At the bosom of New York City is a not-so-secret bathroom in a refurbished building that has been turned into an art room, and a meeting room. Or, more appropriately, a shrine, to the one thing that fascinated the world-famous pop artist, Keith Haring (which, actually, may also be the one thing that fascinates us). That building is the GLTB Center. I went inside the bathroom, on the second floor, and using my iPhone's camera, I photographed Keith Haring's unabashed 4-wall mural now valued at 2 million US dollars. This room is almost always locked.
hi dennis! i love the work of keith haring. he's such an amazing pop artist. and i love the art scene here in new york. so many creative talents. it is very invigorating. i am enjoying the cacophony of creativity.
busy, busy, busy....I am doing the Bench Fashion show accessories...it will be on Araneta on the 25th of this month (panic!)...still doing stuff for TV, so I am doing fine....need to lose weight though...... are you staying in NYC for good or just there for some much needed R&R? Hahaha!!!! ikaw nga, haven't been hearing anything from you...but glad to know that you are where you need to be right now...I am loving your new "do" (haircut) it suits you a lot and makes you look sooo bagets (no joke), but anyhoo... enjoy your stay (if vacationing) and live it up (if staying for good) there in the big apple! Miss you, you are one of the best people i have met and known...a true renaissance man! ;o)
dennis, i might be staying here in new york for a long time. i'll most likely shuttle back and forth. i've been lucky to get lots of really interesting projects since i came here. i just did a jazz concert series documentation, and i am currently doing a coffee table book. it's awesome here. when i get the chance, i'd go to manila to do some shoots there. meanwhile, my photography and business partner, renzo sen, is the one taking care of the our shop. we moved to makati and we now call it "the playground." renzo is an award-winning photographer. and he's also an apple certified professional for aperture 2.0 (the pro photography software of apple). gosh, i have fond memories of our photo shoot with regine. and i always look forward to working with you. you are one fabulous talent! glad to know that you are doing lots of interesting stuff. your talent is awesome. who's directing the bench fashion show?
Ariel Lozada is at the helm of the Bench fashion show..... Awww...I am happy to know that you are in the heart of the action! do send us posts from time to time with what you have been up to in NYC...I think that little shoot of ours (with Regine) is one of the main reasons why i decided to do what I do now , full time ( i am still unsure of what my job description is but they sey "artist-designer" hahahaha!) the sight of the two off you releasing creative juice soooo thick you can cut it with a knife! To experience (front row seat) the passion you have for photography, the way you handled the shoot the...images that came after, is something that i can say jolted me (is that even a term? haha) it was a powerful experience...I have always wanted to be an artist but afraid to dive into it full time....When I saw you at work, that very moment I made a decision and took steps to live my life with the same passion as you do, to do what i love...thank God that it is a miracle that somehow it is working out for me! I still have a long way to go but that doesn't bother me because wherever I end up there's one thing certain, that I am doing what I love and that I am happy! Thanks for the compliments, I am honored to have worked with you, Regine and Warren... I really wish that everything works out for you and that you become a super duper big photography star in NYC, but do let us know if you plan to make balik bayan....Goodluck with all your projects...like everything you do, I am sure it will turn out fantastic!!!!
dominiquejames wrote on Jul 17, '08, edited on Jul 17, '08
I miss working with Ariel Lozada. Ariel and I once served as judges for a beauty contest organized by Frederick Peralta. Ariel is always so nice. And I miss working with Warren! Warren is so amazing. When you get to see him, please do send him my regards. I hold you and Warren in high esteem.
It is also heartening to know that, in my own humble way, I was able to contribute to your decision to finally pursue and engage in creative and artistic endeavors. It is the subtle influences we exert upon each other that builds on our individual strengths, that in turn, can only lead to amazingly fortuitous outcomes. I continue to be inspired by friends such as you.
Before settling in New York, I decided to go around. For a time, I"ve traveled quite a bit. I've been to Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, and several other cities. All these places are beautiful! But somehow, I never felt any connection. I'm sure you know what I mean. I arrived in New York through the midnight train from Georgia. When I emerged out of the cavernous Penn station, and into the street, I didn't even realize I was crying. I was just so happy. I have found my new city. And the city has found me.
On the subway, I read a quote that sums up my sentiments about New York. It was from an essay by E.B. White which he wrote in 1948. The title of the piece is "Here is New York" and this is the opening paragraph:
"There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter--the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. Of these trembling cities the greatest is the last--the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for New York’s high strung disposition, its poetical deportment, its dedication to the arts, and its incomparable achievements. Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness, natives give it solidity and continuity, but the settlers give it passion."
I think I know exactly what kind of "New York" I am.
Still, I am lucky that I have good roots in Manila. I am proud that Manila is the city where it all begin. From Manila to Manhattan, I consider mine to be a good, long, fruitful and happy journey.
And so, I do not want to think of success in New York as an end goal, the destination. I consider my day to day, my moment to moment, as my success. I am happy here, and each New York minute is a lifetime.
Dennis, I am always intrigued by your fabulous creations. How in the world do you come up with such ingenious designs from the most basic of materials? You are so artistic and creative. You are an alchemist by nature; you turn dust into gold.
Dennis, I am always intrigued by your fabulous creations. How in the world do you come up with such ingenious designs from the most basic of materials? You are so artistic and creative. You are an alchemist by nature; you turn dust into gold.
Awww...*blush* ,I don't know really...I always joke that maybe in my past life I am a jeweller to royalty, always asked to create one of a kind pieces to fit my sovereign, so in this life I still carry on making pieces that's flambouyant and one of a kind...well this is a romantic way of looking at it. But I really listent the materials...by experience I kinda know which material will look best in my mind. i really can't say I have a formula in making my pieces,still clueless...all i know is that I have an aesthetic that I use as a guideline of some sort...hahahaha!!!! I don't know if I am making any sense, hahahha!!!!
dominiquejames wrote on Jul 17, '08, edited on Jul 17, '08
Dennis, I've asked a number of really stunning artists, and they too cannot define exactly how they do their work. They know what they are doing. They feel it in their bones. And the whole process just comes together. You belong to that league of stunning artists, and I am honored that I've worked with you and I am proud you are my friend. Our studio in Makati, the one we call The Playground, is also your playground. Feel free to run wild with your imaginations and imaginings. Renzo Sen, my photography and business partner, will gladly play with you any time. Consider our playground to be your playground. You have a home studio in The Playground.
i miss you my friend. so how have you been? 
