“Sometimes limitations are good”

Don’t miss this important show if you are in the Los Angeles area.

Next Friday, December 14th.

At: Soze Gallery
801 East 4th Place
Los Angeles, CA 90013

For more information call: 323-929-2361

or check out: http://www.graffuturism.com

This week saw the passing of a good friend, Justin Van Hoy, aka The Dutch Giant. Justin was really tall – maybe 6, 4” with shaggy bright Orangey-Red hair and a Jesus-like beard. He had been engaged in a long fight with Cancer, but died suddenly outside of his home on Wednesday. Justin was an extraordinarily talented designer and illustrator, but more importantly was a selfless lover and promoter of art. He was also a gallery owner and curator for his space This, Los Angeles.

I was introduced to Justin a couple of years ago through a mutual friend, as a potential designer for a book of my work. With no promise from me, Justin jumped in and begin to connect the dots of my own creative history in ways that I myself couldn’t see.  He saw the links between graffiti, graphic design, creative direction, and fine art very clearly. This was a breath of fresh air to me, and made me see my own life’s work differently.

Justin’s passing was shock to everyone, because only a little over a week earlier he hosted a book release at the Gagosian gallery for the new book Milk & Honey, Contemporary Art in California  which he edited and designed. This weekend friends and family gathered to celebrate Justin’s life. The celebration was held in a big loft space in Downtown, LA, and I was really happy to see that there were hundreds of people, standing room only.

Many people spoke about Justin’s heart, his talent, his bravery, and his commitment. The one thing that several people spoke about, which I know from experience, was that from the moment you first shook Justin’s hand, you knew he was a friend.

To paraphrase a poem that was read on Saturday-

“Death is nothing at all…., All is Well”

You can see some of Justin’s work here: http://work.thedutchpress.com

I know it’s already been posted, but wanted to big-up Sacha Jenkins and Chino for their efforts in putting these books together. Often those defining the Culture are not from the Culture and the end result reflects that. Book publishing in general is not a high profit business, in fact it’s often a no-profit business, so i view this as a labor of love on their part, and I’m happy to be included in the documentation of this important part of our history.

Some Thoughtz to share. These are two of my favorites from Hennessey Youngman, but check out “How to make an Art. Addendum”,  & “Relational Aesthetics” as well..

Here is a video shot by my good brother Ben Solomon of a Mural installation done as part of Graffuturism’s In Situ project during Art Basel in Miami.

“West One: In Situ” from Ben Solomon on Vimeo.

Sometimes a Black Book isn’t actually a ‘Black Book’. Here are some autographs from one of my favorite books
from a 2002 gathering of people who came to say goodbye to Iz the Wiz who was leaving New York for a warmer climate.

For all my NY Brothers & Sisters - Don’t miss this sonic celebration tomorrow night featuring Sami-T of The Far East Rulers, Mighty Crown, along with NY’s own Deadly Dragon Sound.

I’ve heard through the grapevine that there will some special guests in the house including Screechie Dan, Rankin Joe, and DJ Muro.

Here is some artwork I recently did for my good brother Sung to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of his innovative footwear brand Clae. This is the third installment of his Five by Five Series where he pairs musical and visual artists together. My at-bat was for the legendary Japanese Reggae sound system Mighty Crown.

Here is a link to the Clae / Mighty Crown mix, as well as links to the two previous mixes - Vol 1: Dam Funk meets Rostarr, and Vol 2: DJ Clark Kent meets Jamil GS.

http://soundcloud.com/clae-footwear/sets/clae-five-by-five-series

http://soundcloud.com/clae-footwear/clae-five-by-five-dam-funk-beautiful-music-for-beautiful-people-vol-2

http://soundcloud.com/clae-footwear/dj-clark-kent-grown-sexy-mix

I noticed that Bates recently posted something about the iconic Charlie Ahearn film The Deadly Art of Survival. Outside of the film, the Poster (below) is fresh. Charlie and his crew hand screen printed these and put them up all over downtown New York. Of course they didn’t last long..

We will be rocking in Miami. Please come and check us out if you are there during Art Basel..