Art News

Hey, no one knows for sure that Ernest Doty put those up. If he did, he could talk about them himself.

I really enjoyed this interview, but I thought the piece kind of buried the lede though, as it mentions only briefly in its introduction that one of the city's most innovative studio artists, Ernest Doty, has been arrested (and is being held in custody!) as a suspect. That guy should be given the key to the city, not a cell without a key.

There's also that quote from Chief Public Safety Officer Darren White, who says, "The only person who thinks it's great is the person who did it. We don't."

...Which displays such a narrow view of what local culture is that it astounds me. You don't speak for me, Darren White! Is culture only what can be commodified and registered with the local chamber of commerce? Is it only what looks good in promotional dining guides?

Or is true culture what truly comes from the people, that which sprouts up like rainbow-colored tendrils from the farthest reaches of the world of the city, that grows best under moonlight, and that leaves the places it found more interesting, more alive, and more of a someplace that's for everyone?

Is New York City's culture just a collection of businesses that one can enjoy one's self at while spending money? Is San Francisco's? Is Albuquerque's? Such a mindset is reductive and austere and untrue at best, and all efforts to make it true only help make our cities more boring.

Free Ernest Doty! Innocent or guilty-as-charged, let's keep art on the streets.

Red,Orange,Yellow Green. Blue,indigo,Violet...Too Cool.Yes on this...

So in that same spirit here is a previously published poem of mine. If it moves you pass it on and hopefully that original throwie that inspired me to write will continue to inspire others.

LEGAL TENDER

by: J. Wittmer

There is something pure about writing a poem

on whatever is at hand and readily available

cocktail napkins seem the most common

often the backs of fliers

though any blank inviting space

or typewritten page with a wide enough margin

has the potential to grow beyond

its original intended purpose.

I have written poems on all manner

of blank surface.

Walls, postcards, envelopes, pant legs,

the left palm, margins of books,

coffee pot filters, a crumpled paper cup

that happened to blow my way.

Only the most concise poems

will fit on the

diminutive real-estate of an empty glassine

stamp collectors and heroin addicts

need the steady hands of surgeons

to draw the tiny letters required.

It is especially sweet to spill

out a poem on the envelope

of an unopened bill.

I always reserve the hope

for poets everywhere

that someday

we all will be able to send those bills back

to our creditors

unopened

with our words scrawled across

the envelopes triangular folds

and that our

accounts will be reconciled

the poem accepted as

legal tender.

I have seen poems written

in Japanese characters on grains of rice

and imagined

the delicate fingers capable of such a thing.

Those invertebrate fingers

softer than sea vegetables

like tiny probing antennae

painting the smallest poems

on pages to perfect to bind.

In my ideal world billboards

would be stripped of suggestive commerce

making space for poets to

advertise the minds capacity

for squalor and beauty.

Teary eyed nine to fivers would arrive at the factory

having read an entire anthology

on the morning commute

and maybe call their spouses

to tell them for the first time

in far too long how much

they are appreciated and loved.

Sit down strikes

would be inspired

though traffic accidents

may be more common.

Tyrannical bosses would soften

or if not be strung up

by the worker empowered by

Marxist inspired prose.

Only the most urgent poems would

adorn the sides of ambulances

only the loudest, sickest poems

would you read as they

sped by.

At the recycling center

you would find only the

heavily read lines of

masters

maybe broken from the

original poem

mulched and jumbled together

with the rest of their contemporaries

a brand new masterpiece

reborn out of the cumulative bits.

Our world could change over night

if every dull surface were covered with words.

I have seen it happen in cities

where graffiti artists have

hung harnessed at the ends of ropes

from the sides of

two story concrete promontories

hidden by the blind night of a new moon.

The next morning as the sun rose

unveiling the poignant possibility of

all ordinary concrete slabs,

it was for some

as if the sun were

rising for the first time

the brilliant color of another mans

visionary spirit

spilling like truth into their own.

It was that way for me.

And for that single morning

in that small section of that particular city

the world seemed much different than it had

just the day before.

All the commonly overlooked possibilities

staring starkly and vividly

asking us why

we hadn't thought of them

before.

there is NO EVIDENCE linking the accused to this so-called "crime"... and it's not fair to be dropping somebody's name into a story like this without any kind of case built on evidence!! even more curious, is why other vandals/graffiti artists who have ALSO applied their work to the VERY SAME BUILDING have not been pursued with the same vigor (look on the west facing side of the anasazi building to see evidence where other graffiti has already been cleaned up). Why is the city so overly concerned with the street art that people actually appreciate? if only they went after people who actually cause physical harm to others with same willingness as they have to somebody, who has done nothing more than apply colorful paint to a surface. Darren White said on the news that it'll cost a lot to clean up and can be a dangerous task because of it's location, but why isn't leaving it there an option? (it is an option right?) if it isn't, then why not? i've yet to hear a logical response to this question.

people fear that which they don't understand. i guess they figure if they put the clamps down on somebody like Ernest Doty, (a well known artist who gets paid by many property owners throughout the city to beautify their walls, as well as selling his art in multiple galleries throughout town), that this'll send a message to kids who Doty inspires (and believe me there are many). Ernest Doty is a principled human being, known for his healthy lifestyle, doesn't consume alcohol, gives generously to those in need, and inspires those around him with his creativity and strong work ethic. he's always out there, hustling to make his living as an artist and pursuing that which he is passionate about. society needs to reward people like that, not condemn them. the city (whoever that's supposed to be) may not understand or appreciate graffiti style murals, but that's not a good reason to treat somebody who does that kind of art like a malicious hooligan, especially when the exact opposite is the case. time to re-examine our values and question what is truly important in our society. and for chrissakes, stop accusing innocent people of crimes they haven't been convicted! the responsibility of a journalist (even one from a entertainment rag like the alibi) is to report facts and NOT corroborate the false speculations from a poorly conducted investigation done by a highly incompetent police force. such accusations can be damaging to one's career/life, and the idea of imposing that kind of fate on another person, especially without evidence, is flat out wrong in so many ways. and if dare say so, far worse than the "crime" of which he is accused

besides, accusing/locking up the wrong person will NEVER stop the actual person(s) from continuing to to drip rainbow paint down the sides of buildings. people who act defiantly against a system that opposes their freedom to express themselves, will only be fueled by the injustice they see, not deterred!

to Darren White, you won't achieve an obedient/submissive society by calling people "knuckleheads" or resorting to unproven claims like "nobody likes it, except the person who did it" ...want some respect? how about showing some first! we don't all see things the same way, any reasonable person knows that much. being ignorant to the diversity that exists amongst us is no way to run a society. to me, the rainbows represent that diversity, it is something to embrace, it is something to celebrate. if you don't like it, that is your right too. however, just because one doesn't understand or appreciate certain forms of art, doesn't mean it has no value.

last time i checked, ernest has never followed my roommate and his girlfriend home brandishing a KNIFE and shouting like a madman, though someone, who as far as i know was not apprehended, did just that last week. yet, law enforcement seems to have devoted a great deal of time, energy and resources into finding ernest, arresting him, charging him and now a court date too. i want to see my neighborhood be safe enough to walk around in after dark, not ernest thrown in jail for his wonderful work. darren white should get his head out of his ass and protect this city's PEOPLE. the buildings can look after themselves!

I enjoy the Rainbow Warrior's work. FYI Rainbow Warrior, Ernest Doty or whoever you are yes! your work has brightened my day. I've been admiring the public art on the brick building just past the train tracks in EDO for months. Honestly I look forward to seeing it when I drive by.

I feel several things. First of all, I think it looks okay. Why is this making such big news? And why is everyone standing up for someone who goes around dumping paint on someone else's property? Would you applaud me if I went through neighborhood painting something that "I think is inspirational" all over a bunch of passed out drunk folk? Or maybe if I decided I liked all your Bicycles and cars painted a different color. Would it be okay for me to do so under the idea that a majority of people would agree since it is "Art."

If someone owns a building and they want it painted up. I'm pretty sure they would contact an 'artist' and 'hire' them to do the work. It happens all the time. You can see murals all over this town, with signatures. Of course this Rainbow child needs to be legit to be contacted.

why are people defending this person? Ernest Doty specifically? because, like i said earlier, he's a valued and productive member of our community. And what if he's not guilty of this crime which he is accused of committing?

or how about the fact that our city has 1.7 gajillion (actual statistic) convicted drunk driver repeat offenders that get to take part in society until they finally murder someone with their addiction, while this particular "crime" has someone facing YEARS in federal prison. Doesn't that disparity beg questioning?

the priorities of our leadership need to be questioned. that is our job, as members of the community, to voice those concerns.

Never said anything about ernest doty. the police did. maybe you know something i dont. i dont know that dude at all. what i doo know is that earth has less than 7 billion people on it. your statistic for a city of less than a million is completely absurd. this is an article about vandalism and not DUI by the way. not sure why you keep bringing in these outside topic arguments.

we all know the state is going after the DUI issue with the mindset of how can we make the most amount of money.

...And why is everyone standing up for someone who goes around dumping paint on someone else's property?...If someone owns a building and they want it painted up. I'm pretty sure they would contact an 'artist' and 'hire' them to do the work. It happens all the time. You can see murals all over this town, with signatures. Of course this Rainbow child needs to be legit to be contacted.

Have you bothered to see the "property"? It's a damn eysore created by an alleged 'developer' and con man Vince Garcia and his family of crooks. Nothing legit about that crew of thieves. Lieing to the public, oweing large ammounts of money to contractors and their employees and seemingly abandoning the ugly-to-start-with project and leaving a mess. These are the jerks who should be arrested.

Where's the abatement team and why aren't they dealing with this hazard? Oh, perhaps because these swindlers scam fit nicely into the Chavez/Denelli/White vision of a yuppie utopia in the downtown area. That's the same group of fools who insist on calling the Hunning Highlands area, EDO. Sheesh.

For the clowns in city hall to be this upset over totally non-offensive artwork is the other crime being committed here.

What a bunch of jerks.

your statistic for a city of less than a million is completely absurd.

[link]

If it's done on private property with permission, it could be art. If it's done on private property without the owner's permission, it's criminal vandalism. It really doesn't matter whether or not you like the painting.

Dear Alibi,

Regarding Patricia Sauthoff's article and interview with the alleged "rainbow artist," (Arts, "Rainbow Warrior," Aug. 12-18) is it art or vandalism? It doesn't matter if it's art. If it is permanently painted on someone else's property, private or public, and without the owner's permission, it's vandalism. No excuses. It's vandalism.

That the city should indeed be paying more attention to other clean up jobs or other crimes is irrelevant and a spurious argument. If it's on somebody else's property without permission, it's still vandalism.

It doesn't matter that the (in my opinion) pathetic building monstrosity at 6th and Central is abandoned, and taken over by the city, the property still belongs to someone else who did not give permission to have this done to it, therefore it is vandalism.

The wall at Union Square and Central, on the other hand, is part of a building that is not abandoned and is private property. And the wall seems to be made of well-kept vintage brick. Now it's ruined. That is vandalism.

And, just for the discussion, are these rainbow paintings art? One of the definitions of kitsch is something which puts itself forward as art by attempting to generate a positive emotional response it does not deserve. I believe these rainbow paintings could fit that definition. Actually, they look like advertising for a house paint manufacturer, or maybe illustrations for a greeting card. By the way, art must also be well crafted. At Union Square and Central it is sloppy and spattered down below.

Besides, even if this person had painted on these walls a Sistine-caliber art work, if it's on someone else's property without permission, it's still vandalism.

The real challenge to an artist would be to have displayed the rainbow without damaging the property in any way. Perhaps unfurling wide weighted ribbons or something, which could quite easily be removed. Of course, then we still have to address the fact that getting up on the roof without permission is trespassing.

The Fractal Foundation has put up rather large banners (that are easily removed) of interesting and colorful artwork by students and others on the sides of buildings with full permission. Why can't this person? Involving students, it would then be a welcome creative service to others.

I think the thing I dislike most is this person's dewy-eyed self-justifications. There are lots of ways for any artist to offer good feelings and creativity and beauty to others that do not include vandalism. The same sort of justifications are used by the graffiti taggers. Occasionally some of that is quite good, although most of it is terrible. But once again, it doesn't matter if it's good or not. If it's on someone else's property without permission, it is vandalism.

Peter Grahame

Albuquerque

The rainbows are inspiring and refreshing all at the same time. I love that it's the same rainbow but the levels on paint drips are all inconsistent, it makes every rainbow unique, and each can inspire a different feeling.

TeleoTheDream wrote: "I can't fathom being against what Ernest has done. Thank you Ernest! Good luck."

Maybe I should come over to your house in the middle of the night and paint it in a way I consider to be an artistic expression of my humanity and connection to the universe.

Then make the same statement.

Lol Im not incapable of understanding being against Ernest. It was an exaggerated point of view.

And I wouldn't mind the rainbows on my house, or even random peoples art. I mean it's art. Can you imagine a city entirely covered in it? Ha

I certainly wouldn't mind.