Art/Design New York City D.U.M.B.O. Brooklyn: Art, Nostalgia & Idyllic Facades

September 15, 2009 - 10:42 am

cam-mural2

D.U.M.B.O., or Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is the first subway stop when you traveling from Manhattan to Brooklyn on the F-train. It’s a tranquil little area bursting at the seams with eye-popping street murals, old-style New York nostalgia, artists, assorted creative types, and a bevy of kitschy, drinking spots. The buildings here are mostly old warehouse monoliths housing modern photo /music/art studios, avant-garde galleries, underground ‘zines, indie film shops, fashion/furniture showrooms and band practice spaces.  Surprisingly, there are also a high number of pet and baby supply shops – apparently the art of domestication and home-building is also held in high regard around these parts.

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Music Blaq Poet

September 15, 2009 - 10:40 am

blaq_poet-pic

“There’s not a lot of dudes making me rewind these days. Everything now is fast forward, next song. Everybody wants to go in the studio and not write their rhymes. What good is not writing your rhymes? It shows!” Blaq Poet’s words drip with venom, his face contorted like some mask in a Greek tragedy when discussing the current state of rap music. This is hardly a new diatribe. But the verbal slings take on renewed vitality when voiced by an artist who has participated in one of rap’s greatest feuds —the Bronx vs. Queens— as spearheaded by KRS-One and MC Shan, respectively. In this derivative era of MCs with their noses open, their eyes closed, and their imaginations overactive, Blaq Poet’s unapologetic streetwise bluster is refreshing and welcome. And the irony of getting back to rap’s essence —“bangin’ boom-bap, crazy lyrical content”—as something novel isn’t lost on the grizzled Queensbridge native.

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Art/Design Cement Jewelry – Charms for Real Men

September 15, 2009 - 10:38 am

cement-array

They say blood is thicker than water, but in the case of Toronto-based jewelry line Cement, it’s also heavier than gravel. Founder and designer Russell Gozlan comes from a family four generations deep in the jewelry industry, so every necklace is carefully crafted from conception to completion at the Gozlan family factory.

“I have the luxury of being hands on with the manufacturing process, which is really important to me,” Russell says. “Creating a new necklace is an exciting process and usually takes around one week from start to finish.  Once I have an idea of what piece I want to create, a mold is made over a few days which then goes into production.  Everything is made in Canada and either with sterling silver or gold.”

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Fashion Sparkle and Shine

September 14, 2009 - 12:40 pm

Toki Doki

The world has to wait another 6 months for the massive fashion trade show MAGIC to come around again…February simply seems eons away. Until then I thought I’d leave you with a few impressions from this season. The show was full of colorful characters, beautiful clothing, painting on both objects and people, creative booth designs, and sparkle. In fact, if there is one thing that will not be OUGHT (effect Heidi Klum accent here please) is the sparkle. If you are sick of it, you better hide your eyes via hibernation for the next 6 months. Everything from jeans to jewelry is still bright and shiny. If they can pop a rivet into it they will.

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Fashion Featured Iron Fist: Fashion with Fangs

September 14, 2009 - 12:37 pm

Iron Fist Pumps

Maybe you are into rockabilly, hot rods, punk rock, or vintage. Maybe you are just into pop culture, comic books, or zombies. Maybe you are just into shoes in general. Any way you slice it Iron Fist delivers on “cool”. Their tag line reads “Clothing made for a heartless world with love.”  This season’s selection of zombie pumps designed by Pale Horse is both playful and sexy. Who doesn’t want to stand apart a little when out at your favorite bar or club. You can dress ‘em up with a sleek pencil skirt or dress ‘em down with jeans. I am always amazed at the amount of attention men actually DO pay to a ladies shoes. Try rocking a seriously unique pair of shoes on an average night out and I could almost guarantee the boys will have something flattering to say about it.

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Fashion MAGIC Style

September 14, 2009 - 12:30 pm

Micheline Pitt


As you would imagine, the style on display at MAGIC was pretty diverse & inspiring.  The foremost fashion trade show features wholesalers from all across the United States, competing with one another for attention & of course, retailers’ money!  I feel like I saw everything imaginable, from Lycra jumpsuit-clad promo girls to Suge Knight prowling the aisles.  Here are a few examples of the looks exhibited.  Who’s your favorite?  My pick is Micheline Pitt, the girl with the fabulous beehive who just happens to be an incredible make-up artist, stylist & clothing designer.

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Fashion Skrapper: Skrap or Die

September 14, 2009 - 12:21 pm

Skrapper

Many fashion brands on the scene these days claim to be making “wearable art,” but in the case of the NYC label, Skrapper, this tag takes on added meaning and importance. This art-heavy t-shirt line is based on the paintings of celebrated artist William Quigley and the photography of the talented Katie Theophilos. Even hearing how Quigley discovered his painting craft, it’s obvious he takes artistry and skill very seriously.

“My first painting was a Christmas gift to my mother of Raphael’s Madonna of the Chair,” Quigley begins. “When I finally went to college, and then Rome, I was convinced after seeing Carravaggio and Michelangelo that I had to try painting. I love oil paint, the smell, the possibilities, and the idea that it takes time and is hard to master. I remember how frustrating it was in the beginning. Now I see a painting almost before it is done, but it always turns out being different. The subconscious has to be alive through the experimentation and manipulation and surprise of the brush.”


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Event Put the Needle on the 45

September 11, 2009 - 11:53 am

redbull45s

Do you even know what a 45 is? If you are over the age of 25 or steeped in DJ culture you might. For those of you who don’t know, the 45 refers to a 7 inch vinyl record which generally is released as a single and it spins on a turntable at 45 rpm (rounds per minute). A regular 12 inch album spins at 33 1/3 rpm…but that doesn’t roll off the tongue like 45′s.  In the generation of the iPod and the digital download, even DJ’s don’t need to play with vinyl anymore. However, the ones committed to keeping it real sure do and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Amir

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