The trumped up charges against Revok have reeked of suspicion ever since his arrest. From nabbing Revok in the first place for a parole violation and not a new crime, to the exorbitant $320,000 bail, to be sentenced to half a year in jail a day after the arrest, the whole thing seemed like there was something bigger going on. The LAPD were clearly looking for someone to make an example of doing graffiti outside MOCA. But when they hadn't made an arrest on the streets after the first week, they wanted a high profile name to take down. There was probably a short list of high profile arrests, so short, there was probably only one name on it--Revok. Read more after the jump!...
Left, LA II, right, Revok. (images via dnainfo.com & ballerstatus.com)
Time to interrupt the holiday program:
(Press Release) High profile graffiti vandal arrested as he preps to board plane A 34-year old high profile graffiti vandal was arrested by sheriff’s deputies Thursday morning as he prepared to board a plane to Ireland at Los Angeles International Airport.. Suspect Jason Williams, also known as “Revok,” is well known in the graffiti vandalism culture and is a member of the graffiti crew “Mad Society Kings” or MSK. Sheriff’s Metro Transit Services Bureau Special Problems Unit deputies were notified that Suspect Williams had a warrant for his arrest for failure to pay restitution to the victims of previous vandalism crimes. Suspect Williams, a White male resident of the Fairfax District in Los Angeles, had been placed on probation for felony vandalism in Indio, California in 2009. In 2010, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Problems Unit Transit deputies arrested Suspect Williams near a graffiti store where images of his graffiti vandalism were featured. He was arrested with several hundred cans of spray paint and a replica Los Angeles Police Department badge. As a result of evidence discovered during his April 21 arrest (Thursday), other incidents of vandalism were found in the County of Los Angeles. Some of the damage is adjacent to the Metro Blue Line and can be seen by its' patrons. The additional crimes will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office by sheriff’s deputies for filing consideration. Suspect Williams is being held in the Los Angeles County jail with bail set at $320,000.00. “We take graffiti vandalism very seriously, said Lieutenant Vince Carter, Sheriff’s Metro Transit Services Bureau. “Criminal graffiti vandals who insist on damaging other people’s property are going to jail and need to pay to fix the damage they caused.” For photos, descriptions and information about the arrests of graffiti vandals, wanted graffiti vandals, and graffiti removal, visit the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department webpage on http://www.lasd.org at: L.A.’s Most Wanted Graffiti Taggers http://sheriff.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lasd/graffiti/ Captain Mike Parker Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (323) 267-4800 SHBNewsroom@lasd.org www.lasd.org$320,000???? If you're having a WTF-moment right now, it's with good cause. Logan Hicks has collected information about some other cases from the last 2 months and look at the bail amounts:...
Image via Melrose & Fairfax
Twitter was abuzz when news were spread that a mural done by celebrated artists Retna, Rime, Revok, Norm, Saber, and Os Gêmeos was partially painted over by workers from Graffiti Control Systems. Fortunately the process was stopped by the owner of the building before the piece was covered completely. The whitewash was stripped and the piece can be restored.
Graffiti and Street Art are probably the most controversial forms of art with artists being in conflict with the governments constantly. Many incredible pieces by exceptional artists have already been buffed, one of the most famous being Sabers LA River piece. It's time that the authorities realise how valuable those art works are and thank the artists instead of constantly destroying their work!
Saber has posted a very interesting blog post written by Piper Severance about the incident:...
Thanks to Alex Pardee's Facebook, I've found this! What an amazing art show! Just the idea to make an exhibition about the Black rabbit of Inle, a character of Richard Adam's "Watership Down", is pure brilliancy! Then look at the list of artists. We have Alex Pardee, Ron English, Linkin Park's Joe Hahn, Jersey Joe Rime, Revok, Retna, Dave Flores ATC, Jeff Soto, Dan May, Tony Curanaj, Pete Wentz, Travie McCoy, etc. This show just has to be good!
EDIT: As the opening was yesterday, I will try to find some more pictures and post them here.
Gallery 1988 posted already two contributions on their blog. This one is from curator Greg Simkins:...
http://twitter.com/#!/REVOK1/status/16166780296761344
STEVE OLSON and ALEX OLSON | BOOM BOOM
Opening December 18th, 2010 | Runs December 18th, 2010 - January 8th, 2011
Known Gallery
441 North Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
info@knowngallery.com
http://twitter.com/#!/garybaseman/status/17635513326370816
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