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On The Scene: ‘Vital Impetus: Life Signs’ Art Exhibition at UNTITLED

by Bianca Brutus
written by Bianca Brutus

“Vital Impetus: Life Signs” is a new art exhibition featured at The Gallery at the UNTITLED at 3 Freeman Alley Hotel.  The exhibition, in partnership with Azure Arts, is a collection of mixed media works by NYC-based artists: Alice Garik, Gina Kropf, and jdx. 

by Alice Garik

visitant by jdx

Head of Eirene by Gina Kropf

The French philosopher Henri Bergson’s word “élan vital” (vital drive) is the source of the exhibition’s title and subject. Life Signs explores the relationship between the so-called “creative self” and human connection through the lens of black-and-white imagery. In doing so, we truly see self-expression along with how we connect or don’t connect with the world around us. 

The exhibition additionally reflects the history of the Bowery which acted as a refuge for artists who were willing to push boundaries in the 70s and 80s, such as Scharf, Haring, and Sherman. Today, the Bowery boasts some of the most refined and vibrant street art in the city. This exhibition truly begins this to the centerfold. 

Vital Impetus: Life Signs is Azure Arts first exhibition. Azure Arts is known as a nomadic gallery anchored in supporting emerging and mid-career artists living in New York City. They connect and cultivate a community for creative minds who maintain a genuine curiosity about human nature, the universe, and an appreciation for the practice of making the intangible tangible. Azure Arts host and facilitates artist dinners, gallery talks, studio visits, and many more opportunities for curious collectors to gain insight into any artist’s creative process. 

Vital Impetus: Life Signs is on view at UNTITLED now until February 10, 2024.

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ArtEvents

On the Scene: Delphine Diallo presents exhibition “Rhythm and Flow: Celebrating the Fluidity of Femineity”

by Bianca Brutus
written by Bianca Brutus

Delphine Diallo is a visual artist and photographer who’s captivated the industry with her deep exploration of women, race, and history through her lens.  A major aspect of Diallo’s work is mythology. She often makes her subjects appear almost as powerful mythical beings in her photos. Each photograph tells a unique story, showcasing the strength, vulnerability, and grace of feminity.

Prior to the reveal of the works, a short film “Soulscapes: The Artistic Journey of Delphine Diallo,” was shown.”Soulscapes” sees Diallo in Paris, New York, and Miami encapsulated by moments of nature and movement. In a park in New York, she gives a demonstration of how Tai Chi helps her to balance her mind and body so that she may explore the soul of her creations. One clip sees her submerged by water at a beach symbolizing rebirth and clips of fire that symbolize death. As the film develops, Diallo brings viewers along her creative journey. She discusses how carefully stacking images and other components gives her collages the narrative richness they possess. The film was directed by Nicole Ianniello and produced by DK Johnston, with cinematography by Marissa Kaiser, additional footage by Marilyn Clark,  and edited by Dorian Duvall.

Delphine Diallo, Mark Musselman

Seeing the actual work Diallo was able to create from this film was stunning. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the female form, Diallo photographs the simple movements of woman. Each frame is adorned in an intricate collage of images. The collages contain images of  historical African art and photographs of the human body. The border additionally seems woven by braids, a staple of Black culture. Diallo’s work has often voiced the struggles and beauty of the Black diaspora. This exhibition served as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and the celebration of Black beauty. It is through such exhibitions that honor and elevate narratives that have been historically marginalized. Diallo’s talent and dedication shine through every captured moment, making the photos a remarkable and inspiring experience that will leave a lasting impact on all who have the privilege to witness it.

The exhibition is on display at 685 Third Avenue through November 2023.

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ArtLifestyleThe Latest

The Institute of Arab and Islamic Art Presented Behjat Sadr’s Art

by Britt Trachtenberg
written by Britt Trachtenberg

The Institute of Arab and Islamic Art (IAIA) presented the first solo exhibition of Behjat Sadr’s art. Selected pieces depict her career over five decades. The display showed Sadr’s diverse skills, which spanned photography, photomontage, painting, kinetics, and unusual materials. The show will run from May 15thIr to August 27th.

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EntertainmentMusicThe Latest

Kalan.FrFr Drops “Light Breeze” Music Video, Talks His Album 222 And Giving Back To His Community

by Chantell Hayden
written by Chantell Hayden

The West Coast is experiencing what some would define as a musical renaissance. For the past few years, there’s been a huge emergence of talent hailing from the city of Los Angeles and taking the nation by storm, including Roddy Richh, rap duo BlueBucksClan, 1TakeJay and Blxst just to name a few.

And joining that list is L.A. bred newcomer Kalan.FrFr.

But rap wasn’t always on his radar. After establishing a pretty solid football career at San Diego State University, a then 21-year old Kalan had to unexpectedly end his time on the field and shifted his focus to pursuing music full time.

His biggest song “Never Lose You” has over 5 million views on YouTube and his infectious discography has gained him 628,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

So, it came as no surprise when he caught the eye of Roc Nation and signed on the dotted line officially to be a part of the company founded by Jay-Z. He even made his Made In America Festival debut this year as a Roc Nation artist.

We caught up with the rap star to talk about his new album 222, his appreciation for fashion and his outlook on the music industry as a business.

We get deep and touch on his deep connection with his spirituality and how it’s impacted his career, as well as his dedication to fighting the negative stigmas surrounding special needs – an issue the rapper holds near to his heart.

Last month, the rapper hosted his TwoFr Day annual charity event, where he donates clothes, school supplies and more to his former community and high school in Compton, CA. A portion of the proceeds were donated to the Compton Unified School District Special Needs Program.

On a lighter note, he also speaks about his genuine love for his job and making music, and how he’s determined to not let the pressures of life and work stop him from enjoying the fruits of his labor.

“I’m not gonna say I’m not having fun because it’s fun. This is fun, my job is fun. But, it’s still my job at the end of the day. So, I treat it like work. I feel like this next stage I’m at in my life, I’m gonna have a lot more fun with the perks of being a rapper” says Kalan.FrFr.

As for what’s next for Kalan.FrFr?

“The video ‘Light Breeze‘ finna drop. So, just get ready for the video, it’s gonna be fire” he said.

Fire would be an understatement. The new music video for the melodic trap bop off his 222 album follows the rapper around his city of L.A.

Kalan.FrFr may be a rookie in the rap game but he carries his self like a veteran. The lifestyle comes easy to him and it shows.

In the video for “Light Breeze,” released yesterday, he raps “All you can see is a light breeze, Sunroof back, A/C riding through the light, light speed” as he rides past palm trees in foreign cars from sun up to sun down.

Watch out interview with Kalan.FrFr below.

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Celeb Travel: Some You Know & Others You’ve Never Heard of!

by Laurie Heifetz
written by Laurie Heifetz

Are celebs just like you and me when it comes to pandemic travel?  We caught up with a few you may know — and others you may not have heard of — to hear their travel tales.

Jacques Torres, celebrity pastry chef

I went to Bandon, a city between Toulon and Marseilles in Provence for five weeks in 2021. I grew up there. It’s famous for wine. I went to the beach. I enjoy the south of France for wineries and tastings. I felt safe traveling because this is a house I own.

Photo Courtesy of Facebook

Ben Johns, pro-pickleball player

No international travel. We go all around the US for tournaments. We don’t vacation. We just play pickleball. Even in 2021, there were full crowds. In July of last year, I played pickleball in Hawaii. October 2021, Las Vegas. I did go to Ecuador, but not too recently. I own a pickleball vacation company called Pickleball Getaways.

NOTE: Johns and his business partner, pro-pickleball player, Dekel Bar, have led trips to destinations including Riviera Maya, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Richmond, British Columbia.

Photo Courtesy of Facebook

Collin Johns, pro-pickleball player

A lot of times the pickleball tournaments are in locations where there are vacations. The PPA Masters November 2021 in La Quinta, California was like a hotel. It’s a nice area — essentially like a vacation. I go on all of the same tours as Ben. In the height of Covid-19, they were shut down for a couple of months, and there were travel restrictions.

Photo by Laurie Heifetz

Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada, artist

I did a trip from Barcelona to New York. We were in lockdown in Barcelona in the middle of the pandemic when no one was flying — May of 2020. I did an homage piece next to the Queens Museum to a Latino doctor who passed away. That flight was bizarre. It was a huge plane with two passengers. There was no food in the airport. The reason  why the plane was larger was that it was used for cargo. It was filled with cars on the bottom floor!

 

Photo by Laurie Heifetz

Jet Tila, celebrity chef (“Food Network”)

I took my family to Hawaii in the height of Omicron, November/December of 2021. We were on the island of Oahu, which I love. We based ourselves at the Disney Resort, but we’d take day excursions. One callout excursion families need to know is Kamoauli, a 100-year old wooden canoe from Tonga staffed with teachers and native experts who tell the history. Basically, you’re whale watching, while they’re preparing native foods and teaching native history. It’s like a luau in a boat!

 

Photo by Laurie Heifetz

 

Photo by Pat Lambert

Deana Martin, singer-actor 

My trip to Toronto last year was fantastic! I had light drinks — “sippy-poos,” as my dad would say — on the plane because you didn’t have to have your mask on. I did a debut of the documentary, “Dean Martin, King of Cool,” and won the IItalian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) Excellence Award. It was one of those experiences where you go to this party and this press conference. We had excellent meals in Toronto.

Interviewed in NYC at: “Taste of the Upper West Side”; “Live with Kelly & Ryan”; “The Hug” statue unveiling for me2music.org’s “Monumental Moments” at Lincoln Center; CAMP’s flagship store Visit California media event; and Frank Sinatra’s birthday party at Patsy’s Italian Restaurant.

The interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.

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MusicThe Latest

On The Scene: TIDAL Hosts ‘A Boogie vs. Artist’ Special Screening

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

TIDAL took over theatre eight in iPic Fulton Street Market for a super low-key screening of A Boogie’s three part documentary A Boogie vs. Artist. Clips of tour bus banter, sound checks, and exchanges with his fans depicted a honest picture of the Bronx native’s journey with fame; also showing how he balances his career and fatherhood.

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