UN's 'Non-Violence/Knotted Gun' Bronze Sculpture.

With everything going on in the world right now, I made a point to visit the U.N.'s knotted gun sculpture (which, to me, is as impactful as Spain's 'GUERNICA' painting). The original sculpture of 'The Knotted Gun' also known as 'Non-Violence' was created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd, a friend of John Lennon’s family. Reuterswärd created this piece of art after Lennon’s tragic death as he wanted to honor the singer’s vision of a peaceful world. Initially exhibited in the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park a bronze version of the sculpture was donated by the Government of Luxembourg and unveiled in 1988 in front of the United Nations’ headquarters. Since the first bronze sculpture exhibited in front of the United Nations, replicas have been placed in more than 30 strategic locations around the world: the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (Switzerland), at the Waterfront in Cape Town (South Africa) or in Beirut (Lebanon) to name a few. The sculpture has been interpreted by some of the world’s most well-known personalities. Initially part of the Non-Violence For Peace Tour, 'The Knotted Gun' has been - and still is - interpreted by artists, personalities and is a source of inspiration for companies sharing the symbol’s values. 

(Picasso's' GUERNICA' created after dictator Franco's massacre of his own people of the Basque in the Northern region of Spain).

bye.

silence is golden

#quietontheset

#shhhhhhhh

#randomselfiemoments

Official Poster of the 77th Festival de Cannes

https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/

Stumbled upon ...

Due to algorithms on YouTube, I stumbled upon a site that used excerpts and clips from the directorial work that I did on The Lena Baker story titled 'On Griffin Alley' and the story about her execution by electric chair in the 40's South. Crazy.  So proud of my work on this, and my collaborative work with the incredible performer that I directed - actress Connie Winston (Law and Order).

A very cool day for me !! Proud of my hard work that is living on.

on-set with Connie Winston

"Eat Our Shorts" - John 'Joey & Judd' Bender

hangin' with my bud, actor Judd Nelson 

aka John Bender aka my brutha from anutha mutha

The incredible irony about Judd is that he is NOTHING AT ALL like John Bender, in real life. Raised in Maine by a lawyer dad and a politically involved mom, he had a comfortable upbringing. As an actor, his looks and general interest in people is what drove him towards the stuff like 'New Jack City' and 'Making The Grade'. The role that is closest to who Judd is as a person would be 'St. Elmos Fire.'

Vid clips ...

Honoring- United Flight 93

"Let's Roll" - hero, Mark Bingham

"Let's Roll" - Mark Bingham (R.I.P. Hero). With all of the relentless daily crap going on right now internationally, I made a decision to pay a visit, and my respect, to the United Flight 93 memorial in Somerset, Pa. I cannot recommend enough this memorial. Cellphones are not allowed inside of the memorial (only outside). Inside, the plethora of artifacts and phone call recordings from the passengers that were salvaged are beyond words. The final image above is the boulder that sits at the actual impact site. The entire memorial structure follows the course direction of the airplane as it flew inverted and then nosedived as the passengers broke into the cockpit to take over the terrorists evil mission. If you can, place this visit on your bucket list. It will change you. And, it will also remind you that under pressure, we can all become UNITED and Fight Back! 

#NEVERFORGET

John Carpenter 'studio visit' 2024

                                                     

I have an appointment to meet with legendary filmmaker and musician John Carpenter at his home-studio to talk movies. 

Way psyched, as he's a childhood hero of mine. 

The Scream caper

 

 

'Joey From Da Bronx' calls Trunk Nation to talk MTV, 1984 , Crazy Eddie Store, VCR's, top 5 albums of 1984, and the Bronx Whitestone Cinemas (rip).

 

'Joey From Da Bronx' calls Trunk Nation to talk MTV, 1984 (rip), Crazy Eddie Store, VCR's, top 5 albums of 1984, and the Bronx Whitestone Cinemas (rip). Called in April 3, 2024.

Shake, Rattle & Roll and a Max Roach tribute

Below are some pics that I took at The Joyce Theatre's 2024 centennial celebration of iconic drummer, composer, and activist Max Roach with an evening of commissioned experimental works made in tribute to this legendary jazz musician pioneer. I buried my mother next to drummer Max Roach, in the 'Jazz Section' of the Bronx's Historical National Landmark-  Woodlawn Cemetery. 

video clips ...

R.I.P. Richard Serra