Are some cultures relegated to a slow death of glitch pixels, distorted audio signals, fading ink and dusty memories?
What makes a culture significant enough to create a community?
If the neighbourhood is the circle then who and what is represented by the dot?

Between 2000 and 2001, I lived in the lower east side of New York City with a photographer friend who had created images of many iconic artists from the 90’s Hip Hop era; Public Enemy, Wu Tang Clan, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Gravediggaz, Outcast, Notorious B.I.G. and others. We lived on East 5th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery, two blocks away from cult video store, Mondo Kim’s.

On my fourth day in New York we rented Phase IV, solely based on the cover image and the fact it is the only film directed by Saul Bass. Using Phase IV and the four elements of Hip-Hop, I explore connections between the phases of creation, expression, suppression and preservation of identities; and their significance on subcultures within increasingly socially cleansed neighbourhoods.

includes excerpts taken from:
1520 Sedgwick Avenue_ In Memory Of Rap_Looking For The Perfect Beat_Flash Memory
Phase II - The Roxy, Celluloid Records, 1982
WORLD PREMIERE! 1983 NYC BREAKERS,PHASE II,BRIM (GRAFFITI ARTIST )
THE 4 ELEMENTS OF HIP HOP
The Original Videograf Series Issue 1 - Phase2 Clip © Videograf Productions, 1989
Phase IV directed by Saul Bass, 1974