In this technicoloured social experiment, director Alli Coates films performance artist Signe Pierce parading in stripper garb and wearing a mask along the popular ocean-side street in Myrtle Beach. The pair agreed not to communicate until the experiment was finished, but never expected the horror that would unfold in under an hour. ‘Whether it’s race or gender, or class or anything like that, we just had no intention going into this video about any of those things… It just inherently happened because that’s how real society works.'(Coates)

Some of the comments from the public in the video:

Will you do me in that later?

That’s a man

What is she doing? What’s up with that?

Here are some of the comments on YouTube, leave us your own at the bottom of the post

Christopher Franko (Sr)
One thing is for certain, this short film made me feel. It made me feel angry, sad, disgusted, terrified, ashamed, helpless. The shot of her on the ground as a hoard of degenerates collectively cheer on and perpetuate her abuse by sharing to social media, was probably the most powerful thing I’ve seen in an incredibly long time. BRAVO!

luxlagerfeld
This made me feel nauseous, and scared. People are terrifying. Reminds me of one time two guys followed me home from a liquor store, shouting homophobic things all the way. Then they knocked the phone out of my hands when I was trying to call the police and knocked me to the ground. It’s not safe out there. People are disgusting.

Daniel Sonnentag
The United Savages of America!

Click Expand to watch our video exclusive with Shepard Fairey
 

Everything that I do came from skateboarding, and at first punk rock, and then later hip hop because hip hop became the new punk rock. Punk rock and skateboarding were always about creativity, resourcefulness, rebellion and then hip hop came along and it was the same way.

– Shepard Fairey

Interview by Sarah Claire Picton

Q: What did you and Hunter listen to in the car?

Hunter always drove and chose the music. We both liked Jim Morrison.

Click Expand for the Q&A and to watch a YouTube video
 

P.S: If you come across this Ralph, thank you so much. What a privilege it was speaking to you. And here’s to all us ‘crazy’ ones. Sarah Claire XXX

Watch:

 

RIP Aaron Swartz

Click the video symbol for the interviews! Note: Please be patient as it the magazine might take a few seconds to load.

Nick Stern, a photographer who works with the artist, tells us that the statue is also a commentary on Hollywood culture. He speaks on behalf of Plastic Jesus:

The piece is intended to draw attention to Hollywood’s hidden problem of drug addiction that effects hundreds of people in the showbiz industry and is largely ignored until the death of a high profile A-list celebrity. (Stern)

He publicizes the picture of an in-and-out life in excess and gross gratification… hedonism and narcissism. Nonetheless, we’re all pawns to the system – (k)nobs that keep the capitalist wheel rolling – be it waiting out a regular late-night corner shift; or for that bond to be approved; 5pm to arrive; Better Days; a quick fix; freedom, bought; or for someone to talk to you while you sit making the Big Decisions. Ultimately, Plastic Jesus creates art that is ubiquitous – and he’s got bravado. Boundaries overstepped, perhaps. But, that happens every day, in mediums or journals that the public cannot get hold of or are not accessible and thus we don’t look for them. The Financial Times, The Economist – they might come across as elitist – and there are articles which indeed are. Oh, yeah, you also have to pay for them – unlike this piece of public art that pulls the middle finger at Capitalism.

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Image: Matt Barnes

The ‘Picture Man’, as he’s been known, may not be widely recognised outside of North America but the prolific photo-documentarian has a compelling story indeed. In Seconds to My Life, his fourth book published by Powerhouse Books, Jamel recaps his life in what has been labelled by some as ‘a visual diary that spans 27 years’. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jamel says, ‘It was a life-changing experience for me when I picked up the camera at age 15.’ He has since captured the essence of urban American culture through three generations. His grainy black-and-white prints bare witness to the emergence of hip-hop culture (‘Back in the Days’), the atrocities of crack cocaine (‘A Time Before Crack’) and youth violence among African Americans, not to mention the more recent tragedies of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. As one would imagine, some of these experiences have left him with a somewhat jaded outlook on humanity.

Viewing his life’s work in the hipster-infested downtown district of Toronto’s Queen Street West makes it tough to grasp the sheer magnitude of the events he has captured through the lens of his Contax medium-format camera. Jamel, though, feels that, as a photographer, he has to show the reality.

Often times we don’t want to see the reality. We want to see things that look good. We want to pretend, often times, that it doesn’t exist – but I find it necessary to document the reality.

I document homelessness in America and war [in Iraq and Afghanistan]; we’re not talking enough about the war going on right now, so I find it necessary to use my art to do that, so I like to produce images that are thought provoking.’ It’s not all doom and gloom though. Jamel says of his inspirational work over the last 30 years, ‘It allows me to have gratitude for the ability to see. I’m grateful that I had vision and was able to capture these very deep moments in my life. It really moves me. One of the greatest joys for me today is to be able to share my vision with a broader audience.’ He hopes this will encourage others to document their own lives and ‘have respect for life and appreciation for it at the same time’.

Jamel has also gone to great lengths to change our perceptions of African-American people who, he believes, are being portrayed in a very negative light, something that pains him to see. ‘I realise these images are being transmitted around the world, formulating misconceptions, and it’s troubling you know. I’m faced with it as an African-American man, so I have a responsibility to show the positive, and the reality.

Image: Matt Barnes

Image: Matt Barnes

His grainy black-and-white prints bare witness to the emergence of hip-hop culture (‘Back in the Days’), the atrocities of crack cocaine (‘A Time Before Crack’) and youth violence amongst African Americans…

In his attempts to actively change the tragic cycle that plagues many inner-city kids, Jamel is working tirelessly with the youth. His most recent project was in conjunction with Project Positivity. This saw him spending a week in Canada, mentoring and sharing stories with 20 kids from Toronto’s urban neighborhoods. What he imparted was his passion for photography, not to mention his work with Manifesto and Project Remix (Torontonianvolunteer/community-based organisations that centre around music, arts and culture). These projects help empower young people with the camera, giving them career options in photography and helping them to boost their self-esteem, while giving back to their communities. This is something Jamel refers to as ‘passing the torch’. As the conversation nears an end, it’s clear that Jamel’s vision, guidance and mentorship will eventually drive home the message of positivity; photography is merely a medium with which to convey that message. Proof, perhaps, that Jamel Shabazz deserves a much larger audience.

www.jamelshabazz.com

Image: Matt Barnes

Image: Matt Barnes

Image: Matt Barnes

Part 2

Click here to view our #FlashBack selection for September.

The iconic adidas Originals Superstar shoe has forged its way through history. From its humble beginnings as highly technical performance footwear designed for basketball courts, to integrating into the hip-hop scene in the ’80s, to various innovations and collaborations – it has always maintained its integrity! In 2015 adidas Originals begins its homage to the shoe that started a movement… The Superstar Vintage Deluxe.

Even though the Superstar’s quintessential design has its roots in sportswear, the timeless silhouette has broken those boundaries and goes beyond the constant flux of fashion trends. The connections between skateboarding culture, hip-hop, fashion and prominent figures have been prevalent throughout the history of adidas Originals Superstar. Starting with Run-DMC’s endorsement deal with adidas in 1986, which included the track ‘My adidas’ on their bestselling Raising Hell LP. A tune that set the tone for future relationships in the entertainment industry.

And then in the late ’80s Mark Gonzales signed with adidas Skateboarding, a move that would legitimize the relationship between skate culture and adidas forever. In 2004, adidas Originals Superstar celebrated their 35th Anniversary with the #SS35 campaign, consisting of 35 collaborative shoes. The final product was the #35 model, which was handmade entirely from the most luxurious leather – right down to the shelltoe and even the outsole! The masterpiece was presented in a large white case, adorned with gold-plated hardware and a matching cleaning kit. The few reproductions of the shoe have become collectors’ items that initiated the inspiration for the following decade of sneaker culture.

Even though adidas Originals Superstar has maintained its authenticity and class, the 21st century environment that we live in has altered the core meaning of what encompasses being a true superstar. Today, people regard ‘Stardom’ as being referred to by your first name, having fans who are interested in what you eat for breakfast, and how many ‘Likes’ or followers you have.

Fabrizia Degli Esposti, adidas Originals Brand Marketing and PR Specialist, speaks with conviction: ‘Social media has completely redefined the concepts of self-expression, originality and creativity and throughout 2015, the campaign will question the need for external validation and celebrity worship. The campaign is aimed at inspiring creative courage without the need for external validation, and makes it very clear that whether it’s 1969 or 2015, there is no short cut to being a Superstar.’

So, what does it mean to be a ‘Superstar’?

‘It’s not about trying to be the next big thing.’ – David Beckham

[Nor is it] ‘about having your name on a flag or a jersey’ – Damian Lillard

adidas Originals | #OriginalSuperstar

In the short film (featured above) from adidas Originals and directed by Karim Huu Do, the star-studded cast decree that they are not superstars – flipping the longstanding idea of ‘Superstardom’ on its head. And that’s exactly what the launch of adidas Originals Superstar is all about. Challenging the old notion of ‘Superstar’ and reclaiming the meaning of this word. When David Beckham began his career, all he wanted was to be the best football player he could be, and Pharrell had a compelling need to create music. Whilst these ‘Superstars’ have all had different creative journeys, their original motivations from when they started out remain intact. Fame was just a by-product of their originality, hard work and dedication.

For the adidas Originals Superstar Launch 2015, the message is clear: being a true Superstar is being original and having the courage to create without external validation. With your pair of adidas Originals Superstar’s, laced up or down and placing you firmly on the ground, you can be the #originalsuperstar you were born to be.

Be an #originalsuperstar

 
Follow adidas South Africa on Twitter (@adidasZA) and Instagram (adidasZA) or join the conversation by using #adidasOriginals and #originalsuperstar.

Links:
Website: http://www.adidas.co.za/originalsuperstar
Twitter: hashtag #originalsuperstar Follow @adidasZA
Instagram: adidasza
 

One poster depicts what looks like a homeless man begging for facebook ‘likes’, another with the words: ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re looking at your smartphone’.

Salles aptly sums it all up with the poster ‘Icons that f**k up your day’: most of us know what it feels like to have one bar of wifi signal, or to wait for that double tick on whatsapp.

Another poster entitled ‘Run Pistorius Run’, depicts a blindfolded person carrying a sword and the scales of justice, running after a man with prosthetic blades for his legs. Enough said…

Here is what some imgur.com users had to say about Salles’ illustrations…

oh my what a wonderfully refreshing dose of true reality. dmj12

I don’t see a lot of cynicism in here….Social commentary is more accurate. Maybe social commentary by a cynic. Nolieolieolieoooo

sad how true most of these are… mrGrumps

What do you think? Comment in the box below…

]]> http://www.onesmallseed.com/2015/01/life-is-what-happens-to-you-while-youre-looking-at-your-smartphone/feed/ 0 http://www.onesmallseed.com/2015/01/taylor-swift-is-obsessed-with-nashville-musicians-mash-up/ http://www.onesmallseed.com/2015/01/taylor-swift-is-obsessed-with-nashville-musicians-mash-up/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:49:11 +0000 http://www.onesmallseed.com/?p=42745 All it takes is a little Taylor Swift magic to make a music video go viral! Nashville-based musicians Louisa Wendorff and Devin Dawson’s music video has so far received 8,874,221 views on Youtube with Taylor’s help by tweeting her 50 million followers.

The tweet, saying that she is “obsessed”, was in response to the Nashville duo’s acoustic mash-up of ‘Blank Space’ and ‘Style’ from Taylor’s 1989 album.

Taylor’s influence didn’t stop there. After spending hours stalking her fans on social media she hand-picked her most loyal fans and personally wrapped ‘Swiftmas’ presents which were delivered to their doorsteps!

Enjoyed this mash-up? Check out Avi Kaplan’s cover of ‘All About that Bass’ by Meghan Trainor here.

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