THE NEW DIRECTIONS issue # 1

A SMIRK refers to a smile evoking insolence, scorn, or offensive smugness.

The Smirk Mag is a bi-monthly independent digital magazine that focuses on the work of different types of artists. We love being able to use our free time to make this so you can all enjoy it and look it up anytime you need to.

This project began in Autum 2010 with the intention of letting you know about new prodigies in every field related to art. Like architecture, photography, design, illustration, writing, music, media...

¿Who are we? Well, we are Patricia and Bea, two young artists from Barcelona, friends since primary school, who have shared infinite moments since our childhood creating artistic ideas just for the fun of it, and now, we want to share everything and everyone we find inspiring and interesting with you, in a simple, cheap and efficient way.

We are incredibly happy to have started this project and to be able to share it with all of you!

THE

NEW

DIREC

TIONSissue

This issue is based on the ways of art, its evolution and which could be one of the possible directions of it and consequently, its final.

“The product or process of deliberately arranging symbolic elements in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect”. This is what you will find about art on Wikipedia. So basically, art can be anything created by a person, that makes you feel something. Joy, pleasure, disgust, wonder, repulsion, anger, sadness, it doesn’t matter, as long as you feel it. It is because of this I believe, that we are always trying new things and reinventing what we think is art. In this issue we have decided to interview different young artist that have either decided to start finding out what art is for them or that are trying new forms of creating and translating their feelings.

It seems to be hard to create new things nowadays; when thanks to

technology there are so many ways to see what other people do and be influenced by it.

In this century, art tends to be a bit of a compilation of masterpieces that we have enjoyed in the past, the type of knowledge that we like to delight in. We have a new tool that has opened so many doors towards both creating and sharing. It is the blend of a visual mind, an enthusiasm for art and an extraordinary understanding of computer graphic design programs that actually turns into a fine work of art.

Of course there are other takes on what art is, like Keith Haring once said, “The best reason to paint is that there is no reason to paint... I'd like to pretend that I've never seen anything, never read anything, never heard

Article

by Patricia Pasquín

The New Directions

anything...and then make something...

Every time I make something I think about the people who are going to see it and every time I see something, I think about the person who made it... Nothing is important... so everything is important."

Just as there is no “right” or “wrong” in creating art, there is no specific explanation of art that can be offered which precisely sums up art in its whole. You could ask ten people what art is and get ten distinct, just as valid answers.

I truly think that everyone is born with an artist inside. I’m sure you all remember being a child and wanting to draw, finger paint and all that. The brilliant thing was, we weren’t concerned about what other people thought of the result, we were just enjoying the process! Art is anything and everything that anybody deems

artistic . . . though, having said that, not two people will consent on what is artistically attractive to everyone else. Art is entirely personal.

Fortunately, like air, there is plenty of art to please everyone—we can all get what we are looking for. All we need to do is be relaxed, open and take it all in.

Directions

THE SMIRK

SECTIONS

Artists

We present some artist

that are relationated with

the topic of the issue. In

this issue we will meet...

Caótica Utópica

Berberecho productions

Ghostpatrol

George Downing

Ohnomaria

Alex Schultz

The drawer

In this section we show relevant

information that has a close

relation with the topic of the issue

3RD WARD find graphic designer

Picasso guitars at MOMA

Paint while you eat

NME - First for music news

The digital story of nativityBlack Swan

Salty Snowman

Birds on a wire

The bed blend

LikesWe show 9 artists that we like and also, we give you their website links to go through and see their work completely.ChristianOlya KhlebalinaLaura KientzlerSalvatore VitaleLauren TreeceSheila BelEmma PickPau BonetMarla Tumour

A R T I S T S

from Granada, Spain

I’m 22

Name Is supposed the word that defines you, that is why I have chosen Caótica Utópica. But if you are referring to the one my parents gaves me, it’s Cari.Surname Martín LaraCity I feel divided between Córdoba and Granada. My home is in Córdoba with my family but my life is in Granada.Country SpainHow old are you? I’m 22What is your work about? I am studying Social Works in Granada, Spain.

Why did you start doing this in the first place? The beginning was 3 years ago. Photography is a way to express what i have inside. I need to express my feelings, my sensations, my thoughts… I think that photography is the manifestation of art.

Which tools do you use? Firstly… a lot of boring moments, a very basic camera and a very special gift… my Panasonic Lumix. Sometimes I use my Polaroid and my grandma’s Lowel Viking in order to express melancholy with the analogic.I also use a broken tripod, some strange clothes and a huge amount of natural light.And of course the productive power of imagination.

Who are your influences?I never studied photography or techniques. Everything I know is because one day I started to shoot. Everybody can do it; nowadays art is so subjective that every vision of it is valid.It also helped me that I had a great relationship with people who love this art. So I found a comfortable place behind the camera.

Generally, I use a soft light, vintage clothes and the erotism that is behind everyday moments.

What inspires you?As I said before, I love everyday moments. I love to turn something normal into a magical moment, because everybody likes to feel that life is special.I love the female body. A woman is sensuality. But also a man.I fell a brainstorm every time I take my camera. I think, I observe, I feel…To me writing and photography go together. Reading a book and cinema are sources of inspiration.

Do you have any new projects for this year?Well, I am not a professional, simply an amateur in love with the art of capturing moments.That is the reason why I am so glad with opportunities like yours. For me it is the best way to begin the new year.I have worked for my friends and also I have collaborated in some virtual magazines.A photography of mine was used as cover of a book “La vida en beso” and also some other pictures were used for the promotion of the last mentioned book.

If you had the opportunity of going anywhere to look for new inspirations and make a new project without any costs, where would it be?I would travel all around the world in order to find new light, sunsets and each magical moment behind the most simple things.

Her work here and... here:www.flickr.com/photos/caotica_utopicawww.caoticautopica.tumblr.com

Cari Martin

CAOTICA UTOPICA

www.berberechoproductions.com/

www.berberechoproductions.blogspot.com/

www.4lickr.com/photos/berberecho/

www.vimeo.com/user767026/videos/

I’m 32 years old I am from Barcelona S P A I N

THE CORNER BAR.

What is your work about? My point of view about the things that I !nd around me, things I see, everyday life...

Why did you start doing this in the !rst place? I bought a small camera that I would always take with me, so I started taking pictures of things that called my a"ention.  Until now.

Which tools do you use?  Pentax Optio W60

Who are your in"uences? Everyone, even those I don’t agree with

What inspires you? Everything, even what I don’t like.

Do you have any new projects for this year?  To Keep taking my camera with me everywhere

If you had the opportunity of going anywhere to look for new inspirations and make a new project without any costs, where would it be?

BERBERECHO PRODUCTIONS

“escaping normality”

GhostpatrolMelbourne, Australia

I’m 29 yeras old.What is your work about?

Mixed businessWhich tools do you use?

Gouache, ink, brushes, spraycans, gocco Who are your influences?

Brian cox, carl sagan, What inspires you?

My friends, the cosmos and animalsDo you have any new projects for this year?

I’m in Tokyo having a break; I’m working on projects for next year.If you had the opportunity of going anywhere to look for new inspirations

and make a new project without any costs, where would it be?Enceladus. (Moon orbiting Saturn)

www.ghostpatrol.net

George DowningI’m 17 years old and I’m From Melbourne, Australia

What is your work about?My work at the moment is about exploring what I am capable of as a photographer. I have been doing photography for a year and I have been working on improving my technique,

my perception of a ‘good’ shot as to not waste time taking shots on a digital camera ‘because I can’, and improving my retouching skills. I am planning to explore deeper

concepts and issues in my photographs in the next year and after I finish school.

Why did you start doing this in the first place? I started photography because I was interested in lomography after seeing pictures on the internet (mainly blogs). Lomography is the art of pointing and shooting. I bought a Holga

120 format camera on the internet and began to take photos of friends on that. I found out after this that my dad still had an old Minolta SLR that uses regular 35mm film, which is a lot cheaper than the 120 format film. So I began photography with film, doing shoots over a couple of rolls each time. I had the luck of meeting the photographer Nirrimi Hakanson,

and after viewing her work and seeing what she was capable of at only 17 I was really inspired, so I saved up for a digital SLR, and I began to learn how to use photoshop. This

is how I got into photography, and at the moment I use both digital and film.

Which tools do you use?I use a Canon 450D with an Olympus 50mm f/1.8 lense. My film cameras are a Konica

Autoreflex T and a Minolta Dynax 500si. I generally use fuji 200 or 400 colour film.

Who are your influences?My major influences are Nirrimi Hakanson, Natasha Frank, Mariah Jelena, Ann He, Sally

Mann and Tim Walker

What inspires you?Everything… music, movies, books, games, words, drinks, food, clothes, people…

Do you have any new projects for this year?I am planning to do a series of images or photo-series based around the theme of

influences and where they come from, and whether they are bad or good. This will be for my art final as I am beginning my final year of school.

If you had the opportunity of going anywhere to look for new inspirations and make a new project without any costs, where would it be?

London.

Website or links:http://www.georgedowningphotography.comhttp://www.armsaroundme.blogspot.com

> Maria Roig-Gironella

Barcelona, Spain

How old are you? 21. What is your work about? Nice memories. Why did you start doing this in the first place? I guess it all started some Christmas ago. I got a fisher price camera as a gift and using it just felt like the logical thing to do. I liked it. Which tools do you use? Canon and Lomo, mainly. Who are your influences? Jonsi. What inspires you? Warm light, The Shins and t h i s v i deo : h t t p : / /www.you tube .com/wa tch?v=GWaRhuWJgGs Do you have any new projects for this year? I intend on learning how to use graphic tablets properly and tame my squirrel. If you had the opportunity of going anywhere to look for new inspirations and make a new project without any costs, where would it be? Brazil please : -)

Website.

www.ohnomaria.weebly.com

OHNOMARIA

Alex Schultz

I

AM

A

FOREST

Frames of the video

Alex SchulzPforzheim, Germany. 24 years old.

Tell us about your short film "I am a forest".

"I am a forest" was made this summer. It’s a short film dealing with the subject "upside down" in a pretty free way. The story should be as simple as possible to give it a minimalistic look and happening and also had a great importance in atmospere by composing a fitting, silent sound and a moody, layering light to the created world. It was really huge fun making the movie! I really loved the time cutting out every piece of the forest and bringing its protagonists to life.

link to video http://www.vimeo.com/15201782

What is your work about?

I am currently studying in Pforzheim, Germany, so my free works are often mixed with projects made at the university, but also with jobs I get in freelancing activities for about 2 years. My creative fields are mostly printed works, but also motion graphics.

Why did you start doing this in the first place?

In the first place my docents asked my fellow students an me to create some short films dealing with the already mentioned subject.

Who are your influences?

I’m inspired by many works of current film makers like Gondry, Boyle and Burton, but also by visionary, creative musicians like Sufjan Stevens. Certainly there are tons of artists and graphic designers (e.g. Sam Winston) that influence me a lot.

What inspires you?

I’m definetely inspired by nature and the little things in all huge worlds.

Do you have any new projects for this year?

At this time I’m working at some kind of a spacy headline font and actually some christmas cards. Even I think it could be to late for that..

What do you usually carry in your bag?

Hm. Water!

If you had the oportunity of going anywhere to look for new inspirations and make a new project without any costs, where would it be?

Really hard to say. I guess this would be places with epic landscapes, like New Zealand or Iceland. I would really love to go there..

L I K E S

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER Paris, FranceName Emma PIckwww.emmapicq.com

ILLUSTRATOR Barcelona, SpainName Pau Bonetwww.paubonet.blogspot.com

ILLUSTRATOR Name Marla Tumourwww.marlatumour.blogspot.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Lugano, SwitzerlandName Salvatore Vitalewww.kaleacte.altervista.org

PHOTO & ILLUSTRATIONMinneapolis, MinesotaName Lauren Treecewww.achromatics.com

PHOTOGRAPHERName Sheila Belwww.flickr.com/photos/soleildeminuit

PHOTOGRAPHER Berlin, GermanyName Christianwww.flickr.com/photos/-cr

PHOTOGRAPHER Moscow, RussiaName Olya Khlebalinahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/7849173@N02/

ILLUSTRATOR FranceName Laura Kientzlerwww.micadala.free.fr/kientzlerlaura/index.html

THE SMIRK MAGAZINE LIKES

T H E D R A W E R

WANTED GRAPHIC DESIGNER

www.3rdward.com/graphicdesigner

3rd Ward is looking for an in-house Junior Graphic Designer/ Marketing Assistant to join a fast-paced and highly creative team. You’ll work on design projects with focus on usability, style, and innovative solutions, as well as develop and implement marketing initiatives. You’ll get exposed to all parts of the business, including membership, education, events, business development, and more, and will be expected to b r i n g y o u r d e s i g n p e r s p e c t i v e a n d recommendations to all realms. This position is full time, Monday to Friday.

PICASSO GUITARS AT MOMA

February 13 to June 6, 2011

Sometimes between October and December 1912, Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) made a guitar. Cobbled together from cardboard, paper, string, and wire, materials he cut, folded, threaded, and glued, Picasso’s purely visual instrument resembled no sculpture ever seen before. In 1914 the artist reiterated his fragile papery construction in more fixed and durable sheet metal form. Bringing together some seventy closely connected collages, constructions, drawings, mixed-media paintings, and photographs assembled from over thirty public and private collections worldwide, this exhibition offers fresh insight into Picasso’s cross-disciplinary process in the years immediately preceding World War I.

3RDWARD

PAINT WHILE YOU EAT

Design by Diana Paisis

Now you can lunch at the Louvre, even if you’re not in Paris! Mealtime Masterpiece placemats come with a set of marker pens to transform your place setting from blank canvas to prized collectible. There are 48 sheets in each pad, enough to start your own gallery.

NME - FIRST FOR MUSIC NEWS

http://www.nme.com/awardsvote

You can vote now to determine the nominees in the Shockwaves NME Awards 2011.

THE DIGITAL STORY OF NATIVITY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrf0PbAGSk

It’s Christmas time and some genius people make those videos to wish a merry Christmas. Here is the short video of the story of nativity. The video tell us how social media, web and mobile tell the story of the nativity. Christmas story told through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google, Wikipedia, Google Maps, Gmail, Foursquare, Amazon...Times change, the feeling remains the same.

BLACK SWAN

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Amazing thriller of Darren Aronofsky. A ballet dancer wins the lead in "Swan Lake" and is perfect for the role of the delicate White Swan, but slowly loses her mind as she becomes more and more like the evil twin sister of the White Swan, the Black Swan.Stars: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel

SALTY SNOWMAN

Fred & Firends

Perhaps you have never heard of Salty the Snowman, the jolly, happy soul who was made of salt and helped your table come alive with flavor. No matter. Here he is, ready to add a dash of wintery whimsy to your dinner table. His silicone carrot nose doubles as the plug and he’s hand-blown from clear borosilicate glass, which is both elegant and strong. This cool fellow is individually gift-boxed.

BIRDS ON A WIRE

Design by Jorine Oosterhoff

If desktop clutter is ruffling your feathers, why not perch your favorite photos up above the fray! Birds on a Wire is a flock of eight blackbird clips strung on a 32 inch ”clothesline” — it’s a fun and easy way to display your pics, tickets, memos, and keepsakes. Full-color giftbox packaging.

THE BED BLEND

www.miekedingen.nl

Bed Blend is tidy way to keep furniture in place when Mieke Meijer merges chairs into a bed to create night tables. The effect is that of seeing a bed grow out of a bench with very clean lines.

T H E S M I R K M A G A Z I N E I S PUBLISHED BY: Pati a n d B e a / / DIRECTORS: Beatriz B o t a y a a n d P a t r i c i a Pasquín // PRODUCER: Beatriz Botaya Figueras // WRITER: Patricia Pasquín Marieges // DESIGNER: B e a B o t a y a / / ILLUSTRATOR: Beatriz Botaya // IDEAS: Patricia and Beatriz // ARTISTS SELECTION: Pati and B e a / / C O V E R DRAWING: Ghostpatrol

thesmirkmag@gmail.comwww.thesmirkmag.blogspot.com

www.flickr.com/photos/thesmirkmagwww.vimeo.com/thesmirkmag

www.facebook.com/thesmirkmag THE SMIRK MAGBarcelona, January 2011

Spain

Don’t forget to become a

SMIRKER by filling the

form located at the end of

our blog.Enjoy!

Pati & Bea

If you want to appear in our next issue, do not hesitate to send your work to

thesmirkmag@gmail.com, we will be glad to talk about you and your ideas.

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