Latest news with #mixedmedia
CBC
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Sackville artist communicates thoughts through bird portraits, sculptures
Rhythm Rathi 16-piece exhibition in Saint John wraps up in late August Mixed-media artist Indu Varma of Sackville, N.B., looks at birds from a different perspective. Varma, who grew up in India, has created a 16-piece exhibit called Birds & their Symbolism. It is inspired by stories from Hindu mythology, symbolic meanings of birds across different cultures, and her childhood experiences. The exhibit of paintings and sculptures will be displayed at the Saint John Arts Centre until Aug. 29. Image | birds exhibit 4 Caption: Varma's series is inspired by stories from Hindu mythology, symbolic meanings of birds across different cultures and her childhood experiences. (Indu Varma) Open Image in New Tab "The birds to me symbolize freedom, open spaces, flying high, not having any boundaries, living in the moment.... I think those are some lessons we can learn from these feathered friends," she said. Varma calls birds messengers, teachers, storytellers and a bridge between earth and sky. She describes her style as abstract realism. She said her focus is always to engage her viewers and make them think beyond the subject of the exhibit. She credits her Indian background for the vibrant colours in her work. "All these things are in my psyche and they automatically show up." Growing up, Varma often saw her father feed stray birds and animals, she said. She watched parrots visit her mother's garden and watched peacocks dance in the rain. She said those were some sights that inspired her. "Peacock also is known to eat snakes, so it's kind of like … they swallow the poison of life and yet they emit their beauty and grace." She said the series began about five years ago when she was researching crows for another project. Varma said it gradually evolved to other birds. According to her observation and research, the birds she chose have symbolic meanings in both Indian and Canadian cultures, said Varma. Varma is a former president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association. As a leader in education, she always looked at the Canada goose as an example of leadership. "When they fly in the V formation, the one that is ahead has to work the hardest, but when it gets tired, someone else replaces it, so it's a model of shared leadership." Image | birds exhibit 1 Caption: Varma has 16 works on display. (Indu Varma) Open Image in New Tab She said those attending the exhibition will learn how she has metaphorically used birds to convey messages and tell stories about freedom, exploration, the possibilities that lie ahead and the fearlessness of exploring outside of one's comfort zone. Andrew Kierstead, executive director of the Saint John Arts Centre, calls it a "very strong exhibition." "As an artist, she wants to communicate a particular thought or meaning to the work that she's created and that certainly comes across very clearly," he said. Kierstead cited several pieces from Varma's display as his favourites. He said the fact that every exhibit is deeply personal to the artist and how she tries to represent two cultures is impressive. "It is finding that common thread between two cultures that are half a world away."
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Japan's Genre-Defying Creative Mixed Media Unit NIKO NIKO TAN TAN to Perform at Japan Expo Paris 2025
PARIS, FRANCE - Media OutReach Newswire - 4 July 2025 - NIKO NIKO TAN TAN, the creative mixed media musical unit that transcends genres with their blend of music, visuals, and art, just performed their first-ever live performance in Paris, France on July 3rd at the currently ongoing Japan Expo Paris 2025. Live Performace In Japan, they have performed at major festivals such as FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, SUMMER SONIC, GREENROOM, and OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL. Internationally, they have also made confirmed appearances at EMERGE FEST in Taichung and R-DAY FESTIVAL in Hainan. Though their stage setup consists of just two members—vocals/synth and drums—they unleash a stunningly groovy sound which, when combined with the VJ visuals perfectly synchronized to the music, results in a space that creates an impactful wave of excitement among the audience, earning them widespread acclaim. They will perform not only their latest track 'G00000W', but also a selection of their most popular songs. [VIDEO] You can still catch their special playlist exclusive to Japan Expo! They will be performing live every day on the 'TSUBAME STAGE' for the remainder of the Japan Expo. For performance times from tomorrow onward and ticket information, please check the official website: NIKO NIKO TAN TAN Profile NIKONIKOTANTAN_Artist photo Formed in 2019, NIKO NIKO TAN TAN is a creative mixed media unit that transcends genres to fuse music, visuals, and art into a unique artistic experience. The music is created by: VJ and artwork are produced by Drug Store Cowboy (Visuals / Art Director / Motion Graphics), who serves as the unit's visual producer. They create their own music, visuals, and art with a genre-defying approach to their alternative sound that seamlessly blends diverse elements without boundaries, making them a true 'mixture' unit that births unique and creative soundscapes through their multidisciplinary vision. They have also built a strong following through numerous appearances at major festivals, including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, SUMMER SONIC, GREENROOM BEACH, OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL, and more. In April 2024, they officially debuted under Victor Entertainment / Getting Better. Their first two-man tour across Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, including a show at Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO), was sold out. In August 2024, they released their first major album, Shinkigeki, followed by the NIKO NIKO TAN TAN ONE-MAN TOUR 2024 'Shinkigeki,' which toured six cities nationwide. The year 2025 is being celebrated as the 'Niko Niko Year' (a play on the numbers 2 and 5), and on the once-in-a-century date 2/5/2025 (Wed) — or '2-5-2-5" — they will hold a special two-man live performance with TESTSET (Yoshinori Sunahara × LEO Imai × Kenichi Shirane × Seiichi Nagai) at Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO). Their DJ set project, "微笑坦々" (Hohoemi Tantan), is quickly making waves. Starting in September, they'll launch a one-man tour featuring stops at Osaka's Music Club JANUS and Tokyo's Spotify O-EAST. Stay tuned for exciting updates as the 'Niko Niko Year' continues to unfold. Official HP: Official YouTube: Official Twitter: _ Official Instagram: Official TikTok: Hashtag: #NIKONIKOTANTAN The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Japan's Genre-Defying Creative Mixed Media Unit NIKO NIKO TAN TAN to Perform at Japan Expo Paris 2025
OCHAN (Vocals, Synth, etc. / Lyrics, Composition, Arrangement / Illustration) Anabebe (Drums / Arrangement) PARIS, FRANCE - Media OutReach Newswire - 4 July 2025 - NIKO NIKO TAN TAN, the creative mixed media musical unit that transcends genres with their blend of music, visuals, and art, just performed their first-ever live performance in Paris, France on July 3rd at the currently ongoing Japan Expo Paris Japan, they have performed at major festivals such as FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, SUMMER SONIC, GREENROOM, and OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL. Internationally, they have also made confirmed appearances at EMERGE FEST in Taichung and R-DAY FESTIVAL in their stage setup consists of just two members—vocals/synth and drums—they unleash a stunningly groovy sound which, when combined with the VJ visuals perfectly synchronized to the music, results in a space that creates an impactful wave of excitement among the audience, earning them widespread will perform not only their latest track "G00000W", but also a selection of their most popular can still catch their special playlist exclusive to Japan Expo!They will be performing live every day on the "TSUBAME STAGE" for the remainder of the Japan performance times from tomorrow onward and ticket information, please check the official website:Formed in 2019, NIKO NIKO TAN TAN is a creative mixed media unit that transcends genres to fuse music, visuals, and art into a unique artistic music is created by:VJ and artwork are produced by Drug Store Cowboy (Visuals / Art Director / Motion Graphics), who serves as the unit's visual create their own music, visuals, and art with a genre-defying approach to their alternative sound that seamlessly blends diverse elements without boundaries, making them a true "mixture" unit that births unique and creative soundscapes through their multidisciplinary have also built a strong following through numerous appearances at major festivals, including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, SUMMER SONIC, GREENROOM BEACH, OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL, and April 2024, they officially debuted under Victor Entertainment / Getting Better. Their first two-man tour across Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, including a show at Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO), was sold August 2024, they released their first major album, Shinkigeki, followed by the NIKO NIKO TAN TAN ONE-MAN TOUR 2024 "Shinkigeki," which toured six cities year 2025 is being celebrated as the "Niko Niko Year" (a play on the numbers 2 and 5), and on the once-in-a-century date 2/5/2025 (Wed) — or "2-5-2-5" — they will hold a special two-man live performance with TESTSET (Yoshinori Sunahara × LEO Imai × Kenichi Shirane × Seiichi Nagai) at Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO).Their DJ set project, "微笑坦々" (Hohoemi Tantan), is quickly making waves. Starting in September, they'll launch a one-man tour featuring stops at Osaka's Music Club JANUS and Tokyo's Spotify O-EAST. Stay tuned for exciting updates as the "Niko Niko Year" continues to HP: Official YouTube: Official Twitter: Official Instagram: Official TikTok: Hashtag: #NIKONIKOTANTAN The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Japan's Genre-Defying Creative Mixed Media Unit NIKO NIKO TAN TAN to Perform at Japan Expo Paris 2025
PARIS, FRANCE - Media OutReach Newswire - 4 July 2025 - NIKO NIKO TAN TAN, the creative mixed media musical unit that transcends genres with their blend of music, visuals, and art, just performed their first-ever live performance in Paris, France on July 3rd at the currently ongoing Japan Expo Paris 2025. In Japan, they have performed at major festivals such as FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, SUMMER SONIC, GREENROOM, and OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL. Internationally, they have also made confirmed appearances at EMERGE FEST in Taichung and R-DAY FESTIVAL in Hainan. Though their stage setup consists of just two members—vocals/synth and drums—they unleash a stunningly groovy sound which, when combined with the VJ visuals perfectly synchronized to the music, results in a space that creates an impactful wave of excitement among the audience, earning them widespread acclaim. They will perform not only their latest track "G00000W", but also a selection of their most popular songs. You can still catch their special playlist exclusive to Japan Expo! They will be performing live every day on the "TSUBAME STAGE" for the remainder of the Japan Expo. For performance times from tomorrow onward and ticket information, please check the official website: Formed in 2019, NIKO NIKO TAN TAN is a creative mixed media unit that transcends genres to fuse music, visuals, and art into a unique artistic experience. The music is created by: OCHAN (Vocals, Synth, etc. / Lyrics, Composition, Arrangement / Illustration) Anabebe (Drums / Arrangement) VJ and artwork are produced by Drug Store Cowboy (Visuals / Art Director / Motion Graphics), who serves as the unit's visual producer. They create their own music, visuals, and art with a genre-defying approach to their alternative sound that seamlessly blends diverse elements without boundaries, making them a true "mixture" unit that births unique and creative soundscapes through their multidisciplinary vision. They have also built a strong following through numerous appearances at major festivals, including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, SUMMER SONIC, GREENROOM BEACH, OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL, and more. In April 2024, they officially debuted under Victor Entertainment / Getting Better. Their first two-man tour across Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, including a show at Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO), was sold out. In August 2024, they released their first major album, Shinkigeki, followed by the NIKO NIKO TAN TAN ONE-MAN TOUR 2024 "Shinkigeki," which toured six cities nationwide. The year 2025 is being celebrated as the "Niko Niko Year" (a play on the numbers 2 and 5), and on the once-in-a-century date 2/5/2025 (Wed) — or "2-5-2-5" — they will hold a special two-man live performance with TESTSET (Yoshinori Sunahara × LEO Imai × Kenichi Shirane × Seiichi Nagai) at Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO). Their DJ set project, "微笑坦々" (Hohoemi Tantan), is quickly making waves. Starting in September, they'll launch a one-man tour featuring stops at Osaka's Music Club JANUS and Tokyo's Spotify O-EAST. Stay tuned for exciting updates as the "Niko Niko Year" continues to unfold. Official HP: Official YouTube: Official Twitter: _ Official Instagram: Official TikTok: Hashtag: #NIKONIKOTANTAN The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. SPYGLASS AGENT Co., Ltd.
New York Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The Color Black Dazzles in Raymond Saunders Retrospective
Few have done more with the color black than Raymond Saunders. The Pittsburgh-born painter and professor emeritus, now in his early 90s, has spent most of his career in Oakland, Calif., covering canvases and other flat surfaces with a dense, inky backdrop that dazzles the eye. Then, by adding a dizzying array of mixed-media elements, from Ouija boards and found children's drawings to appropriated advertisements and exhibition posters, he really makes it sing: Mere expanses of black paint, in his treatment, become both imaginative universes and art-historical chalkboards, capable of summoning up and subsuming just about anything he can think of. Still, it was thoughtful of the Carnegie Museum of Art director, Eric Crosby, and the assistant curator Alyssa Velazquez, who put the show together, to start the artist's largest ever museum retrospective with a pair of 1962 canvases that accessibly demonstrate the birth of his central insight. Called 'Raymond Saunders: Flowers From a Black Garden,' the exhibition features nearly three dozen works of art. 'Winterscape' is a simple coastal landscape about four feet wide. A wet, gray sky runs across its top edge, with a brighter, slicker strip beneath it serving as water. A brief thickening of the boundary line between those grays might be a foggy island. Beneath the water, covering most of the painting's surface, is a dense tangle of marshy grass — and that's it. Because the view is into the light, the grass is in shadow, which allows Saunders to render it all with broad, overlapping strokes of black. The organic wiggle of these brushstrokes, and their raggedy, grasslike top edge, are unmistakable. At the same time, though, the whole area, with its gestural pirouettes and scratchy, reflective textures, functions almost as an abstract monochrome. Ignore the top edge and you've got something very much like one of Ad Reinhardt's black paintings. Except that it's better, because it's all that and figurative, too. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
