CREATORS CONNECT
A c o mp e n d i u m o f c re a ti v e c u l tu re .
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B R I A N DEGR AW: I NNERS PACE by Thessaly La Force
CATCHING UP WITH
Sixteen of our favorite creators discuss everything from alien abductions to elbow moisturizing techniques.
O R I G I N A L CO L L A BZ
Exclusive collaborative centerfolds from over twenty artists.
L I ST I C L ES , QU I ZZ ES , PL AY L I STS ... And much more important information to make your subway commute that much better.
By Fania Kore
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Marlo Kronberg ART DIRECTOR Erick Alexander Fletes ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Komurek SPECIAL THANKS TO Sabrina Tamar, Greg Mania, Billy Brainstorm, Alec Friedman
to issue one of CC Journal, Creators Connect’s (creatorsconnect.com) compendium of all things creative. Creators Connect is an offline and app community that started two years ago in response to the lack of trustworthy tech interventions for meeting new creative collaborators. What began simply as a desire to create a tool for introducing new collaborators evolved into a passion for fostering community and family between people actively creating all over the world. Currently Creators Connect exists as an iPhone app (email info@thecreatorsconnect.com to request an invite), magazine (which is currently in your hands), and IRL events initiative. Creators Connect’s foundation is the belief that the delineation between different creative communities (i.e. writers vs. filmmakers vs. designers etc.) is a thing of the past, and that all creators should belong to the same mutually supportive tribe. Creative collaboration is one of the most vital human relationships that there is, and Creators Connect looks forward to helping create a world where everyone can easily find their partners in creative crime. This issue stars Brian DeGraw, founding member of seminal downtown band Gang Gang Dance and veteran NYC artist. In his conversation with writer Thessaly La Force, he discusses collaboration and the New York landscape of the 90s that empowered him and his circle of friends to make the work that defined the creative zeitgeist of the era. Friends and collaborators Mykki Blanco, Rita Ackermann, Lola Schnabel, and Spencer Sweeney drew pictures of Brian and Brian drew portraits of them in return. What results is an intimate and engaging tale of an artist coming of age and the power collaboration and friendship has to engender work bigger and more powerful than any one human. Additionally, issue one features conversations, listicles, quizzes, essays, and original visual art from 100+ of our favorite creators. We’re keeping this issue free (and limited edition) so that anyone can pick up a copy at their local bookstore/art space/cafe/what have you and be entertained and, hopefully, inspired. So without further ado, here’s issue one of CC Journal. Hope you enjoy it! And if you want to submit to future issues email me at marlo@thecreatorsconnect.com.
Love,
Marlo Kronberg
Editor-in-chief and founder of Creators Connect
CR E ATO R S CON N EC T J OUR N A L A COMPENDIUM OF CREATIVE CULTURE.
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Photographed by Arielle Berman. Website: www.arielleberman.com Instagram: @ar1e11e
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C A U S E I T ' S A W I D E LY K N O W N T R U T H
CAUSE IT'S A W
T H AT T H E M O R E B I T E - S I Z E D T H E
T H AT T H E M O R
W I S D O M , T H E G R E AT E R T H E P O W E R ,
WISDOM, THE G
WE ASKED A WHOLE SLEW OF PEOPLE
WE ASKED A WH
TO GIVE US ADVICE, LIFE HACKS,
TO GIVE US AD
I T E M I Z AT I O N S , L A U N D R Y L I S T S ,
I T E M I Z AT I O N S ,
CHARTERS FOR NEW COUNTRIES, AND
CHARTERS FOR
OTHER ESSENTIAL INFO BROKEN DOWN
OTHER ESSENT
INTO LIST FORM. GET INFORMED.
INTO LIST FOR
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STREET HASSLE: TOP 5 WAYS TO HUSTLE IN NYC By Alix Brown
Let's face it — NYC is not like it used to be. As the rent and the high rises continue to grow, we — as artists and musicians — are forced to think of how to make money in creative ways. Sure, it may be easy to find a job in retail or at a coffee shop, but remember — there are 24 hours in the day in which you could be making money. I'm already regretting revealing all my secrets to you but, hey, there is no guarantee these strategies will work. Sorry — this city is for the tough. Here are a few ways you can be a hustler in NYC without spreading your legs. 1. Almost not quite famous So, you moved to New York from somewhere in the Midwest and you started a band that doesn't make any money. Well, join the ranks of all the others fresh off the boat. All you gotta do to make some money on the side is just take your guitar or drum bucket to your busiest park or subway stop and start BUSKING. You can make so much money — and maybe even gain some fans to go to your next show.
TOP 12 ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO SIGN OFF ON AN EMAIL By Greg Mania
1. Write your dreem down.
Way more original and whimsical than bland ol’ “Warm Regards,”!
If you were dying, what would you most regret not doing? It could be making a movie or just kissing your 4th grade crush. Plan how you are going to do it NOW! Details you should know before attempting your goal:
Your dreems love it when you acknowledge them — it gives them energy and sets your intentions. Break down all the steps necessary to get to where you are trying to go into a todo list with achievable goals!
2. Lukewarm Regards Honesty is the best policy, right? This sign off maintains a degree of professionalism but also mildly alludes to your personal feelings towards the recipient. Especially when they didn’t deserve that promotion, David. 3. Scalding Hot Regards Follow this email up with spilling a boiling hot latte on the recipient’s lap to let them know your regards are authentic. 4. Sigh Because, right?! C’mon, let’s be honest here. 5. Don’t You Forget About Me
Wondering what you’re going to do with all those MP3s? Got good taste or no taste at all? You could be a DJ. I've been called something more along the lines of "tastemaker" rather than a DJ. I like to scratch below the surface for rare tracks that have never graced your ears. It seems that almost every bar, hotel, dog park, and McDonalds has someone spinning these days. Find a place that doesn't have that vibe, and offer your services. Chances are they will let you invite your friends and even give you free food and drinks.
6. Forever Yours Until The End of Time Or Whatever Various Apocalyptic Theory Turns Out to Be “The One,”
4. Weirder is better Who says you have to be taller than 5'8 and under 100 pounds to be a model? Casting agencies are popping up all over Manhattan these days as brands and consumers take an interest in us regular people! From preps and punks to skaters and skinheads, they want everything but long and lanky. In my experience, the weirder the better. 5. Excuse me, are you dead yet? Believe it or not, you can find clothes and antiques on the cheap in NYC. You just need to know what you're looking for. Sometimes people in resale stores don't know the worth of what they're pricing and, lucky for you, you can snag it up and flip that shit on eBay or Craigslist. Looking online for estate sales in and around the city is always good too. Dead rich old people always have the best shit! Alix Brown is a DJ, musician, and fashion muse who’s based in NY. Website: legrandshumba.com Instagram: @alix_brown
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By Angelina Dreem
1.What is it that you most want to do?
Use this sign off if you’re one of the members of the band Simple Minds.
Art school drains your wallet before it starts paying your bills. Set up station on the weekends on West Broadway. Those guys make a killing out there from tourists who think that they're buying something from a real "struggling NYC starving artist.”
By Carlen Altman
HOW TO MAKE YOUR DREEMS COME TRUE IN 7 EASY STEPS
1. In Fine Feather
2. Paid to party
3. Starving (con)artist
HOW TO GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER
This fun and flirty sign off is great to use with someone who you might want to pursue romantically! 7. [A link to a Journey song] This is just different and fun/establishes you’re Caucasian! 8. Mmmmmmm Great for signing off on your sexually-charged emails to your pen pal in Sweden. 9. [A line of meticulously curated emoji] These emoji should reflect your relationship with the recipient. For example, if you’re emailing your boss, an appropriate string of emoji would be the pencil, the thumbtack, folder, and calendar. If you’re emailing your Internet provider’s customer service, the string of emoji should just be sixteen thumbs down emoji in a row. 10. Cheers Appropriate when emailing someone who is from the United Kingdom. 11. Cheers ;) Appropriate when emailing someone inappropriately who’s from the United Kingdom ;). 12. Sent from my iWatch Sign off with this to guarantee no response back. Greg Mania is a New York City-based writer, comic, and personality whose work has been featured in The Huffington Post, CREEM Magazine, Barrons, Metromode, and Noctis, among others. He is currently writing his first book, Born to Be Public. He has a potty mouth and a way with a metaphor. Website: greg-mania.com Instagram: @gregmania
a) What do you want to do? b) Who do you want to do it with? c) WHY do you want to do it? Imagine it all as clearly as possible! It will make it more likely to happen if you know exactly what you want! 2. Confidence/Self-help Sometimes when attempting a project, we feel doubtful of our abilities. When this happens, the best things to do are read a) read a self-help book such as THE WAR OF ART by Steven Pressfield and b) hone in on your skills. Practice as much as you can. The sheer act of attempting something will make your goal seem more doable! Also, perhaps this is a weird thing to bring up, but just think of all the horrible awful people you know of (or know personally) who BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES despite having awful ideas (yuck!). If they believe in themselves with horrible ideas, can you imagine what someone like you could do with your wonderful idea and a bit of confidence? THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER!
2. Tell a friend about your dreem. Pick a friend who you trust will not doubt you — it is often better to tell strangers or new friends. This person can be someone you want to work with or someone who you are too nervous around to let see you as a failure. This will encourage you to take the next step towards your dreem. 3. Set deadlines for your goals. Deadlines are the hardest thing when they are self-made, but the reward is that much greater! Set a date to get your first checkbox done and tell someone that it is going to happen and you need their help to hold you accountable. 4. Return to your list and add to it. Get specific, do your research, and find out what other people have done before you. Copy, mimic, and add your own flavor to their wisdom. This is when you read, smoke a little weed, and go into space with your dreem.
3. Morning routine!
5. Wake up early.
My routine? 7 am: Wake up. 7:10: Hop in shower. 7:20: Stretch. Apply sunblock and take vitamins. 7:30: Get dressed in gym outfit. 7:40-8:30: EXERCISE! Go to the gym/hula hoop/use a jumprope/dance to music in your room/just move around for at least 30-50 minutes so you break a sweat. 8:45: Get home and take a 5 minute shower to wash off. Drink 1 liter of water. 9:00: Have breakfast. 9:20: Get dressed/put on sunblock/makeup. 10:00. Start the day! Whether it’s at an office or from home. GO GO GO. It is very easy for creative people like us to get bored doing the same thing every day. HOWEVER, if you want to get work done everyday on your project, you must stick to somewhat of a routine, especially in the mornings to start your day on the right foot.
With your list, knowledge, and community of dreem believers behind you, push and squeeze the mantra of your dreem into every hour.
NOTE: only check your email/write emails at 11am and 4pm. Do not spend your days writing back to emails constantly. People’s emails can wait! (This technique is something I learned while reading THE FOUR HOUR WORKWEEK by Timothy Ferris which I highly recommend.) NOW GET GOING! LIFE IS SHORT AND YOU ARE CAPABLE! (THIS HAS BEEN A PEPTALK / tiny PREVIEW OF A BOOK CALLED HOW TO GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER BY CARLEN ALTMAN.) CARLEN ALTMAN is a comedian, actress, filmmaker, and jewelry designer based in New York City. Website: carlenaltman.blogspot.com Instagram: @carlenaltman
6. Don’t quit. At this point you might want to quit.. but please don’t! Your dreem needs you. It wants to be bigger than you and for now you are its caregiver. It needs to be fed enthusiasm and creativity in order to grow. 7. Yay! You did it! And now you want more right??? Just repeat! Again and again. Final pro tips: You can always buy and return from Best Buy, Home Depot and Radio Shack. Don’t spend your time with negative people they are contagious. Believe in yourself. Angelina Dreem is the founder of pop-up digital art collaboratory POWRPLNT. Website: www.powrplnt.org Instagram: @powrplnt
12 best Amazon gifts to get for friends, lovers, and colleagues By American Medium
13 LAWS
By Blake Butler
1. All churches have been covered in mirrors since Creation. 2. Machines must be asked verbally for permission before legally being touched. 3. The international mandatory house pet is the white python. 4. Water listed as known source of memory loss. 5. The last four presidents all killed themselves (rope, rope, heroin, machine gun). 6. Primary music is derived from ambient sound of dragging. 7. Spontaneous wasp oceans. 8. Last known pop star named aieuroa9we8r984444; no current pop stars living. 9. All male cops must have their dicks cut off and sleep in cages. 0. Zero comes after nine. 11. Free breast implants age eight to twenty-eight with purchase of infant. 12. Hammers, like ice sculptures, will kill you in your sleep. 13. All language is true. Blake Butler is the founder of the literary blog HTMLGIANT and the author of 300,000,000, Scorch Atlas, Sky Saw, Ever, Nothing: A Portrait of Insomnia, and There is No Year: A Novel. He lives in Atlanta Website: htmlgiant.com Twitter: @blakebutler
SIX WAYS TO GET CREATIVELY UNSTUCK (THAT DON’T INCLUDE DRUGS)
By Tao Lin
1. Food For Centaurs by Robert Graves (1957) 2. The Road to Eleusis by Wasson, Hofmann, Ruck (2008) 3. Interstellar Communication: Scientific Perspectives by Ponnamperuma, Cameron (1974) 4. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932) 5. The Chalice & The Blade by Riane Eisler (1987) 6. The Seven Sisters of Sleep by Mordecai Cooke (1997) 7. Etidorhpa by John Uri Lloyd (1895) 8. Where the Gods Reign by Richard Evans Schultes (1988) 9. The Sacred and the Profane by Mircae Eliade (1957) Tao Lin is the author of the novels Taipei (2013), Richard Yates (2010), Eeeee Eee Eeee (2007) and four other books. He is the editor of Muumuu House. Website: www.taolin.info Twitter: @tao_lin
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By Luke Simon
As a healer, Luke Simon leads breathwork groups, reiki healing sessions, and tarot readings to assist in connecting to the essence within. Luke is a founding member of Maha Rose Center for Healing at 97 Green Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 1. MAKE A DATE: Make a recurring, casual date with yourself or your collaborators. Some of the best creative moments come on a whim when you’re hanging out — no pressure — and start writing a play, taking photos, or drawing. To really build something great, you can’t always rely on the perfect chance aligning of you, free time, and inspiration. Make it a recurring meeting and see how things grow with your commitment. 2. GET PHYSICAL: Doing something physical transitions you from whatever was going on back into the now. If you’re sitting at a desk all day and then come home to make music on your computer, chances are it’s not going to be the funkiest dance music unless you dance for 20 minutes before you sit down. My favorite thing is just walking. Tapping into the energy of the earth gives you energy & material to work with. 3. GIVE YOURSELF A GIFT: Stimulate that little kid part of you that loves to get a little something. I’d recommend buying some flowers — they have a real creative influence on the psyche and show how much you love yourself. Other gifts I’ve given myself are: take out, new gear/equipment to work with, chocolate, and smoothies/juices. 4. START BY JUST BREATHING: I do breathwork lying down before I jam to open my mind and chakras. Being creative is really spiritual (whether you like to call it that or not), and getting good at flowing creatively is a spiritual practice unto itself. That said, there are things that help that flow happen. Taking a few breaths in silence with yourself or your collaborators transports you away from the world of stress, gossip, and opinions. When you pause and have a moment of silence, you can feel that invisible aliveness and create from that place of stillness.
9 BOOKS I READ FOR MY VICE WEEKLY COLUMN ON THE TOPIC OF TERENCE MCKENNA CALLED "THE TAO OF TERENCE.”
1) Implants: Knowing How the Power Elite Control You (Kindle Edition) by Daniel Marques
5. RELEASE JUDGMENT: Creativity actually doesn’t come from us -- it comes through us. That’s why the ancient Greeks called on the spirits of The Muses for help creating. All the tips on this list are to help your mind not cockblock this flow, but judgement is what will really trip you up. Notice if you’re judging yourself or imagining what others are thinking, are going to think, or have thought in the past. Release judgement. Pretend it’s a grey day and it’s your job to move the “judging thought” clouds away so they don’t block the sunshine. A lot of people use drugs to “help” with this, because it changes the flow of your mind/vital energy. YOU DON’T NEED DRUGS to do this. Spend that money on flowers, gear, or donate it to clean up the oceans. You have all the creativity and freedom of mind you need. As Dalí said, “I AM DRUGS.” 6. DO A RITUAL: If you’re feeling really stuck with self-judging, write down your negative thoughts on a piece of paper. Things like “I don’t know enough” or “I’ll never be as good as blah blah blah.” Now, using olive oil on your finger — if you don’t have it, imagine it — draw a symbol that’s sacred to you on the paper. It can be anything from a religious symbol to a smiley face. This sacred symbol will transmute the energy of the words you wrote. Now, go outside and burn the paper. You may feel yourself shuddering as the old beliefs/judgements that blocked you are released back into the infinite energy and re-formed into beautiful, free expression. Go forth. Website: future-saints.com Instagram: @Naturalmre
3) The Pantry Primer: How to Build a One Year Food Supply in Three Months by Daisy Luther $8.06
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Founded in 2012 by Travis Fitzgerald, Josh Pavlacky, and Daniel Wallace, American Medium is a multimedia exhibition platform for contemporary art based in Brooklyn, NY — functioning as both an IRL art gallery and online TV station. Go visit American Medium bearing the above gifts at: American Medium Gallery 424 Gates Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11216 Website: www.americanmedium.net Instagram: @americanmedium
10 DOLLAR STORE ESSENTIALS by Jonathan Buckley
The bargain store is one of the bizarre miracles of capitalism. It’s a world of exotic scents, existential questions and food products no one knew were made or used. I rarely go to shop, but I often go to explore. Here are the ten items I discovered that either surprised, intrigued or concerned me.
A LIST OF 11 FIVE-SONG PLAYLISTS FROM OUR HEARTS TO YOURS Most Played Songs on My iTunes Pentagram - “Be Forewarned” Kiss - “Going Blind” Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats - “Valley of the Dolls” Candlemass - “Bewitched” Motorhead - “I don't Believe a Word” — Zara Eloise Mirkin, stylist and photographer Website: zaramirkin.com Instagram: @zaraeloise Yep The Nuns - "Suicide Child" Rowland S. Howard - “Shut Me Down” Swans - “Love Will Tear Us Apart” The Make-Up - “They Live By Night” Death in June - “All Pigs Must Die”
1) The reviews online were mixed, but everyone agreed the shampoo smells like garlic.
— Greg Minnig founder of Deth Killers of Bushwick Website: dethkillers.org Instagram: @dethkillers
7 TIPS FOR STAYING SUNNY IN WINTER By Morgan Yakus
1. Use Thieves Essential Oil regularly Those guys in the 1400s knew what they were doing during the plague. Add Thieves to some water in a small spray bottle, and you can use it as hand disinfectant. Sore throat or feeling a flu coming on? No problem! Put some on your throat, chest, or anywhere and let it work its magic. Available at youngliving.com. 2. Step into a sauna or steam room Many cultures have used saunas and sweat lodges for thousands of years. They not only boost your immune system and circulation, but they also detoxify your body, leaving you feeling more revitalized. 3. Drink a cup of chai tea Just the taste of chai tea will brighten your mood and warm up your body temperature with the stimulating digestive herbs. I like to do this before leaving the house, especially if it’s cold outside.
2) The scent of Florida Water brings back memories of my Uncle Phil who lived in Clearwater and got arrested in Georgia for smuggling tropical fish across state lines. 3) Having a dog on the front of a birthday card isn’t crazy, but inside there is no mention of it. No pun, no joke—there isn’t even an exclamation point. This is postmodernism.
4) If you have ketchup and mayo in your fridge, then why would you also have this?
Cool Covers Nouvelle Vague - “Too Drunk to Fuck” Andre 3000 - “My Favorite Things” Gnarls Barkley - “Gone Baby Gone” Wave Racer - “My Boo” Vensaire - “Japanese Boy” — Hunter Hawes, DJ and Musician Instagram: @tikishackfun GO AWF!!! LDFD - “Twerk It” Mike Q x DJ Sliink - “Werk'd It” Rye Rye - “Bang” (Kayy Drizz remix) Tokyo Hands - “Down 4 U” Metro - “Brownstone Express” — Terrell Davis, Artist Website: cargocollective.com/terrelldavis Instagram: @nikewater Mermaid Dream Bjork - "Come to Me (Live in Cambridge)” Mas Ysa - "Life Way Up From” Bruno Coviello featuring Taja - “Hiding" BEAÛ - “Karma" Joni Mitchell - "The Dawntreader” — Kalika Farmer, founder of New/Age Website: thenewage.co Instagram: @new__age Saveslives Arca -“Xen” Arca - “Thievery” Drippin x DJ New Jersey Drone - “EQUUS” Mariah Carey ft. Nas - “Dedicated” Something For The People - “My Love is the Shhh (B.BRAVO remix)”
4. Sun meditation Sit calmly indoors and imagine sun rays radiating from the top of your head and moving down to your feet. This stimulates the feeling of the sun, releasing certain chemicals that help you feel good.
5) Combining these sentiments is an existential eye-opener.
—Jesse Hlebo, Artist Website: jessehlebo.com Instagram: @springbreak1944
5. Get out of town By going away for a few days to where it’s warm, you can reset your outlook on life and take in some Vitamin D.
6) Mood board: Roman Catholic Frat
6. Listen to your favorite tunes
— Heidi Petty, director Website: http://heidipetty.com
Sound will almost instantly put you in a good mood, and the positive effects can last long after the music is over. 7. Go for a float Hanging out in a float tank of 1200 lb. of body temperature water will make you feel like you’re floating in space and relax you. It’s the equivalent to a three-day detox! (Check out flotationlocations.com to find floating tanks near you.) 8. Embrace the cold Seeing winter in a positive light, with all the fun activities that it has to offer, will keep your spirits high. Morgan Yakus is a longtime fashionista turned certified hypnosis practitioner and hypnotic performance artist. She is also a certified holistic health coach, and is dedicated to sharing the healing properties of Chinese tonics to the Western world. She works with individual clients and groups in NY and Los Angeles. Website: morganyakus.com
November Blues Peach Kelli Pop - “Bunny Love” Radio Dept. - “This Past Week” DIIV - “How Long Have You Known” Violens - “Totally True” The Kinks - “All Day and All of the Night”
7) Hot Men Horrible is the correct translation of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male Terrible. 8) Surprisingly, the only difference is that Butt Naked smells much sweeter.
9) Is only one demonically possessed? Is there a price difference?
— Dana Boulos, Photographer & Artist Website: http://danaboulos.com Instagram: @danaboulos Title: 90s HITS/ ANTIDEPRESSANTS Rockell - “In a Dream” Gigi d'Agostino - “L’Amour Toujours” Art of Noise - “Moments in Love” Alice Deejay - “Better Off Alone” Jocelyn Enriquez - “Do You Miss Me” —Jaki Doyka, Musician and Artist Instagram: @jakijuku The Witching Hour Laura Branigan - “Self-Control” Cocteau Twins - “Pitch the Baby” France Gall - “Laisse Tomber Les Filles” Madonna - “Human Nature” Sensations Fix - “Life Beyond Darkness”
10) This was the only thing I bought, so I could remember all the happy times I had at the bargain store.
Jonathan Buckley is a writer, photographer and an aspiring philanthropist. He has written for a slew of publications including CR Fashion Book, CREEM and Out of Order Magazine.
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DEEP<>HEAT Jeans Wilder - “In My Dreams” Fern Kinney - “Baby, Let Me Kiss You” Jesus and Mary Chain - “Snakedriver” John Maus - “No Title (Molly)” Cocteau Twins - “Cherry Coloured Funk”
Instagram: @jonnyproblem
— Lyndsey Harrington, Healer, activist, fairy-whisperer, witch Website: http://www.fairyschool.co Instagram: @ womancraft Groundhog Day Sonny and Cher Sonny and Cher Sonny and Cher Sonny and Cher Sonny and Cher -
"I "I "I "I "I
Got Got Got Got Got
You You You You You
Babe” Babe” Babe” Babe” Babe”
—- David Gagliardi, musician Instagram: @davidagliardi
S I N C E C R E AT O R S C O N N E C T L I V E S A N D T H R I V E S O N C O L L A B O R AT I O N , W E A S K E D S O M E O F O U R FAV O R I T E C R E AT O R S T O P I C K A PA R T N E R A N D C O N C O C T A N O R I G I N A L V I S U A L P I E C E T O G E T H E R . W E W E R E B L O W N A W AY B Y THE WORK WE WERE SENT: EVERYTHING FROM IMAGES E X P L O R I N G B O TA N I C A L - B A S E D B D S M H E A L I N G T O A FA U X NY POST COVER. THESE PIECES ARE LIMITED EDITION AND O R I G I N A L S O F E E L F R E E TO H A N G T H E M O N YO U R WA L L , FRAME THEM, OR EVEN TURN THEM INTO ORIGAMI.
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Aa ro n Stern x Davi d Wago ner Photographer Aaron Stern teamed up with celebrated poet David Wagoner for this photo and poem set from Aaron’s newest monograph Operating at a Loss. Aaron’s website: aaronstern.us Aaron’s Instagram: @amediumformat
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A manda Charchian x Julia Cu m m i n g Artist Amanda Charchian lensed musician/supermuse Julia Cumming for this mystically-charged editorial. Amandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: amandacharchian.com Amandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Instagram: @amanda_charchian Juliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Instagram: @juliacumming
B randee Brown x Oth e lo G er vac i o Old friends and spiritual siblings Brandee Brown and Othelo Gervacio collaborated on this satiric send-up of the state of the world featuring Brandee’s photos and Othelo’s painting. Brandee’s website: brandeebrown.tumblr.com Brandee’s Instagram: @brandeebrown Othelo’s Website: othelogervacio.com Othelo’s Instagram: @othelo_g
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E ri c Helv ie x Tushevs Ae ri als This diptych combines artist Eric Helvieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil painting with drone flight footage from artist duo Georgi and Nina Tushev. Ericâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Website: http://www.erichelvie.com Tushevs Aeriels website: www.tushevs.com Tushevs Instagram: @tushevsaerials
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G e nevieve Be lleveau x Sa rah Si t ki n Sacred Sadism — a collaboration between artists Genevieve Belleveau and Sarah Sitkin — is a manifesto on the proposed experimental practice of BDSM-based botanical healing. It was released as a series of GIFs and text on the browser-based art platform NewHive.com. Genevieve’s website: gorgeoustaps.tumblr.com Genevieve’s Instagram: @gorgeoustaps Sarah’s website: http://www.sarahsitkin.com Sarah’s Instagram: sssleepallday
G EORG I A Music and art duo GEORGIA (Brian Close & Justin Tripp) teamed up on a collage of GEORGIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events, parties, hangouts and every day documentation mixed up with graphics that were developed for an installation in Paris. Website: www.ggeeoorrggiiaa.com
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I n dia Salvor Me nu ez x Jack Shannon India Salvor Menuez and Jack Shannon are both founding members of the art collective Luck You. For this piece, they overlaid both of their photos together to make new images and generated text through stream-of-consciousness writing games. Together the pair painted over the spread. Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: www.indiasalvormenuez.com Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Instagram: @iiindiiia
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Logan White x Laban na Babalon Artists Logan White (photographer) and Labanna Babalon (model) created this piece in New Orleans after a week together seeing the light, the darkness, rebirth, practicing voodoo magic, fighting, making up, and making art. This piece was created on their last night after channeling the Vodun spirits of Ogoun and Baron Samedi - Ogoun is a protective warrior and healer and Baron Samedi is a crass drunken spirit of transition, justice, sex, death and rebirth. Logan’s website: http://www.loganwhitephoto.com Logan’s Instagram: @loganwhitephoto Labanna’s Instagram: @labannababalon
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M agdalena Wosinska x Sp i ke x J a m i e This photo series is a collaboration between photographer Magdalena Wosinska and her best friends Jaime & Snake. These photos came about after a day of snowboarding before the three headed back to LA. Magdalenaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: magdalenawosinska.com Magdalenaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Instagram: @themagdalenae
J e m G o uldi ng x Sam Sc honzei t Marfa-based artists Jem Goulding and Sam Schonzeit collaborated on this piece featuring Sam’s paintings and Jem’s photo. Jem’s website: jemgoulding.com Jem’s Instagram: @jemgoulding
Sam’s website: www.samschonzeit.com Sam’s Instagram: @samschonzeit
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Zo la Jesus X Fe li pe Vasqu ez Musician Zola Jesus teamed up with artist Felipe Vasquez for this architectural photo series. Zola’s Instagram: @zolajesus Felipe’s website: www.felipevasquez.com Felipe’s Instagram: @amphibian06
J essica Tonder x Maximilla Lu ka cs x To d d Weave r Photographer Todd Weaver shot these stills from the set of musician Jessica Tonder’s video “My Body is my Home” directed by artist Maximilla Lukacs. Todd’s website: toddweaver.com Todd’s Instagram: @toddaweaver Maximilla’s website: www.maximilla.com
Maximilla’s Instagram: @maximilla Jessica website: www.jessicatonder.com Jessica’s Instagram: @jessica_tonder
1979 -1981
Bibliography Kai Eric interviewed by Claudia Eve Beauchesne, 2011. Tony Heiberg. “Ann Magnuson.” East Village Eye, August 1983. John Gruen. Keith Haring: The Authorized Biography. New York: Fireside, 1992. Sur Rodney (Sur) interviewed by James Cornwell, 2000. Greta Watson. “Dada Data: Interview with Buster Cleveland.” East Village Eye, October 1979. Nina Garfinkel. “N.Y.S.M.T.A.P. Speaks!” East Village Eye, December 1982. Stephen Lack interviewed by Claudia Eve Beauchesne, 2015.
Photo Credits: Tsen Kwon Chi, Robert Carrithers, Harvey Wang Lay out: Thanh Truc Trinh
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T H E S S A LY L A F O R C E C H AT S W I T H T H E VETERAN NYC ARTIST ABOUT HIS ARTISTIC CO M I N G O F AG E I N T H E L ES , CO L L A B O R AT I V E P R AC T I C E , A N D W H Y YO U G OT TA “ K E E P B R E A K I N G YO U R H E A RT U N T I L I T O P E N S .”
I
have never met the musician and visual artist Brian DeGraw in person. I don’t know how his voice sounds in the morning after a coffee or the way his eyes light up when he becomes excited about an idea. I don’t know if he moves his hands when he talks or if he looks down at his feet when he’s listening to you. On the internet he appears kind and gentle looking with wavy dirty blonde hair and watery green eyes.In e-mailing with him — his preferred mode of communication for this interview — I got the sense that he’s not afraid to get in a little trouble.That the rules of the world are meant to be broken if it means living authentically, and that no effort is too great if it’s in the pursuit of making good art. Like a lot of New Yorkers — because DeGraw is one spiritually even if he spends most of his time in Woodstock— he struck me as being both experienced and cultured, but still quite young at heart, and that like many creative people I know he’s striving for the next best thing, whatever it may be. DeGraw is best known as a founding member of Gang Gang Dance, the experimental New York band whose percussive melodies and electronic acrobatics have earned a loyal cult following over the past two decades. Their albums are atmospheric and fully imagined, offering a rich and unexpected sonic blend of tribal beats, chanting melodies, and new wave synths. Just two years ago, DeGraw released a solo album called SUM/ONE under the name bEEdEEgEE, collaborating with Gang Gang’s Lizzie Bougatsos and Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor. DeGraw’s largely collaborative body of visual and video art is equally elemental to his expression, and his artwork was featured in the 2008 Whitney Biennial. DeGraw’s omnivorous diet as a musician and artist frequently allows exchanges across several disciplines. For this issue of CC Journal, four artists drew DeGraw’s portraits and DeGraw theirs in return. It’s fascinating to see DeGraw through the eyes of friends and collaborators. Artist Lola Schnabel painted him looking regal and glamorous, enveloped in a cloud of purple. Then there’s DeGraw rendered in the wobbly strokes of performer Mykki Blanco. “Florence, Italy, February 2015” reads the hand-written caption below, conjuring a picture of the two sitting at a café in the grand Italian city, enjoying espressos and doodling on napkins. But it’s the contrasting portraits of DeGraw by long-time collaborators Spencer Sweeney and Rita Ackermann that are especially captivating. I immediately sensed that they have seen DeGraw change over the years and that their friendship possesses a depth that only time can provide. Sweeney uses simple colorful strokes and DeGraw looks a little strung out, as if he’s searching for something, caught in mid-thought. Meanwhile, Ackermann’s soft pencil drawing shows DeGraw with eyes closed, holding his cat Maurice. These two portraits offer a compelling portrait of an artist awake and at rest. “Yeah, Spencer and Rita are longtime friends,” he admitted to me. “I’ve known them now going on twenty years, which is pretty trippy to think about.” This past spring, I interviewed DeGraw. We talked about everything from breakups to his process as an artist and musician to the creative exodus to Los Angeles that we’ve both witnessed. Here is a condensed version of our conversation.
“
I was always a very quiet kid and kept to myself, mostly. Never felt like I fit in, but also didn’t really care — I was never one to let the sense of
alienation get to me. I would say that now, in the present, it affects me much more because as an adult there are more things expected of you
in terms of being socially acceptable. There’s not as much empathy for the misfit, and people generally have a harder time accepting — or at
least being attracted to —the qualities of shyness and sensitivity. I think, if anything, the main opposition in my life has been that people seem to
love forcing the statement “Be a Man” down the male throat. I hate that expression with a passion — not because I don’t consider myself a man, I’m well aware of my gender, but because of the narrowness of that idea and the whole masculine standard it represents. Be a Hu-Man and let people live organically and be instinctive and follow the nature of the self—that’s more how I care to think. Gentle is good.
Thessaly La Force: Hi. How are you? Can you describe where you are to me? What’s around you? What’s outside? Brian DeGraw: Hi Thessaly. I’m alright…still alive. I am in Hudson, New York right now, sitting in my living room with my cat Maurice and Lizzi from Gang Gang Dance. There are some plants in here and a stereo, some white sage, and a painting by Joe Roberts of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle eating a tab of acid. Outside, I see a flickering street light and the silhouette of this old schoolhouse where I have my music studio. That’s where we just came from. We are just starting to make demo recordings for our new record. Oh, it’s just started to thunder. TLF: What time did you wake up today? BD: Today I woke up around 9:30 A.M., I believe. TLF: How do you normally begin your days? BD: The first thing I do when I wake is make a pot of ginger chamomile tea. If it’s a sunny day, I will sit by the south-facing window and go through the checklist in my head of what I need to accomplish. Then I do forty-five minutes of exercise in my drawing studio, eat something so I don’t get low blood sugar; and then I usually get straight to work, often without stepping foot outside. I’m a homebody, pretty much. TLF: What do you try to hold onto from the day before? And what do you try to forget? BD: Well, that’s a loaded question because I recently went through a horrible breakup and it’s been a total nightmare—along with lots of literal nightmares. I think I’ve been experiencing hauntings from the relationship, like night terrors or waking nightmares of some sort. Each day has been about trying to let go of the previous day’s frustrations. I suppose what I try to hold onto at this point in time are the moments of simplicity and peace of which there have unfortunately been few. That’s a bit sad and boring, I know, but I like to be honest about where I’m at with my life and emotions. Anyhow, yeah, I would say over the past few months it’s much, much less about holding onto anything from the day before and much more about focusing on trying to forget. TLF: I’m sorry to hear about your breakup. I went through a pretty awful breakup and it’s been a huge journey. I can relate. I just saw the On Kawara show at the Guggenheim, where he sends those postcards that say “I am alive.” It’s a good thing to do in the early stages of the breakup. For me, and the writing I do, I find that those emotions end up in my work—which is invaluable in letting go of what frustrates or angers me. Is that true for you? BD: Sorry to hear about yours too! Ultimately, It’s just another step in ending up exactly where one is supposed to be, I think. I’m grateful to be moving on though, without a doubt. I definitely find these emotions creeping into my work. If you’re a sensitive person I don’t think there’s any way to avoid it, really. I can’t shut these things off. I consider myself—perhaps to a fault— a romantic in that sense. I’m not one to be able to say “Fuck it” that easily. I have to live inside the emotion and really address the sadness in order to understand it and process the ways to move forward. TLF: Can you walk me through your own process of creativity? BD: I would say I’ve always relied more on fate and trust in the subconscious than anything else. I’m not really one to come up with a specific idea for an artwork, with the exception of performance pieces. I don’t make outlines and then fill in the space. I create blindly and with patience, knowing that the work
43 will lead me to my thoughts rather than my thoughts leading me to the work. I’ve always had equal amounts of frustration with and appreciation of this process because, on the one hand, it’s a real investment going into something precious and time-consuming without knowing or addressing where exactly it’s coming from or where it will end up. On the other hand, it’s just how I work and nothing can really change that. Ultimately it’s exciting though — the stories that are told when your subconscious actions begin to reveal their purposes are really interesting and eye-opening. It’s like meeting a new part of yourself for the first time. Then, once you’ve met that part of yourself, you can expand upon it until it transforms into another direction or dissolves into itself. TLF: Where did you grow up? What was your childhood like? BD: I grew up in Connecticut in a town called Milford — a fairly run-ofthe-mill New England strip mall sort of place. The house I grew up in was a block away from the Burger King and the Pier 1 and the shopping mall and all that. It wasn’t a place that excited me or inspired me in many ways, but I am aware that I was blessed to have a safe, quiet upbringing with my family. No real drama except within my own being. I was always a very quiet kid and kept to myself, mostly. Never felt like I fit in, but also didn’t really care — I was never one to let the sense of alienation get to me. I would say that now, in the present, it affects me much more because as an adult there are more things expected of you in terms of being socially acceptable. There’s not as much empathy for the misfit, and people generally have a harder time accepting — or at least being attracted to —the qualities of shyness and sensitivity. I think, if anything, the main opposition in my life has been that people seem to love forcing the statement “Be a Man” down the male throat. I hate that expression with a passion — not because I don’t consider myself a man, I’m well aware of my gender, but because of the narrowness of that idea and the whole masculine standard it represents. It’s just awful, that programmed idea of what being a “man” is supposed to mean. I realize this could elicit some eye-rolling from the female race — and I’m most definitely not trying to downplay how easy men have it in this world. I’m just thinking about some of the roots of my alienation in life and this is absolutely one of them. Be a Hu-Man and let people live organically and be instinctive and follow the nature of the self—that’s more how I care to think. Gentle is good. There is a song by Jobriath called “I’m a Man” that addresses all of this. It’s so incredibly moving and powerful. One of my favorite songs of all time.
TLF: What did you want to be when you were growing up? BD: As a pre-teen, I wanted to be a variety of things. I wanted to be a professional skateboarder, a cartoonist, a rockstar, a puppeteer, a geologist, an
C REATO R S CO NNEC T JO UR NAL archeologist, a veterinarian, Don Johnson from Miami Vice… Around the age of fifteen, it really hit me that I just wanted to make art and from then on it’s been a completely natural and gravitational pull. Throughout high school, my main focus was photography and I eventually ended up going to the Corcoran School of Art in D.C. with the idea of being a fashion photographer. I was really passionate about that path, but I ended up leaving school in my second year because I just didn’t vibe with the way it operated and because I was becoming increasingly interested in working on music. When I left college, I no longer had access to a darkroom and never really took photos again. But all the photos that I had taken, photos I tore out of magazines as references, and Xeroxes I made of my favorite photographs— they all stayed with me and became references for my drawing. The things I was drawn to in photography were, and are, the same things that I am attracted to in drawing. There is some sort of logical evolution there. TLF: How old are you? BD: I am 41 now. Hard to believe, but I guess the world doesn’t actually ever stop spinning. TLF: What were you like in your in your twenties? What do you think our twenties are supposed to be about? BD: I equate most of my twenties with being young and blissfully stray in New York. I think I moved to the city when I around 24. I’ve been realizing lately that my twenties into my mid-thirties were a time, in a sense, spent fighting against my real nature; fighting against the shyness that I mentioned before. It didn’t feel like a fight at the time, but in retrospect I think it might have been. Perhaps I didn’t want to be who I really was and New York at that time was the perfect place to avoid myself and live out fantasies of other lives. It wasn’t a bad thing at all. It can be boiled down to the completely normal and natural ways of “growing up,” or whatever you want to call it. I’m not ashamed of the fact that I wanted to escape myself—it was essential and incredibly enjoyable. My experiences were broad. I guess I would say that our twenties are generally supposed to be about that. In some cases it’s different, I think. There are those kinds of people who have extreme focus from a very early age, and their twenties don’t differ much from the rest of their lives. Those people are really interesting to me because I never felt that I had that kind of focus. I wanted to be so many different things and do so many different things—an artist, above all else, but that’s a term that takes some refining in order to figure out where exactly one falls within it. I knew I was an artist, but I found it essential to spend ten years sort of drifting in and out of the various circles within that bigger circle to really figure out what it meant to me. In the end, I realized it meant work and focus much more than anything else. I was never that person who decides he’s going to be a chef at
Brian DeGraw and Mykki Blanco, 2013.
the age of ten and then spends every day in the kitchen until he has five shows on the Food Network. TLF: What about our thirties? I may be selfishly looking for answers here. I feel a little lost most days. BD: Thirties, to me, are just a natural winding down (or up depending on how you want to look at it) of the twenties. I don’t see it as a completely conscious thing, but I swear something happens in the mind and body where you slowly start to shed the bullshit and your focus starts to very naturally become happiness and survival. This can often mean a completely different path than the one you imagined yourself on during the previous decade. You find new ways to be “cool” that are more organic and true to the self. I feel like one’s twenties are very much about exercising coolness, no shame in that at all, but it’s a great feeling when that part of the skin starts to slide away and you realize what “cool” really means to you. It’s also why people often look much better in their thirties than in their twenties—the mind and body begin to find a true comfort and you can usually see it in the window of the face. TLF: Who would you consider your creative family? BD: My creative family consists of the people I met when I first moved to New York. I made some very instant connections with a certain group of people who I still consider to be my immediate family, especially in terms of creativity. Some of them I don’t even see very often anymore, but it makes no difference —that’s how I know they’re fam— the feeling is always there. I think it would be too awkward to try to list the individuals because there are many, but basically the people I met at American Fine Arts on Wooster Street and the friends I met just hanging around galleries and bars on the Lower East Side in the late 90s. These people have pretty much remained my tribe. Between AFA, my family in and around Gang Gang, and a few crews from other countries, that pretty much defines it. Also one friend from my days in Connecticut —Mat O’Brien, a great artist. He is the only person from where I grew up that ended up being a constant in my life. TLF: How does collaboration work for you? BD: I guess, with me, the collaborative experience varies from case to case depending on the project, the circumstances, and the medium. I think I have experienced a fairly wide spectrum of different approaches and outcomes. Sometimes collaboration happens with the best of friends and creative partners, and sometimes it’s more of an arranged marriage. Both have their benefits and their downsides, but overall I’m a bit of a control freak so it’s good for me in the sense that it forces me to open my mind to things that I otherwise might fail to recognize.
Portrait of Mykki Blanco by
BRIAN DEGRAW
Portrait of Rita Ackermann by
BRIAN DEGRAW
Portrait of Lola Schnabel by
BRIAN DEGRAW
Portrait of Spencer Sweeney by
BRIAN DEGRAW
Portrait of Brian DeGraw and handwritten note by RITA ACKERMANN
Portrait of Brian DeGraw by
LOLA SCHNABEL
Portrait of Brian DeGraw and handwritten note by
SPENCER SWEENEY
Portrait of Brian DeGraw by
MYKKI BLANCO
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I am definitely an isolator. I am much more diligent and prolific when left to my own devices, but it reaches a point where insanity takes over. I like when that happens, because usually it leads to getting out of the studio and emerging from the vacuum. I start spending time with friends or having a dialogue with other creative people, and those shared moments and conversations tend to result in my gaining the perspective that I’m over-thinking things or being too critical of myself. I equate it to when I first had a bass guitar. The first one I got had really, really horrible “action” (the space between the strings and the surface of the fretboard was very big) which made it really difficult to play. I never knew the difference because I had never played another bass. I was completely unaware of the ease of playing a bass with good action. I spent years learning on this shitty bass where I had to press my fingers down so hard in order to get a sound, but when I played a proper bass it was so easy and I was a hundred times better then I ever imagined I could be. I think about that a lot and somehow it becomes analogous to the way life unfolds for me. Maybe working in solitude is the shitty bass and the perspective gained from de-isolating is like playing a really nice bass for a minute. I find that collaboration with music is the most powerful for me. With music, the exchange of energy feels so palpable — it’s literally bouncing around the room and the frequencies of each individual are immediately congealing into a unified spirit. I think it’s very different from collaborating on visual work where the process is slower and the results demand more patience. The end result can definitely be equally gratifying, but the process feels very different. Music feels like a much more tribal way of collaborating whereas visual work can feel more like a chess game. But, like I said, there are so many elements at play when working with another person, or group of people, that it’s really difficult to pinpoint any one specific description of how it all goes down. I think that uncertainty is one of the most beautiful and exciting aspects of collaboration. TLF: Do you think New York City is still a good place to exist as an artist? BD: If you have a good amount of money to exist on then yes, absolutely. I think the cultural elements that make NYC an infinite well of inspiration are still there. It most definitely differs from the past though since there’s very little room for those starting from scratch. I had to move out of the city when I realized the hustle to pay rent was eating up all my time, leaving no room to even think about what it was that I genuinely wanted to focus on. It’s a very subtle feedback loop that can be difficult to notice. I was trapped in nightlife and DJing — which I fully enjoy to this day — but that was never my goal or how I wanted to spend the majority of my time. It started as a way to have fun and make a little dough but, soon enough, it was all I was doing because it was my primary source of income. Before I knew it, years had slipped away — years meant to be spent focusing on artwork. That loop
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is dangerous because it has a way of disguising itself as a bridge to your goal. Unless you’re making and saving some serious cash in the process, you could very well end up never breaking free of it. I am not living in the city at the moment because I vowed to only go back if I was generating enough money to live there without having to sacrifice my focus. It’s sad that it comes down to money. New York used to be so welcoming to those who wanted to use it as a starting point. In 2015, I feel like it’s still a great place to live as an artist but you need to already be at the finish line in order to fit into the economic landscape. Regardless of all that, I love that city to death and want my heart to buried in Central Park. TLF: Do you think everyone is actually moving out to Los Angeles? BD: I do, yeah. I’ve considered it many times myself. The only thing really keeping me from doing it is the air out there. The pollution is really intense — I always get sick when I visit. I think my body would eventually adjust, but I don’t know. I love it out there though—I am not a New Yorker who shit talks L.A. I think it’s a great place and the element of nature is amazing. I have so many great friends and creative communities out there and it really seems like the logical next step. But that air is gnarly.
often wish I was. I rarely read fiction, but I plow through biographies like crazy. I have tried to watch Game of Thrones several times and never make it past the first ten minutes, but I find it completely satisfying to sit through pretty much any documentary. At the same time, I love poetry, but I see poetry as more non-fiction than fiction. I generally see the expression of poetry as being a very direct reflection of the author’s life and emotions. I find inspiration in the folds of flesh on the face and the creases and wrinkles of the skin — deep set eyes and strong expressions. I’m also very inspired by cooking in terms of balancing color and texture and using contrasting techniques to elevate a piece of work. I have learned so much from experimenting in cooking and then bringing the discoveries to drawing or making new sounds. I also find an incredible amount of inspiration in my cat Maurice— not in any ironic sense. I feel like cats have been exploited over the past five years or so in the sense that they are used as a source of irony or kitsch — like the way Odd Future uses cat imagery and stuff like that. Cats are sacred creatures and I’m convinced there is a lot to learn from them. Maurice is my master. TLF: How important is the push and pull of delusion vs. self-awareness in your work? I’ve always thought one needs believe that what they’re doing is brilliant. That’s the ego. But then there’s another part that needs to be critical.
TLF: Do you like the life of a musician? BD: Not at all. It’s a big problem, actually. I can’t stand the way I feel when touring. I mean, there are so many incredible moments and experiences in there, too—I’ve gotten to see eighty percent of the world because of touring and I’m so grateful for that, but it becomes such a brutal cycle when you’re doing it too much. The body breaks down from the constant travel and the lack of good food and exercise. I’m really sensitive to air travel and I have low blood sugar issues that cause me to have to be really careful about what and when I eat. Touring basically feels like it goes completely against my physical nature. I prefer to be on the ground, in one place, for extended periods of time. I also get pretty bummed out by many of the environments. Dark rooms that smell like wet leather and beer — that’s the worst. Of course there have been some amazing venues as well. We played the Sydney Opera House and the Hollywood Bowl and we played on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean off the coast of Japan during a solar eclipse—experiences like that are magical. I like to play outdoor shows the most. That’s definitely where I find the most peace on tour. TLF: Who or what are your influences? BD: I feel like I find influence in so many things in everyday life, so it’s difficult to summarize it all. One thing that seems to be a constant is that I find inspiration in non-fiction. I’m not much of a fantasy guy although I
American Fine Arts gallery on Wooster Street, 2002.
BD: What’s important for me, more than anything else, is movement. Being okay with moving forward past a current working process even when I feel that I haven’t fully explored it enough to have it completely refined. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I get bored easily or if it’s just a desire to constantly find new approaches, but somehow I feel it’s relevant to your question because maybe it’s the combustion of those two sides. I often feel that—whether I am being hyper-confident or hyper-critical of my work— either way, I ultimately just want to move onto something new. I don’t have a very monogamous relationship with any one working process. TLF: I know what you mean. For a long time, as a writer, I thought I needed to revise and revise. Recently, I realized that it was more important to push through, as you put it, and keep iterating, because the ideas manifest themselves differently with each attempt. It’s also important to be humbled at moments. It makes you go back and try again and recognize your insecurities. BD: Completely. So important to recognize your insecurities and have them guide you, isn’t it? That whole theory of “If you are satisfied with everything you make, you are doing something wrong” rings true. Failure and insecurity are really valuable assets for growth. I think it applies to interpersonal relationships and love as well. To quote Rumi, “You have to keep breaking your heart until it opens.”
Rita Ackermann, Thurston Moore, and Brian DeGraw. Angelblood performance, 2003.
Spencer Sweeney, Jaiko Suzuki and Brian DeGraw, 1998.
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS:
Natalia and Alexandra of Be Here Nowish Be Here Nowish — a web series about two down-and-out New York gals who split to LA in search of spiritual awakening — is one of the best and funniest shows to come to the www in a really long time. BHN masterminds Alexandra Roxo and Natalia Leite proved that they’re not only comedic gurus but actual guru gurus when we asked them to give us a little life direction and they dropped some Dear Abby-meets-Osho caliber science. For installment one of Counseling Corner, we learn how to open up to love, get more money, have better sex, and find spiritual fulfillment amidst the hustle. Get enlightened.
Watch Be Here Nowish (really, do it now) at www.beherenowish.com and follow Alexandra and Natalia’s project exploits at www.drinkpurplemilk.com. Instagram: Alexandra Roxo’s Instagram: @alexandraroxopm Natalia Leite: @natalialeitepm
according to plan?
You want him to feel like things are great, but could be even bet-
Signed,
ter. Talking with him is super important. Who knows? Maybe he’s
One Buck Chuck
been thinking about stepping it up in the bedroom too.
Dear One Buck Chuck,
Whatever your fantasy is, try introducing it gently. Don’t immediately break out the huge strap-on. Warm your man up to the idea
Dear Be Here Nowish,
While the idea of a starving artist is romantic, living that way can
first, and as he gets more comfortable, you can get kinkier. He
I haven’t had a boyfriend in three years and I’ve never really
certainly be challenging. Following your heart requires compro-
might surprise himself with what he’s into.
been in love. Ever since I was a little kid I’ve felt that there’s
mise. Come on…you should be able to find a creative solution to
someone out there who I have a holy connection to -- some
make some money while not going corporate! You have the power
Best of luck,
sort of soulmate who I’ve always been linked to. Although I’m a
to grow out of being a starving artist! Set some small, realistic
Be Here Nowish
pretty unconventional spirit who’s never been shy about boldly
goals, and you’ll see a huge change in attitude.
following her own path --all fuck ya’lll -- since I’ve turned 30 I’ve been letting myself get sucked into conventional societal
Spend some time thinking about your skills and talent and thinking
dictates big time. That whole “a woman over 30 can say good-
of how you can apply them. If you can draw, try to find some
bye to love and marriage” bullshit keeps playing over and over
illustration opportunities or teach a small art class out of your
in my head like a broken record. Sometimes it really feels like
apartment. If you’re a writer, you can copy edit. While these aren’t
I’m the only person out there who doesn’t have/has never had
the most glamorous solutions, they’ll help pad your wallet and
love and it’s starting to feel like some sort of deformity. What
you’ll keep your artistic integrity. Unfortunately, nobody’s going to
can I do to break free of this thought process/stop giving into
come up to you and beg for your art—it’s up to you to show them
this fear?
what you can do!
Signed,
Dear Be Here Nowish,
Future Cat Lady
We’re rooting for you!
I’m new on the spiritual path but living in a big city like NY
Be Here Nowish
makes it really hard to practice good stuff like non-competition and living in the moment. The opposite is what always
Dear Future,
seems to be rewarded. Any tips for keeping my zen in the Forget about it. All of it. Keep your “fuck ya’ll” spirit as long as you
ultimate rat race?
aren’t closing off your heart. If you are keeping your heart open
Signed,
then you will meet someone. Also, practice affirming what you
I Wanna Be Enlightened
want. As cheesy as it sounds, it works. Make a love collage on the full moon. Look in the mirror every day and say “Thanks Universe
Hi I Wannabe,
for my wonderful soulmate being in my life.” Put a little energy to it and you will see some big results. The more fear you put
While living in New York is amazing, it’s not known for its zen. How
towards the situation, the more negativity you are putting towards
Dear Be Here Nowish,
can you be zen with a girl puking next you on the subway, a baby
your sitch. Send it some love and remember times are changing!
My boyfriend and I had incredible sex at first, but lately it’s
crying, and a rat in your kitchen? However, if you remain flexible
30 is the new 20!!!!
been getting repetitive (good old missionary all the time). He’s
with your practice, you WILL be able to keep your cool and find
way more traditional than I am, so I’m afraid to broach the
your zen despite all of the craziness.
Be Here Nowish
idea of getting kinkier. I also don’t want him to think he’s not satisfying me. What are some ways I can gently communicate
Try to find your zen in quiet pockets during the day: during your
that some dirty stuff would get me really turned on?
morning commute to work, waiting for a subway, or while you’re
Signed,
out running errands. You can also take 5 minutes out of your lunch
Wanna Get Dirty
break to meditate and focus on setting your intentions. If you make a lil zen at home in the morning and carry it in your heart,
Dear Wanna,
then you’ll have a better day. Guaranteed.
As Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Most importantly, find a practice to release tension. Whether it’s
Hotter, kinkier sex begins with you. The first step is to figure out
dancing like crazy before you go to bed or singing in the shower,
Dear Be Here Nowish,
what your version of better sex looks like. Do you want to start
you should find a way to let go of the tension and stress of the
I’m a working artist living in NYC, but lately my financial
roleplaying? Are you more interested in BDSM or porn? Having
city. Surrounding yourself with good people will also help you to
situation has made me doubt the path I’ve taken. I never have
a clear vision of what you’d like to do with your man will make it
live in the moment and to retain your positive energy.
enough money to go out to dinner with my friends, can barely
easier for both of you.
afford Trader Joe’s wine, and thinking about my future/pos-
Good luck!
sibly raising a family is one giant panic attack. I’m basically
Communication is first and foremost. Being open and honest
a ‘starving artist.’ Everyone’s always told me to “follow your
about what turns you on lets him know what he’s doing right.
heart,” but what if following your heart isn’t working out
Make sure you keep it positive and highlight what he does well.
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Be Here Nowish
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ONE CREATIVE MASTERMIND IS AWESOME, but get a bunch together and some real starts happening. Here we get inside some of our favorite collaborative projects and get the lowdown on triumphs, challenges, and behind-the-scenes wisdom. Now go off into the world and make your own happen with your crew of creative
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PAU WAU PUBLICATIONS ART BOOK PUBLISHING HOUSE
NAME. Pau Wau Publications. LOCATION? Brooklyn, NY. WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Co-founders Brian Paul Lamotte & Andreas Laszlo Konrath. ELEVATOR PITCH. Pau Wau Publications is an independent publishing house dedicated to the production of limited edition publications of contemporary photography & art. WHY DID YOU MAKE THIS HAPPEN? The want to design and produce work that is formed for a printed rather than online medium. WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO PAU WAU? We named the project Pau Wau as it refers to a gathering or meeting where you can share ideas. All of our publications are a collaboration with the artists — it’s the key ingredient to each of our objects being unique. BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR? Don’t expect to make money from publishing...! IF PAU WAU WAS A SONG (OR ALBUM) WHAT WOULD IT BE? Probably a combination of Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys are Back in Town” and Saxon’s “Denim & Leather.” DREAM COLLABORATOR? Anyone with enthusiasm. PARTING WISDOM? Keep making stuff. WEBSITE: pauwaupublications.com INSTAGRAM: @pauwaupublications Photo by Lele Saveri.
MAMA GALLERY ART GALLERY
MIKE AND CLAIRE ART DUO
NAME. MAMA Gallery.
NAME. Mike and Claire.
WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Adarsha Benjamin (me), Eli Consilvio, Joe McKee and the CAT ( a.k.a Brook Smith).
WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Mike Bailey-Gates and Claire Christerson.
ELEVATOR PITCH. I don’t know if I would pitch us in an elevator. I’m a stairs kind of girl. Let’s get to know each other. ;) WHAT MISSION OR OVERARCHING VISION SETS MAMA APART FROM OTHER GALLERIES? We bring ideas and visions above and beyond the physical space and into the everywhere. We present art as an everything and a tool in which to engage change and conversation — emotionally, physically, and socially. HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR? Seeing over 1500 people flood through the doors for our first couple exhibitions was really great. OBSTACLES? Time and money. BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED? Don’t go overboard before you have even begun. If you really feel it, go with it and it will make sense and work out. IF MAMA WAS A SONG (OR ALBUM) WHAT WOULD IT BE? A collaboration between Brian Eno, Paul McCartney, and Madonna. WHAT’S NEXT? GAME CHANGERS. MAMA Gallery is located at 1242 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 WEBSITE: mama.gallery INSTAGRAM: @_mamagallery_
LOCATION? NYC. ELEVATOR PITCH. “Hey yea woahhhhhh get funky.” REASONS WHY YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN? We’re best friends who like making art together. INSPIRATIONS? Cartoons. HIGHLIGHTS? Knowing all the 24-hour delis in your neighborhood so you can work at night. BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR? Check twice. IF MIKE & CLAIRE WAS A SONG (OR ALBUM) WHAT WOULD IT BE? “C’mon Everybody” by Sid Vicious. DREAM COLLABORATOR? Eartha Kitt. PARTING WISDOM. Brush your teeth. WHAT’S NEXT? Buying toothpaste. WEBSITE: mikeandclaire.com CLAIRE’S INSTAGRAM: @clairechristerson MIKE’S INSTAGRAM: @michaelbaileygates Photo courtesy of Mike and Claire.
Photo by Jem Goulding. Muses Vol 4. by Pau Wau Publications.
View of the Cerebral Vortex group show at MAMA Gallery, 2015.
Still from a Mike & Claire Beloved Shirts GIF.
TRANS-PECOS MUSIC AND ART VENUE
WITCHES
CREATIVE & EVENT AGENCY
G I R L S O N LY ART COLLECTIVE
NAME. Trans-Pecos.
NAME. WITCHES.
NAME. Girls Only.
LOCATION? Ridgewood, Queens.
WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Christine Tran.
WHO’S BEHIND THIS? British curator Antonia Marsh.
ELEVATOR PITCH. Trans-Pecos is a concert venue and multi-use community arts facility housing multiple arts organizations, daytime community programing, and a nighttime concert series that foregrounds the work of many outsider communities of musical practice.
ELEVATOR PITCH. Bushwick-based agency specializing in event production and creative management—creating sustainable platforms for artists to work within.
REASONS WHY YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN? Having worked in the art world for a few years, I found there to be a distinct lack of opportunities for the extremely talented female artists I was surrounded by. I decided to work toward making as many opportunities as possible and hopefully getting others thinking about doing the same. INSPIRATIONS? The Riot grrrl movement, their manifesto, and their methods of idea distribution in a time without social media or the internet.
WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Sam Hillmer and Todd P, a top-notch management team, and a rolling roster of 12 to 18 curators at any time. Our curators are our pride and joy! WHY DID YOU MAKE THIS HAPPEN? There has always been a venue in New York City that catered to outsider aesthetics and communities: Max’s Kansas City, CBGBs, The Knitting Factory, Tonic, Zebulon...When Zebulon closed it felt like there was a vacuum, so we created Trans-Pecos to fill that space and serve that purpose. HIGHLIGHTS? The highlights for me have been when we’ve had back-to-back bills or simultaneous bills catering to communities that might not otherwise commingle. For example, one night Loren Connors was playing a legit bill of heavy noise cats and then right at 11 we were sparking off this party called Azucar. Azucar is a global bass party focused on Latin, African, and Caribbean electronic dance music that caters to the LGBTQ people of color community. Both communities embody radical social practice and, on the surface, could not be more different. Facilitating those kinds of juxtapositions is interesting to me. ANY FUNNY BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORIES? I perform solo as Diamond Terrifier and make records for Terrible Records. One night we were doing a party for some people who were a little more mainstream than our normal crew. I was describing our venue to one of the event organizers and I mentioned that Terrible Records was one of our curators and she said ‘I love Terrible Records! I love all of their artists — I even like that one that no one likes called Diamond Terrifier! ‘ And I was like ‘I AM that one that one that no one likes! ‘ An awkward scene followed. It was pretty amazing.
WHAT IS WITCHES’ OVERARCHING VISION OR MISSION? To showcase and support artists by creating safe spaces. WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO THE PROJECT? New perspectives, energy, ideas, experiences, and relationships. HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR? The Coven Magazine and WITCHES x ESKFF Artist Residency at Mana Contemporary. OBSTACLES? Time and money. BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED? Understanding the importance of sustainability. IF WITCHES WAS A SONG (OR ALBUM) WHAT WOULD IT BE? “Swagga Like Us” (Mathbonus Remix.) WHAT’S NEXT? Long-term programs supporting artists year-round, next issue of The Coven Magazine, and traveling. WEBSITE: witchesofbushwick.com/ INSTAGRAM: @witchesofbushwick Photo by Kelly Kai.
HIGHLIGHTS? Visiting the Riot grrrl archives in NYC was a huge highlight for everyone involved. Also, the Old Street show (pictured) was amazing — the turnout was out-of-this-world. For our first show in Europe, we were all really happy and excited. BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED? Don’t spread yourself too thin. While it might seem tempting to do everything that comes your way, this can be draining and mean that the projects suffer. Stay true to your vision and work hard on more focused ideas. The difference will be evident. IF GIRLS ONLY WERE A SONG (OR ALBUM) WHAT WOULD IT BE? L7 - “Shitlist.” DREAM COLLABORATOR? Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas on a shop. PARTING WISDOM? Don’t be shy. WEBSITE: girlsonlynyc.tumblr.com FOLLOW ANTONIA ON INSTAGRAM: @Antoniamarsh Photo by Iona Wolff. Collaborative artwork courtesy of Girls Only entitled Motherfucking Titty Sucker I Love You.
Photo by Alli Coates.
BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR. Nothing is ever done. DREAM COLLABORATOR? Drake performing John Cage’s Mesostics — no auto-tune, acoustic. PARTING WISDOM. The situation IS the wisdom. WEBSITE: thetranspecos.com INSTAGRAM: @trans.pecos Photo courtesy of Trans-Pecos.
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DUB DJ DUO & NOMADIC A/V UNIT
E . S . P. T V
CABLE ACCESS SHOW
N E W / A G E F E S T I VA L ARTS & ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FESTIVAL
Anti-GMO March, Hawaii.
NAME. \ \ \ B L A Z E R S O U N D S Y S T E M / / / LOCATION? N Y C . WHO’S BEHIND THIS? / / / R A I N S T I C K + Z E B R A B L O O D \ \ \ DESCRIBE WHAT BLAZER SOUND SYSTEM IS AND DOES IN ONE SENTENCE. B L A Z E R is an autonomous and nomadic A/V unit that creates music and films rooted in dub reggae and primed for cultural warfare. REASONS WHY YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN TOGETHER? We are on a vision quest. Love we seh. Life over death. INSPIRATIONS? The Great Spirit. The Sun. Cacao beans. Jah Shaka. NYPD. Colorado and New Mexico. HIGHLIGHTS AS BLAZER SOUND SYSTEM? Every session (dance party) is a new high point... the lifted vibes from the dancers are transgressive every time. We recently attended the Mancuso Loft Party together which was life changing, as always... We were blessed with a lot of humbling collaborations last year as well - Skepta and Wiki (Ratking), Rockers NYC, 8 Ball Zines, Deadly Dragon... cutting our first dubplates and performing at PS1 was pretty firmé... man! ANY GOOD BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORIES? The funniest Blazer ‘bts’ is the scramble involved with trucking the system around. Moving the massive 200lb+ cabinets by ourselves through the city...up and down NYC stairwells in a rush to set up a dance is pretty comedic. We’re on a ‘mission from Jah.’ WEBSITE: blazerss.net TWITTER: @BLAZER_SOUND INSTAGRAM: @blazersoundsystem Photos courtesy of Blazer Sound System.
NAME. E.S.P. TV. LOCATION? New York City and elsewhere...we’re mobile. WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Creative directors Scott Kiernan and Victoria Keddie, production assistants Lee Lichtsinn and Ethan Miller; and cameramen Matt Bonner, Greg Thomas, Jeffrey Hagerman, and Josh Steinbauer. ELEVATOR PITCH. E.S.P. TV is dedicated to promoting the performing and media based arts through direct collaboration with artists via live television production. WHY DID YOU START DOING E.S.P. TV? The show began as a performance/exhibition shortly after the time analog television was shut off and went all digital in the U.S. We sought to harness the experimental/spontaneous spirit of cable access and earlier artist’s efforts to use broadcast as a medium. INSPIRATIONS? General Idea, Jaime Davidovich and Soho TV, Robert Ashley’s “Perfect Lives”, Videofreex, Jack Goldstein, Raymond Roussel, Nam June Paik, Kanal X, Bell Labs, Colab, so many cable access oddities... OBSTACLES? Money. And changes in NYC and everywhere, really, that eliminate public spaces and make it difficult for people to gather. BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR? 1) Be ready to change the plan at a moment’s notice. 2) Plan extra time at the airport when yr dragging around crazy old video mixers and signal generators that look like a Looney Tunes version of a bomb. IF E.S.P. TV WAS A SONG (OR ALBUM) WHAT WOULD IT BE? Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” mixed with The Fall’s “Totally Wired.” DREAM COLLABORATORS? Robert Wyatt performing for a live taping inside Walter de Maria’s Lightning Field. And then Scott Walker stops by to do a duet. PARTING WISDOM? “Pop the tab!” (those plastic tabs in the videotape that prevent you from recording over stuff.) WEBSITE: esptv.com INSTAGRAM: @esptvnyc Photo courtesy of E.S.P. TV.
NAME? NEW/AGE Festival (coming winter of 2017.) LOCATION? Hawaii. WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Art advisory firm NEW/AGE (founded by Kalika Farmer), collaborators, musicians, artists, visionaries, The Feast, various record labels and creatives; Ohana O Kauai, a group of activists and surfers committed to preserving and protecting the health of the environment, promoting organic farming, and advocating for a GMO-free Hawaii. ELEVATOR PITCH. A cultural festival and residency with a deep commitment to arts communities and a fully sustainable Hawaii. REASONS WHY YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN? At the heart of Hawaiian values is the concept of Malama ‘Aina—to care for the land. These words are very important and always present with Hawaiian people who live by their values every day. Many non-Hawaiians who have lived close to this precious land for a time have also come to deeply appreciate this way of being. I want to share the beauty of Hawaii with the world. I also want to create a platform for people to create sustainable environments and substantially lower their carbon footprints while experiencing, collaborating, and experimenting with art and music. INSPIRATIONS? The ‘Aina. WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO THE NEW/AGE FESTIVAL? A richer, fuller vision and experience. It is a dream come true to bring Hawaiians and the local community together to work with creative world leaders to build a sustainable future. OBSTACLES? Lack of funding and bureaucracy. HIGHLIGHTS? The Aloha spirit, the people of Hawaii, and magic. BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR? You can always be in control of your reaction toward any situation and that reaction greatly affects the outcome and experience of everyone involved. It’s all about your energy. IF NEW AGE FESTIVAL WAS A SONG (OR ALBUM) WHAT WOULD IT BE? “All is Full of Love” by Bjork. DREAM COLLABORATORS? The Island Gods and Goddesses. PARTING WISDOM Aloha. WEBSITE: thenewage.co INSTAGRAM: @new__age
CUSTOM MELODIES BY ETERNAL LIPS CUSTOM SONG FACTORY
V O YA G E D ’ E T U D E S MAGAZINE
FRANCES ROSE BAND
NAME. Custom Melodies by Eternal Lips.
NAME. Voyage D’etudes.
NAME. Frances Rose.
LOCATION? Custom Melodies premiered in June 2014 at Mmuseumm (4 Cortlandt Alley) in New York City. The piece has no permanent location and will be exhibited in various locations around the world. An interactive multimedia archive of the music, art, and writings is hosted at www.custommelodies.com.
LOCATION? It was born in London but wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home.
WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING MUSIC TOGETHER AS FRANCES ROSE? When we moved into an apartment on Ludlow street and realized we couldn’t call our sister act Michelle & Sarah. :P
WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Eternal Lips a.k.a Grey Gersten (artist/musician). Special thanks to Alex Kalman (co-producer and creative director for the Mmuseumm exhibition of Custom Melodies) and web developers Matt Goodrich (designer) and Julia Wallin (programmer). ELEVATOR PITCH. Custom Melodies is an interactive custom song factory where individuals collaborate with Eternal Lips to create autobiographical song portraits. WHY DID YOU MAKE CUSTOM MELODIES HAPPEN? I’m interested in creating unique experiences that inspire people to get inside of music and encounter its true power and beauty. Custom Melodies explores new ideas about what a song can be, how it’s made, and how it’s shared with the public. INSPIRATIONS? Mingering Mike, Neil Young, Lou Reed, Shahzad Ismaily, Alan Watts, Van Neistat. WHAT ROLE DOES COLLABORATION PLAY IN CUSTOM MELODIES? Collaboration is at the core of Custom Melodies. Each song is a musical portrait of an individual, and it’s their actual voice singing about their life. The lyrics are drawn verbatim from their stories and dreams — it’s like autobiographical karaoke. Custom Melodies is an open platform that hopefully inspires us to speak and listen to each other in new ways. The more voices we involve, the broader our consciousness will become. OBSTACLES? Rationality. Fatigue. Identity. HIGHLIGHTS? Unfamiliarity. Fatigue. Oneness. BIGGEST LESSONS? Don’t try to fit into existing models. Create a new world. DREAM COLLABORATOR? Ghosts.
ELEVATOR PITCH. Voyage D’etudes is a place where the adventure of travel comes together into a scrapbook of human experience. “Voyage D’etudes” is French for “study trip,” and came about to question the ways we travel, experience, and document things in the modern world. As the world becomes smaller and smaller, I wanted to reflect on the art of traveling today and how we tell those stories. Can we live in the moment and still collect memories? Voyage D’etudes celebrates the adventure.
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN A SENTENCE. Alternative pop. WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING SISTERS IN A BAND TOGETHER? We love each other. THE WORST PART? Too much.
WHO’S BEHIND THIS? Essex girl, editor, and semi-professional mermaid Paula Goldstein Di Principe.
WHAT’S THE BEST SHOW YOU EVER PLAYED? Mercury Lounge with Sky Ferreira, SZA, Teengirl Fantasy & Mess Kid.
WHY DID YOU MAKE THIS HAPPEN? Because in a world so concerned with how we look and are perceived, I felt the need to find a place to share real stories of travel and adventure - be they happy, sad, incredible or, in some cases, wonderfully average. I like to think of myself as a sensualist insomuch as I think we need to experience things to really be able to dream. As Voyage has grown, I have also realized that it’s really about the connection and bond between women in particular.
PERSONAL FAVORITE FRANCES ROSE SONG? “Upstate.”
HIGHLIGHTS? The day when the #internationalgirlgang tag came together as a sort-of accident. It was exciting, as I finally realized that beyond sharing all sorts of travel stories, Voyage could also provide a connection for creative women all over the world. We are currently looking to do charity partnerships as well as a girls summer camp to promote sisterhood.
INFLUENCES? Hole, Garbage, Taylor Swift. WHO WOULD PLAY YOU GUYS IN THE MOVIE VERSION OF YOUR LIFE? Kristen Stewart & Winona Ryder. WHAT’S NEXT? The release of our first EP Dreams Come True. TWITTER: @francesrose INSTAGRAM: @francesrosemusic Still from Frances Rose’s “Light of Day” video. Photo is by Eric Mooney.
BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR? Just keep trying. It doesn’t always work, but that’s fine. Just try something else as long as you believe in what you are doing. PARTING WISDOM? Stop comparing yourself to others, stop competing, help your girlfriends, say yes more than you say no, and live for the moment. Don’t spend your life waiting to be happier or more successful.
WHAT’S NEXT? Setting up a Custom Melodies exhibition in Japan and then prisons in the United States.
WHAT’S NEXT? The launch of Voyage in print which I’m so so excited about. Each yearly issue will be the ultimate scrapbook of a country. The first is stories from America with each contributor drawing, gluing, and painting their pages in.
WEBSITE: custommelodies.com INSTAGRAM: @eternallips
WEBSITE: voyagedetudes.com INSTAGRAM: @voyage_detudes
Photo by Dean Neistat.
Photo by Bella Howard.
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CC Journal caught up with sixteen of our favorite creators to get the low-down on it all. Looking for the 411 on avocado toast recipes? Moisturizing techniques? Must-see movie night lineups? Out-of-body experiences and alien abductions? We got you covered with this compendium of wisdom from some of the best.
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F U N FA C T S 1. Has yet to fall in love three times. 2. Loves aliens. 3. INSPIRED BY: Socialist writing. 4. WE SHOULD GET INTO: Supports/ Surfaces, the 1960’s French activist collective.
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WEBSITE: www.carastricker.viewbook.com
interactive album with Jodorowsky.
INSTAGRAM: carastricker
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTIST CARA STRICKER’S career launched after a music video she made went viral at age 21. Since then, she’s established herself as a highly sought-after fashion photographer and video director known for youthful, hyper-sensual imagery. In Stricker’s universe, nude babes kiss in the back of an old Volvo wrapped in a violet haze, 70s light illuminates algebra answers scrawled on the inside of a bare thigh, and breasts smoosh against arms to form close-up bodily abstractions. Her first solo outing Make Love to the
World opened at New York’s The Hole Gallery where she presented multimedia collaborations with artists like Dev Hynes (Blood Orange) and Roger O’Donnell (The Cure.) Most recently, she dropped an audiovisual album entitled DROOL in collaboration with John Kirby (Sebastien Tellier/Blood Orange) that has been described as “an intimate exploration of utopic vision and the female essence.” Even Richard Prince is a fan — he re-appropriated Stricker’s work for his New Portraits exhibition at Gagosian last year.
CURRENT LOCATION AND WHERE YOU COME FROM. In LA, from Australia, home in NY.
together. I tend to create little nests and bounce back and forth from them to an unknown landscape, returning spaced and inspired.
WHAT DO YOU DO? Photography and directing. Currently working on a music project.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO YOUR WORK? People who infuse an environment with what is open, reckless and free. John Kirby is currently one of my favorite people to collaborate with. He’s broken some barriers and I feel like we learn from each other. Roger O’Donnell was really fun to collaborate with through letters — he always makes me giggle. Abbey Lee is inspiring to work with and I feel like I learn about her everyday. Kirin J Callinan is also definitely a button pusher.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHY DID YOU START? I have been working across these mediums since I can remember. Growing up as a dancer, performer, and musician, photography and film were well-welcomed developments. I loved to show women and the creatives around me as natural and raw — the ways I saw and loved them. It felt instinctual and comfortable to move with them and find moments of real conversation. WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO FOR INSPIRATION AND WHY? Wherever my heart is – nature, open-ended roads, then a quiet place to put all those things
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DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR PRACTICES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE? Spend a couple hours by myself whether it’s driving, walking, or hiking. Anything that’s
outside usually gets my ideas flowing. It also usually involves listening to music. I get on a tangent and something always sparks — like a meditation. WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR GENERATION’S CREATIVE LEGACY WILL BE? Do anything you want! New genres and the breaking of forms that bleed new thought into social stigmas, expression, and gender perception. WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE DREAM YOU’VE HAD RECENTLY? My brother took my light and threw it out. Not memorable. WHERE ARE YOU FOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO HANG OUT IN YOUR CITY? New York: Takahachi (85 Ave A), Blue Ribbon at 4 AM (97 Sullivan St.), Marlow & Sons (81 Broadway, Brooklyn), Baby’s All Right (146 Broadway, Brooklyn), Hudson, Storm King (1 Museum Rd, New Windsor, NY), and friends’ floors.
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WEBSITE: www.elizabethjaeger.com
INSTAGRAM: elizabethjaeger
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, Elizabeth Jaeger has been cutting a wide swath through the art world with her surreal and gleefully confrontational mixed media sculptures. According to the artist, “I’m trying to make work that exists in an indefinable place, an ontologically ambiguous place where people are like “What the fuck!” And with her first major solo show at Jack Hanley in New York — featuring a hand-constructed Modernist apartment tableaux overrun by a pack of ceramic greyhounds — Elizabeth brilliantly elicited many a “What the fuck!” Best known for
CURRENT LOCATION AND WHERE YOU COME FROM? New York / San Francisco. WHAT DO YOU DO? Sculpt and design books. FREEFORM LIST OF INSPIRATIONS. People and the things they do and say. “Modern” design. The concerned look in domesticated animals’ eyes. YOUR BEST WISDOM TO OTHER CREATORS OUT THERE? Be open and vulnerable to other people and their experiences or you’ll never have anything interesting to say. WHAT’S YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY? Climbing out the bathroom window with Giovanni in Pre-Kindergarten. Getting caught by some large woman in uniform as we ran gleefully towards the school ground’s exit. IF YOU WERE A PERFUME, WHAT WOULD YOU SMELL LIKE? Realistically? Tacos.
eerily seductive, synthetic-haired nude sculptures that pout, fuck, and engage in domestic drama, Elizabeth’s recent projects have hit abstract and austere notes. New works include: a foam-filled sack that rests languidly against a handmade Milanese-leather bench, a set of three hospital stretchers propped against a wall, and shattered ceramic body parts arranged neatly in a glass case. In addition to exhibiting at NYC galleries, Elizabeth runs art book publishing company Peradam and teaches sculpture critique at the Bruce High Quality Foundation.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A GHOST? Yes, at night in my childhood bedroom, he was holding a gun. I woke up with appendicitis. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY? It’s a tie between adopting a dog as a child and staying up all night talking on a beach, on a porch, in a graveyard, and then at a bagel place on a first date. IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU MAKE? Louise Bourgeois. A cake. GUILTIEST PLEASURE? Eating while walking, especially while dressed up. The wind in your hair, taco in hand, looking repulsive stuffing it all in your face on the street. HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN OUT-OF-BODY EXPERIENCE? Yes. On Valentines Day, stoned on a beach in Jamaica with the man of my dreams – and then I puked, like everywhere. ;-(
DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS FOR GETTING INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE? Procrastinating, usually doing tedious work for Peradam while drinking coffee. Then, after I’ve had enough, putting on the dirtiest, ugliest clothes and running down to the studio, so dirty that I’m stuck there for the rest of the day. DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD. Coming upon a giant wild buffalo in the Białowieża forest. Making eye contact with it. Majestic, terrifying, we ran.
ELIZABETH’S RECIPE FOR AV O C A D O TOAST! 1. Toast 2. Avocado 3. Lemon 4. Pepper 5. Salt 6. Red chili flakes
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P O RT R AI T BY: H AYDE N S HIE BLE R , OTHER IM AGES : COU RT ESY O F THE AR T IS T AN D JAC K H AN L EY G AL L ERY
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WEBSITE: www.terriblerecords.com
INSTAGRAM: terriblerecords
TERRIBLERECORDS.COM’S “ABOUT ME” PAGE jokes that “Terrible Records is an intimate dinner party hosted by Chris Taylor and Ethan Silverman since 2009. We occasionally release music.” Although it’s not the dinner parties that have garnered Terrible a worldwide cult following, it is that sort of intimate, hyper-curated community vibe that has rendered them a definitive label of the 2010s. Ethan and Chris (of Grizzly Bear fame) initially
CURRENT LOCATION AND WHERE YOU COME FROM. Brooklyn. WHAT DO YOU DO? Own and operate Terrible Records, host Yak Radio, creative director of Patience. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHY DID YOU START? Six years ago I started Terrible with Chris Taylor because no other label would hire me and Chris was super down. WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO FOR INSPIRATION AND WHY? Walking around New York City. Museums for brief bursts at a time to not get overwhelmed. WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO YOUR WORK? People who create predominantly using their instinct generally force me to (over)think less. DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR PRACTICES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE? Coffee? Yeah, coffee. And trying to keep the phone use to a minimum.
co-founded the Brooklyn label to release the music they personally wanted to listen to. This ethos of exclusivity paid off, giving rise to some of the best acts of the past six years including Twin Shadow, Chairlift, Blood Orange, LE1F, Class Actress, Solange, Kindness, Empress Of, Diamond Terrifier, DROOL… We know, we know — your entire music library. We chatted with Ethan about being emo in high school, dream projects, and flânerie in M9s.
IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD (LIVING OR DEAD), WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TOGETHER? I have plans to make a buddy film with Dev Hynes. If that happens it would be a dream come true. I just wish Lou Reed could have made a cameo. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT? Acquiring terriblerecords.com after suffering for four years with terriblerecordsus.com. WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR GENERATION’S CREATIVE LEGACY WILL BE? Instagram (sad face looking to the right emoji.) WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE DREAM YOU’VE HAD RECENTLY? I had a dream about answering forgotten emails the other night. Luckily, when I awoke (crying) my inbox was empty. I’d like to see Freud try to analyze that! WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, VISIT, OR HANG OUT IN YOUR CITY? If I’m not at a record store, then I’m getting a smoothie or on my way to a gallery or the cinema. Mostly I enjoy flânerie in my M9s.
WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED YET THAT YOU WANT TO? Traveling in Japan. TELL US A SECRET. My screenname was EmoEth11 in high school...
ETHAN’S I N S P I R AT I O N S 1. IDEAS: Quantum entanglement. 2. BOOK: D.H. Lawrence’s Women in Love. 3. PEOPLE: An amazing group of Australians I am hanging out with at the moment. 4. FILM: Kobayashi’s
Kwaidan and Harakiri. 5. MUSIC: All the artists on Terrible pushing the envelope and making insane music.
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WEBSITE: www.darlingdays.com
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INSTAGRAM: iolovesyou
IO’S LIFE MISSION IS TO SMASH the binaries and restraints, both social and sexual, that keep us boxed in. Since childhood she’s inhabited the middle ground in her own gender, sexuality, and experiences, and as an adult strives to embody the message that it’s okay to be grey. iO assumes the roles of artist, writer, activist, and “professional agitator” — she initially became known for gritty, kinetic photo explorations of New York’s nighttime underworld and a NY Times column called Notes from the Underground. In 2010, iO began her ongoing
Self Evident Truths WE ARE YOU project which will ultimately consist of 10,000 portraits of Americans who don’t fully identify as straight. The campaign has brought together thousands of people nationwide (including some famous faces) who are in solidarity with iO’s mission of installing these portraits on The Mall in Washington, D.C. before the 2016 elections. The “Fifty Shades of Gay” TED speaker tells us about having her parents as collaborators and creative rituals that involve hotel rooms and almond milk.
CURRENT LOCATION AND WHERE YOU COME FROM. I live in Los Angeles and I’m from NYC. The Bowery—born and raised— it runs in my blood like dope.
My favorite collaborator is my father. My mother is also one of the most incredible storytellers I’ve ever heard. I’m writing a memoir, so I feel like the chapters where she tells me fables are a collaboration between us.
WHAT DO YOU DO? If I had to reduce it to one word I’d say I’m an agitator. Photography, writing, and public speaking are my main mediums for agitation.
I love to work in teams now. I used to think that being an artist meant that you had to have these flashes of brilliance executed by yourself or else you were a fraud. That’s bullshit. I love being almost thirty and having people I’ve worked with for years who know my idiosyncrasies and also know how to just zip around them.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHY DID YOU START? I’ve written since I was a little kid because we never had any screens, so I read and wrote. It’s my most natural form of expression. I’ve been taking pictures for six or seven years. I started because I never thought I could do it and I thought that my fear of it was bullshit. I went to B&H and bought an old analog camera from the 60s— the photos were garbage but I pestered my photographer friends until I learned how to work the thing. Then I ripped people off until I found my own style and got jobs assisting a couple artists I looked up to. And here we are. As for speaking, I was asked to speak about a project that I do and it resonated with people. I keep getting asked, so I keep doing it. The funny thing is I talk at all these universities, but I couldn’t have kicked down the door to when I thought I wanted to go to college. WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO YOUR WORK?
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DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR PRACTICES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE? I HAVE to take a shower and be alone for an hour before I give a speech. I like a hotel room for that, because it’s empty and kind of void of character. It’s a blank slate. Before writing, I like to read old journals and look at photos. I need the tiny, minute details of real human life to flesh out a description. I like to watch the news. Movies help too. Before going to a shoot, I make sure I have my black tea with almond milk so I’ve got caffeine to get me going. IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD (LIVING OR DEAD), WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TOGETHER? Well, if we’re talking in the dream realm, I’d love to start a band with Jimi Hendrix. Or Dan
Auerbach. And I’d want Jill Scott in it. And Amy Winehouse. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT? Moments when I am treated with respect by people that I look up to, like when I worked for the NY Times. I like jobs that feel like an honor -- jobs where you don’t care how much you’re being paid because you’re just so excited to do it and do a really good job. Giving a TED talk was mind-boggling. That was the second talk I ever did and I pretty much shit my pants.
IO’S I N S P I R I AT I O N S 1. People who make things in tiny batches,
by hand - leather, clothes, scented things. 2. Weirdos and aliens in
pop like FKA Twigs. 3. Books about the brain such as Jean Genet’s A Thief’s Journal.
4. Brian Woo’s tattoos. 5. Jose Parla. 6. Geeking out on sharply-dressed men.
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MEET LELE SAVERI: PHOTOGRAPHER, CURATOR, filmmaker, former Vice Italia editor, and print crusader. A major catalyst in the ‘zine renaissance of the 2010s, he is best known as the founder of the art book/‘zine fair 8 Ball Zines and curator of the late The Newstand ‘zine pop-up at the LorimerL stop (recently resurrected as a pop-up at the MoMA as part of the exhibition Ocean of Images: New Photography
2015). Lele describes his personal photographic work as a ‘collectionof histories’ and his artistic role as an ‘anthologizer of moments.’ His subject matter is diverse, ranging from rural Peruvians engaged in hand-to-hand combat to lyrically macabre explorations of religion and folklore. Whether his medium is ‘zine or film, Saveri’s eye for the beautifully twisted and passion for print have made him an underground forza della natura.
CURRENT LOCATION. NY.
SOMETHING WE SHOULD GET INTO? Radio.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO DO? Play the harmonica.
WHAT DO YOU DO? Photographer, curator.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T DONE YET THAT YOU WANT TO? Make a feature movie.
WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m Italian, not French.
IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Robert Frank. A ‘zine.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED BY LIVING? Don’t expect surprises
FREEFORM LIST OF INSPIRATIONS. Streets, dedication, passion, kids, Herzog, anarchy, struggle. BEST WISDOM? Do good and forget about it, do bad and think about it. WHAT’S YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY? A sandy beach with my grandparents. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY? Being on a scooter in the middle of Europe. FAVORITE PUNK SONG? The Mob - “No Doves Fly Here.” WHERE WOULD YOU GO IF YOU HAD A TIME MACHINE? Ancient Rome. WHAT’S YOUR MOST UNBELIEVABLE STORY? Someone put a spell on me this summer.
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WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN THE MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE? Marcello Mastroianni. WHAT’S YOUR ALTER EGO’S NAME? Emanuele. LAST BOOK YOU COULDN’T PUT DOWN? Man Ray’s Self Portrait. SIX THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? Camera, bike, radio, books, weed, dear ones. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR? Getting people together.
PERFECT MOVIE NIGHT LINEUP by 1. Santa Sangre Jodorowsky
rio 2. Deep Red by Da Argento
d 3. Rockers by Te Bafaloukos.
LEL E SAV ER I POR T RA IT BY N ATH A NIEL M ATTH EW S
WEBSITE: www.lelesaveri.com INSTAGRAM: 8ballzines
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WEBSITE: www.Martynka.com TWITTER: martynkaw
CURRENT LOCATION AND WHERE YOU COME FROM. I live in New York City. I was born in Poland, moved to New Zealand when I was 8, and came to NYC when I turned 18. WHAT DO YOU DO? I absorb the world around me, process it, and regurgitate it. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHY DID YOU START? It took a while to figure out how to materialize my ideas — it’s like a primal urge I have to act out. My early works were photography and video, but since 2009 I have been using my body as both medium and subject. WHAT’S INSPIRING YOU PERSONALLY OR INFORMING YOUR WORK RIGHT NOW? My neighborhood Greenpoint. Mother Earth. WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO YOUR WORK? Since the nature of my work is conceptual, the execution and medium is always project-specific — requiring me to collaborate with individuals from a broad range of disciplines in order to materialize my ideas. For example, for my Smell Me project, I worked with a group of chemistry students at Hunter
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self-portrait entitled Smell Me. It ran guerilla-style as a perfume insert in Harper’s Bazaar, drawing kudos from both the art world and fragrance junkies who scrambled in vain to track the “strange” and “lovely” scent down (sadly, it’s not for sale.) Whether she’s videotaping herself in a bathtub getting doused with liquid chocolate, getting sprayed with ketchup by water-gun-wielding kids, or “taking the nude self-portrait to the next level of intimacy,” Martynka is just getting started when it comes to new ways of laying herself bare.
College as well as a nose and a perfumer. I learned so much from both and it really was a team effort. DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR PRACTICES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE? I love to sit on my roof or walk to the waterfront to catch the sun set whenever I can. I get a lot of ideas while walking, especially walking in nature where my head feels clear. My body needs to be engaged in motion in order for me to let go and tap into my subconscious. Once an idea begins to formulate, I jot down stream of consciousness notes until eventually a more concrete project begins to take shape. IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD (LIVING OR DEAD), WHO WOULD IT BE? Piet Oudolf, the garden designer responsible for the High Line. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT? My Eau de M scent strip fragrance advertisement, which ran in the entire print run of the May 2014 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. This was a continuation of my Smell Me project with the intent of delivering art/the scent of my sweat beyond the gallery context and to the masses unwittingly.
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, VISIT, OR HANG OUT IN YOUR CITY? Five Leaves (18 Bedford Ave), Matcha Bar (93 Wythe Ave), Transmitter Park (Greenpoint Ave), McGorlick Park and McCarren Park in Greenpoint, The High Line, and Union Square Farmers Market. WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED YET THAT YOU WANT TO? Having a child. WHAT’S NEXT? I am working on my next project Ziemia (“Earth” in Polish) which will take the form of a wild Polish meadow in a small city park in Greenpoint. I am inviting Polish immigrants to collect a symbolic amount of soil from the places they call home in Poland. I will import this soil and mix it with local soil to create a meadow. Greenpoint is reaching the peak of gentrification and its Polish residents are getting priced out of the area. This garden will serve as a living monument to the Polish community who have called this neighborhood home for decades.
NOTES OF M A R T Y N K A’ S E A U DE M FRAGRANCE ACCORDING TO FRAGRANTICA
P O RT RA IT BY F RA NC ES TUL K- H AR T
MARTYNKA WAWRZYNIAK TAKES THE NOTION of artistic hunger to the next level: her last sculptural installation at Rivington Street’s Envoy Enterprises, entitled Feed, was made up of 365 food-stained cloth napkins from all the dinners she’d consumed over the course of a year. Appropriately, Wawrzyniak has made a name for herself churning out abstract, brutally intimate self-portrait installations — most notably her collaboration with Hunter College chemistry students and professional perfumers to bottle the odor of her sweat and tears for an olfactory
FROM TOP LEFT: CHOCOLATE (STILL), 2010 20’’ x 24’’ c-print EAU DE M, 2014 Two sided, scent strip fragrance advertisement insert, which appeared in the May 2014 issue of the USA edition of Harpers Bazaar magazine. ABDOMEN, 2014 Decorative gum paste (sugar, corn syrup, palm oil, natural and artificial flavorings, gum tragacanth, cellulose gum, egg white, titanium dioxide, glycerine, modified corn starch, potassium sorbate, and acetic acid), powdered sugar, water, and butter 10” x 13” x 0.125 LIPSTICK (FOUR), 2010 11:32 minute video
1. Humid Day 2. Coconut 3. Damp grass 4. Overripe fruit 5. Summertime
Mouth, 2014 Granulated sugar, water and corn syrup 3.5” x 2.5” x 2.5” Ketchup, 2009 Installation view at Envoy Enterprises video projection over ketchup splattered wall, artist’s soiled clothes.
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IN THE WORDS OF VICE’S ZACHARY LIPEZ, “It’s admirable of (Prince) Terrence and his ilk to fight the good(ish) fight of keeping Manhattan genuinely debauched and strange.” Although ‘Prince’ isn’t his Christian name, nightlife royalty Prince Terrence has reigned over the DJ booths and live music stages of downtown NYC for almost ten years now. He’s on a musical crusade -- from fronting his excellent gothwave band Hussle Club and drumming for the likes of Heartsrevolution and Santigold,
to nightly DJing downtown and Brooklyn’s must-check-out parties. The Louisville native started out as a drummer for post-hardcore bands like Christiansen and Your Highness Electric, then moved to New York where he began working the “third shift” in order to guarantee good times to the city’s most sleep-deprived denizens every night of the week. With his charismatic ability to keep the party going until sunrise, Prince Terrence is a prime example of why downtown isn’t dead.
CURRENT LOCATION. New York, NY.
ALTER EGO’S NAME? Prints Tear Rinse.
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? Seeing people be happy.
WHAT DO YOU DO? Musician/DJ.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN’T BELIEVE? The Hype.
YOUR BEST WISDOM TO OTHER CREATORS? If you don’t stop creating your art, you can’t fail.
FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT? Lords of Acid Voodoo U. Mostly because I was in 7th Grade and it had naked devil girls on the cover. Amazing album though.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED BY LIVING SO FAR? To live life by your own standards. Not society’s.
YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY? My favorite little leather pants. YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY? DIY shows as a teen with my punk band.
WRITE SOMETHING STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS. The Sky Opens and The Ground Enters .
YOUR MOST UNBELIEVABLE STORY? I once saw an autistic child that I was teaching turn on a fan that was unplugged.
WHAT ARTIST (LIVING OR DEAD) WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DO A PORTRAIT OF YOU? Victor Payares.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN THE MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE? Jaden Smith.
WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? My real name.
F U N FA C TS: 1. A recipe:
Grapefruit +freezer. 2. A punk song: “Oh Bondage U p Yours” b y X-Ray Spex . 3. A Year: 1981. 4. A genre : VaporWav e. 5. An old cr ush: Punky Brewster.
6. A new cr ush: BLX.
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PO RT R AI T BY BIJ OUX A LTA M IR A NO
TWITTER: princeterrence
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ON VINTAGE CLOTHING BLOG TERMS of Endearment, Masha defined her style of the moment as “conceptual grungy punk grandma.” It’s this sense of eccentric whimsy (she’s cited nonagenarian style icon Iris Apfel as her fashion soulmate) that has put Masha on the map as an uber-stylist who’s collaborated with the likes of Zac Posen, Jeremy Scott, Issey Miyake, and Christian Lacroix. On any given day, you’re just as likely to see her hanging around in heels with cheetah-print slacks and purple horn-rimmed sunglasses as you are to spot her biking down the West Side Highway in cowboy boots and vintage
CURRENT LOCATION AND WHERE YOU COME FROM. I was born in Queens, NYC, and now I live on the Upper West Side. In between, I lived in Paris for eight years. WHAT DO YOU DO? I work as a fashion stylist during the day and moonlight as the co-founder/editor-in-chief of The Know cultural almanac. INSPIRATIONS? Family, friends, flowers, sunshine, love, kisses, dancing, waterfalls, walking around anywhere (the city or nature), museums, farm fresh food ... HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHY DID YOU START? I started by interning in music, fashion, and publishing in the mid-90s. I love to know what people are doing, what they’re wearing, and how we’re all evolving. Having interests in sociology, psychology, and anthropology while working in media, advertising, and fashion satisfy all my passions. WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO FOR INSPIRATION AND WHY? I love visiting my mother’s and friends’ houses in upstate New York as well as two ashrams my friends work at up in the mountains. I also love going anywhere in the Caribbean or the Mayan Riviera. The water is magical and the air is pure there — it’s easy to recharge from
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Comme Des Garçons. Masha got her professional start styling a Camille Vivier-shot Purple Magazine editorial and honed her aesthetic POV in Paris where she became friend and collaborator to designers such as Jeremy Scott and Andre Walker. Currently she helms new super publication The Know cultural almanac whose debut issue features all kinds of exquisite cultural ephemera -- everything from Jeremy Scott fan art to Post-Soviet carpetry. Masha wears many hats — consultant, stylist, and boss — but this self-described “neon-colored rainbow” makes all of them look insanely cool.
the hectic lifestyle of NYC. Anywhere I can spend time in nature dreaming up new things can be a favorite place for inspiration. DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR PRACTICES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE? Two things: meditation and organizing my apartment and work space. WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN’T BELIEVE? That poverty and homelessness exist in a world filled with abundance enough for everyone. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT? I am so excited about the launch of The Know cultural almanac. There is a lot to be done and there will certainly be more highlights to be had. WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE DREAM YOU’VE HAD RECENTLY? I’ve been having crazy dreams lately — especially when I stop drinking. My anxiety dreams have lately been shifting into sweetness.For example, I had one recently where there were two kittens stuck in my closet and I had to wake up to get them out. WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, VISIT, OR HANG OUT IN YOUR CITY? Wandering around the Cloisters and MET in the afternoon…hanging out and eating in beauty. Also, Cafe Luxembourg (200 W 70th Street) is my second office.
WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED YET THAT YOU WANT TO? A yoga teacher workshop for one month at Ananda Ashram which requires taking a month off to do yoga and study six days a week! I also want to learn how to tango dance. BEST WISDOM TO OTHER CREATORS? Be passionate and patient and also inform and educate yourself.
F U N FA C T S : ’t put down is 1. Last book she couldn Wild by Jay Griffiths. the age of 2. A favorite quote is “In is a choice.” -technology, ignorance Donny Taylor. are 3. Her guiltiest pleasures and cigarettes, chocolate, french fries about them. but she’s not too guilty
Feel Love” by 4. Her theme song is “I Donna Summer. dom. 5. Favorite virtue is wis
M AS HA O RLOV FO R GERM AN G L A MO U R BY ER IC G U IL L EM AIN
WEBSITE: www.mashaorlov.com TWITTER: masha_orlov
Lou Reed for L’Officiel Homme by Tim Barber. Styling by Masha Orlov.
Louis Epstein from The Hits for The Know by Viki Forshee.
Tennessee Thomas for The Know. Photo by Viki Forshee.
White for Amica Italia by Jean Francois Campos. Styling by Masha Orlov.
Georgina Graham for Under the Influence by Donna Trope. Styled by Masha Orlov.
Jeremy Everett for L’Officiel Homme by Magnus Unnar. Styling by Masha Orlov.
Yaz Bukey for The Know by Viki Forshee
White for Amica Italia by Jean Francois Campos. Styling by Masha Orlov.
Art Direction: Miquel Polidano Collage Illustration: Marcela Gutierrez Photos: Tesh Creative Direction: Masha Orlov
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C U R R E N T LY ON THE BOOKSHELF: Campbell 1. Anything by Joseph Brief 2. Stephen Hawking A History of Time
of the 3. Ayn Rand The Return Primitive
k 4. Carl Jung The Red Boo er Vol 2 5. Anuk Ausar Metu Net
es Women 6. Clarissa Pinkola Est s Who Run with the Wolve
e or To Be? 7. Erich Fromm To Hav
INSTAGRAM: delphinediallo
DELPHINE DIALLO IS A POSTER CHILD FOR ditching the routine and following your inner vision. After quitting a tedious, computer-intensive gig as a graphic designer/animator and traveling to Senegal, Diallo stumbled upon the new craft that would bring her worldwide recognition. Camera in tow, Diallo began taking portraits of her Senegalese family which she then turned into intricate mixed media collages — collages that caught the eye of legendary artist Peter Beard. Soon after, Diallo was accompanying Beard to Botswana as his
CURRENT LOCATION AND WHERE YOU COME FROM? I’m based in Bushwick, Brooklyn and I’m from Paris. WHAT DO YOU DO? Visual art and photography. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHY DID YOU START? Five years ago. I met Peter Beard and he inspired me to start the visual journey. WHAT’S INSPIRING YOU PERSONALLY OR INFORMING YOUR WORK RIGHT NOW? Inspiring thinkers: Krishnamurti, Harry Belafonte, Dalai Lama. Practice: Kung Fu with Master Shifu Yan-Ming. Films: I’m watching Korean, Chinese, and Indian movies cause they tell stories that are attached to culture and tradition. I love to discover other cultures. I haven’t been watching Hollywood movies, but recently I watched Interstellar. It was amazing…such a great perspective on the future. It truly blew my mind. Painters: De Kooning, Dali, Ingres, Leonardo da Vinci, Picasso, Francis Bacon, Dubuffet, Gustav Klimt. Photographers: Jamel Shabazz, Peter Beard, Peter Lindbergh, Richard Avedon, Irving
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mentee, sparking off a meteoric rise that has been heralded by the likes of Smithsonian and International Center of Photoraphy. Diallo’s work fuses traditional African aesthetics, futuristic fashion and a deep global consciousness — featuring subjects as varied as braided hair sculptures by Tressé Agoche, the eye of a freckled Thai elephant, the Crow Tribe Nation of Montana, and portraits that evoke Seydou Keita gone surreal. Appropriately enough, her first monograph was entitled The Gift.
Penn, Herb Ritts, Seydou Keita. I just realized all the artists are men. I guess it’s time for change…Working on it. WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO YOUR WORK? I don’t have anybody in mind cause collaboration has to be organic. It’s not about getting the work done, but an alchemy between two different minds. I would love to collaborate with artists who commit themselves to social changes. DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR PRACTICES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE? Everyday is a ritual. Changing habits, moving, walking, dancing, training…it’s all a ritual. IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD (LIVING OR DEAD), WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TOGETHER? After listening to a speech by Harry Belafonte, I want to collaborate with him and bring about an inspiring and positive vision for social change.The goal is to create a platform that challenges the veracity of traditional ethnographic studies in order to propose a dialogue that posits the philosophy of oneness -- oneness with ourselves, with each other, and with the nature that surrounds us.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT? Everyday creation and creating consistent work. But I have to be honest…stepping into the offices of The New Yorker and The New York Times was magic. And working with The New Yorker was very rewarding for a sec. WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR GENERATION’S CREATIVE LEGACY WILL BE? We are at the beginning of the 21st century and big changes are coming — especially with the internet and the unlimited possibilities to create, collaborate, share, and discuss at a speed that has never before been seen in human history. Creativity is gonna become more and more a part of our lives. More people are conscious now that creativity is the key to a better life. It’s about expressing yourself and making the world a better place because you love yourself. Artists have a desire for social change and can influence citizens everywhere to believe that peace is possible. WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED YET THAT YOU WANT TO? Right now I think I’m lucky, so I don’t want anything more than getting surprised by an unexpected journey. TELL US A SECRET. Love is everything…that’s what keeps us going everyday…
SEL F - POR T RA IT BY D EL PH INE D IAW D IA L LO .
WEBSITE: www.delphinediawdiallo.com
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BR AD PO R TR AIT BY ZACH ARY BEAU CH ICK
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INSTAGRAM: bradoberhofer
BRAD OBERHOFER’S EPONYMOUS BROOKLYN BAND Oberhofer has been delivering shimmering lo-fi euphoria to the world since its inception as a one-man bedroom project in 2008. The band’s spearheading frontman is equipped with a degree in musical composition from New York University, and this technical prowess — paired with diaristic, poetic lyrics — has propelled Oberhofer to college radio célébrité. After signing with Glassnote Records in 2011, Oberhofer
WHERE ARE YOU LIVING? Greenpoint, NY. WHAT DO YOU DO? Write music. INSPIRATIONS? Maurice Ravel, Phil Spector, Pablo Picasso. BEST WISDOM? Channel urself. LAST MEMORABLE DREAM? Parking a pickup truck in reverse and infinitely moving backwards off a cliff and seeing stars move backwards like when spaceships are launched into hyper-speed.
WHERE WOULD YOU GO IF YOU HAD A TIME MACHINE? Kansas.
went on to release their debut studio effort Time Capsules II (“it gleams like a skate-park erected in the clouds” wrote NME) which was produced by six-time Grammy winner/legend Steve Lillywhite. In August, the guys dropped their long-awaited follow-up entitled Chronovision — an addictive mash-up of new wave, fuzz, psych, and surf that has supernatural endorphin-pumping powers. Listen now and feel happy.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN YEARS? Making film soundtracks.
WRITE SOMETHING STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS. Grey Poupon Louis Vuitton Pass the Baton.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T DONE YET THAT YOU WANT TO? Backflip.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED BY LIVING SO FAR? Be patient.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN THE MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE? The kid from Jumanji.
WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO? Invent yourself and then reinvent yourself.
FIRST CRUSH? Me. HEROS? David Bowie, Dali, Charles Darwin. LAST BOOK YOU COULDN’T PUT DOWN? Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa.
F U N FA C T S : t Lip” by Sum 41. 1. Fav punk song is “Fa e trees and 2. Loves the smell of pin white roses.
by aliens. 3. Has been abducted nny Gentle. 4. Alter ego’s name is Joh into Yukio 5. Thinks you should get Mishima.
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DALLAS CLAYTON IS CHANGING THE WORLD. How? By talking directly to the next generation. The author and illustrator, heralded as “the new Dr. Seuss,” started out slinging self-published ‘zines and books wherever he could, ultimately finding worldwide success with his dark horse, smash-hit children’s book An Awesome Book. Dallas dreams big, thinks positive, and views the world through rainbow-colored
LOCATION. Los Angeles. WHAT DO YOU DO? Write kids books. Try to make the world a better place.
glasses — inspiring others to do the same via his lovably whacky cast of characters who espouse ageless wisdom like “Try not to fear change... Even if that change is delivered by robots.” With the An Awesome Book series already translated into over 20 languages, it’s clear that people all over the world, of all ages, are taking Dallas’s messages to heart (even, famously, a wasted Joaquin Phoenix in I’m Still Here.)
IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU MAKE? God. A whole new universe.
INSPIRATIONS? My son. MLK. Dr. Seuss. Bo Jackson.
LAST BOOK YOU COULDN’T PUT DOWN? A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit.
YOUR BEST WISDOM TO OTHER CREATORS? Find something that makes you happy and use it to make others happy.
DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE PLACE. Standing in some warm water — half in and half out —while it rains and I’m full and my friends are there and we’re singing.
YOUR LAST MEMORABLE DREAM? I dreamt I won a British accent contest against actual British people. The prize was a bagel.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR? Being a good person when it was so easy not to be.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A GHOST? I wish I could say yes. I can’t wait. FAVORITE MEMORY? There are many. Most involve my son, laughter, groups of friends, rule breaking, love, and things of that nature.
PERFECT MOVIE NIGHT LINEUP? Badlands + Die Hard + Being There. SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU RECENTLY LEARNED? Only twelve people have ever been to the
moon and they are all white men. WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN’T BELIEVE? That I’m still not 18. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? People trying their hardest when there’s no reward on the other side. BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED BY LIVING? There is magic all around you, but you have to try and find it. .
F U N FA C T S : works, freshly 1. Loves the smell of fire bread. wet cement, and baked
ce right now.” 2. Motto is “We’re in spa sident but got 3. Was once elected pre was too strong. disqualified because he persimmons. 4. We should get into: iasm. Current 5. First crush was enthus crush is authenticity.
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DAL L AS P O R TRA I T BY BY S EA N G AR R IS O N
WEBSITE: www.dallasclayton.com INSTAGRAM: dallasclayton
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THINGS NEEDED TO GET INTO THE C R E AT I V E ZONE g loud 1. Good speakers playin music +bass. 2. Pellegrino. 3. Sharpened pencils.
WEBSITE: www.assemblynewyork.com INSTAGRAM: assemblynewyork Assembly New York is located at 170 Ludlow St. and in LA at 7977 Melrose Ave.
GREG, THE OWNER AND DESIGNER behind minimalist style mecca Assembly New York, grew up skating in rural Oregon and began his career in LA as an installation artist and gallerist. Despite initially having no particular interest in fashion, Greg’s technical expertise and curatorial perspective translated seamlessly to the conceptual fashion realm when he co-founded the store Scout Los Angeles in 2003. After selling Scout, Greg relocated to New York where he set up shop on Ludlow
CURRENT LOCATION AND WHERE YOU COME FROM? I hail from Southern Oregon and now I’m typically at my desk in Chinatown, New York City. WHAT DO YOU DO? Oscillate wildly as founder/designer for Assembly New York clothing line and shops. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHY DID YOU START? 14 years. I needed to get out of the art world. WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO FOR INSPIRATION AND WHY? The past. I love going back as far as possible and finding something that feels relevant now. WHAT IDEAS, BOOKS, PEOPLE, FILMS, ARTISTS, ETC ARE INSPIRING YOU PERSONALLY OR INFORMING YOUR WORK RIGHT NOW? Melanie Bonajo & Adam Marnie are making work that means a lot. We just printed a short interview with designer Miguel Adrover who has been an inspiration to me for years. Japan is a major source of direction for editing and details.
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Street as Assembly New York, selling a curated mix of vintage and hardto-find labels and launching the CFDA/Vogue short-listed eponymous label soon after. As a designer and retailer, Greg brings the eye of an artist to both the “quietly authoritative” collections and the gallery-esque store space. With collections that have channeled everything from geisha nurses to Amish ninjas to Tuarag cowboys, Assembly New York continues to usher in the next level of what it means to be an urban warrior.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO YOUR WORK? Photographers, mainly. Different eyes bring new perspectives and stories into the clothes that you never imagined or intended. Collaboration is more of a conversation to me than a product. IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD (LIVING OR DEAD), WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TOGETHER? Pajamas with Yohji Yamamoto. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT? Well, after the hypothetical pajamas with Yohji, reality seems to pale in comparison. My biggest point of pride is the people I surround myself with; working with like-minded people is the highlight. WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR GENERATION’S CREATIVE LEGACY WILL BE? Information. This time marks the beginning of when we will be responsible going forward for so much content...sort of like mental recycling.
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, VISIT, OR HANG OUT IN YOUR CITY? Lately…Neue Galerie (1048 5th Ave), Bronx Zoo, Mast Books (66 Avenue A), Balthazar (80 Spring St.), An Choi (85 Orchard St.), El Rey (100 Stanton St.). WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED YET THAT YOU WANT TO? Feeling the freedom within myself to contribute the purest form of my vision and intention…Work in progress. TELL US A SECRET. I got socked in the gut on the playground in sixth grade recess for supposedly calling this dude Chad’s girlfriend one night though, in reality, it was my buddy Chris. I kept my word then, but now it’s out — Molly, I didn’t call you that night. Sorry Chris.
PO RT RA IT CO U RTESY OF G REG AR M AS . T HE PH OTO S O N TH E FACI NG PAG E AR E AL L C R ED ITED TO R EG INE DAV ID
4. Isolation.
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IN THE WORDS OF FELLOW POET Jennifer L. Knox, Melisa Broder’s poems are “bad-ass ninja assassins smoking Camel straights and drinking Tab in blood-soaked satin tutus.” With lines like “I sanctify the ground and say fuck it/I say fuck it in a way that does not invite death/I say fuck it and fall down no new holes/And I ride an unwinged horse/And I unbecome myself/And I strip my poison suit/And wear my crown of fuck its,” Broder’s poetry will kick your ass, fuck you, then take you to church (or kundalini yoga class). Her poetry collections—notably Scarecrone, Meat Heart, and When You Say One Thing but Mean Your
LOCATION AND HOMETOWN. Venice, CA / New York, NY & Bryn Mawr, PA. WHAT DO YOU DO? Poet / writer / alive. FREEFORM LIST ON INSPIRATIONS? Anxiety, meditation, unrequited love & lust, requited love & lust, death. YOUR BEST WISDOM TO OTHER CREATORS? Experience work in and out of your chosen field and make stuff all the time. WHAT’S YOUR LAST MEMORABLE DREAM? I was making out with a lover in the woods. Everyone in the woods had to have a lover or they would be killed. The killer was a woman. My lover left me for another and just as she
Mother—have earned rave reviews from both the literary establishment and alt-lit circles. But don’t be mistaken -- Broder’s expressive prowess isn’t just limited to the printed page or poetry readings. Her Twitter account @melissabroder serves an up-to-the-minute, play-by-play repository of soul-searching tweetbites that range from “want 2 have sensual anal w the sky then never talk 2 it again” to “dogs r how god apologizes 4 everything.” Melissa is proof that the true soul of poetry is still irreverent, obsessive, funny, wounded, weird, mystical, and sexy as hell. Hallelujah.
was about to kill me, I seduced her. We became lovers and I was safe, but still she was killing everyone and I felt conflicted. We lived in her beautiful home. I was only allowed out for provisions like bubbly water and Hershey bars or another kind of chocolate bar with almonds. I don’t know if I escaped or really wanted to.
Melody” played on the dance floor. Later, I had a ‘ceremony’ in which I ‘said goodbye’ to him in my head and did a burial of some sort by writing his name on a piece of paper and burning it to that song. Shortly thereafter, I dreamt he came to me and told me he loved me. The song “Hip Hop Hooray” was playing. I still think of him when I hear either song.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE? Yes, multiple times. Sometimes anxiety-induced and sometimes spirituality-induced and sometimes a hybrid.
WRITE SOMETHING STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS RIGHT NOW. Muscle fear betrays my eagle but underneath the sea is still going.
FIRST CRUSH? First devastating crush was r.k. We made out at s.b.’s bar mitzvah in the back room where all of the pay phones were while “Unchained
F U N FA C T S : “Bite It You Scum” 1. Favorite punk song: by GG Allin.
cue doggie Pickle. 2. Happiness is: Her res ousel at the 3. Earliest memory: Car an orgasm on a Jersey Shore. She had pony.
orette. 4. Can’t live without: Nic te every 5. Creative Ritual: Medita s. morning for 10 minute
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MEL ISS A P OR TRA IT BY NI CH OL A S POLUH OF F
TWITTER: melissabroder
B ro t her
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Hy d ro po ni cs
How is your crown supposed to fall off when you look like Jesus I am superficial because it feels religious let’s light a candle for you not wanting me back we could be dirty juice and bent crucifix suspend the alphabet now o sanctus sanctus sanctus puer mea illusio mea est mea omnia can you believe in guides your eyes can’t see can you believe I still want you I cannot believe you would choose loneliness loneliness is how little you want me I know nothing about Christianity and so I love it take me behind your mouth that I might forsake it pillar of salt pillar of salt
How can you go swimming in another human being? I am swimming and asking for light. Once I paddled into dust and fucking and the horsemen and ruin and the poisonous hollows of a projected blue eye and cracked my skull on all and caught more disease in my already dread mind and entered the medicines of no human power, the forests of disappearing moans, which were rich in sap but lacked dissolve fertilized against my own swimming nature, Aleph I am swimming for you now and I don’t care. When you leave the forest you do not become the ocean and I have become the desert trying to swim in the ocean and knowing this, carrying the forest floor in a sweet wood coffin and the blackbrush and rocks, the yucca and cacti of receded oceans, which were never oceans at all or there would have been shells on the sand, they only looked like oceans in my thirst, I cut the old horizon with a sword you have given and I gut the heavens and bleed their light and swim in that.
L i ke a Rea l Fla m e
Ligh t Op eration
I want the hole in my ear to be quiet And inside the hole in my ear to be quiet And I want it to tell me what to do Or I will go to my lover’s mouth And say oh my quiet I am coming And tell the quiet how its kingdom should be made Though the quiet has already eaten me Because the quiet loves me But does the lover love me And why must the quiet be so quiet And why can’t the quiet have a cock And where is its violet mouth Its ten fingers with which to fix me And where is its belly breathing And O I want to be fixed But I am already fixed Why don’t I feel it
Flying a spaceship through a canyon splinters the ship and cracks the canyon I am looking for officers of light I wave a candle in a cave but no one is there to reflect me the opposite of light is making mirrors out of men they look like suns I find a man and lay him out on the nose of the ship he is ablaze in the face of my curvatures of mood he is no aurora but I am ultraviolet I give him back to his world purple
He said drop your notebook the temple is everywhere. He said a magic mushroom would eliminate tennis nose and lend feather atmosphere. We dropped the drop. Chimney memory oceaned away. I felt like a holiday pumpkin. We were very sweater holding thicket vigil until plants curled. In a different version we remained in the rift between breath and vision and we’re still under that flap. In this version we exited to confront a restaurant. I got touchy about ranch dressing. He knew how to take a staircase from stem to lesson. He didn’t need California. I made it about object itself: stem and mushroom. I couldn’t stop collecting spores. I was shoehorning stamens into a container trying to architect the whole diorama. My arms were like cupboards. I wouldn’t let go of the pipe. Dementia field was another kind of photosynthesis. He pointed to the staircase and I said ethanol. I put him in a locker and entered the grain range. It was cannibal tundra. I was conductor. My eye was a centimeter but I never drank a pink girl drink.
Me g a churc h The altar boys want me Swooning drunk They say If you feel like nonsense Get nonsenser If you feel bananas Make a sundae already Oh I do I want holiness to meet me halfway Meet me easy Like a tugboat on glitter water Hotel music Ultra gloss So easy to fall in the water How easy these altar boys come on Bodies of soap With pinwheel erections They eat hamburgers effortlessly Only some have hips It is movie night In their church in America A crucifixion movie No a movie about love They offer me megaCokes With rum Rum will make the movie More romantic I cannot say I am undrunk How I got to be undrunk Not here Boredom Is going to get crucified here The whole church is beeping Glitter water glitter rum Even my nail polish Beeping.
Tran sc en d en t al Crit iq u e As always there is schism between skeleton and never asking for a skeleton tearing around the kitchen. You enter with biscuits and each contains a gemstone that tastes like its color: ruby is cherry, pink tourmaline pussy. The word for wish is want. Knowledge gets us what? Not enough biscuits. Sick dogs sniff each other out. I build an oven over your mouth and set the door on fire. Grunts are still possible. Let’s corpse.
Le a h I ran out of Canaan and fell on unicorn farm moss held me still they gave me a mare a quiet Arabian I was not forced to ride just brush brushing I went into my forehead crystals grew over my nightgown my feet slept I could hear Jacob call me home rot on that geography so I stayed make no mistake a saint would saddle up and fly over the olive trees she can have that nosebleed for me I am staying inside powdered by silence I do not puzzle the flow I know what I know there is a light there was a coat.
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WEBSITE: www.ryrussoyoung.com
INSTAGRAM: helavanna
RY RUSSO-YOUNG IS AN ABIDING QUEEN of the DIY-filmmaking world both behind and in front of the camera. Known for guerrilla, impressionistic filmmaking techniques and strong female heroines (Nan Goldin is a major influence), Russo-Young was regarded as a cinematic force to be reckoned with before she even released her first feature film, Orphans, in 2007. That same year, she made her acting debut starring alongside Greta Gerwig in Joe Swanberg’s mumblecore classic Hannah Takes the Stairs. Ry’s kaleidoscopic second feature-length film You Won’t Miss Me — starring
CURRENT LOCATION. NYC. YOUR BEST WISDOM TO OTHER CREATORS? Keep going and try not to be afraid. WHAT’S YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY? The taste of mushed bananas. FAVORITE SMELL? Old Spice on the man I love. LAST MEMORABLE DREAM? I was making out with someone in a school bathroom stall. YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY? My sister and I had an interior window between our rooms growing up. In the middle of the night I would jump through the window and visit her.
collaborator Stella Schnabel as an alienated New York wild child — appeared at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009 and won a Gotham Award for Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You. She continued to remain both off the beaten path and in the spotlight with 2012’s critically lauded Nobody Walks, co-written with Lena Dunham and starring John Krasinski and Olivia Thirlby. Ry is a woman we admire who makes intensely honest films about women we feel like we know. It couldn’t be more fitting that she wants to be remembered for “Telling the truth.”
IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU MAKE? I’d make an art film with Meryl Streep. WHAT’S SOMETHING WE SHOULD GET INTO? Rene Ricard. WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T DONE YET THAT YOU WANT TO? Scuba diving. WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN THE MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE? Anjelica Huston circa 1985. FAVORITE COCKTAIL? A drop of King County moonshine with seltzer, mint, and lemon.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR? Telling the truth. WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m insecure. LAST BOOK YOU COULDN’T PUT DOWN? The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
RY’S I N S P I R AT I O N S 1. Man Ray 2. Agnes Varda
3. Feminst film criticism 4. Noir 5. Hitchcock 6. The New Yorker 7. 70s print porn 8. Jewish history 9. David Fincher
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RY P O RTR AIT BY NI CH OL AS T R IKONI S
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F U N FA C T S : y Sandwiches. 1.Alter ego’s name: Gar The Time” by 2.Theme song: “Party All Eddie Murphy.
p: Forever 21. 3. Favorite place to sho : Popeyes. 4. Favorite place to eat d Love and Other 5. A Good Book: Marrie ley. Short Stories by Tess Had
WEBSITES: monsterchildren.com & wooooomag.com
LOCATION. New York, New York. WHAT DO YOU DO? I edit a magazine about skating, surfing, music, art and semi-naked women. It’s called Monster Children. INSPIRATIONS? I’ve always been inspired by Nick Cave. He comes from a town in rural Australia that’s a stone’s throw from the town I grew up in. I look at him and think, “If a weirdo from Wangaratta can make something of himself, so can I!” Haven’t made anything of myself yet, though. YOUR BEST WISDOM TO OTHER CREATORS OUT THERE? I’m not really qualified to advise anyone, but if had to pass on a nugget to other writers it would be to never forget that you can go in any direction with writing. You’re as free as your imagination permits. I have to remind myself this quite a bit, and I think it’s great advice. Stops you from getting blocked. The other thing I’d recommend is be yourself. Don’t try to sound like anyone but you.
about Joan Didion (whose name he has tattooed on his bicep) to horoscopes by Satan (“Venus energises passionate Pluto across the two most dynamic, impulsive and, yes, romantic angles of your chart. So burn a church”) to the Foxy But Dead column where he opines on heartthrobs without heartbeats such as Esther Williams and Jean Seberg. We’re eagerly awaiting his memoir. For now, Jason gives us the low-down on making out with a certain Hollywood A-lister and how to moisturize your elbows.
the big city and they were like, “Suuuuure you are.” Three days later, I was loading my stuff into a friend’s car and my parents were on the front porch in their pajamas going, “Holy shit. you’re really leaving?” I love my parents, but that was a priceless moment. I was 18 and desperate to establish my independence. MOST UNBELIEVABLE STORY? I made out with Sharon Stone at a bar. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN YEARS? Hopefully alive and happy and almost completely regret-free. Also insanely wealthy and addicted to cocaine. SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T DONE YET THAT YOU WANT TO? I’d like to learn to speak fluent French. I’d also like to be able to memorize poetry so I could be a dickhead at dinner parties. WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN THE MOVE OF YOUR LIFE? Hopefully someone way better looking but, knowing my luck, they’d probably cast John Cryer.
BEST LIFE HACK? After you moisturize your face, rub the remaining moisturizer on your elbows! And buy Pond’s. It’s cheap and it works better than any moisturizer I know.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THE THIRD PERSON. He had terrible posture and a gummy smile. His eyes were weak like those of a cow, and when he walked down the street birds would deliberately shit on him. How’s that?
FAVORITE MEMORY? Leaving home. I told my folks I was moving to
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR?
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Saving all those kids in the orphanage fire, and my body. FAVORITE COCKTAIL? A Manhattan. I rarely order them because I feel like a tit saying, ‘I’ll have a Manhattan, barkeep.” THE PERFECT MOVIE NIGHT LINEUP? Withnail & I, JAWS, The Year My Voice Broke, and Flirting. SIX THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? The first four Scott Walker albums, licorice and sex. SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU RECENTLY LEARNED? The collective noun for hippopotamuses is a “bloat,” as in, “Look out, Troy! Here comes a bloat of hippos!” WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN’T BELIEVE? Real, heartfelt racism is unbelievable. Blows my mind that anyone could despise an entire nationality. That’s just weird. And I can’t believe how stupid TV is these days. It’s amazing. Who watches ‘Nude Dating’ or whatever it’s called? So stupid. I also can’t believe it when people flatly deny the possibility that there might be life on other planets — that’s ridiculous. The fact that we’re here on Earth confirms that in a universe that extends infinitely in all directions, there MUST be other living things. Get serious.
JA SO N P O RT R AI T BY WAR R EN S MI TH
JASON CROMBIE’S IRREVERENT and often self-deprecating humor has earned him a serious cult following as both magazine editor and journalist. After founding the late great interview magazine Wooooo where Jason would ask celebrities and art stars random hard-hitting questions like “If you stayed at Eddie Vedder’s house would you sneak into his room at night and snuggle with him?” he was named editor-in-chief of Sydney-based skate/ sex/surf mag Monster Children. His articles range from waxing rhapsodic
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CLASS ACTRESS’ I N S P I R AT I O N S 1. Twin Peaks
ent 2. Quantum entanglem can turn 3. Any physics puzzle I
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into human poetry.
THE NAME ELIZABETH VANESSA HARPER may not immediately conjure a clear image, but the name Class Actress mostly likely does. More likely, a song will start playing in your head — a ridiculously catchy, ridiculously sexy song. Elizabeth, the singer, songwriter, producer and front-woman of the electronic act, makes a special brand of sultry synth-pop that’s decadent, seductive, and cinematic. Class Actress first burst onto the scene with 2010’s Journal of Ardency EP which quickly led to Harper being pegged as “Brooklyn’s Madonna”
CURRENT LOCATION? Global . WHAT DO YOU DO? Channel passion into clarity. I act/direct/ sing/songwrite/produce. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO? WHY DID YOU START? I have been acting my whole life, so it never had a starting place. I have been trading one reality for another for as long as I can remember. WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO FOR INSPIRATION AND WHY? The beach. It’s the place where all the elements crash into each other and people make the best and worst decisions. WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHAT DOES COLLABORATION BRING TO YOUR WORK? Right now I would say Mess Kid and Evan Bogart. Collaboration is everything — it brings limitless possibilities.
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and “early Madonna-meets-David Gahan-circa-’88” by the music press. After the release of 2011’s critically lauded Rapprocher LP, Harper decamped to LA where she moved into a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel and signed with the recently-resurrected 1970s disco label Casablanca Records. Her latest outing, the EP Movies, boasts collaborators as varied as Giorgio Moroder, Mess Kid, and Neon Indian and turns 80s-style LA glamour into high art. Here Elizabeth talks ‘basic bitch’ aspirations, the allure of the beach, and even quantum physics.
DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR PRACTICES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE? Be open, get weird, remember your dreams. IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD (LIVING OR DEAD), WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TOGETHER? Chopin, Gesaffelstein… Write a global hit with Sia a nd Drake, do a photo shoot with my friend Ryan Koopmans, make a video with Nabil, be painted by Picasso, act in a Tarantino film. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT? Just being able to make music, perform, and write. Every day is a highlight. WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR GENERATION’S CREATIVE LEGACY WILL BE? Passion is all that matters, so wherever there is passion there is art. WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE DREAM YOU’VE HAD RECENTLY?
I was sipping someone’s tears off their face. I could taste the salt — it was magical. WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, VISIT, OR HANG OUT IN YOUR CITY? I don’t really do any of those things since I am a workaholic. I only go out for sex or business. WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED YET THAT YOU WANT TO? All the basic bitch shit girls dream about: owning a beach house in Malibu, being someone’s wife, winning a shit ton of Grammys. WHAT’S NEXT? The sequel to MOVIES. TELL US A SECRET. It’s all in the music.
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W H I C H TA R O T CARD ARE YOU? Many artists have looked to tarot cards as both guide and muse, from Salvador Dali to Alejandro Jodorowsky and Tom Robbins. But how is the artistic process itself depicted in the mysterious images? For this quiz, Brooklyn tarot reader Molly Burkett identified different creative personality types based on five of the Major Arcana cards. So are you The Moon, The Hermit, The Magician, The Lovers, or The Heirophant? Answer the questions below and look on the next page to find out. Visit Molly online at mollyburkett.com and follow her on Instagram @molly_burkett.
1.) How is your follow-through and dedication? A. Hmmm... I tend to fall in love with ideas. Realizing them is the hard part. B. I devote myself to long-term projects. It's not the destination, it's the journey. C. I love making shit happen, simple as that! D. Depends. If I'm working alongside others, it's easy to stay motivated. E. If I feel like if it has a valuable message, I will do everything I can to see it through. 2.) Would you rather be a: A. Painter, experimental filmmaker, or musician B. Writer, novelist, or yogi C. Performer, entrepreneur, or stylist D. Whatever suits the project at hand E. Teacher, advocate, or social activist 3.) Your friends would most likely describe your Best / Worst qualities as: A. Creative / Unreliable B. Independent / Aloof C. Bold / Egomaniac D. Team player/ Passive E. Intelligent / Pretentious 4.) I am happiest when I am... A. ...in an altered state. B. ...doing my own thing. C. ...on stage or on set. D. ...with a lover/best friend. E. ...serving others. 5.) Choose one person from this list:
5-9 points: XVIII The Moon You're a dreamer. Your imagination knows no bounds, and you find deep satisfaction in your ethereal, romantic, and emotional inner world. Likely you will always need to be "multi-disciplinary" because no one medium will satisfy you, but you will excel at painting, experimental film, and performance art. The Moon is associated with Pisces as well as Cancer, both sensitive and spiritual types. Be careful not to get so carried away by your fantasies that reality is always a disappointment. You will also be a great musician, but be careful of the typical rock ’n roll lifestyle. Like Dali, you don't do drugs -- you are drugs. Your mind is already expansive, and most drugs and stimulants will have intense side effects. You are gifted, psychic, and inventive. When you can find balance between the material and immaterial, you will thrive as a truly unique artist.
A. Salvador Dali
B. Tom Robbins
C. Aleister Crowley
D. Patti Smith
E. Oprah Winfrey
As = 1 point Bs = 2 points Cs = 3 points Ds = 4 points Es = 5 points
14-17 points: I The Magician
18-21 points: VI The Lovers
You’re a performer. Making a big splash comes naturally to you. You have natural skills in media and aesthetics, and you should probably start a cult if you haven’t already. But there’s something that lies beyond your thousands of Instagram followers and immaculately curated outfits: you have amazing ideas and guts. When you want to make something happen, you just do it. Others admire you for it and you will shine as the face of your personal brand, or some kind of freelance position where you can set your own schedule and realize your ideas without restraint. In addition to being an entrepreneur, you would be pretty savvy at curating or organizing events, group exhibitions, etc. Look for ways to combine your charisma with your creativity. You have a way of attracting the right things at the right time, so even if planning ahead isn’t your strong suit, you’ll succeed as long as you trust your instincts. If you must team up with others, work with people that like to be behind-the-scenes so you don’t fight over the spotlight.
You’re a collaborator. Co-creation is key for you and without the proper environment, your inspiration dies out pretty easily. You will blossom when you identify with your community. Who are your people, your tribe? Once you find your niche, there will be no stopping you. This could also come in the form of a power couple/co-creating relationship — finding the Mapplethorpe to your Smith. Seeing yourself reflected in another is how you will come to know who you really are. You may find yourself participating in an arts collective, enjoying alternative, communal living or a live/work type situation. Look for work/study opportunities, energy exchanges, and bartering to learn new things. Beware of remaining too long in situations that are no longer serving you. Check in periodically to make sure you and your partners are growing in the same direction.
10-13 points: IX The Hermit
22-25 points: V The Heirophant
You're a visionary. You have ideas within you that are ahead of your time, so don't fret if you sometimes feel alienated by the world. Fuck the status quo and pay no mind to a conventional approach of doing things. You are destined to carve out your own path. The simple life suits you best: you would be content living on a mountaintop with nothing but a hot plate, a few books, and a pen and paper. If you want to, you could write and publish at least one book in your lifetime. You are independent and inspired by nature. Find ways to honor your higher self through journalling, meditation, yoga, and other solitary practices. Avoid martyrdom, self-righteousness or taking on the role of the gruff, misunderstood loner. Your path is not for everyone. Who cares? You are led by a higher force. Recognition, fame and fortune are not to be directly approached. Devote yourself to your craft, commit to long-term projects, and act with loyalty to your inner truth..
You’re a teacher. It is important to you to make work that serves a higher purpose. Sharing skills with others is hardly a fallback plan; it is a talent and skill in and of itself. Not everyone is good at teaching, but you are. Ultimately you will excel as a mentor, leader, educator, or guru of some kind. Maybe it’s time to take on an apprentice or assistant, tutor, consult, or lead a class. You are guided by your strong beliefs: you would be great at fundraising or arts advocacy. Academia might also be an ideal route for you, but it isn’t essential. The point of your quest is to deliver knowledge, in whatever form that takes. Write your personal philosophy or manifesto and refer back to it when in need of inspiration. If you’ve been feeling stagnant and not sure where to begin, try enrolling in a one-day workshop to get the ball rolling.
Chinatown Soup is a collaborative art space and soon-to-be cafe located at 16B Orchard St. in NYC.
By Anna Fitzgerald Drawings by Oscar Guinn IV
Fania Kore