about arrow deco
In my dreams I’ve stood in the basement of New York on the platformed shores of the cities blackened rivers of electric steel. And with the knights of the 149th St bench; Sir Dondi, Sir Skeme, Sir Dez, Sir Min, Sir Kase, et al; I’ve watched with wonder as mighty metal dragons crept ashamedly out of their caves, battered and scarred from many midnight battles. We mused of past brave knights who paved the way to outlines and wild styles and masterpiece burners. Their names buffed from view but the remains of their foundation still strong enough to build on. I’ve studied and deciphered the ancient scrawls of the gods-of-the-underground, and discovered the secrets of style and what it means for colors to have soul.
I’ve listened to, and really heard, the jungle-hot melodies of musics divine royalty; Lord Satchmo, Lord Duke; delivered to me by the jazz messengers of rhythm and cool. I hear you brother Prez, I hear you Lady Day, I hear you Mr. Five-By-Five. I’ve jumped with the Count basie and the Blue Devils sent from heaven. I’ve raced with Parker to Dizzy at the speed of sound. I’ve worn the leather off my black and whites with the floor of the Savoy, while breathing fire hot riffs of the greatest battle ever set to swing. Jitterbug it brother Frankie. Shimmy-shake it brother Minns.
I’ve traveled to the corner of Rue Mallet-Stevens and 5th Avenue, and marveled upon the blueprints delineated by the kings of the metropolis of tomorrow - their initials carved in relief a thousand feet high: CRM, RMS, WVA, RH, and FLW. I’ve sat atop the crest of a concrete mountain, it’s skeleton all rivets and iron, it’s guts lined with copper and jade, and gazed upon decoscapes of futurist grace and cubistic elegance. In my dreams I slip in and out of pasts greatest discoveries of human creativity and creation. I spend my realities trying to make my dreams come true.
Arrowchitectural Decograf
All about my love affair with the greatest metropolis in the world, New York City, Arrowchitectural Decograf is: arrows as architecture using the combined styles of ART DECO and early 1980’s SUBWAY GRAFFITI (this specific time period of graffiti). Without using actual letters, the 80’s graffiti style I mention is represented by arrows, clouds, stars, and color theory - all wrapped up within an art deco design sense.
4 Comments so far
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Michael,
I like your work very much, and I am interested in purchasing one of your pieces. Please e-mail me. I assume that you can view my e-mail address even though it is not visible on this post.
I am loking forward to hearing from you.
-Dan
Atlanta, GA
Micheal,
I am a ceramics student at Wolverhampton University in the UK. I am making non-functional vessels and brooches. Art Deco has been my main infuence for these pieces. I really love your work, i am currently writing an essay about Art Deco and how it has influenced contemporary artists. Would you be able to answer some questions for me? It would be most appreciated.
I am looking forward to hearing from you
Ellie
Michael, you are a true Renaissance Man! I met you at Bing’s Tuesday, in case you don’t remember. How creative you are. I loved the short knights of the 149th. I, too, worship at the altar of Lord Satch and Lady B. Day. I’m a scribbler myself, but alas no other visual art talent, just appreciation. Here’s a poem of mine written in celebration for the lifting of the US ban on absinthe. Hope you enjoy it!
Please do let me know when you’ll be performing somewhere.
THE DANCE OF THE GREEN FAIRIES
Dear artists and friends, attend with me,
the retelling of a splendid sight to see.
As executed in one of Ernest’s recipes,
The unleashing of a flurry of Green Fairies!
In tall, cool glistening champagne flute
the pouring of a good dry Spanish Brut
and the aplomb, the drama, and then dash
of a healthy pour, an Absinthe splash.
I looked fast in the glass, for what perhaps?
a non-water louche? Other visual repasts?
Yes, dancing fairies, all joyously spinning
extending form, shape, rapturous beginning
All upward, their path bottom to top twirling,
a graceful, erotic life-confirming swirling
Are these the most contented creatures
that life has yet bestowed form and feature?
Once revered by artists, poets, great authors aligned
Gentle sprites, so unfairly libeled and unjustly maligned
Did these nymphs under such weight bend and stagger?
Surely hearing without rejoinder must cut like a dagger.
What do they feel when they reach the surface
do they lose touch or sense or primary purpose?
and break through only to be bound to gravity
Do they lose their soul, their chance to be fantasy?
Or do they feel joy to have danced so beautifully
inspiring mortals, though regrettably fleetingly?
Do they fear we regret yet can’t stop the savour,
of licorice, herb and such sublime luscious flavor?
Fairies of lore, legend, inspiration, of chance
Deprive us not long of your sweet exuberance.
Love your art! What is the building shown in the blueprint in your text above?
“I’ve traveled to the corner of Rue Mallet-Stevens and 5th Avenue, and marveled upon the BLUEPRINTS delineated by the kings”