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Is Microneedling Good for Your Scalp? Benefits, Considerations & FAQs

Strong, vibrant hair begins with a healthy scalp. Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a popular treatment that can revitalise your scalp and potentially boost hair growth and reduce hair loss. If you are interested in learning more about this process, here’s a thorough analysis of its advantages, possible drawbacks, and frequently asked questions.

What is Microneedling for the Scalp?

In microneedling, the scalp’s surface is punctured precisely using a tiny tool equipped with tiny needles. This promotes blood flow, healing, and collagen synthesis. Although derma rollers can be used at home, professional treatment in a clinical setting is recommended for deeper treatments.

How Calecim’s Advanced Hair System Works with Microneedling

Calecim’s Advanced Hair System and other topical products are better absorbed when microchannels are created through microneedling, which is frequently done with a derma stamp. PTT-6, a unique component in this system, is brimming with cytokines and growth factors that support robust hair follicles and reduce scalp inflammation, helping reduce hair loss and working as a hair loss treatment

Benefits of Microneedling for Scalp Health

  • Hair Growth Stimulation: Microneedling encourages collagen and elastin production, strengthening hair follicles and potentially leading to thicker, healthier hair.
  • Improved Blood Circulation: Enhanced blood flow delivers vital nutrients to hair follicles, nourishing them and supporting growth.
  • Thicker, Stronger Hair: Increased collagen can result in stronger, more resilient hair strands, especially beneficial for those with thinning hair.
  • Enhanced Product Absorption: Microneedling creates channels that allow hair growth products like Calecim’s Advanced Hair System to penetrate deeper, maximizing their effectiveness.
  • Reduced Scalp Conditions: Microneedling can help alleviate dandruff, dryness, itching, and excess oil production.

Considerations & Potential Downsides

  • Professional Treatment: For optimal results and safety, deeper microneedling should be performed by a trained professional.
  • Multiple Sessions: Several sessions are usually needed to achieve and maintain the desired results.
  • Post-Treatment Care: Redness and minor discomfort are common after treatment. Proper aftercare, often involving products like Calecim’s Advanced Hair System, is crucial.
  • Not for Everyone: Certain scalp conditions or medical issues may make microneedling unsuitable. Consult a healthcare professional first.
  • Patience is Key: Results take time. Don’t expect instant changes in hair growth or scalp health.

FAQs about Microneedling for Scalp Health

  • Is it painful? Most people experience minimal discomfort. Topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand.
  • How long does it take? A session typically lasts 30-60 minutes.
  • How often should it be done? Initially, treatments might be scheduled every 4-6 weeks. Maintenance sessions are less frequent.
  • Is it safe? When performed by a professional, microneedling is generally safe.
  • Are there side effects? Minor redness, swelling, and pinpoint bleeding are common but usually subside quickly.
  • When will I see results? You might notice some improvement within a few weeks, but significant changes often take several months.

Microneedling can be a valuable tool for improving scalp health when used properly with a professional microneedling hair regrowth serum, while potentially stimulating hair growth. When combined with products like Calecim’s Advanced Hair System, it may offer even more significant benefits. If you’re considering microneedling, consult a qualified professional to discuss your specific needs and goals.

Unlocking the Benefits of Dermal Fillers: Enhancing Beauty with Precision

The quest for a youthful and radiant appearance has led to an increasing number of people seeking out dermal fillers as a non-invasive solution to restore their skin’s natural beauty. But with the growing popularity of these injectable treatments, it’s natural to feel uncertain about what they entail and whether they’re right for you. In this guide, we’ll explore what dermal fillers are as well as the benefits and safety of this revolutionary cosmetic treatment.

Understanding Dermal Fillers

Our skin naturally produces less collagen and becomes less supple as we age and due to lifestyle factors, causing the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. Dermal fillers are injectable gel-like solutions that fill up facial wrinkles and hollows and provide support to the surrounding tissue while also stimulating collagen production, which results in restoring volume and fullness to the skin. There is a wide choice of different products available on the market and not all fillers are created equal. Because of their differences in composition (hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-l-lactic acid, etc.), density, and lifespan, each is best suited for a certain use.

In general, dermal fillers are designed to treat a variety of cosmetic concerns, such as:

  • Facial wrinkles and fine lines, including nasolabial folds and marionette lines;
  • Saggy loose skin in the lower face, around the mouth and jawline;
  • Thin and/or undefined lips;
  • Signs of skin aging on the body, including the neck, décolleté, and back of the hands;
  • Different types of scars, including acne scars.

Safety and Side Effects

While generally considered safe, dermal fillers have a number of contraindications, and can sometimes cause adverse effects such as redness, swelling, bruising, and discomfort at the injection site (according to National Institutes of Health). However, these side effects are normally mild and temporary, and severe reactions like allergic reactions, infections, and nerve damage are rare. To reduce the risk of severe side effects and complications, dermal fillers should only be administered by a competent and experienced practitioner in appropriate conditions. With a thorough medical evaluation and reassurance that you are a good candidate as well as proper administration and aftercare, dermal fillers can be your key to the safe and effective anti-aging treatment.

Additionally, before opting for the treatment, you should make sure that the products are purchased from a reputable supplier. MajorMedicalSolutions.com is such a reliable wholesale dermal filler distributor that provides a wide range of high quality medical devices at low prices and ensures the delivery of products in record time.

Benefits of Dermal Fillers

Natural-looking improvements

Dermal fillers effectively restore lost facial volume and structure, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enhancing facial contours, and restoring your youthful and vibrant appearance. Additionally, dermal fillers have become the most popular option for lip enhancement that allows for improving lip fullness, definition, and symmetry.

Long-lasting benefits

Depending on the type of product and individual characteristics, dermal fillers generally provide noticeable improvements that last for 6-12 months or even longer. Because of their excellent durability, dermal fillers may be a cost-effective and valuable component of your anti-aging regimen.

Minimal downtime and quick recovery

Dermal filler treatments require little to no recovery time which means that you can get back to your normal activities right after the procedure. Indeed, this makes them a convenient option for people with busy schedules who cannot afford extended recovery periods.

Versatile and customizable solutions

Dermal fillers are available in a variety of formulations and can be used for addressing different concerns, allowing for treatment programs tailored to your individual aesthetic goals.

Increased confidence

Apart from improving the appearance of your skin, dermal fillers can have a positive effect on your self-esteem and well-being. With dermal injections you can enjoy balanced and harmonious outcomes, allowing your natural beauty to shine through!

Conclusion

In conclusion, dermal fillers have revolutionized the world of cosmetic treatments, with safe, effective, and non-invasive solutions for addressing various signs of aging and enhancing your natural beauty. As a wide range of fillers are available, each with its unique benefits and characteristics, it’s very important to choose the right filler that can help you reach your individual goals. Therefore, it’s necessary to remember that selecting a qualified practitioner and carefully considering your treatment options, can highly influence the final results.

The Application Was Unable To Start Correctly 0xc00007b (8 Proven Ways)

Error 0xc00007b is a common issue that may occur when you are trying to launch an application or game in Windows.

This is the message format of the error — The application was unable to start correctly (0xc00007b). Click OK to close the application.

If you are searching for any solutions on Google, look no further as we have got you covered. In this blog post, we will briefly explain the reasons for 0xc00007b error and will also share X effective methods to get your applications running smoothly again. Let’s get going!

Part 1: What Causes Error 0xc00007b in Windows 11/10?

Before finding the right 0xc00007b error fix, take a minute to understand the common reasons behind it. Here are they:

  • Your DLL files are missing or not found.
  • Running a 32-bit application on a 64-bit system or vice versa.
  • The original installation is incorrect or incomplete.
  • Essential system files are damanged.
  • Issues with DirectX, such as an outdated or corrupted installation.
  • Missing or corrupted Visual C++ Redistributable Packages.

Part 2: Which Programs May Encounter 0xc00007b Error when Opening?

For now, we’ve observed that you might encounter the ‘The application was unable to start correctly 0xc00007b’ error on Windows 11/10 when opening the following programs or games:

  • Grand Theft Auto V
  • Hogwarts Legacy
  • Adobe Lightroom
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Unreal Engine 4
  • Delphi
  • Batman: Arkham Knight
  • Epic Games
  • Adobe Photoshop

Part 3: Quick Way to Fix Error 0xc00007b in Windows 11/10

When it comes to fixing DirectX-related issues like 0xc00007b, 4DDiG DLL Fixer is usually our go-to choice. This lightweight tool is designed to scan, identify, and fix problems associated with DLL files, ensuring that your games and applications run seamlessly. Without the need for manual troubleshooting, it provides a very accessible one-click soluiton to regular users. Here is a guide on how to fix 0xc00007b error with the help of this DLL repair tool:

Step 1: Begin with downloading and installing the 4DDiG DLL Fixer tool on your Windows PC. Once launched, select “DirectX Repair” from the left sidebar menu. Then, hit the “Full Scan” button to continue.

Step 2: This tool can scan your system for DirectX-related issues in just a few minutes. Once the scan is completed, simply click on the “Repair” button to fix them.

Step 3: After the repair is completed, you should be good to go. If this doesn’t work, you can perform a “Full Check” from the left navigation bar.

Part 4: Advanced Ways to Fix Error 0xc00007b in Windows 11/10

Fix 1: Reinstall the Application

One classic fix for error 0xc00007b is to perform a clean installation of the problematic application. In some cases, you might download the wrong version for your operating system, or some of the library files may be missing during the original installation. This method is easy, risk-free and won’t take up much time. So, try reinstalling the program and see where that leaves you.

Fix 2: Run the Program as an Adminstrator

When you receive the error message ‘The application was unable to start correctly (0xc00007b),’ it could be due to compatibility issues. In such cases, running the application with administrator privileges can be helpful. To do this, right-click on the application’s shortcut and select “Run as administrator” from the menu. If the program runs properly, it needs to be configured to always run in administrator mode. Here is how:

Step 1: Right-click on the affected application followed by selecting “Properties.”

Step 2: Switch to the “Compatibility” tab. Tick the box labeled “Run this program as an administrator.” Finally, don’t forget to click the “Apply” button.

Fix 3: Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributable Packages

The Visual C++ Redistributable is a crucial software package that includes DLL files required for running various programs. It is usually automatically installed with Windows, but if it becomes corrupted, then the 0xc00007b error will appear. To reinstall it, follow these steps:

Step 1: Start by typing “Control Panel” into the search bar and open it from the search results. Then, navigate to “Programs and Features.”

Step 2: In the list of installed programs, you’ll need to uninstall any that start with “Microsoft Visual C++.”

Step 3: Open your browser and go to the Microsoft Download Center. In the navigation bar, search for and download “Visual C++ Redistributable Packages.” Download both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions if your system is 64-bit, as some applications might require the 32-bit version.

Step 4: Once installed, it’s often recommended to reboot your computer.

Fix 4: Reinstall Microsoft .NET framework

If the 0xc00007b error persists, reinstalling Microsoft .NET framework is also a viable option. All you need to do is uninstall it in Programs and download the latest version from the Microsoft official website. For detailed steps, refer to the previous method.

Fix 5: Update Your installed DirectX Version

DirectX is crucial for many games and multimedia applications. If you see the “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc00007b)” error when trying to run a game, updating DirectX should do the trick. Althought DirectX updates are included with Windows updates, you can download and install it manually.

Fix 6: Repair System Files

In rare cases, error 0xc00007b may also appear because of hard drive issues, such as bad sectors or system file corruption. Fortunately, Windows provides some built-in tools that enables you to resolve these problems at home. To do so:

Step 1: First of all, perform a right click on the Start Menu Button. Then, open CMD with administrator privileges.

Step 2: Enter the “chkdsk E: /f /r” command and execute it. (If necessary, replace ‘E’ with the corresponding letter of the drive you wish to check.)

Step 3: If everything is okay, type “sfc /scannow” to repair any damaged system files.

Fix 7: Check Windows Event Viewer

Have you tried the 7 solutions mentioned above but none of them worked? Before seeking professional help, we recommend checking the Event Viewer as it provides detailed information about application with the 0xc00007b error. Doing so can help professionals diagnose the issue more quickly and accurately. Here’s how:

Step 1: Press Win + R, type “eventvwr,” and click “OK.”

Step 2: In the left-hand sidebar, expand Windows Logs and click on Application.

Step 3: Scroll down and look for entries with a red error icon. Then, click on it to view its details at the bottom of the window. Remember, note down the error codes, file names, or any other relevant information provided in the logs.

Wrap Things Up

So, there you have it – that’s everything related to error 0xc0007b and how can fix it. In fact, there are many different methods you can try when facing the ‘The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b)’ error. However, we highly recommend using 4ddig DLL Fixer to resolve the issue, especially if you have limited computer knowledge. This tool is specifically designed for regular users and can repair over 7,000 DLL issues in one click.

Top 7 AI Photo Enhancers to Transform Your Images

AI photo enhancers have become very important in transforming photos. Since they leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning, these enhancers can significantly improve the quality and size of images. AI photo enhancers present a simple way to give new meaning to a range of images from vintage pictures to blurred selfies.

Just upload your picture and advanced neural networks will start analyzing and enhancing it automatically. Common enhancements include raising resolution, reducing noise/ grain, emphasizing details, correcting colours, upscaling among others. The best AI photo enhancer also offer creative options that includes changing skies, removing objects or generating new image content.

What Is an AI Photo Enhancer?

AI image enhancers depend on artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to automatically improve the quality of photos. They do this by analyzing pixels in a bid to identify and fix problems in images.

Some important features of AI photo enhancers:

  • Resolution increase – Enhancing the size of low-resolution images while retaining clarity and details that make them good for printing or digital use.
  • Noise reduction –Identifying and removing any grainy or speckled noise from photographs taken with low light settings or high ISOs.
  • Detail sharpening – Making blurred or soft focused images appear more crisp, defined and less blurry.
  • Color correction – Modulating white balance, brightness, contrast and vibrancy to achieve truer vividness in color.
  • Creative editing – For instance, some tools offer changing skies using computer-generated image contents.

The main advantages of AI photo enhancement are speed, accuracy, and ease of use. What can take us hours to complete manually can be done in mere seconds with the help of Artificial Intelligence. In addition, these algorithms are able to make subtle improvements unlike manual editors that preserve image quality.

Top 7 AI Photo Enhancers

1. HitPaw FotorPea

HitPaw FotorPea is an exceptional AI-powered photo enhancement tool that transforms images with incredible quality and ease. This highly capable software leverages advanced neural networks to dramatically improve all types of photos with just a few clicks. It is the best AI photo enhancer app.

Key Features

  • Cutting-edge AI to increase resolution, reduce noise, adjust colors and lighting
  • Al portrait generator for stunning, natural-looking portrait edits
  • Object removal capabilities to seamlessly erase unwanted elements
  • AI art generator to turn text into imaginative artwork
  • Accessible passport photo editing tools

Pros

  • Extremely powerful AI delivers professional-grade enhancements
  • Very easy to use even for beginners
  • Affordable pricing and regularly updated

Cons

  • Full functionality requires payment

2. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the industry’s flagship photo editing software for professionals. Manipulation of the images and creative workflows have never been easier.

Key features

  • Extremely powerful editing tools like selections, layers, masks
  • Advanced compositing and blending modes
  • Support for RAW formats and 16/32-bit images
  • Content-aware fill and move tools
  • Camera Raw for processing RAW images
  • Extensive third party plugin ecosystem

Pros

  • Endless creative options and control
  • Compatible with countless plugins and workflows

Cons

  • Expensive subscription model

3. Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo is an AI-powered alternative that promises to simplify photo editing process. Due to machine learning, this program gives impressive results by doing almost nothing.

Key features

  • AI-based tools like sky replacement and portrait background editing
  • Numerous one-click presets for fast enhancements
  • Layers and masking capabilities
  • RAW support and DAM integration
  • Intuitive interface optimized for photographers

Pros

  • Affordable one-time purchase
  • Easy to learn and use

Cons

  • More limited compared to Photoshop

4. Fotor

Fotor can be used freely online as a tool for photo editing which provides a variety of tools and creativity features. It offers an easy way out for people who are starting out in basics of picture processing until they reach intermediate level.

Key features

  • Numerous filters and effects
  • HDR imaging and tone mapping
  • Batch editing for applying edits to multiple photos
  • Collage making and text tools
  • Social media templates for posts

Pros

  • Completely free to use
  • Easy to get started

Cons

  • Limited organization and output options
  • Requires uploading images

5. VanceAI

VanceAI uses artificial intelligence algorithms to provide high-quality image enhancement services online. With speed and efficiency, it achieves professional-grade results.

Key features

  • Photo upscaling for increasing resolution
  • Noise reduction for removing graininess
  • Automatic corrections of lighting, color, sharpness
  • Object removal to erase unwanted elements

Pros

  • Free to use with no signup required
  • Fast processing times

Cons

  • Limited compared to desktop software

6. Pixlr

Pixlr is a widely-used free online image editor offering various AI-backed tools and effects that make ordinary photos outstanding by adding creativity to them instead of just fixing some few things on them so even beginners can do it easily.

Key features

  • AI-based photo enhancer
  • Layer-based editing
  • Hundreds of filters, overlays and effects
  • Content-aware healing and cloning
  • Drawing tools and typography

Pros

  • Completely free to use
  • Easy to get started

Cons

  • Requires uploading images
  • Limited organization features

7. Topaz Photo AI

Topaz Photo AI uses machine learning techniques for automating time-consuming processes such as increasing resolution and reducing noise levels in photographs which involve complex image enhancement.

Key features

  • AI Clear automatically removes noise/grain
  • AI Quantum for extreme upscaling
  • Sharpen AI for intelligent sharpening
  • Mask AI for easy selections

Pros

  • Excellent AI-based tools
  • 30 day money back guarantee

Cons

  • Expensive subscription model

8. Picsart

Addition in the end: Picsart is a powerful AI-driven photo enhancer with a variety of creative tools for enhancing images. Effortlessly improve image quality in seconds using state-of-the-art AI technology. The Picsart photo enhancer sharpens details and boosts clarity with ease.

Key features

  • AI-powered photo enhancer for one-click quality improvements

  • Background remover and object eraser

  • Filters, effects, and artistic overlays

  • AI-assisted retouching and beautification tools

  • Mobile and web app availability for easy access

Pros

  • Free basic version with AI-powered tools

  • User-friendly interface with creative effects

Cons

  • Some advanced features require a premium subscription

Future of AI in Photo Editing

AI photo editing tools have been rapidly changing for some time now and will continue to improve photography and editing workflows. Here are some of the trends that you should prepare for as well as their potential impacts:

Emerging Trends

  • More AI control over photo editing
  • Specialized AI tools for various genres
  • AI assistants to help make complex edits such as selections and compositing easier
  • An increasing usage of generative AI to create new image content and ideas
  • AI that mimics individuals’ editing habits offering personalized suggestions

Impact on Photography

  • Instead of technical editing, photographers will be able to concentrate more on the creative side
  • There is a fear that it may lead to over-edited images with similar visual styles
  • It can increase creativity by doing repetitive tasks automatically

Conclusion

The AI photo enhancers have brought about a complete transformation in the improvement of all kinds of images. As technology advances, more choices are being made available to cater for different needs.

In this case, HitPaw FotorPea is a standout option due to its exceptional quality and highly-capable artificial intelligence at an affordable cost. Nonetheless, Adobe Photoshop still remains the ultimate solution for creative control purposes as well as advanced editing. Furthermore, Luminar Neo and Photoshop Elements provide cheaper alternatives for novices who cannot afford expensive software. Additionally, free online tools such as VanceAI and Pixlr give users an instant taste of AI-assisted editing.

We would like you to attempt some of the HitPaw products and let us know how you feel about these user-friendly, economical AI-enhanced photo editors.

Illuminating Eternal Themes: “26462 Suns” Art Exhibition Concludes Successfully in London

London, July – The art exhibition “26462 Suns: An Artistic Exploration of Eternity and Reincarnation” was successfully held from July 26 to 28, 2024, at the M P Birla Millennium Art Gallery in London. This transformative exhibition brought together numerous artists from diverse backgrounds, each offering a unique perspective on time, life cycles, and the cosmic continuum symbolized by the sun.

The curators aimed to provoke profound philosophical reflection, and the exhibition featured works spanning various mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and new media art. Participating artists included Aloysius Ong, BurniGRay, Chengming XingMaxim, He Wang, Jiaxing Guo, Jiayi Lin & Raine Li, Junhao Wu, Kaiwen Li, Kejian Sun, Lijiao Peng, Mingjun Sun, Minglin He, Mingyue Qu, Mingzhi Cai, Pingyu (Layla) Zhan, Yuqing Sheng, Qinning Hu, Ronggang Yan, Shijia Song, Wengqi Zou, Wenxin Fu, Wanzhuo Cheng, Xiao Zhang, Xinyu Fu, Yawen Yu, Yilin Bai, Yiru Wang, and Yuhan Wu, who presented their interpretations of reincarnation and the timeless nature of existence.

“We are delighted to present ‘26462 Suns,’ where art transcends boundaries to explore the mysteries of eternity,” said Yuran Lin, the exhibition curator and a lecturer at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. The exhibition was also co-curated by Wenjie Xu, co-founder of Hook Art. “Each artwork invites viewers to contemplate the cyclical nature of life and the enduring essence of time through innovative artistic expressions.”

The exhibition not only celebrated artistic skill and creativity but also served as a platform for global dialogue. “26462 Suns” enriched the international conversation on eternal themes.

Additionally, the exhibition’s judging panel comprised esteemed professionals, including Yefu Liu, an artist who has participated multiple times in Art Basel and Frieze London, and Yuan Zhuang, winner of the Muse Design Award and DHA Design Award. Their expertise ensured the exhibition’s high quality and depth.

Special thanks were extended to contributing partners Shuyi Liu and Yachu Feng for their significant contributions to the exhibition, whose support and collaboration were instrumental in its success.

The “26462 Suns” exhibition holds profound social significance, resonating deeply with contemporary concerns about the essence of existence and the patterns of life cycles. The philosophical foundation of the exhibition invites viewers to reflect on their lives within the broad context of the universe’s eternal rhythm.

Art critics have noted, “This exhibition demonstrates the power of art to transcend temporal boundaries and connect us to the infinite. Each piece is a portal to a deeper understanding of our place in the universe, challenging us to rethink our notions of time and existence.”

“26462 Suns” also provides a space for cross-cultural and philosophical dialogue. By bringing together artists from diverse backgrounds, the exhibition highlights the universality of its themes and underscores the shared human experience of seeking meaning and understanding in a constantly changing world.

Ethereal Gardens: Navigating Time and Desire in “Rockeries by the Garden”

Recently, from June 7 to June 23, 2024, Fengzee Yang and Jonathan Korotko presented their joint exhibition, “Rockeries by the Garden,” at Chicago Mana Contemporary. This exhibition offered a nuanced exploration of the garden as a space where art and history converge, unveiling the spiritual and cultural narratives embedded within.

As global trade and colonial expansion accelerated in 18th-century Europe, the garden emerged as a space where disparate species and cultural references were assembled under the guise of simulating nature and the world. Exotic birds, vibrant flowers, aromatic fruits, and exquisite rock formations became integral to landscape design, domesticating the foreign and inducing new fantasies through their dazzling transplants.

Fengzee Yang
Where Goes the Wheel of Fortune 
Wood, stoneware
2023
Image by Mikey Mosher

Fengzee Yang is a dedicated interdisciplinary artist who thoughtfully works with materials such as clay, wood, and metal. Viewing the world as both mystical and opaque, Yang explores the unknown through her object-making. She naturally incorporates both organic and inorganic forms, moments, and interactions to convey narratives of representation and self-definition. Her sculptures serve as bridges between spirituality and reality, delving into themes of longing, loss, and nostalgia. Yang earned her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work has been exhibited at Comfort Station Chicago, 1922 Gallery SAIC, the Plan Gallery, and various other venues. She has also been an artist-in-residence at Taoxichuan International Art Studio and Oxbow School of Art. Additionally, her work has been featured in numerous art media and publications, including Floorr Magazine, New City Magazine, Chicago Chinese Times, and others.

Fengzee Yang’s work delves into the mystical and enigmatic, using object-making to navigate the unknown. Her sculptures, blending organic and inorganic forms, craft profound stories of identity and self-exploration. They serve as bridges between the spiritual and the tangible, exploring themes of desire, loss, and nostalgia. Yang’s creative process, a meditation on absence, transforms everyday objects like empty hooks, drawers, and cradles into symbols of the voids within human experience. This approach invites viewers to see time not as linear but as a fluid continuum, engaging with landscapes that transcend specific places and moments.

Fengzee Yang
Sitting Monologue 
Steam-bent branches, stoneware
2022
Image by Mikey Mosher

Jonathan Korotko is an avant-garde artist who works with fiber in sculptural forms. He visually and critically investigates domestic interiors in terms of gendered power dynamics. Working with yarn and string, Korotko wraps objects and creates new skins for them, cloaking and distorting the often-sexualized associations of the original. Playful hand-rendered and applied surfaces create alternative imaginations of opulence and theatricality. He wants people to think about the significance of ornamentation and decoration as part of political mobilization in feminist and queer history. He received his MFA in Printmedia at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2019 and has exhibited across the United States as well as internationally. Jonathan has been an artist-in-residence at Ox-Bow School of Art and Franconia Sculpture Park, and will be a resident at PlySpace, The Studios at MASS MoCA, and Good Hart Artist Residency in 2020.

Jonathan Korotko’s work explores the history of 18th-century pleasure gardens and interiors. As global trade and colonial expansion accelerated, images of foreign animals and distant lands became integral to the era’s ornamentation. Exotic birds, vibrant flowers, and aromatic fruits entered domestic design, bringing the world into the home. Korotko investigates these spaces of pleasure in relation to desire and conquest. Using wood and fiber, he creates new images, objects, and landscapes that cloak and distort the original lustful associations. His playful, hand-rendered surfaces alternate between opulence, theatricality, desire, and fantasy.

Jonathan Korotko
Active Agent1, 
Fiber Sculpture
2019

While these histories are often examined through the lens of elite desire and global luxury markets, Korotko traces their echoes in contemporary mass culture. His sculptural forms, based on second-hand objects from eBay and flea markets, and his color palette derived from common art and craft materials, highlight how questions of cultural translation intersect with the world of the working class and amateur craftsperson. Korotko invites viewers to move beyond binary judgments, creating space for new intimacies between aesthetic idioms and cultures.

Fengzee Yang and Jonathan Korotko
Exhibition “Rockeries by the Garden”
Chicago Mana Contemporary
June 7 to June 23, 2024

In “Rockeries by the Garden,” Yang and Korotko approach the garden as a site of artificiality and pleasure imbued with spiritual and historical narratives, reflecting the unseen forces that shape our perceptions. Their manipulation of form and material parodies 18th-century garden ideals and reconfigures the power dynamics hidden beneath its seductive facade. By cloaking and distorting images, objects, and landscapes, they challenge viewers to reconsider the desires that animate these constructed environments.

“Rockeries by the Garden” offers a platform for both contemplation and critique, fostering new connections between aesthetic languages. By integrating 18th-century garden concepts with contemporary artistic perspectives, this exhibition invites audiences to rediscover and reflect within an artistic context. The immersive experience allows visitors to explore an artful realm where fantasy and reality intersect, and where the boundaries of time and space are fluidly transcended.

Fengzee Yang and Jonathan Korotko 
Exhibition “Rockeries by the Garden” 
Chicago Mana Contemporary
June 7 to June 23, 2024

Through their innovative approaches, both artists illuminate the evolving symbolism of the garden in modern art, providing a space where viewers can engage with the boundless realms of possibility and the universal human experiences of searching and longing.

Online Games to Play at Your Hotel Room

The comfort of your temporary home may not always be enough to stop you from getting bored while on the move and residing in a hotel room. This is where online games come in. All you need is a laptop or smartphone with good internet access, and you are ready to go. This will allow you to enjoy yourself from your hotel room as long as there is an internet connection. Thus, if you would like to relax, try out your expertise, or mingle with other people, there are online games that will definitely satisfy your desires. The following are some suggestions for playing these kinds of games during your next hotel stay.

Casual Games for Relaxation

For those who want to relax after sightseeing or business meetings, casual games are ideal choices. These include simple games like “Angry Birds” and “Candy Crush Saga,” among others, that take the least brain power and time commitment when one desires to play them for relaxation purposes only. They have an addictive nature that derives from their simplicity but still make it possible for one-hour-long engagement. As they consist of short levels, it’s possible to play one before going back to other duties, so if it can last less than five minutes, then it has become ideal for a hotel location.

Thrilling Casino Games Online

Online casino games are ideal for those who love gambling due to their thrill. Examples include blackjack, roulette, and poker, or many alternatives depending on the interests and skills involved in them respectively. Moreover, online slots offer an easy gateway into the exhilaration tied to a victory worth celebrating. If you’re feeling lucky, go ahead and try some real pokies online, and turn your hotel room into an exciting casino experience.

Strategy Games for a Mental Workout

Strategy games present those who love challenges with an opportunity for mental exercise. Some titles, such as “Civilization VI” or “Clash of Clans,” require resource management, planning, as well as tactical thinking in order to succeed. It’s very easy for these types of games, which makes players forget about time when trying out their next plans step by step due to their high addictiveness levels. Strategy games can keep your mind active throughout the relaxed moments spent in a hotel room. Plus, many of these games offer multiplayer modes, allowing you to compete against others globally.

Multiplayer Games to Connect with Friends

Playing and traveling are two things that can’t work together. However, travel isn’t a reason to miss out on social gaming, either. Multiplayer titles like “Fortnite” or “Among Us” enable one to stay connected to friends and relatives at home or even make other friends online. Such games frequently require cooperation and teamwork, thereby including the social element in your playtime. In terms of being alone, playing these multiplayer games makes you feel less lonely since they have a sense of belonging, hence becoming the best way of staying in touch with others in different areas.

Puzzle Games to Sharpen Your Mind

Puzzle games are meant for people who enjoy problem-solving and logical thinking. These include such games as “Tetris,” “Sudoku,” and a series of puzzles called ‘The Room’ where one has different challenges trying to solve them using their brains. One can also play during short breaks because these puzzles don’t take long; thus, good for travel purposes. Additionally, puzzle games may be relaxing or challenging and thus give a feeling of satisfaction when you cope with some difficult tasks.

illuminati hotties Drops New Song ‘The L’

Sarah Tudzin has unveiled a new single from her upcoming illuminati hotties album POWER. ‘The L’ follows lead single ‘Didn’t’ (featuring Cavetown) and the title track. Give it a listen below.

“’The L’ is about knowing when to back down – it’s a lesson I’ve had the great fortune to have many chances to learn over and over again,” Tudzin explained in a statement. “It’s about putting your pride aside in favor of resolution. We could go separate ways, but I’ll take the ‘L’ instead.”

“The vocals in the bridge are from the original demo, and capture how tiny and vulnerable I feel when I’m surrendering to love and compromise,” she continued. “It’s very hard when you’re independent and sure-headed and stubborn to figure out how to navigate partnership, but I’ve thrown my hands up in this song… love always comes out on top.”

POWER, the follow-up to 2020’s Let Me Do One More, arrives August 23 on Hopeless Records.

Snail Mail Releases Cover of the Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Tonight, Tonight’

Snail Mail’s Lindsay Jordan made her acting debut in Jane Schoenbrun’s recent A24 film I Saw the TV Glow, and she also recorded a track for its indie star-studded soundtrack. Her rendition of the Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Tonight, Tonight’ is now available on streaming services. Listen to it below.

“This all came together really serendipitously. We had been working on this cover to play on the Valentine tour, before I got the part,” Jordan explained in a press release. “It came up early on because I have a tattoo on my right arm of the man in the moon to commemorate the first ever science fiction film, A Trip to the Moon and the Smashing Pumpkins video for ‘Tonight, Tonight’. While reading the script, I discovered the arch nemesis of the Pink Opaque is inspired by the same imagery. I told Jane we were doing this cover in NYC, they came and saw it live, and the rest was herstory.”

Magdalena Bay Unveil New Single ‘Tunnel Vision’

Magdalena Bay have released a new single, ‘Tunnel Vision’, lifted from their upcoming album Imaginal Disk. It follows earlier offerings ‘Image’ and ‘Death & Romance’. The duo had this to say about the track: “Artificial intelligence won’t approximate humanity until it learns how to hate itself.” Listen below.

Imaginal Disk, the follow-up to 2021’s Mercurial World, lands on August 23 via Mom+Pop. Revisit our Artist Spotlight interview with Magdalena Bay.