Alan Ket's Blog - Presented by 12ozProphet.com

Slick’s Black Book Party

2012-05-16T06:59:10+00:00

Glad to see the homie Slick and his Dissizit brand doing it up in LA.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 19 hours, 10 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Wednesday May 16, 2012

Graffiti Tattoo 2

2012-03-14T16:45:21+00:00

Graffiti Tattoo Vol. 2 is an extensive and well-researched reference work that documents the transition graffiti artists are increasingly making into the tattoo world. With their eye for color and mastery of lettering and wild styles, these spray paint virtuosos are changing the face of the tattoo business worldwide. They use a language filled with graffiti style burners and characters that go far beyond the standard tribal designs and sailor styles. While the first book allowed a rare glimpse into this movement, this much larger successor provides a full-blown compendium of this fantastic art on the most difficult canvas of all: skin.

More than 65 of the best artists and international stars of the scene are featured in this book: Adrian 1 aka Exez, All One, Bezerc One Imok, Big Sleeps aka Enemy, Billy »Flip« Mccoy, Carlos Fahrina, Cees, Ch2, Charlie Shazer, Chez 1, Circle, Crome, Crone aka Rossano Rossi Roncelli, Dan Gold, Daniel »Dufo« Grunditz, Deno, Dorian Serpa, Eaz One, Eric Holmstrom, Fel3000ft, Fibs, Fishero, Franz Jäger, Frog, Fuzi, Jesus Cuesta, Juan Carlos, Juse1, Keet D’Arms, Kev Grey aka Pise , Kinjal Mitra, Leets, Live 2, Logan, Los aka Done, Luis Mendonça, Marco Wagner aka Sheas, Mario Desa, Mark 1 , Marode, Maze & Jeks, Mr. Went , Notch 56, Posk, Ques, Richard Sorensen aka Rase02, Sabe, Scotty 76, Serione, Seve aka Doing, Siren, Sky, Smog One, Špendlo aka Kasa, Stigma One, Super Timor , Swok aka Martijn Van Steenwijk, Tim, Timmi Mensah, Turbo, Turkesa, Veiz and Zeyo.

Written by myself and Don Stone it is for anyone who is a fan of tattoo art and graffiti in general. Next time you consider getting a tattoo consult this book or the first one I did, Graffiti Tattoo, at: http://fromheretofame.com/books/tattoo.html

This article was posted by Alan Ket 2 months, 2 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Wednesday March 14, 2012

Tracy168 Timelapse drawing

2012-03-10T06:01:01+00:00

I caught up with graffiti pioneer Tracy168 and shot a short video of his unique wild-style.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 2 months, 1 week, 8 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Saturday March 10, 2012

Femme Fatal - Teal and Evol tonight in LA

2012-01-07T15:18:22+00:00

If you are in LA tonight come out and support the homies Teal FC and Evol and buy some art.

A painting by TEAL.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 4 months, 1 week, 1 Day, 18 hours, 51 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Saturday January 7, 2012

Supe is Le Team Manager

2011-12-28T17:23:54+00:00

Big Ups to my boy Supe FMK crew for the release of his book and his exhibition in Paris. Supe is one of the coolest and craziest cats in Paris.

I had to throw a wall in.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 4 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, 16 hours, 45 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Wednesday December 28, 2011

Atome photo blog

2011-12-27T22:54:22+00:00

Like many of us, Atome (one of Australia’s most renowned writers) takes a LOT of photos. He’s decided to upload over 800 random photos he’s taken, all on random play too. http://www.atome.com.au/atome.htm

This article was posted by Alan Ket 4 months, 2 weeks, 5 days, 11 hours, 15 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Tuesday December 27, 2011

Dize x Lectrics

2011-12-22T22:22:28+00:00

Two years ago, Lectrics released several t-shirt series in collaboration with writers, such as Poet, JayOne, Serch, Diksa and others.

They issued another series last Monday in collaboration with Dize from the crews: 156, Ultra Boyz, VMD, Grim Team, UV, TPK, KSF. As you may know he is a talented french writer ever. Dize realized 30 original designs, that associate his famous throw-ups with well-known cartoon characters (Bart Simpson, Taz the Tasmanian Devil, Lucky Luke, Goofy…) These are one-of-a-kind tshirts, as each design is only printed on one unique size L T-Shirt. As a consequence, our 30 original T-shirt collection is available on the Lectrics Website. http://www.lectrics.fr/?p=10485

Happy holidays!

This article was posted by Alan Ket 4 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, 11 hours, 47 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Thursday December 22, 2011

KAOS Vandals in Motion book

2011-12-14T13:12:29+00:00

The guys over at Dokument Press are releasing another banger, a biography on the writer Kaos from Sweden. He was a true train destroyer. Check out this trailer they put together about him.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 5 months, 2 days, 10 hours, 57 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Wednesday December 14, 2011

Bronx walls 2011

2011-12-08T06:25:20+00:00

New York graffiti isn’t what it used to be when there were hundreds if not thousands of active writers painting the trains and streets. Luckily there are still a few die hards that keep the streets interesting. Here are a few in the Bronx.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 5 months, 1 week, 1 Day, 17 hours, 44 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Thursday December 8, 2011

Inti from Chile at CityLeaks Festival

2011-12-06T17:30:59+00:00

Received this from Inti from Chile recently.

During CityLeaks Festival, a large wall at Vogelsanger Straße became home to one of Chilean street artist INTI‘s enigmatic ninja figures. Seemingly inviting and holding us off alike, the bright fellow with its totemic masks, skull necklace and maize cobs unites all kinds of motives and elements from Chilean indigenous cultures. No matter what ideas it will provoke in the passerby, one will always feel the powerfully radiant warmth emanating from INTI’s beautiful wall that promises to heat up Cologne on cold days to come. See INTI in action and learn more about his art and the origin of its influences.

INTI, Cityleaks Cologne 2011 from CityLeaks on Vimeo.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 5 months, 1 week, 3 days, 6 hours, 38 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Tuesday December 6, 2011

WESR video

2011-12-03T19:29:14+00:00

I received this video from Wesr recently. Glad to see the man rocking.

WESR from WesrFigueroa on Vimeo.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 5 months, 1 week, 6 days, 4 hours, 40 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Saturday December 3, 2011

Detroit Throw Ups

2011-11-20T16:05:02+00:00

A few images from Detroit…

This article was posted by Alan Ket 5 months, 3 weeks, 5 days, 8 hours, 4 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Sunday November 20, 2011

Check out the new book by HOW&NOSM: The Brazil Diaries

2011-11-18T16:31:51+00:00

How&Nosm - The Brazil Diaries is a journey through the Perre twins’ art explorations in Brazil. As European graffiti artists and muralists residing in New York City, How&Nosm have painted in more than 60 countries. The Brazil Diaries explores the walls painted with a limited color palette of mainly white, red & black. How&Nosm create striking murals laced with social commentary, intricate patterns, stark line work and stylized forms. Below are a few spreads from their new book:

This article was posted by Alan Ket 5 months, 4 weeks, 7 hours, 37 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Friday November 18, 2011

Detroit Decay

2011-11-16T18:45:01+00:00

Nearly a third or more of Detroit seems to be vacant and abandoned from mansions to warehouses to factories and huge buildings, its as if the inhabitants just disappeared. The decay is visible everywhere even on people’s faces. I was fortunate to tour around Detroit a bit and see the ruin that exists largely due to the automobile industry that failed to modernize to meet working class America’s needs and instead choose to seek out cheap labor abroad. Gas guzzlers and profit versus people and new fuel technology.

Here are photos of some of the abandoned sites I witnessed and some of the writers that are up. It’s a paradise for writers where you can write almost anywhere but a hell for the poor people there with no employment or opportunities.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 5 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, 5 hours, 24 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Wednesday November 16, 2011

Check out the Monsters of Art Book Release

2011-11-14T21:21:55+00:00

Named for Europe’s most notorious train crew, Monsters Of Art, celebrates 20 years of train havoc between the pages of monster edition of ON THE RUN. With over 200 pages that detail MOAS’s history and unique crew concept, along with classic tales from the train yard, including great escapes, writer beef, legendary busts, extreme graffiti feats, trains, trains and more trains. Below is a sneak peak at layouts:

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 1 Day, 16 hours, 47 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Monday November 14, 2011

11-days left to the Help graffiti Pioneer RIFF 170 Get a Home campaign

2011-11-14T18:52:11+00:00

Hi Everyone

just wanted to remind you the Help graffiti pioneer RIFF 170 get a home campaign is still in effect. There are 11 days left. PLease take a look at the link below and donate any amount to aid his cause:

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 1 Day, 19 hours, 17 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Monday November 14, 2011

Lady Pink Exhibit Recap

2011-11-14T16:14:21+00:00

Lady Pink’s exhibition, Evolution, is an exhibition not to be missed. Here are a few images from the opening night.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 1 Day, 21 hours, 55 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Monday November 14, 2011

Ben Eine City Gates Lettering Series in NYC

2011-11-08T17:32:38+00:00

Recently the UK’s Ben Eine, well known for painting store gates (or shutters as they’re known in England) around the world made a trip to New York as his last stop of a small national tour that included Texas and California. Ben’s been painting gates with letters around the world for some time now and I first encountered them on Fairfax in Los Angeles while driving around town. Having met him briefly during the MoCA exhibition and exchanging numbers I was pleasantly surprised when he reached out to me (as I had suggested) to help secure some painting locations in town to further his alphabet project. So with that email I assembled a small group of volunteers to help give a few neighborhoods a face lift and some free art. I was glad to see the graffiti work ethic alive and thriving in a writer from my generation. We might be getting older but neither Ben nor the rest of us are falling off any time soon.

Here are a few examples of the work he contributed to the city.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 1 week, 20 hours, 37 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Tuesday November 8, 2011

Check Out Lady Pink Evolution this Saturday!

2011-11-03T17:07:00+00:00

Come out to the opening reception of Lady Pink Evolution at Woodward Gallery in L.E.S.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 2 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Thursday November 3, 2011

RHED TFP

2011-10-28T21:09:49+00:00

What can be said about RHED? His work on the streets is great and Madrid is lucky to have him creeping around. We are all glad that this TFP crew member is still active. Enjoy…

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Friday October 28, 2011

Help graffiti pioneer Riff 170 get a home

2011-10-26T10:32:01+00:00

Most recently pioneering graffiti artist, RIFF 170, reached out to me for assistance when he lost his apartment in the Bronx. RIFF’s family has been living in the apartment for decades but when his mother’s illness sent her to live in the South with his sister; the family lost the apartment as they were not on the lease. Its been over a month since RIFF has been homeless and without work. He is currently sleeping in the streets in the Bronx. I would very much like to see him have a home again.

About RIFF 170
RIFF established himself as one of the most important writers of the early subway movement. His versatility as a technician and his appropriation of pop imagery became the blueprint for generations of writers – particularly the Death Squad which cites him as their major influence. RIFF started painting trains in 1972 under the guise of various names including: DOVE 2, CASH, WORM, CONAN, POD and many others.

Unlike many other writers RIFF wasn’t concerned about the fame aspect of graffiti, in fact many writers of his generation didn’t even know his other names. RIFF was inspired by popular imagery all around, his names were a reflection of marketing devices that seeped into his brain. The name DOVE for example came right off the supermarket shelves. CONAN was a famous comic book and CRUNCH was a shortened version of Captain Crunch cereal. He picked names that he liked and reinvented them on the trains with new lettering combinations that hadn’t been seen before. He was one of a handful of artists to show with UGA in the 1970’s. His influence can be seen in the styles and works of major graffiti writers around the world today.

The Impact

As many as 3.5 million people experience homelessness in a given year. In recent years. homelessness in New York has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression of the 1930s. In February 2011, there were 39,500 homeless people, including 9,900 homeless families with 15,700 homeless children, sleeping each night in the New York City municipal shelter system. Families comprise 75 percent of the homeless shelter population. Research shows that the primary cause of homelessness, particularly among families, is lack of affordable housing. The statistics can be overwhelming and leave us feeling hopeless. However, together we can ensure that RIFF 170 no longer resides in the cold, wintry streets of New York. Your donations will help secure a home for RIFF 170.

What We Need & What You Get

The goal is to raise a total of $4,000 to assist RIFF 170 in having a home this winter. Any amount donated is greatly appreciated.

The grand total of $4,000 will be used to secure a studio, at $850 per month. A total of $3,400 will cover the cost of 1 month security deposit and 3 months of rent. The remaining $600 will cover the cost of 3 months of utilities (i.e. electricity, heat and phone). This will allow RIFF 170 the opportunity to secure employment and get on his own two feet.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 3 weeks, 3 hours, 37 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Wednesday October 26, 2011

Come Out to the Dia De Los Muertos Art Exhibition Opening in Boyle Heights, CA

2011-10-25T22:02:12+00:00

Renowned artists and curator, Patssi Valdez will be in attendance at the opening this Friday. And remember to pour a little out for the ancestors, courtesy of Paqui Tequila.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 3 weeks, 16 hours, 7 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Tuesday October 25, 2011

Pick up the new book! Faith 147

2011-10-21T04:34:26+00:00

New book: Faith 47 features images of the South African artist’s metaphoric art strategically placed on broken-down cars, old factories, dusty side roads of lost towns and inner-city alleyways. Faith 47 draws inspiration from her own intuitive political and existential questions. Her deep affinity with lost spaces allows her to gracefully bring attention to the most honest and humble of environments.

Faith has established herself internationally, exhibiting her work in galleries and participating in projects across the globe. Despite this she remains rooted in South Africa. However, her art is also being exhibited at the Younity show, GODDESSHOOD. The show will run until December 4th, 2011. So check it out and judge for yourself.

Other artists in the GODDESSHOOD show include: Alice Mizrachi, Imnop, Swoon and Diana McClure…

Yonkers Public Library
1 Larkin Center
Yonkers, NY 10701

This article was posted by Alan Ket 6 months, 3 weeks, 5 days, 9 hours, 35 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Thursday October 20, 2011

Pick up a copy of ROCKIN’ IT SUCKERS

2011-10-08T18:01:40+00:00

ROCKIN’ IT SUCKERS is the story of New York City’s infamous RIS crew. As authorities decided to clean up the city and a zero-tolerance policy towards graffiti was instituted; the RIS crew was determined to keep the trains colourful and decided to wage their own war with the city. As a result, they took over New York with style, and along the way influenced graffiti writers long way outside the five boroughs. The crack down from the authorities didn’t only trigger the RIS crew to write more, it also made them come up with faster techniques and develop their styles, all done with the crews’ characteristic arrogance and humorous touch. Soon they became one of the world’s most important and influential graffiti crews.

ROCKIN’ IT SUCKERS feature never before seen images of graffiti by the leading figures in the crew as they share their thoughts on bombing, vandalizing and rocking the city. Essays by: Duel, Fuzz One, Ghost, Ket, and Noxer. Features the work of Bruz, Det, Ghost, JA One, Reas, Sane, Smith, Veefer and many more.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 7 months, 1 week, 1 Day, 10 hours, 8 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Saturday October 8, 2011

CASE Paints Portrait of Khaled Said During 2011 Human Rights Award Ceremony

2011-10-03T06:00:51+00:00

On Monday, September 19th, Khaled Said was awarded the Human Rights Award 201, in Berlin Germany. Zahraa Kassem, representing her slain brother Khaled Said received the award in his name. During the ceremony, the famous German photo realist and graffiti artist Andreas von Chrzanowski aka CASE completed Said’s portrait on a 3,8 ton piece which originated between the Brandenburger Tor and Potsdamer Platz areas of the Berlin Wall. CASE’s painting will later be placed at Freedom Park, near the river Spree. CASE, as part of the Goethe institute project, will once again paint Khaled Said’s portrait in October 2011; in Said’s home town Alexandria.

Khaled Said, Egyptian Internet activist, rapper and blogger, was brutally beaten to death by two policemen on June 6th, 2010, in Alexandria, Egypt. His death triggered massive protests and the Facebook page “We are all Khaled Said” became one of the main catalysts of the revolution. Khaled Said’s portrait is immortalized in Egypt in countless graffiti, street art murals and stencils in cities like Alexandria and Cairo.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 7 months, 1 week, 6 days, 22 hours, 8 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Monday October 3, 2011

Come check out the NY Art Book Fair at PS1 on Sunday 10/2 at 3pm

2011-09-29T21:00:01+00:00

The New York Art Book Fair is opening tomorrow September 30th at PS1 [across from 5 Points], L.I.C. Come by on Sunday, October 3rd at 3pm and enjoy the festivities. Toofly, Freedom, Charlie Ahearn and myself will be available to sign exhibition catalogues and our respective books.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 7 months, 2 weeks, 3 days, 7 hours, 9 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Thursday September 29, 2011

new book! Muralismo Morte - The Rebirth of Muralism in Contemporary Urban Art

2011-09-28T18:31:48+00:00

The new book titled, Muralismo Morte boasts over 300 illustrations and photographs covering large-scale murals in both prominent areas and in well hidden decayed ruins. The book features great artists, such as: Roa, Remed, Klub 7, Blu, Os Gemeos, Escif, Jens Besser, BerlinBeamBoys, Sonice Development, 3ttman, Kain Logos and many more. Its a must have so get it while supplies last.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 7 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, 9 hours, 37 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Wednesday September 28, 2011

New Yorkers invade LA

2011-09-16T07:42:03+00:00

Big art things are happening in Los Angeles and its great to see fellow New Yorkers getting some recognition and exhibitions. This week Jose Parla, Haze, Greg Lemarche, Lee Quinones, Futura, and Fab 5 Freddy all have exhibitions in LA. If you are in LA make sure you check it. From the abstract to the realism its going to be amazing. Hopefully the buyers will get behind it just like they have for the LA heads out here who are blowing up.

JOSÉ PARLÁ
Character Gestures
September 9 - October 22, 2011
OHWOW
937 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90069

HAZE
“New Mathematics”
Known Gallery in Los Angeles
441 N. Farifax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

3 KINGS
FEATURING FRED BRATHWAITE AKA FAB 5 FREDDY, LEE QUINONES AND LEONARD MCGURR AKA FUTURA 2000 WITH GUEST CURATOR PATTI ASTOR
September 17th - October 8th, 2011
Subliminal Projects
1331 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Greg Lemarche
I can see for miles
September 17th - October 8th, 2011
Known Gallery in Los Angeles
441 N. Farifax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

José Parlá, No Return, Here Again, 2011, Mixed media on canvas, 72 x 72 inches. Courtesy of the artist and OHWOW Gallery.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 8 months, 10 hours, 27 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Friday September 16, 2011

Ghost exhibition tonight

2011-09-08T16:02:42+00:00

My good friend and fellow crew member Ghost has a solo show opening tonight in NYC. Stop by if you have time between all the Fashion Night Out hoopla. This will be much better than the rest of the fashion stuff out there. His new paintings are amazing and priced to buy.

This article was posted by Alan Ket 8 months, 1 week, 1 Day, 2 hours, 7 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Thursday September 8, 2011

TFP tribute wall at Hall of Fame in NYC

2011-08-27T23:44:00+00:00

On Friday, the 26th of August, Mare 139, Noc 167, Cekis, and myself painted a TFP tribute in the Hall of Fame in Harlem. Since the painting of the Hall of Fame school yard is now limited to being an annual event (unlike in years past when you could just climb the fence) which requires the school’s permission we decided to paint it our production in one day in the case that the school changes its mind and kicks us out. Plus there was the threat of the hurricane which told me that Friday would be the only day to paint. So with that news we got an early start.

The idea for the wall was to pay tribute to some of the members of the TFP crew that have passed. Since Kase2 died recently the entire Hall of Fame’s actions are dedicated to him as well as the main wall so we decided to do it with a bit of a twist. Our wall is a tribute to not only for Kase but also his old friend and crew member Bear167 from TFP and TDS crews as well as Sane (Sanesmith) a good friend of Case2’s who did a few memorable walls with Case2 when we has still alive back in the early 1990s. Since Sane (and his brother Smith) was an old friend I had an old outline in my possession that he drew in 1989 that I painted. Cekis came thru with the portrait of Case2 at his kitchen table drawing a mechanical style piece - a scene straight out of the movie Style Wars. That same outline was the piece that Mare139 decided to paint, bringing to life Case2’s very own style. To Mare139’s right Noc167 painted his Bear167 piece which he says the colors were channeled by Bear himself and who could disagree this since the two were old friends. Noc167 being a bit rusty from now painting much for over 30 years received a hand from friends Ree and Crane. In the end Noc’s flavor came thru and the piece looks straight from 1977 just as I had hoped. All together the styles represented are three versions of a mechanical style: Sane’s is quite complex and very much inspired by Case2, Case2’s style is straight mechanical funk with letters overlapping and forming the other letters, and Noc167’s Bear piece is more of a simple mechanical swirl style and shows the style in its first stages of development.

I am glad we rocked for our old friends. Maybe their memory and legacy live on in our style and hearts forever….
KET TFP/RIS/AOK

The first outline goes up

NOC 167 at work

Bronx kings: Checker 170 and Noc 167

NOC 167 at work

MARE 139 in front of his finished piece

NOC in front of Cekis’ Case2 portrait

CASE2 by Cekis

The complete wall by KET, CEKIS, MARE139, and NOC 167

This article was posted by Alan Ket 8 months, 2 weeks, 5 days, 18 hours, 25 minutes ago.
©Alan Ket & 12ozProphet - Saturday August 27, 2011