Category Archives: Uncategorized

By Natology

As humans we’ve spent the majority of our existence looking for answers; and although things got a little convoluted along the way I think they’re starting to get untangled. I recently watched the Quantum Communications documentary by James Law and David B Sereda, and thought I’d pass it along. Although this isn’t what I usually write about, I think there’s some pretty powerful stuff here that we should all know about, or at least have the option to know about. It provides a scientific breakdown of our place in the universe and the power of the heart and mind. It’s about two-and-a-half hours long, but totally worth every second. Enjoy.

TRAILER:

FULL FEATURE (BOOTLEG):

We’re on this adventure together,
Natology

By Natology

As we continue on this adventure through the evolution of thought, we see the importance of language and finding a distinct voice. That is because the dialogue that is happening right now is writing about a particular time in history. I am continually awed by my friends and how they are participating in this conversation. Speaking of which, my homie Kiki Valdes has developed a new language that merges expressionist art and contemporary culture.

The Valdaziacs presented by Michael Margulies Artist Agency is a solo exhibition about human complexities, layers, and process as told by cats like Ren & Stimpy. Kiki uses 90s cartoon references to create an air of nostalgia that is a point of familiarity amidst an abstract story. His paintings are presented as a study that’s curated to show the process and evolution of thought. Basic shapes and curves hold it down on consistency while the paintings reflect complete and incomplete thoughts. Despite the layering and delayering of ideas, the work comes from a radically humble perspective that allows it to reach a wide audience. Excited to see where this whole thing will go, I have a feeling it’s going to be pretty big. If you’re in Miami, you have until May 9th to check out his show in the Design District at 101 Exhibit Gallery.

In the late 70s and early 80s, the disco craze and emergence of contemporary club culture manifested itself in the Omni Hotel just north of Downtown Miami. The name of the party was Scaramouche, hosted by local legend Bo Crane and commandeered by resident DJ, Joe Lenders. This members only affair hosted some of the biggest names in the disco scene and set the pace for Miami nightlife as a clubland mecca.

With a firm grasp on the roots of dance music and its legacy, along with a keen sense for emerging talent, Nightdrive Miami is bringing back the spirit of the discotheque. As a monthly bash at Miami’s premier dance club The Vagabond, Scaramouche will host the world’s freshest rhythms from the best in contemporary disco and house music. Sponsored by South Florida Ford, Scaramouche is the first music installment of the Fordistas movement, a platform of expression and growth for emerging local artists.

To kick off this inaugural event, New York City’s live disco quartet Midnight Magic will headline supported by a debut live DJ set by emerging Miami producers Dude Skywalker. The event will also be the official launch of Dude Skywalker’s Feel Good EP, presented by Nightdrive Miami and South Florida Ford, featuring a local all-star selection of remixes by Lazaro Casanova, Panic Bomber, RZZLR, CHALK., and Benedikt Hammer. Also performing will be local DJs and disco connoisseurs Laura of Miami, Patrick Walsh, Ess & Emm, and Stravinsky.

For party info and to download Dude Skywalker’s Feel Good EP, visit Fordistas.com

By Natology

Will is more being than human. He understands life a little differently than most people, which gives him a point of view for a story worth telling. There’s a deep connection to nature and mother earth, alongside technology as his form of expression. William Ismael, also known as WILLPOWER, is an LA artist who documents his lifestyle through coding, programing, design, music, and projection. Will’s recent body of work consists of fully immersive and interactive installations based on movement and sound. He converts spaces into living worlds where pixels meet sacred geometry and pictures are painted through his audience and their moves.

His lifestyle embodies that of a bodhisattva in the twenty first century. A well dressed vagabond with a raw vegan diet based on hyperlocal produce. Will describes himself as an Urban Warrior, which he defines as someone living in an urban environment that is conscious of pollutants and takes action to enhance their mental, physical, and spiritual health. There’s a lot of layers to WILLPOWER, most of which I’m still discovering and I’m happy to be on that adventure. WILLPOWER is one of the first artists I’m showing for my new position as curator for Product/81 Gallery in Wynwood Miami. Please stop by this Saturday April 13th from 7pm-10pm for the opening of Fordista XI: Color Warriors, where WILLPOWER takes you on a visual journey through the mind of a child with Autism.

By John Hood

It might be cliche to say cliches are cliches for a reason, but don’t think for a moment that means every reason is itself a cliche. Take Jimbo’s Shrimp Shack (aka Jimbo’s Place), which could well have been created to fit the phrase “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”. Same goes for the joint’s proprietor, one James “Jimbo” Luznar. Thing is, in this case “they” didn’t make anything; unless you count making way for Jimbo to be Jimbo. Lucky for us all that “they” did so too, because there’s no way Miami would ever have become such a kaleidoscopic metropolis were it not for the man and his eponymous place in the sun.

Continue reading →

 By John Hood

All Photos Kaitlin Parry aka Shoot People

The bash had South Beach throwback written all over it. But its dash was as up-to-the-minute as tomorrow-makers get.

There was the blast of SMAC’s Home Cookin’ back when the go-to was Groove Jet and the lads all lept with Hollertronix, the rage that gave NFA its day and age when the spill was all Liquid and the stage succumbed to Schoolly D, and the polyglot bop which put the snap-crackle-pop in spots such as Shabeen (when Chris Blackwell was still lurking about) and Stephen Talkhouse (when Yellowman night run into Mario Bauza).

Continue reading →

By Natology

By definition Wayward is the way of the traveler; the one that’s in it for the adventure. Destination is a relative space and in this particular story it’s a bifocal path made for riders. Motorcycle riders that is. Wayward is a menswear collection developed by Los Angeles designer and motorist, Sam Adegoke. It’s a collection made from a sharp style influenced by a lineage of West African tailors, the edge of a well traveled gentleman, and the consciousness of a rider. In other words, it’s a premium line of denim and leather designed to keep our dapper riders safe. Not mad at that. My vote is on enhancing the safety and lifespan of well-dressed men.

Sam’s vision is two-fold. Alongside Wayward is the Helmet Project, a non-profit that focuses on improving rider safety in developing countries. The Helmet Project will launch in West Africa this year, bringing education, equipment, and advocacy to Liberia. His first destination is as calculated as the abrasion resistant lining of his garments. Transitioning from the end of a civil war in 2003, Liberia is in the hands of the first female black president and is well on its way towards rebuilding a nation that could very well shape a continent. There is an intrinsic camaraderie amongst riders and Sam is building a movement that connects across the socio-economic spectrum. I’ll be writing a lot more about Wayward, the Helmet Project, and a Natology collaboration in the months to come. In the meantime, here are shots fromWayward’s launch at ConceptLA.

By Yuri Tuma

What is the philosophy behind a “concept store?” After speaking with Alessandra Gold, a Miami fashion designer from Brazil and owner of Alessandra Gold Concept Store, the answer became very clear and business forward.

Continue reading →

By Natology

Speaking of lone rangers wearing cowboy hats in rugged landscapes shot vertically, the Richard Prince exhibition reminded me a lot of my friend David Tamargo’s Urban Hunter. David and I went to school together, and I will forever be a fan of the way this guy can shoot a landscape. Long exposures, Leica 35mm film, color and dark rooms made David the artist he is today. I’m happy to see such a strong correlation between his recent work and that of Prince’s. Not that it surprises me, but it’s always inspiring to see these types of connections. They’ve got their finger on the pulse of something, and I think David’s got a good story to tell.

Urban Hunting is the bigger picture, it focuses on creating and documenting situational fantasy where Tamargo and his characters hunt/interact with man-made animal sculptures found in urban environments. The Urban Hunter, which he developed two years ago for an Art Basel solo exhibition with Fordistas and Product81,  focuses on the main character of the story. He’s shot vertically and almost identical in composition as Richard Prince’s Cowboys. There’s an interesting similarity between the two, including an element that inspires fashion.  If friends are a reflection of who we are and how we think, then I couldn’t be more honored to be a friend and a fan. I’ll leave you with his perspective on Urban Hunting and a taste of his work. Pay attention to the composition, lighting, color and saturation in his night shots. There’s a whole lot of magic happening in there.