DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Uta In The Meatpacking District

Q: What's your name? Can you tell me where we are and what brings you here today?

A: My name is Uta and I live in Jersey City, 07304. We are here in the lovely Meatpacking District. I sell artwork here, so I actually use the van to transport art, sculptures, and the other merchandise that I create, which includes these hats. I started these animal hats about 12 years ago.

Q: Wow, so you started these hats?

A: I did and these are my line drawings. I also have a gallery, so I bring other people's art here as well. It's called "Fish with Braids Gallery" because it was opened between a fish store and a hair-braiding gallery.

Q: How long have you had the van?

A: I've had it for three years. I bought it in New Mexico because you don't get as much rust there.

Q: Very smart. Tell me more about the van please.

A: It's a '92 Dodge 250 Ram 8 Cylinder.

Q: That sounds fancy.

A: Richard is one of the artists I work with and this is his work. Some idiot tagged right in the middle of the artwork. I was thinking of making some dotted lines on the van that say, "You can tag here." Tagging is great. Just don't do it in the middle of someone else's artwork please. This is important. This is a creation of mine. I started an artist market that happens every Friday in Jersey City and this is one of our flyers.

Q: Do you use the van solely for work?

A: Mainly. You can't use these big ass vehicles just for driving around. My main way to get around is by bicycle, but when I have to haul things and move my art, I need the van.

Q: Do you have a nickname for the van?

A: My friend calls the van The Fat Berta!

Q: If you could go anywhere on a day trip, where would it be?

A: There are a bunch of places I would go: Jersey Shore, Long Island Shore, The Adirondacks. Also, I love to go to Woodstock because I have friends up there and it's very beautiful.

Q: If your van had an emotion, what would it be?

A: I think happy.

Q: It looks happy. What would your absolute fantasy, dream car be?

A: I'm very much into the sci-fi scene and I love how in "Blade Runner" they visualize how they have these jet vehicles that not only drive, but also fly, so I'm waiting for that. That would be my dream vehicle. I would also probably get a hybrid, because I'm very green-minded and this current van is a gas sucker.

Q: OK, OK, where should people go if they want to see or buy your art?

A: I have the artist market on Fridays in Jersey City at the Grove Street Path Station. On weekends, I'm usually in the Meatpacking District or in Williamsburg on Bedford and North 6th. I am starting an artist market in Bushwick. On Mondays, I'm on Bogart.