“It is American mythology—Westerns are our Greek mythology,” says Joey Grossfield, director, writer and producer of “Lighting In The Hand,” an independent film currently seeking financing on Kickstarter. Taking a turn in a different direction than…
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by Adam Štěch Komfort Magazine was founded in 2008 by an industrious group of Czech creatives, including typographer Radek Sidun, graphic designers Olga Benešová and Robert V. Novák, editor and writer Pavel Turek and director Tomáš…
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Our visit to London’s discerning indie station and its musical marauders
Operating out of a tiny hut in the center of Dalston is NTS Radio, now one of London’s most influential pirate radio stations. Founded just over a year ago by locals Femi Adeyemi and Clair Urbahn, the station provides a daily range of unfiltered content by a host of…
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The bizarre new short from director Frank Sisti Jr. and Kid America Club explores the transformation of adulthood
Looking at emerging film work these days, some may argue that the accessibility of tools seems to make would-be filmmakers think they don’t actually have to be creative. That’s far from the case with “Stuff” a new short by director Frank Sisti Jr., proving inspired (and resourceful) filmmaking is alive and well.
From Mathew Cerletty, the artist behind the portrait of the film’s supporting character, to cult actor Kevin Corrigan of “Superbad” fame, Sisti leveraged some heavyweight talent to help bring his kooky vision to life. A natural extension of the mayhem and bizarro comedy typical of Frankie’s Apartment, and Kid America Club, the film showcases some strong acting and truly enjoyable moments.
The central character Felix (played by Corrigan), has led a relatively reclusive life. His isolation began as a child upon meeting Stuff, his colorful and monstrous imaginary friend. Now 35, Felix maintains a mundane existence, caring for his curmudgeonly drunkard of a father, hanging out with Stuff working on grandiose projects and silently obsessing over the attractive cashier at the neighborhood bakery (played by Cara Buono). Based in the New York City borough of Queens, the film does an excellent job of bringing the character of the area out through the actors, Sisti and crew establishing the perfect setting for a story of adult transformation.
Stuff provides a superb entrance into short film. Witty, driven and relatable, the film features some excellent visuals which, when combined with the grade-A performances, produce a piece that carries the thoughtful narrative with charm.
Tran Anh Hung’s latest film takes a beautiful look at loss, love, sex and death
In a tale of passion, pain and friendship, the film Norwegian Wood explores deep-seated themes of loss and sexuality. Based on the book of the same title, the film takes place amid the civil turmoil of 1960s Japan, following the story of three young lovers whose paths cross in a tangle of past personal history and future potential. The central character Watanabe, played by Kenichi Matsuyama, is torn between two women—one of whom he is bound to by the suicide of their mutual childhood friend. The resulting emotional distress leads to a tumultuous relationship marred by separation, loss and, ultimately, by death. Directed by Tran Anh Hung, the film probes deep into the young-adult psyche, confronting common difficulties that are born from the transition into adulthood.
Filmed on location in Japan, the cultural and geographical elements of the country play out strongly in the film’s visual narrative. The outstanding imagery enhances the poetic nature of the story, the beautifully composed shots teasing at the isolation characters encounter as they try and relate to one another. While the screenplay communicates the story effectively, the cinematography is the shining star of the film, cementing the various elements together into compelling film. The actors’ fantastic performances bring the characters to life and draw the audience deep into the story.
The sexually charged film also explores how passion, lust and attraction fit into already complicated relationships, but portrays sex differently than what is common in Western cinema. The sexual interactions of the characters lack any moments of over-the-top uncontrollable passion, and there is no effort to create an atmosphere of animal lust, resulting in a more natural and sincere story.
Though somewhat slow at times, overall, the film marks an excellent exploration of the suffering that comes with love. The film opens 6 January 2012 at the IFC Center in New York City.
A petite guide to NYC’s secret “deep” history
Relatively innocuous and informative guidebooks exist for nearly every city on Earth. Generally alike in form and function, a good one tends to be a necessity in a foreign land but they rarely offer unique insight or dynamic perspectives. The new project from Smudge Studio and Friends of the Pleistocene literally goes deeper into one of the world’s most complex cities in a fresh way. Geologic City: A Field Guide to the Geoarchitecture of New York explains what may not be obvious about the Big Apple’s roots, going nearly back to the Big Bang.
Focusing on 20 different sites throughout the five boroughs, the guide explains various connections to geological history—from taxi paint to the sandstone and limestone walls protecting the Federal Reserve Bank’s stash of supernova-born gold. Another favorite fact is about the stone from Indiana adorning Rockefeller Center formed out of 340-million-year-old aquatic fossils.
The book is filled with a lot of interesting—and for the layman relatively obscure—information that gives the reader a new lens through which to view the urban landscape. In an age where human’s impact on the globe rivals that of massive geological forces (except at a much faster rate), it’s fascinating to examine the results of unimaginable swaths of time as they fit into and shape our surroundings. The book is available for pre-order, shipping 9 September 2011.
Seven independent jewelers inspired by geometry
Sacred underlying principle of the universe or Modernist design statement, geometric-inspired jewelry makes for a good look. The following seven examples of Cartesian jewelry by independent designers perfectly add a literal edge for men and women alike.
For an unusual—even slightly eccentric—take on accessories look to RillRill of Portland, Oregon. Each one-of-a-kind piece demands attention with gypsy-esque chain designs of delicate mixed metals. The slave bracelet wraps around the middle finger and comes in several variations, including one made of copper and miniature arrowhead charms, while the silver and gold body chain garter fastens with a hidden elastic band for freedom of movement. RillRill’s creative stylings are available directly through Etsy where they sell between $35-80.
These unconventional triangle hoop cufflinks subtly add a modern accent to any French cuff. Forged of sterling silver and plated with black gold, these clever cufflinks sell through 360cufflink’s Etsy page for $75, also available in white gold.
Sometimes the simpler an idea, the better. Case in point, the brass bar earrings from threedeluxe. Measuring only 3/4 inch in length, each pair of raw brass earrings is small but powerful, made to order in San Francisco. Pick up a pair from Etsy for the modest price of $22.
Large porcelain beads threaded on a sterling silver chain make this statement piece worthy of every eye in the room. The facet ball necklace is made by hand in Australia and available in multiple different sizes and colors. Contact Dani M directly for more information about her playful porcelain wares.
Brooklyn-based design team Loyalty and Blood make a variety of creative necklaces, rings, and earrings inspired by basic forms and a DIY aesthetic. The flat triangles necklace is a pleasing take on the concept of repetition. Made of brass, the 20″ necklace goes for $49 from their online shop.
The cutest of the bunch, Stone & Honey’s tiny triangle ring is made of oxidized sterling silver with brass. Due to this oxidation process, each ring will develop its own unique patina over time, adding a little detail to the simplistic design. At just $20 each, the ring is perfect for wearing stacked or as one alone. You can find the tiny ring in their online store.
Less is more with the beautiful negative space circle tie bar. The elegant piece is constructed of highly-polished sterling silver and handmade in Israel. Head to Erga’s Etsy page to purchase the ideal piece of understated style for $52.
An interview with Miami’s champion of independent film
Speeding through Miami in a 1992 Toyota Corolla after midnight is just another day on the job for mastermind and self-proclaimed “Minister of The Interior” of the Borscht Film Festival Lucas Leyva. Leaving his own after party, the head of the city’s premier independent film event was on a mission for Miami’s rapper-turned-mayoral candidate, Unkle Luke Campbell, who told Leyva that he wouldn’t go onstage without three bikini-clad women to back him up—totally normal for a festival the Miami New Times calls “a wildly creative three-week event akin to Sundance on psychotropic mushrooms.”
Semi-nude performances aside, the films included works by award-winning director and Miami native Barry Jenkins, up-and-coming sketch comedy dynamo Duncan Skiles and recent Guggenheim Video Biennale winner Jillian Mayer, who collaborated with indie powerhouse directors Rakontur Films. (“La Pageant Diva” pictured above.) In a city of excess, Leyva’s unassuming disposition and generosity have made him an unlikely candidate for an independent cinema impresario, but his efforts prove that the 305 area code isn’t always synonymous with South Beach debauchery.
We sat down with Leyva to learn more about the independent film festival and his role in making it all happen.
All of them. I was really involved in “Play Dead” from the concept stage throughout, but I had a hand in every film screened.
It wouldn’t have been possible without grants, like the one from the Knight Foundation or the support of individuals who really understand the cause. In Miami, until recently, people didn’t get it. They liked watching movies, but for people to invest in Miami cinema, they would expect to see Michael Bay films or “Burn Notice” type of stories. There’s been a huge brain-drain here and because of that typically really talented film makers from Miami have left to L.A. or New York as soon as they had the opportunity.
This is the seventh year. Borscht was really started in high school, when a group of my friends and I wanted to make movies, but needed a place to show them. Since then it has grown by leaps and bounds, and become a launching pad for Miami artists to show their work at festivals around the world, including Cannes, Sundance and South by Southwest.
NYC’s art book fair returns for its fifth year with an exciting lineup of events and books
The fifth-annual NY Art Book Fair is around the corner, and organizer Printed Matter (NYC’s premiere art bookstore) have put together an exciting lineup of readings, signings, limited editions and more from an intriguing cadre of artists and international presses. The world’s biggest art book fair, the three-day-long events at MoMA PS1 showcase some of the brightest minds in contemporary publishing.
Highlights include artist Leidy Churchman‘s lobby installation—a massive set of facsimile book paintings on wood that depict “artists’ publications from the last hundred years”—as well as a special gallery project from San Francisco’s Goteblüd zine shop, which will present an exhibit of more than 600 Riot Grrrl zines.
As a media sponsor for the fair, stay tuned to Cool Hunting for information or check out Printed Matter’s website. NY Art Book Fair runs from 5-7 November 2010 at PS1. See additional images from the 2009 fair in the gallery below.
A grassroots art campaign takes an exhibit of hidden America on the road
In an effort to highlight artists from five U.S. cities not typically considered artistic hotbeds, the People’s Biennial features the work of 36 artists from Portland, OR; Rapid City, SD; Winston-Salem, NC; Scottsdale, AZ and Haverford, PA. Presented by non-profit organization Independent Curators International and curated by Harrell Fletcher (of Learning to Love You More fame) and Jens Hoffmann, the traveling exhibition unites overlooked and undiscovered artists alike for a realistic portrait of creativity in America.
The grassroots art campaign features an array of works spanning photographic documentation of military life in the heartland, video installations of biological activity in urban ecosystems to complex marble-like statues created out of soap bars. Artists were selected through the democratic process of open-calls and events during the past year, where the curators hand-selected the body of work currently on display.
The exhibit will travel through each of the five communities, stopping first in Portland, OR where it will reside at the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art until 17 Oct 2010. From there, the exhibit will continue to travel around the U.S. through 2 March 2012.
For more information including the exhibition schedule, visit the People’s Biennial website.
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