The World is a Ghetto
This wouldn't be possible without my partner in crime looking up at this wall in 2018 and saying that the windows reminded her of War's album cover, The World is A Ghetto. I searched the cover art and it immediately brought a fond memory from my childhood of playing in the school yard across the street from my apartment. When you leaned back against the school, you could see a wide expanse of windows from various apartments. Growing up in an urban neighborhood, on hot summer days, everyone's apartment windows would be wide open. You can hear music, laughter, arguments, moms yelling at their kids to come home, and chisme (gossip).
I recreated this memory in the window installation. Using old and new imagery, I made “scenes” within groups of windows, which also represents my growth as an artist. Each window has a voice and is open to interpretation for viewers to create their own stories between “apartments.”
From the very first image I wheatpasted on a wall over 10 years ago, to images from my never-ending love letter to Philly, entitled Clones Of Illadelph, this is a special moment in my art career. Most of my street work is illegal, so it is very meaningful to be recognized and given the opportunity to do a legal wall of this scale with the city of Philadelphia.
This city fuels me, and I want to say I love this city and thank you. Hope you enjoy it.
For more info head on over to HAHA x Paradigm
Special thanks to Mural Arts, Arts and Craft Holdings, the HAHA x Paradigm family, and Frank for the assistance. Photos by Jason Chen.
Mural is located at 448 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (Parking lot next to Love City Brewing)
