Pope.L: Crawl | ARTIST STORIES

Pope.L began a series of street performances-which he called crawls-in the late 1970s. His aim was to address division and inequality in New York City; he wanted to “do a work that didn't require language, it just required an action.”
In 1991, wearing a business suit and holding a potted flower, he crawled military-style along the perimeter of Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. The park had been a site of riots that involved the homeless population that took shelter there, squatters, activists, and the police.
By “giving up his verticality” during his crawls, Pope.L prompted spectators to direct their gaze downward, drawing attention to the displaced and historically disenfranchised people who exist in vulnerable positions on the street and in society. His suit underscored the deep rift between aspirations of upward mobility and the absence of opportunity that confronts many Americans.
We traveled around New York City with Pope.L to revisit the sites of his performances, including Tompkins Square Park.
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The comments and opinions expressed in this video are those of the speaker alone, and do not represent the views of The Museum of Modern Art, its personnel, or any artist.
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[@u-32library38]

"I am Pope.L, the friendliest Black artist in America."

[@ProjectDystopia]

We need a part 2, I have to see his grandmother's place.....

[@WowCoolHorse]

He sounds like an incredibly interesting person and I could only hope to be like him someday As a video/photographer I think he's absolutely right about there being spirits inside the camera 💖

[@_NAED_]

Pope.L, you shall remain "the friendliest Black artist in America." Your work is done. Rest peacefully.

[@bobo9537]

“I was sort of getting written out” - I feel that. We have to tell our own stories. I love that his grandmother planted cotton for a year so kids could know what it looks like. That is one of the people who raised him.

[@pcdm43145]

Y'know, I'm not normally a fan of "performance art", but even I gotta say... God bless this guy. I'd definitely be interested in seeing one of Pope.L's latest works, one of these days.

[@kylemayo-blake995]

Rip to a legend.

[@LibsRockU]

LOVE IT. Mr. Pope L!

[@AnaVerona_]

So free... Wild and free! Dude that's some radical way. I don't know... what else to feel but respect.

[@DeyBurnley]

❤️❤️❤️ amazing artist. The meaning behind his performance is a problem that has yet to be fixed

[@user-ellievator]

I first heard about him in Juxtapose magazine about 10-12 years ago. Instantly loved what he was doing.

[@DaRealLeo]

How things change and stay the same. . .

[@patsie10]

Love it, great stuff

[@snapcult464]

Brilliant work sir.

[@jolie3544]

who are you? great response

[@god5535]

Interesting idea...

[@icc1091]

wow!!!!!!

[@leahshannon759]

What a cliff hanger to end on!

[@hunterholliday4814]

Didn’t Pope have an album that ran from 23 years from 1978-2001?

[@whitemountainapache3297]

RIP Pope L.

[@7heavenlyvirtues]

Howdy!

[@Justanadmin]

RIP Pope.L

[@perspicaciouscritic]

Please, no "r.i.p." in the comments - an uncompromising, conceptual, and revolutionary artist such as Pope.L deserves less trite and lazy phrases such as r.i.p.

[@TheSamLegacy]

RIP

[@njigyfd]

painfully uninspiring

[@joguestin]

"My name is Pope L, i'm the friendliest Black artist in Amerikkka." Someone knew their elevator pitch. 🥹🤍🕊

[@ol.grumpy.bastard]

RIP