Invader Was Here: Photos and Map of All Invader's 8-Bit Street Art in NYC

Become a paid member to listen to this article

space invader-street art-nyc-untapped cities-014

Invader ‘Fire Flower’ at 161 Hester Street in Chinatown

In the past few weeks we’ve been tracking the French street artist Invader as he made his move on the New York City streets. His 8-bit mosaic tiles are affixed to walls in plain sight, making installing them a hassle that got the artist in a bit of trouble with the NYPD. His visit surrounded the premiere of his movie ART4SPACE, where he sent one of his Space Invaders into orbit. We’ve put together a map and a bunch of photos detailing where you can find the 8-bit critters, so you can go on your own hunt to see them–before they’re all removed!

Invader on High Line W 24th St 10th Ave Chelsea NYC Untapped Cities

‘Ghost’, West 24th Street & 10th Avenue

After he posted on Instagram that he had been released, more pieces were discovered in Lower Manhattan and a couple in Brooklyn, as well. Invader’s pieces are much more understated than those of London artist Banksy, who drove NYC into a month-long frenzy. Many of the Invaders measure less than one square foot, often over 12 feet from the ground, and they don’t draw a crowd the way Banksy did.

Invader-NYC-InvaderWasHere-Meatpacking-Chelsea Market_2

‘Ghost’ on 8th Avenue and 13th Street

Unfortunately, this means that Invader’s pieces can be easily removed–either by owners of buildings or overly devoted fans. Animal New York was able to catch up with the anonymous artist through email, though their correspondence was interrupted by his arrest two weeks ago. In the interview he addressed the removal of his work: “If it is because [the owner] doesn’t like it, that’s ok. If it’s to sell it on eBay or to put it in his living room, that doesn’t make me happy. Street pieces are made for the street and for the people in the street to enjoy them.” The owner of the building where Invader got arrested, for example, told reporters that he had no intention of selling the piece after taking it down. Instead, he would keep it for himself because he liked it.

space invader-street art-nyc-untapped cities-016

Cost & Invader, wheat paste poster on Broome Street and Bowery.

space invader-street art-nyc-untapped cities-004

‘Donkey Kong Jr.’ and Invader’s collaboration with COST & ENX, on 1 Spring Street (also site of the Christian Naagel Mushroom piece)

Invader also spoke of his collaboration with Adam Cost and ENX, two NYC-based street artists: “I’m a huge fan of Cost and Revs. I even did a hyperrealistic sculpture of them a few years ago in one of my shows. Last week, I got in touch with Cost and his new partner ENX. In less than one hour, we had the idea to make a “Graffitile” — a graffiti made of tiles — and the day after we did it!” Many of his “invasions” in SoHo and Chinatown have wheat-paste posters of COST & ENX nearby.

In our hunt for Invader’s pieces throughout the city, found that many of them have been already removed. Nonetheless, you can use this guide to direct you on your own search for the remaining pieces. (Hat-tip to Stephen Kelley and Instagram users Jordan Scott and Phillip Schoultz for some of these shots).