The death of the 88-year old artist, known for his ‘pile of bricks’ artwork, demands we also remember dark allegations
Carl Andre: the ‘OJ of the art world’ leaves behind a troubling legacy
Artist Carl Andre, known for minimalist sculptures and a murder trial, dies at 88
A sculptor who helped define the minimalist movement, Carl Andre’s legacy is marred by accusations that he killed his wife, the artist Ana Mendieta, who fell to her death from their 34th-floor apartment in New York City in 1985.
Knife Angel visits Leeds as ‘monument to lives lost’
The 27ft (8m) sculpture is visiting Leeds to launch a campaign highlighting the dangers of knives.
Studio Lotus Takes Guests Through an Immersive Retail Experience
New Delhi-based Studio Lotus provides the loom with which to weave a century-old legacy and a unique retail experience in their design for Ekaya Banarasi’s present-day Ahmedabad retail location in the western state of Gujarat, India. The current store is an evolution from its predecessor in the same city – closing to make way for this updated space – scaling the visual language of their identity to new proportions. Most intriguing is the way in which a modular, intricate gridwork of brass pipes and textile boundaries delineating the interior circulation creates a narrative that feels more like navigating the intricacies of fabric than a typical shopping trip.
Signature takkhat-style seating experience for browsing the classic sarees in the Ekaya Ahmedabad retail space
Intimate pockets of traditional experiences with custom-designed furniture in the saree section
Catching a glimpse of different zones through the interwoven pipes
The immersive solution distributes various functions within and around the fresh interior architecture to present the garments as if they might be an art installation rather than a space plan directing customers to a point of sale. Pockets of traditional retail moments are tailored to a central zone. To the left upon entry is the Thaan section adorned with reams of brightly-colored textiles while the right is ready-to-wear. The intimate pockets tuck bridal wear deeper within, toward the store’s rear, for a highly personalized experience and are outfitted with traditional takkhat-style seating where sarees can be showcased for viewing. Daylight makes its way into the dramatic interior through fenestration lending a soft beauty to the silken weaves while enhancing visual merchandising elements.
The grid of the interwoven pipes enables the guests to meander through the space.
The interwoven pipes layer the space from the window to the end of the store where one gets a glimpse of the bridal sarees.
The delicate artistry of Banarasi textile weaves through the central installation.
“The circulation is consciously designed to capture the visitors’ sense of wonder. Whether it’s the brass installation or through the subtler nuances of the layout, our aim was to immerse shoppers into the craft, and enable them to incidentally discover new products and collections,” Asha Sairam, Studio Lotus Principal, says. “Our work is underpinned by a deliberate focus on reinterpreting traditional crafts, infusing new meaning and dimensions into regional skills, to express luxury within spaces while remaining faithful to the spirit and culture of the places we build in.”
The staggered column grid lends itself to the nature of installation and the physical space.
The central brass installation, reminiscent of interwoven silk strands
Situated at the nucleus like a broach on the breast is a brass fixture reminiscent of interwoven silk strands, which anchors the rest of the store physically and poetically, showcasing the enduring legacy of handwoven Banarasi brocade. The custom-designed furnishing is intended to spark curiosity and stimulate a sense of discovery, simultaneously concealing and revealing the offerings on display, as the product is browsed.
The woven installation is used as a display device with lighting built into it.
Thaan section with its reams of brightly colored fabric
A sense of illusion created using mirror lends the space a visual dynamism.
There is a palpable synergy between the interdisciplinary studio and fashion house. While working in different mediums, both parties are committed to preserving and reimagining applications of the traditions learned from Banasari textiles. Oddly enough, the experience led to the development of new, distinct Ekaya collections while employing local weavers and connecting their work with a global market. And Studio Lotus continues to develop the brand’s spatial identity.
Slit windows in the spaces provide glimmers of natural daylight.
A three-dimensional installation built around weaving, central to Ekaya’s identity.
As returning customers and new clients discover the brand’s ethos and offerings, the collaborators themselves find introspection that moves their creative needles forward. “It is a constantly evolving brand and, for us, this unpredictability is both challenging and thrilling,” Sairam adds. “What we are confident of and excited about is their constant experimentation and their unwavering commitment to creating unique narratives. Building each new store becomes, then, our challenge – to create a space that best represents it in that moment in time.”
Captions courtesy of Studio Lotus; Photography by Ishi Sitwala
Nature photographer to speak at Kinzua
KINZUA DAM — Kane nature photographer Rocky Holland will present a photo program entitled “Birds of the Allegheny Reservoir” at Eagle Watch 2024 on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Big Bend Visitor Center (BBVC), Kinzua Dam. Eagles will be featured, but other species that frequent the Allegheny Reservoir, the Allegheny River and its banks will also be included.
Holland is an excellent presenter with a folksy, humorous delivery. He’s had much exposure, having participated in many nature shows in Pennsylvania and New York State. He has participated in the Hawk Mountain Nature Art Festival, and in shows at Crook Farm in Bradford, as well as many other local events. He has often presented at events hosted by the Allegheny Outdoor Club (AOC), including at its annual dinner more than once, at a polar bear slideshow presentation at the Warren Public Library, at The Women’s Club of Warren and the Allegheny Community Center, all hosted by the AOC.
In the past, Holland participated in the Jamestown Audubon Society’s annual Nature Art Festival. He has regularly exhibited at the Visitor Center at Kinzua Bridge State Park and in every juried art show held in Kane. Hast he has shown his photos at the Kinzua Outdoor & Travel Show and the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative banquet program, both in Bradford, Pa.
Holland’s photographs have been published in Musher Magazine, Pennsylvania Angler and Pennsylvania Magazine. His exhibits include Pine Crest Manor in St. Marys, the McKean County Courthouse in Smethport, the Westline Inn and the Kane Community Hospital.
After living in Alaska for several years, where he became interested in wildlife and nature photography, Holland returned to his hometown of Kane. In the 1970s, he discovered the wealth of wildlife and scenery which exists “in the beautiful area we live in,” referring to the Allegheny National Forest, Northwestern Pennsylvania and Southwestern New York.
For many years, he enjoyed his own photographic works, but at the urging of relatives, he began to exhibit in public. Hiking the trails and mountains for more than 30 years, Holland shows people the beauty of the area through film. From the “old school,” he describes outdoor photo work as “hands on, in the wild photography.” He refrains from digital enhancement. “What you see is actually there,” he proclaims.
Eagle Watch will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Birds of the Allegheny Reservoir” will be shown at 11 a.m. at the BBVC and another session may be scheduled later the same day, subject to demand and space limitations. Light refreshments will be provided for Eagle Watch, courtesy of the AOC.
For further information, contact Bill or Mary Massa at 814-723-2568.
Snow Sculpture of Goddess Artemis Celebrates NASA Woman on Moon
A US sculpting team will create a snow sculpture of the Greek goddess Artemis to celebrate NASA’s mission that sends the first woman to moon
Winners of the 2023 Canadian Photos of the Year Contest
Photo by Brandon Broderick. Winner, Canadian Photographer of the Year.
“A grizzly bear munches on clover on a foggy morning near Muncho Lake, B.C.”
One of Canada’s oldest and most beloved magazines, Canadian Geographic, is celebrating the country’s talented photographers with its Canadian Photos of the Year competition. The 2023 contest saw over 8,000 entries, with 12 being singled out for their originality, technical skill, and visual impact.
In addition, Brandon Broderick has been named Canadian Photographer of the Year for his strong portfolio of work. The talented photographer, who is based in British Columbia, was a runner-up in the Epic Landscapes category last year. This motivated him to work even harder to take home the overall win with his landscape and wildlife photography. To do so, he spent the last year scouting locations for the perfect photographs and came away with winning images of grizzly bears, ravens, and even the Canada lynx. And thanks to these efforts, he took home the CA$5,000 (approximately US$3,750) cash prize.
“You’ve got to keep getting out there, keep putting in the miles, know the species you’re after, and know your gear,” Broderick advises, “so that when that moment happens, you’re ready for it.”
Photographers entered their photos into four categories—Outdoor Adventure, Wildlife in Action, Weather, Seasons and Skies, and Urban and Natural Landcapes. Their work was then judged by Canadian Geographic’s editorial and design staff, as well as Canadian Geographic Photographer-in-Residence Scott Forsyth and award-winning photographer Christian Fleury.
The winners were rewarded for their technical skills, artistic vision, and, quite often, their tenacity. For instance, Wildlife in Action winner Liron Gertsman spent three days in a river in the interior of Vancouver Island to capture a stunning split shot of a black bear and the salmon upon which it depends for nourishment.
“Every year, our team is blown away by the talent and passion of our photography community,” said Canadian Geographic editor-in-chief Alexandra Pope. “Although they all portray different locations and subjects, these images have one thing in common: they made us stop and say ‘Wow.’”
For their efforts, all the winners will see their photos published in the March/April issue of Canadian Geographic, which hits newsstands in mid-February.
Canadian Geographic has named Brandon Broderick the 2023 Canadian Photographer of the Year.
Photo by Brandon Broderick. Winner, Canadian Photographer of the Year.
“A Canada lynx crouches on a snow-dusted ridge off the highway near Fort Nelson, B.C.”
Photo by Brandon Broderick. Winner, Canadian Photographer of the Year.
“A long exposure enhances the drama of the 60-metre Kinuseo Falls, located in Monkman Provincial Park near Tumbler Ridge, B.C.”
Twelve other exceptional photos were also singled out in the 2023 Canadian Photos of the Year competition.
Photo by Liron Gertsman. Wildlife in Action, Winner.
“A female pink salmon has completed its long journey from the ocean to its home river in central Vancouver Island to spawn — and perhaps become a meal for a hungry black bear. The photographer worked for three days to capture this split shot highlighting the relationship between these two keystone species.”
Photo by Murray Cotton. Urban and Natural Landscapes, Runner-up.
“The sun sets over the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its iconic hoodoos and abundance of dinosaur fossils.”
Photo by Alan McCord. Outdoor Adventure, Winner.
“A trio of surfers heads for shore, leaving the beach to the blackbirds as fog begins to roll in at Cox Bay in Tofino, B.C.”
Photo by Bing Li. Urban and Natural Landscapes, Honorable Mention.
“The Three Sisters mountains are reflected in a small lake at sunset in Canmore, Alberta.”
The winning photos were selected from the more than 8,000 images entered into the contest.
Photo by Shaun Antle. Wildlife in Action, Honorable Mention.
“Water cascades over the eye of a great blue heron as it plunges its bill into Lake Chipican, near Sarnia, Ontario.”
Photo by Chandresh Kedhambadi. Outdoor Adventure, Runner-up.
“An ice climber scales the inside of a glacier cave on the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Alberta. Months later, the photographer returned to the area to find that this section of the glacier had disappeared.”
Photo by Joel Waghela. Weather, Seasons and Skies, Runner-up.
“A G3 geomagnetic storm produces a dazzling display of aurora borealis over dilapidated farm structures in Pense, Sask. The G-Scale is used to measure the intensity of geomagnetic storms, with G1 being the weakest and G5 the strongest.”
Photo by Todd Mintz. Weather, Seasons and Skies, Winner.
“Storm clouds gather over Powell Inlet on Devon Island, Nunavut.”
Photo by Sara Kempner. Outdoor Adventure, Honorable mention.
“A racer takes on the Creeper Trail near Nanaimo, B.C. during the BC Bike Race, a seven-day, multi-stage mountain bike race. Dry trail conditions made for some atmospheric shots as the morning sun filtered through dust kicked up by the racers.”
Photo by Braydon Morisseau. Weather, Seasons and Skies, Honorable Mention.
“Alberta’s strongest tornado since the infamous 1987 Black Friday twister etches its mark on the landscape southeast of Didsbury, Alta. on July 1, 2023, while a chase vehicle looks on.”
Photo by Aaron Ward. Urban and Natural Landscapes, Winner.
“The rising sun shines through a gap between the horizon and a blanket of dark clouds, illuminating Vancouver’s Science World building.”
Photo by Matt Parish. Wildlife in Action, Runner-up.
“A common loon shakes water from its feathers as the sun rises over Mitchell Lake in Kirkfield, Ontario.”
Canadian Geographic: Website | Facebook | Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Canadian Geographic.
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Yves Behar Helps Yoshino Get a Grip on the World’s 1st Solid-State Portable Power Station
There are two types of people: those who panic and those who prepare in advance. For the latter, portable backup battery solutions have become a popular means to remain prepared for instances when life literally takes you off the grid, whether purposely or by unexpected circumstances. Despite its categorical label, portable power is hardly portable at all. As anyone with a back-up battery system knows, lithium batteries are heavy and cumbersome, and also come with concerns about flammability. Yoshino is a new portable power station brand staking claim as the first company to use solid-state batteries within their portable power stations, a technology halving the weight and eliminating most of those safety concerns.
Solid-state battery technology has been a long awaited next generation upgrade in the realm of charging solutions, with applications spanning from lighter, safer, and more affordable EVs, to mobile devices capable of keeping their charge for days at a time. Compared to conventional lithium batteries filled with flammable liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries weigh a lot less, offer significantly higher energy densities, and can be offered at much smaller sizes with comparable energy capacity. Without any concerns of housing flammable liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries are also a lot safer than their lithium ion predecessors. It’s a safe bet to say, solid-state batteries are the future.
Veering away from the market’s tendency to wrap batteries within masculine and technical industrial design, fuseproject identified an opportunity to design a line of power stations that present less like a tool and more like a lifestyle product.
To complement the upgrade, Yoshino tapped the talents of Yves Behar and fuseproject to dress up their technology’s exterior trappings into something more akin to a portable speaker than an industrial component.
With up to 11 different ports dotting the exterior case, a portable battery needs to be first and foremost accessible, but also protected from damage. Fuseproject designers encased all four designs within a shatterproof and water-resistant matte gray and a muted green exterior protected by the trim of the face plate or the battery’s metal handlebars.
Designed around a strong metal handle forming a continuous band wrapping vertically or horizontally around the shell, Behar’s team was able to enhance the improved ergonomics of Yoshino’s solid-state battery technology. A subtle hexagonal pattern is applied strategically for venting, while also tying back to Yoshino’s bee/honeycomb branding, representative of the company’s ethos of “nature, hard work, and nonstop energy.”
To ensure an intuitive experience for users, fuseproject was also tasked to design a custom UI control panel, punctuated with the inclusion of a small green bee logo graphic.
The smallest B330 SST – 330W battery weighs just under 10lbs, with the largest B4000 SST – 4000W model weighing in at 53.6lbs. In comparison, a highly-rated Red Dot Award winning 2400W portable lithium iron phosphate battery weighs over 67lbs.
Behar is already well acquainted with the fast-paced realm of battery technology, spearheading the development of TELO, a small modern urban and off-road EV pickup truck. But where that project utilizes a liquid-cooled 106kWh battery pack, Yoshino delivers an advancement that will likely find its way into powering TELO and other vehicles.
Yoshino’s family of power stations offers an appealing solution for weekend car campers, off-the-grid residences, emergency workers, and other commercial workers dependent upon power on-the-go, and households seeking a stylish and convenient means of powering up lights, speakers, projectors, or other devices in their backyard. Their superior lighter weight, increased capacity, and ergonomics is currently partially canceled out by the premium in price attached to the new technology, but expect the economy of scale to head towards a price drop as other device manufacturers beeline to follow Yoshino’s lead into the highly competitive market.
For more information on Yoshino’s Solid-State Portable Power Stations, visit yoshinopower.com.
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Panasonic Unveils Innovative Firmware License to Unlock Volume Photography Workflow
NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Panasonic announces the launch of a U.S. exclusive firmware license designed to transform the landscape of volume photography. Targeted at streamlining the entire workflow from capture to post, this innovative update introduces an array of features tailored to meet the demands of high-volume photography.
Volume photography, characterized by the rapid capture of a large number of subjects within a condensed timeframe, finds its applications across diverse fields, including school and sports portraits, events, corporate headshots, and other scenarios requiring efficient mass image acquisition.
Efficient Organization and Reliable Identification
Recognizing the challenges faced by volume photographers to organize and deliver their images to clients, Panasonic’s latest firmware seamlessly integrates with leading volume photography applications and photo labs. Applications such as PhotoLynx and Flow, in addition to esteemed labs like H&H and ImageQuix, offer robust tools to efficiently organize subjects and assign unique identifier numbers to each, ensuring stress-free photo organization from the outset.
“We are excited to collaborate with Panasonic, who has engaged the volume school and sports photography business,” said David Drum, VP Business Development, H&H Color Lab, N-Vu and Imago. “They have listened to the details of what photographers need to capture, which are reliable and repeatable images and data during the photography session to save post-production workflow.”
Enhanced Reliability through Integration
To enhance reliability and simplicity, Panasonic has collaborated with Opticon to integrate their OPN-2006 Barcode and PX-20 QR/Barcode scanners. Leveraging the capabilities of Opticon’s barcode scanners, this integration enables the inclusion of student identification data into the photo’s EXIF metadata. Furthermore, the barcode information is prominently displayed on the camera’s LCD screen, facilitating quick verification. This integration ensures accuracy without errors or missing student data, offering peace of mind during high-paced shooting scenarios.
“Historically in the high volume photography industry, the ability to positively identify subjects at the camera has been elusive at best,” said Tim McCain, President, ImageQuix. “This new camera and tech is a game-changer for the school and sports photography workflow.”
Precision Framing with Specialized Masks
As part of this firmware update, Panasonic introduces specialized masks tailored for portraits, sports, and group photography. Three Portrait Mask options (Portrait, 1/2 Frame and 3/4 frame) guarantee uniform head size and positioning, significantly reducing the need for extensive post-processing and cropping. Complementing this, the Sports Portrait Mask boasts a versatile design suitable for printed portraits and posters. Meanwhile, the Group Mask is crafted to facilitate various printing options for multiple subjects, maintaining consistency and saving valuable time during post-processing.
“The LUMIX firmware license will make a huge impact for the volume photographer,” said Corey E. Clark, Owner E.D. Clark School Photography. “The software will allow volume photographers to focus more on expressions and quality posing while reducing the margin of error in the field. That alone is enough to make me a believer.”
This firmware update from Panasonic is poised to redefine the efficiency and accuracy of volume photography, empowering photographers to navigate high-volume shoots with unparalleled ease and precision.
To access these U.S. exclusive functions, the LUMIX Volume Photography firmware license will be available in Spring, 2024 and priced at an MRRP of $199.99. For additional details, please visit https://shop.panasonic.com/pages/lumix-volume-photo.
About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading provider of Consumer Lifestyle technologies, as well as innovative Smart Mobility, Sustainable Energy, Immersive Experiences, and Integrated Supply Chain solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Holdings Corporation. One of Interbrand’s Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2023, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and innovations at na.panasonic.com/us
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Previously unseen photographs of Jimi Hendrix
(Credits: Far Out / Jonathan Stathakis / Posthill Press)
Very few rock ‘n’ roll presences are as iconic or enduring as that of Jimi Hendrix. The virtuosic guitarist had a heavy hand in evolving rock music from the 1950s and early ’60s rhythm and blues tradition; in the process, he pioneered his own unique style and earned worldwide admiration as one of the greatest guitarists in living memory.
Since his untimely death in 1970, aged just 27, Hendrix has become almost mythical in status, much like his contemporary and fellow “27 Club” member Jim Morrison. Aside from the strange rock ‘n’ roll romanticism of early passing, Hendrix has remained elusive since his stage presence was so far removed from an ostensibly subdued and introverted off-stage persona.
In an interview with Classic Rock, Dave Davies, the guitarist of The Kinks, once appraised Hendrix’s personality: “In real life, Jimi Hendrix was nothing like the wild guy that he portrayed on stage. He was a quiet, introverted guy like Ray [Davies] was. He was explosive on stage but very softly spoken off it.”
In the public eye, Hendrix was cool as a cucumber. He dressed in the finest hippie chic, carrying himself with humble elegance and letting the guitar do all the talking. All the while, the guitarist’s dark, piercing eyes betrayed depths of introversion, wisdom and potential, the full extent of which we sadly never experienced.
Although millions of fans worldwide continue to connect with Hendrix through his music, very few had the pleasure of befriending the man behind the guitar. Fortunately, the esteemed screenwriter Jonathan Stathakis formed a unique friendship with Hendrix in 1969 and has shared a personal account of the ‘Purple Haze’ singer in his new book Jimi and Me: The Experience of a Lifetime.
Hendrix first caught wind of Stathakis in 1969 after seeing some of his work in an obscure indie film in London. The guitarist had his management seek the young screenwriter out to collaborate on his sci-fi movie script, Moondust. The two quickly hit it off, and within weeks, Stathakis found himself in the eye of the rampant rock ‘n’ roll storm, immersed in a throbbing culture of hard drugs and promiscuity.
In his new book, Stathakis remembers his wild ride with Hendrix and his entourage, with never-before-seen photographs and never-before-told stories. Following the icon’s story from the aftermath of Electric Ladyland, his final album with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Stathakis’s memoirs take a fresh look at Hendrix’s iconic performance at Woodstock ‘69.
Below, we present a selection of Stathakis’ photographs from Jimi and Me: The Experience of a Lifetime. Most of them see the performer in action, in the studio and on stage at Woodstock.
Captioning the image of a blurred Hendrix smiling as he turns to the camera, Stathakis notes: “This was a favourite shot of Jimi’s that I took at Woodstock. The New York Times Magazine often ran photos that were out of focus as a creative statement. He called this his ‘New York Times Magazine shot’. He smiled when he caught me in his view.”
