M.TONY SHARES HIS STORY IN THE MANHATTAN TIMES

Yup thats right Mr. Peralta, once again gets more love from the press. An uptown local paper which shares with its readers on everything happening in Washington Heights, Inwood and Harlem. This time Peralta's interivew was based on an exhibit that SOA had produced for him at the Harlem Bar/ Lounge, SUITE 308.

MILTON JOINS THE SOA BUYERS BUNCH

SOA:Who are you and what do you do?

Mec One(MO): Dominicano born in the US, living in Wash Heights (claro tonto!!)
I consider myself a Lover of the arts; Music, Film, Painting, Photography and Fashion.
Today I work for a headwear design company (GRACE HATS) its main headquarters is in Tokyo and. We also have showroom here in the NY garment district. My official title is, Creative Consultant/Account Executive. Grace Hats designs and manufactures hats for Companies like Urban Outfitters, Triple Five Soul, Brooklyn Industries and many more. In addition to the private label projects, we sell to about 700 accounts (stores) across the country.




I co/own a clothing line; Thrust Apparel with one of my closest friends (Fermin Fenandez) since 2005.

What is Thrust Apparel?
Thrust is a lifestyle brand that embodies our ideas and concepts onto fabric; we do what we feel strongly about without following any preconceived formats and or trends. Music, Art, Technology and the love of the many things we grew up with is what THRUST is all about.

Where can people find Thrust?
We sell limited edition T-shirts, bags, Goodies and hats to select lifestyle boutiques, like the Closet and Probus, just to name a few.







What kind of art do you like?
Different art forms have always moved me since my early teens. Growing up in NYC during the 80’s was very instrumental in making me the person I am today.

Where do you go to view or buy the art that you love?
I got my first taste of “ART” on the NYC Transit System; not having the economic or cultural sophistication to navigate beyond my parameters I found art on the streets. Some kids went to museums with their parents. I took the subway!
Futura 2000, Dondi (rip),Duro, Skeme,Blade, Seen and many many others were my Heroes.
Fuck Picasso!! Fuck Monet!! Fuck Van Gogh too and the rest of there kind! That stuff is for the privileged. It wasn’t for me. It still isn’t! I found and heard the voices of my heroes coming from the steel snake (TRAINS), I understood them and knew what they were trying to say.” WE ARE HERE!! LOOK AT US!! YOU CANT IGNORE US!!”

As soon as I could I stole my first PILOT MARKER and since that day I became MEC ONE!
I left my mark on many a trains and walls around the city. The train yard was like my second home, the transit system my canvas. Crews like NSC, NTA 156 OTB and others my extended family, those were the days!

When did you start purchasing art?
I started collecting art in the 1990’s; the first work I bought was a piece by noted Graff artist CRASH ONE.

Since then I’ve added numerous pieces to my collection by artist from around the globe, it’s a never-ending quest.

Why did you buy this piece from Mario Pena?
I chose to get this piece by Mario Pena because like many of my purchases it moved me. For one, he painted it live right before my eyes; I was able to see him at work, in the moment and in the zone. I really liked the way he used spray paint, markers, stickers and just raw talent. I wanted it instantly!

How did you make Mario Penas piece work in your apt.?
We recently just moved to a new apartment so a new painting kind of signifies a new beginning. It looks great hanging on our wall.

I enjoyed buying this piece from a source like SOA, not only are the artist really pushing the envelope but it feels good buying work from people that I’ve made a personal connection with, people (artist) that I actually look forward to seeing on a regular basis. I look forward to a very long business/person relationship with SOA and the increasing staple of artist they continue to represent.

See you at the next opening!

Milton Castro.

SOA ARTIST, D-PI HAS BEEN IN THE LAB, BUT DOING WHAT?

According to D-Pi, this is what's been up with him:

So far this year I have Sentences: the life of MF Grimm coming out from Vertigo in September. I’m working on an issue and a couple of covers for Deadman.

As for DPi960;… D will be featured in a few anthologies and other “arts-y” projects this year. I’ll be in the yet announced, Meathaus: SOS book with alot of other very talented narrative designers; I’ll post the info once I have it. I’m pitching my unique way of making comics to a few cats this year… So keep an eye out..."

One thing is for sure this brother is steady on his grind.

GONZALO: GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Gonzalo Papantonakis, one of the first artist to join the Sound Of Art, is leaving NYC for greener pastures in California. Not even an original New Yorker himself, his spirit and vision, def. made New York a place where GP made his mark. Although he will no longer be residing in NYC, his work will be out west for your viewing pleasure; so if you are ever in those neck of the woods, check out his work, its worth seeing.

Born in Uruguay and grew up between there and Argentina. He spent much of his youth studying business and banking. But he always had a strong passion for music, painting and architecture. After spending his twenties as an investment banker, he made a leap of faith, leaving that world behind to focus all of his energies on his art on a full time basis. Traveling through Argentina, Switzerland and landing in New York City, Gonzalo now devotes his life to his passion of fusing his two great loves - Art with Music, to create a new vision which he calls “See Music”.

If you're interested in any of these pieces, let me know...

ThE SOUND OF ART PRESENTS: HEAT as told by Led Black

I have come to the realization that when it comes to SOA events, there is a certain amount of magic involved. Something subtle, something infinitely difficult to quantify is at play. I always remember SOA events fondly, there is always a person there that I was destined to meet or someone who I already knew that I needed to touch base with. SOA’s latest Art experience, Heat, was no exception. On a beautiful summer day in June in the Washington Heights/Inwood Area, SOA in collaboration with Republica Trading Company outdid itself with this spectacular art event/fiesta. Heat involved two local retailers, Tread Bike Shop and Nostylgia, plenty of food and libations, compelling and eye-popping art as well as two of SOA’s artists producing on the spot masterpieces. I came away impressed by the way that SOA founder, Leo Vasquez, pulled off the logistics of such a feat as well as by the range and diversity of the patrons of the SOA movement. SOA events are fly and high-brow without being snooty and pretentious. Once again, SOA did not disappoint. It makes you wonder what they have in store for us next. Whatever it is - I know it will be a must attend event. Simply magic!!!
-Led Black

IMAGES CREDIT: PEL from WWW.PELNYC.BLOGSPOT.COM