Down Graffiti Lane with Culture Shock
Hip hop culture today is more prevalent than ever before. Most have been exposed to hip hop music and dance in some capacity, but rarely do we see or hear about graffiti's association with the framework of the hip hop culture. There's much to learn about graffiti as an art form and those who create it, and this is the premise of "Graffiti Life: The Color of My Sole," the latest "dance theatrical" performed by San Diego's Culture Shock Dance Troupe.
The production was written by graffiti writer/first-time playwright, Pose 2, aka Daniel Hopkins of New York. The Brockport University graduate has been painting since 1975 and has murals in different parts of the world including Paris, New York, Los Angeles and San Diego. Pose 2 teaches “Graffiti as an Art Form” at the Art Academy of San Diego, where he met Culture Shock founder, Angie Bunch. Discussion led to intrigue and a meeting of the minds evolved into the "Graffiti Life" collaboration.
On opening night on May 28, the Lyceum Theatre was bustling. A visual art collection entitled “Pose 2 is Mr. Maxx Moses,” by Pose 2 and other artists in the community, was featured on display in the lobby as were hand crafted graffiti inspired accessories, art supplies and hip hop urban gear, courtesy of Todd Tanaka, owner of Kleen House boutique in San Diego's East Village.
Simple, yet impressive sets depicting train tracks, a subway train (the preferred medium of graffiti writers), and a wire fence used to represent a boundary, were imaginative and well-crafted. And during the latter half of the production, large vertical banners with striking graffiti art was displayed.
The show started with a voice over. A tough, young male voice shouted, "Yo! What's my name?... What's my name?" he repeated. "You gonna know my name." Intense rhythms, bright lights, and howls from the audience followed. One spectator yelled, "Go Sherman!" The crowd laughed. Culture Shock executive director, Sherman V. Shoate was the man of the hour playing the lead role III, a tagger—or one who's less experienced with graffiti art and tags other graffiti artists' work with their name. Along side III were his crew members, six b-boys (break-boys or breakers) that showcased some of the most fierce dance moves that would intimidate anyone.
Opposite Shoate was Angela Molten playing SheRock, the heroine of the production; an experienced graffiti writer—one that creates graffiti for artistic expression. Wearing backward baseball caps, denim, tees and sneakers, was SheRock's crew of 11 immensely talented b-boys and b-girls whose dancing was spot-on. Gifted dancers Jeremy Mascardo, David Henry and David Silvas also performed as the Young Boys Crew, up and coming graffiti artists caught up in a dilemma between which of the two dual graffiti worlds they most identify with: the taggers or the graffiti writers.
After taggers made their mark on one of SheRock's graffiti pieces, battles broke out. Dance competitions between the crews demonstrated blatant attempts to outdo one another with complex hip hop moves—a fantastically entertaining display of expert popping, breaking, acrobatics and outstanding choreography by over a dozen artists.
Eventually, III gets arrested for tagging and must face the consequences of his actions. During the jail scene, Pose 2 makes a short appearance as the 12 oz. Prophet. His purpose is to inspire III by sharing his perspective on the powerful affect graffiti has on those who create it. Enlightened during his jail experience, III confronts the error of his ways and upon his release, he and his crew settle their differences with SheRock and her crew.
Certain elements in "Graffiti Life" have been seen in 80s movies such as "Wild Style," "Style Wars" and "Beat Street," but since negative perception of graffiti still exists, "Graffiti Life" serves as a good refresher course. Though it is understandable why the playwright chose an optimistic ending, was the audience really sold on this conclusion? I think not. For a subject that triggers much heated debate between the public, the graffiti community and law enforcement, an ending that shows signs of hope and change in the future would be more believable.
Between scenes, an Emcee portrayed by Ellie Burkey, recited monologues that addressed some public concern about graffiti being on the rise, but the monologue rushes to the defense of graffiti artists having the right to express themselves in neighborhoods.
Confronting the issue of why graffiti has such a negative perception and encouraging positive messages, such as refraining from breaking the law when creating graffiti, pursuing an art education, and sharing suggestions on how graffiti writers can establish legal contracted graffiti projects with businesses, parks and museums, would establish more credibility and add a fair balance between the different perspectives on graffiti. An explanation on what drove some of the characters to turn to graffiti and what inspires them to create would also contribute more depth to the storyline.
"Graffiti Life" successfully conveys graffiti as a misunderstood art form in terms of its artistic qualities and presents a strong story foundation with unforgettable dancing and riveting graffiti art. With further development of the story, dialogue and some direction fine tuning, there is tremendous potential. What Culture Shock and Pose 2 currently have is a great work-in-progress that could generate widespread mass appeal.