Take Me to Turbeville

Ralph Pucci has always been an inspiration to us here at K2–to visit his NYC gallery and penthouse loft showroom is to be transported into a fantasy factory of genius. Known for mixing art and decoration on a major scale, Pucci’s wall installations are legendary. We recall being swept away by the uber-romantic fashion photography of Deborah Turbeville–her dreamy, intimate scenes were blown up to epic proportions and mounted on aluminum panels for the perfect contrast of hard and soft. With the release of her new book, The Fashion Pictures, Turbeville returns to the fashion world, giving us a fresh look at the secret universe she created with lighting and color that makes you want to melt into every image.  Check out this great interview with Turbeville at Style.com.

Pozos, Mexico – Valentino, 2011

Krakow, Poland – W magazine, 1998

Paris, Mirabella – 1989

Blek Future

Here at K2 we appreciate art, good art that is in all forms—whether high brow or low, street art or fine, if there is soul and passion behind it, so are we. That’s why Saturday November 19th we will be heading to Nine Four One Gallery in San Francisco for the Godfather of stencil art, Blek le Rat’s opening. His biggest show to date is entitled 60/30 and is being called “one of the most historically significant the street art community has seen” by the gallery as well as marking the 60th birthday of the artist and the 30th anniversary of the birth of his art.

Nine Four One Gallery explains: “Thirty years ago, when Blek le Rat first started to paint his local streets, this was certainly not the case. Unaware of the eventual prominence his style would gain and motivated by the idea of using art to spread ideas of social consciousness, Blek’s first major move was the flooding of Paris with his signature piece, the silhouette of a rat. These vermin spread from the subways of the Périphérique to alleyways of Montmartre and could be seen all throughout the city and soon thereafter, in surrounding cities as well. The traveling plague was a warning and also a call to awareness- rats are one of the last wild animals that thrive in the city, and even though they may not be seen, rest assured, the city is filled with them. ‘It is about uprising, a signal of rebellion. It’s our revolution,” Blek once explained in an interview.

Stencils are now a widely used form of art and expression made increasingly popular by UK artist Banksy and others but if you want to see where it all started we suggest you check out this show going through January 7, 2012.

Love Bomb

When artists cross mediums of expression the result can usually go one of two ways, thankfully for artist and furniture manufacturer Allan Switzer the result is more than successful. While Switzer’s family may be known as a pre-eminent source for antique reproductions with quality craftsmanship, Allan has made a name for himself in the art world for thought provoking pieces done in style. Here is a new piece from the Canadian star called “Love Bomb”, the thing we most admire about Alan’s work is the attention to detail—the obscure message behind the perfect placed geometric pattern that almost works the viewer into a psychedelic trance. For more on Allan Switzer’s inspiring artwork visit Saatchi Gallery at saatchionline.com

Mr. Brainwash Made Me Do It

Because here at K2 Connection we appreciate art in all it’s glorious forms, we would like to bring to your attention to Mr. Brainwash. A famed street/graffiti artists, mostly working in large stencils and wheat pastes in and around NYC. His style can be market by iconic figures such as Madonna, Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock and Charley Chaplain dripping paint from a bucket, in various forms across the city. Thanks to those prolific artists such as Banksy, this “street” style is becoming more widely accepted and recognized as fine art. So before Mr. Brainwash’s NYC show is over on March 31st, head down to the Meatpacking district at 415 W. 13th Street to see his appropriately entitled show, “Icons”. The 15,000 square foot space shows off his signature pieces taken to very large extremes – were talking 20 feet tall. After taking a gander through the gallery, you will start to notice these characters on practically every corner of Soho and the LES…just another reason we heart NY.

Shake It Like A Polaroid Picture

Here at K2, we like to foster the arts, design, fashion and all of the creative genius in between, because we recognize the common thread that ties them together keeps us all connected..and inspired.

A few other publications also recognize those sung and unsung heroes of the thought provoking kind – such as Monocle and i-D, which are two paper bound heavy hitters in which we constantly find inspiration.

Now to the point: Jody Rogac is a stunning photographer who shoots for both publications (aha: the common thread!), and one whom we’d like to celebrate. Keeping film alive, Jody shoots beautiful Polaroids that bring out her subjects with an austere tranquility and transfixing power of expression and composition. Check out her new site for a little inspiration of your own.

Form and Function

Whether we realize it or not, we are all affected by our spaces – be it out of admiration, inspiration or even transformation. For those wanting to take a trip down a beautifully composed and well lit memory lane, check out Architectural Photography: 1860s to Present, currently showing at the Carrie Haddad Gallery in NYC.

With masters such as Ansel Adams, Brassai, Julius Shulman, Laura Resen, Henry Wessel and many others on display, this exhibit – running through November 29th – is a stunning history lesson that proves that looking back only helps us move forward.

(All images from the Carrie Haddad Gallery website.)