Lisa Solberg.
(photo by Graeme Mitchell)
Making the transition from professional free skier to visual artist may seem like a strange career move, but not to Lisa Solberg. The tan, athletic blonde has been quoted as saying “I like to think of myself as somewhat of an action painter, like Jackson Pollock” and judging by her vibrant, lively work, that’s a pretty spot-on description. The Chicago native creates large scale paintings that are beautiful cacophonies of color, visual interpretations of her energy, vitality, and positivity. After living in Colorado and traveling the world skiing, she has settled down in a giant loft in downtown LA and draws inspiration from her neighborhood and its creative community,
You can see more of Lisa’s work HERE. Also, check out this VIDEO for a peek into her process.
1. Who do you admire?
My grandfather, Julianne Moore, and Michael Jordan…all for different reasons.
2. What is your biggest flaw?
Trying to look “not” like I do.
3. What next?
New York! Asia! A lot more of making beautiful things out of raw expression – without refinery.
4. Who are some fashion designers you are into?
Balmain, Yves Saint Laurent, Haider Ackermann, Alexander Wang, Comme des Garcons.
5. How would you like to die?
When I feel like I’ve fulfilled what I’m meant to do. Probably in nature.
Sake Bomb
F-OFF I’m Dreaming
Jedi
Aram Dikiciyan.
In the venn diagram of “fashion photographer” and “artist,” there are a few photographers who truly occupy the overlap. Aram Dikiciyan is one of them. Hailing from West Berlin, Dikiciyan started his career as a photo-editor for German cult magazine Lodown, shooting street culture and skateboarding in Berlin. Seeking change, he picked up and moved to Tokyo, where he started doing more fashion photography for brands like Swagger and The Virdi-Anne and publications like MixteHomme and Style Magazine, as well as commercial work for clients like Sony/BMG and Vodaphone. He also started to hone what has now become his signature style: visually arresting photos that are gritty and minimalist, simple without being condensed, melancholy without being dispirited. His monochromatic images are a testament to the beauty that can be found in darkness, and the depth that can be given to fashion.
You can find more of Dikiciyan’s work HERE.
1. What do you admire?
People who have mastered several languages.
2. What is your biggest flaw?
Being stubborn. It applies to my work, when maybe it isn’t such a bad thing, but also to my private life, which causes some problems.
3. What’s next?
Creating images.
4. What is your present state of mind?
Stop smoking.
5. How would you like to die?
In a hail of bullets in flagrante.
CLAW money.
Last night I watched a rerun of Cold Case about a graffiti kid who gets murdered in the early nineties (he wanted to be an artist, not a thug, people). At first you suspect his girlfriend, one of the only girls “tagging” (every time they said the word “tagging” it sounded like it was in quotation marks) in Philadelphia during the time of this unsolved murder. Her name was Talon (because “once she gets her claws in you, watch out”), her signature color was orange, and she didn’t do it (if you’re curious, it was the thug leader of a thuggish graffiti crew). The meandering point of this episode synopsis is that Talon was at best a wack facsimile of CLAW. CLAW money, also known as Claudia, also known as a few epithets not fit to print, is the real deal. At a time where there were pretty much no women getting up (Talon notwithstanding), CLAW spent the late eighties and early nineties quite literally making her mark all over New York City. (Or her case, her paw print). These days Miss Claudia has a successful clothing line coveted by the likes of MIA and Santigold, as well as a published book to her name (Bombshell: The Life and Crimes of CLAW money), two collaborations with Nike under her belt, and a whole lot of tricks up her sleeve.
Check out her SITE and her BLOGUE. You can buy her book HERE.
1. Who do you admire?
All the honeys who makin’ money (Throw your hands up at me).
2. What is your biggest flaw?
My ego – needs to be downsized.
3. What next?
Going bigger, badder and better.
4. What contemporary artists are you into?
Barabra Kruger, Miss 17, Aurel Schmidt, Danielle Levitt, Jenny Holtzer, Nan Goldin, Shaniqwa Jarvis and Utah.
5. How would you like to die?
Old, rich and in my sleep.
This was posted by yasi on the 23rd of February, 2010
There are 0 Comments
Keith Hufnagel.
Despite his unwieldy last name and propensity for breaking out his front teeth (at last count he is on his fourth set of shiny fakes), Keith Hufnagel has managed to achieve an enviable amount of success. (It should be noted that he still maintains an inordinately thorough level of oral hygiene which may in fact be the secret of said success). In a relatively new sport that favors youth and has a decidedly unique pay structure, it’s not unusual to see participants that were part of the first wave, talented and lauded in their time, finding themselves forty and battered and forgotten, with nary an eponymous t-shirt or set of wheels to carry them through. That is unless they create something that lives on past their backside nose-grinds (I know, it sounds dirty). Hufnagel (better, and mercifully, known as Huf) did just that. In 2002, during what was arguably the height of his skateboaring career, Hufnagel opened up a shoe/streetwear/skate shop in San Francisco, aptly called HUF. One store soon became three, and a few logo tees soon became a full line of classic, cool clothing (and soon, footwear) available for purchase around the world. Oh, and he still skates. Shine on, you crazy diamond, shine on.
*I should mention, despite the implication, so that I am not quietly murdered, that Hufnagel is not, in fact, forty years old.
Click to learn more about HUF and check out his ESPN feature too.
1. Who do you admire?
Anyone that can turn nothing into something.
2. What is your biggest flaw?
That I love skateboarding and pornstars.
3. What next?
Making HUF sneakers.
4. What is your present state of mind?
Fuck It.
5. How would you like to die?
Blogging or twittering.
(photo Dennis McGrath)
This was posted by yasi on the 19th of February, 2010
There are 0 Comments
Aska.
Aska stays busy. A classically-trained pianist, Aska spent much of her youth elbow deep in Bach and Mozart. That is, until she discovered the band Can in high school, shifted her outlook, and put her piano-playing fingers to use as keyboardist for indie-punk band Your Enemies Friends. These days, the Japanese-born musician is a member of no less than three musical outfits: Moonrats (with former Pretty Girls Make Graves member Nathan Thelen), The Sads (with Aaron Rose and David Scott Stone), and the Los Angeles Ladies Choir (which she co-founded with Becky Stark). As if that wasn’t enough, she has embarked on a solo career, embracing her love of the ethereal and creating the kind of cosmic, gossamer music she loves. She recently collaborated with Flea and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the music for Spike Jonze’s short-film “I’m Here: Love in an Absolut World,” which features the bewitching track “There Are Many Of Us.” Aska is currently in the studio recording her solo album (due out on Manimal Records this July), but look out for a new Moonrats album (on IHEARTHCOMIX/IAMSOUND) this Spring.
Listen to tracks from her solo project HERE. Also make sure to check out the MOONRATS, THE SADS, and the LADIES CHOIR.
1. Who do you admire?
People who are advanced with technology.
2. What is your biggest flaw?
Anxiety, emotion, anger, ego
3. What next?
More expression.
4. What is your present state of mind?
High and low.
5. How would you like to die?
I have yet to figure out how I want to live.
This was posted by yasi on the 18th of February, 2010
There are 0 Comments
Dennis McGrath.
Dennis McGrath has been a photographer for over fifteen years, and while he spent ten of those years concentrating on photographing skateboarding all over the world, his work in the last five has been a bit more, well, diverse. Recently he’s taken to the pursuit of more documentary-type work, and in his own words is “interested in telling stories with my photographs with the help of text and ephemera.” (I would be lying if I said his use of the word “ephemera” didn’t make me instantly adore him). Currently he’s working on a book about his old friend Lennie Kirk, the mythical former pro-skateboarder whose audacious style, religious fervor, and rumored tangles with the law have made him one of the most enigmatic figures in the sport. McGrath calls the project “complicated and interesting” and is also working on a project based around his sexuality “which is even more complicated.” Be sure to check out his blog of compelling behind-the-scenes erotic photography (I find the notion of binding to be utterly romantic but then again I am a crazy), and look out for his line of t-shirts and skateboards with clothing line HUF set to be released in April.
You can see more of McGrath’s work HERE and HERE.
1. Who do you admire?
I’ve been watching John Cassavete’s films lately. Or catching them on TV somehow or another. Killing of a Chinese Bookie, A Woman Under the Influence. I remember seeing Gloria a bunch of times when I was a kid. Gena Rowlands is raw. Right now I’m inspired by the photography of Gary Van De Griek (aka Dirty Gary).
2. What is your biggest flaw?
Procrastinator at times.
3. What next?
Making Books.
4. What is your present state of mind?
Motivated.
5. How would you like to die?
I think a plane crash would be exciting. One time I thought we were going down on a flight back from Japan. Never been so scared in my life! It’s hard to imagine just how scary it really was now. My palms were dripping with sweat, for real! All I could think was “at least i just spent the last week in Japan” since I had always wanted to go and it was my first time. As long as it’s relatively painless and quick. Or maybe in my sleep….
This was posted by yasi on the 16th of February, 2010
There are 0 Comments
David Tai Bornoff.
Sure he has a Post Diplome from The École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and yes he’s mentioned in their Wikipedia under “Notable Alumni” alongside the likes of Monet and Renoir, but really the most impressive thing David Tai Bornoff has created in his young artist life has to be the ShamWow commercial. Yes, that’s right, this is the genius who conceptualized and executed the monumental infomercial that had us all in awe and confusion this past year. If that’s not post-modernism at its greatest, I don’t love nachos.
In addition to creating compelling advertising campaigns, Bornoff is also a talented director, editor, and photographer, and one of the only people I know who has read Proust’s In Search of Lost Time in its entirety (in French, no less). He runs a website called I FUCKING HATE THAT SHIT, hailed as the original internet hate site.
1. Who do you admire?
Laszlo Krasznahorkai for writing the weirdest book I’ve ever read.
2. What is your biggest flaw?
I love building but I hate doing maintenance.
3. What next?
A five part miniseries based on the life and times of Aaron Albert Pepper.
4. What is your present state of mind?
I’d say happy if i didn’t have a website dedicated to things I hate…
5. How would you like to die?
Just like Eleazar Maccabeus, crushed to death by a war elephant while saving Jews.
This was posted by yasi on the 15th of February, 2010
There are 0 Comments
Erin Magee.
Erin Magee is a multi-faceted woman. Production Manager for Supreme by day, Madonna enthusiast, gay rights activist, devoted wife, and last but not least, designer and CEO of Made Me clothing (whose floral leather jacket I covet in my mind daily). Like her hero, Magee is blonde, fiercely ambitious, and a snazzy dresser. Look out for MadeMe’s collaboration with Vans for Fall 2010, and the Spring collection to drop very shortly.
You can check MadeMe out HERE, and while you’re there be sure to download the mixtape she produced with her partner Nicole from NINA SKY “STRIKE A POSE III.” Unless you hate to dance, that is.
1. Who do you admire?
Anyone who follows their dreams. Anyone who has that raw AMBITION. I like that.
2. What is your biggest flaw?
No patience. NONE. I guess that’s a product of being a NY’er.
3. What next?
I want to have a baby. It’s a little more complicated than usual when you’re me, but we are working on it.
4. What is your present state of mind?
”Do it, Do it, do it t’ill you’re satisfied”
5. How would you like to die?
Oh shit, I’m not thinking about that! I’M LIVINGGG!
xx,
HEYBUNNY
This was posted by yasi on the 12th of February, 2010
There are 0 Comments
Rick Rodney.
Some photographers use their medium to create fantasy worlds, with tricks of light and angle and sometimes, Photoshop. Rick Rodney is not one of those photographers. His work documents reality, in all its raw, blistered, and bruised glory. His photos are striking, composed yet candid, shedding light on the beauty that exists around us, even as it occupies the ugliness.
At this point I could make a few witty anecdotes about our friendship but for once I’ll keep quiet and let his work speak for itself. You can see more at RICKRODNEYPHOTO.COM.
1. Who do you admire?
The man in the mirror…handsome devil.
2. What is your biggest flaw?
That I have many.
3. What next?
Work, play, work, play, play, then more work.
4. What is your present state of mind?
Clouded.
5. How would you like to die?
Painfully.
This was posted by yasi on the 11th of February, 2010
There are 0 Comments
Marisa Meltzer.
I have never met Marisa Meltzer, but after reading her book Girl Power (and doing copious amounts of internet stalking) I have become convinced that we are actually meant to be BFF. We both passionately love Sassy Magazine (although I buy them on eBay and she wrote a BOOK about it), are both super into the nineties, and I’m pretty sure (if we ever met) we would stay up all night talking about K Records and Eric’s Trip and the cultural impact of Britney Spears while painting our nails with sparkly blue polish and eating our candy necklaces.
Her book (full title Girl Power: The Nineties Revolution in Music) is a love letter to my youth, to riot grrrls, to Bikini Kill, Huggy Bear, and Bratmobile, to zines and Hard Candy and baby doll dresses, to feminism as we understood it, and as we misunderstood it. My 13 year old self, hair adorned with plastic baby barrettes and donning a cartoon metal lunchbox, approves.
Meltzer is a writer who cowrote the book How Sassy Changed My Life and is also a freelance journalist who contributes to Slate, Elle, Teen Vogue, and The Daily Beast. She is from California, currently lives in Brooklyn, and went to college in Olympia, WA (a fact of which I will never stop being jealous). Her latest book Girl Power was released this week, and you can buy it HERE. Check out the dates for her book tour HERE . You can stalk her via her BLOG and her TWITTER. But find your own fantasy best friend, this one is mine.
1. Who do you admire?
Teenage girls. Writers I couldn’t imitate if I tried, like Vladimir Nabokov and Joan Didion and Geoff Dyer. All of my friends. People who live in houses with pools.
2. What is your biggest flaw?
Infinite capacity for nostalgia.
3. What next?
I’m making two zines with Elizabeth Spiridakis of White Lightning fame: one is called First Kiss and it’s an anthology of stories of first kisses. The other is a concept zine about 90210 to be released on 9/02/10. We’re going to have a party and I’m going to go as Andrea Zuckerman.
4. What publications do you read regularly?
The New York Times, US Weekly, The Baffler, Shape, The Guardian, La Libération, Teen Vogue.
5. How would you like to die?
I think about how I wouldn’t like to die all the time (fried in hot oil; plane crash). I think I would be grateful if it happened fast and relatively painlessly, like having a brain aneurysm while walking through a meadow.
This was posted by yasi on the 10th of February, 2010
There are 0 Comments