ck one Shock Street Edition: Art in a bottle

Urban street art and graffiti’s continuing struggle to be recognised as a serious art form just got another major fashion fillip. Calvin Klein has partnered with artist and choreographer Jorge ‘Fabel’ Pabon, a respected proponent of the hip hop dance movement and graffiti art, to design a limited edition collection for the brand’s ck one Shock fragrance bottle. Called the ck one Shock Street Edition, the collection is available for both men and women. Pabon was recently in Dubai to promote the special collection and The Directory caught up with him to talk street art, design inspirations and his trip to the UAE.

Q: Why do you think street art is still as relevant today?

A: Aerosol art and the science of stylised letters will always be relevant, just as the paintings of the masters of the past. New generations inherit the legacy and are anxious to continue leaving their mark on society. Many do it for the very same reason we did in the 1970s and 80s: a cultural imperative, fame, power, prestige, therapy, and in some cases profit. It is a highly competitive art form that constantly pushes the envelope, while allowing space for endless possibilities.

Q: When did you begin writing graffiti and why?

A: I grew up in Spanish Harlem and was initially inspired to write graffiti by a street gang on my block known as the Savage Samurais. It was just a matter of time before I caught graffiti fever. I wanted to be like these free spirited “pirates of the streets.” Eventually I began writing graffiti on subways and walls in 1978. Before that, I practiced writing different names in sketchpads and school notebooks. In 1979, I changed my “tag” [graffiti name] to ‘Paser’ and started to spray paint it on handball courts and subway cars. I chose that name cause I felt I was a trend setter with the way I dressed and customised my clothes. Painting and writing graffiti enhanced my sense of self-empowerment, self-esteem and self-discipline. It uplifted my spirit and gave a sense of power that was not taught in schools and went against the grain of society. Graffiti art had all the makings of rebelliousness and beauty wrapped in one.

Q: What is the relationship between graffiti and hip-hop culture?

A: All the components of hip hop culture have their own history and respective deeper roots. Some graffiti writers argue that graffiti should not be associated strictly with hip hop culture. Graffiti art transcends race, ethnicity, religion, gender, one’s musical orientation, etc. It was and is the colour, odour, sound and feeling of ones individuality projected on a surface. Graffiti is a reflection of the soul regardless of the initial inspiration or surrounding soundscape.

Q: Why do you think it is such important form of self-expression within youth culture?

A: Graffiti is a powerful outlet that allows us to express our innermost feelings. We scream, laugh, cry, escape and embrace the world with our art. It is the language of the youth.

Q: Are you still writing today and where?

A: I’ve done a couple of pieces on walls recently however, most of my artistic endeavours are done on clothing or as digital art. I constantly draw outlines [stylised letters] on paper and occasionally paint canvases.

Q: Where do you find inspiration and influence on a daily basis?

A: My inspiration comes from my life experiences both past and present. I also imagine what the future holds, and try to predict it through art. At times the influences are practical and clear, while other ideas and concepts come from a very surreal and abstract place, where all my senses are interchangeable. colours become dimensions, spaces becomes fragrances, spontaneous fonts and unique serifs take form from the spirit of dance movements such as the dynamics of popping, locking, rocking or breaking.

Q: Which countries have you travelled to where the scene has inspired you?

A: Germany, France and Brazil were among the countries that inspired me throughout the years. These countries held on to the roots and foundation of early graffiti, yet incorporated their own signature flavours and techniques. At times when the scene in New York City was struggling to remain relevant, writers and aerosol artists in these countries kept it alive on the trains, walls, galleries, magazines, events and art centres.

Q: It’s your first time in Dubai. What are your impressions?

A: Dubai is one the most exciting places I’ve ever been to. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to share part of my history and culture at such a wonderful location. The architecture and atmosphere is breath taking. The hospitality is second to none. The people here are extremely welcoming and pleasant. The food is delicious and the views are fantastic. God willing, it will not be my last visit to this amazing place.

Q: What were you most looking forward to doing during your visit?

A: I mostly look forward to meeting new people and learning about their history and culture. I’m also very excited about promoting ck one Shock Street Edition to the beautiful people in Dubai. It’s an honour and pleasure to be part of the team that introduced this fresh and new ground breaking product. It’s history in the making and we are all part of it.

Q: What about ck one Shock Street Edition do you think will resonate most with young people?

A: The ck one Shock Street Edition will definitely resonate with the youth. Graffiti legends and pioneers made their mark on society as teenagers and young adults. This new fragrance and design radiates a youthful spirit and I believe the clients and consumers, regardless of age, will appreciate tapping into that energy. People enjoy celebrating their youth, and ck one Shock Street Edition will become part of that reality.

Q: What are some of the graffiti techniques used to create the ck one Shock Street Edition for him bottle art?

A: The techniques used were based on my accumulative knowledge of graffiti and urban art. In an effort to reach a broader audience and consumer, I tried to keep the letters legible, yet flavourful. I applied all the basic ingredients that make a graffiti piece pop. My initial thumbnail renderings were usually done directly with marker on paper. This is a technique that forces one to surrender and render from ones immediate emotions. The commitment and confidence in each stroke of the marker resembles the application of spray paint since there is no eraser to rely on. This technique allows me to flow from the soul, the essence of stylised and personalised letters. After coming up with a workable concept, I further define and solidify the outline by way of tracing via a light box. This process helps me further develop the form and structure of each letter and how they interact with each other.

Q: There’s been a sudden surge of interest in graffiti and street art, why do you think this is?

A: Graffiti and street art constantly compete for attention. We always dictate what’s new and fresh, while the media and industry follow suite. Because of its competitive nature, graffiti and street art will always pave the way for newer concepts and replenish the world of art and culture with revolutionary ways of advertising, merchandising and marketing. We own the streets and assault the senses.

Q: But there still appears to be a very fine line between those who view graffiti as art, and those who see it as vandalism. What are your views on this?

A: I can’t deny that when graffiti and aerosol art is painted illegally on private property, it technically can be considered vandalism. However, no one can deny that it is a legitimate form of contemporary American art that has influenced the world both culturally and industrially.

Q: After ck one Shock, what other collaborations are you working on?

A: Thanks to the inspiration from working on the ck one Shock Street Edition, I’m developing an urban art and cultural exhibit that will feature my paintings as well as other culturally relevant artifacts I’ve created or collected throughout the years. I’m also wrapping up the final edit of my documentary titled ‘Apache Line: From Gangs to Hip Hop’. In addition, I’m organising my second All City Rockers dance event that will include a competition, panel discussion, workshops and the screening of another documentary I’m working on titled ‘Rock Dance History: the Untold Story of Up-Rockin’. I look forward to launching a line of t-shirt designs that reflect my many artistic and cultural interests. I’m part of a production team that’s developing a very interesting reality TV show concept. I’m sworn to secrecy so I apologise for not being able to disclose much about it. There’s so much more I’m working on and I’m grateful for all these wonderful opportunities.

Q: Where do you see graffiti in 20 years?

A: The graffiti scene will still be setting the standards by creating free advertisements for the current trends. We will always be the voice of the voiceless and the face of urban artistry and culture.

* The ck one Shock Street Edition is available now in the UAE for Dh160 (50ml) and Dh230 (100ml).