Artists and Fleas: Artist, Designer and Vintage Market
The Artist and Fleas Market is a weekend market for art lovers in Brooklyn, New York. I’ve been told by a few friends that I should try to drop by when I have the time. The International Art Forum 2013 ended early in the afternoon, so I had quite a bit of time before needing to get back to New Jersey where I was staying with my extended family.
The walk going there from the nearest subway was a visual treat because they take their street art very seriously there. Everywhere I looked there was a wall worthy of an Instagram photo! The vibe in Brooklyn is younger and more free than Manhattan. This is the kind of place I feel like I could live in!
My favorite part of the market was that I could interact with local artists and ask them about their production techniques. I was particularly interested with the print and vinyl artist pictured below. The vinyl art was something quirky enough to work anywhere, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I see it again somewhere else soon.
Of course, there was also the thrill of going through antiques! I have such a weakness for looking at old things with history from different places. I even ended up buying a working vintage film camera for only $15. There was entire array of antique working cameras which the man said came from various garage sales throughout New York before he repaired them.
It was really nice of the Filipino staff and interns to take me out with them to go to this place. They shared a lot about their work with WYA and how I could get more involved with them in the future. WYA does a lot of great work, and they seem to really take care of their staff. There were also a lot of Filipinos working for the headquarters. I told them I’d look into an internship with the Asia Pacific branch before considering working for them in New York.
The place had a pretty cool view of Manhattan. I wish I had more than a phone camera to document the moment. I didn’t expect to get this kind of view on the way here.
On the way back to Manhattan, I even got a subway performance treat from this breakdancer who hung from the subway ceiling. How everyone in the subway car was so chill about it, I’ll never know.
I really enjoyed my short trip to Brooklyn. I wish I wasn’t pressed for time so I could still go around. I’m looking forward to coming back one day.
