Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Brooklyn Chophouse, Manhattan, New York— “Mona Scott-Young, Live Nation and Monami Productions hosts The Queens of R&B Tour Myx & Mingle with Special Guests Xscape and SWV at the Brooklyn Chophouse, Manhattan New York.”
Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, Hearth Restaurant. Manhattan, New York —What if I told you 40,000 people in the US know of a clinically tested way to boost memory, learning, focus, reasoning, accuracy, concentration and mental alertness in one dose of a naturally sourced dietary supplement? Well, they have, and I am here to share the secret with you.
It’s been determined through a national study of 40,000 American shopper’s that Neuriva is the Most Innovative Product in Wellness Supplements of 2024. Championed for its efficacy in enhancing cognitive performance, each capsule of Neuriva contains naturally sourced ingredients that include, Neurofactor (Coffee Berry, 100 mL) a natural extract derived from Coffea arabica coffee cherries that contains a unique profile of polyphenols shown in clinical studies to stimulate production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a vital neuroprotein involved in overall brain health; and Plant Sourced PS (Phosphatidylserine, 100 mL) a compound now made from cabbage or soy. Phosphatidylserine, Plant Sourced PS, is used for Alzheimer disease and normal age-related decline in memory and thinking skills.
To celebrate its launch, Neuriva, the leading brain health supplement, along with renowned TV Personality, Food-Scientist, Cinemotographer, Voice Actor and Chef, Alton Brown, hosted the “Neuriva 30-Day Brain Health Challenge Kick Off”, an intimate dinner party highlighting brain-boosting foods at the Hearth Restaurant in Manhattan, New York. Chef Alton Brown, a longtime user of the brain-support supplement, partnered with the brand to support the 30-Day Brain Challenge by highlighting his favorite Butterfield Chicken recipe and some of the best brain-boosting foods to add to our diets.
Before our brain nutrient rich dinner began, Alton and I sat to discuss his new partnership with Neuriva, and what it meant to him to be a part of the mission to fuel the 7 major indicators of brain health.
Danielle Niecey, The Knockturnal: What does Brain Health mean to you and how did you come to partner with Neuriva?
Chef Alton Brown: Brain health means to me, ‘being able to continue working; working better; working more efficiently and working more creatively,” more so now that I moved into my 60’s’. I started thinking, especially since I’ve worked so much in nutrition, and coming to a full understanding of what food does to the body, I realized that I’d never done anything for my brain besides feed it alcohol on a regular basis. And it’s [my brain] has held me up thus far, so I thought, maybe it’s time that I ask my brain what it wants.
I delved into research, because that’s the thing I do, and I began reading a lot of purity papers and learning how to say words with 10 syllables, [laughing], so by the time Neuriva knocked on the door and said, “Hi!” I could say back to them, “Hey, I know what’s in there [referring to the Neuriva’s Brain Health Dietary Supplements], because I’d seen the same ingredients in the papers.” So I was able to get with their science officers, and quickly move through large amounts of technical research and white papers, and all of their compiled research. I realized, almost immediately, ‘Neuriva, you’ve done your due diligence’.
There were two supplemental substances that I wanted for my brain. The first, Neurofactor, Coffea Arcabica coffee cherries, not from the seed, but from the fruit. It is a highly tested and well documented activator for making mental synapsis and aiding the traffic flow of the brain, so that it works well. And the other one is, Plant Sourced PS (Phosphatidylserine, which used to be taken out of pig brains)…it’s kind of a bummer, from their brains to our brains. Its different now, it’s plant-based now. But it helps to maintain and rebuild cell membranes; especially the ones in the brain. I told them, I want that [the Neuriva supplement], and that was the Original Neuriva Formula that had that. Then they added Neuriva Plus, with an addition of vitamin B6 and B12, supporting 6 functions that indicate brain health; and now, more recently, the launch of Neuriva Ultra, which fuels the 7 indicators of brain health that include: memory, learning, focus, reasoning, accuracy, concentration and has a new clinically tested ingredient, CogniviveTM, which helps support mental alertness from just one daily serving!
Danielle Niecey, The Knockturnal: That’s incredible! I am so excited to try these supplements for myself. What tips can you share with The Knockturnal readers on how to incorporate brain-boosting ingredients into everyday meals?
Chef Alton Brown: Welp, our first line of defense is our food. There’s no way around it, our medicine is our food. So first thing, we’ve got to lay off the crap. Can you occasionally have some potato chips? Of course you can! But, you cannot live off of them. I mean you can, but not well, and likely, not very long.
Chef Alton expounded on the The MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay), created in 2015, that combines the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet to create a dietary pattern, focusing specifically on brain health. The MIND Diet emphasizes increased consumption of fruit and green leafy vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts, poultry and fish and reduced intakes of fats.
Chef Alton, continuing, states: The diet recommends more consumption of dark fruits, especially blueberries; olive oil was noted to be amazing for the brain; green leafy vegetables, the darker, the better; and this diet actually puts chicken over fish…
Danielle Niecey, THE KNOCKTURNAL: That’s surprising! Fish is always praised as the ‘king’ of proteins because of the omega-3’s and its brain boosting compounds.
Chef Alton Brown: Yes, extremely surprising! But Chicken contains choline, a chemical substance that we do not make ourselves but it sustains our brain structure and function. These nutrients are crucial for memory retention, cognitive function, and mood regulation. Above all else, eat real, whole foods; if it has a strong color, eat that; oh, and take a shot of olive every day, it’s good for you!
Danielle Niecey, The KNOCKTURNAL: How can our readers join the Neuriva’s 30-day Brain Health Challenge to redefine their cognitive potential?
Chef Alton Brown: Oh, It’s super easy. It’s actually an app with super addictive games that are a lot of fun! You can download it on the App store or Google Play and the games track your progress.
Danielle Niecey, THE KNOCKTURNAL: Last question, what are some brain-friendly ingredients that make up your favorite brain healthy recipes?
Chef Alton Brown: Well tonight, the main course we’ll be having is one of my recipes, the Butterfield Roasted Chicken. Its a butterflied chicken, slow roasted and served with sesame glazed greens. That’s an example of finding fun ways to feed my brain; I’m not going to eat something that tastes like crap, just because it’s good for my brain and that’s what my brain wants. I like dark leafy greens, but I don’t want to sit down and eat a bowl of just kale. I just don’t. But I’ll eat kale with some sauteed quinoa with some other type of grain. So, I’ll usually take the things I am not crazy about and marry it to the thing I am crazy about. Then I can get what I like, with what I need. Because, hey life’s short!
The cuisine starters, compliments of Hearth Restaurant, consisted of slices of whole grain french bread with a cold-pressed olive oil dipping. Bread, and the pastas served, both carbohydrates, have been proven to increase serotonin levels which contribute to feeling happier; a great boost for our dopamine addicted culture. The olive oil, on the other hand, contains oleic acid, a compound that protects the brain, improves memory and reduces Alzheimer’s biomarkers.
Presented next was, Ribollita, a hearty and savory Italian soup, consisting of a tuscan bean and vegetable soup with breadcrumbs and thyme further complimented the bread and oil pairing. Encouraging us to take the in the scent of the aromatic dishes before indulging, Chef Alton Brown drew our focus to the brain boosting luteolin, found in the thyme, carrots and celery, all ingredients in the Ribollita soup, that benefit cognitive abilities, aiding in memory. Next on the list, the Pizzocheri pasta, mushrooms (a nerve boosting food), cabbage (a vegetable that aids in the proper functioning and conditioning of the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system), and a light dusting of fontina (a cheese rich in calcium, zinc, and vitamin B-12 that stimulates brain function).
The main dish consisted of Alton Brown’s Butterfield Chicken with Aleppo and Za’atar and lemon sesame glazed-greens. Chicken, Alton’s favorite protein, has also been known to be one of the best proteins for the brain, along with fish and beans. Chicken, he states, has been known to support healthy brain function and development; it also includes choline and vitamin B12, a key ingredient found in the Neuriva and is packed with nutrients that are crucial for memory retention, cognitive function, and mood regulation. The savory dinner came to a close with a dessert of Tangerine Almond Cake, dressed with kumquats, whipped creme fraiche. Besides being absolutely satisfying, the health benefits pack a punch as Almonds, the main ingredient in the cake, contains L-carnitine and riboflavin that helps in the growth of brain cells; and kumquats which are high in vitamin C and aid in overall brain health. The meal was paired with dark red and white wines, Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi, brunori “san nicolo,” 2022, Marche, Italy; and Etna Rosso, villagrande, 2021, Sicily, Italy. Resveratrol, found in wine, increases the level of serotonin in the brain, which might help reduce the symptoms of depression. Other compounds contained in wine may regulate serotonin transmission within the brain, a mechanism that tends to malfunction in cases of mood disorders.
After the end of our informative and delightful meal, guest were given gift bags containing a stress brain ball, a complimentary supply of Neuriva PLUS Dietary Supplements, a Star Puzzle – a Wooden Puzzle Brain Teaser from Kiyuba Games and the Author of the New York best-selling GOOD EATS Series, Alton Brown’s, “GOOD EATS 4” the fourth Good Eats cookbook installment in his series, compliments of Neuriva and Chef Alton Brown.
So, here’s how you can get into your Brain-Health bag for 2024 with Neuriva:
- Choose Neuriva Original, Plus or Ultra (I’m currently reaping the brain boosting benefits of Neuriva Plus)
- Take the Neuriva daily dietary suuplement to support the 7 indications of brain health, including memory
- Download the Neuriva Brain Gym app and play stimulating Brain Games daily (this includes 30 + games and personalized training plans; assessments to receive your brain age and cognitive score; earn points, climb in ranks and track your progress to achieve various levels of cognitive mastery
- Most importantly, embrace a healthier lifestyle by following up with Neuriva’s assessment tips and tools
For more information, visit www.Neuriva.com and download the Neuriva Brain gym App available in the Apple and Google Play app stores.
Wednesday, June 28th 2023. KSUBI Store, SoHo, Fashion District, New York—The Australian Global denim streetwear line, KSUBI, that emerged as the hottest fashion line, infamously known for their signature distressed denim and box cross logo, reinforced their reputation to stand apart from the crowd of traditional denim based brands with their most recent collaboration. The DIY rebel of style partnered with rising rapstar from Harlem, A$AP TyY of the A$AP Mobb, to launch a Limited Edition Moto-Inspired Capsule Collection. A$AP TyY arrived at the jam-packed KSubi SoHo (located at 26 Greene Street) on a four-wheeler in moto-royale fashion. The artist, adorning a two piece denim set from the official moto-inspired line, took to stage shortly after and performed songs from his new EP, “1840 Lex” that officially dropped on Thursday, June 29th. 
Wednesday, June 28th 2023. KSUBI Store, SoHo, Fashion District, New York—The Australian Global denim streetwear line, KSUBI, that emerged as the hottest fashion line, infamously known for their signature distressed denim and box cross logo, reinforced their reputation to stand apart from the crowd of traditional denim based brands with their most recent collaboration. The DIY rebel of style partnered with rising rapstar from Harlem, A$AP TyY of the A$AP Mobb, to launch a Limited Edition Moto-Inspired Capsule Collection. A$AP TyY arrived at the jam-packed KSubi SoHo (located at 26 Greene Street) on a four-wheeler in moto-royale fashion. The artist, adorning a two piece denim set from the official moto-inspired line, took to stage shortly after and performed songs from his new EP, “1840 Lex” that officially dropped on Thursday, June 29th. 
The inspiration behind the new nine-piece collection with KSUBI stems from A$AP TyY’s love for motosports and street racing. With TyY’s undeniable passion for the sport, streetwear fashion and heavy involvement as a multi-hyphenated creative, the conception and design of the capsule collection extended its spirit into the heart of the content creation for his new EP, “1840 Lex”. The 7-song music project brings in its wake A$AP TyY’s refreshingly eclectic sound fused with hip hop, trap and electronic music; the same audible styling that caught the ears of the legendary A$AP Rocky and A$AP Yams. A$AP TyY’s fashion-facing and trend setting appeal has been the vehicle thrusting him forward in the industry as an icon.
“I had the idea of doing moto-style denim and jerseys for a while. If you know your denim you know KSUBI. There’s no denying how influential KSUBI has been on hip-hop culture, and its ties to A$AP [Mobb], so it only made sense to bring this collection to life with the help of both of our teams”, said A$AP TyY.
There’s no formal way to say this but, the EP “1840 Lex”, is pure fire; coupled with a brand that leads the way in innovate streetwear, that’s a brilliant pairing. It’s a masterful adrenaline rush with blends of many genres and styles found in trap, punk, golden era hip hop and is ladened with synths and pitch distortion as found in electronic music. A$AP TyY’s performance on record displays a thoughtful expression of raw emotion. His hunger for artistic freedom bleeds through a confident showcase of his vocal coloring, choice of instrumental accompaniments and release of emotion through his penned lyrics. A$AP TyY’s ability to explode on track at any moment illustrates the energy behind KSubi’s hard-edged appeal. With Ksubi and A$AP TyY partnering on the creative direction for the music video of TyY’s newest single, ‘Purge’, from the “1840 Lex” EP, the two iconic figures merge their brands effortlessly.
KSUBI highlights that in the exclusive nine-piece collection, their collaboration with A$AP TyY emphasizes the focus on the ‘collateral damage as stressors to the fabric of the garments that incur while participating in the sport’ and ‘attempting to maintain the garment’s original integrity as motosport ware’ as part of the central theme throughout KSubi and A$AP TyY’s Limited Edition Capsule designs. Championing items of the in-demand collection include: two racing jersey designs with co-branded KSUBI & A$AP custom pieces influenced by sponsor logos on the jersey’s of the professional moto-riders. KSubi shines in their custom faded wash techniques on their iconic slim-fit Ksubi denim, which is also included in the collection, plus a t-shirt and hoodie offer the collection an ‘already lived in feel’, that is achieved only after ‘breaking in’ the traditional hold of new attire. The jersey-fabric pieces are accentuated in distressing fashion which lends a heavy nod and silent applaud to the look and feel of natural wear and tear. The denim has also been moto-style treated to provide oil stain effects, ‘gravel splatter’ artwork on the back of the garments, and repair style embroidery on the crotch to give the deteriorated feeling of motorsport ware. 
The KSUBI x A$AP TyY’s, Limited Edition Moto-Inspired Capsule Collection, will be available from 29th June 2023 at KSUBI stores in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and London, as well as brand’s official online retail store: www.KSubi.com and selected retailers globally which including Saks 5th Avenue in the US and Culture Kings in Australia.
“1840 Lex” by A$AP TyY is available on all major music streaming platforms Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal and more.
May 24th, 2023, Manhattan, New York. Ziegfeld Ballroom. — Reel Works, a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by Prod
ucers John Williams and Stephanie Walter, hosted their Annual ChangeMakers Gala, honoring Val Boreland, EVP of Content Acquisitions for NBC Universal Television and Streaming; and Producer, Director and world-renown Actress, Nia Long. Reel Works serves over 1,600 NYC youth annually from middle school through high school and beyond. The services offered through Reel Works aims to develop the hope filled youths as industry professionals, artists and citizens, all while helping them to excel in academics, preparing them for graduation, encouraging them to pursue higher educational goals, while aligning their professional development to launch careers in media, film and related industry sectors. To date, Reel Works is the only filmmaking program that matches teens 1:1 with professional filmmaker-mentors that show them how to tell their stories and have their voices heard.
December 5, 2022, Bryant Park Hotel, Manhattan, NY – On the evening of December 5th, a room full of media writers and press professionals filled the intimate screening room at the Bryant Park Hotel in Manhattan to view the October 28th, release of An Apple Original Film, Louis Armstrong’s: Black & Blues. The penetrative documentary on the life of Jazz Trumpeter and Vocalist, Louis Armstrong, was directed and produced by Sacha Jenkins; co-produced by Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, Julie Anderson and Executively Produced by Brian Grazer, Michele Anthony and David Blackman.
The documentary film, Louis Armstrong: Black & Blues, takes the audience on a journey that highlights the life of the world renowned talent, soloist, jazz pioneer Louis Armstrong, more affectionately known as “Satchmo” the Ambassador. For those who did not know, Louis received this derivative of his original nickname ‘satchel mouth’, a term he picked up from the way his lips cradled the mouthpiece of his trumpet. In the early 1930’s on a trip overseas to Britain, Melody Maker magazine editor, Percy Brooks, mispronounced the nickname he likely acquired while researching Louis’ musical career and accidentally called him,”Satchmo” in his greeting. For Louis, the father of scat and one of the most influential musicians in history, it phonetically made sense and he held tight to his colleague’s “bloop” (and the blip) for his namesake.
The tokens this documentary film offers to the audience are deposited that way. Archival footage and never before heard private conversations reveal the impassioned side of the musical prodigy that most never knew existed. The film uncovers the mystery behind the ever-seen-grinning, “What A Wonderful World” singer. Presented in the film are photos, with names, with dates, with detailed stories from his life, and short reflective segments in the form of letters narrated by one of my favorite living hip hop legends Nasir “Nas” Jones. Those who met and coincided with the beloved Louis Armstrong, helped to trace the outline of Armstrong’s past with lost footage; pulling from the roots of his humble upbringing in New Orleans, his natural inclination to work hard and hustle for every cent he earned, regardless of the social climate; to his discovery and exploration of music as a calling; his exposure to racism and its impacts on him professionally and psychologically; and his peaceful transition in his Corona, New York home, in 1971.
Hectah Arias, the art director on the film, does a remarkable job storyboarding the narration of Armstrong’s story, visually. Parallel to Louis’s freedom of expression, the visual art unfolds, echoing the likeness of a moving collage on screen. The brilliance of the visual design in the film shines through with the usage of reels, the placement of diagrams, excerpts and sound clips inspired by the musician, who intuitively knew that he would need to record the events of his life for future generations to build on. Whether hobby or heightened awareness, the prolific Louis clipped and saved parts of news articles, concert and show bills; or wrote by hand, the state of affairs of the world and the internal dialogue he often chose not share publicly until the latter parts of his life. Louis knew his influence and wielded his power with skill and tact, even to the detriment of the reputation he held within his community during the civil rights movements when he opted out of protest to “play his horn,” instead.
Another great feature in this documentary is that it is jam packed with detailed information to support the points it claims. For example, Louis Armstrong being considered the pioneer of modern Jazz music; the directors strategically place an archived clip of a media journalist explaining the intricate composition of Jazz music in a simplified way. He explains what made Louis Armstrong’s technique ahead of its time and explains the ways in which Louis weaved his instrumentation and vocals between notes. His mastery of the art form had not been done, or at least documented before with such wide reaching appeal or visibility.
At the end of the film, before the cocktails and the hors d’oeuvres, Directors Sacha Jenkins and Sara Bernstein participated in a live Q&A where the audience members were able to ask questions about the film, the inspiration behind the making of the documentary and learned more about the directors’ experience working on this project as a collaborative team. To our surprise, Director and Producer, Sacha Jenkins shared a paranormal encounter he and the crew had while visiting the home of the late Louis Armstrong and credited the “phantom spinning record” as a blessing and sign off from Armstrong himself, that he had his hand in the retelling of his life through his art.
What I love most about this film is that it is subtly educational and it offers more insight beyond the life of the man. As a music lover, I’ve always wanted to appreciate Jazz on a fundamental level and I was offered that opportunity to comprehend the genre through Louis Armstrong’s documentary. I applaud the film for educating me as a viewer on the historic events surrounding his career setbacks, such as him encountering legal troubles for marijuana possession or the legal ramifications he faced for participating in a hometown parade in blackface. For many years, I thought it to be a prejudiced joke that African Americans were depicted by this character in movies. I was further taken aback when I learned that its creation was to incorporate black characters into tv & film stories without needing to hire minority actors and actresses for the roles. This troubling realization was triggering and illustrated the aspects of Louis Armstrong’s career that he silently endured having to perform in hotels he was not even allowed to eat in, sleep in or relieve himself in. However, his tenacity and ability to maintain his composure and fill the world with his freedom in song spoke volumes of him as a human being; one that was able to leave behind a beautiful legacy for his community and the world at large.
I highly recommend the film, Louis Armstrong’s: Black & Blues, for anyone that’s intrigued by splendid visuals on screen; those interested in exploring and understanding the origin of Jazz music; and peeking beyond the veil of one of the biggest influencers in American music culture, the polished yet animated Trumpeter, Louis Armstrong. What a wonderful film!
Dominic Falcone, representative for Mecca Shriner with closing event opening and closing remarks
Friday, November 18, 2022. Tribeca, New York — Less was more last Friday at the Spirit Showroom gallery, located in Tribeca, New York City’s leading art District for renowned and emerging Artists. The open floor layout held space for big names that came to support the “Art for Charity” event. All proceeds raised at the Art event are donated to the Mecca Shriners charity to provide first rate medical care and attention to children with Neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries, pediatric specialty care; to support cutting edge educational programs for their medical staff, extensive research for patient treatments and other special health care needs. Established in 1872 as the first Shrine Center in the United States, the Shriners organization supports 22 hospitals in 3 countries and acts as a health care system, under the name of Mecca Shriners Hospital, with locations across the continental U.S., Canada and Mexico. Profits raised at the event
are applied to assist the medical teams that aim to improve the lives of children treated in their hospitals, facilities and practices.
(Left to right) Featured Artist Alysha Mako engaging with Keziah Founder of Afropolitain Magazine and featured Artist Renelio Marlin with Danielle Niecy, writer at The Knockturnal.
Actor, Derek Hedlund (known for Stranger Things, FBI, and Blue Bloods). with Florent Firmin
The Art Charity event opened its doors and welcomed in its guests who quietly poured their way into the exhibition. Those in attendance included figures from the art and editorial world such as Founder and Creative Director for Afropolitain Magazine, Nsayi Keziah Makoundou; Hollywood Fashion Editor & stylist, Yana Mandeville; Founder of ERA en Vogue, Angelica Eranović, Actor, Derek Hedlund and many other icons of the New York City nightlife, social media and social scene influencers. Choice wines and spirits donated by Bodvar wines were available to indulge.
Kazza Noble hosting the live Art Exhibit at The Art for Charity Event in Tribeca, New York
One of the most intriguing displays of the event was the opening presentation by famed Bronx-based artist, Kazza Noble. Attendees at the gallery engaged in his live, spontaneous and intuitively led oil paintings during its creation. Kazza began materializing his vision on a white canvas using variations of purple, violet and shades of lavender. He bled them together to fill the void of the canvas. The artist, while engaging with the curious eyed onlookers, began building on his inspiration, layering a gradient of colors and unfolding a sunrise between twin peaks, an image that took form before our eyes.
Artist Kazza Noble’s live painting exhibition in front of Kira Likhacheva, Angelica Eranović, and Yana Mandeville.
“You can bring them forward with brighter colors…” he spoke us through his process, all while answering questions from spectators, no matter how off-color or on target. He added white over the grays to form the presence of distant mountains; brown and burgundy for tree trunks and branches on the trees, “…two shades of greens,” he added, “…and put them anywhere you see fit.” At some point I was able to interact with the artist, at times second-guessing my next course of inspired action while I held the paintbrush. “Don’t be scared. There are no mistakes.” He motioned me to dip the tips of the brushes into any color. I chose pink, red and placed them on one of the trees. He said, “Nice… cherry blossoms.” The colors of my contribution now rest proudly on the buds of their branches, on a painting that was signed by yours truly, likely, other additional contributing artists, and of course, the legendary Kazza Noble.
Swimmer, 2019. A brisk and vivid Acrylic and oil artpiece, 51 x 82 in by Alysha Marko
In the showroom gallery, the walls were dressed with an array of acrylics and oils on canvas portrait paintings by emerging art world figures. For one, Alysha Mako, NYC based Painter, Gallerist and owner of AMRM Gallery (located in Upper East Side New York), offered many of her pieces in support of the event. Of her highlighted installments were Boat Ride, 2022, a 36 x 48 in oil on canvas piece illustrated a candid scene amongst friends on an open lake; Swimmer, 2019, a brisk and vivid Acrylic and oil, 51 x 82 in canvas installment by Alysha Mako; depicted the underwater perspective of a competitive relay swimmer, thrusting a breaststroke between lane lines at the deep end of a pool; and Bunny?! 2021, a remarkable abstract Acrylic and oil on canvas, 48 x 48 in art piece whose colors are swept with strikingly bold brush strokes, distinctive in its styling from her other paintings that hung in plain view.
Blue Gorilla by Cuban-American Artist, Renelio Marlin
The creative fine art pieces of Cuban-American artist, Renelio Marlin, were also displayed to further enhance the space. The most striking of his portraits, Blue Gorilla, 2014, hung centered on the farthest wall from the entrance, eye-grabbing in its appearance across the showroom. A striking Blue Gorilla rests his chin on top of his closed knuckles (maybe examining his hands), leans into a side gaze. Its backdrop is smeared into what appears to be rinsing away of painted words with bright red paint, black and gold traced graffiti over hollowed figures with empty views. The unidentified, human audience appears as two ghostly hollow faces emerging to the right view of the art piece, with a few disfigured images clustered and drowning into the backdrop. A third face is depicted, emerging from behind the Blue Gorilla to its left, onlooking the Gorilla’s spectators.
Yana Mandeville and James Catherine Ford attending the Art for Charity for Mecca Shriners , Tribeca, New York
Renelio’s paintings expressed a full range of his artistry, from artistic development to distinction in artistic style. Other pieces of his featured work included famed portraits from his collections; a 60 x 72 in oil on canvas, entitled, Basic Nature of Existence, 2021, is an adventurous kaleidoscope of colors that shadow the outline of a human figure in its blend of paints; it also expresses the silhouette of the human figure, peering off into a sea of life. Tree Of Life, 2020, an oil on canvas 81 x 52 in abstract portrait painting, length height, showing off detail, time and concentration in its composition. Notable patterns in the art piece were the protruding bulbs of orange and red orbs, spun together like a small strand of DNA in the top left corner; and the striking illuminated tower, the tree, piercing through the backdrop, midway point of the canvas.
Guests gather around featured Artist Juan Lazaro piece while enjoying choice Bovard wines
Various paintings of bicycles were showcased by artist Juan Lazaro using Acrylic and pen on cardboard. The largest of the canvased cycles, hung on a 42 x 82 in display, the Super Tricycle, 2020, shows the tricycle etched with pen and accented with blue, red, white and yellow acrylic on a vibrant yellow backdrop, its simplicity balanced the visual complexities found in the complimentary pieces by the other artists on display.
(Left to right) Anthony Schembry, Kandance Cornell, Florent Firmin, Zach Van Ysseldyk (holding #21 of the Mini Mojo Collection by Idriss B), Aweng Chuol, and Jordan Russo
Florent Firmin and Anthony Schembry, the organizers of the event, capped off the evening with a raffle to win a special edition sculpture made from world renowned French-Tunisian artist Idriss B. Idriss B’s 3-D NFT art inspired figurines were sprinkled across glass shelves alongside the bar side walls of the showroom. The composition of each figure’s build mimicked the way they would appear in the digital dimension with geometric space. In the middle of the show room, a silver gorilla, the 21st installment piece of the 50 Mini Mojo Art Collection, sat protected on display in an autographed neon green cubed casing for raffle bidding. Guests studied the piece with admiration, speaking of its seamless design, taking in the carefully crafted edges and celebrating its immaculate presentation on display.
Zach Van Ysseldyk became the winner of the raffle receiving #21 of 50 Mini Mojo Limited Edition of The Art Collection by Idriss B. from International Supermodel Aweng Chuol.
The organizers of the event closed the evening with the raffle pulled by the stunning South Sudanese Australian and world famous super model Aweng Chuol. Aweng’s latest fashion campaign can currently be seen throughout billboards across all of New York City. The lucky Zach Van Ysseldyk became the winner of the raffle receiving the #21 on his prized ticket. Aweng presented the glee-filled recipient with the 21st installment of the Limited Edition pieces from The 50 Mini Mojo Art Collection by Idriss B. IdrissB’s works of larger than life animals are prominently featured up and down Park Ave in the heart of Manhattan, New York between 34th St and 38 St. The organizers of the event thanked all the guests for attending and informed them of future “Art for Charity” events to come.