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31 years Clean & Sober today. Grateful to be here. Just want to say that I still struggle, not with the obsession to use drugs and alcohol (thanks to God, friends & family, my Recovery/Spiritual practice and supports there), but with lesser addictions, PTSD, Bi-polar disorder & depression. I also live with chronic pain on a daily basis due to nearly losing my life in a motorcycle accident when I was 17 yrs. old. Also this, compounded from other traumatic transgressions & indiscretions. I have suffered many losses, suicides of close friends, deaths.

So, yes I still struggle. I say this just to let others know that despite all the trouble and pain I do not pick up a drink or a drug. I have not always made the best decisions in the past but have learned to make good ones consistently, for the most part today. I help others as much as I can. I do my best to create no further harm to others or myself. I am a productive member of society. Sometimes I am still confused, I feel alone, enraged, frustrated, suicidal.

I will end with this, a quote from someone I respect ....

"I feel gratitude that someone saw the truth and pointed out that we don't suffer this kind of pain because of our personal inability to get things right"

Pema Chodron

I'm not saying it's all pain and suffering, it's not. For some, more than others, we all have our cross to bear. I'm just saying thankfully, I have a choice today, I know I'm not the only one and I don't have to hurt myself anymore.

We all can make this choice.

Please! if you can't take it any more reach out. Call someone. Make a meeting. Help someone else. Don't hurt yourself or someone else. Please.

Thanks everybody.
MJZ

I was contacted recently by my new friend Rafał Kochan in regards to his "Encyclopaedia Of Industrial Music" (website) and his writing my "short biography there, of course, I mean only your artistic/music context. Could you help me in that, please?" I was flattered and began to search my archives of pictures, posts and descriptions of the "Scrap Metal Music" project. Inspired by Rafal's request, what follows is my comprehensive history of the project from it's inception, it's development, it's aesthetic ideology and it's influence on the artistic culture in NYC & Brooklyn in the 80s & 90s.
(the piece was edited and revised by Rafał Kochan; top photo by Anna West)

SCRAP METAL MUSIC Photo 1 This project was conceived of by Michael J. Zwicky & S. Gustav Hagglund aka “DJ Steve” in 1984-85 on the Lower East Side, New York City, USA. Zwicky, (painter, sculptor & “conventio…

This Saturday I will be flying to Easton, Pa. to begin a 2 week (paid) Artist' Residency program at the "IF" Museum/Academy a Foundation for the Arts located there. I have been invited to create a large scale sculptural installation at "IF" that will remain on permanent exhibit. This great opportunity, under the auspices of Fusionist Artist Shalom Neuman, is due largely to our association in the 80's in and around the Rivington School at that time. I got his attention firstly by way of his seeing my first major work in NYC, "Have A Big Stuff" an earlier installation at the El Purgatorio show at the CUANDO building on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1983. Myself and my band "Demo Moe" as well as "Scrap Metal Music" played a large role in fusion events held in the Rivington Sculpture Garden and at his Fusion Arts Gallery around the corner on Stanton Street at that time. Shalom believes in me and my work and I am so grateful to him for the prospect of this event!

Also for more information on the Rivington School and my exploits in NYC in the 80's a book "Rivington School: 80's New York Underground" (by Istvan Kantor and Toyo Tsuchiya) is now available in it's second edition. Yours truly is prominently featured in the book...
Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Riving.../dp/1570273715/ref=sr_1_1...

IF Museum/Academy IF MUSEUM - (INTERNATIONAL FUSIONISM) - Museum promoting interdisciplinary, multi-sensory and interactive arts.
Open By Appointment, please call or e-mail us to schedule a visit.