Arttour International Magazine April 2014

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014

A note from the Editor in Chief Dear reader, Once again, we're here to share more great news with you!

Arttour International Magazine, is now available on iTunes, Kindle, Apple Newsstand and Blackberry Newsstand! It can be viewed “on the go,” or at your leisure on your mobile phone, tablet or computer. The free app Arttour International, features content not available on the print magazine.

Our magazine is constantly traveling, leading us to new cultures, places, and beautiful people. Our creative team takes every opportunity to bring fresh information and the works of the most renowned masters in today’s art world to the magazine’s pages.

For our cover story Rafael Amargo “Shedding the Skin”, we went to New York city and Naples, Italy, following the star on his world travels. Enjoy this mesmerizing images featuring exclusive content with great Andalusian Flamenco dancer, choreographer, and film maker Rafael Amargo. And don’t forget to download our magazine and visit the links for the video presentation which includes exclusive footage, clips and behind-the-camera scenes, brought to you by ATIM Web T.V. And speaking of world travels, it has been a busy season in the art world, so pack your bags because you’re coming with us for a great tour of the international arts. Our first stop is Venice, were the festivities of the Venice Carnival filled the streets with music and color in a masquerade of dreams.

We will also take you to Florence to enjoy our review of Cutting Edge Masters of Contemporary Art, a 10 day interactive exhibition organized by Vivid Arts Network in partnership with Arttour International Magazine. In Miami we visited the Miami River Art Fair 2013 during the Art Basel Season and we bring exclusive images to share with you.

If you need a bit of tranquility, flip directly to page 56 where international photographer Suzanne Duncan from Australia shares her journey to a breathtaking place: Welcome to Antarctica!

ATIM is by the artists, for the artists to the art world, and loyal to our moto we share with you the story of Olga Volodina, an artist who is fighting through art for justice and fairness in the Thai society. Olga wants to convey a message, and we want to give her a voice in our publication.

It is an incredible moment for us in ATIM, we are glad that you are here to share the journey with us, keep coming back and do send us your feed back and suggestions, we value your opinion.

Thanks for your support,

Viviana Puello Editor in Chief Arttour International Magazine

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CORNERS OF THE WORLD USS Maine Monument Columbus Circle, New York. USA. Photography Arttour International Magazine Š Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved www.arttourinternational.com

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CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR IN CHIEF/ART DIRECTOR: Viviana Puello Founder & Art Director of the ATIM and also the creator of the ATIM TV Channel and the "ART 2 HEART" Interviews. She directs the operations together with Executive Director Alan Grimandi and with the help of our team. Viviana is the person who supervises the content of our magazine to make sure we meet our standards. She also directs all marketing strategies with the help of our publicists, marketing managers, advertisers and social media managers.

Contact via email vp@arttourinternational.com.

Phone (800) 807-1167 Ext 107

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / VIDEO GRAPHIC DIRECTOR Alan Grimandi As our Executive Director, Alan is the person to approve all negotiations with partners and collaborators. Alan makes sure everything looks fantastic and keeps on top of the latest technology for our videos to make sure they look professional and with the best quality. Responsible for ATIM TV Alan travels with our video team to produce our "Art 2 Heart" Interviews to artists and personalities and for all our event coverage.

Contact grimandi@arttourinternational.com Phone (800) 807-1167 Ext 108 GRAPHIC DESIGN DEPARTMENT Humberto José Orozco Web Developer, Graphic Designer.

Beto as we call him is the brain behind the ATIM website!

He makes sure it is up to date, it looks phenomenal and gets lots of exposure. He also does a lot of our fantastic graphic design for the magazine and marketing department. He's being with ATIM from day one. His company Humberto Orozco Publishing handles Web Designs for lots of important clients. You can contact him at orozco@outlook.com

Front Cover: Rafael Amargo Photographed by Georgine Benvenuto for Arttour International Magazine.

Graphic Director: Alan Grimandi Arttour International Publications © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

PHOTOGRAPHY Georgine Benvenuto Photojournalist at Georgine Benvenuto Photography and CEO/Founder/Director of Gallery 364 Contact info www.georginebenvenuto.com www.gallery364.com Ezio Bevere Photographer focus on visual arts and dance. After experiencing with Fashion photography and cinema, Ezio fell in love with dance photography. He considers himself a photographer always on the search for beauty combining intuition and technique.

Tel. +39 3497067994 Email: ebphotographer@libero.it RESIDENT WRITER: Cody LaVada Performance artist, writer & designer from Upstate New York. Inspired by the dark side of life, Cody’s unique creations are often a macabre amalgam of fashion, passion & theatricality, interwoven with intenselypersonal experiences, such as body modification & mental illness. Cody's amazing articles include some of our reader's favorites like the "Yayoi Kusama, Between a Dot and an Art Place" and "The Phantom Phenomenon".

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND EDITORS: Alison Hart Kevin Durant Daniel Pabian Eduardo Bloom Kacy Amburn CAREERS We have the best, and most creative talent in the media industry — a team of young creators who produce our world-class content, design our state of the art magazine and produce amazing videos for our ATIM WEB T.V. using the latest technologies. If you are interested in getting involved with ATIM, working with us or becoming our partner please contact: info@arttourinternational.com

Published by Arttour International Publications Inc. 45 Rockefeller Plaza Suite 2000, New York, NY 10111 © Copyright 2014 Arttour International Magazine. All copyrights are reserved by the authors.

The copyrights of all published artwork are retained by the artists. Reproduction of any published material without the written permission of the magazine's publisher is prohibited by law. www.arttourinternational.com

ry! o t S r Cove

Rafael Amargo

“Shedding the Skin”

by Viviana Puello

Contents Vivid Arts Beyond Design

at the Florence Design Week 2014 Page 16

Cutting Edge Masters

of Contemporary Art by Daniel Pabian

Page 50

Antarctica Page

38

Florence Design Week 2014

by Suzanne Duncan Page 56

The Miami River Art Fair

by Cody LaVada Page 60

Arnix "Iconoclasm” Page 64 Page

12

Olga Volodina:

Art for Human Rights Venice Carnival

by Alison Hart

Page

6

by Sai Wannaphon Chimbangchong Page 69

Feature Artists David W. Whitfield 20 Gisela Zimmermann 22 Sirenes

24 Roderick Lloyd 26 Aristides Ureña Ramos 30 Christina Lappa 32 Lawrence R. Armstrong 34 Elckjaer Franco Bono 39

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Venice

My gre at d o o r o p e n e d u p w hen a y oung C ol omb i a n gi r l ca me to t h e U . S . t o m a k e h e r c r o ssov er a nd hi r ed me to w or k on her i m a ge ; t h e ar t i s t w a s S h a ki r a . I w or ked w i th her for sev er a l y ears, f ol l owe d P au l i n a R u b i o , T ha l i a , Al ej a nd r o S a nz a nd f r om ther e the re s t i s h i s t o r y. ” - I r m a M ar ti nez

Masks, Colors, Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Carnival

Art and Celebration

by Alison Hart

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Among colorful costumes, masks, and with lots of music, Venice Carnival opened up with the "Festa Venezia�, under the slogan "Wonderful nature" and it filled the streets of Venice for over two weeks.

Cont. page 10

Photography Arttour International Magazine Š Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 Photography Arttour International Magazine Š Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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Once again, Venice attracted worldwide attention with a festival that mobilizes hundreds of thousands of visitors who travel to the city in search of entertainment and fun in the capital of street art .

The traditional parade through the canals of the city was the starting point of the party, followed by a week of activities and celebration . The "Volo dell'Angelo” (“The Angel’s Flight”) which has always been one of the most traditional and loved events during the carnival, took place at midday in the first Sunday of the Carnival (in 2014 on 23rd February). The event recalls an ancient tribute to the Doge. A young girl, whose identity is kept secret until the day of the event, flies from the top of the Bell Tower to the centre of Saint Mark's Square. This year, Julia Nasi, the winner of the previous edition of the Marie Contest, was the Angel of the flight. A breathtaking event and one of the most special moments of the Carnival.

Another very anticipated event, and one not to miss, is the “Volo dell’Aquila”, (Flight of the Eagle”), which this year took place on Sunday March 2nd, under the sound of Vivaldi when the Olympic ice skater Carolina Kostner, a few days from winning the bronze medal at Sochi, flew from San Marco bell tower in the presence of over 78,000 people who gathered at the Piazza to glide after 10 minutes into the arms of the artistic director of the Carnival David Rampello. She was dressed in a costume, designed by Francesco Briggi entitled “Nature” and covered with elaborate ornaments including frost and ice.

Throughout the day on stage at the Grand Theatre between music and shows, the public enjoyed the parade of masks and participated in the election of "the most beautiful mask “. The audience at the Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APIRL 2014 Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

parterre of the Grand Theatre gave the first vote, while a special jury voted for the final selection.

Among the jurors, in addition to the artistic director David Rampello, were present fashion designer Elio Fiorucci and the General Director of EXPO 2015 Piero Galli .

The Carnival of Venice is unique in the world and its tradition dates back to the eleventh century , although no public holiday was declared until two centuries later. It reached its peak in the eighteenth century, when the festivity attending some aristocrats who came from very different places, and very often was that the princes and nobles escape to enjoy the event.

For centuries it was the way out for citizens to escape the great Venetian government control . With the occupation of Venice by Napoleon's army the Carnival was banned for fear that conspiracies were generated . The Carnival was recovered in 1979.

During the 10-day duration , people dress up in costumes from the XVII century and goes out for a walk in either organized or impromptu parades.

As always, this year the Carnival was a real success and thanks to some good weather, there was a record in ticket sales. The event reached its climax on March 4th with a closing ceremony at Piazza San Marco.

Venice has once again demonstrated to deserved the title of "Queen of the Italian Carnivals.”

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Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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Florence Design Week 2014 Beyond Design February 28, at Design Connects during Munich Creative Business Week in Monaco (Germany) in a meeting with other design weeks of Europe.

With the Patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Patronage of the Tuscany Region, Province of Florence, Council of Florence, Florence Design Week, conceived and promoted by IMMAGINAE Creative Communication becomes every year more an unmissable event for industry experts, teachers, tourists, citizens, professionals, Italians and foreigners.

Marta Mandolini, Special Prject Curator, Florence Design, during an interview with Fabrizio Borghini for Toscana TV. Florence Design Week 2013. Photo Arttour International Publications © Copyright 2013.

Preparations are underway for the Florence Design Week 2014, “Beyond Design,” from April 22nd to May 1st 2014. The festival was presented Friday, www.arttourinternational.com

Various locations of the Italian Beauty Capital, Florence, will host the event in a network that illustrates the contemporary fervor of the city.

"Beyond Design" is the theme of the fifth edition of Florence Design Week 2014, Gold version! A look beyond the object itself, the festival captures the relationships, experiences, and symbols that will be presented by international artists and designers through multiple languages.

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It is impossible not to communicate with the rest of the world this year about this festival that is distinguished by the refinement of the projects, the international multi-disciplinary look, and the genuineness of the mission.

The response to the burst of the Florence Design Week by the European Union resulted in the launch of the competition, "Become an Awakener." This competition will disseminate the principles of upcycling and the reuse of materials among young creatives in the campaign of Generation Awake EU Commission. Ten finalists from Bulgaria, France, Lithuania and Italy will be given the opportunity to showcase their creations during the festival.

In addition to Europe, Brazil will be present with “Beyond Brazil, a Taste of New Brazilian Design,” a selection of projects of emerging designers and senior brands in Brazil. Great national and international success again this year for the formats, “Young Big Ideas” and “D+ Design the social value” at the Murate. The exhibitions will let us discover a new way of "making design" with a reflection “Beyond Design” that is carefully pointed out by the Faculty of Architecture and Design Campus of Calenzano.

Alessandro Pumpo, President, Florence Design Week and Marta Mandolini, during the opening reception of the 2013 Florence Design Week 2013 Festival. Photography Arttour International Publications © Copyright 2013.

Going beyond the concept of time, for large needs, and to rediscover the pleasure of reading: a designphilosophy will be presented to the National Library, which will be dedicated to all, those who seek meaning beyond the simple object.

Design, arts and crafts, contemporary art, at the International Festival of Life Style, targeted Cont. next page

Florence Design Week 2013 Festival. Photography Arttour International Publications © Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved

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appointments, business meetings and networking go along with the conviviality and the art of living.

Great attention once again to contemporary art, Art for Florence Design Week, at the Borghese Palace and Grand Hotel Minerva, in collaboration with ArtExpertise Florence and Vivid Arts Network.

For a completely unusual flash back from ‘300 to ‘800 of architecture, design, and ways of life there will be guided tours with workshops upon reservation at Palazzo Davanzati and Casa Martelli.

For the Festival that goes “Beyond Design,” there is something for everyone: exhibitions, B2B meetings, 360° design, crafts, contemporary art, lectures, aperidesign, education, performances, routes in the city, workshops, nightlife, and business meetings.

To participate, discover the prestigious locations and program contact:

www.florencedesignweek.com or write to info@florencedesignweek.com

Many locations including a circuit of studios, galleries, and shops will be part of Florence Design Week and will attend the project presenting style events or launches of new collections.

Florence Design Week 2014 Participant from Alterequo.com. Photography Alterequo.com © Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 Florence Design Week 2013 Festival. Photography Arttour International Publications © Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved

Florence Design Week 2013 Festival. Photography Arttour International Publications © Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved

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Vivid Arts Beyond Design At the Florence Design Week!

by Alison Hart The Florence Design Week, held from April 19th through April 24th, is an exciting international art exposition that will engage all of the viewer's senses.

In addition to all of the glamour and charm of the city setting, the particular focus of this week is on sustainability.

The Vivid Art Network, which is partnering with this event to bring the exhibition Vivid Arts Beyond Design, seeks to help artists in "creating art to inspire lives." The goal of the Vivid Arts Beyond Design exhibition is to honor the work of artists internationally who are entering into a dialogue about sustainability and to invite the viewers to take part in that same dialogue.

The Vivid Arts Beyond Design exhibition will truly have an international flavor, as it features work by artists from eight different countries. Artists from Greece, Australia, the USA, Canada, and Norway are traveling to be personally present at this exhibition.

The collection is going to be curated by Viviana Puello, who is the Editor in Chief of the Arttour International Magazine, as well as an artist and the Director of the Vivid Arts Network of New York. www.arttourinternational.com

Puello will be doing a live installation on this theme of sustainability, titled “Beyond Design For a Sustainable Planet." Through fashion, audio-visual experiences, and light, this exhibition will seek to inspire viewers to create a community that will connect them with the earth that they live on. By beautifully demonstrating how art can fuse with a planet-friendly mindset and functionality, it is hoped that viewers will take away inspiration of their own. The scope of this event transcends the typical fashion show by looking into the deeper issues of how our lifestyle choices impact our planet.

The opening reception of this event will be broadcast

by Toscana TV, so if you are unable to make it in person to see the exhibition, you'll still be able to be a part of the excitement!

Complete participating artists catalog on pages 18 and 19!

.

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Vivid Arts Beyond Design Exhibition Catalog ALGRIM WWW.ALGRIM.COM «Life is the tool the universe use to understand it self»! Algrim is a contemporary artist who studied classic art, philosophy, art history and graphic arts. He also made numerous study tours around the world. He applies an old fashiontechnique using an oil paint of his own recipe, similar to the old masters in the Renaissance.

CHRISTINA LAPPA WWW.CHRISTINALAPPA.COM Bright colors and figures that appear to be mobile are predominant characteristics of Christina Lappa’s work. Lanky female figures in colored dresses casting shadows in daily life are often the subject of her images.

GISELA ZIMMERMANN WWW.GISELA-ZIMMERMANN.COM For many years Gisela Zimmermann worked with pottery and weaving and later became totally devoted to painting.

Zimmermann draw inspiration from nature and from her travels outside of Switzerland. She experiments, favoring strong colors and spontaneity with total artistic freedom.

LAWRENCE R. ARMSTRONG WWW.LRAART.COM My work, both in Art and Architecture, is an ongoing exploration of the concept of Layers. I have always been aware of, and fascinated by Layers in the Natural and Built Environment. Layers in Space and Time. Layers in Intellect, in Emotion. Synthesis and Interpenetration of Form, of Solid and Void, of Chaos and Order, of Simplicity and Complexity.

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Vivid Arts Beyond Design Exhibition Catalog MARC VAN DER LEEDEN WWW.VIVIDARTSNETWORK.COM Marc van der Leeden was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. In addition to painting regularly, he practices medicine full time. Largely self-taught, van der Leeden did not start painting until his early 30s. Utilizing a very limited palette of only two colors and simplicity of design, he creates paintings that are uniquely his own.

MARTHA GREINER WWW.MARTHAROSEDESIGN.COM Art critics have described her work as “There is an understated incandescence to the images that is both contemporary and classic all at once. Her works related so strongly to the very concept of perception; your style places you in an artistic realm that is somehow dream-like, almost surreal, yet not quite there, as if some ghostly memory from a far-away place; yet somehow entirely familiar a vision that resonates with the viewer long after viewing”.

SUZANNE DUNCAN WWW.SUZANNEDUNCAN.NET Australian photographer Suzanne Duncan is a dreamer, traveller and creator. At a young age Suzanne’s imagination would see her dream up powerful images of strong and inspirational females who have stories to tell and secrets to keep. Each of Suzanne’s photographs start with a small idea which she starts developing further by building a unique story behind each subject she photographs.

With the desire to create timeless photographs, Suzanne looks to meld her personal photographic touch with new ways of shooting

WENDY COHEN WWW.WENDYCOHEN.NET.AU Committed to creativity and individuality, Wendy Cohen’s whimsical paintings are inspired by her passionate gusto for life. Cohen’s paintings, boldly colored and elaborately textured, embody her imaginative, nuanced experience of the people, places and nature surrounding her. Through her vivacious abstraction, Cohen whisks the viewer away on a mystical journey into a sensuous, jubilant world. Cohen’s foremost motif is the human face, which she shapes with an animated, lyrical line. www.arttourinternational.com

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David W. Whitfield The rapport between a painting and the viewer is unique to that individual. Once the artist has produced the work, it is then entered or 'offered' to the viewer to bring it into 'existence'. The viewers own perception and experience of life, will play on and interpret image before them giving it substance.

Each will be different, as each person is different. To endow the work with some sort of interpretation, by and from the artist, may stifle any further such interpretations from others. All are valid. 'The spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and interpreting it's inner qualifications and thus adds his contribution to the creative act’ Marcel Duchamp.

WWW.DAVIDWHITFIELD.COM www.arttourinternational.com

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Gisela Zimmermann

“Vision VI” Acrylic/Mixed Media, 40”x31”

Born in Augsburg, Germany, I have lived and worked in Switzerland for many years.

My creativity seems to have been born with me, and since early childhood I have loved to draw and paint..For many years I worked with pottery and weaving, but for some time I have now been totally devoted to painting.

I draw inspiration from nature and from many trips outside Switzerland. I love to experiment, favoring strong colors and spontaneity, and I enjoy my artistic freedom.

In my searches, I have found myself, and now experience the world of painting. I am curious where this will lead me. My works have been shown in numerous exhibitions in Switzerland and internationally.

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 “Vision II” Acrylic/Mixed Media, 40”x28”

WWW.GISELA-ZIMMERMANN.COM www.arttourinternational.com

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SIRENES

“Dolphins” Acrylic on Canvas

“Fantasy” Acrylic on Canvas

Sirenes was born in 1966, live and work outside Oslo, Norway. In 2011 Sirenes had her first solo exhibitions.

In 2013 Sirenes has participated in 8 exhibitions in Italy, Spain, Norway, Canada and New York. She has been represented by Agora Gallery, NYC in 2012 and 2013, and will be represented by galleries in NYC US, Spain and Italy in 2014, Three companies in Norway exhibits her artwork on an on-going basis. Sirenes has been presented in several Art Magazines and publications in Italy: “Effetto Arte” and “I Segnalati” and in United States: “Contemporary Masters Vol VII”, “Artslant Collectors Catalogue” and “Artispectrum”. She has received several special awards for her artwork.

WWW.SIRENES.NO www.arttourinternational.com

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“Lake at Night� Acrylic on Canvas

Artist Statement: I have always been fascinated by colors, even as a child, and as an adult I have found that flowers, clothes and cosmetics all provide me with regular sources of intriguing or delightful color combinations. I become inspired to paint through silence and peace, by performing yoga, through meditation and by being in nature. I am trying to express my inner feelings from my soul in my work, but also relationships and emotions in and between human beings. I am very sensitive to the feelings of others, and that sensitivity forms an important part of my artwork. I am painting directly onto the canvas, always barefoot, often through finger-painting with the consequence that each painting becomes absolutely unique.

Contact Information: e-mail: post@sirenes.no, Phone: (+47) 47 88 98 41 www.arttourinternational.com

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RODERICK LLOYD

“Trying to Make Contact” Italian “Mettiamoci in Contatto” Original photo: Different tiles in Italy

Roderick Lloyd MORE THAN A PHOTO ...enjoy every day

WWW.RODERICKLLOYD.COM www.arttourinternational.com

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MORE THAN A PHOTO ...enjoy every day

“Screaming Girls” Italian “Bambino che Urla” Original Photo: an Old Bridge in Verona (Italy)

MORE THAN A PHOTO artworks . . .

Examples Roderick Lloyd’s artworks can be seen on his website www.rodericklloyd.com Materials: Aluminum, Epoxy or Glass Esempi di Oltre la foto sono presenti su www.rodericklloyd.com I materiali che Roderick Lloyd usa sono alluminio, vetro e resina.

“Opera Singers” Original photo: (part of) the Arena in Verona (Italy)

Roderick Lloyd (1953) started in September 2011 with a new kind of art: MORE THAN A PHOTO At first he starts taking the photos (himself) in different places in the world. Arriving back home he uses these photos to work on his computer to make his unique art works. His style can be described as: the visitors arrive in his phantasy and/or daily reality life world, with colorful and special linings. To finish it off he sometimes adds a title.

Vittorio Sgarbi:“ originale, bellissimi colori ” in the Biennale Creativita in Verona 02/2014

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 Destination of art works • To hang up on walls, to be placed in glass doors or (illuminated) in floors • Art tables in different sizes with one or more of his art works (can be changed!)

• Art glass plateaus for hotels/ restaurants and for special presents RL-art-FLEX-table Initials and RL-art-works can be changed!

Roderick Lloyd Geerpolderweg 21 2807 LS GOUDA The Netherlands E rl@rodericklloyd.com M 0031.627.00.11.11 - T 0031.182.787.120 Per il mercato italiano contattate: ArtMeet alan@artmeet.eu

WWW.RODERICKLLOYD.COM www.arttourinternational.com

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Elckjaer Franco Bono “Anima e Corpo” April 25-26-27 2014 Teatro Mediterraneo - Mostra d’Oltremare Napoli, Italy Italo-Venezuelan dancer, choreographer and teacher Elckjaer Franco Bono has a very strong presence in the stage.

Her eclectic personality, and great knowledge and vision of the dance has made her a prominent artist in the cultural landscape of Naples and beyond.

A very passionate and skilled promoter of dance events. Join Elckjaer at her next event, during three days of dance, from April 25th to the 27th at “Body and Soul” where she will be serving as a judge of the flamenco section for the Concorso Stages e Gran Galà di Danza, together with leading names in dance as R. Paganini, G.Picone, A. De La Roche and with the special participation of the Maestra CARLA FRACCI. For information contact: WWW.PERCORSIDIDANZA.NET

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ARISTIDES UREÑA RAMOS

ARISTIDES UREÑA RAMOS was born in Santiago, Veraguas, Republic of Panama in 1955.

He graduated from the Accademia di Belle Arti and studied cinematography, lithography and engraving.

He returns to Panama in 1979, where he teaches at the Regional University of David, as professor of History of Art and the School of Fine Arts. In 1980 he returned to Florence, Italy, where he resides to the present.

His work has always explored diverse forms of artistic expressions, each manifestation an explosion of creativity, irony and latin sensibility.

Aristides could say that his character and work are fused into a single identity, the coherence of a lifetime that belongs to the creation of an artistic conception. His work is considered amongst the most representative and innovative of Latin America, as he has managed to build over time a network search for pictorial cycle expressions.

Aristides is one of the few Latin American multidisciplinary artists that accompanies each of his cycles of paintings with videos, installations, happenings, performances; images manipulated in search of environment leads to a constant linguistic experiment. This is how he conveys a sense of the dense, palpitating coexistence of the vast LatinAmerican world.

His work is a library to take into reference when interpreting the context of its universe, which

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manifests in the form of Store, Sort, Classify, Collective memories, Roots and Content. Thus overcoming the problem of expressive languages, he himself has been the center of experiments and the execution of his art.

Aristides has exhibited his work in collective and solo shows in Italy and abroad (Panama, Venezuela, Greece, Spain, United States, Germany). In addition he has been invited to prestigious international exhibitions Biennale of Venice Italy (Pavilion Lila, 1988 - 1997 - 2001). the Biennale of Habana, Cuba, (1989 and 1991). "III° Biennale arte visual ", Managua (Nicaragua 2003 ). “The Latin America Art Fair”- Miami USA (Miami 2004/2005/2006/2007/ 2008/2009/2012). ETNIA – Ela-asbl Bruselas ( Brussels. Belgium 2004, 2005, 2006- 2007 -2008-2009-2011), "BIENAL DE GUAYAQUIL" Museo L. Noboa Naranjo (Ecuador-2010-2013), other.

In recent years, his work has articulated itself in important thematic cycles; obeying the logic of series, the work overcomes limits of space and time, reaching a unique synthesis of fantasy and memories, satire and everyday life, images and colors. This final, unique visual unity makes possible the existence of simultaneous worlds.

Since 1974, Aristides has collected images, recordings and publications pertaining stories of the deep Panama that he now presents in newspapers and social networks. This is an interesting project

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“THE ALTARS OF PAIN” Installation Wooden Altar 290cm x 135cm x 90cm.

Polychrome acrylic mixed technique – Wooden boxes, Porcelain figures, Oil on Canvas o olio, Carpet 180 x 200.

With his work of art “Altares del Dolor” (The Altars of Pain-Installation), Aristides presents his latin american syncretism influence, in a high quality evocative piece. ARISTIDES shows us an occidental altar with a clear Christian note. Its rear is decorated in a Voodoo style, representing little anecdotes of the lumpen proletariat, drug and human trafficking, where little vessels carry unfortunate people. The Altars of pain is a denunciation of the hypocrisy of the Western World that struggles with the double-sided immigration problem. All this work has been complemented with Performances, which becomes true evidence of the advantages of intercultural influence, making us think about these issues caused by the rapid mixture of different cultures. Aristides was born in PANAMA, a place in this planet that has been called “The World’s Navel”, meaning that it’s an example and a true representation of races melted together, which is also the case of the whole Caribbean experience.

that he calls the “LIBRARY OF COLLECTIVE MEMORY”. He has worked on folk and popular music, testing sound and composing music; also recorded tales from oral traditions.

For the past 4 years, Aristides worked on 16 Wall Murals for UDELAS in Santiago, his city of birth. It is the COMPLEJO MURALISTICO UDELAS in which the Universal Contemporary Thinking is shown divided in Memory, Logic, Language and Science.

His latest cycle of paintings “KREOL CRIOLLO 2010” is being exhibited in Panama city, Republic of Panama, at Galería Habitante since this past October 2013. While some of his work is on permanent exhibition in the galleries of the Institute ItaloLatino-Americano in Rome, the “Wilfredo Lam” Museum (Cuba) and the Contemporary Art Museum of Panama. There are also several private collections.

Contact Information Email: aristides_urena@hotmail.com Telf: 0039 338 4361952 Twiter:@aristidesurena

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Christina Lappa Artist Christina Lappa, draws from her relationships with her natural surroundings and her personal life in her native homeland of Venezuela.

Bright colors and figures that appear to be mobile are predominant characteristics of her work. Lanky female figures in colored dresses casting shadows in daily life are often the subject of her images.

Village markets like, El Mercado, mirror the life she experienced and draws on in her paintings. While vivid colored parrots, toucans and plants captivate the viewer who feels her joyful sense of life, one senses the subtleties each painting offers and recognized each as a unique creation.

“Selva Amazonica” Oil on canvas 1,10x0,90cm

“Selva Amazonica” Oil on canvas 1,10x0,90cm

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“Selva Amazonica” Oil on canvas 1,10x0,90cm

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“Selva Amazonica” Oil on canvas 1,10x0,90cm

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Order - Mixed Media Painting

Lawrence R. Armstrong "Freedom of Expression”

A Solo art exhibition exploring the thoughts and creations of an architectural mind Florence opens the doors for a contemporary art exhibition not to miss! Lawrence R. Armstrong: Libertà di Espressione, A Solo art exhibition exploring the thoughts and creations of an architectural mind.

Curated by Viviana Puello, Editor in Chief of the Arttour International Magazine, the exhibition will open the doors on April 1st 2014 at Merlino Bottega dell’Arte in Florence. An intriguing selection of paintings and layered glass sculptures.

Malcomb. (www.waremalcomb.com) Lawrence Armstrong is immensely talented and a visionary.

Inspired by artists and modern architects, Armstrong is well known for his innovative and creative approach.

His art is composed of two- and three- dimensional pieces that are inspired by the environment around us.These abstract compositions challenge viewers to think about their boundaries and to reconsider them, and the concept of juxtaposition and intersection is at the very heart of Armstrong's artistic endeavors.

Artist, designer and accomplished architect, and CEO of the dynamic, international architecture firm, Ware

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Fila 1.0 - Layered Glass Sculpture

In Armstrong’s work, whether architecture or art, one can clearly see he is a master manipulator of layers. His work is partly influenced by his interpretation of layers in natural elements and man-made structures, space and time, and intellect and emotion.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e a r t i s t , "Synthe s i s a n d Interpenetration of Form, of Solid and Void, of Chaos and Order, of Simplicity and Complexity, appear to me spontaneously, involuntarily, provoked by sensory influences. I can be inspired by anything, and a concept gestates for days or weeks until the appropriate media becomes clear."

Amor 1.1 Layered Glass Sculpture

chair at Kent State University Foundation Board of Directors.

Armstrong will travel from his hometown in San Clemente to Florence, Italy. During the opening reception for the event is on Tuesday April 8th 2014 the public will have an opportunity to meet the artist.

For more information on this exhibition contact: Alice Bazzoni via email at info@vividartsnetwork.com.

To see more works by this artist visit his website: WWW.LRAART.COM

Lawrence Armstrong lives and works in Orange County, California, he’s the CEO of Ware Malcomb, owner and artist at LRA Art, and is the

“Flashes of Light appear to me spontaneously, involuntarily, provoked by sensory influences. Unannounced initial thought may derive from music, written text, built or natural environment, person, mood, event or any combination of the above. A concept gestates for days or weeks, until the appropriate media becomes clear. I create a sketch, and try to understand it for a period of time. The piece then comes out of me very quickly. Several pieces result, produced in rapid succession. Much of my work is done in a small series, and normally executes very closely to the first flash of light that appeared. I have noticed that the many passions in my life manifest through me in a similar way. A formally trained architect, I received my Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Kent State University. I have studied and created art all of my life. I draw inspiration from compositions in nature and the built environment. I am intrigued by the natural tension between opposing forces along the following themes: Chaos/Order, Free Form/Precision, Random/Planned, Solid/Void. My influences come from the modern architecture and art world, and include Corbusier, Meier, Eisenman, Pollack, Chihulley, Warhol, Arnoldi. Lawrence R. Armstrong

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 www.arttourinternational.com

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Rafael Amargo “Shedding the Skin”

by Viviana Puello

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Photography Georgine Benvenuto. Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 Photography Georgine Benvenuto. Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

“I cannot remember doing anything else in my life other than flamenco. My mother gave birth to me early in the seventh month —I think I came out dancing”!

One of the most renowned flamenco dancers and choreographers of our time, widely recognized for incorporating contemporary elements and the most avant-garde trends into his flamenco choreography, Rafael Amargo’s greatest gift is not just his immeasurable talent, but also the unstoppable force, tenacity, and personality that have brought him numerous accomplishments and worldwide fame.

ATIM journey began in New York City, where we met with Rafael Amargo at the Roommate Hotel for our first photo shoot and video interview. During one of the biggest snowstorms to hit the Big Apple this winter, Rafael Amargo received us for what was to be one of the hottest shoots in the history of our magazine. The barometer rose as he started posing for our cameras, stripping off his clothes and baring his soul. I hope you enjoy these wonderful images of Rafael Amargo in “Shedding the Skin.”

Born in Valderrubio - Fuente Vaqueros, Granada, in 1975, Jesús Rafael García Hernández took his

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artistic name, Rafael Amargo, from one of Federico Garcia Lorca’s poem. His career began at young age as a soloist, dancing with leading choreographers of consolidated companies, such as Rafael Aguilar, Antonio Canales, Mario Maya, and Luisillo, among others.

“I cannot remember doing anything else in my life other than flamenco. My mother gave birth to me early in the seventh month—I think I came out dancing! I was also a fast learner; I started learning at the age of seven. At the age of 13, I had already signed my first professional contract, and by the time I was 15, I was already dancing with first-class flamenco companies. Later, at the age of 16, I started dancing with the Lola Flores company, which was the most important flamenco company then, and I remember having to bring a written permission to work, signed by my father, because I was so young. For me it was either dance flamenco or die: it was a vital need—a vital need so big, my parents could not retain me. I did

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Photography Georgine Benvenuto. Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

“For me it was either dance flamenco or die: it was a vital need—a vital need so big, my parents could not retain me.

I did have to promise them that I would finish school . . .” have to promise them that I would finish school at a later time, which I did, and I finished my studies at university.

"I‘m lucky to have parents that understood and supported me. They are people who were concerned about giving me a good foundation, not only as an artist but also as a person. They are people who love literature, music, and dance, and who are very tolerant and open-minded, which has been really good for me. They have given me freedom and things that I want to teach my children too: to teach them to be people with common sense; to let them choose their religion, their careers; but above all, to be good people. I think that is the most important thing to teach your children—the education of becoming a good human being—and I received that from my parents.”

“I told my father, 'Dad, let me know dance now, because I can finish school later.' But to dance,

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you have a limited time span and an age when you can do it. So I did. I stopped school for a period of time to devote myself full-time to dancing flamenco, and later on I went back to school and completed my education. At 15, my dad left me alone in Madrid. My dad now tells me that he suffered a lot because I was so young, but now he’s happy he made that decision.”

At only 16 years of age, Rafael Amargo started dancing with the company of the great Lola Flores, an icon of flamenco and Andalusian folklore. As he remembers, his experience was a life-changing moment.

“I remember going to an audition, and she saw me among a group of dancers. I was in the back. I was little, the youngest one in the crowd, and she called me up and chose me. I think I have been very lucky. I have worked with great people. I worked in Cuba creating and directing Cont. next page

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A charismatic, funny, caring, and sensitive artist, Rafael Amargo has been active and in touch with the visual arts. This has allowed him to be supported by visual artists such as Luis Gordillo and Esperanza d’Ors, and to be photographed by Bruce Weber and Christopher Makos.

Photography Georgine Benvenuto. Arttour International Magazine Š Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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“My union with Chavela grew from our mutual love for Federico García Lorca and by spending time at her residence during the recording of a program for a T.V. Station in Mexico. choreography for Alicia Alonso for the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. It has been easy for me to work with these big figures. I feel I have a magnet, or maybe I project this profound desire or ambition that this is the way I want to go, and that same desire and ambition leads me to do things at high levels. I’ve worked with Maestro Granero, the great choreographer for the Ballet Nacional de España; I’ve worked with Antonio Canales in his golden years and great era; I’ve worked with Rafael Aguilar, Maestro Luisillo of the Teatro de Danza Española, and with great flamenco theaters in Madrid such as Cafe de Chinitas, Alcazaba, and Corral de la Moreria and La Venta del Gato.

"When I was 19, I went to New York to study with Martha Graham, and at 21, I formed my first company. With all the information that I had from Europe and New York, I did something different and interesting in flamenco. I was the first one to incorporate audiovisuals into flamenco dance.”

Indeed, Rafael Amargo is considered an innovator. Even though he has always been inspired by the purest flamenco dance, which he learned at an early age from his teachers, he has integrated the influence of different schools, such as Martha Graham’s, and the newest trends without losing his reference point in flamenco.

The first show launched by his own company was "La Garra y el Ángel" (1997). Two years later, he launched “Amargo,” and with his performance won the Premios Max de las Artes Escénicas. He would win again for one of his greatest hits, the show "Poeta en Nueva York," which launched in 2002 as a tribute to Federico Garcia Lorca, the great Spanish poet, transforming one of Lorca's most important poems into a work of dance.

In “Enramblao” (2004), contemporary dance, tap dance, hip-hop, and flamenco fused in a show that paid tribute to the Ramblas in Barcelona. Later on, the artist paid a personal tribute to Cervantes' Don Quixote, with the release of "Don Quixote Pasajero en Tránsito" (2005). In 2006, he premiered a work of pure flamenco entitled "Time Out," and in 2008, presented the second part of "Enramblao."

An exceptional career as a dancer and choreographer was transformed as the heart of the artist evolved. And like a snake that sheds its skin when it is ready for growth and expansion, Rafael Amargo outgrew his own skin to introduce new creative projects. In 2013, following this path of growth, he brought us his first cinematographic work, creating and directing “El Amor Amargo de Chavela,” a documentary that included the last interview with Chavela Vargas, who died soon after the film was done. The iconic singer spoke about life, death, passions, and she spoke in the company of someone who comforted her and held her hand: Rafael Amargo. In his debut as a film director, Amargo created a lyrical fiction based on a letter that Federico Garcia Lorca wrote from heaven and sent to his chamana.

The film received the Best Director Award at the 30th Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF) Korea del Sur, and an Honorable Mention as the Best Documentary about Art at the 30th Film Festival in Bogota, Colombia. It has also been selected for numerous film festivals across the globe and is currently nominated for the Premios Goya 2014.

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Photography Georgine Benvenuto. Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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ARTTOUR ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL APRIL APRIL 2014 2014 Photography Georgine Benvenuto. Arttour International Magazine Š Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved www.arttourinternational.com

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“My union with Chavela grew from our mutual love for Federico García Lorca and by spending time at her residence during the recording of a program for a T.V. Station in Mexico. I consider those four months of my life spent there, as the most intense and enriching to my soul and my art. The long night conversations with Chavela, made ​ ​ me deeply love this sweet and sour Trovadora.”

“Chavela Vargas was a very special character.

She was someone that would not beat around the bush and would be very direct in speaking. She lived a very intense live. She was a great friend of Frida Kahlo, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Agustin Lara, and of great personalities in Mexican culture— presidents, politicians, and even dictators—but she wouldn’t look at that. She would look at the heart of people...she loved freedom, respect, tolerance, and above all, she lived her life the way she wanted. She was very strong, but at the same time very vulnerable, and she had a good heart.

She was a genius in what she did. She would transform mistakes into something of genius, and how many people can do that?”

the visual arts. This has allowed him to be supported by visual artists such as Luis Gordillo and Esperanza d’Ors, to be photographed by Bruce Weber and Christopher Makos, and to prepare choreography works for the Chillida Museum in Hernani, Spain.

"Have you ever had a moment of inspirational crisis?"

"Yes! When I did the film "El Amor Amargo de Chavela," I went looking for her because I was feeling an empty space in my heart. I didn’t even want to dance. I wanted to stop dancing because dancing for me at that moment was to continue doing the same thing but without the same motivation, and motivation is something that you should never lose. Thanks to that film, I got my motivation back.”

"What is dance for you?"

“For me, to dance is to spit—to spit out feelings.

Thanks to the dance, I can cry better, I can smile better. Thanks to the dance, I can fly.”

Cont. next page

A charismatic, funny, caring, and sensitive artist, Rafael Amargo has been active in and in touch with

“For me, to dance is to spit—to spit out feelings. Thanks to the dance, I can cry better, I can smile better. Thanks to the dance, I can fly.”

Photography Ezio Bevere © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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"What is a day like in the life of Rafael Amargo?"

"A day in my life is like…. Nobody could follow me; there’s not one day the same as the other. And I think that’s the reason why I’m by myself and don’t have a partner. When you’re with someone, and you have a regular job etc., you can have a stable life. But when you are a freelancer like me—and as well as your own company, you give workshops throughout the world, you work on TV, you do film, and you are very eclectic and do a lot of things—it is difficult to have a partner. I’m very active. I have not finished one project, and I’m already starting a new one. So I could not say that one day in my life is the same as another. They are all different.”

Rafael Amargo never stops. He keeps growing, evolving, and transforming himself. Since his early years in Madrid with the great Lola Flores, through his journey as an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and now an acknowledged film director, he continues to surprise us with his ability to transform and reinvent himself into a higher version of the fantastic artist that we know—someone we will always keep our eyes on as he keeps shedding his skin.

Photography Ezio Bevere © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Photography Ezio Bevere © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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Your window to the world! With the most popular artists and celebrities in the creative industry, "Art 2 Heart" Interviews are an innovative concept in visual arts aiming to broadcast via web channels and orbital satellites above the territories of Europe and America targeting a large audience. Conducted by Viviana Puello, ATIM's Art Director, and Director of the Vivid Arts Network International.

Offering a global platform for artists, galleries, film makers and creative individuals to expose their work on our virtual gallery, and promote their events in a global artistic scene. Whether it's Art Openings or Art Breaking News Coverage, Arttour International Channels goal is to engage Art Organizations and thousands of readers each month.

Visit Art 2 Heart!

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500

For more information our Art 2 Heart Interviews contact us via email to ads@arttouinternational.com or call (800) 807-1167 Ext 107

Tel (800) 807-1167 Fax (347) 704-1468 If you are an artist interested Published by:

Erika Di Giovanni during the performance“Art Fusion” Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

“Cutting Edge Masters of Contemporary Art” An Exhibition to remember!

by Daniel Pabian

Hosted by Florence for the second year, the international art festival “Cutting Edge Masters of Contemporary Art 2014” was presented by Arttour International Magazine and organized in collaboration with Vivid Arts Network of New York (USA) and ATIM Web TV. The event was announced to the media on February 20th, 2014, and began with an inauguration

ceremony on Saturday, February 22nd at the Auditorium al Duomo. Cont. page 52 www.arttourinternational.com

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Dal 22 FEBBRAIO al 2 MARZO

CUTTING EDGE MASTERS OF CONTEMPORARY ART 2014

MOSTRA D’ARTE INTERNAZIONALE AUDITORIUM AL DUOMO - VIA DE CERRETANI 54R, FIRENZE Entrata Libera!

INFO: www.vividartsnetwork.com - Tel: +39 345 1677704

Erika Di Giovanni during the performance“Art Fusion” Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Cutting Edge Masters of Contemporary Art, is not only an exhibition but an Art Festival celebrated during 10 days of events designed to promote contemporary art in the city of Florence and introduce international artists in the Florence Design scene. Organized by Arttour International Magazine & Vivid Arts Network, the second issue of the exhibition opened to the public from February 22nd to March 2nd 2014 at the Auditorium al Duomo, Florence, Italy.

The inauguration was broadcast in over 64 countries for National Television on Toscana TV for the show “Incontri con L’arte” by Italian art critic Fabrizio Borghini, and internationally via ATIM Web TV, the web channel for Arttour International Magazine.

The exhibition was organized to promote intercultural dialogue through painting, sculpture, installations, and videos by 20 artists from 11 different countries

around the world. It also aimed to help international artists expand their artistic careers through exposure to the public and art organizations in Florence.

For ten days, painters, sculptors, and photographers from five continents gathered in Florence to promote contemporary art. The exhibition included meetings, live painting demonstrations, art presentations, and many other creative projects and events. In the city of Cont. page 54

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The event was announced to the media on February 20th, 2014 during a press conference hosted at Palazzo Coppini.

Top Left: Viviana Puello and Alan Grimandi, Directors of the Vivid Arts Network during presentation of the exhibition to the media directed by journalist Lisa Ciardi on the right.

Top: Italian Art Critic Fabrizio Borghini from Toscana T.V. presents the event. From left to right: Viviana Puello, Director of the Vivid Arts Network, Alice Bazzoni, Exhibition Coordinator and artist Sirenes from Norway. Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Italian Art Critic Fabrizio Borghini from Toscana TV. interviews artists during the opening reception. Top: Artist Christina Lappa from Greece.

Top: Artists Sharon Ross from UK, Joyce Fournier from Canada and Aldo Basili from Italy. Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Artists during the award ceremony at the opening reception. Top from left to right: Artists Irma Michaela Szalkay from Austria, Algrim from Norway and Edna Miron-Wapner from Israel Bottom from left to right: Rosalyn Engelman from USA, John Nieman from USA and Joyce Fournier from Canada.

Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 International Photographer Suzanne Duncan and Professional Dancer Erika Di Giovanni during their performance“Art Fusion” Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

the Renaissance, contemporary art carved out its own space and spoke to the rest of the planet with a universal language.

The stars of the show were chosen from among hundreds of painters and sculptors. The selected artists were presented the Arttour International Master’s Award 2014, in recognition of their excellence in the arts, achievements, and contributions to culture and

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humanities. An additional four artists were awarded the ATIM’S Choice Award for the popularity and recognition of their works during social media and marketing campaigns run prior to the event. These artists were selected by journalists, Facebook fans, Twitter fans, and the general public. John Nieman, Christina Lappa, Rosalyn Engelman, and Bjorn Algrim received the ATIM’s Choice Award from the

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Arttour International Magazine team during the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

On Sunday, February 23rd, a"Art Fusion" combined music, dance, and visual arts, and featured a performance by Australian fashion photographer Suzanne Duncan and professional dancer Erika di Giovanni of Florence. Duncan's work has been published by Vogue Italia and won the cover of the ATIM Top 60 Masters of Contemporary Art, 2013.

Art Fusion demonstrated how different art media can connect the hearts of the artists and the public in a sublime moment of inspiration.

For the February 25th event “Artists in Action”, artists were invited to a day of live painting, which included drawing, painting, installations, music, and other events.

The day started with a powerful

message from Viviana Puello, curator of the exhibition, Editor in Chief of the Arttour International Magazine, and Director of the Vivid Arts Network.

Puello delivered her speech “Just Be Inspired” while meeting privately with the artists before the event opened to the public.

“Cutting Edge Masters of Contemporary Art 2014” was an outstanding success, thanks to the amazing support from the public and media in Florence and to the participation of 20 masters who left their countries to spread their love for contemporary art. An international art festival to remember.

We look forward to the next edition of this event. Let’s keep our eyes open to see what "Cutting Edge Masters of Contemporary Art 2015" will bring us!

During the Live Painting Demonstration at the Auditorium al Duomo artists enjoyed a day of art.

Top: Canadian artist Joyce Fournier painting the live model.

Below: Artist Sharon Ross from England enjoys the day of art drawing her model and artist Edna Miron-Wapner from Israel creating an Ink painting.

Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved VIVID ARTS NETWORK is an organization with more than 15 years of experience.

We represent more than 150 artists and organize art exhibitions creating opportunities for artists to expose their work at an international level. Our opening receptions are broadcasted through national t.v. stations and published on major international websites. We believe in art for a change and helping a cause with our exhibits, bringing artists together to explore human right issues For more information on “Cutting Edge Masters of Contemporary Art” or to send a submission for our 2015 Issue of the exhibition contact: info@vividartsnetwork.com Or visit WWW.VIVIDARTSNETWORK.COM

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Photography Suzanne Duncan © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Antarctica

by Suzanne Duncan

My experience in Antarctica--there are simply no words to describe it! Years ago, I made a vision board on my bedroom wall of all the places in the world I wanted to visit, and I happened to include a picture of Antarctica (one of the world's most random places – people look at you funny for even considering going)! I was extremely fortunate that my dream came true and that I was able to go on a cruise around Antarctica to celebrate New Year's 2011.

Antarctica is the Earth's southernmost continent. Only one million people out of the entire world’s population have traveled there, and only one person has ever been born there. It is home to countless numbers of animals and marine life such as emperor penguins, chinstrap penguins, fur seals, orca killer whales, and blue whales.

We set sail from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, stopping in Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina, followed by the Falkland Islands before entering Antarctica. We visited Elephant Island, Cont. next page

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Photography Suzanne Duncan © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Admiralty Bay, Neumayer Channel, and Esperanza Station.

No words can describe how stunning and spectacular this place is. It truly is the “untouched continent.” Sailing to and from Antarctica is definitely not a calm experience-the seas are rough. But once you arrive, the tranquility of the surroundings just captures you.

It’s truly like nothing else on the planet. You see penguins waddling on icebergs or swimming like little torpedoes alongside the ship. You sail past and see giant fur seals asleep on icebergs.

Then you will see different types of whales swimming alongside the ship. Everyone shouted out that they could see the whales!

As an artist, I found the surroundings incredibly picturesque--filled with an alluring palette of green, blues, and ice white. The magic of nighttime isn’t the same as it is back home. It is only four hours long, and it isn’t dark outside. It is similar to a beautiful twilight blue color. It's like you're in a different dimension.

Now, I am not going to lie to you; summertime was a warm -13c (8.6F). There were many times that I was so cold from photographing that I had to rush inside for some warmth. And the extreme cold hurt my feet and hands because I couldn’t feel them anymore. (NOTE: they hurt because of the near frostbite you experienced?)

But luckily, a nice hot cup of coffee always helps!

Photography Suzanne Duncan © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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Photography Suzanne Duncan © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

My experience was unique. I met so many incredible people and friends whom I still keep in touch with and see from all parts of the globe.

Photography is art, and it is what you make of it. Capturing the amazing scenery in front of me there and being able to share it now with the rest of the world makes me feel very blessed.

I hope you enjoy seeing my photographs as much as I enjoyed capturing the beauty for you!

ABOUT THE ARTIST Photographer and creative director Suzanne Duncan has not only worked across the world’s seven continents, but has also had her work published in leading fashion magazines such as Elle, Cosmopolitan and Vogue and is featured in a book called “International Masters of Photography”. She has exhibited in Australia and the USA and is now making her debut in Europe.

WWW.SUZANNEDUNCAN.NET www.arttourinternational.com

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 Sculpture by artist Attila J.K. from Budapest Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

MIAMI RIVER ART FAIR

by Cody LaVada Among so many amazing events, ArtTour International was fortunate enough to be present for an incredible exhibition in 2013 – the Miami River Art Fair, which took place during the Art Miami Basel Event. This exhibit ran from the 4th to the 7th of December and was filled with tens of thousands of artists, critics, aficionados, collectors and enthusiasts alike. The fair took place on the cusp of the Downtown Miami and Brickell areas, in what can easily be considered the growing hub of the global art scene. Now celebrating its second annual incarnation, the Miami River Art Fair is one of the most massive exhibitions held within the USA during the winter.

This museum-level showcase reveals pieces from the world’s most innovative and cutting-edge artists and people travel in droves to Miami to engage themselves in this vast cultural whirlwind and experience the beauty of an international love for art bringing them together.

video presentations and installations. Originally conceived as a showcase for international, contemporary art, the exhibition has since grown exponentially in size to lodge the mass interest and involvement that has taken root behind it. The display space of Riverfront Hall is 30,000 square feet while the Lobby stands 50,000 square feet, along with the Riverfront Terrace and Sculpture Hall, which likewise reveal work by some of the most influential artists in the world. Cont. next page

Held within the Miami Convention Center at the James L. Knight International Center in Downtown Miami, the art fair boasts impressive accommodations that brilliantly display the expansive scope of the exhibition’s artistic spectrum – everything from paintings, sculptures, mixed media, performances,

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Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

The Miami River Art Fair paves the way for the arts in the financial district as the pioneer art fair of the Downtown Miami – Brickell areas during the winter art fair season.As the fastest growing sector in the city, the Downtown Miami-Brickell area greets you with the warm embrace of luxury style and breathtaking views; a waterfront experience of culture, fine dining and world-class entertainment.

Live Performance by Olivas & Rivas from France. Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

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Hosted by Nina Torres, the Director and Founder of the Miami River Art Fair and Curator of the Nina Torres Fine Art Gallery, the exhibition was truly a staggering, inspirational experience that proved to be a great success. The art fair attracts so many from around the globe that the monetary income and influence has greatly revitalized the lower Miami River area and has put it on the map as a thrilling, bustling travel destination, creating a tourism boom during the winter months. Because of its location in the “Manhattan of the South,” the Miami Convention Center is conveniently located on the waterfront, overlooking the gorgeous bay that the waters of the Everglades flow into. Surrounded by the metropolitan splendor of the city, the exhibition was smack-dab amid breath-taking sights, exquisite dining experiences and dazzling entertainment venues. This wonderful atmosphere allows visitors to enjoy both the art exhibit and the numerous Miami attractions in equal measure!

It is an event not to be missed; such sensational cultural exchange and artistic expression is a rewarding and enriching experience that ATIM was so pleased to be present for. We can not wait to see what the 3rd year of this astounding event will have in store!

For information: www.miamiriverartfair.com

Left top: Live Performers during the opening reception of the fair.

Left: Sculptures by Marina Atelier from France Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Event Organizer | Miami River Art Fair is organized by Nina Torres Art Productions and produced in collaboration with the Foundation of Contemporary Art. Fair Director | Nina Torres is the Director for Miami River | Art Fair.

For over 20 years, Nina Torres has been actively participating in the international art market, specializing in Modern and Contemporary Latin American Art. Nina has curated and overseen over 200 exhibitions at international museums, galleries and biennials, including the “Europalia Biennial of Art; Brussels, Belgium” 1993, and the “XII Festival Del Centro Historico Ciudad de Mexico” 1995-1996.”

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014

Arnix "Iconoclasm”

by Cody LaVada

“Hear, See, Remain Silent” Ciborle, Silicon 8” H x 26”W x 6” D each Arnix Wilnoudt © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved Photo Courtesy of Arnix Wilnoudt and the McLoughlin Gallery

Arnix sees power as a terrifying addiction, out of control and disregarded by those watching from the shadows. Conceptual artist Arnix’s debut body of work consists of exquisite sculptures that directly affront the traditional paradigms of power and subordination. Each is an allegorical exploration into the trauma of authority with immaculate craftsmanship and beautiful detail belying intense psychological perception.

It is a ritualistic dance, an endless ballet that is choreographed by the power player leading and the victim following in silence too frightened or unaware of the exploitation of power. The victim is rendered to modify reality in order to preserve their sanity. This silence needs to be broken as interpreted in the piece, Hear, See, and Remain Silent. Arnix conveys this message eloquently using perfectly cast body parts in pristine chalices with lids that can be attached thus concealing the abuse narrative.

Antique religious artifacts combined with lifelike silicon faces, genitals, and animal heads to form challenging treatises on egoism, conformism, dogmatism, self-respect, honor, desire, objectification, and abuse.

Arnix urges a dialogue through the scrutiny and interaction of his work; “What if the www.arttourinternational.com

abuser did not have the power? Human civilization, the religious community, the perpetrator and victim, they are each other’s victim. “The main question is ‘How is the viewer supposed to relate to them?’”

Arnix strives to address these questions in his work.

Power has been embraced and abused over the centuries, not a new phenomenon. It takes place in the home, in the work environment, in religious settings.

Anywhere there is more than one individual present abuse of power can occur. Overt sexual and religious imagery are used to capture the attention of the viewer to make them aware of the injustice as noted with The ”Holy” Trinity. Crosses penetrate the orifices of various body parts generally prey to the abuse of power. These body parts are contained in antique “doof pots”, coal ash extinguishers. In Dutch, doof pot has a dual meaning, “to hush things up”. Arnix refuses to take this stance and uses his work as a beacon drawing attention to abuse and injustice.

“Known unto God”, text normally seen on the graves of unknown war victims, is discreetly incorporated into this piece. It is like a plea for help from and for these abused victims who are advised and sometimes threatened to remain silent.

Cont. next page

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ARTTOUR INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2014 The Last Judgement; The Revelation”, 295,3" x 59,1" x 35,4" Installation mixed media .

Arnix Wilnoudt © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved Photo Courtesy of Arnix Wilnoudt and the McLoughlin Gallery

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Arnix’s works have an unorthodox and direct approach. It forces the viewer to deal with some of these major issues in life. It is ruthless and defies the human conscience. In Glorification I: Tower and Stinkhorn, the glass bell symbolizes the seclusion of the core family, the church, the family, and the neighborhood. It is the protective cocoon in which people feel safe and protected and insulated.

Seclusion often leads quickly to silence. In this form, the glass bell is both a fragile barrier and at the same time, an impregnable fortress. We look at it and yet cannot reach the situation. It requires courage to smash the glass bell to pieces and break the silence.

The Tower depicts a dominant penis within the glass bell that is an impregnable power phenomenon that enforces silence. Like the church tower, the symbot of dominance, power and omnipotence is it crowned with the golden cock proudly standing on top. The cock a symbol of brave vigilance and compliance always looks ahead, never backwards.

The Stinkhorn, or phallus impudicus, represents the unashamed penis turning this symbol of power into something fragile. It can be compared to the present position of the church: an institute quickly losing power, stature and influence as it becomes an institution without mechanisms for renewal and rising up again. The crown of thorns on the stinkhorn’s head is a reference to the crown of thorns on Christ, a symbol of suffering and mockery. The fly, subtly present, stands for slander and corruption.

abuse can be seen in works such as Known Unto God, where rows of identical faces are aligned and silenced with pristine brass crosses. The staggering detail and haunting anonymity of the individual faces, along with its stark beauty and simplicity, make the piece a exposé where the viewer is both a witness and participant in atrocity.

After a successful career in advertising, Arnix was compelled to create work that captures day-to-day life in images and symbols. “We now live in times of transparency and openness. As an artist, it is my task to visualize and create the essence of the Zeitgeist, our actuality,” states Arnix Yet Arnix refuses to hand the viewer conclusions—instead he reveals only questions to authority and abuse. It is up to the viewer to come to terms with his or her own relation to power.

Arnix will have his debut in a two-person exhibition, Iconoclasm, along with Italian digital collage artist Max Papeschi at The McLoughlin Gallery in San Francisco opening May 1 – 31, 2014. We are very excited to introduce the provocative work of Arnix at The McLoughlin Gallery as it is work that is extremely well crafted and presents a powerful message. It is work that makes you think,” explains Joan McLoughlin, Gallerist, The McLoughlin Gallery.

For more information contact The McLoughlin Gallery WWW.MGART.COM

Artist website: WWW.ARNIXWILNOUDT.COM

Arnix Wilnoudt aka Arnix is from Amersfoort, The Netherlands where he enjoys the sport of hawking.

His Roman Catholic upbringing along with his own encounters with state-sponsored arenas of power form the basis for his lexicon of symbols. His resistance and exposure to both religious and military “The Holy Trinity”_Detail. Arnix Wilnoudt © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved Photo Courtesy of Arnix Wilnoudt and the McLoughlin Gallery

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“Silence Means Consent” Copper, Silicon, Brass 23”H x 47” D x 60” W Arnix Wilnoudt © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved.

Photo Courtesy of Arnix Wilnoudt and the McLoughlin Gallery

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Olga Volodina: Art for Human Rights

by Sai Wannaphon Chimbangchong Olga Volodina is a Russian-born artist and photographer currently residing in Bangkok. She started her professional career as a fashion photographer in Moscow. Olga is the author of several social and art photo projects. Her works have been featured on TV, in print media and exhibited in art galleries.

Almost all of Olga's works are focused on people and women in particular. Character, charisma, body, beauty, behavior, relationship, actions and mistakes, everything that we call human life is an object for her photography. A female, a human being that is both the main source of inspiration for her and object of her art.

Why do you support the protest?

I joined the anti-government protest to fight for justice and fairness in the Thai society. I and denounce any injustice in the whole world not just in Thailand. Cont. next page Photography Olga Volonina Š Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved

also support peace

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Being a Thai citizen and an active member of the anti-government protests that are going on in Bangkok now can you explain from your point of view what is in the background of the current situation?

Back in 2004, the demonstration to protest the government started because of the corrupt nature of Thaksin Shinawatra, who is the fugitive former prime minister of Thailand. He is defined by his corrupt behavior as a minister in government back in the mid '90s to the years of his official running of the country 2000-2006. He used his position in government first and foremost to enrich himself and his family. Even though he now lives in Dubai, he obviously controls the Thai government through his youngest sister Yingluck, the current Thai minister. In addition, Thais have not forgotten Thaksin's excesses, including murder, suppression of the media, the forced disappearances of 18 human rights activists and his violent policies toward the southern Malay-Muslim provinces.

Thaksin was removed from office in 2006 as a result of a military coup conducted while Thaksin was in New York City preparing to give a speech at the opening session of the United Nations. The night before, Thaksin paid tribute to the makers of United States foreign policy, the Council on Foreign Relations. He was there in his capacity as a vital cog in the neoliberal policies of bringing corporate control to all (formerly) sovereign countries. The coup was conducted following large-scale protests against Thaksin's autocratic rule during which he executed many policies solely to benefit corporations in which he was the major shareholder. The last straw came when he sold his telecommunications firm to a Singaporean entity for several billion dollars. Two days before the deal was finalized, the Thai laws limiting foreign ownership of a Thai corporation were changed to increase that limit to 49 percent.

Furthermore, Thaksin also arranged to have a capital gains tax precedent case removed so the deal would not be subject to any Thai taxes. Yes, Prime Minister Thaksin arranged not to pay more than 400 million dollars in taxes.

He proclaimed so called "War on Drugs" in early 2003. Within 3 months, more than 2,500 people were murdered, many of whom had no connections to drugs at all. It cannot be said with any certainty that none of those who were killed had any involvement with drugs since they were never arrested, charged or brought to trial.

Thaksin faced the corruption charges, but his trial took place after the 2006 military coup during the reign of one of his two proxy governments, which served him after the coup. The current government, led by his youngest sister, Yingluck, is his third proxy government. Between the end of the trial and the verdict, he petitioned the court for permission to travel to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The court

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allowed his request while requiring his assurance he would return. He has never returned. He was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison. In spite of his conviction and his fugitive status, the Obama-Clinton State Department granted Thaksin a visa to enter the United States. At present, he runs Thailand from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. No important decision is made by the government without his assent. His sister Yingluck remains the definition of a puppet prime minister.

It is not fully known just how many corruption cases Thaksin would face if he was returned to Thailand.

Members of his political parties also face corruption charges. The current government made an attempt to pass an amnesty bill that would have cleared the books of over 25,300 corruption cases, according to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. It was the passage of this bill that led to the current protests.

When the proxy government of Thaksin withdrew the bill, the protestors said that was not enough. Instead, the focus now is on ridding the country of Thaksinism and pursuing political reform.

As far as I can get Thaksin now became a personification of evil for many Thai people, but what can u tell about his policy to support poor people in the North of Thailand, his social reforms?

I mean is it right to paint him all black? As for the war on drugs it's a fact that King Bhumibol himself, in a 2003 birthday speech, praised Thaksin and criticized those who counted only dead drug dealers while ignoring deaths caused by drugs. Do you believe that if Thailand gets rid of Shinawatra family influence it will solve the problem?

In the past Thaksin had never implemented any policy that was really a benefit for the poor people. All his programs for the poor were geared for propaganda and building popularity for himself and his party. For example, the government gave each village Baht 1 million (which he claimed that this would boost the local economy), but it turned out to be a loyalty buying program as the local authorities who involved in the distribution of such funds had taken the money into their own pockets and only 30% of these funds had reached the poor people. The recent rice price guarantee program for the farmers is a good example of how corrupt and vicious Thaksin and Yingluck are.

The issue of people that were killed in the crackdown on drugs dealing had been distorted. We were talking about the innocent people who were killed by using this program as an excuse, i.e. this program was the license to kill for the police and pro-Thaksin politicians to get rid of their opponents. If you would like to get the details of this study in depth, you should contact Khun Kraisak Choonhawan who has an intensive dossier on the case.

We strongly believe if Shinawatra is removed from Thai politics, the corruption and the cheating will decrease to the minimum. It will help to observe

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human right and avoid violence in the politics. It is crucial for the long term development of Thailand.

What do you think about protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban? Does he have a clear program that can change situation in Thailand for the better? Is he the protest leader you really support? As far as I know Suthep made himself the face of the movement to rid Thailand of corruption, but he himself is hardly a pure, Gandhi-like politician and have a long history of his own corruption charges?

I have been told by some protesters they would never vote for Suthep, but they will follow him in the protests to eliminate Thaksinism. Suthep has never denied his past and he told the protesters many times that protest has to be non-violent.

Most Thai politicians are corrupt in some way. That is why we insist on reforms before elections. With no reform corruption will continue. One Thai politician explained in the newspaper that "it is common for politicians to take a bite of the apple, but Thaksin has put a fence around the whole tree."

Suthep has never claimed to be Gandhi, Thaksin has said in one interview he was a combination of Mandela, Gandhi and Martin Luther KIng Jr. That’s nonsense. Thaksin lives inside his own mind and his mind does not recognize reality.

What do you think could be a way to avoid violence and finally find peace for all the Thai people?

The way to avoid violence at the moment is that the army must come out and announce strongly that they will not tolerate the use of any weapons to hurt the protesters. We would not like the army to stage a coup but we'd like the army to open their eyes and see the people's wish for change and side with people.

When Yingluck and Thugsin regime have been removed, the reform for clean politic will start. Thai people will work together to rebuild the country.

Do you keep your eyes open on other protest movements that are going on all over the world now? What you can learn from them?

much as we can. I think an artist helps people to see things different and think different. An artist here to show there are many ways to express our desire and passion for changes. Pete Seeger an American folk singer and activist was asked about the role of music and culture in politics said they are "tangled" together.

They are not separate.

You recently opened a gallery in Bangkok, which is called "Rebel". Is this related to the protests in Bangkok?

I use the name "Rebel Art" as a brand name to produce artworks. Since the beginning of 2003, we have made a variety of T-shirt designs imprinted with Rebel Art logo and our artworks to protest wars, violence, corruption and any destructions of environment (such as dam projects). Now we have opened an art studio "Rebel Art Space" as a place to produce and exhibit our artworks. It coincides with the massive demonstration by the people to oust Yingluk's government and eliminate the system controlled by Thaksin from Thai politic scene.

Tell me about the project "My body my weapon" This series was inspired by studying art at Visawabharati Santiniketan, India established by Rabinthanath Tagore , and learning about how India changed by Mahatma Gandhi who fought for liberation from British colonial rule. Now there was a woman name Irom Shamila Chanu, she sacrificed herself by starving protest in the name to stop the racism law to kill and abuse the people of different nationality in Manipur, northeast of India. She got the name "Iron woman of Manipur ". She has started the protest against the Indian government since 2000 until now. "fighting with arms cannot stop the violence, my body is my weapon, starving is the only weapon I have to make the injustice rulers who have arms in their hands trembling out of fear and understand that their arms can kill the bodies of innocents but it can't kill the spirit."

www.volodina-photos.com

Not really follow the protest movements in other countries but we support them. They have their own ways and tactics of protesting, but we believe our movement in Thailand is unique and interesting; this will be a role model for other countries in future.

What is your role as an artist in the protests?

The role of artist is no more or less than all people who join. The taxi driver who gives free rides, the medical workers who take care of our health, the speakers who motivate, and the people who bring themselves to take part in the protest are equally important. I use my skill to make posters, signs for vendors, write poetry. We all contribute equally- as

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CORNERS IN THE WORLD “Niagara Falls” Canada OF THE WORLD Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright CORNERS 2014 All Rights Reserved Niagara Falls, Canada.

Photography Arttour International Magazine © Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved www.arttourinternational.com April 2014 73

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