talking off the wall mag #2

Boys, move aside! Some talented ladies have been taking over the walls. Whether graffiti or murals, there has definitely been an increase in female street artists and many of the walls around Wynwood as well as commissioned murals in spaces around Miami and Fort Lauderdale are now painted by some of the leading ladies of street art.

We have outstanding talent in the 305 including some female artists who have been equally successful in producing gallery work and

street art. Artists like Diana Contreras, Tatiana Suarez, Kazilla, Jill Weisberg and Jessy Nite have already made their mark on the local art scene and we have seen a tremendous increase in international artists like Elle, Sheryo, Kashink and Miss Van converging in Wynwood every December during Art Basel Miami Beach.

Says Elle, “My art is influenced by animal spirits. I always like to consider my women that I paint to be warriors around the street. They are warriors and protectors and animal spirits and kind of fierce ladies.”

The art presented by female artist offers explorations of a diverse set of topics. The power of women, life in South Florida, endless summer vacations, typography, drugs, materialism, society structure, female stereotypes, gay rights, women in history, sexuality and gender identity, as well as animals, nature and native American culture are all subjects that contribute to a diverse dialogue presented on the walls of Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Diana Contreras has painted some of the most recognizable women, such as her Queen Isabella, who reigns 40 ft tall in Miami’s Midtown. Other of her works include the blonde beauty on the façade of Brisky Gallery in Wynwood and a new series of mermaids. A passion for mermaids is shared by fellow Miami artist Tatiana Suarez, whose mermaid wall for the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project captures the artist’s love for the ocean and her South Florida home.

Each with their own distinct style, Diana, Tatiana, Kazilla, Jessy and Jill add strong and relevant voices to the local art scene. Their murals, gallery work and active engagement and involvement in the community play an integral role in moving this thriving art scene forward and add to the creative energy, beauty and cultural relevance of Miami. ~ Heike Dempster

GIRL POWER

Diana Contreras painting in Wynwood Photo by Robert Dempster

A brief, hastily written history of Miami graffiti.

In a sense the communist revolution of Fidel Castro played a hand in bringing New York style graffiti into Miami. The exodus of Cuban expatriates which forever changed the character of Miami also touched New York as a good number of Cubans settled there looking for their own piece of the American dream. Those familial ties meant that there was an interbreeding of

cultures between New York and Miami. So soon after Graffiti developed in NYC that exchange of cultures meant that Miami was exposed to the source of graffiti well before it spread to other places like Los Angeles. Families would travel back and forth and kids would bring photos of pieces in NYC or share and pass along black books filled with drawings.

In the early 80s graffiti in Miami was very primitive. Local writers weren’t doing much more than scribble scrabble and gang graffiti. In New York and its burrows graffiti had already blossomed into large colorful pieces with elaborate 3D letter forms. New York writers at that time were even using paints Miami guys didn’t even know they could use. Miami writers who had just been tagging their names on high school walls and bathroom stalls now had these large and elaborate pieces to inspire and challenge them.

One of these early pioneers who brought the New York style to Miami was HecOneLove. He and other Miami writers used to do graffiti in a building called the Penit which was on Fontainebleau Boulevard in Sweetwater. This abandoned building was rumored to have been a penitentiary but it was never completed and was abandoned. This made it a perfect place for writers like Hec to practice and perfect their craft. Eventually other abandoned buildings that became popular among graffiti writers were referred as penits. Later on, Hec started the Wall on Fame on Coral Way and 97th Avenue.

Like New York City we had walls, abandoned buildings and trains, but we also had Art Deco, Miami Vice and the Cuban culture. Our color and spice could not help but show up in our graffiti. The urban colors of NYC were replaced by the spicy and bright neon colors of Miami. Giving us one of the most colorful and unique styles of graffiti in the country. These days Wynwood is getting a lot of attention for its street art and a lot of artists from out of town come and get walls to paint their murals. But Wynwood as we know it today wouldn’t be the same if it were not for the graffiti writers who blazed the trail. Unfortunately this history is known to few outside the graffiti culture and it’s a history that should be preserved before it’s lost.

And that’s the view from 30,000 feet. I hope to get closer to the surface and to explore in more detail in subsequent parts of this article.~ Sandro Abate

MIAMI GRAFFITI

HecOne - Late 1980

After a lifetime of taking it for granted I’ve finally learned to appreciate my hometown for all its grittiness and glitz. With its scattered neighborhoods, each teeming with diversity, Miami has something for everybody. From the bakery where you’re greeted exclusively in Spanish, to the local bar featuring giant Jenga, even the beaches filled with tourists, Miami is a character with many faces. And the face that’s been getting most of the spotlight in recent years is also one of its most complex and diverse, the arts community.

With Wynwood garnering international buzz, and places like Downtown and Little Haiti close on its heels, street art has come out of the alleyways and into the galleries. Everything from the sidewalks to gallery ceilings are adorned with thought-provoking tidbits of the artsy persuasion. So it’s no surprise that this element of Miami’s culture has merged with the nautical side of our city over the years a little further south in Key Biscayne.

Originally a venue designed for boat race spectators and concerts, the Miami Marine Stadium became a sanctuary for street art years ago. Stencils, tags, and scribbles cover every inch the abandoned arena, each one reflecting a slice of Miami’s local flavors. Roaming through dark rooms filled with poetic etchings and expressive images surrounded by silence, exploring the expansive property you’re transported through a variety of emotions and impulses. One moment I shuffled to avoid a rusty rail stretching down from the ceiling and the next get lost in thought over some random phrase on the floor.

Eventually you make your way upstairs and discover that the nosebleed section anywhere else offers the best views in this arena. That’s where the weight of this place’s beauty hit me. Everywhere I looked were reminders of people who had been part of this city, whether as a resident or just rolling through. The structure stands as a constantly evolving chapter in Miami’s story, a temple of tiered and tired seats. The seatbacks tagged with signatures, and characters plastered on the walls opening onto the water stretching out beyond an empty stage.

The place is purely poetic. Abandoned isn’t the right word... adopted is more accurate. ~ Raquel Ofir | Yo Miami

ADOPTED CULTURE

Photo by Pascal Doytier

artists by presenting art work in a laid back environment at affordable prices.

Friday, June 13thCauley Square22400 Old Dixie Hwy, Miami FL 33170•”Every second Friday of the month, the studios and galleries of Cauley Square host an art walk filled with music and performances. Providing any artist a great venue to showcase their work.” 7-11pm

Saturday, June 14thWynwood Art Walk: Art Gallery, Public Art, and Event SpaceNW 2nd Ave (between NW 20th & NW 36th St), Wynwood Arts District•7 -11pm •Food Trucks located at the corner of 23rd & 2nd Ave.•During Wynwood Art Walk @ Ocean Grown Glass Gallery, 2701 NW 2nd Ave•OG3 Presents: Danny Camp & Chris-in-Chaos•A Live Glassblowing Demonstration & Artist Showcase - 4pm-Midnight

Saturday, June 21stDowntown Hollywood Art Walk Hollywood Blvd./Harrison St. & Tyler St.•3rd Saturday of every month 7-10pm

Sunday, June 22ndBakehouse Art Complex561 NW 32nd St, Wynwood Arts District •Pancake Party, 10am–3pm @BAC•Pancake Decorating. Pancake Eating Contest. Fully catered brunch•Create Artwork to Take Home. Interact with Professional Artists Painting Live •$25 General Admission•$15 BAC Members•$5 kids – 12 and under

Wednesday, June 25thWynwood Brewing Co.565 NW 24th St, Wynwood Arts District•Last Call Comedy Show. Last Wednesday of every month at 8pm

Thursday, June 26thBBAD Boynton Beach Art Walk408-422 West Industrial Ave, Boynton•Providing Florida Artists in all disciplines a venue to showcase their talent and creativity•Every 4th Thursday of the month 6-10pm

Saturday, June 28thFAT Village Art Walk North Andrews & NW 5th St, Fort Lauderdale •7-11pm

Friday, May 30thStudio181101 Poinciana Drive, Pembroke Pines •The 3rd annual Sincerity Project: HOME. Opening Gallery Social 7pm – 10pm•“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Charles Caleb Colton•Special Needs Community interprets artist’s images of home.•The “Sincerity House” Twenty 4’x8’ panels painted by established artists showcased to benefit Children’s Harbor in Pembroke Pines.•Closing: Thursday July 10, 2014

Saturday, May 31stHandcrafted Tattoo & Art Gallery3438 N Miami Ave, Wynwood Arts District•Beat Street. Miami Pro-Am Kickoff party. Free Art Show in Wynwood. •Ten of Miami’s Top Artists & DJ’s. Saturday, May 31st FAT Village Art Walk North Andrews & NW 5th St, Fort Lauderdale •7-11pm

Sunday, June 1st and Every Sunday Sunday Sauce Brunch at R House2727 NW 2nd Ave, Wynwood Arts District

Wednesday June 4thWood Tavern 2531 NW 2nd Ave, Wynwood Arts District•Gringo Bingo 1st Wednesday of every month Starting at 7pm

Friday, June 6thThe Downtown Miami Art WalkMcCormick Place 111 SW 3rd St, Miami•First Friday of the month - 6-10pm

Saturday, June 7thYou & I are Love Art ShowThe Social Lubricant Lounge 167 NW 23rd St, Wynwood Arts District•Live Painting & Live Music - 8pm til…

Saturday, June 7thWYN 317 Gallery167 NW 25th St, Wynwood Arts District•Art On Deck for Cuba Skate – Art Auction•Featuring Artwork from over 40 Artists

Sunday, June 8thYo Space294 NE 62nd St, Little Haiti•Average Joe Sale - 3-8pm•The whole idea behind these Average Joe sales is to make it possible for everyday people to be able to support their local

TALKING OFF THE WALLYour CommUNITY Street Artist’s Voice

FACEBOOK /talkingoffthewall

INSTAGRAM @talkingoffthewall

Masthead/Logo: Gabriel Gimenez aka GG

Poster: HecOne Love for C&I Studios, Fort Lauderdale. Photo: Pascal Doytier

Ads & Events due by the 10th of each [email protected]

Cover concept/photo: Pascal Doytier

TOTW talented writers, amazing photographers, contributors, unconditional supporters, artists and friends:Christy Thompson, Heike Dempster, Sandro Abate, Raquel Ofir, Sean R Sullivan, Craig Ledermann, Bryan Levy, Robert Dempster, Robert William, Andrew Kaufman, Jonathan Delgado, Sunshyne Reels, Myra Wexler aka Yo Momma, Yuval & Lorie Ofir, Sookie & Maddie Endo, Justin Hamel, Yess Miakoda, Zoel Zupstar, David McCauley, Renda Writer, TMNK aka Nobody, Luis Valle, Able Gw, Ivan Roque, Chy Tea Shoulin, GG, Danny Ferrer, Kelo, Jorge Rodriguez, Subi Roberto, 2Square, Kazilla, The DOWW, Leza One, HecOne, Diana Contreras, Atomik, Asek, Buddah Funk, Trek6, Elio Mercado, Derek Wilson, Effis Art, Registered Artist, Rigo Leon, 8bitlexicon, Steven Reyes, Nate Dee, Sergio Quinonez, Krave Art, Luis Berros, Tee Davis, Jessica Schnur, Abstrk, Astre74, Gons, Ernesto Kunde, Danelle & Michele Pino, Barbara de Varona, Monique Lassooij, Yuhmi Collective, Aquarela Sabol, Sharif Salem, Ramzi Adek, James Brutus, Jay Bellicchi, Rolando Chang Barrero, Axel Void, Jake Cordero, Nadia Desjardins, Stefanie Caro, Christopher Ian Macfarlane, Jenny Perez, Skott Marsi, Chor Boogie, Lee Hoechstetter and my children, Lucas, Maxence and Shayna. Special thanks to Steev Rullman & PureHoney Magazine for believing in TOTW and making it possible.Peace

WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE AN ARTIST? I realized I wanted to become an artist, ya know... I got here to the States at the age of 12 and I was lucky enough to travel up to New York City at the age of 13. And immediately I knew I wanted to be an artist when I saw those walls in New York City.

ANY FORMAL TRAINING?Well I have graphic design training. I have formal training, you know it’s interesting, I’ve been to the best art schools but never as a student.

BEST AND WORST MEMORIES?There’s a lot of good memories. I just

remember painting with my friends back then. Ya know, it’s a very, I can’t answer that question. It’s like the best memory of all the years of doing graffiti? I can’t think of any, too specific.

Getting arrested was the worst experience. Dealing with cops in general, is never a pleasant experience. Ya know, for some reason that profession attracts small minded people with small thoughts, small words and small minds and ya know I really just don’t get along with them. They don’t really understand what it is that we do or the sacrifice that it takes.

YOUR STYLEWell I would describe my style as ever changing. Ya know I think people think I’m now the “drip guy”, but that’s not really at all what I am. I’ve been changing my style and sort of redefining who I am and what I do for 30 years. So, my style hopefully is hard to recognize and at the same time easily recognizable. If you can understand that? I want people to understand that they can expect anything from me and not to pigeonhole me and say, “oh he’s the drip guy or he’s this guy”, cuz just when they least expect it I will come out with something new.

MESSAGE BEHIND LOVEISMThe message behind “Loveism” is really something that is individually answered. It is not something about like what’s Hec’s opinion on it. It’s something that I just put out there for the world to think about and define for themselves with their actions. So it’s not really about words or dogma or definition in a book, it’s about action. Each person, it’s up to them to define what it means to them ,if it means anything to them, but with their actions not with words.

PAINTING ON WALLSIt’s difficult, it takes experience. To understand that you’re dealing with a whole entire building, sometimes you’re dealing with the whole entire block. You know you have to have been painting for a long time, I’ve seen kids that go do their first piece, and when they go up to a wall (motions to the wall at thigh level) they think the wall, ya know, they think the piece starts down here. And so that’s very...it takes years to go from here (motions the height of the wall to his waist) to here (motions higher on the wall) to here (and higher) to there (motions to the top of the wall) to THERE (spreads is arms out to the entire area) ya know, to understand that ok, you’re dealing with things that are going to be seen and appreciated sometimes from like 170 feet wide.

COLLABORATIONSI collaborate with anyone, I’ve just always sort of been a lone wolf. I started a lot of crews and did things, collaborative when I was younger, but usually I was the one starting the crews and usually I was the one setting the agenda.

Back in the 80’s I first started TWB, that stands for “Together We Bomb”. Then I created the MOB crew, which were the “Master’s of Bombing” and I also co-created “Alive 5” with Sar, rest in peace. Those were all the 80’s crews. I also started the first “Wall of Fame” in Miami.

TYPICAL DAYYou want the real answer? Ha, typical day, uh, I have breakfast (laughs), ahhh ya know make some phone calls, return some emails. I usually have a wall or a painting I’m working on, most likely a wall or ya know. I make my own schedules, so the days are fluid. I try to have, when I have a painting day, I try to start early and try to have a full day. If I don’t get going to a wall by like 1 or 2, I usually don’t go I usually keep it as a business day.

WORD OF ADVICEDon’t do it for the money, because you’re not going to make any. Don’t do it for the fame, because you are not going to get the kind of fame that you want. Do it because you really can’t help doing anything else. I mean, do it because you can’t stop yourself. I mean if you’re going to be doing it illegally, you know you are going to be running in with the law and I already told you how unpleasant that is.

IMPORTANCE OF STREET ARTWhy is street art important? Street art is important because it’s real, well, it started out as something real and it can still be something genuine and it can still have a lot of meaning. It can be political. It can be social. It can be personal. It doesn’t require a pre-established gallery system or museum system or all these so called learned people who have to allow you into the world. If you just take ownership of the streets, and you just tell the world, “Here I am! Pay attention to me, I matter, I’m a human being.” And that’s about as quintessential artist cave writing. Ya know, it hasn’t really changed.~ Pascal Doytier

HEC ONE LOVE

Photo by Pascal Doytier

talking off the wall mag #2

Documents

walls of miami

character of miami

art basel miami beach

female artists

female street artists

cultural relevance of

local art scene

new york style graffiti