German Police Looking for American Graffiti Writer’s Artwork

World renowned graffiti writer and frequent subject of controversy, COPE2, had a show in Berlin recently—here he is preparing for it—and this past weekend, a crew of thieves broke into the Skalitzers gallery and stole most of the artwork. The gallery alerted the Berlin police, who are now on the hunt for the stolen pieces, but they’re also “offering a reward, no questions asked, for their return.” Stay tuned! |GraffKingdom|

COPE2 Drops Bomb on ALIFE

True to form, graffiti writer COPE2 plastered a throw-up over the ALIFE logo for his part in a new series of t-shirt collaborations. The series, ALIFE x THE PEOPLE, is a self-proclaimed “tribute to originality” but you can buy the same shirt, minus the ALIFE logo and $10, from COPE’s own t-shirt line. |12oz|

Graffiti Writers Claim Vandal Squad Author Used Stolen Photos

While it’s true that no real sparks flew at last night’s Vandals vs. Vandal Squad discussion at the powerHouse arena, there were some interesting revelations about author Joe “Blow” Rivera’s mostly irrelevant book on graffiti. For one, several writers, including panelist KET, claimed that some of the photos published in “Vandal Squad: Inside the New York City Transit Police Department, 1984-2004″ were either stolen or obtained improperly and definitely in violation of copyright! Rivera denied the charge, insisting they were his or “donated” from various sources.
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Vandals Face Off Against Vandal Squad

In a last ditch attempt to help promote their not so quick selling Vandal Squad book, indie publisher powerHouse Books has devised a PR/marketing strategy to help raise some awareness: a panel discussion on graffiti! It will include washed up police officers like “Joe Blow” Rivera, the book’s author, alongside media whoring former paint chaser Steven Mona facing off against notorious vandals and Peter Vallone Jr. political targets COPE2 and KET—we’re actually digging his justification for attending. Chalk writing street artist Ellis G. will also be on hand to offer some perspective.

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Barnes & Noble’s Purposely Vandalized COPE2 Truck

(Click image to enlarge)
In the graffiti-marketing disconnect of the century, legendary name writing vandal COPE2 was hired to bomb this truck that reads “How do you remove a stubborn stain?” to promote Quamut.com, Barnes & Noble’s new how-to website. The “graffiti splashed” truck, also adorned with a phone number, will drive around the city for the next two months hoping to encourage New Yorkers to text in their responses for a chance to win $5,000—assuming residents can even discern this from other vandalized vehicles driving around. Ever since graffiti hating politician Peter Vallone called COPE2 a “punk” for legally painting a billboard for Time magazine back in 2006, the notorious, former-bomber has enjoyed a lucrative stream of commercial work, most recently creating a pair of signature sneakers for adidas and having his “art” featured on the walls of Liberty City for the latest release of Grand Theft Auto. Jump for the time lapse video of legal graffiti in action.

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COPE2 Bombed Liberty City

And to think that anti-graffiti shithead Peter Vallone Jr. was already mad about GTA IV because of the extreme violence and the way it portrays NYC, wait till he sees this screenshot featuring a juicy fill-in from his favorite “graffiti punk” COPE2. |Grandgood via Nahright Lite|

“Come Correct” Tonight

Celebrated vandal and fellow hater of Peter Vallone Jr., COPE2, curated a graffiti-esque exhibit featuring the works of himself, CLAW, FAFI, INDIE, KAWS, T-KID, and WEST. It opens tonight (7-10pm) at Toy Tokyo’s Showroom Gallery in Manhattan and runs through April 10. You have to RSVP, but considering the roster and the relatively small space, unless you know someone, you’ll most likely be standing out on 2nd avenue with the vandal squad.

The Sneakers That Could Make A NYC Pol Weep

Graffiti on sneakers is definitely an acquired taste. But the best thing about these kicks is that they’re done by COPE2, the notorious bomber, and arch nemesis of Peter Vallone Jr., the politician who attempted to use him as a pawn for his own twisted political posturing during the whole Time billboard incident. Whether people like these or not is yet to be seen, in the meantime COPE was able to execute another project and make some money for the work he’s put in. Plus, the added value derived from knowing this kind of shit makes Vallone’s blood boil is a bonus in and of itself.
Pro-Keds x COPE2 |whatyouwrite|