INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES
April, 2007 - Photographer, Howard Gribble Interviewed by Christian Acker

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HS: It is a pretty common motif in ancient Aztec art. Is it a common theme in conteporary Mexican arts and crafts that may have had influence on the popular local culture? 
HG: That is certainly possible but I really don't know. I would say though that there doesn't seem to be a lot of the Aztec influence on any of the graffiti I've seen.

HS: Could this be a motif borrowed by the graffiti writers inspired by the Chicano movement as an identifiable symbol of Aztec roots?
HG: Might be, but again, I don't really know.
 

Howard Gribble: Imagine waking up some morning to find this on your fence! This eyesore was seen on Prairie Avenue in North Torrance and appears to include placas from a number of gangs from different parts of LA. Represented are North Torrance, 186th st., Clanton 14, Lawndale 13, and 80th St.

However, a close examination of the writing reveals a curious commonality that could lead to the suspicion that this was all done by the the same writer, probably all at the same time.

North Torrance then, as now, was not a major league player in the gang wars. These placas may have been thrown up by a local gang groupie hoping to enhance his neighborhood's reputation by trading on the names of more famous gangs.

Most astounding of all, the writer has included his actual first and last name at far left and it was said at the time that this wall was on his own parents property! This would be highly unusual. 

Howard Gribble: White Fence is one of the oldest gangs in the East Los Angeles area. 

HS: Cholo letter forms are often referred to as "Olde English." Gothic letter forms are very popular in Mexican hand painted signage. Have you noticed a connection between letter styles in the Mexicano neighborhoods. Graffiti letterforms similar too mexican blackletter signs? 
HG: I have seen a lot of signs in the "Olde English" style on commercial vehicles in Tijuana. And it's used in Mexican areas here too sometimes, but not extensively. While there are similarities (now that it's been pointed out to me) between the Gothic or "olde English" style and Cholo graffiti, I never made the connection. That's probably because there are a number of unique differences and flourishes that make the graffiti seem to stand on its own. As for a commonality of styles in particular neighborhoods, I haven't noticed that. But maybe I wasn't looking hard enough.

Howard Gribble: There are several gangs in the LA area using the name "Tortilla Flats". This one is from Lawndale. The name comes from the title of a John Steinbeck novel. 

Howard Gribble: "La Rana", which (means "the frog") was, and is, a neighborhood in Torrance completely surrounded by industrial development. Politely known to other city residents as "The Pubelo", it was definitely gang territory and a fearsome place in its day. With average home prices in Torrance at well over half a million dollars, new homes are now being built even in La Rana. Ah, progress...but in the process we are losing the likes of the above forever. 

HS: Gothic prints,  3D Block letters and Outlined gothics seem to be the 3 types of designs that are most common, but in your collection from the early 70's, square gothic prints  are by far the most popular with the occasional 3D block letters. Although contemporary practioners often use a thicker outline styled gothic, it isn't present here. Do you recall when you may have ssen styles change? Or when those thicker gothics may have started to appear?
HG; I don't recall noting that. The photos in the collection cover a relatively narrow time frame from about 1970 to 1975, maybe not enough to reveal the changes mentioned.

Howard Gribble: Looking for all the world like a street scene in Tijuana this is actually the legendary "La Rana Store". Back in the day "bombs" would have been parked out front and Pachucos hanging about. By the early 70s it was abandoned and soon thereafter Del Amo Blvd. was widened, destroying the unique ambiance of old La Rana. 

HS: Were there any stylistic innovations that were distinctive by neighborhood, gang or time period? Are there specific letter styles that you see more prevelant in some neighborhoods than others? For instance, the tall "hour glass" shaped 8 in the 18th Street tags seems like two hexagons stacked, with points at the bottom of the numeral and a flat stroke along the top. While many other writing of Cholo style seems to be more squat and square. More rectangular than hexagonal. 
HG: Some styles may have been defined by their geographic location but I can't say that I took note of that. Over the years the use of "CS" (for "con safos") has just about become nonexistent and "13" is seen a lot less often in gang graffiti. When the "13" is seen it is often accompanied by "sur" (for south) as that numeral has come to be associated with gangs from the the southern portion of California. Also, variations on the "Pachuco Cross" that were once popular are seldom seen now.

Howard Gribble: Happy Valley is another old time neighborhood that dates from well before WWII. Today it is actually a recognized area of Los Angeles, with street signs denoting the fact. 

Howard Gribble: The city of Hawthorne was more than the home of the Beach Boys. In 1971 (and today as well) there was a sizable gang presence. Here we see the common practice of representing "13" with roman numerals. And then there's the letters "KKK" separated by swastikas that can't seem to decide if they want to go right or left. Rather than referencing the Klu Klux Klan this may indicate a notorious gang active at the time, the King Kobras. But that's pure speculation. 

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