Upscenities
Welcome to Upscenities!: An Upscene Point of View
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Upscenities!
BLESSINGS, IT'S NEVER ENOUGH
"Be thankful for what you have you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never have enough..."
In the superfast hydrolics of a world we live in today, it's real easy to get swept up in the wants and needs that arent necessarly linar to the simplity of "just being". With information comes power and with power comes the abuse of said power. The idea of abusing your blessings because of the power of want might seem far fetched, but even the man with the pot full of gold can end up blindly mistake his gleem for copper. Everyone is gulity of this mistake to a degree, stopping every once in a while just to give thanks can push your further along then loathing a situation rich with lessons. You'll always won't have something, you'll always will have something. We'll always have each other.
STAY COOL, STAY SILENT
The dog days of summers turn fellow NYers into hissing cats....in heat. I've always said that NYers are the most resilent, loathing, optimist, piss-imistic homosapiens to ever grace God's oily earth. When it's winter we complain about the bitter cold till our chap lips crack. In the spring when it rains quite often we build arks of hate for the cleansing of our dirty sidewalks. So it's quite natural that during this heatwave, the Twitters and Facebook of the world and even good ole elevator talk is focused on how horrible we have it weather wise.
Here's the thing....
We are happy maybe 3 months out of a 12 month calender year, and that's being modest. It's real easy to complain when you have 24 hour bodega access, transportation to nearly everywhere and openbar.com (yes you can freely drown your sorrows on any given night....for free.) That doesn't make it any easier to listen, miserable metropolitanities of the greatest city in the world. I all think we can deal with this in silence, I mean we all love our great kitchen right? You know how the saying goes....stay cool.
BLOGGER'S BLOCK
Most recently (not even sure you can call half of 2010....Recent.), i've been struggling with a bit of "bloggers block". The long days, longer nights of this fair city has not left me with a lack of inspiration to write about....But just the time and energy to actually put fingers to board. I've always said that If it didn't hit me like a bolt of lighting, it wouldn't be written. Speaking with the homie Josh Madden yesterday very much was the push I needed to just express with a sense of purpose like yesteryear. In the city of know-it-all's, having two ears listening to one mouth can get ten fingers to type thousands of thoughts. I think short and sweet (pause) is the trick cause I've been known to type thesis like blogs. While they had purpose us humans these days attention span are zero to none, short blurbs are the wave (no tumblr). Before I make and break my rule all in the same sentence, check out the Josh's blog at www.joshmadden.com. Good looks on the kind words.
THE FUTURE
"The future is always beginning now"....-Mark Strand
Image captured by Kamikaze K.I.L.L
JOSE PERDOMO - A LIFE SUPREME
When we say Upscene is a "community", we're not just speaking of the individuals who wear our gear but also the artist who collaborate to create the "walking pieces of art" that is clothing. Our mission have always been to not only expose the public to our shared vision but to give a platform to these artist to do what they do best.
I'm Jose Perdomo, aka Spanish Jose, a first generation Colombian American from the lovely borough of Queens. I represent the open mind, the compassionate mind, the inquisitive mind, the silly mind and most of all, the loving mind. I also create stuff.
Queens is the world represented in 110 sq miles of land. Her culture is endless! I'm happy to say I was a sponge for all my time out here. She taught me a lot. The same can always be said for all the other beautiful ladies of NYC (Man,BK,SI & BX)
I was in Florida for the last year for a little sabbatical and to help out some family out there. The experience was eye opening to say the least. I made my way back to NYC in March and as soon I got back my eyes were seeing all these crazy opportunities for pictures! I used to do photography back in 2000-2003 but the camera broke. I left my photography in the dust since. Upon my return I saw all these images but didn't have a camera! Luckily my good friend William Yan had a Lumix LX3 he was willing to sell and the rest is a New York moment. I needed an outlet and Wordpress is a great tool, my laptop still works and my imagination is running wild.
A beautiful lady by the name LaLa Lopez happens to be a mutual friend of ours and she thought that my flavor and Upscene's movement would work well. Me and Mr. Mckenzie from Upscene got to speaking and it was all good and all creation from there. The results are dope as hell!
I took that pic back in 2002 at the top of the Empire State Building with an old Sony Digicam that is no longer with us. The downtown view was looking a bit empty and I thought it would be whimsical/spectacular to place the basic pen and pencil in the space of our lost twins. One of my finest moments I suppose. You know how happy I am to see it on a tee!? Its stupid fresh!
Meet Jose Perdemo, an artist/photog from the "galaxy of queens", after being introduced by a mutually talented person the synergy between us could not be denied. The result was The War From Within, more specifically "It Was Written" an aerial view of NYC where history (or conspiracy) was recorded. We sat down and spoke to Jose about his inspirations, our collaboration and what the future holds for this homegrown talent.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, who you are and what you represent?
I'm Jose Perdomo, aka Spanish Jose, a first generation Colombian American from the lovely borough of Queens. I represent the open mind, the compassionate mind, the inquisitive mind, the silly mind and most of all, the loving mind. I also create stuff.
2. We know you're from "The Galaxy of Queens", how does your borough as well as New York City as a whole influence your work?
Queens is the world represented in 110 sq miles of land. Her culture is endless! I'm happy to say I was a sponge for all my time out here. She taught me a lot. The same can always be said for all the other beautiful ladies of NYC (Man,BK,SI & BX)
3. Your site alifesupreme.com has be receiving some great buzz, how did you go about the process of starting the site.
I was in Florida for the last year for a little sabbatical and to help out some family out there. The experience was eye opening to say the least. I made my way back to NYC in March and as soon I got back my eyes were seeing all these crazy opportunities for pictures! I used to do photography back in 2000-2003 but the camera broke. I left my photography in the dust since. Upon my return I saw all these images but didn't have a camera! Luckily my good friend William Yan had a Lumix LX3 he was willing to sell and the rest is a New York moment. I needed an outlet and Wordpress is a great tool, my laptop still works and my imagination is running wild.
4. Where do you see the direction of your work/site heading in the near future?
I always thought of A Life Supreme as a simple way to show my creations. I like to dabble with ideas and the best way to express them whether it be a painting, a t-shirt, a sculpture, a couture piece, a skit, a poem , a photograph and it goes on and on. My work always try's to show the nicer side of things, the angles, colors and experiences that people usually overlook for the various reasons of life. Sometimes my work is comical, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes abstract, sometimes subtle, sometimes clever, sometimes serious, sometimes beautiful but always thoughtful and limitless. They will always be available to you in one sense or another. Some will be for sale, others will be available for inspiration. In the end it's all love and a life supreme...
I always thought of A Life Supreme as a simple way to show my creations. I like to dabble with ideas and the best way to express them whether it be a painting, a t-shirt, a sculpture, a couture piece, a skit, a poem , a photograph and it goes on and on. My work always try's to show the nicer side of things, the angles, colors and experiences that people usually overlook for the various reasons of life. Sometimes my work is comical, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes abstract, sometimes subtle, sometimes clever, sometimes serious, sometimes beautiful but always thoughtful and limitless. They will always be available to you in one sense or another. Some will be for sale, others will be available for inspiration. In the end it's all love and a life supreme...
5. Tell the reader a bit on how your collaboration with us here at Upscene came about?
A beautiful lady by the name LaLa Lopez happens to be a mutual friend of ours and she thought that my flavor and Upscene's movement would work well. Me and Mr. Mckenzie from Upscene got to speaking and it was all good and all creation from there. The results are dope as hell!
6. "It Was Written" is a very strong photograph that can be interpret in many different ways. What's the history behind the piece?
I took that pic back in 2002 at the top of the Empire State Building with an old Sony Digicam that is no longer with us. The downtown view was looking a bit empty and I thought it would be whimsical/spectacular to place the basic pen and pencil in the space of our lost twins. One of my finest moments I suppose. You know how happy I am to see it on a tee!? Its stupid fresh!
7. Lastly finish this sentence, "New Yorkers Stay Up cause....."
New Yorkers Stay Up Cause They Never Look Down.
New Yorkers Stay Up Cause They Never Look Down.
P.S. My history is at www.unavidasuprema.com. My pulse is at www.alifesupreme.com
P.S.S Shout outs to my Upscene family and friends and loved ones for the love and support!
P.S.S.S. Enjoy your day New Yorkers!
UPSCENE S/S 2010 COLLECTION : THE WAR FROM WITHIN
For your viewing pleasure here's a look at our S/S 2010 Collection entitled "The War From Within." This go around we equip the streets for battle with 6 graphics tees in several different colorways along with 2 military inspired snapbacks. The inspiration of this season was birthed from the idea that all "external wars" begin with unresolved "internal wars". Images were captured by Kamikaze K.i.L.L and feature guest Creative Control's own The Heirs. The collection can be found online at upscenenyc.com as well select retailers this week.
UPSCENE HAPS
Hey ladies and gents, want to start off by humbly saying sorry for my extended vacation but I'm back on the grind now. Secondly, if you don't know about the new things brewing for Upscene, your about to find out!
For starters, The WFW snap backs are going crazy in the streets, we're already on our 2nd batch so if you were dragging your feet on the first drops make sure you get up on the next. upscenenyc.com or www.upscene.bigcartel.com/products is the place with a few select few at the store WEST NYC (www.westnyc.com)
The WFW Tees are days away from purchasing pleasure as we've been placing the finishing touches on the collection. The reactions thus far have been well received and can't wait to unveil. Will keep you guys posted as we develop.
Upscene will also be hosting The Almost Famous Showcase w/ DJ Booth at Le Poisson Rougue May 13th. We'll be in the place to be along with Upscene Fam NSR, Dash Speaks, Das Racsit, Blitz The Ambassadorr among others. Come through for some of the best hip hop NYC has to offer.
We've also been chilling a lot lately at the DD172 space in Tribecca which is ran by Dame Dash and house creative outlets such as Creative Control, Blu Roc and DD172 Art Gallery. The worlds couldn't be smaller as we just finished wrapping our Lookbook w/ Creative Controls own The Heirs . Look forward to some tatseful collaborations between us in the near future.
Besides that everything is everything, stay up!
Boogie
For starters, The WFW snap backs are going crazy in the streets, we're already on our 2nd batch so if you were dragging your feet on the first drops make sure you get up on the next. upscenenyc.com or www.upscene.bigcartel.com/products is the place with a few select few at the store WEST NYC (www.westnyc.com)
The WFW Tees are days away from purchasing pleasure as we've been placing the finishing touches on the collection. The reactions thus far have been well received and can't wait to unveil. Will keep you guys posted as we develop.
Upscene will also be hosting The Almost Famous Showcase w/ DJ Booth at Le Poisson Rougue May 13th. We'll be in the place to be along with Upscene Fam NSR, Dash Speaks, Das Racsit, Blitz The Ambassadorr among others. Come through for some of the best hip hop NYC has to offer.
We've also been chilling a lot lately at the DD172 space in Tribecca which is ran by Dame Dash and house creative outlets such as Creative Control, Blu Roc and DD172 Art Gallery. The worlds couldn't be smaller as we just finished wrapping our Lookbook w/ Creative Controls own The Heirs . Look forward to some tatseful collaborations between us in the near future.
Besides that everything is everything, stay up!
Boogie