MAKING
SOFT STUDIES & YAB
SOFT STUDIES & YAB
We were in an incredible group show called Drip! Drop! Slice! At You are Beautiful in Chicago @yabsticker it was curated by Christopher Jobson of @Colossal and includes the works of Dan Lam @sopopomo Yuko Nishikawa @yuko_nishikawa Dave Towers @t_o_w_e_r_s Brian Giniewski & Holly Jean Studios @brianginiewski @hollyjean.studios Kassandra Guzman @kuupottery Ben Houtkamp @bens.website Lalese Stamps @lollylollyceramics Adrianne Hawthorne @ponnopozz
We have been working a lot with textiles and tufting projects under the them of ‘Soft Spaces’.This exhibition showcased a few of our studies.
POSSIBLY CONNECTED
POSSIBLY CONNECTED
In January we took a trip out to Cincinnati and chatted with folks around NFTs and web3
It was a really neat conversation and one that we see as an ongoing conversation, we were on a panel moderated by Jeni Barton @mega_ultra_10_thousand for @artswave with artist, NFT collector, educator and collector @annieaburke and Jordan Tate Jordan Tate
Associate Director, School of Art at University of Cincinnati.
This particular panel was unique as at the end the participants were able to successfully obtain a digital wallet and collect their very first NFT by yours truly
We, along with the rest of the planet are still very much so working our way through the possibilities of Web3.0. Here are some brief thoughts on things
The piece shown is called: Possibly Connected
This piece is part of our Computer Cousin Series. We used artificial intelligence to compose this portrait. It was created by inputting a series of complicated prompts to specify style content, light color, and composition. All of these prompts had to account for and work around biases that are evident in the algorithms for the AI generator. This piece is an example of using technology as an assist for creating work. It also brings up many ideas around authenticity, reality, perception possibility, and authorship.
NFTs
Well, let’s start with crypto. It’s not exactly a day-to-day use currency. The whole exchange requires way too much, The design is not simple/accessible enough for day-to-day exchanges. Perhaps it could be in the future, but it’s mostly techy people telling you how easy it is. Well, people who aren’t so techy feel quite alienated. Now let’s get into NFTs as those are backed by cryptocurrency, We have loved the idea of NFTs being a great way of exchange and storytelling. They appear to be way better platforms than social media as they just crowdsource content for very little or free 99. We currently use NFTs as certificates of authenticity for our artworks and plan on releasing a short episodic series of NFTs later this year.
AI
The collective is straight split on artificial intelligence. Some of the members love the possibilities and the ease that it provides, particularly for administrative things, and generating pieces for collage work. other members feel that it is taking over the place that artist occupies. Oftentimes artists, creatives, women, and people of color have not been on the beneficial side of copyright laws, accessibility, and usage and we see this perhaps as being a space that could potentially balance that a bit. We love that our team is split in the center of this and we look forward to seeing how this balances out.
AR
well, if you’re going to be on your phone while in real-life might as well integrate technology into real life. So yeah, we’ll keep playing in the augmented reality space, especially in our murals.
All of these thoughts are subject to change. They’re just reminders to use these things as tools and to mindfully approach all of them.
REPRESENT EXHIBITION
REPRESENT
Let’s chat about this show at Paradigm Gallery. It’s a group show with the incredible Nazeer Sabree titled #REPRESENT.
We will be exhibiting new works on canvas, tufted pieces and mixed media pieces from our ‘In Us We Trust’ series. This series is a cheering on of all that is is us. We will be the change, hope, future, architects, value moderator and archivists of culture. This work is a playful celebration of this declaration.
Here a few cool things:
🎁there will be a scavenger hunt in Philly accompanying the show, because we always make it accessible…stay tuned for deets.
🎨If you are interested in previewing the show or purchasing work please click here
💽Each sold piece Mz.Icar piece (over $500) will have it’s certificate of authenticity issued as an NFT.
Please enjoy all these flowers from the seeds we have been planting.
MZ HOMEGOING
MZ HOMEGOING
Image description:
A mural we did the other day in Venice Beach, California with the love and support of our multigenerational Central American family, who have been the back bone of this land since it was stolen. In us we trust.
Let’s get personal
So much of our work is about relationships. The majority of our members are related and if not by blood, they are chosen families with long-time roots and a commitment to each other.
This winter’s trip was entitled the ‘homegoing’. for this trip we decided to take half the members to California to reconnect develop and explore our relationships with family and origin. This trip is wonderfully mystic. We visited the aunties. Childhood homes, grandparents, childhood friends. We are were also brand new, we explored, played, and skated through places we loved, new places, and places we learned, were hurt and fumbled through in our early years.
When most of the work you do is an acute examination of proportions and relationships it’s important to dig into that on a personal intimate level…and it’s not always easy to do this work. We world build in our art as a way of escape as well as find inspiration…but these relationships require us to do the grounding part and that’s not always easy. This trip was all that stuff.
We threw bones with Mama and grandma…maybe graduating to the adult table.
We listened to love stories. We ran from drama and tried to let the difficult people be who they are but we adjusted our proximity by staying further away and not adding to that narrative…aka adjusting our proportions, a method heavily relied upon in collage and arrangement work.
We have been on an archiving project for the past few years. It shows up in our work from time to time…kinda low key, but it’s generally there. On this trip we digitized VHS tapes, and boxes of family photos…but mostly we listened to love stories.
We slept, sunbathed, tried on new characters, we drew, photographed, cooked, tufted, watched hummingbirds, Signed contracts, rejected contracts, partnered with some fly partners on some dope projects…soon come.
We are watering and loving up on ourselves so that we can bust out some nifty flowers once our roots get stronger.
What are y’all doing to take care of yer selves?
What’s yer love story?
GET IT TOGETHER
TOGETHER MURAL
Photography by Lee Hopkins
Today our piece ‘Together’ was officially accepted into the collection of the City of Boston.
This project was unique. It’s taken us some time to process and fully and articulate the experience. For the team and me, it was a practice of radical empathy, love, boundaries, and the balance between. We are in it, but not of it.
CONTEXT:
The Engagement Center is located in an area of Boston referred to as methadone mile. The sidewalks are home to many. Tents fill the sidewalks, bleed out to the streets and little orange caps are everywhere…so many little orange caps. We were advised to be mindful of touching anything because it may have fentanyl on it. There is a homeless shelter on one end of the block, the engagement tent behind the shelter, and a police department one block over. Most major US cities have areas like this because addiction is real, capitalism and lack of affordable housing is real and our society struggles with meeting people where they are at.
THE AWARD
The Engagement Center has a new building, and we were asked to put some magic on the exterior. When we were initially awarded the project, the one thing we noted early on was the manner in which folks described the area and constantly gauged our comfort level with creating and engaging with the community…we just don’t have language that fully acknowledges and dignifies people that suffer from addiction and homelessness…so we hear the apologetic tone in which we (ourselves included) describe the community….one that we are inherently connected to.
IN SERVICE TO EACH OTHER
Here’s the long and short, people are people…all people. Folks go through stuff, some get luck, and various privileges that afford them a ‘good look’ but at the end of the day none of that matters cuz if one suffers we all will suffer.
Folks are out here doing the work tho. We met poets, witnessed bonds, dedicated outreach, and love…all in what has a surface appearance of chaos.
We were honored and humbled to be able to use art to be in service. Mario, Sabrina, Natalie, and the whole Engagement Center staff are modeling what it is like to just show up for folks…over and over again. We got a chance to chat with folks, experience some real rachet shit, and also be held and have our intentions of focusing on connected supported community mirrored.
THE ART
We decided to do something a bit different to make the piece more accessible. As much as we love celebrating figurative narratives, we felt that it was better suited to go with a slightly abstracted text-driven theme. Our thinking was that, If all you got from the art was color therapy and a sense of play, then it still hit. We know what it’s like to not be seen and just want to let the staff and guests of the engagement center know that they are seen.
Please love up on yer folks. We gotta do it together and get it together.
We’d like to acknowledge and extend gratitude to the City of Boston’s Transformative Public Art Program and the Mayor’s Office of Art and Culture for supporting and generously funding this project. We would also like to thank Street Theory Gallery for helping us all Get it Together!
Much gratitude and love…it’s a journey ya’ll.
LOVE+GRIT STOREFRONTS
LOVE+GRIT STOREFRONTS PROJECT
Our work is part of the Love + Grit Storefronts Project with @lovegrit- philly + @visitphilly. The project uses public art to turn empty store- fronts into expressions of pride and support businesses impacted by the pandemic. #LoveGritPhilly #VisitPhilly Find my art pieces below
The campaign, an extension of VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s popular Love + Grit podcast, reinvigorates the city’s empty storefronts by transforming them into art installations. The Love + Grit Storefronts Project spotlights Philly’s talented QBIPOC artists and innovative Black and Brown-owned businesses. In the citywide public art installation, each artist has turned an empty storefront into an expression of pride, supporting a business adversely affected by the pandemic and showcasing the potential of storefronts available for lease. The displayed artwork is on view for locals and visitors to see and enjoy through the holidays.
This project was Curated by Ginger Rudolph and Conrad Brenner
Funded in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the exhibit features 24 local businesses impacted by the pandemic and 12 QBIPOC artists who have transformed empty storefronts with their artistry, creativity and ingenuity. The 12 participating artists collaborated with two businesses each. QR codes appear on all storefronts, encouraging admirers to check out visitphilly.com/storefronts to learn more information about the campaign, the artists’ inspirations and the business owners’ stories.
WE CHAT ABOUT THE PROJECT ON THE LOVE+GRIT PODCAST
INFINATE
INFINITE is a future-leaning collage/illustration that honors past design, acknowledges Kenya and Steven’s retail journey, and looks to the future. It was inspired by the modern lines of The Modern Republic’s building and its mid-century décor, along with the relationship the furniture’s time period had with West and East African aesthetics.
Inspiration for the Work: The Modern Republic (1600 W. Girard Avenue), a mid-century modern furnishings store, owned by Kenya Abdul-Hadi and Steven Brown, selling wares from the 1940s through 1970s.
UP AND OVER
UP AND OVER is a visual narrative created using mixed-media street art and fine art to celebrate movement, shift and flow while helping to amplify all voices.
Inspiration for the Work: The African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch Street), dedicated to preserving, interpreting and exhibiting the heritage and culture of African Americans.
Photos by R. Rabena for VISIT PHILADELPHIA® / VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
THE FULL SET
THE FULL SET: ARCHIVE
We did the damn thing. @kendrasteppdavis and the whole collective came to show all the way out! The Full Set is HERE! @theculurerooms is HERE….and we are very extra.
Huge gratitude to all of our peeps old and new that came out to support, chill and celebrate The Full Set. Big shout out to the universe for granting us a summer day in October.
Doing things together is fun.
Taking up space is a must.
Being fly while doing it is essential.
📸 Courtesy of @dodai
PICS FROM THE EVENT
BET MURAL: SINCE DAY
BET MURAL: SINCE DAY
It’s been hella hard to sit on announcing this.
We have a new mural in collaboration with @bet . It’s called ‘Since Day…’
This piece is an exploration of rhythm and movement. It is an ode and mirror of trends, styles, and expressions of culture that we’ve shared and continue to share with the world. It’s a bold celebration of us. ‘Since Day’ visual depicts the grit, flow, and beautiful connections that swirl throughout Philadelphia. We are inspired by the stories, community, music, and soul of this city. We hope to reflect that back in this piece.
Located at 5729 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144.
Big shout out out to the @overallmurals team for making it happen and having me out here on this big wall with the Lil brushes.
#mural #mzicar #blackcanvas #betblackcanvas #germantown #philadelphia #paint #big #walls #streetart #muralist
BET MURAL LOCATION
FLUIDITY MURAL
FLUIDITY MURAL
SUMMER OF 2021: This piece is called FLUIDITY
and it’s hella big.
Have you ever listened to the ‘slave’ narratives recorded in conjunction with the WPA project? If not, stop scrolling and listen now. The sounds of the ancestors voices recalling there experiences of basically being responsible for the physical embodiment of wealth in this nation is chilling. The most memorable part of it is that folks were in there own bodies. Meaning, I could hear who these people are, which is way more than the exploits. They/We are beautifully expansive.
It’s no coincide that I, along with my amazing collective are out here in mid 90deg weather getting eating by mosquitoes and loved up by the sun on Juneteenth. We are humbled and honored to be here.
I often think about the folks who decided to migrate to Texas to skirt emancipating Black folks. How blown outta their minds they must have been to be that outta touch. I think about the blended lineage and often ponder the ancestral stories that comes with continuing to share space with such oppressive folks. Some folks gotta learn to share and some folks gotta take up more space.
We take freedom hella seriously. Part of being free is understanding that we are all intricately connected and that comes with responsibility. It requires accountability and humility. Marginalized folks tend to do the heavy lifting in this particular understanding and that needs to change…like right now…like yesterday.
The blood that pumps through my veins is the blood of folks who originate from this land, Africa, the Caribbean, the south and even includes some colonizer juice. It has traveled continents, built nations and most incredibly it simply exists.
Today I give thanks/honor the ancestors in the best way I know… by painting us huge and glorious and black as ever. Hanging with my peeps, eating fresh food, randomly twerking, getting in some good laughs and avoiding all situations that require kissing my teeth or rolling my eyes. What ya’ll gonna do with yerselves on this glorious day?
Happy independence day aka Juneteenth.
Big up to the @seismigue team for sharing space.
SEISMIQUE ART MUSEUM
OF EXPANSION
OF EXPANSION
We made a movie…a short one…but still a movie! And it won Best Experimental film in the Imagine This Women’s Film Festival!
‘Of Expansion’ is a short film inspired by quarantine musings and art-making. Here’s the website for the film
This is a trippy studio visit follows 2 puppets through a time and space distorted art exhibition. The visit features a collection of collages, photography, banners, textile studies, and mixed media pieces exploring ‘what is the ideal scenario and how do we get there?’
Over the last year and a half the Mz.Icar collective has spent time working on studies, manifestations, and visual messages that are prayers for what we’d like to see and feel in the future. Given the intersectional history of oppression, inequity, and violence that makes up the legacy of America, It can be challenging to truly envision our society in an ideal way. This collection of work embodies a vision board that does just that. This group of work focuses on an alternative centricity, It’s a celebration of our voice, a lesson in play, and a focus in joy. It draws from the traditions of church banners, propaganda and flags as symbols of things we believe in and have cultural relevance.
Thematically this group of work is an experiment in world-building. It is set out to be a foundational vision board for what could be.
Featuring Rielle Love and digital effects by The Kinardist