Semillas De La Paz
Roughly 2.5 million people call the El Paso/ Ciudad Juárez border their home. Every day people from Juárez come across the border to go to school and work. People who live state-side may have family back in Juárez. Some-how, everything seems to be connected. There is a lot of history and culture… a lot of life. Statistically El Paso is one of the safest cities in the United States. Ciudad Juárez has been publicly recognized as the most dangerous city in North America. The level of corruption and violence surrounding the drug war, politics and social issues are almost indescribable. Over 28,000 people have died in drug related violence. This year alone there has already been over 1,700. If you turn on the TV or search the web, all you see is tragedy.
A few months ago I had a conversation with a new friend about creating something reflecting the people and the social issues surrounding the El Paso and Ciudad Juárez borderland. We wanted to bring people together to raise awareness of the other side of things. We wanted people to see the beauty and inspiration within the people here and how they could affect the world around them by simply realizing that there is another side to things. Or at least kinda of remind them. People seemed to relate to the idea.
The images and video featured in this article document a series of events involving many people from both sides of the border that spawned from the conversation over a period of several months; including a photo-journalist journey into Juárez and community protest walk, as well as a short documentary creative film project featuring a collaboration of local artists.
This past Saturday, we invited the community to come out to join us to celebrate life, reflect on the idea that creativity and expression can change the way we see the world that surrounds us and to bring peace. The event, “Semilla De La Paz” featured the artwork of Cimi and Victor Casas, as well as a collaborative piece created by local artists, and raise money for Hands of Love and Hope, a charity in Juárez dedicated to providing food and shelter to area orphans. There was some amazing art, music, and people.
*Featured artists:
Arturo Arce
Fernie “GFX” Fernandez
Werc
Gera Lozano
Frank Rosales
Luis House
Shedrick Allen
A lot of people have been involved with “Semillas De La Paz” in some way or another. This wouldn’t have been possible without them. I’d like to give a special thanks to everybody at the San Carlos Building (especially Koi Studio Productions and The Root Yoga Studio), Arturo and Ellisa Arce (Hellpaso), Celisse Villagrana, EP Culture Beat, everybody involved in The Green Beans Project, Sons of Villa, Rafa Pistola and The Immigrant Noise, Christina Velia Gurrola. Not to mention, Sonic Ranch Studios, L&P Scientific Consulting, Klothes Lime Fashion who sponsored the movement. Thank you to anyone that I’ve missed. If you do not have an understanding of the issues surrounding the violence in Juarez and the rest of Mexico, please take a moment to search Google. There is a good amount of information out there.
Here’s a link to the images surrounding “Semillas De La Paz” contributed by Bianca Cerventes, Joseph Lozano & Rob Leal:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lafamigliamagazine/sets/72157624721593113/
Mr. Unek (CBS) – Born and Raised
Some of the most inspirational experiences over the years have been the moments in time that I find myself in places I’ve never been, and had a little time to take a moment and soak it in. Meeting new people and realizing how many of us there really are. Since I’ve been spending some time in the Southwest, I’ve really enjoyed the unique & diverse styles and the energy of the people.
A little ways back I posted some pics from the “BREAK YO’SELF” Paint Session in El Paso, TX., roughly 60 artists from all through-out the Southwest including L.A. based artist Cre8 – (RTN, WCA, LTS) and artists from CBS & C4P crews. I had a chance to meet Alberquerque-based graffiti artist and photographer Unek (CBS) for the first time face-to-face. Over the past few months, we’ve kept in touch and took some time to talk about his work and experiences.
La Famiglia – Could you give us a little background and introduction?
Unek – My name is Mr. Unek, I was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation in the Four Corners of New Mexico. I remained there until I graduated in 1998 and have spent the remainder of my time in Central New Mexico.
I got into graffiti when I was a freshman in High School. I didn’t start counting till the day I actually picked up a spray can to paint, but I was in the 5th grade when I got interested in graffiti. When my parents were still together my dad would take us on vacations to make up for the times he wasn’t there. So we would go to LA, San Diego, Tucson, Vancouver BC, Albuquerque, and so on. Graffiti had caught my eye and inspired me to learn this amazing form of art that was just based on letters.
So when I got back home, I would pull out the paper and start drawing what I saw. From then on I started to develop my own style. When I became a freshman in High School my mom bought me some cans of Krylon and that night I went out painted my first piece on the side of the highway on this old beat up trailer. The next morning on the bus I heard the kids talking about my piece. From there on I fell in love with the hype a name can give and letters would create.
Since then, I kept painting and 18 and 1/2 years later I’m painting with some of the best graffiti artists that I looked up as my mentors to getting into the game. I never thought I’d make it this far ever in my life. Every time I meet people like my good friend Pose2 FX, Vyal, Dytch66, SnowFX, Bates, and the MAC I’m still in shock that I got to meet them. Now I’m rolling with one of Cali’s oldest crews, CBS. That to me is a major accomplishment especially a poor Navajo boy, coming from a small town who didn’t give up and kept pushing to something better. I don’t see too many natives ever trying to better themselves, I want to be that example and inspiration to the Navajo people.
La Famiglia – For those that might not be up on things, could you give us a little more background on CBS?
Unek - Cali Bomb Squad – Can’t Be Stopped Family is one of LA’s oldest graffiti crews. I joined up with CBS about a year and a half ago thru my good friend Dytch66. Since him and I became friend’s we started painting a few productions and he would come out here to Albuquerque because of a graffiti event I would help organize and promote called “Bomb the Canvas”. After a few painting sessions in Albuquerque and in LA, Dytch and Anger asked me to become a part of CBS because of the expansion of the crew was being directed worldwide. It was an honor being placed into the crew. I do wear the 3 letter badge proud when I paint and represent myself, and as well as the crew because we Can’t Be Stopped.
La Famiglia – Where did the name “Unek” originate?
Unek – One day I was trying to figure out a name for myself. Something that would best describes me and who I am. I was always the quiet and artsy person that sat alone and drew. So I thought about the name Unique, but that was too long to write. So I played with the name a bit and came up with Uneek, but that didn’t look appealing, so it just became Unek. I thought that name best suited me as an individual. It became my life. So i sat and sat thought about what this name means to me. That’s how I came up with U.N.E.K. now when i do all my work “Unek” is what I use.
U. N. E. K. (Universal . Native . Endigious . Kaptivator)
Universal- Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Body Art, Photography and Graffiti.
Native- Just being a Native American (Navajo) my culture. Not forgetting where I come from and how hard it was to get where I am today.
Endigious- Using my surroundings, originality, emotions and pain to show my creativity.
Kaptivator- Using the tools, mediums, style, color schemes, uniqueness, imagination to capture my audience and society to see inside my world.
La Famiglia – How would you describe the influences and styles in your work?
Unek – My influences come from studying tattoos and pin stripers. I got into Pin Striping in High School and loved the a freedom of the flow it has. I mimicked that technique in my graffiti. The sharp look has the tribal effect – which turns into what I call the “Razor Phase.” The style of lettering I’m more known for is the “Razor”. It’s formed of sharp points like a razor and has crazy wild style lettering. This style was formed from pass experiences in life and all that I’ve been through. Sometimes life can hurt like needles and razors. If you let it get to you, it can take you down. This expression is a way to protect myself to show that I can’t be stopped in life.
The other style developed is the 3D form what I called the “Technical” phase. This style of letters I use to challenge myself. It’s much more advance with color schemes, shading, realism, and more technical physics. Today I’ve merged the two styles together, which is known as the “Rebirth.” It’s a way to redevelop myself as a artist and as a individual in a new way.
La Famiglia – Who are some of your favorite graffiti artists and why?
Unek – My favorite current artists today are still my friends like Vyal, Dytch66, Woier, OG Gill, Pose2, SnowFX, Hex, Codak and I can keep going down the list but I will always look up to them. Everyday their work amazes me. I may be up there with them but them’ cats will always be a step ahead of me. I’m just glad that I worked hard enough and stayed in the game long enough to have the privilege to meet them and get to know them.
They influenced me thru styles and skill that I can’t find here in New Mexico. So traveling a lot, I am able to bring back new techniques like blends, colors, style and knowledge. They just make me a better writer. Dytch took my 3d to a whole new level when I paint with him. I like to thank him for it and my boy Woier who has a cutting edge style like mine. So I thank everyone who I’ve met.
La Famiglia – What inspires you as a photographer?
Unek – This is my view from graffiti to model photography. I light the model the way I sculpt my 3d letters, Perfecting the highlights and shadows as I adjust my light. When she poses, I bend, position and mold her like my letters. You can twist, shape, flow and exaggerate just like graffiti a letter . Taking a simple letter/model and making it into a beautiful form of an amazing masterpiece. That’s my inspiration for photography. I always refer back to graffiti with everything I do.
I have other photographers that I like to study such as Joel Grimes and Richard Reinsdorf. They both have amazing styles and lighting that I admire. The other good resource for photographers is Flickr. People don’t know how powerful that site is till they actually sit down and see what it has to offer photography and model wise.
La Famiglia – How you feel you’ve evolved as an artist and what were some of the major transitions in the evolution of things?
Unek – Over the years of being an artist, I’ve developed many styles. Based on what my life was like around that time. Every year it changes as I meet many other artists out there across the country. It’s amazing seeing what other people can create and see thru their eyes of what art is. I feed off their vibes and creativity to better myself. Just like a MC or music artists they will read books, newspapers and magazines to see what’s evolving around the world in news to get that inspiration.
After getting caught with graffiti I took a change in wanting to help others get started. Being a leader in giving back to those in the art and photography field who don’t know where to start. Which is something I didn’t have, I learned the hard way by just jumping in and see where it takes me. I guess the best way of learning, is learning the hard way. Right now my friend Lauren and I started up a project/business called Elaborate Collaborate. It’s the same concept of helping others from fashion designers, make-up artists, photographers, and hair-stylist get started in the field that don’t know where to go.
They build up their portfolios and network by attending our workshop meet and greets. Sometimes I do speeches to the youth in directing them in the right direction. Telling them about my background where I come from. Showing them that you can turn a negative into a positive to better themselves. So guiding others has been the evolution to my life and I’m loving it. Knowing that I inspire others to begin somewhere.
La Famiglia – What have been your greatest struggles as an artist?
Unek – My greatest struggle of being a artist is to keep getting myself out there. It’s a lot of hard work. I learned that it all takes time and years. In time and patience things will evolve. There’s been times I almost gave up on my art life because of the struggles of having no money and no one is buying my work. The hardest part is everyone wants something for free. They don’t understand the craftsmanship and time it took an artist to create that. I get upset a lot of the time and try to explain to a non-artist about that.
La Famiglia – Outside of art, what inspires you?
Unek – Outside of my art life, Mountain climbing and my family is my inspiration. Mountain climbing is what keeps me going… Life is like mountain climbing. You start out at the bottom. Working your way up it gets harder, but you can start to see everything. You want to give up at times, but you can see the top and see how beautiful things are. Once you reached the top it’s rewarding. It’s the best feeling you can ever have, because you made it through life’s challenges and it makes you stronger. Life just doesn’t end there. There will always be higher peaks and bigger challenges to go through.
The best way to put this is I push myself as far as I can get, I don’t’ give up when things get hard or gets in my way. I taught myself there are always other ways around it. In the end it’s very rewarding. I always keep those thoughts in my head when I need inspirations to life. Also my mom is my greatest inspiration, seeing what she has gone thru to make a life for my sister, brothers and I with no father around. She’s the mom and father all in one. I give her my biggest love that she showed me that it’s a lot of hard work and that anything can be done.
La Famiglia – What would you like to do in the future that you haven’t had a chance to?
Unek – There’s a lot of stuff I want to do. I want to travel overseas to paint with some of the Euro writers and to also show them my cultural background of being Native American.
La Famiglia – Any last words?
Unek – My last words to people is, don’t give up on a dream. If you have dreams peruse it. Only you can stop yourself from going forward to a brighter future. It’s a lot of hard work but in the end it’s all worth the effort. I started from a poor family with nothing on the Navajo Reservation to someone.
Mr. Unek CBS World Wide Family
Check out Unek on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unek_505
Artist Feature: Redrum (AYS)
Redrum (AYS) - Jerm 9 - Obey - Open5
Redrum (AYS) - Jerm 9 - Obey
Links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/redrum_of_slumlords
Friends With Knives
Crewest Gallery is proud to present Friends With Knives, a cutting edge stencil art exhibition curated by PaperMonster, featuring a collection of outstanding and intricately detailed works by world class stencil artists: Blek le Rat, Broken Crow, Chris Stain, Dave Lowell, E.L.K, Greg Boudreau, HAHA, Henry Quiara, Joe Iurato, Koleszar, Leckomio, Mefee, Nathan Phaneuf, PaperMonster, Peat Wollaeger, Scotch and Shai Dahan.
A broad range of stencil graffiti styles including photorealism, political, pop, abstract, and those focusing purely on beauty will be on display. Emerging and established artists will be on view side by side as a testament of the history, evolution and future of stencil art. Artists in this exhibit form a collective that defines the power and beauty of stencil art which continues to drive one of the fastest growing street art movements throughout the world. In attendance on Opening Night will be exhibiting artists Greg Boudreau, Henry Quiara, Koleszar, Nathan Phaneuf and Scotch.
Crewest’s featured artists room will exhibit an installation by the godfather of graffiti in LA, Chaz Bojorquez. Bojorquez’s symbol or “tag”, created in 1969, was a stylized skull called Senor Suerte inspired by Mexican folklore and especially by the cult of Holy Death, and is one of the first examples of stencil art applied to the street and it subsequently became an image for protection against death among the street gangs. Bojórquez was one of the first writers to employ special typographical characters, creating an original synthesis of psychedelic style, Fraktur and Chinese calligraphy. Chaz will be present on opening night to autograph copies of his new book:”The Art and Life Of Chaz Bojorquez”
Exhibiting Artists
Chaz Bojorquez: http://www.chazbojorquez.com
Blek le Rat: http://bleklerat.free.fr/
Broken Crow: http://brokencrow.com
Chris Stain: http://www.chrisstain.com
Dave Lowell: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davelowell/
E.L.K: http://myspace.com/elkstencils
Greg Boudreau: http://www.gregboudreau.com
HAHA: http://www.regantamanui.com
Henry Quiara: http://www.artficionado.blogspot.com
Joe Iurato: http://www.joeiurato.com
Koleszar: http://www.koleszar.com
Leckomio: http://www.stefanwinterle.de/
Mefee: http://www.mefee.org
Nathan Phaneuf: http://www.nathanphaneuf.com/
PaperMonster: http://papermonster.wordpress.com
Peat Wollaeger: http://www.stenSOUL.com
Scotch: http://www.myspace.com/el_scotcho
Shai Dahan : http://www.Abztract.com
Important Dates:
Opening Reception
August 7th, 2010 from 6-9pm with Live music by DJ Phyz Ed.
Artwalk Event
August 12th, 2010 from 6-9pm with Live music by DJ Phyz Ed.
Last Day for Exhibit
August 29, 2010
Crewest
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
ph | 213-627-8272
www.crewest.com
NASH and DOES feat. STORM – Belgium 2010
Nash and Does from LoveLetters crew painting a production for Ironlak in Belgium. Also featuring Storm (Heavy Artillery).
Shot: Luke Shirlaw. http://yoblooddiamonds.blogspot.com/
Cut: Selina Miles. http://selinamiles.wordpress.com/
Music: Blankeroy. blankeroy@gmail.com
More info:
www.digitaldoes.com
www.myspace.com/nasher70
Photos: Luke Shirlaw
via Ironlak
True Colors – Old Technique, New Style
A stop motion movie with no digital effects at all, everything is handmade. About 5000 pictures are processed with an average by 15 pictures per second. The music is by Pretty Lights from Denver, Colorado.
The 4th Annual Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle
If you are in the Bay Area you should check this out. Graffiti artist and organizer Estria is getting ready for The 4th Annual Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle, the USA’s 1st Nationwide Graffiti Battle!. This year’s battle will be in the Bay Area, and held at Defermery Park in Oakland, CA, on Sunday October 3, 2010 during The Life Is Living Festival.This event is open to all ages and is definitely worth experiencing. If you are an artist, videographers, or volunteer interested in participating contact paloma@papalodown.com.
For more information check out:
http://estriabattle.com/
Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle on Facebook
Mone Mugre Krew – Morelia, Michoacán Mexico
This production was painted by Mone Mugre Krew in Morelia, Michoacán Mexico.
Links:
Mone Mugre Krew
Faith 47 ~ The Freedom Charter
Faith 47, South Africa-based female graffiti artist, just recently completed a body of works inspired by The Freedom Charter. Check out this short video produced by Rowan Pybus featuring the body of artwork. The images below were recently shown as part of the South African group show at The Mu Space in Eindhoven, Holland as well as the Focus10 Contemporary African Art Event in Basel, Switzerland.
The Freedom Charter from rowan pybus & faith47 on Vimeo.
Links:
faith47.com
Shark Toof ~ “Lost Wages (Las Vegas)
If you are in Las Vegas this Friday (July 2nd,2010), come out to “Lost Wages,” an art exhibit showcasing Los Angeles-based street artist, Shark Toof. The opening is from 6pm – 11pm at Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd Suite 115 (Las Vegas).
For More Info:
Event Page on Facebook
Shark Toof’s Official Site
Artist Feature: Ludo
Ludo is a Paris-based street artist who is best known for his ‘nature’s revenge’ series. The collection of wheat pastes show plants and flowers armed with weapons and electronic devices to show humans threat to nature. Here are a few pics of Ludo’s work.
Links:
www.thisisludo.com
Ben Ein’s Lowercase Letters – Middlesex Street
With the organizational help of Electric Blue Gallery in London, artist Ben Ein has turned Middlesex Street into Alphabet Street. Ein painted the entire alphabet in lowercase letters on the local business’ shutters from Liverpool St. Station to Petticoat Lane.
Links:
Ben Ein
Portraits of Jon Beinart By Others
Visual artist Jon Beinart is mostly recognized for his work with ink and graphite drawings and his Toddlerpedes. Jon is also the founder of The beinArt International Surreal Art Collective. The collective focuses on raising awareness of contemporary Surreal, Fantastic Realism, Magic Realism and Visionary Art.
Jon just posted these pics of “Portraits of Jon Beinart by other artists” and we thought we would share them with you. If you are not familiar with Jon and his work you should take a moment to browse his website and check out some of the artists represented by The beinArt International Surreal Art Collective over the years.
'Toddlerpede's Revenge' by Beau White - Acrylic on canvas.
Ink Drawing by Lily Mae Martin
'Toddlerpede is Good Eatin'' by Beau White - gouache, pencil, watercolour, pastel on illustration board.
And just in case you are interested in supporting the cause, we copied and pasted the following copy from his website, “Jon Beinart needs an absurd number of plastic baby dolls to build a series of giant Toddlerpede sculptures. Please donate your unwanted doll parts for this cause.”
Links:
Jon Beinart’s Website
The beinArt International Surreal Art Collective
Lily Mae Martin
Beau White
Miguel Paredes ~ “Pulgha World”
This 18’ x 26’ mosaic mural, “Pulgha World,” by artist Miguel Paredes is made up of 550 tiles and is set in the Wnywood Arts District in Miami. It features Paredes’ iconic diminutive anime flea “Pulgha” along with several other of his characters.
Links:
miguelparedes.com
World Cup @ Crewest
Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles just had their opening for a celebration and art show focused on the 2010 World Cup. The show featured custom painted soccer balls and art by ASYLM, ISAIA CROW, VYAL, WERC, and many other artists including custom toy designer Steve Talkowski. Here are a few pics. Make sure to check out all the work at Crewest’s Flickr page.
Artist Feature: Steve Locatelli
Steve Locatelli is a Belgium-based artist. Here are a few pieces of his art on canvas. If you get a moment go to his website and check out some of his large mural work.
Gaia – Velencia St to Long Island City
Here’s some new work from New York based street artist Gaia in San Francisco & New York.
Links:Gaia on Flickr
Jeff Soto – Pearl Jam NYC Tour Poster – Step-by-Step
Artist Jeff Soto just recently created a gig poster for Pearl Jam’s Madison Square Garden show. The show was last night but Jeff just posted a step-by-step documentary of the process of creating this poster in his blog. Over the years he has designed many screen prints but his is first tour poster. We thought we’d share the visual step-by-step process with you. Make sure you take a moment to check out his blog where he walks you through in his own words.
Brainstorm
Linedrawing
Linedrawing
Shading
Highlights
Scanning & Assembly
Colors
Final
Signing
Check out Jeff Soto’s step-by-step process in creating this Pearl Jam Tour Poster:
jeffsotoart.blogspot.com
Banksy ~ “Preserved” or “Stolen” ~ Live Discussion
In case you are not familiar with the artist or his work, here is a brief overview. Some people might say that Banksy has become one of the most successful street artists to date. His work has always primarily provoked thoughts touching on such topics as politics, culture, and ethics. Most of his creative work has been stencil and graffiti based artwork. He has never sold or supported the idea of photographs of his street art being sold. But some of his gallery accessible work in the past has auctioned of and sold for over £100,000 (roughly $140,000).
As Banksy fans have noticed, the British street artist recently visited Detroit to promote is latest film project, “Exit Through The Gift Shop,” and ventured out to explore and leave his mark. One of Bansky’s recent works, “I remember when all this was trees,” was found in in the ruins of the old Packard Plant. The Packard Plant was built in the late 1800’s and has been closed and abandoned since the late 1950’s. The plant is the largest abandoned building in North America and covers a 35 acre piece of land on East Grand Boulevard.
Well, here is the controversial issue that has created intense debate. About a week ago 555 Gallery removed the 7-by-8-foot, 1,500-pound cinder block wall with a masonry saw and forklift and relocated it to a new location at the foot of the Ambassodor bridge not far from their gallery in Southwest Detroit. They say that their focus was to “preserve” the artwork. We believe that there is no question about it, they stole it. Whether their original plan was to “preserve” it, sell it, or just use it for publicity reasons we feel that the people deserve an explanation and there is nothing that they can do to change the actions that they have taken.
The Craig Fahle Show will be hosting a discussion featuring Carl and Monte of 555 Gallery discussing there reasons for removing Banksy’s work from the Packard plant. Tom Thewes of CPOP Gallery, Matt Eaton, and Travis R. Wright of Metro Times Detroit will also discussing their position on the matter.
This discussion will be broadcasted live on 101.9 FM locally and will also be available streamed live online and eventually available in a podcast. Tune in Tuesday May 18th (tomorrow) at 11:30 a.m EST on 101.9FM and online at www.wdetfm.org. We encourage you to tune in and contribute your thoughts on the issue.
“Banksy does not endorse or profit from the sale of greeting cards, mugs, tshirts,
photo canvases etc. Banksy is not on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter or Gaydar.
Banksy is not represented by any form of commercial art gallery.” – Banksy
Links:
Artist Feature: Priest
Here are a few images of the work of a artist by the name of Priest. A mix between stencil work and hand painted wheatpastes. He just recently did some amazing work focused on the oil spills down south. If you go to his flickr page you can see more of his work including the pieces I just mentioned.
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