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Culture Shock San Diego dances graffiti
Cross-posted lots of places. A spray artist I greatly admire, Pose 2, has written and choreographed a dance show. I won't be able to go, which is very disappointing! But perhaps some of you can. The following is from the press release for the show:
You’re driving down the highway and out of the corner of your eye, you see the familiar bare concrete has transformed overnight. Large letters bloom like dandelions along the side of the road. What you don’t see, what’s hidden, is the alchemy that went on in the night: the kid wired on adrenaline, clutching a can of paint, sweat running down his back as he struggles to tell his story, make his mark, make his voice heard before the sirens down the road get too close. He’s competing and collaborating with rivals and friends, his nights are a complex ballet of navigating between art and the law, other taggers whirling around and past him to the pounding beat of his heart.
Internationally renowned graffiti writer Pose 2 shows us the hidden drama behind the flat images under bridges and along roads familiar to all of us. He brings to life, to dance, the living and often illegal fringe of graffiti. The acclaimed Culture Shock San Diego dance troupe body rocks their way through this surreal journey as break-dancing and graffiti art merge to visually entertain and enlighten upon the most controversial art movement in the history of man.
WHO: International Graffiti Writer Pose 2 and Culture Shock San Diego dance troupe
WHAT: "Graffiti Life: The Color of my Sole” Theatrical dance show exploring the underground world of graffiti through hiphop dance
WHEN: May 28 and 29, 7 p.m.; May 30, 2 and 7 p.m.; May 31, 5 p.m.
WHERE: Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza
Aside from asking larger questions about graffiti, such as whether it’s art or trash, “Graffiti Life” reveals the different philosophies and conflicts among graffiti writers. The story follows Ill (played by Sherman Shoate), a dominating male character who symbolizes the angry, destructive aspect of graffiti; SheRock (played by Angela Molton), the female lead who exemplifies the beauty and uplift the art has to offer; and the Young Boys Crew (played by David Silvas, David Henry and Jeremy “Jermz” Mascardo), a new generation of up-and-coming graffiti writers who are influenced by both faces of the art form and struggle to find their place within the culture.
Part of the proceeds from the show will be used to offer three scholarships for a seven- to 14-week session of the “Graffiti as an Art Form Class” at the Art Academy of San Diego in North Park taught by Pose 2. Winners also will receive a package of free dance classes at the renowned Culture Shock Dance Center. There are no requirements; all ages are encouraged to apply and graffiti writing experience isn’t necessary.
Tickets for “Graffiti Life” cost $25 and $22 for seniors, the military and students. Seating is general admission. Tickets will be available at the Culture Shock Dance Center, the Lyceum box office and online at www.lyceumevents.org and www.sdartstix.com starting April 21. Pre-sale tickets, which cost $20, are now available at the Dance Center. The show will run alongside “Pose 2 is Mr. Maxx Moses,” an exhibit of Pose 2’s graffiti work on display in the Lyceum’s Upstairs Lobby gallery until June 6.
# # #
As a self-described “Concrete Alchemist,” Pose 2 has painted and exhibited his work in various Cities throughout the world, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Paris and Osaka. As part of his efforts to promote graffiti as an art form, he co-produced, co-directed, and narrated a documentary titled “FX The Video”, which highlights the present evolution of graffiti art and the artists who instigated its development. He works as an artist-educator to help uplift communities that have traditionally been marginalized, through art. Currently he is teaching at the San Diego Art Academy while doing projects internationally.
A 17-year stalwart in the dance community, Culture Shock San Diego’s members have gone on to perform with Destiny’s Child and Missy Elliott. Several CSSD alumni in the Jabbawockeez took home a win on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew. Created in 1993 by Angie Bunch, the Culture Shock family has outposts in Los Angeles; Oakland; Las Vegas; Chicago; Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; and in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. The groups all carry the mission, “We are a troupe of individuals who, through the power of music and dance, cultivate self-worth, dignity and respect for all people.” San Diego is the home branch of Culture Shock. www.cultureshockdance.org.
You’re driving down the highway and out of the corner of your eye, you see the familiar bare concrete has transformed overnight. Large letters bloom like dandelions along the side of the road. What you don’t see, what’s hidden, is the alchemy that went on in the night: the kid wired on adrenaline, clutching a can of paint, sweat running down his back as he struggles to tell his story, make his mark, make his voice heard before the sirens down the road get too close. He’s competing and collaborating with rivals and friends, his nights are a complex ballet of navigating between art and the law, other taggers whirling around and past him to the pounding beat of his heart.
Internationally renowned graffiti writer Pose 2 shows us the hidden drama behind the flat images under bridges and along roads familiar to all of us. He brings to life, to dance, the living and often illegal fringe of graffiti. The acclaimed Culture Shock San Diego dance troupe body rocks their way through this surreal journey as break-dancing and graffiti art merge to visually entertain and enlighten upon the most controversial art movement in the history of man.
WHO: International Graffiti Writer Pose 2 and Culture Shock San Diego dance troupe
WHAT: "Graffiti Life: The Color of my Sole” Theatrical dance show exploring the underground world of graffiti through hiphop dance
WHEN: May 28 and 29, 7 p.m.; May 30, 2 and 7 p.m.; May 31, 5 p.m.
WHERE: Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza
Aside from asking larger questions about graffiti, such as whether it’s art or trash, “Graffiti Life” reveals the different philosophies and conflicts among graffiti writers. The story follows Ill (played by Sherman Shoate), a dominating male character who symbolizes the angry, destructive aspect of graffiti; SheRock (played by Angela Molton), the female lead who exemplifies the beauty and uplift the art has to offer; and the Young Boys Crew (played by David Silvas, David Henry and Jeremy “Jermz” Mascardo), a new generation of up-and-coming graffiti writers who are influenced by both faces of the art form and struggle to find their place within the culture.
Part of the proceeds from the show will be used to offer three scholarships for a seven- to 14-week session of the “Graffiti as an Art Form Class” at the Art Academy of San Diego in North Park taught by Pose 2. Winners also will receive a package of free dance classes at the renowned Culture Shock Dance Center. There are no requirements; all ages are encouraged to apply and graffiti writing experience isn’t necessary.
Tickets for “Graffiti Life” cost $25 and $22 for seniors, the military and students. Seating is general admission. Tickets will be available at the Culture Shock Dance Center, the Lyceum box office and online at www.lyceumevents.org and www.sdartstix.com starting April 21. Pre-sale tickets, which cost $20, are now available at the Dance Center. The show will run alongside “Pose 2 is Mr. Maxx Moses,” an exhibit of Pose 2’s graffiti work on display in the Lyceum’s Upstairs Lobby gallery until June 6.
# # #
As a self-described “Concrete Alchemist,” Pose 2 has painted and exhibited his work in various Cities throughout the world, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Paris and Osaka. As part of his efforts to promote graffiti as an art form, he co-produced, co-directed, and narrated a documentary titled “FX The Video”, which highlights the present evolution of graffiti art and the artists who instigated its development. He works as an artist-educator to help uplift communities that have traditionally been marginalized, through art. Currently he is teaching at the San Diego Art Academy while doing projects internationally.
A 17-year stalwart in the dance community, Culture Shock San Diego’s members have gone on to perform with Destiny’s Child and Missy Elliott. Several CSSD alumni in the Jabbawockeez took home a win on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew. Created in 1993 by Angie Bunch, the Culture Shock family has outposts in Los Angeles; Oakland; Las Vegas; Chicago; Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; and in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. The groups all carry the mission, “We are a troupe of individuals who, through the power of music and dance, cultivate self-worth, dignity and respect for all people.” San Diego is the home branch of Culture Shock. www.cultureshockdance.org.