DETROIT DESIGN ENTERTAINMENT ART & FASHION
THREE DOLLARS
D DEAF
SUMMER 2016 + ISSUE 4
INTRODUCTION
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rowing up, one of our favorite things about the summer was hitting up the local library and checking out a new book each week then devouring it. There’s something about the arrival of summer weather that still revives our urge to voraciously read book after book under the shade of a backyard tree. Times have certainly changed with access to the internet everywhere we turn and the way we receive information instantaneously through our mobile devices, automotive systems and the television, but we still love that hard cover book in our hands, the smell of the paper and a shady spot in a local park or backyard.
There are three specific areas we became obsessed with while constructing the summer issue and we wanted to see how they affected the way we compiled our information. The first is metadata, which is a set of data that describes and gives information about other data. Secondly was the process of traffic analysis which is the process of intercepting and examining messages in order to deduce information from patterns in communication and lastly is surveillance, the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting. Our group of contributors at the magazine is severely diverse and almost comical at times. We tend to share ideas and data with each other knowing that the outcomes of these discussions can bring a new view for our features. Metadata from an entertainment writer for a fashion shoot can be interesting and surprisingly fun while asking our editorial interns to find a hair stylist that can work on wigs can be a challenge. Like traffic analysis, the team intercepts ideas and concepts while extracting the key components needed which they in turn use to make the best possible outcomes for the features. Without this movement between everyone nothing would become fresh or unexpected, and the features would remain bland.
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Finally the act of surveillance translated to our location shoot at Detroit’s historic Eastern Market for our women’s summer fashion feature. The spontaneity of the shoppers and the market workers reactions to the models laughing, dancing and just having a blast while showing off the summers brightest fashions really made this one shoot we will never forget. We hope that you enjoy our wacky data inspired issue.
As a leading, high-end architectural and interior design firm with expertise in historic renovation
and comprehensive architectural consulting, Kraemer Design Group, has the unique ability to take a project from a vision or theoretical concept to a stunning built reality.
10 – Origin of the Object / DESIGN – McLenon+DuCharme
CONTENTS
6 – Kraemer Design Group / ARCHITECTURE – Jeff Newsom
It’s no secret that we love modern design, but we’re also strong believers that the perfect union of old and new can create a visual story unique to your personality. Find yourselves submerged in objects showcasing timeless craftsmanship that are rich in heritage and overflowing in history.
12 – Corbe Cermarics / PROFILES – Alexandra Mauro
Corbé is a ceramic design studio in the comeback city of Detroit, Michigan, handcrafting porcelain wares that are simple and useful, built for the modern home and table.
14 – Elliott Earls / ART – Kim Fay
Elliott Earls is Artist-in-Residence and head of the Graduate Graphic Design Department
at Cranbrook Academy of Art. Mr. Earls has led the graduate program at Cranbrook since 2001. Earls work as a designer, performer and artist is represented in major collections around the world.
18 – Alexandra Clark / NIBBLES & BITS – Jeff Newsom
In 2013 Alexandra Clark went from dreaming about opening her own specialty chocolate shop
to realizing it with the highly successful opening of Bon Bon Bon in Hamtramck.
20 – Market Values / WOMENS FASHION – Jim Fets
Eastern Market is the perfect spot for this seasons freshest looks. Located in the heart of the city with
superb food, restaurants, businesses, art and culture, it surely is the hottest place to see and be scene.
24 – Bright Young Things / ACCESSORIES – Boswell
Big, bold and bright young things are on the table for the summer
hottest accessories. Tons of brightly colored exotic skins and insane color combinations make this seasons best handbags, footwear and jewelry jump off the page and onto the street.
28 – In The Now / MENS FASHION – Don Kilpatrick III
Metro Detroit’s movers and shakers model the summers most exciting mens fashion
at the soon to be legendary RoboCop foundry. Illustrated and presented in lush color and broad strokes make the spread unforgettable.
36 – Jena Irene Asciutto / ENTERTAINMENT – Addie Whelan
At only nineteen years old, Detroit native Jena Irene Asciutto has a powerful direction over her career.
She’s not only had the chance to participate in the famous television show, American Idol, but earned herself second place. From an early age, Asciutto knew her future was in music.
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CONTRIBUTORS JIMFETS
It’s a challenge to find an automotive publication that doesn’t feature Jim’s work in an editorial or advertisement. Fets began as a staff photographer for Opel Design in Germany, and has since worked for a long list of automotive clients including Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, GM, Ford and others. His editorial work has been featured on the covers of dozens of magazines including Car and Driver, Road & Track, Motor Trend and Automobile; his pictures have been printed in hundreds of publications across the globe. Fets consulted on the 2006 Pixar animated release, Cars, providing insight on photography techniques to create photorealistic animation. Fets is known for his ability to shoot with a designer’s eye, treating each car as a unique piece of rolling architecture. Fets will begin teaching Automotive Photography at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena in September 2016. P.20
ALANDAVIDSON
A native of Detroit, Alan moved to New York at the age of 15. It was there that a friend lent him a Nikon, and his love for photography began. It wasn’t just taking photos that fascinated Alan, it was seeing the beauty of lighting in an entirely different way that intensified his obsession. He soon transitioned to a career in theatrical and stage lighting, which led him to touring with various rock bands as the head designer and technician. In his early twenties, Alan moved back to Detroit to study advertising. Not being able to illustrate ads for class assignments, he called upon his camera once again to express his ideas. It was then that his passion for photography transitioned into a lifelong career. Alan opened his first studio in the late 80’s and has been shooting ever since. His client include Carhartt, HoMedics, Aldi Foods, Art Van, Sanders, Jaguar, Land Rover, Infinity, Sharper Image, Disney,Bob Marley Gear, Grace Foods to name a few. He also owns DaySpace Studio; a lighting / Grip and studio rental company in Royal Oak. P.36
ADDIEWHELAN Addie Whelan, anglophile at heart, has been interested in the world of music from a young age. Picking up three different instruments and completely different genres for each, her musical taste began to grow even more as she attended more concerts. After receiving a camera as a 15th birthday present, her interests rapidly grew towards concert photography and musicians. With a major in Advertising & Public Relations and photography and marketing minors, Addie has always enjoyed the behind the scenes aspect of the music industry. In her spare time, Addie can be found listening to British indie music and compiling playlists for every occasion. P.36
CREDITS: Cover: Photo/ Alan Davidson Hair/ Kristina Marra @ FIGO salon MUA/ Melissa Keryn Fashion/ Coach jacket & dress Reign & Rebel/ bracelets & necklaces Contents: 12/14/18 / Photos Elizabeth Royal 20/ Photo Jim Fets 36/ Photo Alan Davidson Contributors: Photos Andi Hedrick/ Matt Lavere Architecture: 6/ Photos courtesy of Kraemer Design Group Profile:12/ Photo Elizabeth Royal 13/ Photos courtesy of Corbe Art: 15/ Photo Elizabeth Royal / Art photos courtsey of the Elliott Earls Nibbles&Bits: 18/ Photos Elizabeth Royal WomensFashion: 20/ MUA/ Heidi D Hair/ Victoria Reynolds @ 6 salon Accessories: 24/ Botanicals/ Rebecca Beausoleil @ Moditional Designs MensFashion: 28/ Grooming/ Austin @ Detroit Grooming Co.Barbershop Entertainment: 36/ Photo Alan Davidson Alexander McQueen necklace @ Neiman Marcus Grey Lucy Tunic Tank @ Alchemy Detroit SPECIAL THANKS: Jim Fets Alan Davidson Elizabeth Royal Boswell Nancy Gage Micah Shumake Jillian Waun Eastern Market Corporation Day Space Studios Cranbrook Museum 6 salon Detroit Grooming Co Barbershop FIGO salon Neiman Marcus Tender Linda Dresner Found Objects MaxMara Gucci Coach Optik Alchemy Detroit Reign & Rebel Errol Lucido Fine Jewelry Cyberoptix Lawrence Hunt Detroit Watch Company 4
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ARCHITECTURE 6
Detroit Labs
KRAEMERDESIGNGROUP
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The Albert Interior
KDG Office
David Whitney Atrium
As a leading, high-end architectural and interior design firm with expertise in historic renovation and comprehensive architectural consulting, Kraemer Design Group, PLC (KDG) has the unique ability to take a project from a vision or theoretical concept to a stunning built reality. KDG’s portfolio includes a range of projects: historic adaptive reuse, hotels, high-rise luxury housing, custom office spaces, and retail spaces. When Michigan natives and University of Michigan grads, Bob and Maureen Kraemer, founded KDG in Detroit in 1996, their goal was simple: to take the methodical technical training they had gained from working at a major national architectural firm and combine it with their theoretically based design education to produce an innovative design continuity all their own. Since then, the firm has grown in both size and prestige, gaining momentum from a series of offices for tech companies fueled by the dot-com boom of the 90s, including Google’s Ann Arbor and Birmingham offices. The word of mouth from these projects propelled KDG to the next level, designing upscale private law firms and cutting edge corporate interiors. Today, KDG is renowned as a highly skilled and remarkably creative all-inone design firm with some of the most iconic Detroit buildings in it’s portfolio such as the David Whitney Building, the Lofts at Merchant Row, Detroit Athletic Club, Eastern Market Sheds, Broderick Tower and Shinola. What is your design philosophy?
“We can do pink” is something we have often said. We cater to what our clients want and what their vision is, and we’ve never had a distinctly KDG style like other more “brand name” architects. From day one, we have always said that paint is cheap – there is a lot that can be done with just color introduction or change that many clients don’t think of (there is no good reason to spend a client’s money just to spend money for design that is not necessary or over the top). We certainly do not hold back on taking the time to design something well – something authentic and true and real - because it may be more expensive. Good design is good design…period. And often times it is simply simple. Can you tell us about some new projects?
We are working on The Griswold, a mixed-use development right next to the Book Cadillac hotel. It’s one of the first ground-up construction housing projects in downtown Detroit in years. We have done a lot of work on and continue to invest in, the Capitol Park district, which we see as a key hub for the downtown community. Some of our projects there include The Albert, The Farwell, 1212 Griswold, 28 West Grand Blvd. What’s your creative process?
Last year, our team went on a mission to find a way to appropriately characterize our architecture and design work in a way that captures our true identity and speaks to our core values. After some company soul searching, we introduced our new mantra: Inspired Outovation. Outovation goes beyond the clichéd concept of “outside the box thinking,” to incorporate both our technical experience and our highly creative style. We define outovation as the act of creation; balancing cutting edge ideas and formulaic design strategy, resulting in custom everyday masterpieces. Also, often times it truly is a sketch at the kitchen table or on a napkin. Since we are married, our lives as architects do not stop when we leave the office. We discuss and hash out quite a lot at home because we have more time and fewer distractions. Being an architect is a lifestyle choice, not a job. What has been going on recently in your practice?
2016 marks our 20-year anniversary as a firm since we started working in our basement with just the two of us. We’ve been doing a lot of celebrating and reflecting beginning with an all company retreat to our home in Daufuskie Island last summer to thank our team and really get everyone involved with our growth and have a part in the planning of our next 20 years. We will wind down this fall with a big party for our vendors, partners, family and friends to show off the renovation of our office and have some fun. The renovation of our office makes it more conducive to the work we do as a firm today and creating room for additional staff and bigger, better technology. Plus, it is cool and we love a good party. What is your dream project?
Maureen: One of my dream projects is to design a home for our family. We have not had the luxury of being able to design a home for ourselves because of work and life and kids and life…sort of the concept of the cobbler whose kids have no shoes. Bob and I are always kicking around different ideas of how we would use a house and what that means. With our 3 kids at home still, our needs differ now than when it will just be the two of us.So our ideal house is one that will just house two and then our kids when they visit – sorry kids! We think we have found the location in the lowcountry of South Carolina, so that problem has been solved. Bob: Ditto. You work on bringing in contemporary ideas into a lot of your work. What’s that like?
Yes, this comes up a lot since much of our work is in adaptive reuse, everything from façade improvements and wall maintenance reports, to tax credit applications to full-scale core and shell renovations. In fact, we’ve completed more historic renovation projects in the city of Detroit’s urban core than any other firm so we are well versed on compliance with the Department of Interior’s standards for Historic Preservation, state and local building codes, which are critical to maintaining the integrity of buildings.
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It is a great juxtaposition to bring contemporary, modern ideas into the historic buildings that we renovate. Since the majority of our work is adaptive reuse, the complexity of old and new is fun and sometimes philosophically conflicting, but there is something exciting in that tension. Some people do not like anything remotely considered contemporary instilled in historic structures. But these buildings were the contemporaries of their day and adding a layer of current history over the existing bones of a building is fun and contemporary in itself.
Ann Arbor Lofts
Of all of your projects, what would you want to live in?
We’ve actually been thinking seriously about this a lot recently as our two older children are off at college and we look to downsize. We plan to move out of the burbs in the next couple of years – right now we are excited to be close to Ann Arbor where both of our daughters are in school. And even though we will still have one kid in middle school then, it will be easier to move not having three still at home. It would be a joy to be able to walk to the office and actually reside in the environment that we have worked so hard to make livable again. Really, it would be sweet to live in any of our projects, the Lofts at Merchant Row, The David Whitney and Broderick Tower are all just blocks from our office! We are still kicking ourselves for not purchasing the Dorothy Turkel house, the Frank Lloyd Wright house on 7 Mile in Detroit when it was available a few years ago. We toured it several times, had mapped out our design plan and our kids had selected their bedrooms. We just knew at that time with a little one under 5 and the office very busy that we would not be able to spend the time to restore the house the way it should be done. That house was unbelievable as it was and it needed quite a bit of TLC. We are happy that it has been taken care of now and loving people who appreciate what they live in have taken over. Who are your favorite artists? Architects?
We love the artist George Rodrigue who paints the Blue Dog paintings – he passed away about a year ago. We saw his gallery in Carmel on a trip to California before we were married and we got hooked. And we would have to say our daughter Maura – she has the creative gene. She does wonderful mixed media pieces and acrylic paintings and she has had her pieces selected for art shows before she was even 18. She is wonderfully creative. Maureen: One of my favorite architects is Tadao Ando – a Japanese architect whose main body of work is built with concrete. He is a formal genius. I also am a huge le Corbusier fan – the Villa Savoye is probably my favorite buildings of all times. It was quite an adventure when I dragged Bob to see it the first time we were in France…lots of train and bus adventures and by the time we got there we found out it was closed on Mondays, so we couldn’t even get in. I dragged Bob back again a few days later. Would have been helpful to speak French then. And of course FLW – that goes without saying. Bob: I switch between the classical architecture you learn when you first step foot into architecture school and the contemporary stuff I studied I was in grad school, like Santiago Calatrava, Rafael Moneo, Jean Nouvel, Thom Mayne. What are the most inspirational spots for you in the metro Detroit?
Maureen: One of my favorites is Belle Isle – so much history available for public consumption. I also love Nickels Arcade in Ann Arbor. It was a favorite place of mine as an undergrad at Michigan and then once I was in architecture school. When we took our kids to Paris a few years ago, we made a point to tour all the arcades we could find because Nickels Arcade was such a great space to walk through. Bob: Downtown Detroit in general – all the history, the people, the buildings, the spaces. Tell us about your firms infrastructure?
We have the two owners and founders and one Associate, Brian Rebain who is a very talented architect, a member of the Michigan Historic Preservation Board and has been with us for 10 years. We have Senior Project Architects that generally are involved in most major decisions in the office with regard to production and operations. After that we have architects and interior designers who may have junior staff under them. We have distributed the ability to make decisions to our senior staff. When recruiting we look for people who are not just talented, but also share our passion for the City of Detroit, and more importantly a good fit for our staff. Interestingly, we also have a very high ratio of female to male employees, which is unusual in our industry. What are your goals and aspirations? Be a good parent and make a difference.
What are your views on the Detroit architectural marketplace?
Detroit is unique in a lot of ways, one of them being that we have these amazing historic buildings that have sat empty for a long time. While that’s not ideal, and leaves them in challenging conditions, at least many were not demolished. Unfortunately, when the economy was not so strong, many talented architects and designers left the city to find careers elsewhere. That left our talent pool smaller, but the people who stayed have had a direct impact on the resurgence of the city. There is a tremendous history but also a lot of room for more contemporary design products. Our hope is that KDG will continue to do historic rehab and also design some truly fabulous contemporary structures. What do you talk about at the dinner table?
Mexican food. We are always debating which place has the best of each dish and where we will travel next to get our hands on good Mexican food. Bob was born in and spent much of his childhood in Mexico City and has always felt very connected with the culture. Oaxaca is our favorite place. We also talk about our kids social media posts which tell us more about their lives than they do these days. Where the next vacation will be. Keelin’s Quote of the Day – check them out on FB. Seriously, we have dinner as a family almost every night of the week and it is often rip-roaring laughter with milk coming out someone’s nose. We may eat out (Mexican, obviously) a couple of nights a week, but we know the importance of having dinner as a family, since we both did so as kids.
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DESIGN THE WORLD IS YOUR MARKETPLACE
Origin of the Object McLenon+DuCharme
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t’s no secret that we love modern design, but we’re also strong believers that the perfect union of old and new can create a visual story unique to your personality. Find yourselves submerged in objects showcasing timeless craftsmanship that are rich in heritage and overflowing in history. Scour flea markets and small shops for one-of-a-kind accents that are museum-quality and imported from around the globe. You can snag a few rare vintage pieces right here in metro Detroit and also support a movement of contemporary artisans taking age-old techniques and making them new again.
FEATURES: WE’VE GOT THE BEAD By far one of the most beautiful and comprehensive collections of African Heritage in the city, The MBAD African Bead Museum, owned and operated by Olayami Dabls for the last 16 years showcases 18 art installations and an African Bead Gallery. Dabls’ immense collection of African Culture is on display with many beads and artifacts being offered for sale. A breathtaking sight and truly inspiring environment, the African Bead Museum is a must for anybody interested in learning about or collecting African Art.African Beads - MBAD African Bead Museum, 6559 Grand River Ave, Detroit HANDS FREE Featherheart’s products are lovingly handmade with the finest of oils and raw plant material yielding a highly moisturizing cream beneficial for your entire body. Local herbalist Shannon Berke even harvests and prepares her own essential oils. It’s dense in texture, not greasy at all, and has developed a local following. It’s the cream of the crop! Featherheart Moisturizing Creme - Meta Physica Massage, 4100 Woodward Avenue, Detroit BASKET CASE Intricately woven and hand-dyed by artisans in Ghana, these elephant grass baskets are stunning representations of fine craftsmanship. As the fibers are woven into shape each pattern begins to illustrate a story of the region and customs. The Blessing Basket Project, through fair-trade production, assists weavers across the world in raising capital to start their own business ventures.African Bolga Baskets - Whole Foods, 115 Mack Avenue, Detroit
RAGS TO RICHES The graphic shapes and organically illustrative lines of the Boucherouite makes each of these rugs a true masterpiece. Made from recycled textiles in Morocco, there’s nothing shabby about these rag rugs. Irregular patterns in an artists’ palette of colors that seem to scribble off the page are anything but simple. Layer a few haphazardly under your coffee table for a dynamic statement in your living room. Boucherouite Rugs - Scout, 508 S. Washington, Royal Oak GHOST DANCER We were ecstatic when we stumbled across the Ghost Dancer line at our favorite new store, Sojourn. Designer Rhiannon Griego creates beaded and woven jewelry and garments. Her style is free-form and contemporary, a fluid union of past and present. Ghost Dancer is a simple and beautiful way to incorporate interesting textures into your daily wardrobe. Ghost Dancer Necklace - Sojourn, 12908 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer GET FRANKINCENSE We’ve been burning palo santo and sage sticks like they’re going out of style, because, frankly, they are. As self-proclaimed incense aficionados we can’t get enough of the Santa Maria Novella Armenian Burning Papers. Famous throughout Europe, these burning papers act like an incense, enveloping your home in a rich frankincense aroma. If you’ve never burnt frankincense, trust us, there’s a reason this resin has gone down in history. Santa Maria Novella Armenian Burning Papers - Lori Karbal , 560 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham
MATERIAL OBSESSION Rattan furniture isn’t just for the Golden Girl’s anymore. Turns out lots of vintage rattan has a great silhouette and can be delightfully tacky. Don’t be afraid of mixing this natural material with your modern decor for a chic bohemian look. Break it up with elements of chrome or brass, glass, lacquer, and lucite. Throw a couple philodendrons nearby and you’ve turned your living space into one big Florida room. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Sift through the local flea markets for the perfect piece. Rattan Furniture - Eastern Market Sunday Market, 2934 Russell Street, Detroit BAND OF GOLD Handmade in Kenya, Meyelo is made of the finest quality brass. Heavy in weight, geometric in design with handforged impurities, every piece in the Meyelo collection is uniquely executed. With minimal, petit jewelry trickling down in modern fashion, we can’t help but lean towards something that packs a more solid punch. We’re into wearing the Sala cuff over a long sleeve for a more unique look. Brass Cuff - Meyelo, meyelo.com PILLOW TALK Local designer Anna Versaci’s immaculately constructed pillows are truly individual works of art. Made from a collection of rare vintage textiles and trims, each piece is dripping with history and rich in design. Hand-woven world textiles mixed with crisp, modern fabrics creates depth and visual interest on your bed or sofa. Every detail has been meticulously laid-out. You can’t have just one, take the cushions of the back of your couch and layer them up.Vintage Mudcloth Lounge Pillow - annaversacidesign.com
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PROFILES
CORBECERAMICS t’s no news that something is happening in Detroit. A revival of restaurants, retailers, big businesses and real estate. We are all witness to what may be the biggest comeback in history. But there’s a new shift in an unexpected category: Art. No longer willing to settle for mass-produced prints, mugs with bad puns etched on them or quote posters (Audrey wouldn’t have wanted this), people across the country are yearning for sleek, quality, minimalistic pieces. Where to find it? Take a wild guess. As I drive up to Corbé’s Headquarters on Philadelphia Street in Detroit, I can’t help but notice the yet-to-be developed area surrounding it. Though as I walk up to the front door, I am greeted by six succulents on the sidewalk, each in a stunningly simple porcelain pot, catching the afternoon sun. I am reminded that there is life here. And after talking to owners Ryan and Kaitlyn Lawless, I am sure of it. How would you best describe Corbé’s aesthetic? All of our pieces are handmade porcelain. They’re multifunctional, mid-century inspired homewares with little to no adornment. We don’t want our wares to be overly fussy. Everything is structured to build upon. We wanted to create a design aesthetic that could seamlessly fit into people’s homes. It’s personal, storied, functional and timeless. How did ceramics become not only your passion, but career as well? Ryan: I started in ceramics when I was 18, (which I later found out was even earlier, when he used to hide out in the art room during middle school. The sign of a true artist.) and got a Masters from University of Wisconsin, Madison in it. When we did the Kickstarter in 2013 for the State Plates (pictured above), that’s when we knew we had something. We were just designing them for friends, then it really took off. Kaitlyn: We are both very visual people. We were living in Washington State, and for three years we ran the business there, beginning on Orcas Island in 2012- but we knew we wanted to go somewhere, we just didn’t know where. Honestly, we kept hearing about Detroit on NPR (again, true artists). It felt like a really reachable opportunity (Kaitlyn is from Northville originally, moved away at 18 and hadn’t lived back in the area until last year). It all came together at the right time. We became enamored with it. Do you feel there is a shift in what consumers want? That the “fast and cheap” way of filling your home is on the way out? Absolutely. The market demands handcrafted goods. It’s really a by-product of the local food movement. People are interested in knowing where their things come from, and are steering away from the “more is more” mentality. The biggest challenge is creating handmade wares at prices people are willing to pay; everyone wants the story, but not everyone wants the cost. We strive to find a balance between the two, you have to keep your integrity. We want to give people things that they can cherish, their own personal heirlooms. So when you make a ware, what is the process? What are the requirements to put Corbé’s name behind something? For us, everything starts at home. We test every single ware in our home, and make adjustments accordingly. We don’t produce anything we wouldn’t want or use. Each piece has a two-week minimum process: kiln firings take 2 days, and everything goes through two firings. The drying process is very intricate as well, because if it dries too fast, it cracks. We combine new technologies with age-old processes...we are really process junkies. How has Detroit changed or enhanced your business? The reason the arts can survive here is because of community. Everyone in Detroit has been so welcoming and generous, people go out of their way to help where they can. There is an abundance of support from other businesses, an endless source of information and transparency. The people here work hard, they’re not pretentious and it’s not about show. It’s about grit and pride and that blue-collar background. It doesn’t feel jaded here. It’s a family that we had to be a part of. Sitting on a couch in the middle of the studio with the couple, my eyes can’t help but vigorously scan every corner. Gorgeously glazed “State Plates” in one corner, ceramic wares that are being tested in another (including one perfectly imperfect bowl, designed by a neighborhood boy that curiously came wandering in). My eyes settle on the vases and mugs, filling multiple tables and shelves behind us. They are simple, yet important. As I look at them, I can see myself using each one in my own home, enhancing mundane activities with their beauty, and the satisfaction of knowing the heart that lives in them. In my opinion, that is the best kind of art- the kind you live your life in. By the way, all my Target mugs are currently en-route to storage. - Alexandra Mauro
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ART
ELLIOTTEARLS
hen writers, musicians, actors earn income and royalties from their craft, it’s a reflection of their talent and popularity. A painter paints because she loves it. If she paints to get paid, her work is tainted. It’s not pure. Books, songs and movies are scalable. They can be replicated millions of times and sold. A painting is an original piece. The artist herself can’t perfectly reproduce her own work even once. Shouldn’t that be worth more? Why the double standard? Because of an ear. Accounts vary as to whether it was the entire ear or just a portion, it revealed Vincent van Gogh’s mental instability and lead to his being sent to a hospital. He never sold a painting in his lifetime. He traded a couple for rent. His brother Theo helped him out financially. His legend grew into the brilliant but tragic painter. Our romance with the tormented starving artist was born. Truth and agreement. If we agree the world is flat, it’s flat. We’ve agreed that artists struggle. Well, stop it. Vince didn’t have a cell phone bill. Or a mortgage. Or kids. Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction artwork for millions. It is true that a lot of the artists are dead. Because the artist won’t be making any more originals, the body of work is now finite causing the price to go up. But, some of those artists are alive and well and have all their appendages. The reason I make the work isn’t likely the reason you buy the work. You buy it because you like it. Or it matches your couch. If your money is green, I really don’t care what color your couch is. If you like my work, great. If you really like it, show me the money. My car payment is due. Is there a distinction between art and design? In 2016, we live in a trans-disciplinary age. If you fire up YouTube, it’s extremely hard to tell the difference between work produced by a performance artist, an advertising agency or some kid in his room with a PC. My point is that barriers between disciplines have been eroded through technology. I don’t really see clear cut distinctions between design and art. In every area of our culture, categories are really fuzzy. You’ve talked a lot about what’s not valued in art and design, what IS valued? It depends on whether you are talking among artists or if you’re talking about the art market. The art and design market, among collectors, values craft, manufacturing. These things in any artist’s or designer’s studio can be seen as extremely well made baubles. Outside of the art market I think there are a couple things that are valued, and in some ways, don’t have as much to do with craft as much as it has to do with a relative uniqueness of vision and point of view. You recommend that your followers make work that is aesthetically sophisticated. What is that and how do you know? That’s a good question. How do you know? I think you can tell by a culturation. The way you develop that is being exposed to a lot of contemporary art and design. Then there are people that are just innately visual. Art and design aren’t limited exclusively to the visual. But aesthetically sophisticated work is work that, simply put, looks good. Everyone is going to have their opinion about that. Culturally we have become increasingly narcissistic, mostly due to the advent of social media. You rail against an artist’s work containing elements of narcissism citing Shakespeare as an example of talent minus hubris. Yet, aren’t your videos narcissistic? I explicitly point that out. I think I say, “any time you see the artist in their own work”, and immediately show a clip of me in a feature length film. I point those things out because I’m being honest that I’m subject to that, too. I fully realize that a YouTube video series is the definition of narcissism. A lot of instances where the self, myself, has come up, I don’t see things clearly. I’m attempting to talk about something that I know very well. We live in a culture where everybody is a rock star. Everyone gets a trophy. People don’t have an accurate picture of what their own skill set is. How can art assist in the fight against the forces of stupidity? By making work that demands attention. You can make work that is more visual pop, or you can make work that’s not just visual; it demands that you think it through. You fight stupidity by making work that when a person stands in front of it, in order to deal with it, they have to think about its complexities. Not everybody will do that. But there is a segment of our culture that will. So I try to make that kind of work. How important is it to get paid for your work? It’s extremely important albeit not a very fashionable thing to say. Of course I’m pointing to the top of the food chain, but if Takashi Murakami doesn’t think he can get paid for his work . . . Where is this idea that our work should be free? I’ve got three kids. I value education. Probably the single most expensive thing in our culture these days, not a luxury item, is education. I also want to do this for a living. Lil Wayne says if you’re smart and you grind, the money comes. Not everybody has that as a goal. Not everybody is concerned about money. I make work for the love of making work first, but if you are concerned about paying for a kid’s education, you need to get paid. The top 1% of artists, admittedly a very small number, make more money than professional basketball players, than some CEO’s. There’s an artificial distinction that art is somehow sullied by money. Gimme a break. Other artistic disciplines don’t have any problem with it. You have to build a market for your work. You have to cultivate people who will actually pay money for your work. I think it’s hard as shit, but I think it’s possible. Do you have any observations about Detroit and the art community here? I think it’s amazing what’s happening here. Cranbrook Academy of Art would not exist without Detroit. It’s part of the greater metropolitan area. I went to graduate school here, coming from the New York/Connecticut area. In the ‘90’s people came to school here and they left. Now I’d say 50% or more of my graduate students have stayed. They realize what an opportunity Detroit is. It’s like the wild wild west. There’s very little oversight. The cost of living is still extremely low. The cliché “in crisis there’s opportunity” is true. Seems like one of the big beneficiaries for the city is the art community.
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Check out more of Elliott Earls’ work at www.elliottearls.com - Kim Fay
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“The Many Ways I Remain Defiant in the Face of Institutionalized Stupidity”
Cycloptical Power In A Culture Ruled By Narcissism
16 3 Cream Rabbits
Somnambulist Rising
ACE
Elegy for the Collapse of the Empire (Detroit, Craft, and Disintegration)
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NIBBLES & BITS
ALEXANDRACLARK XTRA Tuff boots
BABES BABES BABES
ALL (her) FAVORITES Jeff Newsom
In 2013 Alexandra Clark went from dreaming about opening her own specialty chocolate shop to realizing it with the highly successful opening of Bon Bon Bon in Hamtramck. With a history in hospitality business and stints working around the globe at some of the worlds finest spots, Alex honed her skills and neatly crafted her senses constructing wacky and sublime confections. Known for mixing classic French technique with a bit of whimsy, Bon Bon Bon creates delightful chocolates full of surprise and bursting with flavor.
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Jeep Wrangler
The Zombies
Negroni
Hanky Panky
Fried Chicken
Brain Eno
The camaraderie that Alex and her team share in the kitchen is infectious which is a big part of the success of both the retailing and manufacturing of the Bon’s. “Its nice to be surrounded by smart, sexy, talented and hard working babes all the time” says Alex. “I’m super lucky and grateful of the support I receive from my family and friends. I couldn’t do what I love to do without all of them.” Today, Bon Bon Bon has numerous spots in metro Detroit and pop up shops all over the world and is garnering global attention for it’s neatly crafted Bons of unique flavors developed by Clark and her team of babes. Herewith, her other favorite things from the world of Alexandra Clark
The Babes
Kendra Platinum
Dr Bronners Almond 19
MARKETVALUES
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PHOTOS:
JIM FETS
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PG:20 MAXMARA sunglasses $295 CARMINA CAMPUS bag $595 @ Linda Dresner VINTAGE VICTOR COSTA dress $125 @ Raconte Vintage ALI GRACE necklace $550 @ Found Objects DRIES VAN NOTEN top $885 DANIELA GREGIS skirt $1150 @ Linda Dresner PG:21 STELLA JEAN top $305 @ Linda Dresner TANYA TAYLOR top $395 @ Found Objects MAXMARA pants $725 REIGN & REBEL BRACLETS $20-$55
PG:22 REBECCA TAYLOR jacket $350 ALICE & OLIVIA dress $330 @ Neiman Marcus TAYLOR CHILDS necklace $295 LOEFFLER RANDALL tote $495 @ Found Objects PG:23 MAISON SCOTCH dress $135 @ Found Objects REIGN & REBEL necklace $55 / JUNYA WATANABE dress $1515 @ Linda Dresner OMBRE skirt $95 @ Raconte
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Bright young Things
PHOTOGRAPHY: BOSWELL 24
COMME DES GARCONS pouch $245 STELLA JEAN sandal $595 @ Linda Dresner MARNI sunglasses $395 @ Tender JOSE & BARRERA earrings $440 @ Neiman Marcus / KANTIS pin $295 @ Neiman Marcus GUCCI wallet $980 VINTAGE sunglasses $395 @ Optik SIMONE ROCHA sandals $1095 @ Tender
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MANOLO BLAHNIK shoes $965 @ Neiman Marcus MICHELE watch $1675 @ Lucido Fine Jewelry ANYA HINDMARCH bag $1295 @ Tender TACORI ring $650 DOVES earrings $2535 @ Lucido Fine Jewelry EDIE PARKER bag $1695 @ Neiman Marcus DITA sunglasses $595 @ Optik Birmingham
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Paul Karas - Industrial Designer 28
IN THE NOW
Illustrations Don Kilpatrick III
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Imari Reynolds - Actor
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Joe Benghauser - Creative Director
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Paul: LAZLO shirt $128 HUDSON jacket $450 @ Neiman Marcus DETROIT GT joggers $79 Imari: TOM FORD jacket $4120 THEORY shirt $225 HUDSON jeans $225 @ Neiman Marcus Joe: LAWRENCE HUNT shirt $78 CYBEROPTIX tie $45 THEORY pant $225 @ Neiman Marcus Rino: GUCCI Jacket $1850 LAZLO shirt $128 PETER MILLAR shorts $85 @ Neiman Marcus
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Rino Marra - Master Stylist
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ENTERTAINMENT
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JENAIRENEASCIUTTO t only nineteen years old, Detroit native Jena Irene Asciutto has a powerful direction over her career. She’s not only had the chance to participate in the famous television show, American Idol, but earned herself second place. From an early age, Asciutto knew her future was in music. “The first time I ever kind of figured out that I liked music and that I wanted to be a part of it was when I was about 12. I was a part of a covers band that eventually, I ended up writing original songs for. We were called Infinity Hour,” said Asciutto, reflecting on her past. While Infinity Hour was only briefly in the Detroit music scene, it helped Ascuitto to learn how to collaborate with others, learning to write her own music and lyrics. Realizing that music was truly what she wanted to do with her life, Ascuitto auditioned for the fourteenth season of American Idol, pushing the green light on her career. Ascuitto built her powerful social media following, earning the singer not only fifty thousand engaged fans, but a second place finish in the competition. Speaking about American Idol, Ascuitto had trouble giving an overall description of the experience, but instead, talked about how much she learned.“There’s a lot of good that comes from [being a singer]. It doesn’t feel like work sometimes, but you are pulled in a lot of different directions. That can be really stressful, and [American Idol] was. But it was overall, a great experience to see what I as a 17 year old trying to make it in the mainstream music industry, which was not the route that I wanted to [go]. I’m glad that I went on [American Idol] to learn the difference between how major and indie labels work,” said Ascuitto. From Coldplay to Paramore to The Rolling Stones, Ascuitto’s voice carried her through multiple genres and over a dozen platinum recording artists. In terms of numbers, Ascuitto performed for more than twelve million viewers over the course of the season. Although the songs she covered for American Idol felt strong and emotional, some American Idol viewers might not know that the contestants didn’t have a strong say in the songs they performed. Although she claims to not be a “diehard Radiohead fan,” Ascuitto claims her most important performance was Radiohead’s ‘Creep.’“I sang ‘Creep’ by Radiohead, farther down in the competition, but it took me like six weeks to convince the executive producers to let me sing that song. I kept pushing for it, because it might not be a song that’s normally played on American Idol because it’s a family oriented show. I still wanted to because that song felt like me lyrically and I could perform the shit out of it. I just kept pushing and they finally let me sing it and it went down really well.”American Idol set the stage for Ascuitto performing solo, even dropping her last name for the competition, her stage name becoming just Jena Irene. However, after finishing the competition, Ascuitto is back, under her full name. Her new music is raw and emotional, her lyrics being the most important puzzle piece. “My lyrics are all inspired by my own experiences. So, whether it be like me experiencing something first hand like a relationship or I don’t know like my parent’s divorce or something that triggered a lot of emotions. Or if I watch a movie and I get inspired secondhand by someone else. Or if someone else is going through something that inspires me. So I’ll pull from anywhere around me.” When asked about the genre these lyrics are paired with, Ascuitto immediately knew that her music is “pop written, but with an alternative instrumentation.” She chooses not to define it into a single genre, but rather pulls from her musical influences to create her sound. “I love Fiona Apple so much. She’s one of my favorites. I adore Amy Winehouse. Other bands that I like at the moment are Lake Street Dive is one of my favorites bands, even Arctic Monkeys,” said Ascuitto, “I love Damien Rice, he’s actually one of the artists that inspired the sound for my record and I could go on and on and on, but I’ve been recently getting into a lot of 60s music and Etta James.” But when asked about an artist that really had a strong impact on her musical career, Ascuitto cannot stop talking about Fiona Apple. “In terms of how I write, [my strongest influence] is Fiona Apple. I just love her thought process and how she tells stories with her lyrics and her words together with her rhythms,” said Ascuitto. Apple, who sings in the same, emotional frame of reference as Ascuitto, also began writing and creating music young. In interviews throughout her career, Apple has been open about songwriting from a young age and along with Apple, Ascuitto believes that its to her benefit. “I just think that since I was 14 or 15, I had always hung out with people who were older than me and it’s because I could connect with them better and have an actual conversation. I think that that bled over into my experience on American Idol, being young it kind of acts as a secret weapon if you can hang with the big dogs,” laughed Ascuitto, “It took me a little bit of time to read the vibe on the music industry now, but it’s definitely a brutal but amazing one of a kind industry. No matter what my age is.” Now, Ascuitto has signed to Michigan-based record label Original 1265, creating her own music, dropping her debut EP Innocence, earlier this year. “I actually after I found out that 19 Entertainment was not going to sign me from Idol, I got kind of freaked out because I didn’t really know what was going to happen next. But I knew I wanted to keep doing music. There were a few different offers, one was a label off of Warner [Brothers Music] and I met with them in New York and another label in LA and there was definitely a different vibe with those meetings in comparison to the meeting I had with my label in Detroit. As soon as I walked into the [Original 1265] meeting I didn’t feel intimidated at all. I felt welcomed and there was hope in having a sustainable career rather than being a one hit wonder. So that’s why I went with them, but definitely off of feel. But after me and Kevin, my manager/producer started writing together and we immediately clicked. I went with it. It’s been amazing ever since,” reflected Ascuitto. Her career has continued to grow, booking shows in New York and Los Angeles, with plans of a full album later this year. Not even twenty-four hours after her EP dropped, Ascuitto earned herself a coveted spot on Billboard’s Editor’s Picks list. She laughed, saying it was completely by surprise. At just nineteen, Ascuitto is creating a name for herself in music, through connecting with fans and being humble. Her social media following, which continues to grow every single day, is in response to a stunning debut EP, which was added to playlists everywhere. Fans continue to comment on her performances on YouTube, adding that Ascuitto is their inspiration to keep going through life’s difficulties, to pursue a college degree or even to audition for American Idol. Her favorite way to connect with fans? Instagram. “It’s my favorite way. I love that it has visuals along with it rather than just tweeting to people. I’m not really one of those extensive tweeters who tweet every single second of every single day what they’re doing. It’s just not me, it feels like too much of promoting myself and I’m trying to stay away from that as much as possible. But if I can actually, if I can actually show them what I am doing like in the studio or what my day to day life is that’s the coolest way to connect with them.” She continues to connect with fans, through social media and promoting her music. Connecting with them is so important that gives them the credit for making her music as successful as it is. Ascuitto explained, “If you didn’t have fans, you wouldn’t have this as your career. I think that’s the obvious thing. But I think that finding people that can relate to you and you can relate to them, especially with me, the way I write lyrics and songs that’s kind of a therapeutic thing for me. More so than I think “oh that’s going to be a hit” it’s more like getting my thoughts down on pages and when other people can connect with me or I can connect with people who know what i am saying or understand what i am saying, it’s a great feeling. I feel like I have new friends.” With plans to perform, record and hopefully tour in the next year, you’ll find Ascuitto listening to Amy Winehouse, dreaming about meeting Chris Martin on an airplane or even touring with Rihanna (her dream tour). As she continues to write her own music and inspire others to pursue their passions, Ascuitto is a humble, passionate and talented musician, ready to burst onto the music scene. With dozens of younger musicians looking towards older musicians for inspiration, Ascuitto will be listed as an inspiration for many years to come. -Addie Whelan
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H E A R T S O N F I R E S T O R E S , A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , H E A R T S O N F I R E . C O M
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