Realize Your “True Beauty”
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- Courtesy of Sigourney Salley
Missing Liberty: An Ode to Feminine Freedom
Perfectly Flawed [The Shape of Black]
They say if Eve did not eat the apple, women (and men) would have forgiving eyes when they come across the visual display of the female body. Unfortunately, knowing the female body doesn’t come with understanding, and time has allowed our fantasies and ideals to create a bondage around it. It seems the more humans are exposed to anatomy, the more they become obsessed with perfecting it. When females -in particular- are observed as objects (sex symbols, video vixens, and ANTM’s), they no longer feel comfortable in their own skin. The hissing, the grabbing, and the judging weighs too much. So they become afraid to communicate with their bodies. They lose the feminine walk, and cover their curves under layers of clothing, because they are unsure about what they see. If humans can understand that perfection lies within the imperfections, they will begin to appreciate the female body as it is, flaws and all. The Shape of Black (an exhibit-installation produced by Social Mogul, Divine Bradley) is a collection of black and white photographs (captured by professional photographer, Cathrine Westergaard) that celebrate the beautiful bodies of Black women. The Shape of Black exceeds a snap-and-develop moment; it is a visual novel that tells the stories of individual Black women and their choice to celebrate their bodies the way it is.
Toni Burke: What inspired The Shape of Black? Cathrine Westergaard: Divine approached me about the exhibit idea over a year ago and I fell in love with the concept. If felt like it was time to celebrate an area of beauty that is so under celebrated in mainstream society and the art world. Black women have the most beautiful curves, and historically, cultures have worshiped strong shapes and womanly ideals, not the heroin chic images women are compared to now. As a woman, it is impossible to go through life and not be affected by commercial standards and ideals of beauty. Divine and I both felt it was time to open up a dialogue on the subject and give black women a chance to tell their stories. Divine Bradley: I wanted to create an installation that celebrated women and dealt with the years of insecurities women faced. I’ve come into contact with a lot of beautiful women, that didn’t see their beauty due to minor imperfections…and I saw them differently. So I wanted to capture that in a very tasteful, provocative display of black and white photography. I knew that Cathrine would be the best person to create the still version of what I seen.
TB: When you refer to the word ‘Black’, is it comprehensive of all Black women or specifically directed towards African-American (Black) women? CW: Our mission with The Shape Of Black is to create a global conversation so we intend for this installation to travel and incorporate black women from all over the world. It is also important to understand that The Shape Of Black is not only about the color of the women; it is more than that. It is about the space we inhabit. Artists learn through our formal art training that it is equally important to look at the negative spaces of our subject as the positive space. The Shape of Black is really about looking at black women’s beauty and bodies as art. DB: The shape of black has multiple meanings. Its primarily about womenof color…period, which goes across many cultural boundaries. Secondary, we want to open it up to more women because the title is really about the black and white photography being taken…focusing on the contour of the body- whether it is their hands, feet, or back. I wanted to start with women of color specifically because those are the first women I encountered in my family dealing with these insecurities. Women, after having babies talk about stretch marks, body parts expanded and they felt they weren’t as beautiful any more; I grew up hearing that all my life.
TB: The Shape of Black’s mission states, “[These images] will show you the real definition of[Black] beauty.” What is your definition of real Black beauty, and how does it compare to the real beauty of other races? CW: These images are real stories, told by real black women about their real relationship to their bodies and their sense of beauty. Our goal is to redefine the ideals of black beauty prevalent in magazines and the music industry. I am merely the visual vehicle and the storyteller. This exhibit is not a comparison between women in any sense of the word. I feel comparing ourselves is what has gotten us into such a mess in the first place. The Shape Of Black is a safe place where women can begin to explore themselves. We need to come to terms with these issues if our goal is to learn to love ourselves. DB: Real black beauty is extremely genuine and captures [black] women as they liberate and celebrate themselves. Read more
Live It Up On Tombsday.
All Taste Makers - Stylistas - Media Moguls -Photographers - Models - and Artists of all kinds come and enjoy yourself!
Please RSVP: RSVP@CLUSTANDBONE.COM
See You There!
- Courtesy of Sigourney Salley
Tracing the Market: Sobral
(New York, New York) Last Friday marked the opening of Brazilian jewelry label SOBRAL’s store opening in SOHO. Despite the night’s rain making for a messy commute, the bright and colorful pieces showcased throughout the store (add: and the cocktails) had me longing for a vacation in Sao Paulo or Bahia. Recognized as eco-friendly wares (all pieces are made from recycled materials) each piece, designed by Carlos Alberto Rezende Sobral, is a vibrant and unique artistic display, that doesn’t carry a hefty price point (Multi colored Lucite necklaces retail at approximately $120.00 USD). Even with a wide range of accessories, the designer manages to bring his aesthetic to home decor via toilet seats, lamps, picture frames, vases and wall art all made from resin. Although this store marks the designers first large scale foray into the US market, he is not a novice. The designer has been at it since the 60’s and has retail outlets in Argentina and Paris, France.
In 2004, 2005 and 2006 SOBRAL won the Bijorcha Eclat de Mode Fashion Accessory award. He also was responsible for the sickening coned bauble jewelry that graced Karl Lagerfeld’s Spring 2008 runway. The verdict: Definitely worth a visit. www.sobralusa.com (412 Broadway NY, NY 10012 T:212.226.2710) Lindo maravilhoso!—J. Dwayne Joseph
TRACE on standby by for London’s Frieze Art Fair
Given the current economic climate and that we may be in the midst of a recession - you don’t say – the Frieze Art Fair is resolutely going on ahead (and at full throttle). 165 galleries are participating in the London based fair - that’s 14 more than last year - and though 28 pulled out, they were quickly replaced.
The Fair comes to town next week, setting up camp in Regent’s Park from the 15th to the 18th of October, ready to welcome more than 12,000 visitors a day.
Gallery giants like London’s White Cube and New York’s The Gagosian will be exhibiting their wares alongside smaller spaces hailing from all over - from Norway or Portugal to Slovenia, the United Arab Emirates and including many of our very own NY dealers: Space 94, Broadway 1602 and Team Gallery.
But it’s not all about the money. No it’s not. There’ll be a chance to see some art, in a frenetic, overwhelming sort of way. This is a market, but instead of fruit, veg or meat on the stalls, it’ll be a Bacon – and that’ll be a cool nine million sterling.
Frame is the section of the Fair devoted to promising artists exhibiting at galleries younger than six years old. This will be a chance to spot the next new thing from less predictable sources: Rodeo from Istanbul, Project 88 from Mumbai and Melbourne’s Neon Parc.
In addition there’ll be a plethora of talks, dances, performance art and the crème de la crème of the ‘glitterarty’.
Check out www.friezeartfair.com for details.
Homage To Her
Whenever I am asked to describe the female hustle, I say “it is the most demanding hustle the world has ever seen.” This is not an attempt to dismiss those who consider themselves as such, but it is declaration that understands the high demands of her world. Yes, you may see her walking down the street in her prissy heels, carrying a designer bag, and looking as if she barely lifts a manicured finger, but if you took the time to tune in to her story you will discover that She is a lot more than those shoes and that bag. She probably walked (in those heels) all day, carrying a portfolio full of business ideas (disguised in that designer bag), while counting (on her manicured fingers) the many things she’ll need to do before the day is through. What some refer to as the ‘work-it-girl‘, she is not your average stick in the mud hottie, this girl is a force driven by the dream of establishing her own while remaining a lady. ‘Miss Independent’ is just a transparent title for what she is truly all about…
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A Star Is Born.
Alex Goose: Man Behind The Music
I recently had the opportunity to chat with the man behind “The Blueprint 3 Outtakes”–Alex Goose, who’s not only a GIFTED MUSIC PRODUCER, but he’s a TALENTED GRAPHIC DESIGNER and PARTNER in the Atlanta based arts collective “THE BIG UP” which includes musical artist BRITTANY BOSCO.
Before we dive into interview, first things first:
Click here to download “The Blueprint 3 Outtakes”
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Introducing Loza Maléombho
There’s a new girl in the fashion game, 20- something New-York based Loza Maléombho. Born in Brazil to African parents, this young woman who embodies the spirit of transculturalism has already seduced fashionistas in Japan and France. Her creations are feminine, truly african yet very western; Loza Maléombho surely has a bright future ahead of her. Read more