Monthly Archives: August 2011
Cake
INFX this week put the word on the hip, hot-and-happening street artist Cake. From Brooklyn, NYC, Cake has recently made an appearance in the Italian Vogue Magazine and also featured in last month‘s Juxtapoze magazine issue. She studied the fine arts at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn -following in the footsteps of street artist Swoon, and the notorious Rob Zombie.
How did studying at the Pratt Institute influence the direction of your art?
I think I would feel the influence from Pratt many years later in regards to my public installations. My dear friend Polina and a group of super talented people really began doing work on the streets, and at the time, I watched them but kept myself and my work contained in my studio. I wasn‘t ready to be so connected to the public and to people back then, I was much more comfortable being isolated and alone. I‘m so grateful that I finally became more interested in expanding my practice, it has brought me much joy.
Your inclusion in the May edition of Italian Vogue magazine was stunning -how was that experience?
Thank you- that was incredible from start to finish. It‘s not everyday you have talented people doing your make up and hair and photographing you. It was a total honor- Vogue Italia is the bible of all fashion magazines, so there‘s really not much to compare it to.
Since featuring in Juxtapose magazine recently, have you found your art (or you as exhibitor) in higher demand?
Juxtapose is another great publication. That interview was part of the group show that is up in LA right now at C.A.V.E. Gallery- it was curated by my boys at Brooklyn Street Art. Some really amazing work in that show by a real array of artists.
Although you‘ve exhibited in Berlin and on the U.S. West Coast; you‘ve mostly exhibited in Brooklyn -is that because you‘re a local?
I do live in Brooklyn and I have my beloved studio here. I would say that there is a strong community of people invested in street art and graffiti here. There‘s alot of great people in this scene- from artists, to photographers and bloggers. I love being here with all of them.
After your first solo show last year; are you keen for another? And where would you love most to exhibit?
I would love another opportunity to have another solo show. I work feverishly, and I am surrounded by many paintings and drawings and would love to get them out there to an audience. I believe I am patient and allow for things to take their natural course in regards to my art career. As long as I keep making things I‘ve got all my bases covered.
cakestreetart.com
Death Valley Mustangs EP Launch
Next Saturday, the 3rd of September heralds the launch of the much-anticipated, brand new EP by the Death Valley Mustangs.
Titled “Tijuana Bible” this release marks the advent of a more refined sound from The Mustangs: their music has consolidated into a purely rock sound,which is distinctly their own. This latest incarnation also features a refined range of vocal talent, and a musical confidence unheard in their earlier EP. The Death Valley Mustangs play at Pony -doors open 8.30pm until late, with support acts Bugdust, Rayon Moon, and Dan Kirk. $9.
INFX is also offering the chance to WIN A SIGNED COPY of the EP in advance of the launch!
SIMPLY EMAIL infx@email.com a few words that are persuasive enough to merit the prize.
Pigeon English
To all the fellows chasing those rad, daring, and strictly unattainable pieces of menswear: these spruikers of forgotten trends are hip to the scene, with a fresh caché of gnarly vintage wears.
Pigeon English are on the indie market scene to provide men with retro and vintage clothing that has somehow been rescued from your late uncle‘s mis-spent youth. Anne Freeman and Paul Rabinovich invite you to visit their carrel at various upcoming venues, to check some of this splendid gear out. Not just for the hipsters; there‘s bound to be something that appeals to you and yours!
Check out Pigeon English coming at ya:
Saturday 3 September - Evelyn Markets
351 Brunswick Street Fitzroy, Australia
12:00 – 17:00
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208906859130374
Saturday 3 September - Mister Mode: Fashion Night Market
Garden Street Warehouse, South Yarra
20:00 – 23:00
http://www.facebook.com/MisterMode
Sunday 11 September - Southside Handmade & Vintage Market
Urban Hotel – 35-37 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
11:00 – 17:00
http://www.facebook.com/Southsidehandmade
Emma ‘Danger’ Bertoldi
Emma Bertoldi -street art stalwart and artistic extraordinaire confesses her sins of the street to INFX. Growing up in Brisbane, Bertoldi remembers hitting the skateboard and cruising down to the park where she “adored the art that was scattered over the concrete“. She admits she was never the best skater but found grand artistic influence there and revelled in the scene.
INFX: You‘re from Queensland, living in Brisbane -what got you into street art?
EB: There are a few combinations that hooked me on street art. When I was nineteen I [began] to study Fine Arts (Animation). The computerised direction of animation, just wasn‘t cutting it for me. I‘m an old school 2D illustrator with pens, ink, pencils and a light box. I started to really notice the art that grows on the Brisbane streets and felt that rush you get when you’re about to drop in on a 6ft pipe… (6ft is huge to me as I’m short as fuck!) that was it for me, I was sold.
INFX: That‘s the shit! What artistic influences resonate with you; influences found outside of your university Fine Arts studies?
EB: I adore old school animations and comics like Otto Messmers ‘Felix the Cat‘. There‘s this brilliance in being able to do so much with such a basic character structure. The expressions and gestures have to really be bold to convey the story as the majority where silent films. That element is the most influencial in my works.
INFX: Your works are amazing; how are the t-shirts coming along?
EB: T-Shirt Art is my naughty little crush! I have so much fun working on my Donnie Danger label. It‘s awesome walking down the street and spotting someone rocking one of my tees!
INFX: Do you have any shows coming up, and when are you next in Melbourne?
EB: I‘m [currently] organising the 3rd Lucky Duck paint-off in Highgate Hill. This awesome new bar in West End ‘JamJar‘ has asked me to paint [their] wall. I‘m saving [for] Berlin next year and heading to San Fran to live for a while. There will definately be a trip down to Melbourne before I head off but whether it‘ll be for business or pleasure is still unknown.
Well, we hope Bertoldi meets many pleasures during her inter-continental crusades; and no doubt INFX will take note of her whereabouts! So Stay Tuned!
The Salt of Life (Gianni Di Gregorio)
Gianni Di Gregorio‘s film is one of the more thoughtful and comically entertaining films due for release this year. Di Gregorio (Writer/Director of 2008‘s acclaimed Gomorrah) both directs and plays the leading role in this wistful comedy; markedly titled Gianni e le Donne (Gianni & The Women) in his native Italian. Gianni (the leading character, and not to be confused with the Actor/Director himself) has recently reached a turning point in his life: the onset of ‘old age‘. Having been made redundant from work, he finds himself mindful of not only his aging face & body; but of his relevance to the world-at-large.
The film is endearing to the plight of this ageing Italiano and charming in it‘s climactic (yet restrained) final scenes. Its looks at the romanticism and sexuality of Gianni as he ponders his lacklustre marriage and his attention to (and from) young women. At once an humourous, heartfelt and honest observation of the aging man -The Salt Of Life is wonderfully shot with subtle stylisation. The film won‘t stir up any media-pack accolades but it‘s surely a fine production; with a brilliant cast.
The Salt Of Life opens this week at Cinema Nova.
VeinOne
INFX recently caught up with one of NYC’s great artistic talents: VeinOne. A member of the well-respected Bt (Bronx Team) Crew, Vein was raised throughout New York City, growing up in all 5 boroughs; mostly in Queens. Our main man Vein started getting up proper from 1995 and has gone from strength-to-strength ever since. Here we have the interview wherein we see the story told from the man himself:
INFX: You‘re a born and bred New Yorker -how did you start up on the graff scene?
VeinOne: I remember being in 4th grade [and] I would see a couple of my friends practising their throw-ups. At first, I really didn‘t take it serious because I was a toy and I didn‘t really know a lot of writers.
INFX: What do you think of the current generation of NYC writers?
VeinOne: I think most of the new writers are eager to paint but they have no one to guide them and teach them the history of this art. To the new writers I say everyone pretty much starts off toy but its where you take it from there. Keep doing your thing.
INFX: What are your main artistic motivations or influences?
VeinOne: I would have to say my crew motivates me. We are a family of creative individuals and we all push each other to produce some dope walls.
INFX: How do you see yourself within the “art market” as such?
VeinOne: I would love to make a living off my art, I hate being a starving artist.
INFX: What new styles are you picking up at the moment, and where are you heading in terms of style and the future in general?
VeinOne: Lately, I‘ve wanted to focus more on background scenery painting. I‘m always open to learning new tricks and techniques or anything that can make me a better artist. As far as my style, well I guess we‘ll have to wait and see where it goes because it‘s always evolving one way or the other.
So there you have it -And keep an eye out for VeinOne Bt hitting up the scene in a big way!
