You been covering the New York City Graf scene for 30 years. What finally made you want to put a book out?
Back in the '70s when I was writing I began to photograph graffiti because it is an efermal art form and I wanted to preserve it. Over the course of several years I amassed a substantial collection of photographs. Then back in the early 1990s my bro SPAR ONE, wanted to publish a book, so we started to organize our subway photos and SPAR began to interview artists. During that process the Internet came around and we felt it was a better fit for our project. It allowed for the project to be open ended, we could continually add new profiles and interviews. In 1998 we launched www.at149st.com a history of the New York scene.
Then a few years back the publishing industry finally got hip to public appetite for the art form. Plenty of books were being published. I was not crazy about a lot of the books, but I took notice of two books by Abrams; Freight Train Graffiti and Graffiti LA. I felt they were really well done. I had it in the back of my head that I would like to work with Abrams. Then Jim Prigoff (author of Spraycan Art) put us in contact with them. I think it was fate. I'm forever grateful to Jim.
How long did it take to put the book together from conceptualizing to the final product?
It was about two years from the point I first met with the publisher to the date Graffiti New York was published. It was the product of several decades of work though.
As a former writer do you ever get the urge to pick up a can or marker again?
I'm involved with so many different projects documenting the art that I have very little free time, but yes the urge does surface. I've got a bunch of paint at home, so I guess I'll eventually paint.
You been part of the scene for a long time, why can't writers get along?
The culture is highly competitive and social interaction is a big part of it, so conflict is naturally part of the game. It may be negative at times, but more often it spurs intense creative competition or heavy bombing. I think the tension is healthy for the culture.
Do you have a favorite borough as far as style or best writers are concerened?
I really don't favor a particular borough, but I do have many faves from each borough. I'll give you a very short list. Brooklyn cats like SLAVE, DONDI, REPEL, DOC, MAGOO and WEB are untouchable. Fab 5 crew, LASK, GANO, STRIDER, MARS and GOAL have repped Staten Island with skill. Queens has DON MAFIA, LADY PINK, SYE, SP ONE and SOE XMEN in the mix. The Bronx has PEL, RIFF, PHASE, CHAIN 3, TKID 170, TATS Cru and SENTO. Folks from Manhattan I dig are LEE Quinones and PART, PESO 131 and DOVES. It was a real pleasure writing the book cause I had the chance to spend a lot of time with some of these artists.
What's next for you?
I'll continue working on www.at149st.com. Another graf book and some film projects, and speaking engagements are in the works. I'm also exploring some new media projects like mobile apps and video. I'm also searching for a venue for a history exhibit. I'm always looking for people who want to support or collaborate on such projects.
THIS GUY IS ONE OF THE HOTIST WITH THIS KIND OF ART
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