Friday July 3rd
Went sailing by invitation of Michael Escher, in exchanging of being help crew in the 29 footer. We were Captain Paul, Michael, Jim, Ana and me. It was the first time I met them in my life. We departed from Marina del Rey, sailed north to Santa Monica, back south pass LAX, back to SM, then to Skull Buoy and back to the Marina. Amazing way of starting my mental map of the city, looking at it from sea and traveling its complete distance on a boat.
Saturday July 4th. Independence Day.
Got hold of a 79 chevy van in Norwalk. Previous owners were Don Luis and Elvis. Don Luis used it to pick up discarded objects and home appliances at the ‘yarda’ or dumpster, to the repair them and sell that at the Santa Fe swap meet. Don Jose is a recycler who re-inserts unwanted things into the city’s commodity flow. He also has a talent, check out his artwork.
I later went to a BBQ at Butchy and Fay’s home in Chinatown. Closed used laptop for haircut deal with Butchy. I still have to schedule the haircut.
Sunday July 5th.
Pilar helped me rip off the old carpet from the van (which still needs a name! any suggestions?) At night Adrian, Pilar and me met Sandra, they gave me a wonderful and instructive Mural tour around East LA. We visited Ramona Projects where some murals date back to the 70’s! Ended in Little Tokyo talking about recent major urban changes in Los Angeles and Bogota.
Monday July 6th.
Went to Fashion District with Cayetano, and picked up some Nigerian fabric and pompon trim for the van. Went to Chuy’s electrical shop in EastLos, has been there since the 60’s. He fixed the van lights and put a power inverter in exchange for nothing! pure generosity, thanks Chuy!.
Tuesday July 7th.
Michael Jackson Memorial. Thousands of products were manufactured in less than a week, and street vendors flooded the Staples bowl, and the streets of LA, selling all sorts of memorabilia. I met Tano at USC, and he helped me install the wooden floor of the van, in exchange for a platano lasagna that I still have to cook for him.
Met Jennifer at the gallery, and she told me the story of how her family has a bike and bike part booth at the swap meet. She accepted my request to write it down for the upcoming publication.
Met James who gave me a slide show on street vending phenomena in LA.
Later at night went dancing to the Silver Platter, Resident DJs Nguzunguzu. The place is covered by American flags, and filled up with most non-conventional americans.
Wednesday July 8th.
Took Dani and Asma (Nguzunguzu) to the airport in exchange for them letting me stay at their wonderful place in Chinatown. I also have to move their car to avoid ticketing and feed the kittens. Butchy and Fay are my neighbours. Later went with Pilar to the Hollywood Bowl to see Poncho Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri and Sergio Mendes. Met Reyna la Santa Perversa who gave me some stickers. Libranos de malos Amores, amen.
Thursday July 9th.
Met Elana, who took me to see her latest curatorial project ‘Perfoming Economies’ at Fellows of Contemporary Art. Elana accepted to be part of the publication also, in exchange of one of my Shanty Sounds CD’s.
Worked with Adrian the rest of the day, pimping the van with the help of the back alley boys. Later I parked the van in front of Federal Art Projects, where an opening was taking place. With the van doors open and music flowing, lost of people stopped by. I met some interesting people and had a few conversations inside the van, was given stickers , I received tips about LA, and overall had a blast.
See more pictures at the g727 facebook page.