a little selection of images by our friend autumn.

by Laura Schwamb and Makram Hamdan

A gallery exhibition and solo performance at Center for Performance Research

A collaboration of visual art and dance, the evening begins with a gallery exhibition of works by Laura Schwamb. Her videos, animated neon, and black and white images set the atmosphere for the performance. Her concept of having a human bridle fabricated was beautifully realized and made possible by Johnny Farah. The exhibition is followed by a solo performance in the main theater by Makram Hamdan. Using the show’s theme, conceived by Laura Schwamb, Makram Hamdan engages to push the limits of poetic control, visceral constraint, and physical endurance in a challenging semi-autobiographical performance based on memory.
CPR – Center for Performance Research December 9, 10, and 11. 2010.

Gallery exhibition opens at 7:00pm – Performance begins at 8pm – SHARP

To see a fashion designer claiming Hip Hop as their main cultural reference is unusual, but the fashion intelligentsia might have to get with the program and get used to it. First Adam Kimmel and his ghetto-burlesque, americano-centrique presentations, and yesterday, Boris’ ode to Berlin’s underground (pun intended).

I am a biased observer. Everything I love was there, in these humid catacombs: contemporary, experimental fashion, heavy drum beats, sweat, skin and mysterious nocturnal atmosphere. The birth of Steam-Hop? (phew, maybe I should consider working in a yogurt brand, invent new names all day.) I never thought I would feel again the way I used to feel at the “Battle of the year” in the early 90′s, but yesterday, I did. And I am grateful for this.

In the below images you will NOT find images of the actual performance, since I was busy drinking at the bar and chatting with Maxime Ballesteros and Jen, causing me to not notice it had started. These are only images of the rehearsals. Basically, the final thing was that but everybody had amazing Boris-designed outfits. And with tons of people around.

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I haven’t had the opportunity to post since I last left for Europe. Our calendar has been jammed and after warding off several “subtle” hints from my long lost brother in Louisiane I finally have a Sunday morning free. No rest for the wicked. As I work my way backwards on the chain of events that have kept our studio occupied over the past couple of months, please, excuse the time warp.

Last Monday, Rich, our team, and I had the honor of actively participating in GMHC’s Fashion Forward event as the stylists of a runway show featuring Narciso Rodriguez, Yigal Azrouël, Richard Chai, Anna Sui, DVF, and Simon Spurr. Monday evening’s event raised $250,000 for Mr. David Geffen’s GMHC organization which is dedicated to HIV education, prevention, and healthcare. We had such a wonderful time thanks to Tonya Miller and everyone at the GMHC who were so open minded and forward thinking in regards to our work. I enjoyed my first working experience with, long time friend, Mr. Andrew Weir and his team who worked so hard with us casting models for this show. It felt so good being backstage with the 56 models that donated their time and exuded such enthusiasm and joy towards this cause. There were so many notable pros on board and it wouldn’t be fair to start naming names but safe to say, with Sang Bleu in the house, there was no shortage of beautiful inked bodies.

I want to especially recognize Shakir Najieb who selflessly put in some serious overtime and exhibited full commitment and dedication to our team and this event. Props.

Legends and ladies who love ladies first…

Images generously provided by Kevin Tachman at www.backstageat.com.

One of the most fascinating video to this day.