Presents
pEN inK & film JOHNNIE DOMINGUEZ +
J-OPEN
POMONA ARTS COLONY The Eve Gallery 280 W. Second Street. Pomona Ca. 91766 909.638.1058 Saturday July 14th 2012 Reception Hours: 3PM-9PM
EDITOR/LAYOUT J. OPEN Editor@ieLAvate.com
MARKETING/ADVERTSING Kevin Salaam Smith KevinSalaam@ieLAvate.com
VIDEO PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Mark “Markie” Gallegos Jr.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Loos Salaam Kevin Smith Naomi A. Bork
FRONT COVER RENDITION Joe Ded
BACK COVER RENDITION CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRPHERS Demar Douglas Stone PhotoBill Farah Sosa farahstop.blogspot.com Jonee of UI Mark “Markie” Gallegos Jr. Fidel
INTERNET
ieLAvate.com Facebook/ieLAvatemagazine Twitter @ieLAvatemag
OPEN Studios would like to thank everyone that has provided information and material for this issue. All artist featured in this issue of ieLAvate Magazine retain copywrite to their work unless otherwise stated. OPEN Studios will correct any mistakes made in our next issue.
DEMAR DOUGLAS STYLIZED SURREALISM Interview By J. OPEN
“The first time I was introduced to fine art was watching ‘Good Times’ and I realized that you can get paid to create.”
8
“I call my style, something that I personally coined, ‘Stylized Surrealism’, where I combine an animated feel with a realism feel”
BLAQWATA
9
Where do you get your inspiration? I get my inspiration from every day life that I experience, that I believe God converts into a dream. I then see a movie of the painting, then I pause the movie, and that becomes the painting. What are you influnced by to create such beautiful vibrant pieces? I am influenced by Music,movies, and everyday life. Are most of your illustrations painted on canvases? Oil or Acrylic? Most of my paintings are done on Masonite wood panels. I use a mixed media ofMgraphite,acrylic,and oil paint. Have you ever presented your work in a gallery? I have shown my art at numerous galleries in California Do you have gallery representation? I currently have no exclusive representation, however I am a frequent exhibitor at Machine Pomona, and the Push Gallery both in Pomona Ca. Are most of your collectors here in the U.S.? Most of my collectors are in the U.S., However I do have some in japan, and I have a growing fan base in Europe Why did the thought of painting a piece in reference of Trayvon Martin? The Suspicious Patriot painting is inspired not only by Trayvon Martin, but also by Emmett Till, and all the urban youth who can potentially be lynched and or blinded by the just-us system. When is your next event? My next event i will be doing a live painting on stage with W.C., and Suga free in L.A. on May 4th.
BLAQWATA 10
STONE Interview BY J. OPEN Portrait By Hitomi
“I am tatted on my stomach with the phrase, Rolling Stone”, therefore, people began calling me Stone and the name just stuck with me”.
AN ARRANGEMENT OF BEAUTIFULLY VIBRANT STREET PORTRAITURE BY JAPANESE PHOTOGRAPHER STONE.
What subjects do you find yourself shooting? like to take photographs of Japanese women. In the future, I plan to have an exhibition of all of my work. How long have you been photographing? I’ve been taking photo since Dec 2005. Who is your favorite photographer? My favorite photographer is Edgar Hoill I have great respect for his work. I have learned many things from his photographs. Not only how to take photo or about photo, but also I learned the how live life and have fun. I have actually had the opportunity to work with Edgar Hoill in States. Who does your tattoo work? I got my Tattoo from many artists. In Japan, I have been inked by HORIYOSHI 3rd and Krazy-K.In LA, Bob Roberts, Baby Ray, Jose Lopez, Clarens Monroy, and many more great artists. 13
“I love American cars,motorcylcles, fashion, and women”.
PHOTOBILL A glimpse of captivating visual portraits by Celia Sanchez.
17
“I like all my photographs to be straight forward images, no fancy lighting, just creating what I see� -PhotoBill
Our mission is to unite youth communities with local and global artists, in safe and creative environments. Through a collaborative process, we hope to inspire a sense of community back into today’s youth by using hip hop and graffiti as a tool for social change. We seek to promote and preserve the elements of hip hop, contact us today if you are an artist’s seeking representation or looking to collaborate with members of the community.
TMK1 hosts monthly all ages events where artists can come together and collaborate with other members of the community. Our events consist mainly of Cyphers and Writers Benches, where music producers and MC’s get together to freestyle, and young graff writers are provided the chance to express themselves legally. In the summer we plan on having hip hop workshops, which will include outdoor painting sessions, beat lessons and more. We have donated art pieces to high schools and colleges in the Pacific Northwest. Our recent mural, for local hamburger joint Hamburger Mary’s, sparked controversy in the community when it was painted over within days of going up.
All Ages Showcase of graffiti styles on canvas. Live hip hop set by TMK1 produers and MC’s, B-Boys and more. We welcome all like-minded individuals to come to our events and join our collective. Website: TMK1.com, Live.TMK1.com Email: info@tmk1.com Next Event: Elements of Rhythm The Slate, NW PDX 7pm-11pm
24
1965
ieLAvate.com
When I first met Joe Ded, I was warned but still had no idea what I was in for. I was told by the editor that this guy was going to grab my eyes, rip them out of my head, throw a crazy colorful filter in the sockets and When I first met Joe Ded, I was warned but still had no idea what I was in for. I was told by the editor that this guy was going to prevent me from ever seeing art the same way again. The wildest part of the whole scenario is that he is telling me all grab my eyes, rip them out of my head, throw a crazy colorful filter in the sockets and this three steps before we walk into the gallery in which Joe Ded is showing. prevent me from ever seeing art the same way again. The wildest part of the whole scenario is that he is telling me all this three steps before we walk into the gallery in which Joe Ded is showing. I remember there being 6 or 7 other artists showing at the same gallery but for the life of me I could not tell you one name of the others. They were good but none of them were Joe Ded. What I do remember was walking into a tiny, single I remember there being 6 or 7 other artists showing at the same gallery but for the life of me I could not tell you one name of the car, garage-style, roller door gallery in Downtown Pomona’s 2nd Saturday Art Walk and having my mind others. They were good but none of them were Joe Ded. What I do remember was walking into a tiny, single car, garage-style, complete blown. I was being told how Joe Ded’s work was,“Right over there” in the opposite corner but in the true spirit roller door gallery in Downtown Pomona’s 2nd Saturday Art Walk and having my mind of a contemporary art connoisseur I continued to proceed to enjoy all the other art. complete blown. I was being told how Joe Ded’s work was,“Right over there” in the opposite corner but in the true spirit of a contemporary art connoisseur I continued to proceed to enjoy all the other art. Now ieLAvate Magazine presents to you what blew my mind that chilly, wet and rainiy night in Pomona, CA. Now ieLAvate Magazine presents to you what blew my mind that chilly, wet and rainiy night in Pomona, CA.
Joe Ded Words By Kevin Salaam Smith
“When I first started doing my art it was a way to keep me from feeling lonely and my art soon became my friend then my family and now it will never leave. I started my way of art in the underground world of graffiti, scrawling perverted images across the highways and everywhere else. Then I eventually graduated to canvas, since then it has formed a beautiful relationship with my mind. My process involves taking an canvas an breathing in its life, feeling the pulse and asking what it desires...then I let my unconscious take over making shapes and formipictures.I get a rush from the moment I begin to create; it feels like I’m in euphoric state when I begin my ritual. The paint splatters, drips, the smell of these things is what allows me to conjure up the goblins of my cerebellum. My work involves beauty through abnormality. My nature bound my man subject matter really gets me through the night. Painting and art in general are the keys to my sanity; they help the flow of energy trapped in my mind. The energy release helps me sleep at night, the images dance in my head until I open my brain and unleash them on the canvas. I feel a connection between me and my paintings. Today, I enjoy watching walker Texas Ranger and a good unsweetened tea with some Native American flute music while painting on an old bench in my front yard.”. -JOE DED
32
I S
N E K C A J K C
C I N M L Y C EA
R + O N PSYCH
Stepping through the door of a dark and smoky southern Cali bar, you can see the sun shining over my shoulders reflecting off of a pool table. Moonlight beer bottles, Oldies and an atmosphere classic of any barrio late-80s exploitation film. That was my introduction to Psycho Realm’s front man Sick Jacken and Cynic from the Street Platoon. My attention was captivated for hours while Sick Jacken and Cynic were reminiscing of older days, discussing present projects and of course skipping through time & space so I could witness the future musical leaders of the Sick Side Movement.
Article By Naomi A. Bork /Portrait Photos By Jonee-UI Courtesy Of Latina Beats/Performance Photos By Farah Sosa
First of all, let’s talk about your origin and upbringing. How would you describe your childhood?
hood. All day I was exposed to the Spanish-Mexican culture which of course paved the way for my upbringing. I experienced life constantly growing up in poverty, crime which is what influences my music today.
Jack: I had a good childhood. I grew up in a
What type of gang violence did you witnessed? Jack: I saw someone being murdered across the street from my apartments. I had to maybe at the most 10 years old. I never banged but in my neighborhood, in that era, it went down and you were always caught in the middle. I’m just glad that I survived it all.
good community in the Pico Union District. I had positive parents. My mom was very loving and my dad was very strict but educational. He taught us a lot of things early on in life which was parlous because in a neighborhood like mine, you grow up fast. My dad didn‘t have an age requirement filter, he has taught us a lot early. It helped us growing up in my neighborhood. I mean I have seen a lot of things but none of it was tramatizing. Maybe you could say it made me careless to a lot of things.
Cynic: I also grew up in Pico Union. Everyday surrounded by gangs, graffiti, hip-hop and more gangs. My parents were from El Salvador and we were living in a predominantly Mexican neighbor
35
How did your guys meet? Cynic: I met Sick Jacken in the early 90s. In those times there were always community centers and youth services. It was a community where Sick Jacken & “Jo Jo” came to perform. They were about 14 years old and I thought they were good. At the time, I knew I would be a rapper, so at the end of the meeting I went up to them and asked if they heard the new Cypress Hill album. They were like, “What do you know about Cypress Hill?” They tripped out because I was a little kid who knew about real hip-hop.
Once we met I was always bumping into him and he knew me as that little ass kid who was rocking Cypress Hill. Later I met Sick’s brother Duke right before their first album dropped and we have been working together ever since. What was it like being found and supported by an artist like B-Real? Jack: We met B-Real in the 1993 and it was exciting. B-Real was the first Mexican rapper that had street credibility. He wasn’t what Latin rap was normally. Cypress Hill was completely out of the box. It was creative and innovative. For us, it was exactly what we inspired for. We didn’t want to copy their sound but we desired to do music that was not transient. What difficulties have u had to overcome with Blowing Up (success)? Jack: Piercing those boxes that everyone wanted to put us in. When you’re Mexican and you rap, they try to relegate you to the platform of Latin or Chicano hip-hop. We are just Hip-Hop! Put us in the hip-hop box! That’s very difficult to overcome but we always manage to do it.
How did you handle the whole situation of what happened to your brother Duke? Jack: I was Angry. Aside from Duke being my partner in music, he is my big brother. My family went through a lot of hard times. When my brother got shot, it wasn’t just hard, it was very painful. As much as you want to look at it as just another part of life to endure it is hard because that is your brother. Lucky for us, Duke has been with us for 40 years now. It is a long time for someone in his condition so we are grateful for every new day. My brother has a huge influence on what I do daily. His courage and incredible desire to live is one of the biggest inspirations in my life. His strong mentality is absolutely amazing. When I think back to us being kids, Duke was always powerful like that. When did you know that hip-hop was going to be your life? Cynic: I’ve always been into music since I can remember. I knew I was going to be in the industry since I was a youngster. I was 5 years old mimicking my brother’s break dancing on cut up cardboard and linoleum. My brother was a DJ and I was always sneaking around his turntables. He was banging a lot of East Coast artist of the time.
36
I was introduced to Rakim at 7 years old, artist like Kool G Rap, EMPD, etc. He would write rhymes for me so I could bust for the other neighborhood kids. I also had many different genres of musical influences but hip-hop intrigued me like no other. I was hooked on hip-hop and it has been my foundation since the beginning. Jack: When I was a kid a close friend brought me a record of a Spanish rapper from Miami named Chulito. It sounded like 2 Live Crew. It was heavy booty-shaking-music but in Spanish. In the 80s there was 2 Live Crew and N.W.A. but Chulito was the first to do it in Spanish I had heard. We were all of 14 years old and my friend said we should be rappers. We wrote our first song together and I never looked back. Before that time I wrote essays and poetry, so I have always been a writer. Now I was set on being a recording artist. How did you and Duke begin working with each other? Jack: It was me and my homeboy in the beginning but by the time we met B-Real my boy had fallen off. My brother stepped up and started producing. We got the record and the creative exchange between Duke and I was incredible. I have never experienced that with anyone else. What is the Sick Side Movement? Jack: Sick Side Movement is based in truth, camaraderie and loyalty. Itsfoundation is the Psycho Realm and it is rooted in positive movement. We are a family brought together all wanting something different and better for our lives. We are just tired of the bullshit and we stick together. It is a beautiful thing to witness. What made you choose your style of hip-hop? Jack: My music comes from the soul and soul is the spirit. My songs are my individual view of mostly my environment from violence to politics and also religion. Sometimes we go off of concepts. I’ll give my twist from Duke’s and my view and Cynic will give his. So tell us about the new album. Jack: The title is Terror Tapes Vol. II. It is set to release May 15th 2012. It is part 2 to the original Terror Tapes we did in 2006. It is the first record we have produced completely. I love that feeling you get from having ideas and concepts and laying them all out. It is a amazing process from creating the lyrics to putting them down in to music. It was a lot of work but now we are done and it’s like, “Wow” lets drop it. Cynic: We started the album two years ago, had the concept but other projects kept distracting and delaying our focus. Our main focus on the album was the feedback of our fans. We felt like we needed to put out fresh work. Since we began the Terror Tapes process, Jack has put out “Stray Bullets” in 2010 but that was more of a compilation project. Then there was “Legend of the Mask and the Assassin” by: Sick Jacken & DJ Muggs in 2007. I also have been working on my solo record entitled, “Gray Sky, Black Water” that will be released after Terror Tapes Vol. II later this year. It took us a while because we were seeking perfection. We found it and now we are working on dropping two projects a year.
CHRIS LOOS' UNHEARD HOT LIST Today’s music industry is one full of drum machines, samples, and auto tuned vocals; so far from original music created with instruments and authentic voices, that it can make you wonder what happened to this thing called MUSIC?? I was excited about writing this article for ieLAvate because they’re allowing me to shine some light on good music that might have slipped passed you. There’s a lot of great music out there, along with some incredible new artists. So how do you find good music amongst the laundry lists of artists & songs on itunes, hundreds of thousands of music blog sites, and limited playlists on the radio?? That’s the million dollar question that I do NOT have an answer for. However, one musical masterpiece that nearly slipped passed me was The Roots album UNDUN released in Dec.2011; which may be one of the most creative, innovative, and ingenious concept albums I’ve ever experienced. In my opinion, it’s easily one of the best albums of the year!!
LOOS’ HOT LINKS The Roots – UNDUN www.theroots.com Seefor – Occupy Radio www.iamseeforyourself.com Miguel – Art Dealer Chic Vol.1 www.artdealerchic.com
Chris Loos www.chrisloos.com
UNDUN tells the story about a guy named Redford Stephens. The albums created in a cinematic fashion, intentionally shorter in length, without being created to have a single on the radio, but rather with the intent of masterfully telling “Red’s” story thru music. With each song that plays, you grow with him more and watch him grow into one of societies criminals. Not born that way, you’ll see how he learns to tip the scale to his favor using the cards he’s been dealt to create a better life for himself. The lyrics to the album were released online before the music could be purchased. Then the album was released, followed by an app that gives you even more backstory to this character Redford Stephens, showing interviews with his friends, neighbors, high school teachers, and more. It’s a musical experience!! UNDUN isn’t an album with certain songs you should check out. It’s story told thru music, lyrics and an innovative app showing today’s musicians that no matter how saturated the music industry may seem. You can now use today’stechnology to paint an even greater picture.
20 YEARS LATER 1992-2012 The 90’S was the roughest time period growing up a young teen in the city of Angels and other parts of Los Angeles County. A young teenage African American male was not suppose to live past his 18th birthday. I made it... -J. OPEN
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots were sparked when a jury aquitted LAPD officers accused in the beating of a videotaped beating of motorist Rodney King following a highsped pursuit thousands of people of the City Los Angeles rioted for 6 days after the verdict.
Video Image George Holliday
We have come along way since 1992. We have lived to see an African-American rise to the highest level of political office and are experiencing a substantial rise in minorities holding state & federal offices. We have a spread of minority coaches and owners in all three major American sports and teen pregnancy rates are at the lowest in decades. Unfortunately, with all positive advancements, there are still negative setbacks.
It is hard to believe that so many can proceed so far, while others are still finding it tremendously difficult to figure out how to take advantage of the opportunities the civil rights movement & liberal America has provided us with. To these individuals that do not understand our major malfunction. I would have to invite them to look a little longer at our new obstacles.
In 2012, our society is experiencing the highest rate ever of single parent homes ever. The very definition of “Conventional Family” is changing. According to the 2010 Census, single parent homes are the majority, making up over half of the families in America. Imagine how many of these “NeoConventional Families” are found in urban cities or are American minority cases.
In 1991 Rodney King’s civil rights were violated and the incident was caught on videotape for the whole world to see. The day before this occurrence most suburban, middle American habitants would have never believed that police officers were still secretly performing in ways that would be reminiscent of the 60s segregation enforcement. The next day it was witnessed on the News at 10 in lining color for all to see. Yet a year later, a verdict was handed down acquitting all officers involved of any unlawful act which of course, not only ignited a powder keg of violence in Los Angeles but many major cities around the country.
We are also seeing drug use in our intermediate schools rising 10 times higher today than 20 years ago and our education levels are drastically failing every year. We are a society that is morally, artisticaly, and spiritually bankrupt.
ally, and spiritually bankrupt.
Forword By J. OPEN Article By Kevin Salaam Smith Photos By J. OPEN & Mark Gallegos Jr
J-OPEN In 2012 the levels of violence by police on its citizens have decreased. The arrest rates are dipping downward slightly and we are seeing more financial success legally with in our communities by its people. My only concern today is that we figure out better ways to ready our youth for tomorrow than just giving them the role models that are gaining immense capital from teaching all the wrong values. Our new millennium attitude of “Entitlement� is rotting our culture core values of family, respect and community pride from the inside out and outside in.
1992 I am not advocating censorship or bans on the Internet or the entertainment industry. I am however, asking that we find ways of rewarding today’s youth and ourselves for making the choice to pick up a book which features something other than vampires, material dreams or half naked socialite magazines
44
48
TATTOO Interview By J. OPEN Photos By Fidel
7 Questions What was your 1st tattoo? I was 12 when I received 1st fresh tattoo by a friend of mine from school. What inspired you to become heavily tattooed? Ive always been fond of art and I love the tattoo culture. Also it’s my body and this is the way I want to look, it’s what I like not what people think. What was your 1st Hip Hop Album? My very first Hip Hop Album was Run DMC and the Fat Boys Who are you currently listening too? I am currently listening to my own music, Sean Price from Boot Camp, and Rockness Monstah of Boot Camp... What do you think of Hip Hop of today? I think its dog shit! A lot of paper made dudes rapping. I do not listen to main stream or radio its wack now a day. Can any of your west coast fans expect you doing a show? Yes! I’ll actually be on tour promoting my new album, Tattoo vs. Da World, I’ll be in L.A. may 24th and 25th, performing and promoting my album. Who is your favorite all time Hip Hop Artist? Sean Price from Boot Camp would definitely be my favorite Hip Hop artist. He is my mentor my idle, and I look up to him strongly, he’s a very good friend YouTube his music.
52