Ask a New Yorker: Who are you?
Mosaic Man: I’m known as the Mosaic Man. The Village Voice gave me the name and I’ve been trying to create a new city here, an art colony in the East Village. I also own EastVillage.com. MTV used to own it. I’m trying to create this new city of creativity that has global connections all over.
Ask a New Yorker: Can we have some history of the Mosaic Man?
Mosaic Man: I worked at the Carpenters’ Union Local 608 and my job at the end of it was to flatten these floors to level it, known as a jack-up man.
Ask a New Yorker: How long have you lived in the East Village?
Mosaic Man: I’ve been here for 25 years, give or take. I ended up homeless over in between Ave. B and C in 1987, and of course I ended up homeless just recently for 2 months because of some choices that were not made right. The place I was in was kind of chaotic. I don’t like my dog being around people yelling and fighting around the clock. So anyway….
Ask a New Yorker: Tell us more about these works of art.
Mosaic Man: I have done 67 (out of 80) approved by the Dept. of Transportation since 1989.
Ask a New Yorker: So they give you permission to use these poles as your canvas?
Mosaic Man: They just let me do it. It’s up to me to try to get grants, which is not easy to get. My whole thing is public art. I’m hoping that there has been a complete revival of the ancient art mosaics.
Ask a New Yorker: It is amazing that you do this with New York light posts!
Mosaic Man: 67 of 80 I did are up on the poles. They were in bad disrepair, being out in the elements and never regrouted but they held up for 17-18 years.
Ask a New Yorker: Tell me about this award you have.
Mosaic Man: I got this award from City Lore. They were nice enough to honor me on my 20th anniversary. Back to Eastvillage.com, there’s 3 pictures of my artwork on there. I didn’t want it to dominate my site. I truely believe in the people of this neighborhood who are artists. This is a major art colony of tens of thousands of people, much larger than Woodstock itself.
Ask a New Yorker: What is your dog’s name?
Mosaic Man: Jesse James. She is a beauty and a champion. I happen to be her agent.
Ask a New Yorker: Any commercial work for Jesse?
Mosaic Man: We’re turning them all down!
Ask a New Yorker: (People are passing all throughout this interview to pay respects and talk to Mosaic Man, aka Jim Power. It is obvious he is loved in the neighborhood). Tell me more about these designs.
Mosaic Man: The pole over there is going to be dedicated to the bus drivers because they kept the busses running through the black out. My work has turned into a tribute to public workers and history.
Ask a New Yorker: How long does it take to do a lightpost?
Mosaic Man: About three months.
Ask a New Yorker: Where do you get your tiles/shards?
Mosaic Man: Bella Tiles (178 First Ave) not only gives me a discount on their tiles, but they supply me and if I really need stuff all I have to do is go ask. They are at 11th St and First Ave. They import the most beautiful Italian colors. They’ve been extremely helpful over the years.
Ask a New Yorker: I like your belt.
Mosaic Man: This is one of the surviving 200 buckles that I made at one time.
Ask a New Yorker: Where does this mosaic trail begin and end?
Mosaic Man: The trail begins on Broadway down 8th St. to Astor Place down to Saint Marks Place all the way down to 4th St and then up 4th St to Tower Records and runs along Broadway from 4th St to 8th St. I believe that if I hadn’t been delayed from lack of finances I could have been headed towards Harlem as we speak!
Ask a New Yorker: What’s your favorite hang-out in the village?
Mosaic Man: I am proud to say Starbucks. Who gives a buck, Starbucks! They get such a bad rap. These stores are an incredible community. They let everybody in. I know one of these Starbucks that let in dozens of homeless people, and they give them big discounts on coffee. They give out fresh bagels. Mosaic Man is telling you right now, Starbucks Astor Place is the best place!
AskaNewYorker: OK, we heard it from Mosaic Man. See you later! Thanks, you’re the best. Happy New Year.
Click HERE for an interesting recent article on the Mosaic Man.
