Munich – Bayrische Staatsoper: Opera Festival 2021
DJ Jaguar – Exclusive interview
From having not much of an idea about how it all really happens, Jaguar has worked herself up into the ranks of one of the most happening girl DJs around. Part of this next-gen-set of up and coming DJ acts & beat makers, she’s big on pushing fresh talent, talking about how important the platform of her new show on BBC Introducing Dance is for those who have got new tracks in the pipeline, like DJ duos Prospa or cousn.
She raves about her time writing for and presenting at Mixmag, the energy she feels by spinning the decks, her fave London clubs like Dalston Superstore, Printworks and Five Miles, summer festivals like Lost & Found, Glastonbury, the Lost Village Festival, as well as big moments like playing Leeds, where she actually went to uni. And, of course, she mentions the DJ divas who have inspired her, like Annie Mac, The Black Madonna and Heidi. Legendary Ibiza hangouts like Pikes, Café Mambo, Pacha and Amnesia are thrown into the mix, whilst she talks frank and honest about her experiences, being bang on the pulse of what’s hot off the beat press.
Watch our exclusive interview with her now to get the low-down of what Jaguar is all about…
Don’t let your Saturday night slow down past midnight by listening to Jaguar’s show BBC Introducing Dance show on a Sunday at 00.30h on Radio1!
For more information visit:
https://www.facebook.com/JaguarWorldwide
Frankfurt – Lee Krasner ‘Living Colour’ at the Schirn Kunsthalle
She was certainly a female force to be reckoned with, Lee Krasner! Artist, pioneer, feminist…and wife of world-renowned artist Jackson Pollock. However, she made her stands quite clear in a famous quote, when she said: ‘I painted before Pollock, I painted during Pollock and I painted after Pollock’ – no arguing there then. She came across as thick-skinned, brusque and abrupt, but that armour she had to put on to survive and fight her way in the art world, which in the 40s, 50s and 60s, was quite clearly a man’s world. Picture this: you create stunning, visual artworks, only to be told by a galleries, that if it had been painted by a man, it would definitely sell.’ Painted by a woman? Unthinkable…in today’s world, precisely this scenario would be unthinkable, but Lee had to fight for her laurels, which also made her the driven artist and completely unique and strong-willed woman she became. Her life journey was not an easy one, she knows she upset many people on the way, but she was determined nevertheless.
Expressing herself in these different styles throughout the various phases of her life, she permanently seemed to reinvent herself, making it impossible to pin her down on one genre only. That was exactly what she wanted: to be known for her all her ability as an artist, lasting over decades, not just known for a single style that could define her, as there where so many different facets to her. To be known ‘only’ for her vivid canvases in American Abstract Expressionism does her a great deal of injustice, as she was also highly accomplished in life drawing and painting self-portraits. Claudia Peifer liked those in particular, as they were already showing Lee’s serious streak as a girl and young woman. However, this was not enough for her – she needed to explore art and herself fully to stay fresh and unconventional – impressive!
Our exclusive interview with art historian and the Schirn’s director, Dr. Philipp Demandt, was hugely interesting and funny too. Discussing her plight in life for making her own name, and advising on the fact, that there isn’t much American Abstract Expressionism to be found in Europe, bar Anglo-Saxon countries, we realised then what a gem this show really is. Curated and organised by the Barbican Centre in London, in collaboration with Frankfurt’s Schirn Kunsthalle, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (Spain), as well as the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern (Switzerland), this blockbuster retrospective about one of the most important artists of the 20th century is a real treat!
Lee Krasner – The Artist
Hailed as a pioneer in Abstract Expressionism, this all-encompassing exhibition, showing almost 100 works, definitely cements Lee Krasner as one of the most important artists of the 20th century.
Celebrating her life & work, we get an idea about a very complex mind and possibly an even more complex woman. Eclipsed by the name of her world-famous husband for decades, she never seemed intimidated by his name, even when she became Mrs. Jackson Pollock.
In the struggle to stay true to herself and her own work, Lee Krasner had to be driven, single-minded, super focused and undeterrable. To be all this in the 40s, as a woman, in an art world that was controlled and directed mainly by men, was not an easy task. This retrospective shows the entire works of Lee Krasner…and that she was a survivor, as a person, as well as in her art.
As a member of the American Abstract Artists group, her contemporaries were Ray Eames, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, and of course, Jackson Pollock, as well as Mark Rothko. Defining her adult life in different work phases, she kept on experimenting, and decided to move in Pollock’s studio after his death in 1956, where yet another new phase of her career as an artist began.
She had come very far from life-drawing nudes, to self-portraits in oil to creating works in her geometrical ‘Little Images’ series, now embarking on large canvasses and subsequently her famous collages. Stepping out of Pollock’s shadow, she became this trailblazer of a female force in American Abstract Expressionism in the following years, hence her pioneering input for women in art must never be underestimated.
American Abstract Expressionism
Developed in New York in the 40s, American Abstract Expressionism is a post-World War II art movement not just in painting, but collages and sketches as well. Specifically, it was the first American art movement as such to gain international recognition and influence, putting New York on the map as the new centre of the western art world, taking over from Paris.
Abstract Expressionism intends to ‘make art’ that is expressive or emotional in its effect. Originally inspired by surrealism, in as much as that art should derive from the unconscious mind, Amercian Abstract Expressionism represented freedom of expression at a time when many other countries were under some sort of political dictatorship. Whereas the United States of America allowed its artists to work freely and in an uninhibited way, artists in many other western countries were still ‘gagged’ by political censorship.
Although the actual term ‘abstract expressionism’ was first applied to American art in 1946 by the art critic Robert Coates, it apparently was coined in Germany in 1919 by the magazine ‘Der Sturm’, with regards toe German Expressionism. However, Alfred Barr was the first to actually use this kind of terminology in the US in 1929, talking about Wassily Kandinski. German Expressionism has its roots in emotional intensity and self-denial – Futurism, Bauhaus and Cubism came to life.
And although it is true, that the impression of spontaneity and ‘feeling things’ at the spur of the moment characterised many of the works in Abstract Expressionism, most of these works required careful planning, also considering the large size format they were created in. Artists such as Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinski, and later on in the post-World War II movement, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Barnett Newman and Franz Kline, amongst many others, all seemingly applied abstract art as an expression of the mind, the spiritual and the unconscious.
There Are Two Kinds Of Abstract Expressionism
Fascinating fact: did you know, there are two groupings, in which Abstract Expressionism can be broken down to: the Colour-Field Painters and the Action Painters
Colour Field Painting – the focus is on colour and contrast, applying a more passive painting style, whilst exploring fields of colour and the reflection on mood. Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko could both be categorised as Colour Field painters, wanting to capture the attention and the emotion of the viewer by application of coloured fields and spaces.
Action Painters – this style name says exactly what it does ‘on the tin’: vivid and lively streaks of colour with often overlapping lines create sensation and emotion in an active, gestural style. Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, Lee Krasner and Willem de Kooning are known for practicing this particular style, often in large size formats, using layers of paint and rigid contrasting edges to evoke emotion in the viewer.
Samaya Ayurveda: which dosha are you? Consultation & skin care analysis the Ayurvedic way
Your dosha says everything about you! If your skin looks tired and needs boosting, then let the founder of Samaya Ayurveda, who is an almanac on legs when it comes to Ayurvedic medicine, guide you through the characteristics of the three doshas, which are the energies or constitutions that govern individuals and their particular body type. So, by using an all natural product, that is ultimately kind to your skin (including the exfoliant!) and is completely free of chemicals, you’re winning in achieving beautiful skin from the outside in. Their supplement range is also quite incredible: treating problems skin and hormonal imbalance from the inside out makes perfect sense. Energising your body and boosting your immune system too, this product range is not just for women, but men and teenagers too. They’ve won countless awards since the brand was formed, also because they go through great lengths to guarantee top quality by using only the best natural ingredients, with products coming in frosted glass for preservation and their packaging is completely recyclable too. Their online sales deliver straight to your door, so what is there not to love…
AYURVEDA – HOLISTIC HEALING THROUGH AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
Ayurveda is believed to be the oldest healing science there is! Originated in India, in Sanskrit it means ’The Science of Life’ – and what a powerful statement that is. It’s knowledge and insights date back to over 5000years ago and many of the Western natural healing practices such as Homeopathy, have their principles and healing systems rooted in Ayurveda.
Based entirely on using natural herbs and actives, Ayurveda is all about balance in which body, mind and consciousness work together to maintain an ideal balance for the body to function in ultimate harmony. Whatever your constitution or energy type, defined by three so-called ‘doshas’, might be, the idea is to balance them out in order for your body & mind to function like a ‘well-oiled’ engine. Often, dual dosha constitutions can be found in one and the same body, and very rarely, you can even determine tri-dosha constitutions. As a matter of fact, all people hold the qualities of the three doshas, but what’s important is which one is primary and therefore guiding the body the most. Back to the point of balance within the body, Ayurveda is an entirely different approach to healing in comparison to Western allopathic medicine, which focuses on symptomatology and disease, and the organs that might be affected.
Life is based on energy: the human body is one large energy field, even a single thought process is pure energy, and according to Ayurvedic medicine, the entire cosmos is an integral playing field of energies based on five primal elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Energy is also required to create movement so that nutrients and fluids can reach the body’s cells in order for them to function in a healthy way. What causes disease, according to Ayurvedic principles, is the lack of proper cellular function caused by either too much or too little impact by any of the doshas, or so-called life forces. In addition, Ayurveda also looks at the presence of toxins in the body, which in Western medicine doesn’t seem to exist at all. The toxicity of drugs seems to be understood far too little, as many people suffer even more, having their bodies weakened by the compounds of the administered, synthetic drug. The difference with Ayurveda is that is doesn’t focus on disease, but the theory that all life must be supported by energy in balance.
What are doshas?
Doshas are the life energies behind all our bodily functions. They reflect our physical and mental constitution, commanded by specific forces in our bodies, which can therefore ‘define’ certain characteristics and behavioural patterns associated with our personalities. Each human being has its own dominant dosha, or combinations of doshas. Knowing your dosha or dosha-combo ultimately helps you in maintaining great health, improved life quality and therefore a longer lifespan.
Here’s an overview of the three doshas and some of their characteristics, as well as advice of what to do to keep them in balance:
Vata
This dosha is ruled by the energy of movement and provides the all important motion for bodily processes to function, which is absolutely vital for good health. If you’re Vata dominant, you’re super flexible, creative and have a quick mind, grasping situations and concepts as quick as a flash. Always alert, Vata people can also tire easily due to their restless nature, being super active all the time. Often feeling unstable, regular grounding is huge for this dosha to be in balance. Digestive disorders are part of the greater picture, as Vata-dominant people do like astringent, raw foods like salads & raw veg, although they would benefit much more from warm and fully cooked dishes, heating them from the inside. Avoid frozen, cold or raw foods, eat warm foods and spices, keep physically warm and calm, with plenty of rest and a regular routine in order to balance out your Vata energies.
Pitta
This dosha expresses the energy of digestion and metabolism, as Pitta-dominant bodies are rules by fire and heat. With a Pitta-dominant energy, you like your food and drink, have a strong digestive system as well as a strong metabolism. Your mind is razor sharp and your intelligent ideas can often be penetrating and quite a challenge to others.
Pitta people like to be leaders and are good planners too, yet all this fiery heat can cause inflammation. This is reflected in their skin, which often has a pink or reddish tone, speckled with freckles or moles. When Pittas are out of balance they can suffer from liver issues, so a balancing diet needs to be kind to the liver by drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, and eating as organic as possible to avoid toxins settling either in the liver or indeed on a cellular basis. Hence, coffee, black tea, alcohol and smoking are a big no-no, whilst avoiding excess heat, excessive oil & heavy salt intake, as well as exercising during the cooler part of the day will help balancing this dosha.
Kapha
This dosha’s ruling energy is lubrication – sounds strange? Well, a typical Kapha-dominant type is defined by great stamina, endurance and strength. With a loving and sweet disposition, they can be calm and grounded, and quite forgiving too. They may also gain weight easily, due to a slow metabolism…does that ring a bell? Winter is the season when Kapha energies accumulate the most, so a balancing diet and appropriate lifestyle change are the most important then. Kaphas like invigorating dishes, keeping their minds active, whilst they should control their food intake, as too much of a good thing is just not good for them after all. Dairy or greasy foods are also dangerous, whilst sweets and cakes don’t serve a Kapha well either. So, get plenty of exercise, avoid heavy, oily or fried meals, including frozen or iced foods, keeping physically active, eating light and dairy free, then this will sort you out in keeping your Kapha energies balanced.
Balance of Body & Mind, and therefore Soul
Ever had a situation, when you’re feeling out of sorts or a degree under and you go to the GP, who says that there’s actually nothing wrong with you? And yet, YOU KNOW that you’re not doing great, you’ve got no energy and you have no idea why! You think, you’ve done nothing ‘wrong’ to bring on that sensation of ‘feeling unwell’ and because the doc can’t find anything that’s actually is ‘wrong’ with you, he won’t prescribe you medication that you believe could put you right – classic!
Feeling ‘out of balance’ like that could mean the onset of an illness or disease, and because Ayurveda is all about prevention, balancing the principles of the three energies within the body is the first step to help prevent a health issue to escalate further.
Many aspects of our modern day life cause an imbalance in our bodies, whether that’s emotional or physical stress brought on by work, family or relationship issues, bad experiences and their subsequent trauma, poor food and dietary choices, intake of toxic substances and even too much screen time. Imbalance means disorder and balance means (healthy) order.
In Ayurvedic medicine, maintaining a good and harmonious balance means that body, mind & consciousness have to work together. Consciousness or awareness about the imbalance (feeling unwell) is key, so learning about how the three doshas work in conjunction with each other means that you can find a start point for balance to be restored. Don’t forget: all three doshas are present within us, hence enlisting the help of an Ayurvedic professional is vital to determine prevalence and dominance. And with his/her guidance, you should be able to restore your body back to good health the natural way, without the need of synthetic or toxic drugs, which can make things worse. Always consult your physician for approval.
Don’t forget: the body is an amazing thing – it’s own healing powers must not be underestimated, as BALANCE is the key to almost everything in life.
