Talking off the Wall Mag #1

TALKING OFF THE WALL…While walking down the streets of Wynwood for the first time, I was shocked by the abundance of Art exhibited right there in plain sight for everyone to see. This place is alive and also magical…The South Florida sunshine is Wynwood’s best friend- LIGHTS! The passersby snapping shots in awe- CAMERA! Everything and everyone is on stage; Artists painting their vision on the walls of Wynwood- ACTION!

Here, you will find yourself playing in your own backyard. You will find Street Art on buildings, in warehouses, on the street, and street lights, “tagged” by the most regarded Street Artists in the world! This is not only happening in Wynwood-Miami, but throughout South Florida; from Miami to West Palm Beach, embracing the talented Street Artists of today. We are fortunate to have a ton of LOCAL Artists that love living where WE love living! These talented South Florida Street Artists sleep/eat where they create and freely do so right before our eyes; that is, if we know when/where to look. This is where TALKING OFF THE WALL will guide you through and introduce you to them. Together we will show our love for what they do; from painting, stenciling, wheatpasting, tagging; essentially expressing themselves; TALKING OFF THE WALL will be there to c o n t i n u a l l y e x c h a n g e d i a l o g u e between the Artists and the Art Lovers; sometimes one in the same. In this first issue, we wanted to find someone to represent Wynwood as we start of our Street Art journey. We wanted someone who loved and more importantly-supported- our Art Community. This was an easy choice to make and I will tell you why… Back in December during Art Basel I met this incredible lady with white spiky hair sitting at a local cafe. I knew I’d seen her on FB before, also on stickers around town. This Miami woman knew a lot of local and international artists and I just had to meet her to introduce myself and the Talking Off the Wall project. I still can’t get over how approachable she is. Anyone can get into a conversation with her about Art, and SNAP!, 45 minutes will fly by. She is a wealth of knowledge and her adoration for Art is obvious and sincere. Myra Wexler- aka Yo Momma has agreed to grace our first cover and allowed us to interview her within Wynwood Walls. So this is issue #1. Each and every month you will find great Street Artists featured. We will include incredible interviews, articles regarding this genre, and events/happenings around town where you can support your Street Art community. One more shout out as we get Talking Off the Wall rag out in circulation. My good friend and artistic talent who is also local to Wynwood, Gabriel Gimenez – aka GG who’s known for his signature character, Fedo, who is best described as a face with disproportionate black eyes and wacky mouth. Thank you GG for always putting a smile on our faces and creating Talking Off the Wall’s Magazine logo!

What’s up for next month you may wonder? Let’s just say this Graffiti Artist and Muralist will walk us thru his Miami Art career, which started in the mid 80’s! Any guesses?

So let’s start TALKING OFF THE WALL. See you at your favorite community establishment, if TALKING OFF THE WALL is not there, then please ask the manager to start carrying it!~Pascal D.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Pascal D. with GG

Renda interviews Yo Momma

Miami is rapidly emerging as a city known not only for its beaches and nightclubs, but also for its cultural landscape and burgeoning art scene. The walls of the city, Wynwood in particular, have become recognized as canvases to some of the best local and international artists.

Wynwood has been a mecca for street artists for

many years. Primary Flight first curated murals in the area, as Chris Oh remembers: “Wynwood was a rundown commercial district and the whole neighborhood was in such bad condition that the business owners gave us permission to paint murals on their property. The graffiti crew that I am in had been painting the Wynwood neighborhood since the 90’s so we already had a history of painting murals in the area. As the years went on, more and more artists started to come to Miami for Art Basel and wanted to get down on murals. By 2009 we had painted over 250 murals in Wynwood and helped define the neighborhood as an emerging arts district with street art as its catalyst.”

With the creation of the Wynwood Walls in 2009, Tony Goldman, added works by international artists like Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf and Retna, which have become a beloved landmarks to tourists and locals alike. The world’s best artists now flock to Wynwood to create some of the most outstanding murals, like Ukranian duo Interesni Kazki or Brazilian artist Edouardo Kobra who created an ode to some of the greatest artists of all times.

British artist Lakwena, responsible for the “I Remember Paradise” wall, experienced a spirit of collaboration. “Miami artists have been so welcoming. Really nice and so healthy in their creativity. That kind of edge you sometimes find, I found it to be the exact opposite here. It has really been inspiring.”

Times have changed. Luis Berros remembers. “Today I see a lot of friendly atmosphere where crews co-exist. In my era that did not happen. I was a part of the VO5 Crew. Everything we did was trendsetting. It is still a legendary crew. Back then it was a little violent. I am kind of happy it has taken a turn to where it is now. It is more about respecting art and other artists and working together, coming up with ideas together. It has changed most definitely a lot and for the better.” ~ Heike Dempster | Photo by Robert Dempster

WYNWOOD TODAY

Heike interviewing Lakwena in Wynwood

Friday, May 9th Swenson Gallery – Bakehouse Art Complex 561 NW 32nd St, Wynwood Arts District from 7-10pm•Ernesto Kunde presents “Symbiotic Promise”•The artist’s intensive examination of mangroves, sea grapes and other native plant life presents a heightened awareness and a sensory experience of our

surroundings. The artist transforms the gallery through his sculptural overlaying of paintings, creating a parallel to the symbiotic relationship between people and nature, and the promise we each need to make to care for the natural surroundings that are vital to our survival.•Audrey Love Gallery: Recently Acquired V BAC •Each year, the BAC celebrates artists who have taken residency in the previous year by featuring a selection of their most current work. The exhibition highlights the inspirations and influences developed in the residency.

Saturday, May 10th Wynwood Art WalkArt Gallery, Public Art & Event SpaceNW 2nd Ave (NW 20th & NW 36th St), Wynwood Arts District, 7-11pm •Food Trucks located at the corner of 23rd & 2nd Ave.

Saturday, May 17th Downtown Hollywood Art Walk Hollywood Blvd./Harrison St. & Tyler St.•3rd Saturday of every month, 7-10pm

Thursday, May 22nd BBAD Boynton Beach Art walk408-422 West Industrial Ave, Boynton Beach•Providing Florida Artists in all disciplines a venue to showcase their talent and creativity•Every 4th Thursday of the month 6-10pm

Wednesday, May 28th Wynwood Brewing Company 565 NW 24th St, Wynwood Arts District•Last Call Comedy Show. Last Wednesday of every month at 8pm•Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of hipster heaven, what used to be

The Moustache Ride Comedy Show has found a new home.

Saturday, May 31st FAT Village Art Walk North Andrews & NW 5th St, Fort Lauderdale 7-11pm

April 25th through 27th Wynwood Life Festival: A Cultural Street Festival

Saturday, April 26th FAT Village Art Walk North Andrews & NW 5th St, Fort Lauderdale 7-11pm

Running through May WYN 317 Gallery 167 NW 25th St, Wynwood Arts District•Wall Candy •Photography by Matthew Winghart. Showing through May 3rd.

Running through May Brisky Gallery 130 NW 24th St, Wynwood Arts District •Painter’s Delight Rhetoric of an artist’s stroke. Running through May 31st

Friday, May 2nd The Downtown Miami Art WalkMcCormick Place, 111 SW 3rd St, Miami•First Friday of the month, 6-10pm

Saturday, May 3rd You & I are Love Art Show The Social Lubricant Lounge 167 NW 23rd St, Wynwood Arts District•Live Painting & Live Music - 8pm til…

Sunday, May 4th Yo Space 294 NE 62nd St, Little Haiti

•Average Joe Sale 3 to 8PM•The whole idea behind these Average Joe sales is to make it possible for everyday people to be able to support their local artists by presenting art work in a laid back environment at affordable prices.

Wednesday, May 7th Wood Tavern 2531 NW 2nd Ave, Wynwood Arts District•Gringo Bingo 1st Wednesday of every month Starting at 7pm Thursday, May 8th through July 4th DOT Fiftyone Gallery 187 NW 27th St, Wynwood Arts District•“Reverse: rewriting Culture” Curated by Janet Batet

TALKING OFF THE WALLYour CommUNITY Street Artist’s Voice

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Ads & Events due by the [email protected]

Masthead/Logo: Gabriel Gimenez aka GG

Cover concept/photo: Pascal Doytier

All photography and artwork used with Myra Wexler’s permission.

TOTW talented writers, amazing photographers, contributors, unconditional supporters, artists and friends:Christy Thompson, Heike Dempster, Yess Miakoda, Renda Writer, Sandro Abate, Sean R Sullivan, Craig Ledermann, Bryan Levy, Robert Dempster, Robert William, Andrew Kaufman, Jonathan Delgado, Sunshyne Reels, Myra Wexler, Yuval Ofir, Sookie and Maddie Endo, Justin Hamel, Zoel Zupstar, David McCauley, TMNK aka Nobody, Luis Valle, Able Gw, Ivan Roque, Chy Tea Shoulin, GG, Danny Ferrer, Kelo, Jorge Rodriguez, Subi Roberto, 2Square, Kazilla, The DOWW, Leza One, HecOne, Asek, Buddah Funk, Trek6, Elio Mercado, Derek Wilson, Diana Contreras, Effis Art, Registered Artist, Rigo Leon, 8bitlexicon, Atomik, Steven Reyes, Nate Dee, Sergio Quinonez, Krave Art, Luis Berros, Tee Davis, Jessica Schnur, Abstrk, Astre74, Gons, Chor Boogie, Ernesto Kunde, Danelle & Michele Pino, Barbara de Varona, Lee Hoechstetter and my children, Lucas, Maxence and Shayna.Special thanks to Steev Rullman & PureHoney Magazine for believing in TOTW and making it possible.Peace

Renda Writer (RW): Talking Off the Wall! Today we are talking off the wall with Myra Wexler, also known as, Yo MommaYo Momma (YM): Yo Momma in the house!

RW: And the house today is Wynwood Walls. We are in front of Tony Goldman, the proprietor, the supporter, the man behind pretty much the whole art scene here in Wynwood so…pretty significant for us to be here, right?!YM: Absolutely! You know my motto is, “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.” Yo, Yo!

RW: Tell everyone the story behind that.YM: I’m a native, Miami-born girl, I grew up in Coral Gables. I’ve done a number of different, interesting, fabulous things; and then I found myself in 2006 retired. I was lucky enough to retire and what was I going to do? And I immersed myself in the arts, I joined all the museums. I’m an original supporter of the Bakehouse Art Complex here in Wynwood, affordable studio space for artists, to Mocha, Museum of Contemporary Art, The Wolfsonian, The Frost Art Museum, PAMM, Perez Art Museum Miami. I support all of those and I’m so proud to see MY Miami, ‘cause I really like to see my hometown, emerging in such a fabulous, important cultural way. The arts drive the culture, and without culture, we’re a robot society.

RW: How did you create your social media empire? You seem to be everywhere; on Facebook, on Instagram.YM: Well, I had an Apple laptop. I don’t remember who told me about Facebook, but there was a buzz about it; and I’ve always been hyper visual and on trend. In fact I like to tout myself as being a trendsetter. When I had my retail children’s clothing store for many years I was always cutting edge and my buying was phenomenal. If I tell you that, you know, major departments stores kind of took their lead from me. I was the first to the mix of gift and products. I was always a display queen, decorating. My own personal art is collage and assemblage, because drawing is too disciplined and within the box within the frame. I’m like always outside the box.

RW: Very undisciplined.YM: Undisciplined-yeah. I’m Gemini. I don’t know if that influences my behavior or the way I roll, but I am very impulse-oriented. As an adult I surprise myself how bright I am because I do very well at Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit and things like this. Because I live and I’ve experienced, and I am an avid reader.

RW: So you are a student of life. YM: A student of life, yeah.

RW: How are you enjoying your second childhood? I ask that because you say basically a happy childhood can be had at any age. So you seem to be young and alive right now and enjoying it.YM: Well my second childhood is... I seldom find myself doing something I don’t want to do. You know, I call my own shots.

RW: The master of your fate. YM: Yes, yes, and I believe we all are. It’s a universal truth, and if we do and if we are coming from a sincere, good place and practicing random kindness. That’s what comes back to you. It’s not that it’s a cake walk. Doors close but always a window opens and as we think so we are. So I am looking always in an unconscious, un self-conscious way to be projecting the light. You know, to be creating possibilities. All things are possible.

RW: Myra, before we close out, please tell the people where they can find you on the internet.YM: Well for starters you can Google me. That will probably drive you to my Facebook page where you are welcome to become a follower, on Instagram too. And also if you are cruising in the Wyn-hood, you never know, you can certainly recognize me. And, what I would like to say in closing is. Be aware of the difference that art makes in the lives of all of us. A picture is worth a thousand words. In this day where it’s a melting pot of all different languages, it’s a universal language. Peace and love for all. Obey Yo Momma.

YO MOMMA IN THE HOUSE

Myra Wexler aka Yo Momma with Renda Writer

Talking off the Wall Mag #1

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