did you see that?

as a self-proclaimed hip-hop head, the primary elements of the culture will forever be interesting. i say primary to distinguish the idea of 5 elements. i've heard other presentations qualifying more elements, but i maintain w/the 5. these cultural elements have consistently drawn on my attention over the years.

clearly i dig audio, so the DJ isn't really hard to tell. the MC as the communicator is also not much of a stretch. b-boying i enjoy for the energy of the movement & beatboxing is just an amazing form of creating rhythmic audio. graffiti is something that appeals to me through my appreciation of visual expression, abstract imagery, & the fact that i try to read damn near anything i see. i am not an active creator in all elemental aspects, but that fact does nothing to negate my appreciation.

when i got my 1st dcam (digital camera) 10+ years ago, i decided it would be a great idea to capture images of the various work i see around the Illadelph. while i have yet to do this as extensively as i would like, i have been able to get what i feel is a small sample of what this urban gallery has to offer the eye of someone who appreciates the art.

this activity is more important to me now because of the abatement department that goes around buffing. they buff any & everything. there used to be some thorough pieces all around 30th St Station as well as Girard Ave near the zoo. some of those pieces had been there since before i even moved to the Illadelph. now they're all gone. this is why i try to catch what i can when i'm out in the street. if i can't catch it when i 1st see it, i make an effort to come back for it. you never know if the dudes in the vans are going to come around 1 day & ruin the show...

click to see more images...

PEACE

...be calm...