Official uVu Blog

A second day in the life of a uVu intern... ( Part 2 )

On to the Rainbow with Jen Stark

Jessy and I arrived to our next and final interview of the day.  It was approximately 12:40pm; we were about 50 minutes early and our artist interviewee, Jen Stark had asked us to give her at least till 1pm, so we had to wait outside to respect her request.

 We parked by what looked to be a warehouse, wondering if we had the right place. Even though it was bright day light, one can never be too safe in midtown Miami, or in any area that is unfamiliar so I locked my doors and Jessy, my producer, and I each parked our cars on the dirt road adjacent to the street.

 It is surprising how quickly time goes by when you listen to good music on the radio.  Before I knew it, it was 1pm.  I called Stark and she opened the gate to the warehouse so we could park inside.

 At first I thought that this is where Jen Stark and her boyfriend Alvaro Ilizarbe, also an artist, actually lived, but later I learned that it was just their work studio.

 The warehouse was quite a busy place at this time of day.  Work was being done with drills and hammers throughout.  There really wasn’t much room to park because the parking area was filled with furniture, wood, gadgets and even a boat.

 I had been sick for a couple days now and was beginning to feel a bit rundown from the heat but I pulled myself together before stepping out of the car.

 Jen Stark was wearing gray sarouel pants, a green silk blouse with blue poke-a-dots, and a gold nut-cracker necklace.  Her long blonde hair and flawless skin gave her a glow that foreshadowed her bubbly personality.

 She guided us into the air-conditioner free studio that had a couple of fans blowing the lovely Miami heat. The walls were white and in the center lay a rectangular wooden table that held pieces of her latest rainbow-colored construction paper sculptures, drawings, and some black and white drawings as well.

  Ilizarbe arrived minutes later wearing a black and white pattern shirt and a yarn-colored necklace with black jeans.  Looking at both artists standing next to each other seemed as if I was looking at earth tones and a yin-yang side by side. Both very different in their appearance, and art because Stark works with a lot of color while Ilizarbe uses only black and white, yet still forming  a connection that balances their spectrum as they compliment each other quite well.

 We began the interview with Stark who talked about her love for space, nature and the colors of the rainbow.  She talked about the intricate process of her pieces that are created with an x-acto and glue and how they take about a month before being finalized.  Most of her work is in galleries throughout the United States so we only had a glance of her current star-shaped sculpture which had about 150 layers of construction paper.  

 We then interviewed Ilizarbe who expressed his love for patterns and how black and white gives the true essence and beauty of his work.  He explained that color took away from the nature of his drawings and that it is the viewer that gives color through his or her interpretation of the work.

 Finally we had a chance to interview both of them as a couple and learned how they each help each other out when having doubts or artist block in their work.  They described their favorite foods, which according to Ilizarbe, Stark likes Thai and Peruvian; while she claims that his favorite is rice and eggs.

  In the end, the hammering and construction caused a few smiling pauses throughout the interviews but did not disturb the peaceful atmosphere that the artists created.   

 Just before Jessy and I packed up and left, Ilizarbe treated us to a refreshing glass of cool water, which was the perfect final touch to the satisfying interview with two of Miami’s most interesting artists.

 

 

A second day in the life of a uVu intern... ( Part 1 )

Next Stop... Krizia G

It was another hot summer day.  Even though it was still morning, the humidity and the lack of a breeze made it seem like the sun was at its best frying temperature.  I spent a horrible night fighting a cold, but I was excited to go out and interview the next two soon to be featured artists for the PBS Arts website. PBS Arts chose the month of July to feature Miami art talents.

Traffic was pleasant and both Jessy, my producer, and I arrived on time to artist Krizia G's home in midtown Miami.  The guard was very friendly and parking was a piece of cake.   Jessy and I entered the see through elevator of the building and arrived on the fourth floor leading to our destination.  It was a bit of a maze for a couple of minutes, while trying to find the apartment number so Jessy and I split up.  A few seconds later I heard my name being called--Jessy had been the lucky one.

Krizia, wearing jeans and black tank top, greeted us with a warm smile and offered us the delicious salami and kalamata olives that she had carefully set out as welcome gifts to us.  Jessy set up the camera while I helped Krizia put the lavalier microphone on.  The apartment was spacious and the lighting was just right.  After some struggles with the camera audio,  we were able to begin the interview. 

Krizia told us about her creative-filled family and how her mother was the cause of her chosen career in art.  Her eyes would glow as she explained her style being not so feminine. Krizia said that she enjoys  when people do not know if a man or a women painted the piece she created, and that she loves it when people finally see the face behind the work.  She also explained how painting is therapeutic and a way for her to express herself and her life.

“I love to paint what I feel or what I am going through,” said Krizia as she described her “Romantic Series,” which is a series of paintings that depict a broken heart, and being deceived.

Krizia described how after a painful break up, she spent a day creating this series in order to let her feelings out doing what she loves. She says that by putting her feelings into her work, then others will be able share the experience that she had while painting.

While Krizia poured out her heart to us, there were other habitants of the apartment wanting their own fifteen minutes of fame.  The interview was interrupted as two unexpected speakers barked their way into the footage.  Krizia nervously laughed saying she was sorry, and that her dogs are normally very quiet, but I guess they just wanted to be part of the action.

 In the mean time, Jessy and I talked to Krizia about one of her latest designs-- a painting on a glass table top.  She elaborated on how the idea came about because she found her glass desk to be too plain and boring, and needed to somehow dress it up.  After a clever suggestion by a family member, Krizia decided to paint her desk but from the back side so that she could still be able to use it.  She says that it takes a lot of patience and precise strokes in order to produce the image that will be seen from the top.  To our surprise, Krizia does not use a mirror to help guide her; she just knows the images she wants to paint very well in her mind so she is able to reproduce them in any way needed.

 After the interview we were able to meet and mingle with the outspoken pups; one who brought out his toy to play with us, while the other, who had only three legs, because of a car accident, just wanted love and attention.

 We said our goodbyes, packed up our own creation tools, ate a couple of olives and headed out for our next encounter with creativity.

By JoEmma Urena Ligarde

Miami Today Profile - Craig Rasile

International law firm DLA Piper has only 28 attorneys focused on bankruptcy and restructuring in its global army of more than 1,400.
Craig Rasile, who’s in the midst of staffing up a brand new office in the heart of downtown Miami to change that, is the man they picked to change all that.
He recently led an exodus of seven attorneys from Hunton & Williams, four who joined DLA with him.

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“They asked me to help them organize, manage, build and develop the Miami office, which I thought was a very intriguing prospect and a challenge,” Mr. Rasile said. “I've done that at Holland & Knight, I did it at Hunton & Williams… and I thought I could do this globally for DLA Piper, but also to become a critical component of the restructuring practice in the firm.”
On top of all that he said he agreed with DLA in that the world is becoming smaller and in partnering with firms around the globe to serve clients. The move also gave him the chance reunite and build a presence with old friends from college and law school.
The Miami office is to serve as a link between Europe, where DLA has more than 125 partners, and Latin America where it’s trying to grow its presence.
Mr. Rasile discussed the challenges of opening up a brand new office in a town swamped with lawyers, and why of all places in Latin America DLA chose to work in Venezuela, with Miami Today staff writer Zachary Fagenson.

A day of shooting, from a uVu intern's eyes

Traveling For Art: An Interview with Artist Suzana De Paola

I was navigating through the world of Facebook, trying to find a local Miami Artist to feature for the PBS Arts' website. PBS Arts chose Miami to showcase some of its talent for the month of July. Jessy Schuster, my supervisor and producer decided to take the angle of covering “Young Artists in Miami,” so my scavenger hunt began through social media.  I did a quick search on Facebook and found Suzana De Paola, a figurative artist whose creations consist of acrylic paintings featuring stylized portraits and Pop Art.

 It was some of her latest work however, a  pastel portrait, displayed as her Facebook profile picture,  that caught my eye.  I did some further research which lead me to her website. On her site, I came across her conceptual art, which included “The Egypt Series.” The first work displayed on this series, entitled “True Love,” was a hand bursting through an ocean of blood holding a human heart as a trophy.  Jessy and I exchanged looks, and became a bit confused, yet intrigued of how and why the same artist that had a cute pastel portrait of a child wearing sunglasses, a pink bathing suit, and a waffle in hand would paint something so disturbing.  This inquisition lead to contacting De Paola and setting a date and time for the interview.

Tuesday morning of the following week, I arrived at Suzana's home in Miramar, Florida at about 10:45am.  Waiting for Jessy to arrive, I parked my car outside the gate, but kept the air conditioner on, for the heat was unbearable.   Jessy was lost, and even though she was very close, she was having trouble finding the complex.  After 30 minutes of hopeless wandering, Jessy arrived.

Suzana was a bit nervous because she had to leave at 1pm and was afraid that we would not have enough time, but she was so eager to be featured that she could not help but greet us with a smile from ear to ear as Jessy entered her home.  She had her work nicely arranged for us in her second bedroom, and was kind to offer us some water to cool off as we began setting up for the interview.

The room was small but cozy. The sun gently peaked through the window shades, and the standing lamp gave a warmth ambience to the buffet of art displayed. Suzana began telling us about her art and how her travels inspired her work.  She talked about Italy, Brazil, Egypt and her love travels into the music world of her boyfriend, whom she says is a great inspiration in her Pop Art series. She talked about missing her niece who lives in Brazil and how this inspired her to  use some of the hundreds of pictures she had of her to create samples of commission pieces and inspire others to give the gift of art. 

After many laughs, smiles and digging into the mind of De Paola, Jessy and I parted ways to our next assignments, but not before the heat took a last shot at blinding and drenching us with a souvenir. Watch the interview HERE

By JoEmma Urena Ligarde

Black Railroaders

The National Black Railroader's Historical Society held it first public event on June 18, 2011 at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum.

 

Pamela Montgomery Beckham, (Correction) a member of the first all female/all black crew to take a train from Washington, D.C. to New York.

 

 

 

Alan Laird, curator of the African American Railroad Experience exhibit

 

 

Femi Folami-Browne, co-founder of the NBRHS

 

Historic "Wade-In" Remembered

Just a teenager in 1961, Lorraine Mizell participated in a peaceful protest on Ft. Lauderdale Beach.  The "Wade Ins" as they became known, were organized by her Uncle, Dr. Von D. Mizell and Eula Johnson and they set in  motion a series of protests and court orders which eventually led to the integration of Broward County beaches.

July 4th 2011 will mark the 50th anniversary of the event and as part of the Centennial celebration of the City of Fort Lauderdale, an Historical Marker will be placed at Las Olas Boulevard and the beach to commemorate this event. 

We accompanied the Sun-Sentinel's Senior Editorial Writer, Doug Lyons, when he spoke with Ms. Mizell at Ivory's Restaurant on Sistrunk Boulevard as she reflected on her memories of that day.

 PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

Krizia G

Krizia G, a first generation American, is a young emerging artist born and raised in Miami. Her paintings depict the connection between her emotional state and the canvas.

Krizia G sees art as a therapeutic tool that allows individual to connect with one another while expressing their feelings and emotions.

 

As a young emerging artist in Miami, Krizia G explains how her Cuban family inspired her passion from young age and the different life experiences that led her to choose art as a profession. Her series showcase women in different forms and mood, from sensual to vulnerable state, or empowered and confident. As a young artist, Krizia G refers to the first experiences she encountered in the field and how it affected her work.

 

King of Soca returns to Miami

Anyone with a slight knowledge of Caribbean culture and Carnival will be familiar with the one nicknamed the King of Soca, Machel Montano.

With recent crossover songs with Pitbull or Enrique Iglesias, Montano has for mission to bring the culture of his home island, Trinidad, to the world...and that is exactly what he does, one country at the time: From Sweden to Germany, from Guadeloupe to Canada, and again, one of his favorite cities, Miami.

The 37 years-old artist moves a crowd like no one, and knows how to light up a stage. His upcoming concert at the Gulfstream park presented by GeminiProduction on July 2nd promises to be one of the best and most anticipating Caribbean events of the summer. The Soca event will feature artist such as Patrice Roberts, Zan, Farmer Nappy and karma, among others.

We do not know which one would make more noise, Machel Montano on stage or the 4th for July fireworks! If you want to know the answer, watch this uVu video for a preview.

 

On a more serious note, Machel Montano was a guest on Pulse, WPBT2 Caribbean program where he truly showcased the richness of his culture and explains the philosophy of Soca music and carnival.

 

TSKW Calls for Armory Sculpture Garden Proposals

The Studios of Key West is calling for sculpture garden proposals for the 2011-12 season. TSKW is looking for local and national artists who would like to showcase original artwork the unique garden environment adjacent to the historic Armory at 600 White Street.

Proposals must be postmarked by August 15, and should be mailed or dropped off at the Armory office. There is no fee to submit a proposal and guidelines can be found at www.tskw.org.

“The garden is a beautiful outdoor space that celebrates dynamic works of art,” said Jay Scott, executive director. “It is a pleasure to offer year-round sculpture installations to the thousands of people who visit TSKW each year.”

Over the past few years, the sculpture garden has hosted the work of nearly two dozen artists including Anja Marais, Lauren McAloon, Jackie Sanchez, Jim Racchi, Susan Rodgers, John Martini, Eliza Proctor, Maya Godlewska, Katie Truax, and others.

Selected works will be installed for three month periods from October through December 2011, January through March 2012, April through June 2012 and July through September 2012. The garden has two distinct areas for exhibiting works, and the work of two artists or teams of artists will be selected for each three-month exhibition period.

Proposals may include work that is already realized. Site informed or site specific proposals are especially encouraged.

Proposals should be sent or delivered to the Armory office, c/o Jay Scott, executive director, and must be postmarked by August 15, 2011. There is no fee for submission. Proposals will be reviewed by the TSKW Sculpture Garden committee and accepted artists will be contacted by September 15 to arrange and finalize all exhibition details.

To learn more about The Studios of Key West or to see photos of the sculpture garden, please visit www.tskw.org.

Jennifer Grant "Good Stuff"

Jennifer Grant, the daughter of Hollywood Icon Cary Grant and actress Dyan Cannon, paid a visit to Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale to talk about her new book, "Good Stuff," a biography of her life with her famous father.