ART: "IN/VISIBLE" REVEALS AI'S MISINTERPRETATION OF BLACK CULTURES

Feral File has announced its upcoming group show “In/Visible,” which brings together a diverse group of artists utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to tell their stories while shedding light on the limitations of this technology in truly understanding them.

A highlight from the exhibition includes “Blonde Braids Study II” by Minne Atairu. This piece delves into the flaws of the text-to-image algorithm known as Midjourney (v4). By examining the portrait of Black identical twins adorned with blonde braids, Minne Atairu. exposes the significant gaps in the algorithm’s training data. Instead of accurately portraying the Black identity outlined in the text prompt, the algorithm generates an image that resembles fraternal twins with permed, blonde waves, revealing a flattened representation.

AI’s conceptualization of reality for Black individuals is often fragmented and potentially violent. However, this showcase aims to challenge these limitations. The participating artists defiantly utilize AI as a tool to tell their stories while recognizing the technology’s inherent shortcomings in understanding their experiences. Through their thought-provoking artworks, the artists in this group show reclaim visibility, confronting the historical misrepresentation and fabrication of marginalized realities.

“In/Visible” unites talented artists Rayan Elnayal, Moonsundiamond, Jah., Minne Atairu, Adesola Yusuf (Arclight), Zoe Osborne, Afroscope (Nana Isaac Akwasi Opoku), Adaeze Okaro, Serwah Attafuah and Nygilia, and promotes a more inclusive understanding of humanity. Linda Dounia, the exhibition’s curator, underlines that the biases present in AI systems reflect those held by those who engineer them and provide the data.

The online exhibition will open on June 12 via Feral File’s website, with minting available. In similar news, Qualeasha Wood is the artist combining traditional tapestries with technology.

ART: SOMERSET HOUSE'S UPCOMING EXHIBITION "BLACK VENUS" CELEBRATES BLACK WOMEN IN VISUAL CULTURE

London’s Somerset House is set to host “BLACK VENUS,” curated by Aindrea Emelife, an exhibition that examines the historical representation and evolving legacy of Black women in visual culture. Through the works of 18 Black women and non-binary artists, it explores othering, fetishization and the reclamation of narratives surrounding Black femininity.

“BLACK VENUS” celebrates the diverse faces of Black femininity with over 40 contemporary artworks, primarily photography. It confronts objectification, showcasing the multifaceted nature of Black womanhood and affirming its essence.

The exhibition contextualizes three historical depictions of Black women–Hottentot Venus, Sable Venus and Jezebel–dating from 1793 to 1930. These serve as pillars to understand the caricaturing and objectification of the Black body. “BLACK VENUS” examines the shifting image of Black women in visual culture and its influence on contemporary artists.

Following its successful debut at New York’s Fotografiska in 2022, “BLACK VENUS” at Somerset House will showcase 19 new works and introduces six UK-based artists, which include Sonia Boyce, Widline Cadet, Shawanda Corbett, Renee Cox, Delphine Diallo, Ayana V Jackson, Zanele Muholi and others. Their contributions challenge existing narratives and offer diverse perspectives on Black womanhood.

“BLACK VENUS” will open its doors at Terrace Rooms and Courtyard Rooms in Somerset House on July 20 and will run until September 24.

In case you missed it, Andreia Lemos showcases the grittiest side of art at Henrietta Scrine Contemporary.

Somerset House
Strand,
London WC2R 1LA

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Banksy's First Solo Exhibition In 14 Years Is Coming to Glasgow AND MORE ART

Concealed graffiti artist Banksy has confirmed his first solo exhibition in over a decade will soon open at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art. 

The elusive graffiti artist has revealed that CUT & RUN will showcase dozens of stencils used throughout his career. Banksy will showcase his behind-the-scenes process for the first time, examining the creation of several famous artworks. 

Banksy will exhibit stencils used for Kissing Coppers, which resides on the walls of Prince Albert pub in Brighton. Outlines for Bristol’s Mobile Lovers will also be displayed, expressing an embraced couple secretly looking at their phones. 

Furthermore, Stormzy‘s Union flag stab vest worn during his headlining set at Glastonbury in 2019 will be available for all to see. Lastly, Banksy will explain how he shredded his Girl With Balloon painting, which later sold for over £18 Million GBP. 

Banksy’s CUT & RUN exhibition will open at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art on June 18.

Despite his extremely humble demeanor, center Nikola Jokić was recently immortalized in the history of basketball lore by hoisting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy for his Denver Nuggets. To commemorate the occasion, artist Tyler Upchurch has worked with basketball platform Local Hoops on a new limited print of the Serbian superstar. 

Entitled Struck Gold, the artwork features Jokić in a semi geometric pastiche as he walks off into the sunset. Much of Upchurch’s work operates at the intersection of basketball and hip hop, as he reinterprets cultural icons and events in a grainy, saturated and collage-like aesthetic. 

Local Hoops was founded with the goal to tell authentic stories at the center of basketball and culture, while raising the bar for equality on and off the court. The limited Giclee ink print sizes at 16 x 20 inches and is available to purchase unframed for $100 USD via Local Hoops.

Womxn in Windows is a platform with the mission to spread the ideas of underrepresented womxn (cis, trans and non-binary inclusive) through moving image. The organization was founded in 2019 by curator Zehra Ahmed as a way to showcase womxn-made art films in window storefronts, but has since developed into a larger platform that has fielded performances and installations across the U.S., including Times Square. 

This Saturday, June 24, at Hauser & Wirth in Los Angeles, the organization will showcase American Gurl — an ongoing curatorial project featuring work that explores all shades of American Dreaming. Co-curated by Ahmed and American signer Kilo Kish, the exhibition will explore themes related to Kish’s musical of the same name, while spotlighting the nuances of the Black feminine experience in relation to notions of “beauty, success, freedom and power in America,” wrote a release by Womxn in Windows.

Eight films by intergenerational artists will be on view, including a piece by Kish, alongside works by Ayanna Dozier, Ja’Tovia Gary, Savanah Leaf, Lorna Simpson, Martine Syms, Carrie Mae Weems and LaJuné McMillian in collaboration with Marguerite Hemmings.

Opening night will run from 6 to 9pm PT at the gallery’s courtyard in DTLA, including a performance by Marawa and DJ sets by KittyCa$h and Quinn Blake. For those looking to attend on Saturday, please RSVP at Hauser & Wirth, while the exhibition itself will be on view until July 30.

In case you missed it, we spoke to Bijan Berahimi about reconnecting to his Iranian cultural heritage for Hypebeast Magazine Issue 31.

Hauser & Wirth
901 E 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

ART AND FASHION:

British-Moroccan photographer Hana Zebzabi is gearing up for her upcoming debut exhibition, by hosting “The Art Show Before The Art Show.”

Taking place in Tottenham, the exhibition acts as a preview of the artist’s distinctive works, exploring themes of confidence, empowerment and sexuality through the female lens. Drawing inspiration from her cultural heritage and upbringing, her work aims to encourage self-expression and defiance, resulting in bold works starring captivating muses.

The photographer’s preview exhibition is set to display numerous works in-person for the first time ever while offering a teaser of what’s to come. Offering a unique perspective on the female body within the context of culture and religion, the artist aims to question our understanding of what is or isn’t appropriate, while encouraging viewers to be unapologetically themselves.

Hana Zebzabi’s “Prelude” exhibition will open on June 21 at Markfield Road, London, N15 4QQ. Take a look at Zebzabi’s work above, and head to Eventbrite to book your free ticket.

In other art and design news, Kwesi Botchway explores the Black gaze in a new LA exhibition.

Kate Moss and Diet Coke are continuing their ongoing partnership with the release of season 2 of “Love What You Love.”

Off the back of the successful first season, Moss is set to continue bringing her fashion expertise and irreverent style to the world of DC, this time using the brand’s rich archive for inspiration and drawing on the iconic ’90s “11:30 Break” adverts.

“Last year was such an incredible experience, so when we collaborated on Season 2, the brand’s archives were an amazing place to start,” says the supermodel and Creative Director. “The Diet Coke Breaks are classics, and I wanted to add a fashion twist to these moments. The campaign is very different aesthetically to the ’90s and ‘00s but the narrative is the same. It’s all about a pause to love what you love and indulge yourself in that moment, without taking yourself too seriously. I’m excited to unveil the new campaign soon!”

For its next instalment, “Diet Coke by Kate Moss” season 2 will welcome more high-fashion content, alongside a collection of limited-edition merchandise and there’s still plenty more to be revealed.

“Last year, we took inspiration from Kate’s unrivalled archives to celebrate our shared love of fashion. In Season 2, we have given Kate access to Diet Coke’s legacy to create something visually stunning and unexpected, with a Diet Coke wink. With Kate’s vision, this summer we will continue to inspire fans to embrace an unapologetic attitude to ‘Love What You Love,’” adds Sean Kellett, Partnerships & Assets Senior Manager EU at The Coca-Cola Company.

Take a look at Kate Moss in action above and stay tuned for more coming soon.Pharrell and adidas Originals are set to continue their ever-blossoming relationship at this iteration of Paris Fashion Week, joining forces to launch the all-new Samba Café.

The cafe will be held as a pop-up store during PFW and will see the duo gearing up for the exclusive release of three new colorways of the coveted Humanrace Samba. Paying tribute to the vibrant city of Paris, the pop-up will feature a limited quantity of Samba Tones each day, available for purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The duo’s exclusive new colorways include “Terracotta,” “Charcoal” and “White”, with each design aimed to celebrate the brand’s iconic silhouette through Pharrell’s unique vision and distinctive lens.

Pharrell x adidas Originals Samba Tones will be available for purchase in-store for €200 EUR, with guests also able to purchase a selection of curated menu items, high-quality coffee and more. The pop-up is set to open at The Broken Arm from June 22 to June 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

The Broken Arm

12 Rue Perree
Paris, France
75003

HAPPY JUNETEENTH: HERE ARE 6 BLACK CELEBRITY COUPLES REWRITING THE RULES OF LOVE

In celebration of Juneteenth, Hypebae‘s in-house (S)expert honors her favorite examples of Black love.

The celebration of Juneteenth was not publicly recognized as a holiday until the most recent years, yet we owe our freedom to that very day. For those unfamiliar, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the day that Black Texans receive the message from General Gordon Granger that they were emancipated. However, they didn’t receive that message until two years after.

An aspect of the Black experience that’s often overlooked, is the lack of love that time forced Black people to endure. Our children were stripped from us, our agency nonexistent and even our lovers were forced to work and live for other families. Instead of community, we were only allowed to have experiences that we were told we could have.

That’s why the celebration of Black love on Juneteenth is important. The removal of love within our culture is something that we still endure the after-effects of. As a result, it’s important to highlight Black love every chance we get, and normalize its beauty.

Here are some of our favorite examples of Black love.

Michelle Obama and Barack Obama

Scott Olson/Getty Images

The first Black Family that needs no introduction. This was the first mostly respectful display of Black love on a political level, as many still struggled to wrap their head around the concept of Blackness and love coexisting — especially, in a position of power. The U.S. has since experienced worsening racism, if any doubts see Donald Trump’s presidency and January 6, however, one relationship has withstood it all: the Obamas.

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade

Despite going viral every week for their controversial views on fair relationships, this pair is a great example of two independent lovers coming together to raise an inclusive family — word to Zaya Wade‘s beautiful evolution.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky

The OG “Fashion Killas,” this couples love story has been in motion for years now. They recently just had baby number one, who they honored their music roots through naming him RZA. They’ve sparked a number of think pieces on gender roles within family, and even redefined maternity fashion. And clearly, the pair is reveling in their love because Rihanna is almost ready to welcome baby number two.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Mason Poole/Tiffany & Co.

Although the Bey hive isn’t fond of their icon’s marital choice, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been down for each other since “Crazy In Love,” and now, we see Jay-Z at every Renaissance tour show cheering his wife and daughter on. Cue Blue Ivy performing in the same city her parents conceived her in — TMI, but beautiful nonetheless.

Ciara and Russell Wilson

Cue “Ciara’s Prayer,” by Summer Walker. This celebrity couple notoriously went viral after Ciara revealed she met the love of her life, through prayer — a controversial note for many. This relationship comes after a publicly abusive dynamic with ex-partner, Future. Since ending the toxic relationship, she’s been happier than ever with her husband Wilson.

Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson

After revealing her baby bump on Saturday Night Live, Palmer slowly let the world in on her relationship and we learned they actually met on set of Insecure. Shortly thereafter they welcomed baby boy, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, via Instagram. In the intimate post she synced the romantic song “Someone” by El Debarge which is perfect, seeing as they “became each other’s someone and made a someone, look at God! ?”

For more on love, sex and relationships, explore our advice column: Ask a (S)expert.