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Recess. | Brooke DiDonato.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

Photographer Brooke DiDonato puts an adult spin on recess. Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, curator and profuse sweater, he is responsible for the curatorial direction and overall voice of Quiet Lunch. The Bronx native has read at venues such as the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, KGB Bar, Lovecraft and SHAG–with works published in Palabra Luminosas and LiVE …

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She Did That. | Tree Toppers by Women To Look Up To.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

Tired of your holiday being too basic? Well, now you can give your holiday some life with these handmade tree toppers by Women To Look Up To. Featuring popular women such as Serena Williams, Beyoncé and Hillary Clinton, these are way better than your average angel or cherub thingy. SHOP HERE Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, …

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New Pin by Dadu Shin.

In Crumbs, Fashion, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.

We’re big fans of Dadu Shin and we are absolutely pleased to find out about his new pin! A universal hand signal meant to ward off undesirables, let this pin do it for so you don’t have to. SHOP HERE Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, curator and profuse sweater, he is responsible for the curatorial direction …

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The Sound of Masturbation: 5 Masturbatory Anthems.

In Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

No Nut November is coming to an end—yes, you read correctly, No Nut November. Apparently November has been deemed a month in which some collectively refrain from the vile but ecstatic act of masturbation; otherwise referred to in more brash circles as choking the chicken, jacking (or jilling) off or flicking the bean. Unlike its counterparts “No Shave November” a.k.a. …

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Why Network Television Doesn’t Deserve The Carmichael Show.

In Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.

reat shows get cancelled all the time, some for a good reason and others out of nowhere. Unfortunately, The Carmichael Show seems to have a plot in both parts of that sitcom graveyard. That is ultimately the way it goes in TV Land; but the death of The Carmichael Show reeks of foul play. Well, not foul play exactly but it seems …

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Rooting for the Underdog or Undermining Black Girl Magic?

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.

veryone loves an underdog—especially when it comes to sports. The 1980 US Olympic hockey team versus the Soviet Union, Patrick Ewing and the Knicks versus Michael Jordan and the Bulls… everyone wants the “little guy” to have their day in the sun. But sometimes things aren’t so simple. Sometimes there are politics involved that can add meaning to the jeers …

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The Kids Are Alright. | Torrance Hall.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

Today we’re having a look at the work of conceptual photographer Torrance Hall. Only 17 years-old, the young Richmond based shutterbug is producing some striking self portraits that has landed him on our radar. What intrigues us the most about Hall’s work is the vivid commentary on masculinity. Hall, with a soft but determined gaze, challenges the constructs of “manliness”—disputing …

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Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop. | The Story of Bad Boy Records.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

an’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story, a documentary putting a long awaited spotlight on the famed Bad Boy Records, was recently released on Apple Music. Now, if you are a fan of 90s hip hop, you know what the Bad Boy movement meant to that era and Black culture —hell, culture in general. Centered around a 2016 reunion …

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Unnatural Selection. | Tara de la Garza at The Lodge Gallery.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

ara de la Garza recently debuted her newest solo exhibition, Unnatural Selection, at The Lodge Gallery. Inspired by Nature’s potential, the west coast artist uses her exhibition to help us envision what it would be like if that very potential went unchecked—undisturbed by human interference. The result is a whimsical world of hybrid organisms, a library of awe-inspiring holistic hodgepodges pieced …

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5 Black Superhero Movies That Came Before Black Panther.

In Crumbs, Film, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

Marvel’s Black Panther is set to make history upon its release next February. With the success of the Netflix series, Luke Cage, comic fans and moviegoers have been foaming at the mouth for a Marvel major motion picture in which the lead superhero is black. Well, Marvel did one better with Black Panther, by hiring a black director, Ryan Coogler (known …

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Proper Screening or Blatant Misogyny? | Female Cop’s Dominatrix Past Could Cost Her Her Job.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.

ops haven’t been on their best behaviour in most recent years. With a number of cases where they have open fire on unarmed civilians and accusations of brutality across the board, those who have sworn to protect and serve are under the microscope more than ever—and rightfully so. In light of these indiscretions, victim’s families, politicians, community leaders and protesters …

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The One or The Many? | The Utilitarian Undertone of OITNB Season 5.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.

ith its fifth season having only debuted just under a week ago, everyone and their binge watching mama is raving about Orange is the New Black. The latest season picks up where the last season so teasingly left off: Dayanara (portrayed by Dascha Polanco) pointing a gun at CO Thomas Humphrey (portrayed by Michael Torpey) as a majority of the other …

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The Rise of Volta.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

olta has always had potential. A quiet favorite among most, the fair has maintained a steady pace that keeps fairgoers intrigued—not necessarily wowed but definitely intrigued. This year however Volta has stepped its wow factor up remarkably. The fair has an engaging amount of electricity in its air and features some amazing works that remind art lovers why they love art. …

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The Death of SPRING/BREAK.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

nce upon a time, a year ago to be exact, SPRING/BREAK Art Fair was the star of Armory Week, an up and coming fair that shined brightly against the dim, uninnovative background that is Armory Week itself. Formerly housed in the Moynihan Station, SPRING/BREAK had an organic, but organized, feel. The fact that they transformed the almost ghostly Moynihan Station …

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Bigger and Better Things. | Amit Naamani.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

orn in Tel Aviv, mixed media artist Amit Naamani produces pieces that have a graceful static. Whether it is a painting or collage, he manages to capture this harmonious chaos that captivates the eye. We spoke with the young creative who share with us his inspiration as well as his aspirations. “My work is a collage of text, colors, abstract …

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A Creative Space. | Emily Miller.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

n our inaugural installment of A Creative Space, we pay a visit to the studio of painter and contemporary artist Emily Miller. Based in New York City, Miller’s work is steeped in feminism and gender politics—aimed at confrontation, discourse, empathy and ultimately resolution. Upon initial inspection, Miller’s pieces seem tame and somewhat submissive but further examination can reveal an underlying torment …

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Ownership. | Pantyhoes.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.

eing provocative is an art; an art that is seldom understood and rarely mastered. It’s not only about being provocative, it’s about being provocative with a purpose. Pantyhose, a collective movement rooted in sharp wit and post-feminism, has purpose. We had the pleasure of meeting with the founder, Hannah Palant, who summed up Pantyhoes’ mission in one thoughtful statement. Pantyhoes …

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Hung Out to Dry. | Sally Gall.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

n her series of clothesline inspired photographs, artist Sally Gall transforms a menial chore into a work of art. There is already something graceful and soothing about shirts, blouses, table clothes and bedsheets billowing gently in the wind. Utilizing angles, Gall heighten this allure, creating images that resemble abstract paintings. The series also has a devilish appeal, as some of the …

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Psychic Compound at C24 Gallery. | Nick Gentry.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

ondon based artist Nick Gentry debuted his solo exhibition, Psychic Compound, this week at C24 Gallery. I am absolutely in love with their new space and couldn’t wait to attend an opening reception. My affinity for their new headquarters withstanding, there was a little skepticism at first because Gentry’s work didn’t really speak me when I first laid eyes upon it. I soon …

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Socially Relevant Film Festival Holds Press Day at Bocca East.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, curator and profuse sweater, he is responsible for the curatorial direction and overall voice of Quiet Lunch. The Bronx native has read at venues such as the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, KGB Bar, Lovecraft and SHAG–with works published in Palabra Luminosas and LiVE MAG13. He has also curated solo and group exhibitions …

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Gus Powell. | The Lonely Ones at Sasha Wolf Gallery.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

f you are in the Lower East Side today, we suggest that you stop by Sasha Wolf Gallery to see Gus Powell’s The Lonely Ones. The solo exhibition is inspired by cartoonist William Steig’s 1942 classic, The Lonely Ones. Powell made his own version, keeping the clever caption aspect, but opting for color photographs of people, animals and inanimate objects instead …

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Pieces of the Puzzle. | Puzzleman Leung.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

uirky and stoically offbeat, Leong Chong Lao—who also goes by the moniker Puzzleman Leung—is a modern day treasure who has yet to be found. Buried deep beneath the hills of his own contemporary surrealism, Puzzleman is cultivating a powerful aesthetic that is both powerful and unassuming. Puzzleman isn’t just some enigmatic weirdo with a camera. There are layers to his madness—pieces that …

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The Non-Creative. | Steve Kim.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

don’t like to create,” says artist Steve Kim, cushioning his statement with an ironic chuckle. But oddly enough, Kim’s reluctance to create is what fuels his unique aesthetic. For Kim, the act of creating—or at least the overwrought version of creating—is a burden. After all, plenty of artists want to be free. Free to make, free to erase, free to …

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(NSFW) Moore or Less. | Neil Moore.

In NFSW, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

ust when you think you have Neil Moore figured out, he somehow finds a way to wriggle out of that straitjacket of a label that you felt sure enough to put him in. Moore’s work seems obvious but not as obvious as one may think. Themes that present themselves as apparent are often not. Actually, they often don’t mean anything …

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Words from Your Local Preacher. | Слава Семенюта.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

xalting a glaring gospel of rich color and retina rupturing neon, Слава Семенюта plunges his audience into a lush limbo of futurism. His creative drug of choice is color. He huffs hues and conjures up images with an aesthetic that is best described as “hallucinatory realism.”   Семенюта’s inspiration comes from the universe—above and below. He is enamored with underwater and the …

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Judy Rifka |x| Jay Milder at The Yard presented by Amstel Gallery and Curator Gregory de la Haba.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

he Judy Rifka Project and The Jay Milder Catalog Raisonné Project recently joined forces at The Yard, presenting a storied dialogue between the two artists’ works. The inaugural brunch, produced by Amstel Gallery and curator Gregory de la Haba, also featured legendary jazzman Bob Mover. Mover’s sweet notes wafted through The Yard as attendees treated themselves bagels & cream cheese and chilled Brooklyn …

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“As Seen on Kickstarter” Pop Up. | BiteMyApple. |x| wallplay Shop.

In Crumbs, Gizmos, Gadgets & Gears, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

f you’re looking for somewhere special to shop this holiday season, the “As Seen on Kickstarter” Pop Up is definitely a desired destination. A brainchild of BiteMyApple, the pop up only features Apple-based products that were once successful projects on Kickstarter. Founder Chris Johnson was kind of shed some light on the pop up’s concept: We started about 4 years …

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When Now is Night. | Martin Boyce.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

cottish artist Martin Boyce recently released his new book, When Now is Night, a brilliant monograph that provides a visual overview of the artist’s illustrious career. Written by Dominic Molon, with contributions by Russell Ferguson, John Stezaker and even Boyce himself, When Now is Night doesn’t read like your typical art book. While the book is bolstered by some well-tailored academia, …

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Far From Board. | Teresa Aversa.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

eresa Aversa is somewhat of a romantic. The way that she sees things, especially the quotidian objects that we often come into contact with on a daily basis and hardly take notice of despite frequent usage, is similar to most thoughtful creatives. But unlike most creatives, Aversa has taken root in a brilliant aesthetic that is ripe with a delicate …

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Iconophilia at The Lodge Gallery. | Peter Daverington.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

ainter Peter Daverington masterfully merges new school and old school aesthetic in his latest solo exhibition, Iconophilia. Placing graffiti characters beside noblemen and cherubs under one tattered and worn motif, Daverington creates a destructive dichotomy that speaks to art history, art development and art preservation. We visited The Lodge Gallery just an hour before the opening reception and Daverington, humbly dressed …

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3 Shots. | Hollis Brown.

In Audiorotic by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

[su_dropcap style=”flat” size=”4″]H[/su_dropcap]ailing from Queens, Hollis Brown‘s sound is best describe as Mumford & Sons meets Tracy Chapman meets Johnny Cash meets REM meets Hall & Oates meets Everything but the Girl. That is a lot of intermingling but when you listen to the new album, 3 Shots, you quickly understand how it all comes together. 3 Shots kicks off …

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NEW Music! | El Yunque. | Youceff Kabal.

In Audiorotic by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

[su_dropcap style=”flat” size=”4″]Y[/su_dropcap]ouceff Kabal‘s newest album, El Yunque, could not have come at a better time. Not only does the “feelgoodness” of the record go perfectly with the oncoming warm weather, it is literally a well produced chill pill made to combat all of the current ills of the world. War, politics, classism, racism, GMOs and genocide all seem to take …

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Be Nice. | Agni Zotis.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

e Nice. It sounds like a simple suggestion but the root of the concept runs far deeper than you would expect. Agni Zotis, a Queens native of Greek descent, has cultivated an enrapturing balance within her work; it is truly free from boundaries. The pieces featured in her latest solo exhibition evince the restless interminglings of life’s extremes, marrying those …

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God of the Grove. | Hedi Xandt.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

edi Xandt‘s God of the Grove has an aggressive aesthetic that holds you by the throat. Maintaining a firm grip, it leans in and snarls with an ominous pulchritude that leaves you shaken. Xandt, a self taught conceptual artist from Germany, possesses a style that is most aptly described as effortless. Works such as Blood is the Vessel of Love , The Longer …

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The Misunderstanding of Lauryn Hill: You Used To Love Her? You Never Did.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Many of us taint love with expectations. It may seem daunting—or even outright foolish—but to love someone is to expect NOTHING in return. That’s right. You give your love and expect nothing in return. Why am I blathering about love? Last week I read an article on Medium by Stefan Schumacher titled, “It’s Finally Time to Stop Caring About Lauryn …

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Tangina Stone Live at La Petite Mort.

In Audiorotic, Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

a Petite Mort gave summer one last goodbye hug this past weekend. The vintage boutique invited singer Tangina Stone to celebrate the official release of her EP titled, THE FALL. The celebration also included a groovy sidewalk performance which attracted a throng of passersby. Stone was in true form, serenading the Lower East Side and having friendly interactions with the crowd in …

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Frodo Mikkelsen. | A Love Story at Munch Gallery.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

rodo Mikkelsen recently debuted A Love Story at Munch Gallery. It is Mikkelsen’s second solo show at the Lower East Side space and looks to be just as strong–if not stronger–than  his last show at Munch, Ghost Yard. Dividing his time between Gotham and Copenhagen, Mikkelsen is a mixed media artist who is capable of providing a brilliant, effortless narrative. For this …