From the Barrio to Soho: Mexicali Rose art exhibition (for Shakefist Magazine)

See the original article HERE.

The Artists Space bought the sights and sounds of the barrio to New York's Soho this weekend as they presented an amazing array of art, photography and audiovisuals from South of the border. Radical Localism: Art, Video and Culture from Pueblo Nuevo's Mexicali Rose featured artistic endeavors from those involved in a project named Mexicali Rose - a self-professed 'grass roots communitarian organization' founded to provide readily available and free access to all areas of artistic media for the youth of Mexicali, a small town in Baja California hovering just across the US border.

The idea - founded by Mexicali-born filmmaker Marco Vera in 2007 - is a great one, and the artworks on display were a testament to the project and it's success. Covering a blanket of mediums including photography, murals, paintings and short films the exhibition transported you to Mexico, the barrios and beyond. Art lovers sipped on Coronas whilst surveying the works of Pablo Castaneda, Carlos Coronado and Julio Torres, photographs by Rafael Veytia and Odette Barajas and Zeta journalist Sergio Haro, and an original mural created by Fernando Corona.

Castaneda's works portrayed great female beauty and vulnerability in shades of black and white, painted with such care and detail some appeared as if they were photographs. Julio Torres explored the lighter and more inebriated side of barrio life with his candid public transport and house party shots, as well as the comedic 'Resultados de la Busqueda: Borrachos Besandose' ('Drunks Kissing'). Jose Miguel Salcido depicted the often grittier day-to-day life of the barrios with his photographs, present in works such as 'Policias Corruptos' ('Corrupt Police'). And the colorful murals done by Fernando Corona were the perfect backdrop for such intriguing and eye-catching pieces.

Mexicali Rose showed a side of Mexico that some might never see. The project gives youths the chance to express themselves and reflect their environment creatively and positively while giving the rest of the world insight into their culture, political climates and creativity. An all round success and a delight for all the senses Radical Localism is definitely worth a look in. The Artists Space is located on the 3rd floor at 38 Greene Street. Soho - for more details visit http://artistsspace.org/

Greenpoint Gallery Review (for Shakefist Magazine)

See original article HERE.

Through an unassuming metal door on a back alley beneath an overpass lies a wondrous world. A world where you can drink. A world where you can smoke. A world where you can get your creative fix be it visual or aural. This is the world of the Greenpoint Gallery.

An art space and venue for hire the Greenpoint Gallery was set up in 2005 by Shawn James to 'facilitate creativity in all disciplines by providing the perfect solution for NYC artists seeking an affordable and flexible performance/exhibition space in which to fulfill their visions'. And that's exactly what it did this Friday night as it hosted Shawn & Ted's Excellent Art Adventure - a 5 hour fun-fest of music, art and all the good stuff in between. There were paintings, there were sculptures, there were bands, there were dogs, there were birds - everything was possible.

The 2 story space is a wonder to behold as far as exhibition spaces go, the lower floor consisting of a small stage shrouded in greenery (and said bird, somewhere…) with an Aztec-themed lounge area and works on display by none other than curator himself Shawn James. His style is macabre yet kaleidescopic, combining the strong human form with equally strong slashes of color and light. He captures the pain and intensity of man well, without presenting it as such.

Moving upstairs we were treated to a simple but fulfilling bar area (complete with aforementioned dog) and another small stage, this time almost too well lit due to the artworks on display. Ted Stanke was the main feature, taking over the space with his life-size metallic sculptures and ode's to popular culture. Most impressive were the 1 Billion Cent Piece - a large mock sculpture of a penny made of pennies, Long Live Steve Jobs - a collusion of metal pieces and coins brought together to form a human heart, all placed within the confines of an old Apple Mac screen, and my favorite, The American Dream - a small sculpture of a toilet made of Matchbox cars. His works were daring yet tongue-in-cheek, and extremely well crafted considering the innovative materials he had chosen.

All this was set amongst a backdrop of about 10 local musical acts who suited the event well. The stand out was Colorform, a simple act featuring a female singer with band including an excellent cellist, who sang catchy songs whilst a friend of their's created a piece from scratch in front of the stage using pastels. A creative and inventive idea that suited the event to a tee.

Greenpoint Gallery put on a great night that not only highlighted the artistic side of the gallery but the musical side as well, perfectly capturing their diversity as a venue. A great space featuring great works that are well worth a look in.

An Orphan's Christmas at Maze (NYC)

Being away from home and your family at Christmas can be trying at the best of times - depending on your family. My Christmases have always been filled with home cooked hams, turkeys and prawns and Auntie Joys delicious trifle, none of which I would sample this year as I now live in New York. That's why myself and my little circle of orphaned friends decided the only way to curb our home sickness and lack of all things familial was to go all out and visit Gordon Ramsay's Maze restaurant at The London Hotel. When you think about it he is basically the embarrassing Uncle that nit picks at everything, swears constantly and offends almost everybody at one point in time.

Located amid the theatre district Maze is the less formal and more relaxed way to enjoy the culinary experts of the famous TV chef and his elite team, meaning the price is much less astounding than the fine dining experience also offered. As it was Christmas Day a unique 5 course set menu was available to delight the taste buds at a very reasonable price.

The starter of Jerusalem Artichoke Veloute, Caramelized Chestnuts and Perigord Truffles had an amazing and intense flavor while being full-bodied, velvety and smooth, and the truffle was by no means overpowering. A Carnaroli Risotto of Safran, Parmesan, Braised Osso Bucco and Gremolata followed with creamy rich flavors and textures including a small but complimentary piece of veal that melted in your mouth. Next was my favorite, Sauteed Sea Scallops with Golden Raisin Puree, Cauliflower Beignets, Crispy Capers and Sturgeon Caviar - all of which worked so well together. The scallops were soft yet outwardly crispy, the purees were sweet and creamy and the caviar just the right amount of salty.

After the three amazing starters we were almost already at our limit, but the choice of 2 mains - Slow-roasted Turkey, Fricassee of root vegetables, confit leg a creme with roasting juices, or Braised Lamb Shoulder, red peppers, cardamon and preserved cauliflower florets - meant a difficult choice had to be made. Being Christmas the majority of us went with the turkey which was tender, juicy, heart warming and delicious. Luckily one of us opted for the Lamb as it was also a tasty triumph - cooked to pink perfection with a myriad of Middle Eastern spices and vegetables as the perfect accompaniment.

After the aforementioned feast, a cocktail each and 2 bottles of wine it seemed we'd met our match. But for some reason known to only the restaurant God's we were then approached by the Maitre De and asked if we would like to move to the Chef's Table for our dessert course. None of us had to think twice as we followed the waitstaff on our own personal tour of the fine dining area, wall of wines and kitchen area (which contained some of the most amicable Chef's and the largest truffle I have ever seen - the size of my fist, no exaggeration). We then took our places at the 8 seater marble table which costs a cool $1900 per sitting and enjoyed our Sticky Toffee Puddings and Vanilla Custards. The perfect end to a perfect Christmas dinner that may almost rival my Mother's. Almost.

For more information on Maze NYC Click Here