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Bare Minimum. | Ed Hodgkinson.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

d Hodgkinson‘s illustrations are delicately intimate and simple. His minimal linework is comforting and still manages to successfully convey an image while flaunting a palpable amount of mystery. Hodgkinson lives and works in London and has exhibited in New York, LA, Tokyo, Capetown, Stockholm and Rejkjavik. Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, curator and profuse sweater, he …

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Chilean Activist Burns $500m Worth of Student Loans Papers.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

lazing the trail in mass financial liberation, a Chilean activist named Francisco “Papa Fritas” Tapia recently burned documents representing $500 million (£300 million) worth of student debt. Coinciding with a protest at Universidad del Mar, Tapia’s act has gained worldwide interest with a mixed reaction of support and disapproval.  “It’s over, it’s finished… You don’t have to pay another peso [of your student …

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Watch It Melt.

In Crumbs, The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

inston Chmielinski‘s work lies unconscious on the shore of a familiar reality, washing back into a surreal sea while melting into the already saturated sands of time. Chmielinksi paints visual murmurs that are ironically concise. Although the figures in his pieces are faintly recognizable, they are still easy to identify with. Paintings like Relearning How to Breathe , The Inner Glow of …

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Escape from New York City.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Young photographer Megan Tatem captures loneliness in a densely populated city in her latest series, Being and Nothingness. Blanketed in a coat of jaded youth, Being and Nothingness is an autobiographical body of work that quietly resonates within a generational paradigm. “Being and Nothingness is a series of fragmented photographs depicting the void, melancholy, and loneliness of living a life in New York City …

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Cornerstones of Existence.

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Gemma Danielle Bayly‘s ongoing free project, Reiki Stones, is based on the concept of transcendence and self actualization. Possessing a ritualistic allure and a spiritual purpose, Reiki Stones are hand-painted stones charged with Reiki energy. Reiki, a combination of the Japanese words Rei (God’s Wisdow or the Higher Power) and Ki (Life Force Energy), is a healing technique that involves a metaphysical approach …

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IFAC | Family Affairs.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

The duo at IFAC (International Fine Arts Consortium) put on quite a show during Armory Week. The opening reception for their latest exhibition, Family Affairs, was filled to rafters with creators and spectators. Described as an “incestuous avant-garde survey of art,” Family Affairs  features a vast, but harmonious, array of artists that include Brian Leo, Noah Becker, Casper Brindle, BTA, Pierre …

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The Man in the Curved Hus.

In Cardboard Mansion, Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Located on the Swedish West coast, the Hus-1 is a brilliant creation designed by Torsten Ottesjö. Measured at 25 sqm (270 sqft) and made only from wood, the curved structure includes a kitchen, sleeping quarters, dinner table, hallway and welcoming area for invited guest. The Hus-1 looks small but that is only because we are victims of our own veracious appetite for ample structure. In fact, …

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Time is Illmatic to Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival 2014.

In Crumbs, Film, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Along with Wu-Tang’s Enter the 36 Chambers and The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die, Illmatic is considered to be one of the essential works that marked a second renaissance in east coast rap. While bullets were whizzing through courtyards and hand-to-hands were being covertly executed, a chip toothed younger by the name of Nasir Jones (a.k.a. Nasty Nas) stared out his window …

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Carly Sioux. | Broken Angel.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Making her film directing debut, Sioux presents us with Broken Angel, an avant-noir film that is deliciously disorienting and ingeniously off its rocker. It’s a pleasure to watch an artist grow. We’ve followed Carly Sioux‘s career for some time now and when we heard that she was working on her first film, the anticipation was unbearable. The Brooklyn photographer’s photographic work possesses a …

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The Art of Emotion.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

KwangHo Shin captures the complexity of human emotion with his latest series of abstract portraiture. Sacrificing detail for substance, KwangHo Shin purposefully obscures the facial features of the subject in order to convey the intricacy of human emotion.  The clashes of paints are an ideal metaphor for the human psyche. Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, curator and …

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The Many Portraits of Ventiko.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

Ventiko is a prime example of a quintessential artist. Her thoughts are unfiltered, her affection is untamed, and her wiles are unrestricted. Ventiko is an offbeat dynamo, a mercurial visionary, a whirlwind of goddessery. But through it all the photographer manages to keep a coherently artistic lid on her cauldron of inspirational quirk. Ventiko’s work is somewhat of a far …

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A Cold Warmth.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Monica Lek possesses a nonchalant style that is only undermined by her flawless execution. In other words, her work feeds off of happenstance; but the manner in which the moment is captured reeks of precision and perfection. Lek’s series, Light Arousal, features sensual, and somewhat distant, portraits of sunlight. In the series, the Barcelona based photographer finds beauty in the quotidian while …

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Cut It Out.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Fresh off of his third solo show, James Nizam, who we featured for his dazzling light sculptures, shows some versatility with Two Triangles, 2013 and Four Circles, 2013. Taking a more physical approach, Nizam gives you X-Ray vision by cutting geometric shapes into abandoned houses. Two Triangles (featured above) is perhaps the most impactful piece, the shapes provide a portal like effect–you …

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Wooly Maple.

In Crumbs, Fashion, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

The folks over at Free Man & Co. recently teamed up with Faribault Woolen Mills for a warm concept that is guaranteed to spark some sense of nostalgia. Inspired by the vintage Canadian Military blankets, this is the first edition in their series with Woolen Mills. The 100% cotton blanket, adorned with a hand screen printed maple leaf and a 3″ wide woven …

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Puur Zuiveren.

In Cardboard Mansion, Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

A Brita filter may seem like the easier option, but when it comes to water purification, Lukas Jager‘s Puur Zuiveren may be the low maintenance king. Made from clay, sawdust, and wood, Puur Zuiveren is a simple purification system that uses zero chemicals. The process begins with a mixture of clay and sawdust that is fired at 850 degrees Celsius. The sawdust …

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Falling Into Kaleidoscopic.

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Maria Baoli’s photo series, Kaleidoscopic, highlights a geometric tear in time and space; a tear that gives way to a realm of beautiful gestures and romantic imagery. The Brussels based artist achieves this feat by placing a triangular in quotidian surroundings. These mirrors reflect an opposing sentiment in comparison to their backgrounds. The whole experiencing is one of endearing contrast and intriguing …

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A Woman’s Place.

In Crumbs, Fashion, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Any sound minded human being understands a woman’s place. Equipped with an alluring figure and an ability to cleaned up huge messes, it is clear that a woman should be presiding over the Senate in a sharp suit. All kidding aside, women could benefit from a stronger presence in government–especially in the House and the Senate. The A Woman’s Place is …

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Maxime Ballesteros. | Entre Chien et Loup.

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French Maxime Ballesteros possesses a provocative sense of humor that often fortifies the brilliant themes in his work. His newest series entre chien et loup (Between Dog and Wolf) features sixteen new works, created in Berlin, Monaco, Provence and Paris. The solo exhibition is currently on display at We Are Teapot until December 5th–but has been extended to December 10th.   Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem …

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Why the ‘Bound 2’ Video is a Satirical Masterpiece.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

As of right now, Kanye West’s video for the single “Bound 2” is at 14,417,991 views on YouTube. Out of the 225, 368 viewers that chose to vote on the video on YouTube, 163,637 of them gave the video a “thumbs down.” Some even called it terrible. Directed by British fashion photographer Nick Knight, the video is an Americana influenced wet dream that features wingless …

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Pop On Wood.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Pop art can seem rather artificial at times but Mitchell McGee gives the genre an organic foundation with oil on birch pieces. McGee’s work is unlike anything we’ve seen before. His solo exhibition, All About Pop, will be opening up at 1st Dibs at New York Design Center on December 2nd and will run through January 6th 2014. Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem …

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A Drop in the Huebucket.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Cool designs that appear on shirts often have a more substantial start than just being cool to enough adorn a shirt. Often times these design have a meaningful origin and concept that was thoughtfully conceived by the artist. “My work reflects the issues of natural surroundings and also social issues. What happens to the world today affects my emotions and …

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A Noise in the Clouds.

In Audiorotic, Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Caged Animals recently released some visuals for their single, “The Sound of Thunder”. Directed by Mike McLean and frontman Vincent Cacchione, the video highlights the pseudo-surreal journey of a young misfit whose dream getaway suddenly turns into a frightful daymare. “The Sound of Thunder” can be found on the band’s latest album, In the Land of Giants. Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our …

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Old Schooled Seating.

In Cardboard Mansion, Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Let’s face it, education in the States isn’t what it used to be–and we’re not referring to the curriculum, we’re referring to the furnishing. Long ago, when the Soviet Union was a superpower and Morgan Freeman played a pimp, school chairs (and desks) were wooden canvases. You could doodle anything you could come with: Superman, Batman, a giant penis, Superman …

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Everyone Wants a PyroPet!

In Crumbs, Gizmos, Gadgets & Gears, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Halloween is behind us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still be interested in creepy stuff. Behold, Kisa by PyroPet! Meaning “kitty” in Icelandic, Kisa is a beautiful cat shaped candle that melts down to reveal a menacing metal skeleton. First manifested as the Devil’s Candle back in 2011, Thorunn Arnadottir and Dan Koval designed the candle after a melting …

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The (Longo) Way Around.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Artist Robert Longo catches the eye with his twisted series, Men in the Cities, 1979. The works feature Mad Men-esque subjects in convulsing poses that thrash about in the most vivid way. Despite them being purely stationary, the audience is goaded into predicting and faintly imagining their next movements. Men in the Cities is the series that made the Brooklyn native a star. …

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And I Wake Up Alone.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Photographer Col. K. captures the essence of loneliness with his recent series Alone. Human beings, like many other mammals, rely heavily on companionship. But ever so often, companionship renders itself hard to come by. For some, loneliness spurs heartbreak. For others, it births an internal culture of acceptance. Either way, the lonely all have one thing in common, and that is …

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MeLo-X |x| GOD: Piéce de Résistance |x| A Short Film.

In Audiorotic, Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

MeLo-X gives us a window into his upcoming album GOD: Pièce de Résistance. The project drops November 5th, but you can pre-order it → HERE. ← Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, curator and profuse sweater, he is responsible for the curatorial direction and overall voice of Quiet Lunch. The Bronx native has read at venues such as the …

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As She Lays…

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Painter Karen Ann Myers‘ work features a brilliant array of patterns and colors that seemingly leap off of the canvas. Depicting women lounging in bed amidst vividly decorated sheets, blankets, comforters, and rugs, the decor and their patterns steal the show. Myers captures these patterns with such rich accuracy that the medium starts to come into question and spur statements …

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To The Beets. (VIDEO)

In Audiorotic, Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

Overdoz. is back with new visuals for their single, “Killer Tofu”. An apparent ode to Nicktoon, Doug Funny, and the fictional single by The Beets, the cartoonish video showcases Overdoz.’s signature outlandishness and also sees a guest spot by Childish Gambino. There’s something infectious about Overdoz.’s fun approach to rap and is garishly featured in this playful vid. It’s a …

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Super Real.

In Crumbs, The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Painter JKB Fletcher produces some hyperrealsitic paintings that allude to some of the most recognizable comic characters of our time. Titled Dirty Faces, the series is somewhat provocative but has a very meaningful purpose. The Melbourne based artist explains below. On Dirty Faces: “Dirty Faces is a series of oil paintings depicting a figure painted in contemporary superhero colours, the …

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Just Business.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Never give your business card to cartoonist, Hugh MacLeod. He will draw quirky and subtly melancholic illustrations on the back of them, making critical works of art that give the audience an unique window into the human psyche. Now that we’re thinking about it, maybe you should give Macleod your business card after all. He may make a masterpiece out of …

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Points Made.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

The following portraits by Jasper Smith possess a pointillistic allure that is beyond memorable. Confined within a quaint circle, Smith’s portraits are a collection of down-to-earth, around-the-way girls, astronauts, and Golden Age rappers. The intentional graininess of the portraits give them a warm, old-timey quality. It is this charming outdatedness, combined with the modern nuances of the subjects, that make …

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A Family Affair.

In Audiorotic, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving will be here in no time, so what better way to get into the family spirit than to sing along with the Manson Family? Taken from original recordings made in or around 1970 at the Spahn Ranch Saloon, the album features the Manson Family paying musical homage to its most illustrious member, Charles Manson. If you’re having trouble grasping the …

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The Contrast Within.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

French artist Reynald Drouhin‘s Landscape Monolith is a brilliant example of contrast within contrast. Using stunning photos found on the internet, Drouhin creates polarizing portraits by simply reversing a portion of the photographs. Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, curator and profuse sweater, he is responsible for the curatorial direction and overall voice of Quiet Lunch. The Bronx …

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ODB Bruh Bruh.

In Audiorotic, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Rapper Danny Brown recently released visuals for his single “ODB”. Directed, edited, and scrawled by RUFFMERCY, the video is a doodle plagued acid trip–the scribbles dance as the constant screen warps melt Danny Brown’s cold stares. Produced by Paul White, “ODB” will be included on his upcoming album, Old, set to be released on September 30th. Akeem K. Duncan.Akeem is …

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For the Price of $FR.EE.

In Audiorotic, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Virginia duo Sunny & Gabe just dropped their highly anticipated FREE CANDY EP. Containing 10 sweet, tooth rotting tracks, FREE CANDY is an amazing piecing together of the Sunny & Gabe puzzle. With their music containing so many contrasting elements, Sunny & Gabe have officially presented a new sound–a gloriously complex sound that no one can mimic, much less fully comprehend. The band …

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Signed and Sealed.

In Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Amanda Seales is a woman of many hats. A renaissance woman with multiple mediums of expression, her talents are boundless. Beginning her career as a child actor, Seales has since spent her career adding layer after layer to her body of work. Poetry, painting, acting, DJing, singing, Amanda Seales does it all and she does it well. A bastion of …

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Survival Guide.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Akeem K. Duncan.2 Comments

Brooklyn born, Gregory Siff is an artist with a universal approach that allows him to create a brilliant but palpable body of work. What is this universal approach, you ask? It’s simple: “Have fun.” It seems like a cliche thing to say, but if you were to see the way Gregory Siff’s eyes light up when he’s creating a piece, …

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Model Citizen.

In Crumbs, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.3 Comments

Transition can be a scary process. Going from the familiar to the unknown isn’t for the faint of heart. Embracing the spirit of change and evolution,  international model and actor, Louise Donegan, stands at a pivotal point of her career. Conquering the world of modeling and now venturing into the realm of acting, she is swimming in uncharted waters that …

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God Amongst Gods.

In Audiorotic, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

MeLo-X is one of New York City’s most coveted artists. Sure, MeLo’s name rings bells overseas, but the headquarters of his kingdom lies here in Gotham. He takes the city’s sound, processes them, and then coats them in a rich substance that can only be described as “rhythmic freedom.” He is musical liberation in the flesh. A theoretical martyr giving …

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Unforgettable.

In Audiorotic, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Sunny & Gabe just dropped another resplendent single titled “Forget Love”. Featuring Odd Future’s Mike G, the song is a jazzy, break heavy serenade that tailspins into a jam session-like frenzy before fading with ghostly allure. Sunny & Gabe’s sound is truly evolving into something wonderful. The Virginia duo is receiving all sorts of approval, including a nod from G.O.O.D. Music …

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Kane Mayfield Shines.

In Audiorotic, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Kane Mayfield’s “Shining Star (What You Are)” recently made its way onto the Baltimore City Paper‘s Big Baltimore Playlist. We’ve credited Mayfield for honesty before, but he really outdid himself on this one. Touching on everything from his upbringing to soda allergies, the New York native turned Baltimore MC spins a soulful web of biographical honesty and painstaking nostalgia. An obvious …

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Hip Hop Postmortem.

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It’s only been about since the world laid eyes on the televised version of Jay-z’s performance at Pace Gallery and already the unique feat is getting an artistic response. Picasso Baby has whipped everyone into a frenzy, but a group of emerging artists known as 7:30 Alliance are using their newest show, Hip Hop Postmortem to show Hov up. While the troop won’t …

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Uncaged.

In Audiorotic, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.3 Comments

Caged Animals are the ne plus ultra of artistic vulnerability. The band’s sound is therapeutic but their message comes from a place of pensive angst. Caged Animals channels a unique brand of honesty that makes their music relatable and highly infectious. In fact, the band’s name is more than a name, it is human existence defined in two words. Lead …

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Facing Your Fears (and Loathing.)

In Audiorotic, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

Anthony Cruz has been on a high lately and we’re not talking about “hand-rolled cigarettes.” Cruz is on the cusp of fully unleashing his newest project Fear and Loathing in New York City and the reception so far has been nothing but positive. The buzz is nearing its summit and it seems like Cruz can’t stop smiling–not that he ever …