Martha Cooper redux #ArtInTheStreets

Martha Cooper (credit: Hypebeast)

For next week's "Art in the Streets" exhibition at MOCA Martha Cooper is reunited with her Subway Art cohort, Henry Chalfont (albeit in separate rooms.) Although, this museum show is a major achievement, what could be considered a more ambitious project involving her work is happening in 'midtown' LA.

"Martha Cooper: Remix" is a mixed media show of her photos and on display at Carmichael Gallery in Culver City. As the name suggests the show involves taking her classic and well-known images and having them remixed by artists whom she has photographed or worked with over the years. Think of a 'who's who' of east coast graffiti artists: Bio, Nicer and B-Gee (TATS Cru,) Blade, Cey, Claw, Crash, Daze, Dr. Revolt, Futura, Lady Pink, Mare 139, Quik, Sharp and T-Kid. They are joined by John Ahearn (Charlie's brother,) Aiko, Mark Bode, Victor Castillo, Jane Dickson, Shepard Fairey, Logan Hicks, The London Police, Barry McGee, Nazza Stencil, Neck Face, Nunca, José Parlá, Kenny Scharf, Swoon and more.

The outcome is surprising, exciting and has produced some captivating images...

(credits: Hypebeast)

Read a great article about Martha Cooper and the show written by New York's Miss Rosen published by La Lettre de la Photographie.

“Artists I have had relationships with over the years and I thought it would be fun to have them make their own art that was based on my photos. Over the years a lot of artists have asked for permission to use my photographs in some form or another. While some photographers might not like this, I always felt flattered. Over the years I have seen a lot of flyers that have used my pictures in various ways. It is heartwarming to see a new generation of people using my work to make art.” Martha Cooper interviewed in La Lettre de la Photographie

#Puma reps old skool...never fades [#oldskool #hiphop ]

Searching for info on Def Jam I stumble upon this series of videos sponsored by Puma.

Remember back in 2007-8 when Puma released a whole series of old skool hip hop shoes and garms? I got myself a Puma MTV hooded sweatshirt and the second release (grey on white) of the Vaughn Bode "Cheech Wizard" Clydes (but stayed away from the horrific sweatshirt!?)

These five video interviews by Fab 5 Freddy celebrate and promote that 80s-era in New York when hip hop was becoming the tour de force it is today. Watch them all! Ricky Powell, Dr. Revolt, Fabel and Walt Fraiser. Credit where credit's due.

"In the first of a five part collaboration between VIMBY and PUMA, Fab 5 Freddy, the original host of Yo! MTV Raps discusses the beginnings of hip hop and introduces some of the names that changed the game forever. School is in session." Vimby

VIMBY - PUMA  x Yo! MTV Raps Pt. 1

VIMBY - PUMA x Yo! MTV Raps Pt. 2

VIMBY - PUMA x Yo! MTV Raps Pt. 3

VIMBY - Puma x YO! MTV Raps Pt. 4

VIMBY - Puma x Yo! MTV Raps Pt. 5

Graffiti legends hit the MTA....one more week

DirtyPilot.com is exhibiting its new graffiti show, "Map Quest", online until November 7th...You have one more week to check out artwork from REVOLT, T-KID, COPE2, EWOK 5MH, GHOST, CRIME79, CES ONE, PART ONE, KR. ONE, YES2.

Map Quest is the closest these old skool graffiti greats will get to hitting the MTA (aka New York City subway!) In this collective show each artist has used a NYC transit map as a canvas for his graffiti. Check out the pics above.

If you have a few hundred bucks you can get yourself a piece of subway graffiti history.

Dr. Revolt at DirtyPilot

If you know old skool, you know that Dr. Revolt and Zephyr created the legendary "Wild Style" graffiti piece that features on the DVD and soundtrack cover of Charlie Ahearn's film of the same name. Yes, Lee Quinones, Lady Pink, Fab 5 Freddy, Crazy Legs, Ramellezee, Fantastic 5, Cold Crush and many, many others.

Dr. Revolt's solo "gallery" show is on until April 12th at DirtyPilot which is a fabulous website for old skool graffiti art collectors. These aren't prints, these are originals. Cop yourself one for $700.

"Born and raised in New York City, with graffiti roots in the early 70’s, REVOLT is an original member of the historic NYC subway graffiti crew, The Rolling Thunder Writers (RTW). Known for his ultra-colorful tags and elaborate pieces on the Broadway #1 line, with heavily influenced psychedelic and comic art stylings, and later, taking it “all-city”. With contributions to the seminal classic hip-hop films, “Wild Style and “Style Wars”, his participation in the 80’s East Village art gallery scene, various music videos and, album covers, animation, comics, vinyl toy design, and creating the classic “YO! MTV Raps’ logo. His early 80’s tour of duty in the city of Baltimore is legendary, where he, like a “Messenger of Style”, single-handedly kick-started a graffiti scene there that still feels his influence today. His place in the history of “graff-dom” is set.

His work has been seen in various publications and art galleries globally. Recent collaborations and conspiracies include: Roger Waters’ Live Earth show, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, VH-1, Scion Installation, Swindle Magazine, Illmatic, ChocolateBar, Kid Robot, Dickies, The Stussy World Tour, E.S.P. The Tri-CoastalGraffiti Show, Juxtapoz, Sony Music, Graffiti: Spirit of an Age @ 40 × 10, Bethel Center For New Media Arts, Le TAG au Grand Palais, The Draw Show, Definition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop, Nimbus Vapor, Back to the Fun Gallery @ Meltdown, NYC Black Book Masters, and Zune Arts"

May be LA is the Hip Hop art capital?

I went to the Scion Installation pre-launch party in Culver City thanks to Evan's invite and Naama's ride over. The space was new to me and pretty big with enough space for two smokin' customised Scion cars on the floor, and an annex for the bar.

The highlight had to be meeting Futura (again). He has an amazing memory - he remembered the Levi's event in London back in the day - "Contents Under Pressure...." he said! I met Stay High 149 after an intro from the dudes from Frank 151 magazine - they're cool. Stay High 149 told me about a Hall of Fame in Manhattan. Also got the chance chat to Dr. Revolt. Who? The man who did the Wild Style piece with Zephyr for the film of the same name. Amazing! I got an open invite to hang out with the Frank 151 crew next time I'm in town. Cool. Watch out for me!



All in all, a trip down graffiti memory lane. I went back tonight to get photos (my camera battery died last night?!), the postcard set signed and catch some lickle video action. Some of it is posted here for you to enjoy too! Word.