johnny z and the 8one4 studio

grand life grand art just fukingrand!

johnny z and the 8one4 studio

and what a story it is.

but first some background. during the early 70s, ... 72, 73, the explosion of art that began during the revolutionary years of the 60s was still going strong. it wasn't only about drugs, sex and rock 'n roll, but rather about gaining knowledge. expanding one's horizons, exploring that which was on the horizon just beyond reach.

johnny z was a writer, a poet and sculptor. he had studied the shared, gained knowledge given by friends and others rather than the rigid and often anal disciplines of formal university education. the old saying held true, 'those that can, do ... and those that can't, teach.' and johnny z was one that did.

he was on the cusp of discovery having done numerous shows/exhibitions in cities up and down the east coast of america as well a few international destinations. his work was received well for the most part. that's right ... for the most part.

johnny z did the regular, kinda standard work that galleries liked. the galleries made money and johnny z made money. everybody made money, it was money that kept the doors open, not self-expression. it provided life support.

as time rolled j z, the original, kept returning to his first love sculpted neon and overly large wooden designs. he had a way of twisting form and used the different colors as accent to give the illusion of depth that most wall pieces lacked. dark was the shadow line that signified the false imagery of dimension.

johnny z's concentration was 'the line of movement and shadow' and he did it oh so well.

many times viewers could be seen moving backward and forward, off to one side and then the other with cocked head and inquisitive expression.

johhny z was good, he was better than good. he did what he did because he could.

the 8one4 studio was off in an industrial park just within the city limits on the eastern side, across the tracks. at one time it was full of life with few buildings available. things had changed in the last few years and it was a buyer's market.

johnny z found opportunity on more than one property but eventually made the decision to purchase the 8one4 street number space. it was large enough to allow expansion, large enough to fill required 'elbow room', and well affordable. it was an older building with window placements that had long  been filled. two garage doors on opposite sides of the front wall and a steel entry door marked the entrance of the empty space. 

it was a good space.

the old office was converted into an acceptable living arrangement while the rest was dedicated to johnny z's craft, his art, his life.

it didn't take long for it to begin to loose it's former identity.

cleaning, sweeping, moping, rewiring, painting, making racks and shelving to accommodate.

many long days and even longer nights were spent crafting the offered space.

and then it was, and it was done so well.

this new arena gave way to newer ideas driven by imagination unleashed by stuffy thought.

a rejuvenated energy stoked production as not seen before. piece after piece, after piece. one after the other and yet again. it was an art factory and it was good, yes very good.

one day it all changed. johnny z closed up shop, went on an extended walk about. he needed different space, different time. the 8one14 had served its purpose and would be there when johnny z made his return.

many asked why? johnny z made no reply. he had changed, he had been too busy to notice the change, he was old, he was tired. it was time to check out the stink the rose offered.

ode to the 8one4

the last card played was the ace

this had been a very good base

many times we shared a case

bad attitudes it did erase

always gave way for happy face

never once did we not give grace

or ever wear the frilly lace

never needed that can of mace

it had been an exhausting pace

this thing this beautiful race

such a good use of space

now time to leave no trace

no more flowers for the vase 

it is now time to lock the doors 

and walk away.