February / March 2011
FIM Fringe Indie Magazine
Fashion. art. music
#14
Fringe indie Magazine Team Editor In Chief: Flavia Martina (http://youcancallmeflanders.tumblr.com) Art Director: Flavia Martina (http://youcancallmeflanders.tumblr.com) Fashion Columnist: Flavia Martina (http://youcancallmeflanders.tumblr.com) NY Official Correspondent: Audrey Allure (http://audreyallure.blogspot.com) UK Official Correspondent: Adriana Escarini (http://a-newproject.blogspot.com) Contributor in this issue: Paolo Prisco (FR) Aya Cody (USA) Denise Maciel Roulier (ARG) Flora de Graaff (ARG)
Published by: Flavia Martina FRINGE INDIE MAGAZINE http://www.fringeindiemagazine.com
Cover shot: PH: Paolo Prisco http://www.paoloprisco.fr
Contact: contact@fringemagazine.tk press@fringemagazine.tk editorial@fringemagazine.tk
IN THIS ISSUE 05 Letter from the editor. 06-15 Boyfriend girlfriend big mix matching. 18 New York Ciy Ballet. 20 Greetings from Carnaby. 22 Crazy, crazy Marta. 26-29 A picture speaks a 1,000 words. 32 The Alvears. 34-39 Who is this girl? Interview with Lana MĂr. 42-47 The blogger of the moment: Erika Marie from FashionChalet.net
Letter from the Editor I’m pleased to present again an outstanding issue full of art in all of it’s forms. You can enjoy some visually interesting and color-rich photographs by Paolo Prisco, submerge into the world of local artist Marta Minujín, listen to some great music by the hand of The Alvears and Lana Mír and to end the issue a chat with Erika Marie from FashionChalet.net, what more can we ask for? I’ll let you enjoy this issue hopefully as much as we enjoyed creating it. {Flavia Martina} Editor in Chief
boyfriend girlfriend big mixmatching Photo, styling, make-up: Paolo Prisco Photographer, Monaco Models: AGATA PRYMA and ALICE ROSE FRENCH @Cosmic London Clothes: Julia de Casoria, Lanvin for H&M, Sonia Rikyel for H&M, H&M, Zara. Vintage clothes belong to the photographer’s private collection.
(AROUND) (THE) (WORLD)
New York City Audrey Allure
New York City Ballet I recently a!ended my first New York City ballet in October. It comes every season, and students can purchase #ckets for an affordable $15 with seats that aren’t too shabby. Performances are held within the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. The show I went to was divided into four pieces: Charconne, Concerto Barocco, Tarantella, and Glass Pieces. Chaconne is a dance built on a phrase in the bass and was o&en used by composers of the 17th & 18th centuries to end an opera in a fes#ve mood. Concerto Barocco demonstrated poetry, athle#cism, and musicality. This work had its beginnings as a School of American Ballet exercise and was first performed for the La#n-American tour of the American Ballet Caravan in 1941. In Tarantella (my favorite piece), the dancers wore Italian costumes and played tambourines as they danced jolly. It was more of a fun piece and the music was much more upbeat. Glass Pieces is best described as dance to music with repe##ve structures. The choreography was beau#ful and the way the dancers moved in perfect synchronized mo#on was astounding. The way they could easily stop and freeze instantly was amazing. I personally recommend anyone to see a ballet at least once; it was such a great cultural experience. I definitely plan on a!ending another future show. The next season of shows starts January 18, 2011.
UK Adriana Escarini
Greetings from Carnaby Carnaby Street is known for be one of London’s most popular and dis#nc#ve shopping and lifestyle des#na#ons. Here some of the best Polaroids.
Buenos Aires Flora de Graaff
Crazy, Crazy Marta 2010 was a year marked by the Pop Art at the Museo de Arte La#noamericano de Buenos Aires, a&er star#ng the cycle with the show “Mr. America”, which recalled the work of Andy Warhol, proposes a close with a retrospec#ve of the work of Argen#nean ar#st Marta Minujín. The sample covers the wide range of work of Minujín carried out chronologically where the viewer runs in a labyrinthine way her early informalist works, her colorful atmosphere of 1964 and 1965 carried out mostly in Paris, her experiences with media and technology, the “hippie experience” of 1967, her fic#onal operas of 1972, her cri#cal projects on the situa#on in La#n America during the late seven#es up to her acts of mass par#cipa#on and experimenta#on with sculptures created during the eigh#es and nine#es. The retrospec#ve, curated by the ar#st Victoria Noorthoon-is a huge opportunity to learn in depth one of the most famous and controversial ar#st who has given our country, whose work, oddly enough, is largely unknown. Many watch Minujín doub#ng her crea#vity or genius but simply enter the only part of the labyrinth that integrated her work “The Menesunda” which is recreated in the Malba to have one of her famous “experiences that connect art and life “and surrender to this great ar#st. MARTA AVANT-GARDE The German philosopher and sociologist Jürgen Habermas argues that the art is displayed, “invading unknown territory, exposing the danger of unexpected encounters, conquering the future, laying tracks in a landscape that no one has yet set foot.” This is what characterized Minujín since its incep#on. As one of the most important exponents of the first genera#on of avant-garde of the fi&ies Argen#na was exposed to the danger of these unexpected encounters when she traveled to Paris to drink in the “new” and bring it to Argen#na. She managed to dazzle the Parisian cri#cs with her work done with cardboard that was presented at the Hall of Jeune Sculpture in Paris, these works are recreated in the retrospec#ve at Malba accompanied by photographs and texts of that sample. A&er exhibi#ng in Paris, Minujín becomes one of the promising young Argen#ne ar#sts. She then returns to her na#ve country waiver to con#nue pain#ng and experimen#ng with all sorts of materials and themes that provided the reality around her. To Munijín was and is important to be no#ced. Their interven#ons are ar#culated in a model that understands the forefront as a shock. Not only managed to hit Buenos Aires, but also to New York, Paris and other ci#es in the world with her provoca#ve situa#ons including happenings, art collec#ve, par#cipatory art and destruc#on. Since its incep#on Minujín was difficult to classify, the art she produces is not described, one appreciates it and / or receives an impact or away, but in no case is indifferent to any of her interven#ons. Here are the most important point of her work: the interference of her ac#ons on the viewer. The ar#st Kenneth Kemble, one of the key figures in the forefront Argen#na in the fi&ies and six#es, said that “revolu#ons happen like this and, when youth vain itself and believes standing #ptoe is revealing the world. That is necessary because crea#ng something that
did not exist before is very difficult, there are lots of guts to say “this is art” or “worth it” when you have no background or very few.” And this is precisely one of the obstacles that constantly has to go through Minujín. In the eternal ques#on “Is this art?” Minujín says, “everything is art!” And it does shake people, get them out of their comfort-zone and make them think. Minujín ul#mately tells us that thought is art. This is so even when a viewer looks with disdain his work and seeks to reject arguments, she has achieved its goal: the viewer to think of something had not thought of before, having experiences, feelings, visual, auditory, tac#le and olfactory. In short, living in art because art is to Minujín a way to intensify life, to impact the audience shaking their iner#a, what she cares about is to live and do live. MARTA POLICY Since the early seven#es Argen#ne ar#sts began to experience a process of poli#ciza#on that responded to the reality of a country in turmoil and the redefini#on of the dynamics of local ar#s#c field itself. Minujín was no excep#on and a&er being part of the hippie movement and enjoy a privileged place in the New York art scene began to make works happenings and mass par#cipa#on that would have a socio-poli#cal background. Importantly, this shi& of Argen#ne art to poli#cs coincided with a new intensity with which the media broadcast their ac#ons and the public who had achieved the new local art was a trait that Minujín not disdain. I find it interes#ng to highlight some of the many works by Minujín poli#cal #nge. One is the “Parthenon of Books” built in 1993 in the heart of the City of Buenos Aires. This work was conceived as a monument to democracy and which had a metal replica of the Parthenon, which was covered with books banned during Argen#na’s military dictatorship and then were divided among a crowd that was cited by Minujín. In Malba we see models, drawings, videos, photos and texts explaining this monumental ephemeral art ac#on, although it was not the one made by the ar#st from Argen#na, is one that best represents your commitment to the poli#cal local. Another notable work is “Espi-art” that features photographs, drawings and a video Minujín explains and relates how she was born and carried out the idea of pu<ng a runner in the Gallery Birger peepholes through which the visitors could spy on various ar#sts, Vincent Maro!a, Ana Labat, Federico Peralta Ramos, Victor Grippo, Luis Bendect, Nicolas Garcia Uriburu, Clorindo Testa, among others, who were inside a cubicle crea#ng situa#ons. This work was carried out in 1977 amid a climate of censorship in which Minujín tried to show “the power of art to transform tragedy into happiness.” Minujín was part of the genera#on of Argen#ne ar#sts who managed to interna#onalize the local art. The idea of connec#on between ar#sts from different countries always a!racted her and worked on the basis of the binding and exchange. Her work “Connected to earth” in which she sent to various ar#sts from La#n America land of Machu Pichu, the cradle of American civiliza#on, for them to mix with soil from their respec#ve countries and then, a&er sending Minujín, she would bury this country mixed in the great Inca temple. Items documen#ng this work, photographs, drawings, photographs and videos-are also present in the retrospec#ve. Minujín Today says that “art is universal” and that “if the ar#sts could rule the world, would be much more fantas#c” and which do not have a place in poli#cs, the ar#sts are “ambassadors abroad.” MARTA AND ME Transforming tragedy, or perhaps boring everyday happiness is what does this eternally young, crazy, fun, and massmedia#c ar#st. On March 21, 2009 I par#cipated in one of the latest happenings that Minujín held in Buenos Aires, “Rayularte” where, for the commemora#on of the 25th anniversary of the death of Julio Cortázar, Minujín placed on the Avenida 9 de Julio-the main street of Buenos Aires-120 hopscotch and invited others to play in the heart of Buenos Aires. The happening was music by hundreds of saxophonists who performed the music of Charlie Parker, who was a fan Cortázar. In the retrospec#ve presented at Malba viewers can see a video which
documented the fun happening. I always admired the work of this great ar#st from Argen#na and, to study its happenings, I felt the need to par#cipate in one of them to experience the fes#val of art and freedom. No exaggera#on to say that playing hopscotch on the mythical and busy avenue in Buenos Aires was a very enjoyable and libera#ng experience. I understood that when Minujín exclaims her famous catchphrase “Art, art, art .... To live in art! “Commands us to liberate ourselves from the conven#ons and daily concerns and invites us to play with her. At 69 Minujín does not stop playing, play to shake, to bother, to get angry and have fun. From her studio says “I am now essen#ally in the joy of living in the joy of giving. If I did It’s like balloons or kites, then I am a kite. All the #me I will be so un#l I die. “ The brief French Gaston Pawlowski said: “humor makes as anxious as an anarchist that is facing serious ma!ers” and that’s precisely what Minujín did to throughout her career, used humor and crea#vity to erase the boundaries of art world and build a fun, colorful and pop in which, through her works, invites us to play.
A Picture Speak
ks 1,000 Words
USA Aya Cody PRESS RELEASE
Memorial Exhibit “A Picture Speaks 1,000 Words” To Remember Aspiring Photographer Gina Sachi Cody and Raise Funds for Aphasia A collec#on of cap#va#ng, now inspiring, photographic work by Gina Sachi Cody will be displayed at the XChange (The XChange 640 West 28th Street 9th Floor) for one week (December 28, 2010 through January 4, 2011) to remember this aspiring ar#st, who passed away unexpectedly last October 31. En#tled “A Picture Speaks 1,000 Words”, the memorial exhibit will raise funds for the Na#onal Aphasia Associa#on (a nonprofit organiza#on that promotes public educa#on, research, rehabilita#on and support services to assist people with aphasia and their families. www.aphasia.org), dona#ng all proceeds, including photograph purchases, in Gina Sachi Cody’s name. Family, friends, celebri#es, people Gina photographed and the aphasia community will remember her at a special opening of the exhibit on December 28 (from 6-10 pm) on what would have been Gina’s 25th birthday. “Gina leaves us many unforge!able memories, her beau#ful spirit and an inspira#on to live life to the fullest as she did,” says her sister, Aya Cody. “Gina also leaves us her photography. She would say, ‘Photography is my life. I breathe it. I live it. I capture it.’ Her work is a collec#on of how she saw the world, therefore a story of her life. Every shot captures a feeling, a glimpse into a person, an image of herself; whatever she saw beauty in at that moment.” According to Aya, their father Michael, who acquired aphasia a&er a stroke when they were teens, inspired Gina.
Aphasia is an acquired communica#on disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, but does not affect intelligence. Aphasia impairs the ability to speak, understand others, read and write. “Despite the poten#ally consuming frustra#ons of aphasia, Gina’s father fights every day to improve his words and live his life without le<ng anything set him back,” explains Ellayne Ganzfried, execu#ve director of the Na#onal Aphasia Associa#on. “Michael was Gina’s hero, inspiring her to use photography to showcase her viewpoint of the world, without the use of any words at all.” “Those of us touched by aphasia mourn Gina’s loss and are honored to be included in this very special and touching way to remember Gina,” adds Ganzfried. “The saying ‘A Picture Speaks 1,000 Words’ rings true in Gina Sachi Cody’s photography. Regardless of language, background, having aphasia or not, one can communicate so much through a single photograph.” Gina Cody’s family have decided to con#nue the sales of her photos for the Na#onal Aphasia Associa#on - you can access these photos through this link: h!p://www.aphasia.org/ginasachicody.html
(MUSIC)
Buenos Aires Denise Maciel Roulier
The Alvears “The Alvears” is a rock band from Argen#na formed by Daniel Bula (lead vocalist and guitar), Arturo Zaldívar (lead guitar and voice), Nicolás Gu#errez Forero (drums) and Francisco Prenafeta (bass). We had the privilige to talk with lead vocal Daniel Bula and this is what we talked about:
- How does “The Alvears” start? The Alvears comes from knowing Arturo Zaldivar, our lead guitarist, from Film University where we study Film Direc#on. Both he and I had wanted to be part of a musical project and decided to get together to try out our songs. From that first mee#ng went 4 of our tracks and so did the band started. Two weeks later we were in the rehearsal room with our drummer Nicolas Gu#errez Forero, who also met at university, defining the sound of the band.
The craziest proposal we had was that we played in an elevator in a building where they make a party on every floor. They want us to play and that we stop at every floor. Very funny. It’s going to be next.
- Is there some label following your footsteps? Not yet. We are about to record our first EP independently. Only a few months ago we started but it all goes very fast. Is a project that we take seriously. For this we have proposed an American director to di- What are your inspira!ons while crea- rect our first video clip, which is filmed in !ng your music?, And what influenced you 3 weeks, a&er that we are ready to throw in the beginning? everything. Many bands mainly from the New Wave, Post-Punk and Indie rock influence us. The - Many bands have a ritual before going lyrics, in general, are inspired by my perso- on stage, especially for things go as expecnal experiences. Most out of the 14 note- ted and the nerves out, can you say that books that I wrote during the last 3 years. you also have one? Minutes before taking the stage, we decide - What do you consider are today the most the songs we play and the order thereof. So important quali!es to progress musically? the show not only surprises the audience Teamwork is very important for us as it but us. clearly reflects the different personali#es of the band members. This difference enri- - All shows for a band are important beches our musical approach so we can move cause they leave many lessons and mark forward in our composi#ons. As a band, no- things that need improvement and have thing is le& to chance. We realize where we made progress, if you had to choose a are going with our music. show, which would you choose and why? Personally I choose the last we did because - What was the craziest proposal made to it was a show where everything sounded you as a band? #ght, which very talented people helped
us make a set of lights and projec#ons. It was not just music, but there was a total concept, from the start of the stage, lights and a screen behind us. We are also pleased to learn that new people are ge<ng close to our gigs.
during the month of October. We will record what will be our first record. A 5-song EP, which will be distributed as soon as you finish recording.
- Finally, a wish for 2011? To finish all our projects, which is to - If given the chance conquer an audience to play anywhere in even more massive. the universe, where would you play and how would that show be? Personally I would like to play at major fes#vals around the world. While the type of show that has been doing a very good produc#on by the talented people around us, the possibili#es are endless in terms of image and sound show that we could ride. - What drives you to con!nue developing and maintaining in the scene? The desire to express everything we have inside. We have much to say. While our style of music is not widespread among the Argen#ne public know that there is a place for a band like ours. - When are you finishing your EP? We are about to enter the recording studio
Photo Credit: Lucy Hamblin
Who is t
this girl ?
Buenos Aires Flavia Martina (photo credit: lana mir facebook page)
Lana Mír
Owner of a sweet voice and incredible talent Lana Mír, is conquering the world step by step. We had the privilege to talk to her and learn more about her history, her music and her dreams. - You were born and raised in Ukraine, how would you describe your childhood? Were you exposed to music at a young age? I was born and raised in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. I have a lot of great memories about my life in Ukraine, growing up, going to school, ge<ng into music business. I got signed with French-Ukrainian FM radio sta#on while in high school and had a chance to be on radio, tv, in newspapers and magazines. I have kind and loving parents who always encouraged me to strive towards my dreams. My family and friends are s#ll there, but I can’t really imagine myself living in Kiev again. Somehow I always knew I would end up leaving and moving to a foreign country. Growing up I always fantasized about my life in Europe or US. It wasn’t common among young people to move out and most people stayed where they were born. My friends thought I was a dreamer and didn’t really be-
lieve me un#l I actually moved. I always wanted to be a vocalist and be a part of cool music scene. NYC was a perfect choice. I was exposed to music from very young age. My Dad gave me a small electronic blue piano when I was four years old. I remember him playing songs for me and singing together. We always had music blas#ng at home especially on the weekends. It was a lot of dancing and singing. - Your first song: what was it about? The first song I wrote was about love and broken heart. It was a very sad song; I was going through some emo#onal realiza#on about rela#onships. It came out quite moody. - What musicians inspire you through out these years? I love and inspired by all styles of music. I have hun-
dreds of favorite musicians. It’s a long list. Female vocalists inspire me the most. I love Billy Holiday, Joni Mitchell, Astrid Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Tracy Thorn, Cat Power and so many more. I’m inspired by bands like Air, The Smiths, Ivy.
duced by Andy Chase (Ivy, Brookville) and Bruce Driscoll (Blondfire, Sleepy Rebels).They co-wrote all the songs from the album. I learned so much from them about wri#ng and singing. We became good friends through out the process of recording. Three of us were recording and playing music non-stop for a whole month. Some#mes I - Can you describe your music style in a few could fall asleep on the couch in the studio and words? when I wake up they would s#ll be mixing and Yes… The album is a breezy collec#on of vintage playing music. #nted-pop songs with Brazilian accents. It is 60s inspired and if you like Serge Gainsbourg and - Which one of the songs of the record is your Françoise Hardy era I think you would like the favorite and why? record. The album is an organic blend of retro I love all the songs, but if I have to choose I and contemporary. would say “Return” first. I love how melancholic and sad it sounds. It’s about love and realiza#on - How did you get signed with Unfiltered Re- that some#mes you can love someone but it’s cords? not meant to be: “These Days” is another favoriI was singing jazz and wri#ng original songs. te. It was used it two huge na#onal commercials I was looking for a producer and came a cross in Brazil and we just released new music video Andy Chase (Ivy, Brookville)I fell in love with his for it shot by French LA-based director Aurelien songs and music sensibility. He happened to Levitan. It’s currently playing on VH1 Brazil and own a recording studio which is one of the best we got some great ra#ngs. I also love Summerin NYC-Stratosphere Sound and a label-Unfilte- #me and who doesn’t love summer:-)We have a red Records. I got in touch with him and gave video for this song shot in Central Park by Andy him my demo. He liked my voice and style and and Bruce. The cover of the Stone Roses’ ‘I Wanhe offered a collabora#on with Bruce Driscoll na Be Adored’ is another one of my favorites. (Blodnfire, Sleepy Rebels) Three of us started We also shot an amazing black and white video working together and became friends. for this song directed by Doug Werby and Sylvie Gill who are based in SF. Please, check out all the - You are currently living in NY, what do you like videos on youtube, ITunes or Yahoo Music. the most and the worst about the city? Does changing environment ac!vate new inspira!on - Are you touring or going to do a tour soon? sources? Where? I love NYC and the energy of the city. You can I’m hoping to get on tour, but there are no defiwalk outside and meet the most incredible nite dates yet. I will be happy to announce the people. You never know what can happen next. news and the show dates in the near future. I had so many opportuni#es to meet and collaborate with amazing musicians and ar#sts, aspi- - To finish, any plans/dreams to accomplish this ring actors and designers. I became friends with 2011? a lot of them. I’m currently staying in San Fran- Going on tour to South America would be great. cisco, California and happily escaping the cold We have a lot of fans in Brazil now and hopefully weather of NYC. This is my first #me in Cali and we will get more in Argen#na with help of Fringe the change of the coast definitely influenced my Indie Magazine:-)Recording, singing and making inspira#on sources. SF is more slow paced and more music are my biggest plans. stress free city compare to NYC. I’m prac#cing and teaching yoga, medita#ng and working on some yoga music. - How would you describe the process of crea#ng your record en#tled “lana mir”? I had such a great #me recording the album. If I could record every single day I would. My debut self-#tled album Lana Mir was recorded and pro-
(BLOGS)
“THE BLOGGER OF THE MOMENT” Erika Marie
Buenos Aires Flavia Martina (image source: www.fashionchalet.net)
FashionChalet.net is one of the most seen blogs of the net, the reason? Erika Marie (owner and image) rules a unique style and shows in the blog her inspira#ons, the music she listens to and her latest buys. FIM had the chance to talk to this “blogger celebrity” and she told us this: complement your look? Because we believe you signature piece is definitely your long black hair. Thank you. I used to keep it long, all the way down to my waist. A&er two visits to the salon, it’s now only a li!le past my collarbone. I feel more grown up and it’s a lot easier to dress around lowermaintenance hair. I like to play with it, some#mes naturally wavy, some#mes super-straight. De- When did you realize you liked fashion? Since I was a li!le girl, I enjoyed picking out my pends on my look du jour. ;) ou>its, shopping with my Mom and following the trends.. When I was 4 I was hell bent on having - Besides managing your blog, what do you do my own custom fi!ed denim jacket. I also made for living? Does it involve art and crea!vity? I’m a part-#me writer/editor. I also style part-#my own denim bag. me. I would love to work for a Fashion magazine someday doing one or the other; even both. Co- How would you define your style? vering Fashion Week would be one of the many Feminine with an edge. perks... as well as learning, evolving and sharing - To know you a li$le bit more, who are your fas- with others who are as passionate on the subject as I am myself. hion references and icons? Audrey Hepburn, the Olsen sisters, Alexa Chung, - This is our FIM obligatory ques!on: Do you foOlivia Palermo and Old Hollywood. llow trends or try to build them yourself? - We can see through your ou%its that your A mix of both, I guess. I wear what I like whether wardrobe has a bunch of black, greys and whi- millions are wearing it or not. It’s about what te, what advise would you give on how to style compliments you personally. them and give them a modern twist? Add funky footwear, throw on a bright bag or layer - Favourite place to shop? on the jewelry (moderately, of course) and wear Forever 21 and H&M are my haunts. I shop by everything with a smile. If you feel good, you will what catches my eye first. Online I frequent Barneys New York and Saks. I love to shop a li!le too look good. much. Some#mes window shopping can be great - What importance do you give to your hair to for inspira#on as well. - When did you decided to start your blog and how was the process? I wanted a place to post pictures of what I like to wear and what inspires me in fashion. I saw others making sites on blogger and soon started my own.
- What was the last thing you’ve bought? Shoes, I’m sure. ;) - What is your best kept secret in fashion (that you can reveal to our readers)? Size doesn’t ma!er, it’s the fit. - What other blogs do you recommend us and who would you like to be the next “blogger of the moment”? I love Li!le Plas#c Horses and Fashion Gone Rogue. French Fros#ng has an amazing mix of food and fashion as well, two favorites of mine.