The summer isn’t quite over but as usual the fall/winter clothes are hitting the stores around Europe and my very first piece acquired is yet another snood from the Swedish MQ. This year a fully fledged one, much like the ones I liked from the Nicholas K collection. This one even covers my head like a hood and not only my neck. The whole thing goes in a loop and you are meant to warp and drape it like a bedouin scarf. You might even find it looking a bit like the women’s hair scarf in Iran! Like I said the snood is originally a part of the women’s fashion, that’s why it might deem a bit feminine. But unlike the wrist-borne bags this is one feminine attribute which I can conveniently incorporate in my wardrobe, since it translates well into my personal style. Now if you excuse me I’m gonna go audition for the role of Altair in Assassin’s Creed! hehe

Miss Mexico Jimena (Ximena) Navarrete won the 2010 Miss Universe title a couple of nights ago. Not my favourite candidate to win, as usual, but I think I can reconcile with the thought …

Founded in 2004 by the members Akut and Hera (Jasmin), the German street art duo Herakut combines graffiti with photo-realism and psychoanalytical symbolism in their art.

Coming from street respective fine art background they have not only prevented a clash but found a way to compliment each other, to reconcile their seemingly incompatible platforms and individual styles.

As a result Herakut presents a fusion of classic rendering crossed with street style techniques which works just as well indoors as it does outdoors. What makes it more interesting is that all their pieces are spontaneous and intuitive creations on the spot, as direct synthesis of the symbiosis! Making it candid, organic and dynamic.

The same rough and ragged respective soft and elegant features which represents and differentiate the looks of the artists reflects also in their art, not to mention the combination of an innocent appearance and a rebellious attitude. Making it a unique marriage of aesthetics.

Herakut has slowly but surely received international recognition and critical acclaim with several outdoor and indoor exhibitions around the world.

They have also gathered their work in a book by the suitable title “The Perfect Merge“. As a former graffiti artist and a classic art aficionado I can’t help but to find the fine fusion beautiful. Not to mention miss Hera! Anyone who can create in high heels deserves recognition, at least in my book! hehe

They’ll be having a show in Cali September 18, here is a clip which shows some of their creations as well as painting sessions.

La Finca Futuristic design’s floating stone desk makes me feel as if I was in the dream world of “Inception”! I can almost hear the sound-track in the background … boom …booom …boooom!!

The Rat Pack

As you might know I have always been encouraging all young Iranians, especially artists, to start blogging about their subjects of interest. It is utterly important that we Iranians, in particular the 2nd generation born outside Iran, cultivate a popular culture online that is more than a myriad of file-sharing blogs! There are more reasons than illiteracy and economics that make any given book sell only a couple of thousand copies in a nation with a multimillion population. So let’s write and read, for our own sake! It’s imperative that we actually produce intellectual properties, sharing our thoughts and sentiments with each other in the network that the world wide web provides. It doesn’t matter what you write about, high brow or low brow literature, or even if you write bilingually or in “farsingilisi” (transliterated code-switching) as long as you contribute to the legacy of your own generation by documentation. If you do start blogging, artist or not, as promised before I will be sharing it with your fellow readers on the blog, if I see it fit. Just drop me an e-mail.

So it makes me truly happy that the up ‘n’ coming artist Shabnam Jaleh, a member and representative of the young generation, writes her own blog. Shabnam says that she agrees with me and that “more Persian performers should get on board and share their personality and culture thru their own words”. I love her way of thinking and wish that more got encouraged and engaged to do that. Now enjoy reading Shabnam’s blog but before you go don’t forget to check out her brand new video for her second single “Age Ghalbamo Shekasti“. I personally love this song, more current than her debut in style, I especially love the segment borrowed from my favourite ABBA song! The “Rhythm Nation” style video on the other hand is despite its superior concept and ambition less successful in execution, since the editing doesn’t really serve the song as it should. But overall a nice follow up, looking forward to the next songs!

Sony Bravia KDL-46NX700, what a lean mean machine!

The new 14 member ensemble Avaye Mehrabani will soon be performing their fusion of FOLK, POP and JAZZ on the stage of the Vahdat hall. It’s interesting to see what kind of audience this ensemble which consists of both male and female musicians and is founded and vocally led by a woman, namely Soheli Pourgerami, will be performing for. Will it be the female-only crowd that is by law allowed to hear a woman singing as a lead or will it be a regular venue with mixed gender audience?!

How about this, a bookshelf couch! No more need to go spending time commuting back and forth between the couch and the shelves, just sit back and let the words of wisdom surround you!

It truly became my summer jam, there hasn’t been a single day that it hasn’t been played by or for me, one way or the other! Subsequently I’ve been eagerly waiting for Darren Style’s second album “Feel the Pressure” to hit the stores and it finally will do so tomorrow. This singing CLUB DJ’s second single is not as instant and strong as “Sound without a Name” in its verses but the euphoric chorus makes up for it. Styles’ second album is a double-disc and features 25 tracks!

There are those who crave the attention!

There are those who rape the attention!!

Above: Katy Perry

Below: Lady Gaga

After Benyamin’s gig in US the manager Rajabpour and ARIAN have announced that their first US tour will kick off in Los Angeles October 2. The band will be enjoying the company of their original member and arranger Ninef Amirkhas, who is currently residing in US for his studies and haven’t been working with the band on their domestic projects and concerts. In this tour ARIAN will be playing a selection of their four released albums and also the recent released singles.

Photo: Moosighie Iranian