IMDB
Shepard Fairey took a bit of a dump on New York in the pages of the Post, telling the newspaper that Los Angeles is the country’s “new cultural hub” (the Post‘s words) because New York is too expensive. Here’s the money quote:
“You can’t be in New York and not have either a trust fund or a good enough job to live,” Fairey explained at a Hennessy V.S luncheon at Soho House New York celebrating his label design for a limited-edition bottle. “Artists are screwed in New York right now,” he said.
Let’s go over the context of this quote again: “Fairey explained at a Hennessy V.S luncheon at Soho House New York celebrating his label design for a limited-edition bottle.” Maybe this wasn’t the best setting to make a populist argument? Fairey lives in L.A., and his Hennessy Limited Edition Deluxe Set retails for $150 on Gilt City. Soho House is a members-only club that costs $2,000 to join in New York, plus a $300 application fee.
Speaking to Vibe about his collaboration with Hennessy, Fairey said, “I did a lot of research about the history of Hennessy and I felt like the sophistication and the quality of the brand is something I’m honored to be associated with. Street art is free, but I also embrace the idea that art and commerce need each other, and can relate symbiotically rather than in conflict.” This guy.