I wanted to write this post about the Future City competition surrounding the 26 Blocks exhibit while it was still at the library. That didn’t work out, but I did snap some cool photos and take the time to choose my favorite entry from the 75 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade school entries.

The annual competition is in it’s 19th year and is designed to encourage the discovery and growth of interests in math, engineering, and science.

My favorite submission is No. 708 by Veritas Homeschoolers, named ‘Chiriqui’, and seen in the images following.

The city is built out of recycled items.

It’s located in the tropical mountains of Panama. I know this because the two page write up that the students were required to include with their city says so. Check out the inner workings view of the stuff that runs under the city.

I learned from the Future City staff that the Veritas Homeschoolers won as the best city entry for Arizona two years ago.

On the back of the Chitiqui city presentation are photos from behind-the-scenes with the Veritas Homeschoolers.

I’m thrilled that 26 Blocks got to be exposed to all those kids when Future City was on display at the Phoenix Public Library. Tons of kids from Future City explored 26 Blocks quite a bit as well.

~ Joey Robert Parks

Block T (Rodney Rascona)

In March 2010, Rodney (and all the artists of 26 Blocks) were working out how they would handle their blocks in a unique way. When I told him about the struggle some other 26 Blocks photographers were having (i.e. “My block is, literally, a pile of dirt surrounded by a chain-link fence. I have no idea how I’m going to approach it.”), Rodney said, “I have the opposite problem. My block (Block T) features the Phoenix Symphony Hall and the Phoenix Convention Center. It’s been shot so much, by so many photographers, the challenge is to do something new.”

Of all the photographers in 26 Blocks, Rodney was one of the first one’s I wanted to participate and one of the last few I pitched. As a ghostwriter putting together his first writing, sculpture, and photography show, you don’t come back from your first visit to Rodney’s website (next link) and think, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ll pitch this guy I’ve never met before, who I have no connections to, who’s my first pic beyond the four photographers I do know, and he’ll jump in, no problem.’

So I waited until I had 24 of the 26 photographers in place for the exhibit and then I contacted Rodney. These quotes aren’t exactly precise, but the end of our discussion went something like this:

Joey: “…So that’s the idea. What do you think? Are you in?”

Rodney: “I’ve lived in Scottsdale for a long time, but I haven’t worked in the states in a decade. I’m looking for the right project before I begin focusing again on the United States.”

Joey: “26 Blocks is that project.”

Did he say, ‘yes’, right then? In my memory he did.

In October 2010, 26 Blocks photographer, Rodney Rascona, was named ‘Deeper Perspective’ Photographer of the Year by the Lucie Foundation’s prestigious annual International Photography Awards (IPA). The competition received over 15,000 entries from 103 countries. Rascona won the award based on selections of his humanitarian Haiti series, The Pink Door Photographs. Before his award announcement, he was in the running with these finalists  (note: there is intentionally no sound):

~ Joey Robert Parks

The woman told me how instrumental Jeff had been to her five years ago when he helped her decide what kind of camera to get. I proudly told her the story Jeff revealed to me a few months back when we’d crossed paths at Lux Coffee (owned by fellow 26 Blocks poet, also named Jeff). How he’d used in-camera tricks to get the semi-transparent  stripes falling across his wife’s face and arms and that it wasn’t a Photoshop maneuver. How if you went to the Phoenix Civic Center Plaza, you couldn’t find a place where this image is possible without some inventiveness.

I talked with the woman in front of Block L for a few minutes and learned that her name was Diane Ovalle. She’s a photographer and a Community Organizer. She’s concerned about social justice in Arizona. ”I have this idea,” she explained. “It’s a lot like what you’ve done with 26 Blocks, but a lot smaller.” And then she ran through the list of reasons she really couldn’t do it right now. One was time. The other one she ended on and was probably the biggest obstacle in her mind: “…and I don’t have the money.”

“Money?” I said. “If you wait for time and money, you’ll never start and you’ll never finish”.

…maybe I wasn’t so eloquent. I write reality so much better after the fact. What I actually said was probably something like:

“You don’t need money to get started. You just need to get started. All you need is find one other person who shares some of your passion. Have them do something and you do something. That’s how I started 26 Blocks. I knew it would be six months before the public would see anything and I needed a website to tease the audience. Chris Tingom jumped in and off we went!”

“There’s this quote a writer friend, Pierre O’Rourke, has on his wall,” I told her. “It’s kinda cheesy, but I still like it.”

“Sometimes you have to just jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.”

While writing this post, I asked Google about her. Diane Ovalle created (with artist Jesus  Barraza) what the Phoenix New Times called, “the now-famous purple and turquoise We Will Not Comply poster“. That poster was part of the anti-SB 1070 ‘Footprints’ show, back in August 2010. I had no idea what I was encouraging when our conversation ended that day at the library.

I hope she’s falling from her cliff by now.

~ Joey Robert Parks

[I believe I said something about 'one paragraph posts', yesterday. Some exceptions will be made. Why not start with the first one?]

First Friday. July 2010. MonOrchid. It’s a packed house and a woman looking at the Block G photograph points at it and says, “I’ve seen this guy. He’s a musician.” I inquire, but she doesn’t know more.

December 2010. CityScape. We’re throwing a party to launch the new iPad app. I’m pretending to be a first time viewer, but I’m actually there to find out what people think of the show. I’m talking to a guy who’s convinced he’s met the guy in Block G: “Yeah, he works at a homeless shelter. I can’t remember which one.” I ask if he’s a musician. “That sounds right. Wish I could remember his name.”

Wednesday. Jan 5th. 2011. Phoenix Burton Barr Public Library. 2nd Floor. North side. I’m the Undercover Boss. Same setup. But this time: “His name is Ray. He works at the homeless shelter in downtown Phoenix. I don’t remember his last name, but I can find out.” I tell her I’d love to meet him.

Thursday. Jan 6th. I’m at Staples. In the checkout line. The guy in front of me looks familiar. Dan? I ask about Ray. Dan: “Ray Reeves. He’s got a couple CD’s out.” I tell him I’ll send him an email to get Ray’s info, but as I leave the store, the rest of the day rushes at me and I forget to follow up.

Friday. Jan 7th. I’m packing for a research/vacation trip to New Orleans. Phone rings. Dude’s voice says, “Hi, Joey. This is Ray Reeves. I heard you’re looking for me.”

Tuesday, Jan 18th. Ray and I are having coffee at JoBot (“cup of Joe” + “Robot”). Were the events leading up to this day conveniently coincidental? The discovery’s that follow remove any doubt.

1. The barista’s name is Joey. Goes by ‘Joey G’
2. The owner of JoBot is one John Sagasta, better known to 26 Blocks fans as the bald-headed, bearded guy facing the guy in the cowboy hat in the photo of Block F (the group shot of ‘Conspire’, which is, wouldn’t you know it, right across the street from JoBot.)
3. Joey G tells me how to contact a few other people in Block F’s photo.

In my conversation with Ray, I learn things I would not have expected from looking at his photo for 7 months. He’s not nearly as stoic as he looks in the photo. (“I woke up from a nap when the photographer knocked on the door.”)

• He works the midnight shift at a homeless shelter and has been there for seven months.
• He’s a part-time musician.
• One of his most popular songs is this one. “People like that one a lot, for some reason.”
• His band is “Ray Reeves and the Masters of the Economy“. Think Frank Zappa + The Beatles + Sonic Youth.
• Phoenix New Times named him, “Best Way to get a Quick-and-Easy Demo” n 2009.
• He’s a native from Camp Verde, AZ. Throw a dart in the center of the state.
• He can track his family line in the Verde Valley of Arizona back to 1875.
• He’s studying sustainability and wants to build a career in Aquaponics.

This blog will swirl around the happenstance moments like the ones that led to meeting Mr. G-Man Reeves. He’s bound to show up again.

Coming Monday

Block L:  Social Justice

~ Joey Robert Parks

Part of keeping this show healthy is visiting it every few days to see how its doing. Are there finger smudges on the photographs from people who don’t know it’s not nice to touch the artwork? Have any of the writings been knocked loose? Is anything damaged? As a writer by profession, I didn’t think I’d enjoy these things, but it turns out it’s much like tending a garden at my grandma’s house or hanging laundry on the line out back. Initially, I don’t really want to do it, but once I start, I find it unusually relaxing. Even so, that’s not the best part of returning to the exhibit for a visit.

For me (I don’t know about other curators), the best part is the amazing, personal, conversational, intriguing, unusually interesting stories I learn from talking with people who are absorbing a particular photograph, piece of writing, sculpture, or some other aspect of the 26 Blocks exhibit at that very moment. So after 10 months of touring and constantly telling my friends about these stories, I’ve decided it’s time to tell everyone how 26 Blocks is affecting the people who experience it, the subjects of the artwork, the artists who created it, and the people who sustain it.

Speaking of sustaining…. because I’ll be posting here three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, my posts won’t be any longer than about a paragraph. As much as possible, I’ll include a relevant photo, video, audio, or whatnot with the post, as well as a plenty of links that aren’t about 26 Blocks.

The focus of this series is 26 Blocks, but because its focus is the people, culture, history and future of downtown Phoenix, that’s what each post will ultimately be about.

I hope you like it,

Joey

See what the Arizona Republic, Phoenix New Times, College Times and cyberspace have been buzzing about.

Here’s the scoop:

What: 52 of some of the Valley’s top writers and photographers collaborate, forming an intriguing union of ideas, civic perspectives and artists – featuring 26 blocks of the downtown Phoenix area; each block photographed and written about in a way that captures the most interesting aspects of the culture and/or past, present or imagined future of each block.

When: Opening Friday, May 7th 6-9 PM and continuing through May 30th

Where: After Hours Gallery
116 W. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-710-2398

One block west of the Phoenix Art Museum and the Light Rail stop at Central & McDowell

Experience 26 Blocks and celebrate downtown Phoenix in a way it deserves to be recognized.

See you there!

http://www.afterhoursgallery.com/
http://www.26blocks.com

Look for the full article in Friday’s edition of The Arizona Republic.

What: Fifty-two artists and writers from the metropolitan Phoenix area collaborate to showcase 26 blocks of the downtown area.

When: 6-9 p.m. opening reception, Friday, May 7. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, May 7-31. Call for an appointment on weekends.

Where: After Hours Gallery, 116 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix.

Admission: Free.

Details: 602-710-2398, afterhoursgallery.com.

In July, the exhibit moves to Monorchid, 214 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. It is scheduled to end its tour at the Burton Barr Public Library in Phoenix Dec. 26-Jan. 31, 2011. Check 26blocks.com for more.

www.phoenixnewtimes.com/events/26-blocks-opening-reception-1679325/

Don’t miss the opening event on Friday, May 7th from 6pm to 9pm at After Hours Gallery. Admission is free and there will be a lot of people there! Great event, bring your friends!

PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 27, 2010) - Prepare to be amazed. The riveting 26 Blocks project is complete and ready for its debut at the premier May 7, 2010 at After Hours Gallery. This unique project was a collaboration of 52 of metropolitan Phoenix’s most talented writers and photographers and one sculptor/painter working together to promote downtown Phoenix.

“The unveiling of this project comes at a perfect time,” said Joey Robert Parks, 26 Blocks founder. “Phoenix is at the center of a lot of controversy right now. With the forefront of social media chatter focused on talk about boycotting Arizona, we’re thrilled to promote Phoenix in a highly positive way that encourages everyone to look at their city from very different perspectives.”

The endeavor, 26 Blocks, is an art project – an intriguing union of ideas, civic perspectives and artists – featuring 26 blocks of the downtown Phoenix area; each block photographed and written about in a way that captures the most intriguing aspects of the culture and/or past, present or imagined future of each block.

DETAILS

WHO: 52 of metropolitan Phoenix’s most talented photographers and writers. Some of the photographers include Rodney Rascona (Advertising and Humanitarian); Jeff Newton (Editorial, Celebrity Portraiture), Michael Lundgren (Landscape Art) and Ellen Barnes (Fashion/Lifestyle).

Some of the writers include Ashlea Deahl (Editor-in-Chief, Phoenix Magazine), David Tyda (eaterAZ.com blog); Betty Webb (murder-mystery author) and John Lindauer (screenwriter, commercial director).

Sculptor/painter, Rafael Navarro, crafted 26 wood blocks (4×4′s) based on his unique perspective of the most interesting aspects of each of the 26 downtown Phoenix blocks.

Headshots, bios and websites for all 26 Blocks artists are on the 26 Blocks website.

WHAT: 26 Blocks: “Think Inside The Block”. Sharing a common goal of promoting downtown Phoenix, 26 Phoenix-based photographers, 26 Phoenix-based writers and one sculptor/painter teamed up to create artwork that reflects their perspectives of each block’s history, present or possible future. An amateur contest is included in the project. One amateur photograph and one amateur writing submission will be selected by the 26 Blocks professional artists and their work will appear alongside the 26 Blocks artwork which will be displayed at After Hours Gallery in May. See contest details here. A second contest will run during the summer. Details TBA.

VISUALS:

• Unique photography artwork displayed on 24″x36″ unframed gator-board with writing displayed on 12″x18″ white aluminum dibond. The photograph and writing (below it) will be suspended by stainless steel cables hung from hidden tracks at the ceiling.

• Rafael Navarro’s 26 wood cube sculptures are displayed on 26 waist-level stacks of gray cinder blocks.
• 12″x18″ detailed poster viewable here.
• Preview teasers of the work can be viewed at www.26blocks.com starting on May 3.
• Five 10-minute video interviews several writers, photographers and crew of 26 Blocks are also viewable on the website, here, with a new one added every week.

WHEN: Debuts during First Fridays, Friday May 7, 2010, 6pm – 9pm.

WHERE: After Hours Gallery
116 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix

The 26 Blocks project is sponsored primarily by Artisan Colour, with Lux Coffee Bar and Impact Printing Services

CONTACT: For anyone interested in donating to or sponsoring 26 Blocks, please contact Joey Robert Parks (480) 236-5517 or inside@26blocks.com. Members of the media looking to set up interviews may contact Melissa Wenzel (602) 579-5204 or Melissa@melissawenzel.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Melissa Wenzel (602) 579-5204
mel_wenzel@yahoo.com

MEDIA ALERT

26 Blocks Invites Amateur Photographers & Writers to Compete in Downtown Phoenix Project

Winner of contest will have artwork displayed in gallery in May and on seven-month tour

PHOENIX, AZ (April 6, 2010) – The 26 Blocks project has just gotten bigger. In addition to 52 of metropolitan Phoenix’s most talented writers and photographers collaborating to promote downtown Phoenix, the founders of 26 Blocks are opening the project up to amateur writers and photographers. Amateur, wannabe, someday-maybe, up-and-coming, student, and hobbyist writers or photographers, 16 years old or older and living in metropolitan Phoenix, are encouraged to participate by photographing or writing about one of 26 city blocks in downtown Phoenix. All entries submitted April 1st through April 30th will appear online.

One photographer winner and one writer winner will be handpicked by the 26 Blocks who’s who dream team of Phoenix’s professional writers and photographers. The winner’s work will become a permanent part of the 26 Blocks show; from the Thursday, May 6th invite-only reception at After Hours Gallery to the end of the tour December 31, 2010.

Working under the theme, ‘Think Inside The Block’, the 26 Blocks art project is an intriguing union of artists, civic perspectives and ideas, featuring 26 blocks of the downtown Phoenix area – each block photographed and written about in a way that captures the essence, culture or history of that block.

Contest details, rules and city block perimeters can be found at 26blocks.com

In this photo: Rafael Navarro, Todd McQueen, Joey Robert Parks.
December 2009. Typical block party/meeting. Three guys, one dude taking the picture and two large boxes of Crispy Cremes (to the left). Explains why they look so satisfied.

Video: John Covington, Scott Hermanson, Jesse Rieser, and Joey Robert Parks talk about 26 Blocks.

In this photo: Katie Decker (head PR city of Fountain Hills), photographer Tony Blei & sculptor/painter Rafael Navarro.

First mock-up of a Rafael Navarro wood block. An idea generator, if you will.

A meeting at After Hours Gallery.

After Hours Gallery interior.

Todd McQueen and Joey Robert Parks reviewing the logo concepts.

Logo selection.

• 26 Blocks is the first such creation of its kind.
• All 52 writers and photographers were pitched and acquired one at a time, by one person, in four months time.
• Expected numbers of “eyeballs” viewing this website is 50,000.
• Exclusive access to Photography and Writing professionals.
• Exclusive access to up and coming photographers and writers.
• Downtown Phoenix specific.
• Large format prints of artwork created/paid for by our sponsor, Artisan Colour.
• The writers and photographers of 26 Blocks are some of the absolute best living in Phoenix. Collectively, their work has been published locally, nationally and internationally. They have won numerous awards, including an Emmy and a Pulitzer nomination.
• 26 Blocks: Phoenix, the book, is in pre-production. Publisher and release date TBD.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Melissa Wenzel (602) 579-5204
mel_wenzel@yahoo.com

MEDIA ALERT

52 of Metropolitan Phoenix’s Best Photographers and Writers Collaborate on Unique Project Featuring Downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ (February 10, 2010) – Fifty-two of metropolitan Phoenix’s most talented writers and photographers are collaborating on a unique project to promote downtown Phoenix. The endeavor, 26 Blocks, is an art project – an intriguing union of ideas, civic perspectives and artists – featuring 26 blocks of the downtown Phoenix area; each block photographed and written about in a way that captures the most intriguing aspects of the culture and/or history of each block.

Members of the media are invited to join the 26 professional photographer/writer teams as they explore their assigned block during the month of March. Photographers will submit one image that may contain up to four pictures. Writers will submit up to 500 words. Artists may write or photograph in any genre or style. The finished work will be displayed in After Hours Gallery in May. The event is being co-sponsored by Artisan Colour.

WHO: 52 of metropolitan Phoenix’s most talented photographers and writers collaborate as 26 teams, creating artwork to capture their perspectives of 26 different city blocks in downtown Phoenix. Sculptor/painter, Rafael Navarro, will also be carving 4×4 wood blocks that capture his perspective of all 26 city blocks.

Some of the photographers include Rodney Rascona (Chief Photographer, Food for the Hungry); Rick Rusing (International photographer who’s won numerous awards in Communication Arts, Graphis, New York Art Directors Club, and Print magazine); Brandon Sullivan (Commercial and Editorial) and Michael Lundgren (Landscape Art).

Some of the writers include Ashlea Deahl (Editor, Phoenix Magazine), David Tyda (eaterAZ.com blog); Paul Atkinson (KJZZ Producer, Reporter, Announcer), Michael A. Stackpole (Sci-fi & fantasy author, best known for Star Wars and Battletech books), Betty Webb (murder-mystery author) and John Lindauer (Emmy-award winning director of Peewee’s Playhouse and accomplished screenwriter).

View the complete list of writers and photographers.

WHAT: 26 Blocks: “Building up the city; one block at a time.” Sharing a common goal of promoting downtown Phoenix, 26 Phoenix-based photographers, 26 Phoenix-based writers and one sculptor/painter will team up to create artwork that reflects their perspectives of our city’s most unique aspects. An amateur contest is included in the project. One amateur photograph and one amateur writing submission will be selected by the 26 Blocks professional artists and their work will appear alongside the 26 Blocks artwork which will be displayed at After Hours Gallery in May.

VISUALS:

• Local talent collaborating on finding the most interesting aspects of a particular city block in downtown Phoenix.
• Unveiling of the artwork at After Hours Gallery in May.

WHEN: Shooting and writing – March 1 – 31st
Sculpting/painting – Feb 1 – April 1
Invitation-only reception (open to the media) – May 6th
Debut during First Fridays – May 7th

WHERE: Shooting, writing, sculpting/painting – downtown Phoenix.
After Hours Gallery
116 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix

CONTACT: For anyone interested in sponsoring the project, please contact Joey Robert Parks (480) 236-5517 or joey@joeyrobertparks.com. Members of the media looking to set up interviews may contact Melissa Wenzel (602) 579-5204 or mel_wenzel@yahoo.com.

$26 reserves your name + link on the App.
(equal to 1 of 300 total spots we’re reserving on the app)

$260 reserves a large logo + link on the App. (equal to 10 of 300 spots)

Only 267 Spots Left…

(Name + Link) $26.00 (Logo + Link) $260.00

The Payment Plan: Can’t swing the $260 all at once, but really want your logo on the 26 Blocks iPad App?

Why not make five payments of $52 each?

Send an email to joey@joeyrobertparks.com and express your desire to do so.  He’ll work with you to set up a plan. For every $52 payment, two of your company name/links will show up on this page. When you’ve got ten spots on this page, you’ll have reserved your logo on the iPad App.

The names so far…

1. Don and Sally Wonsey
2. Space/Lift Interior Design
3. Rob and Michelle Howard
4. Tony Blei
5. Susan Blei
6. Jim McPherson
7. Kurt and Carol Parks
8. Team Dynamix
9. Team Dynamix
10. Team Dynamix
11. Team Dynamix
12. Team Dynamix
13. Team Dynamix
14. Team Dynamix
15. Team Dynamix
16. Team Dynamix
17. Team Dynamix
18. Tonya Gray
19. Liz Blanchard
20. Yuri Artibise
21. Tomas J Carrillo
22. Dustin C Jones PLC
23. Dustin C Jones PLC
24. Dustin C Jones PLC
25. Dustin C Jones PLC
26. Dustin C Jones PLC
27. Dustin C Jones PLC
28. Dustin C Jones PLC
29. Dustin C Jones PLC
30. Dustin C Jones PLC
31. Dustin C Jones PLC
32. Steve Dreiseszun/Viewpoint Photographers
33. Lucinda & Niklas