John T.
Yelp
I feel like I need to know more. Before I get in to the particulars of the pieces (which are awesome), the current... acceptance (not the right word) of street art is a weird thing for me to wrap my head around. For so long, 'street art' had different names, a very specific connotation and association that split down racial/ethnic lines. Now, it's hot. People (purveyors or adopters?) give tours extolling the genius of that which was 'scary' just a little while ago. And, we can't overlook the setting. For all the gentrification and 'Girls'ification of the borough, when I think 'Brooklyn,' I think 'The Cosby Show,' 'Do The Right Thing,' 'Crooklyn,' and 'Living Single.' This type of art isn't something new or to be fetishized. Hell, if my memory doesn't betray me, a 'The Cosby Show' open (as well as those other shows I mentioned) was entirely about 'street art.' The Cosby Show. So.
With all that said, the Collective is worth your while. I don't know that it's worth a 'tour' per se. For me, it's just NYC. It's Brooklyn. It's a reminder of the city I first experienced so many years ago and remember so fondly. Had I known that 'street art' would go from demonization to commodification, I would have paid more attention to particulars back in the day. But then - as now - art that catches your eye is art that catches your eye. Now there are just likes to be had and 'authenticity' to present. Forget all that. If you're in the area and have some time to kill (and, space on your phone), walk around and take some photos. Look up the various artists and see if they have other work to explore/appreciate.
This review is about the art. It *should* be about the art. So, I'll leave the extras where they lay. I guess I'm happy that more people are getting the chance to check this* out... but there are plenty of people that - for plenty of years - have lived, walked, watched, and appreciated 'street art' just fine. You know? For that segment of the population, what is this? Thursday? However, a commissioned collection *is* a nice thing to witness. I can't dispute that. This.
*The collective use of the word.