“Birth of the Sun” is a 27 minute documentary about Grady Alexis, a Haitian artist living in the East Village who inspired many, struggled to develop a unique vision, and finally died in a street scuffle with an off-duty policeman. True to the kind of hand-made and found-object paintings and sculpture that Grady created, his story is told through the art and music of people who knew and were influenced by him. The film also documents the recreation of a signature work by Grady, the mural called “Birth of the Sun”.

Grady’s death in 1991 represented a turning point in the life of the East Village. In that year the murder rate in the city was at an all-time high and police relations within communities was severely strained. But there was also a balance between gentrification and “regular people” that allowed artists like Grady and the different artistic groups that he moved between to exist, and even flourish.  The change since Grady’s death has been remarkable, the communities depicted in the documentary have been wholly transformed. The city is safer in general and less supportive of in particular of those without disposable income.

Grady moved between worlds of art, music, the streets, cafes, wherever a creative scene was happening. When he lived at El Taller from the mid 1980’s until his death he painted and made music with a colorful and creative group of people. He was especially close to Demian and Ira Palombo, the sons of Bernardo Palombo, the director of El Taller.  They lived an outsider’s life of art and inspiration.