@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

@andy.anderson

[scythias]

( she can't offer any help here but she can at least say hello and cheerlead him. she knows she's been distant lately. )

Jail, huh? Won't be the first time someone had to bail you out.

[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.

@terrence.ephemera

[requiemshark]

I paint murals.

[ Just not so much out here, where people can find them. ]

And my power lets me put images on things without touching them. Might save on paint costs.

@killian.jones

[unmoor]

I suppose it's more effective than writing a book.

[malta]

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

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

[malta]

Faster, as well. No need for peer review before publishing.

[malta]

[ huh ]

I'd be happy for your help.

Does your power not take from the enjoyment of the process?

[requiemshark]

It did at first. But it's a new process now.

Miss using brushes, though.

[malta]

I am old fashioned but I prefer something in my hands. I still don't like the process of the digital art here.

[ he needs to use his hands!!!! ]

[requiemshark]

Digital art's a new one for me. Thinking about taking a class or something.

[ He always talked idly about going to art school. Why not? ]

[malta]

No time like the present!

I think I've gotten a handle on it, but nothing replaces the feel of charcoal between my fingers.

[requiemshark]

I learned with pens and YouTube. Branched out later. Charcoal's nice, though. Easy to make.

@demi.tomato

[wrend]

nice, vandalism
always a great way of bringing the people together

[unmoor]

[ ?? ]

Why would your peers examine it?

[malta]

Exactly. I didn't have pens until late into my learning, so I'm clearly biased. Charcoals and oil pastels were easy to carry as well. Lugging pigments and palettes and canvas and easels around was a production.

[malta]

It hasn't always been illegal. It's not my fault they changed the laws when I wasn't looking.

[malta]

I suppose peer review is more for academic journals but editors

[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.

[requiemshark]

Didn't work on canvases until the Aerie. It's different. Not bad, though. Used to paint my armor a lot. Different texture, but not entirely different.

[ He's got armor of his own here and he's worked on that, but it's different from his old rig. Not quite the same. ]