ArtWalk's - 5 Cool Things - 1/7/22

A Creative Entertainment Newsletter

Jan 07, 2022

1) FILM / TELEVISION

EUPHORIA - (HBO MAX)

Teen drama? Sure, you can call it that, however Euphoria is so much more than a simple genre category. Finally, a television series comes along in the so-called “cancel-culture” era that is not afraid to go back to the dark places we have either explored ourselves, or so many of us have been intrigued by, but are currently frightened by the thought of exposing our vulnerable sides, scared to be ourselves and voice our opinions, like this show does with it’s characters. This show errs on the side of grandiose (in a good way), with its colorful style and camera work, but bears down and honors the truthful, sometimes gut-wrenching, visceral moments in a young adult’s life.

Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created and written by Sam Levinson for HBO. It is loosely based on the Israeli television miniseries of the same name (Hebrew: אופוריה) created by Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin. It follows a group of high school students through their experiences of sex, drugs, friendships, love, identity, and trauma. *-Wikipedia

It is contextually dark, with visually stunning cinematography to mix with very capable young actors (including Zendaya), along with a soundtrack (Labrinth) that melts you into the mood of the show almost instantaneously. The show was created by Sam Levinson (Malcolm & Marie), the son of Barry Levinson who many of you know as the director of Rain Man, Good Morning Vietnam, Bugsy, The Natural, Diner, I could go on. Here is at least one example in which I am happy for industry nepotism.

Season 2 of Euphoria begins on HBO MAX January 9th, 2022.

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2) MUSIC / PODCASTS

YOUNGR - (British Singer-Songwriter, Producer)

“Youngr is a British singer, songwriter, producer and musician. The son of August Darnell, he was born in Urmston, near Manchester, England, on 27 February 1989. He began his music career in 2012, forming Liverpool-based act Picture Book with his brother Lorne Ashley Brigham-Bowes” *- Wikipedia

Vibey beats and jammy covers. Probably the best way to describe Youngr and his musical qualities. He feels like a fresh perspective in the genre of pop-dance music. Youngr gained notoriety back in 2016 when he released the song “Out Of My System”.

He quickly followed that up by showing the world (15 million in the first two weeks) his ability to manage several different instruments in his bootleg version of The Temper Trap’s “Sweet Disposition” seen here (A MUST WATCH):

3) ART

GENESIS BELANGER - (American Sculptor)

“Genesis Belanger’s work is characterized by the treatment of objects as surrogates for the body. Everyday objects, sculpted in stoneware and tinted in fondant hues, often take on human features, made uncomfortably familiar as they begin to resemble us. Working with a wide range of material such as clay, metal, and upholstery, Belanger often creates immersive installations that depict liminal spaces, such as a reception area, hotel lobby, or funeral parlor. Her signature motifs, such as manicured female hands, misplaced limbs, half eaten foods, and cigarettes inhabit these spaces, toeing the line between comfort and disquiet, the beautiful and the strange. The artist's psychologically charged scenes ultimately point to society’s progressive, yet stagnant, movement in gender stereotypes and equality as well as critique mass consumerism.” *- Perrotin

Genesis Belanger in her studio, 2018. Photo: Taylor Dafoe

More information and artwork can be seen here: https://www.perrotin.com/artists/genesis_belanger/490#news

Genesis Belanger’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisbelanger/

4) BOOKS / WRITING

CALL US WHAT WE CARRY - AMANDA GORMAN - (American Poet, Author)

You may know Amanda Gorman from her famous presidential inauguration speech with “The Hill We Climb” in 2021, where she became the youngest presidential inaugural poet in United States history. I received this book of poems as a gift recently, so I have only just begun to dive in. I can, however, already tell that Amanda may be a powerful voice in our country and even the world for some time. She is only twenty-three years old, and I can only imagine that she will have much more to say about our world, and how we live in it together.

“She is a committed advocate for the environment, racial equality, and gender justice. In 2017, Urban Word named her the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate.” - Viking Publishing

(© Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer)

*You can purchase a copy of “Call Us What We Carry” at this link: https://amzn.to/3pZMv6A

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5) PHOTOGRAPHY

GUILIANO SCARPARO - (Italian Wildlife and Nature Photographer)

Guliano Scarparo is camo’ed out, lying in wait underneath the cover of bush, steady with his body and mind, until he has his target in his sights. His finger fires on the trigger. And he comes away with some of the most stunning nature photographs that you will see. He tends to photograph a lot of bear, fox, elk, and birds. His notable post-processing style of muted teal leaves his mark on these photos, giving them a calming feel as you cycle through the vast catalog of images. I highly recommend checking out his website and Instagram pages (linked below). Here’s a taste: