-tell us about your background.

I was born and raised in west Berlin – at that time an island of freedom surrounded by communist East Germany. There was a sense of isolation, but also pride. Overall, it was a comfortable place to be.

During the 80s I got into the skateboarding and graffiti scene inspired by heros like Christian Hosoi, Mike Vallely, Natas Kaupas and Ray Barbee.

My graffiti antics ended abruptly after losing my canvas – and perpetual playground – the Berlin Wall. Of course I maintained an interest in hip hop culture, as well as skateboarding, but found myself getting more and more into snowboarding at that time.

I would travel to the mountains of Switzerland, Austria, what was then Czechoslovakia and France almost every weekend. Later, in the 90s, I started surfing which became my major passion and which I have stuck with ever since.

The path to becoming a photographer came during my time as an editor at Lodown …

-tell us about Lodown times

A few friends of mine came together to create Lodown Magazine in late 96.

My old friend graphic designer Thomas Marecki aka Marok, fresh from his success with the Superlo 8 movie, was the publisher, with Marley Fabisiewicz, Alexander Flach aka Axel Foley, Stefan Batsch aka Skism and a whole bunch of freelance editors and contributors involved.

It was quite a posse.

I’m very proud of what we did: introducing fresh material from street art to bmx, skate and snowboarding, street fashion, graphic design and music.

Shooting legends such as Chad Muska, Arthur Baker, Jazzy Jeff, Babu or the Mighty Crown – summer-camp sessions with the Burton or Volcom team. Adidas/Y3, Nike, Vans, Eastpak, Spiewak… those brands were committed to the project.

Hip Hop was on the speakers. Meeting artists like Kostas Serimetis, Futura 2000, Kaws, Delta and Eric Haze was very cool. It was a lot of fun, a creative time. Lodown was a huge influence and instilled a deep interest in fashion and art.

-tell us about your berlin

Over the years many things have changed and i’m not sure anymore what my Berlin really is or what it has become. Of course I was very into subculture … was having a lot of fun after the wall came down.

East Berlin was a thrilling adventure playground. Very exciting and full of freedom. I have great memories of my time living in Kreuzberg close to the old border.

Berlin is definitely a great place, but I feel more comfortable living in Tokyo now.

-tell us about your tokyo

My Tokyo pretty much consists of Aoyama, Shibuya and Nakameguro. I only make occasional excursions into the rest of the city. It’s so vast.

Those areas represent an amazing concentration of creativity – very stimulating. It feels very cold-hearted sometimes, but the role of “outsider” gives you a fascinating perspective on life.

www.aramdikiciyan.com

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Timothy McGurr AKA 13th Witness shows his film making talents once again, he seems always busy, with this look behind the scenes, exclusive no doubt, of his father, the great Futura, creating a new piece of work, and what looks to be a New Years Holiday Card. Just like Futura, 13th Witness is developing a unique style of his own. I often think about great artists and icons of the past and how their career may have differed had they learnt their trade today, this video, whilst an amazing look at Futura’s amazing skill and vision, is a unique showcase of 2 talents from the same family, just different era’s. Think about it…

Source: BKRW

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Futura gives a very insightful historical account of his early days as a graffiti artist, as well as commentary on the evolution of early street art and graffiti culture (Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring).

As with most conversations and interviews with Lenny, a great deal of information and history behind the New York street art and graffiti culture can be learnt. A very informative interview feature with one of the most influential and charismatic individual in the art world today.

Conducted earlier this year in 2009 during his solo exhibition (Odyssey Two)  in Berlin.

Take a look at the video interview below.

Source: Spine TV

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Iconic street artist Futura and his company Futura Laboratories has teamed up with Japan’s OILWORKS for this interesting music/art box set. Futura has done something in the same vein with Unkle’s Psyence Fiction LP. The box set has illustrated artwork with Futura’s notorious “Point Man” aka Nosferatu as well as OILWORKS signature “oil” face. Inside the box is a pocket tee featuring the tracklist on the back and the oil face on the front as well as a decorated 12-inch EP. The interesting thing about this collaborative piece is I don’t even know if anyone will even play the record to hear the music, would you?

The box set is now available at FL SHOP, limited to 100 pieces.

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Silly Thing is now an established brand name, targeting influencers and the like. Tell us about how the concept came about?
I named the company Silly Thing because when you look at fashion and music and everything from the other side, it’s quite silly to keep chasing for the latest products or the latest tunes. “I need to have this, I need to have that….” and so on. But this is what kept a lot of us carrying on with our lives. In the very beginning we just did whatever we thought was fun. Back then, most of the original members in the team had a real job so the Silly Thing studio was more like a place for all of our friends to hang out. We never really took it as a real business. We just kept printing t-shirts and stickers for our friends. I think it was around the millennium when I decided to turn it into something that really represented us as a business. It could be anything from fashion, music,magazines, art and so on. I wanted to create something that had everything in it. Something that means I don’t have to depend on anybody else. For instance, we’ve created our own line of products and our own magazines that we think really represent us, as well as our generation. From there, we started a new way of business for Hong Kong linking up fashion, magazines, music, art and visuals altogether into one single company.

Over the past few years you’ve been at the forefront of a change within streetwear. Many of those involved in the culture have matured and become more interested in fashion, almost developing a new genre that’s a cross between the two – ‘street fashion’. What’s your take on the developing and maturing world of street fashion?
I’m just doing things that I feel are right for the company. I don’t really think the way I used to anymore, but I believe it’s the right time to develop and establish a new direction for the company that really represents myself and the people working here at Silly Thing.

Where do you find inspiration? What keeps your passion for fashion going?
Anything. Things I see on the street when I am driving, my friends, books. I love seeing customers and friends enjoy what I create.

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Take a look at the video here.

Info: PLOG

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Futura has presented himself a bit more of late, whether it be in a gallery context or on product. His latest project includes Oil Works, the hip-hop group based in Fukoaka, Japan. The outcome is the art work on a EP boxset which includes a tee, blanket and of course the vinyl and is available at FL SHOP.

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On the surrounding block outside we found Os Gemeos, a typically faced mural of a mystical land of water and boats, Barry McGee who covered a nearby buliding in his geometric patterns of green, red and white next to a rolled over ute and Swoon, a dream-like image with plenty of movement and life spanning over the corner of a building which the team were still working on as we walked past.

Surrounding galleries were benefiting from the audience that Deitch had drawn, but their inside space was fantastic in the fact that it had a durational photo gallery from each of the contributing artists and their teams taken by Martha Cooper. Something that was definitely worth having as the grand scale of the murals was enough to get intrigued by the in’s and out’s of their personal procedures.

See below for our personal insight of The Wynwood Walls.

NUNCA

Clare Rojas

Jim Drain & Ara Patterson

Stelios Faitakis

Kenny Scharf

Futura

Shepard Fairey

Barry McGee

Os Gemeos

Inside – Documenting the installation by Martha Cooper

Within the Walls

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Following installations at Emmanuel Perrotin Gallerie in Paris and Deitch Projects in New York, the much talked about STAGES exhibition will open tonight at Art Basel. Nike and LIVESTRONG have worked together with O.H.W.O.W. for the final leg of the tour which features some new names amongst the list of artists. Here is a small preview of Richard Prince’s (THE NEW ORDER issue 1) piece entitled “I’m Not Coming Home” which will be on showcase come the opening on December 4.

The total list of artists provides a who’s who of fine art with Cai Guo-Qiang, Rosson Crow, Jules De Balincourt, Dzine, Shepard Fairey, Futura, Andreas Gursky, KAWS, Geoff McFetridge, Yoshitomo Nara, Catherine Opie, Os Gemeos, José Parlá, Raymond Pettibon, Lari Pittman, Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha, Tom Sachs, Kenny Scharf, Eric White, Christopher Wool, Dustin Yellin, Aaron Young. This makes for a must see if in the area s oplease stop by and show your support for a good cause.

O.H.W.O.W
888 Biscayne Blvd,
Miami, FL33132

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Embossed leather accessories are nothing new, but my problem over the years has been either the embossed pattern has no meaning other than simple aesthetic value, or they offer some meaning but very little in the way of class. With Futura you get nothing less than a direct reference from one of the finest advocates of street art, and with its manufacturing in Japan, you know the quality is high.

This range of accessories includes wallets, key chains and Notebooks. Available at FL Shop and other Futura Laboratories stockists.

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When someone mentions street art, you instantly think of cities like New York, London, Tokyo and Barcelona, not the sleepy rural village of Street in Somerset, England. However, that is exactly where one of the most exciting contemporary art shows in the UK is currently taking place.

Street is home to the Atkinson Gallery, who’s mandate is to promote and support young aspiring artists, whilst also bringing art of an international calibre to the South West Region of England. They have previously hosted works from Andy Warhol, Gillian Ayres and Bert Irvin but for their latest exhibition “Natural Selection” they have turned to the renowned Elms Lesters Painting Rooms in London to put together a show which features the work of some of the biggest artists on the scene, including Adam Neate, Jose Parla, Phil Frost, Boris Tellegen (DELTA), Anthony Lister, James Marshall aka DALEK, Futura, Mark Dean Veca, Ron English, Stash, and WK Interact. Check out the images of the works on show below, the exhibition runs until 12th December and if you are in the South of England its definitely worth a trip to check out.

It’s fantastic to see these artists exhibiting in a provincial gallery outside of a big city. Only a few years ago their work was seen as mere graffiti art and a novelty in galleries, but given this chance their work has made a real emotional connection with both collectors and art lovers alike and is now accepted as part of the fine art scene and exhibitions welcomed in out of the way places, more know for galleries presenting scenic water colours than abstract, street inspired canvases.

Images from Arrested Motion.

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Futura, one of the most influential artist in the history of street art has collaborated with Casio on the DW-5600 G-shock. An updated version of the very first original DW-5000 model that came out in 1983. The functionality and simple aesthetics of the DW-5600 model has made it a clear favorite amongst labels as the watch of choice for collaborative work (previous collabs include Bape, Alife, Mastermind, Margaret Howell to name a few). This Futura version features additional graphic detailing consisting of Futura’s trademark script writing on a classic matt black watch face and strap. Available from this weekend onwards (28th Nov) at Futura Laboratories.

Info: FLshop

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Medicom Toy have worked with world renowned artist/designer Matt Black to create this distinctive collection of items for FABRICK. Matt Black provides a really interesting outlet of creativity having worked with the likes of Dior Homme and contributing to i-D magazine.

The collection consists of a number of bags and accessories created with Porter to offer a strong heritage to a unique approach. The tote bag, brief case, and schedule note cover are also accompanied by another iconic Medicom Toy piece with a Bearbrick figure. Each items is defined by the all over print which features some typically astute imagery well recognised to Matt Black’s work.

Below is some images from various mediums of work in which Matt Black has implemented over the years including photography, creative direction and more.

Larry Clark

Tony Alva

Futura

Nigo

Matt Black also creatively directed the Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse events earlier this year

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Each year, World AIDS Day falls on December 1st as an opportunity to remember those we have lost to the pandemic and to support those who are in battle against the deadly killer. In a pursuit of raising money and awareness for the cause, Proper Attire Condoms are releasing limited edition condoms this year round which are adorned in the signature designs from legendary artist Keith Haring.

Proper Attire Condoms pride themselves on a product that can be stylish too. No need to be shy of carrying around ill-packaged condoms when you can now show off your safety-cool approach to sex with Keith Haring illustrated condoms representing life and love. 

An artist who flourished in the New York art scene during the 80’s, Keith Haring was involved in both the graffiti and pop-art scenes where he created friendships with Futura 2000, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Madonna. In 1988, Haring was diagnosed with AIDS which lead him to establish the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989 to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children’s programs. A year later Haring died from AID related complications. 

Kenny Scharf, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring above

Launching at the exclusive Mondrian Hotel in South Beach throughout Art Basel Miami and also at the Mondrian in Los Angeles in the new Kiki Di Montparnasse store, proceeds from the condoms sales will benefit Planned Parenthood. If you are not in the area you can get your from Proper Attire Condoms or Keith Haring.com.

Keith Haring Advertisement he created for an AIDS Dance-A-Thon ”Dance For The Right Thing” to create awareness and funds in New York City below..

To see the full life story of ‘The Universe Of Keith Haring’ see trailer video below.

Top image from ASVOF

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With a strong debut in Paris, STAGES launched at Emmanuel Perrotin Gallery with a team of the world’s most accomplished and promising international artists, including Ed Ruscha, Cai-Guo Qiang, Richard Prince, Catherine Opie, KAWS, Eric White, José Parlá, Christopher Wool, Tom Sachs, Dzine, and Rosson Crow. The second part of their journey took place in New York City hosted by Deitch Projects where the team picked up four extra members with new works: the Os Gemeos twins, Futura and Dustin Yellin.

The finale will take place at one of the art world’s biggest global events: Art Basel Miami Beach. To create an even louder voice for the LIVESTRONG message, STAGES calls in Los Angeles based Christian and Rob Clayton, aka the Clayton Brothers, the furious paintings from Erik Parker and the black and white portraiture genius of artist Tomoo Gokita for a high energy show full of talent and spirit. All artwork on display as part of STAGES will be available for purchase with proceeds directly benefiting LIVESTRONG.

Tomoo Gokita “A Couple”

Erik Parker “Fake Out”

Clayton Brothers “Always Alive”

STAGES Miami will be open to the public at O.H.W.O.W. Gallery, from 4th to the 6th of December 2009. For more information regarding STAGES, please visit www.stages09.com or follow the twitter @stages_09.
O.H.W.O.W.

888 Biscayne Blvd,

Miami, FL 331132

TEL: 305-633-9345

Gallery hours: Fri-Sat, 12-8pm, Sun 12-6pm

www.oh-wow.com

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