According to Hold Up Art Co-owner and Curator, Brian Lee, who took us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibit’s creation process, the past few days of setting up the gallery have consisted of a lot of beer drinking and strange highs from paint fumes. “It’s fun while it lasts but the next morning you just hate yourself,” jokes Lee.

As I stepped over plastic tarps, dodged ladders, and avoided leaning against wet paint, I mingled with artists and watched as Hold Up’s walls transformed. Among those setting up for the show was Chor Boogie, the only “Hi-Graff” participant from outside the Los Angeles Graffiti scene. As he stood in front of an arsenal of more spray paint colors than I knew existed, Boogie added additional layers to his wall. “I brand my style as emotional landscape and melodic symphony through color therapy or a street romantic voodoo,” says Boogie.

The San Francisco-based artist explained that the verse “Goose steppin’ over the innocence,” which is inscribed in the center of his work in the show came from a verse from a favorite MC DJ of his named El-P. “This is how governments are taking over the innocence. It’s crazy out there.”

Another source of inspiration for his wall, according to Boogie, was the yards and tunnels that he used to see growing up. “I used to see them all written up, bombed up, and tagged up and stuff and I just basically wanted to turn that memory into something timeless and incorporate my artwork with that emotion.”

In addition to Chor Boogie, “Hi-Graff” features works by Vyal, Slick, Defer, Risk, Cryptik, Rick Ordoñez, Cache, Codak, Spurn, Alec Monopoly, Augor, Zes, ROOTSYSTM, Coto, Midtz, Cyrcle, Teal, and Free Humanity.

“Hi-Graff” is currently on display at Hold Up Art through June 2nd. According to Lee, after the show is completed, wall art will be taken down, reinforced with 2×4 structures and auctioned off in a warehouse downtown. Proceeds will go to the Los Angeles Downtown Arts District (LADad), an organization that exists to promote the culture of the art environment downtown.

Words by Nicole Pajer. Photos by Zoetica Ebb.

The History of Graffiti and Street Art Exhibition at MOCA

Some of my favorite spots in Little T:

If you’re into Japanese books, comics and magazines, check out Kinokuniya – part of the Japanese popular chain of book stores. For the artists, Kinokuniya carries a variety of markers, pens and pencils – my graphic pens of choice, the coveted Copic Multiliners, are sold here.

Haru-Ulala is an izakaya-style restaurant – perfect for gathering friends over pitchers of beer and tons of small plates. Drinking and face-stuffing with your favorite people: what could possibly be better?

If you’re a patient human who can handle an unreasonably long line and loves real ramen, Daikokuya offers some of the best in town. If lines make you want to explode into a supernova of rage, walk a half a block to Mister Ramen – delicious, never a wait.

Oomasa restaurant has top-notch sushi [and sushi chefs]. Sit at the bar to avoid waiting for a booth and chat them up. Try the toro [fatty tuna] – it’s great here.

Pop Killer Second carries an absurd array of vintage sunglasses and clothing alongside modern Japanese fashions.

ProTip: for those seeking [cough] adult entertainment, Family Mart carries a cornucopia of Japanese snacks and has a curtained video section in the back. Tentacles, anyone?

Words and photos by Zoetica Ebb