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Prompting Action Through Denim with James Drew

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It might seem grandiose to refer to an item of clothing as revealing something deep about the person wearing it and yet, something as ubiquitous as a pair of Levi’s jeans does this. A worn pair of Levi’s communicates both an ease with one’s self as much as a loyalty to the jeans and the company who creates them. You can dress them up with the right pair of shoes and jacket or just be yourself, pairing them with a worn tee. Above all of these, Levi’s communicates the wearer’s willingness to be confident in who they know themselves to be. The company was counting on these ideals resonating in their “Use Your Vote” commercial; a light-touch call to be active in one’s civil duties and responsibility. James Drew worked closely with Charlotte McConnell (creative agency producer) and director Benito Montorio to craft this message with the postproduction team at Electric Theatre Collective. The goal; remind Levi’s wearers and fans that they are active rabble-rousers and voting is a revolution...

Dr. Briggs E. Cook – Medical Director at Pure Facial Plastic Surgery and Med Spa

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Dr. Briggs E. Cook serves as the Medical Director for Pure Facial Plastic Surgery and MedSpa in Huntersville, NC and has been rated among one of the 10 Best Plastic Surgeons for Patient Satisfaction in 2018 by the American Institute of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Cook specializes in eye and facial plastic surgery and is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He received his Doctorate from John Hopkins School of Medicine and his undergraduate from Duke University. When not helping people look and feel their very best at PURE, Dr. Cook can be found spending time with his wife and five children. He is also an advocate for PANDAS (or Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). We recently had the opportunity to sit down and learn more about Dr. Briggs E. Cook and his work both inside and outside the office. What Made You Decide to Become a Plastic Surgeon? There was no one real thing that made me instantly decide to become a plastic surgeon. I’ve always been d...

Modern Day Class with Alex T

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As they say, “Talent recognizes talent.” In the case of Makeup artist Alex T, that’s an understatement. Her resume reads like a holy book of fashion icons. From Esquire to Elle and Sephora to Hollywood’s most successful films, Alex is sought after by the biggest names for her skill and creativity. Red Carpet premiers, iconic fashion magazines, advertisements in prestigious stores, or web-based sites; you’ll see her work just about everywhere. It’s an unobvious ubiquity because Alex T is a professional using her talent to enhance the faces which capture our attention. Working for some of the most well-known names in the world of beauty and fashion, Alex’s brand is versatility that’s always intent on clarifying the emotion of the models and photographers whom she works with. Vetted by her recurring employment, Alex T is performing this task exceedingly well. Esquire was created in America but has flourished internationally. The publication (founded in 1933) appeals to men’s int...

World’s Most Expensive Artwork Launched as the Globe’s First self-pricing Crypto-Artwork

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World’s Most Expensive Artwork, an artwork made by the freelance artist and illustrator Frederik F. Mettjes, launched as the very first of its kind crypto-artwork of the planet. The artwork is programmed by the blockchain-based ‘smart contract’ algorithms to be costlier than any other artworks in the globe. We have conducted an interview with Frederik. How is the very first of its kind crypto-artwork of the planet made? What makes it the most expensive piece of art in the universe? worldsmostexpensiveartwork.com is a combination of a unique digital painting and various so-called smart contracts running on the Ethereum Blockchain - an open-source, public, decentralised distributed computing platform and operating system. This technique makes it possible to store the original image, administer the ownership, and run self-adjusting price algorithms guaranteed to always be more expensive than any other artwork in the world. The programming code is written in 'Solidity',...

Charitable endeavors with Jonah Engler

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Jonah Engler never pictured that charitable endeavors would be his life’s work. But the “cause” was instilled upon him early, helping his mom with several projects sponsored by her employer, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). While attending college, Jonah discovered an innate aptitude to lead, and to build. This powerful combination built the charitable man he is today. His first endeavors were funded by writing competitive grants. Slowly, donations appeared. His goal has always been self-funded charities. However, he tries to avoid turning them into “businesses. He believes in giving his charities a “humble” feel. Charities have specific missions and visions, but at the end of the day, he knows they are just about giving to those who need help the most. Jonah is very outspoken about ‘other’ charities that do not truly support what their missions. What has been the biggest accomplishment in your career? Most would answer this question like, “when I got an...

An Australian “Fountain”

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By Kelly King Australian artist SNY has a soft spot for America. His love of hip hop makes this natural and he’s given props to the culture in his video and audio presentations of these. The hit song “I Might” features a video filmed in the Hollywood Hills and on iconic Rodeo Drive. It’s an ode to the joyful SoCal lifestyle and music which inspired SNY. He followed this with “Fountain” named for the intersection of Fountain Ave and Spaulding Ave in West Hollywood. A music artist writes when inspiration strikes and SNY (aka Sonny Stojanovic) felt the allure that California holds for so many visitors from all corners of the planet. Chicago Producer/artist Young Chop collaborated with SNY on “Fountain” in terms of the beats which punctuate the melody and cadence of SNY’s raps. Young Chop is known for his work with such internationally acclaimed artists as Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West, Swae Lee, and Chief Keef’s multiplatinum hit “I Don’t Like.” Chop and SNY have worked on previous ...

Using AI to Create Advertisement Works of Art with Guangtao Pi

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Commercials and advertisement has come a long way from what they used to be. What was once background information or a pause in the “real” action has morphed into productions that gain massive attention when done well, as in Superbowl commercials. The modern iteration of these mini stories receive acclaim when possessing heart, ingenuity, and captivating visuals. Guangtao Pi has worked with Visual Effects in television, films, and commercials. As VFX supervisor on an “in house” production for Haidilao restaurants in the US, his team created a fantastic story that entertained customers and attracted attention for the company. The advancements of VFX whether in the area of film, TV, or commercial productions has revolutionized storytelling just as much as the invention of the moving picture format itself. Through artistry and software, the visions and dreams of writers and directors are manifested for all to see. When hot pot restaurant Haidilao wanted a transfixing depiction of...