Wait a minute, did, did Vice just release a short documentary on something genuinely interesting that didn't involve hipsters? Stay with us Vice, stay in the light, you can do this.
These guys weren't Instagraming coffees and discussing beardwax over an avocado toast. These few artists were pushing boundaries and making art for the sake of art not to try and get as many likes as possible or because it's what they saw someone doing on tiktok.
@@KGBgringo I mean, he did say he was doing it purely for his peers respect, same thing. That's coming from a graffiti writer too. I don't think they were hipsters though, they were pioneers
I was worried about how Vice would frame this but it looks like they did a pretty good job. Dude is a legend. Also, I've been running into the same homeless guy down there for a decade now. Always bring food or something if you're down there.
Freedom is legendary, and deserves to have his name included with the aerosol legends he mentioned. That History of Graffiti piece alone is iconic. Give this man his props...
Your absolutely right there are some people that are more in tune than others but keep faith in the future plant the seed and sooner or later the tree shall bear fruit and shade ✌🏼
Was transferred from Naval shipyard in Philly up to Ft. Wadsworth in Staten island to work in Brooklyn shipyard and finish the SIMA building in Staten island for the home port of the USS Normandy. Was stationed with a tagger from Jersey who took me down their a couple of times. Good memories, when New York was gnarly.
I am 51 years old now, and I remember when myself(VLADONE(KOC) and KENS(HOT) where bombing the A and C trains sneaking into the yards underneath Linden Plaza Projects on Sutter Ave and Lincoln Ave , this bring me back memories to my teenage years in the early 80's. The memoirs hearing this artist is priceless.
14 years old i fell in love with graffiti, now 32 years old i still love it just as much, its an art/doing something ppl tell u u cant do/so underground...we arrest ppl for doing art wtf!?..love graffiti. SEIK
Word! I started in 84 at 11years old. I'm not painting much due to health issues sadly, Though I still think about graff, all times. I remember clocking this guys work in Scraycan art for the first time here in the UK. Keep rocking' SEIK, Props SKROEZ CVK pZ.
Watching this was very emotional for me. I have such an incredibly deep love for street art, truth, human/animal rights...We live in such a dysfunctional system and this a great example of it.
Internet culture really is vile, This dude wanted to better himself so he did, who are we to sit behind a screen dissecting what these people did and judge them so harshly. Humans subdued to cockroach level of consciousness. Maximum respect to this absolute legend.
it's our human condition. it may not be pretty, but cosmic imperfection is perfection in itself. the truth holds so much power, that like beholding a crucifix in the face of a demon, they become intimidated by the reality that they are confronted by because it causes them to question their frame of reference. rather than persevere through this struggle to gain perspective and understanding, they attempt to regain control over the situation by controlling other people through their emotions. they try to evoke a negative emotional response through an insult, but in what illusory control they gain in the moment, they ultimately surrender control over their ego and return to their limited understanding of reality because it is what is comfortable for them. it doesn't challenge them.
@Eric Beller Not Bernard exactly, but an alarming number of the earlier comments were people being just plane judgmental about the subject of the video
you can still get down there, i **allegedly** went down there last summer (at least according to what i've heard). harder to get in now that the central park boathouse is closed (alledgedly, no admission of guilt). some of his stuff is still up!
@@2thezaza alledgedly there is one of the metal grate doors that is unlocked but closed about midway through the tunnel, thats how someone may have gotten out last time (alledgedly). might be possible to get in
The guys a pioneer. I have nothing but respect for him. Vice it seems a lot of your viewers have no culture! I even saw a comment to the likes of “I like graffiti, just not that tagging crap”! Lol bust out the bengay much
I've always thought that too. I feel like this generation and people now just miss out on so much and culture has become crap and no one cares about anything anymore. Life is just so fast.
One of the best things VICE has made, and it's way toooo short; Thanks VICE and can we get more videos on art like this, love it and the comment section is full on comments like this.
"Self Portrait" (spray can in a jacket) has long been one of my fave graffiti pieces. How curious to finally hear the artist behind it, thirty-odd years later.
I admire and respect this man..I Remember seeing the history of graffiti dedication in spraycan art in 1987,just the depth,heart,belief,energy and soul that this man has and all his experiences,that he has had and lived through over the years is truly remarkable..so much emotion,much love and respect out to you always from Australia,you are a true account of actual living history from those years !and I admire and respect you.
I went down there in about 1977. This is so cool. My friend tripped in a hole on the floor in the dark, and got all bruised up. He gives me grief about it to this day.
Shout out to Vice for uploading some real content. This is not "street art" though, this embodies American Graffiti, and the grandfather of what's now called "street art". This is truly important history!
Legend! I love what Chris says about not being able to deal with the critics of your work. Critics will always exist, but this is a great story on how you escape them to invent art or innovation on the boundaries.
Great video. Awful to hear the city forced people out of what little homes they have. But I'm glad their legacy is preserved. Like they say, when one person takes more than their fair share, someone else goes without.
I like watching things like these as they give me a real world sense of the passing of time. I spent many years in a haze of ganj smoke, coke sniffing and opiate dependancy. I wish I had used the time between being 20 years old and 30 years old more productively but I didn't, all I have is the time left. Things like this make me wish to have, if not more of an impact, but more of a creatively charged and ambitious approach to life. I need not the fame or recognition amongst a small collective or a mass audience, I just wish to use my time to make something of which I am proud of on a personal level. Be it art, socially conscious progression, enjoyable soundscapes of just free flowing positive fun. Cheers.
The last time I went down there was 2014- 2016 , i went through a hole in a fence down in 71st near some tennis courts. I'm from The Bronx, i wish Graffiti culture wasn't so looked down upon... good job Vice
I need a creative space like this. We all do, I bet. That rendition of Goya's Third of May was arresting--I had to pause and take it in. I'm so glad this footage exists so that we can marvel at such a magical phenomenon.
I remember the little writer named Nome that tried to get us to walk through that tunnel from 138th to 59th and I was like Nah! I going to the lay ups in 137th on Broadway was enough...
Back in the 70s you could get down to that tunnel - we called it the freight tunnel, to distinguish it from the 1 tunnel we were always at - through a grate in the wall at the baseball fields in the low 100s in riverside park. There were metal catwalk stairs going down, if I remember correctly.
you can still get down there, i *allegedly* went down there last summer (at least according to what i've heard). harder to get in now that the central park boathouse is closed (alledgedly, no admission of guilt). some of his stuff is still up!
''Lighter's up for the gifted artist out there who done some brill work on those tunnal's>it's sad that someone can buy some thing and shut it down when the art reflex life back then, even the artist even had the ol bill after them........but they made history by their art! PEACE stay safe out there!
If I saw this guy on the street, I would've NEVER thought he was a grafiti artist in the past
So what does a graffiti artist look like?
@@LI-pm3mh i would like to know also 😃
I couldn't agree more - chrisfreedompape
you don't notice all of them. most never talk about it
L I young
I loved this. Rip to the homeless man sounded like he had a big heart and was intelligent.
Wait a minute, did, did Vice just release a short documentary on something genuinely interesting that didn't involve hipsters? Stay with us Vice, stay in the light, you can do this.
These were the hipsters before the modern hipsters.
These guys weren't Instagraming coffees and discussing beardwax over an avocado toast. These few artists were pushing boundaries and making art for the sake of art not to try and get as many likes as possible or because it's what they saw someone doing on tiktok.
@@KGBgringo I mean, he did say he was doing it purely for his peers respect, same thing. That's coming from a graffiti writer too. I don't think they were hipsters though, they were pioneers
@@KGBgringo I would say thats 2015-2017 hipsters and how they acted, they are alittle more different now.
Thanks KGBgringo, I was so unhip it was ridiculous. chrisfreedompape
I was worried about how Vice would frame this but it looks like they did a pretty good job. Dude is a legend. Also, I've been running into the same homeless guy down there for a decade now. Always bring food or something if you're down there.
Thanks Empire Stories - chrisfreedompape
If I ever take a trip to the city best believe this is a spot I’ll have to visit even if I don’t paint anything just the experience would be amazing
@Volf Khat i think he means a different homeless person..
Freedom is legendary, and deserves to have his name included with the aerosol legends he mentioned.
That History of Graffiti piece alone is iconic. Give this man his props...
I could watch a lot more of this. Great piece
Pinsqueezebic 1 same
WAKE UP VICE! This is the content that made you great!
Yes more on ART please.
Thanks - chrisfreedompape
Yeah, I could watch this kinda stuff endlessly! 💗
I've been obsessed with Graffiti since watching Beat Street as a kid.
Or style warz grafiitti documentary
I feel that everyone has a story to tell and everyone is trying to find their purpose
This isn't profound
Your absolutely right there are some people that are more in tune than others but keep faith in the future plant the seed and sooner or later the tree shall bear fruit and shade ✌🏼
why are people hating on this video? it was so interesting to see the progression of street art during those times.
*graffiti
Graffiti and street art are two different things
@@weatherloops graffiti is a type of street art. Street art is not a type of graffiti tho
Was transferred from Naval shipyard in Philly up to Ft. Wadsworth in Staten island to work in Brooklyn shipyard and finish the SIMA building in Staten island for the home port of the USS Normandy. Was stationed with a tagger from Jersey who took me down their a couple of times. Good memories, when New York was gnarly.
Who was the NJ tagger. Chip or rime?
I am 51 years old now, and I remember when myself(VLADONE(KOC) and KENS(HOT) where bombing the A and C trains sneaking into the yards underneath Linden Plaza Projects on Sutter Ave and Lincoln Ave , this bring me back memories to my teenage years in the early 80's. The memoirs hearing this artist is priceless.
Do you still write?
Crazy, seen alot everywhere in Brooklyn
@thenigglefish2682 No, the last time that I went bombing I was 16 or 17 years old.
14 years old i fell in love with graffiti, now 32 years old i still love it just as much, its an art/doing something ppl tell u u cant do/so underground...we arrest ppl for doing art wtf!?..love graffiti. SEIK
Word! I started in 84 at 11years old. I'm not painting much due to health issues sadly, Though I still think about graff, all times. I remember clocking this guys work in Scraycan art for the first time here in the UK. Keep rocking' SEIK, Props SKROEZ CVK pZ.
@@scroez thanks man, best of luck to you
they arrest them and place advertisements instead... €€€
those train tracks on the west side still get tagged up
Nyc is a rotting shithole
This man is an absolute legend in nyc. Always heard about him growing up in the 80s and 90s.
Watching this was very emotional for me. I have such an incredibly deep love for street art, truth, human/animal rights...We live in such a dysfunctional system and this a great example of it.
Thanks Anita - chrisfreedompape
Yup.
Internet culture really is vile, This dude wanted to better himself so he did, who are we to sit behind a screen dissecting what these people did and judge them so harshly. Humans subdued to cockroach level of consciousness. Maximum respect to this absolute legend.
He died young though. The condition in these tunnels may not be healthy. However he lived life the way he wanted which is inspiring.
it's our human condition. it may not be pretty, but cosmic imperfection is perfection in itself. the truth holds so much power, that like beholding a crucifix in the face of a demon, they become intimidated by the reality that they are confronted by because it causes them to question their frame of reference. rather than persevere through this struggle to gain perspective and understanding, they attempt to regain control over the situation by controlling other people through their emotions. they try to evoke a negative emotional response through an insult, but in what illusory control they gain in the moment, they ultimately surrender control over their ego and return to their limited understanding of reality because it is what is comfortable for them. it doesn't challenge them.
You're too kind Tony - chrisfreedompape
@Eric Beller Not Bernard exactly, but an alarming number of the earlier comments were people being just plane judgmental about the subject of the video
@@legoguy23451 respect
you can still get down there, i **allegedly** went down there last summer (at least according to what i've heard). harder to get in now that the central park boathouse is closed (alledgedly, no admission of guilt). some of his stuff is still up!
I *allegedly* tried but there is no way because its just construction companies all around it and its covered
@@2thezaza alledgedly there is one of the metal grate doors that is unlocked but closed about midway through the tunnel, thats how someone may have gotten out last time (alledgedly). might be possible to get in
Get soooomeeee! Greetings y'all from playa del carmen 🇲🇽 keep the Graff alive compadres...
Still very easy to get in
@@jonwittmann3042 why do u feel the need to blow the spot up on the internet? how old r u 15
The guys a pioneer. I have nothing but respect for him. Vice it seems a lot of your viewers have no culture! I even saw a comment to the likes of “I like graffiti, just not that tagging crap”! Lol bust out the bengay much
You’re a bland weed obsessed loser.
Thanks C
an control!
@Dreamstate You're crazy. It's art and culture. You're just bourgeoisie
Dreamstate tagging is graffiti, I’ll write all over your building
Officer 69 And I’ll write all over yours ;)
What a world we used to live in before technology really became a staple in our life. Wish I could go back in time and press pause forever. 🤘🏻
Ooooh ur edgy
This kind of stuff still happens.
I've always thought that too. I feel like this generation and people now just miss out on so much and culture has become crap and no one cares about anything anymore. Life is just so fast.
What does this have to do with technology? What is needed to have more of this is solidarity with autonomous zones.
technically you can still do this?
One of the best things VICE has made, and it's way toooo short; Thanks VICE and can we get more videos on art like this, love it and the comment section is full on comments like this.
Finally an actual documentary.
Yea, this one was good
SNL Stefon's voice: THIS PLACE HAS EVERYTHING!!
When they get grown his kids are gonna be blown away at having "Freedom" as their dad. What a journey. Thank you for this.
I’m still going there today and I’ve seen some of his old art
"Self Portrait" (spray can in a jacket) has long been one of my fave graffiti pieces. How curious to finally hear the artist behind it, thirty-odd years later.
One of the best Vice pieces ive seen in a while. You can literally feel the vibe from those photos. Down to the cool air.. Thanks.
These are the stories that make me interested & smile♥️
Thanks Miss Melanie - chrisfreedompape
I admire and respect this man..I Remember seeing the history of graffiti dedication in spraycan art in 1987,just the depth,heart,belief,energy and soul that this man has and all his experiences,that he has had and lived through over the years is truly remarkable..so much emotion,much love and respect out to you always from Australia,you are a true account of actual living history from those years !and I admire and respect you.
A man with no belongings is not homeless he is truly free.....
RIP Bernard
I'm a New York yodeller myself and I painted a lot of those things. Cant believe its come to this
We're still keepin the craft alive man, this guy is a legend, RIP the greats 🙏
Thank you.
@@gentwoaw ❤❤❤
I went down there in about 1977. This is so cool. My friend tripped in a hole on the floor in the dark, and got all bruised up. He gives me grief about it to this day.
been waiting for this vice
Shout out to Vice for uploading some real content. This is not "street art" though, this embodies American Graffiti, and the grandfather of what's now called "street art". This is truly important history!
I always considered myself a writer, not a street artist.
First vice doc I appriciate in a long time.
Wow, this was amazing I still cant believe Vice did this. Nice job
Finally vice back with a truly wonderful video instead of toilet paper making videos
Love seeing that SANE tag at 5:32
Legend! I love what Chris says about not being able to deal with the critics of your work. Critics will always exist, but this is a great story on how you escape them to invent art or innovation on the boundaries.
Great video. Awful to hear the city forced people out of what little homes they have. But I'm glad their legacy is preserved. Like they say, when one person takes more than their fair share, someone else goes without.
Truely inspirational portrayal of youth in NYC
*ZINZO* WAS HERE!*
This piece is absolutely excellent!
Mt younger brother was allowed to go there, except in 1978, the tunnels were in the rail yard in Brookyn. They'd go.in the middle of the night.
Dark Days
Me and zyre used to walk and paint the feeedom tunnels in the 90’s. This is a wonderful memory of some of my younger years in NYC
a true OG. respect freedom.
you're inspirational, "in-spirit". Pulling out my paint cans...
This is why i love and do graffiti. There is such a good meaning and feeling to it, its not just vandalism. Its art.
Art pure
Oh man. Legend lives . What cool art
this was amzing to watch , thanks for sharing would love to know more
Everyone needs to put respect on his name.... Period...
I like watching things like these as they give me a real world sense of the passing of time.
I spent many years in a haze of ganj smoke, coke sniffing and opiate dependancy.
I wish I had used the time between being 20 years old and 30 years old more productively but I didn't, all I have is the time left. Things like this make me wish to have, if not more of an impact, but more of a creatively charged and ambitious approach to life.
I need not the fame or recognition amongst a small collective or a mass audience, I just wish to use my time to make something of which I am proud of on a personal level.
Be it art, socially conscious progression, enjoyable soundscapes of just free flowing positive fun.
Cheers.
A genuine Cave Painter getting back to his roots......
The last time I went down there was 2014- 2016 , i went through a hole in a fence down in 71st near some tennis courts. I'm from The Bronx, i wish Graffiti culture wasn't so looked down upon... good job Vice
Wow, what a jewel to come across at 14.
most of the Vice videos nowadays are just meaningless cheap entertainment to me. but I really liked this one!
I guess it depends on who works there and whos reporting the stories. I feel like they found the right people who made this docu-video
I need a creative space like this. We all do, I bet. That rendition of Goya's Third of May was arresting--I had to pause and take it in. I'm so glad this footage exists so that we can marvel at such a magical phenomenon.
Was this the same tunnel from the Dark Days documentary?
Yep
I remember watching a cool ass doc not long ago of the homelessness in that tunnel these days
How did he have so much time to do this
Great story Freedom 2bad wee didn't hook up b4 I left NYC in 1986 ,,,respect 2u from Mack-Tatscru
I’d love a full documentary on this
Yesss
Highschool memories
at 1.43 EPIC
I remember the little writer named Nome that tried to get us to walk through that tunnel from 138th to 59th and I was like Nah! I going to the lay ups in 137th on Broadway was enough...
Love art love video.
This guy is a living legend like how my sister lived with Living Legends in Oakland and my dad lived with Iggy Pop in Ann Arbor PEACE
Need more like this 👑
word dope ..just like Tunnle in Sydney Australia in 80 s 😊..
Back in the 70s you could get down to that tunnel - we called it the freight tunnel, to distinguish it from the 1 tunnel we were always at - through a grate in the wall at the baseball fields in the low 100s in riverside park. There were metal catwalk stairs going down, if I remember correctly.
It's closed?
Growing up in the 70's I remembered seeing throw ups
Of Freedom. Is good to see him now. EO2 👑
Not the typical punk street painter, and you can tell.
He does more than just paint his crew's letters over other people's art. Respect
Nobody starts graffiti with painting murals.
@@jakx2ob That's a fact, always a writer first.
amazing work
amazing
6:25 I remember that can character in the book spraycan art.
you can still get down there, i *allegedly* went down there last summer (at least according to what i've heard). harder to get in now that the central park boathouse is closed (alledgedly, no admission of guilt). some of his stuff is still up!
another graff legend wow...
Good job on documenting this cultural moment in history.
Best thing vice has put out in a minute
Great content!
Most people today doesnt even consider that NY in the 70s/80s was considered the most dangerous city in a non-war zone in the world
Now this, was interesting. Kelzo was a great graff artist in Manc.
Adding this to my list of things to visit,as a new yorker i love finding hidden gems within the city
@Ben Dover lol thanks karen
Need more like this 🔥
These unique behind the scenes of artistic anons who are at peace and come out to the world with knowledge in their later years
Great video. Informativea and profound :). Cheers
Nice!! video
I wish Vice produced more of this type of content.
Hoping I can visit this incredible spot one day!
''Lighter's up for the gifted artist out there who done some brill work on those tunnal's>it's sad that someone can buy some thing and shut it down when the art reflex life back then, even the artist even had the ol bill after them........but they made history by their art! PEACE stay safe out there!
Finally vice has some decent content .
Love this man! In Amsterdam * * * we also have a graffiti history in the subway tunnels.
Reminds me of the game getting up I used to play
To get more of that "Old-School New York City feel", watch 'Jane Child - Don't Wanna Fall in Love'.
Brilliant 👏🏻
Dope, much respect to this man.
Thank you.
NYC have a deep culture and it leave a mark on you forever even u just visited once. My favorite metropolitan city
This was plain beautiful.
And thats a good video, Vice