"Whose doing this Rise Propaganda stuff?"
It's the question I seem to ask most frequently right now, because last month I was scrawling through my social medias, and stumbled upon this:
A fan of the band, of Newport and of the grunge-tale-mythos of Kurt and Courtney's engagement, I instantly fell in love with this image. Everything it said, and everything it initially represented. I instantly wanted to know more, but first and foremost I wanted to know who made it.
So setting off on an Internet quest to find the artist behind the art, I very quickly, and very abruptly hit a brick wall, that had a window in the middle of it, and upon climbing through that window I stepped into the quasi-digital/physical world of RISE Propaganda. Like having found the secret passcode to a highly motivated, extremely cool, and eerily welcoming underground organisation I knew immediately that something exciting was happening.
Since then I have kept a close on RISE and have with vested interested trudged the Internet for as much information as I can gather; from their beautifully conceptual website that outlines their peace-through-art ethos, to the Intagram and Facebook feeds, all linked here, so you can follow, explore and get as hooked as I am. I've seen videos of people marching around Newport on the hunt for prized RISE art, and business's like Secret Garden Cafe filled with customers, all intrigued by this subtle, yet subversive protest movement.
I've even been asked myself a few times if I know whose behind it all! And I've gotta say, as a foreigner to Newport who works to invest and protect it's art and culture, I am deeply honoured that people suspect I might have a single clue, when the truth is I haven't got the foggiest.
Of all the twists in this radical tale, my favourite happened this morning at 8am, when RISE posted this on their Instagram.
The releasing of more anon-art that yet again directs people to local independent traders in attempt to support, spread the love and build a buzz. This time they choose the brand spanking new Black Bear Vintage Emporium off of the highstreet. As a lover of vintage clobber and a seeker of information, I made my way to The Black Bear Vintage Emporium this morning and met the lovely Christopher who runs the place (check out this Argus article). After talking about his awesome stock, talk quickly moved to RISE, and with "the question" at the forefront of my mind I asked: "So... Whose doing this RISE Propaganda stuff?"
His answer? Well, he didn't have a clue. Apparently in the organisation of Friday's upcoming offer he had been communicating exclusively online with no other than ya man, John Frost. I asked who would deliver the goods. Christopher explained that John has got a few Newport cherubs who usually facilitate this kind of transaction; like some Stone-Cutterseque-Illuminarty-For-Good-Sub-Secret-Organisation that moves through the beautifully gritty shadows. I was blown away, and that was that. I had my answer, or more to the point I didn't have my answer and that, right now, is so much better.
In the vein of other influential art movements, RISE Propaganda seems to be working hard to remain anonymous, and simply put, I think that's rad as fuck.
So to you, who ever you are, one or many, I say keep up the good work, keep your yellow and red fist clenched, and remain anonymous. Because when you remain anonymous we are all implicit, the individual becomes the collective and the collective moves the individual. In this; a gesture void of ego or association you make us suddenly aware that we all have to work to achieve and attain peace, love and greatness, RISE Propaganda's job is to light the fuse.
Mucho,
JTC
