[email-masked]
C O N   A R T
I S T S  –  A Silent History

p 212 619 2149
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12 May –
23 September 2007

Press Reception:  12 May, 15:00 - 17:00 hrs

Exhibition of drawings by New York writers CASE 2 and KEZ 5 in the Groninger
Museum

The relationship between Graffiti (street art) with the clandestine and the
illegal, and consequently with prison, is commonplace today - evidence of the
movement’s artistic insurgence and social dissidence. The majority of its
authentic (not replicated, derivative, or invented) authors have been condemned
to incarceration by the express prohibition of their creative actions. In fact,
legitimacy and status within the ranks of the internal hierarchy of these
street artists, is determined as much by a criminal record as by other factors
like risk, artistic contribution, ubiquity, competition, egoism, aesthetics...

The previously unpublished drawings by CASE 2 and KEZ 5 included
in this exhibition were all created behind prison walls during the repeated
sentences served by the two and still being served, for their creations and
their repeated attacks on the social system (vandalizing public and private
property, traffic in controlled substances, disorderly conduct, etc.).

While CASE 2 represents the old school of New York Graffiti of the early 1970s, KEZ
5 is an inescapable reference to the continuing vitality and world wide
validity of this art movement of the streets. Currently, CASE 2 is
serving a sentence of seven to nine years and has spent a fourth of his life
incarcerated. Meanwhile, KEZ 5, is serving 18 months and has been convicted 34
times over the past 16 years. CASE 2 is president of TFP, the largest crew
in the world. KEZ 5 is president of YKK, perhaps the most feared and
belligerent crew. Both of these writers are highly respected in prison
for their “skills” (technical and expressive talent) as well as for
their reputations and character.

The works in this exhibition generally make reference to a parallel reality, to
the fictions and dreams in which their authors live. The drawings by CASE 2
on paper hats used by cafeteria workers , for example,
evoke his imposed destiny to working in the prison cafeteria, because he's
missing an arm and a leg. This exhibition includes a portrait of CASE 2
made by KEZ 5 and numerous examples of the uses of the different
materials - which are limited by the conditions imposed with incarceration.
Although they do not know one another personally, the admiration KEZ 5
has for the work and attitude of CASE 2 approaches idolatry, because of
the latter's obsession of the with conquering and being a "king".

Exhibition Hours and Location: CON ARTISTS will have its press reception 12 May
and will be open from 12 May – 16 September, Tuesday through Sunday and
holidays from 10 AM - 5 PM. In July and August also open on Monday from 1 PM -
5 PM. Groninger Museum, Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME
Groningen, The Netherlands

Staff: curator: Antonio Zaya / design: Marleen Kaptein / editor: Ken Bensinger
/ graphic design: Melanie van Haaren

Sponsors: All City - The MONDRIAAN Foundation

CASE 2 and KEZ 5 appear by special arrangement with Martinez Gallery, NY

CON ARTISTS is the inaugural exhibition in the highly anticipated ALL CITY
series. The series is a multi-venue project on the history, culture and
controversies of what's known as "Graffiti". The first endeavor of
its kind, the ALL
CITY series will
encompass several exhibitions, public programs, educational initiatives and
publications.

Contact: Blanca Martinez at 212-619-2149, [email-masked]

Catalog Text & Images:

http://www.allcity.info/Con_Artists/Forthcoming_Catalog/

Pre-event Press Coverage:

http://www.allcity.info/Con_Artists/Articles/

Exhibition Design Proposal:

http://www.allcity.info/Con_Artists/Forthcoming_Catalog/Exhibition_Design_Proposal/

Surtida de Prensa:

http://www.allcity.info/Surtida_De_Prensa.mht