Martin Parr Chats in Chinatown

Not only did the evening include the chance to see two of his short films, both steeped in the iconic British humor and artfully crafted candidness (much like a strong "cuppa") that the legendary photographer is known and loved for, but his appearance was accompanied by a Q&A afterwards, and Office couldn't pass up that opportunity.

To celebrate Magnum Photos' 70th anniversary, Metrograph cinema hosted an evening event and double feature of Parr's classic documentary shorts, Think of England and Teddy Gray's Sweet Factory. Both reflective of his quintessential view, his unique angle and ability to highlight, celebrate, and discuss the mundane minutae of plebian society and elevate it to something interesting and beautiful.

As we can all expect from Metrograph, the invigorating lecture turned into an intimate Q&A, where it was the ultimate revelation to be able to chat with Parr about his work, hear his opinions on film versus photography, Magnum, the inability to swim, and candy.

He was expectedly witty, blunt and humble, much like his work in the medium. On the beach, he comments,

"Before you ask, I don’t have holidays. Because why would you have a holiday from the thing you like doing, you know, I am paid to do my hobby. But my partner likes the water, and that is why I have so many beach pictures. And I can’t swim. Not because I am on the shore with my camera, photographing. I just quite literally can't swim."

It is this semi-sarcastic take on the world and our social settings that have gotten him so far, and allowed him to excell. This week, Magnum Agency will meet to determine the members who will accelerate withing the acclaimed photography alliance, and whom the new entries will be. On his role within Magnum, he states,

"I am a very serious photographer, but I am basically creating entertainment. Within it is some kind of serious message, and I am not going to label or push that, but it's there if someone wants to dip into it. I am a highly politicized photographer, but you wouldnt know it by looking at it."

And what is next for Parr?

"I have a coloring book coming out in the Autumn, or as you say, Fall." The audience laughed, and he raised his eyebrow, "Why would I lie? Go pre-order on Amazon."

Finally, as we snapped his picture, we got our chance to throw Parr off topic a bit, asking him his favorite sweet, which made him literally start sweating as he searched for a reply,

"Never been asked that before, wow. Herbal tablets, I suppose."

Check out Metrograph Cinema for more of their upcoming events.

Culture

Vans Skate and Anthony Van Engelen: AVE 2.0 Release & Gallery Tour in LA

Marking a special moment in their twenty-year-long relationship, the AVE 2.0 is Van Engelen’s latest signature shoe. Commemorating the release, Vans presented the inaugural installment of its “Commitment to Progression” gallery tour with an archival AVE exhibition and talk with Catherine Acosta (Vans Chief Archivist and Historian) and Neal Shoemakers (Director of Design, Vans Skate), followed by a Vans Skate team demo, and an open-call, cash-for-tricks session at the brand's DTLA flagship.

AVE, Catherine Acosta (Vans Chief Archivist and Historian), and Neal Shoemakers (Director of Design, Vans Skate

The "Commitment to Progression" tour will land in Shanghai and Seoul later this year.

Check out scenes from the cash-for-tricks session that closed out the night below.

Culture

Moss Grows In Midtown

At the club’s inaugural salon in their interim Midtown space (a 59th floor penthouse, no less) supporters and friends of the club gathered for a panel discussion with designer and researcher Mindy Seu, in conversation with culinary artist and producer Angel Dimayuga. The conversation floated between topics grounded in love and relationships, Seu’s latest work, “Cyberfeminism Index”, and humorous explanations of the menu that guests received throughout the panel.

Sipping on “Reverse Aging” cocktails (algae and coconut fat-based), attendees sampled earthy mochis bathed in broth, a grassy custard mixture seductively dolloped into a curved glass (meant for licking off), and strewn-high piles of radishes and leafy greens on a grazing table.

Moss’s permanent location will open at 520 Fifth Avenue in 2025, a five-story clubhouse that promises a cocktail of intrigue and unexpected flavor.

Culture

Empowering Artisty at Free Arts NYC's 2024 Benefit Gala

For the gala, the guest list and committees (including a particularly slick afterparty board) spanned the realms of culture, art, and fashion in New York. The organization counted Larry Gagosian, Kim Gordon, and SUPREME’s James Jebbia among its event roster, as well as stylists Danielle Goldberg and Beverly Nguyen, the Salon21 and Visionary Projects teams, and art advisor and editor K.O. Nnamdie.

Artists across a range of disciplines and backgrounds contributed work to the auction, supported by Artsy. This year’s range included pieces by Shaniqwa Jarvis, Bill Saylor, Jamie Nares (warmly accompanied by her daughter at the gala), and Tariku Shiferaw.

“We’ve established a relationship where I’m able to mentor a team of interns, and I was invited to donate a piece for the auction. Their programs are about gifting the next generation with the skills and knowledge to succeed,” Shiferaw shared.

Between a festive dinner by Tillie’s and a cheeky speech from Wool’s close friend Richard Maxwell, a guest took the stage to share her story: Yaqueline Hernandez, an FIT graduate now on the design team at Derek Fordjour Studios.

Emigrating with her family from Mexico at age two, Hernandez shared during a moving speech, she never imagined a future that included college or a career in the arts. With a hunger to achieve and the warm patronage of the organization, she made a new future possible. Raucous cheers and raised glasses accompanied her closing statements, before guests moved on to the afterparty to finish off the evening.

“It’s not just a non-profit organization, but a dynamic community of students, artists, and supporters. Everyone's enthusiasm and participation is key – we grow together,” the group’s Development Manager Rachel Park shared.

The evening coincided with the opening of Wool’s latest exhibition, See Stop Run, a survey of the artist’s works over the past decade. Throughout the show’s run over the next four months, he will invite Free Arts NYC school groups, community centers, and emerging young artists from around the city to visit and participate in specialized workshops.