Fine Art Friday: Maja Ruznic - "Among The Missing" Series

I recently came across the work of Maja Ruznic and her collaborative work with Joshua Hagler entitled "Among The Missing" and was really drawn to both the backstory and execution of the work. If you are a frequent reader (all 6 of you), you will know that I am drawn to dark subject matter in my artwork and this series from Ruznic details her experience creating art with Syrian refugees, in tandem with Joshua Hagler, and combines them with her own life as a child refugee. Wanting to "evoke feelings of discomfort, displacement, and abandonment in this new body of work", Ruznic confronts these stories through distortions and melted/melting imagery, which honors the lost stories of refugees and the horrific elements that accompany the migration to new and unfamiliar lands.

Check out some of her recent work here and the work of collaborator Joshua Hagler here.

ARTIST WEBSITE
http://www.ontheedgeofreason.com/among-the-missing-2014.html

Listen: Ayatollah - "Be Real Black For Me" Album

Famed producer of the classic "Ms. Fat Booty" from Mos Def's Rawkus days, beatmaker Ayatollah continues to release instrumental projects and albums that compile selective features, from what I assume are some of his favorite musicians, over his soulful production including singer Anthony Hamilton and underground cats like Inspectah Deck, Silent Knight, and Jered Sanders. If you are into beats and want to keep up with one of hip hops secret weapons, check out the project and support the independant grind of producers and emcee's alike.

DOWNLOAD LINK
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/be-real-black-for-me/id821342542

Video: Jetpack Jones X Brock Berrigan - "Under The Radar" ft. Rich Flow

On the heals of a recent Village voice feature here in NY, beatmaker Brock Berrigan recently linked with Cali-based emcee Jetpack Jones for the collaborative album "Shades Of Mary". Pitched as a genre-defying album that boasts guest appearances from James Joseph, Mack Chamberlain, Cliff Savage, Philadelphia emcee Rich Flow and PeaceLife representative Tone Oliver, "Shades" showcases the ecceltic musical influences of both musicians on a larger scale than past collabos. The video for the track "Under The Radar" is illustrated by chopped up sequences from blaxploitation movies of the 70s, a fitting theme for the style used on the album. Check it out and support some creative hip hop from both coasts.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jetpack-jones-shades-of-mary-prod-by-brock-berrigan-new-mixtape.106093.html

Listen: Fel Sweetenberg - "The Name Itself"

I first heard of Fel Sweetenberg when I was listening to a Dave Ghetto album around 2008 and liked the timber of his voice and overall more honest style and lyrics. I was glad to see his name pop up on this new project with Effiscienz and DJ Brans and DJ Djaz. Using a boom bappish track with a scratched hook, the track is a throwback of sorts, but peppered with quality lyrics from Fel and serve as a preview for the upcoming full-length album entitled "THE INVISIBLE GARDEN" (out today 4/21/14). Listen up and support one of hip hops underdogs.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://effiscienz.bandcamp.com/track/the-name-itself-cuts-dj-djaz