public outburst in New York. Pitt, who grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, played the character Jimmy Darmody for two seasons on HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire,' with the cast led by Steve Buscemi winning Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2011 and 2012 for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. The show also won a Golden Globe for best drama series in 2011. His first major role came in the 2001 film 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch.' In 2005, he starred in 'Last Days,' director Gus Van Sant's film about a fictional rock star inspired by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. He also played Henry Parker in one season of The WB's 'Dawson's Creek' in 1999-2000.
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Actor Michael Pitt charged with sex abuse, assault of ex-girlfriend in New York
Actor Michael Pitt, known for his TV roles on 'Boardwalk Empire' and 'Dawson's Creek,' is accused of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, choking her, and attacking her with a cinder block and a piece of lumber at his New York City home, according to a grand jury indictment. Pitt, 44, whose lawyers denied the allegations, was arrested Friday on nine counts including first-degree sexual abuse, criminal sexual acts, assault, attempted assault and strangulation. The indictment cites four incidents between April 2020 and August 2021 at Pitt's home in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez's office declined to comment Wednesday beyond the allegations listed in the indictment. Pitt's lawyer, Jason Goldman, said he already had exonerating evidence and expected the case to be dismissed. 'Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr. Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes — can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unreliable individual,' Goldman said in a text message to The Associated Press. He added, 'In reality, this baseless claim is suspiciously raised some four or five years after the alleged incident, from a time when the two parties were in a completely consensual relationship.' Pitt pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday and posted $100,000 bail, Goldman said. He is due back in court in Brooklyn on June 17. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, which the woman in Pitt's case has not done. The indictment alleges Pitt forcibly touched his ex-girlfriend sexually in April 2020. In August 2020, the grand jury alleges Pitt forced oral sex on the woman and assaulted her with a 4-inch-by-4-inch (10-centimeter-by-10-centimeter) piece of lumber. The indictment also says Pitt attacked her with a cinder block twice in June 2021 and choked her in August 2021. TMZ reported in 2022 that Pitt was arrested in Brooklyn for allegedly punching a man after taking his phone and, two months later, was brought to a hospital under police escort after a public outburst in New York. Pitt, who grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, played the character Jimmy Darmody for two seasons on HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire,' with the cast led by Steve Buscemi winning Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2011 and 2012 for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. The show also won a Golden Globe for best drama series in 2011. His first major role came in the 2001 film 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch.' In 2005, he starred in 'Last Days,' director Gus Van Sant 's film about a fictional rock star inspired by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. He also played Henry Parker in one season of The WB's 'Dawson's Creek' in 1999-2000.
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Michael Pitt arrested for alleged sexual assault and attack on ex-girlfriend
Boardwalk Empire actor Michael Pitt has been arrested on sexual assault and domestic violence charges. According to the New York Post and Variety, the 44-year-old has been accused of multiple assaults by an ex-girlfriend stemming from four incidents taking place between 2020 and 2021. She alleges that Pitt sexually assaulted and attacked her with a cinderblock and a wooden plank at the actor's Bushwick home. He is also accused of strangling her. The actor, whose credits also include Dawson's Creek and films such as The Dreamers, Seven Psychopaths and Funny Games, pleaded not guilty after his arrest Friday and is now out on bail. He is next due in court in June. 'Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes — can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unhinged individual,' his lawyer said in a statement to Variety. 'In reality, this baseless claim is suspiciously raised some four or five years after the alleged incident, at a time when the two parties were in a completely consensual and voluntary relationship. This case will be dismissed.' Pitt was previously arrested in 2022 and was charged with assault and petty larceny after allegedly hitting a man and taking his phone. Two months later he was hospitalised after being accused of throwing items at people from a building. The actor was deemed to be 'emotionally disturbed'. He had most recently been seen in Netflix thriller Reptile and fact-based boxing drama Day of the Fight. He will next feature in true crime drama You Can't Win. The Guardian has reached out to his reps for comment.
