Artists Anne Libby, Elise McMahon, and Sophie Stone spent springtime nurturing creative growth and awareness in a small glass box. The group inhabited a steel New York City newsstand and stocked the essentials like umbrellas for the unforgiving rain, bottled H20, crush-worthy lighters, munchies and plenty of reading material. If you haven’t stopped by, grab some boba and unwind at the intersection of Bowery and Canal Street. Petrella’s Imports will close up shop Sunday, June 30th. Twin asked about their blooming future.

How did you ladies all meet?

The three of us met in school at RISD.

 Tell us about conceiving Petrella’s Imports.

 When we thought about newsstands in the age of information, they seemed like odd points of distribution. Thus, Petrella‘s Imports is conceived as a physical outpost in a digital culture, at a time when the originary purpose of the newsstand as ‘source of information’ wanes. Our intention has been to assemble a large number of creative collaborators in order to offer a surrogate to the inventory of items normally found. Like a site, the newsstand is updated daily with new content, much of which threads through the digital realm.

How has your project progressed since?

As a point of distribution within the public space of New York City, the ‘newsstand’ is a form that we continue to be interested in examining and reconstituting. Since opening, we’ve embarked on “Live Stream”, a serial video project at PetrellasImports.com that documents and fictionalizes the newsstand’s reified integration into New York City street life. It’s partially a product of what we see and hear from the newsstand.

Typically, women are not found working in a newsstands. How did this reality influence the success of Petrella’s ?

The operation of a newsstand by women is certainly unique . Taking the broader context of street-facing city spaces, the presence of women is nearly non-existent. We’re interested in altering the expected constitution of these establishments.

Petrella’s Imports is full of riches – the stand is so carefully curated. Who did you collaborate with?

Artists from all over contributed to the collaboration that represents the inventory of the newsstand. The inventory includes artist-made magazines and newspapers as well as postcards, prepackaged food, umbrellas and cigarettes.

You encourage and engage individuals to take part in a dialogue of great social change. What has the overall reaction been like?

All of the contributors have been excited about the idea of a street-facing point of exhibition. It gave a lot of people an opportunity to reposition their work within a different economy for a different audience. We’ve been thrilled with the response from passersby who’ve come across something unusual within the patterns of everyday life.

How did you balance the intimacy of experiencing an artist’s work in a very public environment?

Art consumption in traditional contexts enjoys a slightly longer gestation than the quick, one-minute shopping stop on the sidewalk. We hope to suggest browsing and long-form consumption as a way of realigning public space with something closer to respite or philosophical recalibration.

Did you face any challenges working within the constraints of a uniform glass structure?

The particular structures around the city are recent architectural solutions, more vehicles for advertising than anything else, raking in huge amounts of money for the city. Constraint and economics were a big part of our interest, so working right up next to these civic barriers was important to the project.

Will you continue to work within New York public space? 

We’ve been in touch with a handful of institutions. None have been quite right yet, and we’re considering other public venues that would further contextualise our ends in increasingly trenchant ways. We’re continuing to take on projects that revolve around the intersection of individuals and their physical (and newly metaphysical) landscapes. As the definition of the public realm continues to change, we make blanket assumptions about ‘access’, ‘universality’ and ‘parity’ within spaces like the web. At the same time we can see a constriction, or a streamlining, of said values.

What’s up next for the group?

At the end of July we will have a web project and a show at Suzanne Geiss Company. It’s a gallery with a storefront location on Grand street and represents an opportunity for us to explore alternate definitions of public space, store-fronting and the distribution of information.

A wise woman?

Mierle Laderman Ukeles says many wise things that have informed our own belief system.

petrellasimports.com

Work by artists Gretta Johnson, Laura Hunt, Maria Salas, and PJ Rountree among many others

Inside the newsstand, a continued selection of artist publications and editions

Anne Libby’s I <3 NY plastic bag water bottles and postcards by artists

Elise Mcmahon’s lighters, Maggie Lee’s Suede’s Slick Sad Swirled, Kevin Zucker’s NYC restaurant matchbooks and Eckhaus Latta and K-hole Projects Brad and You deodorant. The door to the newsstand is also exhibition space

If you are in the Big Apple, check out Elizabeth Jaeger’s show titled Music Stand. The sculptor, painter and most recently, publisher, composes mind-bending figures that always express themselves. The positions, often compromising, are emotional and physical. Twin caught up with the New York artist…

The invites for Music Stand, your first solo show in New York, were printed on 5×5 white paper napkins – I loved that. Tell us about the piece currently on display at Eli Ping.

The sculpture at Eli Ping is a tableau of two people engaged in an intimate relationship. The man, fully dressed, lays underneath the nude form of a woman. She holds his face in her hands while they both stare vacantly towards the viewer, as well as the door. His legs graze her rear as he lifts them vertically to support a single sheet of music, but only on Sundays.

Describe the correlation between live music and sculpture? Does the union of these mediums change the viewer’s experience?

Music has always seemed a lot more interesting to attend than art. I was always really jealous of my musician friends and the environments they were able to create at shows. It’s an experience of collectiveness that is super hard to manifest in a brightly lit art gallery. People turn into music zombies and really surrender themselves. With Music Stand, I was really attracted to the idea of walking through the Lower East Side on a hot Sunday and stopping to hear a saxophone play from a basement. You enter the room and find the sculpture.

Your work is highly influenced by the fluidity of human form. What inspires the movement in your work?

I spend a lot of time watching the body language of people around me – my favourite thing is watching couples flirt on the train or at a party. So much is said, even in the movement of a shoulder. A friend once told me when he flirts with a woman, he pinches her. If she lets him do it, he intuitively knows he can sleep with her. I’ve also spent a lot of time watching Yvonne Rainer, Olympic gymnasts and Jamaican dancehall on YouTube.

My most favorite silk painting – a pink one with nude figures in boots – is reminiscent of Platinum Musing, the sculpture featured in teenVAG Issue 2, with its black boots and blonde hair. Describe the influence of aesthetics within your work.

These things are really abstract for me. The hair is a continuation of the form. It expresses a certain aspect of the mood- something in the way it drapes. The color is also influential. Nails are always particular to the overall piece. These are tools that enhance an expression of femininity.

I grew up, tomboyish, in San Francisco. My mother always had a French manicure. She never let me have magazines, she didn’t like how they portrayed young women. My father ripped the cable television out of a wall in middle school because I was glued to it and wouldn’t come to dinner. Femininity has always been something of a mystery to me. It can be manipulative but it can also been sincere and vulnerable. I definitely use a higher voice and tilt my head when I want my boyfriend to do something for me but also when I’ve missed him.

In addition to creating your own work, you co-run publishing group Peradam. Print is very personal- it is concrete evidence of an artist’s story. Who have you worked with recently?

Right now I’m working with Amanda Friedman, Alexis Penny, Chen Chen & Kai Williams and Linda Simpson. All the books are very different. Amanda and I drove out to the beach to film her throwing her painting into the air for a flip book. Alexis is a true and honest storyteller. Chen & Kai are focused designers. Linda is an amazing photographer who has great love for her subjects.

The beauty of print?

I like working with people who inspire me. Making a book is a very intimate and lengthy process, you get to know people in a very honest manner. You work with them usually six months to a year. All of our artists work very differently and it’s been an amazing experience getting to know all of them.

What are you working on this summer?

Right now I’m working on a figure for a show at Interstate that opens July 5th. It’s the darkest piece to date and I’m feeling pretty nervous about it. An art show really feels like taking your clothes off in front of a ton of people you don’t know that well – it’s pretty embarrassing and sometimes exhilarating. The rest of the summer will be an intense hustle to get back on board with our art books and maybe take a nap.

A wise woman once told me _______________________.

“Don’t step on any fingers.”

elizabethjaeger.com

The great hub of creatives makes it difficult to pinpoint who is the best at one particular thing. There is a lot of talent in the city that never sleeps. But when discussing New York essentials, five individuals raised in the thick of it all come to mind. True staples amongst their peers, they are mavericks and pretty good at what they do. Real New York sweethearts, if you will.

“My name is Carlen Altman. I am a person that does a lot of things such as comedy and jewellery design. I hated growing up in New York City. All the noise, all the people. It was so overwhelming! I wanted to live in the woods somewhere, in silence. It was only once I left for college, in a small town, I realized how much I had taken it for granted. I took its magical energy for granted and the many opportunities there were if you made them. When I graduated school and came back to the city, I decided to start doing things. It also helps having very encouraging parents who want me to follow my dreams. My mom works at an aquarium and my dad is a comedian!”

carlenaltman.blogspot.com

“My name is Brandee Brown. I am a human who likes to take pictures and make films. Growing up here gave me a sense of the world before I even left the States. My town looks so pretty at night. My surroundings give me confidence. I am always surrounded by people and friends doing great things. How can that not make you want to hustle? I love creating things and passing around thoughts and feelings with the people I love in this town. Who knows, maybe I would not be the same without it.”

twitter.com/BrowneeBunny

“My name is Yara Flinn. I am the Designer of NOMIA. Growing up in NYC, there was always an interest in mixing genres — that’s something that inspires me a lot in the way I design. I am influenced by rap music, sports, fashion ladies, art ladies…I love it all. It’s amazing to see the way trends get adopted and reused in different ways.”

nomia-nyc.com

“My name is Todd Jordan. I am Al-Hazard. I grew up in Kingston, New York. It’s about an hour and a half north of NYC but I was pretty obsessed with things that were going on in the city from a young age. I would take the train to ride my skateboard but remember just being so overwhelmed by all the different things going on and feeling like I was missing out on so much when I was back at home. With all of the interesting things going on here, it is difficult to not be inspired to make your own things — but it’s even more difficult to focus on just one thing.”

todd-jordan.com

“My name is Alec Reinstein. I am a rapper, party houser, fake DJ. I mostly became a rapper to make diss tracks about an opposing gang in my neighborhood in Queens. Everyone drove around or walked around with their radios playing my La Familia diss tracks. I was essentially chosen as the rap ambassador of my block because I was better at it than anyone else. Owning a club was something I fell into more than it was a choice. The reason I felt comfortable getting involved with Santos was because I truly felt it was the only club in NY that mirrors the clubs I grew up in. Clubs like The Tunnel, Limelight, Fun, and a myriad of others that I shouldn’t have been allowed into. Those all had a darkness and a mystique to them that I think most clubs here have lost. We try to maintain and cultivate that at Santos as best we can. I have a radio show (Chillin’ Island on East Village Radio) because all my friends make music and I want people to hear it and I have a funny voice I guess. Growing up in an outer borough was an interesting experience because I always felt like some sort of pirate during all my early Manhattan experiences. I was infiltrating some much richer and more populated world that I hoped was terrified of me. I hope everyone is still terrified of me.”

twitter.com/despotroast

Tags: Alec Reinstein, Brandee Brown, Carlen Altman, Todd Jordan, Yara Flinn

We at Twin love a good team. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. Kate and Laura Mulleavy. Humberto Leon and Carol Lim. Here are three partners-in-crime to look out for …

DEER DANA

Name: Dana Veraldi & Kevin Tekinel

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA & Istanbul, Turkey

First memory: Drawing on napkins at Balthazar.

DNA: Something for everyone. Confidence with a sense of humor.

In a few sentences describe the highlights of your production: We design the tees together – choosing subject, sourcing images, going through multiple drawings and drafts until we are both happy with the design. Our tees are printed by our good friends in Brooklyn at LQQK STUDIO.

Finish the sentence…

Portraits…capture a moment.
Portraits will always…shine bright like diamond.
Portraits never…age.

deerdana.com

NIKOLAI ROSE

Name: Jacob Melinger & Alan Paukman

Hometown: New York City

First memory: Collaborative sketchbook outer space scenes with aliens back in 3rd grade.

DNA: Material, Composition, Application.

In a few sentences describe the highlights of your production: All of our jewellery is hand made in New York City.  We design, prototype and produce as much of the collection as possible in our studio in Long Island City. We work with jewellers in the diamond district in Manhattan for all outside metalwork and casting.

Finish the sentence…

Sterling silver is…everyday.
Sterling silver will always…wear.
Sterling silver will…never quit.

nikolairose.com

CORRELLCORRELL

Name: Daphne and Vera Correll

Hometown: Göppingen Germany

First memory: We are identical twins; we used to play together now we work together. It seemed to be a natural progression. We never thought about it too much. It made sense to join forces.

DNA: Slowing down. Balancing opposites. Chaos and order.

Describe the highlights of your garments production: Each garment we design is either completely done by us or will go through our hands many times in the production process, for example to be hand dyed, embroidered or knit, it is a very labour-intensive process, sometimes the repetitive hand work becomes meditative. It is satisfying to be this involved, it feel like you are directly communicating with the person who will end up wearing your piece.

Finish the sentence…

Knits are…always beautiful.
Knits always…tell a story.
Knits will…keep you warm.

correllcorrell.com

Tags: CorrellCorrell, Deer Dana, Nikolai Rose

Stevie Dance made a crisp move to the shiny, red apple three years ago and continues to make big waves stateside. The fresh Australian is a stylist, creative consultant, writer, and founder of online zine Shop Ghost, fashion’s virtual, daily dose of C. Cool, calm, and collected, Stevie always has a pulse on next season’s juiciest thing.

On a frigid Wednesday afternoon, we met in her Chinatown apartment to discuss our love projects and a mutual appreciation for the sounds of shooting 35mm film. She exhibits a great deal of her personal photography via newly renovated Shop Ghost — a platform that further emphasizes her ability to marry photography and style. “I think at the end of the day, the image is what really matters, making a moment. The work should be about making it mean something, conveying a sensation, telling a story. Anything I do with fashion is in support of this,” Dance says.

She carefully curates everything she does even though her nonchalant swagger would lead one to believe otherwise. Dance is a busy girl but never spreads herself too thin. “I’m currently shooting a nude series on my friend Shanay, working with POP, Vogue Australia, and planning a chance to go for a swim.” Look out for SHANAYGOTKNOCKEDUP.com.justdoit and visit Stevie’s sites to see on the internet.

steviedance.com
chanceswithwolves.blogspot.com — For playlists
ffffound.com — For inspiration
pitchfork.com — For opinion
mnzstore.com — For buying
shopghost.com — For life!

Tags: Stevie Dance

Emotion, observation, and handwork all describe the process of two designers that have people talking. Early in the morning, far from the hustle bustle of Manhattan, I explored two Brooklyn studio-apartments and found creations buzzing and glowing with otherworldly charm. With their name on the line, Alice Waese and David Michael are creating pieces you want to live in and there is nothing basic about them.

The Toronto native Alice Waese moved to New York after studying at the International Academy of Art and Design in Toronto and working for Jeremy Laing. In NY, she became Maria Cornejo’s right hand for several years before later settling across the pond in London. She is now back in hasty NY — a change of pace that has helped develop the collection through mere conversation, an exchange that introduced the idea of expanding her brand to include knitwear. Her work, a combination of “processes, research and intuition”, has fueled her latest endeavor which includes her sense of accessory and design. “The jewelry is more objective then ever before, while there are still organic and abstract shapes, the focus of the collection for me was more on a direct narrative — carved skulls and bodies like voodoo and worry dolls. It is a more obvious and emotional collection, more direct. The knits are a combination of hand and machine knits, a lot of color and texture.”

Tell Me More :

“I start the day off with 7 toed cat paws in my face. Strong coffee and drawing or emailing.

My wardrobe consists mostly of antique white men’s shirts collected in London, lots of Zero Maria Cornejo, white Arts & Science night gown / silk dresses, black leather Guidi boots.

Everyday jewelry includes full hands of rings, my tall bark ring cast from tree bark, multiple double rings cast from leather, stacked raw black diamonds.

Current studio playlist sounds like Chances with Wolves Radio via East Village Radio and lots of Bill Callahan, always. Austra, Will Oldham, Jennifer Castle, Jessica Pratt, Dylan, Kendrick Lamar, Yo Yo Ma, Timbre Timber, Joanna Newsome.

Home is a good place to make a mess.”

alicewaese.com

David Michael Hershberger, the intelligent, laidback designer from California launched David Michael last fall. His immaculate understanding of garment construction has also lead him to tailoring gigs with the likes of Dior, Chloe, Alexander Wang, and John Varvatos. His fresh women’s collection has a “neo-romantic” energy reminiscent of his earlier line Endovanera (co-founded in LA circa 2007). This time around the pieces are truly made to grace a female figure. “New Jack City” was this season’s inspiration, a 1991 American crime film that took place in New York City. “Everything is made in Manhattan, so I can be close to the process.”

Tell Me More :

“I start the day off with E 3 Live, playing music and the hope to get out at some point during daylight.

My wardrobe consists mostly of pleated trousers I get when I go back to LA. And trench coats so that I have the creep vibe going on.

Everyday jewelry includes my gold teeth.

Current studio playlist sounds like Frank Zappa’s Muffin Man — thanks Clay Webster for all the heavy cruisin’ jams. Jeffertities Nile, Baby Vampire Cape, Ariel Pink, Greatest Hits, Zak Mering, Raw Thrills.

Home is cruisin’. Just got a car, now I can explore the east coast.”

davidmichael.us/journal

Tags: Alice Waese, David Michael Hershberger, New York Fashion Week

Cold New Yorkers keep warm with the tropical sounds of Jubilee. The Miami native moved to New York ten years ago and once worked as a make-up artist, keeping ladies like Lauryn Hill and the Penthouse Pets looking immaculately fierce. Present-day DJ/producer, Jubilee now pursues music full-time and can make the stiffest of bodies turn out a little sweat and bounce.

I first met the cool Brooklyn resident on a wintry Tuesday in January while sitting in East Village Radio’s very small, mirrored studio. Jess played an exclusive set for Chillin’ Island and I tried to be discreet about my dance as I slowly sipped on an apple cider from Juicy Lucy. Her music is hot.

She is also co-hosting Radio Lily’s new Mixpak show with Dubbel Dutch and Dre Skull every Tuesday and if you know Miss Lily’s —the notorious dance-while-you-dine restaurant located in downtown NY — expect to receive one big party via their internet broadcast.

In the meantime, Jubilee will keep you going with her New York Fashion Week Playlist and top tips for the city that never sleeps. Your sultry, mini getaway awaits.

“I kept this one pretty girly and sexy. It”s a list of things I would play to dance to, want to hear right now on the runway and listen to while getting ready to go out. Also includes some great talent from New York.” 

1/ Cassie All Gold Everything Remix f Trina and Lola Monroe
2/ Salva x Brenmar- Let me Bang 
3/ Brooke Candy – Everybody Does 
4/ Boody & Le1f- Soda
5/ Ciara -Goodies (Kingdom Remix) 
6/ Pearson Sound vs. Rod Lee- Working With Refix 
7/ Tifa-Champion Bubbler 
8/ Theophilus London Ft Rihanna – Jump (Club Cheval Remix) 
9/ Jubilee-Overtown 
10/ Dubbel Dutch – Self Help Riddim 
11/ GIRL UNIT- Ensemble
12/ Wavy Spice- Bitch I”m Posh 
13/ Gita- Let That 

Listen to Jubilee”s playlist .

IRL  — A list of Jubilee’s top 5 people, places, and things

www.theresadapra.com
Designer of all things, unbelievable, and the most fun and good-looking girl I know.

radiolily.com
Obsessed with Miss Lily”s restaurant as well as their radio station. I just started hosting a show on there every Tuesday with Mixpak Records.

naomiyasudanyc.com
I swear by Naomi. My nails are always on point thanks to her.

yelp.com/biz/bozu-brooklyn
I have been going to this place since I moved to Brooklyn. Definitely a favorite. Great drinks and weird tapas twist on Japanese food.

yelp.com/biz/brooklyn-car-service-brooklyn
You might need to learn Spanish to use this car service but it is totally worth it.

jubileelovesyou.com

Tags: Jubilee, Twin Playlist