RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA walking through the DAN COLEN / NATE LOWMAN collaborative show – ‘WET PAIN’ – MACCARONE GALLERY, the West Village, NYC, SAT APRIL 5, 2008
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
‘WET PAIN’ is up until APRIL 26, 2008 – see: MACCARONE
~RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 11th, 2008, 11:49am
RYAN McGINLEY – ‘I KNOW WHERE THE SUMMER GOES’
opened THURS APRIL 3, 2008
the show runs APRIL 3 – MAY 3, 2008
TEAM – 83 GRAND ST – SOHO – NYC
read & see more about this show: TEAM/McGINLEY EXHIBIT
some pix from the opening – APRIL 3, 2008:
from left: A-RON and RYAN McGINLEY
A-RON (the Don) and RYAN McGINLEY, outside on the street, as the McGINLEY opening – ‘I KNOW WHERE SUMMER GOES’ – winds down.
JOHN WATERS scoped out the RYAN McGINLEY show.
NATE LOWMAN drops by.
DAN COLEN, also at the RYAN McGINLEY, ‘I KNOW WHERE SUMMER GOES’ opening.
NATE LOWMAN & DAN COLEN currently have a collaborative show up at MACCARONE – titled: ‘WET PAIN’, it is up until APRIL 26, 2008.
supposedly the opening was hugely packed & yes, one of those OLSEN twins, MARY KATE , did come by for like 2 seconds.
see more on that show: MACCARONE/’WET PAIN’
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~RYAN McGINLEY | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 11th, 2008, 11:07am
‘AFTER THE REALITY 2’ – curated by HOROMI YOSHII
APRIL 5 – MAY 3, 2008
DEITCH PROJECTS – 76 GRAND ST – SOHO
. . . the show opened last Saturday, April 5. the worst show to hit NYC in years. it was embarrassing to watch the opening collapse – as word quickly spread about how bad it was. Jeffrey made a big show of slinking out, in a big (old) limo, way before closing time.
while we are on the subject, apologies to ROSSON CROW, but that other DEITCH show, ‘SUBSTRACTION’, just around the corner, at the Wooster street location, is really bad, too.
too bad, her painting looked really good in that wonderful group show – PERRY RUBENSTEIN showcased her work in – last year. called ‘ACCIDENTAL PAINTING’, it ran from APRIL 4 – 28, 2007, and, it still looks good!!
check it out: ‘ACCIDENTAL PAINTING’, PERRY RUBENSTEIN
~HIROMI YOSHII-After the Reality 2/SUBSTRACTION | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 11th, 2008, 10:17am
WALTER ROBINSON, ‘Motel Marriage’, acrylic on board, 17-1/4 x 24-1/4 ins./PHOTO: COURTESY METRO PICTURES
WALTER ROBINSON – ’80s Paintings’
opened SATURDAY APRIL 5, 2008
the show runs APRIL 5 – MAY 3, 2008
METRO PICTURES – 519 WEST 24TH STREET – CHELSEA – NYC
see a ‘slide’ show of the exhibit on the gallery: website !!
some pix from the opening – APRIL 5, 2008:
WALTER ROBINSON greets us.
ALEXIS ROCKMAN, in green shirt, drops by the WALTER ROBINSON opening
Alexis Rockman currently has a show up at LEO KOENIG, called ‘South’,
it runs until APRIL 26, 2008.
there is a survey of the show on the gallery: website !!
WILLOUGHBY SHARP (claim to fame: 60’s/70’s minimalist art mag – “AVALANCHE’), LISA ROSEN and WALTER ROBINSON.
’80’s Paintings’ by WALTER ROBINSON
’80’s Painting’ by WALTER ROBINSON
’80’s Painting’ by WALTER ROBINSON
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~WALTER ROBINSON | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 11th, 2008, 10:17am
ANTHONY HADEN GUEST drops by the ‘GARY PANTER: Pictures from the Psychedelic Swamp:1972-2001’ opening, CLEMENTINE, APRIL 4, 2008
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
ANTHONY HADEN GUEST – HACKED BY A HO !!
makes the rounds of the openings last weekend – blissfully unaware that his confidential email is being circulated behind his back & that he is the laughing stock of his down & dirty party ‘pals’ !!
ANTHONY HADEN GUEST, born 1937, is a BRITISH PEER with a long lineage of doctor/soldier/statesman fighters. He just missed being the 5TH BARON, his (younger) brother from his dad’s 2nd marriage – seems to have scored that title. His dad sounds most unusual – a professional dancer, his stage name was PETER MICHAEL.
see:THE PEERAGE
He also has a website: moi
excerpt:
ORIGINAL POST: APRIL 6, 2008 – HOME PAGE
. . . anybody who has written anything ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ to ANTHONY HADEN GUEST – in the last little while – be warned – his email account’s security was breached.
Anthony – watch out for that art groupie, 40+ years younger than yourself – who has been ‘doing’ ya. Not only is she notorious for spreading VD among th art world “elite” – well, at least the – truly bon vivant ones – just ask a couple of your well-known pals – but, when you recently used her computer to check your email – she hacked into your account, after you left – and has been telling everyone about CHARLIE FINCH’S supposedly ‘confidential’ emails to you – esp re: “I hate my wife.”
. . . so, it was actually no surprise to see Charlie running around in Chelsea yesterday, on the way to WALTER ROBINSON’S opening at METRO PICTURES, telling everyone – “I’m back” – and exclaiming profusely happily – how he had just filed divorce papers . . “but don’t tell anybody” – trust me, Charlie – thanks to Anthony’s little ‘helper’ – everyone already knows !!
CHARLIE FINCH greets fans & well-wishers last weekend, in CHELSEA.
back from self-imposed exile up-state, he says he is back in his old apt in the East Village and ready to hit the scene in full force, again. He was on his way to the WALTER ROBINSON opening at METRO PICTURES, APRIL 5, 2008
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
~ANTHONY HADEN GUEST/CHARLIE FINCH | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 11th, 2008, 8:33am
OMG – look at this !! PAGE SIX is the best !!!
. . . the caption reads: “Natalie Portman strolls arm in arm around the West Village with her hairy new beau, Devendra Banhart.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Abaca/Ramey
PAGE SIX – NEW YORK POST, Thursday, April 10, 2008
~DEVENDRA & NATALIE PORTMAN !! | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 10th, 2008, 10:50am
portrait of DARK FAIR co-founder, JOHN RIEPENHOFF by PORTS BISHOP, taken at the DARK FAIR, using only reflected ‘glowstick’ illumination/PHOTO COURTESY: LITTLE CAKES LITTLE GALLERY
or, as we like to call him, John ‘Lennon lives’ Riepenhoff – when we manage to get his name spelled right !!
JOHN RIEPENHOFF runs the GREEN GALLERY in Milwaukee, as well as being part of MILWAUKEE INTERNATIONAL – the 5 person crew that brought NYC – the DARK FAIR.
check out: THE GREEN GALLERY
PHOTOGRAPHER PORTS BISHOP set up his tripod and medium format camera to take portraits at the DARK FAIR – powered only by 100% glowstick juice.
Participants were able to choose from three differently colored and arranged light boards, illuminated only by glowsticks, sit on a chair, and hold still for a couple of minutes, and have their ‘souvenir’ photo portrait taken at what will most certainly prove itself to be – one historic NYC art event.
HANNA FUSHIHARA ARON, wrote in the LITTLE CAKES press release: “The reflection of such unnatural light casts an otherworldly phosphorescence that could only come from the world of Sci-Fi or that of a rave. ..”
Ports Bishop’s digital ‘Glow Portraits’ were available for $20 – while an 8 x 10 ins. signed color print was available for $100.
see: PORTS BISHOP
see: LITTLE CAKES
ORIGINAL POST: THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008 – HOME PAGE
. . . no, JOHN RIEPENHOFF wasn’t at the SCOTT & TYSON REEDER OPENING – last nite – a beautiful gem of a show – he’s ALREADY in TOKYO !! . . at the 101 TOKYO ART FAIR !! where it’s said he is showing his “miniature art gallery tour” – some kind of contraption.. “where you climb a ladder – put your head up a box – and see a miniature fair” . . . as TYSON REEDER put it.
so, it does sound like we picked up on the right vibe – JOHN LENNON has come back to earth & inhabits JOHN RIEPENHOFF’S body.
TYSON REEDER further confirmed that, as if we hadn’t guessed – JOHN LENNON is JOHN RIEPENHOFF’S favorite artist !!
. . . also at 101 TOKYO – atm Gallery out of NYC, THE HAPPY LION out of L.A. & WILLY WONKA out of OSLO. 101 TOKYO features 28 galleries in all – and opens – today: THURS APRIL 3 – running thru Sunday, April 6, 2008
see: 101 TOKYO
~JOHN RIEPENHOFF/PORTS BISHOP/101 TOKYO | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 10th, 2008, 10:30am
ORIGINAL POST: SAT MARCH 29, 2008 – HOME PAGE
. . yep, the DARK FAIR delivered, lines to get in – snaked around the block & the buzz increased all nite long – as word of the excitement, fun and really dark space, so dark as to be electric, from random bursts of day-glow paint, black lights, glow stix & sparse candle flickers!! – not to mention the mostly cutting edge art & definitely the – coolest out-of-town visitors & galleries – quickly circulated. it was easy to forget that this was a FAIR, not a show !! even the “booths” are set-up to be like booths in a dark, black, black, black & exotic dive-y Thai restaurant. but, buyer be advised – there was !! some real good art to be bought, and at entry level prices!! some examples ? . . super deals on limited edition glow-in-the-dark prints by the likes of ARA PETERSON & MELISSA BROWN at PICTUREBOX . . . and, JACK HANLEY finally kicked in – with some great black & white drawings by OLIVER HALSMAN ROSENBERG – with OLIVER himself, manning the booth – and, giving free home-made TAROT CARD READINGS !! SPENCER SWEENEY, also manning his booth – has some great candles, who was the model ? – just behind him, at the GAVIN BROWN booth. of the visitors, INOVA had the most intense booth, with an interactive sensory ‘machine’ by CLARA JO & HARRELL FLETCHER. …
brand new, totally cool entry-level priced art was offered up at both the GENERAL STORE & the GREEN GALLERY booths…(duh!!), and, the folks at the OTHER GALLERY out of WINNIPEG & at ANGSTROM out of L.A. & DALLAS – were also very interesting… the DARK FAIR only runs one more day – too short!! – today, (SAT) until 9PM… so, if you are into really contemporary art – that should be your number one destination. then hit the armory. the big opening to-nite (SAT) of course is ‘SUBSTRACTION’ at DEITCH PROJECTS (WOOSTER ST.) with: KRISTEN BAKER, DAN COLEN, ROSSON CROW, ELIZABETH NEEL, STERLING RUBY & AARON YOUNG (6-9PM).
ORIGINAL POST: TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2008 – HOME PAGE
THE DARK FAIR AFTER-GLO !!
. . . THE FOLKS BEHIND THE DARK FAIR – THE RAWEST & BEST TIME – ART WISE – THIS CITY HAS SEEN IN A LONG LONG TIME – ARE: ELYSIA BOROWY-REEDER, TYSON REEDER, SCOTT REEDER, JOHN (‘LENNON LIVES AGAIN’) RIEPENHOFF & NICK FRANK – aka – collectively – MILWAUKEE INTERNATIONAL
. . . credit for bringing this blast to NYC also has to be given to GIANNI JETZER, the Director of the SWISS INSTITUTE.
see: SWISS INSTITUTE CONTEMPORARY ART NEW YORK
the background story – briefly stated – goes something like this: MATTHEW HIGGS, of WHITE COLUMNS, who might know the MILWAUKEE boys from shared GBE/passerby relationships (?) turned GIANNI JETZER onto the first ever MILWAUKEE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR, that took place OCT 20-21, 2006 in beer hall – MILWAUKEE . . . GIANNI had such a great time – he invited the crew to do something at the SWISS INSTITUTE & voila!! – THE DARK FAIR – the underground alternative – to the increasingly crass commercialism & trade fair vibe of the AMORY – !!
see: FIRST MILWAUKEE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR
. . . it’s interesting to note that ‘booths’ in the first fair (in Milwaukee) cost the grand total of $150 !! the booths at the DARK FAIR jumped in price to $800 per booth – with over 20 booths participating, that’s a total haul of at least $16,000 (still peanuts compared to ARMORY costs – where just the in-put ‘hook-up’ for the each booth’s lap top computer cost $250/per individual access I.D. !!) with most of that paying the costs of the visiting MILWAUKEE crew’s stay in NYC & the considerable costs of paying overtime 24/7 labor crews – to set up the fair – including painting the whole place – BLACK – 100% – and buying the plywood, etc, & constructing the ‘restaurant’ style indiviual gallery booths – & – then of course, dismantling it, and restoring the white walls of the SWISS INSTITUTE exhibition space.
(word was circulating that, inspired by this installation – the MILWAUKEE CREW wants to do an . . . ‘ICE FAIR’ – !! what the hell was that, you said – and you were answered . . you know – like go to . . WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, in CANADA and build each gallery little individual ice fishing huts on a frozen river … yikes.)
. . . back to the DARK FAIR:
we’re even going to let them into the artlovers (un)official NYC HALL OF ART SHOW FAME – because – even though they didn’t !! get shut down by the FIRE DEPT – the only requisite for Hall of Fame show acclaim – the FDNY – did show !! a crew of about 6-8 firefighters with looks of complete disbelief across their wary faces !! showed up at about 11 pm, and even though the show didn’t get shut down – it was a close & tense call for a while. so ok. this show is legend.
(up there with QUIET & RAGNORAK !!)
and yeah – MADONNA !! – you sure look and sound stupid. “nothing going on in the art world in NYC” – did you read her sound bite in the New York Times this past weekend – has-been chick – go back to London – its really rockin’ there. Young Brits, right !! . .
TAYLOR McKIMENS, not to mention JOE GRILLO – was spotted walking around the DARK FAIR, Friday nite !! as well, as a reported CINDY SHERMAN/DAVID BYRNE sighting . .
oh, yeah TAYLOR McKIMENS & BRIAN BELOTT had these great collaboration glow-in-the-dark monster black light ‘posters’ at the PICTUREBOX booth. (approx. $800 a piece – a steal !!) and … you had to have seen PORTS BISHOP taking large format tripod photo portraits, on – 100% glow stix juice !!!
see: VERNISSAGE TV CLIP/DARK FAIR OPENING
see: PIX FROM THE DARK FAIR OPENING !!
. . . JIM DRAIN and ARA PETERSON were spotted at the DEITCH ‘SUBSTRACTION’ opening. supposedly ROSSON CROW was all dolled up L.A. style !! and, just in – SIMON CERIGO says he saw CHARLIE WATTS of the ROLLING STONES – at the WHITE COLUMNS opening last Saturday, as well.
. . . if you missed the DARK FAIR – loser !! – there is still a chance to see these guys – up close and personal – SCOTT REEDER & TYSON REEDER OPEN A SHOW OF THEIR OWN WORK at DANIEL REICH GALLERY, on WED APRIL 2, 2008 (6-8 pm). called simply – ‘SCOTT REEDER / TYSON REEDER’ – the show runs APRIL 2 – MAY 17, 2008.
see: DANIEL REICH
JOHN RIEPENHOFF should be on hand at the opening as well – he usually is – at their openings.
~THE DARK FAIR / AFTER-GLO | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 3rd, 2008, 1:17pm
TAYLOR McKIMENS – PLANT ASSORTMENT – CeralArt booth/ARMORY FAIR – PIER 94
see: CeralArt
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
they’ve changed the name a bit, and are under new management/owners – it’s now called: ‘The Armory Show’ – plus they add on: ‘The International Fair of New Art’ – I guess as a way to distinguish it from the armory art shows at the actual armory building – where this one used to be – before it moved to PIER 94. though everyone on the street was calling it: “ARMORY FAIR/PIER 94” . . . leave it to New Yorkers to figure out their own working titles. (didn’t ex-Gov Pataki just say something like that, in reference to the Freedom Tower.. now called … something else !!)
. . . . it actually started off as a small alternative edgy ’boutique hotel’ fair – in small hotel rooms, with the art hung alongside the sinks and beds – with PAT HEARN, COLIN De LAND, (and later: PAUL MORRIS and MATTHEW MARKS) as the original founders, at the GRAMMERCY PARK HOTEL. now also – under new management – the original, or at any rate – the back-in-the-day – early 90’s – owner – committed suicide by jumping off the roof – in front of everybody. on the street, at the time . .
‘The Armory Show – The International Fair of New York’
New York City
March 27-30, 2008
Pier 94; 12th Avenue at 55th Street
see: THE ARMORY SHOW
ORIGINAL POST: THURS MARCH 27, 2008 – HOME PAGE
. . . things are going crazy here – NYC is wild !! THE ARMORY FAIR / PIER 94 – KICKED IN YESTERDAY for VIP’S & PRESS – it’s open to the GENERAL PUBLIC TODAY: THURSDAY running thru SUNDAY.
. . . CHELSEA is up and running too, with great shows in almost every gallery & so is BROOKLYN !! there are 12 ART FAIRS – in total – going on in MANHATTAN – see: MAP BELOW.
. . . SIMON CERIGO’S got the advance buzz on the ARMORY FAIR !!
FIRST UP: BILL BRADY at atm was sighted being interviewed by a huge T.V. crew – explaining the solemn solo totemic piece by HUMA BHABHA that occupies his large otherwise empty booth – to great effect.
NEXT: the CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS triptych at DAVID ZWIRNER was attracting a lot of serious buyer attention – possibly because of his great solo show, (that’s also according to Simon), currently up at the DAVID ZWIRNER GALLERY on 19TH ST.
NEXT: the other standout piece to the blue-chip collectors was the CHAPMAN BROS. pastoral diorama, encased in glass and priced at 600,000 English pounds/about a million $US – at LONDON DEALER JAY JOPLIN’S WHITE CUBE booth.
changing gears: FOXY PRODUCTION has an exciting gallery selection, including a huge STERLING RUBY and a mesmerizing MICHAEL BELL-SMITH. CANADA was featuring a huge ‘beige’ monochrome painting – by JOE BRADLEY – wickedly smart – or – a ‘get-over’ piece if – YOU!! – were clueless. they say they will also be exhibiting a BRIAN BELOTT BOOK display, and a huge MICHAEL WILLIAMS painting by Sunday. (which they did & the MICHAEL WILLIAMS painting got great word-of-mouth reviews, & buzz off the street – “the new!! neo-impressionist par extraordinaire.”
DANIEL REICH had a knock-out piece by SEAN RASPET, an unpredictable AMY GARTRELL, and ‘teasers’ by TYSON REEDER & SCOTT REEDER, the next gallery exhibit opening APRIL 2nd . . (and 2 of the MILWAUKEE INTERNATIONAL ‘flames’ behind the DARK FAIR !!)
BELLWETHER had the only ‘real’ installation, a booth-wall to booth-wall – ramp – or – inclined wooden floor by DAPHNE FITZPATRICK. (her big shoe made the TIMES review). the ANDREW KREPS display was also very striking – for its RICCI ALBENDA & ROE ETHRIDGE array.
at the SWISS INSTITUTE AMORY booth: GIANNI JETZER, Director and PIPER MARSHALL, Assistant Curator.
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
and, finally – the folks at the SWISS INSTITUTE booth – were already celebrating the great buzz that their DARK FAIR had already generated !!
. . . presented and produced by the MILWAUKEE INTERNATIONAL/ART FAIR CREW – ELYSIA BOROWY-REEDER, TYSON REEDER, SCOTT REEDER, JOHN RIPPENDORF & NICK FRANK – it opens this FRIDAY/MARCH 28, 2008 – 6-12PM – and will be open all day SAT MARCH 29 (12noon-9PM) only.
the inside buzz on the FRI opening is: get there early, like 5, (or else late) – when the doors will open to VIP guests, or possibly face a long wait.
they are definitely envisioning crowd control issues.
BRIAN BELOTT & LARISSA VELEZ will be presenting ‘THE WORDLESS CHORUS-LIVE at THE DARK FAIR’, on both FRI & SAT nites at 8PM.
PORTS BISHOP will be presenting a “glow sticks powered” – ‘PHOTO PORTRAIT BOOTH’ and CHRISTIAN HOLSTAD will be featured in the ‘INDOOR SCULPTURE GARDEN’ !!
update: THURS/APRIL 3, 2008 – it is now generally agreed by all – that JUSTIN SAMSON’S free standing – black light – reflecting – minamalist/futuristic/animalistic ‘sculpture’ – stole the scene in that back area. he was helped out by his sound track – a loop of loudly amplified ‘found’ insect noises – cobbled together by BRIAN BELOTT – on PETE PEZZIMENTI’S sound equipment . . .
back to the DARK FAIR: over 20 cutting edge galleries will participate !! for more on the DARK FAIR – a “subversive & experimental miniature art fair taking place without the use of natural or electric light” –
see: SWISS INSTITUTE/CONTEMPORARY ART
MAP of the MARCH 27-29, 2008 WEEKEND – ART FAIRS in N.Y.C.
map courtesy: THE CHRISTIANIA GUIDE TO NYC ART FAIRS
CHRISTIANA was providing its (free flowing) vodka, after 6PM, at the ARMORY PIER 94 – VIP opening – last nite !!
see: pix from the armory opening reception !!
~ARMORY/DARK FAIR/EARLY BUZZ | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | March 27th, 2008, 12:15pm
BENSON LEE’S – PLANET B-BOY is playing in NEW YORK at the LANDMARK SUNSHINE on DELANCEY, Lower East Side – looks like the last 2 days !! are today & tomorrow WED & THURS MARCH 26-27, 2008.
TIMES: 12, 2:20, 4:40, and 9:30
note: the showing has been extended thru beginning of APRIL – check with SUNSHINE !!
you’ve got to check out the film’s website – the film looks to be great !!!
and the site’s graphics are wow – !!
(do not miss hitting the VIDEO option – !!)
see: PLANET B-BOY/new official website !!
more info: LANDMARK SUNSHINE/DELANCEY ST.
specifically: PLANET B-BOY
PLANET B-BOY/IMAGE COURTESY: ELEPHANT EYE FILMS
PLANET B-BOY/IMAGE COURTESY: ELEPHANT EYE FILMS
P.S. – VASCO LUCAS NUNES is the cinematographer, (official title: Director of Photography) of PLANET B-BOY.
. . . here in NYC – JOSH HARRIS & MILLENNIUM 2000 QUIET PARTY PEOPLE – know him – as an associate of ONDI TIMONER’S – who filmed QUIET for JOSH. they are now married and have a small child. ONDI TIMONER went on to make DIG! – WINNER of the 2004 SUNDANCE GRAND JURY PRIZE. VASCO NUNES was the cinematographer and co-producer of DIG!. PLANET B-BOY looks to be another victory – VASCO !!
ONDI TIMONER, founder of Interloper Films (1994), who wrote, directed and edited DIG! – WINNER of the 2004 SUNDANCE GRAND JURY PRIZE – with VASCO LUCAS NUNES, the cinematographer and co-producer of DIG!, at the DVD RELEASE SCREENING, in New York City, APRIL 11, 2005
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
see: the original TIMONER/DIG! post
UP-DATE: THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008
PLANET B-BOY is still playing in NYC !!
B-BOY stands for Beat-boy or breakdancer. this film’s got the real juice – 100% – and its really all about the B-boys. the footage is incredible. Vasco must have loved this assignment – big time !! the story is really & truly told by the photo footage.
first: what’s great about the film, from the point of view of an artist – is the way the filmmakers really focus on the skills, and try to break down for the viewer, the individual crew styles of the 18 different competing international teams – which helps the audience to truly comprehend the range & evolution of beat dancing. so we see the crew from FRANCE is very musical and very ‘kid friendly’ in way that couldn’t be believed until seen, here !! – the Japanese & Koreans are like – ACROBATIC DEATH MATCH TO THE WALL – combatants, and the USA team from Los Vegas – is kind of like – showmanship-in-motion fluid. They are all super super great & hyper dedicated 24/7 performer/athletes. it’s kind of heart breaking to see them compete. they all pretty much put their entire lives on hold to train (& develop heart stopping routines) – at very grass level starting points, (translation: no real financial funding whatsoever) and they are all so engagingly ego-pumped up & driven from all the physical training & dedication – esp. with the B-boy stress on street smarts and one-upmanship – that to watch them face-off – to the music and with the ‘moves’ – is just plain outright – amazing.
the camera says it all: you watch this kid – who you know is the best !! – and he knows he is the best – but his jaw just drops – when he sees – what the next crew lays down. I left thinking – wow – I’m just glad that kind of highly charged competition doesn’t exist in my world – I’d be screwed. I just have to face off against, who: a pretty tame ‘writing’ crew to put it politely.
second: they should take some of that mainstream big bucks they throw at figure skaters – and throw it at the B-boys.
third: as well as highlighting the individual crews so well, the film also pinpoints the individual stars within the crews, flashing their names on the screen – and giving them plenty of individual air time. like one contestant says: whenever you see a JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE up there, on stage – better believe – there’s always an un-named and un-recognized beat boy off-stage – showing him the moves. the film definitely tries to address that.
fourth: the final throw-down – when the 4 top crews – compete – is the kind of war dance – you wish all wars could be decided on. individual crew members just spontaneously spring into action, and get literally, in-the-face of the other crew – with improvised riffs that defy my writing ability – just skills skills skills onslaught no-stop – to the beat of the tough street kid music.
these guys should be running the world, not just b-dancing the streets.
~PLANET B-BOY | Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | March 26th, 2008, 3:28am
