Das Institut & United Brothers Hoist Tanning Haiku at 208 Bowery
No, a tanning bed is not coming to 208 Bowery as this new sign would have you believe.
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Not too long ago, the three-story relic at 208 Bowery redecorated its frontage with something a bit more artistic. A poetic placard. The brick facade now boasts the latest collaborative effort by fast-rising artists Das Institut and United Brothers – a tanning bed-inspired haiku. Somehow this subject matter seems rather apropos in the face of the uber-gentrification along Bowery 2.0.
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DAS INSTITUT is an import/export agency founded in 2007 by Kerstin Brätsch and Adele Röder, both of whom are living in New York City. The Swiss Institute describes their collaboration as “characterizing advertising strategies to manipulate and exchange information.”
As for 208 Bowery, well it’s still under the constant threat of the wrecking ball. Even though it’s been all quiet on the western (Bowery) front since the brief eviction notice scare in August 2010, it still has more to fear than its neighbor next door at 206 Bowery. The latter was fast-tracked for consideration by the Landmarks Preservation Commission two years ago, and has languished in the system ever since…
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