“All the limbs were fully outreached,

in spite of them being humbled; each

in different and specific ways” *

Know Hope “Stampeded” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Poet of the street Know Hope is in New York this week contemplating walls and occupying space. He spent some time in the East Village creating a new wall called “Stampeded” with Keith Schweitzer of MaNY Projects.  The Israel based Street Artist uses his figures, with their bending poses and tormented hearts, to enact the stories of the world. Confident and deliberate, Know Hope traces an internal dialogue known mostly to the painter, but also to you if you care to observe.

“And it’s through this tainted anthem

and its two-timing confessions that we’re

hinted that with all these walls

all we could really use is a mirror.

And the mirror reflects and reflects and it’s

because of it’s reflection and of its fainted

hymn that we realize how tired we all

are.” *

Know Hope “Stampeded” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

The angular and contorted limbs of the figures are not dissimilar to those of the artist, and the poetic storylines are not unlike the battles of those who walk by. Quietly, this is a poet with a brush and a pot of paint.

We asked him if he writes the poem first then paints it. He said that sometimes the words come to him as he paints, but he does not consider himself to be a poet – not in the strict meaning of the word. But we disagree, of course.

Know Hope “Stampeded” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Know Hope “Stampeded” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Know Hope “Stampeded” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Know Hope “Stampeded” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Know Hope “Stampeded” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Know Hope “Stampeded” (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Know Hope (photo © Jaime Rojo)

Time Lapse Video of Know Hope, “Stampeded” By MaNY Projects:

The project was produced by Keith Schweitzer of MaNY Projects in conjunction with Fourth Arts Block (FAB).

* poetry by Know Hope, from “Bound by the Ties: Side-seen Moments” by Know Hope and Coin Bleus

To learn more about MaNY Projects click here.

To learn more about Fourth Arts Block click here.

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