On July 13th I moved to Detroit, MI to join Allied Media Projects and help build a community media center. Since then my life has been extremely challenging, dynamic, thoughtful, and focused. It’s been difficult adjusting to a new environment, new faces, and new ways of living. I’ve had my fair share of moving around, living in every type of environment, but none of which can come close to my experience here in Detroit.
I started off in small town Indiana, Frankfort to be exact, wondering around the forests and creeks, cruising throughout the country looking for meaning. At the time I found it hard to find. I fled as soon as I was legal to San Francisco where I started school at the San Francisco Art Institute. Once the pop culture, quirkiness, and gay saturation wore off I found my self repeating patterns that got me nowhere. Sure it was fun to live la vida loca, but it lacked momentum and meaning…I was working to pay rent and that is most certainly no way to live. I packed my bags and headed back to the Mid West for grad school at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Chicago is technically my roots, or at least the closest place to home I’ve come across. I discovered the world of youth media during my studies and began the next chapter of my life. Grad school opened my eyes to the process of carving your own path. I took classes that had no significance in the real world, but meant the world to me. At first it was hard balancing reality and fantasy, but I soon realized that if I didn’t build it no one would, and so I came into existence or existence came to me.
By now I’ve got my moves down. I can pick up and leave at anytime, adapt to any situation, and carve a door out of any box someone tries to put me in. I realized, if I choose to live as an artist I must be agile. It is important to know the things that make me happy and understand that things are temporary. I must be able to move swiftly and meaningfully. There must be more than creating, dancing, and laughing. Next stop “The Farm.” Knowing how your environment works allows you to participate, not just be in it. Back to Indiana, back to the creeks, forest, and corn.
Each move is a blur of emotions, ideas, and thoughts. The only thing I remember from them are what I lost in the transition I’ll never forget the move to the farm because I lost my first cat Ranchy. He had a hard time adjusting and ended up getting eaten by the wild animals. I lost my fear and sensitivity on the farm. I was no longer in a comfy city with my fluffy cat, but in the middle of nowhere Indiana with a scientist who has sharper edges than cacti. That year was the longest most painful and depressing experience I have ever encountered. It topped the abusive relationship and watching my father die, because I created it, I made it all on my own.
Amongst all the agony and pain I learned more than any school or traveling experience has taught me. I wallered in my sorrows to get closer to myself, closer to the earth I come from. My prickly scientist stabbed me with knowledge and awareness of my body, soul, and surroundings. It is true what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. I no longer fear pain or struggle. I now admire what they reveal. I will never know how to repay my friend who had no fear slapping reality in my face. I can only pass on the skills I’ve learned to the people that come in my path. Next Stop DETROIT: I finally have something to offer.
Detroit, MI, home sweet home. I now live in the city with the highest drop out rate, largest unemployment rate, and most foreclosures in the country. Most people have turn there backs on this city to look for greener grass. I myself have sought greener grass in the past , but this time it isn’t the grass I’m interested in, but the soil. I believe Detroit has the richest soil in the U.S. It is fostered by musicians, artist, urban farmers, and activists who understand that grass roots can’t grow if the soil is tainted, and it is the grass roots that retain the soil’s moisture. I’ve never experienced such a do-it yourself, community oreineted sort of place. There is plenty of pain and struggle to learn from and tons of empty ground to build ideas on. Detroit is not for the weak at heart, especially not for the “I’m bored what are we gonna do now,” folks. Detroiters, are made up of blood, sweat, and tears never scared to throw a dose of reality at you face. They are strong individuals who work together to fix what others inelegantly left behind. They are like any other American, just with out the sugar coating.
When I arrived to Detroit with my Uhaul in the middle of July , 2008, I had about 4 hours of sleep before the work started. There has been minimal rest since. I stand next to some of the most captivating, motivated, keen, radical people I have ever met. They are beautiful, dynamic, smart, and giving. I feel comfortable starting a root system in the D, for the ground is fertile with lessons and creativity. I no longer have the urge to search for what is next, but how we move forth.
I am Dinthed.
I am Allied Media Projects
I am Detroit Summer
I am the Boggs Center
I am a reflection of Detroit, rual Indiana, Chicago, San Francisco, and the roots of my Mother in Colombia and my father in Sicily.
I am an American Artist
