Jamie Story (J-Money), Greg Johnsen (Gourmet), Jon Buscemi (Gourmet), Greg Lucci (Gourmet), James Bond (Undftd), Teddy L. (Mover/Shaker), Chris Gibbs (Union) and Eddie Cruz (Undftd).  Photo: Jupiter

Some of you might be fortunate enough actually know who these gentlemen are.  This image captures some of the heaviest hitters in footwear and beyond and i would have to say that if you have ever been in the shoe game and keep up with the illest kicks, these are the guys who are responsible for many past, present and future footwear collections and amazing retail stores.  Campin out for a shoe drop has become a culture here in the west coast, more so in Los Angeles. La Brea and Fairfax ave have become the mecca for many shoe collectors and this saturday at the UNDFTD on La Brea the new GOURMET + UNDFTD Quattro releases at ALL Undftd locations.  Feb. 15th on our online shop.  Feb. 22nd worldwide.

-PW

Article from saberone.com

Early on the morning of the 1st of September, I was woke by the phone ringing: My Piece Was Getting Buffed! I immediately went down to the river, found a crevice to hide in, so that I could watch the whole production of the piece being painted out.

Watching something that I had done 12 LONG years ago, being painted over, I didn’t expect my reaction to be what it was. I thought I’d feel horrible, it was something I had done when I was in my twenties, when I still felt invincible and had an unwavering sense of mission. But hiding there watching the workman paint, what I actually felt was a calming sense of accomplishment. What I sacrificed to create this piece, gave back to me ten fold. I never expected it to reach all corners of the world. And even though it was only a blurb in history, I feel it helped put LA graffiti on the map.

Ultimately I’m not happy with them painting over history, BUT, I won’t mind, if it means they will follow through and adopt an intelligent policy along the lines of the Friends Of The LA River’s mission:” to protect and restore the natural and historic heritage of the Los Angeles River and its riparian habitat through inclusive planning, education and wise stewardship”. Fuck it! I would rather trade shopping carts, rotting canine corpses, and florescent purple water with a shit brown tint, for clean water and a flourishing, vital habitat, wouldn’t you?.

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So after watching the video i think it is ridiculous that the city is spending 800k on river bed graffiti removal, no one goes down there unless you are a vagrant, LA should take some tips from Amsterdam and have a sanctioned area for artist to do their art in public view.

-PW