DETROIT - THE LOST CITY

So we've always had this fascination with Detroit. It's a strange one - something about the derelict suburbs, urban exploration and all the complete decline of population, leaving decay upon the city. 

We posted a while ago, these images that were discovered from Cass Tech High School, detailing the dramatic effect the economy had on this construction and essentially demolished the school, leaving ghostly outlines of adolescence. The images circulated wildly on the internet, promoting those of adventurous souls to capture and document the city and it's terrible rot into the 21st century. 

We watched Lost River the other night too, Ryan Goslings directing debut with a smashing cast and dreamy Drive-esque soundtrack from Chromatics. Listen, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Anyway the film is too realistic to some worlds and it encounters this suburban neighbourhood, on the edge of being 'damned' into a lost river. The citizens have moved away, there are no jobs and the slightly Twin Peakness of it all has hit the roof and next thing you know, Eva Mendes is showcasing some fetish-feline act towards the big city players, which hauntingly echo's that of the Laura Palmer theory behind those red curtains. It's pretty much like a sweaty nightmare - you know. Plus Matt Smith's in it too and performs a pretty shocking opposition to his well known Dr Who role (we didn't believe it was him, IMDB'ing instantly took place to clarify). 

So this fictional town, demolished and brutalized by society recalled all this research from Detroit. Now they say Detroit is on the up again, though almost 30% of it's current population are still unemployed. The 19th century, 8 bed mansions, dusty swimming pools and boarded up 7/11's can be revived once again, but it doesn't stop one thinking of the exploration and the deterioration that caused this once, vibrant city. 

Detroit was the hub of the motor industry back in the early 1900's thanks to the foundation of Ford and it's manufacturing and growth of industrial employment. It was known as the 'Paris of the mid-west' and was just booming with life, tourism and bussle. The city now hosts over 78,000 abandoned buildings after it's great depression and it's slowly taking off the band-aids to a rebounded, re-structured type of civilization. 

A while back we stumbled across photographer Philip Jarmain who's subject of 'American Beauty' heavily focuses on the decline of Detroit and it's aftermath of destruction. Jarmain states: 

“These are the last large format architectural photographs for many of these structures.”

Could the landscape of Detroit relish with the tourism from these ruins? This is an ongoing project, more to come. 


Words - Anna Jenkins
Images - Philip Jarmain & visual from Lost River, c/o The Film Stage. 

XIV

Just sayin'

D*FACE - NEW WORLD ORDER

D*Face ( also known as world renown street artist Dean Stockton) will be showcasing his work at the soon to be relocated Stolen Space. The exhibition 'New World Order' will feature and showcase fresh and past work from the last seven years. You can also visit his workspace which is conveniently located above Stolen Space in the The Old Truman Brewery. Kids say he launched Stolenspace into the street art recognition globally and transformed Brick Lane into this native art hub. D*Face has been recognised for his intake on religion, war, political cover-up and the opposition of popular culture with the expression of Afghanistan and major conflicting direct experiences. Definitely gonna try and catch this before the move. 

'Not a lot of people can reach the Bourgeoisie and rock the boulevard" with their art, but D*Face does it with style and humanity'- Shepard Fairey

7th-23rd June E1 6QL.

SCHOOLS OUT

Last December Detroit community site 'Detroiturbex' released now & then images discovered in the Lewis Cass Tech High School. Now demolished, the photos showcase the derelict school contrasted to its vibrant past of cheerleaders, basketball players and the string band. Probably one of the most amazing exhibits/truths of awareness I've seen. Really sad yet really amazing. 

"So just what happened to Detroit? According to most who have studied the situation, the problem lies with an overly built infrastructure in a place which no longer has a population to support it. The population in the last 100 years saw the most extreme rise and fall of any US city, soaring from about 450,000 in 1910 to over 1.8 million in 1950, and falling back to less than half of that now. What we have is a city, complete with movie theatres, homes, stores and yes, schools, which no longer has a population which needs them"  - Benjamin Starr/ Visual News 

PEN & PAPER HYPEBEAST SERIES

Was pretty stoked when I saw my friend Suzi Kemp featured on the Hypebeast Pen & Paper series last month. Suzi's work is rad and Hypebeast are featuring up & coming illustrators to debut their inspirational portfolios and exploration of their styles. 

'Suzi Kemp lives in the East End of London and draws inspiration for her illustrations from the city’s suburban life and culture. Her work oozes punk aesthetics, visibly influenced by an adolescence that thrived on ’80s hardcore punk rock and a love for Alan Aldridge. Her drawings are typified by heavy black inks with bold, bright colors — because Suzi finds delightful motivation in the color and design of nature, especially since living in the city. “It can stop you in your tracks when you are used to bricks and concrete.”  - Hypebeast

Check out Suzi's work here

JESS DURDEN ILLUSTRATION

My good friend Jess Durden has illustrated this amazing picture of me for Teenbook Magazine. I'm super stoked, she's such a talent. You should all see her amazing, detailed work and 'like' her page- 

http://www.facebook.com/JessDurdenIllustration

I wish I could draw as good as this, I did win a colouring competition at my school when I was about 8. 

My prize was meeting Nigel from Eastenders. I'm 100% being serious. 

GENEROUS

 By Harvey Milk

CLINICAL LONDON FOR 2012

IMG- From Monorex

CLINICAL LONDON FOR 2012.

Here was my competition entry for a brief to be a columnist for Ideastap. ( Submitted in July)  We had to explain a little bit about ourselves and write around 500 words on any current topic ( supposedly with a creative outlook.) I chose to  write a short study on the recent carnage of arrests from the British Transport Police in relation to past and current graffiti artists who may or may not have received criminal offences for their crimes over the years. This was due to London 'cleaning up' the city for this years 2012 Olympics. Recent reports of renown artists being arrested for no reason, angered the writing communities which have not only supported the games this year ( many providing artistic endorsements for sporting giants such as Adidas) but questioned the lack able trust and money wasting efforts of the authorities for the sake of sanitising our capital for 2 weeks.

Clinical London for 2012

The street art community has been shaken by allegations of the authorities pressing down on any ‘future’ activity involving graffiti around the Olympics games in the Big Smoke this summer. When the reports of a number of arrests of renowned and entrepreneurial graffiti artists emerged, we have to ask ourselves, are we making London something it isn’t to provide a “respectable” face for the Olympic Games?

The city over the last 18 months has had its’ fair share of attentive events and celebrations. From the Royal Wedding to Her Majesty’s Jubilee, it’s clear to see our capital’s recognition for nostalgic tea parties and patriotic celebrations. London has been portrayed as liberal yet traditional, a ploy to show off to the other capitals our kingdoms culture through the monarchy and our expanding skyline through this grey summer season. Like many cities in the spotlight however, we have sugarcoated the strong elements that make up our communities and the growing popularity in street art being one of them.

Since Bristol’s Banksy and his balloon girl went global, stencilling and live graffiti art has emerged from the underground and is no longer being trumpeted as youthful crimes, but the innovation of modern art. Crews from all around the Kingdom and the main city neighborhoods have dismissed the culture being mainstreamed, keeping the art true to its roots and staying out of the media and spotlight that artists such as Banksy are creating. Intentionally or not, many renowned and represented graffiti writers have brought the level of art into the public with council perspex, framing the art which to some attract interest and appraisal, however, many still believe it’s a criminal offence. With London sanitizing and cleaning up its act, adding dedicated Olympic traffic lanes and managing to annoy every M4 commuter whether on a temporary basis or not, we are welcoming the rest of our world into our city with a clouded coat. A cover of hidden creativity, our guests will come and go, recommend to their friends and post rave reviews on our beautiful city, oblivious to the obstacles and special treatment.

Custom London Olympic cab created by Darren Cullen's company Graffiti Kings- www.graffitikings.co.uk

Sure, London is a cultural, historical and fun city however the UK authorities and Metropolitan Police are securing our city from potential terrorism and Foot Locker looters who are hell-bent on disrupting and protesting at this rare event. It’s a fair that we want to present our kingdom at its best and banish all obstructions but how can we overcome the street art arrests that are supposedly for our own good?

Darren Cullen made the papers this week for being arrested for having strong links to a graffiti background (despite having commissioned work for Adidas and Microsoft to name a few) and is now banned from using public transport and being in possession of any art equipment, even though he has never been prosecuted with any other graffiti activity. British Transport Police have come clean in the arrests of several other graffiti artists within the professional industry in relation to any potential crimes.

‘Metropolitan police's strategy of halting potential disruptive action in advance of major public events was given high court endorsement.’

Should we be cleaning up our city or should we embrace our culture and communities? Do we want London to look sterile to the rest of the world? These are questions that should have been considered when our name was called out in 2005. The authorities are sweeping away concepts of our colourful city and the corporate king is coming to town. World’s largest McDonalds in Hackney anybody?

TECH MOON

You all need to look out for my boys Technicolour Moon at the festivals this summer. Recently painted DJ caravans for Radio 1 at the Hackney Weekend and have created some jukeboxes for your little ears at the likes of Secret Garden Party & Glade. 

http://www.technicolourmoon.com/

BIBI LYNCH- THE BIG VEGETARIAN DEBATE

Bibi Lynch can suck it.

The media is completely swarmed by useless articles, dated, dry and a wave of confusion. Writer for The Guardian, Bibi recently published an interesting article for Social Voices on the vegetarian culture. Lynch, nicely as she did- said we vegetarians are not be trusted. I have not eaten meat ( fish, chicken anything with a face is my moral) since I was 5. The only one in my family, I just decided it was never for me. For the last 18 years I have had to succumb to cliche questions and nearly everyday queries as to my choice. I don't think I will ever sit through a dinner without hearing the ' So what made you not eat meat?' like it's 2012 and it's such a shocking lifestyle. It's like asking someone why they are gay- from the perspective of it's on common grounds and it's not 1800. I spoke to a vegetarian recently and they pointed out that it's becoming boring to be asked such questions all.the.time. If I have do endure another confused look when I try and explain that I don't eat meat I will actually give up. You can't really explain it. I still do not know my exact reasons, I attended some Peta fairs a couple of years ago and signed petitions about KFC keeping chickens in poor conditions ready to be slaughtered for Mums Night in bucket (yuk) but except from this, it's just normal for me.

This is just how I see it. Onto Bibi, I don't really understand her intentive desire on the article. Is she trying to spark debate? Or just to dabble in some light humour? Either way, if she was joking - it undermined a lot of readers. You think that MSN Social Voices could push and create a more relevant piece of writing to today's vegetarian cultures. Lynch is making us out to be like criminals then contrasting us saying we are too 'Zen' for life, a load of hippy bullshit, Lynch then follows on to say that it we were in an Apocalypse we would basically die for being weak etc etc you get me? Was she high when she wrote this article? The view from the public is similar, many have commented stating it's weak humour. However, one person actually said that vegetarians are on drugs, and Paul McCartney is our influence.

Saying all this, it did spark up some conversations and it is intriguing to understand other peoples opinions- only if they have a worthy response. Read here and see what you think :

http://style.uk.msn.com/socialvoices/blogpost.aspx?post=0693118a-8dce-4937-a35e-a2ce505c971f&_nwpt=1

BETTYS PUBLISHINGS

So here is something I'd like to share with you all. There are a few antique barns round where I live ( around Eversley/ Hartley Wintney) all hosting memorabilia, vintage clothing, furniture sales and so on. Hours are lost on Sundays exploring on the levels of history, love letters, bowling pins and cocktail sticks. These places are like Narnia. Junky and cool. So I went recently to one of the barns and my mom discovered these recipe books. These are classic, house wife keeping's. Sepia and dusty but with the most delicious cake recipes from the 1950's. What's cuter is my Nana wrote them. Elizabeth (Betty) Meek ( née Swindlehurst). I had no idea she published recipes ( families have the most interesting stories if you dig a little deeper) and she wrote them when she was only 19. My nan moved to the big city in her late teens not knowing anybody & hailing from the north, she stayed there for a few years then my Grampa 'snatched her away ' as she says and married her. (They are still married today, Over 60 years. WOW) The Stork Margarine Cookery Service is a Dutch cooking company and was located above Temple Bar Station then later moved to Blackfriars. It's the origin of Mary Baker cake mix and is still around today. I feel pretty guilty that my Nana made thousands of amazing recipes, great enough to be published to the world and I can barely cook anything. However, after living in a dozen skanky student dives, touching the surface was a hazard. I'm going to keep hunting through these vintage barns, so many sweet stories. 

THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT

OH MAN. So I have fully supported the idea of The Impossible Project. It's still insane effort to try and get Polaroid 600 Film, especially as I have thrift and vintage models lying around waiting to be used but at least it's not entirely extinct from humanity. I'm still stubbornly refusing to spend up to £8 per sheet for a potentially disappointing photograph but hopefully after silver screening, chemical experiments and small business distribution, the project will launch itself into the game and become a little larger in the retail industry. I know Instagram (which has recently been bought by Facebook, boys be rolling in it !) captures a similar approach as does the Polaroid, but I believe there is nothing more nostalgic and tangible than the original. As protesters and celebrities endorse the project to maintain it's presence in today's technology, new apps like Instagram are easily shooting it down unless they get into gear and start manufacturing the film again. Rumours circulated that the last ever films were held in dusty boxes in some warehouse outside Silicon Valley, deserted and priceless. However, after in 2008 when founders of The Impossible Project bought Polaroid machinery and compressed the factory and location to Enshede, the project was in full movement and is yet growing into something major . I would love to go to this exhibition in the flagship of Soho, NYC. For all things 'impossible' in America, the Impossible staff have created a show featuring their personal experimental progress with the film. I believe, forever young. 

SHEPARD FAIREY JAIL SENTENCE

This makes me so angry. Shepard Fairey is looking at facing up to 6 months jailtime for the past Obama campaign in which he used Mr President's notorious face without copyright. A few years ago when Obama was in the election for presidency, global support was at it's best. Artist and Obey giant Shepard Fairey allegedly stole the classic photograph of Obama and created the legendary poster. After pleading guilty and evidently providing false documentation exclaiming the license of him using the photograph, Fairey's now looking to be jail bate. Now, of course you would be pretty pissed if you were the original photographer and rolling in as much dough as he's got, Fairey doesn't ask for your permission- However, wouldn't you be honoured to know that the iconic photo had been exposed to the world in a historical and successful manner? Now this isn't an anti-art moan from the US government, in all honestly he easily could have obtained the copyright for his art, but sleeping next to true criminals? All is not fair in love and war.

A friend of mine was battered near death with a golf club about a year ago and the thugs are still on the run. Obviously a completely different story, but looking at criminal justice and the balance of the problem, it's safe to say this is not worth jail time and the American taxpayers money. There are worse crimes in this world and if this is such a serious matter of the law, then we will strive to birth any creativity in the near future. Shepard Fairey in jail will benefit no one. Obama SHOULD back this.

YOURS

I had to share this from the Stylerookie. It's a still of a 70's poster. Probably the most meaningful and truthful saying to understand.

www.thestylerookie.com

VOODOO & VACCINES

Culture Series ONE.

VBS/ ONE.org film collaboration documenting the country of Benin and it's traditional culture of Voodoo. 'There are more voodoo healers that physicians-and like much of the rest of the continent, for good reason, people seem wary of outsiders'

The communities are stuck in the tradition of believing in voodoo power to cure illness, though many organizations are pleading for these communities to seek medical help. It's footage like this that visually makes you witness strength and dedication. ' People will not abandon their tradition'

"Our goal with Voodoo and Vaccines is to raise awareness about the need for these vaccines, and to help add thousands of signatures to ONE.org’s campaign to get children of developing countries access to these most basic vaccines"

To watch the Vice Documentary Click here : http://www.vbs.tv/en-gb/watch/one--2/voodoo-and-vaccines-in-benin-africa-no-subs-vice

LOVE BLOGGING

I just watched a short made by Vice on today's blogging culture. Richard Nicoll ( whom, Ive worked with backstage at LFW a/w 2010) stated that when he first got asked to blog online for Vogue he almost felt embarrassed to make a diary, however professionally he decided to go ahead and says it's creating a lot of opportunities in the fashion industry. A lot of kinds use tumblr in a more visual way of expressing idea's and interests but I like to write. I'm not exactly 100 % capable of understanding technical methods of communication ( I still resist the iPhone fad, though starting to crave one, especially for navigation). After volunteering for London Fashion Week and blogging for marketing purposes covering the specific fashion sector, I can't guarantee that's the right industry for me. I find it hard to just focus on one area of interest. I know Nylon, Vogue, Bubble & Tavi do feature other art form's but as a focal area I just ramble about anything on this marble.

As for Disney Roller Girl, she stated she never meant to be ' anonymous'. It's kinda cute I guess. Leading this mysterious double life, secretly out of reality- hidden from fashion crowds who in some sense, could alter her beliefs and strong idea's.

I would keep hush but I'm not good at keeping secrets. And the way my events degree is heading, I think I would like a career behind a laptop.

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To watch the video ( I can't paste, I need a technical guru) click.

http://vicestyle.com/en/loveblogging/profile/disneyrollergirl

DEMO 10/11

Photographs captured by Frejya.

I attended the national protest against rising student fee's yesterday in London town with my university- and I must say, it was an experience. Although in my last year of education, I feel for those who's ambitions and dreams have now been crushed due to Cameron's plea of obviously defining traditional British class. The overall march was a success and we walked on a really beautiful fall day. London was covered in golden leaves and as the head of NUS chanted on the big screens while 50, 000 participants screamed. It's as if we are the forgotten generation- our voices are silent, we are being stomped on by a conservative revolution. It's not fair we have to suffer this output to older generations mistakes. However, I feel the march has hopefully made an impact. Many were there, including myself- for a peaceful, non-violent event. Some however, had other ideas.

As I was standing about 3 metres away from the doors of Millbank when the riot was happening, I could sense that the passion for the ending of tuition fee's ( the reason we were there) was lost. Anarchists and naive riot kids had taken over with rage, trashing the place- the majority with probably manner otherwise an excuse to cause chaos. I'm all for a peaceful protest and minor hatred towards what is happening with the Kingdom, but the site yesterday has now ruined our aim of funding a better future.

A friend said yesterday, ignorance is bliss. I have tried to follow politics, understand it- but my brain is like mush with it. In a way, I'm starting to feel like even bringing my own child into this world during these times would be selfish. Cameron states we all need to work together as a communal society, bringing us back several decades, but is anyone going to have motivation and passion if every inch of our power is being taken from us? We will soon be like robots in Cameron and Cleggs toy world.

FAIREY VS. NYC

I'm Still Here Guerilla Advertising

I defiantly drafted this ages ago but never posted- so here it is..

I'm Still Here is being converted into street art on the city streets of New York. After finding out the whole doc was a hoax, I'm in more need to see this. I almost cried when I saw what a state Phoenix was in. I think the world can breathe again, knowing that he has, yet again- proved what a great talent he is. Shepard Fairey's artwork around the city is a great impact on promoting the film , attracting eager eyes to the cinema screens to watch an idol who everyone loves.

MOON MAYHEM

IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON

This reminds me, of a British documentary I watched a while back. In the Shadow Of The Moon was a beautiful montage of footage and interviews from several astronauts from numerous Apollo missions which featured at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Last year as know, was the landing's 40th anniversary in 1969. Many have their controversial views- After watching this documentary I couldn't believe in it more. The value of the film received incredible views by the media. It's emotional, outstanding and beautifully edited also referring to sixties surrounding and culture which evolved around the journeys fame.

ALL OUR HEADS ARE DOWN

WE NEVER LOOK UP.

A friend said the other day that the sky is the most intimidating sight. I couldn't word it better myself.

I have the biggest interest in astronomy and Hubble. Unfortunately it's not a common interest within society- many choose to ignore it, either because they are scared or the fact it's will slowly eat away our brains if we think about it too much. I found a guy that built a observatory in his back garden in the New Forrest. That would be my dream. I have also started buying Astronomy magazines and forcing myself to understand such complex content. I bought a telescope for about £70 off this guy at a car boot in '08 and it's getting dusty.