O'Neal-Freemans in NYC: Shots of Random Art in NYC - Williamsburgh and Lower East Side

Williamsburgh, Brooklyn graffiti art, often created in a studio then pasted on the wall and expanded upon by traditional spray graffiti. So, the man on the left was created on paper and pasted on the wall and the word sleep was spray painted on the wall.

On another "Mice at Play" adventure - this time led by an artist giving us a tour of Lower East Side galleries. My friend Debra in this photo. It sure is good to be back in the literary and art world again. One problem with Malaysia, and much of Asia, is the lack of written word and art. Of course, there is some, but Malaysia doesn't have any publishing houses and it suppresses free academic speech around writing, especially anything that comes of research that may not reflect well on the government, like my professor friend's research finding nasty teacher bullying via the cane in Malaysian government schools. She was not allowed to publish it. It's amazing how if you don't have a written culture in the university setting, then the written word gets squashed across an entire culture. I returned to NYC so re-appreciative of all the book- and art-loving communities here, not to mention the rich discussions that result.

Lower East Side graffiti art, taken to a new level there

Love the social commentary here. Wait, are they trying to say something about gentrifyers like me?

More Lower East Side art. This car belonged to the artist's mother, who had a stroke before she died, and all she would say was "Shit," with enthusiasm. And, the car would regularly glow its lights on, accompanied by the slowly articulated word: "Shit"

The Guggenheim Lab downtown, on Houston St, where any community members can walk through free, for some stimulating discussion and activities, often around social justice issues. Taking art just one step for mankind.