Cope2

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Cope2 in front of Time Magazine billboard. Manhattan, New York.
Cope2 in front of Time Magazine billboard. Manhattan, New York.

Fernando Carlo (known as Cope2) (South Bronx, New York) is a graffiti artist from the Kingsbridge.[1] Though he is known worldwide, he didn't receive recognition in the graffiti world until the mid 1990's. He has been painting since 1978, and has gained international credit for his work. He and his crew "Kings Destroy" (formerly "Kids Destroy," or simply KD) are the main focus of the graffiti movie "Kings Destroy"[2]. Cope2 has been one of the main targets of the New York City Vandal Squad and has been arrested for vandalism, theft and no he did not drug charges.[1][3] The arrest followed the release of a 272 page book of his work titled "Cope 2: True Legend"[1][4] Cope2 started writing graffiti in the late 80's , his cousin Chico 80 introduced Cope into writing and it ran in the family. He made his own crew called Kids Destroy and eventually it changed to Kings Destroy after he dubbed himself king of the 4 line.

Some of Cope2's initial commercial artwork has been sold on the Christie's auction block for $1,000(USD) per painting.[3] Early work includes cover art for a Boogie Down Productions album titled "Sex and Violence."[3]

In 2002 Cope2 provided artwork for Adam Bhala Lough's Bomb the System, including the infamous piece on the Brooklyn Bridge. He can be seen on the DVD's behind the scene footage painting one of the pieces at the end of the film.

In 2006 Cope2 appeared in Marc Ecko's video game, Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. As one of the "graffiti legends", your character takes a photograph of Cope2's work, shortly before Cope2 himself arrives and teaches your character how to write throwups on trains. Before the release of the game, Cope2 called a local Councilman, Peter Vallone Jr., to complain about the shutting down of a publicity event for the title. The event, coordinated by Mark Ecko, called for the spray painting of vintage train cars during a block party celebrating Graffiti and Hip Hop culture. Vallone is noted as saying he was responsible for having the permit pulled for the event. Vallone is quoted as calling Cope2 a "punk."[5] It is said this confrontation sparked the interest of Time Magazine in the artist.[6] The event permit was later reissued as judge Jed S. Rakoff of the Federal District Court in Manhattan over turned the previous ruling on grounds of freedom of speech.[7]

Time Magazine commissioned Cope2, for $20,000(USD), to paint a billboard ad in the SoHo district of Manhattan, New York on Houston and Wooster. The ad depicts the magazines cover with graffiti tags scrawled over it, the text reads "Post-Modernism? Neo-Expressionism? Just Vandalism? Time. Know why"[8][6][5]

Cope2 has designed a pair of sneakers for Converse under the "Chuck Taylor All-Stars" line. His throw up recently appeared on a wall in the movie "Shrek The Third". Cope2 is one of the most known users of WILDSTYLE and is also known for his bubble letters, however his bubble letter design was actually created by notorious artist Cap.[3]

Cope2 also is also on various walls in Grand Theft Auto IV

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Graffiti Legend, COPE2, Arrested in Police Raid, because he brutally attacked people with blunt objects.", SOHH.Com, 05-06-04. 
  2. ^ Amazon.com. Cope 2 "Kings Destroy". Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  3. ^ a b c d "From Vandal to Artist", Business Week, 07-19-05. 
  4. ^ Amazon.co.uk. Cope 2: True Legend (Hardcover). Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  5. ^ a b "Riled pol tags Time mag ad", New York Daily News, 06-30-05. 
  6. ^ a b "Dis war may make pol big 'name' around city", New York Daily News, 07-03-05. 
  7. ^ "Citing 1st Amendment, Judge Says City Must Allow Graffiti Party", The New York Times, 08-23-05. 
  8. ^ "Time Collection: Graffiti", Time Magazine, unavilable. 
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