KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s Lawson Lunatics—recognized by the NCAA among the best fan sections in college hockey—have an extra reason to cheer this year: The Broncos are celebrating 50 years as a varsity team. A new merchandise line marks the milestone, and a group of Western students helped bring the vintage vibes to market.

“This generation has so much in the way of energy, style and awareness. We wanted to tap into that and give students a chance to shine in a real go-to-market campaign,” says Steve Koich of Men’s League Sweaters, a 2008 graduate of Western’s public relations program. He connected with Madeline Fritz, a fashion merchandising student from Bloomingdale, Michigan, and made his pitch for marketing new vintage hockey jerseys and jackets. 

MODA models helped bring Madeline Fritz, Olivia Bolognia and Anna Vitale’s vintage concept to life.

“This is the first professional opportunity that I have been given on this level,” she says. “It opened my eyes and opened the door for me to think about different career paths. I’ve always been interested in creative direction for shoots because I’m not exactly a photographer. I’m not exactly a model and I’m not exactly a designer, but I love and I’m really good at bringing groups of creative people together and getting the show on the road. This project really helped me realize that’s also what I have a passion for.”

Fritz, who is also marketing director for Western’s Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association (MODA), enlisted fellow fashion merchandising student and MODA vice president Olivia Bolognia, of suburban Chicago, to co-direct the project and booked Gwen Frostic School of Art student Anna Vitale, of New Buffalo, Michigan, for photography.

“When she reached out to me to take photos for this shoot, I was over the moon!” Vitale says. “It is extremely exciting to be able to do some professional work for the school I attend and to be able to show my school spirit in this unique way.”

Koich calls empowering students to lead the project a “no brainer.”

“What better way to honor this legacy than through the eyes of current students?” he says. “We put our trust in them and they ran with it to the moon.”

Using the inspiration of a vintage mood board supplied by Koich, the Western contingent met a few times to coordinate a multiple day, four-location shoot that incorporated 15 different models. They styled a number of versatile looks to showcase the garments, sourcing accessories and clothing from Fritz’s employer, Sizo & Peny Vintage, and set out to capture the models in authentic college environments like a pizza shop downtown and Lawson Ice Arena. 

Koich says he was “impressed but not surprised. They had my full confidence. From our first conversation, Madeline was professional, resourceful, with a clear passion to create.” He adds, “As an alum, it’s great to see students taking on a project like this and executing at a high level.” 

The group’s efforts are now live on the WMU Bookstore webpage.

“I’ve worked for small businesses and managed their social media and marketing, but being in charge of the marketing campaign and concept for the hockey team’s 50th anniversary merch is on a whole other level for me,” Fritz says. “I think it kind of opened my eyes and opened the door for me thinking about other career paths.”

The 50th anniversary hockey merchandise is on sale now at the WMU Bookstore.

“I learned a lot from this opportunity,” adds Bolognia. It was nice to be a co-director and learn how to lead a shoot as well as bounce off ideas with Madeline as the other co-director.”

Vitale says her biggest takeaway from the project is the importance of collaborating with a team to move ambitious projects forward.

“I loved working with different creatives and models using all of our unique skills and ideas while bringing these photos to life,” says Vitale. “WMU has set me up for success by introducing me to so many different people and helping me network and expand my career as a photographer. I am very thankful for the many different experiences and opportunities that are here at Western.”

“All of us were able to bring the skills we gained from our classes to the shoot. Everything just aligned so well,” adds Fritz. “This marketing concept for the hockey shoot ties perfectly into fashion merchandising because we’re marketing clothing, collaborating with creatives and showcasing our skills while also bringing the models together—it’s almost like seeing your thesis.”

The 50th anniversary hockey line is available for purchase at the WMU Bookstore inside the WMU Student Center and online.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Brelyon, a leading immersive display company, announces the opening of its latest showcase site at 34 Sujakuhozocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8846, Japan, in collaboration with Monozukuri Ventures.

Located in the heart of Kyoto, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and technological advancements, the new showcase site right above AM Labs & FabKyoto, next to Umekoji Market represents a significant milestone for Brelyon as it expands its international presence. The collaboration with Monozukuri Ventures, a key player in fostering innovation in the Japan ecosystem, further emphasizes Brelyon’s commitment to excellence in immersive display technology.

The showcase site in Kyoto is designed to provide visitors with a captivating and interactive experience, allowing them to explore the cutting-edge advancements in immersive displays. With a focus on innovation and Monozukuri, the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship, the showcase site aims to demonstrate the seamless integration of technology and artistry.

“We are thrilled to unveil our showcase site in Kyoto, a city known for its rich history and commitment to craftsmanship,” said Barmak Heshmat, CEO of Brelyon. “This collaboration with Monozukuri Ventures is a testament to our dedication to providing innovative and immersive experiences in Japan and Asia Pacific market.”

“Monozukuri Ventures is excited to join forces with Brelyon in bringing cutting-edge immersive display technology to Kyoto,” said Narimasa Makino, CEO of Monozukuri Ventures. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to support innovative endeavors that celebrate the marriage of tradition and technology.”

About Brelyon:
Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, Brelyon is a pioneer in hardware and software technologies for headset-free immersive experiences. Helmed by a founding team of scientists and industry executives from MIT, UCF, DARPA and IMAX, Brelyon has developed the world’s first no-headset display technology with monocular depth. For more information about Brelyon and its virtual display solutions, please visit www.brelyon.com.

About Monozukuri Ventures:
Monozukuri Ventures (abbreviated as MZV), based in Kyoto and New York, manages venture investment funds for hardware startups and provides technical consulting on hardware prototyping and manufacturing. MZV launched the first Fund in the summer of 2017 and the second in 2021. MZV has invested in a total of 57 hardware startups (26 in Japan, 30 in the US, and 1 in Singapore). MZV also provides technical consulting services based on the knowledge and network from prototyping to mass production. MZV has supported more than 190 manufacturing projects, mainly startups. (All figures are as of March 31, 2023)

SOURCE Brelyon

Vital Impacts

annual print sale

Shop the collection on Vital Impacts.

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CUEN – Cuentas Unveils State-of-the-Art Disaster-Resilient Buildings in Florida, tapping into a $2.1 Trillion Market to Reshape Real Estate’s Future

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Cuentas Casa, the building division of the company has completed of its first ninety-six-unit multifamily development, utilizing groundbreaking construction technology, marks a significant departure from traditional methods and heralds a new era in building design

Revolutionizing the real estate landscape, Cuentas, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUEN & CUENW) is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking milestone in innovation. The company proudly revealed a state-of-the-art multifamily building using natural disaster-resilient building technology. This cutting-edge development marks CUEN as a leader in pioneering resilient infrastructure, ensuring a safer and more secure future for homeowners in the United States, and demonstrating its steadfast dedication to providing affordable, sustainable, and reliable housing solutions.

MIAMI BEACH, FL, Nov. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cuentas, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUEN & CUENW), the foremost developer of fully integrated cybersecurity, telecommunications, and financial applications for the unbanked and underbanked Hispanic market, has released a management update highlighting the use of a pioneering construction method, reminiscent of interlocking LEGO bricks. This method forms entire structures engineered to withstand natural disasters, boasting top-tier ratings for hurricane and earthquake resistance. This marks the initial phase of Cuentas’ visionary goal to revolutionize housing affordability through innovative construction practices.

In a significant management update, Mr. Arik Maimon, CEO of Cuentas, shared insights into the company’s triumphant foray into real estate investments and the strategic alliance with RENCO. The completion of its inaugural ninety-six-unit multifamily development using revolutionary construction technology represents a departure from traditional methods.

This milestone has garnered extensive media coverage, with a special focus on core products manufactured with naturally occurring raw materials and recycled products in an environmentally friendly process. A video coverage by a leading US news outlet showcases the Lakewood Village project, highlighting its versatility, departure from traditional materials, efficient construction, and cost-effectiveness. A video of the completed project and the use of the technology is available at: Cuentas Real Estate.

Lakewood Village Project

Renco USA, a Florida-based company with nine patents, has developed a state-of-the-art structural building system comprising interlocking composite building units. These units join to form monolithic structures, are cost-effective compared to traditional materials, are self-supporting, lightweight, and environmentally friendly. Cuentas has secured a ten-year agreement  to leverage Renco’s technology, solidifying a strategically tight partnership for joint project development. A copy of the announcement can be found here: Cuentas and Renco Supply Agreement

In a significant move, management has invested in a 26-acre property in Tampa, Florida, and is planning a collaborative three hundred sixty-unit complex, branded Cuentas Casa. This investment underscores Cuentas’ commitment to sustainable, environmentally resilient, and durable construction, with a remarkable 63% equity participation in the project.

Mr. Maimon, CEO, emphasized, “The investments in Lakewood Village and our new project in Tampa stand as a testament to our management’s visionary approach and the strategic selection of this groundbreaking building technology. Our commitment to expanding Cuentas into the lucrative rental income real estate sector is bolstered by the cost-effectiveness and rapid construction capabilities of Renco’s technology, ensuring the provision of affordable and quality housing.”

Cuentas continues to excel in delivering strategic technology solutions within sectors that provide essential services to the general public, enhancing people’s lifestyles. This revolutionary leap forward signifies our commitment to redefine the way we envision, construct, and interact with the spaces that shape everyday life.

Looking ahead, Cuentas is poised to seamlessly integrate future resident services, including Cuentas Mobile, Cuentas Fintech, Cuentas Casa, secure financial services, and business and personal cybersecurity applications, creating a holistic and innovative living experience for our residents.
About Cuentas

Cuentas, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUEN & CUENW) is creating an alternative financial ecosystem for the growing global population who do not have access to traditional financial alternatives. The Company’s proprietary technologies help to integrate FinTech (Financial Technology), e-finance and e-commerce services into solutions that deliver next generation digital financial services to the unbanked, under-banked and underserved populations nationally in the USA. The Cuentas Platform integrates Cuentas Mobile, the Company’s Telecommunications solution, with its core financial services offerings to help entire communities enter the modern financial marketplace. Cuentas has launched its General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) Card, which includes a digital wallet, discounts for purchases at major physical and online retailers, rewards, and the ability to purchase digital content. In Q1 of 2023 Cuentas launched Cuentas Casa, an alternative housing development initiative that secured a 10-year supply agreement for a patented, sustainable building system that will provide the bridge between its technology solutions and the affordable housing market. Cuentas has made investments to date in affordable housing projects for over 450 apartments. LINK: https://cuentas.com  AND   https://cuentasmobile.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined in section 27a of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21e of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements involve substantial uncertainties and risks and are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections and reflect our beliefs and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, Nasdaq and shareholder approval of the proposed transaction, our ability to manage our research and development programs that are based on novel technologies, our ability to successfully integrate WHEN operations and product offerings, the sufficiency of working capital to realize our business plans and our ability to raise additional capital, market acceptance, the going concern qualification in our financial statements, our ability to retain key employees, our competitors developing better or cheaper alternatives to our products, risks relating to legal proceedings against us and the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “RISK FACTORS” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.

Contack Information:

Arik Maimon

CEO at Cuentas Inc

Cuentas Inc. (NASDAQ: CUEN)

Phone:  800-611-3622 

Mobile: 786-774-2835

Web: www.cuentas.com

Email: [email protected]

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Art Basel Hong Kong returns to full scale with a 2024 edition featuring 242 premier international galleries and a vibrant program both within and beyond the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)

• Art Basel’s 2024 Hong Kong edition will feature 242 galleries from 40 countries and territories, a 37% increase in exhibitor numbers compared to 2023 that marks a return to the show’s pre-pandemic scale
• Once again, the fair will shed light on the rich art scenes of Asia and beyond, with more than half of all exhibitors operating spaces in the region
• 68 galleries will return after a hiatus, including notable names like Galerie Lelong & Co. from France, Galleria d’Arte Maggiore G.A.M. from Italy, kurimanzutto from Mexico, and Experimenter from India
• 25 galleries from across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas will join the fair for the first time
• Art Basel, in collaboration with galleries, artists, world-class institutions, and cultural partners, will present a dynamic city-wide program of events and activations throughout the show week
• Art Basel Hong Kong, whose Global Lead Partner is UBS, will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from March 28 to 30, 2024, with Preview Days on March 26 and 27

Art Basel today announced the list of 242 leading international galleries selected for its 2024 Hong Kong show. This represents a return to pre-pandemic numbers, with an additional 65 exhibitors joining the fair compared to 2023. Galleries from 40 countries and territories across Asia, Europe, North and Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa will present artworks of the highest quality spanning all market segments, from 20th-century masters to established contemporary artists and today’s most exciting emerging voices.

25 international galleries known for their engaging program will join the fair for the first time: Station (Melbourne, Sydney), Tim Van Laere Gallery (Antwerp, Rome), Almeida e Dale Galeria de Arte (São Paulo), Mangrove Gallery (Shenzhen), Hua International (Berlin, Beijing), Fitzpatrick Gallery (Paris), Galerie Zink (Seubersdorf in der Oberpfalz), Gallery 1957 (Accra, London), Galleria Massimo Minini (Brescia), Waitingroom (Tokyo), Morán Morán (Los Angeles, Mexico City), Hafez Gallery (Jeddah), PTT Space (Taipei), Each Modern (Taipei), Public Gallery (London), Alison Jacques
(London), YveYang (New York), Bortolami (New York), Nonaka-Hill
(Los Angeles), Rodeo (London, Piraeus), Dvir Gallery (Brussels, Paris, Tel Aviv), Chini Gallery (Taipei), √K Contemporary
(Tokyo), Linseed (Shanghai), and Chapter NY (New York).

68 galleries will return to Art Basel’s fair in Asia after a brief hiatus, including established international names such as: Galerie Lelong & Co. (Paris, New York), Lisson Gallery (Beijing, Shanghai, London, Los Angeles, New York), Matthew Marks Gallery (Los Angeles, New York), Miguel Abreu Gallery (New York), Regen Projects (Los Angeles), Sprüth Magers (Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New York), Tanya Bonakdar Gallery (Los Angeles, New York), Galleria Franco Noero (Turin), Acquavella Galleries (New York, Palm Beach), Galleria d’Arte Maggiore G.A.M. (Bologna, Rome, Venice), Annely Juda Fine Art (London), Modern Art (London), kurimanzutto (Mexico City, New York), and Galerie Eva Presenhuber (Zurich, Seoul, Vienna). 

Major galleries from Brazil will also make a comeback: Gomide & Co (São Paulo) and first-time participant Almeida e Dale Galeria de Arte (São Paulo) for a joint presentation, and Mendes Wood DM (São Paulo, Brussels, New York, Paris).

Once again, the show will provide an unparalleled and dynamic overview of artistic production across the Asia-Pacific region, from historical rediscoveries to work by contemporary practitioners. More than half of all exhibitors operate spaces on the continent. In addition to a strong presence of galleries from Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, notable galleries from Australia, New Zealand and India will showcase their program, including: Sullivan+Strumpf (Melbourne, Sydney), Fine Arts, Sydney (Sydney), Station (Melbourne, Sydney), Fox/Jensen (Auckland), Experimenter (Kolkata, Mumbai), Vadehra Art Gallery (New Delhi), Tarq (Mumbai), and Jhaveri Contemporary (Mumbai).

Angelle Siyang-Le, Director, Art Basel Hong Kong, said: “Art Basel Hong Kong is excited to announce our 2024 edition, returning in full scale with a warm welcome to exhibitors from around the world, including the 68 galleries that had taken a hiatus and 25 newcomers. Our goal is to connect guests from all around the world in our home, Hong Kong, by offering possibilities of collaboration and innovation inspired by art and artists. As the key strategic cultural hub in Asia and Asia Pacific, the city plays an important role, more than ever, in bridging the evolving art landscape across regions.”

Download the full press release here.

Creating pieces that are part artwork and part fashion, Oklahoma City-based artist Kendall Ross of I’d Knit That imbues her knitwear with plenty of personality. “My I’d Knit That project got started because I thought the name was funny, and I was convinced I needed to claim the Instagram handle before someone else did back in 2019,” she tells Colossal. “Originally, it was a very casual way for me to share photos of what I was making and to organize knitting meet-ups with my friends from college. Still, I started taking it very seriously, and it ended up being a very important way for me to share my art and connect with other artists.”

Ross emphasizes bright hues in her pieces, using stitching methods like intarsia or Fair Isle colorwork—also known as stranded colorwork—to illustrate playful graphics and incorporate original texts. In a statement on her site, she writes that she is “drawn to telling unapologetically intimate, complicated stories of feminine, overlooked moments…putting private emotions on display for people to wear on their chest in their public lives.”

All of Ross’ vests and cardigans are hand-knit from either acrylic or wool yarn, the latter of which the artist hand-dyes herself whenever she is able. “I have done a lot of hand-dyeing in the past, and I really love the process of it,” she says, sharing that space is limited in her home studio, so she isn’t able to add color to all of her materials. This winter, she’s looking forward to a residency at Penland School of Craft in January, where she’ll focus on the hand-dyeing process.

Ross is currently working toward shows in 2024 in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and the Pacific Northwest, and she also teaches at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, where this winter, she is offering a class on how to knit sweaters for dogs. “I think they only agreed to let me do it because I talk about my basset hound Frankie so much, but I’m very excited about it!”

Find more in the artist’s shop, and follow updates on Instagram. (via Kottke)

“Girl Talk” (2021), hand-knit acrylic

Left: “Stress Knit” (2022), hand-knit wool. Right: “Bad Driver” (2022), hand-knit with wool the artist hand-dyed

“Product Placement” (2023), hand-knit wool

“Fake Vest” (2023), hand-knit wool

Left: “Storyteller 2” (2023), hand-knit with wool for La Colombe Coffee. Right: “Company” (2022), hand-knit with wool the artist hand-dyed

“Everyone will forget about this” (2023), hand-knit with wool the artist hand-dyed

“Boring” (2023), hand-knit wool

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Kendall Ross Gets Personal with Her Colorful Sweaters Embedded with Stories appeared first on Colossal.

“Girls in the Windows” wasn’t made by an art world giant, but people keep buying it. And buying it. And buying it.

By Josh Marsh – 21 November 2023

A new art installation has been unveiled at Elder Way in Chesterfield town centre this week, created by artist Lucie Maycock to shine a light on community arts in Chesterfield and raise awareness of local charity, Junction Arts.

Jomast, the company which has developed the former Co-op department store building on Elder Way, commissioned the piece to bring colour and light to the building this winter, creating a point of interest while telling the story of Junction Arts and the work they do in the community.

The artwork can be seen in the window of one of the new units in the Elder Way building.

Entitled ‘We are all artists and creators’, the artwork includes original illustrations, which frame a stunning collection of lanterns that have been made by the local community over the last three decades, for the annual Bolsover Lantern Parade. People can see the display in the window located opposite the Co-op Bank, which is best viewed in the evening when the lanterns are lit up – over 7000 lights have been used to bring the artwork to life.

The window was designed by Chesterfield artist and Junction Arts board member Lucie Maycock, who has a personal connection to the building. Lucie’s Mother, Karen Maycock was the Display Supervisor for the Co-op, dressing the windows at the old department store for over 30 years before it closed. Karen has been on hand to help Lucie with the design, revisiting her old place of work to ensure that the window display is perfect.

Lucie said: “When Junction Arts asked me to create the window display on Elder Way in the old Co-op building, I was excited by the idea. Not just about the project itself but the link to my Mum and her career as a window dresser in the same building. I grew up seeing my Mum in the windows of this beautiful department store, I remember walking home from school via town to see if I could see her and knock on the window to say hi and show all my friends that this is what she did as a job.

“I asked my Mum if she wanted to help create the arrangements for the window display. She was really excited about going back there and helping me to make the fabulous creation come to life. I am so lucky to have her skills and expertise to help execute this project, it’s a real privilege.

“Drawing onto the window was a wonderful experience. I kept imagining that this was how my Mum would have felt for all those years she spent at the Co-op. As people walked by, they were so friendly, saying hi, asking what I was doing and generally being wonderful. I felt emotionally connected to the artwork, space and purpose of this project.

“Doing this window for Junction Arts was a pleasure and I feel privileged to be promoting my passion for community arts whilst working with my Mum, and being able to put myself in the same place she did so many times.”

Junction Arts is an award-winning participatory arts charity, that was established in 1976 to develop and deliver engaging arts experiences within disadvantaged areas, to improve wellbeing, build confidence and skills, address inequality and inspire change. The local charity runs several projects throughout the year as well as organising events including The Chesterfield Children’s Festival, Tapton Lock Festival and Bolsover Lantern Parade.

Junction Arts Managing Director, Emily Bowman said: “Thank you to Jomast for giving us this opportunity to showcase community art in the town centre, it’s great to see the lanterns as the centrepiece to the design, as we are celebrating 30 years of the Bolsover Lantern Parade this year. We hope that Lucie and Karen’s amazing work will bring light and hope to people, inspiring them to get creative in their communities. The window perfectly reflects the work we do in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire and I hope it encourages more people to engage with us in the future.”

Jomast’s Commercial Property Director Mark Hill said: “We’re all really excited by the artwork that Lucie is creating. Her link to the building’s former use as a Co-op department store is remarkable and we couldn’t think of anyone better placed to bring one of the new units to life with this stunning artwork. The lanterns really will shine a light on this beautiful building and its redevelopment.”

The artwork will be on display until spring 2024. For more information visit www.junctionarts.org or follow Junction Arts on social media @JunctionArtsUK.

Junction Arts and Elder Way Development support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.