Looking Forward Spring Issue 2012

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Content

42 Tony Roko 50 Ovo Drenth 54 Dreams in Fashion 56 Terence Nance 60 Foreign Intrigue

18 Nigel Brown 20 Selah Sue 22 Joy and all that Culture Jazz 24 Brett Florens 36 Veronika Scott

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74 Greg McKeon 76 Dorien Rose 80 Anna A.Wolfers

86 White Light 90 Matthew Mosher 94 My Pal Val 98 Gender Bending 100 Bogdon Vasquaf 104 Banksy

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Colofon Publisher Snatching Media

looking for Writers Interns

Editor in Chief Creative director Francesca Schueler

Praise & Criticism info@looking-forward-magazine.com

Editor Meghan MacKinnon

website looking-forward-magazine.com

Digital Editor Julien Vidal

Cover Credits Cover Design & Layout Jessica Evans Jessica-Evans.nl

Copyright No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, nor transmitted in any form, by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise -, without prior written permission of the copyright owner.

For more copyright information, please check our

Feature Editor Charli Bedet Fashion Intern Marloes de Ruiter Strategic Advisor Alexander Schroeder Graphic Design Francesca Schueler Josh Sinclair

website.

ISSN 2211-6788

Photographer Jessica Evans Model Lara Aimee Make-Up and Hair Lara Aimee Outfit Vintage

Contributors this Issue Jessica Evans John Missig Jalane Aparicio Fabian Stürtz Laila Soer Dias Erica Lavens Sasha Maddy Peter Stigter Famke Backx Ray Christian Marcel van der Vlugt Johnny McMillan Emily Ekong Amanda Berens Looking Forward Spring 2012

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Check ou

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collection

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Editor’s note Engage the flow It is a beautifully fortunate thing to be surrounded by people engaging in the flow towards a shared goal. Freed from mediocrity, at times brushing against commercial norms and expectations. Where different ideas, flexibility, a strong backbone, and a lasting good will are a norm. A place where people understand that everything is truly possible, and some things just take more time than others.

------Reluctant, always waiting for the right moment, filled with excuses, and irresolute, it may be a sign of a time where people have too many choices, which overstrain. The fear of change paralyzes today like it did 50 years ago. Today, self-realization does not work the same way it did 50 years ago, and it is hard to label it congruently, which might be favorable. The 20+ generation of today is frayed out like no other before, by an inflated ego trip that makes people drift around. No planning, living each day like it is the last, it seems the compass has been lost at sea. Everyone is a survival whiz thinking like a civil servant. Knowing better than to follow rules, but knowing about ones own. In this Internet

society things are fast, so we have no time anymore.

Everything needs to be completed quickly and the money for it better be in the account yesterday. In a time where anything and nothing goes, one is lost in the either/or, never wanting to miss out on anything. It is a meander. The courage to decide is needed. A need creates brilliance. Have that courage, even though it is uncomfortable at times.

In this Spring Issue we found our way back to a simple look, packed with visionaries that create unexpected pieces with impacting stories. People that stand out in our time of individual conformity.

Marvel at the art of Tony Roko, the vivid images of Brett Florens, the beginnings of model Ovo Drenth, the passion of Dorien Rose, the energy of Anna A. Wolfers, the variety of Terence Nance, and other creative minds that live joyous journeys to reach their goals!

Volle Kraft voraus!

Francesca

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Foreplay

The Last Rhinos by Lawrence Anthony, South Africa’s widely known conservationist and “Elephant Whisperer” is released following his very sad and untimely passing. While we mourn the legend of a man, along with his wife Francoise, his family, the Thula Thula clan, and all those he has touched (four legged ones included), we also celebrate the legacy that lives on through his accomplishments and literature.

Les Intouchables

For more information on his life, literature and game reserve visit: Thulathula.com French Directors and Writers Olivier Nakache, and Eric Toledano are making noise with their latest drama/comedy, Les Intouchables, starring Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy. Just nine weeks after the films release, it was deemed the second most successful French film of all time. Amsterdam based film distributor De Filmfreak Distributie was on the ball with this one! They will be showing the film across NL this upcoming month. Xander Betke, their current intern describes Untouchables as “a beautiful film in which the acting, dialog and soundtrack come together wonderfully on the big screen. I recommend this film to anyone who is in the mood for the feel good movie of 2012!”

Filmfreaks.nl Intouchables.nl

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Khan Academy

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A free world-class education for anyone anywhere.

The Khan Academy is an organization on a mission.

They are a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free worldclass education to anyone anywhere.

All of the site’s resources are available to anyone. It doesn’t matter if you are a student, teacher, homeschooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology. The Khan Academy’s materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge.

Khanacademy.org

Morris Lessmore

Put yourself in Morris’ shoes as you dive into the story of Mr. Lessmore and his flying friends through Moonbot Studios’ first Interactive Storybook. In this reinvention of digital storytelling you can repair books, tumble through a storm, learn the piano and even get “lost in a book,” flying through a magical world of words, giving you a dynamic journey through the story. This iPad App has been touted

by Apple as one of the “Top Apps for the iPad,” and will surely be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Using rich CG animation, innovative interactivity, original composed music, and unique games sprinkled throughout the book, this App will revive the love of story in all.

MorrisLessmore.com

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Fashion clash By organising fashion projects FASHIONCLASH aims to create a platform where ‘young’ designers/ artists can present their work to a diverse international audience.

There are many places where you can find inspiration and many things that can inspire you, but why not bring it all together? To create a platform for fashion artists and designers and to bring influencers, talents and fashion insiders together there’s Fashionclash…

On the 8th, 9th and 10th of June the SAMdecorfabriek at Maastricht houses the 4th edition of Fashionclash. Fashionclash started out in 2007 with the purpose of creating a ‘clash’ with ‘fashion’. By organizing fashion projects, fashionclash creates a platform where young artists and designers can present their work to the international audience. Fashionclash presents fashion to its fullest, from photography to the fine arts, video, textile, illustration and product design.

All of these projects come together during the Fashionclash in Maastricht this coming June. In the SAMdecorfabriek many aspiring, talented designers and artists will present their work and visitors can discover new talents, connect to new people and find inspiration in fashion.

Fashionclash.nl

Campaign Image Credits Photography and Sculpture: Madame Peripetie Photography Assistance: Vanessa Bejarano Lor Model: Adjorka Make up: Anita Brulee Robotic Arm: Wali Mohammed Barrech Wigmaker: Seema Shopra Shoes: Karolina Piech Graphic design: Ivo Bakkes

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Nigel Brown Singer, songwriter Nigel Brown talks about the joy he has for music. From personal idols like Brian McKnight and Beyoncé to his Idols and The Voice experiences...Nigel certainly has the energy and talent to capture an audience!

How would you describe your sound?

My sound is a bit difficult to define. I like Pop, R&B, Soul, Gospel, and Funk. It is mixed. I don’t really have just one sound, but mostly it would be Pop and Funk, I would say.

What were some major milestones in your musical development up until now?

That would be Idols, where I ended in the 4th place in 2008, and the Voice, where I finished in the quarterfinals. Those two accomplishments were big things in my musical career that I have done, and that I really liked doing.

What is so important about music, what brings you joy in making music?

Music makes me feel better. It heals me when I am in pain. I can go crazy with music too. Sometimes I put a song on and I go wild in my room. When I feel down, or someone hurt me I put on music that encourages, and makes one just feel happy. It just brightens my day, and is the only thing I think about all day long! Certain songs just make me smile!

Singing, and also writing and composing?

I try to write my own songs. I am beginning to do that on my own, but I usually sing covers. I am ready to do my own music though. I am trying to write and compose at the moment. I got a few demos that are done. Of course I want to be a solo performer! I just want to sing! It is harder than I thought it would be…I do collaborate with other artists too. I am focused on the goal I set for myself!

Is the Dutch market ready for you?

It is hard for me to say that. I think of myself as an ordinary person. I hope people will like the music that I am singing and making. I just want them to embrace it.

Independent or with a label?

I am not sure about that right now. I will just go with the wind and see where it takes me.

What is your life philosophy?

Things happen for a reason.

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Is there an artist in the music industry that you would die to work with?

JAAAA! First of all Brian McKnight! I would love to work with Beyoncé. Everything she does is everything I love. It is so powerful. The music is upbeat and brings people to life. I like that. She brings you the entire package. It is always about the music, but the entertainment part of it is great. I would also dance!

Alone or together?

Together, because that is when music can be more fun.

Nigelbrown.nl

Everything she does is everything I love ... Beyoncé

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Selah Sue

Pictures

by Fabian Stürtz Location: Gloria, Cologne.

March 2012 Fabian-stuertz.de

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If one were to mute the ears, the sight is a pleasure.

Piercing eyes, amazing hair, cute face, fashionable presentation, sympathetic, and all over beautiful.

Closing the eyes, and letting in the sound is a relief.

A rich voice, a complete live band. Rocking from side to side, nodding the head, tapping those feet to the rhythm of the sounds. And then those senses together. Eyes open, ears open, a true amazement of sight and sound. Selah Sue, in her early 20s, probably knew what she was doing when she refused a record deal with Universal a few years back. Deciding to create her own sound, making her own music was a delightful decision to any music lover. She did not take the scene by storm; she grew and did not seem to be afraid. From Patrice to Cee Lo Green, she also features well! She plays, sings, raps, and freestyles live! You know the artist is real, when the live performance makes you want to get the CD, only to come back to another live performance!

Selahsue.com

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Culture Jazz

by Charli Bedet

In 1999, I moved to the Netherlands from my native South Africa. Upon my arrival, the first thing I noticed was how people never asked for my opinion about anything South African –they just told me what they knew, which most of the time, was way off the mark. They were adamant about their “facts” obtained from television or what they have read or even experienced from their short holiday in the country.

That said, the only question I was asked in which my opinion was of value: Why are Africans so full of joy-why do they keep on smiling even though they have “nothing”? The irony was, I had no idea what the “nothing” meant. I was continuously asked the one question I didn’t have an answer for.

Fast forward thirteen years, a marriage and three kids later, I can now say, through trial and experience, I can understand why they are baffled. It all boils down to this: a Western “nothing” equals to an African “everything”. Here is how I reached that conclusion: Wealth vs. Happiness In South Africa, we have a saying used in different languages: “Umuntu umuntu nga bantu” (Zulu) meaning “A person is a person because of others”-or simply titled Ubuntu. This humanist philosophy encourages the interdependence of every human in a group and the priority of group goals over individual goals. It is within its guidelines that we are raised to know that sharing yourself with others attains happiness; that a human soul cannot thrive in isolation. Tales of wealthy people dying alone and miserable because they isolated others are told to the young to instill to them that money is not the only important thing in life. A person with no friends is poor, and has failed himself, we are told.

I remember as children, we were more petrified by the idea of dying alone with no friends’ than the idea of dying without accumulating material wealth.

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I remember as children, we were more petrified by the idea of dying alone with no friends’ than the idea of dying without accumulating material wealth.

I-culture On the other hand, the western culture is mostly individualistic and consumerist. People emphasize on their individual goals and are more selfcentered. Through advertising, rather than feeling grateful, people are continuously urged to get the newest iPad, iPhone etc, further perpetuating the individualistic “I” culture. Consumer society, some argue, is the most efficient mechanism ever devised for the creation and distribution of unhappiness.

Human touch In 2001, a study conducted by the University of Alabama in the US, concluded that touching is important to the general health of newborns and is crucial to their general development. It has also been proven that many of the babies who were put into orphanages in Europe after World War II developed what they call ‘failure to thrive.’ Although the babies received calories, because they were not nourished with parental touch, they did not grow, and many developed severe social problems.

South Africans are a nation of huggers and make a lot of physical contact. We hold people’s hands when talking to them; we put an arm across someone’s shoulder when showing appreciation (used mostly by males-finished off by a slight punch on the arm). A single touch can exert so much love and understanding. Whenever words fail us, we touch. On the flipside, I find people in the western culture, in the Netherlands to be exact; protecting ones physical space is paramount. In a social environment and everyday life, people keep their distance and rarely touch.

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charities, with money withdrawn monthly online, because it is the right thing to do. They simply do not have time in their well-documented “agendas” for people around them. They prefer it that way, clinical, because it’s highly important for them to exercise their individualism-while missing the most vital part of the process, the much needed human contact and relation.

Social isolation and alienation It is very common for Africans living in Europe, myself included, to suffer from what is called “alienation syndrome”. If you grew up in a collectivism cultural society, and you find yourself within an individualistic one, surrounded by people who are not reflecting your humanity back at you, you become depressed and even physically ill. Although you are in pain, endless visits to the doctor’s results in tests showing nothing, because it is not your physical body that is hurting, but it is your soul that is yearning for human nourishment.

Smiling When visiting South Africa, it takes a few days to adapt, once again overwhelmed with this wonderful general feeling that I belong to something bigger than myself-that I am one with the people and most importantly, that I do matter. I find that feeling everywhere I go, and it is in everything I do. And that sends the warmest of feelings to my heartstrings. Feelings, I can only describe, as pure unadulterated JOY. And that’s why, I now know, why they are smiling.

Charity begins at home We all know that the Dutch are a nation of givers. However, the giving like everything else is institutionalized. People prefer to donate to Looking Forward Spring 2012

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brett Florens Meet internationally acclaimed South African photographer, Brett Florens. From police photographer to Nikon’s Wedding Photographer worldwide representative; his incomparable talent, enthusiasm, and joy for his work live vividly through his breathtaking images.

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My immediate thoughts would be about passion, I am a very passionate father, husband, son and friend. I have always had an attitude of “all or nothing”. Whatever I do I give 100%. Whether it is playing tennis with my two wonderful boys, travelling and spending quality time with my wife or pursuing my love of road running with my closest friends, it’s never less than 100% effort. I have put the same energy and enthusiasm into my career. I am always striving to be the best I can be, constantly aware of self-improvement and accomplishing my goals.

I grew up in a tropical province on the east coast of South Africa called KwaZulu-Natal and I love living here. I travel a lot and this means leaving my young family at home, sometimes for 9 weeks at a time.

Lifestyle is important to me and knowing that they are enjoying a healthy, outdoor lifestyle is high up there on my list of priorities. We could live in a big city in Europe or the UK, but I would still be travelling a lot and although I love London, Paris or Barcelona, I believe that South Africa is the best place in the world to raise balanced healthy boys.

How did your career as a photographer begin?

In 1990 I joined the South African Police force to fulfill my National service obligations. In 1992 a position became available as police photographer in the Riot Unit. I never had any inclination towards photography or art at all, however I volunteered for the position, because one was issued with a “pager” and a state issued police car! So from an impetus that was a bit materialistic and naïve, I in fact opened a new door in my life, and discovered a career that would have me hooked for life! And indeed, this was where my passion for photography began; it was my job to document all the violent and politically motivated crime that took place during the transition from Apartheid to Democracy in South Africa. This involved photographing many murder scenes and lots of dead bodies, or “still life” as I humorously called it. I became hungry for photographic knowledge and started to teach myself, through books, magazines and by watching films with great lighting and cinematography. I did this job for about 5 years, selling many of my dramatic images to the international media. However, the international media interest in South Africa dissipated after the 1994 elections and I wasn’t able to sell my images to the big agencies anymore because the world didn’t want to see negative images of a democratized South Africa. I then started Looking Forward Spring 2012

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If you can quench your creative thirst then you will never get bored or despondent. shooting the weddings of colleagues to earn some extra money – the police force in South Africa isn’t paid very well. I really enjoyed being a part of a couple’s history and contributing to bringing joy to others through my work. I had found a new lease on life and I left the police force in August 1997.

Where do you draw your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from fashion. I enjoy the constantly evolving world of fashion photography and imagery. I enjoy the textures, shapes and the ability to use light to create mood or emotion.

My weddings have a distinctive editorial feel to them, shooting as if I was shooting for Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar. I specifically target my marketing to those clients who have an appreciation for fashion inspired images. I have followed the work of international icons, such as Patrick DeMarchelier, Mario Testino and Nick Knight. There are also some great younger fashion photographers such as South Africa’s own Jacques Weyers who inspire me.

I watch a lot of foreign films, particularly European work. I love the different interpretation of light and find the style very raw and honest.

You often mention the joy your work brings you; what aspects of your work bring you joy and how do you keep that alive?

I once walked into a person’s home in Tonbridge Wells in Kent, England and saw a framed image from a wedding that I had shot hanging on the wall, it was the owner’s sister who had got married and she couldn’t attend the wedding because she was having a baby. I was there that day to photograph the family, as I shoot family portraits in London during the summer. It made me realize how my work brings joy to others, without me even knowing. We often think of the commercial aspect of selling reprints, canvases and framed images, but don’t often think too much about the end user and how our images really make other people happy.

It’s like leaving a legacy in some way. That is very rewarding.

If you could shoot in any locations, where would it be and why?

I recently shot in the desert in Nevada and loved the light and barren landscape. The sense of something new blossoming in this barren area was very powerful for me, I really enjoyed the shoot.

I like shooting in London or Paris at night; the ambient light is great to work with. As you know, the technology that is available to us is beyond what anyone imagined 10 years ago and shooting in the dark has opened up to us now, instead of being something to fear.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?

Having a balanced life. I believe that I have the perfect life. A wonderful, supportive wife and two loving sons, a career that brings joy to my clients and very cool friends that keep me grounded. It hasn’t been easy by any stretch of the imagination, but by surrounding myself with the right people, I believe that I have struck that balance.

Any upcoming news or events would you like to share with our readers, and/or words of wisdom for aspiring photographers?

My words of wisdom to someone entering the market would be to shoot for your self. If you can quench your creative thirst then you will never get bored or despondent. It is very easy to go out a copy other photographers work, but developing your own style and brand is essential to the longevity of your career.

I have two workshops coming up this summer in London – one theory and the other a practical shoot with a couple at a simulated wedding. The details are on my website. I also have training DVD’s and a book on Wedding photography called “Brett Florens’ Guide to Photographing Weddings”.

Brettflorens.com

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Veronika Scott

Veronika Scott is a young Detroit based designer on a mission to help the homeless. Founder of The Empowerment Plan, and creator of the MPWR Coat, she aims to take her humanitarian project to the next level with the intent to empower, teach, and encourage pride.

Where are you from, where do you reside, and where would you like to be?

I am from the Metro Detroit area. I reside within the Cass Corridor in Detroit. Five years down the line, possibly going to grad school, traveling, or starting another project. I like to leave my options open.

Is there something on your mind right now you would like to share with our readers?

I would like to share with readers that in the end, we can give individuals coats, and we can give them all they need to survive. But it is their choice whether or not to use them. We realize that the coat only gives so much to people when there is a larger system around them of shelters, health care facilities that need support or they are corrupt or they don’t exist for those who need their services. It is because of the struggle of the system as a whole, that homelessness exists. We need to invest in the care for individuals that wouldn’t receive it otherwise.

I’m sad over the loss of human life and the lack of care for human life, but then I’m angry, angry at the failure within the system that allowed for this situation to happen. I tell these stories of extreme situations of people dying on the streets, I’m not looking for pity or sorrow; I want people to get as angry about it as I am. To be furious at how unfair it is, situations and conditions that destroy people’s lives and that most of us have such a privileged fall back.

Tell us about The Empowerment Plan.

For those of you that may not know, The Empowerment Plan is a humanitarian program which provides funds for previously homeless women to learn industrial sewing and manufacturing, and in turn employs them full time to produce self-heated, water-resistant sleeping bag coats for homeless individuals on the streets. My name is Veronika Scott and I’m the founder of this

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business. It is really a school project gone awry, and it all started as a product design studio class at the College for Creative Studies. After months of developing this product, for the class, I had begun to realize that I wasn’t really designing for a tangible need; I was trying to solve an emotional one.

old collage student, living with my grandparents I figured what is the worst that could happen?

What inspired your creation?

What affect would the coat have on it’s own? I was just locking myself in my basement and sewing them...and I’m really bad at sewing. No one would want them anyway. So, with the help of Cass Community Social Services, I was able to provide what really helps to end homelessness, creating jobs.

When I say that this was a school project gone awry, it really was. As a student it didn’t sink in that while I was creating jobs for other people, I was creating a job for myself. I kept pushing the project further and further because I figured that I had nothing to lose and since I was already a broke, twenty year

Life Philosophy?

Nothing worth having is easy.

How can one support this project?

On our website, there is a spot for donations, and a place to send donations to our space in Detroit

Any upcoming projects you would like to share with our readers?

We will be launching our For-Profit at the end of the summer.

Empowermentplan.org

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I tell these stories of extreme situations of people dying on the streets, I’m not looking for pity or sorrow; I want people to get as angry about it as I am.

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A Rare and Fortunate Soul

By: John Missig

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When we are very young, we depend on our parents so much. We believe them when they tell us that we can be anything we want to be when we grow up. Our eyes open wide and a sense of wonderment washes over us as our young imaginative minds ponder through the endless possibilities. For a few brief moments it seems as though anything is possible. As we get older and experience more things our interests begin to change, and with that, so do our goals and ambitions. We become more self conscious and more aware of our failures and successes. For many of us the dreams we have as children and young adults are replaced by more practical endeavors. This is not a horrible thing, for very few people are fortunate enough to make a living doing what they’re truly passionate about.

That’s not to say that you can’t love what you do otherwise, but there is a distinction between loving what you do and doing what you love.

Detroit artist, Tony Roko, is one of those rare and fortunate souls lucky enough to be able to do what they love and still earn a living. He has only just emerged on the Michigan scene three years ago, but today his paintings adorn the walls of various galleries and museums around the state. Tony Roko’s work can be seen at the legendary Motown Museum ( all the motown hits were recorded here ), the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Michigan State Capital building.

He has since been commissioned by the Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola/Vitamin Water, and was most recently named the top artist of Winter Soulfest 2012, an annual event sponsored by Vibe and Uptown magazines. Tony Roko is truly an original and spectacular artist, and has quickly become one of the Motor City’s most sought after artist. I was fortunate enough to be able to catch up with Roko at his home studio in Plymouth Michigan.

Did you always envision that you would make art for a living?

I always knew that I wanted to make art, but no I never dreamed of doing it for a living.

(Pause) When I was painting murals at the Ford power plants, I was making a living doing that of course, but I always saw that as a means of keeping off of

the assembly line. It doesn’t really compare to what I am doing now. Ford had to pay me because I was an employee, I mean they must’ve liked what I was doing or they wouldn’t have kept asking me to paint for them, but it’s not the same. People don’t have to buy my paintings and galleries don’t have to show my work, so when that happens it makes me want to push myself harder and see how far I can go.

You said you painted murals for Ford?

Yeah!

How does one go about applying for that job? (laughs) You don’t. It sort of just fell into my lap really.

I actually started out installing door panels on the assembly line. I used to bring my sketch book so that I could mess around on my lunch breaks. One of the guys on the line mentioned me to a friend of his that was running for a U.A.W. office position. I ended up drawing the design for his campaign and he won the election. I don’t really think his winning had much do with my drawing, but before I knew it I was approached by both the U.A.W. and Ford Management who asked me if I would be interested in painting murals on the factory walls. And so I did. For close to 15 years.

Wow, how old were you when you started?

19 or 20.

That sounds like it was a pretty sweet gig.

Oh my god, at first I was beside myself. I never thought in a million years something like that would ever happen. I went home and told everybody that I was the factory artist for Ford and that I was going to get paid to paint on walls and blah blah blah. I really felt like I had sort of made it in a way. I always wanted to paint iconic figures and that’s exactly what they had it mind.

What was the reason for aksing you to paint murals?

It was supposed to boost employee moral. Which it kind of did in a way. People used to come on their lunch breaks and watch me paint. They would sit there and talk to each other. I remember one time

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You no longer paint murals for Ford. What made you stop?

It just got to be too much.

I wasn’t really creating anything that I wanted to make. When I first started doing murals there was a very collaborative and organic process occuring between myself and the workers. I painted what the workers wanted to see. It was really fun for me.

It wasn’t until I started painting murals at other factories .. doing grand openings and things of that nature that the whole process started to go downhill for me. The bigger it got the more I was told what I could and couldn’t paint. So it ended up being very repetitive and safe.

It actually turned me off altogther and I didn’t paint anything for close to 6 years What changed? What made you pick up a paintbrush and start painting again?

I don’t really know. People used to ask me all the time. You know family members and such. They’d say why don’t you paint any more Tony or they’d try and get me to paint something for them at their house. I was in a very loathful phase where I detested making art altogther. Finally one day my significant other at the time said to me, why don’t you just paint what you want and fuck everybody else if they don’t like it. I can’t really say why that resonated so much, but I figured what the hell.

Nobody has to see this when I am done with it. So I started painting again people seemed to like it and I started getting commisioned to do work and suddenly it became fun and exciting again. So here we are today (gestures towards the paintings on his studio walls).

Tonyroko.com

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Ovo photographed by Peter Stigter. Fashion by Tony Cohen

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Full of boundless energy, the vivacious 23-year-old talks about her humble beginnings, and reflects on her career in the spotlight.

By: Charli Bedet

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Getting started.

As early as I can remember, I have always loved fashion and dreamed of being a model. I grew up in a small village where modeling scouts never came.

In 2009, while studying for my fashion designing degree in Groningen, I decided to enter the first Holland’s Next Top Model and came third. After my participation in HNTM, I got a contract with Max Models and moved to Amsterdam. From then on, the ball started rolling, and eventually I found myself featured in Italian Vogue.

Thoughts about black models in the fashion industry.

Ah - the big elephant in the room (laughs).

Unfortunately, my experience is that, there is still this generalized mentality among fashion houses when it comes to girls of color. Black models are rarely booked for high fashion. And unless you are Naomi Campbell or Tyra Banks, black girls still have to work twice as hard to get picked up. Some designers still have outdated views, but I hardly ever take it personal. The world is changing so rapidly and in time, they too, will have to ditch the stereotype, as they cannot continue with that perspective in the new world.

Role model.

My biggest role model in the industry will have to be Naomi Campbell. She was a trailblazer- being the first black model of her stature and she continues to prove the skeptics wrong. I admire that about her.

Advice for aspiring models.

Do some research on several modeling agencies and learn about the types of girls they are looking for. If possible, get in touch with other girls already modeling and ask for tips. If you are sure that you have what it takes, then email photos of yourself to a few agencies. Do not waste money and time making professional photos- once an agency is interested in you, they will help you build your book. Once in, do not allow the fashion industry rejections to put you down. Believe in yourself and always stay confident-you will go a long way.

Personal Style.

My personal style is eclectic and I never leave home without my high heels, my perfectly coiffed short hair and a bit of jewelry. I am crazy about vintage clothes, but what I really love is mixing and matching, -adding my personal signature of course. I try all kinds of different styles, from sporty, boho-chic, classy to old school, depending on my mood for the day. And, because of my fashion designing background, I occasionally make my own clothes or add my personal touch to the ones I buy.

Looking your best has nothing to do with money; it has everything to do with materials and color combinations. Looking cheap is bad for your health!

(Laughs) Transition to acting.

My transition from modeling to acting happened by chance. I was working on a photo shoot with renowned Dutch photographer and movie director Erwin Olaf, when he offered a leading role in his movie, Dusk. I took the opportunity with both hands and never looked back. I loved being the main character of the story and I also had to sing, which I thoroughly enjoyed. In addition, I previously made a special appearance on Marco Borsato‘s music video for his legendary hit song, Rood. I feel very lucky in that regard.

Future plans.

I love being a model and my career continues to give me the privilege of working with great people in the business. That being said, I equally have a great passion for acting. Playing a leading role as a novice in Dusk gave me an opportunity to learn the film making process really fast. I was in my element and absolutely loved it. I see my future in both industries for now. My wishes are not only to be a successful actress, but to be part of stories that overcome adversity and celebrate the triumph of the human spirit. Those are the type of roles that appeal to me.

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Picture by Marcel van der Vlugt

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Shine a little light Shine a little light on yourself by wearing metallic items. Not to fade away into the crowd, but to shine on!

Dreams in F a s h i o n By: Marloes de Ruiter

Spring is on its way, time for us to focus on the latest fashion trends.

From leather, denim and faux fur we now move on to metallic’s, pastel pallets, bright colors, funky prints and tribal influences.

Let’s take a closer look to the four trends you cannot ignore. Bring on spring!

The Bright and The Funky Bright colors and funky prints.

These two are top of the list when it comes to fashion in spring, be bright, be colorful and most of all be funky…

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Pretty Pastels It looks as sweet as candy, and no one can resist it. Pretty pastels in all its facets, from a jacket to a beautiful ring. Make it sweet and make it happen.

Tribal Treasures A mixture of folklore prints, feathers, fringe and beads. All in colors that bring the good old hippy in us to the surface.

Tribal treasures it is…

Shine a little light: Jacket: Topshop ca. 99,-. Shoes: Zigi 169,95. Earrings: Club Manhattan 24,95.

The bright and the funky: Long Blouse: Topshop ca. 50,-. Dress: Motel ca. 45,-. Clutch: Friis&Company 37,50.

Pretty Pastels: Dress: Traffic People 84,95. Shoes: Supertrash 129,95. Cutch: Asos 42,19.

Tribal Treasures: Cardigan: Supertrash 179,95. Sandals: Friis&Company 92,50. Earrings: Friis&Company 19,95.

All prices in Euros and approximate.

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Terence Nance Terence Nance is a writer, director and all around artist from Dallas, USA. After graduating from NYU in Fine Arts, he lived in Paris for 2 years in an art residency. Upon returning to New York, he wrote and directed his movie, An Oversimplification of her Beauty, which he presented at the Sundance Independent Film Festival, at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, and numerous other Independent Film Festivals. Terence talks about his projects, politics, music, and his aspirations.

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Writing, directing, which one would you pick?

Both, definitely.

Do you have a favorite genre?

Not really. I like movies that have a surreal element to them or bring an element of the narrative outside how we normally experience the world. It has to do with what movies are supposed to do on certain levels. Interpret people’s experiences in a way that is fresh or specific to the artist who made it. Just show it back to you in a way that you can identify. It has to help you see the world.

thing negative I have to say is kind of from an outsider perspective, on some level. Hopefully with this film I can come on the inside a little, and be able to change it for the better once I get there. Generally I do not want to see 99% of movies that are out there.

The western world just feeds on mediocrity. Capitalism supports mediocrity. It has actually little to do with the movie industry alone, it is capitalism.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

A lot of books. I get really good ideas when I read novels, by Louise Erdrich or Tony Watson for example. Also I like to play music. The reading inspires me the most though.

Is there a particular place you would like to shoot a movie?

My first movie was in South Africa, I would really like to get back there to do another movie. I would like to do a movie in East Africa as well, like in Somalia or Ethiopia. Anywhere is fine really, and also in the South, preferably Texas, where I am from.

I definitely want to do something there in the southern environments where I grew up.

Frustrations about the movie industry?

Not really, I am kind of new. I do recognize that any-

Who would you like to work with?

I want to work with Jeffrey Wright, and Janelle

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Monae, because I am sure she is a great actress. I’d like to work with Sophie Okonedo, and Riley Davis, just to name a few.

Who is your favorite actor?

Jeffrey Wright is my favorite actor. My second favorite actor is Chiwetel Ejiofor, he is Nigerian. Everything he does I love. He would also be a person I would like to work with.

In the past you have worked with many musicians. Is there anything in particular that attracts you to work with musicians?

Actually I might not do that anymore, not that I don’t like it, but it is a collaborative environment, starting with the fact that they are musicians. It’s a collaboration between their music and my visual ideas. Often times it is very difficult to navigate, because people’s music is very personal to them.

It represents their image, so they want what their image is associated with. That is kind of confining artistically. Whenever I have to come up with something it’s confined by their image, who they are. It is difficult to get musicians to be someone else, act something else. That takes the fun out of it, because for me it is about the playing part. To be something else, someone else. I think it is a great exercise to learn how to collaborate, to do it in that space, but I think for me in the near future I want to do a little less collaboration on that level, and be able to come back to it later on. Maybe then there will also be more trust coming from those relationships. I am a musician myself, so I like the idea of marrying visuals with music. So really I will always do that.

So you are also a musician. What is the genre of music you make?

I call it Art Funk. It is Funk based. When I say Funk it is really black music that pulls on all other genres of music. If you look at what Rock is right now, it is music of the western world that pulls on all types of music. Funk to me is like that, but with black music. There is everything in there. I say Funk is the base of it all. Art Funk, because of think the narrative, and audio elements, and I play a lot of characters on stage. We just performed at Sundance, which went really well. We had a few shows the last

few months that went really well. We are recording the album in the next few months. I am happy to see it all developing so quickly. I have been writing songs for a long time, but I never performed. It is nice to see people respond to it.

Where can we expect you 10 years from now?

My goal in general with my life is to make whatever I want to make. In a reasonable amount of time I want the needed resources available to execute it in the way I want to execute it. If I want to make a Jacky Robinson Bio picture tomorrow, and I have the script, I want to be able to call whoever I want to call, bring in whoever I want to bring in and just make it. I want to be able to make that happen in 4-5 months, instead of 2 years. I want to get to a stage in my life, where I can command those types of resources to make the kind of artwork I want to make.

Is there anything you regret? You should have done it, but you did not do it.

If you asked me a few months ago, I would have said I would not have continued to make an Oversimplification of her Beauty. Just because it has caused a creative block, where I felt like I have to finish this to move on to other things. But this movie has gotten me all over the world at this point. So, it is clearly proven to work on this for so long and focus on it. Without that movie I would not be in Rotterdam at this Film Festival right now! (laughs) So right now I have no regrets. I finished the movie, people are responding positively.

Are in interested in politics? And did you ever think of working that into your art?

Yes. Actually my next project is called the lobbyist. It is about the nature of lobbying, the concept in government, mostly American government. It is about how that plays out in terms of legislation, and thus peoples life in the real world. It is about myself, I play a con man. So the con man and an ex CI Agent team up to start lobbying politicians in a weird way. (laughs) Do you know who are voting for?

Yes, I am definitely not voting for Newt Gingrich.

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Capitalism supports mediocrity.

It has actually little to do with the movie industry alone, it is capitalism. (laughs) I will vote for Obama. Even though I fiercely disagree with a lot of things he has done, but you know…it makes my mother proud! (laughs) I think Obama’s main impact on the world is a cultural impact. My niece, who is a black girl can see that an extremely powerful person is a black man with a black wife and black daughters and they look like her, and talk like her, and walk like her. He could be Republican and that would still be a positive thing for the next generation. For them to see power and success that looks like them on that scale, so that is why I am voting. He doesn’t need to fix a lot of stuff that he probably won’t be able to fix. He is definitely, unfortunately the best option.

If there were one thing you would want Obama to definitely do, what would that be?

Pull out all support for any governments that are in violation of the human rights charter. Including the Israeli government, the Saudi Arabian government, all the ties we have economically and aid wise with really terrible people. Supporting them reinforces their behavior toward the people that they oppress.

It is really important not to have double standards.

Gaddafi has killed his people; they went in there and took care of him. But in Syria and Saudi Arabia

nothing is happening. You know Israel is in violation of every human right, and you know we give them millions of dollars…So Obama really needs to focus getting more legislation passed that addresses a lot of the institutional injustices in the US. For the poor people, health care, housing, and education specifically, because you know that poor people are not educated the same way, and their health care is not the same as for people with money. Social services are not the same. Transportation, the access to food is not the same. There is double standard in the United States, so a lot of legislation needs to get passed to address those things aggressively. They always talk about the middle class, and no one talks about poor people.

Oversimplification.mvmt.com

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F

Foreign Intrigue Intimacy in the Shadow of the Spotlight

Photography: Johnny McMillan Styling: Emily Ekong, Franziska Pollak, Sophie Ochoa, Aida Sham Hair & Make-up : Kate O’Reilly Photo Assistant: Laura Bates Videographer: Aamina Simone Photo Editor: Donna van West Special Thanks To: Mirjam Ackermann, Nick Blok

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Ring: YVES SAINT LAURENT/Bracelet: YERIN JEON (CSM STUDENT)/Briefs: AGENT PROVOCATEUR/Corset: AGENT PROVOCATEUR RAPHAELLA LACE AND TULLE CORSET

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Pearl earrings: MARCO BICEGO Body con: WOLFORD NUDE INDIVIDUAL NATURE FORMING DRESS Pumps: MIU MIU GLITTER-FINISH LEATHER PUMPS

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“I’ve never revealed myself or even my body in films.

Mystery is very important.”

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Claudia Cardinale

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Pearl necklace: IVONNE ROHE Briefs: AGENT PROVOCATEUR Hold-ups: WOLFORD Corset: AGENT PROVOCATEUR CLASSIC SATIN CORSET LookingPUMPS Forward Sandals: YVES SANT LAURENT WOVEN SLINGBACK PLATFORM

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“If you have not cried, your eyes can’t be beautiful” - Sophia Loren

Bra: STELLA MCCARTNEY EMMA STRETCHING STRE-SILK UNDERWIRED BRA Feather cape: VINTAGE GUCCI Sandals: YVES SAINT LAURENT TRIBUTE LEATHER SANDALS

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Earrings: YERIN JEON (CSM STUDENT) Necklace: HOUSE OF HARLOW Briefs: VPL LICHEN SATIN-PANELED STRECH-COTTON BRIEFS Bra: VPL LICHEN SATIN-PANELED STRECH-COTTON TRIANGLE BRA Blazer: HAUTE HIPPIE Sandals: YVES SAINT LAURENT TRIBUTE LEATHER SANDALS

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“Darling, the legs aren’t so beautiful, I just know what to do with them” - Marlene Dietrich

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“A star remains pinned on a wall in the public imagination” - Catherine Deneuve

Jessica Earrings: SWAROVSKI Pearl bracelet: VINTAGE Fox stole: MAFRANA YAJRODAYA Dress: CAROLINA HERRERA Pumps: GIUSSEPPE ZANOTTE Kim Clutch: MIU MIU GOLD SEQUIN CLUTCH Dress: LANVIN WASHED SILK-SATING GOWN Pumps: MIU MIU GLITTER-FINISH LEATHER PUMPS

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Greg McKeon Greg McKeon is a GoGo dancer and personal trainer in California’s West Hollywood. From dancing to pay his way through college to the cover of Playgirl Magazine, we take a closer look at his experiences on and off the boxxx.

Where are you from and how did you get to where you are today?

I am from San Diego, however, I lived in Alaska, Latvia, Holland (for high school), and went to UC Berkeley.

So you became a GoGo dancer to pay your way though college…How did you get the idea?

I started dancing in order to pay for UC Berkeley when I was 21, I never thought almost five years later I would still be dancing nor that I would have been to so many cool places to work, like New York, Fire Island, the Mountain of Pennsylvania, Miami, Disney World, Las Vegas, and all over California.

Once I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in European History, I started to also work as a personal trainer, and I now train some of the most interesting and inspiring people, many of them who I met on the Gogo Box, so both professions have had some nice cross over.

You also model, how did you become Playgirl’s cover model of 2010?

A friend of mine referred me to a casting, and as we say in Hollywood, “Booked it”!

Did you have trouble getting naked in front of the camera?

It wasn’t the most natural experience, but at the same point I worked very hard on my physique so I was confident that it would be a successful shoot.

How important is fitness?

Fitness is very important, as I tell my clients; it is not about how great you look, but always what you can do with your athletic ability. A lot of people want to work out for vanity, I work out for health first and results will come.

Gregmckeon.com

What was the setting and did you enjoy it?

The first club I worked at was in San Francisco, I was very nervous and did not really know how to dance, but a fresh face is always popular in gogo scene, so financially it started off with a bang!

What was your favorite dancing experience?

Working at Disney World for Gay Days the largest Gay Dance party in the US each year in June, for the Spanish production company Matinee last year.

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A lot of people want to work out for vanity, I work out for health first and results will come.

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Dorien Rose Playmate, Model, Actress...for Dorien the sky is the limit!

Occupation?

Mostly acting, and modelling is now secondary.

Before it was modelling primarily, and a little bit of acting. I am getting to the age now where I have to turn it around though! (laughs) Is there something on your mind right now you would like to share with our readers?

I am doing this new fashion line that is from Freerider. It combines art with fashion, and comics.

I am starting a new movie role too. An action drama, and I am playing an American militant.

Where are you from, and where do you reside now, where would you like to go?

I was born in Harlem, NL. I was raised mainly in Hong Kong. My mum is German, and my father is Dutch, with a little Indonesian, and other mixed cultures in the background. Then later I mostly lived in Holland. If I could choose I would like to live in Los Angeles, USA. Picture by: Ray Christian

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Picture by: Famke Backx

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I wake up excited, because I can do my thing.

Mama is German, Daddy is Dutch. Where do you call home?

Anywhere in this world is home. Wherever I lay my head is home for me. I travel a lot for my work and I never felt uncomfortable where I went. Home is where my heart is. For me it is not really important where I am, it depends on my mood. As long as I am happy I can be anywhere.

How did you end up living in the “fast lane”?

I started modelling when I was about 18 years old, ten years ago. Then somebody asked if I wanted to do Playboy, and I am not really difficult about nudity. When I was young I always took my clothes off. Living in Hong Kong, it is really hot there.

When I had to go to the barbershop, I almost cried, because I was not allowed to take my clothes off. I was raised very free, and it is no big deal for me. I thought “Why not”? You get paid, you get a little vacation, and you get to be in one of the most famous magazines. That was the beginning. After I did that Elite Models asked me to do Fashion Modelling. From there I went from one agency to the other. They always had this problem with my weight. I did not have that problem personally, but agencies tend to make you always do more sports, or loose more weight. I work out every day, I always have. I work out, because I want to eat what I like to eat! I think my body is good the way it is, so I always had slight struggles with that. Therefore I did more commercial works, a few campaigns, and beauty shoots. Once I rolled into commercials, doing videos, and films, I realized I liked that a lot more. Modelling is just about your face and that one moment, and they use Photoshop. In the end, what you see is not really you. I like to show more of me, because I think I got a lot more than just a pretty face.

Could you pin point one day, out of your countless working days, which was the absolute top?

My memory really sucks. There were a lot of good days. I cannot pin point is to one day, because every time I work I love my work. I wake up excited that I can do my thing. If there had to be one, maybe those

shoots I do in Asia, where it is hot and warm. A lot of lovely food and lovely people. That is what sticks out the most, I guess.

One of the headlines of an article about you read: “First naked, then in the movies.” What do you think about that?

It is the truth! Reality! That is the first thing I did. I started off naked, and from there I build it up. Many actresses start the other way around! First they start in the movies, and then Playboy persuades them.

That is in the past though now, it is really a long time ago. I am all about looking forward. They can write whatever they want. It does not affect me at all.

What do you do to relax?

I go to the gym. I lift a lot of weights. I do not really do cardio. After that I go swimming and to the sauna, or take a bubble bath. I watch a lot of movies at home, never really regular television. I just like to chill with the family, going out for dinner, or travel.

I relax everyday. I spoil myself to death! I just like to take care of myself.

Who/What inspires you?

A lot of actors do. Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, and I love Jodie Foster, and Anthony Hopkins. There are a lot of big actors and actresses that inspire me. When I watch those movies, and see them being someone totally different, it is like magic. That is really what I want to do. If I could do just that for the rest of my life I would be completely happy. That is my biggest inspiration. I do not watch these modelling shows. My friend asked me the other day about that Victoria Secret Fashion Show, because it is supposedly part of my work. I did not watch the show though, because my interest is not much into modelling. It never really was. It was just a coincidence that I had the opportunity to do it and earn money with it. That does not inspire me. I love great fashion. I can watch the E-Entertainment channel. Especially the red carpet events, where you see fabulous dresses! That does inspire me.

Who would you absolutely want to work with; you

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Who would you like to work with?

I would love to work with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and all those other actors I mentioned before. I think you learn from people who have enough experience, and are really talented. I would like to work with all of them!

Alone or together?

Alone. I like to have people around me, but I need to live my life alone. I always have. I never had a real relationship; I never lived together with a guy. I had relationships, but it never got to that stage where you live together, waking up in the morning next to each other. Maybe it has not worked, because I travel so much. I really have a fear of commitments like that. It feels like I am being choked. I prefer to stay alone, and once in a while I have a friend over!

In the future who knows, but now I need to do my own thing. It is easier to do it alone, like that you have fewer distractions.

What makes a perfect collaboration/project in your eyes?

It has to be like a puzzle, where pieces fit together.

Where one is good at giving creative direction, and the other one is good at something else. Take for example my sister and I. I am very creative, and she is very business oriented. We can do great stuff together. The best people I work with, the most successful things, always included someone who was good with business related things and I can and give creative direction. The communication has to work, and the vision needs to be shared.

What is your general opinion about leadership, small scale and large scale?

There always has to be a leader, a strong figure. I think it is necessary. I am a leader! Do not ask me that question (laughs!). I lead myself first and foremost! When you are an artist, you work for yourself!

Dorienrose.com

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Anna Angelina Wolfers Germany’s own actress and owner of “Goldig” fashion store in Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg; Anna talks about work ethic, food, being GQ’s sexiest women alive, and her aspiration to act in a Depeche Mode video directed by Anton Corbijn!

Is there something on your mind right now you would like to share with our readers?

Yes! In April I am opening my third shop in Hamburg, Germany! I am very excited about that.

I will also be on the cover of German Fashion Magazine “Brigitte” in May, and next year I will resume playing stage theatre. Everything is majorly exciting and new in my life at the moment.

and you want to share?

Hmmm, if a day had more than 24 hours I would like to have a little Café. At the moment I am totally into food Blogs. Every free minute I bake and cook and try out new things. That is somehow relaxing for me.

Where are you from, and where do you reside now?

I was born in beautifully ugly Siegen, but live almost 14 years in Cologne. Because of acting and my stores, I am never more than one week at a time at home in Cologne.

How do you feel about “sensational coverage” about your person?

Well, I do not take that too serious, and it hasn’t crossed any lines for me yet. What would people like Madonna think, if I go and complain about that now. I just do not like it when my personal life gets coverage. It is simply nobody’s business. I would like to keep my private life private.

Acting in theatre and film, music videos, entrepreneur…is there something else that defines this super woman we do not know yet

Is your professional life your dream come true?

Yes! I did not really plan it this way, besides always wanting to become an actress. But it all happened

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Pictures by: Amanda Berens

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You can do anything there, or nothing... New York. this way, and I find myself having three stores, my job became my calling and passion, and I am incredibly thankful for that! Sometimes I just stand somewhere and I am so happy that I could almost cry, because my little life treats me so well.

Could you pin point one day, out of your countless working days, which was the absolute top?

Last year I had several unbelievable amazing moments and days. I went to New York for the very first time in my life, and it was one of the best times. The spirit of the city had a grip on me. You can do anything there, or nothing. Great museums, restaurants, parks, music bars, stores, people…NY I love you! For an entire day I sat on a playground, enjoying the sun, eating frozen yoghurt, and just watching the colourful happenings around me. That was amazing.

Cover of German FHM, inside worldwide and Sexiest Women alive of GQ…how does that make you feel?

I feel very honoured, but think it is slightly exaggerated. I understand how Victoria Secret models end up in these competitions, but how I ended up there with my 1,60m….I just don’t know.

inspired. I also like design and photo Blogs, visiting flea markets, exhibitions, going to concerts, and checking out the kids coming into my stores. Of course, when time permits I also check magazines!

Who would you absolutely want to work with?

I would die to work with Anton Corbijn! Best in a Depeche Mode music video, it would be like hitting two birds with one stone! However, I would probably act extremely unprofessional; even collapse unconsciously, as soon as Dave Gahan approaches me…in perfect teenage style! Beside that I would like to work with Matthias Schweighöfer. I think he is a great director, an amazing actor and so incredibly funny as well!

Alone or together?

Together.

What makes a perfect collaboration/project in your eyes?

Feeling well, and having great people around you.

It is important to go home at the end of the day thinking: I would have not wanted to spend that day doing anything else.

Annawolfers.com Annas-goldig.de

What do you do to relax?

The word relax is hardly existent in my dictionary.

One might be short of breath trying to keep up with me. For some time I try taking days off though, by going to the sea for a few days, or a solo visit to an exhibition. Just to be conscious about here and now and myself in it. I also run and do Yoga, and like I said enjoy cooking and baking. There are also people that I can relax with…a glass of red wine and a good conversation, things like that are relaxing.

Who/What inspires you?

Like I said, New York was very inspirational. Aside from that I also travel a lot, because of my stores.

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White Light A noisy band from Brighton, UK! White Light is made up of Sigrid Jakobsen doing vocals, Rowan Bishop on guitar, Jonny Sennet on guitar, Freddie Burnet on drums and Steve Brook slappin’ da bass.

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What is on your mind right now you want to share with our readers?

Steve: Good morning, Vietnam!

Sig: We’re at practice and it’s bloody hot in this room!

Rowan: HI READERS! We’ve been busy putting a lot of work into our latest EP/Mini album. Many hours have been spent arranging everything and tracking, but it’s finally all coming together.

Fred: Tired, as per usual. Thinking about practice this evening and how much I am looking forward to my mid afternoon nap.

Jonny: I’m thinking about Ma Fleur by The Cinematic Orchestra - one of the best albums I’ve ever created. Stunning.

How would you describe your sound/noise?

Sig: It’s a pretty difficult sound to describe really…

It’s quite screamy and hardcore in parts, but also has very melodic parts. It’s as if Gallows and Paramore had a schizophrenic baby that couldn’t make up its mind; if it was angry or sad. Bands such as Deftones, The Bronx, At the Drive In, City and Colour inspire us. Just anything good really! All of us are the kind of musicians that aren’t just into one genre of music; we just like well-written songs, no matter whether it’s metal, pop or anything in between.

Steve: It’s as if someone is smacking you in the face whilst stroking your thigh.

Fred: It’s like Mary Poppins has come round to sing you a lullaby and has then proceeded to teach you kick boxing.

Jonny: A blend of hardcore, pop and slightly progressive metal. If Beyonce, Tool and <insert generic hardcore band here> had a baby then we’d be the product of that threesome.

Rowan: It’s hard to describe (like all bands say...).

We are all into loads of different types of music and my mission was to be in my own favourite band that encompasses everything that I love. We want to make amazing songs that will work in different arrangements, we love to play acoustically and rework songs to get a different perspective on what we do. People do what they do and that’s cool, but I’m not a huge fan of ‘genre’ bands that rely more on production techniques and the ‘right’ gear to make their sound.

What were some major milestones in your bands progress up till now?

Jonny: After a difficult 3-4 months of uncertainty with regards to line-up, we seem to be back on the path. Finding bass players in our hometown of Brighton is like going on safari – you see so many bloody gazelles when all you want to see is an elephant.

Sig: What Jonny means is that there are an awful lot of guitarists here, but we were looking for a bassist so it took a while…

Jonny: There are a lot of average musicians here but occasionally you come across a keeper. The resolve of any band I think is pretty commendable, no different here.

Sig: And we’re just about to release a mini album that we’re very proud of. We’ve got our own studio so Rowan has been working hard to record it all!

Other than that, supporting Blackstorm was pretty cool. We’ve got a lot of fun stuff ahead of us though!

Rowan: What Sig said!

Fred: I think being creative with people I care about is a major milestone for me. I think playing within a group of close, likeminded people, and finding things we agree on and enjoy can only be a good thing.

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88 Where do you guys find your inspiration for new songs, lyrically and musically?

Sig: Lyrically, I write a lot of poetry anyway, so most of the song lyrics are lines from poems that I’ve written about experiences I’ve had... Most of it is about men to be honest. Well, the mini album we’re working on at the moment is anyway. If you put all the lyrics together from all the songs its one long poem and tells a story… I don’t really want to go into more detail about what it means to me since I think its really important for anyone listening to it to be able to interpret it in their own way, and make it relate to them. I think that’s the trick to writing good lyrics or poetry, doing it in a way that anyone who reads it can relate it to their life, and feel as if they’re part of it.

hurt too many people along the way.

Steve: Ideas come from anywhere; a lyrical phrase, a rhythmic pattern or even just a noise on the street.

Jonny: I’ll steal Rowans, that’s a good answer.

Fred: I find my inspiration from working within the band and other musicians. I also take a percentage of inspiration from the world and things and occurrences within it. I believe that, especially these days, it is hard to find anything completely original so I aim to find the best parts and make them into my own.

Fred: Be nice to people. That’s all that matters.

Steve: I’ll let you know when I’ve worked it out!

Rowan: Dig deep to find treasure. Like a life pirate.

Alone or together?

Fred: I think finding your own way and strengths makes for better togetherness.

Rowan: Achieve alone. Celebrate together. LOL. Sig: A bit of both goes a long way.

Online Presence Sig: We’re not fans of myspace so we mostly just use Facebook to be honest (www.facebook.com/ whitelightuk)! I think we bought WhiteLight.com and are working on making a snazzy website! It’s just a bit tricky when you have no money as you’ve got to do all these things yourself! Jonny is all right with designing websites though so we should have something snazzy up soon!

Rowan: Musically I often find a rhythm or melody will be stuck in my head so I’ll work on making that into a musical phrase and then if I’m in the right mood that will lead on to other things and suddenly you’ve got the workings of a song!

Jonny: The way I write for White Light may come across as a little ‘mechanical’ but the style I normally write in would be too big of a departure from the bands sound so I try and come up with riffs based around chords (rather than your typical sort of Megadeth or Nevermore style riff) and employ a lot of open string usage as that tends to add a bit of ‘space’ within the riff; from here I decide whether its White Light-able - if so I’ll develop it, if not I’ll keep it for a rainy day.

What is your life philosophy?

Jonny: No idea.

Sig: “It’s nice to be important, but its more important to be nice.” Someone clever said that once. I don’t know who though. Basically do what you want whenever you want… As long as it doesn’t Looking Forward Spring 2012

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It’s as if Gallows and Paramore had a schizophrenic baby that couldn’t make up its mind...our noise

Pictures by: Sasha Maddy

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M

atthew osher

Matthew is a filmmaker on the cutting edge of technology. He has extensive knowledge of film, HD, and DI workflows for post-production, including 3-D filmmaking. Knowing what post wants and needs dictates how Matthew shoots and produces. His skills are more important now than ever before. In order to make a 2-D or 3-D images look cinematic, he understands the nuances and limits of the latest technology.

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92 Do you have a favourite genre?

Growing up, I was fixated on “Action” and “Sci-Fi.” “James Bond” and “Stars Wars” were my favourites.

I also have a soft spot in my heart for “Under-dog” plot lines; like “Goonies,” and current day, “Bottle Shock” and “Adjustment Bureau.”

I can recall my first movie going experience: I was 7, with my mother and father, in a dark, ominous theatre, with anxious excitement in the air. Then, there was the light of the BIG SCREEN. “ James Bond!”

What or who inspires your work?

What inspires my work is not one thing or one image. It’s a combination of my surroundings and current events in the world. As far as a cinematographer and an “image-maker,” I follow the images and dreams in my head. I have always been plagued with, or blessed with, depending on how you look at it, with a flood of images and daydreams that invigorate my imagination. Ever since I was a young boy, I had an over active imagination, that to this day, inspires me from within.

Shooting, producing or both?

Shooting: I started out as a Cinematographer on feature films and television shows of all sizes and budget ranges. I have done both, separately and together.

Producing: Once, a sole camera guy, I created my first Production Company in 2001; North Carolina. At that time, I became a Producer.

I learned how to budget, execute film productions, and employ teams to create the picture, monitor P&L, negotiate contracts and procure equipment.

Producing became second nature to me, while still concerned with production value.

Ultimately, I deal with the visual technical challenges and budget constraints to properly tell the story, especially today, when budgets are shrinking and schedules are smaller. Producers want it faster, better, and cheaper without affecting their wallets. Producing and shooting gives me the best ability to maximize the artistic potential of the film.

That is my greatest strength.

Both: I do prefer to manage both.

Shooting the image is paramount. The image is the story and the story is what you/movie goers, relate

to. It is always about how we relate to the world around us.

What are the similarities/differences between shooting and producing?

Similarities: Shooting and Producing: You’re both working on the film with the same budget and goals.

Differences: Shooting and Producing: The Producer deals with the business end of the production and the Cinematographer deals with the artistic and technical side of the film. Duties overlap on certain occasions and responsibilities fluctuate. With the right chemistry, Producer and Cinematographers are a powerful team.

How are technological advances changing the business of the film industry?

Advancements in Digital Cinema technology, quality, and low costs are changing the industry.

It is easier than ever to make epic style films that only Big Studio could make in the past. Now, as a producer, it is now possible for me to make the films I want to make.

What have you learned along the way, and how do you use this knowledge to your advantage to make some noise?

The lines are blurred and traditional filmmaking is now progressing into smaller screens; IE: iPhones, iPads, and movies on the web. To take full advantage of this, you must rethink your audience; it is global at the click of a button. Mastering the new tools and how to properly use them is the biggest key in making some noise with your art. You have to put yourself in your audiences’ shoes. I have learned to take advantage of all streams of Social Media and Blogospheres. My last film, “Lizzie,” took full advantage of these avenues. The trailer of Lizzie, which can be viewed at Lizziethemovie.com, has been viewed all over the world. Because of this, and taking advantage of the media outlets, my team and I have sold UK the rights to the film. This would not have happened without making my own noise.

What are you working on right now?

I am working on a feature film with my partners at “Dark Morgue Pictures.” It is our second feature film; titled “Gacy.” Gacythemovie.com

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It is about the infamous serial killer, John Wayne Gacy, a.k.a “Clown Face Killer.” This is not your typical “Scary Movie.” It is an anti-psychiatry film that reveals true events, from John Wayne Gacy and Howard Dully.

Howard Dully was one of the first people in history to receive a lobotomy.

Why the Horror theme?

Thrillers transcend through all cultures, unlike other genres. This provides us to make more noise. “Gacy” will be shot, late 2012, with notable talent.

Shout out The shout out goes to all the people who I work with and everyone that has helped me along the way.

I firmly believe: “if one succeeds, we all do.”

Biography: I come from a family of Film Makers, Writers, and Photographers.

My signature style is being versatile and able to bring a certain look to a project without having the same repetitive style. I also have a keen understanding of acting and on-camera acting techniques.

I spent time learning those skills untypical of other Producers and Cinematographers.

Ever since I was a young boy, I had an over active imagination, that to this day, inspires me from within.

Mattmosher.com Lizziethemovie.com Looking Forward Spring 2012

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My Pal Val We had the pleasure of sitting down and talking to Detroit based band My Pal Val. Members John and Elise gave us a humorous and honest insight into the band and its makings.

Elise McCoy - Guitar/Vocals Valerie Klaft - Drums/Vocals John Missig - Bass/Vocals Reading about you guys online we came across the line: “the stranger the better.” Can you elaborate?

E: The stranger the better is a song lyric, “the stranger the better the more you can see.” It’s just a personal philosophy about music. Just make it weird. Sometimes I think the best music happens when a change occurs that you are not expecting.

That’s when I feel the artist gains control over you and you are able to see more, the stranger the better the more you can see.

J: That is actually one of Elise’s lines, I always took it as not doing standard things, not doing what everyone else is. And strange not necessarily meaning weird, but just different, trying to do our own thing is how I’ve always interpreted it.

A band made up of three people, how did you guys meet, and how did you know it would work?

E: Val and I were living together in 2009 when I met Kara, John’s sister. Kara told john, “Hey there’s this girl that plays guitar, she’s really good!”

J: …and I said, “Yeah ok everyone plays the guitar,”…

E: (laughs) J: …“she probably sucks”…ha…so we really didn’t think anything of it.

E: So then we started playing together, John and I. One day we wrote something really cool, it’s a song that I don’t think we have a good recording of, but its called JVE 5000.

J: John Val and Elise 5000 E: Yes, so we wrote that together and I instantly thought, wow we need to get Val in on this. I thought it could be something really cool, and we started playing in November 2009.

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There are so many things that you can’t convey in words, that music can...it can speak to you in ways that words cant.

J: How did I know it would work? Well literally, and I wish we still had a recording of this, because we lost it… We set up Elise’s computer and recorded ourselves live just to see what it sounded like.

We sat down and this whole thing came out, we improvised in parts and everything flowed perfectly.

We could tell we had chemistry and we decided to see what else would happen. No one would go out and write songs. We started out just showing up. Elise would play a chord progression or I would start with a bass line, or Val with a beat and we would just start playing. That’s how it really happened.

How would you describe your sound?

E: Somebody told us once that we sounded like Detroit and I really enjoyed hearing that. I would say that our EP and this album that we are about to put out has a lot of songs we have written that have verse, chorus, and structure with lyrics. Then we have this whole body of instrumental, funkier, more rock and roll, that we haven’t yet recorded. That’s the plan for the next thing that we put out, it’s going to be a total change, but you will still be able to tell that it’s us.

J: There will be other songs, but also instrumentals, and it will have a harder feel. Our last two albums have been mellow and it’s funny because we aren’t always. Sometimes people tell us “ we loved your album but it’s really mellow, I wasn’t expecting that”.

We have some surprises on this album, some we have never played live before.

J: I don’t know if that answers your question at all…

E: What was the question?

Is there something you would like to share with our readers, upcoming shows, plans, etc?

J: We have a new album coming out its called Mind

Over Matter and we are really excited to get it out, excited for people to hear it! It’s going to be very different from our last album. Between Orcasaurus and this one there will be some continuity, but they are alternately different albums, which I like.

What were some major milestones?

E: Recording our last album Orcasaurus was really cool. We used a reel-to-reel tape recorder (Taskam) in our basement, recording everything ourselves with the help of John’s dad. We really enjoyed doing that and when the album was finally finished, it was such a big thing for us.

I personally thought it was also very cool that we were able to do all the art for that CD. Each was very different. We spray painted the front of the album covers using stencils. It set us apart. Making everything one of a kind for us was a milestone, because we cared so much about it and we wanted everyone to feel like it was his or her own.

J: Opening for Thomas Dybdahl was also a big deal for us. The fact that our sound is constantly evolving, with everything we write, but still has its continuity. Chemistry is also a milestone, to have that level of chemistry within the band. I have been in other bands and that not been there. I have played with a lot for great musicians that just don’t play well together.

Where do you guys find your inspiration for new songs, lyrically and musically?

E: Life experience, things that happen to you in your walking daily life that make you feel a certain way. A lot of the time the music comes first and the lyrics second. I think the inspiration for writing songs really just comes from hearing stuff in your head. John was famous for leaving his classes in college and turning on the voice memo on his phone, humming something that came into his mind, and then we would come back to that at

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practice and turn it into a whole song.

Sometimes lyrics come just like that sometimes they take a week. Lyrics are really tough, but they’re also interpretative which I think is really cool and fun too. Maybe we write something for one reason but then someone takes it a completely different way. Its fun, I like to hear what other people think about it.

J: A lot of my lyrics come from life experiences.

Sometimes we will record the music and I’ll record a voice track over it, just saying whatever comes into my mind, which mostly is swear words. But then there will be one line that comes from me not thinking about it. If I don’t know what the song is going to be about I try and get the subconscious going. Sometimes the song will be built along that one line. Sometimes I am not always trying to make the lyrics; they don’t always have to make sense.

E: He’s absolutely right, a lot of times its total spontaneity. You are just singing syllables that come into your head, that you think corresponds with whatever music happens to be coming out of your guitar. John has written some songs with lyrics that do not at all pertain to his life. Lion for example is one of John’s songs. The first verse (which he wanted to omit completely but I really like) is “minor crimes she killed my brother.”

J: …really, you like that line??

E: …I love that line so much John! But John doesn’t have a brother and certainly not one that’s ever been murdered.

J: …the third line in each of those songs, I hate, but I am glad you like it, that’s cool.

E: I do. Its just sometimes the first thing that comes to your head really sticks! He tried to change them a few times, and I was like no way!

J: I didn’t think anyone was noticing E: No, I noticed. I fell in love with the lyrics instantly, especially because John doesn’t have a brother.

J: … by the way, Elise does a mean version of that song on the acoustic guitar and it just I don’t know…we should do that acoustic sometime this summer.

E: It’s either a struggle or the easiest thing you have ever done, 5 minutes or 6 months, usually the ones that come right away are the ones that stick.

J: Nice way of putting that McCoy, E: Thanks, I just listen to you ramble until something cohesive comes out (laughs).

J: …that’s why we work well together.

Do you guys support any humanitarian efforts?

E: I am gay and I am proud of it, that’s a huge deal, and it’s really important. It’s weird there are all these problems and all these social issues and they all stem from the whole system and the way things are done. Its really difficult, I mean saving the animals is awesome, but there are a hundred corporate guys in suits that are standing in the way of that. For me it’s really hard to focus on one thing, you look around and you see the devastation in our world, genocides happening, and horrible things happening to people and its hard to focus on one thing. The whole thing about Gay Rights it pales in comparison to a lot of things that people are experiencing in our world. I support all the humanitarian rights. History repeats itself over and over and I don’t know how long it will take before we just see each other as equals.

J: I guess I do too; I just want people to coexist, equal rights.

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Gender Bending, Famine on Parade and all the Trouble

by Charli Bedet We all know the fashion industry is fraught with controversy and its obsession with size zero. Seeing gravely ill looking fashion models sashaying the international catwalks has become commonplace.

And, when you think things couldn’t get any more controversial, then enters Andrej Pejic. A 20 – year old Australian transgender supermodel fast becoming one of the most talked about figures in the fashion world.

Thanks to his feminine facial bone structure, a delicate slender body and, a perfect catwalk strutMr. Pejic has become the toast of the women’s fashion industry. Last year alone, the Bosnian born blonde graced the covers of 14 magazines and went as far as fronting a campaign for a Dutch push-up bra.

My initial thoughts when I first learned about the success of the androgynous boy wonder werefinally! He is everything that the out-of-touch fashion designers and casting agents (vastly gay men), have been drumming into women, and heterosexual men for decades, as the epitome of feminine beauty- a skinny straight masculine body, with no curves and no boobs, à la Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. Well, he looks like a woman with the figure of a boy, what is there for the fashion industry not to love?

I have no objection to Mr. Pejic success. In fact, I am thrilled to see transgender society gaining the recognition they deserve. There is no doubt that his androgynous beauty has turned him into a trendsetter in an industry that is always seeking to push the envelope. And, of course, having him wearing women’s clothes is guaranteed to make headlines.

That being said, however, I am dismayed by the

continuing message imparted to impressionable aspiring models. To be considered successful in the modeling world, and, by extension, in the real world, they need an almost male-looking body with no breasts.

Is the fashion industry that appalled by the female form? Is it not enough that young models are starving themselves to look like adolescent boys so they can fit in the industry’s tiny sample sizes-that now they are taking women out of the picture all together?

I am a woman, I have breasts and hips and my body is shaped in a way that a man is not and never will be - so why am I being sold an image of a man wearing clothes I am supposed to want to wear?

Women (those who do not starve themselves), no matter how slim, have a body different than that of a man. And, using a male model in what are meant to be women’s clothes only perpetuates this unfairness and does not set a good precedent for aspiring models, let alone “normal” everyday women.

Not long ago, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld famously dismissed Grammy-award winning singer Adele as a ‘little too fat’ before later apologizing.

Not surprising, after all, the idea that size 12 women are normal, attractive and desirable goes against the parallel self indulgent fashion industry belief system.

If I sound like I just want to criticise and denigrate the fashion industry –I am not. The fact remains that the modeling world has been for long creating unrealistic expectations about women’s bodies and forcing models to undergo harmful diets. And now, they have gone as far as using men to model women’s clothes. Am I the only one who finds this unnerving? Where does the industry draw the

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Auslander Collection Brazil Only featuring Andrej Pejic

line? Wouldn’t it have been appropriate for Andrej to model clothes appealing to the transgender communities? Really, campaigning for a push up bra with no boobs?

It is without question that the fashion industry sets standards of what is socially desirable and has a powerful influence on social norms. It has been debated over the years that seeing images of waif like models over and over again can be damaging for impressionable young girls -but is anyone in the industry listening?

Transgender is in vogue at the moment, and my fear is that, like anorexic looking models, it will soon become normal. A recipe for unhappiness and an issue if not brought to discussion, will only add to the woes of insecure young women, already purging and starving themselves into the size zero oblivion.

This gender-bending phenomenon is obviously celebrated and is seen as groundbreaking by the industry insiders, but does anyone care about the type of message being sent?

In his own words, speaking to a New York Magazine recently, Andrej admits that his career is full of controversy. He acknowledges that this is an era of androgynous supermodels, however, he is under no illusion that his moment in the spotlight will be long lasting.

Let’s hope, for all concerned, that he is right.

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Bogdon Vasquaf Bogdon Vasquaf is an experienced barkeep mixologist, Bassist adventurer, inventor/creator, garage philosopher, wearisome poet, and culinary connoisseur that enjoys psychological nudity, espionage, and sliced tomatoes on pizza.

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101 Artist Name Bogdon Vasquaf. My birth name is Christopher Blaise Badynee. My fathers middle name is Bogdon and my last name Vasquaf is Vas = vasaline and Quaf = coif = hair. I use the name Bogdon Vasquaf as a celebration of my father’s awesome hair. He had the thickest hair imaginable and used goop to style it in the 1950’s.

Occupation Philosopher What’s on your mind right now?

I’m hungry and need a bowl of cabbage soup right now. My newest invention is The Detroit Harmonica Microphone, which is the world’s only indestructible feedback-proof microphone available on this planet.

My cousins are acoustical and electronic engineers that have perfected my crude ideas. They are my partners whom I cherish. Also, my invention called the Bogdon Box Bass has been sold all over the world from my humble Detroit garage. It’s a cardboard box upright bass that plays easier than a standard upright bass but sounds exactly the same as a standard wood upright bass.

What is your relationship with music, besides creating; do you also make your own noise?

Music is everywhere. Music is made of the same stuff that food is made of. What’s mind blowing is that its the year 2012 and science still cant thoroughly explain WHY a seed grows into food.

Science has it’s own theories, but I personally think the relationship between dirt, seeds, and the sun, combined with air and water is the foundation of all music. If there were no food, there would be no music. A tuned automobile is the music of a mechanic. A working washing machine is the music of a repairman. The sudden silence after the thunder is the music of a hunter and farmer, and all are equal to the finest symphony and catchiest chorus.

So tell us about the Bogdon Box Bass…?

The Bogdon Box Bass isn’t a replacement for exotic woods and fine Luthier craftsmanship, but rather it’s simple a crazy fun bass to see, hear, and play.

I’ve shipped a couple thousand to every country on earth. You have them in Holland. They’re east and west of you. I’ve shipped about 100 of them to Denmark! And they’re in Brazil, Malaysia, China, all over the UK, UAE, Israel, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Uruguay, a whole bunch are in Canada too.

What inspired you?

The reality of my life is that I am not wealthy.

As a matter of fact, I am broke. I am married to a wonderful patient woman who is also my best friend. Her name is “Debby O” and she’s the mother of my three children, Blaise, Shae, and Chad. We live in a humble home with a few cars and to pay the bills, I am a United States Postal Letter carrier, otherwise known as a Mailman. I couldn’t afford an upright bass so I made one, just like I made when I was a little kid. This time, I posted a video on youtube and haven’t been able to keep up with the customers wanting to give me money for a box bass. I didn’t plan on making cardboard box upright basses as a small business, but it just happened out of necessity. I made one because I needed one and other people want one too. Our world needs more upright bass players because it is really the only hope for mutual respect and peace everywhere.

Is there a unique sound to the Bogdon Box Bass?

The Bogdon Box Bass uses my own custom made nylon bass strings which offers a warmer tone than standard steel strings. The box can’t hold up to the tension of steel strings so the box bass is a little different than a standard uptight bass. To my surprise, many bass players have requested to purchase my home made nylon uptight bass strings, so again, I’m selling a product that I really had no idea to sell.

Did you anticipate the feedback you received?

I expected good and bad reviews and have achieved both. I get some horrible hate mail from some bass players telling me exactly why I suck which freaked me out at first. But eventually I saw that the haters actually attracted attention towards my box bass.

The people that love me are usually polite and quiet about it, but the guys that HATE me will go out of their way and over the top to tell everyone everywhere how badly I suck. So most of those people come to my website to see for themselves, and most of those people eventually purchase a box bass. Hate can offer the proverbial train-wreckeffect.

Life philosophy?

When I was young, the teachers would tell us that we could do anything. Someone on TV would say “anything is possible” but as a kid, I didn’t really understand and didn’t believe it. Today, I suffer the frustration of telling everyone that everything

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is possible, because it’s true. But no one believes me. Dig this, a guy can be broke and not able to purchase an upright bass. That same guy (me) can suffer a house fire (as I did) and use the house repair scraps to make a playable upright bass. That crazy upright bass can change the world, and it has. Our world is a better place today than it was without the box bass. More people are now playing an upright bass, who never thought they could or would. So, my philosophy in life is “Everything is possible, some things just take a little more time than others.”

Any upcoming projects or news you would like to share with our readers?

Currently, I am featured on The History Channel show called “Invention USA”. They tell my story and put my box bass through many scientific tests which compare the Bogdon Box bass to a standard wood upright bass. The box bass is equal or out performs the wood bass in the tests. The TV show is available at iTunes here http://itunes.apple.com/ us/tv-season/invention-usa/id483192487?ignmpt=uo%3D4 my episode is titled “Think Outside the Box” and more info is available on the History Channel website http://www.history.com/shows/ invention-usa I also enjoy improvising with food ideas and have been making videos posted on youtube as “Bogdon’s Kitchen of Love”.

BogdonMusic.com

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Everything is possible, some things just take a little more time than others

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Banksy By: Meghan MacKinnon We all like to be heard, to make noise. We verbalize, we shout, we spell out what we are for and against, we protest, we riot. Be it political, economical, or humanitarian on the table we pick sides, we all have a say, but not all noise has a sound. Bristol’s masked graphitti artist, Banksy, is making noise with his art.

It’s coming out loud and clear and its getting attention. Like all other things in the spotlight, it seems that everyone has an opinion about it. Should it be considered art? It is defacing property? Is it wrong?

I’m not talking about the artist, about graphitti, if I think it’s wrong or write, legal or illegal. The images he creates, regardless of their simplicity, are created in a way that we can all recognize the topics and are able to react in one way or another.

Whether you find him comedic, ironic, or downright inappropriate the power of the images and his creative intelligence is undeniable.

Banksy.co.uk

The issues can be endlessly debated, and while it’s not always in our power to find the “right” answers, it is important to note that we are ALL interpreting them.

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