artsculture

Artist - AIM

While setting up for Robot Love 2.0, I was intrigued by a graffiti piece that stood out from the rest. The tag, AIM – HOSER, seemed to be in good spirits situated among warm colors, peace signs, and floating bubbles. The writing style was clean and classic, with letters that could have been grooving to a funky 70’s beat. It had an entirely different feel from the giant earth crushing fire breathing atomic blasting ass kicking robots that dominated the walls near the stage. I set myself on a mission to find out who had brought the old school vibe with all the updates to Robot Love.

The man responsible was George Colon, a battle-hardened graffiti vet whose come back to the scene in pursuit of his true passion. If you were in boroughs of New York City in the early 70’s, youd’ve definitely seen his tag, AIM, often followed by SSB. His impact on the city is well documented in Keith Baugh’s book, Early New York Subway Graffiti 1973-1975, and in the archives of 149^th street and Subway Outlaws. George was the founder and first president of “Soul Stoned Brothers”, which became one of the largest graffiti crews in New York and is internationally recognized. He’s recently been invited to gallery shows in the Netherlands, South Africa, London, and New York but he’s a modest guy who wouldn’t tell you about it unless you asked him, so I asked him. 

George grew up in Brooklyn near people’s park and started writing with shoe polish when he was ten years old. The city and his art offered an escape from a rough environment at home. He said he felt safer when he was out writing graffiti than he did in his own house. His tag became a central goal and driving force in his life. It connected him with like minded individuals who shared the urge to write and turn their will into a physical reality that proved their existence. There were several graffiti crews AIM could have joined but he chose to create his own and lead it by example. George and many others found acceptance, respect, and a sense of family in Soul Stoned Brothers that they couldn’t find anywhere else.

The bylaws of SSB were pretty straightforward. To become a member you had to go out with the crew and tag your name and SSB on a train or prominent wall and you couldn’t write for any other crew. The presidency was contingent on who wrote the most, period. AIM was king of the BMT lines (Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit) and earned the presidency by doing the most work. He knew the BMT’s inside and out and his tags were like a billboard for SSB. Writers who wanted to join would come find him at People’s Park or 149^th street and he’d take them out to do their first SSB piece. If he couldn’t go his vice president and good friend RISE would show them the ropes. Whenever he led his crew to the train yards or anywhere else to tag, his primary concern was keeping them safe and out of jail. When he heard sirens or choppers coming, he’d signal for them to take a safe exit while he ran distraction so they could get away. He’d usually outrun the boys in blue but he wasn’t afraid to take the heat for his guys when he had to. On one occasion when he got busted and taken into the Chambers Police Station he made sure to leave the cops a little memento, AIM-SSB on their bathroom wall.

Tagging in the city was always risky, but local gangs like The Javelins, Spanish Kings, and Satin Souls didn’t give AIM and his crew any trouble. When he came through they knew he was there to write and they supported his crew. Unfortunately the local authorities, TA’s, and DT’s did not. “Graffiti crime” was fought very aggressively and the penalties were harsh. Tragedy struck the tunnels in 1975 when a chase turned lethal and AIM lost one of his best friends, STIM-3YB. STIM was a fellow writer and just one bust away from being put into a home for juvenile delinquents. STIM, LAMA, Mr. Duck, and AIM were in the third car from the last of a Manhattan bound M-train, tagging with a red mini when two DT’s shouted, “Stop! Hold it right there!” STIM panicked at the thought of being put away. He told AIM, “I am not going to juvie!” then opened the back door of the car and climbed to the roof. He wanted to get to the last car and make a break for it when the train stopped but someone pulled the emergency break while he was on the roof and he fell between the last two cars. One of the DT’s grabbed AIM, walked him to the last car and made him look at his friend’s body. He lost it, hit the DT and was sent to juvie for one and a half years.

After STIM’s death George was ashamed to be a graffiti artist and didn’t touch a can or tag anything for 35 years. He felt responsible for what happened to STIM and suppressed his artistic ability for decades. Now he writes STIM’s name on nearly everything he does. Connecting with a younger generation of artists and reconnecting with members of SSB has given George newfound inspiration and a worthy cause. His goal is to promote awareness and acceptance of artists who are trying to share their message with the world. He’s giving back to the art community in big ways by providing safe, positive environments where artists of all ages can express themselves. George and the team at Imagine Ink have organized what I believe will be Vero Beach’s first live urban art show with entertainment for the whole family. AIM and at least fourteen other artists will be creating new works of art on the spot. Lenny Chesson, “RISE” the VP of SSB is flying in from New York to collaborate with AIM for the first time in 34 years and featured artist VAN 2 ROC will be making his début as the newest member of SSB. It’s all happening this Sunday, the 21^st at The Newport Club, 2536 16^th Ave. from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The event is free and food will be available so don’t miss it. Join Spacecoastvibe.com in supporting the arts and meet some of the world shakers.