Gothamist: Getting Up Party on West 22nd Right Now

b.Mackin

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 10:05:50 -0500

^^^ To Jay Smooth..AMEN "It did not come across as a commercial/promotional event at all..." and that's because ecko wasn't allowed to show promotions for the video game. Thus making the first and second post assed out with shinning colors. To MATT, I ask, what in your opinion, would have made this a "legit" celebration of hip-hop culture or even an "art thing" as oposed to (in your words) "just another promotional event/publicity stunt"? There was no visual promotion of the video game there at all. they do this kind of event in europe all the time. It's straight up a way to get good writers together to paint. kids come out, watch cats paint, get down with blackbooks, breakdance circles form, cypher cirrcles form. I personally saw all these things happening here yesterday. Not to mention 10 year old kids getting schooled on their history, walking around with blackbooks hunting for legend's tags like it was Holloween. I know not everyone on here understands the culture, just be humble and recognize $hit might be over your head.

grey suit

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 09:46:25 -0500

i wish our real trains were that vibrant. color improves the mood.

Jay Smooth

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 23:56:01 -0500

I was concerned about the Ecko/Atari tie-in beforehand, but after seeing it for myself I couldn't disagree more with those first commenters. It did not come across as a commercial/promotional event at all, but a surprisingly authentic and downright joyous celebration of hip-hop culture. One of the best hip-hop events I've been to in quite some time. If I hadn't read this blog I would've had no idea the event was promoting a video game, I was there for 3 hours and never heard or saw it mentioned once. I posted some pics on my site at http://www.hiphopmusic.com/archives/001117.html

sP

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 22:29:10 -0500

looks like fun to me

Will

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 21:34:26 -0500

I liked it. My photos.

Bucky

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:34:44 -0500

I wrote an email to Peter Vallone today. I told him he should quit politics and do PR instead. He has been responsible for getting Ecko and Atari more press then a brand could pay for. Good work Pete.

pugsley

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 13:23:40 -0500

Ecko got a million dollars worth of publicity from the politicians just by constructing a hundred dollar plywood subway car. I can understand how he got to be a trouser mogul.

me

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 12:29:13 -0500

I work on this street and completely agree with previous poster. This is in no way a public art event, it's all about Ecko selling his friggin' video game. Why he chose this street as the site of his protest-come-promitional event remains beyond me. And mother nature, in response to his and his friends' contributions to nyc's air pollution problem, just knocked one of his panels down in a fit of rage. You go girl!

Matt

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 12:16:02 -0500

I don't know. I just went by and I have to say it was kind of lame. Why did I think there would 3D trains there and not just lame panels? Also, I wish more people saw this as just another promotional event/publicity stunt and less some art thing. Sure, there are some "old school" artists "getting up" on "trains," but whatever.