Photos by Alexander Bakayannis
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Modelling by Victoria Schennum
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
JR's Face2Face
2007 was the year when probably the biggest ever illegal photo exhibition was created. In 8 Palestinian and Israeli cities more than 4,500 square meters of portraits where posted on both sides of the security wall that comes between those two turfs. What was surprising about the whole thing was that neither the Israeli army or the Palestinian police made any attempt to stop the two people behind what became known as the Face2Face project.
One of them is JR, an autodidact street photographer who began messing around with the art of photography after he found a camera left on the Paris Metro back in 1999. In his early 30's now JR has the ability to make the streets of major cities all across the world,from France and South Africa all the way to as far as Brazil, look like huge outdoor galleries by transforming his pictures into life size posters. According to him that is an easy and flawless way of making sure that even people who are not into museums and exhibitions will have a look at his work while they are on their way to or going back home from work. During his baby steps as a photographer in Paris, JR was an all around player shooting in all kinds of places from dodgy urban ghettos all the way to the bourgeois districts where he decided to run the "Portrait of a Generation" project by putting up posters of weird looking people just to throw the residents off. This whole black and white close up thing that he had going on eventually became official after a hotel and the Paris City Hall decided to wrap their buildings with his photos. Going through his posters its easy to realize that his art has a very subjective touch to it. There is no specific meaning behind the faces in the posters he creates, and its always up to the spectator to make his or her own interpretation about the meaning behind such an artistic expression. JR's latest projects are named Wrinkles of the city and Unframed
Monday, 30 January 2012
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Three the Hard Way
The Union, Stussy and UNDFTD stores one next to the other on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles.I guess some people are more lucky than the rest of us...
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Maximum Rad: The Iconic Covers of Thrasher Magazine
1981 was the year the most influential skateboard magazine in America was first published. In exactly one month from today a collection of all the covers of the one and only Thrasher magazine titled Maximum Rad: The Iconic Covers of Thrasher Magazine will be released. Going over a period of almost 30 years starting from the 80's and going all the way to early 2000's Thrasher has hosted quite a few world class skaters on its cover from legends of the past such as Steve Caballero and Duane Peters to today's big names like James Hardy and Justin Figueroa. To make things even better,the book's author is Greg Stecyk one of the most important photojournalists in the history of skateboarding. Im actually thinking about getting my hands on that one so for anyone interested the book will be available on Amazon in due time
Friday, 20 January 2012
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Janoski Mid "Inuit"
My personal favourite line, Janoski from NikeSB, just launched the premium version of the Obsidian Blue, which truly gives me a headache. What's up with you Nike? Monthly launches? Reminds me of Apple? My bank account seems to be having a whole lot big issues. (Big Issue anyone, Big issue sir...??)
you can get them HERE!
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
An interview with Ryme63
Ive known him for quite some time and ive been a big fan of his work. For those of you who don’t know him, he might look like a “roadie for Clutch” type of guy who could empty your fridge out of your monthly beer supply before you could blink. In his case though there is more than meets the eye, as his drawings and work on all kinds of different materials as well as his pictures are the unquestionable proof of his artistic skill. Meet Ryme63
Q:Name and place
A:Ryme63. Athens, Greece.
Q:Favorite music this time around
A:Stoner Rock / Doom / Sludge and of course the Blues.And many more.
Q:Is this some sort of natural talent that you had as a kid, or was it something you developed as you were growing up
A:Actually my parents beat me up as a kid until i could draw photorealistic. Nope just kidding... I had the chance to grow up at Maroussi a place full of graffiti in a time when you had to search for it. It was in the summer of 96 when i did my first piece. It was pure crap. After finishing school i took my diploma in Graphic design. After 5 years as a graphic designer we started State Of Mind Art Collective. We now try to focus on custom screen printing tees and posters. I also have a photography studio going on.
Q: Do you feel the invasion of technology has helped in the evolution of design or has it dragged it away from its roots
A: Actually you get what you pay for, meaning that even though technology has led to the evolution of design in all kinds of aspects at the same time we were introduced to the era when downloading photoshop makes you a graphic designer and buying a Dslr makes you a photographer, in other words correct operation doesn't imply that you're an artist. Getting dirty is the certain way to start with. Free lancing gives me the chance to suggest to my clients to embrace both digital as well as oldschool ways of printing.
Q:What’s your favorite material to work with
A:Screen printing is the one i enjoy the most but also a sharp pencil and a brush, studying various lettering can keep me going for hours. OK that and a chainsaw.
Q:We’ve seen plenty of renowned street artists having their work exhibited in galleries worldwide. Do you view this as a loss of artistic integrity
A:There is a common misunderstanding that graffiti and street art are two different things even though graffiti is always a part of street art. If selling your pieces in a gallery pay your bills, then by being a full time artist means that you can give the 100% of your attention to your craft.I mean if you think about it, i would prefer to hang a poster made by a street artist to a classic painting that we see on our grandmothers' houses. For example one should ask himself what is the content of art that he enjoys having in his living room to challenge his senses daily.
Q:Tell me about some of the individuals that inspire your work
A:Women, mostly. If you meant artists, i find great inspiration on the screen printing scene. Aaron horkey, Ken Taylor, Matt Tappia, LikeMindedStudio and House Industries are just a few.
Q:Do you have any memorable moments from all the pictures you have taken
A:I can recall all the details from photoshoots i thought were impossible. Once i was trying to earn the trust and respect of the guys (93 woop woop) chilling in the infamous Saint Denis suburb of Paris were being white couldn't get me a street flyer for a rap party. By the end of the photoshoot everybody wanted to pose and everything worked out smoothly.
Q:Are there any Greek artists that you recommend people should check out
A:The whole State Of Mind crew, Alexandros Vasmoulakis, Paris Koutsikos, Dreks, Wer, Boohaha, Bizare, Luca & Dobi (The Ironbrush Crew) and many more. Actually we re starting a screenprinting studio with Dreks, Wer, Boohaha and Kareeem and i have to say that i'm honored to share the same workshop with these guys.
Q:Tell us a few words about the State Of Mind
A:We are an art collective created by graphic designers, street artists, directors, 3d artists, musicians, illustrators and photographers. We love what we do and we try to keep it that way. It all started by the need to gather a group of people who are always more than happy to work together in order to inspire, educate or help one another. Its pretty much like an agency minus the crap and the gigantic bills.
Check out www.stateofmind.gr
Q:Name and place
A:Ryme63. Athens, Greece.
Q:Favorite music this time around
A:Stoner Rock / Doom / Sludge and of course the Blues.And many more.
Q:Is this some sort of natural talent that you had as a kid, or was it something you developed as you were growing up
A:Actually my parents beat me up as a kid until i could draw photorealistic. Nope just kidding... I had the chance to grow up at Maroussi a place full of graffiti in a time when you had to search for it. It was in the summer of 96 when i did my first piece. It was pure crap. After finishing school i took my diploma in Graphic design. After 5 years as a graphic designer we started State Of Mind Art Collective. We now try to focus on custom screen printing tees and posters. I also have a photography studio going on.
Q: Do you feel the invasion of technology has helped in the evolution of design or has it dragged it away from its roots
A: Actually you get what you pay for, meaning that even though technology has led to the evolution of design in all kinds of aspects at the same time we were introduced to the era when downloading photoshop makes you a graphic designer and buying a Dslr makes you a photographer, in other words correct operation doesn't imply that you're an artist. Getting dirty is the certain way to start with. Free lancing gives me the chance to suggest to my clients to embrace both digital as well as oldschool ways of printing.
Q:What’s your favorite material to work with
A:Screen printing is the one i enjoy the most but also a sharp pencil and a brush, studying various lettering can keep me going for hours. OK that and a chainsaw.
Q:We’ve seen plenty of renowned street artists having their work exhibited in galleries worldwide. Do you view this as a loss of artistic integrity
A:There is a common misunderstanding that graffiti and street art are two different things even though graffiti is always a part of street art. If selling your pieces in a gallery pay your bills, then by being a full time artist means that you can give the 100% of your attention to your craft.I mean if you think about it, i would prefer to hang a poster made by a street artist to a classic painting that we see on our grandmothers' houses. For example one should ask himself what is the content of art that he enjoys having in his living room to challenge his senses daily.
Q:Tell me about some of the individuals that inspire your work
A:Women, mostly. If you meant artists, i find great inspiration on the screen printing scene. Aaron horkey, Ken Taylor, Matt Tappia, LikeMindedStudio and House Industries are just a few.
Q:Do you have any memorable moments from all the pictures you have taken
A:I can recall all the details from photoshoots i thought were impossible. Once i was trying to earn the trust and respect of the guys (93 woop woop) chilling in the infamous Saint Denis suburb of Paris were being white couldn't get me a street flyer for a rap party. By the end of the photoshoot everybody wanted to pose and everything worked out smoothly.
Q:Are there any Greek artists that you recommend people should check out
A:The whole State Of Mind crew, Alexandros Vasmoulakis, Paris Koutsikos, Dreks, Wer, Boohaha, Bizare, Luca & Dobi (The Ironbrush Crew) and many more. Actually we re starting a screenprinting studio with Dreks, Wer, Boohaha and Kareeem and i have to say that i'm honored to share the same workshop with these guys.
Q:Tell us a few words about the State Of Mind
A:We are an art collective created by graphic designers, street artists, directors, 3d artists, musicians, illustrators and photographers. We love what we do and we try to keep it that way. It all started by the need to gather a group of people who are always more than happy to work together in order to inspire, educate or help one another. Its pretty much like an agency minus the crap and the gigantic bills.
Check out www.stateofmind.gr
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Monday, 9 January 2012
Nike SB x Entourage
Both of us being huge Entourage fans, this collaboration that marked the end of the show after 8 seasons (boohoo) i have to admit is like putting the icing on the cake. We'll miss you Ari Gold!
Friday, 6 January 2012
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Pirates of the Aegean.
Creativity is implemented and innovation is applied for you to experience a unique trip in the core of the Greek paradise. A role play between pirates and "hostages" having as main goal, pure fun in the nature, discovery of secret beaches in the Aegean; a fun getaway in our everyday lives. Enjoy the magical scenery.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Nitro Circus: The Movie Trailer
A similar concept with Jackass. Those guys seem to be taking stunt movies to a new level this time. Big up Nitro Circus!
Monday, 2 January 2012
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