ODE2AMY - Artistic Tribute To Amy Winehouse

The late, Grammy-award winning Amy Winehouse was no stranger to the demons shared by fellow lost but not forgotten artists such as Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, & Heath Ledger--to name a few. And while the world may argue and dispute the true meaning and causes behind their deaths, some people prefer to take a more literal, sometimes less-than-subtle way of paying tribute to the undeniable talent that they all possessed.

One such tribute has been crafted by mosaic and multimedia artist Jason Mecier. His work is known to combine elements that make up part of the specific individual that he was focusing on. He has crafted spectacular portraits of Michael Jackson and Sigmund Freud using pills, Rosario Dawson and Ashanti using makeup, and Farrah Fosset and Florence Henderson using household products. In the case of Florence, she even sent him random objects to use.

Amy Winehouse has sadly become another face on the wall of the infamous '27 club.' A group whose  permanent members have struggled with countless addictions, self-loathing, feelings of abandonment and the perhaps most dangerous of all characteristics--the unavoidable, unforgettable and highly exploited raw talent that the world cried for constantly. The weight of which fell heavy on the shoulders of these troubled few.

"Amy Winehouse" Mosaic - 17'' x 21'' (pills, 2011)

Attributing her death to be the result of drugs and/or other substances, the media has created very little doubt in the minds of others. The result is a morbid fascination and beautiful homage to pay respect to the late pop-star using thousands of multi-color painkillers--one of the addictions that she suffered from. But this fascination is not aimed at exploiting her suffering or to say that this is all she or others should be remembered for. Its to high-light the tragic consequences of such addictions and the media's sensationalistic tendencies to exploit celebrities and reduce them to their actions.

Many of Amy's closest friends and family believe that she was indeed ready to get her life back on track and had been clean and sober for sometime. They are confident that when autopsy results are returned that it will show just that. I too would like to believe that beneath the tarnished surface of her less than perfect reputation, was the soul of a true singer who was overcoming her own demons in order to strive for deserved and proper recognition once more.

You can check out more artistic renditions of celebrities, real people and even request your own portrait be made at Jason's website. Be sure to take a look at Andy Warhol, Dolly Parton and a rendition of Billy Bob Thornton from 'Bad Santa'!

Hail To McQueen!

If you have followed the fashion world at all in the past 20 years, then the name McQueen is sure to pop up quite frequently--and not Steve McQueen! And if you still don't know who he is, then perhaps you should check out some highlights from the latest exhibit honoring his triumphantly vivid and hauntingly beautiful legacy: Savage Beauty

There is no doubt that McQueen was one of the most imaginative pioneers in modern fashion, essentially using his endless creativity to paint pictures with fabric and weave stories through stitching. His goal was always to break the constraints of traditional design whilst still upholding its fundamentals principles--confidence, precision and the of course, the belief in endless possibilities!

Coat

Dante, autumn/winter 1996–97

Black wool felt embroidered with gold bullion cord

From the collection of Isabella Blow courtesy of the Hon. Daphne Guinness

Photograph © Sølve Sundsbø / Art + Commerce


“I spent a long time learning how to construct clothes, which is important to do before you can deconstruct them.”
-- Self Service, Spring/Summer 2002

 
 
By breaking away from traditional, finite notions of construction, Alex was able to push the boundaries of his work by looking deep into his own mind and channeling the more detailed and imaginative aspects of fashion that were rarely seen to this day. A real type of raw originality and daring gusto that made his work the stuff of dreams [...and the cinematic costume designers of Pan's Labyrinth might salivate over].
 
 
 

Often influenced by his own Scottish heritage, McQueen was also adamant about implementing the cultures from throughout Europe and various historical periods while at the same time romanticizing them. By adding modern elements, these nationalistic collections took on a whole new life.
 
 
 
 
“The reason I’m patriotic about Scotland is because I think it’s been dealt a really hard hand. It’s marketed the world over as . . . haggis . . . bagpipes. But no one ever puts anything back into it.” --McQueen


 
 

Alexander McQueen (British, 1969–2010)


Ensemble

Widows of Culloden, autumn/winter 2006–7

Dress of McQueen wool tartan; top of nude silk net appliquéd with black lace; underskirt of cream silk tulle

Courtesy of Alexander McQueen

Photograph © Sølve Sundsbø / Art + Commerce




Romantic Gothic and Cabinet of Curiosities
 

Combining elements of horror and Gothic romanticism, each piece in this set reflects his work from different points in his career; from
Dante (autumn/winter 1996–97), Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (autumn/winter 2002–3), and the posthumous, unofficially entitled Angels and Demons (autumn/winter 2010–11). 
 
 
 
 

 
 
For more incredible images, be sure to check out The MET where you can get a closer look at just how intricate and beautifully savage these designs truly are!
 
 
 
Gallery photography by The Photograph Studio, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Nestrest

Considering how design and structure are practically inseparable when creating functional yet comfortable living spaces, its no wonder that designers Daniel Pouzet and Fred Frety use a pairing of both structural simplicity and almost ethereal beauty to create their Nestrest. However, what is wondrous, IS the Nestrest!


This dangling, darlingly simple teardrop shaped pod of plushy goodness is something you don't see everyday. But it is a wonderful alternative to the boring ol' hammock and other pretentious (not to mention pricey) and annoyingly uncomfortable patio furniture one might find at C2B.

'NESTREST is made of an especially strong DEDON fiber (4 cm wide, instead of 2 cm), guaranteeing a sturdy and solid weave with excellent properties: it shelters those within, allowing them to look out while preventing outsiders from seeing in – a perfect feeling of security!' - Dedon.de


Whether relaxing, reading, or rejoicing in the company of nature and friends--this pod is sure to please.
 
 
 

Balancing natural beauty with nature itself...
 
 
Head over to Dedon to check out more about the Nestrest and and how to procure one for your abode or perhaps more likely your favorite tree!
 

the teepee 2.0...

Street Art - Bringing People Together by Mashing Them Up

What' s one way to make something more unique than it already is?

By taking two other unique things and mashing them together! Well, that's exactly what Jaime Rojo and Steven Harrington are doing. And with your help (yes...you!) their art can be part of your hood. Putting a fresh spin on street art by combining the elements from your face and others, this dynamic duo can generate prints that can be set-up virtually anywhere as a poster size tribute to your homage, or even as a massive billboard overlooking your fellow citizens. Welcome to Brooklyn Street Art!

JR "Inside Out" Project, The Bronx, New York 2011 (photo © Jaime Rojo)



Of course street artists like Fauxreel, C215, Swoon, Specter and others have thoughtfully introduced neighbors into the public space with their work also, each with their individual technique, but the scale of this TED-fueled interactive project really impacts many perceptions of people, neighborhoods, and the concept of public space.


Check some cool hybrid Harlemites and of course my WAY more badass Brooklyn brethren:

The Brothers Grimm: Jake & Dinos Chapman

The Chapman brothers are not shy. Since first bursting onto the art scene in the early 90s with work featured in the notorious YBA exhibition, Sensation, the Chapman brothers have become known as bad boys of Britart. And with a quick Google of them it's not hard to see why: spats with journalists, death threats and "pornographic, vulgar" work fill the Internet pages. Yikes.

Since their work featured in both YBA exhibitions in the mid-nineties the Chapman brothers - Jake and Dinos - have become synonymous with controversial art, often having their work labelled as vulgar and offensive. But despite the labels and occasional spats with the press the Chapman brothers have been hugely important to British art and were nominated for the Turner prize in 2003. Here, Crane.tv talk to the brothers about their latest exhibition at the White Cube gallery, which for the first time they worked separately on, and finds out their message for fellow YBA Tracey Emin.

Fucking Hell

2008


Glass-fibre, plastic and mixed media (nine parts)


8 parts: 84 5/8 x 50 11/16 x 98 3/8 in. (215 x 128.7 x 249.8 cm) / 1 part: 84 13/16 x 50 3/8 x 50 3/8 in. (215.4 x 128 x 128 cm)


Photo: Todd-White Art Photography




Head over to White Cube to check out some more pics of their work and for a sense of just how truly unforgiving and creatively eerie history can be!


DATES:
From 15 July to 17 September. Address: 48 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6PB and 25-26 Mason's Yard, London, SW1Y 6BU, http://www.jakeanddinoschapman.com/