Archive for June, 2008

June18

The Commonwealth

By: B.Summers

commonwealth001

Whenever I mention The Commonwealth, in Norfolk, VA, I am always asked if it belongs to music mogul, Pharrell Williams. The answer is yes and no. Pharrell is a silent partner in the three way partnership of Omar Quiambao, Larry Incognito, and himself. Omar and Larry are the primary owners. The Commonwealth is known for exclusive kicks and apparel, and of course clothing lines by Pharrell, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream.

The exclusive clothing boutique has been around for about four years since it’s opening in 2004. The goal of the establishment was to go the opposite direction of the mall stores. To Justin Jarnigin, one of the store managers, the atmosphere the store has is composed of skaters, hip-hop heads, and visual artists. Even though the store has some of the freshest kicks around, they are probably better known on the apparel side of fashion.

Still speaking with Justin, we asked him, what did he like most about The Commonwealth? He replied simply, “the vibe.” The environment is “more of a family type,” and “not everybody can sell what we sell.”

What’s next for The Commonwealth?
-The Commonwealth brand
t-shirts have already dropped
-Art Shows.
- The store has a cozy nook in the back of the store sectioned off for future art shows.
- More collaboration with other brand names
- The Commonwealth has a sneaker out with DC Shoes
- The Commonwealth recently partnered with the surf brand Stussy store in D.C. From that partnership, the store plans to establish a high end store to be called, For the Greater Good.

Advice for aspiring designers
-Use good quality shirts
-Go to trade shows (Magic and Agenda are popular shows)
-Going to a trade show is better than going door-to-door

Steps
-Sign up
-Rent a booth
-Build relationships and network

Thanks to Justin for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Posted in: Fashion, The Wall MagazineComments Off comments

June18

Go-Go’s Influence on Hip Hop in the DMV

By: B.Summers

WaleMerriweather2

B. Summers

For the D.C., Maryland, Virginia, metropolitan area (DMV), good rappers are hardly a dime-a-dozen. This is not the result of a lack of talent in the metro area; instead, it is in my opinion, due to the DMV’s beloved Go-Go. Go-Go is a subculture of the Hip-hop culture. In fact, today’s Go-Go music consists of recycled raps and song lyrics over a live band’s beat tempo, which moderately resembles the original song.

The problem with the metro area’s unique musical genre is that the standards for membership in these bands aren’t very high. All you actually need to make a band, as far as vocalists and rappers go, is knowledge of popular song lyrics and maybe a trendy scratchy voice. For singers, you just have to attempt to hold a note.

Now the way the band sounds collectively doesn’t have a lot to do with the reason why the DMV doesn’t have a lot of rap stars, although, the individual sound of the aspiring rappers does. The standards are so low, that anybody and everybody who wants to rap does just that.

Recently, a few rising stars have shinned their way out of the category sub-par. Artists like R&B singer, Raheem DeVaughn, and rapper, Wale are now creating a new precedent for aspiring metro area artists. And don’t assume that these guys are getting their fame by “selling out” and loosing their DMV swag. They are actually using their love for Go-Go to gain exposure for themselves, as well as the metro area. With songs that either collaborate or point out the metro area trends like the Wale song Nike Boots , these artist bring a positive light to “The Area.”

They are proving that Go-Go is a gift and a curse. In my opinion, for every eight to 10 Go-Go bands, there is one good rapper and singer, and for maybe every 20 bands there is one great rapper and singer. But once in a lifetime there is a Wale, at least in my lifetime.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Posted in: Music, Opinion, The Wall MagazineComments Off comments

June18

Justin Maller

By: TWM

Maller002

B. Summers

Justin Maller, a 24-year-old graphic artist, has done work for 20th Century Fox, Hershey’s Ice Breakers, and Sony BMG Music Entertainment to say the least. The guy is a wiz when it comes to graphic illustrations. We had a chance to chat with the young Australian native about his role in the visual arts game, as well his aspirations.

TWM: Where did you go to school?
Maller: The University of Melbourne

TWM: What did you study?
Maller: I have a Bachelor of Creative Arts

TWM: When did you start designing?
Maller: I started fooling around in Photoshop around 1998!

TWM: How did you get into graphic arts?
Maller : A friend gave me said copy of Photoshop, and I started mucking around with it then; it became one of my main hobbies around 2001 when I found the only communities and whatnot.

Maller_005

TWM: What programs do you use?
Maller: Mostly Photoshop, with a dash of Cinema 4D

TWM: How does Australian art, specifically graphic arts, differ from American art, and any other country for that matter?
Maller: I can’t answer this mate; I know many Australian designers, and I (take out the extra space) wouldn’t say there’s a common aesthetic between them that could be defined as specifically Australian.

TWM: What is depthCORE? And why was it started?
Maller: depthCORE is an art collective I started with Kevin Stacey in 2002; basically the site serves as a showcase for a private community of designers who combine to release themed exhibitions periodically throughout the year. We started it to provide a platform for abstract and conceptual artists to exhibit through – this M.O. has changed over the years to a much broader aesthetic, but the essential premises remains.

Maller_004

TWM: When did you start doing tutorials, and why?
Maller: I wrote my first tutorial in 2006. Why? Because they’re great exposure and a good way to make some cash!

TWM: The Wall Magazine highlights visual as well as performing artist how does music play into your designs?
Maller: Music is a passion of mine, and many of my images are created as a visual reflection of a song I am listening to. I work much better with music on as opposed to say, a movie or silence. I think visual art and music are inextricably linked in a very positive way.

TWM: A lot of your work has a machine meets animal thing going on. Are you inspired by a wild sense of technology?
Maller: I see those themes in my work too, but they aren’t what inspire me; they’re the result. I can’t explain it – I seldom analyze my artistic process, I just leave it alone and hope for the best!

TWM: What/ where do you see yourself in the future, near and far?
Maller: Short-term, I see myself building and developing my freelance client base – I’m always open to taking on new work, and that is definitely my priority at the moment. Longer term, I plan to open an agency filled with D.C. artists – it’s still a few years away, but it is definitely my long term goal.

www.superlover.com

Thanks to Justin for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Posted in: Art, The Wall Magazine1 comments

© Copyright 2010 The Wall Magazine. All Rights Reserved.