@joe.jones | 4 september

[malta]

[ he once said he felt no need to commemorate the displaced and there is an element of broom eating here, but still yusuf presses on because this is wider than the displaced themselves. ]

I'm looking for artists amongst us, specifically visual artists at the moment but I'm looking into an acoustic guitar so keep that on the back burner.

I'm painting a mural, different scenes of humanity helping each other in the wake of everything we and they have lived through lately. We are all from different places and from different lived experiences, but art is a form of communication that can translate experiences across time and space.

[ there is an attachment which opens into the beautifully sketched rough draft of a mural that spans at least five buildings. along with quotes like "they cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time - dorothy day" and "but judgment shall be revealed as water, and justice as a mighty torrent" and a number of the sentiments from his aerie posters ("while i breathe, i hope", "we cannot be caged"), the mural is primarily scenes of people helping people: people bringing food to those in need, medics giving care, no pasaran! above a painting of a couple standing in front of their two children, images of people rebuilding homes and planting gardens. he is clearly trying to communicate a sense of ruthlessly hopeful community.

(there's a note at the bottom that simply reads: "guillotine?") ]

My own experiences here are limited to the recent past and I would appreciate any input on moments of community and kindness people think should be included. The mural can stand as a repository for New Amsterdam's collective memory. Everything makes broth.

I'm starting tomorrow night and will continue until I feel like it is completed or my husband collects me from jail. BYOB and paint brushes.

[ the plot engagement for this mural is HERE and contains relevant infomation to those who choose to team up for this art extravaganza, so give it a peek please. the actual act of painting will be handwaved but run with it my babies. ]

Comments

[malta]

Wouldn't be the dumbest thing I've ever gone to jail for either.

But it is somehow illegal so there is a chance.

[scythias]

I'll have Nile bail you out. It's her turn.

This is a good idea, Joe. I'm sure it'll be beautiful even if all you do is paint Nicky.

[malta]

Wow I paint other people, I have hundreds of paintings of you.

I can't help that my muse is uniquely exquisite.

[scythias]

You must have been drunk when you painted me.

And I'm not saying you should help yourself. When we've moved past this place, I'm sure your paintings of him will remind everyone that you were here.

[malta]

The drunk one was you.

As much as I think everyone should worship Nicky and am grateful that I am the only one privileged to do so, I am not sure we should be memorializing any of us. The mural should be of this world's people.

[ if everyone in his rough draft happens to resemble nicky in some way, well. that is what happens when you plan an entire mural in bed next to your sleeping husband. ]

[scythias]

I think you're mistaken. I don't get drunk.

( pfft, yeah right. )

I know, I'm just joking with you. I know you wouldn't put a mural up in this city that's just his face no matter how much you want to.

[malta]

I'll save the enormous mural of Nicolò for back home.

[ alas defeats the purpose of laying low :( it is rough being joe ]

[scythias]

So, you're doing this under the cover of darkness, then? Without anyone in charge knowing?

[malta]

That's the plan, boss. Under the cloak of night for a few nights. Book's standing guard if you and Nicky want to hang. I'm putting Nile to work.

[scythias]

You've recruited Booker for this?

( color her surprised. )

[malta]

Recruited, voluntold, who's to tell

[scythias]

Does he know you're making him do this?

[malta]

I bet he knows now

[ hi book, y'stalker ]

[scythias]

Booker, I had nothing to do with this.

( but she's pleased that joe would try and recruit him. )

Be nice to him.

[malta]

I am always nice, Andromache.

[scythias]

I think you and I have different definitions of nice but I'll probably come and watch at least one night. Make sure you're doing what you say you're going to be doing.

[malta]

Andy, we talked, we played a match.

[ they're as okay as they can be, joe gave booker his football privileges back ]

[scythias]

Good.

I'm still going to come out. Not to supervise. I just wanna see how this happens. You full named me so expect me to be a pain in the ass.

[malta]

I expect nothing less from you

[scythias]

See you for dinner, Joey.

( that's not his name and she doesn't care. )

[malta]

[ WOW ]

( not here )

[livrer]

[ ]

[malta]

[ HE FUCKING KNOWS YOU ]