FRONTRUNNER Meets Okuda San Miguel
His Pop Surrealist works are monumental, eccentric and emanate positive vibrations with a strong emotional impact thanks to colour and harmonic shapes. Meet Óscar San Miguel Erice, aka Okuda San Miguel.
Jessica Kingdon on her Debut Documentary: Ascension
When someone says “The American Dream”, we think of a white picket fence. But the expression “Chinese Dream”? We won’t know where to begin. ASCENSION is director Jessica Kingdon’s debut documentary feature.
The Collision and Fusion of East and West: Hannah Lim
As a person of mixed Singaporean and British heritage, Hannah Lim creates furniture-like sculptures with a combination of both the East and the West elements in response to her cultural identity and experience.
Eco-Sustainable Techno-Poetry: Daan Roosegaarde
Daan Roosegaarde’s projects are aimed at the future and the sustainability of the individual. Thanks to technology, every work Roosegaarde creates is visual and immersive poetry.
Discussing the End of the Earth with The Sherlocks
British rock is not going anywhere but up, and The Sherlocks are here to show you why. With anthemic alt-rock choruses, they are a festival
Meet MAXXI Foundation President Giovanna Melandri
The MAXXI – National Museum of XXI Century Arts in Rome is the first national museum dedicated to contemporary arts and architecture in Italy.
ART
From Tuscany to the International Scene: Massimo Bartolini
Massimo Bartolini (b. Cecina, 1962) trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, and his artistic experimentation took shape through multiple mediums in relation to space and its perception. Works made of lights and shadows, of static and dynamic elements.
Alexi Marshall: Female Bodies and Folklore
Alexi Marshall celebrates womanhood in her practice, emphasising unapologetic female bodies. Drawing on print, fabric, and mosaics, she subverts gendered stereotypes through her work.
Digital Empathy: Miltos Manetas
Before the Metaverse, before you heard of NFTs or digital art, something was brewing for Greek artist Miltos Manetas. He was there right at the beginning of it all, searching for digital empathy.
Jessica Stoller: Porcelain Power And Deconstructing Feminism
Jessica Stoller redefines feminism in her work, playing on both the grotesque and the surreal within her practice. She uses her ceramic sculpture to explore and subvert idealist forms of beauty.
The Fairytale Art World of Alice Ronchi
In the rural landscape where she grew up, who better understands the importance of contact with the life of nature. We’re talking about artist Alice Ronchi, born near Piacenza, in Emilia-Romagna.
A One-On-One With Monica Bonvicini
“I think one strong reason why I wanted to become an artist is that I was terrified by the idea of getting up every day and do the same thing”. With these words, Monica Bonvicini begins our interview.
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.
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.
“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.
FILM
Virginie Efira on Paul Verhoeven’s ‘Benedetta’
Belgian actress Virginie Efira plays Benedetta Carlini, a 17th century nun entangled in a taboo, lesbian love affair in Paul Verhoeven’s eponymous film.
Alex Hassell on Joel Coen’s ‘Tragedy of Macbeth’
Alex Hassell’s resumé is admirable. With so many performances to discuss, we settle on Joel Coen’s ‘Tragedy of Macbeth’, where he plays alongside a few recognisable names such as Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington.
FRONTRUNNER Meets Director Julia Ducournau
FRONTRUNNER meets director Julia Ducournau and finds out more about her latest film, Titane, winner of this year’s Palme d’Or at Cannes.
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.
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.
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.
Demons Meet Disco in New Project: Child of the Parish
Beginning a new band is no easy feat under normal circumstances, let alone starting one mere months before being thrown into a global pandemic. This
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.
Better Days with The Night Café
Whilst beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, Vincent Van Gogh himself described his piece The Night Café as his ugliest painting ever.
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.
FRONTRUNNER exclusive: The Magic Gang
From their student house in Brighton to some of the UK’s biggest stages, including the likes of Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, The Magic Gang
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.
CULTURE
Silva Cunningham: The Sketchbooks of Growing Up
Silva Cunningham created a youth culture magazine called Plates Of Meat one year ago. In her words, “The entire thing is about the process of growing up and figuring itself out”.
Enrico Caruso Centenary: A Tenor for All Time
Even today, his voice is among the most important in the history of world music and the first voice of Italian music to cross the ocean. We speak of tenor Enrico Caruso.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Abruzzo Project by Nicolas Gentile
Nicolas Gentile, a young Italian pastry chef, tells us about his greatest dream: creating the Gentile County, which recalls the places, characters, and stories of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth.
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.
TRAVEL
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
Craving adventure? Stretch your itchy feet in Stockholm
EXPLORING Wild swimming is very popular with locals, with designated spots across the city – and thanks to environmental measures in place since the
Stockholm’s Autumn 2020 calendar is packed full of cultural delights
The Market Art Fair will be held from the 25th to the 27th of September, in the art gallery Liljevalchs Konsthall (Djurgårdsvägen 60) on the
You should explore Stockholm’s art scene
Stockholm is an ideal destination for any student interested in the arts. Museums almost always offer student discounts, and straying away from the touristy Gamla
Stockholm is rife with opportunities for art students
Götheburg may be known as Sweden’s ‘student city’, but Stockholm is increasingly popular with exchange and international students, as well as local Swedes. Stockholm University
DESIGN
Calen Knauf’s Case for Specialization
Industrial designer Calen Knauf won the Rising Star Award at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2017 and has collaborated with companies including Stüssy and Tetra.
Careful Curation with Éditions 8888
Born in Montréal, a city notorious for its counterculture, Éditions 8888 nestles itself between the disciplines of postmodernism, brutalism, punk, sci-fi … we could go
Disco Daydreaming at Lland Studio
Rachel Shillander wants to explore her architectural ambitions – which she says are here for the long haul – through functional and decorative furniture, objects,
Scavenge and Destroy with Laura Soto
Curiosity, wonder, disruption and discovery all find refuge in Los Angeles-based Laura Soto’s sculptures.
Elevating the Ordinary with Bethan Laura Wood
Bethan Laura Wood bridges the gap between the eclectic and the everyday object through her multidisciplinary Studio WOOD, based in London.
Shrouding Light with Stamatios Fragos
The power of the internet purveys in the case of Stamatios Fragos, a designer whose lamps, which combine traditional elements of design with a concept of concealed illumination.
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.
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.
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
Blair Quinn, Dancer/Artist/Designer
How would you categorize your style and how does it reflect who you are? My style is very “real”. It represents my feelings and my
Dennis Carroll, Photographer and Painter
What do you photograph? I go to a lot of state sales and flea markets and I take pictures of people’s stuff that they’ve been
Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy, Curator
As a curator, what kind of artists do you try to find? At art fairs you can get pretty overwhelmed. So I’m looking for something