It was a couple of weeks ago now when Ryan came into my room eager to show me a video he refused to preface. “Just watch it,” he said, “Just watch it.” It took about a year to load, but once it did, I was astonished by the subject matter. I don’t want to give away too much here, but it really goes to show how far one could take the art of documentation.
First impressions are pretty important. And given that Azealia Banks, in what’s likely to be her introduction to the vast majority of the folks that see it, comes out swinging, guns blazing, this one could be polarizing. It’s hard to know what to start with — The propulsive, dancehall-raver hybrid thump, the fact that she drops “cunt” a good ten or fifteen times, the elastic voice.
The Nicki comparisons are probably inevitable, and the parallels are there — the performance swag, the fluctuating accents, the bars, the aggressive raunch. But right around the 1:50 mark, the energy of “212″ breaks with convention in a way that recalls a handful of other notable female performers in equal measure, say, Kelis, Santi or even Karen O. If I’m hyping, I’m hyping. But at twenty, Azealia seems poised to become our next big topic of discussion. And as introductions go, this one definitely makes its impression felt.
What’s your typical day like?
Get up, take a shower at 7:30, I dry off, I go downstairs and get coffee out of the machine, and then I come out and go to work. That’s my typical day.
Going to work is being out here?
Yes, in the street. That’s everyday.
How long have you been doing that for?
30 years.
On the street?
On the street.
What have you learned from your time on the street?
That people can be very cruel.
The work of Michael Garlington is strange, mysterious and sometimes disturbing. Capturing that which may be considered off color or taboo, Garlington’s imagery maintains a level of mystery that makes his work engaging. Who are these people? How did they get here? All questions that may run through your mind when viewing his work. It’s as if you don’t know if he staged these shots himself, or snapped a few pictures while hitchhiking across the back roads of rural Texas. Regardless, Garlington’s imagery is challenging and compelling, a reminder that sometimes what we don’t understand is exactly what we need to receive.
Celebrating motion and the human form, London based photographer Bertil Nilsson has recently released a new collection of photographs that capture the body in extraordinary positions. Photographing contortionists along with dancers, Bertil has managed to amass a variety of engaging shots that relate the capabilities of the human body. And here I am still trying to touch my toes.
What is the difference between eclecticism and randomness? I’m not quite sure, but somewhere in between lies the work of Olaf Breuning. Jumping between mediums with ease, Olaf is an artist in the true sense, taking on roles as a sculptor, photographer, filmmaker and comedian depending on the day. Sometimes Olaf’s work is challenging, a stark contrast from the clean graphic arts that typify the artistic history of his native Switzerland. But then again, who is to say what tradition Olaf belongs to, “The art world is nice, I like it, ” says Olaf in regards to his industry. “But, in general, I always try to step as far away from it as I can, without loosing my ground as an artist.”
Taking on the role of photographer for his photo exposé entitled Marilyn, this collection sees Olaf take on a messy yet deliberate aesthetic, allowing us to ponder the construction of physical identity.
Splicing together a few moments from Friday’s festivities, the ever talented Rebekkah Castellanos put together this short piece to commemorate the night. But before we get back to our regularly scheduled programming, let us say thank you one more time. To those that have been rockin’ since the blogspot days, to those that have been recently introduced, thank you for coming along on this journey. Dreams are only dreams ’til they become reality.
A recent collaboration between international fashion brand Opening Ceremony and Hong Kong kids label A is For Apple has led to this pleasant lookbook announcing the launch of O.C kids. Housing a collection of innovative brands within their walls, O.C has already garnered a cult following around the world despite the hefty price tags that accompany their garments. From oxford shirts for $55 to School Boy Jackets for $125, Opening Ceremony’s latest line offers an acceptable way for wealthy parents to show off their style to their friends.
Written By Reed Windle
In 1966, before London was burning down, London was blowing up. The city got its first taste of technology and music when Bob Dylan played his electric show at the Royal Albert Hall. Fashion became a form of self-expression with the emergence of the clean fits of the “mods”. Art and architecture were like something out of the future. Sex was becoming an act people enjoyed rather than attached their guilt and insecurities. Drugs expanded minds rather than solely killing pain. And the craziest thing happened: popular culture actually mirrored what people were feeling. People weren’t rioting. The “free world” wasn’t controlled by four or five Rupert Murdochs. In essence, London in 1966 was an awakening and Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow Up was that feeling distilled into a film.
It’s hard to know how to frame a record like Watch the Throne. Set against the backdrop of Top 40 hip-hop, increasingly defined by the hegemonic dominance of a small group of rappers, and the long-outdated single-centric album campaign formula, it’s startingly adventurous and experimental. Taken as the latest chapter in either of Jay’s or Kanye’s formidable catalog, it feels pretty uneven and disjointed, though occasionally thrilling.
Putting aside context, it’s a jumble of ideas, some brilliant and others not quite as well fleshed-out. But to consider a project like Watch the Throne, as somehow independent from its creators, is to ignore exactly what makes it work. What it lacks in cohesion, it makes up for with sheer grandiosity and personality– the kind only these two are really capable of bringing to the table. If at times it feels unnecessarily gaudy or inarticulate, it’s at least unified by a ridiculous amount of starpower.
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Download: Jay-Z & Kanye West – “No Church in the Wild”
Undeniably chic, and pleasantly suggestive, the illustrations of Belgium born illustrator Anja Van Herle serve to capture the essence and flavor of high fashion from the 70′s. Painting many of her pieces on wood using acrylic paint, Anja’s women are not only intriguing but sexual. But then again that’s only my interpretation. “I’m constantly delighted by the various interpretations my work receives,” states Van Herle. “For some, a subject may be pensive, while to others it may be seductive or confrontational. Part of the viewing experience is for a viewer to attach his or her own emotional meaning to a work.†Juxtaposing the facial expressions of her work with vibrant color and light, Anja’s illustrations express a variety of feelings that play with the meaning of femininity and high fashion.
Chatting over a cup of gelato, I recently had the chance to talk with Rebekkah Castellanos about life, her pursuits, and Lil’ Wayne among other things. A native of Diamond Bar, California, Rebekkah has immersed herself in the realm of photography and visual arts, already building an impressive portfolio for herself at the ripe age of 19. Even better in person, Rebekkah is as just as impressive when she isn’t behind the camera, as her demeanor reveals the comfort she has in her craft and her abilities. A joy to be around, I’m sure this is not the last time you’ll hear Rebekkah’s name around these parts. Read on for a conversation with Rebekkah Castellanos.
It’s pretty cool how inspiration works. It’s like it knows no boundaries. Inspiration can transcend time, age, race and reach you at any given moment. Inspired by Frank Ocean’s summertime ballad Love Crimes, writer and fashion blogger Neijah Williams received the vision for this short work. The debut film by Neijah, Love Crimes functions as a style piece, while also relating a story of love and scorn. Produced by Joseph Poakwa, and featuring Camila Marie and Michael Coleman amongst others, Love Crimes offers a unique perspective on how far one will go to mend a broken heart.
