A symbol is a funny thing. Especially when that symbol is a human being. From everything I know, JFK meant a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Iconic imagery can transform a group of people into a concept or an idea, or a president and his family into rockstars. If you’ve kept up with Rolling Stone during the Obama era, you know what I mean. Richard Avedon‘s portraits of the Kennedy family, shot in January of ’61, are impressive for their intimacy though. Avedon’s shots are personal, as if to subtly remind you that behind all the media hype, these are actually just people we’re looking at. Pretty inspiring stuff.
Movie premieres are a sight to see. Earlier this week we were invited to the premiere of Machete starring Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, and Jessica Alba. Having only been to one movie premiere before, Tiago and I were juiced for the occasion. Arriving around 5pm we were greeted by a fleet of lowriders, strategically placed to escort each cast member into the theatre once the premiere began. While the first hour was pretty uneventful, things picked up once Jessica Alba arrived.
I feel like for many of us New York is that elusive destination that we all must get to. It’s like the last level of Mario or something. New York’s like Bowser’s castle, hella ominous at first, but hella fun once you get the hang of it. A.K., Jarron and Amanda are out there now, The rest of us will be there soon. In the meantime we can marinate on these overhead shots. A truly majestic city. New York by 2012.
I like boobs and I like butts, so when Asger Carlsen created these images for S. Magazine I couldn’t help but appreciate. Boobs and butts are so interesting to me though. I feel like there’s a few social paradoxes in relation to these body parts that I still don’t quite understand. For example, it seems like boobies are more than acceptable to be showcased in public, but the nipple is actually the threshold that is not be crossed, because there are some true cleavage busters in Los Angeles county that’ll walk out of the house showing everything but the nip, and then get mad at you for staring. And on another note, aren’t bathing suits essentially water proof bra’s and panties? And even though they are, you can’t just roll to the beach in a bra and panties, because that’s “unacceptable”. Societies funny like that. What do you think?
I’m not gonna lie, when I heard the title Ghetto Physics I was skeptical. The title and the aesthetic had me questioning if I really wanted to spend a couple hours taking this movie in. However, upon our invitation to the premiere this past week, I was astonished by the tact and poignancy of this film. Highlighting the role of politics in our daily lives, Ghetto Physics uses the relational dynamics of the pimp and the ho to create a framework to analyze some of the more manipulative power dynamics in American culture. From healthcare, to religion, to marriage, the film covers a variety of topics that provoked many conversations after the final credits. Ghetto Physics is one of those movies that makes you think differently after you watch it. And that’s powerful. In addition to L.A., Ghetto Physics will be premiering in select cities across the nation, including Oakland. So stay tuned.
It’s crazy. The power of the human spirit is really boundless. Tiago has this magnet chilling on our fridge that reads, “Each of us have a fire in our hearts for something. Find it, and keep it lit.” I couldn’t agree more. Whether you’re trying to get through some shit, or are determined to do something, you can do it. It’s simply a matter of your desire for it.
If my words were not enough, let me introduce you to Richard Sowa. His lifestyle’s a tad bit different from ours. I’m not sure if he checks the bowties, or if he’ll hear about it in the near future. But truth be told, we’re talking about him. And that means something. Collecting bottles around Cancun, Mexico, Richard collected thousands of bottles by hand, taking over 3 years to build his private island. Totally self sufficient, Richard lives on the island, along with his cat and dog. I think it’s safe to say that Richard Sowa is winning. Perhaps Dubai should reconsider the meaning of a man made island.
Dim sum is all things that food should be. And it is the future. With Spanish-style tapas climbing up the gastronomic hills of the fine-dining world, the small dishes, Asian flavors, and family-style presentation of dim sum warrant dim sum’s sustainability in the restaurant world. Dim sum in Cantonese literally translates to ‘snack’. But here in the States, dim sum has transgressed most definitely into a meal and then some. Great for the soul and hangovers, dim sum offers everything you want, when you want it, at prices everyone can afford. All good right? Well, not quite.
Challenging the notion that humans are motivated by monetary rewards, Dan Pink presents a variety of studies that have tested this question to find out what truly motivates humans. I know, 10 minutes is kind of crucial, but this is one of those, “and after that I never thought the same again” videos. A paradigm shift according to Ruud. Even better the entire discussion is illustrated, which is dope on so many levels, and it makes it a lot easier for the visual folks.
Maybe I’m a little biased when I name the Reserve Store as one of my favorite stores in Los Angeles. I think they just do it so much better than the other street wear stores on Fairfax and beyond. The mix of gear and culture is unmatched, and Gilbert and Tyler always make for entertaining visits. Tomorrow night, Reserve will be hosting a special evening event showcasing new wood serigraphs from House Industries. Even if serigraph and screen printing isn’t your thing, you should still slide through because cool folks will be there.
This is what we do for it for. For the folks (like myself) that never knew this existed until today. And for those who needed that little bit of inspiration for their Wednesday night. A lesson in dedication perhaps. Because you’ve gotta want it. Mallakhamb, practiced throughout 29 states in India. And I thought strippers were nice with it.
I have had many good times in Harlem. I think it’s the vibe you get when you hit the corner of 125th street and guys are yelling outside the barbershop, the smell of soulfood, and sounds like those of the legendary Apollo. It’s a place full of stories and individuals. This neighborhood of New York City cannot be replicated anywhere in the world. You can get a small taste of Harlem just by attending a street fair and walking one block. This specific day was the Harlem book fair, people were simply enjoying themselves in the best way they knew how.
Scott Sternberg is just one of those dudes. One of those ‘fly under the radar cats’, that everyone is talking to at a party, but doesn’t look like anyone special. One of those, “Oh that’s who that is?” cats. Starting Band of Outsiders in 2003, Sternberg has managed to create a classic American clothing brand, while remaining whimsical and deliberate at the same time. Maintaining an affinity towards preppy style since childhood, Sternberg references his past, along with inspiration from the 60′s and 70′s to create his pieces. There’s a sophistication to Sternberg’s work, that’s related through the design of the clothes and the places that house his pieces. Recently Hypebeast spent the day with Scott, to learn a bit more about the man behind the brand.
“In order to become a member of the Original Scraper Bike Team, you must:
Be a resident of Oakland, CA. Be at least 7 years or older. Retain A 3.0 Grade Point Average, Create your own Scraper Bike…(It Has To Be Amazing, Or Else You Can’t Ride.) A single-file line when riding. After 10 rides The Scraper Bike King and his Captains will decide if your bike is up to standards and if you can follow simple guidelines. After your evaluation we will consider you a member and honor you with an Original Scraper Bike Team Shirt. Only worn when Mobbin…”
It’s crazy how a few snapshots can paint a detailed picture of a place. From everything I hear, the Eastern Congo is a pretty hectic place. Dealing with the fallout from the worst human conflict since World War II can’t be easy. In his latest collection, Quick, photographer Richard Mosse gives us a glimpse of military life in the Eastern Congo, along with some gorgeous shots of the surrounding landscape. Taking a novel approach, Mosse used Kodak Aerochrome infrared film to capture the scenes below, giving the images their distinctive pink tint. So no, they’re not photoshopped, in case you were wondering. Pretty impressive.
A symbol is a funny thing. Especially when that symbol is a human being. From everything I know, JFK meant a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Iconic imagery can transform a group of people into a concept or an idea, or a president and his family into rockstars. If you’ve kept up with Rolling Stone during the Obama era, you know what I mean. Richard Avedon‘s portraits of the Kennedy family, shot in January of ’61, are impressive for their intimacy though. Avedon’s shots are personal, as if to subtly remind you that behind all the media hype, these are actually just people we’re looking at. Pretty inspiring stuff.
