ARTICLE ON FLASHBACK MAGAZINE
Greek filmmaker, Konstantinos Menelaou directs ‘City Portraits’ by ellesse heritage.
The first bespoke campaign dedicated to the ellesse heritage platform, a fashion-led subdivision of the iconic Italian sports brand. The result is a unique set of films, each purveying an ‘ellesse heritage’ lifestyle within 3 leading cultural cities. The cinematography is beautiful, and the result is 100% authentic… staying close to the ellesse heritage ethos. Each film paints a unique portrait of the cities in which the protagonists live and thrive.
A ‘day in the life’ style documentary captures their working life, hobbies, active routines and personal interests; giving the viewer a highly personal insight into each city. ellesse heritage have chosen dynamic and humble protagonists, which in their opinions live these cities in a completely unique way.
http://www.flashbackmag.de/hip-hop-rap/lifestyle-ellesse-heritage-city-portraits-%E2%80%93-berlin/
ARTICLE ON “THE CRUISING” at REAL/REEL
Fringe! Film Fest runs from the 12th – 15th April and exists in conversation with, but is independent from, the BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival that happened recently (covered by Caroline Guo for Real|Reel). Fringe! is “a confetti burst of queer culture” with an eclectic programme of films and events, you can see the full programme here. As part of the festival Konstantinos Menelaou created The Cruising project which invites users to download a map and visit the infamous cruising spot of Abney Park Cemetery in East London.
Public spaces have identities and uses that are both intended and appropriated. For the public, any space can acquire meaning through personal experiences or by existing information. That meaning differs for each person. The Cruising uses technology to shape an identity for Abney Park: that of the cruising area. Cruising is a practice that appropriates urban public spaces and transforms them into queer geographies.
“Reality is always augmented by a person’s subjectivity; we influence the world around us in accordance with our views, beliefs, aesthetic tastes and so on. ”
The Cruising visual and google map enables visitors of Abney Park Cemetery to have an intimate, guided experience around the area. Once the map is downloaded you’re free to go in search of a personal experience in Abney Park Cemetery.
FRINGE! FILM FEST - A confetti burst of queer culture
Menelaou also created an augmented reality app to coincide with the project, but sadly it was rejected for release. They are currently working on this problem and hope to make the app available very soon. The concept behind the app is still relevant though and should be considered alongside the rest of the project. The app is similar to Guardian Street Stories which is a geolocation and audio app. The Guardian used AppFurnace to create an immersive audio experience for users walking around the Kings Cross area in London, where the Guardian offices are located. The Street Stories app triggers audio stories and information as you reach particular parts of the King’s Cross area. It can also be used manually if you want to hear something specific, or if you are not in King’s Cross area.
Both The Guardian’s and Menelaou’s conceptual apps work on developments in augmented reality software, which have been popularised recently with the emergence of QR codes in advertising, and the development of Google Goggles. Augmented Reality is a live view of a real world environment whose elements are augmented by computer generated sensory inputs such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. Augmented Reality differs from Virtual Reality, which replaces the real world with a simulated one, whereas Augmented Reality enhances the experience of an existing reality or environment.
“This project is both innovative and controversial, taking new media to the fringes of culture.”
The Cruising project shows us that reality is always augmented by a person’s subjectivity; we influence the world around us in accordance with our views, beliefs, aesthetic tastes and so on. Menelaou’s app uses technology, conventional cartography and storytelling to bring Abney Park Cemetery’s use as a cruising zone to the forefront. Identities shape environments and spaces are appropriated by people for a variety of purposes. Technology can now be used to enhance, shape, and change environments in accordance with virtually any viewpoint, a point that Fringe! Film Fest are pushing in an interesting and unusual direction. Cruising is a sexualised activity that is taboo in heterosexual culture, Menelaou is reappropriating and subverting the uses of emerging technologies to celebrate this controversial cultural practice.
Menelaou explained to me that “The Cruising project is not so much based on the app, but is more of a conceptual project that manifests itself through different media”. The map is available in multiple formats, both digital and analog: “by having the map on a postcard we can make the cruising area look and feel more real. Every media reinforces the idea that the cruising areas are established areas” states Menelaou. Cruising is a controversial activity, and Menelaou has encountered problems selling the concept, “our app was rejected due to the nature of its features” he explains. This project is both innovative and controversial, taking new media to the fringes of culture. The ideas are intriguing, and we look forward to trying them out in person. If you’re in London, give it a whirl.
The Cruising project is an innovative addition to this intriguing festival celebrating queer culture, you can learn more about it here. Fringe! runs from 12th – 15th April 2012. Real|Reel will be at the festival this weekend, so look out for our perspectives over the coming days.
“Kiss Me” in ON/OFF, TUULI & RANKIN FANZINE 2
On|Off in partnership with Land Rover announces for a third consecutive season a collaboration with Tuuli & Rankin, once more joining forces to promote creative talent.
For SS12 the On|Off / Tuuli & Rankin collaboration consisted of an exclusive limited edition fanzine. Having Tuuli’s talent as a creative director, On|Off curated the designers and Tuuli & Rankin the photographers, The limited edition fanzine was presented at Rankin’s Studio on the eve of LFW in September 2011.
For AW12, On|Off, Land Rover and the renowned duo will support another creative field that is shaping the future of the industry: Fashion Film. For the occasion On|Off has selected some of the most exciting international designers: Charlie Le Mindu, Yang Du, Bernhard Willhelm, Andrea Crews and Alex Noble. The five leading designers will work with the following directors carefully picked by Tuuli & Rankin: Zoe Hitchen, Konstantinos Menelaou, CDBG/LaCompanieDuBonGoût, Chantapitch Wiwatchaikamol and Joost Vandebrug. Tuuli will work on the creative direction of all films.
Photos from the launch party here
INTERVIEW AT DAZED DIGITAL
A Shaded View On Fashion Film Festival (ASVOFF) is about to launch their first video art exhibition, called ASVOFF ART. A celebration of the evolution of the genre, it is set to shed some light on the intriguing world of fashion film. Diane Pernet’s ASVOFF ART has commissioned three new video art projects, bringing together some of the most exciting video artists and fashion designers, with the brief of creating a celebrated piece of experimentation and daring. Artists Sergio Cruz, Kathryn Ferguson and Socrates Mitsio & Actually Huizenga collaborated with designers Alex Noble, Charlie Le Mindu and Simon Preen on the project and we caught up with curator Konstantinos Menelaou ahead of the exhibition to find out more.
Dazed Digital: Tell us more about the A Shaded View On Fashion Film Festival…
Konstantinos Menelaou: ASVOFF is now in its 6th successful year. After a great year touring around the world (Japan, Australia and Europe) we’re back at Centre Pompidou on the 7th, 8th and 9th October with a great selection of short and feature films, special screenings, conferences and a great party where I will be DJ-ing with Diane Pernet, founder and curator of ASVOFF! This year the volume and quality of submissions have been of the highest standards. This edition of the festival will be the best and most exciting yet.
DD: How did the idea for ASVOFF ART first come about and why have you decided to launch now?
Konstantinos Menelaou: It came about during one of our many conversations with Diane Pernet about ASVOFF, video art and fashion films and how dynamic the genre has become. ASVOFF has always shown work in galleries and museums, but with ASVOFF ART we wanted to go a bit further, to work with fine artists and to encourage the production of work that could be shown in a gallery space and not just in the theatre and the internet. ASVOFF ART is a platform for artists to meet, interact and work with fashion designers and create work beyond the limitations of the single screen.
DD: What do you hope to achieve with this exhibition?
Konstantinos Menelaou: Centre Pompidou is one of the best places in the world to view and be inspired by art and the host of ASVOFF for the last three years. I am so happy we were given the opportunity to debut ASVOFF ART in such a space. We hope that this occasion will be a good start to this division of ASVOFF and mark a series of many projects to come.
DD: How did you choose the artists and designers for the collaborative project?
Konstantinos Menelaou: I always look for diversity and for this exhibition I wanted to show as many different approaches to art and fashion as possible. Each one of the participating artists has a distinctive personal style. Kathryn Ferguson uses CGI techniques and creates beautiful unreal environments, Sergio Cruz combines video art and documentary and Socrates Mitsios & Actually Huizenga reference underground art cinema. The collaboration with the fashion designers came after a series of conversations I had with the artists. My aim was not to put matching styles together. What I wanted was for their collaboration to bring new elements to each participant’s work.
DD: Art and Fashion have long been intertwined, how do you think the growing genre of fashion film will affect this?
Konstantinos Menelaou: The relationship between art and fashion has been the catalyst for the creation of ASVOFF ART. Fashion is a form of art and fashion films borrow elements from video art in order to enhance the aesthetic value of a collection and the artistic vision of the designer. A film or a video has the potential to elaborate on ideas, create new ones and bring out the essence of a collection. The evolution of the genre definitely brings fashion and art even closer.
DD: What makes a good fashion film? Do you have any favorites?
Konstantinos Menelaou: Originality, models with acting skills, powerful styling. I have so many favorite films.. but lately I’m obsessed with new work of Sergio Cruz, Kathryn Ferguson and Socrates Mitsios & Actually Huizenga…
Curated by Konstantinos Menelaou, ASVOFF ART at ASVOFF Festival, October 7-8 2011, at Centre Pompidou, Paris. for more details, click HERE
ELLESSE HERITAGE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES ON DAZEDDIGITAL
ellesse heritage has created City Portraits, a series of films by Konstantinos Menelaou documenting familiar icononography – and what it means for a day in the life of the story’s featured protagonist. Beginning with Paul in Berlin and Chris in London, Dazed Digital premieres the series – and catches up with the Italian sportswear brand for the full story.
Dazed Digital: What inspired you to kick off with Berlin and London?
Ellesse Heritage: Berlin and London are two of the most recognisable cities in the world in terms of architecture, landmarks and different scenes that inhabit the city. Ellesse and the heritage of the brand has a very different perception in the UK and German market too, a heritage very much aligned with European sportswear and terraces for the former and retro sport with premium references for the latter.
DD: Tell us about the casting…
Ellesse Heritage: Both Chris and Paul were found through our extended network of friends in both cities. We were not looking for someone stereotypical but for varied working lives, hobbies and interests. Definitely someone expressive, multi-faceted, sexy even; bold and sporty. Athleticism is at the centre of both videos and it’s the means through which the protagonists get to showcase their life in the city. Paul cruising on his board, Chris keeping fit on his bike or training in the park.
DD: Which city is next?
Ellesse Heritage: City portraits is going to New York for a short film released this coming September. We’ll be shooting there in the next few weeks, again someone dynamic and exciting who together with Konstantinos can create an atmospheric and personal portrait of New York. The portrait will take our ideas a bit further, not only in terms of filming, but mainly in the new way we will approach the main character. We will introduce voice over to provide more depth and we will follow him for several days moving away from “the day in the life” approach. We will introduce secondary characters that will enrich our efforts to create a complete and stimulating character. The special heritage of the brand in the States will also create a point of reference.
READ THE INTERVIEW ON DAZEDDIGITAL
In conversation with Vincent Gagliostro on I-D
The weather in April might not hold up to what March has promised but it provides the perfect opportunity to explore some indoor culture, this weekend in the form of the second Fringe! Film Fest!
A gay film and arts event that takes place across various venues in East London, the Fringe! Film Fest offers a host of films, performance pieces, art exhibitions, interactive happenings and the odd party. i-D listened in to a conversation between Fringe! curator Konstantinos Menelaou and participating artist, activist and ACT UP pioneer Vincent William Gagliostro about ‘The After Louie installation project’, an exhibition documenting Gagliostro’s personal romantic longing, and what he believes is a wider communal longing for a pre-AIDS/ Sex in the City New York in all its social, artistic and sexual glory.
The video part of the installation project, along with Gagliostro’s piece ‘Five Movements on the Subject of Homosexuality and Evidence of its Place in Society’ will be shown at Bethnal Green Town Hall Hotel on Sunday 15th April.
KM: Sex is the driving force and the destructive force of both the installation and the video/films…
VWG: In the early 70s gay men began to restructure existing relationships, concepts of beauty and the use of sex as a revolutionary tool. It was a first. We were finally free and we were free all over the place in every nook and cranny we could find. WE HAD SEX. Until we had to STOP having sex. Or at least we were told by some, even our leaders like Larry Kramer. It was very unpopular. And soon sex started to destroy what it had built and it wasn’t about the health crisis or the infections. Sex destroyed the social fabric of gay life. Without sex it began to seem there was no gay life. This was almost more threatening than the mysterious virus. So many were willing to keep having sex, maybe because we were afraid to be alone.
K.K: All images are markers of time, of loss and of looking for a future…
VWG: One group of photos in the installation is called ‘Memorable Dates’ – random dates of note – Stonewall for example, which was a memorial I attended. There are documents, reprints of things, like the Larry Kramer article that ran in the New York Native. There are eulogies from political funerals, old demonstration flyers. We need to remember it all, I remember it all, not with nostalgia, but with relief that this New York existed, actually happened. These were moments and in these moments there was hope, freedom and expression inside those chilling hideous moments of our friends dying.
KM: Is there a Queer Future?
VWG: One must ask it. I think today kids are looking for some kind of protection, and the bad news is nothing will protect, certainly not marriage. I mean, one more gay marriage portrait of a privileged white male couple in the New York Times, really, that’s the protection we are offering kids? What about the kid who will kill himself because of bullying or haters? Are we really convinced that same-sex, (I don’t even think it’s called that any more, they took the “sex” part out) is going to protect us? It’s not only an obvious question to ask but an honest and maybe hurtful one. To tell you the truth the question scares the hell out of me.
KM: What about pre-AIDS New York gay life and gay life today? How do they compare?
VWG: There were no mobile phones then. And there was still the nourishment of real off-line experience and sex and art and strangers and pre-abocrombie abs. Today everything is already discovered, developed, trained, tracked, exploited, and done over. Today we have a gay community ready to exclude all those who are not looking to live traditional lives. Then it was about inclusion. Today is about exclusion, apartness. Then we weren’t ashamed of anything or of who we were and what we desired. Today we are ashamed of that very past.
KM: What about your work at The White Cubicle Gallery?
VWG: It’s about unbridled art and sex and the social side – a good time and humour. There is more to the gallery than meets the eye. It provokes and isn’t that what art should do anyway.
fringefilmfest.com
gagliostrostudio.com
The exhibition is now open at The White Cubicle Gallery in the George & Dragon on Hackney Road, running until April 26th.
Text: Alexander Karotsch & Konstantinos Menelaou
READ THE ARTICLE HERE
FRINGE FILM FESTIVAL
Have a read about this exciting project i have been involved in since last November:
East London’s spunky alternative gay film festival is back in April after a storming first year which brought in over 2000 people.
With a program ranging from voguing lessons in a gym to a film salon in a log cabin and a swathe of great gay films, Fringe! mixes enhanced screenings with creative events and parties. For 2012 Fringe will be showing some of the hits of New Queer Cinema to mark the 20th anniversary of the movement that brought us tales of oddball outsiders challenging heterosexual norms such as 90s Brit classic ‘Young Soul Rebels’.
Fringe will show classic cinema and new films, and will commission new work too: a series of Super 8 videos from London artists and a Youtube Project that will collect accounts of the universal experience of First Love.
With over 20 films, a dozen events, four parties and an all-nighter on Saturday 14th, the four day festival will be a blast of high-energy queer fun and will take place across multiple venues in East London. The festival is pulled together by volunteers, hosted by four major cinemas and many events will be cheap or free. Everyone is welcome.
Highlights of Fringe 2012:
• ‘In Bed with Madonna’ – an anarchic hosted screening of this controversial classic (Dalston Rio)
• ‘Community Action Center’ – the vibrant sociosexual video exploring the queer underground art scene gets its second UK screening presented by Stuart Comer of the Tate Modern (Aubin Gallery)
• A series of lesbian short films presented by the film-makers and a discussion on intergenerational lesbian culture will be hosted by Amsterdam-based lesbian art magazine Girls Like Us (venue tba)
• ‘Private Romeo’ – a Shakespeare performance in a military academy spills over into real life for the young cadets (Hackney Picturehouse)
• Little Joe’s Clubhouse – an intimate film and discussion salon styled on a log-cabin and hosted by the queer film magazine will be screening an eclectic programme of underground film and serving as a social hub throughout the festival weekend (venue tba)
• Darkroom – a speakeasy themed party, inspired by European lesbian haunts of the last century. Featuring cocktails, films and a lesbian darkroom
Dates: Thursday 12th April, Friday 13th, Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th 2012
Cinemas: Dalston Rio Cinema, Hackney Picturehouse, the Rich Mix Cinema - Bethnal Green, The Aubin Cinema & Gallery - Shoreditch House
Other venues: Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel, CAMP basement, Market Sports Gym, Long White Cloud Café, various pop-up venues
Programme: Announced 19th March 2012
Tickets: On sale from 19th March 2012 from fringefilmfest.com/tickets
Website: fringefilmfest.com
Facebook: facebook.com/fringefest
Twitter: twitter.com/fringefilmfest
“KISS ME” premiers on DAZEDDIGITAL. Have a look at the video and interview of my partner in crime Yang Du. DAZEDDIGITAL.COM
SHOOTING FOR F/A1 EXHIBITION - PORTO
Minas Minatsis posted this in his blog Eternal Optimist about the F/A 1 exhibition opening in Porto next week.
Today artist / filmmaker Stavro Christo Vlachakis and the eternal optimist met in Tatoi, Athens for the shooting of a new fashion film to be showcased among other international film projects at F/A1, a video art exhibition curated by Konstantinos Menelaou, opening in Porto on the 20th November. It was also my first collaboration with make up artist George Fytas who did a great job. More coverage soon.
Check out the photos from Stavro Christo’s shoot: http://eternal-optimist.typepad.com/minasminatsis/2011/11/shooting-for-fa1-exhibition-porto.html
F/A1 Curated by Konstantinos Menelaou
The Wrong Weather Gallery, Avenida da Boavista, 754, Porto,
November 20th - December 3rd 2011, Mon - Sat, 10:30am - 7:30pm
Private View 6-9pm, November 19th 2011
The Wrong Weather Gallery is pleased to announce F/A1, a video art exhibition that marks a new approach toward the genre of fashion film, illuminating fashion in the moving image through provocative concepts and fresh styles of presentation.
Based on the creative credentials of the participating artists, F/A1 presents a selection of new work that introduces a new way of making, expressing and perceiving moving images that deal with the subject of fashion.
Participating artists tbc
