Gaia Tries Taming Nature

Baltimore bred street artist Gaia just released a superb short video piece, Taming Nature, chronicling a day in the life of an unforgettable public defacer.

With most of his pieces based on simple head forms in large irregular shapes, Gaia's linocut works have already appeared in galleries such as Ad Hoc, and on the streets of BK, Chicgao, and Wham City. Gaia is part of the burgeoning new class of street artists who, unlike their predecessors, aren't above "selling out" by having their work displayed in galleries. Although street art is in large part a fundamental reclaiming of the public space, newcomers like Gaia are also viewing their street masterpieces as valuable self-promotional tools. While in the past graffiti artists preferred pseudonyms and tags, the evolved class, including Gaia, prefer to emblazon their names in full detail on their work so that gallery owners can take notice. Regardless of whether or not Gaia and others like him are selling out, the work speaks for itself-- good stuff! Check out more on his flickr stream.

(Via Juxtapoz)

I Heart Zoe Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz recently shot a series of portraits for Vogue Russia.

I love them. Do you?

(thanks to Bossip for images)

Lavar Burton Would be Proud!

Shout out to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe!

The Nuyorican is a legendary New York arts and culture salon founded in 1973 by Miguel Algarin. Started as a place for artists and cultural movers-and-shakers of color to share ideas and work, the Nuyorican focused in large part on poetry and its significance in the urban community. Fostering a positive atmospehre, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe has nurtured the careers of many promising poets and played a major role in the development of the spoken word culture that came to national prominence in the 1990s. Hosting weekly poetry slams, the venue is able to bridge the gap between all cultures, ages, and walks of life who come out to enjoy the arts and get an artist's interpretation on the culture we face daily in America's urban centers.

A recent Friday night trip to the Nuyo after a lengthy absence reminded me of why I loved going there in the first place. The poets were all talented and fresh, despite their youthful faces, and host Mahogany Brown held it down! Integrating live music to bump up the audience, she lifted our spirits each time the poets' honesty and integrity brought us close to tears. Never, in my older years, have I seen such a brilliant usage of the above theme song. Growing up, I could never imagine that I'd be on my feet while holding a beer and singing along with 100 other people who all believed that "I. Can. Be. Anyyyyy-Thing!"

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe is located at 236 E. 3rd St (between Aves B & C) and hosts weekly poetry slams every Friday night at 10 pm.