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Anti-Gentrification in Harlem

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In the 1960s, novelist Ralph Ellison cited Harlem as a "slum," a "ruin," and a place where there is countless decay and garbage (Gale). Yet, Harlem's culture flourished. From the 1910s to the 1930s, the Harlem Renaissance occurred. Art, music, and books were born out of the streets of Harlem. However, due to the low investment in the community by the government, poverty, crime, and drugs were rampant. Regardless, Black and Latin residents of Harlem contributed to the culture many seek today.

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Gentrification is defined as the process of inner-city transition, where low property rates prompt sudden investment and a change in social demographics (Mathews). There are many causes of gentrification. Vanessa Mathews, in her article on gentrification and art, explores 2 causes: 1) Production Theory: Cycles of disinvestment and investment are the principles of gentrification. The theory examines the role of capital due to the influence of Marxist urban theory, which places class at the core of urbanization (Mathews). 2) Consumption theory: The consumer as the initiator of the process. Low property prices cause consumers to buy property and businesses (Mathews). Why is gentrification a problem? Gentrification hurts the original inhabitants. Having wealthier people and new businesses move in displaces the original residents and local businesses. The government enacts zoning laws and permits development in order to profit off of low property prices.

Gentrification: It's a problem ! 1

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Art and Gentrification Overall, there are 2 roles for the art community, as mentioned in Keli Tianga's article about art and gentrification. 1) Being the first step in the gentrification process: According to Tianga, artists frequently seek out run-down neighbourhoods for inspiration. Once establishing galleries, exhibitions, and stores in that neighbourhood, the art attracts people from various socioeconomic groups. When the government sees interest in that neighbourhood and low property values, gentrification occurs. Art is then used by the government to beautify neighbourhoods and attract wealthier people. 2) Integral in maintaining identity: Murals, protest signs, and guerrilla galleries are used to give voice to the anti-gentrification movement. Community artists leave behind the legacy of historical spaces, people, and cultures of the neighbourhood. Outside vs. community artists: Tianga mentions how outside artists (ones who move into a neighbourhood/hired by developers) focus more on profit. Whereas community artists focus on leaving a visual legacy. Community artists emerge from sociopolitical movements.

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Artivism Artivism is a term used to define the use of art in activism. Artivism can be accomplished through various mediums like paintings, cartoons, and photographs. Utilizing art is helpful in activist movements because art can help translate objectives and ideologies into images we can look at and remember. The Harlem Art Collective (HART) is a communityled organization that promotes art in the neighbourhood. Through guerrilla galleries, events, installations, and programs, the HART encourages the use of art to address various issues and movements, such as the anti-gentrification movement in Harlem.

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Harlem, Art, & Anti-Gentrification

Gentrification in Harlem In the 1950s and 60s, Black radicals protested for the revitalization of Harlem as the neighbourhood lacked proper funding. In the 1980s, the government finally started to pay attention to Harlem but not for the reasons the radicals wished for. New zoning laws allowed commercial buildings to replace residential areas, renovations of housing causing increasing rent prices, and advertising to wealthier people and businesses were the policies the government enacted (Gale). While the radicals wanted to improve poverty and the culture of Harlem, the government focused on industrializing and developing the neighbourhood to attract profit. Developers promise the new "Soho" to attract wealthier residents and commercial businesses (trask).

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Murals, Galleries, & More The Harlem Art Collective's guerilla gallery is the place for community artists. Located on the busiest street in Harlem (125th Street), the gallery uses a construction wall for murals, paintings, and installations (Street Art NYC).

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Murals are any type of artwork on a wall. The guerrilla gallery consists of various murals. While some are paintings of animals or nature, other murals take on an artivist approach. Anti-gentrification images by community artists define what the gallery is known for. The use of art in the antigentrification movement is characterized by images of the Puerto Rican flag and the phrase "Derecho A Techo" (right to the roof/shelter). The top right mural by Zerk Zoer has wings filled with photos taken by a local photographer, Shani Evans, of Harlemites who are immigrants. The bottom right image shows a mural by Kristan McCarthy, where she defines gentrification and asks what it means to the residents.

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"El Barrio No Se Vende"- Our Neighbourhood is Not for Sale

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Rosi Mendoza, Maire Mendoza, Marisa Steffers, Harold Baines, and many other artists worked collaboratively on this mural (Gale). The mural features real people: the lady who sells tamales further down 125th street and the homeless man who sleeps next to the gallery (Gale). The apartments have various flags to represent the diversity of Harlem. The sign above the mural translates to "right to roof/shelter" which addresses the displacement residents face due to gentrification.

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This mural is titled "Trojan Horse" and was painted by the same artists as the artwork above (Street Art NYC). The mural shows a residential building with a sold sign, workers in suits carrying money bags and piling them in the horse. The Trojan horse represents deception, as businessmen disguise themselves and take the profit from gentrification. This artwork exposes the true intentions of businesses and developers in the gentrification process.

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Kristen McCarthy and Zerk Zoer wanted to depict the median prices for real estate in East Harlem compared to the average income of households (Street Art NYC). The map shows the reality of residents of Harlem. Many cannot afford to live in the neighbourhood due to increasing rent and property prices thanks to gentrification. The bull is left to interpretation. The artists have not explained the role of the bull in the painting, but many believe it is a symbol of fighting against gentrification that has caused housing issues in Harlem.

How Art Helps Art has aided in delaying the gentrification process in Harlem. While Soho, another neighbourhood in NYC, successfully became gentrified, Harlem's residents have united together to fight (Trask). Artists like photographer Dawoud Bey, who has documented Harlem for over 40 years, help keep the culture of Harlem alive (Charlton). The mural on the left by Adam Bomb depicts words of organizing a rally against gentrification. The words "East Harlem is to be loved and defended" target people to action through art. The gallery's murals help unify people and visualize the issues people may not see in real life. By uniting people through art, the process of gentrification is slowed as people fight back and see their power in refusing to move or sell their livelihoods.

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Act Now! @theharlemcollective 1