Below is an email from Russ Corvey, a 60 year old jazz musician from North Carolina. He bumped into THIS alley way in East Hollywood and let me know how he felt about it
one of the walls in the alley by Revok, Rime & Ewok
“So … I’m a 60-year old jazz musician/creative director who now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, visiting my 27-year old son, a film editor, who lives in North Hollywood. When we visit him, the time is usually consumed with chores and family stuff. But this time, I promised myself I would do something for me, so Friday morning, around dawn, while everyone else is sleeping, I grab my camera and set out to find some street art – tags? graffiti? I don’t know much about that world, but I love that Banksy, Mr. Brainwash thing (whatever the hell that thing is) and kinda want to know more.
Now L.A. is a pretty sprawling place, agreed? And I don’t have a lot of time, and I don’t know where I’m going – but I set my iPhone map thing to “Korea Town” and 20 minutes later I’m wandering around the back streets looking for … whatever. Shit … just off Western Avenue, getting ready to make a left, I pass this alley. I practically pissed in my pants. What cosmic force brought me there?
I stood in that alley for an hour – I shot dozens of pictures, but a lot of time I just stood and looked – didn’t want to see it thru a viewfinder. I got a little lightheaded a couple of times – I listened to some music, which was a stunning experience (for me, Pat Metheney was a beautiful compliment to the sights).
I was giggling, grinning – and even got a little teary-eyed when I thought about the gift I was receiving that morning – while people were heading to their jobs. I realize now this alley is probably a very celebrated place, but in that moment, it felt like this was all mine – just for me. Earlier this year I was in London, and in a similar fashion, stood on the Waterloo Bridge at dawn, shooting the city – this was like that. The stuff that people do with their lives – buildings, bridges, art, music, dance – I just don’t have words.
So – thank you – thank you – thank you! I will never forget what I saw Friday morning.
Russ Corvey
PS: As if stumbling on your joyful art wasn’t enough of an incredible coincidence, a few years ago I wrote a song called … “Jersey Joe” – MP3 is attached here…”
jerseyjoeart.wordpress.com 