Reflection and Response resident artist Samuel Bostick continues his WORD of the day project with installment VIII, a live, one-take, off the top audio recording from Berkeley, CA. Swingin’.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, Jim Natale.
Yieldverb. 1) Produce or provide (a natural, agricultural, or industrial product) 2) (of an action or process) produce or deliver (a result or gain) 3) (of a financial or commercial process or transaction) generate (a specified financial return) 4) Give way to arguments, demands, or pressure 5) Relinquish possession of something; give something up 6) Cease to argue about 7) Allow another the right to speak in a debate 8) Give right of way to other traffic 9) (of a mass or structure) give way under force or pressure. noun. 1) The full amount of an agricultural or industrial product
the LIFESTYLE’s role is to create collective space for active Reflection and Response through the arts. This space is built around dialogue, expression, collaboration, and artistic (ex)change involving international craftspeople and their realities. The Porch Swing series opens up a Reflection and Response residency where we feature a Collective member’s ongoing project through weekly installations.
First of all, we are GRATEFUL for the support with Shake This Maze Second Edition!! We still have copies left but many of you have helped build this project into a successful reality. Soon we will be posting a behind-the-scenes VIDEO of V’s Craft in the making of the albums by hand in Brooklyn.
The soundtrack of the piece will include some remixes of Shake This Maze tracks.
The first one is called He’s So Jade and contains elements from He’s Your Guy and Jade Eyes.
The LIFESTYLE Collective grows. Caity Ballister is a visual artist whose pieces vary in material, presentation, and theme. This year she finished her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley. With multiple gallery shows, she has already shown a growing output of work with a personal touch and unique style. Caity shares with us some of her perspective on Reflection and Response and the process behind one of her featured pieces, You can’t go back. We thank Caity for adding her voice to the ongoing dialogue at the LIFESTYLE!
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
CB: I was born in Altadena, CA, a little neighborhood above Los Angeles.We’re at the foot of some big mountains with a view of downtown and sometimes we can see the ocean glimmering gold. Right now I feel very fortunate to be living in Berkeley, CA in a house with friends. We call it the Cuckoo’s nest.
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
CB: Reflection and Response is the natural reaction to stimuli- it’s what makes us human but I don’t know… cats seem to reflect and respond to things too…So maybe it’s being alive. I find it hard to turn my head off. Walking around, sitting down, eating a popsicle… I’m constantly reflecting on various aspects of the experience.. the meanings embedded in actions, words, gestures, materials. I reflect super hard when something surprises me or when I feel something—friendships, love, heartbreak, fear, hope…these are all things or emotions that motivate me to act.. I guess that’s where the response part comes in. I consider all kinds of production in order to explore feelings or concepts to be art. So even the typewritten love letter I composed in high school for a crush… that was a work of art.
How does your installation You can’t go back fit in with that definition?
CB: This installation was a response to my experience of going back home, to my parents home, on my most recent trip. I found a lot of conflict and tension there from issues left unaddressed and fermenting under the surface. Simultaneously, there seemed to be a pretty fervent effort and desire on both my mother and father’s parts to make it seem like everything was great, to try to make me happy and feel at home.
As I was drifting to sleep that first night back at home, an image floated into my head. It was a dresser covered in a hand-sewn garment, almost like a tea cozy. The fabric was covering completely, stitching close the drawers. I knew in my drowsy delirium that I had to make this piece, that it was exactly symbolic of the complicated dynamics of the home I came back to. Real issues and basic comfort made inaccessible and home life made non functional despite painstaking efforts.
In addition to the dresser, this installation includes two other objects: a gold prismacolor colored pencil and the paper wrapper from an eraser. The pencil fell while I was in my studio and I was able to pull out the lead from within. I’m fascinated with uncovering, looking beneath the surface, analyzing and seeing how things work. I like undoing, breaking down into parts. I needed to take off the wrapper in order to use more of the fresh part of the eraser so I peeled it off, undoing the glue and exposing a surprisingly long length of paper that had been used to wrap around and around the rubber. Undoing the paper had both freed the tool inside and also introduced a new piece into the world.
What else have you been working on recently?
CB: I have been really loving making videos. I like using the camera to observe little moments of wonder and surprise that I come across. I’m going to film blueberries blossoming at my fingertips.
Who or what inspires you?
CB: When I was younger I came across the blog of a man named Saleem Reshamwala. He was documenting his experiences as a Japanese-American living and teaching English in Japan. He made videos, took pictures, wrote poems…all directly relating to the community around him. He also got people to participate with him and that kind of collaboration was really exciting. He’s kind a creative genius, an idea factory. I don’t really read his blog anymore, but he is always somewhere between the back and the front of my mind, inspiring me to love, engage with, record, and make something that celebrates the ordinary things in everyday life. http://kidethnic.com/ .
More recent inspirations, or at least artists I’ve found a connection with, are David Ireland, Doris Salcedo, Jonathan Richman, Olivia Crawford.
Is there anything else you would like the Collective to know?
CB: I want to thank the Lifestyle for featuring me and for creating this space. Also thanks to G’Pa Z, Kyle the Immediator of Media, the Cuckoo’s Nest, all my friends and teachers and everyone I’ve ever known.
The Snapshots From the Collective series works to create a space for Reflection and Response through photography. ANYone who wants to contribute ANY photos to this project can email us submissions at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com. One photo will be posted each week, and photos will only be used for the purposes of this series. Thank you and we look forward to building and expanding the Collective!!! -P & V
The Porch Swing weekly, cycling back in Full Effect. Installment VII in Reflection and Response resident artist Samuel Bostick’s WORD of theDay project!!
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, Jim Natale.
Fresh adj. 1) New to ones experience; not encountered before 2) Novel; different 3) Recently made, produced or harvested; not stale or spoiled 4) Not preserved as by canning, smoking or freezing 5) Not saline or salty 6) Not yet used or soiled; clean 7) Additional; new 8) Bright and clear; not dull or faded 9) Having glowing, unspoiled appearance of youth 10) Untried; inexperienced 11) Having just arrived; straight 12) Revival or reinvigorated; refreshed 13) Free from impurity or pollution; pure 14) Fairly strong; brisk
WORD of the day: Fresh
It has been a mean minute since I’ve caught this side of day. Birds ring a different song, a different sound. I tell you what, they don’t stick around long. Apparently they have messages to deliver, perches to mark and romance to tweet (120 characters at a time).
A new day a fresh start, what is more honest than that? Life has yet to reveal a spot of perfection, nonetheless with each moment comes the opportunity to increase, to develop, to improve. For that I give thanks. As I step out beyond the four walls of my comfort, enter stage left the cool. Sensational elevation. The cause, a source so simple…only breeze…now thas fresh. Inspiration in the simple mundane gifts of life is the exercise of a renewed mind, a refreshed, a mind oriented about that which is fresh. A clean slate—a purposeful walk.
Take no offense to any salty looks thrown nor give power to those impudent slanderings off the lips of a babbling fool. The ability to stand in the freshness of your truth rest in the righteousness of your walk. Not saying you need be an angle to be fresh, what I am saying is that there has to be an alignment of the soul and body. It’s a matter of presence. Personally I wanna be so fresh in faith I can walk on water, maybe even dance on water. Peter did it with Christ, I feel I can do the same in the midst of any storm! Take no offense, hold true to the vision that has been made the object of your passion, the inspiration of diligent work. It is easy to get offended yet transcendence is the fruit of a steadfast walk just as the pearl is the fruit of a faithful mollusk working with a grain of sand. A treasure created in the saltiest of situations…thas deep…10000 leagues deep.
Who woulda thought?
Stepped in, never stepped on, just out the box, scent of leather untouched…daydreaming of @&*$#
Jus hopped off the plane, last night; INSANE. LAX via JFK—green thumbs, bombshells and blue skies …Encore to the @&*$#est 3Ws
the LIFESTYLE’s role is to create collective space for active Reflection and Response through the arts. This space is built around dialogue, expression, collaboration, and artistic (ex)change involving international craftspeople and their realities. The Porch Swing series opens up a Reflection and Response residency where we feature a Collective member’s ongoing project through weekly installations.
View from la terraza de Mama Cris
Barrio San Antoni, Barcelona, Spain
-Megan Branch
Reflection and Response.
The Snapshots From the Collective series works to create a space for Reflection and Response through photography. ANYone who wants to contribute ANY photos to this project can email us submissions at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com. One photo will be posted each week, and photos will only be used for the purposes of this series. Thank you and we look forward to building and expanding the Collective!!! -P & V
Here is installment VI from The Porch Swing: WORD of theDay,brought to us by Reflection and Response resident artist Samuel Bostick. Cool.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, Jim Natale.
Cool adj. 1) Moderately cold; neither warm nor very cold. 2) Affording or allowing relief from heat. 3) Not excited; calm and controlled. 4) Marked by indifference; unenthusiastic. 5) Marked by calm audacity; impudent. 6) Designating or characteristic of colors, such as blue and green, that produce the impression of coolness. 7) Excellent; first-rate 8) Entire; full. 9) Composure. 10) To calm down, to wait.
WORD of the Day: Cool
Warm summer nights ahead, the chill of winter’s eve past
We are in the mist of cool.
(No doubt about that)
Dusty green leaves of peach trees rusted by the rolling breeze off the Pacific Coast, tumbling over Purple Mountains, settling in the valley of hidden gold—a testimony to the seasonal cool.
Sinatra advises it’s the season of “Makin Whoopee”
3 stacks’ witty reply is the only thing cooler than being cool is Ice Cold.
Still it is never too cold to be cool, yet always too hott to act over the top
I could almost swear the mercury meter kicked its old ways to the curb,
all its numerics replaced by one word… Cool
an’ my watch followed suit, what a trend!
A young Picasso, all I see are shades of blue.
In everything I touch; in all I do.
Me encanta azul!
Man, am I enraptured with this colour blue!
Red: runs up to warn blue, “Aye your on the wrong side of the tracks”
Blue: in all hues of calm, “I’m not here looking for any trouble & we both know I’m in with good fellas”
Red: heating up, “and what’s that to do with me”
Blue: sporting that cold killer look, “simply put, I suggest you Be Cool”
Oh brilliant moon, the cool of night
A twilight canopy, tonz of blazing far off stars.
Aside from that orangish red one…that outstanding light is really a rock called Mars.
Crickets rub romance off strings, toads moan throaty bass tunes,
word is the females dig on those cats
Night birds and bats got the altos on lock
The train rails out the percussive rhythm
A proper nocturne
How the night, an ocean of deep blue, gives birth to jazz I may never understand
Nonetheless I find inspiration in the stone cold groove.
Now vibe off that
On that note I’m gone retire to drown into my dreams—Blue in Green
the LIFESTYLE’s role is to create collective space for active Reflection and Response through the arts. This space is built around dialogue, expression, collaboration, and artistic (ex)change involving international craftspeople and their realities. The Porch Swing series opens up a Reflection and Response residency where we feature a Collective member’s ongoing project through weekly installations.
An important idea of the album comes from the title track:
“Shake this maze to the core with these chords and verses/ Mix genres like cops, johns, whores, and virgins/ Turn the source of hurting into a sense of pride/ Find the gold on the shipwrecks of life.”
Music for me has been a main source of Reflection and Response, and the tracks on this album are just that: Reflections on everyday experience. This release is an ultimate Response.
– Peter Muller
WELCOME to the release of the 2nd edition of Peter Muller’s debut album, Shake This Maze. Original music, independently produced and recorded. Original album artwork, individually handcrafted. 50 hand numbered units.
We wanted to release a 2nd edition of Shake This Maze as a continuation of our collaborative project. The gold banner cover design gives new character to the same musical content as the original edition.
The re-crafting of the album has been a dope experience, and in the upcoming weeks we’ll be releasing some “Making Of…” documentation of the process in various forms of media. Stay dialed in!
**The Golden Ticket**Each album comes with a few goods in the inside left pocket, behind the tracklist. We’ve included: 1) A “the LIFESTYLE” or “Reflection and Response” sticker, 2) A “Peter Muller” logo flyer, and 3) A “the LIFESTYLE: Reflection and Response” banner photo. One of the 50 units includes TheGolden Ticket – a banner photo with NO blue pigment!! If the banner photo in your collection of goods has a color-less sky, hit us up!! A custom handwritten parchment scroll of lyrics from your favorite track off the album will come your way..
Check our narratives about the creative process from the original release a couple months ago:
The Music:
Shake This Maze is a project that started sometime around 2009 in Buenos Aires when I decided to get back into writing more personal lyrics. During this time I had the good fortune to be able to work with talented musicians both inside and outside of the city of Buenos Aires. Conversations about life in Buenos Aires can be heard on “The Villa,” which was recorded in Villa Carraza, a low-income area outside of the city. While in Argentina I also work with a woman with an amazing voice whose version of “The City,” brought out such soulful tones in the track.
After moving back to Seattle to finish school at the University of Washington I formed a group called 55thandBrooklyn, and tracks such as “Past That,” “Wake Up,” “He’s Your Guy,” and “The Christmas Song,” were part of the live set of 55th later performed live around Seattle at venues such as Fourno’s, Lucid, and Waid’s in early 2011. After graduation in March 2011, I got a job at Duke’s Chowder house, a Seattle seafood chain restaurant. The members of 55th had gone their separate ways and I focused on solo lyrics accompanied by acoustic guitar. Experiences from Seattle during this period crafted through this type arrangement can be heard on “This job,” “Making Spaces,” and “Jade Eyes.” Final recording of these later tracks was done in two different apartment studios in Madrid, Spain.
The final two tracks of the album were projects begun years before I even left for college. “Livin on the West Coast” comes from the P.Muller and Sneaky V days of 2002-2006 when V and I first started messing with composition and arranging music with Garage Band in Berkeley. In “Spark This Shit Flaming” I used a beat from Seattle that samples me playing drums from my parents basement in 2003.Then in Spain I wrote the lyrics and recorded and mastered the track.
I started out using Logic Express 8 in Argentina and finished up with Ableton Suite 8. I have used the same Apogee one interface and MXL V88 mic for 3 years.
While the tracks mostly come from me, this project is 100% collaboration between V and I. If it weren’t for his idea to start this project, there’d be no album. If it weren’t for his craftsmanship, the tracks would have no presentation.
-P.
The Artwork:
The making ofthe album artwork was a handcrafted process involving 6 stages and multiple mediums. We started by ordering 50 blank recycled chipboard album covers and some CD sleeves from the good folks over at Stumptown Printers, and Shake This Maze was soon on its way…
1. Cover Art, Part 1: Acrylic paint stencil
I started the cover art by cutting a stencil of the “PM” logo that I had created for Peter about a month ago. An old-school classic stencil made from the basics: a manila folder and an exacto blade. Using red acrylic paint and a brush, I hand stenciled this first layer on the units.
2. Cover Art, Part 2: India ink stencil
Next, I cut another stencil of the lettering I drew up for the album title, Shake This Maze. Using india ink and a brush, I centered this second layer over the red “PM” backdrop.
3. Back Cover
For the back cover (not pictured) I hand-wrote some credits with a Pigma Micron #8 pen..
4. Tracklist
Moving on to the tracklists, I used a Pigma Brush pen to write the song titles. I also marked each unit with a 1/50, 2/50….49/50, 50/50.. on the right inside cover. It would be dope to see where all of these end up, so hit us up with the whereabouts.. we might have to set up a map to keep track!
5. CD Labels
I printed the “PM” logo and the “Shake This Maze” lettering on Brown Kraft CD Labels, which we then threw on each CD..
6. Assembly
Finally, using a hot glue gun, I folded and assembled each case. Look for more goods in the inside left pocket too!!
This was a dope collaborative project to work on, and it’s amazing how each album case turns out to be unique in some way – whether it’s slightly different placement of the cover lettering stencils, or the individually numbered inside pocket…they all have their own vibe and character! I think this handcrafted approach is the only fitting way to showcase Peter’s original, honest, and raw creative talent. Reflection and Response.
V.
In order to purchase the album:
–Directly from Peter in Madrid at upcoming shows, album release parties, open mics, other events, or contact P at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com
–Directly from Vicken in the New York City area or contact V at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com
–Online store for orders not in Madrid or New York City…
Shake This MazeUSA:
Shake This MazeEuropa:
–8€ for European orders and $10 for orders in the United States. All other currencies accepted.
This is the end of the beginning. Our first collaborative product, and it’s been a raw and inspiring experience expanding our craft with you. Thank you all for the love and support!! We’re looking forward to building off this project as we move forward!
El Grillo Jujeño is a leader. Born in Jujuy, Argentina and moving to Buenos Aires 10 years ago, he turned his experience of “desarraigo,” (uprootedness) associated with changing his location into a response that led to the creation of various social and artistic Collectives focused on the migrant experience throughout Argentina. He is also a folk artist himself, a lawyer, and a entertainment industry entrepreneur. A true craftsperson whose activities prove the power of Response.
Para empezar con algunos puntos básicas, de dónde vienes? Dónde estás?
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
GJ: Nací en el norte de Argentina, en la Provincia de JUJUY, la misma se caracteriza por tener a parte de su territorio considerado “Patrimonio cultural, paisajistico e historico de la Humanidad”, hablo de la Quebrada de Humahuaca. También allí, en ese caprichoso y magnífico paisaje se encuentra el famoso “Cerro de los 7 colores” entre otras bellezas naturales, por lo que desde ya los invito a visitar esa maravillosa región.
Recuerdo una frase que dice:
“JUJUY le han puesto de nombre
Debe ser cosa de Dios,
En el idioma del cielo
Así se llama al amor.”
Me encuentro a más de 1700km de mi ciudad natal, en la ciudad de Buenos Aires o mas conocida como “la city porteña”, lugar donde se hace mas palpable “el crisol de razas” que poblaron a este pais. Es la ciudad “mas europeizada” dicen algunos. Esta mega ciudad, tierra donde muchos la consideran lugar de oportunidades, donde al transitar sus calles uno comprende porque “el tango” nace aquí.
Les comento algo que a lo mejor les parezca extraño, pero que también es verdad: dentro de ese crisol de razas que hacen a la actual poblacion argentina, también se encuentra la “RAÍZ AMERICANA”.
Esta ciudad fue receptora no solo de la migración europea, sino tambien de la migración interna del pais, por lo que les aconsejo (si es que tienen intenciones de conocer Bs As), hacer un recorrido cultural a traves de las “PEÑAS FOLKLORICAS”, fiestas donde se interpreta, baila y canta MUSICA FOLKLORICA ARGENTINA y también latinoamericana. Descubrirán una Argentina autóctona, americana y regional. Todo eso debido a la enorme extensión del territorio que se extiende desde Ushuaia hasta La Quiaca.
Así es, Argentina es muy rica en historia. Y estamos hablando de historia identitaria y originaria de esta tierra sudamericana, por lo que los invito nuevamente a venir y conocerla.
GJ: I was born in northern Argentina, in Jujuy Province, characterized by having part of its territory considered a Wrold Hertiage of “Cultural, scenic and historic” value. I talk of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Also here, in this moody and magnificent scenery is the famous “Mountain of 7 Colors” including more natural beauty, and now I invite you to visit this wonderful region.
I remember a saying that goes:
“They gave it the name JUJUY
It should be a thing of God,
In the language of heaven
This is called love. ”
I am more than 1700km from my home town, in the city of Buenos Aires, better known as “The Port City”, a place where the idea of “the melting pot” that settled in this country becomes palpable. Some say the city is “more Europeanized,”. This mega city, the land many consider a place of opportunity, where to walk it’s streets, one understands why “Tango” was born here.
I will tell you something that maybe seems strange but that is also true: in this melting pot of races that make the current population of Argentina there is also the “AMERICAN ROOT”.
This city was the recipient not only of European migration, but also of internal migration of Argentines, so I advise you (if you intend to travel to Buenos Aires), make a cultural journey through the “folkloric” parties where people perform plays, dance and sing ARGENTINE FOLK MUSIC and Latin American folk as well. One will discover a different sides of Argentina: native, American, and regional. This complexity is because of the vast expanse of territory stretching from Ushuaia to La Quiaca.
Indeed, Argentina is rich in history. And we’re talking about historical identity and the origins of this South American land, so I again invite you to come and get to know it.
Que quiere decir Reflection and Response para ti?
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
GJ: Lo asimilo con hacerse una pregunta o cuestionamiento, o CRISIS!!!!!!!!
Analizar el problema y buscar probables soluciones. Desde hace años me cuestioné lo siguiente: Todos tenemos nuestros sueños y metas personales, pero también tenemos sueños que implican a la sociedad en su conjunto, y si no lo pensamos asi, deberiamos empezar a entenderlo, creo yo. Pensar en el otro.
Aristoteles habló del hombre como “ser social”. Personalmente, considero que todos debemos aportar nuestro granito de arena al medio que nos rodea.
En estos 10 años que viví en BS AS conocí incontables provincianos de todo el país que sufren el “desarraigo” pero mantienen sus costumbres, cultura y tradiciones en la medida de sus posibilidades. La difusión de esas actividades generalmente no llegan a los medios masivos de comunicación .
Esos provincianos son considerados para los porteños como intrusos y por otro lado, para los provincianos que residen en sus provincias, estos desarraigados son porteños.
GJ: I think of Reflection as the idea of presenting a question, challenge, or CRISIS!!!
Analyze the problem and find possible solutions.
For years I questioned the following:
We all have our dreams and goals, but we also have dreams that involve society as a whole, and if we do not think like this, it’s something we should begin to understand. To think of the other.
Aristotle spoke of man as a “social being”. Personally, I think we should all do our bit for our environment.
In these 10 years I have lived in Buenos Aires I met countless migrants throughout the country who suffer “rootlessness” but retain their customs, culture and traditions as much as possible. The spread of these activities generally does not reach the mass media.
These migrants are considered intruders by those born in the city. On the other hand these same transplanted migrants are considered “rootless,” for the provincials who reside in their home provinces.
Que más estás haciendo actualmente? Que proyectos estás pensando trabajar próximamente? Como se encuentran esos proyectos con tu idea de Reflection and Response?
GJ: What else have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next? How do these projects fit in with your ideas on Reflection and Response?
Es por esto que decidí solidarizarme y aportar mi granito de arena a este mundo difundiendo lo hacen los provincianos y sobre todo los jujeños en BS AS, personas solidarias, trabajadoras, reunidas en centros de residentes o como “solitarios heroes”, (QUIJOTES DE LA CULTURA) que difunden sus tadiciones, cultura, música, comidas… TIPICAS ARGENTINAS!!!!!!!
YO YA NO SOY UN QUIJOTE SOLITARIO gracias a TODOS los que se animan a soñar con un mundo mejor y todos los que nos acompañan en nuestros emprendimientos.
Creo que es importante que las nuevas generaciones conozcan su pasado y puedan valorar la importancia que tiene el sentido de la IDENTIDAD.
CAMINATA DE LAS QUENAS
Es por eso que pensamos en la magia de los niños de Jujuy y me convertí en uno de los 4 organizadores del proyecto “CAMINATA DE LAS QUENAS”, Proyecto cultural, educativo, identitario, musical que se realiza todos los años en los meses de Julio en BS AS y en agosto en JUJUY. (IMPORTANTE: Este año es el Bicentenario del Exodo Jujeño)
GJ: Thus I decided to express my solidarity and contribute my bit to this world spreading the work of migrants, especially those from Jujuy, living in Buenos Aires: caring people, workers, residents gathered in centers or “lone heroes” (QUIJOTES OF CULTURE) who spread and promote thier traditions, culture, music, food … TYPICAL ARGENTINA!!!
I AM NO LONGER A SINGLE QUIXOTE thanks to ALL who dare to dream of a better world and all who join us in our endeavors.
I think it is important that new generations know their past and that this knowledge can help them appreciate the importance of a sense of identity.
WALK OF QUENAS
This is why we believe in the magic of children in Jujuy and I became one of the four organizers of the “WALK OF QUENAS” This project focuses on culture, education, identity, and music and is performed every year in July in Buenos Airs and in August in Jujuy. (IMPORTANT: This year is the bicentennial of Jujuy Exodus)
The Snapshots From the Collective series works to create a space for Reflection and Response through photography. ANYone who wants to contribute ANY photos to this project can email us submissions at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com. One photo will be posted each week, and photos will only be used for the purposes of this series. Thank you and we look forward to building and expanding the Collective!!! -P & V
the LIFESTYLE 