Art Film by WREN and created by Tatia Pllieva shows twenty complete strangers put together to share first kisses together. Not knowing names. Not knowing backgrounds. No barriers.
Viral on YouTube and Tumblr, I find this art film piece really emotive and moving and I have no idea why. Kisses are just really emotional things and I think this film just really shows what its is to be human. Literal biological functions made into a black and white film. Human contact is the nicest thing in the world, whether it be holding hands or kissing.
A professional model, dancer and cameo guest star in Lana Del Rey's short film: "Tropico", Shawn Ross has received a lot of attention, whether positive or negative over the years.
At 22 years old and accomplishments within the fashion industry, Ross has, in my personal opinion an OUTSTANDING beauty, being of Afro-American heritage and of albinism, his beauty is the strength, confidence and elegance he has carried himself through the bullies and peers that threatened to knock his self esteem down. Having an almost ethereal beauty gracing him in his young years, he got recognised over YouTube where he was snatched up at only 16 years old, repped by Djamee Models.
Breaking the mould for the fashion industry as being the first albino model, has changed the face of "fashion modelling" for good. No longer are models perceived as "coat hangers" for the clothes, a bland canvas where the art is within the garments, oh no. No, now the fashion industry are recognising them as people, REAL people, of all races, backgrounds, sizes, heights and personality.
When I watched this, as someone who wants to enter this very fierce industry, I found it so emotional to watch. This has further inspired my ethics and an aspiring designer. He reiterated what models do, what they mean for society at this day in age, how life altering it can be for a chosen few. I think societies opinion of fashion have altered. Now when you see a model representing Dior on the runway or out in the streets, you want to buy the clothes in angst to be like them, idolising them for their personalities, looks or actions. And I can tell you, I'd spend my savings on what he's wearing, to have his strength, determination and views which are still so rare. Here in this video, he discusses what it means to be "perfect" and "beautiful". He's talented and compassionate, this is what it means to be human.
From this post onwards into February I am doing a series of posts: "What it means to be human" where I investigate inspirational beings in their own right, their views and thoughts enclosed. So keep and eye peeled.
(above is a response video to Nash Griers's vlog from YouTuber: Meghan Tonjes)
Okay so, many of you may not understand what this is about, but recently a YouTuber going by the name of Nash Grier made a video with two of his friends generalising what guys look for in a potential girlfriend/fling.
This YouTuber is particularly famous in the U.S and has quite a vast fan base of young girls so you can imagine the scale of responses Grier got from fellow vloggers, bloggers,Y Tubers and viewers alike. I hadn't heard of him or his videos until now, so this has gotten a lot of negative attention from potential subscribers so I think it's a damn shame he made this mistake.
Some people may not consider the video he made titled "What Guys Look For In Girls", a damaging video to his audience as he states in the beginning that these are of his and his friends opinions, yet the video gives off the impression that these views were of general males within the same age range of them. While mentioning very few personality traits, they primarily focus on very misogynistic view points to women's appearance.
They favour "Long hair" but NO fake hair. "Confident, charismatic, text THEM first" but if you show signs of being too loud or over bearing, don't bother with them. "you have to be all natural beauty" but shave/ wax each hair off your limbs otherwise you'll be classes as ugly. It is not the point of them expressing their opinions, but when they express such distaste to some features and favour others above all else, then that's when they should consider re-thinking what content they expose on their channel.
Other YouTuber Meghan Tonjes has made a video up above, that made me think about this subject in detail and consider some day-to-day aspects of conversation between male groups and has furthered my understanding on feminism.
New year, new sounds I say. Since the new year has come about I've been searching high and low for a new up-and-coming band that I can sink my teeth into so to speak. So where on earth better to search for talented bands than along the shining west coast of the U.S ? Bearing all walks of music, penny boards, golden tans, surf spay, I didn't have to look far before head bumping into the talented Atta Boy.
L.A based indie band of four, you won't be able to get over their soothing songs with that distinctively coastal sound. Found these stars via folk band: Haim. Having one of their associates direct the video for Atta Boy's Walden Pond, a seemingly favourite for endless fans including myself. Instrumental sections of their songs are whimsical and something that is easy going to listen to, but do not be fooled, these aren't cute little songs, they are delivered with an aloof coolness, feist and seemingly beautiful melodic vocals delivered from a talented group of four: Freddy Reish, Dashel Thompson, Lewis Pullman, and Eden Brolin.
First track of "Out Of Sorts" their new, much loved album is Out Of Sorts their debuted song, with steady drum and electric guitar intro is a soft and sweet trance that is a brilliant combination between vocal and playfulness with writing.
Jack And Blow is the following track, a slow-prom-esque tune that is crooned softly and meant to be listened to during a rainy afternoon, while dancing with your boyfriend in summer and when you're crying into your duvet after a bad breakup. Or all of the above. It's brilliant and beautiful in such a sad way.
Now, Diamonds are a sassy little number that follows the same sort of beat as the first track but resembles a late Paramore song rather than a rocky Beatles tune that Out Of Sorts demonstrated a la Paul McCartney. Feisty and strong lyrics to follow a feisty beat
Here, Walden Pond takes the cake in my opinion, sandwiched between light, upbeat songs, here we see a whimsical, indie tone that is some-what tranquil, something you don't hear in the other songs up until now. I'm not sure why this appeals to me. Maybe it's just when you hear it in the privacy of your own company, you think of somewhere or someone that you call home.
A Dog's Adventure is up next and introduced with chiming tones that can only be described at the tinkling of carnival music, kicking into another summertime tune, demonstrating the breathy warbles of beautiful lyrics, piano features throughout which makes this song differ nicely from the beginning three songs. Cue summer picnics and sunshine.
Hearing a gradually building harmony in Saccharine now, "Stay close to home my darling boy", raspy vocals, slow progression of tender piano keys and bass drum, Atta Boy has built up a certain sound and image that works well. From mid- onwards we here more and more instrumentals, stronger key notes of guitar, piano and bass drum.
Bells is a nice palette cleanser with raw sounding electric guitar to match the oh-so-cool voice. "oh's" and "aahhs" feature with the rockier sounding chorus and stronger tune, we see ourselves shedding summer and donning Autumn. It's an appropriate change in the album.
Road Block and When We're Alone is and interesting mix of rock sound and candy floss chiming, does it work? Most certainly. Interesting use of electric guitar but toffee-butter sounding chorus. Award for consistency as more happy go-lucky tunes is the dish of the day.
Now we end on a tranquil track that is something that is the epitome of the last rays of summer, when your pour the beach sand out of your shoes, kiss that boy one last time and go for that last swim in the surf way into the night. Readiness Is All puts all feelings of sadness and happiness into 5 minutes of bitter sweet sadness of piercing piano keys.
Chord and song progression is set steady throughout their whole album, showing raw, professional talent from these young four, aspiring musicians. With clear influences from country, folk and soft rock. It's backyard band session that has taken off with absolutely flying colours. Not being big in the U.K yet, I really hope they explore and open their fan base and tour areas as they have a distinct, likeable sound.
Check them out or it'd be a mistake.
