KATAPULKO presents: MEGA MAX [MEGA.DOPE.POP] + Upcoming Event SVN: hi fi [11.2.11]

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1CaO83KDd6RAuLzW-0QGP9xs66Hj1mniq-F5RDd7yd89G58f_unwrdoLWY3RZz2sG0iqn7irZ8wO1uMJ3LkelPpsVqP_nSSZaf-TFMUPGDFKG2xvfIvC6RybCv8gl2HOqwj2FV29kaM2/s1600/bigroyalcrown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1CaO83KDd6RAuLzW-0QGP9xs66Hj1mniq-F5RDd7yd89G58f_unwrdoLWY3RZz2sG0iqn7irZ8wO1uMJ3LkelPpsVqP_nSSZaf-TFMUPGDFKG2xvfIvC6RybCv8gl2HOqwj2FV29kaM2/s1600/bigroyalcrown.jpeg" /></a></div> In my first year moving to Brooklyn, I've been blessed to have met my closest allies/ seekers / brothers-in-vision/ collaborators and friends that allowed my work to grow knowing that I got the support and true understanding from the dopest artists I know. We have been working together under various collectives, such as <a href="http://www.konogomix.com/">Konogo.Mix</a> & <a href="http://aliennyc.com/">A.L.I.E.N</a>. MEGA is someone I'll be indebted to forever for his visions, insights and creative genius that continue to feed and inspire my work. <br /><br />So who is <b><a href="http://yomegadopepop.com/">MEGA MAX</a></b>? Imagine a futuristic temple on the beach, with a tigerskin-clad superherogod on a talismanic crystal hoverboard that can sail through ocean waves and sound vibrations alike (BASS!). He's been just given the key to the underground chamber where his ancestral spirits have activated his hyperspace spirit-vehicle and is about to morph into his next avatar, only visible to those who have access to that dimension...One of his superpowers is the ability to manifest his wishes in the material realm with ease, and has been blessed with the ability to unlock hearts with his visions. His debut showcase is a lesson in manifestation. <b>SVN: hi fi by MEGA.DOPE.POP</b> is a story of a series of dreams unfolding and taking forms in this world, only to open doors to more. Part art installation, part film set, MEGA's debut showcase is not what you expect from an art opening. On Wednesday 11.2.11, you have a chance to become part of the game and celebrate the dopest success stories I know. I will unveil a new piece there as well [peep detail at the bottom]. More info <a href="http://www.konogomix.com/home/2011/10/how-to-build-an-empire-svn-hi-fi-11-2-11/">here</a>. [hit me up for special entry cards to have access to the full experience!]</div><br /><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD8mpCMW8HrmWm12DdFbG85d6loGDtwc9T8vPQawd1_UobHHsDw7WfmJ3tjMPDjTKAA32cvuqdg9rHQwQBiLHu65xWUJ-0Lo72CW8AK5mlMyfQnbAafTcuXfFGnBwqHZOI3FqOnjptlH8/s1600/MEGA-lichibanBluntO13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD8mpCMW8HrmWm12DdFbG85d6loGDtwc9T8vPQawd1_UobHHsDw7WfmJ3tjMPDjTKAA32cvuqdg9rHQwQBiLHu65xWUJ-0Lo72CW8AK5mlMyfQnbAafTcuXfFGnBwqHZOI3FqOnjptlH8/s320/MEGA-lichibanBluntO13.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #dbf0fa; color: #232323;">WHERE</span> DO <span style="background-color: #dbf0fa; color: #232323;">YOU</span> CALL IT HOME? <span style="color: #ff1d17;">PHANTAJA</span></span></div><div style="color: #ff1d17; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">WHAT DO </span><span style="background-color: #dbf0fa; color: #232323;">YOU</span><span style="color: black;"> DO? </span>NON STOP CREATION</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TRUE BEAUTY IS…<span style="color: #ff1d17;"> IN THE EYES</span></span></div><div style="color: #ff1d17; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">BEATS…</span> ADONIS</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TRUE SEXY IS… <span style="color: #ff1d17;">HUMOR</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">MUSIC IS MY… <span style="color: #ff1d17;">MUSE</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ART DOES NOT… <span style="color: #ff1d17;">HAVE TO BE ART</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">MY NIGHTS <span style="background-color: #dbf0fa; color: #232323;">ARE</span>… <span style="color: #ff1d17;">LIKE MOVIES</span></span></div><div style="color: #ff1d17; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">THESE 3 TURN ME ON… </span>HIGH HEELS, SCENT + BOOTY</span></div><div style="color: #ff1d17; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">SELF-KNOWLEDGE …</span> IS THE ONLY REAL THING WORTH STUDYING</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ENOUGH OF … <span style="color: #ff1d17;">FEAR</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">MY CREATIVITY IS… <span style="color: #ff1d17;">ENDLESS</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TRUE POWER IS… <span style="color: #ff1d17;">ABSOLUTE</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LIFE CAN BE THE... <span style="color: #ff1d17;">BRIDGE TO THE NEXT</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TO LOVE IS TO… <span style="color: #ff1d17;">BE IMMORTAL</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'VE GOT FLOW BECAUSE… <span style="color: #ff1d17;">I GOT BASS!</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NEW PROJECTS FOR 2011? <span style="color: #ff1d17;">SVN: HI FI</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #dbf0fa; color: #232323;">WHERE</span> CAN WE REACH <span style="background-color: #dbf0fa; color: #232323;">YOU</span>? <span style="color: #ff1d17;">MEGACORP.</span></span></div><div style="color: #ff1d17; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">SHOUTOUTS? </span>KONOGMIX, A.L.I.E.N., BROWARD COUNTY + THE BED STUY KROWN KIDS!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31452908?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe></div><div style="color: #ff1d17; font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq1Xgi-aA8agSvAiEpkoNE-CSeh24yJkChqrMu95iUBrysMto-Bac3c1brNg-bitomr77eOMfD-_LGlko4NccmHP9Lg27miHbe9GQxQbW4xD2J79kKqVpM3UzAVgOLcmmXV9PaOcC3TXS/s1600/lichiban-megadopepop-34600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq1Xgi-aA8agSvAiEpkoNE-CSeh24yJkChqrMu95iUBrysMto-Bac3c1brNg-bitomr77eOMfD-_LGlko4NccmHP9Lg27miHbe9GQxQbW4xD2J79kKqVpM3UzAVgOLcmmXV9PaOcC3TXS/s1600/lichiban-megadopepop-34600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gePM8v1Nngi9tnysKA3Ay_xCKk4s5Ptn-1nSVgkpZGItWGnPYy-qDLKMcgVRaFEABon5fEJNqZdKbC3kbJCRn10o6Pxsqf7mc_LsObyL1fQV2OQ3SekoCJP4W6cdXebAEdJGtTAjrAKU/s1600/lichiban-megamax-fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gePM8v1Nngi9tnysKA3Ay_xCKk4s5Ptn-1nSVgkpZGItWGnPYy-qDLKMcgVRaFEABon5fEJNqZdKbC3kbJCRn10o6Pxsqf7mc_LsObyL1fQV2OQ3SekoCJP4W6cdXebAEdJGtTAjrAKU/s1600/lichiban-megamax-fish.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARdxsa5ClD-EX8YCNeyc87Qm27EDS_PonR1p3UaHoW3mtYr6kZIBjFcQozbzdnE5MDtHfuLaQwZz2XVbJqeJD52l-xvC7yTjByzo8hYPHQrRTLPHgOwcARHzBQnetzeRCHYRt1_DUNuRE/s1600/lichiban-megamaxpumps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARdxsa5ClD-EX8YCNeyc87Qm27EDS_PonR1p3UaHoW3mtYr6kZIBjFcQozbzdnE5MDtHfuLaQwZz2XVbJqeJD52l-xvC7yTjByzo8hYPHQrRTLPHgOwcARHzBQnetzeRCHYRt1_DUNuRE/s1600/lichiban-megamaxpumps.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTgncWuR6-Y6wgKjs_-CqpWo-1pxWC8HkxN3WmiaFYattb3Gdb7NL2mtI1JlIFXeMddQQs545JF-1pTP8E0PwYggPBFZZ7w0ZTlPfrlm7Ud0K7-VAjxTbvtspFQUn3xPN2dSYz4RfP2EJ/s1600/KONOGO-megamaxlichibanvisions18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTgncWuR6-Y6wgKjs_-CqpWo-1pxWC8HkxN3WmiaFYattb3Gdb7NL2mtI1JlIFXeMddQQs545JF-1pTP8E0PwYggPBFZZ7w0ZTlPfrlm7Ud0K7-VAjxTbvtspFQUn3xPN2dSYz4RfP2EJ/s1600/KONOGO-megamaxlichibanvisions18.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SVN: hi fi (behind the scenes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZURgi66dbVuCQEyBuEbvR3Ymu44PXLsJE-2eW8FV3ojn8Etk04pxbOtxvTnwa3QASfuLZGCx8mCefq0UbDaXkJ3TwzRG5Zwxau-6peCNfiQ_lrL4vKhsY6CMQQMKE9e9pKMuhe4yP1it1/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess2log600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZURgi66dbVuCQEyBuEbvR3Ymu44PXLsJE-2eW8FV3ojn8Etk04pxbOtxvTnwa3QASfuLZGCx8mCefq0UbDaXkJ3TwzRG5Zwxau-6peCNfiQ_lrL4vKhsY6CMQQMKE9e9pKMuhe4yP1it1/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess2log600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvjaDIQ9g2YPriw3OZjINMWrsViH14y-ANXnevAI2um6iqIGACPQqocKr3gqVxZqEZI26ycgZgg6a4c_vcdrBzo2UMjKK6qQE0__QO8UQQLMa6YGM6rayDrckPiKDlvyYJnDGfoxPj6nQ/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess3log600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvjaDIQ9g2YPriw3OZjINMWrsViH14y-ANXnevAI2um6iqIGACPQqocKr3gqVxZqEZI26ycgZgg6a4c_vcdrBzo2UMjKK6qQE0__QO8UQQLMa6YGM6rayDrckPiKDlvyYJnDGfoxPj6nQ/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess3log600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B_6ZNTjalMYpgdjq7PPJjQqkjJwkb_KCfR2X9uTi3YfLeCSi0uxvq7qeVSqigQ3PXwXcGvXxGmj1gkXR7UNeoagyhu1VKz1Q7z35DBDwBF0pw8YXPFaoiqjIO682zU5ih8r12DzUfJW5/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess9-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B_6ZNTjalMYpgdjq7PPJjQqkjJwkb_KCfR2X9uTi3YfLeCSi0uxvq7qeVSqigQ3PXwXcGvXxGmj1gkXR7UNeoagyhu1VKz1Q7z35DBDwBF0pw8YXPFaoiqjIO682zU5ih8r12DzUfJW5/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess9-600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGCIOfnKg3RDUiPitJgXLmZ620KwmfqrbMt2w3Atj9Lpm2UrCdl6k69iNRp61PgJlCjIvna16cFUKtNR4wLRLHWtSXpRdJtPiLebI-YZ3jmYebWuf8361pSoQlhow8TBwAWluAs9Qf7Mw/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess12600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGCIOfnKg3RDUiPitJgXLmZ620KwmfqrbMt2w3Atj9Lpm2UrCdl6k69iNRp61PgJlCjIvna16cFUKtNR4wLRLHWtSXpRdJtPiLebI-YZ3jmYebWuf8361pSoQlhow8TBwAWluAs9Qf7Mw/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess12600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OlJh964PK__dHYqQGp8PYA-Ws_BeTTFTqw3yN7rllcghvgNlDWqdGEt0YP4j_82gcFNvLmUd98N_3EgnORkh-XHOHYZ_GD-qZyAtHihrMIIRJLgi2mFLtXKp8hOKYsyDJL-2wxlxMBnk/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess13-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OlJh964PK__dHYqQGp8PYA-Ws_BeTTFTqw3yN7rllcghvgNlDWqdGEt0YP4j_82gcFNvLmUd98N_3EgnORkh-XHOHYZ_GD-qZyAtHihrMIIRJLgi2mFLtXKp8hOKYsyDJL-2wxlxMBnk/s1600/MEGADOPEPOP_SVNprocess13-600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="338" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/30554464?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUk5KYprRONufXJel6wfK8w91MW_wRvw-89S5axQxMjAKKUl2sOdGN-1eAYsAsIgJEyx8dmrDfmPxWxHO8STrBu36EE5n7qdVouHEm8sAbgSm7WsoRrcNQdUmye8yBbc4x3qr2juSI30h/s1600/SVNofficial2-700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUk5KYprRONufXJel6wfK8w91MW_wRvw-89S5axQxMjAKKUl2sOdGN-1eAYsAsIgJEyx8dmrDfmPxWxHO8STrBu36EE5n7qdVouHEm8sAbgSm7WsoRrcNQdUmye8yBbc4x3qr2juSI30h/s1600/SVNofficial2-700.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MYOB x MEGA.DOPE.POP collabo released at SVN hi:fi</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqpYMoFBJ_GvfxbXPOQznw36tgieZ5C4oJt2Rc-k54NpG9uh_l80aKXRvFIfmpUP8c1aTrhOK0qbHDedsTp1VT4PMaNvuErqdmQ5qTfFUjyKeUx2jKswVzAKhXoQBE2N5yhZOYxw7EdQM/s1600/mdp-myob2-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqpYMoFBJ_GvfxbXPOQznw36tgieZ5C4oJt2Rc-k54NpG9uh_l80aKXRvFIfmpUP8c1aTrhOK0qbHDedsTp1VT4PMaNvuErqdmQ5qTfFUjyKeUx2jKswVzAKhXoQBE2N5yhZOYxw7EdQM/s1600/mdp-myob2-600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nfQbO_Zi8rglqj1c1oJgmqlYVBaYRGdp5OiZbMAw1iM12KP_xdEIQ7AncNDFIr_S1Z_FHX-ycrquxstUyiPUQAvUnMUkadhfayfuimKRk_j_dOblb9D4WQE_CgPbL9ofNNQETIdAvGYz/s1600/megadopepopxMYOB600-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nfQbO_Zi8rglqj1c1oJgmqlYVBaYRGdp5OiZbMAw1iM12KP_xdEIQ7AncNDFIr_S1Z_FHX-ycrquxstUyiPUQAvUnMUkadhfayfuimKRk_j_dOblb9D4WQE_CgPbL9ofNNQETIdAvGYz/s1600/megadopepopxMYOB600-2.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.lichiban.net/">Katapulko</a> presents: VAMADEVA for MEGA.DOPE.POP<br />Detail from the full work unveiled tomorrow at SVN: hi fi!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCvixGL_WIDjENbj4zt1ssJNVIMoId6O4cy3RfAJ5-KXbJSiI9VFrcJf3AiCJbVKRyq1p2NT4NFjgInpP1aSEcKD0-10j6pUhL9qodlDdugCW_WoYLpfSON6C02ul4ZyJipdLSHS8Z-dw/s1600/SHIVAAA-vamadevaMEGAxkatapulko600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCvixGL_WIDjENbj4zt1ssJNVIMoId6O4cy3RfAJ5-KXbJSiI9VFrcJf3AiCJbVKRyq1p2NT4NFjgInpP1aSEcKD0-10j6pUhL9qodlDdugCW_WoYLpfSON6C02ul4ZyJipdLSHS8Z-dw/s1600/SHIVAAA-vamadevaMEGAxkatapulko600.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="color: #ff1d17; font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div>

KATAPULKO presents: MEGA MAX [MEGA.DOPE.POP] + Upcoming Event SVN: hi fi [11.2.11]

 In my first year moving to Brooklyn, I've been blessed to have met my closest allies/ seekers / brothers-in-vision/ collaborators and f...

Read more »

ARTIST OF THE MONTH :: Samurais Don't Blink: RAMMELLZEE R.I.P. (1960-2010)

<a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/rammellzee.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/rammellzee.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 576px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 576px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #336666;">RAMMELLZEE (1960-2010)</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've seen it online and also got a sad message to confirm it from his close friend Doze about the passing of Rammellzee, one of the most important artists today. I was told only a couple of days ago, that a lot of my imagery (including the snowleopard totem, the samurai gear fetish and my mask) reminded them of Rammellzee's stuff, which is why I was so drawn to his work when I first encountered it...his untimely death is just a huge loss to the art world, which I think still owes the proper recognition for his enormous legacy. Always one step ahead of his time, he was one of the foundational figures behind a lot of art forms that we take for granted today. A huge inspiration in many ways, he was one of my favorite living artists. Rest in Power</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif;"><i>you can see his work at </i><a href="http://gothicfuturism.com/"><i>gothicfuturism.com</i></a><br /></span><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7qeGClIiBEY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7qeGClIiBEY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">“Always ahead of his time, New York artist and performer Rammellzee (pronounced “Ram: Ell: Zee) was born 1960 in Far Rockaway, Queens. Credited with being one of the inventors of graffiti art in the late 1970’s as well as one of the original hip hop artists from the New York area who introduced specific vocal styles which date back to the early 1980s. His influence can still be heard in contemporary artists such as The Beastie Boys and Cypress Hill and his legendary hip-hop single “Beat Bop” with K-Rob was produced by the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, and has become one of the most sought after hip hop releases ever.</span></span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9I56Kkxh_os&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9I56Kkxh_os&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the mid-80’s, Rammellzee became associated with a group of artists who painted or tagged in a style known as East Village wild style. This was an illegible, dynamic style of writing letters derived originally from the Gothic script of Medieval manuscripts. In 1982, he appeared in the seminal hip hop documentary Wildstyle by Charlie Ahearn, his fame in graffiti circles was established when he painted New York subway trains with Dondi, OU3, and Ink 76, and Doctor Revolt. Rammellzee’s graffiti and art work are based on his theory of Gothic Futurism, which describes the battle between letters and their symbolic warfare against any standardizations enforced by the rules of the alphabet; his treatise, “Iconic Panzerisms”, details an anarchic plan by which to revise the role and deployment of language in society.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rammellzee’s work has been exhibited internationally. His work is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. He performs in self-designed masks and costumes of different characters of his own creation, one featured within his board art named “Reaper Grimm”.”</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To find out more about him, you can read an interview with him on </span></b><a href="http://www.at149st.com/ramm.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">at149st.com</span></b></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PPnmyLaNvvw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PPnmyLaNvvw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div></div></div></span></div>

ARTIST OF THE MONTH :: Samurais Don't Blink: RAMMELLZEE R.I.P. (1960-2010)

RAMMELLZEE (1960-2010) I've seen it online and also got a sad message to confirm it from his close friend Doze about the passing of Ramm...

Read more »

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Jimi Hendrix

<div style="text-align: center;">"each one stands for a vibration..they are all supposed to be good"<br />I'll be forever thankful to my dad for exposing me to Hendrix' music while in the cradle.<br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rpdsqK7pav0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rpdsqK7pav0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bng3agUOYiI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bng3agUOYiI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MHlRa-RPjWE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MHlRa-RPjWE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7FpwgUXWrEY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7FpwgUXWrEY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /></div>

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Jimi Hendrix

"each one stands for a vibration..they are all supposed to be good" I'll be forever thankful to my dad for exposing me to Hend...

Read more »

EXCLUSIVE MIX::: Aromadozeski Therapy :: Rubicon Sun

I am very pleased to present for the first time online this exclusive mixtape <span style="font-style: italic;">RUBICON SUN</span> by <span style="font-weight: bold;">AROMADOZESKI THERAPY, </span>the joint project of close friend and one of my all-time favorite painters <a href="http://www.dozegreen.com/">Doze Green</a> and DJ Romanowski. This experimental sonic journey is a multi-layered social and spiritual commentary on the state of the world at the time of its creation in 2007, echoing timeless cosmic truths and alarming references to this-worldly realities. These amazing paintings were created by Doze Green at around the time of this mix was born, and they mirror the same sentiments...there is a lot to discover in there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/rubiconsun-aromadozeskitheraphy-1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span></div><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fzenith01%2Faromadozesky-theraphy-rubicon-sun-mixtape&show_comments=true&auto_play=false&color=00ffdf"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fzenith01%2Faromadozesky-theraphy-rubicon-sun-mixtape&show_comments=true&auto_play=false&color=00ffdf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <a href="http://soundcloud.com/zenith01/aromadozesky-theraphy-rubicon-sun-mixtape">Aromadozeski Theraphy - Rubicon Sun mixtape</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/zenith01">zenith01</a><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">[cover art:: Doze Green x Fefe : <span style="font-style: italic;">Omega Bridge ]</span></span><br /><span class="Content" id="ctl00_bodyHolderCenter_ctl00_dlContent_ctl00_Label3"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>For Bruce Lee art was an expression of one's inner truth and he believed that "<span style="font-style: italic;">To express yourself in freedom, you must die to everything of yesterday. From the "old" you derive security; from the "new", you gain the flow." </span> Traditional methods and established forms give a structure to expression but by nature they are limiting, true artists use them as guiding disciplines but find freedom in self-expression beyond styles, allowing the soul to be like free-flowing water, the vehicle for one's creative energy. Much like Lee, for whom true self-expression is the manifestation of one's flow, Doze have created a unique vision that simultaneously references and transcends its roots in esoteric lore, apocalyptic prophecies, and hip-hop (a movement he was shaping as an original member of the Rock Steady Crew). <span class="Content" id="ctl00_bodyHolderCenter_ctl00_dlContent_ctl00_Label3">As he described in an interview about his freestyle approach <span style="font-style: italic;">"</span></span><span class="Content" id="ctl00_bodyHolderCenter_ctl00_dlContent_ctl00_Label3" style="font-style: italic;">I believe that graff, b.boying and djing are kinetic language that in turn are related with each other. Motion, style and expression (or intent) are relayed information to the viewer participant audience. </span><span class="Content" id="ctl00_bodyHolderCenter_ctl00_dlContent_ctl00_Label3"><span style="font-style: italic;">It’s a sonic and visual form of hieroglyphics stemming from 21st century living and technosymbolic sigils created by sentinels and a sort of unique and personal magic is released. This is called </span>ka<span style="font-style: italic;">. The creative force of the universe. This is why it appeals to so many people. This only comes naturally when you release your graff purist letter formats and regulations or when you toss out strict b.boy power moves for a more diverse portfolio." </span><br /></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"> These divinities represent sentinels, the guardians of universal truths. Immortal warriors warning mankind of dangers society has manifested, looming on the horizon and threatening to destroy us.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Doze Green ::: Dustmite Nephilim Series</div><div style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/abdomen_72dpijpg.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/interactingprocessing_72dpijpg.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/courpus_72dpijpg.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;">These painting-silkscreen collage pieces were part <a href="http://lichiban.blogspot.com/2008/10/irecommend-doze-greennoon-at-jonathan.html">of his solo show last October at the Jonathan Levine Gallery</a> entitled, N.O.O.N. (No One Observes Nibiru). The show's title referenced the planet X prophecy of a cataclysmic cosmic shift occurring in the year 2012, causing dramatic effects to life on earth. Also a prominent year in the Mayan and Hopi calendars, 2012 marks the end of our current solar cycle, signifying transition into a new age. Inspired by these theories, there is a transitional quality to the artwork. Movement, migration and transformation of form combine to form enigmatically kinetic narratives. Portals and beams of energy, layered over collaged media clippings, surround Green’s figures which echo social diaspora of the past, yet also seem to be preparing for a futuristic voyage of sorts—a survivalist evacuation plan for the great escape from doomsday.<br /></span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.upperplayground.com/">UPPER PLAYGROUND</a> presents ::</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;"> DOZE GREEN :: Talking to one's self<br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1SLb5IRie8E&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1SLb5IRie8E&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /></span></div>

EXCLUSIVE MIX::: Aromadozeski Therapy :: Rubicon Sun

I am very pleased to present for the first time online this exclusive mixtape RUBICON SUN by AROMADOZESKI THERAPY, the joint project of clo...

Read more »

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH : Jamel Shabbaz

<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss6Qnp_9kIzeJKON3VKTkQ6JjA9KHLzvUu_OPjHjb8SygnBQxkVnx5cIAAIE9_j9Wjgl7avOKFz0-g7xLE4F86ckhKTxRmg9tBFyZJkJEfTRjEJYUMb-46abJDiDLqqwMn8Zjz5jPLWE/s1600-h/jshabazz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173050731431673330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss6Qnp_9kIzeJKON3VKTkQ6JjA9KHLzvUu_OPjHjb8SygnBQxkVnx5cIAAIE9_j9Wjgl7avOKFz0-g7xLE4F86ckhKTxRmg9tBFyZJkJEfTRjEJYUMb-46abJDiDLqqwMn8Zjz5jPLWE/s400/jshabazz.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>Just before I moved to NYC, I had an <a href="http://dopeswan.org/2008/01/29/the-beautiful-struggle/">interview</a> with Sallome Hrallima of Dope Swan who asked me what is my bucket list. One of my answers was to meet my favorite artists personally... a wish that has been coming true since. I've had the opportunity to meet and become friends with some of the most amazing artists of this city; it is truly what keeps me here. One of my favorite photographers/community activist/humanitarian JAMEL SHABAZZ was definitely a person I wanted to meet, and interestingly, it was via Dope Swan's A GREAT DAY IN BROOKLYN project that I had a chance to connect with him.<br /><br />If anyone wants to get a feel for what Brooklyn is about, they should make sure to check <a href="http://www.jamelshabazz.com/">Jamel's site</a> and books...he has done to capture the spirit and the peoples of Brooklyn in photography what Spike Lee has done in film. Jamel is also a mentor and a community activist who has dedicated much of his life to help and educate the youth of Brooklyn and beyond. You can imagine how honored I was to receive this birthday message from him last month.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/JamelShabbaz-lichiban-birthday.jpg" /><br /></div></div>From his books "<a href="http://www.powerhousebooks.com/backinthedays/backinthedays.html">Back in the Days</a>" and "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Time-Before-Crack-Jamel-Shabazz/dp/1576872130">Time Before Crack</a>"<br />[it looks like while adidas lost a lot of its street presence, tights pants are back:)]<br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/jamel-shabazz.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">JAMEL SHABAZZ's work on display in NYC</span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Posing Beauty</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Photography Exhibition</span></span><div style="text-align: left;">Exhibition Dates: September 1- October 18, 2009</div><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Media are invited to the closing reception and book signing on October 8, 2009 from 6-8 p.m.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Department of Photography & Imaging in the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts has announced its first fall show will be <i>Posing Beauty</i>, an exhibition of approximately 80 works-including black and white, color, and digitized photographs; video installations; and web-based projects-drawn from public and private collections. The exhibition explores the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts in a diverse range of media. Read more about the exhibit <a href="http://www.tisch.nyu.edu/object/PosingBeauty.html">here</a>.<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The exhibition will be on view in the Gulf + Western Gallery and in the 8th floor gallery of the Tisch School of the Arts Department of Photography & Imaging, located at 721 Broadway (at Waverly Place). Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays</span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BROOKLYN INFLUENCE :: A Great Day In Brooklyn</span></span><br /></div>On view September 27, 2009 -November 7, 2009<br /><br /><a href="http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz224/artisticbling/influence-web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz224/artisticbling/influence-web.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 428px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Last summer I was part of Dope Swan's project </span><span style="font-style: italic;">A GREAT DAY IN BROOKLYN. We worked with Jamel Shabazz who documented through a series of photographs some of the makers of the Brooklyn Renaissance. You can read my post about it <a href="http://lichiban.blogspot.com/2008/07/artist-of-month-jamel-shabazz.html">here</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">A year later, the photos can be finally viewed!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">“Brooklyn Influence” </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">commemorates the one year anniversary of “A Great Day in Brooklyn” and “Another Great Day in Brooklyn”, organized in June 2008 by Brooklyn-based community arts organization DOPE SWAN. Featuring the work of renowned documentarian Jamel Shabazz and visual storyteller Lafotographeuse, the exhibition doubles as a visual blueprint and photographic memoir of Brooklyn residents who eloquently merge the worlds of art, activism and entrepreneurship.<br /><br />Proceeds benefit Brooklyn youth organization The Stoop<br /><br /><a href="http://www.corridorgallerybrooklyn.org/">Corridor Gallery</a><br />334 Grand Ave, Brooklyn NY<br /></span>

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH : Jamel Shabbaz

Just before I moved to NYC, I had an interview with Sallome Hrallima of Dope Swan who asked me what is my bucket list. One of my answers wa...

Read more »

OF THIS MEN SHALL KNOW NOTHING ::: Homage to MAX ERNST

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjtmvkgw0x66u3s-iWjyEzBF5s6qXGACXfSORtxA44gMnwNte_v0WhtU_Xt2JklKa4e8ChRPLwXhgSj8-dIbyF_75J2T97PtZNdzlQ2gR-VydakgF0Mrl0_FwZzWJbDUWHfMxzUFv9zI/s1600-h/max+ernst+6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358470065362891170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjtmvkgw0x66u3s-iWjyEzBF5s6qXGACXfSORtxA44gMnwNte_v0WhtU_Xt2JklKa4e8ChRPLwXhgSj8-dIbyF_75J2T97PtZNdzlQ2gR-VydakgF0Mrl0_FwZzWJbDUWHfMxzUFv9zI/s400/max+ernst+6.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" /></a>When people ask me about some of my favorite artist inspirations, I always bring up MAX ERNST, and I'm often surprised how little is known of him compared to other painters of his caliber like Dali or Magritte, who actually took inspirations from Ernst's early work[<a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Max_Ernst/max_ernst_more.htm">1</a>]. Aside from his work, which first drew me in with its dreamy, otherwordly quality, I always felt a deep affinity for <span style="font-style: italic;">Max Ernst the artist</span>, who stood out for me with his contemplative, spiritual approach to doing art.<br /><br />Max ERNST<span style="font-family:Georgia;"> (b. 1891 in Bruehl, Germany)</span> was one of the most important painters of the 20th century, a founding figure of Dada and Surrealism- two of the most outspokenly anti-war art movements born and evolved as a reaction to the horrors of WWI and WWII. <span style="font-family:Georgia;">"As a child Max was strange and suffered many emotional crises and a few mental collapses.</span> During the First World War, Max Ernst was conscripted into the Germany army to serve as an artillery engineer. <strong style="font-weight: normal;">The traumatic experience prompted Ernst to write in his autobiography, “Max Ernst died the 1st of August, 1914.”</strong> Ernst further emphasized his point by writing, “You cannot save a man who has already been dead. And I had been dead since the first ‘World War."[<a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/24211">2</a>] In 1937 Nazi officials purged German museums of art works the Party considered to be degenerate. From the thousands of works removed, 650 were for a special exhibit of <i><a href="http://fcit.usf.edu/HOLOCAUST/arts/artdegen.htm">Entartete Kunst-</a></i>among them Max's works. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyFT2_f5pvkwQSLbu9RGL1iyK0koR6ChlwFna6khXkP0WiQWWogXk0wFFxtYHw4a0TnxvL_Cc99YGmS4d-HHWBfhz6CUFWo_IAgGbldznJw6hSUi-wEnohBlhuoRct2PUhtH_VVwlT1s/s1600-h/max-ernst-dorothea-tanning-3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365301875786641746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyFT2_f5pvkwQSLbu9RGL1iyK0koR6ChlwFna6khXkP0WiQWWogXk0wFFxtYHw4a0TnxvL_Cc99YGmS4d-HHWBfhz6CUFWo_IAgGbldznJw6hSUi-wEnohBlhuoRct2PUhtH_VVwlT1s/s400/max-ernst-dorothea-tanning-3.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 284px;" /></a>In each installation, the works were poorly hung and surrounded by graffiti and hand written labels mocking the artists and their creations. Over three million visitors attended making it the first "blockbuster" exhibition."[<i><a href="http://fcit.usf.edu/HOLOCAUST/arts/artdegen.htm">3</a></i>] Max fled from Nazi Germany to France, but with the outbreak of the Second World War Max Ernst was arrested by French authorities for being a "hostile alien". Thanks to the intercession of fellow artist, Eluard, he was discharged a few weeks later. Soon after the French occupation by the Nazis, he was arrested again, this time by the Gestapo, but he managed to escape and flee to the US in 1941. <span id="btAsinTitle" style=""><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">"Max developed a fascination with birds that was prevalent in his work. His alter ego in paintings, which he called </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loplop" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" title="Loplop">Loplop</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">, was a bird. He suggested this alter-ego was an extension of himself stemming from an early confusion of birds and humans. He said that one night when he was young he woke up and found that his beloved bird had died, and a few minutes later his father announced that his sister was born."[</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Ernst" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">source</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> WP]</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z8_ciDhv3Lk&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z8_ciDhv3Lk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/max-ernstlichibanblog.jpg" /></b></div><br /><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LVrcSyu4fjU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LVrcSyu4fjU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed><br /></object></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:105%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"When strolling through the forest, fixing the eyes obstinately on the ground, you certainly discover many wonderful, splendid things. If then, all of a sudden, you turn your eyes upwards, you are overwhelmed by the revelation of another equally wonderful world. The significance of suns, moons, constellations, nebulae, galaxies and space as a whole outside the earth zone have steadily taken root during the last century in human consciousness as well is in my work, and will most probably remain there."</span> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>M. Ernst (Peter Shamoni, MAX ERNST Maximiliana, p. 5)</b></span><br /><b><i>Of This Men Shall Know Nothing.</i></b> Oil on canvas. 81 x 64 cm. 1923. Tate Gallery, London, UK.<br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/ernst25.jpg" style="width: 566px; height: 738px;" /><br /><b><i>The Equivocal Woman (also known as The Teetering Woman).</i></b> 1923. Oil on canvas. 1923. 130.5 x 97. 5 cm. Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, Germany.<br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/ernst15.jpg" /><br /><b><i>L'Ange du foyer ou Le Triomphe du surréalisme.</i></b> 1937. Oil on canvas. 114 x 146 cm. painted in response to the defeat of the Republican Spain reflecting Max's feeling of helplessness in the face of the coming menace of fascism.<br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/ernst24.jpg" style="width: 559px; height: 429px;" /><br /><b><i>The Temptation of St. Anthony.</i></b> 1945. Oil on canvas. 108 x 128 cm. Wilhelm-Lehmbruck-Museum, Duisburg, Germany.<br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/ernst53.jpg" style="width: 561px; height: 477px;" /><br /><b><i><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/max-ernst-lichiban2.jpg" style="width: 562px; height: 364px;" /><br /></i></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:105%;" >"My wanderings, my anxieties, my impatience, doubts, beliefs,hallucinations; my loves, rages, revolts, contradictions; my refusals to submit to discipline, even my own; the sporadic visits of perturbation, my sister, the hundred headed woman - all this was not conducive to a favorable climate for quiet, serene work. Like my behavior my work is not classically harmonious, nor even classically revolutionary. Seditious, uneven, mcontradictiory, it isn't appreciated by the specialists of fine arts, culture, behavior, logic, morals. But it delights my accomplices: poets, pataphysicians, and some illiterates."</span><i> M. Ernst (Peter Shamoni, MAX ERNST Maximiliana, p. 39)<br /></i></b><br />You can find out more about him in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Ernst-Life-Werner-Spies/dp/0500976589/ref=pd_sim_b_2">Werner Spies: MAX ERNST: Life and Work</a> and <span id="btAsinTitle" style=""><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=duCKypeXVKsC&lpg=PP1&dq=Max%20Ernst%20and%20Alchemy%20%3A%20A%20Magician%20in%20Search%20of%20Myth&pg=PA96#v=onepage&q=&f=false"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:100%;" >Max Ernst and Alchemy : A Magician in Search of Myth </span></a></span><br /></div></div>

OF THIS MEN SHALL KNOW NOTHING ::: Homage to MAX ERNST

When people ask me about some of my favorite artist inspirations, I always bring up MAX ERNST, and I'm often surprised how little is kno...

Read more »

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: René Laloux -animator/ galactic visionary

<div style="text-align: center;">This is my all-time favorite animation from my childhood:: AZ IDÖ URAI :: Les Maitres du Temps [Lords of Time]. It is the 1981 masterpiece of Renê Laloux, one of my favorite artists & big inspiration, who co-produced this movie with a Hungarian animation studio, so I always thought that it was a Hungarian production. I later discovered Laloux's surreal imaginary world and was floored. Way ahead of its time with timeless messages. <br />[the first video is in the original Hungarian, in case you were wondering...unfortunately, I don't think this was ever formatted to English audience]<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QpKHgVCBokk&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QpKHgVCBokk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />FANTASTIC PLANET<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lwLNhOzr_ts&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lwLNhOzr_ts&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />GANDAHAR --Light Years (English version)<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f_kKHebSTEs&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f_kKHebSTEs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></div>

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: René Laloux -animator/ galactic visionary

This is my all-time favorite animation from my childhood:: AZ IDÖ URAI :: Les Maitres du Temps [Lords of Time]. It is the 1981 masterpiece o...

Read more »

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Mark Bodé

<a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/markbodfe-lichiban2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/markbodfe-lichiban2.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 553px;" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Last month, I was part of the </span><a href="http://futureclassic.net/2009/05/21/futurearts-2009-photo-gallery/" style="font-family: arial;">FUTURE ARTS 2009</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> group show presented by Future Classic at the Roxy in Boston. I reconnected with old friends and had a chance to meet artist extraordinaire. Mark Bodé. The son of legendary cartoonist Vaughn Bodé</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >, <span style="font-family:arial;">Mark is best known for his work on </span><i style="font-family: arial;">COBALT 60 </i><span style="font-family:arial;">and as the creator of the hit comic </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >M</span><span style="font-family:arial;">iami </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >M</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ice.</span></span> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">His work has appeared in numerous comic books, including GYRO COMICS, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, <strong>COBALT</strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> <strong>60</strong></span> (the graphic novel), GWAR comics and <strong>LIZARD of OZ</strong>. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Mark has just signed a deal with Universal pictures for the rights to "COBALT 60" to be produced as a live action movie, directed by <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Z</strong></span>ack Snyder of " 300" and "Dawn of the Dead (the remake)" fame.<br /></span></p><span style="font-family:arial;">Mark and his father </span><a href="http://www.markbode.com/site/vaughnbode.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Vaughn Bodé</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, who was Mark's mentor and inspiration, have been legends in graffiti circles.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Vaughn's original cartoon character, Cheech Wizard, inspired the work of many early graf writers. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The day of the show, Mark was visiting Boston's </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Bodega (one of the top exclusive streetwear boutiques of the city</span><span style="font-family:arial;">) from San Francisco for a release party and signing of his Puma x Bodé Mid "Da Lizard" kicks featuring none other than Cheech's iconic sidekick "Da Lizard". Mark came to the Future Arts event afterwards, and was asked to do an impromptu sketch piece on the spot. Mark noticed that we drew women similarly (of course, I'd love to have them interact in a collabo...I put the intention out there). I was definitely inspired by Mark's crazy skills and down-to-earth personality, a mark of an artist who actually has a lot of fun creating and being an artist. Check out more of his work on <a href="http://www.markbode.com/">his website</a>. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/markbode-futurearts.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><div style="width: 560px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><embed style="margin-bottom: 5px;" src="http://vimby.com/swf/media/VideoPlayerAS3.swf" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" flashvars="p_nID=10187&p_nCategoryID=12&p_sPlayerSize=560x448&p_bWide=true" scale="showall" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" height="448" width="560"></embed><br /><a href="http://vimby.com/video/fashion/us/all/detail/10187" style="padding: 4px 18px; background: black none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; color: rgb(255, 196, 35); font-family: Helvetica,Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">VIMBY - Puma x Bode</a><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/18cover-markbodeTMNT.jpg" /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/31_jj9TDp4o&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/31_jj9TDp4o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/markdeskclose-1.jpg" style="width: 596px; height: 434px;" /><br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/MBmmicecover.jpg" /><br /></div>

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Mark Bodé

Last month, I was part of the FUTURE ARTS 2009 group show presented by Future Classic at the Roxy in Boston. I reconnected with old friends...

Read more »

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Hermosdef, the Soulcatcher (1975-2009) RIP

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Bf-TGi206Eun6pMddMA4Dg5xjjvBys4hyphenhyphen9EFJmGvcE8MU7IbOCXVQLQe5OTNPGSDW_t3Lka0IaxhmeEmD_Pk9FhLh8DfZqGnDQhPAe1F7_bYSfBNDQMCcqLooqXCEN4ZwN7vfgi-kXY/s1600-h/n683571385_1855543_4949.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301742801313553650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Bf-TGi206Eun6pMddMA4Dg5xjjvBys4hyphenhyphen9EFJmGvcE8MU7IbOCXVQLQe5OTNPGSDW_t3Lka0IaxhmeEmD_Pk9FhLh8DfZqGnDQhPAe1F7_bYSfBNDQMCcqLooqXCEN4ZwN7vfgi-kXY/s400/n683571385_1855543_4949.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a>I just woke up to a devastating news...someone from France left an RIP comment on <a href="http://lichiban.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-homies-rule-too-organic-soul-crew.html">my post on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hermosdef aka Hermann Deza</span></a>, one of my favorite photographers. Strangely, I just thought of hitting him up on my Blackberry messenger, as I've kept noticing the "missing person" notices on myspace that his friends posted up and was getting worried about him.<br /><br />I discovered Hermann's work online and immediately fell in love with his portraits highly saturated with hue & soul. We connected and I featured him here as the <a href="http://lichiban.blogspot.com/2008/01/photographer-of-month-hermosdef.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Photographer of the Month</a> a year ago (for which he immediately returned the love on <a href="http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=47137916&blogID=351347164">his page</a>) and then later we also did an interview in <span style="font-weight: bold;">My Homies Rule Too </span>section along with his Organic Soul Crew partner, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dorlis</span> (read the feature <a href="http://lichiban.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-homies-rule-too-organic-soul-crew.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">here</span></a>). Last time I communicated with him, he had plans to visit Brooklyn and I was looking forward to introduce him to my Brooklyn universe of artist friends. As I learned from a couple of his friends from France who reached out today, Hermann was missing since the end of December and was found in the Paris' river, Seine on February 10th. Nobody knows exactly what happened. It is a terrible loss, we are all devastated about this whole thing. My deepest condolences go out to his family.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/hermann-deza/">See more of his work on his <span style="font-weight: bold;">flickr page.</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/hermosdef1.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/hermosdef3sadia-1.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/hermosdef2ayo.jpg" /><br />For those who speak French, here is an interview with him<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J9uVfkQK-Z0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J9uVfkQK-Z0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /></div>

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Hermosdef, the Soulcatcher (1975-2009) RIP

I just woke up to a devastating news...someone from France left an RIP comment on my post on Hermosdef aka Hermann Deza , one of my favorite...

Read more »

ARTISTS OF THE MONTH: PPP

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/l_498e890e5aba4d41b02e2e1b254087f3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/l_498e890e5aba4d41b02e2e1b254087f3.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 398px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >ABUNDANCE is golden!</span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://%20www.myspace.com/platinumpiedpipers">PPP</a></span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><strong><span><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: normal;"> 's highly anticipated second album, </span><strong>Abundance</strong><span style="font-style: normal;">, IN STORES NOW!!!!</span></span></em></span></strong></span></div><p style="text-align: left;">This incredible record has been on heavy rotation in my cd player since the summer...and now it's finally available to the public! <a href="http://www.myspace.com/platinumpiedpipers">PPP</a> (formerly known as Platinum Pied Piper) fans who have been waiting for a new record since their banging debut release <span style="font-style: italic;">Triple P</span> are in for a treat. The new sound couldn't be more fresh and yet musically as complex and ferocious as music used to be back in the heydays of soul and funk...it is <span style="font-style: italic;">simply real</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span> music with a lot of soul and heart-hitting beats. PPP's <span style="font-weight: bold;">ABUNDANCE</span> takes their Detroit Motown-legacy to new heights creating a classic sound that is definitely on pair with the old masters. As I've been saying it since I first heard it, this album is huge and hearing it live might just change your life forever...if you were at the after-party of last summer's BROOKLYN Hip-Hop festival, then you know what I am talking about, but in any case make sure to catch the crew at their l<span style="font-family:arial;">ive shows. Meet the cast and check out other dope PPP & Waajeed videos from bling 47 on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/bling47group">youtube</a>.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zlG8rfEfIFs&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zlG8rfEfIFs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><strong style="font-family:arial;"><span><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:0;" ><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></em></span></strong></p> <p face="arial" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span><em></em></span></strong><span style="font-style: italic;">Abundance</span> features an all new cast of up-and-coming singers including the album's main songwriter, <strong>Coultrain</strong>, and leading ladies, <strong>Karma Stewart</strong> & <strong>Jamila Raegan (check my feature of them on <a href="http://wronglips.blogspot.com/2008/08/hey-ladies-sirens-of-ppp.html" style="font-weight: normal;">WRONGLIPS</a>)</strong>, plus the return of PPP vet, <strong>Neco Redd</strong>. My two favorite tracks Luv Affair and Pigeon Hole are perfect examples of the vast talent that this new line-up represents. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >You can buy <em>Abundance </em>now through <a href="http://www.ubiquityrecords.com/shop/products/PLATINUM-PIED-PIPERS-%252d-ABUNDANCE-%28CD-X-DLP%29.html" target="_blank">Ubiquity Records</a> & <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Abundance-Ppp/dp/B001JDC81Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1232232351&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, and <a href="http://www.itunes.com/ppp/abundance">iTunes</a>. <span style="font-family:arial;">Support artists & good music by actually purchasing their work...unless of course it's free (check the free download ABUNDANCE mixtape link on the right.)</span><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">And there's still a lot more in store from Waajeed, PPP & the whole Bling47 crew - so be sure to stay tuned to <a href="http://www.myspace.com/waajeedandthebling47group" target="_blank">www.myspace.com/<wbr>waajeedandthebling47group</a>& <a href="http://www.myspace.com/waajeedandthebling47group" target="_blank">www.FRESHselects.net</a> for all the latest music news, tour info, exclusive downloads & more.</span><br /></p>

ARTISTS OF THE MONTH: PPP

ABUNDANCE is golden! PPP 's highly anticipated second album, Abundance , IN STORES NOW!!!! This incredible record has been on heavy rot...

Read more »

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Jamel Shabazz

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7kOgh9PiQooJAE0lu5hIitGuj-q01G0muNXHafGbxf06ZOOpprMU-U9p2o6fzUu7HDxRjyk7zLXe4sgsC7iem6xjNdhNKKujtyBlkcSC5xaoqYbF7WSOk-62HyyBefATF7xrDyIlqJ0/s1600-h/53012376.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219284539864419570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7kOgh9PiQooJAE0lu5hIitGuj-q01G0muNXHafGbxf06ZOOpprMU-U9p2o6fzUu7HDxRjyk7zLXe4sgsC7iem6xjNdhNKKujtyBlkcSC5xaoqYbF7WSOk-62HyyBefATF7xrDyIlqJ0/s400/53012376.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>I have been a fan of JAMEL SHABAZZ for years. As an activist myself and firm believer in the responsibility of artists to give back and to raise awareness about issues that matter today, I have enormous respect and admiration for Jamel Shabazz's extraordinary work that has always been about celebrating the community and capturing the human spirit with a loving lense. He documents life in its ephemeral beauty not simply for the sake of recording history, but because he has a genuine love for his subjects...images that inspire and make you want to know about the lives of people in his photographs. His photography is a lesson 101 into how to capture flavor, soul, intimacy, playfulness, style and simply realness. <span style="font-size:85%;"> [photo source: <a href="http://www.jamd.com/image/g/53012376">jam.com</a>]<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgtwze6SZizhcQSOy5Oh88ExQQ0srgY9lvkzm65UDoTXN9dgfw0OBLk8aFS7-YxAcPaGUDn8sdK26oq-Qv8-9zwnXwuLT9avz1otCagmIEe8-NQXOuFuwAPipGLjNN8nUupvPLSDZgJE/s1600-h/Jamel+Shabazz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219288940666358242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgtwze6SZizhcQSOy5Oh88ExQQ0srgY9lvkzm65UDoTXN9dgfw0OBLk8aFS7-YxAcPaGUDn8sdK26oq-Qv8-9zwnXwuLT9avz1otCagmIEe8-NQXOuFuwAPipGLjNN8nUupvPLSDZgJE/s400/Jamel+Shabazz.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 207px;" /></a>As the excerpt from his new collection of photo memoirs states, SECONDS OF MY LIFE, "Exposed at an early age to provocative images (Leonard Freed's Black in White America) of both Southern and urban life, Shabazz has long been committed to documenting his community and the people who gave it life;to counteract the damage society can wreak on self esteem. Shabazz has been an inspirational force in black culture since 2001: his photoraphic essay Back in the Days, a 20-plus-year documentation of urban life and hip hop culture, from fashion and performance to verbal and visual languages."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jamelshabazz.com/Jamelsite/extras/kidjumping_800.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jamelshabazz.com/Jamelsite/extras/kidjumping_800.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 641px; height: 476px;" /></a><br /><br />This past month, I had several occasions to watch the 'master at work'...my admiration grew even bigger as I watched him interacting with those in front of his lens. His love for people I could intuit from his work was completely confirmed in real life. First, on June 8th, I had a chance to participate in the realization of the project called "A GREAT DAY IN BROOKLYN" that my organization, <a href="http://www.dopeswan.org/">DOPE SWAN</a> had been working on for months. Here is an excerpt from our press release.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">JUNE 8, 2008<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Shooting A GREAT DAY IN BROOKLYN at the Brooklyn Museum</span><br /></span></span><p><a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK5.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a>"Brooklyn, NY – June 17, 2008 – On Sunday, June 8, community arts organization <strong>DOPE SWAN </strong>launched <strong>Brooklyn, Stand Up!: Documenting the Brooklyn Renaissance</strong> with <strong>“A Great Day in </strong><strong>Brooklyn,”</strong> a historic photo event shot by renowned cultural documentarian and Brooklyn native, <strong>Jamel Shabazz</strong>.</p> <p>“A Great Day In Brooklyn” follows the footsteps of Art Kane’s iconic image of jazz aficionados, “A Great Day in Harlem,” and will be the cornerstone of Brooklyn, Stand Up!, a year-long study into what has been called the Brooklyn Renaissance. In addition to the photograph, the Brooklyn, Stand Up! project will consist of several components, including: monthly arts programming in and around Brooklyn, an online archive of interviews collected from Brooklyn’s self-made leaders, and a scholarship fund for Brooklyn students wishing to pursue an education in the arts.</p> <a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 254px;" /></a><a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 255px;" /></a><br />Left: Rock of the Boot Camp Click, Cynical & Mos Def...Right: BK represent (Lichiban & Sarah White=<a href="http://wronglips.blogspot.com/">WRONGLIPS</a> in upper right corner)!<br /><a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 225px;" /></a><a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/GDIBK3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 223px;" /></a><br />Several amazing artists, activists, and entrepreneurs whose lives and works breathe the essence of Brooklyn were in attendance, including the owner of New York City’s first eco-eatery <strong>Sean Meenan</strong>, <strong>Michael K. Williams</strong> from HBO’s “The Wire”, hip-hop emcee, actor and community activist <strong>Mos Def</strong>, Black Girls Rock! founder <strong>DJ Beverly Bond</strong> and Tony Award winning Def Poetry Jam artist <strong>Suheir Hammad</strong>. Read more and check more flix on the DOPE SWAN site <a href="http://dopeswan.org/2008/06/18/historic-photo-events-celebrate-the-brooklyn-spirit/">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">JUNE 20, 2008<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The follow-up shoot of A GREAT DAY IN BROOKLYN at the Manhattan Bridge, DUMBO + book signing with Jamel Shabazz at Powerhouse Arena</span><br /></span></span><a href="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/AGDB.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/licsi777/AGDB.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 386px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwnMIQrOOE0ZzNwiNE6Ajn-9etwcWE8VS2p4NKaA64YEEegM2Kalg5-x3DmV5f661gy-velkJbJo5WDMSj-wkpWRIz7BkkACX_KXeLOI9aaI1SFXuMv8aebHS4W1P88GRVANtiT3JjA8/s1600-h/IMG_8714.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219290336592653202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwnMIQrOOE0ZzNwiNE6Ajn-9etwcWE8VS2p4NKaA64YEEegM2Kalg5-x3DmV5f661gy-velkJbJo5WDMSj-wkpWRIz7BkkACX_KXeLOI9aaI1SFXuMv8aebHS4W1P88GRVANtiT3JjA8/s400/IMG_8714.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 387px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">JUNE 21, 2008: AVANT YARD at MOCADA</span><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WzjM97lGBJBtcLfsZ3qbi1GzcNZUMZeRUejermKhFcrXCWZndhV1FUtdahuwIAEbqMYA5JAogTZNX3J-hcQ9IBnYEWWwrbOt_3KiaQSxmdrlYK_ppt7xO6Azxt_z_3LwX2v54q4amg4/s1600-h/l_d4a95258e34fbcf36973ba704c0db027.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219291619345388082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WzjM97lGBJBtcLfsZ3qbi1GzcNZUMZeRUejermKhFcrXCWZndhV1FUtdahuwIAEbqMYA5JAogTZNX3J-hcQ9IBnYEWWwrbOt_3KiaQSxmdrlYK_ppt7xO6Azxt_z_3LwX2v54q4amg4/s400/l_d4a95258e34fbcf36973ba704c0db027.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>On June 21st, one of NYC's underground art collectives, AVANT YARD had opened its door to <span style="font-style: italic;">Ancient Futures: The DNA of Cultures and Civilizations </span>curated by amazing photographer, <a href="http://www.mywerkz.net/">Malik Yusef Cumbo</a> at <a href="http://www.mocada.org/">The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA).</a> "A revival of the critically acclaimed 1990s Avant Yard underground art movement in Tribeca, that took the New York art world by storm, the exhibition Ancient Futures will feature work from several of the previously exhibited artists that started the revolution, as well as newer, emerging artists that are continuing the tradition of pushing the envelope." You can check some of Jamel Shabazz's work, as well as other talented AVANT YARD artists here until September 7, 2008....not to be missed. To get a taste of the art, check <a href="http://wronglips.blogspot.com/2008/07/brooklyn-diaries-art-from-heart.html">my post on WRONGLIPS</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">JUNE 22, 2008<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://who-will-kiss-the-pig.blogspot.com/2008/06/sunday-at-danny-simmons-corridor.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Sunday @ Danny Simmons' Corridor Gallery: Artist Reception & Opening for POSITIVITY, Curated by Jamel Shabazz</a><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd9h3LD_eBtMsTK8vnA88aBBg6sEsOU6EUYwtij4ndg-r7JV_L0JaK2ZcA3DlVVIR7RXdndqRvGL0rRmrcQTeTaATW4N0jkNB5vebfYjrY_2cmWAoYJLgBLyVQf_VI4iMQguyPNhSAlg/s1600-h/Positivity-Fcopy-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219294273099683170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd9h3LD_eBtMsTK8vnA88aBBg6sEsOU6EUYwtij4ndg-r7JV_L0JaK2ZcA3DlVVIR7RXdndqRvGL0rRmrcQTeTaATW4N0jkNB5vebfYjrY_2cmWAoYJLgBLyVQf_VI4iMQguyPNhSAlg/s400/Positivity-Fcopy-1.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>Then, to finish off the month, I had a chance to see his work the forth time and express my admiration for his relentless work in supporting community empowerment and artistic growth as a mentor, inspiration and photographer extraordinaire.<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">POSITIVITY, a group exhibit curated by Jamel Shabazz "explores photography beyond its subject matter highlighting the POSITIVITY represented in the definite moment when the lens captures and shines on an individual or object."<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>On View:</b> June 22 July 26, 2008<b>. Artist Panel Discussion: </b>Saturday, June 28 4-5pm. Moderated by Danny Simmons & Talib Kweli <u1:p></u1:p> Danny Simmons Corridor Gallery, 334 Grand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238</p>Check the flix from the reception of one of the talented photographers, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn (right) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nightqueen/2603239952/in/set-72157605765685931/">here</a>. Stay tuned for her show at MOCADA opening on August 3, 2008, entitled KINDRED COOL that captures some intimate moments from the life of contemporary jazz musicians. I had a chance to design Laylah's flyer for the show, so make sure to check back for details at the end of the month.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[photo: Laylah Amatullah Barrayn</span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">]</span><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAVC0r_dqfPug4puV3SlLohJXpjlvpCGJaAMdzDLd9HcrMEjrJkEzpQvkg5hWmJECNZTA5-IpINa2gjzoQ9BNa-rixuNTcP66wi7iTm_HXGvyVXRVwTmk4kkOvglAQjwIQm1_owD6RLE/s1600-h/2603239952_7162897e54.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219293852731057314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAVC0r_dqfPug4puV3SlLohJXpjlvpCGJaAMdzDLd9HcrMEjrJkEzpQvkg5hWmJECNZTA5-IpINa2gjzoQ9BNa-rixuNTcP66wi7iTm_HXGvyVXRVwTmk4kkOvglAQjwIQm1_owD6RLE/s400/2603239952_7162897e54.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstvjqblbOlEZ4teOatNHmaatCIDSEUOrglP_PAtIXOrOiC5zwVpVmOxvuGveMicayOQSLB1DihJghnwR3QAbO52UkpIE0JJ4NIb9BUt0Am6TGGEB3o8GSWsnhFXoykOK1XY_JoIuQCQA/s1600-h/2603239414_60dc282c67.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219293859339737890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstvjqblbOlEZ4teOatNHmaatCIDSEUOrglP_PAtIXOrOiC5zwVpVmOxvuGveMicayOQSLB1DihJghnwR3QAbO52UkpIE0JJ4NIb9BUt0Am6TGGEB3o8GSWsnhFXoykOK1XY_JoIuQCQA/s400/2603239414_60dc282c67.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 213px;" /></a><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K3HXILo9Znk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K3HXILo9Znk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstvjqblbOlEZ4teOatNHmaatCIDSEUOrglP_PAtIXOrOiC5zwVpVmOxvuGveMicayOQSLB1DihJghnwR3QAbO52UkpIE0JJ4NIb9BUt0Am6TGGEB3o8GSWsnhFXoykOK1XY_JoIuQCQA/s1600-h/2603239414_60dc282c67.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a>

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Jamel Shabazz

I have been a fan of JAMEL SHABAZZ for years. As an activist myself and firm believer in the responsibility of artists to give back and to r...

Read more »