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arrow deco - the roots

November 04th, 2007 | Category: arrowchitectural decograf, art show, creative writing

i was asked to write a bio for the next art show i’m gonna be in. here’s what i came up with:

arrow deco roots

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 gods; 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 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.

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