NYARA W.

A NEU Conversation with Justin Mikhail Solomon

We were playing “We’re Not Really Strangers” the other day and the question came up about how I would describe you to a stranger. I’m curious, how would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?

Good question lol

Lol I’ll be here all night. I can start in a diff direction if you want?

No, I figured we’d start here. I would describe myself as a world builder. Someone who’s a motivator, intentional, and community/heart centered. But for those reading who may have no idea what I do, because I do a lot — I’d say I’m a multi-disciplinary artist by way of St.Louis. With an emphasis on directing, photography, and dance…

But I’m having a hard time finishing this answer because I’m transitioning into new roles and spaces. So formally, I was the owner of a clothing brand called Black.Clothing, then went into photography, then directing, and that sounds like too much to say haha and we haven’t even gotten to the best part I get that but also no one expects your story to be a short one.

When you say the best part what do you see there?

Thank you for that. The best part. So, I said to someone the other day, “I hope I’m doing this for the rest of my life.” And I don’t think I’ve ever said that about anything before. I was referring to this new dream sequence I’m currently in/world I’m building called Neu Er. You know something about that lol.

Mmm I like that. “Dream sequence”. As an observer, that’s exactly what Neu Er seems to be for you. That’s beautiful though.

I’m glad you’re getting to experience that. It definitely seems like you’re getting closer and closer to a materializing a dream you’ve been having for quite sometime. Neu Er almost seems to me like the intersection between everything you’ve been doing since you started this journey as an artist. What is Neu Er to you?

I love that! And adding it to the description. So far, Neu Er has felt like an open invitation. To my world, my mind, and the dope shit me and my friends create together.

Neu Er offers a world of shared intimate experiences and media services housed under the umbrella of art, music, film, food, photography, merchandise, and more.

This invitation is merely one to come and enjoy a space with us as we build a world that we’ve always wanted to see and experience. Working along side me during the development process and art direction, what words come to mind for you around NEU?

I’d say space, evolution, scale, and fellowship. Space as this idea of unexplored openness, both for us and those observing the journey. Evolution as the intention to bring out the best of ourselves again and again and again until we have something entirely neu (pun intended). Scale as the desire to expand our ideas, thinking bigger and taking more risks. Fellowship being the gathering of a community and an invitation to share something we hold dear to ourselves.

Beautifully said.

It’s been a beautiful journey for me so far so I’m just speaking from that feeling. You’ve gotten me off my ass and inspired me to make things again. The other day I called you an activator, like some- one who can pull the best out of others. Does that resonate with you?

Activator sounds fitting. In any endeavor I’ve done, I’ve always felt like I knew exactly the person to call to achieve a desired goal.

Or even pouring into my friends and others who say they have a goal they want to achieve. I’m quick to be like, okay let’s analyze what you have now, where you want to go, and how we can get started from this point. I love things that require action (it’s giving love language) — especially when something’s neu (pun also intended).

So, I’ve heard that, but only in the film world of being a producer essentially. It feels nice to have a word that’s well rounded and all encompassing. Thanks for that.

Yeah of course. That makes sense though. I think you’re also good at determining what action looks like. You seem to have the understanding that movement isn’t always action. There’s a certain ebb and flow to the way you move as an artist/designer/producer/director/photographer that makes it obvious that you’re not just one of those things.

With that said, you seem to have gravitated recently to this understanding of yourself as a world builder. What does that identifier mean to you and how do you think that’s shaping what’s next for you and for Neu Er?

Existing in a world such as this one (Earth), there’s a lot of cracks in the history, infrastructure and systems currently in place.

With that outdated blueprint, I sit and dream a lot. I dream of spaces where I can just be, without expectation or perfectionism. I dream of Black joy and liberation. I dream of creating for creation sake, spending time with friends and family, creating a capsule full of our memories, and having fun!

Using your language of being this activator, I want to make these dreams a reality. That looks like creating spaces to dream, create, play, rest, etc.

To me, that means actually having a physical space to house this umbrella of ideas. In conversation with other creators in this city, the common thread we’ve shared grievances over is not having the space to fulfill the ideas we’re actually passionate about. So we turn to the nearest door that’ll allow us in. But we still have to play by their rules.

We recently had two private beta events with these things in mind which were a success according to our guest. So we know this is needed.

What’s next right now would be connecting with the right folks who are aligned with our vision and can support us financially, through mentorship, resources and opportunities to grow and expand, garnering clients in the media space to create visual worlds together, and meet more people we can extend this invitation to, and of course, finding physical space.

Amen! Awomen!

Photoshoot by Bino