In an area fairly devoid of street art, there is one commissioned piece that is sure to catch the interest of anyone walking by. Located in Brooklyn on Avenue N and 64th street is a mural on the door of the local Fire station 323. It a memorial painted in the memory of Thomas Mingione, a firefighter who passed during 9/11.
The mural is located in a somewhat busy area, only a block away from a small shopping area in the neighborhood. Despite being considerably large, it blends smoothly with the surrounding area. I think that the lack of street art makes this piece much more noticeable. But, to someone who lives in the area, the mural has become a regular part of our community.
The mural has been there for as long as I can remember it, but it was painted in 2003 by Joe Indart. Not much information about Indart can be found online, but he does have a website with pictures of his other works. Most of his pieces are similar to the one above, painted on fire stations all throughout the city. Indart’s detailing and ability fit very well with his actual art. I think he is able toeffectively tie emotion into his paintings. He does tend to stay within the same color scheme and general style. As shown through his other works, he does mostly memorial art pieces.
The actual door to the fire station is typically closed, and the mural is often on display. The mural features an eagle looking towards NYC with a determined stare, a wing wrapped around the city in a protective manner. This may symbolize how the US is protective of its people, and more specifically, how the firefighters and other city workers protect NYC and its people. More than that, I feel it conveys how dedicated they are to keeping New York City safe. There is a faint outline of the twin towers in the background which creates a feeling of nostalgia and a tribute to what we have lost. The mural has very vibrant coloring, the main colors being red, white, and blue, the colors of the US flag. The coloring and symbolism of the mural provide a strong sense of nationality.
This mural is a powerful addition to the surrounding neighborhood bare of much public art. Not only does it pay tribute to Thomas Mingione, it also promotes feelings of unity and nostalgia. This has become an essential piece in my neighborhood, not only because it is one of few, but also because of what it represents.
