Reflections from a non-Burner on the devolving of Burning Man

Burning Man 'officially' began right around the time I turned 30.  I had just begun my own journey into a desert.  One bereft of color, art, diversity and quiet time to connect with the spirit world.  In fact I was neck-deep in fundamentalist, charismatic "christianity"...probably as far away from the light as I have ever gotten.  By 1990, when the move to Black Rock City on the Playa started, I was living in the 4th circle of Hell in Daytona Beach.   Forced back into working full-time while raising a 6 year old, there was no time or money for arts or nurturing my inner hippie.  I'd been separated from the LGBT community by a homophobic spouse and remnants of the mind-games of the previously mentioned religious group.  California wasn't just another state, not even a different country...a whole different planet, completely foreign to me.

My first knowledge of the annual gathering of the tribes on the dry lake-bed in Nevada came 19 years into its existence.  By then I was five years into the chapter of my life that saw the arts, colors and light return to my life.  Things about the event really spoke to me.  "Radical individualism".  Complete counter-culture.  Courageous art.  Unbridled collaboration.  Deep and genuine trust.  All races, creeds, genders, sexualities, rich, poor, painters, sculptors, writers, dancers, musicians, everyone.  All peacefully gathered to revel in life unrestricted. This was what had happened to the few true hippies still left, the ones that hadn't let me down.

Sadly, the indoctrination and brainwashing by the Powers That Be (the uber-wealthy, corporate controllers) have done a great deal of damage creating a mindless flock.  I'm not saying that young adults are not going to experiment, are not going to push back and swim against the tide but they do that as a herd now too.  I started questioning changes I was seeing in Burning Man just as quickly as I discovered the gathering.  By this year, as with friends who are veteran Burners, I am completely disillusioned and have no urge to ever attend.  "The Man", the societal norm, and commercialism have sunk their ugly claws into the festival and now it's name sake has become "The Man" that hippies sought to destroy fifty years ago.

Today Burning Man is mostly about disposable art much of which is set to the torch at some point during the six-days of BRC.  Yesterday I saw a photograph of one sculpture being immolated in huge orange balls of flame that rendered thick black smoke.  What is the message here from a people who claim to be all about saving Mother Earth?  How is this environmentally responsible? Other works leave huge carbon footprints being brought in by pollutant belching diesel flatbeds then disassembled and apparently delivered to some scrapyard after 'the burn' as they are never re-erected away from the Playa.  I wholly understand the Tibetan monks and their chalk/sand mandelas to teach that beauty and life are not permanent but they are made from natural materials and dyes and can be swept away and return to the earth.  However, two semi's welded together?  A great feat of art and engineering but what happened to these two trucks after Burning Man?  After the festival in 2011, crews reported that the temple had burned so hot that there was virtually nothing left...no ash, no metal hardware shards, nothing.  What does that say about the vapors of that pyre? I'm thinking there was more than one toxic compound sent onto the wind that night.

What was once a gathering of people who were seeking their unique individuality who sometimes used drugs to reach a "higher consciousness" has turned into a whole lot of young adults seeing how high they can get as they rave 24-7 and completely miss the point of the whole thing.  Then there are all the RVs and travel trailers.  How does one learn radical survivalism if they bring their house and all the amenities with them?  Post festival, organizers are now saddled with a giant mess as more and more attendees come to party and don't heed the rule "of leaving the Playa the way you found it".  Businesses and homes along the exit route deal with dumpsters and trashcans overflowing with Burning Man waste from people too lazy to schlep it home and properly recycle and dispose of it.  The fragile desert is also subjected to the abuse of a makeshift airport.  How hippie is it to fly in, live in a rented RV that was delivered to one's camp complete with a/c and fly back out?  Let someone else take care of removing said RV, pumping the sewage tank, taking out the trash, and let the Rangers take care of rounding up the bicycles you left behind.

And then came the final straw...THE INTERNET!  What really triggered this blog was a Twitter post by Instagram to come look at photos from Burning Man 2014.  Immediate thought?  People are posting photos from the Playa to Instagram. This means they have access to the Internet which in turn says that either somehow the organizers are providing wifi or deep in the desert of Nevada, there is actually cell service.  Then comes the thought...why did you bring your phone to Burning Man?  Isn't this supposed to be about disconnecting from the establishment?  The organizers have radios in case of emergencies.  There are also local law enforcement officers on site.  State police are prevalent along entrance and exit routes to help those who breakdown.  Why do you have your cell phone?  You are now tapped into some big corporation that is providing your service.  You have access to other companies advertising.  You're using social networks to plan your activities instead of being gutsy enough to actually talk to other attendees and maybe make some new friends. You are putting all kinds of money in the pockets of "the 1%" who you are trying to separate yourself from even if just for a few days. This just feels like the final round that has brought the original intent of Burning Man down.  

No, Burning Man is just another product of the Establishment.  It is a make-believe place where people go to "rebel" for six days then go back to being their usual asshole, entitled selves.  Oh wait!  They did that while they were there too.  Shooting selfies with their boobs out, totally wasted on E looking for the next DJ set to party at.  The core tribes, the genuine artists and free-thinkers, fight for tickets to the event they started.  The groups that meet up to decompress are very small, a tiny fraction of the tens of thousands who populated Black Rock City.

It will be interesting to see how tribal gatherings will evolve or if they will.  Is humanity just doomed to continue an existence of segregation, war, competition, violence and indoctrination.  Will the many continue to allow themselves to be herded by the few?  Will the tiny little pockets of counter-cultures remain off the radar and only maintain true peace on a small scale? Feel free to chime in on this.  And you can disagree even vehemently.  Please, give me real reasons to think otherwise.  Give me real hope.  Or start a dialogue that actually sparks progress toward community building on a large scale.  Give me hope that we truly are in the early stages of labor to birth the New Age.

Cassidy Haley releases The Lovers

After three long years and an even longer spiritual and emotional journey, Cassidy Haley has finally released his album, The Lovers.  As one of the original inspirations for this blog, it was only made sense to reconnect with him and allow him to tell more of his and this record's story.

So let me start with a question that is the result of getting to finally talk to and get to know Dream Rockwell.  She mentioned that she had reconnected with you in the Fall of 2012.  At that time you had just completed a spiritual seclusion.  What triggered it and what was the result?  How much of the experience is responsible for the completion of The Lovers and are there songs on the album that came out of it?

It was triggered by a deep healing that took place when I began my relationship with the love of my life, Jillian Ann. When we began dating (dating again actually, we had been lovers in previous years) I was still reeling from a really bad breakup that truly left me devastated. She helped me pick up the pieces of my life and find myself again. I started meditating and shaved my head and really dissected what made me tick and what patterns I was creating out of my life. For all the personal growth work I had done previously, this time period took me ever so much deeper. I started seeing a shaman, who helped me sort out so much internal stuff and did some powerful 10 day silent meditation retreat. Jillian and I have such a deep bond and went through so much together as we really discovered all the deepest darkest parts of each other. All of this really took me into a deep seclusion. Regarding The Lovers, when I started to really understand who I was and what I was doing here I had to take stock of what I had created. I threw out some songs that didn't fit me anymore and added some songs that really fit where I am at in my life. The first half of the album deals with my breakup and the second half deals with the love and connecting Iine was creating with Jillian. I basically started over at that point and re-recorded all the songs and remixed them. so I really made the album twice. 

From the beginning this album has pulled inspiration from the Tarot, spiritual and emotional balance.  Talk a little more about the final product and these ideals.  

I would say that while tarot has inspired me, what I am really expressing are universal archetypes. From the day I released my first EP, Little Boys and Dinosaurs, I had the vision for all my albums to follow. First THE FOOL, then THE LOVERS..and there are more to follow. For me, art has always carried a powerful level of manifestation. I write, paint, and sing that which I am working on..or seeking in my life, and from there it manifests in the world.  For THE LOVERS, it was as much about the different aspects of myself as it was about my relationship to others. 

Prophetically, I met the girl of my dreams while making it and could not be happier. The tag line for the album is "our true nature is to love that which opposes us" which to me means the duality inside us as well as the duality we experience in relationship. The "other" is something we are always measuring ourselves against. To truly love someone you have to love all of them, and that is the nature of love itself. Because when we love someone even with all their triggers and trauma and insecurities, it gives us permission to truly love all of those things in ourselves, which is what really makes someone unstoppable. and thus leads to my next album..THE HERO. 

How does or will fashion, performance, visual arts and music all come together with The Lovers?

That remains to be seen. Jillian and I have our project, RITUAL (www.makelifearitual.com) which encompasses all those things. We will be releasing our first single under the name "Ritual" later this spring. In terms of fashion and performance we will be focusing our main energy on that. Mainly because we want to spend our time together. and if we focused on solo projects we may not be able to travel as much together, so we started a band. 

For want of a better phrase, is this a concept album?  Is there a definitive beginning, middle and conclusion?

Definitely. It starts with the struggle of a relationship and ends with the triumph of finally accepting and loving "the other". Technically, the first four songs are about my breakup and the last four songs are about current relationship. The process of one to the other was detailed in the journey of this album. For instance, The first Valentines Day I spent with Jillian she found a painting I had done..a self-portrait that my ex-boyfriend had literally stabbed in the heart before he left. He ripped a huge hole right through the heart of the character I had painted. Later I went back and painted blood dripping from the heart and left it hanging on the wall as some sort of reminder I suppose. But on that Valentines Day, it literally flew off the wall and hit her on the head. She was like "what is going on with this painting?" after I told her, we decided to do a ritual. we took the painting up to my roof and literally burned it. I let go of so much pain that night. It was a ritual of cleansing. When we got back downstairs I wrote the song "Never Again" which is the second song on the album. Each of these songs has an equally in-depth story to it and I've placed them just so to illustrate the journey. My journey of THE LOVERS.

Can we expect more great music videos from these tracks?

I hope so! that depends entirely on how far it reaches. I spent every dime i could on this album (way beyond the money i raised through Kickstarter in 2011) and so now I am just going to see what happens and respond. I have visions for videos for all these songs...but I will have to let fate decide about which song actually gets made into a video. We do have an epic music video planned for "Ritual" we will be shooting in the next few months..I cant wait. 

Feel free to speak at length about anything else that went into this project that I haven't asked.

Well I guess I would say that it feels so weird to finally be done with it. The last 2.5 years of my life have always been consumed with this album. From the day I raised 16,000 dollars for my Kickstarter campaign I was forever changed. Raising that much money, while not a lot to some artists, was a huge deal to me and gave me the biggest kick in the ass to make this album as good as it could be. I wrote and re-wrote each song and spent countless hours obsessing over every track. Now, its done. I am so proud of this album, more than anything I have ever done. Jillian helped me co-produce and added piano and strings and even sang background on a few tracks. which is just so lovely to me..creating art with the one you love is priceless..I highly recommend it.

You can purchase The Lovers and learn more about Cassidy Haley at www.cassidyhaley.com 

Lightning in a Bottle drops Official 2014 Trailer

Solidifying its position as the premiere boutique festival in California (and likely the entire country) Lightning in a Bottle music and arts festival shows why they simply can't be outdone. 

The video shares both dimensions of what makes this festival special. Both yin and yang are on display as viewers get warmed up only to be dropped into a magical land of sensory overload. 

This video features some of last year's performers including  Purity Ring, NicolasJaar, Rusko,Griz, Tycho, Lucent Dossier Experience, Emancipator, Paper Diamond, Panty Raid, Lee Burridge, and Herbert Bail Orchestra while also providing voice to the elders and children of this beautiful festival experience.

The 2014 Lightning in a Bottle will take place at the San Antonio Recreation Area in Bradley, CA on Memorial Day weekend May 22nd to May 26th. Lake San Antonio sits almost perfectly in between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the beautiful Monterrey County (Google Maps).

Rush-N-Get-Em tickets available on Feb 18th at 10AM for 24 hrs, over on the LiB website, so warm up those fingers because these bad boys are gonna go fast! And stay tuned for the lineup announcement in a few weeks.

*Produced by The Do LaB, Lighting in a Bottle is known for featuring electronic music pioneers, in addition to featuring groundbreaking transformative speakers and education, world-class yoga classes, and workshops surrounding dance, sustainability, permaculture, and healing arts.

The keys to Prince Puja's kingdom

Thanks to a new product line that Prince Puja has added, I was drawn back to this beautiful soul.  It is my honor and pleasure to finally add him to this blog where he belongs and share his journey and the latest additions to his jewelry creations.

It's been over three years since we last talked.  I have been keeping an eye on you and know that you are still promoting your lines on the web and have done trunk shows, arts events and Etsy.  What else has been happening with Puja both in the jewelry and fashion worlds?

I've just really been working on my craft. Developing my skills as well as my vision. I started taking some metal smithing classes and I just recently released a new collection (Key Elements) and have a few more things that I'm getting ready to release.

What are some of your biggest challenges getting your work recognized?

There are just so many super talented people out there doing their own thing now so it's just a matter of continuing to develop my skills and vision and constantly being out in the world in whatever way I can... social media, events, collaborations, etc. But I've realized lately that the most important thing to me is to create my work. I feel like there will always be ups and downs and there will always be people who like my work and people who don't so it's just a matter of creating what I truly believe in and sharing it with the people who care and want to support it.

Over the past two years I've become more aware of the differences between L.A. and the NY metro area as far as arts communities, lack thereof and arts cultures.  In your art, does competition play a big role in getting your "voice heard" above the others?

I think there is a healthy level of competition but I don't like to focus on that aspect too much. I think everyone who is truly following their own voice has a place in the art community (or world for that matter). I'm more interested in supporting and collaborating with other talented artists than trying to compete.

Is there collaboration in the jewelry world like there is in the performance and other visual arts part of the tribe.  Where, if at all, do you find a "leg up" from other members of the tribe?

I haven't done a lot of collaborative work but it's definitely something I'm very interested in getting into. At some point I would love to do some jewelry for a designer's show/presentation/lookbook. Again, I think my only real "leg up" is my ability to follow my own voice and persevere (continuing to create my work and get it out there as much as possible).

Your new key line was the spiritual kick for me to get back in touch with you.  What inspired it?  Do you find symbolism in keys, whole or broken, that fuels your muses?  Has this key line opened any doors for you?  What are your sources for keys (tag sales, found on the street, etc)?

My new key collection (Key Elements) all started with a lock and key that I got at a market in India a few years ago. They were just so beautiful so I got them and just had them on my bookshelf for a while and then the collection just came to me one day and I knew I had to physically manifest the ideas in my head. The lock has Shiva on one side (the Hindu God of Destruction) and an Om on the back.

Keys to me have so much symbolism. They open up worlds of possibilities. They can unlock secrets, treasures, memories, etc. And this collection in particular is all about finding the elements that make up the key(s) to unlocking your inner strength/power.

Are there other new lines in the works?  What are some of your current inspirations?

Working on a couple new collections right now. I feel like I've really started to find my voice recently and I'm so excited about the direction that I'm going now. I'm constantly inspired by anything and everything around me but a few of the big inspirations that I always go back to are India, religion, tribal people, traditional ethnic clothes, etc.

As for fashion...Do you strictly design for yourself?  Do you think you will explore more in that medium over time?  I know your culture/heritage is a big factor in your designing.  Where else do you draw inspiration from?

I'm always trying to bring all of the ideas in my head into reality so clothing/fashion always plays a big part in that. Whenever I go to India I get stuff made there because the quality and their knowledge of traditional Indian clothes is amazing. One day I might do a line but I feel like when I do it will be very specific and concentrated. Again there are so many talented people and so much great stuff out there right now that I just don't want to put out something unless I feel like it's really special/unique.

Lately I'm in what I'm calling "Dorothy mode".  My trip to CA in July never happened.  Initially it really bummed me out and then I found myself remembering Glinda's question to Dorothy just before she shows her how to use the ruby slippers.  "What have you learned?"  After a moment's thought Dorothy replies "If you can't find your heart's desire in your own backyard, then you never lost it in the first place".  Once I accepted that more and more members of the tribe have been coming east and I have gotten to spend time with them in NYC.  Do you think you will be traveling in this direction any time?

I love that! I haven't been to NYC in a few years and I've been itching to get out there. Don't have any plans yet but it's definitely something I'm working on! That line really rings true for me because I have loved traveling my whole life and I haven't gotten to do a lot of it in the past couple years and it's really forced me to appreciate where I am and learn that if I don't need to leave and go somewhere else to follow my dreams. (Although it is super fun to explore new places and is always such a learning experience so I'm looking forward to traveling again soon!)

I have gotten to know many members of the L.A. tribe now.  I also know that more than one of them are not "burners".  Have you ever been to Burning Man or any of the arts festivals?

I actually haven't! =( YET! Haha. I've been wanting to go for a few years but same thing with me, it just hasn't worked out with money/logistics. Part of me is a little sad that I didn't get to go sooner because I've heard Burning Man has changed quite a bit in the past few years but it's definitely something I want to experience and I feel like it will really be an important experience for me.

For more information on Prince Puja please visit:

• http://www.princepuja.com
• http://www.pujajewelry.com
• http://www.twitter.com/princepuja
• http://www.joshuafrompuja.tumblr.com
• http://www.facebook.com/kingdomofpuja
• http://www.formspring.me/joshikoshi

Please check back tomorrow for my interview with Puja's gorgeous "twin sister", Rahab.

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  

What Moves You? : Alexander D.C.D. Smith

What Moves You? : Alexander D.C.D. Smith:

'via Blog this'

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.

Loud light to drown out the dark

Last night, again, I was thinking about the lightbearers, the revolutionaries and the rebels.  For those who are not familiar with my feelings on the current socio-political situation in this country...I grow more fearful each day with how loud the darkness is getting.  People who claim to be "children of the light" and lovers of a benevolent Divine Being spew hate, fear and hypocrisy with greater regularity.  One of their battle cries is that socialism will overtake us and we will all become prisoners of the state.  However, they also preach a message of enslavement to their 'god'.

Then I looked at The Tribes, especially those that are not only creating art and encouraging new artists but using their art to send messages, build communities, build buildings, grow new businesses and preach a message of individuality within a communal group.  These are visionaries.  These are the hope to save the Republic.  These are the lightbearers.

So I call to the Tribes to turn up your light and shine it proud.  Make your voices and colors heard over the darkness.  Drown it out with beauty, conservation, fair trade, home-grown businesses, and a true concern for your fellow man.

This blog/zine is here to spread your voices.  To help you connect with each other and turn up the volume.  If you are aware of a story that needs to be told, a person or community that needs to be in the spotlight or a gathering that needs promotion, please email me.  I feel in my spirit that this is where I am supposed to focus most of my energy now.  In an effort to make this a place of real information and to aid the cause (along with self-discipline) I am making a set schedule:
Monday - coverage of the Northeastern US
Tuesday - Southeast
Wednesday - Midwest
Thursday - Southwest
Friday - West Coast
Weekends will be for special features and OpEd.
The site will be updated by 10 a.m. ET every day.

Deadline for submissions will be 5 business days prior to publish.  Example: if you have information pertinent to the West Coast, it must be to me by the previous Friday.  If you submit any actual art including photos, graphics, literary pieces, include credits and copyright information.  I will accept guest posts for the weekend additions.

I ask that you do what you can to promote this publication.  Subscribe and share as much as possible.  It is your voice as well as mine.

Light the fires
Beat the drums
Sing the song of a new revolution
Paint the walls
Sculpt the totems
We are the children of the Tribe

Success vs Sellout - hanging on to idealism and integrity

A cup of coffee and a shower got the brain moving into this train of thought...if an artist reaches the point of “success” will it always result in “sellout”.  Can idealism and true creativity survive a record deal, business venture or publishing contract.

In the circles I run in, probably the best known cry of “sellout” gets thrown at Green Day.  These Bay Area punk rockers started with their altruistic mission to share the angst of the young to the point where the kids would sing along.  Billy Joe and his cohorts created musical art that broke the rules.  They felt the simple design atheistic of three or four chords, a solid bass line and a drum track that was the heartbeat of a patient suffering from a severe panic attack and worked it into really good songs.  In the beginning success was getting a gig in a small club and having ten people turn out.  Success was those ten people sharing the emotional experience of Green Day’s musical art.  The boys went home, after calming their adrenalin high with the beer they got paid in, and relived the moment over and over, allowing it to feed the muses.  

Everything seemed to genuine and organic through album after album.  The artistic integrity prevailed until...American Idiot.  Now it wasn’t that Green Day didn’t have any radio hits to that point.  Gods only know how many high school graduations had to suffer through “Good Riddance” (Time Of Your Life)?  But...it was still music for the sake of recreating emotions and sharing them with an audience.  American Idiot, initially, was a grander creation.  I’m not saying that it was the band's vision for it to become a massive pop-rock record that would produce multiple singles, massive videos, arena tours and a shit-ton of merch.  I want to believe it was created from the heart.  And maybe Billy did have thoughts in the back of his head about the eventual Broadway musical and that it would be art for art’s sake with nothing to do with the major bank it would all bring in.  But it is obvious that somewhere along they way, American Idiot became a cash cow and the follow up album was just a rehash/sequel.  

With new artists of all genres showing up on the radar screens lately, especially in the current pop culture environment of “cheap art”, what does it mean for them?  First and foremost, it’s easy to separate sheep and goats when it comes to people with talent who just want to make a buck.  They are picked out easily by managers, promoters, and agents.  You hear them on the radio, see them on movie posters (as graphics artists and actors), watch them stealing shows on television or choosing their sculpture from a display at Pier 1.  Could any of them be a real artist?  Yes.  Do they want to be?  Well they think they are but it really is about the dollar signs.

Then there are the people that truly do have the artist mentality and heart.  They start out with the greatest of intentions to change the world through their creations.  Today they take their royalty checks feeling the tug on their guilty conscious, telling themselves that they need to eat and as soon as the car, house, boat, etc. is paid off they will go back to creating art with substance.  They won’t but they tell themselves they will.  Does some genuine art come from this group?  Yes.  Definitely more than the previously mentioned one.

Then there are the true idealists.  They really do love the ‘payment’ they receive in the reactions of their audiences.  They smile watching us walk down the street in their clothes knowing that not only is their name on the label but they actually designed it.  Their hearts melt a little when they hear us humming one of their compositions.  Watching us ooh and ahhh as they hang upside down in the midst of an aerial ballet makes them fly higher and spin faster.  

I want to believe, as more of them enter the mainstream and share their art with larger audiences, that that idealism remains.  Coming from tribes where it has been nurtured and cultivated with added measures of concern for humanity and the planet, there is a strong ethic within them.  But it will take audiences challenging themselves to open up to this level of art rather than demanding it be brought down to a discount store level for it survive on a broader plain and for the artists to make enough money to live without selling out.  To help promote this effort, visit your local gallery, small music venue or summer stock theater.  Don’t break down and turn on Top 40 radio, patronize some big arena tour or buy a framed print at Home Goods.  Help grow a new integrity in the arts and their audiences.

Hans Haveron - moving toward the light

Mural done for Lightning In A Paint Can

I recently had the chance to sit down with Hans Haveron, fine artist from West Hollywood.  Haveron is another one of the post-modern gypsies who now reside in Southern California.  He had just returned from "Lightning In A Bottle", the annual gathering of the tribes that takes place in Silverado, CA.


Hans was still very excited about his time at Oak Canyon Ranch.  At the event he created a five-foot "live mural"...a piece that is part performance, part painting for the "Lightning In A Paint Can" fundraiser for The DoArt Foundation.  I asked what surface he used for this work.  He said that he usually packs some large canvases and a staple gun.  The fabric can be stretched between trees, mounted to a wood frame or a convenient wall.  He went on to say that he has traveled to other countries and just picked up trash found lying around and painted on it.

Just before "Lightning In A Bottle", Hans had been commissioned to paint a tour bus for Felix Lighting.  The project was completed in one day along with Sean Griffin using "cans and caps", graffiti art.  I asked if there was anything he hasn't painted on, knowing he has covered slices of trees, factory windows and the bus.  Haveron responded that he's sure there are things he hasn't painted yet but he has worked on a fair variety of things including "planes, trains, and automobiles...and boats."

Tour bus for Felix Lighting - collaboration with Sean Griffin

 Where did all of this gorgeous art start?  Haveron ran away from his home in Texas at the age of fifteen.  On the road he picked up a spray can and did a lot of graffiti art.  Eventually he added bristle and airbrushes to his arsenal.

After landing in West Hollywood, Hans did many things to keep life and limb together.  Some commercial art, modeling and make-up.  As he integrated himself into the WeHo Tribe, he connected with groups such as Lucent Dossier, the burlesque cirque troupe.  He designed the airbrush, fantasy style make-up that they continue to use today, after Hans stopped working with them.  "Imitation is a sincere form of flattery" is how Hans prefers to look at it rather than being angry over being ripped-off. 

Cassidy Haley with body art
by Hans Haveron

Haveron worked for eight years as a model.  This put him together with a group of clothing designers that  would become Skingraft Designs.  Here he added people like Cassidy Haley and Johnny Cota to his circle.  He recently worked with Skingraft on the Britney Spears video. 

Another clothing designer he connected with was Roxy Contin.  Roxy is currently Haveron's business partner and room-mate along with being an very successful designer in her own right.  Hans has recently collaborated with her on some design projects. 

Getting down to the really nitty-gritty of Hans' art, he gave a beautiful analogy of how he approaches the creative process.  He said "It's like making a Mother's Day card.  There is nothing in your heart but excitement and love.  You just want to make something amazing for love.  All my art is done out of love and gratitude for being here.  It's like a Universe Day card, thanking it for all the good things.  It's a gift.  An offering."

What drew me to Hans' art was all the symbolism I perceived as I went through the catalogs he has on-line.  Fish, butterflies, moths, these things seemed to speak to me and were the driving force to try to book this interview.  It turns out these symbols were not just my perception but very intentional.   The first thing he explained was my error in identifying certain fish as koi.  They are telescope goldfish, which are bred and raised by the Buddhist monks of Tibet.  Many of the female figures denote the Goddess and the prominent moth is always moving toward the light.

Haveron likes symbolism because he feels it creates doorways for your mind.  Certain objects and creatures cause you to think.  They are also represent spiritual ideals.  Hans considers himself very spiritual, a result of coming through a rough early life and emerging on the other side intact physical, emotionally and psychologically. 

The most profound story he shared with me in regards to symbolism was the explanation of his painting "Sepia's Secret".  Recently pop-rocker Adam Lambert chose an element from the painting as inspiration for his latest tattoo.  The painting had existed for a while and Lambert has now purchased it.  In "Sepia's Secret"  there is the female "goddess", her cloak outstretched to protect two children, symbols of innocence and counterpoint to the ego.  They hold a large key.  Above the goddess is the all-seeing eye of the universe, with its keyhole shaped pupil.

The point of the story is that the child holds the key to unlock the wisdom of the universe.  Therefore all of us but especially artists of all types must always make sure the child is present.  The most difficult part of being an artist is the battle against the ego to let the child prevail so the art can be made.  The child is the creator.  If the ego gets too big, the child dies and so will your art.  It was after Adam learned this story that he chose the key for his growing collection of body art. His previous tattoos, the eye of Horus and the infinity symbol also have very specific meanings to the musician.

Hans says Adam's choice makes complete sense as he does an amazing job of keeping his ego in check and calling on his child to create.  He is a pure spirit who loves helping his friends.  As for Lambert's art, despite his success he still doesn't settle for less than his best. 

Lambert shared the tattoo via Twitter and included a mention of Hans' inspiration.  Word traveled fast and Haveron found himself talking to the head of ICM, an agency that represents actors such as Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, who congratulated him for having his art being chosen.  This is the first time, that he is aware of, that someone has had any of his work inked on themselves.

Moving on to other works, Hans has done more than one large mural with other artists.  I asked if he prefers collaborative works or creating solo.  He continued on the theme of the ego vs the child by saying that collaborations pull from a different side.  They challenge him to subdue that ego that wants to show-off and take charge of the project so that the child can just let go.  When working alone these two sides also fight for dominance but it's all internal.  He likes both opportunities because of these differences. 

A question I have been asking every artist I talk to is, "What other 'art languages' do you speak?"  I have learned that most creative people, once they tap into that first talent, challenge themselves to find other medium they can recreate emotions in that will connect with observers allowing them to become participants.  Haveron is a classically trained musician who plays guitar, bass and flute.  He is a welder, woodworker and performance artist.   

The last question I got in before we had to wrap due to a photoshoot at his studio was based on listening to the tracks Hans has on his playlist on his Myspace.  There is a lot of "free composition" electronica.  I wanted to know if this is the type of music he listens to when he is working.  He said for the most part, yes.  He likes it to be "other worldly".  He favors pieces with electronically created noises.  He tries to imagine what might make that noise or what the world would look like where the sound came from. 

As we parted we agreed this wouldn't be the last time we talked.  I've already started a new list of questions in the days that followed this conversation.  We both look forward to doing it again.

Haveron Studios
Hans Haveron on Myspace
Haveron Studios on Facebook

Hans and I would like to extend a very special thank you to Adam for giving permission to publish the tattoo/painting story.  There were no Adam questions in my prepared list as I wanted this interview to be about Hans.  The story was part of his spontaneous response to the question about symbolism.  We agreed that I would not include it though unless Adam was ok with it as he has not spoken about it to the press previously.  I'd also like to give a huge thank you to Hans for giving me the photo of he and Adam.  I ask all readers to direct others to come here to view it, rather than copying and pasting it all over the internet. 

Inside or out, is the tribe “safe”

Yes, a tribe can be a sanctuary. But it is in no way “safe”, neither within nor without.

Within the community artists are “safe” to congregate with little concern for those who disapprove of them damaging or polluting their muses. However, once the group begins either individual or collaborative works, the safety net is removed, the bulletproof vests come off and the security guards run for cover. A real work of art requires souls to be laid bare and hearts exposed. Emotions are fair game and are depicted in voice, paint, clay, and words. Others will add critique, edits and embellishments. Some may fight back defending the work in its original form. It is a free-for-all where art is birthed, cultivated, fertilized and grown in to bigger, better, more exciting, more daring.

To create requires risk and courage. It is leaps of faith where, most times, the jumper is allowed to fall, if for no other reason than to see how the impact will affect the final product.
Some creation are the result of fire, water, and wind in their most destructive forms. Other artists must be mindful of torches, filled wine glasses or large fans.

The tribe will support and defend itself and its members when it goes out into the more unsafe space outside the community. It is in the “real” world of cowards art is anything but “safe”. It is radical. It is revolutionary. It adds color to their gray spaces. It makes them hum along. It makes their feet move in other ways rather than one foot in front of the other…over and over and over again.

Art makes them question their faith. Art makes them feel something…anything. Art dares them to to be different. Artisans are not safe people.

So if you want safe? Join the flock that follows itself blindly into the corner of the pen in a rain storm only to suffocate each other. Walk in lockstep, questioning nothing. Live in a place of constant fear.
Or be brave. Thumb your nose at safety. Come into the tribe and live fearlessly.