Lat weekend, my friend and I decided to check out NYC’s Underground Rebel Bingo. The cover story was that it was a Women’s Interest Group, so men were encouraged to cross dress and women were encouraged to help make the men blend in.
We complied by drawing an homage to the Moustache artist on our faces. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoy my “moustache” makeup.
Amateur Night at the Apollo. 50th street CE station.
(via flickr)
(via reddit)
(via reddit)
Moustache Man is Unmasked
I guess this means the end of new Moustache graffiti. Luckily, there’s plenty to spare on the interwebs.
The infamous ”Moustache” graffiti bandit has been unmasked - and he’s clean-shaven.
Cops busted Joseph Patrick Waldo, 26, this week for writing the word “moustache” in cursive on the upper lip of people pictured in subway advertisements across the city, police said.
Waldo was arrested Tuesday and admitted he had left the curly tag on a poster at the Third Ave. L train station on June 18 at 11p.m., a criminal complaint shows.
“I’m sorry for my actions and have agreed to fully cooperate and never do it again,” the remorseful vandal told cops, the complaint says.
The NYPD Transit Bureau Citywide Vandals task force tied the graffiti tag - which delighted some riders - to Waldo through his Internet bragging, cops said.
He was arrested at Eighth Ave. and 47thSt. in Manhattan, near his employer, Gray Line tours.
Waldo, originally from Virginia, was charged with criminal mischief and making graffiti, records show.
He was released without bail. Cops said he caused in excess of $1,500 damage to New York Transit property.
(via NY Daily News)
(via reddit)
Supposedly, this article from Subway Art Blog is one of the recent releases that helped the police track down the beloved Moustache Man and subsequently lead to his arrest.
If you have ridden the subway over the past year and paid even an iota of attention to your surroundings, chances are you have seen the word “moustache” on an ad, as it appears in the above photo. Moustaches (ormustaches if you fancy), along with blacked-out teeth and phalluses are some of the most common markings found on subway ads, but there is something that stands out about these. They are big, bold, and written in a distinct cursive.
These ‘staches first appeared on Subway Art Blog in June of last year, and have since become ubiquitous in the city—especially in the subway. After months of following this work and attempting to find out more about it, I finally stumbled upon an enlightening interview conducted by E.A. Hanks. Miss Hanks was kind enough to put me in touch with her friend, the elusive Moustache Man.
(read more from The Man Behind the Moustache…)
Joseph Waldo was arrested on charges including felony criminal mischief and possession of a graffiti instrument.
There was no phone listing for the 26-year-old man at a Manhattan address provided by police.
Waldo is accused of drawing the word “Moustache” in flamboyant cursive on the upper-lips of people depicted on movie and television posters in the subway system.
(via NY CBS)
Some interesting comments on the article:
I love Moustache Man! His work is drawn so beautifully and it is funny as heck! A two-month investigation, wasting my tax dollars to find the Moustache Man? NYPD are full of idiots.
I am supporter of graffiti that has some talent behind it like what Mike said. But as lame as they are those subway advertisements were paid by someone. Would be the same if he tagged your grandmothers house in Queens, its illegal. Laws must be obeyed if they are reasonable such as this. No one is above the law. That is why we elect officials that share our same ideals so we can change things we do not like.
What are your thoughts? Is it really a felony-level offense? Should Moustache Man go free?
