Creative Rebellion X Hans Haveron Interview

Check out what my friend Hans Haveron has been up to.  How about some affordable art for your home?

Ricky Rebel - a revolution of healing through art

Under the shiny veneer of commercial show business is the larger community of real artists.  These people sing, dance, play and act because it's in their soul.  They can't not do it.  Sometimes one or two of them will break through the ice and make an appearance in the national or even international arena.  This has happened with a few members of the tribe.  Ricky Rebel found his crack in the looking glass with alternative rockers My Chemical Romance in the music video for the first single off their album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.  This video was the first chapter of a story about the Killjoys: Fun Ghoul (Frank Iero), Jetstar (Ray Torro), Kobra Kid (Mikey Way), Party Poison (Gerard Way), Tank Girl (Grace Jeanette), Dr. Deathdefying (Steve Righ of MSI) and Show Pony.  The roller skating, tights and tank wearing, helmet hidden revolutionary was portrayed by Ricky Rebel. 

Ricky had crossed my radar early in my journey into the tribe but then was lost track of as others took my time and attention.  Recently he was back as a strong blip when I learned of his connection to people I have grown close to.  I immediately made contact and we have had some great conversations including the following email interview. Ricky was destined to be a part of the tribe at some point.  He is adventurous, a risk taker, honest and passionate.  I hope you find him as interesting and charming as I do .

If you are in the Los Angeles area he will be playing at Bar Sinister on 6/29.  All the information can be found at the end of this post.   If you can't make it to the show be sure to visit his website where you can listen to his music, watch videos and look for other live performances.My favorite Language I speak is music. Music will always be my number one form of expression. Music is a Vibration. All things exist as energy as particles vibrating together. I try to reach others through music to create higher vibrations with one another.



I know that Ricky is a musician, a dancer, and a stylist. What other languages do you speak?  What was your first art.  Today which is your favorite to speak.

My first art is movement/physical body awareness and control. I learned that at age 7 when I started taking gymnastics classes. I Ranked 13th in the State of California. I had dreams of going to the Olympics, but that changed when I discovered dance and performing. It’s such a different world compared to the strict rules of gymnastics and competing. I prefer the no rules approach. 

I speak the language of healing. Through my music I heal my fans that I call my “Rebels.” I have read some amazing letters from Rebels all around the world that tell me how much my music has touched moved and inspired them. When they feel down they say that they can listen to my music and that it helps them get through the hard times. That’s why I do what I do. I want to heal people. 

My favorite Language I speak is music. Music will always be my number one form of expression. Music is a Vibration. All things exist as energy as particles vibrating together. I try to reach others through music to create higher vibrations with one another. 


What languages do you understand? Why?  Which speak to your heart? Your soul?

I speak the language of Music, Photography, Fashion, Film, and Acting. All of these art forms heal my soul. Film and acting I think are the most influential to me. Every time an amazing artist gets up and performs he or she is essentially acting. Acting is the highest and truest of all the art forms in my opinion. Without the ability to convey a message, tell a story, or become the role, than we are nothing as an artist. Life is acting. Acting is what we do everyday. We choose and create the roles that we play. 


Finally my favorite question...What is the one art that you wish you could create in that you positively suck at? 

Honestly, there are times that I feel like a shitty actor. But that’s only because I know in my heart that I can be great at it. One day I hope I portray a role that blows people minds. At this point, it’s the only art form that I haven’t proven to myself that I excel in. Which is a great thing. It means that I don’t have unrealistic expectations. As an actor. As an artist, that is the best position I feel I can best create in. As an actor I am the opposite of jaded. My heart is 100% open to the possibilities. At times I believe that I am a great actor, at times I don’t, which is cool because a few of my favorite actors are the ones that people agree, “suck.”


You are one of the post-modern gypsies, a member of the tribe.  Did you find them or did they find you?  

I found them so to speak. I was filming a Reality show for MTV about the life of underground Artists and I was looking for other people to get involved with the project. I came across Roxy Contin’s profile. I hit her up and we instantly became friends. She took me under her wing and introduced me to the tribe. She knew that I was friends with Adam Lambert so that helped to make us closer and trust one another. 


We are just starting to see influences and members of the tribe here on the east coast. Your thoughts on SoCal vs NYC arts scenes? 

I am all about Bi Coastal art culture. I believe that it is important for an artist to stay on top of what’s going on in both the SoCal and NY scenes. Both have important contributions to art and fashion. I feel like NYC is a faster tempo then CA though. Over here the weather is too comfortable. It makes us less rushed to survive. In NYC the elements are harsher so the instinct to survive is heightened. I hope to live in both places soon though. I feel like I would thrive in the NY state of mind. Everyone moves too slowly for me here in LA.


What is one thing that you really want people to know about you as a person or an artist?

I want people to know, to feel, and experience the authenticity that runs through all of the work that I do. I write, compose, perform, record, and produce all of my songs. Everything I do comes from an honest place. I have a message, and that is to “Rebel against the Darkness, and shine your light.” I want to be an example of someone who is true to their work, highly successful, and hopefully inspiring others in the process.

Ricky Rebel Live June 29th At Club Bar Sinister 

Bar Sinister located at Boardner's in the B52 Club 
1652 N. Cherokee Avenue, Hollywood, CA  90028 
Phone:  323.462.1934 or 9621
Site:  http://www.barsinister.net/ , myspace.com/barsinister, facebook.com/clubarsinister or twitter.com/clubbarsinister 
Open:  10pm-3am 
Strictly 18 & Over 
Cover:  PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE FOR UPDATED COVER CHARGES
Dress Code:  Gothic, Fetish, Alternative, Upscale or all Black Attire enforced – NO STREET CLOTHES or PICNIC ATTIRE!

For any further information on Ricky or upcoming performances, please check out the newly revamped official website:

Http://www.RickyRebelRocks.com  

Keys and Feathers

At the opening of Hans and Bill Haveron's first father-son show, the Kirk Hopper Gallery offered up a back wall to Hans for one of his famous "live paintings.  With the show's theme of Raven's Riddle still influencing his muses, the younger Haveron "feather bombed" with wall with an 8' high by 20' long feather which he painted within a one hour time limit he imposed on himself.  

Bill shared this photo with me which was taken by
John F Ladd.  The first thing I noticed was yet another completed "key circle".  As any of you who have read The Tribes from its beginnings knows, Hans is the original source of Sepia's key.  The painting "Sepia's Secret" has resulted in various representations of the key as a tattoo, jewelry and in graphic designs.  The evening of this painting session, Hans chose to wear the key fashioned for him by Shannon Shiang who has also created a special version of the key pendant for Adam Lambert to compliment his tattoo.  Adam owns the original painting of "Sepia's Secret".

Lucent Dossier - A Faerie Tale for the New Era

Somewhere between 2004 and May of 2006 I learned of the existence of a band called Panic! At The Disco.  These teenagers from Las Vegas had a unique sound.  So unique that they not only didn't fit any genre, their album "A Fever You Can Sweat Out" was actually two parts with the first having more of a steam-punky feel and the second part being a little contemporary pop but more complex.  Their lyrics were well beyond their years due to Ryan Ross's inspiration from his roller coaster life.  When it came time to create a video for their first single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" someone on their artistic team had the brilliance to pair director Shane Drake with the burlesque cirque troupe, Lucent Dossier.  The resulting video is still brilliant today

The beauty and talent of this group intrigued the hell out of me. I watched many a video and TV performance of Panic! At The Disco just to see these magical creatures.  Some times sultry, some times silly, always costumed to catch the eye, Lucent Dossier was the perfect addition to the band's live performances.  When they did their international arena tour "Nothing Rhymes with Circus", Lucent provided more of its members. It was awesome.

Panic! changed everything up with their sophomore album so I didn't get my dose of Lucent Dossier from them any more.  But then I saw an announcement they were going to be part of The Scream Awards. They got their own episode of Top Chef-Just Desserts.  Every so often I would seen them.  I also scoured the internet to find out if they would ever perform in my part of the world...to no avail.  Until this past Fall when they were signed as artists in residence at The Liberty Theater in Manhattan.  

The name of the show was The Lucent Encounter.  I was there for opening night and what an encounter it was.  Besides all the interactive dancing, acrobatics, vaudeville sketches and live mannequin vignettes happening all around me, I was introduced to members of the troupe include one of the costumers.  I saw the results of friend Hans Haveron's airbrush make-up skills. It was possibly the most magical night of my life to that point.

My feature article on Lucent Dossier has been published in the latest issue of FourCulture magazine.  I got to spend almost an hour with Linda Borini in a small sandwich shop just off Columbus Circle one evening and hear her story of becoming part of Lucent Dossier.  She also helped me to finally put the finger on the biggest difference between the New York and SoCal arts scenes and why I had not been able to find a real East Coast tribe to this point.  Then I connected with Dream Rockwell, founder of the troupe.  She had performed that night in New York.  I knew she was there because we had texted while the goon squad outside was giving me shit about letting me in.  Hans had told me about doing her make-up but we never got any face-time. However, even with a lot of miles between us, we had a major connection in that phone conversation.  I won't even call it an interview because we began building a friendship from the very first words. By the end we had discovered yet another spirit sister on this crazy journey. 

Dream gave me treasures that night that opened my eyes and will help me on my quest. 1) Find the point on your arrow.  The compass needle can't help much if its not giving you a definitive direction.  Find the point. 2) claim the freedom you were born with to be your genuine self.  Once you do that you will be truly happy, joyful, at peace. 3) People who are sincerely happy individuals scare the crap out of people trying to follow some social model that they have been taught is "proper".  Taking it another step from my own meditation....free thinkers and doers are what will shine the light on the dark creatures that have been controlling humanity for too long.  That light will reveal them for the humbugs they are and destroy their "power".  Be brave. Be bold. Be you no matter how eccentric, eclectic, outrageous or just plain weird you are.

This summer I will get to spend four whole days with the fae of Lucent Dossier at Lake Skinner in Temcula, CA.  Lightning In A Bottle was the point on Dream's arrow and Lucent is a staple of the festival.  I am so excited to experience them once again but this time in their native habitat.  I can only imagine that it will be a faerie tale come to life. 

We are the dreams
Tangled in your catcher
When you rise from sleep
The beautiful ones
The ones you will carefully
Break the strings to release
Setting us free to play

We'll dance on your bed
And fly through your hair
We sing the songs
That spark your imagination
We give you the colors
To paint your story

We are the faerie tales
Come to life.

KMC 3/13

Skins and Stones collage design contest

Our mailing address is:

Skins and Stones

319 Lafayette Street, New York, NY

#180

New York, NY 10012

Art of the New Age

This morning my friend John Park shared this on his Facebook.  I've seen many artistic creations using computers but this one turned on that big lightbulb in my brain.  This is the art of now and of the future.  We have this amazing tool called a computer.  It can be a large box that sits on a desk or table with a separate or integrated monitor.  It can be a portable unit that most people refer to as a laptop.  Most are just as powerful as a desktop at this point but allow two, three or a hundred users to congregate and collaborate.  Then came the evolution of cell phones and their big sisters, tablets.

In the cell phone world; social networks, photo apps, and media messaging have become art makers.  The art is then shared around the world in nana-seconds.  Tablets have become not only for traditional visual artists but for fashion designers, lighting designers and others.  Of course they are the handiest of gadgets for writers and musicians.

Yes, the combination of traditional live art and computers is the art of the New Age. It will be interesting to see where we go with it.

p.s. I also learned that all of these dancers auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance last year.  One of them, Cyrus, made it to the top two.  I also want to through in that I didn't used to appreciate urban art, especially dance and music.  Then my son went to middle and high school in New Haven.  I now love great street dance, hip-hop and even some rap.  I needed to experience it in context.

Below is another example of the combination of computers and live art from my friend Hans Haveron:



Video/ Projection mapping onto Hans Haveron art:Titled: "Dragon's Pearl" from Albertico Acosta on Vimeo.

Edit-addtion 3/3/13 Here is yet another technological art installment that utilizes computers in costuming, lighting and syncing the track to the lights.  Very impressive

Projection mapping by Dandy Punk

Bill Haveron-a lone wolf of the tribe

Hans, Charlotte and Bill

For the past couple of months I've been getting to know Hans Haveron's artist father Bill in preparation for a promotion of their upcoming father-son gallery show in Dallas.  I have to admit that initially I was a little scared because Bill's art told a story in a language that was kind of foreign to me.  However, that has changed completely.

Bill Haveron grew up in and around the honky tonks outside of Dallas. He was always a bit of a loaner, not fitting into any group or gang.  At times he says he felt like his own worst enemy. However, he did discover his talents for creating visual art.  Talents that were recognized and tutored by well-known members of the Texas gallery elite.

But as time past, Bill also learned the dark side of that world. Dog-eat-dog, favors and games to get works promoted and always in the public eye.  Art as one's vocation took all the romance out of the creative process, something Haveron detested. It took a heavy toll on him trying to maintain "success"; a term along with "failure" that Bill never wants to have to consider again in his work.

All of that drove Bill Haveron to become a bit of an artistic recluse.  These days he creates the art that is inside of him mainly to express it for himself and not for any audience in particular.  He will gladly tell his story to anyone who is truly interested in listening.  It's not that he won't share his art but he now creates for the sake of putting what he is feeling on canvass or wood without the potential resale value lurking in the back of his mind.

As with many fine artists, music has its role in Bill's creative process.  Inspired by the Fats Domino "Let The Four Winds Blow", Haveron refers to his studio as The Chapel of The Four Winds.  Music plays inside all the time.  Bill has a very broad musical pallette but says rap and jazz are his brussell sprouts or liver. On a side note, his least favorite food is actually cilantro.   He thinks that his Texas upbringing may have contributed to the fact that there is some Country-Western music that he enjoys.  He is a bit digitally-analog, opting for CDs rather than plugging in an iPod or internet radio to keep melodies flowing through the studio all the time.

Preparing for the upcoming "Raven's Riddle" gallery show has offered Bill the chance to reflect on his own career, learn more about his son's and get excited for this new chapter.  He looking forward not only to the show but the time that Hans' will be spending at "The Chapel" preparing for it. Looking at Bill's work with new eyes, he tends to tell the story of times recently passed or current.  He reveals things and wakes people up.  Hans seems to capture what is, hopefully, to come. He gives audiences something to look forward to, something to strive for.  This has the potential to result in a very balanced show, yin and yang.

For more information on Bill Haveron visit http://billhaveron.com/Bill_Haveron/Home.html and about Raven's Riddle visit Kirk Hopper Gallery

Starlit birthday key

Completing circles is usually a very good thing and tends to bear even better things in their completion.  The circle of Sepia's key has been a bit of a triangulated puzzle.  Initially Hans Haveron painted "Sepia's Secret" which shares a deep truth about the creative process.  Then came his friend, Adam Lambert who was already well acquainted with Hans' work and owned a piece or two.  "Sepia" spoke to him and he purchased the other half of the "Keyhole series" and that painting hangs in his home today.

But Adam felt the need to keep the "Secret" with him all the time and chose the element of the key, which unlocks the Eye of Wisdom, to have inked into his forearm.  This drew the attention of another friend of Hans', Shannon Shiang, jewelry designer from New York City.  Shannon had already taken another element of one of  Haveron's works, the scarab, and replicated it in three dimensions of bronze.  Seeing the key separated from the painting she was inspired to turn it into an actual key.  She would bring a number of samples of Sepia's key with her to Burning Man to show Hans and Adam in 2011. One of the prototypes was gifted to Adam's boyfriend, Sauli Koskinen.

When I last visited Shannon in her studio, the evening that Adam's sophomore album "Trespassing" dropped, she showed me a very large version of Sepia's key cast in sterling silver that she hoped to gift to Lambert at some point.

Enter the "Starlighters".  This fan group formed in 2009 after the launch of Adam's official website.  They were people who wished to dedicate themselves to helping keep Lambert's brand new star shining brightly in the sky of current pop/rock music.  These fans are at the forefront of requesting airplay of Adam's music, voting in various media contests and sharing their love of Adam and his music with as many people as possible.

As with many individual fans and fan groups, Starlighters have participated in the annual charity giving that Lambert initiated on his 28th birthday.  Over the past three years Adam has asked fans to donate to Donors Choose and Charity Water in lieu of sending him gifts.  Besides spotlighting charities for his birthday Lambert has also been a supporter of The Trevor Project and Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Foundation.  This year's birthday gifts went to an organization founded by a man who became part of Adam's career almost by accident.  Lambert got his fanbase behind Nile Rodger's "We Are Family Foundation" which encourages youth and young adults to help their peers and children.  Starlighters added their donations to those of all the other fans in the attempt to raise $31,000 for WAFF (at last count the total was over $45,000).

But this fan group wanted to do something else special to show their love for Adam, something with a lot of symbolism.  The discussion started in October of last year.  Carter Setterlund, who became the coordinator of the project, suggested going to Shannon and Hans about the creation of a special version of Sepia's Key and then contacted Shannon about the project.  Shannon suggested the large silver key along with making it extra-special by adding precious stones to the design.  Further conversation between the two resulted in using the lyric "Stars in my black and blue skies" from the song "Underneath" on Adam's latest album and selecting white and black diamonds and sapphires.
From there Shannon and Carter went into action to spread the word and raise the funds for the project, all on the q.t.  They wanted this to be a complete surprise to Adam.  Everyone was told not to post things on social networks or public message boards.  Communication was done via emails, private messages and by phone.  Shannon reached out to customers of Skins & Stones who had previously ordered keys.  Starlighters communicated with all their members.  Eventually, they not only raised money, some members also donated actual stones for the pendant.

Meanwhile Hans created the special casket the key would be boxed in.  The fan group also put together a "birthday book" filled with letter and messages that was compiled by Carter and has gorgeous cover art done by Lucas Vitek.

Then came the final stage of the project-actually delivering the key and the book to Adam.  The hope was to do so before Adam left for his 6-week Asian/European tour last week.  Again, Hans and Shannon were called into action.  Everything ended up coming to down to wire.  So close in fact that the gift was delivered at LAX while Adam was waiting to board his flight to Seoul, South Korea.  Shannon had flown in from New York and Hans delayed his trip to Texas.  Thankfully all the Powers of Light were watching over this process and the key and book were successfully delivered and Adam was totally surprised.  According to my own conversation with Hans, Adam loved the gift and Shannon told Carter that Adam was really moved by the sentiment and symbolism of the gift and noted how sweet all involved truly are.

Adam showed his appreciation to everyone who is a part of this gift by wearing the key at his first concert of the Asian leg of this tour in Seoul, South Korea.  Below are photos shot by one of the people at this performance.  This morning he tweeted, "Special thanks to @Skinsandstones and all the fans who chipped in for the ferocious skeleton key necklace!! I LOVE it!!!".

I want to sincerely thank Carter, Shannon and Hans for working with me and helping to share this story.

For more information on Shannon Shiang's organic Skins & Stones line visit http://skinsandstones.com/ . There is an on-line store at the site where you can purchase various versions of Sepia's key along with all her other current work in this line.  Shannon has another line, Shiang New York.  These pieces are very unique and sophisticated and are also available for purchase. Hans Haveron's work can be reviewed at http://www.haveronstudios.com/.  Lovely archival Glicee prints of some of his paintings can be purchased at Fine Art Direct.  Haveron is preparing for the gallery show "Raven's Riddle" which will be his and father, Bill Haveron's first ever father-son show at the Kirk Hopper Gallery in Dallas, TX.  The show opens March 2 and runs through April 13th.

Bill and Hans Haveron father-son show at Kirk Hopper Fine Art

If you are going to be in Dallas in March this is a "must see" show.  There will be more on this over the next few weeks here on the Tribes Of Art including exclusive interviews with both artists.

Kirk Hopper Fine Art Is proud to announce a new exhibition:   Bill and Hans Haveron: Raven's Riddle   Opening Reception Saturday, March 2nd From 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at Kirk Hopper Fine Art Located at 3008 Commerce St. in the Deep Ellum area   Exhibition will be on view through April 13th, 2013 Artists will be in attendance                 Bill and Hans Haveron: Raven's Riddle   Kirk Hopper Fine Art is pleased to announce that it will be the showcase for the first Father/Son exhibit for renowned Texas artist, Bill Haveron and his son, Los Angeles artist, Hans Haveron.  This exhibit represents the fruition of a lifelong dream for both Father and Son. The interplay and overlap of their careers is a source of conciliation, healing and redemption, resulting in a deeper understanding of the role and purpose of art in their lives.   The show is entitled Raven’s Riddle – a reference to the family name which was originally spelled Havran in the original Czech, meaning “the Raven,” but anglicized to Haveron upon immigration to Texas. The title is also a nod to the common threads of interest pursuant to problem solving and mischief making, a theme prevalent in both of their works.   The show will feature the familiar surrealistic and symbolic styles in which both men characteristically work. Dense with imagery and fecund with meaning, their works exhibit an interplay of diverse literary devices: metaphor, allusion, simile and analogy, amongst others.  Typically, the works represent a path of self-discovery and a spiritual evolutionary process –the struggle between the forces of good and evil ever present.   These philosophical riddles are transcribed upon large drawings, paintings and a few examples of painted assemblage from Daddy Bill.   This exciting show represents the deep bond achieved between the two men, using art to overcome every vicissitude of life and the quotidian challenges facing the proverbial “everyman”.                  Kirk Hopper Fine Art    Kirk Hopper Fine Art | 3008 Commerce Street | Dallas, TX 75226 |  214-760-9230      facebook        twitter   Kirk Hopper Fine Art was founded in 2011 and focuses on art in a variety of media primarily produced by Texas artists. The gallery is committed to supporting art of excellent quality both in the U.S. and throughout the world. Kirk Hopper Fine Art actively works to collaborate with educational institutions in an effort to broaden exposure and understanding of the arts.

West meets East-Lucent Dossier is coming to New York

Some wonderful "friends I haven't met yet" are coming to Manhattan and are setting up shop at The Liberty Theater in Times Square. Lucent Dossier Experience have been invited to make the trek from Los Angeles to be "artists in residence" at the recently restored Liberty Theater just off Times Square.  They are kicking off this residency this weekend.  What better way to start Halloween than with this band of silly, crazy, talented, creative performers?  Their costumes may be the best ones in the house.


Who are Lucent Dossier you ask?  Well, if you are/were a fan of Panic! at The Disco or the Dresden Dolls or have attended Coachella you probably know.  If your a TV viewer who has watched the Grammys, the Scream Awards or Top Chef Just Desserts last seaon, you may have seen the cirque troupe They've also performed with Motley Crue, Aerosmith and The Black Eyed Peas.

Lucent Dossier was founded by Dream Rockwell and first performed on New Year's Eve of 2004.  The Los Angeles based troupe is the epitome of post-modern gypsies-traveling performers who create with what is around them.  Wild costumes from repurposed materials, music concocted from instruments and electronic gear members brought with them.  In Dream's own words, "We are curators of environmental experiences and we do it our way. We're a little bent, we're deeply sensual and we love to have fun. The fashion or style of Lucent that people often talk about is super important to us, just 'cause it's imaginative and takes us all on a journey. The technique of our craft, which sort of falls into the realm of carnival or cirque arts is all part of it, but at the end of the day we are most interested in human alchemy.

As for the New York "Encounter specifically Dream went on to say, "I think that what's important about the NYC Lucent Encounter is that people get ready to experience something new. We are creating a little oasis for people to come into and dance and get silly, express themselves, feel a kind of unique connection with other beings, dress wild, be free. We're excited to create a space for people to come into and explore, to find new ways of relating to other humans, to find freedom of expression in all it's forms, a place to celebrate the uniqueness that is inside each one of us, a place to just get your wiggle out! Life can be hard, earth is a tough venue but when we come together in celebration it makes it all worth it, it makes it easier to get through the tough times. We're excited to build community in NY and play with new friends."

As for the Liberty Theater, this renovation and reopening is just another wonderful addition to the make-over Times Square has been experiencing for the past two decades.  The project has been the love-child of Times Square Hospitality Group.  They have not only given the old theater a face lift, they have added the option to provide catered tabled events.  The house can hold up to 1500 people now and the entire lighting and sound system has been upgraded to state of the art including projection equipment.  The design was with the intent to create a new and needed option to New York City nightlife.  Ray Trosa, co-founder of TSHG, who had seen Lucent Dossier perform, believes the cirque is a perfect match for this venue.

Lucent Dossier is managed by Andrew Cohen of Art House Live. "Lucent Encounter" is produced by Lucent Dossier and Jody Levy of Stitch Experience Design.  To purchase tickets and learn more about "Lucent Encounter" and the Liberty Theater click here.

Fourculture Magazine

Fourculture Magazine:

Here is a brand new arts zine that features members of "the tribe" from around the U.S. and Europe.  This mag' covers the four pillars of art and takes you outside the box of current mediocrity.  The stories are intriguing and show sides of artists not usually represented in interviews or features.  Fourculture writers like to get inside the hearts and heads of creators.

Yes, I'm a little biased about the publications as it is a new outlet for my writing and a new place for me to introduce the world to some of the special people that cross my path. In the debut issue you will find an interview with Hans Haveron about his mural at Facebook and some of the work he does for the DoArt Foundation.  Then there's a feature on Calling All Astronauts which even I learned from.  I was assigned this article and went in cold.  Since then I've spent time on Twitter getting to know Dave and his musical inspirations and feelings about the state of the industry.

Please check it out.  Leave comments.  Subscribe.  Next month I have a feature on AlexanderDcD who is now one of the most complex street artists I've connected with.

Open publication - Free publishing - More alternative

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Lightning in a Bottle 2012 | TenThousandVisions.com

Lightning in a Bottle 2012 | TenThousandVisions.com:

Michael Divine and Hans Haveron met at LIB this year and decided to work together on a painting.  This is what they did.  Currently the work is in Hans' studio where both artists intend to complete it.  This blog post is Michael's synopsis of the collaboration.

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The Do ArT Foundation’s Executive Director Carmen Zella Helps Lightning in a Bottle Become the Largest Live Painting Event in America | Lightning in a Bottle

The Do ArT Foundation’s Executive Director Carmen Zella Helps Lightning in a Bottle Become the Largest Live Painting Event in America | Lightning in a Bottle:

This is a great interview with Carmen Zella about the live art that takes place at Lightning In A Bottle.  The event is the coming weekend in Silverado, CA.

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hanshaveron - "Coachella Mural" at Bluecanvas: The Artist Network

hanshaveron - "Coachella Mural" at Bluecanvas: The Artist Network

I really like this e-zine.  They disabled right-click no one can "borrow" artists' work.  Thumbs up Bluecanvas.

Fine Art Direct

Fine Art Direct:

Can't afford an original piece of art.  Want to have very good, gorgeous work done by respected artists?  Fine Art Direct offers beautiful, high quality, prints of some of the finest pieces from the artists on their roster.  Right now you can click a button and get a $50 discount gift.  The company is also celebrating it's two year anniversary offering even more savings on these Giclees prints.  You can afford a piece of real art.

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Red Bull Curates - Hans Haveron moves on to Miami

When all the votes were tallied, Red Bull Curates announced "Team L.A." at 8 a.m. PT yesterday.  Hans Haveron makes up one third of the group with his creation inspired by spiritual peace and soul feeding.  The other two artists that will represent SoCal are Lydia Emily and Gregory Siff.  The three artists will travel to Miami in December for the final showdown between Team SF, Team LA, Team Chicago and Team NY at Art Basel.  Learn more at Red Bull Curates

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More on Red Bull Curates

Voting on today's creations will happen on Thursday, April 5th from 9 p.m. till Midnight.  Here's the official info post from The Red Bull Curates LA Facebook:

Celebrating Los Angeles' most innovative contemporary artists as they turn their eye-catching designs into canvas-wrapped Red Bull coolers. The work will be showcased at LAB Art, West Hollywood on April 5, 2012. Fans and a luminary panel of judges featuring Taryn Manning, Domingo Zapata and Jon Reiss will vote 3 artist through to participate in a Red Bull Curates group exhibition this December in Miami during the Art Basel Season. Vote your favorite artist through to Miami now! Download a QR code reader to your phone to vote for your favorite artist during the event.

www.redbullusa.com/curates
Ages 21+

DJ Morse Code

#RBCurates | @redbullLAX

Selected Artists:
• Leba • Nathan Spoor • Lydia Emily • Codak • Destroy All Design •
Benjamin Alejandro • Thank You X • Hans Haveron • Zombie • Gregory Siff • Jules Muck • Louis Carreon • Ernesto Yerena Montejano • Septerhed • Smear • Cyrcle • KH No. 7 • Bryan Snyder • Aise Born • Kophns One • Mar • T$F

Featured Venues:
• Goodlife • Viper Room • Tropicana Room at the
Roosevelt • The 3 Clubs • Rock N Reillys • The Satellite • The Echo •
Gold Room • Los Globos • Los Angeles Brewing Company (LABC) • La Cita • Exchange LA • Akbar • The Brig • Nikki’s • Danny’s • Hotel Erwin Rooftop • Cities • Silverlake Lounge • The Darkroom

Parking: Please use the parking structure, with the Shepard Fairey mural, on the corner of La Brea Avenue and 2nd Street, exactly one block north of the gallery on the west side of the street.


Please support these artists and the ones who will be competing in Chicago in June and the NYC event in September. 

A key to success by Alexander DCD

We are all aware of keys in life.  We are always unlocking something in ourselves or others.  One of the themes in most people's lives is success.  It starts with learning to do the basics.  We, hopefully, succeed in learning ways to convey ourselves through life - rolling, crawling, walking running.  We must succeed in learning how to nourish ourselves.  Eventually we learn how to cook, shop, grow food but first we must succeed in getting food into our bodies.

Next would probably be communication.  A baby succeeds at getting the attention it needs by squacking or crying if it is in some kind of discomfort.  Eventually it learns words or signs if they are mute.  If they are deaf they must succeed at learning to read lips and sign language.  A blind child must learn braille.

After we succeed at the basics then we deal with more complex concepts of success. Transportation/conveyance - riding a skateboard, skiing, rollerblades or driving a car.  Communication - using a telephone, a computer, ART!  And of course success in a career.

Alexander hits the nail on the head with this piece.  Success takes dedication, conscious or unconscious. The baby is dedicated to succeeding in getting the attention it needs.  It does not stop making noise and/or moving until an older, more developed human notices and comes to the baby's aid.  The five-year old wanting to ride a bicycle will suffer bruises, cuts and sore muscles until they have achieved that perfect combination of motion and balance.  The college student who gives up a party to study so they see that Suma Cum Laude next to their name in the graduation program.  The eighty-year old who sits with their laptop until they succeed at sending that photo of their grandchildren to a friend via email.    Each of these people at each step in their lives have committed, dedicated themselves to the task at hand.  If they lose focus, drive or ambition they are no longer dedicated and even if they do not fail, they will not succeed in completing the task to its fullest end.

You can learn more about Alexander DCD and watch more videos on his YouTube channel, on his blog and on his official website .

Shannon Shiang - the "key master" and so much more

It's late Sunday morning in a sunny Manhattan apartment in Tribeca, a few blocks from Chinatown.  Joined by "the committee" of two Siamese and a black long-hair cat, I sat down to chat with Shannon Shiang, owner of Shiang New York and Skins & Stones jewelry studios where she creates stunning work.  She is also an active member of various art tribes throughout the country, is concerned about the environment and the plight the oppressed.  Immediately I could feel that Ms. Shiang was a genuine and kind spirit.

The conversation started with taking her art to the level of collaborating.  As artists we tend to be very protective of our own work.  It is a delicate balance if and when we choose to share our craft.  Within the communities Shannon is a member of, they mentor, encourage and nurture others, especially those new to tapping into their creativity.  The trust within these groups is strong and has resulted in amazing works, helping her to make this step. She shared with me the first jewelry collaboration she did with Hans Haveron, the scarab pendant.  The work is beautiful and opened the door for all the other work she has done with him.  She also showed me a sketch for an upcoming project she is doing with John Park.  Park has teamed with Haveron on several murals so this choice made sense.

The discussion faded in and out of the tribes subject.  Arts community gatherings play important roles in Shiang's life.  She is an avid "burner" and also attends Lightning In Bottle.  The events prove to be inspirational, spiritually refreshing and an opportunity to stretch her own talent while helping others do the same.  This year, Shannon chose to use her art to create a talisman for the camp she is a member of at Burning Man.  It is a key that depicts the Burning Man logo as the pupil of the Eye of Inner Vision.  The key unlocks that sight.  Shiang also gifted keys to other attendees who were positive and shared goodwill.

Burning Man was also where "Sepia's Key" first appeared. Shannon, inspired by Haveron's painting and Adam Lambert's tattoo created the first prototype which she shared with both men on The Playa. A copy was gifted to Sauli Koskinen, Lambert's partner. She and Hans then began the process of working out what will become the final product that will be available for purchase very soon.  Sadly, since the announcement of the project, a knock-off of the pendant has turned up on eBay.  Both artists hope that people will note that this is not their work and will wait to purchase the real one.  This situation has affected the release date of their keys that they were hoping to coincide with the release of Lambert's sophomore album, "Trespassing".  The Skins & Stones timeline has been moved up and the first batch of keys should be available very soon.  Note that the approved pendants will bear both the Skins & Stones and Haveron Studios logos.

The "Skins and Stones" line is the more organic line and the one where all her collaborative work can be found while Shiang New York designs is more stylized and inspired by sacred symbolism.  One piece in particular draws from Tibetan Buddhism. A dog tag that depicts the sacred mandala that the monks use for meditation and spiritual healing was designed and is being sold to raise funds for Free Tibet, a non-profit that is very dear to Ms. Shiang.  One of my personal favorite pieces from this line is the Phoenix necklace which Shannon was wearing.  In a follow-up email Sunday night, she shared to whole legend with me. Like most people I knew the part about the old phoenix self-immolating only to have the new bird rise from the ashes.  However, I did not know that the old phoenix builds a nest of cinnamon twigs that also burns.  Also that those ashes are encased in an egg of myrrh, that the young phoenix deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis.

To learn more about Shannon Shiang visit Shiang New York, Skins & Stones, follow her on Twitter or friend her on Facebook.

The key is THE KEY

Last May I was introduced to my current favorite painter, Hans Haveron.  After seeing just one small element of one of his works, I hunted down the whole piece and then started digging up as many photos as I could find of the rest of his portfolio.  Even before I interviewed him the first time, I knew that I had a spiritual connection to his art and the symbolism displayed in it.

Haveron loves talking about art; his own, his friends' and anyone's that he has experienced over the years.  A child and grandchild of artists, paint runs through his veins, music powers his nervous system, performance fills his lungs.  He takes his own talents and encourages others, mentors them and inspires them through collaboration.  Arts are this man.

Once he gets talking, well...he's an interviewer's dream because he just goes and all I have to do is make sure the recorder is working.  In that waterfall of words, comes stories and one of those stories was the explanation of the symbolism of "Sepia's Secret".  The interview question had just been, "do elements of your paintings have meanings?".  Not only did he share with me the story of the painting by how he had told the story to Adam Lambert who felt so connected to it that he bought the painting. That in turn inspired  him to have the key tattooed prominently as a reminder to always create from his "child".

"The key" has also affected other artists in Hans' circle.  One of those people is Shannon Shiang.  Shannon is a jewelry designer and creator.  She has two jewelry lines; Shiang New York and Skins and Stones.  Shannon is an L.A. native who has relocated to NYC and is a long-time friend of Haveron's.  After producing some prototypes of Sepia's key, one or two of which turned up at Burning Man this year, Shiang worked with Haveron to come up with a version that will be produced on a larger scale (200 units to start).  Presale orders are being taken now for product to ship on March 20, 2012.

These artists and their work have affected my spiritual focus, not only the particular keys depicted in Hans' paintings and their symbolism but keys and locks in general.  As we enter the Age Of Aquarius or the coming of the new age foretold by the Mayans, there are things that need to be locked away and new doors and windows that need to be opened.  However, the keys involved may not be a metal object designed to insert into a lock and turned.  Maybe it refers to the key a song is written in.  The Christian bible speaks of the "new song".  Maybe this is the era that that song will be written.

Maybe it is a cipher key.  A word, a letter that provides the code to unravel a hidden message.  There may be some secret manuscript previously unnoticed by man because it just looked like some foolishness.

Or maybe it is a keystone.  That piece of material that holds an entire structure together.  That structure could be a building, a person or a society.

I will be posting pretty regularly a new "key" to this blog.  If you feel something in your life or the spaces around you needs to be added let me know.  I firmly believe there is something to this theme.  Peace always and don't forget to check out The Key at http://skinsandstones.bigcartel.com/product/hans-haveron-design-adam-lambert-tattoo-skeleton-key-pendant