S.A.G.E. Collective

"SOCIALIZM"

2012-02-08T23:42:00.000-08:00

Join us on March 2, 2012 at 7pm for Trenton Social's monthly FIRST FRIDAY who this month will be honoring the amazingly multi-talented, very unique and Trenton's own, Will "KASSO" Condry!

KASSO as he is popularly known excells and is known most for his unique portraits and vivid aerosol based murals which are located throughout the city of Trenton and across the east coast. Will has participated in numerous non-profit organizations and has been commissioned to produce fine art for celebrities and avid art collectors. He also teaches art in after school programs for our areas young who show creative talent and interest and is the host of "The Garden Variety Show" at The Trenton Atelier where artists and musicians come together and create masterpieces!!

For the past few months EVERY Thursday Will has been putting in lots of time, concentration, paint strokes, sweat and open arms to ANYONE who has came into Trenton Social and who has asked to be a part of his live art sessions. He would photograph either 1, 2 and sometimes 3 individuals at a time and produce them in his vision in usually 4 hour time periods! Over the past few months he has produced numerous "outposts" that will ALL be hung up March 2! Now that is a dedicated and true artist!

Will "KASSO" Condry is a TRUE DEDICATED and ORIGINAL artist! I have had the pleasure of being painted by him twice and working with him on various projects! Some of his outposts are ALREADY sold so YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT!!! It's going to be PACKED! Free to attend! Bring anyone!

-Valentinas Vanity(curator)

MLK Day of Service

2012-01-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

Maxwell Pollock of the Bonner Center at TCNJ asked me would I be interested in working with my former high school during the MLK Day of service lead by the community service organization "Jersey Cares"
www.jerseycares.org/. The day would consist of graffiti cleanup and mural restorations at the school. I was asked to to design 4 mini murals which were painted by volunteers of Jersey Cares and students and faculty of TCHS and The Bonner Center.

It was a great time and the community support was awe inspiring. Thanks to Maxwell Pollock and the Bonner Center for the opportunity to give back to my alma mater. I'm looking forward to doing more events like this in the near future!

-WILL KASSO

Maxwell and "Jersey Cares" volenteers painting the "Dove" murals I designed

Finished product

SELF TAUGHT

2012-01-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

First blog post of the new year! Been slacking somewhat on the write ups and such...getting things in order for 2012 can be taxing, but no worries. Luv1 and myself produced our first wall of the new year earlier this week. We decided to set our sights on an abandoned building on the north side of Trenton.

We had no set plans...we just wanted to shake the dust off and take advantage of the unusually mild weather we been having recently.

Luv kicked things off with his abstract works, but this time using a limited pallet and I produced a portrait of a child with my abstract "kasso circles" following after. I also chose, like Luv, to keep my colors limited. Luv had the idea for us to keep most of the raw center block and brick unprimed..to give the production a most rugged feel.

We blazed out the entire wall in 4 hours. Other than the massive mounds of dog feces we had to maneuver threw..and I mean MASSIVE AMOUNTS, we had a great time producing this wall.

Special thanks to Shawn of CALI BOUND PRODUCTIONS for documenting this project and producing this awesome video! Check it out:

Peace.

-KASSO

Thursday Throwback: Inc Magazine

2011-12-22T17:39:00.000-08:00

Way before there ever was a SAGE, back in 10/07, I got a call from RAIN to paint with the VS Crew at the World Trade Center in Inc. Magazine's Headquarters. My can controll was admitedly not on point at this point, but the magazine folks loved it! I had a great time, getting my pizza and beer on with the Viciousez. This was my first time painting indoors with spray paint and I learned a valueable lesson that night...use a resperator! I think I bought one the next day lol. You can even see me stumble getting off the ladder in the video below, I was dizzy and all messed up by the time I left. Another thing I remember is security was unbelieveable in that place. It was by far the most heavily secure place I have ever been in.

*Ironic interesting fact, I got that call to paint, I believe, because a member of VS, now member of SAGE, PLAN aka DELVE, couldn't make it.

here's a snippet of mine...

KASSO in progess...

and a video RAS made, for TerraCycle (who hooked us up with the gig. Thanks Tom!)

One Love,
LUV1

THURSDAY THROWBACK: "CONCRETE ALCHEMY TOUR..2008"

2011-12-14T23:11:00.000-08:00

KASSO and DELVE..along with 13 other artist from the east and west coast were apart of an aersol artists tour called CONCRETE ALCHEMY sponsored by "Albus Cavus". For two weeks in the spring of 2008, these artists painted 4 large scale murals in 6 days...coinsiding with 3 gallery shows, which spread from NY to Maryland. All of the artwork for the gallery shows was also done on tour.

The integrated methods of S.A.G.E. Collective were seeded on this tour. All the walls were fully integrated and multi layered. SAGE collective philosophy about the intuitive creative process also was founded within "Concrete Alchemy".

For more info about the tour, follow these links and check out the video:

Photos of all the walls produced via ARTCRIMES: www.graffiti.org/ca/index.html

CONCRETE ALCHEMY INTERVIEWS:
www.albuscav.us/concretealchemy/

CONCRETE ALCHEMY VIDEO:

Rocking Out

2011-12-11T18:17:00.000-08:00

This past sunday, Luv-One and myself took a trek threw the woods of rural New Jersey to..drumroll...PAINT ROCKS! I know..sounds a bit weird. Luv contacted me earlier within that week to ask if I would like to join him on his nature adventure. At first I was like...paint a rock?! We should rock a wall! Then he told me that some of the rocks were as big as five feet wide! When I heard that...I was like "Yooooo, this can be great!" Lets do it!" If I cant paint a wall...then a wall size rock sounds pretty interesting!

Luv paints these quirky lil' characters. He's been doing them for years on canvas and other materials. I believe he said most of the inspiration for these characters comes from his son's drawings and that the two of them do this all the time simply because it's fun! So thats was the idea for the day; to paint a rock or two and keep it fun...like a child would. While we were out there painting, I at first thought this was a bit juvenile, but once u do your first one it becomes an instant addiction...u want to do more!

You want to find the rock with the most character...the most personality...and bring it to life! What I thought would at first be a waste of time, became a time I would never forget! What we were doing was reliving our childhood. Taking nature and turning it into art! Using what's there to create something new! I swear, it was like being 10 years old again. We were adding "character" to nature; giving it a personality..and making it our own. It made you wanna seek out new "rocky" terrane, while at the same time taking in the beauty of the breathtaking country side. In doing what we did, it made us appreciate the beauty of nature even more so than before. We both agreed that this day was something epic..even if just for us. It literally planted the seed of new ideas and possibilities! It made me see that sometimes you have to strip layers away and revile whats inside to find something new. It showed me not to judge a situation buy what's only on the surface, and if you want something of value, you have to seek it and dig for it. We sought and found....and who would have thought a rock in a hard place would move creative mountains! You cant spell "nature" without A....R....T!

Checkout the pics below to what we "rocked out".

Peace.

-Will Kasso

KASSO

LUV1

KASSO

LUV1

KASSO

LUV1

Thrusday Throwback: "BORN WITH LESS"...2009

2011-12-08T00:21:00.000-08:00

This wall was produced in early February, 2009. S. A. G. E. was still in its infancy as a crew...pretty much just consisting of myself and LUV1. LUV contacted me that morning asking if I was willing to come out and paint. It was an unusual day for the middle of the winter. We had a freak 70 degree day! We decided to jam out at Terracycle and do something small and non ambitious.

What started out as something with the intentions on being light heart quickly grew into a full blown mini-mural jam session. LUV had some references from newspapers and one in particular stuck out to me. It was an image of a young woman holding her son during "Hurricane Katrina".

I choose to do a representation of it while LUV painted an image of Hip Hop icon "Lauren Hill".

As usual, we jammed out the background with our abstract works...which at the time we were still developing. We also had very lil paint to work with due to it being the off season. This wall was literally done with scraps of paint.

Half way threw LUV had to leave to pick up his kid from school, so I decided to stay to finish up the wall. While I was finishing up, the rap song "Smile" by Tupac and Scarface kept playing in my head. Ever since I saw that pic from the hurricane, I couldn't get it out of my mind. So i went back to the beginning of the wall and put a quote up from that record....part of Tupac's verse which reads "Born with less but your still precious". I figured it summed up the feeling of what the image(the mother and child) conveys.

After the quote went up, it started to rain, so i broke out and went home. It was good times none the less.

For those who havent heard the song SMILE...check out the video below.

peace.
-KASSO

Social School of Funk & Soul

2011-12-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

Get an audio education in Funk & Soul at Trenton Social!

DJ Tangency spins a musical history lesson of the best Funk and Soul. Find out where those fresh and funky samples you hear in today's Pop and R&B songs originated! The night also features live painting by WILL KASSO!

www.facebook.com/Tangency

NO COVER ... GREAT FOOD ... SO GET ON THE GOOD FOOT AND GET ON UP TO SOCIAL!

Throwback

2011-12-01T16:56:00.001-08:00

Delve, Lank, and Paper Monster

Highland Outtakes

2011-11-29T06:38:00.001-08:00

Thursday Throwback: AFRIKA/BAMBAATAA MURAL

2011-11-24T09:38:00.001-08:00

I figured I'd take it back a few years and showcase one of our first sanctioned murals. I remember this one very well. The day before this one was produced, myself, Leon Rainbow, and Demer of "Vicious Styles Crew" were featured on the TV show "AMERICAS GOT TALENT". To make a long story short, that entire process was not what I expected and I left in a not so great mood.

The following day, LUV ONE and myself planned on doing this wall. This time we were joined by my friend and fellow artist "Frances N. Bradley". Frances had been in contact with me for some time prior to this wall. She wanted to learn the art of spray painting and I welcomed her to join us on this wall. LUV and myself were accustomed to working very intuitively and spontaneous, and with Frances being a solid fine artist and illustrator, I told her the best way to learn spray paint is on the spot. I told her not to worry about mistakes(she was a bit nervous being her first time working with the medium)...because working with us, u wont make any.

The only drawback was the weather. It was raining pretty much the entire day, but the store front had an oning that gave us protection from the elements.

Luv-One brought a image of Hip Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa to produce. I brought an photograph of a West African Princess and Frances brought references of different patters and photographs relating to Africa.

We started off painting in the same way we continue to paint today...very loose and free-form with the portraits to balance out the abstraction. After about 4 hours, LUV had to leave to pick up his son and Frances had to leave not much after. This left the wall half way finished. I decided to finish up the wall myself and to use the anger and frustration from the previous night on "Americas Got Talent" to energize me.

Around 9pm that night I finished off the wall. 10-12 hours of non stop painting. Needless to say, I was pretty beat, but felt great to have wrapped up this project and to get over my "AGT" meltdown.

LUV also produced one of his first videos off of this mural...check it out below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Will Kasso

Izzy

2011-11-22T08:06:00.001-08:00

Giving the gift of art is always from the heart. -LUV1

Thursday Throwback

2011-11-17T14:43:00.001-08:00

LUV1 and KASSO with JOS L

New Recruit

2011-11-16T07:35:00.001-08:00

thanks to Sage Francis for the flick!

S.A.G.E. COLLECTIVE at GARDEN SK8 PARK!

2011-10-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

DELVE

LANK

WILL KASSO

DELVE, LANK, and KASSO each contributed to the relief efforts at GARDEN SK8 park in Pinebrook, NJ. The park was serverly damaged during Hurricane Irene, leaving the park submerged in 3+ feet of water. Artists from all over the country donated their time and creativity to re-produce artwork within the park...culminating into what is the largest indoor graffiti instillation in the country!

On Saturday, Nov. 5th, 2011(originally 0ct.29th but cancelled do to less than ideal weather conditions). GARDEN SK8 will reopen its doors to celebrate its recent makeover in what is shaping up to be one of the livest art parties of the year! With performances by MANNY D, VENEOMOUS 2000 and DJ PRIORITY, ANIMAL CRACKAS and Trenton, NJ's own BLACK COLLAR BIZ, its sure to be a great time!. The show kicks off at 6pm-12am.

Black Collar Biz

Venomous2000 & DJ Priority

Animal Crackas

MANNY D

"ILLUSTRIOUS"

2011-10-27T20:48:00.001-07:00

LUV1 and KASSO are apart of a group art show centered around illustrations; showing at Guerilla Galleries in Newark, NJ. The show opens November 11th! For more info, check out guerilla galleries site: www.gugaart.com

Garden Variety Show : Industry Shakedown RECAP

2011-10-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some flicks of Earl Grey and Rap/Music from Khal over at http://rockthedub.com/, check some video below. Thanks to all of the who came out to help make it a great show!. NJ HIP HOP is the Movement!!

Highland Sfumato

2011-10-17T04:17:00.000-07:00

On the weekend of Oct 8th and 9th, 2011, SAGE collective was invited back to the Highland Design Farm to produce another massive mural project as part of the Hopewell Tour Des Arts. Last year, our combined efforts resulted in the HIGHLAND SENTINEL, which was the first mural of its kind in the Hopewell, NJ area.

This year we had to spread out and work in sections. Unlike the HIGHLAND SENTINEL, where we all worked in close proximity, this project had us in different locations to start, so we had to jump around a bit. We also had more square footage to cover with this project, but at least this year, unlike last year, majority of the work was done on the ground and not on ladders, so that in itself was a blessing.

LUV1 kicked things off with a murky background primed into the first section of wall. He then rendered a few crystals and gems busting out of the far right corner. The gems then spilled into his trademark Celtic knots with earth tone loops and swirls. KASSO came in and added a few mid tone geometric shapes that balanced out the composition which then flowed into DELVE's hollow straight letter spelling out his name. From there, LANK stenciled in an owl which help carry the far left corner, along with KASSOs abstract colorful shapes that morphed into robotic bird. Between the bird and the owl lay an image of an fetus, which represented the patron, Sean Mannex, in saying that the Design Farm is his "baby". It was also a nod to Leonardo da Vinci; being that one of his famous images is one of a dissected fetus from his sketch journals.

Turning the corner, LANK painted an image of a welder forging a massive abstract image of twisted colorful shapes painted by KASSO, which flowed into LUV1's energetic black, white and grey composition that framed a pre-standing wooden structure of the Chinese alphabet layered in gold. This was then book ended by LANK's stencil images of two lions....which gave the impression that they where guarding a secret gate or passageway of some sort.

DELVE began his section with his usual abstract minimalist approach. Working with a muted color palette, his shapes start in a circular graphic manner, then stretching out into KASSO's portrait of Leonardo da Vinci. KASSO chose the reference of da Vinci from a drawing the renaissance master did of himself at the twilight of his years. Like DELVE, KASSO decided to run with a limited palette, but incorporated a few pop colors to break things up. LANK dropped his lion statue stencil next to the portrait and also nuts and bolts stencils around DELVE's graphic shapes. The nuts and bolts are elements from last years mural, which tied in both murals with a similar theme.

LUV ONE flowed off the portrait and was inspired to paint a hand with a glass of Absinthe...implying that da Vinci is drinking the controversial cocktail. Along the other side of the structure, AJA worked her contribution; an abstract mesh of subdued colors in a swirl of galactic splendor. LANK capped off the section with a stencil of a compass anagram which spelled out all of our names.

After two exhausting but fun days of work, the hardest part was finding a title for the mural. With the underlying theme centered around da Vinci, we decided to go along with title "Highland Sfumato". "Sfumato" being a renaissance term meaning, in part, "areas blending into one another". Our goal with this project, as with all of our projects, was to keep everything well integrated. No one person can claim an entire wall. Each member of SAGE has a piece of every wall...from a small corner to a huge section. It was truly a collaborative effort.

Special thanks goes out to the Highland Design Farm for having us out yet again and for the unprecedented hospitality. Also a big thanks to "Liquitex Artist Materials" for the donation of FREESTYLE brushes used during the production of this project.

S.A.G.E. Collective

CCA's Anti Gala

2011-09-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

S.A.G.E. Collective was in the house at The Center for Contemporary Art's Anti Gala on 9/24/2011 doing live mural painting and bodypainting with Leon Rainbow and hula hooping by Andrea Gianchiglia. Check out the fun video below shot by Jolene and edited by me. Was a total blast being there, thanks to Ellen and everyone from the CCA http://ccabedminster.org/ for having us out!

to see more flicks from the event go to my flickr

-LUV1

Murals in the Key of Life

2011-09-12T13:54:00.000-07:00

LUV1 and KASSO inside the Trenton Atelier last week on a rainy day. Thanks to Pete and crew

Highland Design Farm Oct. 8th and 9th

2011-09-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

S.A.G.E. will be participating once again on behalf of and at the Highland Design Farm in the Hopewell Tour Des Arts Oct. 8th and 9th. You might remember the massive mural we did last year "Highland Sentinel" , this year we will be building on that theme as we paint some of the other buildings around the farm. FREE EVENT! ARTists and their studios! LIVE MURALS! GOOD PEOPLE! GOOD TIMES! You should totally come check it out!

The Center for Contemporary Art's Anti Gala

2011-09-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

S.A.G.E. Collective w/ Leon Rainbow will be rockin' the walls and bodies in the blacklight dance party! Circus acts too?! This should be interesting...more info visit the CCA

THE GARDEN VARIETY SHOW: AFTER THE STORM!

2011-09-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Oct 1rst
No Name Society B/W S.A.G.E Collective Present:
The Garden Variety Show: After The Storm!

Featuring Performances By

K Banger
Doc Reeves
Omega Ice
Sol Zalez
Pop Dee-Nero
King Don
Physical Graffiti
Skrewtape
Rich Quick
Junk Jerz
M.H
Jahmil Jasper

+ Pre-show Cypher

Host: EDOBECI

Sounds by: Divine Drummah and Hellfire

Show: 9pm-1:30am
$5 Donation

TRENTON ATELIER
220 ALLEN ST.
TRENTON, NJ

Side B Radio WPRB.org 103.3 (Friday Nights 7-9/ Sundays 5-7)

Jersey Fresh Jam 2011

2011-08-25T06:13:00.001-07:00

Adam and Eve

2011-08-14T05:48:00.001-07:00

adam and eve stitch, a photo by eL hue V on Flickr.
Kasso and myself had a great time painting at the lovely home of Andrea Yitkin. We painted an old barn surounded by Andrea's sculptures, statues, flowers, newly refurbished by her husband Tom. Right next to a goat, rooster and some chicken we were a long way from the usual urban elements. The theme of the wall was a Garden of Eden scene, it all came together seamlessly. Here's a video featuring the many sights of the weekend.

Just One More Thing...

2011-07-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Shout out to RAS and LANK blessing the TerraCycle wih a Peter Falk memorial. Filmed by LUV1 and EWIN. The little guy did good, used a good amount of his footage...future SAGE documentarian! Scratch that, current and official!

-LUV1

THE GARDEN VARIETY SHOW: NEW JERU REVOLUTION!

2011-07-16T09:34:00.001-07:00

No Name Society B/W S.A.G.E. Collective

Presents: The Garden Variety Show

Performing:

Daniel Joseph
Jermaine
Base Bronson
Omega Ice
Pistol
Mortal Shellz
Roebus One
Doc Reevez
$am Hill
The Knowmadz
Get Money Fly Boyz
Stick Greens

+ Open Mic Cipher

Hosted by: EDOBECI

On The wheels: Divine Drummah DJ M.Fasis and DJ Ahmad

Show is 9-12

$5 Donation (No if, ands or guestlists!)

Allen Street, Trenton New Jersey

Jersey Fresh Pre Party Art Show

2011-07-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T10:15:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day, a photo by eL hue V on Flickr.

not according to plan

2011-06-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

I started painting this piece at an event, but it got shut down (thanks to a negative state rep or city councilwoman or whatever her title was). I wanted to see it through to completion since I only had a pencil sketch, so I finished it on Illustrator. - Delve

CHANGE GON' COME...2011

2011-06-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

The other day I get a phone call from my homie ENOS telling me my GANDHI mural was defaced. I was like "nah, your kidding...that wall has been running over 3 years?! Who would take it out?". He told me he was serious and to drive by there and check it out. Low in behold, I drive up to the wall, and it splattered with white house paint..with a large portion of the face gone. I started to think who would do such a thing. I have no beef on the streets with anyone...at least not to my knowledge. And if someone were beefing with me...they should have at least left their name...any graffiti cat would of done that...so I ruled that factor out. Then I thought it may have been someone who would of had a problem with Gandhi himself(I had a wall vandalized before because it went against a community religious beliefs). But the question remained...after 3 years who would do this?

That wall...out of every wall I produced held the most esteem with me. It was the first wall I produce without sanction during the daylight hours www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiOooVl-pKE. This was the wall that literally put into motion the entire idea of SAGE Collective and our philosophy. I took major risks to put this wall up and it is one of the few I wanted to keep in tact no matter what. Massive amounts of energy was put forth to make sure that wall went up..and stayed up.

The following day. I got together with LUV-1 to redo the wall. We originally had another location set up, but due to the circumstances, decided to shift our attention to restoring this mural. After about one and a half hours of painting, this weird dude approached us and started taking pics of us with his phone and would then run off. We brushed it off as nothing...but I knew the dude..he lived in the arts building just across the way. I then took a break and ran to the store to get water. When I came back, LUV told me dude said he messed up the wall and he was calling the cops on us. I was like "WHAT THE FUCK?"...Whats this dudes deal?!" I knew him from the arts building...and also knows he is a lil' "touched" mentally..so I again brushed it off as craziness.

About ten minutes later, The cops show up. LUV and myself stop painting to see what the problem is. The officer came over to us..told us we were good and that the dude who called them is a lil crazy and they have been getting complaints about him for sometime. We told him that we were restoring the old mural that was up here because someone vandalized it. The officer then looked at us...shook his head in disbelief...saying: "Shame, this wall was up for years...who would do such a thing". We told him we had an idea, but was not certain and had no proof, but in any event, its getting a makeover.

Over the next 3-4 hours LUV and myself tooled away at the wall. LUV worked his usual abstract expressionistic designs throughout the background and I focused on the figure of Ghandi. The funny thing is the first time I did this wall, their was an unbelievable amount of stress involved...this time...smooth sailing. LUV and myself jammed out and we produced something we are truly proud of. I have been trying to figure out what does all this mean. And one conclusion I came to realize is its simply growth. This wall was first done alone...with no set plan...no true direction as to what may come. This time, It was a team effort..and in my opinion, a better over all mural. It started off as a risky gamble and turn into a major success.

We finished up, took pics and talked about how smooth the day was and about the unbelievable odor of piss in the alley where we were painting. LUV asked me did I think dude would take it out again. I said "nah, I don't think so...dude is a lil schizo...I believe its isolated. To rough him up or anything of violents is not necessary for someone like that...he's in his own private hell". But if it does happen again...I know where he lives.

Check out the amazing video produced by LUV-ONE of the days proceedings...peace. -Will Kasso

BBoy BBQ 2011 recap

2011-06-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Not much to share far as SAGE painting at the BBoy BBQ in Philly due to a politician shutting down the aerosol mural. Apparently the wall on the block chosen was in an anti-graffiti zone. The po po was deep, with the Seargent of Police and if we'd of kept painting we would have gotten locked up. So the only flicks I have are blackbooking and sitting down. Here's 45 minutes into what my piece was going to be. The video is of some of the breakers going at it in the early afternoon, including my little guy at the jump. NEXT YEAR IT'S ON! - LUV1

THE GARDEN VARIETY SHOW: WELCOME TO THE TERRADOME

2011-06-14T09:35:00.001-07:00

NO NAME SOCIETY B/W S.A.G.E. COLLECTIVE PRESENTS:

THE GARDEN VARIETY SHOW: WELCOME TO THE TERRADOME

Featuring performances by:

Fizix
Spitatainment
Blackout (M.O.)
Steve Smiff
Zu Ninjaz
Rhymageddon
The Knowmadz
Shawn Lov
Mr Fickle (Of B-Boy Akademy)
Tone Liv (of Remarkable Mayor)
The Cause & Knowledge
Paperface

+ Open Mic Cipher (W/ Beats provided by Hellfire)

$5 DONATION!

Hosted By Popa Chief

Sounds from Divine Drummah and DJ M.Fasis

TERRACYCLE WAREHOUSE
121 NEW YORK AVE. TRENTON, NJ

KASSO IN LONDON, ENGLAND

2011-06-08T02:50:00.000-07:00

I recently was sponsored to go to London for a few days. Man, it was like hitting the lottery! A company that is related to the arts, that I have been loosely working with over the past year, asked me to be apart of a unique focus group for the development of a new product. Im not at liberty to go any further in my description due to my signing of a disclosure agreement. In any event, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

The draw back is that I only had a few days in London, but I did have one full day to explore the sights and sounds of Europe's "New York City". I ate traditional foods like "fish and chips" and the "full english breakfast"...and did mostly touristy stuff like see "big ben" and "Buckingham palace".

The following day was all work. Myself and some local graffiti artist took part in the focus group. Toward the end of the sessions, I convinced some of the higher ups to let me rock a wall at their factory. They set me up with a wall...primed and ready to go. It was on the small side...but with only a few hours to paint...ended up being the prefect size.

After I finished painting, a few of the young ladies from the office took me out for dinner and drinks...a great way to cap off a few, but exciting days abroad!

-Will Kasso

Student mural

2011-06-05T10:35:00.001-07:00

After three quick, concentrated sessions, the students in the after-school art class I guest-taught completed this mural. To push them into new territory, I required them to paint images of non-sentient things. We were all pleased with the resulting mural, especially considering the formidable challenges the students faced. First, they had only a short amount of class time to practice painting with cans, design their wall, and execute their plan. Second, out of the eight students whose imagery was included in the sketch for the wall, two didn't show up for any of the painting days, and others were only able to paint for some of the time due to schedule conflicts, so there was a nucleus of three or four students who really pulled a lot of weight in terms of getting this mural done. Numerous passersby stopped to share encouragement and their appreciation of the students' work. I'm proud of the students' effort and the way they worked as a team to complete their project.

-DELVE

Memorial Weekend Performances

2011-06-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

Was lucky to be painting around some incredible talent out here in Jerz this last weekend, here's a couple snippets I found. Told you that Garden Variety cypher was illin!

Urban Arts Festival in New Brunswick, NJ

2011-05-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

KASSO, LUV, LANK, AJA at the Urban Arts Festival in New Brunswick, NJ. Big ups the State Theater for having us out. Big ups Albus Cavus who we were out there reppin'. Check the video...

Garden Variety Show Lank and Luv Live Painting

2011-05-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

garden variety lank n luv live , originally uploaded by eL hue V.

Shout out to all the dope Jerz eMCees in the building, too many to start naming. Serious fire brought out last night tho, 'specially in those early round freestyle chyphers. Shout out to all the people who kept standing in front of the flood light making it impossible to see. Lastly shout to Kasso for hosting the show! Rest in Power Mr. Gil Scott Heron and thank you for all you did!

Course

2011-05-25T17:25:00.001-07:00

I recently completed this mural as part of my guest teaching in an after-school art class at a local high school. I have since worked with the students to practice their spray painting skills and compose sketches in preparation for the murals they will collaboratively paint next to mine. Weather permitting, they will start painting tomorrow. They have some great ideas, and I've been blown away by their ability to talk about their drawings and work cooperatively in small groups to design their walls, so I'm very excited to see their murals!

-DELVE

Ganesha

2011-05-25T17:22:00.001-07:00

spray paint and acrylic on canvass
72" x 45"

A friend of mine commissioned this painting. She requested that I incorporate an image of Ganesha and paper cranes into the painting. We bounced ideas off of each other throughout the designing process and we are both pleased with the outcome. I'm grateful to her for her enthusiasm, patience, insights, and support!

-DELVE

Howling Wolf and Medicine Man

2011-05-21T18:22:00.000-07:00

Howling Wolf and Medicine Man, originally uploaded by eL hue V.

Painted when it wasn't raining over the past couple of days with Aja at my spot in Flemington in the parking lot off main street. The passerbyers were 100% on board luving it. People flexing thier Native American History knowledge, a lady who collects wolf figurines, who originally told me "I collect wolves!" I said "That sounds dangerous." Men working on refurbishing old buildings out there in and out of rain with us, having their lunch break watching us. It was one of those walls where the process is as enjoyable as the outcome. Aja's Crow Medicine Man is her first stencil and is now protecting the wall. My howling wolf, which I orginally had a referance for and was going to try and go all photoreal on, turned out to be a bit on the free because during one of the downpoars I ran for cover, grabbing my camera only, and the referance got ruined. The whole wall is a mixture of brushes, rollers, and spray.

check the video...njoy - LUV1

THE GARDEN VARIETY SHOW

2011-05-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 28th,

No Name Society B/W S.A.G.E. Collective Present:
The Garden Variety Show: Live After The BBQ!

Featuring Performances From:

Nocturnal
Popa Chief
Slim DSM
Black Collar Biz
SURG
Skrewtape
Hustle M.C.
Rich Mahogany
Joey Dynomite
Steve Smiff
Fisix

+ The Open Mic Cipher

DJ’s Divine Drummah and Subtraxshun on the wheels

Hosted By Ras Asia and Grashopper

8pm-12am
@
THE GALAMO on ALLEN ST.

ALLEN ST. Trenton, NJ (Next To The ICE CREAM JOINT)

$5

Philly BBoy BBQ June 11th

2011-05-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

Throwback Video Arthur Ashe mural

2011-05-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

SAGE Collective's Arthur Ashe Mural from luv1 on Vimeo.

Since we just spent a great evening at the Westin in Princeton for the NJTL of Trenton Fundraiser, and saw this mural up close in person again after a year n a half, here's the original video. The image is used on everything NJTL does it seems. At the gala last week alone I must have seen it reproduced a couple hundred times on different materials. It was published in Mercer Business News magazine and in a couple tennis magazines. Never would have thought I'd be seeing it so much after painting it, glad I like it! Thanks again Rob!

Soul Stitches

2011-05-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

soul of the message stitch, originally uploaded by eL hue V.

the show must not go on for much longer...if you'd like to make an appointment this week is the week to do it. sagecollective@googlegroups.com

Jersey Fresh 2010

2011-04-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

shouts to all the crews SAGE, VS, ATC, FUA

flick by Ricardo Barros

Mural tour with students from Rider University

2011-04-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

Today I gave a tour of the murals in Trenton to students from the Sociology Department of Rider University. It was a great time...going around the city looking at some walls I myself haven't seen in a while. We started off at Terracycle; where various graffiti and street artist from all over the East Coast frequent and were graffiti classes are also held. From there, we proceeded to several walls through out the city. We all had a great time and Im looking forward to doing more of these tours in the near future. Below is a link to a slide show complied by Professor James Dicikinson of the Sociology Department...enjoy!

peace.
-KASSO

picasaweb.google.com/murgatroyd47/SociologyClubTrentonMur...

Soul of the Message

2011-04-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Ricardo Barros of the SAGEs.

On April 8, 2011 at 219 Gallery in Trenton, NJ, S.A.G.E. Collective's first exhibit as a collective successfully opened. Over one hundred people from all over Trenton and surrounding areas made the trip thru the rain to see the artwork and meet the artists responsible for over a dozen murals in Trenton itself. The music performers, who were going to be on the street like a siren calling visitors from the capitol, had to move the show inside because of the rain, which made for a very cozy scene. Windows fogged, house packed, the art show became part concert! The first video is a virtual walkthru of the exhibit for all those far away who can not make it to see the works in person. All the artists really worked hard and pulled off some amazing pieces.

Many thanks to all those involved and everyone that came out! The artwork will be on display by appointment for the next month, if you're intersted in stopping by email Kasso Below are a few snippets of the incredible talent Trenton has on the mic who came out to support...Hustle MC, Polo, and Black Collar Biz...BIG ups!

Friday Night Live

2011-04-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

Huge thanks to Joel Price for the great photos used in this video! S.A.G.E. Collective live art at the Community Arts Center in Wallingford, PA, music in the video is Dave Manley Trio who also played live at the event.

THE ARTWORK OF AJA WASHINGTON

2011-04-01T15:07:00.000-07:00

S.A.G.E. Collective's own Aja Washington

Lank's on a Float!

2011-03-29T18:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday, March 21st found me someplace i didn't ever really expect to be, atop a float in the Trenton St. Patrick's Day Parade... An invitation from Leon Rainbow and the folks at Artworks in Trenton led me there and my Western European roots and love of all things Irish (read: the pogues & beer) had me very excited for a new experience. I had just over a mile and about an hour and a half to paint my side of the 4ft by 8ft panel. I chose to paint a bagpiper as my main image(a portrait of a good friend of mine, who was piping away with The Lia Faile Pipe Band at the front of the parade). Layered that over a large shamrock and framed it up with some traditional Celtic knots. Throw in the sponsor logos, a S.A.G.E. logo and an ornate "LANK" and it was a wrap....

I had a great time and was really pleased with the finished product. Thanks to Art All Night and Artworks for building the float, thanks to Rain for inviting me aboard and thanks to Brian Gentry and James Peeples for solid flicks and video work. (Oh! and a special shout out to the dude driving the big rig that the float was on, because he worked miracles piloting that thing around the small side streets of Trenton!)

-lank

Soul Teaser

2011-03-24T16:41:00.001-07:00

This Friday...is going to be Live

2011-03-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Paul Downie and the Community Arts Center for bringing us out to Wallingford, PA! We'll be improvising multi media style with jazz music by the Dave Manley Trio this Friday! Come out!

Back in Business!

2011-03-03T15:07:00.001-08:00

Luv-one and myself collabed on our first wall of the season. Felt good to get out and rock a wall again after a long and bitterly cold winter! We decide to go abstract full tilt with this one. Good times and more to come!

-Will Kasso

"The writing on the wall"

2011-02-25T06:58:00.000-08:00

Recent feature in the Hudson Reporter about the Jersey City Mural Arts Program and our Big Blue Whale Mural.
hudsonreporter.com/pages/full_stories_home/push?article-T...

"Soul of the Message" Press Release

2011-02-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Who: S.A.G.E. Collective, a New Jersey-based group of artists responsible for murals all over the state. Notable murals of regional and international acclaim include a 90ft. blue whale on Newark Ave. in Jersey City, a tribute to poet Saul Williams in Trenton (featured on the poet's web sites), and a brightly colored mechanical face on the side of the Highland Design Farm in Hopewell (featured in the Utrecht Art Supply Catalog). Members include Will Kasso, Luv One, Lank Williams Jr., Aja Washington, and Delve. http://sagecollective.blogspot.com/

What: Appropriately, S.A.G.E. is holding its first showing as a collective in its birthplace, Trenton. The show exhibits the members' individual styles and establishes the collective as a group of fine artists as well as muralists. Each member contributed approx. five pieces of art, and each artist collaborated on an instillation in the gallery. S.A.G.E. members incorporate the broad landscape of techniques in "Urban Art" including stencils, brush painting, deconstructed letter-based and non-letter-based aerosol art, "graffiti" characters, and wheat paste. Performing at the opening will be Trenton-based hip hop group Black Collar Biz, Hustle MC, and the S.A.G.E. poet laureate Raul "Polo" Cortez. Also, Leon Rainbow will do live body painting. Wine and light refreshments will be provided.

Where: 219 Gallery, 219 East Hanover St., Trenton, NJ

When: April 8, 2011 at 6pm

The gallery space is being provided by the Trenton Downtown Association (TDA), a non-profit organization dedicated to making New Jersey’s capital city a more competitive location for business owners and a more engaging center for workers, residents and visitors. Since 1986, TDA has strived to meet this mission by nurturing and promoting arts, culture and tourism programs, downtown business development and public space initiatives.

S.A.G.E. published in Utrecht Catalog!

2011-02-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

Our mural entitled "Highland Sentinel" was recently published in the latest Utrecht Art Supply catalog. This is a huge honor and we are very appreciative to have our work featured! If you take a look to the left hand side of the page, there is an image of crew member LANK doing a demo with the new Montana Gold line!

Visit Utrecht art online for more info:
www.utrechtart.com/

Kasso's Installations at "Inheritance" in Newark

2011-02-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

This was a lot of fun to produce. I painted two interior murals for the exhibit. I kept my subject matter within the context of the shows theme. With the title of the show being INHERITANCE, I decided to paint a mural in honor of my family...since without them, I would not be producing art.

The first mural started off with an image of my late father and ended with an image of my mother.

The second mural is an image of my five year old niece looking up to the sky with the saying "REACH THE WORLD BUT TOUCH THE HOOD FIRST over top of her head. To the fair top right, a bird is flying over into the sunset.

The installation represents the last 5 years of my life; starting with the death of my father and ends with the birth of my niece(who was born two weeks before he, my father, passed). The piler that bares my niece image in positioned at the front of the gallery, so the entire mural production begins with her.

The secondary imagery within the mural is a play on my mental state during this time...a lot of confusion and emotion...with more clarity as time passes.

The entire installation took two 10 hour days to produce. I was treated with the utmost respect and hospitality from Stan and Christine Sudol, owners of Guerilla Galleries, and special thanks to Jerry's Artist Outlet www.jerrysartistoutlet.com/, Golden acrylics www.goldenpaints.com/ and Montana Cans www.montana-cans.com/ for sponsoring my murals...an all around awesome time!

For more visuals from the show, check out Guerilla Galleries website:

www.gugaart.com/InheritanceGallery/inheritance_gallery.html

Peace.
-Will Kasso

Promo vid for KASSO's "INHERITANCE" Mural Installation....Guerilla Galleries, 2011

2011-01-28T12:16:00.000-08:00

Bird

2011-01-27T07:47:00.000-08:00

bird, originally uploaded by eL hue V.

Lank on the stencil and Luv on the collage and handiworks. Thinking about running a set of prints of this one, will keep you posted...

Inheritance

2011-01-26T06:21:00.000-08:00

Tributes fit for a KING

2011-01-17T14:21:00.001-08:00

Portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Produced by LUV-ONE...Winter, 2011

Portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Produced by WILL KASSO...Summer, 2005

These two portraits of Dr. King were both produced under extreme conditions. One was created in intense heat at the peek of summer...and the other was created in extreme cold at the height of winter. Both works of art were not only driven by the artists love for their craft, but by the spirit of a man who dedicated his life to social, economical and racial change.

Dr. King was a man who challegend and changed America. He was the epitome of diligents, character and integrity. These paintings were produced in honor of a gentlemen, who faced a nation, with the intent on creating a world where color was not the bases of judging a persons worth nor character. He was more than just a religious leader and civil rights activist. He was the living manifestation of inspiration.

The process of producing these portraits was not easy. It was very trying and difficult for both artist to work under such extreme conditions. In knowing what Dr. King had to endure to achieve his place in history, it was a small price to pay. A few numb fingers and minor sun burn are miniscule in comparison to someone that sacrificed his life for the well being of others. The physical pain endured while creating these works was more than worth it in order to pay homage to a man who made it possible for S.A.G.E. Collective to do the type of work we are known for today. REST IN POWER Dr. King and Happy Birthday....Peace.

-Will Kasso

KASSO discussing S.A.G.E. Collective

2011-01-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

S.A.G.E. COLLECTIVE

2010-12-29T13:04:00.000-08:00

The faces behind the collective...

Big Blue

2010-11-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

Press for the BIG BLUE Mural...LANK above holding the original outline for the wall
www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/11/art_lover_and_landlord_work_to_1.html

SAGE Collective paid a visit to Newark Ave. in Jersey City this last weekend and left behind a life size 90 ft. blue whale. Many thanks to Dylan Evans and the Jersey City Mural Arts Program for having us out! Big props to Lanky Lank for cutting a stencil that size! Thanks to the community for showing us love all weekend long! Hope to see more murals going up in the area soon, if anyone has a location they think would work please hit us up. Below is a video and some flicks from the weekend. Enjoy. one love - LUV1

THE CITY IS KASSO's CANVAS

2010-11-04T22:48:00.000-07:00

Here is some recent press I received for the mural work around the city of Trenton, NJ:

www.mercerspace.com/article/83741-city+kasso039s+canvas

peace.

RIP Raritan River Art Walk

2010-10-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

I recently heard the news that the Raritan River Art Walk caught the buff because the city of New Brunswick is no longer supporting Albus Cavus's project there. Very sad indeed. It got me looking thru my flickr set reminicing. Here's a slideshow of some of my favorite flicks I took there over the years. If you like the work, remember all this is now buffed out thanks to the city New Brunswick, let them know how you feel about it, SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS

Below is an example of the SAGE works done there... Many of these walls below were still running, until the buff I'm assuming. Still haven't made my way over to see for myself. When I do...:) it won't be sad, just a new begining!

"Highland Sentinel"

2010-10-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

The sound of rattling paint cans invaded the pastoral landscape of Hopewell, New Jersey this past weekend as S.A.G.E. Collective completed a commission for The Highland Design Farm. Artist/designer Sean Mannix commissioned "Highland Sentinel" after seeing KASSO and LUV 1 working on the "Buddah Barn" just down the road from his converted farm. Formerly a working chicken farm, the buildings have been converted into a collection of artist studio spaces and we were asked to work on the large exterior wall of what was once a two story chicken coup.

Inspired by an old drawing of Sean's and his beautifully machined designs we put together loose plans for an abstracted face amongst a background of gears and wires. The painting took place during the Hopewell Tour Des Arts, a two day open studio tour in and around Hopewell Township. Mother Nature cooperated by providing two amazing days for painting (not a cloud or drop of rain in sight) and once we rescued KASSO from the wilderness on Saturday morning we got to work laying out the wall.

DELVE handled the nose, mouth & chin while KASSO scaled the ladder to lay out the eyes, forehead and abstract designs to the right of the head. LUV 1 went to work on a background of stained glass, abstract shapes & wires while Lank brought large gears from the background to the foreground and filled the deep space with an amalgamation of smaller gears. The two day process was a true collaborative effort, bouncing ideas around and amassing the artwork in a freeform and organic way, resulting in an amazing production.

The visitors to the farm, most having never seen a mural put together quite this way, enjoyed the show and were full of questions that we were happy to answer. Special thanks have to go to Sean and his family for providing unparalleled hospitality and fully supporting our vision for the wall. Check out the photos and enjoy video!

-Lank

Ackryte - Realize EP

2010-10-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

My man Ackryte's album drops today, check it out the cover features mine and Delve's section of the abstract wall painted at Terracycle Inc. Ack's beats are classic chopped up chilled out funky soulfull hip hop...don't sleep. Here's a flick of the whole wall...LUV1

Portrait of Aliscia "Lizzie" Ball...Trenton, NJ 2010

2010-10-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is the 6th wall in the CITY OF ANGELS series. The portrait is dedicated to the memory of Alisica Ball, who's parents, Melinda and Jim Gallo, started a wish fund sponsored by ONE SIMLPE WISH www.onesimplewish.org/ in her name to foster creative projects and programing for foster, impoverished and at-risk children and their families.

I had the privlege of working with Melinda and Jim as an art instructor for "Lizzie's Art Spark" a 10 week art program where I worked with inner city middle school students and taught foundations of art. It was a honor to work with the Gallo's and ONE SIMPLE WISH and hopefully many more projects will bloosom from this program and the spirit behind it!

For more info of about Aliscia "Lizzie" Ball and "lizzie's wish", visit this link:
www.onesimplewish.org/lissieswishshop

video of the production of Lizzie's mural: www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=542024362506

peace.

Will Kasso

SAGE at the Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, NJ

2010-10-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

sushi!, originally uploaded by el U Vee 1.

Delve, Kasso, and Luv...SAGE Collective at the Somerset Art Association, http://www.somersetart.org/ soon to be renamed the Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ. We painted 5 8ftx4ft wood panels that will be turned into a makeshift wall this week for display outside the gallery for the next three months. If you're in the area, go check it out!

dylan

2010-09-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Painted this on the wall where Delve and I had done the Easter collab in Flemington, NJ. The owners of the garage it's on the back of asked me to "keep it down", that they were getting complaints that it looked too much like "graffiti" lol.... Which is hilarious to me because I get a lot of talk from the graf community about not being "graf" enough. Saw this quote on the net from Bob Dylan, which is perfectly what I wanted to say to both sides and all viewers..."All I can do is be who I am, whoever that is" Throughout my life the man has constantly provided me with that kind of exact sentiment of my own emotions. thanks Bob!
-LUV1

SAGE in Long Branch with Decoy

2010-09-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

Chester Community and Youth Center

2010-08-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Paul Downie for having us out and the city of Chester for showin' us massive love

Buddha Barn

2010-08-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Buddha Barn, originally uploaded by el U Vee 1.

check the new video. photos by Andrea Ytkin. music by Sev Static...

Hopewell Barn

2010-07-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

hopewell barn, originally uploaded by el U Vee 1.

Kasso and Luv, barn painting in Hopewell, NJ. Thanks to Andrea and Tom for having us out, letting us bring our fams and letting 'em swim n hang. Good times, even in 105 degree heat!

Pedagogue of Young Gods

2010-07-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

About five years ago, KASSO and I collaborated on a small production to honor Saul Williams, a brilliant contemporary poet. We recently decided that it was time to do it again - bigger and better! In keeping with the intentions of the first mural to both honor Saul and get his message out to the people, we chose an excerpt from his song "Pedagogue of Young Gods" that resonated with us and, we hope, all those who see the wall, either in person in Trenton, NJ, or online: "An education is the only thing given that cannot be taken. Learn to think for yourself, analyze the forsaken." I painted these words into the colorful clouds from LUV1's sunset. (The sunset in the figure's chest is an allusion to a line from another one of Saul's pieces entitled "Seaweed".) But I'm getting ahead of myself.

As for the mural production process, I believe it was LUV1's idea for us to shake things up a little bit. Therefore, I was to do the portrait rather than LUV1 or KASSO, who usually do the figurative work. I selected a handful of photos from the Saul Williams Flickr pool and, with input from the crew, chose this picture by Riny, who graciously gave me permission to use it as a reference and supplied me with a beautiful high resolution file to work from. Since the whole mural is about Saul, I wanted his portrait in the center of the wall, high up to preserve the literal and metaphorical point of view of the audience looking up at him. KASSO did the wing on Saul's back in a continuation of his City of Angels project. LUV1 and AJA wove their intricate designs together to flow into and form the body of the poet. LANK really tied the wall together by forming the moon, sprinkling in the stars, and stenciling in the SAGE logo. As we completed the mural, Trenton-based poet Raul Cortes (POLO) contributed his reading of "Pedagogue of Young Gods" [check it out in the awesome video LUV1 put together] to our effort of honoring Saul and his words. Finally, Ricardo Barros generously photographed and assembled the composite image of the mural you see above.

On behalf of the S.A.G.E. Collective, I would like to thank Saul Williams for the poetry, music, example, and inspiration he gives us. I'd also like to thank Riny for the spectacular original photograph, POLO for the wonderful reading, and Ricardo for the beautiful picture of our wall.

Peace,

-DELVE

Blacklight Show Part 2 in Philly

2010-07-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

Jerzey Fresh Graffiti Jam Aug 14th

2010-07-15T05:35:00.000-07:00

"Secret Garden"

2010-06-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

This was the seconded mural produced for KIDS R FIRST Pre-School and the 4th in the "City of Angels" series. LUV-ONE and myself was blessed with a near perfect day to paint and as usual, the staff at the pre-school were more than supportive and encouraging. This time around, photographer, Jesse P. Brittel documented our process with exquisite photographs that capture our most candid moments as we produced our mural. Some of the pre-schoolers even got involved; as they helped LUV spray on some stenciled patterns onto the wall. We wrapped up the day feeling very proud of our end product. A truly awesome time with this production.

Last, but not least, our mural was once again blessed with the words of poet Raul Cortes(POLO):

"Character-injection is the only way the orb will glow
Money is makin' sure children can't afford to grow
So lets not have the curtains close before the show
May God lead, God-speed & open ways when doors are closed & course is slow"

Peace.
Will Kasso

UV/ Blacklight Art Show flicks...

2010-06-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

slideshow flicks by Ricardo Barros the night before the opening

see more pics of the models painted live at the opener here

Thanks to Leon Rainbow for puttin together a great show and to all the Albus Cavus members who participated and came out to support! To Alicia for facepainting! Kortez for rockin' the ecclectic 1's n 2's.

Go see the show! It's up until early July...

UV/ Blacklight Art Show

2010-06-01T14:40:00.001-07:00

Lil' Angel's Garden

2010-05-28T18:36:00.001-07:00

This mural was produced by myself and LUV-ONE for KIDS R FIRST Pre-School www.kidsrfirstpreschool.com/index.htm. It is also the 3rd mural in the CITY OF ANGELS Mural series. This one was a lot of fun to produce! Our only obstacle was working around the pre-existing flower beds that surrounded the wall.

We began like we do all our walls; freestyling and flowing off of one another. The staff of the pre-school were the utmost supportive and gave us complete creative freedom.

The image pictured on the right is a portrait of LUV-ONE's wife as a child and the figure on the left is a portrait of my daughter when she was 6 months. As usual, our wall was blessed with the poetry of Raul Cortes, Jr.(POLO), who wrote a beautiful passage that sums up the entire mural.

Special thanks goes out to Andrea and the entire KIDS R FIRST staff for their hospitality and support of this project and our friend GENT www.youtube.com/user/gentrifried who documented the entire mural process from start to finish.

peace.
-Will Kasso

UV show in the works

2010-05-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

uv teaser, originally uploaded by el U Vee 1.

yesterday SAGE and Albus Cavus got our flowessence on!

spent the day workin on the blacklight show with Rain, Kasso, Lank, Uhm, Mike Ciccotello, Aja, Jim Hancock, JOSL, and Kamel. it's going to be a dope show! everyone really brought out the talent. blacklight art, dj's, drinks, painted models, come out to Artworks in Trenton June 4th.

Happy Little Trees

2010-05-16T17:28:00.000-07:00

Spring Jam 2k10, originally uploaded by el U Vee 1.

LUV, LANK and DELVE reppin SAGE @ the Spring Jam 2k10 in New Brunswick, NJ. check the flickr (follow the link when u click the flick) and see some other pictures. was a difficult stitch this one, we were under the stairs and in a corner. prime spot to be seen, bad spot to flick. some of the close ups provide better accuracy on details. fun day! good times! bob friggin ross, big ups to LANK for the 6 ft stencil and trees throughout, and to Delve for coming funky and crispy like you knew he would! 1 - LUV1

Blacklight Art Show in Trenton

2010-05-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

Graffiti Heaven

2010-05-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

Graffiti Heaven, originally uploaded by el U Vee 1.

S.A.G.E Collective and VS CREW

This is the second wall in the CITY OF ANGELS series entitled, GRAFFITI HEAVEN...a collaboration between S.A.G.E Collective and VS Crew. It was only right to do this wall at Terracycle Warhouse www.terracycle.net/ which is a landmark within the east coast graffiti scene. RAIN and DEMER of VS Crew held down the lettering duties while myself and LUV-ONE rocked portraits and background. Delve produced his usual abstract flare while Lank Williams Jr. produced some stencil angels based off of Michelangelo sculptures.

Other than the intense heat, we all had a great time painting. Special thanks to Ricardo Barros www.ricardobarros.com for the photo documentation of this production and Raul Cortes, Jr. for his words of inspiration which grace our wall.

peace
-Will Kasso

NJTL Fundraiser

2010-05-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Last night had a blast with my wifey, Kasso, and his girl at the NJTL Fundraiser at the Westin in Princeton. Open bar was in full effect! as was big ticket catering and all that. Our mural was on everything! Thanks to Rob from NJTL for giving us the opportunity to help out. Got to meet the kid I painted, Zahir, and flick him in front of his portrait. Even got puzzles of the mural to give to our kids. It's going to be an annual thing, so look forward to more projects with the tennis folks.

-LUV1

tell lies vision

2010-04-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

SAGE art was on the tv a couple times in the last week on two very different shows. On the History Channel's "Gangland" was a feature on Trenton's Bloods and one clip at 6:12 had a guy walking past the Duke. On NJN news our art was the backdrop for a press conferance NJTL had for an initiative to get Trenton kids healthier. here's a link to that, the story starts around 14:15.

SAGE for NJTL

2010-04-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

SAGE Collective's Arthur Ashe Mural from luv1 on Vimeo.

OK, finally can post this up. This mural was created in December by Luv and Kasso for NJTL a non prof in Trenton that teaches tennis and life skills to inner city kids. We created it for their annual fundraiser, which is coming up on 4/30th in Princeton. The image was used for the save the dates, tickets, will be on display at the event and raffled off, also they created puzzles out of it! Talk about putting it to use. Thanks to Rob for getting at us and askin us to do it! The video was featured on Oink Ink's youtube for a bit as well...enjoy

City of Angels vol.1

2010-04-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

SAGE Collective - City of Angels vol. 1, originally uploaded by el U Vee 1.

This wall was personal to me...been meaning to do it for some time now. The images are of my late aunt and cousins...the one on the left is deceased as well. I had in mind for years to do a tribute wall for them. My aunt was one of my biggest supporter and my cousin was like a brother to me. She past in 04 from liver failure and breast cancer...and he died in 1992 due to drowning. My cousin LaQuinta, who is pictured on the far right, supplied the photo refs and even helped out somewhat in the production.I had originally only planned to do this one wall as a tribute, but then it hit me. Why not paint images of angels all around the city! So this wall is the start of a city wide project. The goal is to paint 12 angel themed murals around the city this spring and summer. 3 in each ward. Each mural will accompanied by a poem from Trenton's own Raul Cortes, Jr....aka...POLO. Its gonna be a interesting feet to accomplish, but im determined. One down...11 to go.

-Will Kasso

Easter Wall

2010-04-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

easter wall, originally uploaded by el U Vee 1.

Hello friends,

Happy Easter, if applicable, otherwise happy almost officially spring! Writing you to share a new mural by SAGE Collective artists Delve and Luv1 in Flemington, NJ. We took advantage of the gorgeous day and painted a beautifully balanced colorful abstract aerosol wall. Check out the flick and time lapse. As always, feel free to share and let it shine.

Many thanks!

Peace,
Luv1

SAGE and NJTL featured in Mercer Business Magazine...

2010-03-13T05:01:00.001-08:00

TRENTON MURAL TOUR

2010-02-22T22:25:00.000-08:00

I recently gave a tour of the murals in Trenton to a few photographers from NY named Al Wang and Tam Ngo...and a few of my colleagues from an upcoming mural project I'm working on here in Trenton. The photographers took some interesting shots of the murals! We didn't have enough time to cover all the murals(only north and south Trenton)...but when the weather breaks we are gonna continue with part two. Checkout the slide shows of each and enjoy!

peace.

-will kasso

NJ State Theater

2010-01-31T09:01:00.000-08:00

KASSO, LUV1, and AJA with RAIN thru Albus Cavus paint panels for the NJ State Theater's Hub City Carnivale in New Brunswick, NJ

the least we could do...

2010-01-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

with all that's goin' on in Haiti right now, it was hard to think of painting any other theme. our hearts go out to the people over there. so, taking a note from Joe Iurato, we'd like to offer a 8"x10" print of this mural with all proceeds going to UNICEF for $20 to anyone interested. just email 1luvone@gmail.com, also to second what Joe said, if not, it's ok, i understand, but, just imagine if we all dove $5 deep...oh yeah, by LUV1 and KASSO

DELVE, LUV1, AJA, RAIN, ROLO, and POSE2 in Yonkers

2009-12-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

Just got an email of some finished flicks of the wall we did with POSE2 and ROLO in Yonkers, NY. Read more about the wall and POSE2 here. Was a pleasure to be there. This wall is a testament to the Maxx Moses name. Total freedom, proud to be on it.

body of work/who we are

2009-11-14T14:38:00.000-08:00

Brother West

2009-11-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

We, at SAGE are deeply humbled an honored to have been included in Dr. Cornel West's new memoir entitled "Living and Loving Out Loud." My choice to paint Dr. West's portrait had nothing to do with intent on reaching out to him, but all to do with looking up to him as an example of what inspires me and wanting to share that spirit. Blues, funk, jazz, philosophy, and spirituality, right on. Looking forward to meeting face to face and having some photos of him at the wall, intimidated by the intellect tho, not gonna lie.

the wall that started it all...

2009-11-14T10:45:00.000-08:00

Olden Ave. coming across the bridge over Rt. 1. July 2008, two artists approach a lengthy wall with no sketches and no prior experience collaborating. 5 hours, 1 rain storm, 2 generously donated beers from the bar across the street, 2 nasty home made bootleg iced teas served in glass jars (which i did not drink) from an old lady with things floatin in 'em, and tons of dead cans later this is what we did.