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Gothamist has many thoughts about the arrest of graffiti artist James De La Vega, or De La Vega (in chalk) as many know him. On one hand, his neighborhood loves his murals and doesn't consider them blights, which is contrary to what the Bronx District Attorney thinks. However, he was doing something illegal, and, besides, all great graf artists get arrested at least once, so he should take it like a man. And he was doing something illegal. But would 30 days in jail really set an example for other graffiti artists? Especially when the Central Park Conservancy is auctioning a bench by De La Vega. Tomorrow, there will be a protest for him at his gallery at 1651 Lexington Avenue (E. 104th Street) - we'd like to see some of the swells on the Central Park Conservancy's board there. More works by De La Vega and a Harlem Live piece about him.
Related: The Times on whether graffiti on a hat is art.
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Check out the 'fro in the Times! Thirty days? That's harsh. Don't they mete out fines for that kind of thing?
Not in the same league, but who is the guy who goes around the Gramercy/Flatiron area scrawling "Neck Face"? That's just silly.
Having worked and exhibited with James let me say that he is a great artist and role model for his community. Sadly he has rec'd some bad legal counsel and that has resulted in some unfair charges/sentencing. Doing a 60 day stint for a working artist with a small child is something that he is unable to do. Finally, he neither considers himself a graffiti artist nor do other graf writers. So in closing, support him because he is representing our rights and they are more in danger now than ever before.
there was actually an article in the new yorker on neck face earlier this month.
It's interesting that De La Vega's work is considered defacement/destruction of property-- it's in CHALK. Chalk washes off. Quickly.
Not fast enough IMHO- platitudes for the chuckleheaded hipster masses- crap
The man's way more of a genius than he is a nutcase. his talent, his commitment and his drive rock yours, and hipster or not, the man should at least be left alone, and at best celebrated and given a larger platform for his work.
Now I want graffiti on my hat.
Oh, save the drama. He writes trite nonsense on sidewalks. The only skill he exhibits is neat penmanship.
you are a sterling asshole. try visiting his studio before you pretend to know what your are talking about.
Save the drama indeed. I hate him. He writes like a sophomore philosophy student on ecstasy. He is trite, unsophisticated, annoying, and boring. The day I visit his studio is the day I start collecting Thomas Kinkade.
If you want to read a truly eloquent, thoughtful piece, then take the time to read Judge Marrero's opinion in the _Mastrovincenzo_ case. You can find it at . Judge Marrero, who I've had the honor of meeting, and who's thoughtful and very gracious in person, wrote an exceptionally smart and insightful piece on art v. commerce and the delineation. It's better written than 99% of judicial opinons, and quite accessible even for those with no legal experience.
Even narrow-minded people like Sterling, if they take the time to read it, should learn a thing or two. The opinion should be very enlightening for those people who think the law is a cold monolith.
they day you keep an open unjaded mind is the day all of you non-ny transplants will go the fuck back to where you are originally from. become my dream!
I don't know why my last posting excised the URL -- it is nysd.uscourts.gov/Rulingsofinterest.htm
vajimbot- you are quite an example of a person with an unjaded and open mind. And sarcasm aside, quite a moron. Odd the "non-ny transplant" (are you just covering up for some upstate roots? transplants from Albany are suddenly cooler than ones from Arkansas?)Is that another example of dela Vaga philosophy? I would be happy to see his art in a studio or gallery- or avoid such places. And trust me from what I have seen, I have better things to do.
dude, what're you talking about? first of all im all city. second its a miracle that im as unjaded and open-minded as i am. i just dont have any appetite for fake haters such as yourself who pretend to know. seriously if you want me to school you, step right up.
Now you all sound like idiots. Who really cares if your from the city or arkansas it has nothing to do with anything. Herkimer's comment was hilarious but harsh...maybe true... but who cares...that's not the point either..the point is someone is going to jail with rapists, killers, burglers, stick up ass wipes, etc, etc.. for writing on city property with chalk. That's really messed up.
Dude, wow you are sooooo cool, please school away.
And up your meds.
a) It's a miracle that you're as unjaded and openminded as you are? is "unjaded and openminded" all city code fo "simplistic and shallow"?
b) Anyone whose idea of art is photo of someone's scrawling of "fuck bloomberg" yojimbot's site on a bathroom wall ought to be (and probably is) graffiti-ing trucker hats for a living.
c) Trust me, there is nothing fake about my hate.
the fact is delavega is a positive force and if that seems cheesy or shallow to you then thats more your problem then his. knowing what i know about him and his work leads me to believe you are just jealous. why dont you break your ass to produce some original art just to have ignorant people try to tear you down. ok so some of his work is hit or miss, all i see from you are misses. so really go back home to mommy and daddy, ny doesnt need you.
true about the vandalsquad but the point is that his original "bust" was a legit mural that he had permission for. in other words he was railroaded and now he's fucked. as for the trucker hat guys they were arrested twice but the charges were dropped. ps what did you write?
why did you stop writing? was it guliani time?
As another NNY, I wish vajidiot would stop throwing around his silly, I am so cool and know better becasue I am a NY'er. And jealous of caulk scribbles- I think not. Glad to see you are so passoinate about it though. Maybe you should do some crayon work with your therapist.
Oh, save the drama. Sterling writes trite nonsense on blog comments. The only skill he exhibits is bloated ego and a stick up his arse.
he broke the law . he got caught . now he's crying ... aawww poor artist ... poor hipster . get a real job ! my niece plays with chalk . graf is lame , all you " too cool for everything " artists are pretty lame also ...
i dont think im cooler than you bc im from ny. im cooler than you bc im not a dick to people and feel confident enough to show love.
"The opinion should be very enlightening for those people who think the law is a cold monolith."
Exactly. Laws are not written in stone and deal cutting happens all the time. What's De La Vega's crime? Writing on publicr property WITH CHALK! Does he deserve to spend 30 days in jail for that? Fuck no! People like his work and it's really more in line with a lot of the chalk art work people did in the 1960s than modern graffiti culture. People like his work. And even if they don't, it washes away in a day or so. It's a lot less innoucuois than having to stare at illegal billboards that Viacom and Clear Channel puts up. And that communities have to fight for years to get torn down. When has ANY Viacom of Clear Channel exec ever been in jail for 30 seconds let alone 30 days.
And also you realize that if he goes to jail for 30 days for writing wiith chalk, let's arrest every damned elementary school kid who writes on the sidewalks and on the side of brownstones? Those little punks are ruining my quality of life.
The funniest thing about Sterling's argument is that he's defended the Martha Stewart convictions. Describing them as "corporate witch hunts". Yeah, whatever. She steals and screws people over and breaks the rules she should not serve time. But an artist whose work is not as destructive as you might think who supports his family with his work should go to jail. What a fucking ass you are Sterling. Attitudes likes yours is why tons of native New Yorkers are sick and tired of yuppie assholes invading this city.
You want to know why NYC is cool? It's not because of yuppie assholes, but it's because of artists and others who helped create a cool culture in NYC. Graffiti artists get busted like crazy, but this is really out of line.
I wonder if you all would be having the same conversation if we were talking about Keith Haring instead of James De La Vega. There is an undercurrent of racism in this exchange that's QUITE palpable.
So where can I buy the L.E.S. Octopus on a t-shirt?
30-60 days in jail is bad- but not as bad as the million dollar fine that they tried to slap on adam cost when they caught him back in the mid-1990s. i know DLV doesn't consider himself a graffiti artist, but that's a pretty subtle point for people outside the graf community- for instance, his judge, or the vandal squad.
bottom line is that street artists face these risks- you can protest the laws that make things that way- but unfortunately, that's the law that is in place right now.
"I wonder if you all would be having the same conversation if we were talking about Keith Haring instead of James De La Vega. There is an undercurrent of racism in this exchange that's QUITE palpable."
Booya! Right on the head. Keith Haring was white. Did pseudo graffiti. Has a store. Is a respected artist. De La Vega is non white. Does pseudo graffiti. Has a store. Is a respected artist.
No difference people. No difference at all.
It's like Steve Buscemi's character said in Ghost World. While on the one hand it's good that racist is really demonized in this nation, there is an inherent dishonesty in this poitically correct world we live in. People avoid the overt racism yet the racism that divides and treats people differently based on race or perceptions of race still wins.
The difference between Haring and De La Vega is a Swatch deal.
I think 30 days is harsh, but de la vega knew or should have known that was a possible penalty & he did it anyway.
What I don't get is if his art is so appreciated & there are business owners who give him permission to decorate their buildings, what he was doing defacing unsupportive people's property? I can say that I would be pretty pissed if I came home & found the facade of my building turned into 'art'.
It is a risk that de la vega took & now he has to pay the price. That he is a respected artist should not save him from a penalty that might be imposed with no debate on an unknown artist. if the law is the problem, the law should be changed but it should not be applied arbitrarily depending on an artist's level of general approval. de la vega should start respecting other people's property or be willing to accept the consequences.
& I must be missing something because I don't see the racial undertones in the postings. Our streets, homes & businesses are not his, or anyone else's, canvases to use as he sees fit without an owner's approval.
Liana. Do you know who Keith Haring is? Do you know how much artwork was done on property without permission? He got arrested a few times. He never had to do 30 days in jail. But his art is on greeting cards and mugs and t-shirts that many "hip" yuppies snatch up like crazy. Many of the same people who complain that the city should "clean things up".
The racial undertones come from the fact that people are so quick to judge De La Vega and say "He should have expected it..." without showing the same comments/criticism towards others who do similar thing. And frankly so many people were quick to comment on this site about how there's corporate "witch hunting" involved in Martha Stewart and TYCO trials. Baiscally excusing big business and white execs. But when it comes to non white artists, those exact same people are screaming bloody murder.
The fun fact is that getting busted for doing graffiti usually means a day or two in jail and a fine. And that's it. 30 days? Please. That is excessive.
who's got something?.....I'm going to spraypaint "The Gothamist" on it!
"The fact remains, he took the risk of doing something illegal, got caught, and was sentenced. If you think its unfair, organise a referendum for a vote making it legal to do chalk drawing on peoples property without their consent. I'm an artist myself. I love street art. Part of its appeal is the inherent risk involved. Take that away, and theres no point in it."
Simon, what a little yuppie "the law is the law" whiner you are. Chalk drawing on private propertry? If you are serious about that statement go arrest some of the kids in yuppie neighborhoods who draw with chalk on every surface.
You "law is the law" people are such morons. Thirty days is simply too much. Anyone can see it. But you pasty ass yuppie foodies are such idiots. You've never had to deal with the excessive nature of the law ever. What's the worst problem in your life? A single roach in your apartment? Go back to whever you came and leave this city alone. Or go and whine aboutr smoking laws and coctail nation inconvenience laws. You know, the important things.
"Crabs like you got shanked where I'm from."
Where are you from? Crabs? Shanked? What are you from? Some 1930s prison drama? The prison that Popeye and Brutus hang out in with Wimpy!
Get a clue toy. You're busted and broke.
cant we all just get along?!?
In my comment I said I must be missing something because I don't see the racial undertones. "de la vega" was nice enough to fill me in on what he saw in the discussion. I have to say I still don't see it. There may very well have been some racial prejudice in the disparate treatment of harding & de la vega, but that does not mean that the people discussing the issue in this forum are supporting that. Like I said, I think the penalty is harsh, but if it were my property, I doubt I would have any sympathy for de la vega or harding. I think the penalties, whatever they may be, should be applied evenly across the board.
Mr Legal wrote: "You "law is the law" people are such morons. Thirty days is simply too much. Anyone can see it. But you pasty ass yuppie foodies are such idiots."
Is it impossible to have a discussion without resorting to childishly insulting people you know nothing about? You have no idea who anyone writing is, where they came from, or their life experience. NYC is full of natives (and plenty of newcomers) with a wide variety of views, I think that is part of the city's charm. What would lead you to assume that every person raised in NYC agrees with you & that those that don't must be from somewhere else? Suffice to say that since I don't agree with you, you're wrong on that one.
As far as children who chalk up sidewalks, if I see one I drag the little brat back to his/her house & tell the parents to mind their children. Somehow I think we are past the point of requesting that de la vega's mom keep a better eye on him. The comparison is also ludicrous because it does not take into consideration the state of mind and intent of the children v. adults.
Liana, whatever you say is whatever you say, but I call bullshit on this statement-
"As far as children who chalk up sidewalks, if I see one I drag the little brat back to his/her house & tell the parents to mind their children. "
Yeah, you come up to little kids playing hopscotch and tell their parents to take better care of them. Yeah. Right. I'll PayPal you a million dollars if you've ever done that once. Liar.
Liana, whatever you say is whatever you say, but I call bullshit on this statement-
"As far as children who chalk up sidewalks, if I see one I drag the little brat back to his/her house & tell the parents to mind their children. "
Yeah, you come up to little kids playing hopscotch and tell their parents to take better care of them. Yeah. Right. I'll PayPal you a million dollars if you've ever done that once. Liar.
You seem to have misunderstood. I don't patrol the streets of NYC looking for children playing hopscotch & I didn't say I did. But when I've found kids drawing on my stoop & in front of my house, I do direct them back to their parents. I did it twice last summer. If the parents are ok w/their children making a mess, they can let them do it in on their own property.
I'm waiting for my million.
& please stick to using your imaginary names in your postings, not mine.
It's interesting how some people pull out the "Yo I'm from New York" card when cornered....
Interesting how day in and day out, so many tough-ass thugs who grew up in the toughest ghettos of New York City flex their messageboard skills on a weblog. The Internet is super neat-o.
Tough-ass thugs who were slumming it in the streets of New York may be surprised that a number of "New Yorkers" who gave this city its name or gave it character weren't even from the city.
Newsflash: Whether someone emigrates 3,000 miles or hops over from Jersey, New York's character comes from the constant influx of people from other places.
Some people who aren't from NYC: Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Bill Murray, Andy Warhol, Spalding Gray, Jason Alexander, Marlon Brando, Lydia Lunch, Richard Hell... even Grandmaster Flash wasn't originally from NYC (but his family did emigrate to the Bronx in his younger years, which I assume made him a New Yorker. Or since he wasn't born in New York, does he not qualify as a New Yorker? I assume he also must have spraypainted things if he was a New Yorker, right?)
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/20/4084c9e311347?in_archive=1
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/20/4084c9e311347?in_archive=1
All of you need to do more research. I support De La Vega, as a writer myself I don't want prison sentences dished out to anyone trying to make a spot for themselves or for others.
BUT, there have been WAY harsher penalties dished out to graffiti artists. GKAE is serving 3 years at the moment.
People are so easy to say it isnt an art... well smart guy then what would you call it? plain and simple its so obvious! i guess we'll all have to wait another 20 years until we can look back on it. Art in your face in life and not behind closed doors. Art that immitates life, and people get famous.
fuck if your too blind to see these gifts.
People are so easy to say it isnt an art... well smart guy then what would you call it? plain and simple its so obvious! i guess we'll all have to wait another 20 years until we can look back on it. Art in your face in life and not behind closed doors. Art that immitates life, and people get famous.
fuck if your too blind to see these gifts.