Category Archives: Lifestyle

This section is dedicated to everything that inspires a Y&P lifestyle.

Top 13 of 2013: Mac Bishop of Native(X)

Little Wound

Little Wound, Patrick Dean Hubbell

Mac Bishop, CEO of Native(X), is no stranger to Native art.  Growing up in Oregon, Mac was exposed to Native culture and community at an early age. Bishop told Y&P, “my Grandpa collected Native artwork and I can remember admiring the intricate designs as a young boy. My family also runs a business [Pendleton] that has worked with tribes for over 100 years making trade blankets for ceremonies and rituals. My dad’s Umatilla tribe name is Tsitskaneewushuthla, meaning ‘One who rides with blankets.’”

Bishop went on to tell us, “Native artists and designers are underrepresented and under-acknowledged in today’s fashion and art industry,” and it was his desire to change the industry’s view and create awareness of Native arts. This led to the creation of Native(X).

Chip Off the Block

Chip Off the Block, Jaque Fragua

Native(X) works with Native American artists to tell their stories and market their designs. Buying art and other items through Native(X) helps support not only the artists and the concept of the company, but also helps fund art classes for children on reservations.

Y&P chose to feature Mac Bishop in our Top 13 of 2013 list because of his entrepreneurial abilities that go beyond self-interest. Bishop has created a platform for talented artists to get recognition and fund aspiring artists to have access to the education needed to continue their success.

Enjoy our interview with Mac Bishop below, and be sure to visit Native(X).

[Y&P] What was the biggest challenge starting Native(X)?
[Mac Bishop] Earning the respect of the Native community was and still is challenging. Anywhere I go, I received with a bit of skepticism and rightly so, given the recent historical injustices. That doubt is overcome when I show what I’ve accomplished and explain my goals.

Lifestyle, Troy Whitehorne

Lifestyle, Troy Whitehorne

When you first started out, you received some negative feedback about not being a Native and thus are “exploiting indigenous culture for financial gain.” How do you perceive this view? Do you think a person has to be “part of the group” to ignite a movement?
I listened and took time to understand the concerns. Social media acts like a system of checks and balances–if the Native community doesn’t like what I’m doing, they’ll let it be known. It’s amazing what the community has been able to do with recent Paul Frank, Urban Outfitters, and Victoria Secret controversies. Caleb Dunlap originally questioned my intentions three years ago. Since then we’ve developed a great friendship and I see him as an adviser.

What are your favorite styles of Native art?
I first started working with traditional NW coast artist who make “totem style” prints. Being from the NW, this was the first Native art style I was attracted to. I then went to the Santa Fe Indian Market and it opened my eyes to different regional styles. The diversity in color, medium, and inspiration is pretty incredible. I’m working with a lot of contemporary artists from the SW right now.

Red and Yellow, Patrick Dean Hubbell

Red and Yellow, Patrick Dean Hubbell

What are you looking forward to this spring?
Planning a road trip to the Chickasaw Nation, Alaska, Santa Fe, and then back up to the Umatilla Reservation! I’m hoping to connect with artists and designers across the nation. Also, want to explore the country.

To those visiting Portland, OR…what is a must-see?
The Columbia River Gorge. Rent a car and drive! And then get out and hike.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Always order a burrito bowl with tortilla on the side at Chipotle if you are going for volume it is probably number one. Number two is surround yourself with people that give you happiness and make you a better person.

 

Bike in Style: Eleanor’s Bikes

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Biking has always been a speedy, green way to get around NYC. Now, with the start of Citi Bike
 New Yorkers will have much more of an incentive to pedal up and down the avenues. Don’t worry, you won’t have to wear your sweats, Eleanor’s NYC has you covered with their stylish biking apparel and accessories. Be sure to check out their site and read our quick interview on biking.

Q: What are a couple bike rides/routes you would recommend to New Yorkers who don’t usually bike in the city?
A: I would definitely recommend a ride on Governor’s Island for a picnic with friends.  You can take the ferry over with your bike in tow, and the island is a great car-free spot to take in beautiful views of the city.  The Island has an interesting history but because it’s a bit off the beaten path not too many New Yorkers have taken advantage of this hidden gem.

Q: What is the hot accessory for bikers this spring and summer?
A: We’d probably have to go with these bicycle baskets by House of Talents.  They’re beautiful, one-of-a-kind baskets, handmade in Ghana.  They’re handsome, sturdy, and come in a handful of colors that are great for spring (we’ve been digging this peacock and red palette lately).  Best of all, the brand provides economic opportunities to its employees and donates a portion of its profits to a scholarship fund.  In sum, looking cute on your bike has never felt so good.

Q: What has been your favorite aspect of Eleanor’s NYC?
A: We have some pretty amazing customers.  Have the opportunity to meet so many amazing women who share our passion for biking and interest in design has been so rewarding.  It turns out that a lot of lady cyclists are pretty discontent with the majority of bike accessories out there; they’re looking fo pieces that say “chic French girl” rather than “Tour de France.”  We love when customers say, “I’m glad you exist.”  It’s also been amazing to curate a collection of our favorite things… all we do is search for and look at beautiful objects.  It doesn’t get much better than that.
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A few Results from Sotheby’s Prints Auction

Here are a few results* from the May 2-3, 2013 Prints auction at Sotheby’s NYC.

*Hammer price with buyer’s premium.

Andy Warhol, 1979, “AFTER THE PARTY”
$20,000

Andy Warhol, 1985, “LIFESAVERS”
$56,250

Richard Diebenkorn, 1986, “GREEN”
$395,000

David Hockney, 1973, “SUN”
Did not sell

Jasper Johns, 1969, “Bread”
$28,125

Claes Oldenburg, 1990, “Profiterole”
$5,938

Review: Iron Man 3

“Phase Two” of Marvel’s movie plans is to focus on personal stories instead of building an interconnected universe. Iron Man 3 is a good example of what we should expect for the big screen outings of our favorite super heroes. SHIELD does not appear and references to other Avengers are almost throwaway lines. The movie is focused squarely on Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and the people who surround him.

 

Iron Man 3 picks up where Avengers left off.  While saving the world with the Avengers, Tony Stark/Iron Man came face to face with his own mortality and is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has bouts with insomnia, is prone to panic attacks, and paranoid to the point where he has a variation of the Iron Man armor guard him when he tries to sleep. Meanwhile, a terrorist known as the Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley) has been launching attacks against America using an untraceable weapon. When one of the Mandarin’s attacks hurts someone close to Tony, he declares war and loses everything only to discover the horrifying secrets behind the attacks.

 

Iron Man 3 gives Robert Downey Jr. the opportunity to explore a side of Tony we haven’t seen: his vulnerable side. Despite the charmingly cocky exterior, Tony is suffering. He’s realized he’s not Superman but a man in a suit of armor, and it frightens him. And Iron Man can’t afford to be frightened. The bruising of his ego causes Tony to make a couple of major mistakes. Yet, despite this emotional baggage he still maintains the “cool under pressure” attitude that makes Iron Man great. Robert Downey Jr. sinks his teeth into this emotional arc and plays the character so naturally that you wonder if he’s acting at all.

 

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts doesn’t get as much screen time in this film, but when she does, she plays a different Pepper then in the previous installments. Tony’s unraveling is causing a rift his relationship with Pepper. She feels locked out of his world and it’s starting to concern her.  Pepper’s story sort of takes a cliché turn in the middle, but there’s a twist at the end that Pepper Potts (and Iron Man fans) will love.

 

Sir Ben Kingsley gets to truly show off his acting chops as the Mandarin. That’s all I can say without spoiling anything.

 

Action wise, a lot of Iron Man 3 takes place outside of the armor. It’s fun having to see Tony Stark rely on his brain rather then his gadgets. It reminds you that beneath the Iron Man armor is a “genius playboy” with a MacGyver like ability to build anything. But, don’t get me wrong there is plenty of Iron Man armor action. A whole army’s worth actually that comes fast and hard. The action scenes are well orchestrated and the CGI armor has a shiny metallic texture to it.

 

Overall, Iron Man 3 is a cocktail mixed with ideas from Marvel’s Extremis storyline by Warren Ellis, The Iron Giant, Batman Begins, and false flag conspiracy theories.  At times it goes down smoothly, at times it burns, but once you’re finished, you’re satisfied. Go see it.

 

P.S. If you liked Iron Man 3 or like Super Hero movies in general, go to your local comic book store on Saturday for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. You get free comics from Marvel and DC. How can you say no to that?

To Boston, With Love

All winter we got carried away
Over on the rooftops, let’s get married
All summer we just hurried
So come over, just be patient, and don’t worry
So come over, just be patient, and don’t worry

So come over, just be patient, and don’t worry
And don’t worry

Try
Try
Try
Try

No I don’t want to battle from beginning to end
I don’t want a cycle of recycled revenge
I don’t want to follow Death and all of his friends

No I don’t want to battle from beginning to end
I don’t want a cycle of recycled revenge
I don’t want to follow Death and all of his friends.

And, in the end, we lie awake, and we dream of making our escape.
And, in the end, we lie awake, and we dream of making our escape.

Y&P Goes to Wrestlemania

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This year WWE brought Wrestlemania 29 to Met Life stadium in New Jersey. While the show was a little predictable, the rabid New York/New Jersey crowd’s enthusiasm made the show a fun experience. Whether rocking out to WWE entrance music during the tailgate, or dueling chants of “Let’s go Cena” against “Cena Sucks,” the fans enjoyed themselves, which in the end is all that matters. To find out what happened and see some birds-eye photos, scroll down.

 

-Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz defeated Wade Barrett to win the Intercontinental Championship.

-The Shield (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose) defeated The Big Show, Sheamus, and Randy Orton.

 

-Mark Henry defeated Ryback.

 

-WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Kane and Daniel Bryan defeated Dolph Ziggler and Big E. Langson w/ AJ Lee to retain the Tag Team Championship.

 

-Fandango defeated Chris Jericho.

 

-World Heavyweight Championship Match: Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez defeated Jack Swagger w/ Zeb Colter to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.

 

-The Undertaker defeated CM Punk to extend his “Undefeated at Wrestlemania” streak to 21-0.

 

-Triple H w/ Shawn Michaels defeated Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman.

 

-WWE Championship Match: John Cena defeated The Rock to win the WWE Championship.