Andre the Giant has a Posse
Last week was a crazy week! In the best way possible…
Shepard Fairey and his crew (Dan, Z and Nick) arrived early Monday morning to get started on the city-wide mural project that we have been tirelessly getting ready for in the last couple of months. They came up to Dallas Contemporary to check in, take a tour of the building, meet our super cool staff and gather up supplies that I had ready for them.
Before we ventured out to the first mural site, they wanted to grab a bite. So I decided to take them to a favorite of mine — Fuel City Tacos. Barbacoa deliciousness. The weather was still beautiful so we sat outside at the picnic tables. It was nice to sit and chat with the guys for a bit – this was one of the only times we had a moment to just sit and hang out for a few minutes. Shepard and I chatted a bit about Baltimore and the weather. I got to know that one of the guys is a native Texan and another fancies Cheetos.
Fuel City Tacos
From there, we headed to the first site to get started – 331 Singleton. It’s an interesting process to see these guys work. Clearly, they have done it a time or two and they are very comfortable with one another. Much like family, they have their own language with each other…there was a lot of laughter and a lot of bickering.
As soon as we arrived, I thought we had a stalker. It turned out, she was a reporter (sort of the same, I guess). Kudos to her that she got the story out there first, however, we had work to do and she was already slowing things down! I also disagreed with a couple of things that she wrote. Water off a duck’s back…
This was not the last of the people that wanted to talk with Shepard. It had only just begun…
For the rest of the day, they got situated and really jumped right in to the project. I was able to introduce the guys to Butch McGregor who is one of the owners of the buildings on Singleton. He was a positive force through this process and generously gave us 3 walls (more if we had wanted them). Butch and his business partners are heavily involved on the changes going on in West Dallas. It’s interesting to hear about their vision and will be interesting to see how it all comes together. I’m happy that we could bring Shepard’s work to the neighborhood.
Tuesday, the crew kept plugging away at the Singleton location. I ran back and forth between there and Dallas Contemporary. Simultaneously, we were getting ready for the big event to happen on Saturday – Phenomenon. A dance party to celebrate the murals with Shepard deejaying and an OBEY guerilla shop with clothing, prints and other things.
At one point on Tuesday, there were probably 60 people — watching, photographing and trying to get autographs. I had to flex my muscles a few times. Ha. I knew he had super fans but it was strange to see it in action. And I learned that I don’t like being the one to stop people. Most of them were just so excited that Shepard was in Dallas and wanted to thank him for doing what he does. It’s hard to say NO to people when that is their intention.
The people gathering around was a great example of how something like this – public art – immediately changes things. I would guess that many of those people had not been in that area of Dallas. It instantly changed the landscape. There were kids running around playing….it was kind of surreal. I’m pretty sure that West Dallas has been limited to trucks and industry. It made me really happy to be a part of this project.
Wednesday by the end of the day, they had finished 2 massive and 1 smaller painted mural at the Singleton location. The Dallas Observer did a good job of keeping track of the work being done. A few of the guys headed over to Dallas Contemporary that night to prep a few things for the following day. The mural at Dallas Contemporary is the largest one – over 90 feet long.
Mural at Dallas Contemporary
Thursday was a big day. The crew got to work early working on the mural at DC. It was nice to be at a new location…people hadn’t gotten word yet so it was much quieter. For at least a few hours…
We had a big group of kids come from a local high school. They watched as the crew was working. Shepard then came over to talk with them (it’s clear he really enjoys this kind of thing). He handed out stickers to them (he keeps stickers on hand to give to people that stop by to see him work). Throughout the week, Shepard was able to chat with a few different groups that stopped by. He is incredibly accommodating when it comes to this. I heard him say to young people several times to keep making work that they believe in and don’t let anyone stop them. For DC, these are the rewards that are reaped from bringing someone like Shepard in and from putting artwork out in the public community. Yay Art. Yay DC. Yay learning programs.
Around noon, one of the guys suggested that we cook out. I was TOTALLY on board. One of my co-workers was out and about and I knew she could hook me up with a grill. She happened to be at home and threw the grill in her car. I headed to the grocery store to get the goods for a burger feast. We fired up the grill, Uncle Pedro (a curator from Boston who I have come to know and who has worked with Shepard on many projects) cooked the burgers and we prepped all the fixins. Everyone took a break and we grubbed. It was the perfect day to do it and it was festive.
Uncle Pedro cooking burgers
That afternoon, DC staff began getting ready for our Book Signing and Chit Chat (artist talk) with Shepard. Once we put the information out about these events, the response was overwhelming. The book signing was for members only. We sold out of the books and Shepard signed each one very thoughtfully. I was manning the book signing table and sometimes had to move things along (or else we would have been there all night). Shepard talked with each person in a way that was like he had know them forever…
After the book signing, we held the Chit Chat. We knew we were going to have a crowd but didn’t know that there would be more than 500 people. It was awesome!! And the chat was great. Hopefully we will get some audio from that and I will post.
Chit Chat at Dallas Contemporary
The crew kept working while our events were going on. I cut out of the talk early to see how things were going outside. They had accomplished a lot! They came to a stopping point and decided to call it a night. I joined them in sitting outside on a beautiful Texas night, drinking cheap beer (which they generously provided) and shootin’ the shit. Their projects with Shepard make for pretty interesting stories. They are the first to say that these trips they take should be documented – prime content for reality TV.
After this successful night, the guys invited me to join them for dinner. They stayed at the Belmont Hotel (which I adore and who sponsored the mural project) so they decided to have dinner next door at SMOKE. In attendance: Shepard and his super cool wife Amanda, Pedro and his lovely wife Lane, Perry Rubenstein (dealer in from LA), Dan, Nick, Z and myself. We had some family style barbeque and most of the table had margaritas. We capped the night off with a drink at the bar at the Belmont. It was a nice night.
Friday we had a bit of a rain delay in the morning. It worked out for me because I had press interviews lined up for Shepard. In between interviews, he also signed the edition of prints that they ran special for Dallas. If you haven’t purchased one yet, do it now. They are going fast!
Lotus Diamond (Silver) made for Dallas
Once the rain cleared and interviews were finished, the crew headed over to the Belmont for the final painted mural.
Mural going up at the Belmont Hotel
Things were getting a little crazy over at DC getting ready for Phenomenon. We put word out that the event had sold out. We also put word out the shop was opening the night of the event. Our phones were blowing up!! What a great problem to have…
After we wrapped up the day, we all headed over to one of our board member’s homes – Karla McKinley. She generously hosted a fun get together with a taco bar and booze. It was a really fun way for Shepard and his crew, DC staff, sponsors and some other visitors to get together and hang out after a busy week.
I was asked by one of the guys where to go out. They wanted a good dive bar. I sent them over to the Double Wide and followed them over shortly there after. We had a couple of beers then there was talk of tattoos. One of the guys was in need of a permanent souvenir. So then we made our way over to Elm Street Tattoo. I’ll post more about this for Zuzu Friday. Stay tuned…
Saturday was the big day for Phenomenon. Our committee and staff had been working for months on making this a huge hit…and it definitely paid off. Neon decor, yummy food trucks outside, Shepard running the DJ booth, people dances their asses off. It was a great way to celebrate the murals. And a few of my favorite people came…icing on the cake.
Patsy, Shepard, Mandy "backstage"
Mandy and Amanda...check!
This was a great week…thanks to ALL who helped along the way. I would have Shepard, Nick, Z, Dan and Jon back in a heartbeat to work on a project.
Sweet Jon without an H was documenting throughout the week – check out the OBEY blog to see his pics. They are way better than mine.
Me and Shepard, courtesy Jon Furlong (OBEY Clothing)
Tags: art, artists, Dallas, Dallas Contemporary, food, graffiti, street art, West Dallas
Zuzu Bluebottom 