Posts Tagged ‘Megan Martin’
WC Gallery: Daniel Arnold
Words by Megan Martin “It was the straying that found the path direct.” — Austin Osman Spare On a warm evening in early summer, nearly three years ago, I went to a bar-turned-gallery in the Lower East Side to see a photo exhibition. I was there to see the work of Daniel Arnold. He only had a couple prints up, stuck to the wall in a back corner: Black-and-white, quiet observations of life. Still, they managed to stand out among the noise at the bar. On my way out I saw a roster of [...]
Cosmic Surgery
Words by Megan Martin London-based artist Alma Haser’s work requires much more than a first or even second glance. What initially looks to be a family portrait or school-day snapshot is actually something quite different. Haser’s portraiture is a blend of new and old technique — the lighting, the colors, the gazing subjects that leave you with a feeling of slight discomfort. For Haser, that’s the intent. “I don’t want the viewer to come to one conclusion,” says Haser on the [...]
Darkness and Light
Illustration by Erin Cullinane Words by Megan Martin From the four upper corners of a small, four-cornered room Rested a thin, quiet Darkness. With curtains drawn Light seeped through a sliver of uncovered glass on a windowpane. Pain, thick in its despondence, Black in its shade, Occupied this perfectly square space and sat squat Unmoving Welcomed by its hostess She slept Deeply and soundly, Escaping into dreams that escaped into nightmares Filled with faceless intruders Halls [...]
RECRUIT
Words by Megan Martin Tomoko Sawada continues to turn perception on its side. Viewing Sawada’s work is an existential journey through self-expression, literally. Her portraits capture a number of subjects: Ganguro, kogal, grocer, aspiring recruit. However, they all have one thing in common – they are all her. Though she has drawn comparisons to artists like Nikki S. Lee and Cindy Sherman (both well-known for conceptual photography and self-portraiture), Sawada is not a woman under [...]
Mono No Aware
Photography by Lucas Millard Words by Megan Martin In the film world, the concept of time – and the deconstruction of it – is an artistic opportunity. While in reality, we view it as something inevitable, uncontrollable even, in motion pictures it is something to manipulate. Slow it down, speed it up, maybe even force it to stand still. Steve Cossman approaches his work with this philosophy in mind. It led him to one of his most notable projects, Mono No Aware, a film festival [...]
New York: 1968 – 1978
Words by Megan Martin In one of Paul McDonough’s black and white photographs, a priest is walking down the streets of New York City next to a beautiful woman; he is wearing dark shades and a cool, carefree expression as they both gaze curiously into the lens. Sunlight glows in the background, highlighting that this shot, among others, is the manifestation of Manhattan’s past. A Shirley MacLaine poster is plastered on the side of a building and behind the crowds is a sign for Woolworth's, [...]
How to Live (and Love) Free in NYC
Words by Megan Martin Photograph by Matt Winch New York is one of those places where “making it” is more like figuring out how to get all the hook-ups without any of the bills. Some of the most successful New Yorkers I know are always at the party where you never have to take out your wallet; maybe that’s why they’re so rich? After five years of residing in this city, I feel like I finally have enough of a network to get by on the cheap for as long as I need to, and sometimes [...]
Old School Bohemians
Words by Megan Martin Check out these Old School Bohemians and see why we love them. ALLEN GINSBERG NAME: Irwin Allen Ginsberg OCCUPATION: Poet, writer HOMETOWN: Newark, New Jersey YEARS IN NEW YORK: 30+, Ginsberg moved to New York to attend Columbia University on scholarship. KNOWN IN NEW YORK BECAUSE…: He was one of the original members of the New York beats, writing poetry and living a truly bohemian lifestyle while exploring the opportunity of living alternatively [...]
I Heart Heartland
Words by Megan Martin Photograph by Michael Lanzano The commute out of the city was quite simple, hop on a couple of trains through a couple of stops and some beautiful scenery. Then there was the hike through a long windy highway across a rural town in upstate New York, and the nice, young man who stopped to pick us up and drove us to our destination. The journey was well worth it. Sometimes after being surrounded by city and all it has to offer – all you want to do is get out. The [...]
Summer of Love
Photography by Marcel Dagenais Words by Megan Martin This photo was taken on one of the first hot days of summer. By hot I mean sticky hot, where you can see the thickness of the air and walking becomes more like wading. A beach trip with Marcel turned into a miniature triathalon. We rode to the train on a BMX and a beach cruiser then lugged said vehicles to the F train and out to Coney Island. But we didn’t stop there. The mission was Fort Tilden. After riding for what felt like quite [...]
Ninjasonik are Tight Ass Pant Wearin’ N@!#%s… and they’re lovin’ it.
Words by Megan Martin It’s yet another cold, breezy night in Brooklyn when I arrive at a non-descript door on Bayard Street near McCarren Park. A friendly guy in a leather coat shuffles me in the hallway to a club called The Shank, noting the Baltic winds. Once inside I find a couple guys lingering around the turntables near the stage. Jah Jah and Telli Gramz of Ninjasonik are sipping on cans of Miller Lite and cracking jokes – nothing too new. This up-and-coming rap-rock band [...]
Hangin’ with The Two Tears
Words by Megan Martin With all things creative, it’s never a one-step process. You’ve slaved to get that final product – that killer song, that awe-enhancing painting, that perfectly crafted suit jacket, that all-informing editorial. It’s ready, but people still don’t know about it. Enter in step two, getting it out there, which us artistic types aren’t quite as masterful at. But promotion, like any art project, can often start with scissors, tape, glue sticks and ideas. [...]
Alison Blickle
Words by Megan Martin Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, Alison Blickle is bringing a new spin to the art world. Her caricaturistic style of painting represents women in various natural surroundings. Her inspirations represent the juxtaposition of mystical and holistic spiritualism and the skepticism of those beliefs. “My family is full of eccentrics. A chat on the phone may involve topics like shamanism, animal guides, wicca, tree-sitting, contacting spirits, divination, [...]
House Guest
Words by Megan Martin Illustration by Clay Rodery Lydia woke up to the smell of burnt coffee and greasy hash browns. It had been a long night. Her arm was sore from sleeping on it and her head was spinning. She looked up as a disgruntled McDonald’s employee nudged her with a soggy mop. This must be what it’s like to be homeless. She unwrinkled the coat she was using as a pillow and threw it on, pulled the hood over her head, and stumbled out the door (SO YOU DON’T USE [...]
WC Gallery: Shag
Words by Megan Martin New York could very well be one of the most voyeuristic places on the planet. It’s also a wonderland for exhibitionists. Nothing is private. Our phone conversations, our commutes to work, our interactions with lovers and friends, are all played out on the sidewalks of the city. It’s a community of glass houses, and we’re all throwing stones. However unique New Yorkers are, it seems voyeurism is a universal feeling. Traveling from that little West Coastal [...]
WC Gallery: Tod Seelie
Words by Megan Martin I first came across Tod Seelie when I was browsing the internet and found a photograph of a car lit on fire. The title above it read Slow Dancing to Slayer. It was a simple flyer for a small show at an even smaller gallery in Williamsburg, but its message was loud and clear. Wedged between a great Polish grocery store and the hipster hangout “The Lodge” was Seelie’s solo photo show at Cinder’s Gallery. His photographs need no introductions or explanations, [...]
GERIATRIC ROCK GODS
Words by Megan Martin When presented with the question of, is there an Aerosmith of our generation—not because they are a brilliant band, but because it’s brilliant that they’ve lasted so long—I immediately start thinking about other musicians who are geriatric rock gods. First off, The Rolling Stones. Obviously. At 65, Keith Richards has etched his rock-and-roll cred permanently into our brains, and his own. I still see the NY Post headline: “Keith Richards Snorts [...]
Portrait of a Lipstick Queen
Words by Megan Martin as told by Michael Angelo A Day in Wonderland Czecholosavakian supermodel Veronica Varekova sat, as she had several times before, amid sparkling chandeliers and glass vanities peering at her reflection. Blue streamers hung from the ceilings and pop music played overhead. She was at the beauty parlor, a tradition women have embraced since the beginning of time. A place where gossip and compliments are exchanged and where a woman can walk in feeling one way and walk [...]
Guiding Your Band’s Political Agenda
Words by Ian MacKaye Intro and Interview by Megan Martin There’s something inherently linked between music and politics. They are two juxtaposing worlds living in a parallel universe causing the sound and the fury. A rallied call for energy, for change, for excitement, fists pumping in the air chanting for a chorus or a cause. Music, for obvious reasons, has been the voice of the people who have little voice – the message for the poor, struggling, and working class. On the flip side, [...]
The Date Farmers
Words by Megan Martin In junior high there were these handball courts. They were in the very back of the play yard, past the field where we ran the mile and beyond the locker rooms where we discovered our insecurities. The handball courts were about 20 feet high and divided up into three sections on both sides. For a teenager looking to escape the penalties of rebellion, it was the most seclusion you could ask for. Needless to say, these handball courts became synonymous with all the best [...]
Serpico
Photography by Tom Winchester Styled by Brianna Lance Hair by Marcel Dagenais Makeup by Susie Sobol Vintage Denim: Shenan Vest, Lips Jeans Jewelry: Kathryn Bentley Production Asst: Megan Martin, Clay Rodery Models: Micah Chartrand, Amy Hixson, Kimanee Wilson, Shawn Sutton, Jason Heiber Special Thanks to Wonderland Beauty Parlor
Don’t Stand So Close To Me
Words by Megan Martin If you live in New York, you ride the subways, and if you ride the subways, there’s a few things you should know… They’re inconsistent. They’re always late. They slam the doors on you just when you think you’ve caught them. They’re loud when you have a headache and empty when you feel alone. And what about that asshole standing in the doorway when you’re trying to get off? They’re crowded, suffocating, overwhelming, irritating. In lieu of the me [...]
WE HEART LAUREN FLAX
Words by Megan Martin This is Lauren Flax. She’s small and smiley. She’s got dark hair that falls over her eyes and it sticks to her forehead in the New York summer humidity. “You’re catching me at a funny time .” She giggles, “After being in Europe DJing for a month, my eyes have been opened…” City life has been good to Flax, she’s established a credibility and a huge following in the New York party scene, as well as in Chicago and parts of Europe. And somehow, [...]
Rock and Roll Mondays
Photography by Jay Slack Styled by Danielle White Hair by Marcel Dagenais Makeup by Candelaria Micheo Models: Drew Adams Megan Martin Rebecca Ohlson Wendy Rodewald Ryan Spoto Trevor Wade Danielle White