INK/IT: MATTEO CIAMPI

 

INK/IT is a selection of Italian tattooers working in Italy or around the world and foreign tattoo artists that love coming to Italy to work and enjoy la dolce vita. Every week Marco Annunziata will write about the best tattooers around… So pick up your favorite one and go get inked!

Matteo Ciampi is an old fashioned tattooer. He started tattooing at the age of 13 with a machine that he made with parts of a record player, a Bic pen and a spoon. At the beginning it was just a big passion but later while hanging out at Leonardo Giusti’s parlour and after an encounter with Christian di Costanzo, he decided to become a real tattooer. Mattia Lotti that used to ink Matteo and is still one of his favorite artists, gave him precious advices to go on, so he traveled around Europe to join conventions and worked for a while with Michele Vodola at Burra Tinta.

Since 2010 he is the proud owner of Segnistrani Tatuaggi, a tattoo parlour in Montelupo Fiorentino which is  a tiny village near Florence known as one of the most important centers of pottery production of the Rinascimento. At Segnistrani you can get traditional style tattoos and custom tattoos designed by the expert hand of Leonardo Borri. Two interesting curiosities about the shop: the master Maurizio Fiorini was born there when the building was a house and not a Tattoo Studio and you can sit on one of the chairs owned by Marco Cerretelli before he moved and made it America.

 

segnistrani.com

 

 

 

Published on 01/26/2012 10:23.
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SHIV TEMPLE

Indian vernacular architecture is the informal, functional architecture of structures, often in rural areas of India, built of local materials and designed to meet the needs of  local people. Indian vernacular architecture has evolved organically over time through the skillful craftsmanship of the locals. Despite the diversity, this architecture can be broadly divided into three categories: kachcha, pukka, semi-pukka. Shiv Temple, projected by Sameep Padora and associates, is a contemporary interpretation of temples, merging the symbolism and form of the vernacular while integrating the natural landscape. The building has been constructed
with locally sourced basalt and the ceiling culminates with an open skylight. Everything contributes to let the light cover up mind soul and heart of the visitors.

Author : Francesca Querci

02/22/2012
Category: / GLARE LIVING

SPRUETH MAGERS, A TRIBUTE TO ALIGHIERO BOETTI

 

Funny how a great artist like Alighiero Boetti was getting famous: abroad, out of his country. Funny the way he is now celebrated, out of his country, again. Sprüth Magers will pay tribute to Alighiero Boetti (1940 1994) at its  London gallery during  the artist’s first major U.K retrospective in over a decade at Tate Modern, from 28 February 27 May 2012.  Boetti first came to prominence in Turin in the early 1960’s. From printing, performance and sculpture, to embroidery, drawing, construction and mathematics,  his work reveals a fascination with chance, order and notions of authorship. A passionate believer in the importance of collaborating with others, both artists and non-artists, Boetti incorporated many aspects of culture in to his practice, in particular the non-western traditions and skills he encountered during his travels in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This diverse and democratic approach blurred the boundaries between art and craft, and art and life. Sprüth Magers has worked with the artist for over 20 years, first presenting a solo show in Cologne in 1991. Realised in collaboration with Pasquale Leccese, this exhibition will take over three floors of the London gallery.

http://www.spruethmagers.com/home/

 

Author : Redazione

02/21/2012
Category: / GENERAL

GRIMES

GRIMES on 4AD
Listen Halfaxa on You Tube

Author : Maxim Deluxe

02/21/2012
Category: / LOST IN MUSIC

MILANO TATTOO CONVENTION 2012

A few months ago I heard of a meeting of the best international tattooers taking place in a hotel of one the most important European cities. Immediately a fascinating picture without time appeared  in my mind: the last level of a gigantic nineteenth century hotel, rooms enlightened just with oil lamps,  buzz noises of an undetermined number of machines, the world’s best tattooers work, dirty aprons and bloody stained gloves.  It’s Friday or maybe Saturday, the temperature outside is below five degrees, I wake up in an anonymous hotel crowded with muffled up people. I start wandering around big corridors, having troubles trying to count an infinite number of tattooers working in tiny spaces made with thin plastic walls. They are packed as sardines in a box and  big stars of tattooing  are next to fledgling ones:  in common they have only the invoice total for these two square meters of space where they work.

A West Coast sacred monster is sitting on a plastic chair, bored to death and looking at the tattooer next to him working on a bunch of little colored flowers on a girl’s leg, I try to be nice to him with a smile. I would like to say something to him but I must go because the loudspeakers are saying that the body painting exhibition is about to start and then I also want to check some new tattoo books.

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Author : Marco Annunziata

02/20/2012
Category: / GENERAL

EROICA CICLI

Eroica Cicli is a small company based in Italy that strives to develop and increase the passion for well-made vintage Italian bikes. Named after the famous race  ‘L’Eroica’, they search old race bicycles, they restore them with love and try  to bring out a new kind of prestige. Celebrating these objects in all their beauty, that’s what they stand for. They can  also help you to find your new “playmate” between a wide range of top quality vintage Italian steel-framed bikes!

Not only are they sellers, but promoters and supporters of “the community”.

http://www.eroicacicli.com/

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Author : Valentina Matelli

02/19/2012
Category: / RIDE HERE RIDE NOW

LIKE A TREASURE’S HUNTER IN NEW YORK

 
If you are roaming in New York and you feel like a treasure’s hunter, maybe you are still on time!
Till the end of February at PS1 you can visit  the “Golden Ghost (The Future Belongs To Ghosts) (2011) ” exhibition by Surasi Kusolwong, the renowned Thai artist, famous for his works at the Biennale in the past six years. The opening of the exhibition has taken place in November but, if you are lucky enough, you can still find the “precious golden bracelet”. The question is: why should i look for a golden bracelet in a big room full of discarded textile fabrics? Once again Mr. Kusolwong entertains and involves us because he consider art as a moment of coral fruition..and it doesn’t matter if you will find the golden bracelet…or not!
 

http://momaps1.org/

photo credits Raffaella Malavasi

Author : Serena Becagli

02/17/2012
Category: WORKING CLASS ART HEROES

SUGGESTED BY OLIVIA: CAROLYN FORCHE

 

Poem For Maya

Dipping our bread in oil tins
we talked of morning peeling
open our rooms to a moment
of almonds, olives and wind
when we did not yet know what we were.
The days in Mallorca were alike:
footprints down goat-paths
from the beds we had left,
at night the stars locked to darkness.
At that time we were learning
to dance, take our clothes
in our fingers and open
ourselves to their hands.
The veranera was with us.
For a month the almond trees bloomed,
their droppings the delicate silks
we removed when each time a touch
took us closer to the window where
we whispered yes, there on the intricate
balconies of breath, overlooking
the rest of our lives.

Author : Olivia Lewit

02/17/2012
Category: / GENERAL, / POETRY BENCH

A THINK TANK : THINK FLUO

What happens when two creative fashion designers, an artful photographer and a talented stylist mix together? The result is a project called Think Fluo.  Tania Alineri’s images portray a woman who is an heroin between a nymph and a post modern street shaman who moves in the frame of a decaying surrounding, where a dark nature seems to overcome men.  This woman is the keeper of the mystery of nature itself and at the same time, the defender of fashion. She is the personification of the good visual styling of Francesca Zagaria.  In Think Fluo, the rebellious spirit makes its way with a cocktail dress and a sartorial creation, where ethnic necklaces blend with studded blouses. A free spirit that rebels against any rule or dictatorship or limitation to achieve true beauty.

Giorgio Maroni and Valentina Bacci are founders of C.A.M. . Since 2009, the duo has translated their passion and creativity into a real project, an atelier in Rome’s heart Rione Monti, and a constant clothing gardening. Their two hearts, which beat simultaneously, pump a fashion lymph where decorated creations are unique pieces of sharp and clear lines or asymmetrical shapes. Traditional tailoring is here bound to a contemporary vision of clothing. C.A.M is essential, occasional, artisanal, a creative container, a place where severity coincides with contradiction. C.A.M is Classe Artigiana Monti.

 
www.myspace.com/classeartigianamonti
 
http://classeartigianamonti.tumblr.com/

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Author : Isabella Cecconi

02/17/2012
Category: / GENERAL

“THAT” RUBY RED DRESS: MICHAEL KORS’ OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR

When the fashion week season starts, there’s no way to stop and think about you’ve seen on the catwalk. Things soon start merging with one another, in a blurred series that you soon forget. Thankfully, you sometimes catch a glimpse of something really special – a dress or an outfit – which literally stands out and remains in your memory to haunt you. This is what happened to me when I first saw a dress from Michael Kors fall/winter 2012 collection, which was presented in New York just a few hours ago. This one caught my attention because it’s the symbol of a certain Old Hollywood glamour which often characterizes the creations by the American designer.

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Author : Teresa Cannatà

02/16/2012
Category: / SCHOOL OF FASHION

LOOK BACK IN CHEERINESS: RICOH AUTO HALF SL

Maybe it’s because I took with a Ricoh camera my first picture but I must admit, I love Ricoh. And in 1970,  this was basically the deluxe version of the simple Auto Half in commerce.  It used the same body as the earlier models, but added some nice features: a focusing, 35mm lens, speeds of 1/30 – 1/250, close focusing to 0.8 meters. Ricoh Auto Half SL used to have a focusing scale on the lens marked with distance and idiot symbols. Exposure was similar to the other Ricoh models, and designed to be automatic. Since the camera needed a battery, it also had an OFF switch, which was innovative, at the time. The viewfinder had a special mark to aid in correct exposure settings, just like the SE model. With a dot right in the middle of the viewfinder which was normally yellowish, meaning “adaquate light”, if it appeared reddish, it meant inadequate light i.e. use flash.  Crude, but effective. Available in chrome or black, both with stylish front,  just like the other models. Back in the days when things were cool..and Ricoh in my heart.

Author : Isabella Cecconi

02/16/2012
Category: / THE THIRD EYE

THE YUKATA DOUBLE-BREASTED BLAZER, STUDIOPRETZEL

 

The very  first collection by StudioPretzel  was all about simple exquisite t shirts and shirts:  it seems a very long ago but just  one year has passed since that debut and things are getting serious at Emiliano Laszlo’s Florence Headquarters. If Darwin’s evolutionary theory could be applied to the art of creating clothes, StudioPretzel would be a great example of how, in few months, a simple project can mutate into something more complex. The never ending fashion enthusiast Emiliano,  who is the mind behind it,  proved that the step by step philosophy is working quite  well.  Reflexive and sensible, the guy had been moving slowly and wisely, enriching his  collection with some sartorial pieces that are like little masterpieces.  Shorts and jackets  had been introtuced this Spring Summer 2012 , and it’s not a game of just teeshirt anymore.

Among SP’s racks,  I have chosen the Yukata double-breasted jacket as the item I would wear this summer and as the symbol of this SS 12 collection. The Yukata is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton. People wearing yukata are a common sight in Japan at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals, and other summer events. The Yukata is also frequently worn after bathing at traditional Japanese inns so what’s best than welcoming summer in this kind of garment?  The Yukata by StudioPretzel had a classy-blue tone, the fabric used for the internal pocket (yes, anchors, a symbol of being stable and attached to earth) is made with  a traditional Japanese  fabric. The lining inside, reduced to the minimal not to weight down the garment, is crossed on shoulders to give the sensation of being freshly and nicely wrapped. How to wear it, how to enjoy it it’s  all up to you, but Emiliano had it clear when this jacket came into his mind. “I wanted to create a comfortable jacket. I wanted to give it  a new twist and some  lightness to a garment that in summer is not easy to wear”. In my opinion it’s a  mission accomplished… and I just can’t wait to wear it on a warm summer night.

http://studiopretzel.tumblr.com/

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Author : Marco Maggetto

02/16/2012
Category: / FASHION DEPARTMENT

THE QUICK ONE: IN PERSPECTIVE, MR. ALESSANDRO ZUEK SIMONETTI

 

Who are you? Where do you come from and what do you do?

I’m a guy at the beginning of his own middle age crisis. I’m from Bassano del Grappa, a small town in the north east of Italy and i’m taking photos.

How did you start your job?

I started to shoot when I was an adolescent. The first paid gigs were for Italian skate/snow and surf magazines in the early 90′s, so i guess “my job” began when i started to get paid at that point. My first printed ADV was for an Italian street wear brand, a portrait of Italian hip hop band.

Where do you take your inspirations from?

Everyday things, images in general, designers, not necessary from other photographers’ work. I like anything visual. i love graphic and typography, layouts of books..

Who would you love to take a picture of?

Nobody in particular really.

Where does beauty reside for you?

In the attitude more than on the appearance. It’s something I could apply to anything, a person, the work of an artist or a photograph. It isn’t the final product that define the aesthetic to me but more what’s behind, the process.

Which are three things you can’ t live without?

My friends, my girl and my camera.

If you could leave a message which one would it be?

Don’t cry or you get dry!

How is your ideal woman?

I’m naturally attracted to creative minds, artistic attitudes, strong personalities.

Where do you like to spend your holidays?

Spongano in Salento, Puglia.. on the very bottom of the Italian boot! I have  been so many times and I love it! They call it the Italian Jamaica and I love Jamaica. I went there may time shooting.

Could you please tell me 10 things you love about the city you are living in?

The city that never sleeps, subway never stops, food never ends,  people are never the same, New Yorkers never complain for bullshit, cabs are never that expensive, city is never boring and you never end to move from a neighborhood to another one. Time is never enough, which means u have lot of things to do here…In NY you never say never!

http://alessandrozueksimonetti.blogspot.com/

http://www.galleriapatriciaarmocida.com/

 

Author : Angela Biani

02/15/2012
Category: THE QUICK ONE

MARKUS SCHINWALD, VERONICAS MURCIA-SPAIN

Austrian artist Markus Schinwald is known for his fascination with the human body, an interest which has materialized, so far, in portraits and prosthesis (or portraits with prosthesis), architectural installations, and films in which automaton-like people compose and decompose themselves. In his hands, the Baroque church of Veronicas (Murcia, Spain) has become a peculiar portrait gallery. Theatrically, the central apse of the church is framed by red velvet curtains, but instead of the main altar there is a crystal case enclosing a series of tiny, beautiful, innocent looking chameleons doing their thing: walking slowly through a structure devised by Schinwald and patiently changing their skin. Surrounding this space, along the walls of the nave, a series of engravings show 19th century individuals devoured by their clothes. Their garments seem to have experienced a process of uncontrollable self-growth, an extreme metamorphosis, which has ended up entirely hiding their subjects. The rich fabric of a sleeve expands itself to the shoulders and head; the collar of a coat climbs up, to envelop, like a cocoon, the face of the beholder; lush shawls, hats, and hairdos, seem to conspire against their owners reproducing themselves in order to possess their identity.

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Author : Emilia Garcia Romeu

02/14/2012
Category: / GENERAL

INK/IT: RINO VALENTE

 

 

If you see Rino Valente from a distance, you might exchange him for Adriano Celentano: hat, a 3 button, long sleeve, grey shirt, leather vest, jeans and boots. But while Celentano walks around dancing and singing, Rino is a decadent biker and he rides a totally customized, painted brown 883.

Rino started tattooing by himself, Claudio Benvenuti encouraged him to go on, and so he did, inspired by the comic strips of Andrew Pazienza, the music of Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat) and the stories of the common people. He started traveling and working around the world, then, after a few years, he returned to Italy and with Gigi Fagni opened the Peek-to-Boo Tattoo Parlour in a hidden backstreet of Pistoia. He doesn’t like to talk about himself too much so, to cut a long story short, nowadays Rino Valente can easily be considered to be one of the most important tattooers of his generation; you can ask him just about any type of tattoo, but please don’t ask for political subjects or your girlfriend’s name. Rino has been doing drawings for tattoos his entire life: Japanese, revisited traditional models, black and grey. He is a really versatile artist and has recently collaborated with Puma and Sundek. When he doesn’t work, he cooks and eats, plays with his two lovely sausage dogs and sleeps a lot. He also travels a lot and takes part in international conventions, both to work and to stay with his friends and colleagues, to cause trouble and to play human bowling up to late night. Among his preferred tattooers is the symbolist Rudy Fritsch, a tattooer that has succeeded in bringing around for the world his genius and beautiful craziness.

 

peekabootattooparlour.blogspot.com

 

Author : Marco Annunziata

02/14/2012
Category: INK/IT

HANNAH COHEN


Watch the Video The Crying Game by Hannah Cohen on You Tube  and visit her website on Bella Union

Author : Maxim Deluxe

02/13/2012
Category: / LOST IN MUSIC

THE LEGEND OF KASPAR HAUSER

 

The true story of Kaspar Hauser is enveloped in mystery. The teenager turned up in Nuremberg’s city centre in 1828. He had been locked up in a darkened room for years, had been neglected and could hardly talk. No agreement has ever been reached on whether Hauser, who died in 1833, was murdered or committed suicide nor has his true heritage (royal, according to some) ever been uncovered. However mysterious the real Hauser might be, Davide Manuli’s film The legend of Kaspar Hauser is a personal poetical and surreal update of Hauser’s unsolved mystery. “Hauser’s story has fascinated me for over twenty years,” says Manuli, “but not for its actual meaning. Werner Herzog also once made a film about Hauser. In my opinion it is one of his worst because he literally just tells the story. That means nothing to me. I am more interested in the spiritual, religious and esoteric implications.” In Manuli’s surreal post-western, Kaspar washes up on a Mediterranean beach of an almost uninhabited island where they try to turn him into a club DJ. On the island, he is found and received as the messiah by The Sheriff who is also a DJ. The Duchess, who rules the tiny community, feels threatened by the blond boy and sends The Pusher to fix things.

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Author : Federica Mascagni

02/12/2012
Category: / THE SECRET SCREEN

KEHA3 – GRAZZ

Bike rack consists of plastic covered metal cables with metal loops at their ends for fixing the bike lock. Plastic surface cover and elastic structure protect the bike from scratches. When placing the Grazz bike racks side by side, it is possible to create partitions, artificial barriers to the city environment. There are two ways for fixing the rack – either with bolted connections/wedge anchors into the ground or casted to concrete.

Designer: Margus Triibmann

www.keha3.ee/en

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Author : Valentina Matelli

02/12/2012
Category: / RIDE HERE RIDE NOW

PERSONAL EFFECTSONSALE

Copyright © Sara Montali, 2012. All rights reserved.

Personal effectsonsale is an exhibition project settled in the wonderful Pavillon Espirt Nouveau designed by le Courbusier in 1925 and rebuilt in Bologna in 1977. A series of objects made by italian and foreigner artists have been collected and sold for 9,99 cents. This has happened during the 3 days of Arte Fiera in Bologna, a very special place where art addicted, curious, experts, collectors and fetishist gathered and where they have found the juicy chance to get art pieces for less than 10 euro, knowing after the deal whose artist was creator of the piece of work. Few weird and precious gadgets were left on saturday afternoon . I am sure that everybody is waiting for this performance to repeat, maybe staying in line for our turn to get the juju as if we were in line for a big rock concert!

Personal effectsonsale

 

Author : Serena Becagli

02/10/2012
Category: WORKING CLASS ART HEROES

SUGGESTED BY OLIVIA: WALLACE STEVENS

 
The Emperor of Ice-Cream

Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month’s newspapers.
Let be be finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.

Take from the dresser of deal,
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
On which she embroidered fantails once
And spread it so as to cover her face.
If her horny feet protrude, they come
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
Let the lamp affix its beam.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream

Author : Olivia Lewit

02/10/2012
Category: / POETRY BENCH

THE DUQUETTE FACTOR

When times are poor, imagination gets  rich. When minimalism gets sad,  it’s time  to turn to Baroque. Do you remember that pendulum? Yes, that one which makes people change their image once in a while. Those cycles, called epochs, that go  from an extreme to another with nonchalance. It’s called life, or fashion, but maybe they are fused in one thing and  bothering  in search  for a meaning is needless, we can only let it go.  One day you go essential as a black line can be, in one year you find yourself walking inside sequined fringes. The pendulum says it’s time to decorate and what’s  more normal, healthy, correct, than a  bijoux to transformate your existentialism into something new ?  Bijoux is one of the most  dramatic and radiant  things in life: the last of the conquers,  is this beautiful  Coach Tony Duquette’s line. The Coach design team has assembled this collection taking inspiration from the superstar “decorator’s”  home, archives, works, books,  photographs and has produced one of the best jewellery collections ever seen. Clearly 50ies inspired,  each hand made piece has inside the Duquette factor and it’s  made with a combination of enamel, glass, swarosky elements and natural lapis or malachite. Always loved the way that genius was working with precious and non precious materials? This is the time to Tony.

Photo: Coach Tony Duquette, Duchess Bib necklace

http://www.coach.com

 

Author : Marco Maggetto

02/09/2012
Category: / FASHION DEPARTMENT

IORI’S EYES

“We Born We Grow We Couple “…..  from Milan / Suburbia

Watch ‘ All the people outside  are killing my feeling ‘ video on   We Have Double Soul

 

Author : Maxim Deluxe

02/09/2012
Category: / LOST IN MUSIC

VAASTU SHILPI SHASTRA: INDIAN INTERIORS

 

The method of designing buildings that are in harmony with Nature is rooted in the ancient Indian science of Vaastru Shilpi Shastra. The origin of this highly evolved science can be traced to one of the four ancient Indian Vedas – the Atharva Veda that was widely applied in most historic monuments which stand tall and strong even today. This mystic science is being rediscovered by modern architects and is being increasingly employed today.There have been claims of immense wealth and personal health within days after making structural changes in one’s residence as advocated by Vaastru Shastra. Though this may be viewed with suspicion, the basic tenets appeal to the scientific mind as building designs recommended do in fact improve air circulation and natural lighting. This in turn improves the health and behavior of the occupants. These are the main rules to build in Vastu philosophy :

1. The area of the building in square feet if divided by 8must leave a reminder on either 1,3,5 or 7. 2. Old buildings that are damaged by a natural calamity like fire, lightening, rain etc are to be avoided.  3. Never acquire a house in which a suicide has taken place or a new born baby died or a pregnant lady expired. 4. Should be sufficiently away from trees whose roots candamage the foundationDoor/windowsThe main entrance /door must be from the North or theEast.5. An entrance from the West or South –West is extremely bad.The number of door and windows must each be an evennumber. 6. Columns and beams must also be an even number.

For a happy, healtier and stronger life.

Author : Francesca Querci

02/08/2012
Category: / GLARE LIVING

BODY AND SOUL – ELIZABETH ARDEN MEETS HOTEL CRYSTAL ST.MORITZ

High mountain, crisp air, perfect days for skiing. It’s winter, it’s cold and yes, it’s snowing. Imagine being nestled between the majestic snow-capped peaks of Switzerland, sightseeing beautiful and natural landscapes, having a sip of hot chocolate..

There’s a perfectly fitted partnership when a historic Maison de Beauté meets a famous Swiss hotel. I’m talking about Elizabeth Arden and St. Moritz’ Hotel Crystal. Do you know the Crystal Hotel? It’s an elegant four star superior member of  ”Small Luxury Hotels of the World” and “Engadin Golf Hotel” that  welcomes its guests in the center of St. Moritz. It’s a precious jewel. It’s a cozy and traditional place, an invitation to relax in complete harmony with its surroundings. The lounge features a beautiful fireplace and it offers guests, relax and quiet moments. The whole place features many amenities and entertainment options for guests: from the private wine cellars, perfect for tasting fine wines and culinary specialties of the area, up to the bar, where aperitifs or drinks can be easily enjoyed. But there’s something more juicy you should all know. During ski slopes, when the face is whipped by cold air, and the temperature is low, the best ally to fight climatic conditions becomes a beauty/soothing product: lip stick. I’d say something suitable and versatile and indispensible when cold. This is where the partnership becomes involving. Crystal’s guest will be given and feel cared by Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick. This product is based on vitamin E and it is rich in emollient properties that guarantee hydration and protection. It contains a SFP15 too and it lasts eight hours. It’s the perfect combination of beauty and wellness.

And last but not least, I was also told, it’s well appreciated among kissers too..

http://www.crystalhotel.ch/

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Author : Isabella Cecconi

02/08/2012
Category: / GENERAL

INK/IT: ANGELA SMISEK

 

Angela began drawing tattoos when she was studying at the Art Academy in Bologna. Through some tattoo artist friends, she decided to try out the art form – her first guinea pig being her dad! Thanks to Luca Mamone of Santa Sangre Tattoo Studio, Angela’s passion for needles and ink have grown into a mature style and she is now notorious for her quality tattoos. Her style is the American traditional with thick black lines, infused with a touch of femininity. Milton Zeis, Percy Waters, Hernias Sutton, and Sailor Jerry are some of her favorite tattoo artists.

Currently, Angela works in Milan at the Pietro Sedda’s Saint Mariner Tattoo Studio and she will participate with him at the Krakov Convention next June. In her spare time, she loves to cook vegan recipes for her boyfriend.

 

facebook.com/angela.smisek

 

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Author : Marco Annunziata

02/07/2012
Category: INK/IT

ARCHIVIO CICCONI: A CRAFTED CONTEMPORARY MYTH

There’s only one mean in mankind for stopping time: it’s photography. And Photography if stored professionally, can be considered a real “good” for society. The value of an asset is today determined by history for instance, and with its history a whatnot brand can promote excellence and preciousness. The importance of this heritage resides in an archive itself, so that to become a brand the archive itself.

The Cicconi Photo Archive, recognized by the Italian Ministry of Culture as an archive of historical interest, preserves historical memory through the use of Italian visual material, from photojournalism agencies. The archive itself includes around 7 million images of original plates, negatives and slides of various sizes, holding together Italy’s visual recorded history. The work of Umberto Cicconi, President of the foundation, which manages these assets has been continued by son Edoardo who, getting along with all this treasure, has been inspired with his artisanal work.

Nowadays, Edoardo Cicconi produces antique prints with the confidence of someone who has always lived between glass plates and negatives. He shifts from being a craftsman to a real artist. A touch of new sign by an old crafty master. With a peculiar printing technique whereby he combines tailoring on cotton paper and the technique of gum bichromate, Edoardo reproduces images on a special glassplate. The gum bichromate is a technique used in the 19th century that uses few items: Arabic gum, chrome, colour and obviously light. This seemingly simple process offers endless potential for expression due to the aggregation formula of different elements. It obviously ensures the irreproducibility that is the basic issue of a real work of art.

This ritual is unique and it gives a go to equality and the main idea of matrix and copy. In a place like Rome, where rituals, religion, fashion, art are a spontaneous DNA, Edoardo Cicconi and the Archivio Ciccioni offer an endless quantity of possible photographical interpretations.

Time is where the past and the future coexists.

www.archiviocicconi.com

www.fondazioneallori.it

 

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Author : Isabella Cecconi

02/07/2012
Category: / THE THIRD EYE

THE QUICK ONE: LESS IS MORE (AND MORE), CECILIA BRINGHELI

 

Who are you? Where do you come from and what do you do?

Cecilia Bringheli, I’m from Milan and I am a shoe designer

How did you start your job?

I started because I felt I could never find flats, besides ballerinas, that could be elegant and feminine, yet practical, for a modern woman who might walk out the door in the morning and come back home  after dinner. Therefore I draw, initially only for my own self,  this very simple model as I needed to have a simple pair of shoes that could be comfortable and “always right”. Right after i had so many requests from men that we started  to adapt the same model also to create  a men’s line to go together with the female one.

What fascinates most about your job?

Let’s start saying that producing in Italy it’s very challenging , especially in a beginning stage. Finding the best artisanal factory that understands the needs of a new brand that wants and aims to move and play in an always faster world it’s somehow an oxymoron between the reality of the demand  from customers and the need to respect the right timing needed to produce a top of the notch handmade slipper, like Cb’s. So far we’re managing to make it ! We know by first name every single artisan -we prefer to consider them artists- that works on our shoes and we strongly believe that our product is the best possible available. The love that somehow it’s given to our product from this people, it makes a huge difference. On top of this, we would never accept to work producing in any other country, especially those that do not respect human rights or employ underage workers. We think that respecting  workers and pay them a fair salary is the base for a truly successful business and this might also help contributing to  create a better world, even if this might be just a drop of water in the Ocean. I work hard, especially because when you’re having such a small company as mine, you have to take care of every aspect, including numbers and smaller details so , my method, it’s to do one thing at the time and to love what i do.

Who/what have mostly determined your life?

I don’t want to sound cheesy but as many things in life, I guess, family is always one ofthe main sources of inspiration. My mother has raised me to a natural inclination towards elegance and taste without need to show off and this will always be my starting point. Then, come all of the external world influences. In this case it is never something specific, I can’t point out a single reference or icon. I would say it is more the result of events or simple objects and situations that impact with my mood and emotions. The important thing (there I go sounding cheesy again..) is always to be curious and open-minded.

Why is Cecilia special?

Determination certainly occupies the first place. It might seem very obvious but as a young woman growing in this society I have learned that many people unfortunately don’t work on determination that much. Another essential thing is to love what you do and this really goes along with having to be determined. To me the key is to try to approach things with the right amount of courage and foolishness balanced with the right amount of tough work and expertise.

What  is your soundtrack at the moment?

Nicolas Jaar, I went to his concert last Sunday and it was amazing. Dancing, singing, playing, he is from 1990, genious!!!

How is your ideal day?

Wake up in a huge white bed full of pillows, have breakfast in bed, go on a sailing boat trip under the sun with my friends. Aperitivo at sunset feeling the effect of the sun on my face, cook a typical Italian dinner for my friends together with a good bottle of wine and someone playing a guitar.

Which are your favorite pieces of your wardrobe?

When I choose my clothes, I always think that “less is more”: the simpler, the more elegant. My favorite pieces are a little black dress, jeans, t-shirts, shirts and sweaters…I’m always cold!

How and where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Well.. quite a strange question to answer. I guess if I had an exact timing I would have to start a new job as fortune teller. Seriously, I suppose success is not something you can achieve and put aside judging it by some scale of any sort but rather something you have to continuously look forward to, also on a more personal and interior level. Setting goals is an important way of getting through the process and the goals change according to your growth, both in a professional and in a personal way. And I hope that someday I will be the mother of the kid of the man I will love.

Could you please suggest me some special places to go shopping?

I don’t do shopping a lot I have to be honest. I can say that I go to “il Salvagente” that is an outlet in Via Fratelli Bronzetti in Milan, but you have to be patient when you go there, so I just go sometimes and then I go to Zara and H&M most of the time.

 

http://www.cbmadeinitaly.com/

Author : Angela Biani

02/06/2012
Category: THE QUICK ONE

CELEBRINE

CELEBRINE  are a duo that  come from Moscow. They  are well equipped with various synth, dance music techniques and blank cold vocals. Watch their video Mirror on You Tube and listen their music on Soundcloud

Author : Maxim Deluxe

02/06/2012
Category: / LOST IN MUSIC

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

 

Directed by Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild is a magical realist tale, a poetic evocation of an endangered way of life, a touching hero’s journey and an ode to human resilience set along the mythologized part of southern Louisiana nicknamed the Bathtub. Here Hushpuppy, an intrepid six-year-old girl, lives with her father, Wink, whose though love prepares her for the unraveling of the universe; for a time when he’s no longer there to protect her. When Wink contracts a mysterious illness, nature flies out of whack-temperatures rise, and the ice caps melt, unleashing an army of prehistoric creatures called aurochs. With the waters rising, the aurochs coming, and Wink’s health fading, Hushpuppy goes in search of her lost mother. Shot on Super 16-millimeter film and casting nonactors, Benh Zeitlin’s directorial debut is hauntingly beautiful both visually and in the tenderness it shows toward the characters. Hushpuppy is not just the film’s heroine; she’s its soul. Beasts of the Southern Wild exists entirely in its own universe: mythological, anthropological, folkloric, and apocalyptic. Standing defiantly at the end of the world, Hushpuppy affirms the dignity of telling their own story: that they were once there.

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Author : Federica Mascagni

02/06/2012
Category: / THE SECRET SCREEN

DI NUCCI CYCLES

Mark Di Nucci is not a bike maker, but THE bike maker. He is an institution in the biking world, a source of inspiration for the most important bicycle craftsmen. His bikes are handmade with full attention given to each detail and also with love, dedication and passion. Everything is elegant, harmonious. It’s a perfect symphony. It all began in the 1970′s  when Mr Di Nucci started as one of the earliest US framebuilders. He specialized in handmade frames for road and track and continued that work through the mid 80’s when he turned to designing production bikes for some of the biggest brands in cycling. Then, after 25 years of engineering bicycles for other brands, he has returned to what he loves most:  taking the time to design and build frames that reflect his own standards in craftsmanship & performance.

 

http://www.dinuccicycles.com/

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Author : Valentina Matelli

02/05/2012
Category: / RIDE HERE RIDE NOW

SUGGESTED BY OLIVIA : J R FAUSET

Lolotte, Who Attires My Hair by Jessie Redmon Fauset

Lolotte, who attires my hair,
Lost her lover. Lolotte weeps;
Trails her hand before her eyes;
Hangs her head and mopes and sighs,
Mutters of the pangs of hell.
Fills the circumambient air
With her plaints and her despair.
Looks at me:
‘May you never know, Mam’selle
Love’s harsh cruelty.’

Author : Olivia Lewit

02/03/2012
Category: / POETRY BENCH