Tags archives: black lives matter

  • Talk about 'art for progress!' Label Pyer Moss has left a strong impression at their New York Fashion Week debut on September 10, with what many believe to be one of the most "powerful" showcases ever. Photo Credit: Pyer Moss The much buzzed-about menswear label has recently branched out into womenswear. Last week's NYFW was Pyer Moss's way of introducing this new foray for the label to the world. Instead of presenting themselves with frills and fantasy, they've allowed current events to penetrate their work, bringing the 'Black Lives Matter' movement to the forefront. And from the overwhelming response online, it seems as though the politically-charged gamble has worked! After the jump, find out more about this challenging and nerve-striking event. Pyer Moss used their platform to address racism and police brutality head on, incorporating thought-provoking symbols on fashion pieces, including blood splattered sneakers and gun-holster accessories. There was also a 15-minute video presented to the audience before the showcase, featuring various horrific deaths of unarmed men and women who died at the hands of the police. Police brutality and institutional racism are hot-button topics that founder and creative director Kerby Jean-Raymond, 28, wants people to be more aware of. Personally, the designer has experienced 12 gruesome stop-and-frisk encounters with New York law enforcement between the ages of 12 and 18. Founder/Creative Director Kerby Jean-Raymond. Photo [...]
  • Given the racial landscape of the US in recent months surrounding the decisions in both the Michel Brown and Eric Garner cases, RESPOND which is currently on view in Brooklyn at Smack Mellon, really gets at the heart of the matter. Smack Mellon organized the show given the public response to the controversial verdict in the grand jury decision not to indict officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Garner. Garner was killed on July 17th in Staten Island when a New York City police officer put him in a choke hold. Smack Mellon directors Kathleen Gilrain and Suzanne Kim, changed their exhibition schedule to accommodate this show. The show features the work of two hundred artists and the gallery received over six hundred submissions for the exhibition. The 200 pieces of art fill the Smack Mellon space to an overwhelming capacity. Almost every square inch of the gallery is being occupied by a work of art. Many of the works are displayed salon style in the two story high gallery space. The works in the RESPOND show are diverse and feature a range of artists and mediums including video, sculpture, installation, photography and even textile work. Skinned by Hannah Hart Given the show's theme and the overwhelming response to the call for work, the pieces featured in the exhibition are on point. Some of the artists featured in the show include Dread Scott who has also had work shown at the Whitney Museum of Art, Heather Heart who currently has work on view at the Brooklyn Museu[...]