Yen Issue 61

A r t i s t ’ s Obsessions N e v a d a Visions This Year I’ll...

G r a c e Coddington Foals

YEN PROFILE

PAGE

64

Fans oF..

A painter, designer and photographer, share their artistic obsessions.

BASEBALL

61

Amelie Mancini ameliemancini.com I was born and raised in Lyon, France. I moved to Brooklyn in 2006 after finishing school in Paris. I fell in love with New York the minute I first saw it. It’s just the right place for me. I love its size, its density.

It’s a massive beast built out of steel, brick, dirt and grit. It also has the toughest, smartest and kindest people I’ve ever met.

I grew up knowing absolutely nothing about baseball. After I moved to the US my friends took me to a game – and I loved it. I had no clue what was happening but I was immediately smitten with the atmosphere, the uniforms, the songs, the ballpark, the excitement of the crowd. It took me a while to fully understand the subtleties of the game but it didn’t really matter. I found it fascinating. It’s a very complex game that’s both very intellectual and very physical, that emphasizes both team and individual in ways no other sport does. And they wear cool uniforms!

I first painted a series of large paintings about several baseball players in somewhat mythological surroundings in 2010. After that I wanted to keep making art about baseball but I wanted to try something a little different; more fun, smaller, more affordable. I loved baseball cards so I thought I’d try making my own. I started with the Bizarre Injuries series in the fall of 2011 and have released a new series every couple of months or so since then.

Baseball cards are just so fun to hold, to look at, to read. Even someone who doesn’t care about sports will have a blast looking at old baseball cards. The “action shots” are often hilarious; funny grimaces, big butts, awkward postures, unfortunate angles.

Even the posed pictures are interesting; cool hairdos, creepy moustaches, funny glasses. And for the fans the stats on the back are fascinating. Those little numbers can sum up someone’s entire career, remind you of a great year they had or of a disappointing season. They’re a snapshot of someone’s life, an athlete’s accomplishments or failures, put down in code, on paper.

I have a lot of projects brewing right now, some big, some small, all very exciting to me. I just wish days were longer! Never enough time to do it all.

PHOTOS YOSSY AREFI-AFSHAR.

YEN

PROFILE

PAGE

65

61

YEN PHOTO

PAGE

42

61

YEN PHOTO

PAGE

43

61

THIS YEAR I’LL

YEN NEW YEAR

PAGE

46

GARDEN

Turn that old thumb of yours green, get some dirt on you and pretty up the place with Yen’s plant guide for your personality.

61

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. THE FOODIE Do you have more cookbooks than toes? Know the difference between mint, spearmint, applemint and Vietnamese mint? Wow, seriously, congrats on that.

There’s only one type of plant for you, edible! You may not have the space for a full-blown veggie patch but you really don’t need a lot of dirt to grow a few things that you can use in your kitchen.

Herbs grow well in pots, cherry tomatoes can live in hanging baskets and sprouts just need a jar or dish!

Matthew Pember from The Little Veggie Patch Co, shares his tips for growing produce in small spaces.

1. Grow the things you are going to use.

With real estate at a premium, you’re after return on investment, so plants ultimately should end up in your belly.

2. Start small, master that space and then grow into it. It’s never fun biting off more than you can chew – all you’re left with is a mouthful of clutter!

3. Start off with less needy plants such as leafy greens and herbs to ensure you have successes and build your confidence from the very beginning.

and they’ll still be alive. High fives! We’re partial to jade plants but there are so many varieties to choose from.

3. THE FLORAL LOVER For those fanatical for florals it’s time to embrace your obsession and spread them across your wardrobe and plant bed. Colourful dahlias are the perfect addition to your green collection. Dahlias do require a bit of maintenance in the warmer months, but if cared for properly they’ll take you all the way through to your winter social calendar. If you suffer from a short attention span but love interesting shapes and colours, other charismatic plants you can try are cannas, gardenias or lavender.

4. INDOORSY TYPE If all you have at your disposal is an apartment or room, don’t despair, you can still turn your space into a jungle oasis with a few strategic plants. Just check what will suit your flat, as how much light you get willl influence what plant you should play Perfect Match with. For those with a sunny room, may we suggest the Olivia Newton John–inspired and very low maintenance, philodendron ‘xanadu’. If your décor lacks colour spruce it up with some African violets which thrive in indoor

environments. But if your place needs a good vibes boost, according to Feng Shui, lucky bamboo brings your home peace, strength and luck.

YEN NEW YEAR

PAGE

5. THE ARTISTE Like your plants more sculptural than pretty? Don’t have too many crowded parties? Then you’d be the perfect owner of a prickly, sculptural plant. Euphorbia enopla, a type of cactus, provide a stunning solitary plant that will toughen up the aesthetic of your garden, patio, bedroom or living room. They don’t need too much light to keep growing, and are used to harsh conditions, so will be able to handle the summer and winter months.

47

6. THE BUSH LOVER It makes sense to plant natives. If they have flourished for years, upon years, already in ‘Straya, chances are you’ll be able to keep them alive. Plus, they look pretty spiffy and remind us of May Gibbs and our childhood. But enough reminiscing... start your native research by checking out kangaroo paws (or angozanthos for the technical jargon lovers among us). They come in a range of colours, are drought resistant, will grow to be about 50-80cm tall and are known for attracting birds.

PHOTOS JACINTA MOORE. WORDS HANNAH SINCLAIR.

4. While any container from a styrofoam box to a plastic bucket will work, try creating a space that looks good and gravitates you in its direction.

5. There is a very strong correlation between the price and quality of potting mix, and just as strong a correlation between the quality of potting mix and success of growing edible plants. So don’t be stingy, buy the good stuff and you will be rewarded.

2. THE FORGETFUL ONE Hey you, yes you currently trying to remember where you left your keys, nope not there. If you’re looking for a plant that doesn’t need constant attention, allow us to introduce you to the humble succulent.

They’re very forgiving and understanding.

Forget to water them? No biggie. Heading overseas? You’ll probably come home

Moleskine Passions gardening journal, $69.95 notemaker.com.au. Ikea watering can, $7.99 and hanging planter, $5.99 ikea. com.au. The Edible Balcony book, $39.95 penguin.com. au. The Little Veggie Patch Co seeds, $4.50 (each) littleveggiepatchco.com. au. Candy Stripe Cloud garden markers, $19.95 (pack of four) etsy.com/ shop/candystripecloud.

61

YEN FASHION

PAGE

86

Stylist's own Indian silk top. Emma Mulholland shorts, $170. Millie Loves Min bikini, $119.

Adidas sandals,

57

$39.95. Graz sunglasses, $330.

YEN FASHION

PAGE

87

57

This page: Landspeed vintage jumper, $89. Bassike jeans $299.

Opposite: Friend of Mine T-shirt,

YEN FASHION

$110. Ksubi pants, $1,295.95. 8 Other Reasons cuffs, $44.95.

PAGE

96

57

YEN BEAUTY

PAGE

108

fresh & fruity PHOTOS ANNA POGOSSOVA

Make like the Carmen Miranda of the beauty world with these hits.

Byredo Parfums Pulp Body Wash, $68.

WHAT IT'S LIKE: Enriched with vitamin E, this body wash softens and smoothes the skin with a lovely scent.

61

YEN BEAUTY

PAGE

109

Aesop Petitgrain Hydrating Body Gel, $35. WHAT IT'S LIKE: A cooling gel that plays nurse to skin suffering from sun exposure, waxing or shaving. Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Balm, $27. WHAT IT'S LIKE: Herbal deliciousness to hydrate hands and cuticles. Super Coconut Quench, $59.95. WHAT IT'S LIKE: Continuing our love of coconut products, this mist revives skin that needs a mositure hit.

61

YEN MODE

PAGE

118

61

YEN MODE

PAGE

119

61