The multifaceted Kwesi Abbensetts recently released Poems. A film about a couple traveling through Jamaica, Poems is a far cry from your average artsy cinematic offering. Poems doesn’t break the rules, it simply ignores them. Poems possesses an enduring but delicate dichotomy that teeters on the edge while still remaining tethered to a safe, warm place that could only exist …
Breaking Down Gender Biases Through Interdisciplinary Means: A Q&A with Bri Cirel & Andre Veloux
Through their joint exhibition ‘Deluxe’, contemporary artists Bri Cirel and Andre Veloux examine how gender influences perception and creates bias standards in art, media, and life. On view at Krause Gallery in the Lower East Side through November 14th, the show features a series of recent works by each artist, addressing feminist themes through radically different mediums. Cirel’s oil paintings …
Contemporary and Mastery: An Interview with artist Anh Ta
What does it mean to have mastery in today’s culture? In a time where interdisciplinary art dabbles rather than develop in a highly skilled art making field, how does mastery service the artist? The narrative in the contemporary arts, challenges and creates new context for how we derive its function. New York based artist Anh Ta, embraces that challenge creating …
Flexing on Commercialism: “Re-Engineering Humanity” Featuring Marjan Moghaddam
“On the other hand, the rampant privatization of intellectual content, along with online marketing and commodification, also enable piracy and appropriation; it gives rise to the circulation of poor images.” – Hito Steyerl, In Defense of the Poor Image In Re-Engineering Humanity curated by Lady PheOnix (sic) and organized by yesuniverse, at 836M gallery in San Francisco, art on view …
The Last Days of As Above, So Below by Michelle Doll at Lyons Wier Gallery.
If you are in the Chelsea area this week we suggest that you stop by Lyons Wier Gallery to see the last of Michelle Doll’s latest solo exhibition, As Above, So Below. Doll is known for creating endearing works that captures the lightning that is love in a figurative bottle. Whether it is a deep embrace or general interaction, Doll …
Beccs Debuts By The Sea.
beccs debut as a music producer and filmmaker, By The Sea, is a soundtrack to a warm, and mellow day. Her paradisiacal voice describes personal growth from a relationship with a distant feeling. Although the project emerged from the emotions of losing someone close, it sparked the collaboration of two close friends with a mutual passion for cinematography. The photographer …
New Video | “Shotta Flow 3” | NLE Choppa.
ropelled by youthful hubris and innate talent, NLE Choppa, is making his presence known. The emerging Memphis rapper proves that practice makes perfect. “Shotta Flow 3,” demonstrates a gifted determination. Unyielding bass, burgeoning bars and artistic tenacity cements this summer smash. Checc it out; press play! “…if you fucking with me you gon’ sow what you reap…” -NLE Choppa Niki …
New Music | “African Giant” | Burna Boy.
orn Damini Ogulu, the Nigerian-native — Burna Boy — is here to stay. This established musician continues to earn global accolades. African Giant, his fourth studio release, reinforces an inherent strength that resonates throughout his artistry. Enlisting the intricate timing of producer, P2J, “African Giant,” works well. Press play! “… Can’t nobody do it better, better than me…” – Burna …
New Video | “Wake Up” | Travis Scott.
leep, the procrastinator’s innocuous tool, is examined in the latest Travis Scott visual, “Wake Up.” A juxtaposition of opulent attractions smashes against littered lifelessness. Providing a voyeuristic perspective, the Third Coast MC rises above complacency. From here, Scott, opines on how an inactive passionate existence can easily lead to decay. It’s lit! “… When you’re close, I’m alive, I can …
Going Through a Phase with Synead.
After a series of enchanting singles, the artist, performer, singer-songwriter, and activist Synead is making tremendous moves with an intensity incomparable to her previous work. Her latest single is called “Phase” which encapsulates her transitions through life. Brooklyn born and based, she has utilized the benefits of arts education and community building to move about in multiple facets of art, …
“May You Live In Interesting Times” Venice Biennale National Pavilions: On Empathy
The human body with its presence, absence, and agility define the most visceral and accessible national pavilion presentations at the 58th Venice Biennale. Titled “May You Live in Interesting Times” and curated by Ralph Rugoff, this biennale was split between Rugoff’s curatorial conceit and the various country’s presentations at both the Giardini and Arsenale sites of the Biennale. This year’s iteration met with several own challenges: for example, despite committing to the biennale both Algeria and Venezuela failed to open …
NYCxDESIGN at Design Pavilion
It’s not everyday that visitors to NYCxDESIGN get to perform on a public stage, but this year brings an exciting new initiative to guests visiting the Design Pavilion (Times Square pedestrian plazas between Broadway and 7th Avenue, from West 42nd to West 47th Streets) through May 22nd. Designed by the industrial design students and faculty from both Pratt Institute and The Strzeminski Academy of …
Breaking Glass – A Material Comeback at La Biennale di Venezia
Glass has become the perfect metaphor for the preservation of knowledge in an increasingly fragile world. Without collaboration, everything is lost. http://glasstress.org The island of Murano is synonymous with the history of glass. First perfected in the Middle East – Syria, Egypt and Palestine – the art of glassmaking came to Venice along Marco Polo’s trade routes. It is believed …
Creating Art For Change: Multi-disciplinary Artist Indira Cesarine
It’s a rather wet and drowsy Thursday. A message comes in summoning me to Manhattan’s Soho district. The reason? The opening festivities of this year’s SuperFine! Art Exhibition–a rather low key, unobtrusive, yet refreshing art show held as a precursor to the Frieze Art Show. The person doing the summoning? None other than the notable multi-disciplinary artist and doyenne of …
live in peace or leave the galaxy
Mary Bauermeister, live in peace or leave the galaxy is at the Michael Rosenfeld Gallery from 5 April – 8 June, 2019. This exhibition marks the beginning of the artist’s official representation by the gallery and the show highlights Bauermeister’s use of text in diverse materials including linen cloth, gesso, ink, straws, printed paper and the classic works that are …
A Frieze Week Q&A with Marc Scheff at Superfine! Fair
Contemporary artist Marc Scheff. In short, Marc creates multi-dimensional resin portraits, examining the formation of individual identity and consciousness. Anchored in figurative draughtsmanship, he employs a complex layering process for each piece, incorporating poured resin, gold leaf, pencil and paint, offering viewers a literal window into the human psyche. Fresh off the heels of a successful run at Superfine LA, …
Worlds Without Rooms: Otherworldly Vignettes by Alannah Farrell
Perspectives and dimensions dissolve, disappearing into the shadows before re-emerging into the picture plane in Alannah Farrell’s highly stylized, emotive “Worlds Without Rooms.” This exhibition, on view at The Painting Center in New York City’s iconic Chelsea neighborhood through April 20, features Farrell’s recent works which shift from allusion to representation and back again. Portraits of creative juggernauts fill the …
French Artist Philippe Halaburda Finds the Light in America
The French artist and expat, Philippe Halaburda, arrived in the United States on November 6, 2016, looking to take his artistic career to new heights and clearly, new places. This was, of course, just two days before Donald Trump would shock the world and win the presidency. As if moving to an entirely new country isn’t stressful enough. Halaburda …
Welcome To KABINETT: No Food Pics Allowed.
On any given day, one seems to expend an incredible amount of valuable time trolling through Instagram–that ridiculously famous (and addictive) social media dragon which beckons us to eavesdrop on the daily lives of our nearest and dearest, as well as strangers near and far–all the while wondering if one’s life is as interesting, as fun or beautiful, or simply as happy as …
Francis J. Greenburger + ART OMI
The founder of Art Omi Francis J. Greenburger believes that exposure to internationally diverse creative voices fosters tolerance and respect, raises awareness, inspires innovation, and ignites change. By forming a community with creative expression as its common denominator, Art Omi creates a sanctuary for the artistic community and the public to affirm the transformative quality of art. Having a similarity …
Ricardo Brey’s Doble Existencia/Double Existence at Alexander Gray Associates.
A brooding and covertly confrontational exhibition, Ricardo Brey’s Doble Existencia/Double Existence sits with you well after you leave the gallery. The exhibition is rich with symbolism and plunges its audience into a murky reservoir of poignant pigments, fragmented literature and found objects. The audience either willfully drowns or threads lightly. Brey is no stranger to evoking emotion and addressing life’s innerworkings. The …
NEW VIDEO: “Weave” by Ashni.
Ashni Davé, who simply goes by Ashni, recently released visuals for the single, “Weave.” The song, which has been heralded as an ode to women and selfhood, is gracefully heavy handed. It rolls, tumbles and flashes like a mesmeric storm. The juxtaposition of imagery in the video is just as striking, featuring brilliant choreography paired with pulsating visions of nature. …
ARAKAWA-GINS + the Arrows of Time
Diagrams for the Imagination will be on view at Gagosian uptown at 980 Madison Avenue and 77th street, from the 5th of March through the 13th of April. The seventeen room-scale canvases and six large format works on paper are the marvelous fruit of a profound collaborative engagement between Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins that began when they met in …
NEW VIDEO: “Give It Up” by Salomon Faye Feat. Nas Leber.
Salomon Faye just released visuals for the single, “Give It Up.” Teaming up with fellow Illuzionist, Nas Leber, “Give It Up” is aggressively self assessing, triumphant and rhythmic. The video matches the rawness of the song perfectly. Shot by Dakota Blue Harper with visual effects by Alex Halbert, the video is a captivating glitchy one take featuring a dangerous looking …
Shine the Lights on Kellogg and Byrd @ White Columns
LACK OF RESPECT FROM ADULTS FOR ABSTRACT CHILD ART CAUSES EXCELLENT WORK TO BE CRUMPLED AND THROWN AWAY Rediscovery of the lives and works of two artists, Rhoda Kellogg and David Byrd, are on view at the venerable White Columns, running from 18 January to 9 March 2019. One enters the space at 91 Horatio Street, a block north of …
The Fairytale Protesters: A Q&A with Ana Wieder-Blank.
Ana Wieder-Blank’s recent solo exhibition ‘The Fairytale Protesters’ at Honey Ramka Gallery immersed viewers in a riotous intermingling of color and texture. Utilizing painting, ceramic sculpture, installation, and performance, the artist tackled issues of identity, sexual assault, marginalization, and women’s empowerment. We spoke with Ana about the inspiration behind her exhibition, her great love of creating alternate universes, and her plans for a sequel …
Re-Orientations: Femmes to the Front
Re-Orientations, a group exhibit of works by contemporary women artists, remains on view from Feb 6 through March 17 at La Esquina NYC. Co-curated by Audra Lambert and Natasha Stefanovic, the show features four women artists sharing a contemporary perspective on immigration and the cultural divide between the Near East/South Asia and the US. Photography and mixed media works works by Camille …
Dave Persue Premiers Liminal Space at GR Gallery.
Artist Dave Persue recently debuted Liminal Space at GR Gallery on Bowery. The lively solo exhibition is a perfect balance of graffiti, fine art and merchandising. The intermingling between graffiti writers and the fine arts world has been layered and, at times, polarizing; but, Persue, pronounced Per-sway, seems to know what he is doing. He has found an ideal niche, a perfect …
In “Thoughts And Prayers” English Artist Sarah Maple Becomes A Voice Of The People
When viewing the TedX talk featuring the award-winning avant-garde artist Sarah Maple, one is instantly transfixed by her commanding, statuesque presence and attention-grabbing syncopations in her speech pattern. Born to a Muslim mother from Kenya and a British father, Maple attended a Catholic school in her youth, making her the personification of someone constantly investigating questions of identity and its …
5 Shows That Made White People Move to NYC.
Let us start by addressing the term “white people.” In no way are we attempting to be derogatory when we use this term. We are simply referring to migrating caucasians. But beware! This article will not kowtow to white fragility and will, in all, be an observant joyride of pop culture and sociogeographical trends. In New York City, as well …
Julia Sinelnikova Opens Ice Pores at Lazy Susan
Multifaceted artist Julia Sinelnikova recently debuted a brand new solo exhibition at Lazy Susan Gallery in the Lower East Side. Appropriately titled Ice Pores, the sculpture heavy exhibition is based around a new iteration of her celebrated “Fairy Organs” series and also builds on ideas from a previous solo exhibition, Organ Farm, which took place earlier last year. Per usual, Sinelnikova did …
The Others: What Really Happened to Charles Stewart?
The Others is a classic horror film with an famous twist that never gets stale. Although The Others partly mirrors the groundbreaking twist of M. Night Shyamalan’s Sixth Sense, the film’s nuanced narrative and neoclassical pace has made it a standout not only in the horror genre, but in cinema overall. Alejandro Amenábar’s third large film, The Others won eight …
Trembling Thinking @ The Americas Society
Lydia Cabrera and Édouard Glissant: Trembling Thinking opened at the Americas Society mansion at 680 Park Avenue and 68th Street on the 9th of October and remains open through the 12th of January 2019; this is too short notice but try to see this important and subtle exhibition. The extraordinarily inventive installation involves several wall projections, writing on the wall, …