SYNTHESIS by MATTE MAG

SYNTH ESIS

N째5 FW

Editor in Chief: Rocio Lugo Quijano

Design Director: Eliud Echevarria

Featured People: Indigo Dennis Pomales

Contributing People : Frank Berlin Wilfredo Bermudez Milena Collazo Tibor Galan Jane and Jane Enrique Olivares Ashley Santiago Stephanie Segarra AlbertoTorres Natalia Viera

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MATTE mag ÂŠ 2013

The entire content of MATTE mag is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. MATTE mag accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised here in.MATTE mag reserves the right to edit,rewrite,refuse or reuse material,is not responsible for errors or omissions and may feature same on the website,as well as other mediums for any and all purposes.

photography_Frank Berlin styling_Wilfredo Bermudez Hair & Make Up artist_ Victor Noble model_Marian Guillen_Request_New York

SYNTHESIS

Many ideas keep multiplying and in the journey to finding new elements we had

found great opportunities and very special people.Among them MATTE had the opportunity to meet one of the most important rock bands of the independent scene in Puerto Rico,the band INDIGO.We are very excited to share with you this exclusive interview where you will get to know their members more intimately.

MATTE keeps working hard to give all our readers the best.Thanks to all the people

who have always shown their support during the course of this adventure, our followers who had always faithfully supported us. I hope you enjoy all the content we have prepared for you. In MATTE we have the genuinely desire that every one of our editions contribute to creation of new ideas,art,music,and that great opportunities continue to multiply.

ONE MAN KINGDOM

SIMONE

PHRASES FOR THE FOUR-IN-HAND

NOIR

INDIGO

BLUE INNOCENCE

A new dimension of color

classiFIED

One man kingdom

Photo & Styling_Tibor Galamb MUA_Caroline Stewart Assistant_Ă kos Galamb_RĂŠka Bartha Model_Irina Nedelcu_ModelTeam

S I M O N E PHOTOGRAPHY_ASHLEY SANTIAGO Styling_milena collazo Make up artist_Eliezer gonzales CLOTHING_OUNA’S CLOSET Model_Suzette Qurós_Epic

PHRASES FOR THE FOUR-IN-HAND: An Etudé By Enrique Olivares

“Neckties satisfy modern man’s desire to dress in art.” O bastion of imperialism, Western culture’s destiny defined! It is impossible to remain impervious to the necktie’s immanent modernity, simplicity and sinuousness. Whether for business or bohemianism, the fourin-hand allows beings from both gender camps to fuse their personality into the aesthetics of the everyday with its damasks of paisley and polka dots. No longer does the tie bemoan the mere functionality of fastening open collars, but leverages some creative space in the otherwise decorous rigor of the Occidental dress. But beauty always meets abuse, and in the acrimony of the aught and a new decade, the necktie has weathered some of the worst offenses. Four-in-hands over t-shirts, clip-ons, and Bugs Bunny ties are but some of the crimes against couture that should have been added to the long list of the Nuremberg trials. When did the collar become a catacomb for the imagination, the dried lynch tree in fall? Let us not blame the industry for sins that we allow. After all, it’s not the arrow but the aesthete. The art of the tie relies on how one wears it. Its aplomb should rely on its modesty, not in its meretricious display. A tie is not meant to purloin the

dedicated gaze of the selves around you, but rather redirected it to more promising parts. While many would hasten to accentuate the protean nether regions of the male trouser with an elusive cravat, the point of the whole attire is to enliven the distinct personality of every face. Gaudy and extravagant ties just reveal their own pornographic nature and their selfishness presents us as husks of what we wear. Clothing should be but a well-wrought frame in which we encase the energy and esprit of our most enduring work of art. To relegate the tie as an obligation is opprobrious. How can we banish the bounty of experiences from our lives, from the summation of ceremonies that have molded our beings? The endless doings and undoing’s of a four-in-hand before my daily entrance into the world, the guiding of my father’s hand through much that I did not know, and my own instruction to a close friend in need. How can I forget the proud pinioning of an Atlantic for my cousin’s wedding and the small knot at my Grandmother’s wake? The hesitation before an interview, the nervous thumbing before a tête-à-tête, the touch of a woman’s hand undressing the stripes of my Windsor as she would undress my soul --these are the nuances that feed our gem-like ardor. Cannot our joys and tempests be tallied in knots? At times, we forget that dressing is a ritual. The careful and meticulous arrangement of patterns is meant to effuse a sweetness of color and harmony. Our bodies should strive for the disposition of a Venetian splendor or a lover’s sonnet: vitality strong enough to stray us from our paths for a reprise. I advocate for A dolce still novo for the dapperly attired that mixes metaphysics with fine regalia, braggadocio with boutonnieres, a staunch temerity in ties. One should face the world with the tie not as an accessory but as an affectation, as an icon of strength, as our very own will to beauty. Do we not ourselves stand before the ancient galleries of our iridescent closets, day in and day out, to decide how we will challenge the minutiae of the day with our imagination, if only for a moment?

N O I R

photography_Frank Berlin photographer assistAnt_MIlos Radoicic styling_Wilfredo Bermudez Hair & Make Up artist_ Victor Noble manicurist_ Anna Tantillo production_B.side Model_Marian Guillen_Request_New York

DRESS_Roland Mouret BOOTS_Givenchy GLOVES_LaCracia

JACKET_Rag & Bone KNEE HIGHS & GARTER_Agent Provocateur SHOES_The Blondes

JACKET_Alexander Wang BOOTS_Givenchy NECKLACE_Alexis Bittar GARTER & HOSIERY_Agent Provocateur GLOVES_LaCracia

FUNNEL COLLARED COAT_Calvin Klein LEATHER GLOVES_LaCracia KNEE HIGHS & GARTER_Agent Provocateur

JACKET_Helmut Lang TIGHTS_Agent Provocateur GLOVES_LaCracia BANGLES_Alexis Vittar

SILK DRESS_Lanvin

BODY SIUT_La Perla NECKLACE_Alexis Bittar GLOVES_LaCracia KNEE HIGHS & GARTER_Agent Provocateur

PHOTOGRAPHY_STEPHANIE SEGARRA INTERVIEW BY NATALIA VIERA

Indigo When the word indigo comes to your mind, what is the first thing you think about? Some people think about the shade between blue and purple on the color palette,just the way Newton presented this tone as one of the seven colors in his spectrum.Could there be a relationship between that and the seven musical notes? Others think about the exceptionally gifted children,who some believe have supernatural abilities according to a pseudoscientific New Age theory developed in the 1970’s by Nancy AnnTappe.

For some of us,however,Indigo is the name of one of the most powerful emerging forces in the Spanish rock scene directly from Puerto Rico’s west coast.The band’s members: Pedro José Santiago (bass),Xavier Rodriguez (guitar,vocals),Mike Mulet (piano,vocals) and Jesús David Matías (drums) launched their debut album “Para Nadie en Particular” in 2012, captivating the masses with their melancholic rhythms and deep lyrics.Singles like“La muerte de Apolonia”, opened the mainstream doors for these great artists whose fan base keeps growing. Matte had the opportunity of talking a little bit with the creators of this amazing project, opportunity in which they proceeded to explain us all about their name and their view on the music industry.

“At first,we started as “Los Convertibles. ”We knew each other from the music scene and were friends since middle school.Now we play as“Indigo”and we’ve been in this project for 2 years now.The opportunity of recording this album (Para Nadie en Particular) arose and we didn’t hesitate.We never thought this would happen and one day we received a call. Everything happened so quickly.With Indigo it felt measured,we had passed the other band’s experience and we said:let’s involve ourselves very seriously on this and take it as our job”,Indigo.

Indigo mixes electric and mellow tones to come up with the most vivid and beautiful sounds. The band describes their music as‘A bunch of colors’and some of their influences include: Beck, Pink Floyd, Omar Rodríguez López, Silvio Rodríguez, Charly García and Ismael Rivera, amongst others.They don’t force themselves into the creative process;sometimes the melody comes first and the lyrics come later or vice versa,but they always work collectively as a whole, “We try to impress ourselves when making music”.

The band recently performed‘Quiero Rock’,one of the most popular singles by Menudo,as part of‘Hecho Con Sabor a Puerto Rico’Banco Popular’s yearly Christmas Special,directed by Kacho López Mari.Its purpose is to educate and promote Puerto Rican culture,and this year, Indigo has been added to the list of amazing artists that over the years had collaborated in

this project like:Juan Luis Guerra,Andy Montañez,Robi Draco Rosa,Victor Manuel,Rubén Blades,Tego Calderón,Calle 13,Cultura Profética and Cheo Feliciano,to mention a few.

The band also told us about their experiences during their latest visit to the United States, where they played for the first time as Indigo, last September in Chicago.“We were the only band invited to ‘De Bandera a Bandera, ’ a very popular Puerto Rican festival in Chicago.Our first presentation was at the Northeastern University in this city. There you could appreciate the urban culture while seeing a lot of hip-hoppers,a very active crowd and tons of Latinos.We met lots of people there,artists and poets.Feeling everyone’s acceptance was a great experience.At one point we felt like we were back home as part of ‘La Fiesta Boricua’, there were like 20,000 people and lots and lots of salsa.It was exciting”.

Since the group recently came from New York City where they recorded the video for “Detrás de la Luz”.Indigo discussed with us the possibility of moving to another country to continue their growing experience. Regarding their perspective on the local rock scene and the Puerto Rican music industry, they said:“We don’t have an industry

here because of the culture. It is a culture that has not fully passed through the rock experience.When the United States was going through all these social movements like the war or the hippie movement, Puerto Rico was not aware of it.We were listening to salsa.That is our culture.

It also has a lot to do with the lack of knowledge on what’s really going on in the world. We make Spanish rock because we think there are still gaps and no one is representing this scene, except Draco.We feel like there hasn’t been a strong influence from the Island.This marks the end of a musical era in Latin America; the generation that grew up listening to Cerati or Spinetta,the 80’s and 90’s music…that chapter is closed and another one begins”.

As of 2013,Indigo keeps climbing the ladder of success after being selected as part of the best top ten independent music groups from Puerto Rico. The artists are currently working on their latest EP , which should be out by spring.The EP will be influenced by different rhythms like typical African sounds but maintaining Indigo’s unique style, the sound that will mark the history of indie rock for generations.

“Nuestros cuerpos se desvisten, se disfrazan de madrugadas de amor. Yo no sé, yo no sé, yo no sé, si es que estoy soñando o alucinando”

“Soy descriptivo un poeta fugitivo, tengo escamas en la planta de mi pie.Seré sincero yo no sé si existe el cielo, pero todos necesitamos salvación” -La Muerte de Apolonia

PHOTO_Eliud Echevarria

PHOTOGRAPHY_JANE AND JANE STYLIST_BRITTANY DAIGLE MUA:_BRITTANY DAIGLE MODELS_CARLY AND SKYLAR_ELITE MODELS TORONTO

blue inn

nocence SWEATER_Roots

SHIRT_Som Kong SHOULDER PIECE_Seema Patel

Carly_SWEATER_Roots Skylar_SWEATER_Som Kong

Carly_SWEATER_Som Kong Skylar_SHIRT_Som Kong SHOULDER PIECE_Seema Patel

DRESS_Som Kong

SWEATER_Roots SKIRT_American Apparel

SHIRT_American Apparel SHOULDER PIECE_Seema Patel

SWEATER_H&M

SHIRT_American Apparel SHOULDER PIECE_Seema Patel PANTS_American Apparel

SWEATER_Som Kong

SHIRT_American Apparel SHOULDER PIECE_Seema Patel

COAT_Som Kong

A new dimension of color

Dennis Pomales is a Puerto Rican young artist who graduated frtom university from Los Angeles, California. There he explored deeply his passion for filmmaking. As part of his development as an artist he decided to return home in order to work on his artistic proposal.Pomales’s first presentation was part of the collective exposition called “Illusions and Asterisms”at the 787 Studios,one of the most talks about events of the season.

His vision and approach really capture the attention of many who fallow closely the art scene. Dennis pieces, as the creator describe, have a “Sense from another planet or dimension populated by magical and psychedelic characters,a cascade of colors with visions of a new world. ”

We invite you to learn more in this exclusive interview about this talented multifaceted artist who has already become one of the great emerging artists on the local artistic scene.

DENNIS POMALES --------

DP- Music and its many moods, the secret

DP- Being able to present my latest body of

life of plants,things made by hand,the vast-

work in Puerto Rico was a fantastic experi-

ness of the cosmos, the diversity of animals,

ence.We were able to transform the floor of

and human emotions.

the gallery into a colorful geometric landscape,which made for a much more magi-

We know you recently got back from Los

cal vibe and helped connect the distances

Angeles,what made you come back to the

visions of each artist. I feel fortunate that I

Puerto Rico? We know you studied film,did that help you DP- Some life changes naturally led me

in your creative process?

and just plain good people to create an interesting event that helped me introduce

back home.I was also home sick and eager to get involved in the local art community.

was able to work with other excellent artists

DP- Film definitely influenced my creative

myself to the community here.

process. It helped shape the way I think of storytelling and atmosphere in a scene. I have too many ideas in my head and not all of them translate well on paper.Through Where do you develop you academic formation?

DP- I Studied cinematography at The Art Institute of Ford Lauderdale and took drawing on the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena,California

How would you describe your work?

How do you choose your characters?

video I was able to explore other aspects of my creativity. I used to work more on doing

DP- I feel like my characters choose me.They

short films;abstract and surreal experiments

present themselves to me when I sit down to

with the moving image.A lot of times I also

create.I discover them as I draw.Once I find a

played around with psychedelic visuals,the

type of character I try to explore its qualities

types that play behind bands while they

further so I can develop them as a series or

perform live,just because it was fun.

sort of species.

What had been your greatest influences?

What keeps you creatively fulfilled and motivated?

DP- Scenes from another planet or dimension populated by magical and psyche-

DP- My friends and comic books. DP- Seeing new creatures in my head keeps

delic characters.A cascade of colors and

me motivated to get them out into the

visions of a new world.

physical world.Also, other artists’ work keeps How would you describe the experience of presenting in“Ilusiones y Asterismos”?

me open to new possibilities.I have to draw everyday to feel creatively fulfilled,whether it is a piece for a gallery or a silly little doodle.

What inspires you?

Do you still have plans with your film career?

DP- I am not sure what is going to happen

now.Maybe at some point I can collaborate

What kind of materials do you like to work

with an animator and create a story based

with and why?

on my characters to mix both worlds.

with my film career. My day job is in the film

DP- Mostly I like drawing with ink,using pens

industry, but I am much more interested in

or brushes, and painting with watercolor or

developing as an artist and illustrator right

gouache. I really like the immediacy of the medium, the fluidity of the watercolor, and how there is very little room for error.It makes each piece I create a very physical and instinctive experience,with a constant play of conscious and unconscious creativity.

Why are you moved so much by the mystical and space theme? Are any symbolisms involved?

DP- I am intrigued by the mysteries of the universe and its possibilities for other worlds and types of life.The mystical aspect of the soul holds an infinite inner world,part of the collective unconscious that brings to light universal archetypes and personal symbols. I try to use symbols and the cosmos as a way to give deeper meaning to the actions and emotions of my creatures, a meaning that is open to interpretation depending on the reaction of the viewer and what he/she identifies with.

What are you working on now?

DP- I am not working on any specific projects right now,but I am always drawing and expanding upon the world I’ve created so far. I would like to show some more work in galleries, paint a couple of murals, collaborate with someone on an animation, and it’s probably a good time for me to make a new “zine”. Right now I am just exploring the next step in my creatures’evolution and looking for different creative projects to get involved in.

Have you had the opportunity to work with other artists outside of Puerto Rico?

DP- When I was living in Miami and Los Angeles I was lucky enough to meet and collaborate with some amazing artists, some of which are dear friends of mine now.Play-

ing the Exquisite Corpse game with the creative people I’ve met has been a big influence on what I do now. I also use the internet a lot to connect and meet other artists from around the world to trade art and ideas with.

Tell us about your music projects?

DP- I enjoy playing with sound to create textures and space.Years ago I had an actual project called Minotaur and released an EP of experimental music. I haven’t published anything since then, I just do it for my own enjoyment,but you can still find theTriangles.

C LA S S I F I E D Photography and Styling_Alberto Torres Make Up_German O. Mirabal Hair_Lio Maldonado Model_Yulianna Padilla_EPIC

BLACK STUDS COLLAR_Alberto Torres BLACK & WHITE DRESS_Zara

WITHE BLAUSE_Topshop EMBELLISHED ACRYLIC BROOCH_AlbertoTorres BLACK LEATHER SKIRT_Stylist Own

WITHE STUDS COLLAR_Alberto Torres

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