Category: Art

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Art Culture

HelloTittie’s Creative Chicks Art Event Uplifts Women Making Art

Art is a powerful tool that can give meaning to different aspects of life one would not expect, from relieving trauma and tension in an artist’s life, to making political and social commentary on the state of current events. Some artists describe art as having the ability to embrace love and uplift others, or being able to release one’s feelings and be vulnerable with oneself, as well as an audience.

These were all sentiments expressed by artists at HelloTittie’s 3rd Annual Creative Chicks Art Event over the weekend. As a brand committed to empowering women through creative online content, insightful interviews, and curated art events, HelloTittie provided a platform for over 20 women to showcase their work to a greater audience.

The event took place at Beyond Studios NYC in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn with collections of work expanding various art forms, ranging from portrait photography, canvas paintings, and even a film screening. Artists filled the open space, engaging with other creatives about their work, drawing inspiration for future projects, and preparing to have their work sold to an eligible buyer.

Artwork by Chelsea Smith

One artist that stood out from the rest was a model by the name of Flora Dizon. She began modeling in preschool when a photographer came out to her school to take photographs of some of the children. Initially, her parents were shocked by the outcome of how well the photos came out and how comfortable their daughter was because she was always the shy child who kept to herself. She said whenever the camera was in front of her, she was “able to become a whole other person. And I think it was because I wasn’t directly looking into someone’s eyes, I was just looking at a lens. I didn’t feel like people were staring at me. I felt like I was able to be myself.”

It wasn’t until after she graduated high school and started freelance modeling that she expressed an interest in being a nude model. A photographer at the time asked if she could pose nude and make shapes using her body, while captured using low lighting to appear as a silhouette. She was blown away by the photos because she fell in love with the artistic quality in it – being able to release all her bottled up emotions and feeling completely vulnerable and empowered simultaneously.

With her own art, Dizon implores her audience to feel more self-confident in themselves, in their bodies, regardless of wrinkles, stretch marks, or curves. “I just want people to be more open to being in their natural state and being open to show who they are without having to always hide themselves.”

  • Photo of Maria Burgos & Flora Dizon performing
  • Photo of Maria Burgos & Flora Dizon performing

At the event, Dizon wore a purple bodysuit and rhythmically moved her body to the tune of her friend Maria Burgos’  spoken word poetry. Burgos’ pieces were received with cheers and snaps from the crowd as she performed a piece describing the many labels placed onto her as a woman, and an improvised self-reflection on how she felt that day.

She first discovered spoken word after her brother approached her one day and said he would write the first few lines of her first rap, but that she’d have to finish the rest. The first few lines started off as “My name is Maria, I’m worth more than gold” and she went ahead and finished the rest of the rap. She found so much satisfaction in her writing that she started to purchase journal after journal and fill them up with all her thoughts.

Down the line, her work adapted into a means to vocalize her written thoughts about politics and being a woman, because “I spent so many years not speaking up in any kind of scenario that you can think of, and I wanted to speak up through my art because it’s so powerful.”

Marisa Silva, a photographer from Phoenix, AZ but now living in NYC, didn’t originally find her love for art with photography, instead, it was music. All her life, she grew up playing music and had every intention of pursuing it as a career up until four years ago when she permanently damaged her voice. She had lost her voice three time back in 2015 and instead of taking a break from expressing herself artistically, she picked up photography. She had always grew up with cameras and photography throughout her life, but it wasn’t until her break from music inspired her to take it more seriously.

  • Artwork by Marisa Silva
  • Artwork by Marisa Silva

Silva said that she hasn’t found the right moment to integrate her passion for music and photography into one yet, but pointed out that every photo on display at the event is named after a song title. One photo was entitled “Golden Hour” after a Kacey Musgraves song and was taken during the golden hour as the sun setting.

In between admiring the artwork and interacting with the artists, guests were able to take advantage of additional amenities offered at the event. For refreshments, HelloTittie offered an open bar for its guests, with drinks from Harmless Harvest, Monster Energy Drink, and Drink BABE. Guests were also invited to engage in the Instagrammable photo space across the room, decorated with an array of balloons, a kiddie pool, and beach balls shaped like boobs. Throughout the night, artists participated in live painting segments in the middle of the studio space. Guests also had the chance to win raffle giveaways from sponsors like Aya’de Health & Beauty, Magic & Manifest, Rosehound Apparel, Idlewild Co., and Kelliebrew.

It was a special night to be celebrating women with various backgrounds and connections with art, all in one space – it was impactful. Now artists and art lovers will have to wait another year to see a fresh batch of phenomenal work.

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For more information about HelloTittie, their vision towards women’s empowerment, and future events, visit http://www.hellotittienyc.com, and check them out on social media through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

For information about Flora Dizon’s work follow her on Instagram.

For information about Maria Burgos’ work follow her on Instagram.

For information about Marisa Silva’s work visit http://marisavalentine.com or follow her on Instagram.

Categories
Art Culture Music

Sing for Hope Unveils 500th Piano

By Michael Izquierdo

Whether you’re eager to play the piano or digital piano in front of a live audience or looking to admire originally-designed artwork, the Sing for Hope Pianos project returns to the streets of New York City for its eighth consecutive year.

From June 4th to the 23rd, Sing for Hope will display 50 artist-designed pianos in parks and other public spaces across the five boroughs for any passerby to walk up and play a tune. The piano designs are vibrant, striking expressions of the creativity found within the city, featuring designs like the New York City skyline, an underwater theme, and pride-colored stripes. The non-profit organization founded in 2006 by opera singers Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora celebrates as they unveil their 500th Sing for Hope Piano this year.

Sing for Hope was built upon the foundation of being a resource for New York artists to use their art to give back to the community, and they continue to abide by their roots. This year’s masterpieces were created by a wide range of artists, including the Broadway casts of Mean Girls, Dear Evan Hansen, and Jersey Boys; along with prominent visual artists around the world, including artist/designer Alpana “Tejaswini,” Florida-based educator Bridget Wendt, Staten Island-based family of artists Rob, Peggy and Megan Padovano, and many others.

  • Photos by Addison Franz

The Sing for Hope Pianos project is made possible in partnerships with New York City Parks and Recreation, New York City Department of Education, the Office of the Mayor, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, with additional support from Fosun International. This year, the pianos will be distributed in high-traffic locations included Virginia Park and Van Cortlandt House Museum, Brooklyn Bridge Park: Pier 6, Coney Island Boardwalk, Tompkins Square Park, Central Park, Unisphere Flushing Meadows, Midland Beach, and many more.

Once the Sing for Hope Pianos project is over, the pianos will find permanent homes in NYC public schools starting this fall. This initiative will extend the outreach of educational programs to over 100,000 NYC students and community member annually.

Earlier today, Downtown Magazine had the opportunity to attend the official unveiling of the 2019 Sing for Hope Pianos event at Fosun Plaza on 28 Liberty in NYC.

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Art Culture Events Featured

NYCxDesign Launches the New Downtown Design District

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 29: Atmosphere at MvVO ART Special Preview Of The AD ART SHOW 2019 At The Oculus at 3 World Trade Center 15th Floor at GroupM on April 29, 2019 in New York. (Photo by Aurora Rose/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Atmosphere

NYCxDESIGN is officially coming to Lower Manhattan from May 10-22 with the launch of a new Downtown Design District supported by The Alliance for Downtown New York.  The District made its debut on April 29 as host to the NYCxDESIGN’s 2019 opening event at 3 World Trade Center for AD ART Show, a collection of contemporary works from members of the advertising community that will be displayed digitally in the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center throughout May.

Revered public art is prolific in Lower Manhattan. In the walkable square mile south of Chambers Street there are dozens of notable pieces — including Noguchi’s Red Cube and Dubuffet’s Group of Four Trees to Jeff Koons’ Balloon Flower — making it a grand, open-air museum.  This year however marks the first time Lower Manhattan welcomes NYCxDesign to celebrate design and further the conversation of how it impacts our everyday lives.

Photo Courtesy of MvVO Art

There are currently over 100 architecture, design and engineering firms located in Lower Manhattan – nearly half of which have relocated to the neighborhood over the past decade – including SOM, Rafael Vinoly, Beyer Blinder Belle, SHoP Architects, Adjaye Associates, and Studio Libeskind. The neighborhood is also home to more than 30 advertising agencies including three of the top four largest firms in the world: GroupM, Momentum, and Omnicom.

“Lower Manhattan is a growing haven for cultural and artistic expression,” said Jessica Lappin, President, Alliance for Downtown New York. “From our long-standing iconic sculptures to the new World Trade Center murals and forthcoming Perelman Performing Arts Center, there’s a momentum building in Lower Manhattan and we’re happy to announce the the Downtown Design District designation to make sure the growth continues.”

Events going on in the Downtown Design District this month span public showings, tours and talks as well as two industry award ceremonies.  Details below.

Art Shows

MVVO ART – AD ART SHOW 2019 At The Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center(April 29-May 31) – AD ART SHOW 2019 brings a curated selection of work from artists working in advertising and design to the oversized digital screens at the Oculus. All art displayed will also be available for purchase. FREE

Zaha Hadid Design Pop-Up (10 Corso Como, May 10-22) – Zaha Hadid Design, in conjunction with concept store 10 Corso Como New York, will unveil a bespoke installation to showcase the ZHD collection of design objects. Referencing the fluid lines of ZHD’s homeware pieces, the 3-meter-tall installation reinterprets 10 Corso Como’s logo through ZHD’s distinctive language. Located adjacent to the store’s main entrance, the installation features CNC milled surfaces and is enhanced by sinuous floor and wall graphics that coherently unify the ensemble. FREE

Talks

The Woolworth Building – Designing for the Next Generation (Woolworth Building, May 13 @ 6p) – An informal discussion about the adaptive reuse of a true architectural icon by Alex Saltzman of Alchemy Properties, the developer responsible for the condominium conversion of the The Woolworth Building and Clayton Whitman of the design team responsible for the transformation the 16th floor into a collaborative work place followed by a guided office tour. FREE

Fueling Change Through Design (Woolworth Building, May 14 @ 4p) – A hands-on workshop to envision an innovative product launch in New York. Small groups will develop an organizing idea, imagine local activations, draw upon visual inspiration and define touchpoints to engage New Yorkers. This creative sprint will give an inside look at our process and engage people to be pioneers of change through design. FREE

Brands Bringing It – Dissecting Phygital Retail Experiences (Woolworth Building, May 14 @ 6p) – A discussion with creative minds from SoulCycle, Nike SNKRS, and InStyle Magazine to chat about how brands are responding to the constantly evolving phygital consumer behaviors, and what trends they see in the future. FREET

Tours

9/11 Memorial and World Trade Center: Architecture, Urban Planning and History w/ AIANY (WTC Campus, May 11 @ 10a) – Experience the 9/11 Memorial and the World Trade Center site, including the site’s master plan, design and development of each of the main structures–including the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, office towers and transportation hub. The tour ends with a cocktail at DRINKSxDESIGN participant, Eataly’s Osteria della Pace. $25

Renovating Fidi: Skyscrapers, Plazas And The Impact Of Zoning W/ AIANY (TBA, May 12 @ 10:30a) – The tour focuses on Lower Manhattan’s significant spires of the 1930s, plus the reuse of older structures. Highlights include buildings by SOM, Pei Cobb Freed, Kevin Roche, Philip Johnson, Davis Brody, Tsao & McKown, and Frederic Schwartz, plus a final stop at DRINKSxDESIGN participant, The Beekman Hotel. $30

Architectural Tour of the Oculus at Westfield WTC (Oculus, May 15 @ 5p) – A brief walking tour led by Isolde Brielmaier, PhD – Executive Director & Curator, Arts, Culture & Community, that explores the space and architecture of the Oculus and surrounding area of Westfield World Trade Center. Meet at 4:50pm at the Concierge desk. First come, first serve basis with a 15 person capacity. FREE.

Discover the Water Street Corridor w/ AIANY  (Water Street, May 19 @ 10:30a) – This tour focuses on modern aspects of the historic Financial District, including a final stop at 10 Corso Como, a DRINKSxDESIGN participant in the Seaport. Highlights include buildings by Pei Cobb Freed, SOM, Norman Jaffe, Emery Roth & Sons, Frederic Schwartz, SHOP, and Hanrahan Meyers. $25.

Award Ceremonies

The One Show (Cipriani’s, May 10 @ 6p) – The One Show is one of the most prestigious awards competitions in advertising, design, interactive and branded entertainment. Judged every year by top industry professionals, a Gold Pencil is the ultimate symbol of creative excellence. $500

Annual NYCxDESIGN Awards and ICFF Party (Pier 17, May 20) – Presented by Interior Design Magazine and ICFF, the 4th annual NYCxDESIGN Awards and ICFF Party will take place May 20th at Pier 17 in the revitalized Seaport District, NYC. The ICFF Party immediately follows the NYCxDESIGN Awards and is presented by ICFF and Interior Design Magazine. The Gala Party features open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. $100

Categories
Art Culture Events Miami NYC

Art New York comes to Pier 94

Martinique Series by Vivian Springford, 1974, courtesy Vallarino Fine Art.
Martinique Series by Vivian Springford, 1974, courtesy Vallarino Fine Art.

Whether you are looking to enhance your art collection or just absorb some art inspiration, the 5th edition of Art New York is just the ticket. The fair includes works by Jean Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, KAWS, Retna, Damien Hirst, Robert Indiana, Willem de Kooning, Keith Haring, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Frank Stella, and Jean Dubuffet among others.

Presented by Art Miami, Art New York’s philanthropic partner is the New York Academy of Art, and they are presenting an exhibit during the fair, curated by Academy president David Kratz, along with Academy supporter Helena Christensen, with works by Academy alumni including Dina Brodsky, Diana Corvelle, Shiqing Deng, Christian Fagerlund, Jacob Hicks, Sara Issakharian, and Will Kurtz, among many others.

Marilyn, by Andy Warhol, 1967. Masterworks Fine Art

The fair, running through Sunday, May 5th, includes nearly 300 artists represented by 70 international galleries. It showcases works by important contemporary, post-war, and pop artists, and features painting, photography, prints, drawings, design, and sculpture. “For our fifth edition, we are proud to present a premium art fair that showcases an impressive selection of artworks from artists of the 20th and 21st centuries as well as work from the most significant emerging artists,” said Nick Korniloff, Director, Art New York. “In addition, our presentation provides a worthy complement to the activities taking place during New York art week.”

During the fair, young art lovers can visit The Children’s Museum of the Arts booth to create their own works of art. Teachers will host one-hour sessions throughout the day, allowing parents and caregivers to enjoy the fair while their little ones learn some contemporary art techniques. Spots are available on a first-come first-serve basis on site, or you can email rsvp@cmany.org to choose a time.

The fair includes many special events, including the Jerkface Interactive 360-Degree Photo Booth presented by Taglialatella Galleries: An enclosed, immersive experience which allows the viewer to step inside one of the artist’s larger-than-life murals.

Debbie Ma, Code Blue, 2016, marble dust on canvas, DMD Contemporary.

“Art New York presents a rejuvenated platform to present the finest selection of contemporary, modern, post-war, and pop art alongside our CONTEXT platform with emerging, mid-career and cutting-edge talents,” said Julian Navarro, Co-Director, Art New York. “Following last season’s redesign, our revitalized ambience and amenities will continue to present a fresh and inspired perspective that will provide our collectors with a premier experience.”

Art New York hours: Saturday, May 4, 12 – 8pm; Sunday, May 5, 12 – 6pm. Pier 94, 12th Avenue at 55th Street.

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Art Culture Music

Punk Rock Photography Show Opens on the Lower East Side

The Ramones at CBGB by punk rock photographer David Godlis
The Ramones at CBGB by punk rock photographer David Godlis

72 Gallery, the newest addition to the Lower East Side’s art scene, opens on Thursday, April 18th (6pm-9pm), with a bang, showing the punk rock and street photography of David Godlis, in It’s a Godlis World.

According to the gallery, “the show begins with David’s most famous work, which documents the New York punk rock scene centered around the infamous CBGB’s. The exhibition then expands out beyond the Lower East Side and onto the streets of New York. David’s street photographs—many of which have never been exhibited before–offer a beautiful and poignant slice of New York life in the 1970’s.”

Godlis photographed some of the most legendary bands in their earliest days, such as Blondie, Patti Smith, The Ramones, the Talking Heads, and Television. His photographs, exhibited in a multimedia installation, capture the emergence of the punk rock scene in the East Village and the Lower East Side of New York City.

Blondie at CBGBs, photographed by David Godlis
Blondie at CBGBs, photographed by David Godlis

In audio commentary, Godlis gives the viewer a unique insight into the photographs and the cast of characters that created this enduring and highly influential culture moment. The show also includes multimedia displays of street photography along with larger format wheatpaste murals and installation works along with prints on paper.

Godlis, who was born in New York City in 1951, picked up his first camera, a Pentax Spotmatic, in 1970, and has been shooting photographs non-stop ever since. After moving back to the city with his Leica camera in 1976, he stumbled into the burgeoning punk scene at CBGB’s on the Bowery. After seeing Brassai’s photographs of Paris in the 1930‘s he began to make photos using long handheld exposures under the Bowery streetlights. His grainy black and white images documented CBGB’s and street life on the Bowery from 1976-1979.

His extensive body of work has been published and exhibited worldwide and was also published in his successful book, History is Made at Night, which can be purchased online, at the gallery, or across the street from 72 Gallery at I Need More.

This is the inaugural show for 72 Gallery, located in The Great Frog on Orchard Street, which will showcase the music, art, poetry, and fashion that emerged in Lower Manhattan in the 1970’s, and had such a profound and lasting effect on global popular culture.

It’s a Godlis World, April 18-May 9, 72 Gallery, 72 Orchard Street, New York City.


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Art Culture Events Featured Living News

Celebrate Earth Day with Art and More from Earth Day Initiative


Earth Day Initiative, a non-profit that promotes environmental awareness and solutions through partnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses, and government agencies, announced the expansion of its Do Just 1 Thing campaign leading up to the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020 with a large-scale art installation and action center at its annual Earth Day event taking place on April 23, 2019 in Union Square.

The Earth Day 50 art installation will consist of artists Tim Peacock, Haleigh Mun, Helen Oh, Amit Greenberg, Lizzy Itzkowitz, Vinnie Neuberg, Jovanna Tosello, and Molly Egan creating large-scale pieces of art on site. The artists will be painting canvases around environmental themes relating to the Green New Deal to call attention to the sustainability solutions we can strive for as we approach the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. A Do Just 1 Thing action center adjacent to the art installation will provide attendees with simple action items they can take to make a positive environmental impact. The action center will also ask attendees to share their own sustainability stories by offering solutions they see or would like to see in their own lives and communities.  The project is being supported by Milton Glaser, creator of the iconic I Love NY logo (consisting of black letters and a red heart), who will be creating a poster for the event.

“With the Earth Day 50 art installation, we hope to capture the public’s imagination around how we can solve our most pressing environmental challenges,” said Earth Day Initiative Executive Director, John Oppermann.  “The enthusiasm we’ve seen over the idea of a Green New Deal reflects how ready people are for positive action and real solutions when it comes to our environmental and societal challenges. The artists’ creations live on site at our event will stimulate conversation while our own action center and year-long campaign will keep the conversation going and empower people to take action in their own lives.”

One action item Earth Day Initiative is promoting is its campaign to empower individuals across the country to support clean energy with their monthly utility bill simply by filling out a quick form online. With a few clicks of a button, people can make an ongoing real-world impact with each month’s utility bill. With community solar projects in New York City, Earth Day Initiative’s partners are building brand new rooftop solar farms in the Bronx and Queens and anyone living in the five boroughs of New York City can lease portions of the panels, allowing them to support the development of brand new renewable energy in New York City, while saving them money.

“In recent years, we’ve encountered so many people who are eager to move things in a positive direction with regard to the environment and climate change,” said Oppermann. “We’re empowering people with simple actions they can take in their own lives and also asking the public to share their own sustainability stories so that we can learn from one another and work together toward a more sustainable future.”

The Do Just 1 Thing action center will be featured at the most popular Earth Day event in the country, taking place in Union Square on Tuesday, April 23rd from 12pm – 7pm. Free and open to the public, the annual festival celebrates Earth Day and offers visitors easy, actionable ways to make more sustainable and environmentally conscious choices in their everyday lives.

Event highlights include:

  • A live art installation where artists will paint large-scale canvases on various environmental themes relating to the Green New Deal live on site. The art will be sold with proceeds going to support Earth Day Initiative’s year-round environmental education programs.
  • An Earth Day action center where people can learn about simple things they can do to make a positive green impact in their own lives and also share their own sustainability stories of environmental solutions they see or would like to see in their own communities.
  • Dozens of exhibitors, including green lifestyle products and services.
  • Live performances, talks, entertainment.
  • Activities for kids and adults alike.
  • Local food and beverage vendors.
  • A special zero-waste fashion art installation and sustainable fashion-focused exhibition supported by H&M.

On Monday, April 22nd, Earth Day New York will organize the 5th annual Earth Day 5K Green Tour. New Yorkers are invited to get outside and visit green organizations around the city. The tour will include a visit to a river ecology school right on the Hudson River, a zero waste office, and a rooftop farm on top of an office building, among other unique destinations. Lunch will be provided by Just Salad.  The tour is a great way to get outside in advance of Earth Day to support great green sites and find out how to get involved, volunteer, and stay connected with green NYC throughout the year. For more information or to attend, visit earthday5k2019.eventbrite.com. We’ll see you there!