Creative hub, Behance -through Behance Outfitter - launched this functional and oh-so-original line of paper goods products called "Action Method", the first in a series of Behance projects to help creative professionals boost productivity and make ideas happen. Action Runners, Action Pads, Action Sheets, Action Stickers, get them here for as little as $5.00. Good Design = Good Business
Vashtie Kola does it all! One of NYC promising music videos director, the 20 something Downtown Sweetheart also designs clothes and she knows how to throw a dope party. In other words, everything she touches turns to gold.
We had a little chat with Miss Kola and it went a little something like this...
Can you please introduce yourself who is Va$htie Kola?
I am the immigrant parents dream, the underdog who forced her way in. I am an artist, director, designer, creative consultant, party producer. I make things.
Growing up what did you want to be?
That ranged quite frequently. As a child I believe I wanted to be a veterinarian because
I loved animals. When I was in middle school, I wanted to be a car mechanic because my father was one and I spent a lot of time working on cars. In junior high I wanted to be a pediatrician until I volunteered at a hospital for a summer and couldn't bear to see people in pain. In the beginning of high school I went back and forth between fashion designer, tattoo artist and film maker. I decided to study film because I felt my impact as an artist would reach a greater audience that way.
How different is your creative process when you're working on a video, designing clothes or promoting a party?
It all starts very solitary, with me coming up with ideas and starting from there. In that sense they are the same, but, after that they are very different. Working on a video is always a team effort, there are many cooks in the kitchen. Designing for now is still solitary, and I get to call all the shots because I fund and run my brand. Parties are again, a team effort; however, the gratification is almost always instant when you are at a party and can see the results of your work having a great time!
Who are some of the artists whose work you admire?
Caravaggio, Egon Schiele, Frida Kahlo, Immogen Cunningham, Bruce Davidson, Richard Prince, Jackson Pollack, Elle Von Unwerth...too many to name!
Any directors?
Bertolucci, Fellini, Spielberg, Diane Martel, Anthony Mandler, Chris Cunningham, Mark Romanek, Spike Jonze,
Your clothing line Violette is street-wear but with twist , where do you want to take it?
I hope to see it mirror brands like CHLOE or ALEXANDER WANG with pieces that range from street casual to runway glamour. The Violette girl is multi-faceted...
What are some the projects you're working on?
Upcoming seasons of Violette, my Birthday Party in April, Collaborating on a T-Shirt with Theophilus London, just shot a video for Jaheim and Jadakiss, creative consulting for other brands, making viral content for sites, overall just getting in touch with my own creative roots and making things for fun again. I aim to create a video piece monthly, I just shot a video for Curt@!n$.
What's playing on your Ipod these days?
Theophilus London,
Amanda Blank
Lissy Trullie
Major Lazer
Depeche Mode
The Smiths,
Drake
Deee Lite
A couple of weeks ago, we met for a cup of tea and it went a little something like this...
Can you please introduce yourself ?
My name is Jorge Camarotti, I’m originally from Sao Paulo - Brazil but I’ve been leaving in Quebec for about 7 years.
Do you have any formal training in photography?
No, I studied communications and packaging design and worked as an art director for seven years before I decided to become a photographer. I worked for sometimes in the advertising industry and then by coincidence I kind of changed path.
As a young kid I use to buy photography magazines but I did not know why. Then I had this teacher who was in house photographer at an agency and he was able to get me an internship. Ever since the first day I put my foot in the studio, everything has changed.
I really enjoy being a photographer. The more you enjoy what you do the better you get because you have a drive. I have now been in the profession for 10 years.
Describe your creative process ?
Music is always first. Sometimes, I listen to music and the lyrics and at some point in the lyrics I find a word or a sentence and wonder how to translate that into photography.
Do you work with a big team or stay by yourself?
Now I am getting bigger and bigger teams, just because I don’t have any choice. -I do like smaller teams better. I recently worked on this shoot with 21 models and it was almost like a movie set.
Tell us a bit about your experience with musicians ?
When I do a good portrait it is because the person trusts me. It is a transparency. When I shot Feist for Trace Magazine, it was just her, myself ,my 35 mm camera in a Brooklyn apartment; we were just talking and taking photos and asking her about how she started her career. When I shot Santigold, - who’s by the way just an adorable person, I had heard of her music just couple of times before meeting her so I was not really familiar. I photographed her in a tiny studio in Brooklyn it was a very laid back shoot for NEO2, At the time of the shoot, we did not know we had the cover and we shot the day before Obama was elected. Also, I had tried to work for them for 3 years and to find out I had the cover was major. Overall it was a huge week.
Soon after I shot her, she came gave a sold-out performance, in Montreal that’s when I realized just how big she was!
Who are some the artists that have influenced your work?
Richard Avedon, I like the simplicity and the path he followed in his career. He’d go from the super glamorous to the really strong portraits - like the Kennedys to Janis Joplin. The way he photographed them, he would catch SOMETHING and this is really inspiring. As a photographer, you have the freedom to do almost anything you want with your subject. You can make someone look super cool or super bad. Great photographers have this power to show truth.
Basquiat. I did my university thesis in school on his work. I’m also a fan of Alejandro González Iñárritu really like the guy that 21 grams. His movies almost give you the feeling feel that there is no script. I love how he works with his screenwriter and also the editing work.
Would you be interested in experimenting with other art forms
I see things in motion and that’s why I have a more lifestyle brand for photography, When I have my insight, I see in motion and not shots. I always had this inclination to film but I find the process long. I’ve been doing short videos for my clients more and more. I’m currently finishing a documentary “Viuvas da Secas” about an unusual group of widows in the dry and arid Nordeste of Brazil.
Are you working on any other projects?
I want to start this project about waiters and I want to take pictures of them. For a lot of people, it’s their first job. I’m Interested in their stories and I want to make a book and possibly a video interview.
Visit Jorge's website for more of his work + news
