Home Blog Page 830

Concept2048 Unveils “Whisper of the Sea” at the Personal Structures Exhibition During the Venice Art Biennale 2024

Concept2048, the visionary artistic duo, is set to captivate the art world with their multimedia project “Whisper of the Sea” at Venice’s historic Palazzo Bembo.

This immersive exhibition, part of the 7th edition of the Personal Structures exhibition, organised by the European Cultural Centre, held during the 60th Venice Art Biennale, runs from April 20 to November 24, 2024. It intertwines mythical narratives with urgent global concerns, showcasing the duo’s innovative fusion of contemporary art, activism, and multimedia storytelling.

The theme of this year’s Personal Structures exhibition “Beyond Boundaries,” perfectly aligns with the concept of “Whisper of the Sea”. The project challenges the audience to look beyond the tangible, engaging with the environment on a profound, unseen level, in line with the exhibition’s ethos of transcending conventional barriers for a more integrated global perspective.

At the heart of Concept2048’s work is a commitment to envisioning a brighter future, using art to challenge perceptions, and inspire transformative thought and action across societal, and environmental realms. Ekaterina Perekopskaya and Rostyslav Brenych, the creative force behind Concept2048, craft a multisensory journey with “Whisper of the Sea.” This project brings to life the AquaSouls—ancient beings from the water depths, imbued with the wisdom of the Earth in their DNA. Once in harmony with humans, they now come ashore seeking to mend a gap widened by people’s disregard for global harmony, aiming to heal humanity’s wounds and halt the ongoing cycle of destruction.

“In an era calling for urgent action, “Whisper of the Sea” transcends conventional exhibition boundaries, serving as a clarion, an immersive call from the depths to awaken a collective conscience,” explains Perekopskaya. Brenych adds, “We aim to fully engage the senses, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the project, reflecting our commitment to using art as a catalyst for change and innovation across communities and ecosystems.”

The Palazzo Bembo is an ancient and historically significant building, situated in front of the famous Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal. Its location makes it an ideal venue to showcase the duo’s exhibition, which aims to encourage a vital dialogue on our interconnection with the natural world and urging a harmonious and balanced coexistence.

About Concept2048

Concept2048 is a duo of visual artists, Ekaterina Perekopskaya and Rostyslav Brenych, who specialise in art photography. Originating from the realm of fashion, they employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating conceptual art with fashion. The number in the duo’s name, 2048, symbolises a not-so-distant future, and serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive measures today in order to shape a better tomorrow. The artists also create editorials, 3D animation, various types of creative content, and advertising. For more information about Concept2048 and their work, please visit: https://concept2048.com

About Personal Structures

Personal Structures is the biennial contemporary art exhibition organised and hosted by the European Cultural Centre in Venice. The group seeks to document the diversity of contemporary art in today’s world, aiming to feature and combine different expressions from visual artists, galleries, as well as photographers, sculptors, institutions, and universities, that break away from any ideological, political and geographical barriers.

About the European Cultural Centre 

The European Cultural Centre (ECC) is a non-profit organisation headquartered in the Netherlands. We are cultural entrepreneurs committed to promoting culture through international exchanges. We work with associations and partners from around the world, ranging from educational, cultural and governmental institutions to non-governmental organisations as well as museums, foundations and several private initiatives. For more information, please visit the organisation’s official website: europeanculturalcentre.eu

About the ECC Italy

Based in Venice, ECC Italy is the main branch of its larger parent organisation the European Cultural Centre. Focusing on diverse topics within art, architecture and design, we aim to create dynamic exhibition spaces that show the interchanging of ideas from different cultures. Our architecture exhibition Time Space Existence.

Reimagining French Elegance: The Rise of Tassiana Laurre

In the design sphere, where boundaries are often rigidly defined, a new visionary emerges, challenging norms with creativity and versatility. Meet Tassiana Laurre, an interior designer breaking moulds by crafting captivating spaces, innovative products, and iconic brand identities. Seamlessly blending form and function across diverse mediums, she breaks past  conventional labels, crafting immersive experiences resonating with authenticity and elegance.

“For me, design harmoniously intersects functionality and aesthetics, transforming not only physical spaces but also how people experience and interact with environments,” explains Tassiana, a graduate of Strate School of Design in Paris and Italy’s Politecnico Di Milano. She sees design as a means to address societal challenges, foster innovation, and build community, enriching lives with beauty and efficiency.

With cross-disciplinary knowledge and a fresh perspective, Tassiana integrates new materials and processes into her work, distinguishing her in the industry. Beginning her journey at Studio Ange, she contributed to notable projects like the Mandarin Oriental Residences in Beverly Hills and the Ulla Johnson luxury fashion store in Los Angeles with Kelly Wearstler’s award-winning team.

Tassiana’s success lies in her blend of artistic ingenuity and strategic insight. Her leadership at My Exclusive Collection, crafting the brand identity for their French Haute Parfumerie, exemplifies this. Drawing from Guerlain’s legacy, she designed the perfumery’s bottle, logo, website, and social media content, leaving an indelible mark on the brand.

Recognized internationally, Tassiana’s work has been featured in publications like Elle Romania and Vogue Mexico, showcasing her diverse portfolio spanning interior design, art direction, and brand identity across France, Italy, and the United States.

Rooted in a childhood fascination with art and architecture, Tassiana’s journey is guided by her motto, “Innovate with Purpose, Design with Soul.” Her love for interiors, nurtured by her grandmother’s passion for antiquing, fuels her constant exploration and self-discovery through design.

While her proficiency in design and technology, coupled with multilingualism, enables her to work seamlessly with international clientele, interior design remains Tassiana’s passion. Her latest project on the French Riviera demonstrates her knack for infusing spaces with sophistication and creativity.

In 2018, Tassiana established Laurre Studio of Design, undertaking projects for My Exclusive Collection and Doctor G, alongside residential ventures like the Côte d’Azur project, embodying the essence of the French Riviera. Additionally, she plans to launch an international design consultancy firm, catering to those seeking to enhance living spaces with expert advice.

Tassiana Laurre’s journey exemplifies a relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence in design. Through her transformative approach, she continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of design, shaping environments that evoke emotions, tell stories, and enhance lives.

Beyond Words: A Cinematic Journey Through Loneliness and Connection

0

Experiencing a foreign country, facing difficulties alone, and not understanding the language can evoke feelings of loneliness and helplessness. In 2023, the Cinematographer and filmmaker Han Wang’s film Alone poignantly showcased these emotions through the experiences of an individual in unfamiliar surroundings. Despite its brief eighteen-minute duration, the film has received 2023 Los Angeles Film Award – Best Docudrama and nominations at numerous film festivals, affirming not only the talent of the actors but also honoring the contributions of everyone behind the scenes.

The film centers on the life of an elderly Chinese woman and her grandson living in the United States. As the film opens, the grandson prepares a list of groceries for his grandmother, advising her to take care of herself before he leaves with friends. As the film’s name Alone, the grandmother spends her evening dining solo, reading the newspaper on the sofa, and eventually falling asleep. The next day, a neighbor informs her of her grandson’s unsuccessful attempts to reach her by phone. Discovering the home phone service is disconnected, the grandmother resolves to pay the bill herself. Her limited English proficiency, however, complicates this task, and she manages to succeed only with the neighbor’s assistance.

Conveying a director’s message in a mere ten minutes is challenging, yet Han Wang skillfully uses his lens to immerse the audience in the film, allowing them to connect deeply with the grandmother’s experiences. Initially, Wang captures the elderly woman seated on the sofa, engrossed in a Chinese newspaper, setting the stage for her character as someone who does not speak English. This scene lays the groundwork for the story’s progression.

Wang then directs the camera to a post-it note and a photo left by the grandson on the refrigerator. The grandmother’s interaction with her grandson’s photo reflects her love, dependence, and yearning. When she attempts to pay the phone bill alone, Wang focuses on her despair as she sits helplessly on the ground outside the store, struggling to understand the bill. Through the use of music and cinematography, the film reaches a climax, highlighting the elderly woman’s profound sense of isolation in a foreign land.

In this film, Wang’s expertise in lens usage, attention to detail, and character portrayal deeply immerses the audience in the elderly woman’s solitary inner world. Through changes in lighting, shadow, and camera angles, warm memories are skillfully woven into the narrative, allowing viewers to empathize with her feelings. Wang’s photography transcends the depiction of solitary living conditions for the elderly, exploring themes of family, love, and companionship with depth and sensitivity.

Warp to Release Two Demo Collections by Broadcast

Broadcast have announced two collections of demos, Spell Blanket and Distant Call, which are billed as the British duo’s final albums. They’re set to arrive later this year on Warp. Spell Blanket, arriving May 3, features demos that Trish Keenan and James Cargill were working on between 2006 and 2009 for what would have been their fifth album. Distant Call, out September 28, comprises demos for songs that appeared on the albums Haha Sound, Tender Buttons, and The Future Crayon. Below, listen to ‘Follow the Light’ from Spell Blanket and ‘Tears in the Typing Pool [Demo]’ from Distant Call.

Broadcast’s last album, a collaboration with the Focus Group, was released in 2009, two years before Keenan’s sudden death at the age of 42. Distant Call also includes two early demos that Cargill discovered after Keenan’s passing, ‘Come Back to Me’ and ‘Please Call to Book’.

Spell Blanket – Collected Demos 2006-2009 Cover Artwork:

Spell Blanket – Collected Demos 2006-2009 Tracklist:

1. The Song Before The Song Comes Out
2. March Of The Fleas
3. Greater Than Joy
4. Mother Plays Games
5. My Marble Eye
6. Roses Red
7. Hip Bone To Hip Bone
8. Running Back To Me
9. I Blink You Blink
10. Infant Girl
11. I Run In Dreams
12. Luminous Image
13. A Little Light
14. Hairpin Memories
15. My Body
16. Follow The Light
17. Tunnel View
18. Where Are You?
19. Singing Game
20. I Want To Be Fine
21. The Games You Play
22. Grey Grey Skies
23. Puzzle
24. The Clock Is On Fire
25. Petal Alphabet
26. Tell Table
27. Fatherly Veil
28. Dream Power
29. Heartbeat
30. Call Sign
31. Crone Motion
32. Sleeping Bed
33. Join In Together
34. Colour In The Numbers
35. I Am The Bridge
36. Spirit House

Distant Call – Collected Demos 2000-2006 Cover Artwork:

Distant Call – Collected Demos 2000-2006 Tracklist:

1. Tears In The Typing Pool [Demo]
2. Still Feels Like Tears [Demo]
3. Come Back To Me [Demo]
4. The Little Bell [Demo]
5. Distant Call [Demo]
6. Valerie [Demo]
7. Colour Me In [Demo]
8. Ominous Cloud [Demo]
9. Flame Left From The Sun [Demo]
10. Where Youth And Laughter Go [Demo]
11. Poem Of A Dead Song [Demo]
12. O How I Miss You [Demo]
13. Pendulum [Demo]
14. Please Call To Book [Demo]

Softcult Announce ‘Heaven’ EP, Share New Song ‘Spiralling Out’

Softcult have announced the Heaven EP with a new single, ‘Spiralling Out’. Set for release on May 24 through Easy Life, the EP features the previously unveiled ‘Shortest Fuse’, ‘Haunt You Still’, and the title track. Check out a video for the new cut below.

“We wrote this song about those times when we ruminate over a situation over and over again to no end,” the band said of ‘Spiralling Out’ in a statement. “Sometimes it feels like there’s no amount of self-talk that can get us out of that spiral. It feels like everything is out of control and the world is like a carnival ride spinning all around us, but we are paralyzed and unable to step on or off. Hopefully this song is one that lets other people who struggle with anxiety know that they aren’t alone and we can also relate to how they feel, and that they have the ability to step into their power and take it back.”

Commenting on the video, the duo’s Mercedes Arn-Horn Mercedes added: “Motion was a huge factor in the music video. I wanted to evoke the feeling of being pulled into an anxious spiral. I wanted to recreate the feeling of the world spinning out of control around you. We used any means of motion that we could find: a Merry-Go-Round that physically made us sick after filming, a carousel in Seattle on tour, etc. We actually gave ourselves motion sickness filming this video.”

Say Anything Detail New Album, Share New Single ‘I, Vibrator’

Say Anything have shared the details of their first album in five years. The follow-up to Oliver Appropriate is titled …Is Committed, and it’s out May 24 via Dine Alone. It includes the early singles ‘Psyche!’, ‘Are You (in) There?’, and ‘Carrie & Lowell & Cody (Pendent)’, as well as a new song, ‘I, Vibrator’. Check it out below and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.

“’I, VIBRATOR’ is about wanting to be objectified as a righteous tool against the patriarchy for a particular girl to use at will,” frontman Max Bemis said in a press release. “One great tool for any historically undermined person with a vagina is a disembodied, always-ready penis, a role I’m proud and lucky to play for a certain lady in my life that may have been brought up to believe sex is for dudes and she isn’t the one with all the fucking power in the world.”

…Is Committed Cover Artwork:

…Is Committed Tracklist:

1. Be, Children (Introduction to the Reunion Record)
2. On Cum
3. Auto-Harmonic Ass Fixation
4. I, Vibrator
5. Psyche!
6. We Say Grace in This Goddamn Band, Mister
7. Carrie & Lowell & Cody (Pendent)
8. Are You (in) There?
9. Say Anything, Collectively, Made Love to Your God
10. Daisy’s
11. Woman Song
12. Fan Fiction

Wild Pink Shares Surprise New EP ‘Strawberry Eraser’

Wild Pink have released a surprise EP called Strawberry Eraser. It includes the recent single ‘Air Drumming Fix You’, which marked the band’s signing to Fire Talk and made our Best New Songs segment, as well as ‘Unconscious Pilot’ and the instrumental ‘Cielo Wheed’. Take a listen below.

Wild Pink’s last album, ILYSM, was released in 2022. Last year, the band’s John Ross teamed up with Laura Wolf for a collaborative project named Lilts.

Shabaka Enlists André 3000, Floating Points, Esperanza Spalding, and Laraaji for New Single ‘I’ll Do Whatever You Want’

Shabaka Hutchings has shared ‘I’ll Do Whatever You Want’, the latest single from his first solo LP Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace. The track features André 3000 on Teotihuacan drone flute, Floating Points on Rhodes Chroma synth and vibraphone, Esperanza Spalding and the Invisible’s Tom Herbert on bass, Dave Okumu on guitar, Marcus Gilmore on drums, Carlos Niño on percussion, and vocals from Laraaji. “‘I’ll Do Whatever You Want’ is about surrender and the intimate space we go to within the grasp of possession,” Shabaka said in a statement. Listen to it below.

Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace will be released on April 12 via Impulse!.

Lionlimb Announces New Album ‘Limbo’, Shares New Single ‘Hurricane’

Lionlimb – the project of New York-based singer-songwriter and producer Stewart Bronaugh – has announced a new LP, Limbo. The follow-up to 2021’s Spiral Groove is due May 24 on Bayonet Records. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the lead single ‘Hurricane’. Check it out and find the album cover and tracklist below.

“‘Hurricane’ is about escapism and searching for THAT feeling that puts you in a flow state, away from the anxiety and uncomfortableness of being human,” Bronaugh explained in a statement. “Creativity can help, and then there are other ways that are much more harmful. This song is about saying goodbye to those, but I feel like I’m always searching for that next thing.”

Bronaugh composed, produced, and mixed Limbo, with additional recording from Robin Eaton, live drums by Joshua Jaeger, and vocal contributions from Angel Olsen. “When I’m working on music, it’s like I’m trying to make my own world,” Bronaugh said. “It’s that feeling of wanting to exist somewhere else. I’m trying to express something and get out of my head and body.”

Limbo Cover Artwork:

Limbo Tracklist:

1. Sun
2. Hurricane
3. Underwater
4. Hiss
5. Dream Of You (feat. Angel Olsen)
6. Runaway
7. Two Kinds of Tears
8. Nowhere to Hide
9. Til It’s Gone
10. You Belong To Me

Bat for Lashes Shares Video for New Single ‘Letter to My Daughter’

Bat for Lashes has released a new single, ‘Letter to My Daughter’, alongside a music video. It’s the second preview of Natasha Khan’s upcoming album The Dream of Delphi, following the previously unveiled title track. Check out the Freddie Leyden-directed clip below.

Discussing the song, Khan said in a statement: “This title is pretty self-explanatory. If I was on my deathbed, it’s what I’d say to Delphi to give her some sense of being at home in the world, the galaxy, the universe we live in. Before Delphi was born I started writing her a book of letters, inspired by Maya Angelou’s book of the same name, Letter To My Daughter. It documents a very strange but magical year, full of special memories and historic worldly moments. This ride of life is always continuing and we’re all just energy moving from one form into another, always. She’s also just part of an echo, ancestral line or spiral in the cosmos, like the spiral that I saw in her soft hair when she was a baby. She is part of something much greater than any of us individually; she comes from the past and she comes from the future.”

Khan became pregnant a few months after the release of her last album, 2019’s Lost Girls. “I was writing letters to Delphi from the time she was the size of a tomato seed,” she added. “About everything that was happening in the world, like the riots after George Floyd’s murder and the Black Lives Matter movement, about the pandemic and COVID, about the world that she was going to be born into.”

The Dream of Delphi arrives May 31 via Mercury KX.