On occasion, as I roam this vast urban jungle of ours, I will end up with a pile of images that can’t quite fit their square peg into a specific subject gallery’s round hole.  Not that these misfits aren’t entertaining mind you, insert Danzig props here.  They just tend to be reactions to some primal Ansel Adams synapses in me that I think you might enjoy, whilst on the clock…

Words and photographs by Dustin Downing

 

“Last call for alcohol”, yells the barman as I gaze upon the vast brown bottle forest set atop this rickety bar plateau.  I raise to head in his general direction for another and BOOM- BANG -ZOOM!  I hear a thunderous crash, spin to see the forest has fallen and transformed in to a massive cascading log roll hell bent on ending this night not unlike some shit crazed Lemming…

…My thoughts direct me immediately to assume that this mysterious event , much as what must have been witnessed in the wilds of Tunguska in 1908, must be the act of some other worldly forces.  To my dismay, the ever vigilant door man has witnessed a much lessor drunken idiot catch the edge of the world with his embossed western belt which reads- “Andy”.  Thus, even before the second bottle has broke the surly bonds of Earth,  “Andy’s” ass is politely tossed to the curb.

I arise and am greeted by the knight perched upon what appears to be a chariot of fire. “Where to”, the refrain from high above queries?

“Must make last call somewhere”, is all that can be mustered out of my befuddled soul.

“Well, hop on, lemme see what I can do”, pronounces the knight.

Words and Photographs by Dustin Downing

 

I was recently hired to shoot the 2010 North American Body Paint Championships in a quaint little Nevada town called… LAS VEGAS!!! Due to those A-holes over at Homeland Security, I am not able to post the images captured over the course of the 3 days of intense naked competition. However, whilst on photo safari about town with my trusty lil’ pocket rocket camera, I happened upon some of the unclothed contestants in the midst of the regular Vegas crazies…

Photographs by Dustin Downing

 

“The average American consumes a whopping 34GB of data and 100,000 words of information per day.”  Holy overload Batman!  Thankfully, some of that information I shot in Detroit Rock City was pretty easy on the eyes.

Photos by Dustin Downing

 

“Graffiti and graffito are from the Italian word graffiato (”scratched“)”

As I travel this diverse landscape of ours I oft notice the “gifts” given by the unknown artists of the streets.  I say this with a light tone as I know not all are in it for the progression of their respectful specialties(tagging, stencil, aerosol,etc.). Often there is undue property damage and defacing, but there will be no judging here. I hope to use “scRatched” as a way for you to tour the same “galleries” I am afforded in my travels. Enjoy.

I have utmost admiration for any artist, who understands that the creation of the piece itself, most likely assures it’s eventual destruction.

Words and photos by Dustin Downing

 

The Heidelberg Project was created in 1986 by artist Tyree Guyton and his grandfather Sam Mackey as a form of political protest to the deteriorating Detroit neighborhoods of his youth. It is comprised of numerous decrepit houses adorned with stuffed animals, brightly colored dots, and strange number patterns. The main goal was to develop the city’s first indoor/outdoor museum, creative center, and neighborhood gathering space.

It resembles what one could imagine how the Sesame Street set would look like if it was set a fire and Big Bird took a bunch of brown acid before trying to rebuild it.  My words can’t really do this joint justice, so feast your eyeballs on this…

Words and Photographs by Dustin Downing

 

(Yes, that’s Bjork!)

Does anyone remember Michael Alig?  Oh, come on, you must: legendary club promoter?  Leader of the infamous “Club Kids”?  Inspiration for the movie Party Monster?  Currently imprisoned due to murdering, injecting with Drano, & dismembering Andre “Angel” Melendez, resident drug dealer at The Limelight?

The Michael Alig who, while in prison said, “I know why I blabbed. I must have wanted to stop me. I was spinning out of control. It’s like the old saying ‘What do you have to do to get attention around here – kill somebody?”

—Michael Alig Yes, you remember him.  He was a mess.  The Limelight was a mess, too.  Located in the former Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion on Sixth Ave., it was the club to end all clubs.  With a dance floor designed by H.R. Giger, marble crypts on display & a VIP area created from a repurposed chapel, it was the stuff of myth.  It was the first port of call for anyone seeking recreational drugs.  The mix of club kids, goths & ravers made for a multi-colored, flailing, clove-scented cornucopia of sin, decadence & depravity.

But times change, & after Michael Alig was arrested, & owner Peter Gatien was arrested multiple times (first on drug charges, then for tax evasion, before he fled to Canada), the club was shuttered in 2001.  It was reopened as Avalon in 2003, but closed for good in 2007.  The church has sat empty since then, a cold stone monument to the passing of time.

Until this month.  On Friday, the Limelight reopened — as the Limelight Marketplace, a collaboration between Jack Menashe (former owner of Soho club Lounge) & designers James Mansour & Melisca Klisanin.  Billed as a “three-storied shoppers’ paradise”, it has had a complete makeover.  Most of the original structure of the church has remained intact, & very few clues as to its notorious history have remained.

Described by Jack Menashe as “Disney World meets Manhattan”, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little wary about the deconsecrated space, but it’s clear that the new owners are intent on attracting a new kind of clientele.  With fewer crystals stuck to their face.

As well as upscale vintage shopping & a peak season green market, there are also some well-known stores like Havaianas, Hunter Boots & LeSportsac.  Artisanal candy is not dead at the Limelight Marketplace — It’s Sugar is a Wonka-tastic candy store which sells the world’s biggest gummy bears (5lbs each & $40).  Be sure to come hungry: in addition to the world’s biggest gummy bears, the space also contains a new Grimaldi’s location, a sit-down cocoa bar, cupcake, cookie & brownie specialty stores, among others.

Go & have a rummage.  But leave your jumpsuit that shoots fireworks at home.

Words by Gala Darling with photos by http://www.flickr.com/photos/firepile and http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephiblu

As much as I love to explore new cities, for me no trip is complete without a thorough investigation of the best places to shop.  I can’t help it — it’s just how I am.  I do judge a city partially on its materialistic merits.

I found my Austin vintage mecca in Feathers, but other than clothing, I really adore shopping for odd little things. Relics. Unusual curiosities. I blame this partially on my grandmother, who I used to visit during the school holidays. On particularly rainy or restless days, she would declare that it was time to go “hunting for treasures”, & she & I would dive excitedly into the overflowing bureaus, jars & drawers around her house. I would always come away with something fantastic, like a blue & green ring dotted with rhinestones or a gaudy teaspoon which somehow spoke to my young self.  I have a taste for these things.  I know where the yummies are to be found.

So please take it on good authority that no trip to Austin is complete without a visit to Uncommon Objects on South Congress.  It is not just one of my favorite stores in Austin, it is one of my favorite shops period.  It is absolutely bursting at the seams with deliciousness.  From curious old books to incredible occult artifacts, luminous collections of colored glass & bizarre toys, it is a delight to peruse.

I spent the better part of an hour digging around Uncommon Objects on Wednesday, & was so overwhelmed that I just had to take these pictures & share them with you.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I loved taking them!

Words and photos by Gala Darling

 

The indie streetwear business can be fickle. In Chicago alone, many boutiques that focus on carrying super exclusive kicks and Ts have come and gone lately. But a few have held strong, including Jugrnaut—the only shop of its kind standing in Chicago’s downtown, loop area.

The owners of Jugrnaut Chicago aren’t afraid to admit that some days are much better than others with sales or that dealing with unreliable manufacturers over time has halted the progress of their own brand. But they can’t be too mad given the store’s prime location and the attraction garnered within the past three years from so many hip-hop and streetwear heads.

Situated within walking distance of several schools (Columbia College, The Art Institute, and Jones College Prep to name a few), the place gets a strong share of students walking through the door. Even Red Bull Big Tune winner C-Sick used to stop by as a high school student despite living nowhere near. On the day I visit, kids are inquiring about Jugrnaut parties, some just browsing, others gossiping, and one high school student who raps even inquires about getting a sponsorship from the store. Slowly but surely, this boutique has built a community.

Co-owners Brian “B.Easy” Nevado, Roger “Mr. Rogers” Rodriguez, Arthur Banks, and Manny Rodriguez make sure to stock what their clientele wants whether that’s collectible toys by KAWS, 10 Deep hats or Crooks & Castles shirts. But they strive to offer much more. In addition to holding in-store events with artists like Exile and Donnis and live shows, the boutique has become a magnet for not only students, but also local talent. These acts are proud to rock Jugrnaut brand hoodies and beyond that, be a part of the shop’s overall movement.

Just check the story of up-and-coming MC Dave Coresh, the first artist sponsored by Jugrnaut. While not a complete new jack, with the help of the store he has certainly started to become a recognized name in hip-hop. “We want our sponsorship to mean something,” says Mr. Rogers of working with Dave. “Because we sponsor him, everybody we deal with, we try to put him on the bill and we have put him on a lot of big-name bills. His second show ever was probably Wale!”

Moving forward, Mr. Rogers and his fellow co-owners want to work closer with artist’s managers and promotional companies to help Jugrnaut become the “unstoppable force” in hip-hop and fashion that they want to be. And representing Chicago is crucial.

“Anything Chicago we’re about,” says Mr. Rogers. “If you’re from Chicago, we’re gonna take a look or a listen or we’re gonna see if we can work something out if we like your stuff. As lame, redundant, or cliché as it sounds, we’re definitely trying to help Chicago grow and become a force.”

Words and Photos by Max Herman