Vincent Castiglia Resurrects Blood Art at Sacred Gallery [Interview]
This image has been archived or removed.
On Thursday, October 5, downtown NYC experienced something it has never seen before – an extensive collection of blood-based paintings by born-and-bred New Yorker Vincent Castaligia. It was the opening of his “Resurrection” exhibit at Sacred Gallery. Bowery Boogie received an exclusive interview with the artist who was in agreement when we asked if the city that never sleeps influenced his pieces. Castiglia was sure to admit that “New York has definitely, in some shape or another, shaped the work.”
Although the idea of paintings in blood had us wondering if the crowd would be stand-offish, it was the exact opposite. We were admittedly a bit surprised when the folks who turned out were super friendly. Castiglia couldn’t agree more – “I really felt the same way. I think it has a lot to do with the gallery people, they’re super nice, good people. From the onset of the show, its been so good and the people that it drew were a lot of like-minded personalities.”
This image has been archived or removed.
“Duality”; Photo by Mary Toto
“It was really just inspired by the need to connect to my work on closest level possible—to put a piece of myself literally in every piece”.
On the blood drawing processs “I did it myself, was managing to without complications for a while. When I say complications you just need another set of hands.” So now Castiglia has a friend help to do it and can comfortably collect up to fifteen tubes at a time. When we asked how much blood he guesses possibly a pint for the larger works.
Castiglia also shared some of his downtown favorites with us:
Favorite Gallery:
FUSE (the gallery behind LIT bar)
Favorite Bars:
Mars Bar (now closed)
Favorite Store:
Obscura
“Resurrection” is on display until the end of the month at Sacred Gallery and features over thirty pieces, including the first sculpture Castiglia’s ever shown.
Recent Stories
Displaced Chinatown Business Returns Months After Devastating Fire
Four months after a deadly fire knocked out 78 Mulberry Street, one of its businesses returned to the scene. Ewa Trading Company reopened in its former Chinatown home earlier this week. The store had spent some of the interim displacement period selling from a shuttered Vietnamese restaurant a few paces north. The two-alarm fire broke […]
EDC Sues Essex Restaurant for Back Rent over Former Essex Market Lease
Three years removed from its relocation across Rivington Street, the city filed suit against the Essex restaurant for alleged unpaid rent. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) sued Essex for nearly $60,000 in unpaid back rent on the former Essex Market building it previously occupied, according to the lawsuit filed Monday. The city entity claims that […]
Exile on Orchard Street: Tenement Museum Recreates Exhibits During Renovations
The Tenement Museum is amidst a preservation project at 97 Orchard Street, but will continue its programming with replicas not too far away. The 1863-era tenement this past Sunday embarked on “vital” restoration work to preserve its walls, floors, roof, as well as the installation of a new HVAC system that will provide improved climate […]
Former Home of Stanton Social on the LES Hits Market for $5.9M
Stanton Social has been in the grave for nearly four years. Now, its former home is back on the market. The two-story building – located at 99 Stanton Street in Hell Square – carries an asking price of $5.9 million. B6 Real Estate Advisors is listed as the exclusive brokerage for the property, which has […]
DOT to Pave Pock-Marked Pell Street; Sheds Removed
Pell Street is finally on deck for a resurfacing, forcing numerous Chinatown businesses to dismantle their street shed annexes. Those who operate outdoor dining sheds along Pell Street received notice this week from the Department of Transportation to dismantle structure ahead of scheduled street repaving. This small neighborhood street – which once terminated at Division – […]
