Very peculiar and detailed graphite and pen work by a Estonian artist Heikki Leis. – DK

Tell us about Brazil, how was it to grow up there?

I was not raised in Brazil nor in Portugal although my passports hold these nationalities. Considerably, I am a third culture child. I spent the significant part of my life outside of my own culture* only to be binded to the Portuguese and Brazilian cultural attributes from my parental upbringing. What I have taken from them is a certain kind of awareness of my roots while obtaining a broader understanding of cultures and an easily adaptable manner to where I choose to live. Home is where I am.

What was your passion and immediate vision of your future once you graduated Parsons School of Design – NY?

I was rather short-sighted to say the least! After graduating from Parsons with a BBA in Design and Management I stayed in New York for a year. Mean while I interned with companies that I presumed fit my future job desires of management and design. I worked in various segments from PR and events production to Artist agencies however I never settled. Interestingly enough when I look back I now see how it allowed me to build the skills I acquire for the gallery. Like Steve Jobs once said, “its all about connecting the dots!”

Being artistic can imply many things, what does it mean to you?

I believe it to be an instinctive reflection of self upon the creation or the surrounding. It is your commitment to the subject, (to the art subject itself), which in result forms you as a person. We all have the ability produce something artistic, a bond between an aesthetic form of beauty and its own sense of originality, but without the connection between man and to the art itself, I don’t consider the individual to be artistic.

What triggered you to leave New York and settle in Istanbul?

Love.

We believe that Studio 9 was much needed in that region. When you opened, did you feel that you established the truly first cosmopolitan concept space in Turkey?

I cannot take credit to be the first truly cosmopolitain concept space in Istanbul. Although I am one of the few that promote this contemporary art concept space.

Turkey, like India, China is an emerging market, and over the last decade it has achieved high growth rates and has become a hub for foreign investment. This has benefited the credit worthiness of the country, with the help of a young demographic plus the housing boom, certain classes of individuals have prospered, and as a result allocated disposable income to indulge in such luxuries, as art and other segments.

Turkeys contemporary art market began around 2005. Auction houses and galleries pushed the art market to reach record prices and created a market for Turkish mid and early career artists. With the help of Istanbul standing as the Cultural Capital 2010, biennials, private museums for contemporary art, Contemporary art fairs has created a mass awareness for the arts and therefore has effectively resulted in an interest and curiosity for the young affluent middle and upper classes.

How would you describe the reaction of the cities art scene towards Studio 9?

Even though Turkey is the most modern/pro western Islamic country within continents it still is bounded by its religious ties and conservative traditions. To place things in a certain kind of perspective, 4 – 5 years ago the Contemporary Istanbul Art fair would have been hesitant to freely show controversial works of art because they would have been skeptical on how it could be perceived by its public. None the less, since the first Contemporary art fair it has created a window for the contemporary art scene to commence. The idea for us was to capitalize on this expansion to further extend peoples understanding in a very bold and daring manner. And, as a result hope that people appreciate Studio 9 Istanbul stance as an up and coming gallery.

Are you thinking of opening more spaces around the World, could New York be next?

Only time will tell what will aspire to do next. We have much to accomplish under Istanbul standards. Our ideas pertain more to expose ourselves in global art fairs such as ART DUBAI and Shanghai. Also to create a carte a blanche with galleries around the world, maybe Sao Paulo, London, Paris, maybe even New York, to “swap walls” and exchange our artists with other galleries artist.

Why the name Studio 9?

For starters this was the building number. But the concept was driven from a New York style studio. We wanted to detach peoples idea of a generic gallery space and implement the idea of a concept art space for Instillations, live art performances, contemporary musical concerts etc.

Who are the most up beat artists out there today?

Globally for contemporary artists(still living) I would suggest the following:

Christian Marclay

Marjetica Potrc

Gerhard Richter

Sophie Calle

Gillian wearing

Artur Zmijewski

Damien Hirst

http://www.studio9istanbul.com/en/

German born photographer who’s only 28 with work that speaks volumes. – DK

After finishing school he started a professional photographers education for 3 years. During that apprenticeship in Nuermberg he acquired the technical knowledge of traditional photography, including photographic laboratory. He began his career with various positions as a photo assistant. For two years he worked for Kristian Schuller in Berlin and London. Following with short-term assistance for Jean Francois Carly, Nick Leary and Larry Sultan.

He never left Berlin since.

http://yvesborgwardt.com/

You simply have to see his work live on the streets of the Empire State! – DK

Please tell us, what is “Skewville”?

Skewville is an art collective consisting of two twin brothers born and raised in Queens, NY. The term Skewville has many meanings. For those of you who don’t know, skewville was an actual place inhabited by Ad & twin brother, Droo in 1996. Skewville was originally coined for the buildings warped structure as well as the twins crooked sense. In some circles, the word “skewville” now stands for a specific style or even places beyond the original structure.

Brooklyn is your hood right! How does it influence your art?

We both grew up in Queens, NYC but Ad lives in Brooklyn Now. But we grew up on a dead end block on one of the last farm lands in queens. So it was rare for borough kids to have so much space to roam and build and destroy. From an early age we were building clubhouses, slingshots and go carts then grew up to graffiti and then graphic design. So now while continuing with our outdoor projects we have also crossed back and forth to the gallery scene to implement that “street feel” indoors.

Who can forget the reputable “Sneaker” series, please tell us the legend of how this all started for you?

By the early 90′s we started witnessing the change of graffiti into Street art. Posters, stickers and stencils cluttered every street corner in NYC. Media space was scarce and everything was done. 1n 1999, we Looked back at the end of an era and realized change was necessary. The need for a New media Space gave birth to our sneaker mission. Dogs, Kicks, Grips, Sneaks or whatever you want to call them. As Kids we tossed our old sneakers (like everyone else) when they got new ones. It was a symbol of change and a way to represent the hood. Tossing once or twice a year for us just wasn’t enough. So July of that year they started making Wooden Dogs to Continue our childhood habits. Since then over thousand have been silkscreened, hand cut. laced, tossed and documented in the quest to go all globe.

How has street art evolved in the past 10 years, and what are we to  expect to see in 2012?

More people know about it, so more people are doing it. But thats usually how things die out. Not evolve.

Can you hint a Manhattan address where we can see your street art?

No.

You have a brother that often collaborates with you, please tell?

We’ve been so called “collaborating” since birth.. As twins you can easily finish each other sentences and working on projects together was just the same. But often times we had different ideals within the same style creating an internal competition that made us want to outdo each other. This reverse magnetism is what has lead to the use of diverse applications yet still comprising the Skewville flavor

When you had your show in Europe how did you find their reaction to your work?

The grass is greener. And yeah europeans are always ahead of the curve. So yeah  we are more excepted whenever shown elsewhere. New yorkers could give a shit about New Yorkers,  thats what makes us real New yorkers. Our early  lack of success in our home land is  what has got us to work harder and try different things in the first place so thanks So thanks!

Do you ever seek inspiration in the classical?

if your talking classic video games, classic cars and classic 80s music then “hells yeah”.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

We both live completely different lives, but I’m sure we both wake up grateful of who we each are, but even gladder that were not in each others shoes….

Would you ever consider leaving New York City?

Everyday. Sometimes twice a day.

http://www.skewville.org/

Tucked away in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, thanks to a friend Adam Bly and his love for the refined, I was fortunate to discover “real cheese”. – DK

Please tell us about your childhood background, how does it come into play with who you have become as a professional?

My mother claims I declared as a young boy my intention to someday open a cheese shop. I don’t recall such a declaration. I do recall routinely asking for food baskets for Channukah, from the Sears catalogue. Filled with crap, I’m sure—summer sausages, cheese nut balls, etc—but they looked so tasty. There is not much about my suburban Detroit upbringing that contributed to my future profession, but I think there is some genetic predisposition. My mother has very good taste in food (sorry Dad), and always taught me to seek out the best. And my Grandfather and his brothers had a chain of pioneering supermarkets in and around Philadelphia until the early 70’s. I still love supermarkets. My wife hates them.

Does America produce truly astounding cheese to be competed with the most renowned ones in Europe?

Yes. Absolutely. And that is not just patriotism talking. I have always looked at American cheeses with a very critical eye, always encouraging their improvement but never forgiving lapses in quality and taste. I always felt that for the American artisan cheese industry to grow, there has to be some truly great cheeses at the top. And there are. Some American cheeses are absolutely the equals of the great European cheeses, even if their history is short and their tradition young. I don’t think any objective palate can deny that. Twig, Woodcock, Bonnieview and Jasper Hill Farms cheeses from Vermont are superb. Hillman Farms cheeses, from near me up in the Berkshires are wonderful but very hard to get. Prairie Fruits Farm in Illinois and Andante Dairy in Petaluma, California do beautiful work. And that’s to name but a very very few.

Please tell us about the Burlington Contest, for those who are not great connoisseurs, what is the next level of cheeses to be tasted and most importantly how?

You mean the American Cheese Society Competition in Burlington a few years back? That was the biggest American cheese competition to date and I was honored to be a judge. A lot like judging a dog show (and in some cases similarly furry contestants). Best in class, Best in Show, etc. At last year’s ACS competion in Montreal I was struck by the number of very good soft ripened cheeses, beyond the usual Brie and Camembert style. Seek out Jasper Hill’s Harbison, Upland Cheese’s Rush Creek, Prairie Fruits Ewe Bloom and anything from Andante. If you can find them.

It doesn’t take any learning to enjoy cheese. No real rules, No connoisseurship required. Look for cheeses made on a farm or in small dairies by artisans. Get to know your local cheeses if there are any. The most important thing is to taste. And taste. And taste. If your local cheesemonger doesn’t let you taste before you buy, find another cheesemonger.

Have you created your own cheese. Tell us about the emotional and creative side to the entire process?

Amazingly I never have, except to lend an unhelping hand when I’ve visited cheesemakers. I am an art dealer, not an artist. Cheesemaking is art and science. Without technical mastery making good cheese is impossible. Without a creative and artistic bent making great cheese is impossible. Scientists don’t usually make the best cheese.

With the whole Organic vs Conventional world, what upsets you the most?

The degradation of the integrity and spirit of organic production. In the hands of government and big business, organic has all but lost its meaning. At best it is insufficient. It tells you nothing about quality, nothing about taste, nothing about the circumstances of production except that certain minimal production protocols were followed. To me the conversation has gone far beyond and above organic. Traceability and sustainability are much more important concepts to me. Some of my favorite food producers have abandoned their organic certifications in quiet protest.

What do you think about pairing cheese with beer (the good kind)?

Very highly. I spend a lot of time thinking about pairing cheeses with wines, trying to identify the factors that lead to the perfect match. But I think, though this may be heresy, that many cheese have a greater affinity with beer, particularly the hearty cheeses of England, the pungent cow’s milk monastic cheeses of Belgium and France and the sweet crystalline Goudas of the Netherlands.

Are we to see a store in New York City any time soon?

Wouldn’t that be great? We think about it a lot. The Berkshires, though in Massachusetts, is a very NY oriented place. When our customers are not here, many are there. And I think that New York City is underserved. Just need a bunch of money.

http://www.rubiners.com/

Based in East London, Sean creates award winning typographic treatments and illustrations for a varied range of clients globally from advertising to music, editorial and publishing; with his work being featured in numerous books and magazines. His work is known to be as powerful as it is unique: a dynamic and organic fusion between elements. Forever curious, Sean is constantly exploring new ways of approaching his work with a love for happy accidents and a passion for visual storytelling, texture, type and everything in between.

http://www.thereis.co.uk/

Great illustration and paint work by Vasil. Gotta love the name of his company! There is definetly a Japanese influence here but also a clear original style. I tried looking for some more history behind the artist but there is simply nothing. I will let the work speak for itself. Enjoy. – DK

http://sucking-fish.com/

This is a great photography and a very interesting and some what kinky subject by a talanted photographer Misty Keasler http://www.mistykeasler.com/
Its a collection of hidden rooms in various hotels around Japan where one pushes the taboo – DK

http://www.mistykeasler.com

This LA based bakery is a step up from Melissa’s Cupcakes by a good notch. Splendid design, great taste and a healthier approach by using natural ingredients. They ship them if your on the East Coast. – DK

http://www.fruute.com/

Few places has intrigue when it comes to the subject of personal care. This one does! – DK

Incense Oud Arabian Nights Collection By Kilian

Thiers-Issard Sabatier. Forged Deco Back Hook Nose Straight Razor

Cire Trudon

Cire Trudon has revolutionised your way of adding fragrance to the atmosphere with the invention of the first great smelling stink bombs!

Have fun and throw one of the stink bombs onto the ground preferably outside or on a resistant floor. The perfume rises and fills the surrounding area instantly. Discover a new intense olfactory pleasure.

https://minnewyork.com