12ozProphet

This was passed on to me by Bates, its an early sculpture from 1986, I dont even have a record of it, I cant believe this came up. Dozo from Copenhagen must have been visiting the studio and snapped a shot. One can see how close I adhered to the letter of style writing and painting something I abandoned early on in favor of a more modernist approach incorporating the same aesthetic and dynamic of style writing. This piece was sold and never seen again so I am glad to share it.

My peeps in London town are heated right now over a BANKSY production over a classic ROBBO piece done in 1985. The beef is blowing up online as an Street Art vs Graff issue, respect vs opportunism, old vs new. Londoners are ripping BANSKSY for this blatant diss which didnt go unnoticed or unmatched. ROBBO apparently donned a wet suit and came back on the work and reworked it to his favor, I think this was a good move because it brings to light the issue for debate. I generally like some of BANKSYs work and think that though controversial and full of clever tricks as a street artist I believe either he or his cohorts who have made this judgement in error are going to have to answer to the kids on the streets not the gallerists or curators. There has always been one rule in the game that never falters, dont go over your history no matter how old or wack. I cant imagine going over a Vinny throw up just because, it is a known known here in NYC in which we try to adhere to, let the buff or time erase it, not to say toys dont kill shit but established writers know better. That said I think the Style War continues and will get interesting, Id like to see how BANKSY responds to this if at all, I think he is well outside the fray so it will all be left to the online fodder to debate the diss. Thanks to Choci for putting me up on this.

Peep the press in the UK- http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2786462/Banksys-graffiti-war-with-rival.html

Reflecting on what I know of my 44 years I decided to culminate some of the seminal moments I recall or that happened in my lifetime so far….in no particular order…you can fill in the blanks if I left out your favorites…

1- I was born
2- The civil rights movement was in full swing
3- Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy were shot and killed, Bruce Lee died
4- We landed on the Moon
5- Salsa Music was born
6- the South Bronx was burned down only to recover like a Phoenix
7- Subway Graffiti art and Hip Hop was born in the South Bronx
8- NYC Blackout of 1977
9- Son of Sam
10- NYC went bankrupt
11- 42 st was the place to be, Kung Fu flicks, Serpico, The French Connection, Cooley High, Cornbread Earl and Me, The Exorcist, Taxi Driver…one could puff and drink in theaters
12- 50 cent tokens
13- 3rd ave EL
14- Writers Corner 149st Grand Concourse
15- Stay High 149
16- Fort Apache, 40th Precient
17- Spanish Harlem was Spanish
18- Fashion Moda, Leo Castelli, Sidney Janis, Fun Gallery
19- Style Wars, Wild Style
20- Picasso at MOMA
21- Mandela goes free, Becomes President of South Africa
22- NOGA, Soul Artists, Sam Esses collective
23- Russia, Berlin went warm
24- Red trains to Silver and Blue to White Elephants to Red again then to Tin cans
25- Graffiti/ Hip Hop went mainstream and was co-opted
26- Graffiti/ Hip Hop went Global
27- I became a sculptor
28- I became a new media artist
29- I study Welding instead of Culinary art, Fashion and Jewelry Design which I wanted to do, eventually did them all
30- I lived in LA
31- I left LA for NYC
32- I lost loved ones to Crack, Heroin, AIDS, Murder, Suicide
33- I lost my Mother
34- I lost my Step Mother
33- The Internet happens
34- Art vs Transit by Shy147 Duro and Min
35- Dondi gets burned by NOC167
36- I witness NOC167 and Chain3 in the one Tunnel painting whole cars
37- I win a Webby Award for Style Wars website
38- I have a son- Leo
39- I meet Mandela, Ali, Quincy Jones, Bob DeNiro, and many influential artists
40- I design the BET Award
41- My son and I vote for Obama, he becomes first African American President
42- I go see Curtis Blow, Bob Marley and the Commodores at Madison Sq. Garden
43- Global warming
44- Red Bull Outsiders Project in Germany

Man I could go on as one would imagine. Looking forward I can not imagine but hope not just for myself but for others that we overcome adversity and triumph with creativity and keep and gain the support of loving family and trusted friends. A lot has been lost and gained over the years, personally what Ive treasured most was the journey and the people along the way, the artists especially, those I painted with and admire, in them I found a way for myself, especially through my brother Kel and his partners over the years.

Happy Holidays to U and yours- 2010 if not now when?

Come support the 13th Witness Exhibition this thurs @7pm. 359 Lafayette Bond/Bleeker St.

I had the fortune to go see the FELA the Broadway show and must highly recommend it to you. If you know nothing of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti you owe it to yourself to learn about his music, life and struggle. He is a legend among musical legends right there next to Marley, Marvin and Lennon, a seeker of truth and equality for his peoples in Nigeria.

First off this is like no other play, its a celebration and you are invited, engaged and provoked, I found it hard to keep still in my seat. Sahr Ngaujah who performs as Fela is playing a destined role, I cant imagine no other, its amazing to see how an artist can transform himself and spirit into someone else for 2 hours of non-stop music and raw emotional confession. Sahr really is something to see, his singing, performance and dancing seemingly channeled through the Yorubas and spirit of a nation evoked strong emotions both of struggle and celebration. The supporting cast of dancers, who where choreographed by the amazing Bill T. Jones are outstandingly athletic, spiritual, sexual and beautiful. When I tell you that movement like this invokes the gods I mean it! It shakes the very core of everything in and around you. I imagine if this played up in Harlem you would have had a different crowd reaction in fact you would really have The Shrine which is the club Fela would often perform, Broadway though appreciative is rather conservative (hidden code for Mid Country). The sets were also something to speak of, the staging was shanty like but they had a great use of local art some of which reminded me of Os Gemeos, I liked the way they used video and animations to move the story along as well.

All in all it was amazing thats why I am carrying on about it, my words cant even do it justice. I also must point out that this story is similar to early Hip Hop in many ways, the evolution of music, dance and culture, the way it sought out to overthrow oppression with words and music and social mobilization. Something that is missing in todays culture. What also impressed me about this play is that it was Produced by Jay Z and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. Keep in mind that producing a B’way show is no small feat and attempting to reconstruct Fela is not easy either so I tip my hat to them all.

Jase COD has been putting a hurting on the walls lately and recently shared these with me. His blog is http://jasonburnz.wordpress.com/ peep all his amazing work and photos of the recent Art Basel Productions.
COD- FC- Crushing it!

Inspired by KEO who posted some jammies I offer yall some of my favorite joints from when I was a kid.