Painter Agni Zotis recently debuted her compelling solo exhibition, Step Into The Light, at Project 200 in Chelsea. The stirring body of work is a culmination of vivid colors and explosive composition. In 2015 on Valentine’s Day, a man jumped to his death from the roof of Zotis’ apartment building and landed directly on her patio. Traumatized, Zotis took the …
Cuntfessions: Da Vinci, Others Rolling in Grave Over Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s “Apeshit” Video
While it is always considered sacrilege to decry or insult anything put out by Beyoncé and/or Jay-Z, some of us must be the lone wolf in taking that risk. And with the release of their only visual accompaniment thus far for Everything Is Love, “Apeshit,” we must ask ourselves, would the artists paraded for the sport and narcissistic benefit of Jay-Z …
Stefano Gabbana & The Privilege of Gay Male Fashion Designers: Calling Women Ugly
As though to coincide with Madonna’s latest Steven Klein-directed advert for MDNA Skin assuring us, “The perception of beauty is all an opinion, and opinions come and go,” Stefano Gabbana’s recent comments about Selena Gomez’s lack of beauty–to be more specific, “è proprio brutta”–are in keeping with an age-old privilege of gay male fashion designers: laying down their uncensored assessments …
Fear of Oatmeal by Muriel Miguel at Theatre For A New City
If you want to take a metaphysical trip to the furthest reaches of time and space, then Fear of Oatmeal by Muriel Miguel is the play for you. Featuring a powerhouse performance from Gloria Miguel, the 91-year-old co-founder of the feminist collective Spiderwoman Theater and nestled in the legendary downtown Theatre for a New City. The play explores the liminal …
Summer 1993-The Timelessness of Loss
Memory is unreliable, facts are not. Summer 1993 takes us back to a time when AIDS was a death sentence and children whose parent died of AIDS-related illnesses were orphans and bore the stigmata of a disease that was sexually transmitted. Feelings like memories are not visible yet both palpable and ephemeral. We think we remember how we felt, how …
Window Dressing: Artist Elliott De Cesare at Bergdorf Goodman.
The other day, while walking from the Quiet Lunch offices on Fifth Avenue and 27th Street to a meeting further up Fifth by The Plaza Hotel, we couldn’t help but stop and stare at the magnificent window display at Bergdorf Goodman, the world’s premier fashion retailer. Not being Christmas, it’s rare our eyes spot something in the windows to temporarily …
(Cuntfessions): Troye Sivan and Ariana Grande’s Duet Kind of Makes You Want to Vomit
Just when you thought you were all stocked up on summer anthems between Drake’s “Nice For What” and Ariana Grande’s “No Tears Left to Cry,” among others, the latter sneaks her way in again via Troye Sivan and his latest single, “Dance to This.” Not necessarily intended to have a similar baiting title as Steal This Book, “Dance To This” …
The Color Association’s Emily Mann Forecasts 2018-2019’s Color Trends for Interiors | Interior Design
Have you ever wondered why Dior chose shades of raspberry and wine for their 2018 limited edition nail polish line? Or why Nate Berkus’ Target collection teems with sandy tones and warm neutrals? Well, you can look to The Color Association of The United States (CAUS) and its color council for your answer. CAUS formed after the Industrial Revolution to …
(Cuntfessions) Miss Congeniality Has Gone Too Far: On the Miss America Pageant’s “Retooling”
It would be a proud day indeed for one, Gracie Lou Freebush a.k.a. Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock), to learn that the Miss America pageant has eliminated the key aspects of what constitutes conventional beauty: the swimsuit and evening wear portions. And while former Miss America winner Mallory Hagan might have a point about the “fat-shaming” ridiculousness of being able to …
Won’t You Be My Neighbor– I’m sorry, I just can’t but you should
I can’t do it. I just can’t bring myself to see Won’t You Be My Neighbor. the documentary about Fred Rogers and his children’s show, “Mister Rogers’, Neighborhood.” The film is totally legit. It has Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom) directing a documentary about a subject audiences think they know everything about but evidently, do not. The …
When You Were Little You Used to Color Opening Exhibition (Photo Recap).
Last week was the first truly Spring-like week in New York City, so the Thursday Art Walk was sure to excite art enthusiasts and buyers alike. The homie and longtime friend to Quiet Lunch, Gregory Siff, homecoming exhibition When You Were Little You Used To Color at 4AM Gallery. I was so amazed to see Gregory’s style and canvas evolve and …
To A More Perfect Union: U.S. V. Windsor – Another Year, Another Decision
From the moment you decide to have a wedding and not elope it can be a shit show of details. The wedding industrial complex includes shelves devoted to magazines at newsstands, television shows like, Say Yes to the Dress, themed weddings, destination weddings, religious, civil and skydiving ceremonies, and an entire jewelry racket to navigate. Weddings rank right up there …
Anthony Bourdain Was a Friend of Mine
Anthony Bourdain was not a friend of mine. In fact, some of those who know me well thought of him as my bête noir. I thought of him as my bête noir. But I didn’t know the man. I had read his piece, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This”, in the New Yorker in 1999, and it had resonated with me …
J. Lo Switches Track in Her Assurance of “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” to Yo Quiero “Dinero”
While the early 00s might have been a far more concrete example of a time when the U.S. was clinging as best as it could to the excesses it enjoyed in the 80s and 90s, Jennifer Lopez chose to go the “Can’t Buy Me Love” route of The Beatles’ pre-antiwar driven 60s with the repackaged sentiment, “Love Don’t Cost A …
Leah Guadagnoli Just Wants To See You Underwater
Someone once wrote that New York City was a place that could destroy you by simply ignoring you (okay it was me). But being ignored is not an option when one produces work for public consumption, so artists allow themselves, nay, insist upon, the public and private flaying that often accompanies their entrée into the New York art scene. But …
The Sinister Nature of Kate Spade Sayings In the Wake of Her Suicide
Kate Spade (who annoyingly would make you spell her brand in all lower cases–as in kate spade new york–and I only know this thanks to the treachery of writing copy for it) was a designer always noted for her upbeatness and vibrancy. Colorful patterns and “tongue-in-cheek” phrases that were never too unpleasant so much as just abrasive enough–most notably, “Eat …
When You Were Little You Used to Color. | Gregory Siff at 4AM Gallery
Mercedes-Benz, Tao Group and Casa Noble Tequila are proud to announce the latest collection of work by the evocative American artist Gregory Siff. The exhibition is a homecoming for Gregory, who was born in Brooklyn and raised in Rockaway Beach, Queens. It is here that his murals in the Rockaway Beach Surf Club bathrooms were included in the MoMA PS1’s show …
Transplants: Greek Diaspora Artists
Currently on view at The Anya and Andrew Shiva Gallery at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice is Transplants: Greek Diaspora Artists. Curated by Dr. Thalia Vrachopoulos, this culturally energetic show sets out to explore “the unique nature of diasporic art by Greek and Greek-American artists in the age of globalism.” Expertly installed within …
Adam Stennett Proves A Humble Master With His Water Paintings
How does or how should someone approach Adam Stennett’s Water Paintings (also the title of his current solo show at Gallery Poulsen in Copenhagen, Denmark)? Where does one begin? In the womb, figuratively and metaphorically, of course, or maybe. The title seems to ask for an open mind. But what does that even mean anymore? In 2018, “Open mind,” as …
Dice Soho x You Could Have Album Release Party at Up & Down NYC (Recap)
Tuesday, Houston’s emerging freshman Dice Soho hosted his trending debut album, You Could Have, release party at Up & Down NYC in the famed Meatpacking District. It was all great vibes, bottles, and music. Dice blessed attendees with a live performance of “You Could Have” to close the night. With over 700,000 streams, I am sure the young god will …
“Humility” Video From Gorillaz Offers a Vibe As “Californian” (Read: Mindless) As the Tone of the Song
Gorillaz has always been known for their occasional veerings toward the style of “chillwave” (the miraculously not spelled with a “z” at the end “Empire Ants” featuring Little Dragon being one of the best sonic examples). And with the upcoming release of The Now Now, the animated quartet consisting of 2-D, Russel Hobbs, Noodle and, at present, Ace (filling in …
Cardi B Calls Upon Her Dominican Roots More So Than Usual for “I Like It” Video
The primary source of all contempt for Cardi B, it would seem, does stem from this notion that she is playing a caricature (to borrow the callout from Azealia Banks). And, I guess, if you have ears, that the majority of her music is very, very bad. The kind of bad that will likely take IQ points away from you, most …
Music Video. | “Next To Go” | ¡MAYDAY! .
¡MAYDAY! constitutes creativity! Bernz, NonMS, and Wrekonize make Hip-Hop better. This Strange Music trio inserts life into everything that they do. Following the earned success of their previous album, Search Party, the group is already perfecting its next project, South of 5th. From that album, which is scheduled to be released later this year, “Next To Go,” is becoming a fan-favorite. The Pushers production sublimely sinks into …
New Music. | “The Story Of Adidon” | Pusha T.
Sitting good atop his throne, Pusha T, is ready for lyrical combat. Back, on May 25, the Clipse crusader dropped his latest album, Daytona. That capsule of creativity has caused many a conversation. Of its seven selections, “Infrared,” has created a Hip-Hop ruckus. Following perceived disrespect, on that same day, Drake took offense and vehemently rebuked Push’s artistic accusations. With Drake’s, …
New Music. | “Duppy Freestyle” | Drake.
What’s an artist to do when his creativity is called into question? Drake replies with rhyme. Shocked by the audacious wordplay on “Infrared,” a frustrated Drizzy put Pusha T, into his sights. Soon, the “I’m Upset” rapper unloaded his lyrical clip with the “Duppy Freestyle.” Drake matter-of-factly musters, “Must’ve had your “Infrared” wrong, now your head in the beam / Y’all are …
New Music. | “Infrared” | Pusha T.
Art is meant to elicit an emotional response. Pusha T, is its breathing personification. Recently, the G.O.O.D. Music president dropped his latest effort, Daytona. The seven-track collection — executively produced, in its entirety by Kanye West — made Music stop! Candid creativity, thrusted forward with a King’s pen, caused some rappers to question their inherent validity. On “Infrared,” one of Pusha …
Music Video. | “Dark Knight Dummo” | Trippie Redd Ft. Travis Scott.
Earlier this year, Trippie Redd teamed up with Travis Scott for “Dark Knight Dummo.” The Mike Dean-mix reaches an outlandish realm. Da Honorable C. N.O.T.E. helps to orchestrate the menacial score to this zombie mayhem. The creatively crass eye of director, White Trash Tyler, supplies the sublime visual accompaniment; press play! “… Bitch, I’m ballin’ hard just like a Maverick (yeah) / Money stretch long, lil’ bitch, …
Music Video. | “Newsflash!” | Niki.
The creative acumen of NIKI is certain to award her musical longevity. Pushing a recklessly confident pen, this Indonesian-import is certain to make the world aware of her innate artistry. Evolving from Instagram to international success, Ms. Zefanya is poised for greatness. ” Newsflash!,” finds NIKI politely eviscerating a young man who dared to try her morals. Continue to support this …
Music Video. | “Check” | Kash Doll.
Kash Doll, is no stranger to stardom. The emerging queen, who was raised in Detroit, has released her anticipated mixtape, Brat Mail. The nine track endeavor, contains an array of selections that speaks to life’s tapestry of truths. With lyrics highlighting the lavish life, on “Check,” KD, drops provocative rhymes that speak to her confident perspective. The Arrad Rahgoshay-visual finds Kash Doll …
Coming to My Senses- Transforming Limitations into Possibilities
Aaron Baker was barely out of diapers when he learned how to ride a motorcycle at the age of three. At the age of 20, he was no longer able to feed himself after a crash, breaking C4-5,6 vertebrae, rendering him a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chin down. Aaron who had been highly capable could no longer do anything for …
Master of None’s Eric Wareheim is a Master of Wine
Eric Wareheim is a funny fucking guy. His gangly, goofy looks have propelled his comic adventures into SpaceX territory on groundbreaking shows like “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!”, while his endearing kookiness has helped make season two of “Master of None”, Aziz Ansari’s Netflix hit, an absurdist journey of deranged sanity and brolicious indulgence. Wareheim is truly silly, …
Last Chance: Emilio Cavallini’s Objectual Abstractions in Washington D.C
It was an early summer day in Washington D.C. and the air was perfumed with the sweet scent emitted from globes of white, fragrant flowers popping out on the branches, trees, and balconies of Georgetown’s grand homes. Yet another variety of abstract, flower-like wall sculptures were “blooming” and filling the Capital with colors and kinetic energy: Emilio Cavallini’s dynamic works, …
Christina Aguilera & Demi Lovato Go V For Vendetta in “Fall in Line” Video
To heighten the import and weight of Christina Aguilera’s pièce de résistance of feministic anthems (“Fall In Line” being a culmination of her singles “Beautiful” and “Can’t Hold Us Down”), her latest video with Demi Lovato pays homage to uncertain V For Vendetta theme. Starting from the picturesque opening with Aguilera and Lovato frolicking about in a meadow filled with …
Unknown Horizon, The Art of Kelly Berg, Craig Krull Gallery
Kelly Berg creates dense textural compositions while playing with the dichotomies of flat vs sculptural space. The extreme energy embodied in her work gives the viewer the sense that her paintings emerge from both internal and external forces that lie just beyond the artist’s own conscious control. Kelly Berg’s current solo show, called Unknown Horizon, at Craig Krull Gallery Santa …
Music Video. | “Pay Up” | Rapsody.
he art of gold-digging is explored on, “Pay Up,” the latest release from, Rapsody. This lyrical dissertation probes the juxtaposition of male and female parasitic partners. Within the Brian Petchers-directed visual, an effortless representation of Jamla Records is on display. Sultry vocals from Heather Victoria, only adds to the emphatic Ka$h Don’t Make Beats / Khrysis production. Rap, a 9th Wonder protégée and a Roc Nation ambassador, is …
Jean Pierre Roy: The Art of Corralling Perception or The Artist as the Original Neuroscientist
Warning: by reading this article you will expand your vocabulary and learn about neuroscience -I know I did when I wrote it! Should you find yourself in doubt when reading, please check the links. Enjoy! “There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” –Aldous Huxley It’s a chilly mid-April afternoon in …
HBO’s Fahrenheit 451 is All Smoke With No Fire
There was a moment during the HBO film adaptation of the Ray Bradbury classic Fahrenheit 451 that I audibly groaned. Up until that point, I had been enjoying seeing the establishment of this dystopia and the struggle of it’s characters come to grips with its oppressiveness. There was subtle social commentary sprinkled here and there, and I enjoyed connecting the …
New Music. | “Star 67” | Jada Lee.
avigating the ramifications of deceit, Maryland native, Jada Lee, seeks clarity on “Star 67.” She effortlessly flexes a creative repertoire. It has been honed and elevated by a higher power; her naturally soulful talent quickly becomes evident. Although, the Temple University graduate earned a 3.97 GPA, that has not helped her to avoid fuck boys. This songwriter / engineer / singer …
POSEN’S THREADS – A Process of Drawing
“Think of Stephen Posen as Theseus paying out his line, traversing his labyrinth knowing and not knowing what awaits him. Perhaps Posen shares Paul Klee’s ambition of 1908 “to note experiences which could translate themselves into line even in absolute darkness.” The tacit question is: can a line still be fictive – that is to say, imaginative – in a …
New Music. | “Need More” | Dice SoHo Ft. PnB Rock.
he time is now. Determined to capitalize off his creativity, Dice SoHo, is on the grit! The recent release of SoHo’s, Mike Dean-produced mixtape, You Could Have, is helping to fuel his insatiable pursuit to secure lyrical longevity. On “Need More,” the Houston wordslanger teams up with PnB Rock. Here, these two emerging MCs trade sixteens that are inundated with opulent ideals and focused …
Music Review. | Revisited | Andy Michaels.
usic is Andy Michaels’ global passport. Whether using published sonnets, or employing poignant lyrics, this Australian artist is on a welcomed quest to share his creative acumen. With his latest album release, Revisited, he deftly demonstrates what happens when an array of musical genres are effectively blended. Throughout the duration of Revisited, Michaels 13-track project piques interest. The first four tracks “Today’s Tomorrow,” …
Music Video. | “So Houston” | Z-Ro Ft. Lil KeKe X Big Baby Flava.
yrical legend, Z-Ro, is mastering the task of satisfying his day-one supporters and hypnotizing new ears. From his Codeine project — which dropped last year — on the track “So Houston,” the ill MC teams up with Lil KeKe and Big Baby Flava. Reverent sixteens wrapped in sincerity are offered to H-Town’s musical forerunners. This Dang Films visual, astutely combines an organic Screwston aesthetic with the penetrating Synesthetic beat; simply put, this …
Andy Mister Ascends With “New Dawn Fades” At TURN GALLERY
There’s nothing overtly didactic about 39-year-old artist Andy Mister’s solo show at TURN Gallery, New Dawn Fades. There are, however, 11 painstaking works on display featuring roughly the same number of representational images, each deftly rendered in incredible detail on monochrome paper using carbon pencil, charcoal and acrylic. The recent passing of Tom Wolfe, an at times controversial literary giant, …
Summer Group Show @ Francis M. Naumann Fine Art
Francis M. Naumann is one of the top Duchamp scholars in the world and he keeps an exhibition space on the 3rd floor of “The Gallery Building” at 24 West 57th Street in New York. A selection of works by Mike Bidlo – Rafael Leonardo Black – Robert Brinker – Brice Brown – Katherine S. Dreier – TR Ericsson – …
Parallel Existences Add to One’s Eerie Stay at the Tranquility Base Hotel in Video for Arctic Monkeys’ “Four Out of Five”
As far as the “concept album” goes, it seemed the music industry had given up on it altogether until Arctic Monkeys decided to release the piano-heavy (and therefore out of character for the band) Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino on May 11th. Marking the band’s first record since 2013’s AM, the abrupt shift in sonic tone, as well as thematic …