Francesca Leone: The FRONTRUNNER Interview
An internationally-renowned painter, Francesca Leone is the daughter of art, literally. Her father is director and producer Sergio Leone, the originator of the spaghetti-western film genre and one who had redefined the American gangster movie.
A FRONTRUNNER Exclusive: Director Alexander Nanau
Our FALL 2021 Cover Story: An interview with Romanian director Alexander Nanau on his double-Academy Award-nominated documentary feature, COLLECTIVE, and how national scandals can – and should – inspire public activism.
Justin Mortimer: Enigmas and Paradoxes
Justin Mortimer’s work operates in an enigmatic world that is both surreal and realist. His paintings are marked by implicit figures and apocalyptic landscapes. Mortimer mostly works in oils and acrylics, playing on elusive paradoxes.
No Place Like Home: Aquilo
Originally from the quaint village of Silverdale in the North of England, the duo Aquilo stumbled upon fame after years of playing in rivalling rock bands. With the release of their debut single, “Calling Me”, people started to really listen.
Intuitive Creation with Yasmin Bawa
Experimentation, in terms of both medium and process, delineates Yasmin Bawa’s Berlin-based practice where she designs various objects, furniture and spaces. Evidently, instinctive trial and error pays off.
ART
“Art misses the encounter between artists and the public”: Olivier Masmonteil
“I arrive at the atelier around 7:30 a.m., when the world is still a bit asleep; it is a moment of silence, calm and tranquility”. Thus, Oliver Masmonteil tells FRONTRUNNER about his relationship with art.
The Poetic Research of Alessandro Piangiamore
From coral to flowers, from concrete to wax, Alessandro Piangiamore’s practice is so versatile that it leaves nothing to chance. Having “grown up with Etna on the horizon”, his figure culminates in the contrast emerging from each work in a poetic and clear way, into its essence.
Nona Inescu: Bodies In Nature
Connecting human bodies with nature is the focus of Nona Inescu’s practice. The Romanian artist explores our relationship with the natural world, redefining perceptions of the environment.
David Datuna: The Hungry Artist
Georgian-American artist David Datuna shocked the contemporary art world with a performance called Hungry Artist (2019-2021), where he dismounted Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous $120,000 banana, and consumed it.
Remodelling Tradition: Abraham Kritzman
Abraham Kritzman’s practice spans across painting, sculpture, printmaking and installation. He is inspired by travel, combining historical sources with modern techniques.
FRONTRUNNER Introduces Moses Hamborg
Introducing Moses Hamborg: an emerging portraitist from Huntington Beach, California. He talks about his origins, his acceptance into Kehinde Wiley’s Black Rock Residency, and the importance of memory in creating art.
FILM
Amber Sealey On Her New Film, ‘No Man Of God’
Nearly everyone, unfortunately, has heard of Ted Bundy before. Let’s hope director Amber Sealey’s ‘No Man Of God’ is the last Ted Bundy film. Ever.
FRONTRUNNER Meets Artist & Filmmaker Shen Xin
Shen Xin’s work examines and fabricates techniques and effects of how emotion, politics, identity, gender and ethics circulate through individual and collective subjects.
Filmmakers Stacey Maltin and Margarita Zhitnikova on ‘Triple Threat’
Stacey Maltin and Margarita Zhitnikova, the founders of New York-based production company Besties Make Movies, present their first feature film, Triple Threat.
FRONTRUNNER Meets Creative Polymath Johnny Flynn
Johnny Flynn, artistic polymath and true Renaissance man, wandered the Sacred Forest and explored the oldest piece of literature to find inspiration for his fifth album, Lost in the Cedar Wood.
When Worlds Collide: Kenny Scharf
FRONTRUNNER presents an exclusive interview with Malia Scharf and filmmaker Max Basch on their documentary When Worlds Collide: Kenny Scharf.
In Her Own Words: Octavia Spencer
FRONTRUNNER’S Winter 2021 Cover Feature: Oscar-Winning Actress and Producer Octavia Spencer, in her own words.
MUSIC
Music That Heals: Ensemble Mik Nawooj
The world can be full of so much pain and suffering that we can’t control. Maybe music can be a cure. That’s what hip-hop orchestra Ensemble Mik Nawooj aims to do: alleviate suffering with music.
FRONTRUNNER Gets to Know…Yuno
While he works on his debut album, FRONTRUNNER spoke with Yuno about his latest single, “January’s Somebody”, self-production, how he took music from his bedroom to the stage, and more.
Good Conversation(s) with Zein Gowie
This interview, much like Zein’s music, brims with a humble energy that comes hand in hand with being true to oneself. Zein Gowie is a
Coming Up Next: Fickle Friends
Nobody likes fickle friends who are temperamental and inconstant, but it’s a different story when it comes to euphoric indie-pop band Fickle Friends. There’s nothing fickle
Sweet New Sounds From Black Honey
If you can’t make up your mind on whether to listen to Nancy Sinatra or Nirvana: lovechild Black Honey demands to be heard. With their retro film-inspired aesthetic, the British quartet transports you to the movie set of their world.
Getting to the Source: Nubya Garcia
Nubya Garcia is an internationally renowned saxophonist, composer and bandleader. She speaks to FRONTRUNNER about her latest album, Source, the discipline it takes to honour your talent, and appreciating your “bubbles of goodness.”
CULTURE
Jazmyn W: A Rising Comedic Force
Leaving a six-figure corporate job for the world of standup comedy is brave. But, if your name is Jazmyn W, that gambit has already paid off.
An Interview with Curator Taras Matla
Taras W. Matla is the Associate Director of the University of Maryland (UMD) Art Gallery. He’s worked for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Trust.
FRONTRUNNER Meets ZONAMACO Founder/Director Zélika García
Zélika García is the Director and Founder of ZONAMACO, Latin America’s leading art fair in Mexico City.
FRONTRUNNER meets Sabine Schormann, Director of Documenta 15
Documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH is known as Documenta. Director General Sabine Schormann has always been passionate about bringing people together.
Vacationing in Stockholm with your teens
ART The Snösätra Graffiti Wall of Fame is a good way to experience some contemporary art outside a gallery or museum. The Snösatra Graffiti Wall
How to have a blast in Stockholm with your kids
Stockholm is a capital that caters to every kind of tourist, from backpackers to families. The city is easily one of the most child-friendly in
DESIGN
Cory Henry’s Narrative Architecture
As an educator and practitioner, Cory Henry knows the architectural discipline is burdened with social responsibility. In an exclusive for FRONTRUNNER, Cory Henry discusses inspiration, academic obstacles, plus how context and culture informs a bigger design narrative.
FRONTRUNNER Meets Studio Dainelli
Exploring themes of balance, proportionality and shape in their timeless products, Dainelli Studio’s research (helmed by founders Leonardo and Marzia Dainelli) has led to prestigious collaborations with brands such as Gallotti&Radice, Mogg, and Fendi Casa.
In Conversation with Architect Aziza Chaouni
Aziza Chaouni holds a M.A of Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a B.Sc in Civil Engineering from Columbia University. She is the founder of Aziza Chaouni Projects and assistant professor at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at University of Toronto.
FORUM HIGHLIGHTS
Finding Peace and Beauty with Farida Bustani
The seaside town resort of El Gouna, near Hurghada is a picturesque town built along the Red Sea shore. It has distinct architectural styles, adjoining
Jodie Niss On Inspiring Creativity During the Pandemic
Jodie Niss is an artist and esteemed art teacher based in Brooklyn, New York. She first started teaching in 2006, and has recently set up
Ziyang Wu: Cutting Through The Noise
Born and raised in Xuzhou (Jiangsu Province, China), Ziyang Wu is a contemporary artist teaching at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
The Art of Life and Death with Vern Rattapoom
Thai artist Rattapoom Piwpantamit (Vern) moved from a small village in Thailand to the city (Bangkok) to pursue his art career. He talks of heart-wrenching
Profile of the Week: Carla Timoc
Romanian artist Carla Timoc, recently graduated from the University of Art and Design receiving a MA degree in Photography. Her work experiments with film format
YngSpc: A space nurturing the future of art
Imagine: an independent, online/offline platform for contemporary art that emphasizes artists early in their careers. Kate Mothes never imagined her blog would turn into a
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Sierra Cortner, Social Media Marketing
So, I’m guessing purple is your favorite color? What significance does the color purple have to you? It’s not my favorite color but I recently
Dana Nehdaran, Painter
What’s something you consider “cool” and how would you classify what cool is? Someone who’s outgoing, laid back, and a smooth talker Would you call
Rameet Chawla, Farmer
Can you tell me a little bit about your role as a farmer. What exactly do you do? Do you own land or animals? I
Amy van Doran, Matchmaker
So as a matchmaker, how would you say one finds compatibility in someone else? I think it’s good to start with having a shared value
Nima Veiseh, Painter
How does your fashion and style reflect who you are as an artist? I’m the founder of a clothing company called “Dress Abstract”, which is
Pajtim Osmanaj, Artist
What colors do you like to wear? I go to both extremes. I’m either super shiny like I’m dressed today. A lot of the times