Sparked

A New Season of Designers

Geoffry — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:00:03 +0000

Fern Mallis accepting her Pratt Institute Fashion Industry Lifetime Achievement Award from Calvin Klein. Photo credit: Joshua Wong

May brings not only brighter weather but a new season of fashion designers graduating from their rigorous design programs. Pratt recently paraded their 2012 senior fashion class on the runway in a gleaming white Chelsea loft with looks crafted from intricate structures, artisan patchwork and playful graphic messages.

Beginning the evening, Pratt presented Fern Mallis, the former executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers, with the Pratt Institute Fashion Industry Lifetime Achievement Award. Fern along with her special presenter, Calvin Klein, gave the evening star wattage along with nostalgic moments.

Musing about the successes and challenges creating the iconic 7th on Sixth shows originally staged at Bryant Park, Fern thanked Calvin for his early support that went on to become the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week showcased at Lincoln Center. In heart-felt remarks, Fern shared the years of advocating, fundraising and navigating through the diverse and creative organization.

Pratt's graduating 2012 fashion design class lookbook. Left: Jacket by William Cherwin with dress by Kate Wilkoff. Right: Coat, top and shorts by Dana Hurwitz. Photo credit: Paul Mpagi Sepuya

The evening continued with Pratt’s fashion design senior collections, shown contextually, strutting down the runway. The end of the year lookbook entitled Collective, photographed at the Harold Pratt House mansion, remixed the student’s designs into an even more contemporary voice.

In an era of curation and collaboration, the editorial styled pages transcended beyond only individual designer statements but a fresh alternative view. Visit Pratt for more highlights about the school and events.

Pratt's graduating 2012 fashion design class lookbook. Jacket by Angel Ho with dress by Ping Hatta. Photo credit: Paul Mpagi Sepuya

Time Changes, A Song That Started A Band

Geoffry — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:34:59 +0000

Time Changes is the debut single from the Norwegian electronic/indie trio Musique Le Pop.

The Norwegian electronic/indie trio Musique Le Pop unexpectedly formed their group when friends Christoffer and Betty hung out before a party. Betty, applying her make-up, unknowingly sung the first line of what became their début single, Time Changes. Inspiration struck and the two recorded the pop rough cut in their home studio.

Christoffer brought band mate Jan into the mix completing the single adding the final elements. With the track released the trio is currently recording a full-length dance-indie-electronica charged album. Time Changes is out on Minty Fresh now and you can check it out on the player!

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Norwegian electronic/indie trio Musique Le Pop.

2012 Easter & Bonnet NYC Festival

Geoffry — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:45:10 +0000

2012 NYC Easter & Bonnet Parade, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz.

Warmer temperatures, sunny skies and the NYC annual Easter Bonnet Parade and Festival signifies the arrival of spring. Across from Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Avenue was colored in an optimistic sea of pastel hues with New Yorkers parading in their Sunday best.

The annual event is known for its Ziegfeld Follies showgirl or guy towering dramatic head pieces celebrating the fertile change of season. And many paraders got their inner “royal” on with feathered and flowered confectionery hats. Men donning smart sharkskin dove gray suits accessorized with shades of lavenders, greens, pinks and blues expressed a happier state of mind. Happy bonnets!

2012 NYC Easter & Bonnet Parade, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz.

Hoodies for Trayvon on Instagram

Geoffry — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 18:54:48 +0000

#hoodiesfortrayvon by Instagram user tiffanynicolex0

The hooded sweatshirt, a collegiate staple that began its humble beginnings by Champion in the 30s, last week became the focus of scorn by Fox commentator Geraldo Rivera. In discussing the senseless death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin, Rivera suggested that Martin’s “gansta style” hoodie brought the attention of gunman George Zimmerman.

The firestorm that followed Rivera’s misguided revelation led to him apologizing for his insensitive remarks. Even before Geraldo, the hoodie has been transformed into an iconic symbol in the “Million Hoodie March” and inspired hoodie love on social sites such as Instagram. Using the hashtags, #hoodiesfortrayvon and #hoodies4trayvon, Instagramers are posting self-portraits of solidarity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9ljhJUwP50

The YouTube video I created is a mashup of the Instagram gallery along with Rivera’s commentary and responses from Majority Report‘s host Sam Seder.

Getting Social and Mobile with Photography

Geoffry — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:59:00 +0000

A tree grows in Brooklyn photographed with the iPhone 4 and photo app Camera+ shared on social networks. Photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked

What would the 19th century pioneers of photography think of mobile photography and the instant sharing of the billion of images proliferating our phones and tablets? Actually it’s 380 billion based on an article by Steve Myers, Is Instagram’s social network dumbing down photography?.

As the birth of photography centered around permanently adhering the image from the camera obscura to a surface, present day mobile photogs focus on digitally sharing their captures. Ultimately, Henry Talbot understood the value of the master negative reproducing images on paper leading the way to George Eastman popularizing roll film creating Kodak.

The instant camera, Polaroid, developed images immediately that became a cult following for enthusiasts and artists. While digital cameras, point and shoot or DSLR (digital single-lens reflex), trumped film based cameras, the mobile photography movement or iphoneography is dominating the conversation.

But viewing photography as an artistic process, not are all convinced of mobile styles or its dependency on apps. In the article The woes of the DSLR snob: here comes the iPhone camera by Joy Shan discusses the overused digital tricks used in mobile captures compared to DSLR counterparts. But one can contrast that the entire digital realm gives license to become overly consumed in the post production tweaks than the actual capture of the photograph.

Jack Hollingsworth a 30-year world lifestyle photographer has become iPhone obsessed and champions the mobile movement. I was first introduced to Hollingsworth from his terrific online iPhoneography workshop with creativeLive. His passion and support for the mobile community resonated sharing his approach and techniques. Hollingsworth along with his peers happily leave behind their bulky equipment in favor of the immediacy of mobile captures. Not only the shooting experience has changed, but it’s the ability of mobile cameras to instantly share and create on going narratives establishing circles with a 24/7 global community.

Instagram originally debuted on the iPhone in October 2010 has become the fastest growing platform for mobile image sharing. Reaching 5 million users in July 2011, the social sharing app reached 150 million uploaded images last August. Creating an account on Instagram, new users can begin to follow members and be discovered by likes and comments. With the use of hashtags, images are curated into groups or themes and like minded enthusiasts create connections.

But linked at the beginning of the post, Instagram has brought some criticism. At the recent SXSW, Kristen Joy Watts led a panel discussion debating the downside of social photography. Do members place to much emphasis on popularity and does it deter future talent who don’t attract attention? With all social media, the amount of followers doesn’t always equate to quality but time and effort placed on interacting with the community. Especially on Instagram, authenticity of the image is key along with generously contributing to the conversation. Daily, I love to view my global stage from Instagramers that share their stories and local landscapes.

Want to get started? Begin by watching the conversation between Guy Yang and Jack Holligsworth. Yang, of The BeginnersLens blog shares his enthusiasm for digital and mobile photography.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqWzg06STqk

If you are new to mobile photography these are useful links for techniques and news in iPhoneography. On Instragam? Look me up at geoffry718!

Spreading the Love!

Geoffry — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:13:19 +0000

A heart shaped valentine or neckline to share the love on Valentine's Day. Photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

This morning on Valentine’s Day was a serendipitous moment to find lipstick red seam binding and this black dress form in my classroom. With a few pins, a sweetheart neckline and my iPhone created an instant Valentine! Wishing everyone a day of love and friendship!

Alec Soth Broken Manual

Geoffry — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:09:40 +0000

Alec Soth Broken Manual at Sean Kelly Gallery on view from February 3 - March 11, 2012.

Photographer Alec Soth seemingly runs away photo documenting his series Broken Manual on view at the Sean Kelly Gallery. Originally created over a four year period from 2006-2010 in the secretive American southern landscape, Soth traveled the isolated back roads. With a Diane Arbus like curiosity, Soth engages and photographs the men who become his narrative.

The series touches upon our human nature to escape and the fantasy of retreat. The images also depicts fascinating make shift homes in caves and camps becoming almost modernistic dwellings. But most meaningful in the essay is Soth’s lens that introduce these compelling disaffected faces.

Accompanying the installation is the full-length documentary Somewhere to Disappear. Filmmakers, Laure Flammarion & Arnaud Uyttenhove give voice to Soth’s journey with his subjects who have alienated themselves from society and civilization.

Alec Soth Broken Manual at Sean Kelly Gallery on view from February 3 - March 11, 2012.

The WTC 9/11 Memorial

Geoffry — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:02:21 +0000

Names of the 9/11 heroes are etched into the north and south pool memorials. Photo: Sparked

Visitng the 9/11 Memorial Preview site in NYC’s busy financial district becomes a rare moment of tranquility remembering a tragic day in modern American history. The loss of life from the September 11, 2001 attacks are felt all around the memorial echoing the names of the victims and heroes.

Designed by Israeli-American architect, Michael Arad, the park’s north and south side reflective pools take the place where the twin towers once stood. Etched in bronze panels framing the waterfalls are the names of individuals, squads and battalions that stretch the entire metallic surface.

The 9/11 Memorial, still in preview, is free and open to the public by pre-ordering tickets from the 9/11 Memorial website.

Family and friends gather to remember a loved one that was lost to the 9/11 attacks. Photo: Sparked

Visitors gather to learn about the history of the 9/11 Memorial now open to the public. Photo: Sparked

International visitors take a moment to reflect at the memorial's commemorative pools. Photo: Sparked

Names of the 9/11 heroes are etched into the north and south pool memorials. Photo: Sparked

The 9/11 Memorial designed by Isreali-American architect Michael Arad in front of the 9/11 Memorial Atrium Museum. Photo: Sparked

The nearly completed World Trade Center in the center of NYC financial district. Photo: Sparked

New Year’s Fashion Illustrations!

Geoffry — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:56:50 +0000

Fashion illustration by Clifford Faust.

This Sunday the group reconvenes for the 1st Meetup session of 2012 and we wanted to share a few wonderful New Year’s inspired drawings from December 2011. From a Victorian inspired look, a snow bunny, a glittering party girl or a celestial angel, our artist’s group captured the season’s festivity. You can view the complete gallery following this link.

Fashion illustration by Eugene Czarnecki.

Fashion illustration by Eric Leong.

Fashion illustration by Beverly Brown.

Fashion illustration by Yuliya Bogdanova.

Fashion illustration by Edgar.

Fashion illustration by Geoffry Gertz.

Auld Lang Syne for 2012

Geoffry — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:54:52 +0000

Brooklynites gather at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope to ring in 2012, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

2011 will not be forgotten welcoming 2012 and Brooklynites celebrated at Grand Army Plaza. Surprisingly as NYC’s most populous borough, a Brooklyn gathering projects a small town feel. These are some shots from last night’s community fete. Happy New Year!

Brooklynites gather at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope to ring in 2012, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz