Laylah Amatullah Barrayn is no stranger for TRACE readers who had a chance to encounter her in a feature story on her photography collective, She Shootin’ in our Fall 07 issue. KINDRED COOL is Barrayn’s new photography project that uses the relationship between Ralph Ellison, Romare Bearden and Albert Murray as an inspiration for documenting other friendships forged and fostered through a shared appreciation for jazz. Through photographic portraits, KINDRED COOL showcases the diversity of the jazz diaspora, that is, individuals who are inspired by American classical music: jazz. The subjects of KINDRED COOL are a motley crew of jazz educators, vocalists and instrumentalists, rappers, aficionados, journalists, publicists, dancers and painters. A partial list of those photographed for Kindred Cool are Ellis Marsalis, Ladybug Mecca, Randy Weston, Mos Def, DJ Spooky, Vijay Iyer, Rhonda Ross, Brian Jackson, Farah Jasmine Griffin among many others.

KINDRED COOL
Photography by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn
On View: August 3 - September 14, 2008
Opening Reception: August 3, 2008 - 3pm
Museum of Contemporary African Disaporan Arts (MoCADA)
80 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, New York 11217 www.MOCADA.org

For more info, visit kindredcool.org

Graffiti, once the bastard child of art forms makes a mainstream appearance this year that links graffiti with fashion and function. Tatoot, a debut line of backpacks and messenger bags, allows graffiti artists to showcase their work legally and aims to help clean up city streets by providing them an outlet.

Founders Eddie Shabot and David Ben David created a classic old school/new school battle pitting ten artists — five from each group — against one another to design a bag. Winning designs went on to be manufactured and with that Tatoot was born. Propelled by contributing artists the design competition is on going and welcomes any graffiti artist to enter.

Contest winners are decided by online vote and the design goes into production, bags are sold at Foot Locker; Dr. Jays; Foot Soldiers (Miami); Michael K. and Up Against the wall (NYC). To enter the competition or vote for a bag here, to check out the bags on sale now here.