“Coney Island Celebrates the Arts 2008” was held on June 8, 2008 at Keyspan Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. The following account of that show includes photographs by Takeshi Yamada and his friends. The manuscript was produced by Dr. Eriko N. Bond, noted art critic and New York City author, as told by Yamada. Takeshi Yamada is one of the most active artists in New York City and has had over 400 fine art exhibitions internationally with his paintings and sculptures.

Takeshi Yamada on

CONEY ISLAND CELEBRATES

THE ARTS 2008

Produced by

Hope Center of Coney Island

and

Brooklyn City Streetcar Company, Inc.

June 8, 2008.  12:00 – 6:00 pm

Keyspan Park (Home of the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team)

Surf Ave. bet. W.16 & W.20 Sts., Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY 11224

Free to the public

Part 1

The majestic view of Coney Island amusement park district from the Coney Island Art Fair site. 

The Cyclone Rollercoaster, Astroland Tower, Deno’s Wonder Wheel

and other spectacular attractions. (June 8, 2008)

Background: Rise and Fall of Coney Island

Coney Island is a rapidly changing community. The foremost center of entertainment and amusement in the world at the turn of the 20th century, it included spectacular circuses, sideshows, dime museums, vaudeville and burlesque shows, and more. It was like Hollywood, Las Vegas, Disney World and Times Square combined into one.

Note: For more information about the state of American life in 1907 when Coney Island was the center of the entertainment industry in America, read the following article by Takeshi Yamada. http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CI-1907.html )

Technological advancements and cultural changes after World War II offered new opportunities for the minions who once crowded into Coney Island and America’s Playground went into decline. According to Charles Denson, renowned Coney Island author and historian, this unique place hit rock-bottom in the 1970’s. The amusement area was neglected as one after another the great attractions closed, leaving empty lots and derelict structures in their place while attempts to revitalize were stifled by government and profiteers.

Background: Coney Island Renaissance

As of this writing, there is an attempt to revive Coney Island with various groups from government, big business, community and amusement area fighting over the form it will take.

Key Span Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. (June 8, 2008)

Coney Island Art Fair

For an article about the Coney Island art fair in 2007, written by Takeshi Yamada and Dr. Eriko N. Bond, see following websites.

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-Artist-CI-pt1.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-Artist-CI-pt2.html

After the success of the historic art fair held on October 21, 2007 outside Keyspan Park (completed in 2001), the much larger Coney Island Celebrates the Arts 2008, produced by local non-profits, the Hope Center of Coney Island and Brooklyn City Streetcar Company, was presented inside the ballpark on June 8, 2008.

These are the first art fairs to take place in Coney Island in nearly a century. Sadly though, there are currently no commercial fine art galleries operating in the area.   These events therefore, take on a great cultural significance for Coney Island.

The official color announcement card of the Art Fair (front and back)

This exhibition saw varied styles, subjects and contents (including one-of-a-kind furniture and bottled animal carcasses) displayed. The committee established standards however, for content regarding pornography and bigotry. The spirit of the community is an important element of the show with local religious organizations and students participating.

Exhibits were extremely varied, with members of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists (MART) led by Robert Marbury, Nate Hill, and Takeshi Yamada displaying their artistic curiosities. Currently, they all live in Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn auxiliary was created this year to expand its creative activities in New York City. Recent MART events in NYC were the third Annual Rogue Taxidermy Contest, Chinatown Garbage Tour and Group Rogue Taxidermy. Today, these artists are the new generation of yester-years’ Coney Island style circus sideshow gaff masters with a twist. If you are interested in this exciting organization, contact MART at http://www.roguetaxidermy.com/

Despite a brutally hot day, causing almost two dozen participants to cancel, 65 artists, six musical groups and over a dozen other organizations participated in this history making event. Over 1000 people braved the heat to attend. Among the distinguished visitors was Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, widely recognized as an active supporter of art events and organizations in New York City. “I know Marty for many years and he is one of the great supporters of art in Brooklyn. Marty loves and feels passionate about the prosperity of the city and people of Brooklyn. He is absolutely the perfect person for the job of Brooklyn borough president!” Yamada stated. Markowitz described Yamada, “He is an artwork itself!”

(from left to right) Takeshi Yamada (Art Fair Committee Member) with Seara the Sea Rabbit,

Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn Borough President), Arthur Melnick (Founder of the Brooklyn

City Street Car Company. Producer of Coney Island Art Fair)

 Continue to Part 2

Copyright by Takeshi Yamada, Museum of World Wonders in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, June 2008. All Rights Reserved.    

E-mail: yamada108@verizon.net

Special thanks to Dr. Eriko N. Bond, Lauren D. Travis, Maremi Kakushina, and Abraham Morris.

Also special thanks to Arthur Melnick (Senior Proofreader)

http://www.sideshowworld.com/SSA-15.html

http://www.roguetaxidermy.com/members_detail.php?id=528

http://www.horseshoecrab.org/poem/feature/takeshi.html

http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/exhibitions/other/worldwonders.jsp