RAE recreates East Village bodega

RAE's Food Center on Avenue B
RAE’s Food Center on Avenue C

RAE’s “Word of Mouth” is perhaps the most entertaining exhibit I’ve yet to experience. And it is an experience! In his recreation of an East Village bodega, RAE places his wonderfully zany characters – crafted from and on just about every imaginable surface – amidst surveillance cameras, lottery tickets, plastic EBT cards, loaves of bread, sundry cans of beans, lose cigarettes and just about anything you’d expect to find in a bodega.  Here are a few images:

RAE's Food Center as seen when open
RAE’s Food Center as seen when open
One of RAE's many sculptures
One of RAE’s many sculptures
Another sculpture
Another sculpture
More characters with Tibetan prayer flags flowing from above
More characters with Tibetan prayer flags flowing from above
Close-up
Close-up

“Word of Mouth” continues through November 16 on the corner of Avenue C and East 12th Street. It is open Thursday through Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m.

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson, Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky; image of bodega as seen when open courtesy of RAE