V magazine web site http://vmagazine.com (c) 2007 V MAGAZINE, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Dignitas International event on February 4, 2010. Hosted by Lawrence Luhring, Roland Augustine, and Andrea Rosen. While Chelsea is certainly no stranger to the presence of art world luminaries, last night the biggest and brightest turned out in support of Dignitas International, a Toronto based organization that focuses on HIV/Aids founded by Dr. James Orbinski and James Fraser both previously of Doctors Without Borders. Hosted by Luhring Augustine and Andrea Rosen Gallery the evening felt the support of the full panorama of the art world with artists, Christopher Wool and Francesco Clemente, to curator, Richard Flood, to recently appointed Guggenheim director Richard Armstrong, and a host of collectors all in attendance. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14652 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:34:53 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14652 Visionaire touched down in L.A. last Tuesday to celebrate the launch of issue 57 2010, the digital calendar that's a who's-who of contemporary art. Guests like Shamim Momin, Nicola Formichetti, Italo Zucchelli, Dasha Zhukova, and Neville Wakefield gathered at Mark Mahoney's legendary Shamrock Social Club, the tattoo parlor whose clients include everyday people like Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Co-hosted with Momin's new Los Angeles art initiative, LAND (Los Angeles Nomadic Division), the party went late but stayed casual, even though the space certainly had some attendees itchin' to get inked. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14650 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:07:58 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14650 Photography Adrian GautStyling Parinaz MogadassiText Aimee WallestonContributing art editor Dominic SidhuIt's not difficult at all, you've just got to have the balls to do it. Thus spoke British artist Steve McQueen, on directing the visually Olympian one-take scenes in his 2008 feature film Hunger. Depicting the story of prisoner Bobby Sands, a member of the Irish Republican Army who died in 1981 in the Maze prison in after a 66 day hunger strike, Hunger is a master work that garnered McQueen-already a 1999 Turner Prize recipient-the Camera d'Or and mass critical genuflection. I'd venture to say that, for the artist, this ideology is not limited to filming 17 ½ minute long shots that cover a reported 28 pages of scripted dialogue. This having of balls seems to apply to his creative process writ large, and it should certainly apply (albeit with a more gender neutral body part, s'il vous plait) to those planning to interview McQueen. As a man, McQueen is an infinity symbol of intensity, and seemingly intent on sniffing out fools far before he would ever suffer them. And for an artist dexterous in articulating the story of those who have been denuded of their power in various contexts, in an interview he seems desirous of nothing less than total, albeit gentlemanly, control. http://vmagazine.com/article.php?n=14647 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:36:22 CST http://vmagazine.com/article.php?n=14647 You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 8 or later. var so = new SWFObject("flvplayer.swf?imagePath=_assets/img/bday.jpg&videoPath=_assets/video/bday.flv&autoStart=false&volAudio=60&newWidth=420&newHeight=340", "chanelshootforv", "420", "340", "8", "#000000"); so.addParam("allowFullScreen", "true"); so.write("flashcontentbday"); When V contributor Matthu Placek hosted his 30th birthday at The Box last December, he assembled a who's who of downtown New York performance art to herald the big 3-0. Headlining the night was none other than the mother of current V cover girl Gabourey Sidibe, Alice Tan Ridley, who belted out soul and brought the house down! Perhaps you've caught her singing on your way to work through the subways of New York City? If not, keep your ears open when trekking through Grand Central Station. Hosted by comic genius Amber Martin, who introduced, in full vocal range, such artists as vocalist Scott Matthew, opera singer Anthony Roth Costanzo, and Fischerspooner's Casey Spooner, who performed two never-before-heard songs from his forthcoming solo album. Last but not least, I performed my first jazz number on stage. James Kaliardos http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14636 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:08:05 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14636 No fashion today. First stop, a morning snack at a typical Brazilian diner called La Bella Paulista. They have an assortment of typical meat and cheese-filled pastries, fresh juices (I had pineapple and ginger), and strong coffee. Down the street, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo's (MASP) graffiti show was highly recommended - couldn't miss it. The show features Carlos Dias, Daniel Melim, Ramon Martins, Stephan Doitschinoff, Titi Freak and Zezão. It's a little weird to see graffiti in within the confines of an instution, especially in a city like Sao Paulo where graffiti is everywhere. The city is a constantly changing work of art. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14610 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:32:15 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14610 The day started with dark drama at Alexandre Herchkovitch's menswear show: a parade of the dead walking to The Cure. The makeup by Celso Kamura was impressive!!In sharp contrast to the macabre of Herchkovitch, Neon showed a colorful joyful tropical collection that celebrated the jungle - check the 'elephant tusks' jutting from the 'elephant' jacket!Spot the colorful birds on the clothes and shoes of Lino Villaventura, making these pieces little works of art. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14609 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:20:29 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14609 Cherry Bomb! Finally saw the screening of the most buzzed about film of the festival, The Runaways, starring Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie and Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and directed by acclaimed video artist Floria Sigismondi. The film about the groundbreaking girl band is based on Cherie's novel 'Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story' so while the film traces the rise and fall of The Runaways, it mainly concentrates on the relationship between the two leading ladies. This film turns all the cliches of the rock n roll biopic on its head- the musical numbers, the hot costumes, the drugs, the guys (and the girls)- and is elevated by the electric performances of Fanning and Stewart and the cinematography which captures that moment in the 70s when rock history was changed forever. And who could resist V cover girl Dakota Fanning lip syncing to Bowie circa Aladdin Sane in her school talent show! This one is sure to get all the Twi-hards to the theaters when Apparition Films releases it on March 19th. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14595 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:36:49 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14595 Smash His Camera tells the story of Ron Galella, the iconic paparazzo that built a career on his tumultous relationship with celebrities, most famously, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who sued him, and Marlon Brando, who broke his jaw. Sharing many of the same themes as yesterday's Teenage Paparazzo, the film even references the same scene in La Dolce Vita which created the modern definition of what we understand the paparazzi to be. However, Galella's story sets itself apart from yesterday's film and makes a far more lasting impression, as the photos he took over a long career are just as iconic as the man himself. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14594 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:35:54 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14594 Today, kicked off my Sundance 2010, and already I've been immersed in what the festival really does best-the introduction of fresh cinematic voices both in features and documentaries. I was introduced to 13 year old papararazzo Austin Visschedyk in Adrien Grenier's (of Entourage fame) Teenage Paparazzo. The documentary is just as much about the relationship between the juvenile paparazzo and Grenier, formed after he snapped a photo of him, as it is about society's relationship and obsession with tabloid culture and the desire for fame. Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Eva Langoria Parker, Rosie O'Donnell, all make cameos as well, weighing in with their perspective on the subject of the modern star system and the machine that feeds it http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14589 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:23:56 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14589 The first show of the day, Isabela Capeto, was all colors and flowers in a sea of green. Since I missed the Alexandre Herchkovitch women's show, I dropped by his studio/mini-factory. It was a collection inspired by Eastern Europe with a South American flair.Andre Lima http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14593 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:22:48 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14593 You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 8 or later. var so = new SWFObject("flvplayer.swf?imagePath=_assets/img/tim.jpg&videoPath=_assets/video/tim.flv&autoStart=false&volAudio=60&newWidth=420&newHeight=340", "chanelshootforv", "420", "340", "8", "#000000"); so.addParam("allowFullScreen", "true"); so.write("flashcontenttim"); http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14528 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:30:53 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14528 The Gloria Coelho show held at Iguatemi, the super mega mall. Her dresses were all about architecture in three parts: the first section was all about visible structure, the second part consisted of amorphous sculptures, and the third section of dresses were made of ribbons. Practically all off-white. The shoes were sky-high. And the rings were like teeth jutting from the models' hands. In the audience was Luisa Moraes wearing a piece by Gloria Coelho's son, Pedro Lourenco. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14577 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:23:55 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14577 Sao Paulo Fashion Week takes place in the sprawling Sao Paulo Art Biennial building in a park next to the Museu de Arte Moderna. It's a self-contained little fashion universe complete with a pop-up stores and food, a fashion shoot in a glass studio for everyone to watch, a myriad of lounges sponsored by various companies (Melissa shoes, Glamurama website, Coca-Cola), exhibitions, fashion show live feed, a T-shirt installation, and camera crews everywhere filming, interviewing, and reporting. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14573 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:32:22 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14573 Since I already missed 2 days of Sao Paulo Fashion Week, the moment I landed I went straight to a dinner at The Fasano Hotel hosted by talented Brazilian shoe designer Alexandre Birman for Fred Dechnik (one of the creators of The Webster in Miami). It was an evening of sky-high-heels. I'm always curious as to how/why a straight man falls into designing ladies' high heels, but, in this case, it was the family business, as simple as that. Then, we were plied with vodka/red bull and danced at Secreto (The Secret Bar which didn't seem to be much of a secret) packed with young groovy Brazilian kids. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14557 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:42:38 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14557 From complicated ‘loveships' to higher learning to workplace gaming, we're all well familiar with risky dynamics in our personal relationships. But what if it's played too long and too hard? Visionary filmmaker Michael Haneke (Funny Games, Germany 1997; USA 2007) puts that question of domination and repression to the test.The Austriandirector understands the dangerous art of ‘power games'-and all that is often involved: vulnerability,trust, sadism, andthe complex legacy it leaves. Whether intentional or not, his latest stunning work, The White Ribbon (Das weiss Band) builds a startling, pot-boiler study for the rise of what's to come two decades later: the Third Reich. Set in 1913, the stark,black-and-white film focuses on a remote, Protestant village in Germany where bad things start to happen. Haneke warns, I think it would be a mistake to limit the film to see it as only about German fascism. Agreed, it's no secret: theshady leveraging of power is more of a universal, human condition. V spoke exclusively to Michael Haneke about his critically acclaimed drama, now fresh from a Golden Globe win for Best Foreign Language Film. With its sublime acting, masochistic themes, andstriking visual composition, The White Ribbon will haunt you way after the credits roll. L.A. Collins http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14546 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:40:53 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14546 The beautiful 15-year-old Emma Dumont, from Seattle, Washington, is the next face of fashion, the proud owner of a FORD Models contract, and the latest to enter the pantheon of V A MODEL winners. Emma will make her V debut in V64, on newsstands everywhere March 2, 2010. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14529 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:56:32 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14529 You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 8 or later. var so = new SWFObject("flvplayer.swf?imagePath=_assets/img/glen.jpg&videoPath=_assets/video/glen.flv&autoStart=false&volAudio=60&newWidth=420&newHeight=361", "chanelshootforv", "420", "361", "8", "#000000"); http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14517 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:29:08 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14517 The bathroom might once have been safe from the camera's intrusive lens, but photographer Thomas Dozol has worked hard to change all that. For the past three years he's documented his close friends and family in the most intimate of poses-dripping wet, completely naked, and smack in the midst of their morning rituals. The resulting series of photographs aims to show the vulnerability and humanity of Dozol's subjects, which range from superstars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Michael Stipe to model-rockers like Jamie Bochert to photographers like Wolfgang Tillmans. Captured with their guards down and clothes off, the subjects share glimpses into their most personal of moments. Turns out they're just like us. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14457 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:39:37 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14457 Following yesterday's debut of Derek Blasberg's year in pictures, here we have the second slideshow in the two-part series. This time V's man-about-town starts on the second half of summer-which includes a visit to the Harry Potter set, the Glastonbury music festival, and the Paris haute couture collections-and ends a few months later with stops in Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, London, Miami, and a return to Gay Paree. Some of these faces are familiar, and some of them are new to the show. But there is one unifying trend: Blasberg has a unique vantage into the lives of the kind of creative people who will make 2010 just as exciting as the year that preceded it. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14367 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:45:53 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14367 Since years ago seeing Paris Is Burning, Jennie Livingston's seminal documentary about late '80s ball culture in New York, it has been a dream of mine to attend a ball. Until recently however, they haven't really happened in Toronto, where I am based. This has all changed since the emergence of The House of Monroe, Canada's premiere Vogue house. A few weekends ago, Charmed Monroe threw the Almighty Ball, and I was thrilled to be asked to be one of the judges, though a little fearful at first. Would I be able to gauge the subtleties of the Realness on display? Know the difference between fierce and truly FIERCE? I was grateful to learn that it was a simple matter of a CHOP ('You are beautiful, but get off the stage') or a PERFECT TEN. http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14360 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:07:48 CST http://vmagazine.com/blog.php?n=14360