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Showing posts from September, 2024

The Artistic Tide: Vewer's Octopus Graffiti Masterpiece

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Navigating my way to this clandestine location was far from a walk in the park. Each step over the jagged rocks, glistening with a sheen of dewy moss, felt like a gamble. One misstep and the unforgiving coastline would gladly introduce me to its myriad sharp-edged contours. These rocks, slick with remnants of past high tides, held a sense of deja vu for me. A fleeting memory tingled at the back of my mind: I'd treaded this same treacherous path once before, making my way to an abandoned fuel oil depot lurking just beyond the fence. It was an Instagram reel that had first hinted at the existence of this masterpiece, echoing with the whispers of the sea. From a distance, the artwork stands as a beacon, a vibrant testament to the intelligence lurking beneath the waves. On the cusp of a grime-streaked shoreline, amidst the urban sprawl, stands the luminous graffiti by the celebrated urban maestro, Vewer. Bold, block letters spelling out "VEW" are splashed across the canvas in

Honoring Dr. King's Legacy: New House Museum in Camden

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  These photos were taken in December 2017 before the March 2023 fire damaged the historical building.  In Camden, New Jersey centered around the charred remains of a once boarded-up house on Walnut Street. This isn't just any building; it's where Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an emblematic figure of the civil rights movement, once lived and learned, shaping his philosophy of peaceful protest. The story of this house, and the efforts to preserve its legacy, reflects a broader narrative of struggle and hope that resonates deeply in the community. Pastor Amir Khan of New Beginnings Behavioral Health has been at the forefront of these efforts. Despite the setback of a devastating arson attack in March 2023, which left the historic site in ruins, Pastor Khan's vision remains undeterred. He envisions a new beginning for this site, proposing to erect a 10,000-square-foot museum that not only commemorates Dr. King's legacy but also serves as a beacon of learning and ins

Bridgeport Organ Company: From Music to Urban Development

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As you drive along Interstate 95, you might catch a glimpse of the blown-out windows of the former Bridgeport Organ Company. This imposing structure, with its faded billboard, has stood vacant and abandoned for years. Inside, the scene is one of decay and disarray—dangling pipes, snack wrappers, empty alcohol bottles, spray cans, and collapsed floors. Signs of squatter activity, like overturned buckets used as chairs and sleeping bags spread across the wooden floors, were prevalent back in 2014. Despite its current state, the site has a rich history. The Bridgeport Organ Company once produced exquisite organs with ornate wooden cases. These instruments, standing six feet high and four feet wide, were prized pieces of furniture in family parlors before the advent of record players. As musical tastes evolved, so did the factory's production. By the late 19th century, the demand for home organs declined, giving way to new inventions like the graphophone, an early version of the phonog