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Compliments of Chicagohoodz: Chicago Street Gang Art & Culture
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About Compliments Of Chicagohoodz: Chicago Street Gang
Product Description Based on the original Chicago gang research website, Compliments of Chicagohoodz analyzes the unique visual language and graphics of the city's street gangs, drawing upon decades of research, interviews, documentation and collecting of memorabilia, and featuring commentary from gang members (including artists Robert N. Taylor and Jack Walls). The now bygone practice of creating and distributing gang business (“compliment”) cards was popular in Chicago for over 50 years. These displayed the organization and branch; its active and fallen members; and rivalries. This collection deciphers their hieroglyphics (ranging from early stock images to elaborate hand-drawn designs), touches upon the gang's history, their neighborhoods, and era in which the card was made. It tells the stories behind the names, bringing the reader closer to the individuals who created, owned and added their personal touches to the card as it passed from hand to hand. “Jinx's” photographic documentation of gang graffiti and members captures a lost era of large scale full color promotional murals, and an extraordinary style distinct within street art. The book explores other forms of representation including modified varsity-style sweaters, patches and drawings. Through these images, Chicagohoodz traces the development and consolidation of the neighborhood street organization: from doo wop to hip hop, from greasers to gangster rap; from dances, bands and softball teams, to racketeering, narcotics trafficking and domestic terror. This story of ethnic warfare, multi-racial coalitions and shifting alliances has been ignored by many who wish the culture didn’t exist, but is a history of the city nonetheless. Review "A remarkable and important book, a vivid and enlightening trip into our city's gangster past that does not contain stories about a guy who went by 'Scarface.' Lavishly illustrated, it traces the history, development and complexities of the neighborhood street gangs with assurance and intelligence and a focus on their creative spirit." -- Rick Kogan, legendary Chicago newspaperman and author / senior journalist at The Chicago Tribune / WGN Radio host (Named Chicago's Best Reporter and Chicago's Greatest Living Journalist) "A marvelous book...vital, coherent and necessary." -- Tony Fitzpatrick, acclaimed Chicago artist, actor and writer ("Best iconic Chicago personality now that Studs is gone.") "A really amazing look at the secret art and language of gang culture in Chicago - the most detailed book we've ever seen to examine the words on the street during the '60s, '70s, and '80s! This book is fascinating on so many different levels - not just a prurient true crime story, but instead a very detailed examination of gang culture in terms of linguistics, visual media, and representation...overflowing with photos and images - examples of street graffiti, countless business cards, patches, portraits, and more - even some maps at the back. The whole thing is a massive 375 pages, full color throughout, and very beautifully done!" -- Dusty Groove "This book is magisterial. It'll have to be on reserve in libraries or it will be immediately stolen." -- John M. Hagedorn, professor of Criminality, Law and Justice at University of Illinois at Chicago, and author of The Insane Chicago Way, People and Folks and A World of Gangs "Decidedly haunting" -- Steven Heller, graphic design historian, former art director of the New York Times, and co-chair of the MFA Designer as Author Department at the School of Visual Arts "If you are at all interested in the history of gang graffiti, street graphics or punk/hip hop stylings, GET THIS BOOK! It's amazing. It's chock full of gang cards and crude snapshots of gang life, and fills in an enormous amount of Chicago street gang history. Essential! Kudos to the authorz." -- Art Chantry, graphic designer and author of Art Chantry Speaks: A Heretic's History of 20th Century Graphic Design
