Category Archives: Art

Musings, interviews with artists, and news in the art world.

The American Reader

Reader Logo

The American Reader, is a monthly subscription-only literary “reader” of fiction, poetry, translation and criticism. TAR “is dedicated to reestablishing the role of literary discourse in the conversations of members of Generation Y.” It was created in response to our culture’s current literary terrain. The young editors make sure TAR is witty, edgy, and current while remaining erudite.

The New York Times ran a feature on Uzoamaka Maduka, the Princeton graduate who created TAR, and described what she started as “proof that even in this iPhone age, some paper-based dreams have not died: bright young things, it seems, are still coming to New York, smoking too much and starting perfect-bound literary journals.”

We spoke to Arielle Patrick (Director of Publicity, at The American Reader) about her views on reading in our generation.

[Y&P] What do you want readers of The American Reader to take away from the publication?
[Arielle Patrick] I want people to stop saying that young people don’t read in print anymore. We do. But print reading has its own place in our routine. Many people wonder why a group of young, plugged-in intellectuals would consider launching a print publication in a digital era. We know our generation thirsts for content immediately, and we fill that need with our website. I’m especially proud of our partnership with Salon magazine. Check out some of our hottest on-line content here at Salon.com: http://www.salon.com/topic/the_american_reader

screen-shot-2013-03-21-at-1-01-15-pm

What NYC literary figure, past or present, do you admire?
Uzoamaka Maduka, our founder and editor-in-chief. She is a rare find– brilliant, versatile, and a joy as a publicity client. One minute she’s dripping in diamonds in Town & Country…another minute she’s deeply discussing our generation’s relationship with literature on Monocle radio.
Which do you prefer: Kindle, iBooks, Nooks, or books?
Books. I like the visceral experience of reading. I barely know how to use my iPhone and don’t own a tablet.

 

 

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.

 

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?

Westeros Comes to New York: HBO’s Game of Thrones Exhibit

IMG_0113

This Sunday, Game of Thrones (the best show on television) returns to HBO at 9:00. Adapted from the novels by George R.R. Martin, if you the epic fantasy series set new standards for unpredictability during it’s first two seasons, just wait until you see what this season has in store for you.

To celebrate the third season’s premiere, HBO created a touring exhibition featuring actual costumes and props from the show. The exhibition opened in New York on March 28th and will be open until April 3rd. If you get the chance head over to 3 W. 57th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenue)​ to check it out. If not, we got you covered. Check out the pics below.