2001-05-05

it is a warm night.

concerning the current long island city, new york, queens plaza arts movement,

here are the players.

kristy -- programmer. planner. painter. she is the one who has managed the aquisition of the new 20,000 square foot warehouse (replete with functioning theatre) located in the basin of the scrungy queens plaza. also engaged in children's workshops, billboard art, and the projected nasa "painting in space" program.

Carmy -- local singer living above the Shannon's Pot bar, who happened to see a lot of cool people with beers walking into the Phun Phactory studios, and thus planted himself in the historic Phirst Meeting. Sings in the Russian National Choir of New York, vocalizing in such distinguished venues as Carnegie Hall. Last seen painting the pipes red in the "Space". Has cool shirts and a rough east european 'fro.

Lev -- Short for Leviathan. or alternately Leviticus. Painter, pure and simple. Has multiple jobs involving children's education, bike courier, temping. Looking to downsize his economic means, in order to have more time to paint. Will stretch any fibrous surface into a painting canvas. Also on a full time search for the opposite sex. Lev is the current owner of 'kitty' the cat, previously owned by Vinod. (Vinod is now establishing himself in India). Just don't ask him about his past in gymnastics.

Frank -- Currently on a sabatical in Germany. looking to make another child with his wife. After which time he will return to life in the Phun Phactory studios, painting D'Kooning esque portraits of imaginary females, and making sculptures, and cleaning the bathroom. Until his return it is anybody's guess who will take on the toilet.

Yukiko -- The wandering Japanese spinster. This mysterious woman is quiet and brooding. Where does she come from ? Where does she go when the sun goes down? Who can defy her silent stare as she looks for her reflection in her victim's unsuspecting eyes? A performer who is constantly 'on', Yukiko makes no distinction between her 'life' and her 'art'. Also an adept, if not demanding, storyteller.

Hitoshi -- Second of the Japanese triumverate, this young punk rocker is the definition of defiance. Strolling into the raucous "underground lounge" monday night open mike, he makes all the ladies scream with his newly appropriated leather boots and black jeans. He is James Dean, Punky Brewster, and Robert Plant rolled into one. Also an infamous jokester, Hitoshi commands an audience's attention with his wild-flying hi-jinks.

Koki -- The man who captured the West Side Rapist, with his extensive practice in kunk fu and self-denial. Koki was able to escape the bonds of the steel handcuff and report the evil thug, thus leading to his arrest and capture. This and many more stories will Koki tell once he has the crowd's attention, and a tightly packed cigarette resting in his hands. Koki also has mad guitar skills.

Ian -- This self-styled madman has been out of action for the last few weeks. His studio has been in 'total lockdown', in preparation for the upcoming 'Art Frenzy' of Long Island City. No one knows his wearabouts. Last I saw him he had just finished a film shoot parodying Pollock. He was covered in red food coloring, with paint around his lips.

Stay tuned for more

love,

pappazon