Remnants: Within an Age of Digitalism

Synthesis No. 2667 Ureilassius (24" x 36" Intaglio-Type Series)

Synthesis No. 2187 Aenon

Synthesis No. 2047 Nanai

Synthesis No. 2030 Susano

Synthesis No. 2054 Xairon

Gallery. Walls. Crumble.

Tonight seems like a good time for reflection. I am tired, what a great feeling. It’s like right before you take a shower from a long muddy filled day. Agua Dulce.

I’ve been going out for the past few carefree nights, inspiration from the streets overflow my mind, live it, be out there. Life doesn’t always just simply come to you, knocks at the door are rare, but “Hi.” can surprisingly go a long way. Compliment the genuine strikes of influence that come across your path.

I love to see the life that surrounds me; the faces, colours, and rhythms which bounce off of everything. These changing rhythms are intoxicating at times, they are genius in the purest form, I love to see them flow.

The graduate orientation at RIT was very unexpected, what great representations of culture. I saw people from all over the world, they were all so interesting, The welcoming committee panel had a few very well spoken and independent forward thinking speakers. (The British accent brightened up the room.) The night led to playing dominoes and hanging out with my new Dominican friends, all 20 of them. Such friendly and welcoming people… Victor is a fun character, we mesh well, the independent film duo. Reiner, Guillermo, Fernando, Clemente, what great names, these are lovely people. I hope to see more of them, perhaps salsa dancing is in the near future.

I met a girl named Maasa from Tokyo, what a small world. It turns out she went to school ten minutes away from my family’s house in MA. Not only that, but tonight I came across a photographer (Manuel) whose family is actually from Puerto Rico. (Very close to Aguirre.) We shared stories of the streets and buildings, what fun! His photos capture moments from all over the world. Poverty. I’ve always found it quite sad and yet surprisingly full of the most filled smiles I’ve ever seen. Hard faces. Raw worked hands. Sadness. Beautiful. Real World.

The gallery spaces downtown are interesting; you just have to find the right places to go. Even the wrong places can be the right places on opening nights; it’s about the show, the people. I must see and experience more of what is out there, forever reflecting until my death. I must keep a watchful eye in order to keep from a slumber of mundane and mediocrity. I will go see the artwork again, (Maybe this time with Victor.) I always like to go back, it's important.

John Remo is a fun guy, we saw his work in the Arts and Cultural Council print show, across from Booksmart Studio. I think his gestural line work is wonderful and hope to see more of his colours.

I’m looking forward to the studios, and yet am intimidated by their plain walls.
But not for long, I will fill them. Art. Can you really make art? Sometimes It all really falls on a personal level for me. It’s my thoughts, hopes, dreams, aspirations… On the good days. It’s about questions and childish wondering. Unanswered thoughts and both miscellaneous and slight recollections. (What drunken words come from my window at night.)

Perhaps I should have traded shirts with the woman at the gallery, but I was wearing one of my favorites! Next time. Dinner awaits. Conversations.

Time will tell. Must find the right formula.

:: Graffiti Sunrise ::

I undoubtedly have one of the best apartments in the city; I only hope that I can afford this place for a long time to come. I sit at the top of the building facing the North side; where I have an open view of the late evening sky and courtyard. I can imagine lively things, as I just saw three double-decker bikes, and hear on occasion a swear or two from the traffic below. LUX is at my service along with the great streets that lead to the center of downtown.

This Monday turned out GREAT; I met a new artist Eder Muniz from Brazil! It poured rain all morning but it turned out to be a much better day than was expected. Christina, Lea, and I headed out to the Graffiti bike tour over at the Contemporary Art Center, the trip consisted of 1. The Legal Wall 2. St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center 3. Broad St (Abandoned Subway) 4. Clifford St. (FUA) I had heard of but never actually had been to the legal wall before, it reminds me of a much smaller “Fun Factory” from Queens. After the ride I ended back over on South to meet up with Eder, who Lea happens to be neighbors with. (He’s actually going back to Brazil at the end of the week.) It’s funny how things sometimes work out. He probably spent about 3hrs on this wall project, during which I met Ant. (A local all around.) I watched him spray layer upon layer of paint… And every time I thought E. was almost done, he’d add something else which made it all work even better. It was the first time I ever really sat around and saw a piece being developed. On the good days its something I might one day hope to aspire to.

When I first got there he was working fast, but as soon as he put up the sun, it stopped raining and the clouds parted. (I swear I’m not making shit up.) Ant and me thought it was pretty funny. People kept stopping by to look around, but E. for the most part was in this mode where he just kept going without any real breaks for water or anything. His style has changed a lot since the last piece that he went over. It turns out his father in law has been down to Salinas before too, on sabbatical. I hope to see more of Brazil in the year that he comes back, seems like a real chill guy.

I can’t get enough of these streets; I’d be out there even more if it weren’t so hot in the last few days. Today wasn’t bad at all, but I still have a lot of errands to run before RIT starts, I’m on the final count down.

There are lots of things that go on in the South Wedge… All this weekend there is a tattoo convention down town, Wedgestock, and a few other art related events. I wonder who I’ll bump into when I get back into the studio. I need to balance discipline with the 19 year old me. I remember when David Jay Reed told me something like, “I used to be like you (non-stop) but I’ve slowed down now that I’m older.” Wherever I end up, if I have to make it happen now, then I’m all in. I can’t wait for later, I’ve waited long enough. I’ve been playing catch up for most of my life… Heinz said he was a late bloomer too, I wish he was around; he always understood what I am about.

This Monday I finally get a bed… A Queen! I’ve been sleeping on the floor for the last few weeks, without an air mattress or anything but a thin quilt. Honestly, this kind of stuff never seems to be a big deal to me. My dream machine status has gone up and intensified. Perhaps it’s my body reacting to the nearby sounds of the city, I really don’t find the faux wood floor all that uncomfortable. Three windows full of light line my wall, much better than that one window box I had in Manhattan facing the dingy brick wall.