A hallucinatory trip around Europe, in photos

Debauchery days — Osvaldo Chance Jimenez has spent 16 years in the notorious NYC graffiti crew Peter Pan Posse. In a new book, he shares a treasure trove of shots from the road.

Last year, photographer Osvaldo Chance Jimenez (SLUTLUST PPP) was given a book deal before he had even written a word. All he knew was that it would launch during Art Paris, opening April 4 2019. He assiduously avoided writing it until a week before the manuscript was due.

“My process is to dive deep into my depression, not speak to anyone, watch a bunch of TV, and get fat on my couch. It might sound cheesy but I was just waiting for a sign. Then Karl Lagerfeld died. That’s how it all started to fall together,” Jimenez recalls of the inspiration for EuroTriPPP, his whirlwind tale of a 16-year journey from New York to Paris, with stops in Glasgow, Nice, Monaco, Berlin, London, and Shannon, Ireland, along the way.

The story begins back in 2003, when Jimenez was 25 years old, a late bloomer by New York nightlife standards. The Page Six fanatic dreamed of being one of the high fliers of the fashion world – and it began to come true one night when he accidentally spilt some of his drink on an older man at a New York night club.

The man asked about drugs, so Jimenez offered him a generous bump of cocaine. “That’s not cocaine,” he responded, before removing his glove to open a casket-covered ring holding a massive rock of pure China white. The man then allegedly gave Jimenez a taste, along with an invitation to a private party.

“I didn’t know it was Karl Lagerfeld until the next day when I read Page Six the next day,” Jimenez recalls. “I had this moment with this man – I was this close. Ever since that moment, I found myself pursuing ways I could be in rooms with people like that.”

EuroTriPPP details his dogged, dodgy, drugged-out pursuit of what Jimenez calls “Room Theory.” He explains: “You are the master of the room you are in, and whatever happens in that space is yours. Life, in terms of access, is about getting into these rooms and the keys you have to use to get in there to accomplish your dreams.”

Jimenez, a first-generation Dominican-American growing up in Harlem, dreamed of being an artist and writer showing his work in Paris – access he acquired as a member of PPP (Peter Pan Posse). “PPP really isn’t one thing,” Jimenez explains. “It’s an art gang. A graffiti crew. A nightlife scene. Everyone contributes in their own way.”

Among PPP’s members was close friend James “Blu Jemz” Sheffield, who died in November 2018. “The book is a homage to him and all the doors he opened for me,” Jimenez explains. “The first time my name was on a flyer was my going away party and he threw it for me. One of the last things we did was own a nightclub for three months. He curated the music and I curated the art. Our opening was for Cat Marnell’s book release, How to Murder Your Own Life. It wasn’t enough for me to be in the room with all these people; I wanted to be famous just like them.”

With EuroTriPPP, Jimenez has crafted a hallucinatory trip through the debauched days and nights with a wild band of conspirators. “While all my friends are graffiti writers, I want to be the one that captures their story,” he says. “I want it to be brutally honest. I want to describe the toilet paper they used to wipe their butts the day their girlfriend broke up with them, and how their tears tasted mixed with the night air and aerosol evidence of their flawed vanities.”

“People used to ask me what I did. I wasn’t really sure. I knew I was creating content for a book I wanted to write. I became an accidental promoter, a cultural tour guide. I took PPP to very unconventional places. So now when I enter any room, even with all my failures, I feel zero shame.”

Osvaldo Chance Jimenez (SLUTLUST PPP) will be exhibiting work with Lola Jibalzee at Galerie P38 on April 5, 2019. EuroTriPP is available through Batt Coop.

Follow Miss Rosen on Twitter.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter


You might like

Colourful collage of album covers and record sleeves on display in a gallery or museum setting, with glass panels on either side reflecting the vibrant arrangement.
Culture

Largest-Ever Display of UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Opens at Tate Modern

Grief Made Visible — Comprising hundreds of panels made by lovers, friends and chosen family, the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt returns in full for the first time since 1994 – a testament to grief, friendship and the ongoing fight against HIV stigma.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Rustic footbridge across a river, with people crossing it on a sunny day. Warm tones and shadows suggest an outdoor, natural setting.
Sport

In Medellín’s alleys and side streets, football’s founding spirit shines

Street Spirit — Granted two weeks of unfettered access, photographer Tom Ringsby captures the warmth and DIY essence of the Colombian city’s grassroots street football scene.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Black and white image of several people in suits, some with long hair and unconventional appearances, alongside a large ship or boat model. Text overlaid: "FREAKS AND FINANCES".
Culture

On Alexander Skarsgård’s trousers, The Rehearsal, and the importance of weirdos

Freaks and Finances — In the May edition of our monthly culture newsletter, columnist Emma Garland reflects on the Swedish actor’s Cannes look, Nathan Fielder’s wild ambition, and Jafaican.

Written by: Emma Garland

Colourful embroidered jackets worn by two people, with skateboarder visible in background. Bright colours and graphic designs on the clothing.
Sport

Volcom teams up with Bob Mollema for the latest in its Featured Artist Series

True to This — The boardsports lifestyle brand will host an art show in Biarritz to celebrate the Dutch illustrators’ second capsule collection.

Written by: Huck

Vibrant book covers against bleak, rocky hills and buildings; 'Babylon' and 'Albion' text in bold lettering.
Culture

Dalia Al-Dujaili: “When you’re placeless, nature can fill the void”

Babylon, Albion — As her new book publishes, the British-Iraqi author speaks about connecting with the land as a second-generation migrant, plants as symbols of resistance, and being proud of her parents.

Written by: Zahra Onsori

Huck 79

We are all Mia Khalifa

How humour, therapy and community help Huck's latest cover star control her narrative.

Written by: Alya Mooro

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.