The last collaboration of 2018 is a testament to the power of social media. Soon after setting up my Instagram account in the summer of 2017, one of the first pages I happened to follow was ‘Crazy Visions Crew’, a typographic artwork page managed by Lucas Franz.
Ever since Lukas’ designs first caught my eye, I’ve had the intention to reach out and try and make this collaboration happen. I was fascinated by all the jagged textures and effects. Then out popped a profound outcrop that I now rock.
I reached out with the view of doing a fair trade. His awesome artwork applied to my Sir Real Words in exchange for a personalised rhyme. I actually don’t know who followed who first but clearly that’s all irrelevant now.
At the moment, 32 year old Lucas lives in the backyard of an Irish pub in south west Germany. In the town of Bad Kreuznach to be precise. This is where Mr Franz is currently going through something of a rebirth “It’s only after my marriage broke up that I started to make street art again...”
His real job on the other hand, for the last 13 years, has been as a carer for people with autism. As Lucas simply puts it; “So far, it’s my only job and it’s a hard job sometimes, but it feels good to help people who can’t help themselves...”
In his spare time recently, Lucas has been crafting illustrations, something he has been doing since the age of 15. Although, his penchant for artistic expression was sealed way before that thanks to his father Jean Michael Basquats.
A painter and a sculptor, his father honed his skills in Düsseldorf under the tutelage of a 20th century ‘renaissance man’, the extremely talented Joseph Beuys. “For sure, my father being an artist has been a huge inspiration, through him I got to see a lot of art in my life...”
Thankfully for me, that highly developed eye for art, which includes an ear as well, extended to my spoken word lyricism and beyond. “Musically it was more the Hip Hop culture that caught my ear, I love it all not just one rapper or group...”
I am honoured to say; that on the back of our positive exchange, Lucas has officially invited me to visit his town and perform at an open-mic poetry slam. The venue in question will be AJK (Alternative Jugend-Kultur). Less than an hour from Frankfurt by train, the offer seems like a no-brainer to me.
Ultimately, however my performance works out, it will be a pleasure just to experience Germany for first time. To do it while meeting new and interesting people along the way is the real blessing. Naturally, these are the life experiences I crave most of all.
As my first season of collaborations draws to a close, I am acutely aware, more than ever, that discovering characters and making new connections is the not so secret secret to a fulfilling life. The energy and inspiration we receive from each other is priceless, and it is for this reason that I hope to never tire of meeting new people.
Seasons greetings everyone,
Now then, lets commence,
I have a new friend Lucas Franz,
And for many reasons this Geeza,
Has a force deep within,
That causes him to keep giving,
He’s an awesome organism for sure,
And for the cause of autism,
Does more than give change,
He gives days and nights up,
This way his face lights up,
Those lives that need kindness,
Then when his times up,
Alone at home unwinding,
He’s likely to be designing,
Refining a line or ten,
With his bright mind and pen...
Now then, let’s see,
Lucas is just about set,
Set to be thirty-three,
And certainly proud to be,
From south-west Germany,
However, ever since passing thirty,
This arty Sir,
With a big heart’s been thirsty,
To seek his path,
But it’s never been harder,
To carve a celebrity path,
As a Heavenly Father,
To many of us are,
Fixated on the past,
Impatiently craving to be straining,
Away from disaster,
Hustling hard,
When the simple answer is,
Just to start...
Posted (29/12/18)