Fucking Revs…

For the sake of ease in writing this article, I’ll begin by admitting my recent obsession with Revs’ work, namely, the few pieces that have survived the gritty, unpredictable weather, and construction in the constantly evolving NYC. From what I’ve gathered from the small collection of interviews and Zephyr’s “Art of Getting Over”, Revs wasn’t much into the standard means of graff, he didn’t make his presence known with spray paint often, if at all, he certainly didn’t leave behind any meanstreak or whiteout tags. Revs was an ironworker who applied his talents with metal’s to vandalism, and in doing so leaving behind some of the most innovative spots of our time. As far as I’m aware the only writer to have left his name behind by welding other than revs is ATAK BF whose work is also pictured here.

I’ve gathered a collection of photos I’ve taken personally to illustrate what’s left standing.

Amazingly enough, all of these photos are from this year. Sadly however, the spot along the canal has since been painted over which I caught in the moment and left video of here.

As prolific as Revs’ artistic and sculpture Esq welding prowess is/was, his diaries provide another plateau of creative genius. If one thing is clear, it’s that Revs just did not give a fuck. Every one of his efforts in vandalism took time, they weren't swiftly sprayed tags, they were meticulously welded long-living tags. In the spirit of attention and detail, his pieces that are no longer around to remind us of his name are survived by the hundreds of autobiographical texts he's left throughout the subway system tunnels. First, he would lay down a base coat of white house paint similar in shape to an open book yet sloppier, then go over that with a story. My personal favorites are when he talks about nearly falling through roofs of abandoned buildings. From what I’ve gathered in reading some of his diaries, the man lived a challenging life, vandalism was his means of escape from the drudgery that walks hand in hand with manual labor. It’s seldom that I or anybody is afforded the luxury of stumbling upon his work but if you’re bold enough, take a step into the tunnels and explore. 

Being NYC’s number one vandal isn’t easy work, it’s both dangerous and time-consuming. It’s been documented that Revs managed to avoid the Vandal Squad for seven whole years. Not getting caught for the better part of a decade is an impressive enough feat but leaving Vandal Squad clueless while dropping hints as to who you are the whole time is something out of a serial killer comic strip. I'm not sure of the punishment that followed his eventual arrest in 2000, but it’s been noted that he was no longer active from then until ‘04. It’s speculated that he was caught with an MTA employee uniform which must have been how he managed to avoid questioning in those tunnels all those years.

Let's take a step back and appreciate some of the extracurricular aspects of Revs work. Revs and Cost had a phone number many angry callers would dial to air their grievances in reference to their damaged property or other “eyesores” around Manhattan. Apparently, they’ve also been on the receiving end of proposals from this number as well. If you weren’t directed to a ringtone you were directed to the grandma of graff who would both crassly and comedically answer for them.

Allow me to sum this up by stating my admiration for Revs’ work, I’m particularly enamored by his bold and straightforward style and near robotic precision. His mission was his own and not poisoned by the perspectives of others, he did it for himself. I have no idea who you are or what you look like Revs but it’s difficult not to be inspired.