Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Alex, My Student, Becomes the Teacher

Graffiti apparel








Last week I mentioned to my new students how much I like graffiti. Immediately all eyes were on me and a lively conversation began.
Where was the best graffiti in the city I asked? Everyone started to tell me their favorite spots. Alex shuck his head, "no man its on Clinton Ave." "Miss can I show you pictures on my cell phone?" My mouth dropped to the floor when I saw his pictures. "Alex you have to take me there."
Yesterday Alex and I drove to Clinton Ave in Rochester, NY.
This was Alex's neighborhood, these were his home boys. He told me stories about growing up on Clinton Ave, and with much pride pointed out what made certain pieces better than others. He mentioned one group of street artists know as FUA Krew quite often. They were the best.
As I was preparing to write this post I looked up FUA Krew. They happen to be upstate New York's oldest and most well-know street artist group.
They have a web site http://fua-krew.org/ and are featured in Beyond Gotham a new documentary about hip hop culture in Upstate NY.
What an amazing adventure! Alex your the best! Thank you for sharing a part of your life with me. I'm truly honored.

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7 comments:

  1. LeslieSeptember 23, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    What amazing work! And what a wonderful connection. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    this work is so coool alexx i cant bilive you tuck her to clinton ave .lol but thats was real cool ive never seen this grafity before. its sick. sighned hector

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnneSeptember 23, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    This is so beautiful. Such a teachable moment. Isn't teaching wonderful, when we can learn from our students.
    Thanks for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Karen ColeSeptember 25, 2009 at 7:36 AM

    Oh yes, I am a graffiti lover as well.

    I saw a great show while I was in Paris in April. International graffiti work displayed for all to see. Look out......it's becoming mainstream.

    Thanks for your peek at my Squam adventure. You would have loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Susan TuttleSeptember 26, 2009 at 12:45 AM

    wow! graffiti has always fascinated me -- what a cool post!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousOctober 1, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    I am a huge graffiti fan!! These are fabulous and what a great relationship you have with those kids...what talented kids they are!

    Thanks for the street tour...here's a book your kids bike be interested in, graffiti done on photographs by Chicago graffiti artists
    http://www.front40press.com/graffitecture.php

    x..x
    steph

    ReplyDelete
  7. a quiet lifeOctober 4, 2009 at 5:41 PM

    what a great post!

    ReplyDelete

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