Posts from — December 2009

Recently, artist Jason O’Brien was in the studio for a series of portraits with his impressive repertoire of work. Working with Jalani, Jason was able to begin telling the story in photographs about who he is as an artist and a deeper narrative of his process and connection to his pieces.

The bold themes, rich textures, vibrant color and deep shade of each piece help create the drama used to hint at his own perspectives on the highly emotional issues the work is based on.

“My art is an extension of me. With it I transcend thought into action onto canvas and with each brush stroke I am inspired” – Jason O’Brien

Jason graciously lent us ‘black cotton’ and it looks mighty fine on our wall.
http://jasonobriencollection.com/ is his current site where you can view and even purchase his pieces (if at all possible, choose-not black cotton, we do love having it).

The final images from this shoot will be incorporated into O’Brien’s incredible new web experience being developed by H&A, due out in April.

see the final images now, visit www.jalanimorgan.com

behind the scenes shot by Cory VanderPloeg (www.coryvanderploeg.com)

who she is: Aliya-Jasmine Sovani

what she does: hosts MTV News, kick-ass interviewer and maker of amazing things in philanthropy

Hermann & Audrey: What’s inspiring you lately?
AJ: Vampires.

Hermann & Audrey: If I say “great design” what’s the first thing you think of?
AJ: Furniture in a great room.

Hermann & Audrey: What is a trend in fashion/art/culture that you really connect to?
AJ: Right now it is the MadMen fixation; in Art: 50’s style advertising; Fashion: Jackie O. dresses, purses, sunglasses, and jewellry; Culture: Social world of wining, dining, and appreciating the arts that is re-emerging.
I think society going through this recession has made us appreciate movies, music, photography, the ballet, etc…all over again. The outburst of borderline offensive media that is attempting to redefine social norms has reconnected people to an appreciation for refinement. The MadMen show defines all of that…not to mention vodka martinis and manhattan’s!

Hermann & Audrey: What would people find surprising about you?
AJ: I swallow my gum, don’t believe in soul mates, draw cartoons, love heavy metal, think Stephen Harper is hot, get anxiety when car windows are locked, and swear my dog tries to pronounce English words.

Hermann & Audrey: What’s the best thing about your job?
AJ: The ability to be genuinely curious about people, I feel blessed every day for that…plus, all the free clothes are pretty good too.

Hermann & Audrey: What’s your passion outside of work?
AJ: curiosity drives me, and social change inspires me. Watching FOOD INC or Sharkwater…and trying to make a difference! Haha. Sounds ridiculous but its true. There is a whole new generation here that actually give a f**k and are an army for making sh*t happen.

Hermann & Audrey: Who are you without MTV?
AJ: The kid from the Never Ending Story. Bay City Rollers have a song called Hot Child in the City! “Running wild and looking pretty”. I’m a girl with a dream to change the world and some days I feel invincible.

Hermann & Audrey: Trend Watching, any tips?
AJ: Watch MTV News! Weekdays at 6:30pm & 11:30pm. We can make you cool…trust me, I used to eat lunch in my school washroom.

Below a shoot with Aliya-Jasmine and Johnny Hockin for Naked Eye magazine, shot by Steve Carty Photographer ©

excerpt image from Jalani Morgan’s safety glasses series, see the Opti-Collective post http://www.blog.hermannaudrey.com/2009/10/14/the-opti-collective/

I’ve been toying with the question of the amount of power photography has to be a tool of cultural critique, believing it to be the most impactful medium by which to make a statement. The documenting of the world in image brings bold truth, reality and humanity to the viewer. In a second, the photograph can unravel and deconstruct identities, reveal the unknown and unexplored, tell a narrative and become a universal illustration of humanity. No need for translation, context is derived by the viewer. A photograph forces the viewer to react, feel, intrepret; even if only for a split second.

Recently, a compliment repeated, we were praised for the “realness” and “natural” quality of the retouching done to our imagery. Initially I didn’t think much of it but now I become curious as to the role of photography as an accurate tool by which to make cultural critique and to document our history.

Our modern history is recorded and largely based in iconic images upon which we base our understanding of history and the events that shape it.

How will the understanding of photography as an accurate tool to record history change in the future; will we be able to trust the validity of photographic proof?

I read recently that in India as a gesture of respect and inclusion, it is a tradition to photoshop absent family members into wedding photographs.

How can we safeguard the accurate recording of our history in an era where
post-production and retouching is so apparent?

Will Cindy Crawford ever truly remember what she looked like at 35, or will the gamut of airbrushed portraits alter her memory…

below:
I chose to showcase one of Carty’s summer fashion shoots, these images could be 1974 or 2009. Timeless. (I thought it fit well into the context of my post)

© Steve Carty Photographer, Paulina from NEXT

Javier brought this to our attention yesterday. A brilliant example of great art and raw creativity by japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka for Hermès.

Recently, Carty worked with up and coming Canadian chanteuse Amanda Morra on her first editorial spread for a popular men’s magazine.

Morra – through her label Costa Music – has worked with Carty once before – last year on some promotional work for her first album. This shoot is a huge departure from that…

portrait shot by jalani morgan

Kwame Delfish, contemporary artist

Hermann&Audrey: What’s inspiring you lately?

Kwame: Music has been inspiring me a lot lately. To be more specific, I just recently put one of my favourite albums back on rotation (Be by Common). With this album Common enters into a new chapter in his career as an artist. It shows how influential and successful you can be just by remaining honest and true to yourself and your craft.

I see myself entering a new chapter in my career, which I hope will bring me success and allow me to be a positive role model at the same time.

H&A: What makes excellence in design?

Kwame: I believe an excellent design is a creating that you as the artist can connect to. For me, one of the worst things that can happen as an artist is being questioned about one of my pieces and not being able to explain it. However, by allowing your emotions, vibe, and instinct to lead your creative process, everything else will fall into place.

H&A: What do you see as upcoming trends in the “art” world?

Kwame: The merging of artists from different art genres and the redefining of the them “fine arts”. I see fine art every day without having to step into an art gallery!

H&A: What’s the philosophy behind your art?

Kwame: Nothing more than just keeping it real! I do what makes me feel good and allows me to sleep at night.

H&A: What does your work mean to you?

Kwame: Freedom. I feel like I have finally found my niche and I am thankful that I discovered it early in life. Many people spend a lifetime never knowing what they truly want to do or doing something they hate. i am just grateful that I am able to do what I love and make a living doing it.

—–

Look for collaborations between Kwame Delfish and Jalani Morgan to come in Spring 2010.

Learn more about what Kwame’s up to and check out his latest work at his website, www.kwamedelfish.com (web design:Hermann & Audrey.)

Guest: Jesse Jones

Who is he?: Brand Manager for Mark Ecko, Nautica and TX; Timex Group

What is he up to?: Pulling references and inspiration from what’s happening  in the music, entertainment, fashion and new media industries, he seeks out interesting ways to apply trend to his brands.  At the moment, he’s preparing for an unique approach to his TX Canadian brand launch (happening early 2010) and gearing up for the release of Nautica’s new web presence, and lots more in development for his portfolio.

Jesse is also working towards launching his latest personal venture, u-ology101.com – a program aimed at empowering and mentoring youth. Their motto: “Uncovering Passions, Actualizing Dreams”.

www.u-ology101.com

On the menu: Stewed chicken, straight out of St. Vincent, courtesy of Jalani (and his mom).

Every week at the Hermann & Audrey homestead we do a family lunch – it’s an opportunity for everyone in the studio to decompress from the work week, chill over a home cooked meal and share what we’re up to and inspired by.

This family time quickly evolved into a meeting of the minds, per se, as we began inviting select friends we know and those we don’t, to share our talents, from culinary to artistic, bounce ideas off each other and catch up on projects, new and old.

(Photos by Cory VanderPloeg)

Sometimes a simple memory can inspire an artist to create something fantastic.

With storybook references being revised for the next generation of youngsters, Jalani was compelled to revisit one of his own childhood favorites – The Cat in the Hat.

Focusing on a literal interpretation of the unforgettable character, Jalani worked closely with stylist Ryan Catney (www.judyinc.com) and hair and make up artist Gabriella Soares (www.judyinc.com) to transform Sidney (Elite Models) into a fashionable version of Seuss’s famous feline.

Check out his inspiration below, along with some outtakes from the story and some behind the scenes from the day of the shoot.

(Behind the scene photos by Stefania Sgambelluri)

Over the summer, Hermann & Audrey enjoyed the company and inspiration of visiting photographer Ange Peiffer from Hamburg, Germany.

Ange earned her degree in the city six years ago, and worked closely with Carty, Hudson Taylor (wedding photographer) and Cylla Von Tiedemann (specializing in dance photography).

Feeling as though she’d forgotten what her art was all about, Ange decided to return for the summer to the place she’s come to know as home.

Below, we follow up with Ange since she’s been back in Europe, find out what she learned while she was here and what her sights are set on for the future.

(Ange’s portrait of nam model Chris)

H&A: What have you been up to since you’ve been back, any new projects?

A: Right now I am working on my portfolio.

(Check it out at www.angelapfeiffer.com) In portfolio1, the first two stories are part of my new work – I am also seeing magazines and connecting with new people.

I took up an old project of mine, shooting young women, which I started in 2003. – I eventually want to make it a coffee table book. I kind of lost sight of it, but being confronted with, and feeling my roots and passion for photography again, I am now able to get back to it. And I love it!

Seeing how you guys work together, inspire each other, support each other and how that really affects the quality of your work, I figured I need to create an environment like that for myself here in Hamburg. I also started having a “work-day” with a photographer friend of mine, Thea Fischer. We meet once a week at my studio to share our work, ideas and thoughts. It feels good, very good.

(Ange’s portrait of nam model Dale)

H&A: What’s inspiring you right now?

A: My inspriation comes from having found my roots gain, feeling more clearly where I want to go with myself and my profession. Somehow, I had lost that sense of direction and passion, having been sucked up by working for other people and not myself.

I’m also planning to come back and live in my roots-city, the city that gives me such a good feeling and where I truly have heart-family – Hermann & Audrey, Hudson and Amanda.

While I was in Canada, to be welcomed into that family was overwhelming – I felt at home, accepted and supported right away. “Not flesh and blood but heart” really puts it the right way. No better way to express what you guys have there – the family thing. Awesome.

I miss you and the time I was able to spend with you and I want to thank you so much for everything you made possible for me and for the way you welcomed me home.
Thank you for being there for me. Love from Hamburg!

H&A note: We loved welcoming Ange into our extended family – before she left she took portraits of our family.