DOWN BY LAW EXHIBITION

The Spray Can Gets Invited to the Gallery

WITH next month’s release of “Trespass: A History of Uncommissioned Urban Art” (Taschen) and word that Jeffrey Deitch will be mounting a graffiti show at MoCA in Los Angeles, it is clear that street art — no matter how much of an eyesore it may be to some — is having a high-brow moment. It has even hit the Hamptons. “Down by Law,” a new show at the Eric Firestone Gallery in East Hampton, features rarely shown old and contemporary pieces from the pioneers of the genre. People like Coco 144; Mare 139; the late Dondi White (whose “Hammers in Hell” is at right); Dr. Revolt, who created the “Yo! MTV Raps” logo; and Blade, known as the King of the Trains, have tagged more than 5,000 of them. “Everyone’s into the term ‘street art’ — it’s become very sexy,” said Mr. Firestone, who, in visiting many of the artists in the outer boroughs, jokes that his graffiti name became GPS. “But there’s more to it than Banksy, and I’m hoping to open up that world.”

“Down by Law” runs through Sept. 26 at the Eric Firestone Gallery, 4 Newtown Lane, East Hampton. N.Y.; (631) 604-2386, ericfirestonegallery.com.

Credit: Eric Firestone Gallery