Philadelphia's Best Kept Secret: 43 N3 Posters

A month ago, I went out with a few friends on First Friday to walk around. I decided to hold off displaying art this time around and instead focus on seeing what was going on at the galleries for a change. On 3rd Street, we walked by a store front that looked incredibly interesting, especially for Old City, filled with concert posters that I had never seen before.

I walked in and was greeted to a massive space only 1/4th filled with some posters, the rest empty and gutted. The walls were covered in massive English Subway Posters from yesteryear, and the man who ran the place was as jolly as Santa Clause! I found rare Iron Maiden and Metallica posters, and tons of movie posters.

I asked if it would be possible to show some of my stuff there down the line, and I signed a already half-filled piece of paper with other artists with the same idea.

Currently, the artwork of Cal Schenkel, long-time artist for Frank Zappa, is hanging in this store. It is worth checking out!

The store is located at 43 N. 3rd Street, and is open sporadically, although they are aiming for Fridays - Sundays in the afternoon.

What I Learned about Philadelphia on First Friday

In a previous post, I outlined, in very blunt terms, what I thought about the Philadelphia Art Scene and why, in turn, I despised it.

Last night I did my 3rd First Friday and my second of the year, and it was really interesting seeing people react to my art. I was surrounded by basically what you would expect: Framed photos of buildings, silk-screen t-shirts with abstract designs, and hand-made prints. Across the street from me was Geek Boy Press, setup not too far from Brave New World's comic book shop who was holding the "8-Bit and Beyond" show for the Autumn Society.

Then... there was me.

I was set up next to Christ Church, mainly because it was the last spot I could get on the lower-half of 2nd Street. Since my pallet is mostly primary colors... well, it's hard to miss me. I had all my prints mounted and on display, and the star of it all was my "False Messiah" piece hung in the recessed side of the church, creating a sort of alter for it. Reaction was generally positive, and whenever anyone asked what the piece meant, I was able to explain it pretty easily. I was a showman through-and-through, doing my best to sell myself and personality to people who were interested in my work, giving out my card and whatnot.

It was refreshing. The previous month I felt largely ignored, but looking back, it was largely because I wasn't on a good side of the street more than anything else. Getting positive feedback is good, ad even negative works well. I had some lady say, "You suck!" because of my Obama piece and then run off. Coward.

I came back home to a bunch of hits on my website and some e-mails. I've gotten a few requests to do gallery shows in the coming months, some for interviews, and from people who liked my work and wanted to buy prints. Working since February on my art show in May was a big deal and June was a fairly quiet month in comparison. In a lot of ways, it was the only month I had off and now I'm doing as much stuff as possible.

I wrote in the pass that the Philadelphia Art Scene annoyed me for one reason or another and, in reality, I now see what the problem is. I learned that it isn't the art scene that's the problem. No, that isn't it. The problem isn't with the galleries, either, and I'm willing to admit off the bat that I haven't tried to do a "gallery" gallery show yet since I don't have the money to get Gicelle Prints and a lot of fancy things. No, the problem is with what certain people think is "good" when, in reality, they seem to be out out touch with what people like.

People like a pop-artist who will tell them to their face that the person they admire suck and is willing to actually be himself. Who knew?

It's First Friday! Why Not Check Out "The Youth Is Revolting"?

Are you sick and tired of hearing about the "South Street Riots"? I'm sick of reporting it, at least for now, and there really is nothing to report right now. So to that end, why not do something awesome! Head on down to Digital Ferret Records where my art show, "The Youth is Revolting!", is still going on!




THE YOUTH IS REVOLTING! - The Art of Larry West at Digital Ferret

Nearly 200 people turned out to the first art show of Philadelphia-native Larry West, turning it into a massive success for all involved!

Fed by a steady stream of blog posts, flyers, and sheer word-of-mouth, Digital Ferret Records 4th Friday event featuring the artwork of Larry West and the bands Red This Ever and Ninetwelve went off without a hitch! Larry, best known for his 2007 mayoral run, came into his own as an artist with pieces that showed not only his political side, but also a focus on artwork that drew influence from artist Pushead and Roy Lichtenstein, a style he likes to call "Sub-Americana".

Larry came in dressed in all black with goggles on his head. When asked why, he stated, "Its because the art scene in this city seems to be littered with people who try too hard to be 'hip'. Too many pastels, too much of the same... this is me, in essence, rejecting it with something better. This is my personal revolt."

West went on to sell a record number of pieces that night for both himself and Digital Ferret. West received strong criticism during the lead-up to the show from Obama supporters for including his piece depicting Obama with the word "Obey" behind him in a piece he calls "False Messiah".

"I'm very happy with this turnout!", West remarked. "I'm just thrilled so many people enjoyed my work!"

On top of a strong opening night, the show will run from today until June 24th, 2009 at Digital Ferret Records at 732 S 4th Street.

Larry West's artwork can be viewed at his website: http://www.larrywestproductions.com

About Larry West: Larry West is best known for his 2007 run for Mayor. He has since then taken a larger turn towards his artwork, and still comments constantly about politics in Philadelphia, and the world.

First Friday is Coming; Will I Be There?

First Friday: The day all the art galleries on 2nd and 3rd Street in Old City open their doors, and all the artists who can't get into the galleries, or don't want to be in there, head out to the streets to sell their art and try to earn some much-needed cash.

It's always been my firm stance that the scene here suffers from 2 main problems; The fact that creativity is shunned and that fact that there are too many "outsider artists" who can barely draw a stick figure who think they're making a "statement" by selling some idiotic thing they slapped together back in high school and think they can sell to someone as "art".

So talent and originality take a back seat to trends, in short.

Admittedly, I've never been one for "urban art", in a sense. By that, I really just mean modern art done in the last 10 - 20 years. Recently it's been about rehashing old ideas and presenting them as new, and... eh, I won't lie, I'm guilty of it, too. We all are. History repeats itself and all ideas, even the first ones, were based on earlier ideas, perceptions, and concepts.

At any rate, I'm considering going out there myself next Friday. I'm still torn and trying to make up my mind. There's a lot of new stuff, but the things I REALLY want to do aren't even started yet. Let's see where it heads.