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Reflection and Response.
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the LIFESTYLE
Reflection and Response
Tag Archives: Craft
Snapshots From the Collective
Untitled by Danny Kaufman
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
Snapshots From the Collective
Untitled by Vicken Donikian
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
Reflection and Response: The Zine, Volume I
Reflection and Response: The Zine, Volume I is a project we have been working on for the past couple months. This collection of thought, craft, and experience is rooted in the processes of Reflection and Response through the artS. We decided to compile many of the installations from the first 9 months of our Feature series into a pressable format in order to fully appreciate and expand the timeless dialogue that these artists have engaged in. the LIFESTYLE collective presents this Volume with hopes of building further dialogue, collaboration, action, and artistic exchange locally and globally.
A true thank you to the following nine contributors for bringing their powerful and inspiring work to the collective:
- Samuel Bostick
- Megan Branch
- Danny Kaufman
- Diana Cervera
- Stefan Paul George
- Vatche Donikian
- Leopoldo Pérez Obregón
- Vivian Garcia
- Ellie Cross
The Zine is available for FREE.
In order to grab a copy:
– Directly from Peter in Leon, España or from Vicken in New York City…contact the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com.
– Online ($5 flat shipping cost)…
Thank you for supporting the LIFESTYLE collective’s first publication!
Reflection and Response.
Reflection and Response: The Zine (Pre-Release)
Reflection and Response: The Zine, Volume I is a project we have been working on for the past couple months. This collection of thought, craft, and experience is rooted in the processes of Reflection and Response through the artS. We decided to compile many of the installations from the first 9 months of our Feature series into a pressable format in order to fully appreciate and expand the timeless dialogue that these artists have engaged in. the LIFESTYLE collective presents this Volume with hopes of building further dialogue, collaboration, action, and artistic exchange locally and globally.
Thank you all for your continued support and lookout for the official release coming up soon! The Zines will be available for FREE distribution anywhere.
Reflection and Response.
P & V
Feature: Casey Wong
This week we’re PROUD to present our next Reflection and Response Feature artist – Casey Wong. A student of the world, beatmaker, wordsmith, martial artist, and educator, Casey powerfully and creatively challenges social injustices through his various forms of craft, expression, and action. A genuine and inspiring person to all those around him, Casey guides us through an insightful Reflection and Response interview, followed by a presentation of his music..
While you can expose your own reflections, only you can know the whole story, feel me? Only you know the true colors, the font, the images, the ideas in their wholeness.
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
CW: Home has always been where my family’s at, so since my parents passed away, home has been elusive. I grew up in San Bernardino and Colton, but since no one I know really lives out there anymore, they really aren’t places that feel like home or places I go back to now. I have an older brother who lives in San Diego and a younger sister who lives in the Bay Area, and I feel the most at home when I’m with them. Berkeley and Oakland have a special place in my heart because I spent so many years out there living, going to school, and working, so I definitely got to shout out Oakland and Berkeley when I acknowledge where I’m from. Another area where I feel at home is this little California beach town outside Los Angeles called Playa del Rey. It was rare, but every once in a while our Mom used to take us to see her adopted Mother (we used to call her “Aunt Garth” because she didn’t like Grandma) and it was always a good time. We reconnected with her in recent years and it’s always great going to visit. So most of the time when people ask me where I’m from, due to all the above, I just say “California.” Right now I’m living in Brooklyn, NY, and it’s great, fa sho! I got to know some special people out here, but I’m def ready to head back to California!
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
CW: Reflection is kind of a heavy word… the first thing that comes to my mind is the legendary project Reflection Eternal by Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek. They do an incredible job elucidating that word, “reflection.” That track “Memories Live,” you feel me?
But on the philosophical tip… I believe that reflection should pre-empt any serious action that you take. A serious move for the most part requires premeditated contemplation in order to be effective. Reflection is a manifestation of your dreams, desires, worries, and critical thinking, amongst the other processes reeling through your head. Reflection is also very personal. While you can expose your own reflections, only you can know the whole story, feel me? Only you know the true colors, the font, the images, the ideas in their wholeness. What we tell others is really just an outline of the entirety of our reflection, a piece of the whole project which came to unfold during our very personal meditation on self, our placement and relationship to others and ideas in the world. There are some masters who have managed to craft their reflections into the physical world in some remarkable ways. Right now I think of James Baldwin, Nelson Mandela, Nas, Chimamanda Adichie, Bruce Lee, Nina Simone, Emory Douglas, I could go on . . .
While some would attach response to reflection, I don’t think every response is a result of reflection, but that doesn’t invalidate such a response or the meaning that such a response can have. Take for instance a race riot. A race riot is usually a spontaneous response to a dehumanizing action related to race made up of accumulated anger and frustration, without reflection. However, that race riot can serve as a powerful response, though destructive, which hopefully can inspire reflection to change the unjust circumstances which caused that race riot. When a response is tied to a reflection, the response often takes on a character which is more complete and cohesive, although that is not always the case. It should not be a surprise that a response to a reflection often comes out in the form of art or a project which pays more serious attention to the details and different dimensions, however that response is articulated . . .
How do your beats “Sound of the Beast,” “Thug Life,” “Meant to Love You Baby 2.0,” and “Feel That Music (Trust In Me Remix)” fit in with that definition?
CW: The beats I’m posting here are responses to my own reflections upon injustice, music, reflection itself, and of course love. “Sound of the Beast” is a brief interlude expressing my own response to my reflections on the New Jim Crow, the police state, the use of force, both physical and symbolic, against particularly people of color and poor people. In the track I pay homage and respond to a piece that all you heads should recognize by KRS-One. “Thug Life” is a piece I made while working at a local middle school in Oakland, CA. I worked with an MC there, and a lot of that beat is inspired by our conversations. More specifically, the beat is my response to my reflection on a brief excerpt by 2pac which appears at the beginning of the track. “Meant to Love you Baby 2.0” is on the love tip. The track is on and about a relationship, about the words, the feelings, and the passion. “Feel That Music (Trust In Me Remix)” is a quick and dirty, reflective conversation I had with a track by Slakah the Beatchild (I don’t even think I could call it a remix). I was feeling the beat, which I barely altered, and I just infused some familiar voices that captured the story going on in my head when I heard the track. Enjoy!
What else have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next?
CW: In the beatmaking game, I recently expanded my collection of tools, and I’m looking forward to seeing how these new tools help me to evolve as an artist. I am hoping to acquire more high quality recording equipment to allow me to expand into the realm of producer. Also working on up-ing my DJ skills to inform my craft!
Who or what inspires you?
CW: I am inspired by the passionate change-makers of the world. I am inspired by those self-aware dedicated men and women who see social inequality and make it a point to confront it in collaborative, creative, honest, and powerful ways. Probably the most notable inspirations in my life right now are Dr. Pedro Noguera, Martha Diaz, James Baldwin, Malcolm X, and Bruce Lee. My Mom of course continues to be an inspiration to me in the way she dedicated her life to confronting injustice, something which she worked hard to instill in me from a young age, and my Dad for the compassion he lived by, day by day, until the day he passed away. As an artist, Nas definitely has been a big inspiration in moving me to understand the world with a critical eye.
Is there anything else you would like the Collective to know?
CW: The secret not so secret moniker I go by is Phakamani (pronounced pa-ga-ma-nee). It’s an isiZulu name I acquired while studying isiZulu at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzberg), South Africa from my Professors there, BabuTsangase and Mam’Nonhlanhla. The name was created during Apartheid, and the closest translation to English is “Everyone stand up.” That’s me.
While beatmaking is a form of expression I’m very passionate about, I also live my life as a martial artist. Recently in seeking to progress my self-cultivation as a martial artist I have been studying Wing Chun for the past year with Sifu Henry Moy. The Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee continues to be a guide in my learning to honestly express myself as a martial artist.
Also I can’t end this interview without expressing my passion for teaching children (and for making their education more meaningful, fun, safe, and equitable), especially through the arts, particularly music. The youth are the truth!
Shout out to…?
CW: I have to give a shout out to my sister who is another passionate educator in the family, utilizing dance, the arts, and her amazing linguistic talents to grow the youth! Shout out to my humble brother constructing the future as an engineer, always keeping your eye out for how you can help others! Shout out to Ms. Mercy Agyepong, constantly checking me, and inspiring me with the wisdom you hold, and for your remarkable ways of distilling knowledge with a raw perspicacious flavor that the world needs to keep in touch with, can’t wait to call you Dr. Agyepong! Of course shout out to my boy Vicken, living life by the truth, you’re a beast for continuing to strive to open the world through your empathy and love of the arts. Shout out to Emmanuel for inspiring youth through the love and that film thing. Shout out to Martha Diaz for your faith and passion for equity and justice, helping to develop me and open the door of opportunity for me anytime and whenever you can, I could go on!
Reflection and Response.
Shake This Maze Remixes
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.
Elements are from
Our second Shake This Maze remix is called Spark Job Stab
Elements are from
Be on the lookout for the video dropping SOON!
Reflection and Response
-P
The Porch Swing: WORD of the Day
Here is installment VI from The Porch Swing: WORD of the Day, 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
Jus do me one favor yall,
Stay cool
Reflection and Response.
Samuel Bostick
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.
Feature: El Grillo Jujeño
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)
Caminatadelasquenas@hotmail.com
EL GRILLO JUJEÑO
Por otra parte soy cantante folklórico.
GESTORIA MUSICAL “MARTINEZ & BOERO”
Soy uno de los socios de la Gestoría especializada en trámites para músicos ante organismos relacionados con la profesión del músico.
DERECHO DE MARCAS
Trabajo en un Estudio Jurídico especializado en el asesoramiento de Marcas y Patentes Industriales.
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)
Caminatadelasquenas@hotmail.com
(EL GRILLO JUJEÑO) THE JUJEÑO CRICKET
I am also a folksinger.
MUSICAL MANAGEMENT “MARTINEZ & BOERO”
I am one of the partners of a private agency specializing in musician/industry transactions.
TRADEMARK LAW
I working in a law firm specializing in advising industrial patents and and trademarks.
Reflection and Repsonse.
The Porch Swing: WORD of the day
The Porch Swing artist residency series keeps rockin with Samuel Bostick’s WORD of the day creative writing project.. Installation Number 5: Discipline [Part II].
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, Jim Natale.
Discipline n. 1) Training that is expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, esp training that produces moral or mental improvement. 2) Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training. 3) A systematic method to obtain obedience: a military discipline. 4) A state of order based upon submission to rules and authority. 5) A process intended to correct or train. 6) A set of rules or methods as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order. 7) A branch of knowledge or of teaching.
WORD of the day: Discipline [Part II]
Mind, Body & Soul; discipline is a revolutionary strength.
As the refining pot is to gold,
so is discipline to those who apply it, those who abide in it.
A disciplined mind; development of focus and concentration
A tool of unlimited potential!
A disciplined body; all great achievements are won through great effort
Order in the physical elements is key
A disciplined soul; I read once that a person without control over their own spirit
is like a city broken down without walls
Again, be a disciple to your cause. Submit yourself to the pursuit of the objective ahead.
The self, feelings an’ emotions are concepts. They arise and fall as any other sentiment in this impermanent place. An achievement cannot be taken from by anyone, it is a benchmark.
Do great things—go for the gold all day every day!
Still, be patient with yourself.
Discipline is not always easy and there will be times where you may consider throwing in the towel a time when the burden seems too heavy to bear.
Build a team, a strong core of individuals mobbing in a like minded way.
There is strength in numbers.
A wolf pack, a pride of lions, a battalion of goons…
take down the target!!
We must all run our own race, nobody can do it for you nor for me…still it is encouragement that we need sometimes…it is that one voice that says “you can do it” when we fall from glory and start to feel we can’t. Everyone needs a push, a dear companion in hard times is a great lifeline…trust in yourself, have faith in your teammates, pull your own weight, invest in your team… us versus them. Go for the grand prize.
Again, the self is the biggest opponent…discipline is the training needed to run the race the outcome will reflect the input.
Never give up, do not give in, find your passion-tie it to your heart and run with it, dare to try, have the audacity to challenge any obstacle, live your life according to your beliefs and convictions, be not afraid to make mistakes—take chances…be true and truth will be forever in your presence… overcome disbelief.
Triumph.
Reflection and Response.
Samuel Bostick
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.
the LIFESTYLE 