Renaissance Fine Art Opens in Harlem

Many years ago, when I too was entering the fashion game, I met Yusuf Rashad who was then honing his craft as a photographer by assisting some of the best in the business, Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz, among them.  In the intervening years there’s been a return to his given name, Curtiss Jacobs, and his career focus has shifted to finance. As our paths diverged we lost touch with each other. Serendipitously, we reconnected last year through a mutual friend.  Catching up on each other’s lives, I was glad to learn that though his has been a very successful shift, his love of the arts still runs deep.

In that spirit he has just launched Renaissance Fine Art (RFA), a Harlem-based art gallery in tribute to his father Joseph David Jacobs, a talented painter. Curator, education consultant and Harlem resident Paula Coleman has come aboard as Gallery Director.  Together they endeavor to:

contribute to the redevelopment and artistic enrichment of Harlem and to participate in Harlem’s ever-growing and dynamic cultural life. RFA will display the works of contemporary painters, sculptors, and photographers, specializing in the works of artists from the Diaspora. In support of other artistic expressions, the gallery will provide a venue for film screenings, book signings, educational workshops, and seminars. RFA will also be available for rentals, artistic salons, private parties, and business meetings. RFA’s mission is to cultivate emerging collectors, provide stellar gallery representation to well-established and emerging artists, and afford individuals and groups with a quaint neighborly space for business and cultural affairs.

I was happy to join the many arts patrons at the well-attended opening last Friday. The premiere exhibition of wonderful work, up through November 14 is “Dark Matters and Entropy,” the seminal series of frescoes from accomplished artist Jack H. White.  Mr. White, whose career spans forty years, explains the influence/inspiration of the series thusly:

This series came about due to my interest in physics and cosmology, indeed as did the two previous series, Galactic Nascence and Galaxy Cluster. The Dark Matter Theory, concerns the need for the universe to have more mass or matter than is visible in order for it to hold together. Something maintains stars in orbit and dictates the motions of galaxies and galaxy clusters. Cosmologists believe that something to be dark matter. What this matter consists of is not yet known. However, “Dark Matter,” matters, if indeed it places order on the universe.

“Entropy,” which means disorder, decay, dissipation, and the breaking down of patterns and structures in nature and the universe, must increase or remain the same. Rusting is associated with an increase in entropy.  With these two concepts in mind and a desire to work with black pigments and oxidized iron, I produced these frescoes, restating my interest in the dualities which most often engender creation.

I found myself particularly riveted by Dark Matters and Entropy #4, a very spare 1999 piece, 78 by 48 inches of dry pigment, oxidized iron, copper and plaster on wood.  Kudos to RFA. I look forward to seeing what other treasures are in store.  Congratulations and best wishes!

All photos from the opening by Salahadeen Betts.

Artist Jack H. White (in his Harlem studio) stands before the most recently completed piece in the series, Dark Matters and Entropy #53, 2006 64″ x 32″ Acrylic, dry pigment, oxidized iron and plaster on canvas.  The same work as part of the exhibition.

RFA owner Curtiss Jacobs with artist, Jack H. White.  Gallery director, Paula Coleman with Walter Greene of New York Carib News.

The beaming gallerist with his wife, Camille and their girls.

Many artists came out in support of one of their own: sculptor, Dr. Lorenzo Pace; painter, Francks Francois Décéus and photographer, Dwight Carter.

The RFA space was filled throughout the evening.

Renaissance Fine Art

2075 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.

(7th Avenue at 124th Street)

New York, NY 10027

212 866 1660

Proud as a…

Peacocks, the males of the peafowl species (the females are peahens) have long been glorified for their beauty and the spectacular brilliance of their plumage.  The motif is one that fashion — for the home as well as the body — revisits quite frequently and last Spring’s love affair with the beauteous bird (think Matthew Williamson at H&M) has continued on into fall.

1. Dress, Milly at Bergdorf Goodman 2. Dress, Byron Lars Beauty Mark 3. Notecard, Mulberry Muse 4. 1970’s peacock and pheasant feather purse (a gift from art director Jan DeChabert) 5. Rubber boots, Chooka at Piperlime 6. 1900’s England, Art Nouveau brass tray, Ebay 7. Decoupage platter, John Derian 8. Wrap dress, Epaulet 9. Feather motif rug, Neiman Marcus 10. Cocktail ring, Topshop 11. Silk chiffon blouse, Cynthia Steffe 12. Vintage brooch, Hooti Couture 13. Alligator & feather clutch, Paige Gamble 14. Dress, Giambattista Valli at Bergdorf Goodman 15. Scarf, Nordstrom 16. Umbrella, Raindrops 17. Tulip dress, Christian Siriano and “Slither” boots, Christian Siriano for Payless 18. Digital print, Carambatack at Etsy 19. Hair Ornament, Kathelonious, also at Etsy 20. Fowl and feather images are oft requested for tattoos. This one from Flickr is particularly clean and lovely 21. Evening looks from Giambattista Valli 22. A gorgeous peacock I had the pleasure of meeting in Sydney, Australia struts his stuff.

Talkin’ Shop: Apartment 48

Fifteen years ago, an unassuming young man of good taste transformed a former beauty salon — a long, narrow underground lair–into distinct rooms to display home furnishings befitting each.  The vintage crib in the nursery held colorful, charming goodies for kids; a claw-foot tub housed a myriad of bath accessories; the inviting dining table was bedecked with swoon-worthy dinnerware, you get the picture.  The young man was Rayman Boozer, the space he dubbed the eponym Apartment 48 for its then-address at 48 W. 17th Street.

I shopped there frequently for my home, for gifts, as well as to score interesting props for photo shoots. It truly became a go-to shop and I’d look forward to seeing what vignettes Rayman would create next as he changed the decor of each room as new merchandise inspired him. Shopping in a subterranean space was never a deterrent for me, but Rayman longed for light and more square footage for his growing business, which includes interior design services.  When his lease was up, he closed up shop and warehoused his merchandise until he found the right space, which, as luck would have it, was just down the block from the original boutique.  He wished, “let there be light,” et voilà, a vast windowed storefront became available.

The capacious showroom at 12 W. 17th still stocks accoutrement for the well-appointed home, though it is now in a light airy setting that encourages lingering and a chance to see just what everyone from Met Home to Elle Decor has been buzzing about.

Proprietor and Interior Designer, Rayman Boozer surrounded by some his current favorites in stock: clockwise from left, Ikat napkins, $12 each; Gold-leaf branches & birds bowl, $98; various wallpapers, price on request; Japanese ceramic cups, $14 each; cast resin mounted antlers, $38-$75 depending on size.

The prized windowed facade.

I’m a fiend for color so right now I’m loving the whimsy of the striped crochet bunny, $24 and the ingenious design of this nesting set, $59. A perfect solution for space-strapped kitchens, this rainbow stack nestles measuring cups into a small mixing bowl, a colander, a strainer and the anchoring large mixing bowl.

Apartment 48

12 W. 17th Street

New York City

212-807-1391

Brooklyn Moment #12 Ambling the Antic

On October 4th the fall fun fest known as Atlantic Antic was for the 35th year, bustling with activity along Atlantic Avenue from Fourth Avenue to Hicks Street near the Waterfront.  It, like many of Brooklyn’s outdoor festivals becomes a reunion of sorts, where friends and family stroll the avenue in search of a great vintage find, a cool mixtape, artisanal jewelry, adult libation and kid-friendly nosh. Happily I come across friend upon friend and year after year the mainstays trot out their wares. There is something wonderfully comforting in knowing this to be true, yet I am always on the lookout for what’s new.  The convergence of the familiar with fresh discoveries once again made for a beautiful Brooklyn Sunday.

What’s an outdoor festival without street food…

good friends… (the beautiful Theresa, Richard and the kids)

great music… (the illest impromptu party in front of DVR Salon on Bond)

and if it’s in Brooklyn, mad BK love?  (DDDB.net)

Bespectacled girl that I am, I was overjoyed to stumble upon the array of repurposed sunglasses of YakBlak. This fly duo restores deadstock frames and makes them available at affordable prices.   Just yards away, beauty industry exec, Tami Brooks held court with Tam Aura, her line of sterling jewelry with modern accents of wood and concrete.  Continuing the urban materials theme, Alive Structures produces papercrates made from recycled shredded paper and mixed with cement. Hand-made by local artisans in New York, each planter is uniquely designed using succulents, saxifrages, and alpine flowers. 

YakBlak with some of their “vintage sunnies.”

Working with exotic woods such as Wenge and Zebrawood, Tami crafts beautiful laser-cut pendants and earrings.

Committed environmentalist, Marni Horwitz of Alive Structures with an assortment of planters.

This stretch of Atlantic Avenue, flanked by bars on either end has long been home to purveyors of antiques and collectibles.

Go-Go girls dance before the Last Exit Bar.

Collectibles from Vintage Signage (left) and City Foundry (right)

The nearby New York Transit Museum creates an outdoor display of vintage New York City Transit buses each year at the Antic.

This 1938 GM double-decker model was nicknamed the “Queen Mary” due to its resemblance to the famed ocean liner. It was the first diesel bus used in NYC and the last of the fleet was in service until April 1953.

This 1948 model is among the first 40-foot buses designed specifically for New York City and features a double-wide front door to expedite loading and unloading.  It is nicknamed the “Jackie Gleason Bus,” after the comedian who as Ralph Kramden, drove a similar model on TV’s, “The Honeymooners.” It was in service until 1966.

The 1958 model ushered in the era of the two-tone color scheme, push-type exit door and fiberglass rather than upholstered seating.

In route advertising of yore.  Note the pull string just below to alert the bus driver make a stop.

An unretouched blue sky, the perfect end to a sublime weather day.

Hue-Man Bookstore Presents…

As part of its comprehensive programming of in-store and off-site events, Harlem’s Hue-Man Bookstore is presenting a week of varied activities.  First off, the Beauty Buzz Series with makeup artists D’Angelo Thompson and the lovely newlywed Andrea Fairweather (congrats, girl!) kicks off tonight with the first of four Monday evening seminars. Beauty experts D’Angelo and Andrea know the ropes of the business having successfully navigated their individual careers for more than a decade each. 

Monday, October 5, 2009

6:30-8:30pm

The Business of Make-up

D’Angelo and Andrea will share how they started in the business. they will also discuss in detail what to do before, during and after an assignment; the boks that inspired them along the way and realistic rates that can work for you now.

Monday, October 19, 2009

6:30-8:30pm

Enhance Your Everyday Make-up Demonstration

D’Angelo and Andrea will share their tricks and demonstrate how to transform your everyday make-up application to the polished, natural, eye catching beauty it should be.
Monday, November 2, 2009

6:30-8:30pm

Finding Your Match (What Works for You…A Manager, Agent or Freelancing?)

D’Angelo and Andrea will discuss the options that will greatly determine how you will work.  Hear the pros and cons and then you can decide.

Monday, November 16, 2009

6:30-8:30pm

The Season’s Look – Winter Beauty Demonstration

D’Angelo and Andrea bring the hottest look for the Winter season to you.  They invite you to bring your own makeup, watch them do their thing and then put it all together for a show-stopper look. Just in time for the holidays!

Tickets for the seminars are $60/each in advance, or $75 at the door.  Attend all four sessions for $200.

Tickets are available at www.fairweatherfaces.com  For more info, contact: dlicious331@hotmail.com

Makeup Artists Andrea Fairweather and D’Angelo Thompson

Wednesday October 7 at 6pm yields two signings I look forward to. Carver Federal Savings Bank at 75 West 125th Street hosts money expert Jacquette Timmons (with books provided by Hue-Man) as she signs her new book Financial Intimacy.  On-site at Hue-Man, esteemed photographer, curator and historian Deborah Willis will be on hand to sign Posing Beauty: African American Images from the 1890s to the Present, a glorious photographic history of Black beauty.

A gorgeous Susan L. Taylor, circa 1970s, graces the book’s cover.

On Saturday, October 10 at 5pm, highly regarded poet, essayist and novelist, Ishmael Reed, presents his first published collection as a playwright,  Ishmael Reed: The Plays.

The vintage photo cover and the playwright himself (from Redroom.com)

Best Tressed

By now, most of us have gotten wind of Chris Rock’s soon-to-be-released comic documentary, Good Hair, but for those in the NYC area this weekend there’s another film, In Our Heads About our Hair, documenting the wide-ranging perspectives Black women have about their hair.  Getting a film made is no easy feat so congrats to longtime friend, Black hair expert and salon owner, Anu Prestonia who brought her passion for healthy heads–both hair and minds–to the project, her foray into film making.

Produced by Anu in collaboration with journalist/author, Maitefa Angaza and educator, Paulette J. Tabb, In Our Heads About our Hair, is directed by recent Brooklyn College Department of Film graduate, Hemamset Angaza (An aside and a gulp! I remember a young Hemamset participating in a children’s art exhibit I curated at Brooklyn Moon).

The 40-minute film screens this weekend at 5:50 pm at the Reel Sisters Film Festival at LIU’s Kumble Theater.  The screening is free, but RSVP is a must.  Dial 347.534.3304 or send an email to coordinator@reelsisters.org with “RSVP” in the subject line.

Fernandun June Terry, from In Our Heads About Our Hair.

Other filmmakers who’ve weighed in on the subject are the visual renaissance man, Andrew Dosunmu with Hot Irons, his 1999 chronicle of Detroit’s annual hairstyling spectacle, Hair Wars. More recently Regina Kimbell and Jay Bluemke took the show on the road with My Nappy Roots: A Journey through Black Hair-itage in 2007.

Financial Intimacy

Umpteen years ago when I visited the FIT campus before making the commitment to attend the school, I was paired with a student who was assigned the duty of showing me around. That person was Jacquette M. Timmons. She then, as now was very focused and diligent about executing the task at hand. She was not long for the fashion world, however, and through the encouragement of a mentor, found her passion in the world of finance.

The Fordham MBA has since 1995 developed Sterling Investment Management into the full-service investment education and financial coaching firm it is today, empowering people to be smarter about and with their money. Fast becoming a sought-after speaker on money matters, Jacquette presented at the Tides Momentum Leadership Conference just last month. To see her Tides presentation, click here.

An outgrowth of Women, Money and Romance™, one of the many financial workshops Sterling offers comes Financial Intimacy: How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Money and Your Mate. The book, in store on October 1 but available for pre-order now, “goes beyond telling couples how to manage their debt and invest for the future; it shows couples how to make those conversations routine and painless.” (Beverly Goodman, Senior Editor, SmartMoney: The Wall Street Journal Magazine).  Click here for the Publishers Weekly review.

Congratulations, Jaye!

Upcoming book events include:

September 24, 2:00pm

Congressional Black Caucus Author Pavilion

Convention Center – Hall E

Washington, DC

September 25 1:30 – 2:30pm

Baltimore Book Festival Literary Salon

Mount Vernon Place

600 Block North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD

October 7, 6:00pm

Carver Federal Savings Bank

75 West 125th Street, New York, NY

October 21, 7:00pm

Tea Lounge

837 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY

October 27, 6:30pm

Fordham University Graduate School of Business

New York, NY

And She’s Gone

And she’s gone. And she’s gone. Summer’s gone. Taking with her Summer’s play…

Stevie Wonder, “Summer Soft”

The season somewhat incorrectly bracketed by Memorial and Labor Days, is for 2009 officially over. It seems to have gone by in a whir. No time to compile my annual list of the best of Summer freebies; my schedule too tight to partake of most. I did manage, however to get in just a few moments worth mentioning. Bear with me now, some notable highlights:

Shake Shack, Madison Square Park

While waiting in the notoriously long line (hey the park is pretty and the weather that day, divine) for a rich chocolate shake, I was approached by a clean-cut, well-groomed older gentleman who leaned in and offered me $100 to let him sniff my neck. Life in New York.

Madison Square Park, one of three Shake Shack locations.

Figment*09

The Governor’s Island funfest was, this year, populated with many references subtle and direct to human consumption and the recycle/repurpose movement.

Secret of 101, Chin Chih Yang’s meditation on the environmental issues of pollution. The topographical work encourages viewer participation as the audience is invited to add cans.

Watershed from branding agency MSLK, is a man-made forest of 1,500 plastic water bottles which serves as a visual representation of one second of U.S. bottled water consumption.

80% of these bottles are currently not being recycled. Bottled water is 1,900 times more expensive than tap water, and the toxins emitted by it have been linked to serious health problems, such as reproductive issues and cancers.

Discarded Chair Dragon, Benjamin Jones and Anna Heckler’s 30-foot mythic creature, was assembled from wooden furniture collected on trash day in Brooklyn.

line, 2009 hand embroidered, appliqued, & cut re-appropriated linen, clothesline, clothespins, wind, and sunshine. Joetta Maue’s nostalgic installation was “inspired by the memories and associations of childhood and my grandmother’s back yard.“

Afro-Punk Festival 2009

From BMX flips and tricks, a chocolate-dipped skate massive and revolutionary art & adornment to riffs that rattle the bones and awaken the African spirit of punk rock…

Muralist paints the defiant image of a shackled Kunta Kinte from the movie, “Roots.” Saul Williams rips U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

Strolling The High Line

I love the repurposing of this abandoned 1930’s elevated rail structure into a decidedly urban public park.

Photo: Iwan Baan, from The High Line Blog

Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women’s Dresses

Though this wonderful exhibition of the National Museum of the American Indian (at the New York branch at the U.S. Customs House at Bowling Green) closed just days ago, the title above links straight to the comprehensive, well-executed online exhibit. Elk tooth embellishment, immaculate bead work and turn-of-the-century hand painting are just some of the highlights.

On the left: Crow elk tooth dress, ca. 1900, Montana. Hide, imitation elk teeth (bone), seed beads, red wool, sinew. Crow belt, ca. 1900, Montana. Harness leather, seed beads, brass tacks, commercial buckle. Crow leggings, ca. 1890, Montana. Hide, seed beads, red wool, sinew, canvas, cardboard. Crow moccasins, ca. 1890, Montana. Hide, seed beads, rawhide, sinew. On the right: back detail from “Give Away Horses” dress, 2006, Montana. Made by Joyce Growing Thunder Fogarty (Assiniboine/Sioux b.1950) Hide, seed beads, thread.

Detail from Sioux Cloth Dress, ca. 1890, South Dakota. Muslin, blue denim, red wool, red, green and black paint, thread.

Tonya Engel

Whilst window shopping BK’s Boerum Hill strip of Atlantic Avenue, I stumbled on a newish, deceptively large cafe. Clover’s Fine Art Gallery & Cafe makes use of the open, spare space and I enjoyed a frothy cappucino and took in the dreamy, oil and encaustic world of Brooklyn-by-way-of-Houston artist, Tonya Engel.

Sewing Room #3, oil on canvas.

Artomatic 2009

The top floors of this annual art event, offered a lovely vista of the DC landscape, including a direct view into Nationals Park, the stadium of the Washington Nationals baseball team. I felt like I was at the game. I went specifically, however, to see the paradoxically ethereal yet earthy installation of a friend whose work I admire, Alex Zealand. I am happy to report that as a result of the inclusion of her Flock, she’s received a commission to create another floating pith piece. I was also introduced to the painstakingly detailed line work of Corwin Levi and the well-executed animation skills of 17-year-old filmmaker Callison Slater’s String Studios.

Flock, 2009, Alexandra Zealand’s grapefruit pith cloud.

Corwin Levi’s Mandala, Pencil on paper, 30″x 22

Still from The Woes of Marsh, Callison Slater’s 10 minute animated short.

Négritude at Exit Art

Négritude is from Mars/Negroes is from Venus, the Greg Tate-curated segment of Exit Art group show, Négritude gave us the “Black Mystery Anti-Panopticon,” a place more mystic than mythic, ’cause the funk is for real.

Backed musically by Burnt Sugar, music critic Siddhartha Mitter performs (in French) the words of Martinican poet and proponent of the Négritude Movement, Aimé Césaire.

The Robert Glasper Double Booked Release Party at Le Poisson Rouge

It started woefully late, but it was definitely a treat to see/hear the prodigious Robert Glasper in a double bill of his two groups, the acoustic Robert Glasper Trio (with Vicente Archer on bass and Chris Dave on drums) and the free-form electric alter ego, The Robert Glasper Experiment (Derrick Hodge on bass, Chris Dave again on drums, and Casey Benjamin on saxophone and vocoder) Given a taste of his new dual-band release Double Booked, I’ll be headed for the iTunes download.

The virtuoso himself.

RGE’s stylish Casey Benjamin killin’ it on the sax and drummer Chris Dave workin’ it out.

Sundae Sermon

Uptown’s Sunday afternoon, family-friendly gathering in Morningside Park gets the “congregation” on its feet with “positive house music and peaceful tribal vibes,” from Minister of Music, DJ Stormin’ Norman and rotating guest DJs. theHotness founder, Nicole Moore helped us nip and nosh on her Belizean-blend punch and spicy tuna/mac salad.

DJ Beverly Bond guesting while Minister Norm snaps the crowd; “Sermonista,” Michaela Angela Davis.

Four generations: Publicist Lea surrounded by (counter-clockwise from left) her mom, grandmother and daughter.

Left, master hairstylist, Dekar Lawson and Hotgrrl, Nicole Moore. Right, Rick and N Harlem Boutique proprietor, Larry Ortiz.

Just days before the birth of their daughter, filmmaker Shola Lynch joined the fun with husband, Congressional hopeful, Vincent Morgan and their son Julian. Makeup artist extraordinaire, Shade Boyewa-Osborne smiles at darling daughter, Paloma.

“Carlos and Carmen Vidal just had a child, a lovely girl with a crooked smile…”

And finally, kitty-sitting…

While my filmmaker friend, Sonya was shooting in the Caribbean, I cared for her tiny, cute-as-a-button kitten, Violet.

Bronx-Bred Princess Discovers Royal Roots

I’d hoped to see the film, Bronx Princess, when it screened at MoCADA’s KIDflix Film Festival last month, but time didn’t permit. I am glad to know that it is being presented through the documentary series, POV tomorrow night, September 22 at 10pm on PBS and will air in its entirety for 30 days. The hour-long, coming-of-age tale chronicles feisty 17-year-old Rocky Otoo’s journey toward reconciliation of her dual legacies: college-bound Bronx teen diva and newly ascended Ghanaian royalty.

Rocky Otto, 17, stands next to her father, Nii Adjedu, the chief of the Nii Okaiman traditional area, ath the family’s palace near Accra, Ghana. Photo: Yoni Brook/Highbridge Pictures

Click here to view the trailer.

Free Harlem Screening: Michael Moore’s Latest

Media arts organization ImageNation will present a free advance screening of Michael Moore’s soon-to-be-released, Capitalism: A Love Story on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at Harlem’s Magic Johnson Theaters at 8pm.

With both humor and outrage, Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story explores a taboo question: What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? Years ago, that love seemed so innocent. Today, however, the American dream is looking more like a nightmare as families pay the price with their jobs, their homes and their savings. Moore takes us into the homes of ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down; and he goes looking for explanations in Washington, DC and elsewhere. What he finds are the all-too-familiar symptoms of a love affair gone astray: lies, abuse, betrayal…and 14,000 jobs being lost every day. – capitalismalovestory.com

Two tickets per person.

RSVP required as seating is limited and the list will close soon. Act now!

RSVP via phone at 212 340 1874 or via email to capitalism@imagenation.us

Magic Johnson Theaters

2309 Frederick Douglass Boulevard (124th Street and Eighth Avenue)