Up-and-coming digital artist and designer Abigail Dougherty, better known as Neon Saltwater traveled from Seattle to Downtown Las Vegas, invited by curator group Justkids, to freshen up a 1930’s gas station located on Fremont Street in the heart of the city.
The artist breathed new life into the vintage architecture by transforming the building into a beautiful retro landscape rendered in dreamy colors bouncing off of bright fluorescent neon lights. Notorious for her rooms and spaces renderings, Neon Saltwater’s digital images come forward in an 'unvirtual' 3D dreamscape titled "Mystery Cruise 1990," and provide the viewer with a real environment created by an artist whose work is mainly known on a screen.
“In an era where many artists go from the physical to the digital space, we thought it would be interesting to actually export Neon Saltwater’s cyber wonders into a non-virtual art experience, not just on a screen, but in a tangible public art form. Physically manifesting Mystery Cruise 1990, an exclusive digital rendering space with dreamy colors, neon lights, and spooky ‘90s vibes into an immersive piece outside of a social media platform, is almost like a paranormal experience and so satisfying for the Neon Saltwater’s fans like myself” said Justkids Curator and Director, Charlotte Dutoit.
I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,
dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,
angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night,
Written for his friend Solomon, Allen Ginsberg gives us a message for all the artists boarding the hot nucleus of modern society. The out laws we are, black matter.
And I'd just like to add that here he uses a long stroke form, using breath as a meter to measure the length of the sentence. It gives almost a holistic and monk like madness to it. This religious pathway to Dharma. It's this sort of thing which amuses me - art and god. To self hood. Me. The epitome of my existence and therefor all.
⚡️ "I have always collected portraits of artists. My reasons are quite simple - I have a curiosity to see how artists present themselves in front of a camera. Creative people exude an indefinable presence and often project a striking persona. For me, portraits of artists are inspirational, historically relevant, and often time speak to the spirit of their own work." - Norman Seeff 📸 In her book, Just Kids, Patti Smith referred to Mapplethorpe as the "artist of my life"... incredible stuff.. Patti Smith & Robert Mapplethorpe, "Mine II", NYC 1969 by Norman Seeff .. Peace & Love ✌️❤️🎶 @normanseeff @thisispattismith #pattismith #pattismithgroup #justkids #portraits #robertmapplethorpe #normanseeff #becausethenight #rockandroll #punk #punkpoet #sixties #nyc #hangs #love #lovers #musichistory #legendsneverdie #rockroyalty #rockicon #musicphotography #styleicon #muse #style #easter #radioethiopia #horses #rocknroll #blendergallery (at Blender Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjo_1OjvRER/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Robert enjoyed being noticed, and he affectionately squeezed my hand. "Oh, take their picture," said the woman to her bemused husband, "I think they're artists." "Oh, go on," he shrugged. "They're just kids.
Recommended if you like: Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney, Roberto Bolaño’s The Savage Detectives, Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz, Bright Eyes, the Cure, Mexican food, committing crime, being a fucking bad-ass, and Patti Smith’s Just Kids.
Praise for the writing of Adam Gnade:
“Lucid, life-affirming prose from an empathetic master.” -Yannis Philippakis of the band Foals
“Adam Gnade is a writer who can capture what it feels like to feel everything.” -Dana Margolin of the band Porridge Radio
Ink, Lens, and Lyrics – The Creative World of Patti Smith
Patti Smith, a pioneer of punk rock's raw emotion and lyrical depth, has left an enduring legacy in music history. Her journey as an artist highlights the importance of staying true to oneself, embracing rebellion, and pursuing passions.
In the 1970s, Smith was a leading figure in New York City's punk scene. Her debut album, "Horses" (1975), broke new ground by blending spoken-word poetry with rock music. Tracks like "Gloria" and "Land" showcased her unique style, captivating audiences and pushing the boundaries of what rock music could be.
Patti says these about her life as an artist: I first vowed myself that I would be an artist, or at least follow a calling within the arts when I was twelve. My father took us to an art museum in Philadelphia, and I saw Picassos for the first time. And when I saw these Picassos, I don’t even know what came over me, but I was so transfixed, and I felt that’s what I wanna do. I wanna do that, whatever that is.
Born on December 30, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, Patti Smith's childhood was filled with a deep passion for literature and the arts. Influenced by the writings of William Blake, Arthur Rimbaud, and Bob Dylan, she began a journey that blended music, poetry, and activism effortlessly.
Smith's creativity knows no bounds. She is a writer, painter, and photographer, channeling her boundless imagination into various mediums. Her memoir, "Just Kids" (2010), offers a glimpse into her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe and their bohemian life in New York City.
Throughout her career, Patti Smith has remained devoted to social activism and humanitarian causes. Her music acts as a powerful call for justice and freedom, addressing issues of oppression, inequality, and the human condition with honesty and integrity. As a pioneering woman in a male-dominated field, Smith has broken stereotypes and paved the path for future female artists. Her fearless embrace of individuality and rejection of societal norms have established her as an icon of rebellion and resilience.
Douglas de Castro, the creative force behind the internationally renowned art and design duo Bicicleta Sem Freio, is launching a highly collectible limited edition museum-grade print of his original artwork “Crazy Bass” first spotted on a mural in Sao Paula, Brazil. The print is available exclusively through the Justkids online shop with free shipping worldwide.