Catch The Color Wheel, a full-length feature film co-written and starring Alex Ross Perry and Carlen Altman from our Gifted and Talented series. Screenings start this Friday, May 18 at Bam Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn). Tickets are available here and visit The Color Wheel website for more info!
Tin Ojeda is the Argentinian-born founder of Drug Money Art. Here we discuss his love of surfing, what inspires him, and his favorite quotes.
Introduce yourself! My name is Tin Ojeda. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and I have been living in New York for the last 13 years, in NYC and Montauk.
What do you do for a living? I surf as much as I can. I also own a clothing company called D/M Art ("Drug Money Art”). I do everything myself: dye tees, screen print and make all the art. I love shooting film—35mm and large format are my favorite.
Where did the name “Drug Money Art” come from? The name Drug Money came out in 2008 after I spray-painted it on a surfboard.
When did you get started making art? I’ve always done art since I was a little kid. I started doing big 10ft oil paintings back in 2000. I did that for a couple of years then I moved to screen printing in 2008 and I’ve been exploring that ever since. I started with the T-shirts and now I’m taking large format photos and hand screen printing them on paper.
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from street graffiti and late '50s surf style. NYC is a great place for inspiration.
Tell us about one of your favorite prints. “Death to Hipsters” is a 4x5 photo of my friend's grandma wearing a T-shirt with that saying on it. We made the tee just for the shoot. She is very funny and always talking about "those hipsters."
How long have you been surfing for? I’ve been surfing for 16 years. I do it as much as possible and I love it to death. When there are waves, it’s all I do. I ride mostly mid-lengths, hulls and ‘50s long boards—only single fin nothing else. I don't like modern surfboards or tri-fins. What is your favorite quote? My favorite new quote is "Just another asshole." I found that very funny and real. “Beauty is boring” is on of my favorites too. It’s hard to pick just one!
Emilie Jean travels the world and picks up all kinds of incredible pieces along the way. It should come as no surprise that the exquisite antique jewelry from her coveted collections are currently sitting at the top of my wishlist. X - Jen
Power friends NYC! My buddy Sandy Kim and I just shot and modeled for the cover for the new issue of Vice Magazine. We also have a full spread called Pretty Kool-A, based off Japanese purikura photobooth pics. They just hit the streets, yoink em' while you can. Thank you! -Maggie Lee
Easily one of the most amazing art shows I've ever seen, Holton Rower's new "Pour Paintings" up now at The Hole Gallery in NY are well worth a plane trip. These pieces are so unreal they beg to be seen in person to be believed. X - Jen
Photographer Mark Squires hangs with the best bands, has the raddest photo shoots, and snaps the sickest covers. Naturally he also has the best photo diary as well. X - Jen
I'm really loving these Crazy Tees (that's really what they're called. What else could you call them?) by Left Field NYC as seen on Indigo & Cotton's blog. Pair one with a set of board shorts and hit the beach in style. Made in the USA. -Bob
Adam Yauch, better known as 'MCA' of the Beastie Boys, passed away today at age 47. Yauch was an idol in many ways—as an activist, director and member of one of the most ground-breaking hip-hop groups of all time—and he will be missed.
Happy Birthday to Keith Haring! He would have been 54 today. For those living in the big city, make sure to check out the Keith Haring 1978-1982exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway), showcasing the early years of his career.
Jenny Hueston's pictures makes you want to quit your job and head for the coast. Here we talk to her about her love for surfing, the challenges she faces in her field, and where she keeps all those damn photos.
Introduce yourself! My name is Jenny Hueston. I am from Canada. I lived in London for several years before landing in Brooklyn which is where I am now based
What was the first camera you ever had? It was a bright red plastic Vivitar with a red zip up case and a wrist strap. I got it from my parents for my birthday one year when I was probably about 10. It spent a lot of time at summer camp with me and captured a lot of great early '90s preteen looks.
Where do you keep all of your photos? Boxes and boxes and boxes and hard drives and more boxes. I have so many prints, Polaroids and negatives from over the years. There is a big box at my mom and dad's place that I like to go through every now and then.
What is the most challenging thing about working in the field of photography? I think that one of the most difficult things about being a photographer is the freelance aspect of it. Of course this is also one of the most wonderful things about it as you have freedom to do what you want and create what you want. It is a bit of a double edged sword though as you are the only on responsible for how your career goes. You have to make it up a bit as you go along.
Do you surf? What is the connection between your work and surfing? I think I am more of a spectator than a surfer. Several of my good friends are obsessive surfers and I spend a lot of time on beaches with them. I find I spend more time on the beach taking pictures than in the water. This has turned into an on going surf project. I love early morning light by the ocean and there is a freedom in surfing that I am fascinated in capturing. These two elements go together beautifully.
Describe your photos in 5 words, or in one sentence. Nostalgic, muted, free, intimate and eclectic
What is the greatest compliment you've ever received? My mom once relayed to me that my grandfather had told her that I was like a free like a butterfly. I always smile when i think of that.
Where is your favorite place on earth? In the middle of any serene lake in Northern Ontario during summer. Preferably early in the morning when it's misty.
What's your favorite photo you've ever taken? If I had to pick one though I think it would be of my niece. My sister and I were on a long drive between northern Quebec and southern Ontario. Lily had spent several hours of that telling us about her magical fairy world and everything she imagined in it. The picture I took of her is when she is fast asleep in the back of the car. It reminds me being a child and dreaming of fairies.
I'm obsessed with Viviane Sassen'sParasomnia, Sol & Luna, and Various Photographs (and I need to see more). Luckily, Assembly New York and Libraryman will be having a launch for her new book, Die Son Sien Alles. I wonder what this series is about. Her work is so natural and compelling. See you at the book opening to find out! -Maggie Lee
Great styling by street style spotter Mister Mort with Jack Spade's summer suiting collection. Believe it or not, wearing a suit in warmer months is not impossible, it just takes the right fabrics. I think Mort did a great job pairing patterns and textures to keep things interesting. See more from the set here. -Bob
Calvin Klein have just launched their tumblr, with Hanneli Mustaparta as their main girl behind the blog. Alongside tons of big events, CK model exclusives, and Hanneli checking out new pieces, it will of course be littered with old CK campaigns (you know, like the one featuring Jennifer Herrema!), and heaps more Calvin Klein history. X - Jen
We met up with the Burkman Bros at their new office in Midtown West to get the details on their latest collection, The Tourist. Here we talk about their inspiration, their travels, and what it's like working with your family.
Hey guys, can you introduce yourselves? We’re Doug and Ben Burkman of Burkman Bros.
Where did you grow up? Doug: We grew up in Canada but we’ve lived in New York for about 15 years now.
Ben: Our mother’s American so we have dual-citizenship.
How did you get started in design? Doug: I went to a design school in Canada and when I was done college I moved to New York and started working as a designer at Gap. Ben: I started working at the age of 23 at Gap as an assistant designer; I kind of came in through the back door. I put together a creative project and they offered me the position.
Why did you want to start your own brand? Doug: You know, you work in a big company for so long and you see your designs on the streets and on the subway, you get to a point where you’re like, “Maybe I can do this by myself.”
What made you decide to work together? Doug: Ben and I have always worked together. Even when we were little kids we had jobs together and it was on our path to continue to work together, I suppose.
How many people are on your team? Doug: There’s the two of us and another brother who handles e-commerce and shipping, and the day to day. Then we have a whole slew of assistants, interns, and people who come and go on a project basis.
Is it harder or easier to work with family? Ben: It makes it easier. We have such a long history and a deep understanding of how each other operate. Working with family probably has a lot more benefits compared to a relationship that could sour and fall apart. Your brother is a lifelong friend.
Do you ever disagree over designs? Ben: All the time!
How do you get passed that? Doug: Someone goes storming out of the office! (laughs) Ben: I feel like with everything in life, it’s a compromise. So, if someone feels very strongly about something then we let them pursue it.
Can you tell us about The Tourist collection that we are currently selling? Doug: We’re really excited because a typical Burkman Bros collection can be a little on the expensive side sometimes, and we wanted to be able to offer our point of view to everybody. The price points are amazing. You can get a whole outfit for under $100 dollars.
What was your inspiration behind it? Doug: The Tourist collection in particular was inspired by a summertime trip to Greece that we took last year. We’re largely inspired by travel. We go to different places around the world that help us form our collections on a seasonal basis. The Tourist is kind of the younger brother to that. The clothes are definitely geared towards a slightly younger guy but it has the same spirit. There are some really cool pieces with patterns and there’s a blue, white, and red color palette.
What is your favorite item in the collection? Doug: A shirt with printed fish on it. I think prints are super cool now in men’s fashion and this is a geek-chic way of wearing a print. Ben: My favorite is the white short. The white short in summer is such a great staple and ours is really amazing engineered jacquard-stripe across the front. Doug: Also the accessories we did were pretty cool. We did bracelets which we are kind of known for. Additionally, there is a rope sandal by Gurkee’s, that is pretty cool. We’re selling a couple of colors exclusive to Urban Outfitters.
Where are some of the other places you’ve traveled together? Ben: We go to India together on a regular basis. This year we went to Hawaii with some of our friends. It can be super tacky and super touristy but at the same time it’s beautiful and there’s tons of stuff to do. You can go surfing, you can go hiking—everything’s there.
What’s the best tourist spot in New York? Doug: Whenever I have someone in from out of town I bring them to the top of the Rockfeller Center. It has an amazing view of the whole city. You can see the Empire State Building, which is really great. A lot of people go to the top of the Empire State, but it’s nice to be in another building to look at it.
Any final thoughts? Ben: Look for more amazing things to come from The Tourist by Burkman Brothers!
Ryan McGinley has done it again! Today, Wednesday, May 2, get ready 'cause the streets of SoHo are gonna get shut down for this blockbuster show. Simultaneously, Team Gallery will be presenting two new bodies of work by McGinley. Animals is a series of photographs about wild creatures and their interactions with human bodies (located at 83 Grand St.) and Grids, a body of work that studies the faces of fans at concerts (at 47 Wooster St.). -Maggie Lee
