Issue 10 "Is This Art?"

Page 1



BUT, IS IT ART?

LOVE BAILEY @ITSLOVEBAILEY photography by Michael Donovan

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ISSUE TEN - WINTER 2014

PUBLISHER Todd Edinger EXECUTIVE EDITOR / FOUNDER Jenn Cress EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Katerina Simonova EDITOR-AT-LARGE Alec Friedman ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Ariel Collin Stark-Benz & Angelo Tirambulo – That Thing NYC DIRECTOR OF ONLINE STRATEGY Kelli Carlson-Jagersma SOCIAL MEDIA Matt Ford WEB CONTENT COORDINATOR Jake Freeman INTERNS Joan Choi, Amanda Brohman, Anwar Robert, Jensen Turner ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES advertise@creemmag.com


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ISSUE TEN - WINTER 2014

VISIONARY, DREAMER, TEACHER, INNOVATOR, MENTOR, MAVERICK, GURU, FRIEND IN MEMORIAM ALEX CALDERWOOD JANUARY 28, 1966 – NOVEMBER 14TH, 2013

0 4 A r t x lo v e

6 6 I N S TA N T G R AT I F I C AT I O N

0 8 R ya n b r a d l e Y

66 Resonance

1 2 p u b l i c r e l at i o n s

7 8 M e m e n to m o r i

18 Joshua king

82 THIS FLESH

22 It’s no good trying

8 8 WA S T I N G AWAY

32 In flux

9 6 WA S H E D U P

38 Fresh ink

104 BOUND

42 reviving ophelia

1 1 0 f o ox

50 archetype

1 1 2 FA S H I O N A S A R T

62 eye of the beholder

1 2 0 S O M E T H I N G B O R R OW E D




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Winter 2014

These two subjects are constantly

a limitless supply of knock off Louis

Cattelan’s work in person will have to

scrutinized and questioned, the ingre-

Vuitton handbags. The faux pashmina

sustain me instead.

dients and methodology taken apart

guy on the street corner in SoHo has

So, at what point is art no longer

and judged relentlessly. Even after

an abundance of the skull scarf, he is

art? In my puzzlement, I come across

the most rigorous logical analysis, the

right next to the guy with the fruit cart

this by Seth Godin, “Art is the work

final conclusion is still unable to rest

where you can get 5 bananas for $1.

of a human, an individual seeking to

in certainty as the beholder ’s whimsy

What was once one-of-a-kind, special,

make a statement, to cause a reaction,

can override reason. Why are they so

and limited has traveled through the

to connect. Art is something new, every

hard to define? Once, art was limited.

diffusion stream and is now mass-pro-

time, and art might not work, precisely

It started with craft, beautiful function-

duced and counterfeited, created with-

because it’s new, because it’s human

al object, and then it evolved to beauty

out the consent or knowledge of the

and because it seeks to connect.”

as its sole function. The artist made

original artists. If the skull scarf is art,

it, tangible and singular. Commercial-

then does that mean the fake version

genius lies? Could it really be as sim-

ization and the Industrial Revolution

sold on the street is art as well?

ple as “it is art because you say it is?” The knock-off on Canal Street never

lead us to Marcel Duchamp and Foun-

Imitation might be the sincerest

tain. The definition of art continues to

form of flattery but this is not a case

intended to be art, it was intended to

expand until we arrive at Andy Warhol,

of appropriation to the sake of new

be profitable and nothing more. It was

“Art is what you can get away with.”

creations, new works of art. In this case

never human. Those Cattelan plates

Given enough time, the once con-

the imitation strips the original of its

and mugs intended to drive commerce

tentious becomes accepted, photogra-

genius and the counterfeits (even if it

first, obscuring the human and by ex-

phy and fashion, for instance. Art and

is identical in fabric, print and style) is

tension the art.

the practitioners of art abhor clearly

an unflattering remnant of the origi-

defined boundaries and specific roles,

nal. A photocopy of a photocopy of a

floor plans at the Tate Modern in Lon-

so the question “Is this Art?” can never

photocopy. None of the genius that was

don and head straight for The Seagram

rest. We are artists after all, how can

imprinted on the original remains and

Murals by Mark Rothko. I love them.

you expect us to color inside the lines?!

we are left with a hollow shell of com-

It’s been 10 years since I’ve seen them.

mercialization and opportunistic greed.

In the dimly lit gray room (just as Rot-

Queen collaborated on the skull scarf,

Where did we lose the art? Where did

hko had envisioned), the murals pulse

since then it has become the signature

the genius go?

with intensity. Time, space, intellectual

Damien Hirst and Alexander Mc-

6

Could the intent then be where the

accessory for the fashion house. Takashi

From the museum design stores, there

I by-pass all the tourists reading the

discourse on what is art disappears.

is a line of plates and mugs inspired by

The dark reds envelop me and we are

edition signature handbags for Lou-

Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Fer-

silent together. Words are not necessary.

is Vuitton. Keith Haring with Tommy

rari. A solar light wall hang by Olafur

A meal by Thomas Keller is art. As

Hilfiger, Tom Sachs with Nike, Matt

Eliasson and Frederik Ottesen. Monet’s

is Bleach by Nirvana, Ham on Rye by

Groening with Comme Des Garcons, the

Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies

Charles Bukowski, Calvin and Hobbs

list goes on.

painting is translated into a luscious

by Bill Watterson, 2046 by Wong Kar-

throw. In these cases, entrepreneurial

Wai, The Artist is Present by Marina

Murakami created a line of limited

In each of these instances, there is still some adherence to the general

vendors have not hijacked the works

principles of singularity and creation

but it is co-created by the museum

Schumann of Bread and Puppet the-

by the artists. Each of the collabora-

design stores with the consent of the

ater, I could go on. What makes it art

tions was limited, keeping the scarcity

artists (okay, maybe not Monet).

is not dependent on the medium, how

element in tact even if we can’t stay

The objects are both functional and

frequently it is reproduced or how it is

true to the object being one of one.

beautiful. They endeavor to bring

distributed. When you are in the pres-

The artists are the creators of these

a little bit of art into the everyday.

ence of art, you know it.

wearable objects of beauty; function

Morning coffee from a Cattelan mug

is re-introduced to what is considered

with a bloody-yet-humorous “I Love

is a feeling, an unquantifiable one. It is

art. I am the first to admit that I am

You” imprinted on it might remind one

not a collection of ingredients or what

covetous of the Hirst/McQueen limited

the dual nature of love itself. What is

you do to the ingredients. Rather, in

edition scarves.

the purpose of art if not to challenge?

both art and love, it is the magic that

Maybe that is how art is like love. It

Except, when I am in the MoMA store

happens when you encounter it, be it

Keith Haring sneakers and the Muraka-

and surrounded by these artful objects,

those opening chords or how you feel

mi/LV handbags as art until we consid-

I wish I were in view of the original

in that vintage Dior.

er counterfeits. Down on Canal Street in

instead. There is no desire to adopt

New York City, one can easily find an

any one of these items into my home.

Algerian or a Chinese hawker and find

The memory of what it felt like to see

We feel confident in claiming the

ART X LOVE

Art connects, transforms, challenges, changes, and nourishes us. It defies logic and boundaries. ø

















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Winter 2014

IT'S NO GOOD TRYING

22

photography Mara Zampariolo @ MEDIUM-GREY styling Lisa Jarvis @ MEDIUM-GREY assisted by Yama Ko

WINTER 2014

hair Shuko Sumida nails Typhaine @ JED ROOT makeup Dariia Day and Maniacha Fialkina @ B4 Agency

digitech mmanuel @ BePong Paris BTS video Alexandre @ MEDIUM-GREY model Gwenola @ Just WM

Thanks to: Olivier Lafrontière Sophie Ragon, Nordine Rharrabti Sonia Gollino, Chloé Bonnard










Winter 2014

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It’s no good trying to place your hand Where I can’t see because I understand That you’re different from me Yes, I can tell that you can’t be what you pretend And you’re rocking me backwards And you’re rocking towards Songwriter SYD BARRETT Published by Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

The red and yellow mane on a stallion horse It’s no good trying to hold your love Where I can’t see because I understand That you’re different from me

31

Yes, I can tell that you can’t be what you pretend The caterpillar hood won’t cover the head And you know you should be home in bed It’s no good holding a sequined fan Where I can’t see because I understand That you’re different from me Yes, I can tell that you can’t be what you pretend Yes, you’re spinning around and around in a car With electric lights flashing very fast IT’S NO GOOD TRYING













Winter 2014

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REVIVING OPHELIA Written By Cory Tallman

43

Misunderstood, maligned and menaced perennial paradox. Her ultimate tragedy often serves as an inspiration for artists: Waterhouse, Delacroix and Millais painted her. She’s permeated pop culture as an appropriation for both Kristen Dunst and Kyle Minogue. It’s the commonality of her struggle, the familiarity of her grief that compels us to keep looking.

photography ALEX FALCAO styling SVITLANA FORGEAU/ LITTLEDARLING

hair MARIA DØSVIK makeup MARIA DØSVIK FOR YVES SAINT LAURENT

retouching ALEX FALCAO assistant WASHINGTON LUIZ

model SOFIA G @ STARLET BY RAVENSBORG MODEL MGMT.

REVIVING OPHELIA




























Winter 2014

RESONANCE 70 photography KIRT REYNOLDS styling RAUL GUERRERO hair & make up JAKOB SHERWOOD @ ARTISTS BY NEXT

RESONANCE

photo assistant AARON RYAN models PAUL BOCHE @ FUSION ALEXEY GALETSKIY @ DNA

shorts by Min Lee.

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Winter 2014

MEMENTO MORI 78 Written By Cory Tallman

oblivion by leaving a physical remain behind. A tangible testament that “I was here, I lived – I created.” The concept of death, the image of decay – these

“Death exists, you soon will not” – art manifests this awareness that consciousness struggles to deny. The power of the grotesque, the obscurity of death and oblivion – art makes these ideas whole and comprehensible to us. It closes the gap separating “you”, and all that is not you. Horror and decline in art

the viewer’s sense of themselves.

death is as close to meaning as we can get.

Children are a genetic bid for immortality.

photography ASSAF MATARASSO

MEMENTO MORI


































Winter 2014

DF: The “Rabbit”...I often wonder where

LZ: Your work is rife with symbolism that evokes nature, astrology, and Masonic

that rabbit came from. His signature long ears

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ative spirit and artistic activities...and it is easy to understand why...the sun, the light makes painting here simply exquisite.

emblems. Can you tell us a little about

NYC provides me the opportunity to hack

your work and how these symbols relate

that face perhaps it is not a rabbit after all. I

to your vision?

had desired to make a zodiac for every Chinese

and chop at the canvas with a brush and wet

Year (Dragon, Snake, Horse etc.) but I have be-

paint, but LA provides me the opportunity

DF: I once knew a man whose wife and

to slowly run my brush across the canvas

boat were stolen by another powerful man only to find that man head back to his “lab”

people born in the year of the rabbit, it is easy

delicately, almost sensually. It is just a new experience and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

and alchemically formulate a storm in the ocean, an angry storm that broke the sails

fun, loveable, and humorous...the qualities of

LZ: Tell us about your new series of currency

and forced the boat back to shore - the return

the rabbit. I feel the rabbit speaking to me, qui-

called Impossible Kingdom.

of his wife and boat now affected. With that

etly pushing me to make him the limelight of

in mind, every painting I work on, I effec-

my work and constantly demanding (in a kind

tively infuse my intention. Whether that

gentle rabbit like manner) to be included and

denominations and the beginning of a life long

intention is filled with the rage of a righteous

never excluded...and how can you deny that of

project to build out the accoutrements of a civil

soul angry at the mistreatment of the weak

anyone asking so politely. The rabbit seems to

society...the story is just beginning to emerge!

or puny or filled with the intention of a crazy

reach me from the ether from the cosmos and

LZ: Does painting currency suggest a com-

artist whose soul burns for the beauty of a

I wonder what spiritual intelligence I have c

mentary on the art market, or the act of

DF: The Impossible Kingdom Dollars (IKD)

exchanging money for creative ideas?

moment to extend beyond the ephemeral

DF: YES and YES. Everybody likes the idea

- my work is filled with pure emotion and

the rabbit.

intention. It is angry, raging, crying, burning,

LZ: Do you think fashion and art should

of printing money and I very much like the

and filled with Universal Love.

intertwine? How would they converge in

idea of making art...it seems natural to blend

the world of FOOX?

the two and make art money, which is ex-

-

DF: Fashion and Art are totally intertwined...

able pure unadulterated MAGICK.

changeable for real money. It’s a little bit of

LZ: Your work frequently delves into

for fashion is BORNE of art (not the other way

a head trip for me the creator of the work but it

Materialism, Universalism and Humanism-

around). I have noticed that even with my

is also quite an excellent study in the dynamics

three qualities that together could be t

nails dirty, long and jagged, my hair unwashed

of the art market...and one that will only fully

aken seemingly negative. Yet your work has

and unkempt, and the slight salty sour smell of

become realized years from now when the rarity of the work is fully understood. There must

a spiritual and positive quality, can you explain how you’ve used these three quali-

very fashionable crowds at Fashion Week par-

be hundreds of millions of $100 bills but there

ties to create an optimistic and fantastical

ties, why? Well, I just assume it is because true

are only 10 prints of my art money. The rarity

world in your paintings?

art from the soul MUST always trump shallow

belies its value.

obscure meaningless materialistic “fashion.”

DF: Everyone desires what is coming to -

I do, however, sometimes wish I had cleaned

Basel Miami? DF: Art Basel Miami 2013 is a wonderful

THING is desirable on a spiritual plane and in

up good because the fashion people are always

the material plane. ONE WORLD GOVERN-

so well put together and quite sexy. I suppose

FOOX moment. Please check out my live paint-

MENT sounds scary to some but how else shall

fashion is sex and art is soul. They do meet but

ing and ritual symbol making on Saturday

not on the same plane and rarely truly under-

the 7th of December at Soho Beach House (all

stand each other.

day event), on the 4th of December I will be

humanity reach the stars and expand beyond

But, to be truly fair, I have seen some

showcasing a selection of my work on a super

our solar system? What if I was to tell you

fashion that I feel is art. Check out my friends

luxury yacht with Burgess Yachts. Hip and

that Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn - actually every

at Hip And Bone from Montreal...they are

Bone has kindly donated a $20,000 crocodile -

art and love. LZ: Although you travel to New York

fully painted with...RABBITS by FOOX…after

frequently, has relocating to Los Angeles

all: rabbits are eaten by crocodiles.

are holding ourselves back but not for much

changed your work or perspective at all?

LZ: Your work is rife with symbolism

longer. The positive aspects in my art are the

DF: Yes...LA is a city made for the creative

TEEMING with life and on those planets

but that cry is unanswered. LZ: In 2011- the zodiac year of the Rabbit—

that evokes nature, astrology, and Ma-

spirit. Never before could I have imagined

sonic emblems. Can you tell us a little

such an epically inspirational place as LA. I

about your work and how these symbols

already feel my best life work emerging from

relate to your vision? DF: I believe in an ordered universe,

you were focused on rabbits in your work,

this space and I bow deeply and with respect

collaborating with my pal Patrick McMullan.

to the Tongva People, the native spirit of this

but how can it be ordered without it

Tongva People are known for their deeply cre-

being chaotic first? One hand must wash the other. ø

I notice that rabbits still make appearances in your work, what is the symbolism?

FOOX

111





















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