Wall installation for Fine Arts show, 2009.

FINALLY! My wall features:
A pastel, charcoal and school chalk drawing portrait.
A cellphone image, manipulated with Photoshop techology.
A collage/assemblage of this female inmate's situation (cancer).

I have one last typewritten text 56" scroll I need to add to the left of the wall, but Ill get that down later in the week. I am also creating a ZINE booklet for the public to learn about the plight of art systems for women in correctional facilities, and how there is absolutely NO LITERATURE out there commending or talking about female prison art. FOr now joey (aka jane), it's rest-time.
HOW YOU (i.e. I) PULLED THIS OFF TODAY, ONLY GOD KNOWS. I ACTUALLY MANAGED TO OPERATE COMPLETELY LIKE THE PRISON DICTATES-BEING CREATIVE WITH WHATEVER JUNK AND/OR DEVICES I CAN FIND LAYING AROUND (OR LAYING IN A TRASHCAN).

STAY TUNED FOR THE OPENING DATES (AND STAY OUTTA PRISON).
This show will be dedicated to ALL women in prison who do not have a voice.

LUV,
akamexo

UNITED KINGDOM akajoey screening SATURDAY

This Saturday. United Kingdom. Take pics for me if you can, i'll be runnin' around the United States sending my best wishes from abroad :)

SATURDAY, 22 AUG 09
One night of experimental interaction

Times: 7pm till late
Entry price: £5
Where: Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST

This year’s event will be a creative experiment in which artists and audience will simultaneously engage in a form of social interaction based on game theory. Expect not to know who is who!

Alongside a collection of site specific works, an international group of artists and performers will facilitate altered versions of familiar social situations and games in which the audience is invited to participate to allow the process to become complete.

luv,
akame

Dolphin Activism .

i went to see the film, THE COVE this weekend. I didn't expect a spectacular movie, but i was deeply moved by the time i walked out. what struck me is just how UNIVERSAL it is to feel a "need" to fight sometimes for what you feel so strongly in your heart of what "justice" is. i have experienced this "fight or flight" phenomenon on a very personal and viceral level within my personal life so i can relate.

here is a snapshot i took of a very clever table set-up outside the theatre EXIT DOOR, a single dolphin activist used to recruit and deliver flier information about the cause against dolphin murders.

luv,
akamexo

ZINE

I went to a consignment shop this mornin' and noticed at the counter a fanzine. kinda like the ones made in the underground and punkrock scenes. I got inspired and want to create a ZINE available at my photography show in Brooklyn. The general public can read about current jailhouse protocol and the general treatment of female prisoners. Also, actual complaints and writings from my gals.

will be SO fun to make this. I will find a day this week to hybernate in a quiet library booth and make my mini-booklets. Then mass-print them for free somewhere that there's a free B&W copy machine. i luv tryin' to B a lil' more socially responsible in a selfish and $$$ driven world.
GOODBYE.

luv, akamexo

akame and his favorite boiling hot summer cap :)

Preliminary TESTS

These are some preliminary tests of a hospital inmate portrait photo that I will manipulate. My goal is to approach THIS project in the exact same way these inmates have needed to approach "their" creative expression: by snatching, snaggin' and conning every single thing i can get my hands on, in order to "make" these images beautiful... and made.

I am studying the various things given to me by prison inmates over time (cards, letters, drawings) and will use this as my Professor for this project:)

always,
akame
xo

Research on "paper".

Today i made some phone calls trying to research, and learn, which type of paper would best suit my idea for my female inmate portrait image. I learned that HAHNEMUHLE rag paper is "it" for me. It will allow me to "professionally" inkjet my cellphone portrait onto a 30x60 rag-paper print. I can then use charcoal and chalk to further accent and manipulate the image. Then I can spray a "protective" lacquer spray to hold the chalky surface and protect it from future damage. I'm gonna get a 5x7 rag-paper print first to do a test. If all looks good, then i get a couple of diet coke's, and a box of drawing tools, and a gooey erasure, and i head to the studio bench, and i "do my thang". I have a feeling i'm gonna fall in love with this portrait so to insure that i get to keep it for my living room till i die one day, i'm gonna price it at $15,000. that means that if anyone actually Buys It, i can use the money for a downpayment on a trailer park home with a junkyard dog and a fake potted plant, and make all of my dreams "come true".

i blabbed enuff for now. GOODBYE.

luv, ME.xoxo

New FALL photography show.

I am preparing to create my NEW work for the FALL photography show i will be a part of. My idea is to integrate still photography with charcoal drawing. I want to work sitting at an easel with a 24x36 photograph portrait that i have printed onto textured paper. Then charcoal accents to the manipulated image of a portrait. I will be presenting the work of a female inmate, so the visual metaphor is meant to represent to inability of the inmate to leave prison, yet still be a strong presence within the realm of FINE ART. ummm, here's my pics i took this morning showing the studio i will work in.

lov,
mexoxo

POCAHAUNTED docu-fessional video

"yours truly" may be soon directin' a video for one of the most innovative bands around, POCAHAUNTED! STAY TUNED. everything bout them makes Ms. Jane Public (i.e. I) very excited!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSHDT9qcLKc&feature=related

Archives research

I recently took a look at some research i completed on the Death Penalty. so much material to sink my teeth into. it's incredible how so many families on BOTH sides of the arguement have legitimate heartfelt concerns, but yet NOTHING concrete ever distinguishes itself. my goal is to deliver an educated opinion in the outfit of a cinematic narrative. time will tell how i pull this one off. The name of this movie will be joey?? COWELL. my lifelong pet project.
goodbye.
luv, me.xoxo