They’re Starving, So She Is Too

the ARTS & DESIGN : Snapshot

Recently, actress Mia Farrow went on a hunger strike for Darfur, but had to stop due to health reasons. Numerous others fast for religious reasons, but can’t hang on. Crystal D. King, a Greensboro-based copywriter has been starving for Greensboro based artists Josephus III , UpRite Lions and New York based artist Rugged-N-Raw for going on six weeks now and has no immediate plans to stop.

Her initiative, aptly named The Starving Artist Project takes one of the art world’s most commonly used clichés and turns it on its head. King spent the entire month of May fasting, and chronicling her journey and that of the spotlighted artists with photos, video blogs and articles.

During my inCOLOR hiatus I sat down to chat with her about her effort.

When did you first find out about or meet these artists?
Interesting story. I knew Josephus from high school, remember him from a kid growing up, graduated with his brother. Didn’t know they did music and poetry. Ran into them about this time last year.

What made you do it?
I’m lucky enough to do what I love and get paid for it. So many of my friends are talented and creative and they have choose between doing what they love and making ends meet.

What do you hope to accomplish from this project, besides getting these artists the attention they deserve?
After the initial 30 day fast, I would like to turn the site into a resource for local artists to showcase their work. I want people to be proactive and realize they can make a difference in all of this.

So is it a complete fast? No food whatsoever?
No food whatsoever. I do drink a Boost, with some broth, water and green tea.

Are you in any other way involved with the arts?
I write, but nothing. I’m a copywriter and I’m doing what I love to do. I do love [having places] to go to be around creative people. For so long we had to look [hard] for [those places].

What words of encouragement would you give to someone who chooses to do a hunger strike or fast for a cause they believe in.
Knowing that it’s possible, it may take a little while to get the ball rolling, but just don’t be discouraged. We’ve had so many people volunteer their services.

Do you think that the state of hip-hop and R&B will change so that it is artist driven again?
That’s our hope. Not bashing anything out right now, because there is a market for it. I came late to hip-hop having grown up overseas, but when I did discover it, I knew so many creative art forms within it. I want this next generation to find their voice through the music. Music has been a part of major cultural and historical eras; I feel like we are stepping away from it. Its people like Josephus III, UpRite Lions and others that are bringing it back.

How do you deal with naysayers about the project?
When I first told the artists, they were like, ‘That’s a little much,‘ but I want to give something of myself. I could give money, but I wanted them to know that they are supported; I wanted it to be more than a gimmick. There are some bars I am not willing to jump over, but historically, hunger strikes are very symbolic. This is not a movement about being famous or being discovered, but us discovering our voice.

Besides the artists that you are fasting for, who else inspires you?
All the people who have come out in supportive of this. I’ve come in contact with a lot of artists in Greensboro that I wouldn’t have known otherwise and are so gifted.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Eventually, I’m going to stop fasting and I need people to know that just because I stopped, it doesn’t stop for these artists. I don’t want the message of the movement to die down. We can accomplish a lot and have some real staying power.

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