Announcing ‘a Slang in the Steel, a Sound for the Sangat’
Announcing ‘a Slang in the Steel, a Sound for the Sangat’

It is an honor to share my latest short film, a Slang in the Steel, a Sound for the Sangat, commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and produced by Pink Gator Films! The film documents the work and practice of Nep Sidhu, an artist whose vision is deeply rooted in community, history, and sacred futurism.

It was a privilege and education to capture Nep’s process. This project really pushed me in the challenge to bring together visual storytelling and cultural reverence in a way that amplifies the spirit of his work.

A heartfelt thank you to MOCAD for the commission, to Nep Sidhu for his trust and access, and to dream hampton for believing in my lens and my heart to bring this to life.

Learn more about Nep Sidhu’s work at MOCAD: https://mocadetroit.org/nep-sidhu/

Erik Paul Howardnep sidhu, paradox of harmonics, pink gator films, mocad, museum of contemporary art detroitComment
The Drop: Printing, Packaging, and Shipping
The Drop: Printing, Packaging, and Shipping

"Printed, signed, packaged, and parceled."

Presales are moving fast—80 copies sold before the zines even left the press. Now, it’s all about getting them into people’s hands.

First stop was screen printing envelopes at Stitching Up Detroit. Bryan was kind enough to offer a workshop to get me up to speed. Since then I've been spending time in the shop, printing, and witnessing the packaging come together by hand. Really digging the physicality of it, the time spent, and each part of the process.

Now, the first batch is getting parcelled and hitting the mail these past few days. People are already showing love—posting them on desks, in cars, spread out on beds, holding them up with their nails did and all that. LOL Seeing how the zines and landing, how people are engaging with them is making the work feel complete in a whole new way!






Erik Paul Howardbehind the scenes, the lowriders, uso car club 30th anniversary, zinesComment
This Beautiful Arrangement, Our Family, Uso Car Club
This Beautiful Arrangement, Our Family, Uso Car Club

Some words from our beloved Kita and some of the things that have kept the club strong for 30 years around this 3rd anniversary of his transition. We miss you Uso as we follow in the values and footsteps laid out by those who walked in these ways before us.

These messages' time had come, thank you for being there to receive from a higher frequency than others could tune in to at the time. And thank you for transmitting by modeling it coast to coast. We owe a debt that can only be settled by paying it forward.

Thank you for this beautiful arrangement, our family, Uso Car Club.

...

When you 'Share', please keep the dedication above part of the video.

Erik Paul HowardComment
The Zines Take Shape: Uso Car Club 30th Anniversary
The Zines Take Shape: Uso Car Club 30th Anniversary

As The Lowriders book is coming together, the first zine in the series is also in motion. 

Back in Detroit, I’ve been able to open up and share the process as an extension of the work with Alan and Bonnie in New York—inviting peers, mentors, and lowriders to experience the sequence physically.

At the studio I can invite critique in way that people are able to move through the space, sit with the images, play around with proofs and even make notes. It’s been a great way to celebrate the work and to inspire and connect in a way that adds layers to the process.

Andre Moore is part of that community of friends/peers. Working with Andre on this has been a process of discovery, and it is an honor to also be working with him on the first zine in the series: The Lowriders: Uso Car Club 30th Anniversary.

His eye for sequencing and storytelling keeps unlocking new ways to see the images—pairings that sharpen meaning, rhythms that bring new energy. Late evenings, long conversations, and  the kind of creative collaboration that pushes the work forward. We’re going back and forth, laying out spreads, testing arrangements, finding the flow.

The first proofs are back from the printer, and even in rough form, it’s unreal to hold them in hand. The final copies are just around the corner. Can’t wait to get these into your hands.





Erik Paul Howardbehind the scenes, zines, uso car club 30th anniversary, the lowridersComment
Finding the Story: Sequences, Themes, and Inspiration
Finding the Story: Sequences, Themes, and Inspiration

"Finding the poems between photos. The ones that rhyme. And the ones that don’t."

Sequencing is storytelling. Been surrounding myself with photo books, my mentors, journals, and stories that inspire the vision for The Lowriders. I’m learning different ways that images can move together, how they create rhythm, share stories and invite questions.

Some Inspirational DNA: Rebeca Norris Webb, Danny Lyon, Ben Okri, Vincent Cianni, Tom Stoye, Sandra Cisneros, Alec Soth, Larry Fink, Mark Klasfeld, Lisette Poole, dream hampton, Ben Brody, and Camilo Jose Vergara. I’m immersed in their words and images and looking for other great storytellers and sequencers as I’m piecing this together.

With Alan, we’re spending hours shifting images around, searching for connections. Some sequences feel obvious—like they’ve always belonged together. Others take time, trial, and a lot of letting go! 

We’re leaving some good ones on the floor, and that’s a big part of what I have to learn how to do more naturally. Thankful for collaborative processes because, embarrassingly enough, I am often not to be trusted editing my own work. 

Early test spreads are making a difference and helping me do that—seeing these images in print, even in rough proofs, offers some frames new meaning and helps others to fall away. There are still gaps to fill, but this is the work.

With a full draft of the sequence complete, the next phase begins: refining the narrative. Soon, I’ll be calling on you all to preview, pick it apart, and build it stronger—together!

Erik Paul HowardComment
LA Opera Digital Shorts: 'We Hold These Truths'
LA Opera Digital Shorts: 'We Hold These Truths'

If you missed the live premiere, don’t worry—We Hold These Truths is available to stream on LA Opera Digital Shorts. Watch it now! It’s truly a powerful intersection of poetry, music, and visuals.

I had the honor of serving as DP alongside an extraordinary creative team. While it is always exciting to see a project come to life, there was something particularly special about watching the premiere live knowing that so many were experiencing it’s magic it at the same time.

The opportunity, and the experience was other-worldly and I’m privileged to have been able to contribute. Thank you!

From LA Opera, Digital Shorts:

We Hold These Truths  is a musical and cinematic triptych featuring composer Tamar-kali's setting of three iconic poems from the turn of the 20th century through the Harlem Renaissance: Paul Laurence Dunbar's "We Wear the Mask," Langston Hughes's "I, Too" and Claude McKay's "If We Must Die."

A striking new film by dream hampton (director of the Peabody-winning and Emmy-nominated film Surviving R. Kelly),   We Hold These Truths   stands as  both an affirmation of wonder and joy, as well as a testimony to the vigil kept for the full realization of liberty.

SOURCE: https://www.laopera.org/discover-la-opera/explore/la-opera-on-now/on-now-we-hold-these-truths

#LAOperaOnNow #WeHoldTheseTruths #Cinematography #DigitalShorts

Erik Paul HowardWe Hold These Truths, LA Opera, Digital Shorts, videoComment
First Lady of Uso - Makerita Lealao
First Lady of Uso - Makerita Lealao

In loving memory of Ma. First Lady of Uso. We miss you.

"It's always there. You know and your family comes first. You know, some people they, they always tell me and my husband you know “I'm taking a leave, from the club. Just to take care of my family.” And what I say is, "Take care of your family first." The car club is still there, they're not going to go nowhere. Take care of your family and then if you're ready to come back to the club, we're still there."

-Makerita Lealao

Erik Paul HowardComment
Rest In Peace - Ryon "Tek" Gonzalez
Rest In Peace - Ryon "Tek" Gonzalez

Tek shares some words on the importance of the original HHEETT Wall in 2000 on Ste Anne and Vernor as a veteran artist painting on the HHEETT Wall 2018.

There’s no words yet. There’s just you, then, and there’s today.

Erik Paul HowardComment
Art On the Block - Sheefy McFly, Vernor and Junction
Art On the Block - Sheefy McFly, Vernor and Junction

In the heart of Southwest Detroit, Sheefy McFly transforms a wall at Vernor and Junction into a vibrant mural on Vernor and Junction as part of Art On The Block, September 18, 2020.

The video is a straightforward documentation of creative process—early morning preparations, the quiet dedication of painting, and the joyful community celebration that follows. With food, music, and conversation, the unveiling is a moment of cultural expression and connection.

Erik Paul HowardSheefy McFly, Gabriel Duran, Art On The BlockComment
New Story on WDET: The Blessing of The Semis (Misa de Traileros)

I’m excited to share that my latest story, The Blessing of the Semis (Misa de Traileros), aired this week on WDET 101.9 FM, Detroit’s NPR affiliate! The piece captures the tradition of faith, labor, and community among semi-truck drivers in Southwest Detroit, centering on the annual blessing ceremony that took place this year at Our Lady Queen of Angels on Martin near Michigan Avenue.

For the story I had the privilege of interviewing parishioners, owner-operators, and Father Beto—each offering their reflections on what this tradition means to them. Their voices, along with the sounds of the service, the rumble of idling semis, and the gathering of families, bring this long-standing ritual to life. Check out the piece below… you can listen to the audio, see the images, and read the written piece shared on their website and socials!

Listen to the full story on WDET: https://wdet.org/2019/08/14/this-community-hosts-an-annual-catholic-blessing-for-semi-truck-drivers/

Erik Paul HowardBlessing of The Semis, Misa de Traileros, Our Lady Queen of Angels, Southwest Detroit, WDETComment
Misa de Traileros at Ste Anne's
Misa de Traileros at Ste Anne's

Ever increasing truck traffic has long prompted local concerns about legislation, congestion, and pollution—pitting semi trucks and southwest Detroit neighborhoods as rivals in community conversations for decades.

However a generation of Southwest Detroiters has tapped the neighborhood’s entrepreneurial spirit to support themselves and their families from behind the wheel. 

Jesus stands inside his semi truck while sharing with us about how the Misa de Traileros came about. 

Jesus stands inside his semi truck while sharing with us about how the Misa de Traileros came about. 

As semi truck owner-operators and neighbors there is a culture of support and cooperation among them. Over the years they have created a network of support and cooperation between them that offers mentoring, resources, and community often rooted in the traditions and culture of the community. 

One expression of this community is the annual Misa de Traileros.

Erik Paul Howard Comment