Matthew Roberts: Art versus the recession

What is your 1st art experience that you can remember?

-At the mall i grew up near, they had a large print of Gorges Surat's Pointilisim piece- "a Sunday Afternonn..." A little girl is staring right at you and has a blurry face, it always freaked me out. Later in life i watched "ferris bueller's day off" where Ferris' friend Cameron has a simular experience in an art gallery. Sadly my dad still dosent own a Ferrai

What do you like to collect?
-I have an odly large collection of Rubiks Cubes. Different colors and types. I like solving them randomly in public, it still catches people off guard but only takes me about a min.

Have your parents supported the idea of you being an artist?
-Yes, although i've paid for most of my equipment through my photo and video work my parents have always supported me in my pursuit of this feild. For example- art college, helping me find jobs

Tell me about your most inspiring friend
-Growing up i had a baby sitter, her fiance Vince hung out with with me and taught me soo many things. He helped me be more of an individual and to avoid doing stupid shit.

Matthew Robert for Rumors

What are your experiences with collaboration, art related or not?
-Shooting a short film with no crew or doing a photoshoot with no model dosent always work. Friends have always stepped in and later on working with professionals helped me learn a lot. Nothing ive produced that has gotten any attention was done entirely by me.


Art versus the recession...do you think this will be a blessing or a curse?
-I respect the balance, good and evil ups and downs. History has shown great art in terrible times. Great things can and will come from this era. Also, the starving artist will make his come back.

Where were you when kurt cobain died? Did you care?
-I was 5yrs old, i dont remember much until about 14yrs old.

What did you want to be when you were 10?
-Always loved the idea of flying, wanted to be a jet pilot or part of the Black Knight Paratroopers. Then one day i learned the majority of piolts started out in the military, dream ended.

What is your favorite item of clothing you didn't pay for?
-I own a early 90's neon blue ski suit onesie. A friend baught it for me at a thrift store and yes, i still wear it snowboarding. (here's a link to a photo of me in it last season)
http://www. flickr. com/photos/brendanlane/2233415864/

What is the last show you went to?
-Tim and Eric Awsome Show Tour at Toad's Place, I wore the ski suit and got to meet the whole cast :)


Tell me something true.
- I enjoy photography but i could really care less where it takes me, it's hard to say what I mean but somehow a camera helps. If i can produce one photo that one person can look at and know exactly how i feel, Id take that over any photo job.

idle kids

For February's RVA Magazine fashion spread I chose to focus on a handful of my favorite Richmond bands. The title "Idle Kids" calls reference from an Inquisition song title off the album "I Think It's Called Inspiration"...which probably would have been a more appropriate title for this photo collection of amazing and motivating local artists. All color photos are by David Kenedy and all black & white photos are by PJ Sykes.

DJ Long: next party is February 20 at 534

Hail Hydra: next show is February 20 at Plaza Bowl

Diamond Black Heart: has shows at Rumors April 5 and May 7

Neckbrace: currently on a hiatus from shows because they're working on a soon to be released album

Mouthbreather: next local show is March 20 at Bagel Czar and March 21 at Rumors

No BS Brass Band: next show is February 20 at Robinson Theater Arts Community Center

Party Liberation Front: just had a party last week at the Camel that I hear was great

Brainworms: next show is February 20 at Plaza Bowl

The issue can be seen online here:

http://issuu.com/rvamag/docs/rvav4i11coverweb/13?mode=embed&documentId=090218033357-1a6eec9a682b4c6186b34b067d72cae2&layout=wood

HOW TO DRESS LIKE ANDY WARHOL

• Wear an oversized blonde wig. This, above all else, is a trademark of Warhol's signature look.

• Wear a shirt with horizontal stripes, ideally white and black stripes, or white and blue stripes.

• Wear a leather jacket It should be a pretty standard leather jacket, not one with chains or anything resembling a biker's jacket.

• Wear tight-fitting, black pants. Black jeans will work just fine.

• Wear black boots. They should be fairly plain looking.

• Wear dark sunglasses. Warhol was almost always photographed wearing sunglasses.

I found this online at how.com and i think its amazing. Oh Andy. How I love you. How you have enhanced my life.

-marshe'

Rebecca Urge: New Divas changing the world of fashion

So Urge and Rumors are blood brothers. Rebecca is by far one of my favorite classy ladies. Rebecca likes to relax by shopping at rumors and making fun of several of our clothing selections. While holding up a cross color wind breaker she told me that she refused to believe that they were in style. I began to rattle on about my favorite current artist and how their style is influencing a generation. So My dear Rebekah here is a few of the top artist changing fashion with there in your face attitude and style.

M.I.A

Yes we all know her. But were we all at her first show in D.C at the 9:30 club 3 years ago. I think not. Because I was there and didn't see any of you in the half empty crowd. Well enough about my impeccable taste. M.I.A is a British-Sri Lankan singer that is well known for her dance hall hits. With a graffiti inspired 90's throw back style and two mind blowing albums she set a new bar for all d.j's and female acts. M.I.A is Swagger. Only a boss could perform 9 months pregnant on the grammys. M.I.A has a new line coming out called kala couture it will include “bomber jackets, leggings and T-shirts, all done up in the bold hues and graphic prints for which the singer is known”. If you like her style you should check out. Schwipe from Australia and CTRL from Finland.

LadyGAGA

The new queen of ny dance. One of my favorite new ladies on the rise. Miss GaGA was signed for a short amount of time to def jam at the young age of 19 but it wasn't until she started poppin hot tracks with akon when she rose on the scene. With a oversexed bowie-esque vibe this 22 year old is not hard to fall in love with. She is latching onto the scene like Madonna. Get comfortable world, Stefani Germanotta is not going anywhere. She already has tired artist like Christina BOOlera biting her style. I love miss GaGa. Shes sexy she knows it. She owns it. And we happily follow. With style icons Peggy Bundy and Donatella Versace I am looking forward to the launch of her new line.

If you like Ladygaga's style you should check out American Apparel, Versace and Lamb clothing.

KIDSISTER

Chicago's finest kid sister. I first heard about her from thehoodinternet.com with a chart smashing song "got her nails done" and a hot video to match kid sister is setting up her dynasty. Rocking pagers, side ponytails, fly nails, bright windbreakers and a no nonsense attitude her flavor rocks smooth with catchy songs you can drop your ass to. She is known for being Kanye's favorite girl which is understandable with a degree in film from Columbia College and one film under her belt I'm sure she will surpass everyone's expectations. If you like Kid Sisters style I suggest you find the dopest nail spot, a great blonde wig and hit up your local thrift shop.

YELLE

A french must see. Yelle is well known for her amazing tecktonic video “A Cause Des Garcons” on YOUTUBE. Well at least that is how I heard about her. Her low budget video's and spastic performances are mind blowing. I can't understand a thing she says but I know all the words. If you like Yelle's style you should check out Evil Genius, Burgers&Friends and Death clothing from Iceland.

Japanther In our hearts and in our home

So I was most certainly worried about the hundreds of people potentially destroying my store the other night but when Japanther comes to town you sort of have to take a deep breath and you get ready for an awesome night.

Totally Michael, Ninja Sonic, Japanther, Pinatas, DJ Teen Wolf, Baloons, Glow Sticks,Massive sweating, Dance atron.

is it really a show if its not 100 degrees up front

-marshe photos by chanae

photos by http://www.flickr.com/photos/chanaeo/

Seed Bomb How-to Guide

What is a seed bomb?

Last week I didn't exactly know, but this Sunday Lauren Paige Richeson hosted a free seed bomb making workshop at Rumors, teaching and offering supplies to dozens of interested locals of all ages.

A seed bomb is a little capsule that contains everything needed to grow a plant, all bundled up. They are made with clay and filled with indiginous seeds custom made for various locations, so that they will grow to local conditions.

what you need:

powdered clay

wildflower seeds indigenous to the area

water

mixing container

stick

What to do:
1) mix powder clay & seeds in a mixing container.
2) add just enough water to make a nice muddy clay consistency
3) roll up the mixture into little balls like gum balls
4) let dry in a cool dry place for a few days
5) throw them in empty fields.

Thanks to photographer & new friend Megan Wagner for documenting the event.

If you or any of your friends have an idea for a community workshop, please contact Casey at Rumors Boutique: 804 726 9944.

Support Your Local Designers

The recession has brought out the creative side of many local Richmonders. From t-shirts to jewelry, hairpieces and bags, artists of all mediums have been dropping off afforable pieces at Rumors this week.

New Flux Rad was dropped off today, including a few shirts made exclusively for Rumors! RVA Magazine recently did an interview with the designer Kenny that can be read here: http://www.rvamag.com/view_article.php?article_id=571 All shirts are designed and printed locally, on American Apparel t-shirts.

I recently found Eesome through etsy's new shop local feature! The girl behind this accessory line loves cute things and is really good at making them too. Rumors currently carries her messenger bags, bookbags, and ipod cases.

And new to Richmond (and Rumors) is Always Midnight...delightfully classic hairpieces by local celeb Tess Dixon. From birds to bows to feathers, this girl makes hair clips that transform any typical outfit into a memorable night.