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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Luciano Ruiz

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……….New York City – 1965. 231 East 47th Street. Andrew Warhola, known as Andy Warhol, revolutionized the way in which people look at art. His emblematic technique has become an icon of modern art. As the 50th anniversary of his famous Factory studio approaches, it seems proper to explore the not so conventional aspects of his artistic career.

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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

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Some of his earlier works show deliberate preparation through photographic images and sketches. Warhol’s “organized mess” took much more than simply selecting contrasting colors and backgrounds to create the perfect design. By taking photographs of the objects he was drawn to, Warhol anticipated the shapes and patterns he would later recreate.

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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

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His final works do not resemble his initial sketches in any way. The use of color and contrast was purely Warhol’s own creation. Additionally, he developed his own movement by venturing into techniques never seen before. However, without his photographic eye for design, his creations would have never been the same.

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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

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By examining several of Warhol’s filmstrips, it is evident that he was drawn to peculiar characters. His interest in high fashion provided him access to avant-garde ideas and techniques. Although not commonly exhibited or explored, these filmstrips provide an insight into one of Warhol’s main inspirations.

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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

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As his interests expanded into other sectors of society, Warhol began using political and social agendas as inspirations for art. Controversial political events and social movements began to spark an interest in Warhol. Terrifying political figures soon took the form of colorful characters, revolutionizing the way in which people looked at them.

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Warhol Exhibition

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Throughout Andy Warhol’s career, he created numerous works of art that express diverse interests and subjects. Anything from fashion to current events caught the attention of this artistic idol. Through skillful preparation and innovation, nowadays his works are amongst the most renowned in the world. Five decades later and Warhol continues to surprise us all.

About The Author: Luciano Ruiz is a Candidate for Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania – Class of 2013

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Editor’s Note: To access additional articles by Luciano Ruiz, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Jean Ward

……….On July 9, 2012 my mother will celebrate her 92 birthday. Happy Mother’s Day mom and to all the mother’s in the world!

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Mom's Kitchen Mother's Day

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Editor’s Note: To learn more about Jean Ward, go to search bar at top of the page: enter FAMILY LEGACY PROJECT, and click green icon.

William Burroughs

Posted on May 11, 2012

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In 1972, Rolling Stone magazine sent me and writer Robert Palmer to London to do a feature article on William S. Burroughs. William greeted us cordially; despite his outlaw reputation, he was a complete gentleman. We stayed a week, and had a terrific time. We also met Brion Gysin (William’s closest friend), who showed us his “Dream Machine,” a revolving flicker device that caused visual fireworks in the viewer’s brain. Bob and I also enjoyed Burroughs’ awesome intelligence and his controversial ideas about addiction, conditioning, and control.

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

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Rolling Stone loved our article, and made me their New York photographer (they were based in San Francisco) later that year.
In 1975, Crawdaddy magazine asked me to photograph Burroughs and Jimmy Page as they interviewed each other. Burroughs was back in America now, and we met in his downtown Manhattan loft. Burroughs disliked being photographed, but he remembered me and was warm and friendly, even giving my camera a rare grin.

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

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In 1975, William Burroughs wrote the text for my first book, Sidetripping. I was so thrilled. Shortly thereafter, Burroughs moved to Lawrence, Kansas. I never saw him again. He died in 1997 at the age of 83. By introducing my photography to the world, William Burroughs changed my life, big time. Thank you so much, William!

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

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Last year I published Burroughs 23, a handmade artist’s book with DanaDanaDana, a noted San Francisco art book publisher. Burroughs 23 contains all the best photos from both my NYC and London shoots. To view the book (and the boxed set of my Burroughs prints), go to www.Burroughs23.com.

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

Editor’s Note: To learn more about Charles Gatewood’s work log on, www.CharlesGatewood.com

www.MartineBrand.com

Copyright 2012

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Editor’s Note: To see more of Martine Brand’s Artwork, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click the green icon.

Photo: Errol Christian

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Errol Christian

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Many times, the most popular photos in sports are the photos taken directly after winning “the big game.” For example, one of the most popular photos in basketball is the shot of Michael Jordan laying on the floor and hugging his newly won championship trophy, while crying as he mourns the recent death of his father. In the Olympics, U.S. citizens will never forget the photo of Michael Phelps sporting around his neck the eight gold medals he won in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

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Photo: Errol Christian

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These photos of achievement are what capture the eyes of the masses. However, what often gets overlooked is the hard work and dedication these glorified athletes endured in order to get to the ultimate stage. In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell states that true success requires at least 10,000 hours of practice. How many shots do you think Michael Jordan had put up in an empty gym before he became the greatest player of all-time? How many laps do you think Michael Phelps has swum by himself before he became one of the greatest Olympians in history?

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Photo: Errol Christian

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Susan Sontag states “The history of photography could be recapitulated as the struggle between two different imperatives: beautification, which comes from the fine arts, and truth-telling…” Through photography, audiences are able to appreciate the beauty of Michael Jordan’s celebration and Michael Phelp’s eight gold medals. However, also through photography, it was my aim to capture the truth. The truth through repetitious practice in isolation – with no cheering fans, with no cameras, with no glory.

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Errol Christian: Self-Portrait 2012

About The Author: Errol Christian is enrolled in the MBA program: Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

Adachi: March for Trayvon Martin

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Ryun Hobbs

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……….On March 26, The 1,000,000 Hoodie March was held in honor of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year old boy shot and killed a month prior on February 26, 2012. There is still much confusion and accusation surrounding his case – such as whether the shooter, George Zimmerman, was chasing after Trayvon, or if there was an altercation. However, some facts are undeniable. There is a 17-year old who is dead and a big reason is because his hoodie made him look “suspicious. Communities of all racial and social groups throughout the nation became enraged at this unjustified murder, demanding that justice be served. This is a series of photos taken before the arrest of George Zimmerman, at the University of Pennsylvania’s Trayvon march.

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I first saw this woman pushing a baby stroller while holding the march poster in the early stages of the procession. Adachi (Adachi.photography@gmail.com) is no stranger to protests, having photographed many of them herself. Her passion for capturing the essence of justice, however, does not stop her from being a caring mother. Both of her children accompanied her as they made a stand together.

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Skittes and Juice

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Some people never are content with sitting back and staying silent. This woman is such a person – she is “armed” with the Skittles and iced tea that Trayvon also possessed at his death, but she is also armed with her voice. Her numerous badges, like military ribbons, flash ceremoniously in the sunlight, making statements about the different inequalities in the world.

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March for Trayvon

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Despite his tough exterior, this man is a peaceful giant. Holding up his sign with extreme ease, he calls for the end of violence and the beginning of peace. “Children are our future,” the sign says, and the image of the shaking hands between cannot help but evoke memories of the late Doctor M. L. King, who had dreamed long ago of a community that rose above racial tension.

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March for Trayvon

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Protesting is almost never a solitary thing. Here, a family expresses their dissatisfaction together, bound to each other not only by their blood but by their mission. It is often easy to forget about murder victims’ families when first learning of the case, but seeing this family and their signs made me wonder how the Martin family Is faring. Condolences go out to them for their loss.

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Love

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As seen in the pictures above, advocates for justice and equality come in all shapes and sizes – spanning multiple ethnic and age differences. After all, we are all a community that must stick together when it is necessary. What keeps everyone together is a bit of anger, a bit of dissatisfaction, and a lot of love – for each other, for the victims, and for what is right.

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R.I.P. Trayvon Martin

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Not everyone’s voice is always heard, but many want to try whatever they can to make their stand as strong as possible. Here, two people sign large canvases of the late Trayvon Martin, which were delivered to his family after the march. Although it may not be a protest sign, it is still a testament to the expectation of receiving equal rights, instead of stereotyped caricatures.

About The Author: Ryun H. Hobbs is a senior enrolled in the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2012

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Editor’s Note: To read more articles by Ryun Hobbs, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Sonrya as Marilyn Monroe

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Sonrya Sanjaraya

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…….I created this self-portrait as Marilyn, and a question to go with it, when i was 18 years old. I started modeling when I was 3 years of age – and all around the world. I studied the fine arts at Bordeaux Beaux – Arts school in France. At that time, I was already asking myself: how could a woman who is also a star (Marilyn Monroe), beloved for her beauty, sex appeal and youth, accept the aging process and to see the years going by?

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How could she continue and find a balance between all the love given by everyone to her image: and the lack of real love she could have experienced in her actual life? Being an idol and to be so much loved – is also like being all alone, and when you don’t enjoy loneliness how could she have managed it everyday without falling…?

Copyright 2012

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About The Author: To learn more about Sonrya Sanjaraya, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click the green icon.

Mikel & Miles: Malibu, 1988

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Mikel Elam

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…………I love this photo of Me imitating Miles! It was the summer of 1988 and my second year as Miles’s assistant. We were at his home in Malibu, California for a few days – before leaving for Japan for various musical engagements. The man in the background of the photo is famed architect, John Lautner – who designed Chemosphere, the masterpiece home used as a backdrop for Brian Dipalma’s film entitled, Body Double. Miles was going to build an extension on his home, to include a painting studio. Of course Miles only wanted the most progressive artists consulting with him, so he chose John to design it.

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Mikel Elam: Strange Addiction

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Editor’s Note: To see more of Mike Elam’s paintings, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Smile: www.PhiladelphiasDentist.com

Editor’s Note: To contact Dr. Jeff for consultation: 215-592-4747.