One day at a party Bruce flipped a shiny coin into the air. Its iridescence caught my glance and summoned this faerie right over for a closer look.
“TREASURE!!” My inner heart screamed!
Inscribed into the iridescent acrylic coin was a beautiful dragonfly! This was the first of many creations that Bruce Lindsay created that caused my jaw to drop in awe and splendor.
Fusing his collective past interests and experience in armor and chain mail with his involvement in the underground art scene-Bruce creatively stumbled onto the idea-of-the-century for creative fashion lovers at large. He calls it Electric Candy Couture.Electric Candy is one of the coolest fashion accessories or outfits one can own. Not only is it interesting, different, hand-made, iridescent, glows in black light, and pretty much makes any look more awesome- it’s super light, easy to use, and priced fairly for the hours upon hours of manual labour that go into each unique and interesting piece. I got to experience the craftsmanship and possibilities of Electric Candy when I modeled for him last fall. I have to say- I’m hooked!
(Photo by Loren Darklyng )
Small trinkets to full on gladiator headpieces to winged shoulders with ancient inscriptions in them- Electric Candy has a little something for everyone. I love wearing Electric Candy due to its uniqueness, light weight, durability, and ease of use. Personally, I am looking forward to collaborating on the design of a full body piece/dress created out of his colorful iridescent acrylic pieces in 2014.
Bruce is prolific, diligent, and has an eye for color and fashion. If he can dream it- he can make it. There is simply nothing that can stop him from being a successful upstart independent business in this corporate fueled world- but there is something that could help him on his way– funding! He has 6 days left to raise $19,000. So in the season of giving I encourage you to check out artist Bruce Lindsay’s Kickstarter to bring Electric Candy Couture to the next level!
Help this artist bring more awesome into the world and take home a piece for yourself by pitching in! He is offering tons of his pieces at 20% less directly through the kickstarter to help him reach his goal in six short days. If you are excited about his work but can’t donate- help by sharing his kickstarter and getting out the word!
Fashionably yours~
-=ali*
Ali Luminescent
Vía Ali Luminescent http://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/electric-candy-couture-lights-the-way/
Are you loving my blog? Want to keep reading? Click here to read the multitude of posts prior to this one! https://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/ for whatever reason the “older posts” link is not working. Keep digging though I love sharing my thoughts with you! xo -=ali*
One day at a party Bruce flipped a shiny coin into the air. Its iridescence caught my glance and summoned this faerie right over for a closer look.
“TREASURE!!” My inner heart screamed!
Inscribed into the iridescent acrylic coin was a beautiful dragonfly! This was the first of many creations that Bruce Lindsay created that caused my jaw to drop in awe and splendor.
Fusing his collective past interests and experience in armor and chain mail with his involvement in the underground art scene-Bruce creatively stumbled onto the idea-of-the-century for creative fashion lovers at large. He calls it Electric Candy Couture.Electric Candy is one of the coolest fashion accessories or outfits one can own. Not only is it interesting, different, hand-made, iridescent, glows in black light, and pretty much makes any look more awesome- it’s super light, easy to use, and priced fairly for the hours upon hours of manual labour that go into each unique and interesting piece. I got to experience the craftsmanship and possibilities of Electric Candy when I modeled for him last fall. I have to say- I’m hooked!
(Photo by Loren Darklyng )
Small trinkets to full on gladiator headpieces to winged shoulders with ancient inscriptions in them- Electric Candy has a little something for everyone. I love wearing Electric Candy due to its uniqueness, light weight, durability, and ease of use. Personally, I am looking forward to collaborating on the design of a full body piece/dress created out of his colorful iridescent acrylic pieces in 2014.
Bruce is prolific, diligent, and has an eye for color and fashion. If he can dream it- he can make it. There is simply nothing that can stop him from being a successful upstart independent business in this corporate fueled world- but there is something that could help him on his way– funding! He has 6 days left to raise $19,000. So in the season of giving I encourage you to check out artist Bruce Lindsay’s Kickstarter to bring Electric Candy Couture to the next level!
Help this artist bring more awesome into the world and take home a piece for yourself by pitching in! He is offering tons of his pieces at 20% less directly through the kickstarter to help him reach his goal in six short days. If you are excited about his work but can’t donate- help by sharing his kickstarter and getting out the word!
Fashionably yours~
-=ali*
Ali Luminescent
Vía Ali Luminescent http://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/electric-candy-couture-for-the-win/
As the last mermaid slithered up on the beach to survey what happened on the Coney Island Boardwalk, she saw sparkles and shells pouring forth from all the community support seen so far in Coney Island. You too can be part of this necessary Merm-AID!!! Open your treasure chest and lend a helping fin!
Photo by Barry Yanowitz, The Year Coney Island Voted me Queen of the Mermaids 2009!
There is still a long way to go to bring Coney Island to the point where they can host the most ridiculously awesome parade in history- The 31st Annual Mermaid Parade!!! When I first found out about the mermaid parades existence my gills started opening up, my fins started splashing, and I could barely contain myself. I am honored to hold a trophy as Coney Island’s Best Mermaid from 2009 as well as have organized my own float for the Mermaid Parade in the past- but really the best part of being a mermaid is getting to splash around with all my seaworthy brothers and sisters on the Coney Island Boardwalk!
If humans can get anything right- they should send some clams on over this way:
I identify greatly with being a Mermaid ( A fairie-mermaid-unicorn at that)! Each year I band together with my mer-sisters Kai Altair and Cynthia Carvajal to produce “Mermaid Lagoon.” Mermaid Lagoon is a non-profit event used to raise money and awareness for the ocean and all of its inhabitants! Keep your ear to the water for the next installment. In the meantime- lets help the Coney Island Mermaid Parade Kickstarter Campaign swell well beyond their goal!
Mermaids forever!!!
Sam Shine biking the BoomTrike over the finish line for Enchante! Photo by Dan Howell
KJ Boheme and Justin Aubuchon from Enchante Float 2010
Photo by Jim Wene 2008
Mermaiding for SMASH entertainment 2013
With your help we can keep the mermaids shining bright for all years to come!
Christine Gieger and Ali Luminescent’s Fire Mermaid Act at Flutearte! Gowanus Ballroom
Vía Ali Luminescent http://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/merm-aid-needed/
Every year thousands of artists and spectators lug all of their creations to the south-eastern tip of the United States to create America’s largest art fair- Art Basel Miami. While the main event is held in the convention center in Miami Beach- many fairs, installations, and openings pop-up all over town.
Looking at so much art in one place- one must be careful not to get “baseled” out! So I went forth looking at the overall shows of Art Basel Miami from a participatory art stand point on behalf of Figment Project NYC (http://figmentproject.com/). I wanted to do more than “see” art- I wanted to experience it.
Although many places are armed with guards and “Please Do Not Touch” signs aplenty- there were several installations around town that really stood out and invited their audience to have a more intimate encounter.
Fountain Art Fair (http://www.fountainartfair.com/)was the first place that I saw art that was out rightly labeled “Touch me”! “Squeeze me!” These signs were on rock star hand puppets created by Hayley Mc Cullough. Her pieces were the first to break the barrier from just looking at art- to interacting with it.
Around the corner at “Pete’s Fingers” magnifying glasses provided next to each piece allowed the audience to further explore the detail of his work.
Maxine Nienow takes a closer look.
Art Miami, which paired up this year with CONTEXT art fair featured Chul Hyun Ahn’s intoxicating array of smoke and mirrors as these art pieces extended their lights into an infinite universe where all were welcome to explore.
Below is Chul Hyun Ahn’s, “Void Platform” where literally one was requested to “Please watch your step!”
Also at Art Miami, Andrew Erdos- A Brooklyn based artist, made 3D glass mirror boxessurrounding his blown glass pieces that allowed you to engage with the art in a different way- without touching it- but pending on where you stood you could see a whole new world from each direction from all four sides.His technique also eliminated the viewers reflection from the infinity universe created within his art.
Across the street from Art Miami there was a participatory art piece that was a full on roller coaster through Peter Anton’s art installation “Sugar & Gomorrah!” Everyone patiently stood in line and watched guests emerge from the other side with HUGE smiles on their faces- I guess it was worth the wait!
Once in my lil yellow car I went through a series of small hills and drops while couples on display made out and flashed me! Giant lollypops and sugary treats were installed in all directions.
“I activate the hunger people have for the things that give them pleasure and force them to surrender,” Anton explains. “The sensual nature of the works stimulates basic human needs and desires that generate cravings and passion.”
Gina Kamentsky of William Baczek Fine Arts showed a few interactive pieces at the Aqua Art Fair that were mechanically interactive. By turning a knob or a lever- a series of events and musical tones, knocks, whistles and movements would occur across the piece. Most of these pieces were comprised of found objects. I loved their simplicity in design and style! Here is Najva Sol putting one into action!
One of my favorite interactive pieces was at Art Public in Collins Park in front of the Bass Museum with its huge geodesic swinging pendulum! Unfortunately, I missed the artists name and am having a hard time finding it- but see it in action below!
At the actual convention center- the only piece that really caught my eye- as well as the rest of me- was the split screen surveilance camera pieces.
There were super clever mechanics at play, creativity, and perhaps a bit of teen angst seeping through these pieces. The artist (whose name is to be added later along with video links to their work) has a fascination with the concept that Big Brother is watching. In some of the pieces- animatronic children are hiding under tables and making the cameras move- along with other objects- creating that moment where you realize things aren’t really as they seem.
While in the fine art world interactive art was present but far and few between- I feel that that real interactive spirit of Art Basel Miami was found within their graffiti and muralist scene.
Juan Salgado, Street Artist from Puerto Rico sets up shop.
The moment you arrive in Miami you cant help but see the crews of painters setting up at every blank wall and turning it into a phenomenal piece of street art- particularly in the Wynwood District. Each year Art Basel heralds artists from all over the world and buildings become their canvas. International artists are collaborating and making great connections everywhere you look. Signs hang in windows saying, “Compassionate muralists apply within.” Each morning you open your eyes to a new facade and chances are- the artist traveled a long way to show up and share their talent- and unlike the rest of pieces at Art Basel- this work is not for sale but only to be enjoyed for the moment and was likely created over night. Parties erupt each night and artists get excited and inspired to create more imagery to share. They build a great community and help one another out- lending scissor lifts, ladders, and paint. Its one of the few true times that street artists can come out of their sheathe of darkness and paint openly on public walls. Groups of viewers grow each night going piece to piece and dancing in the streets.
They become the backdrop for this explosive art scene that encompasses Miami for the week of Basel.
The art doesn’t stop there though ladies and gentleman! Even I got to become participatory interactive art through Kikimora Studios (http://kikimorastudio.com/) where I performed at the Eco Art Fashion Week :Table for Two show as well as at Nikki Beach in her creations.
Photo (c) Kikimora Studios 2012
Did you see any fun participatory art at Art Basel Miami that I didn’t cover here? Feel free to post links in the comment section!
Vía Ali Luminescent http://aliluminescent.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/reach-out-and-touch-something/
Excited, exhausted, exhilarated so many emotions, movements, and memories surface once returning to The Dance. My exploration in dance has been life long- but only in the past few years have I sought a teacher. Dance for me was always haphazard. It was a natural state of being that burst forth whenever the time was right. My body moving to and fro without guidance or discipline sometimes creating the most interesting shapes and styles never seen- and sometimes totally injuring myself because I wasnt using my body to support itself- because I had no idea how.
Fast forward to the past several years where performance became engrained with movement- which needed to be stylized. My arms had no where to go. My legs didnt know the beat. My mind couldnt keep up with one or the other. So then- finally- I sought a teacher. It was also one of the first times in my life I actually had the time to devote to a class. Sera Solstice, visionary, epic movement artist, friend, creatrix, and someone who totally engulfs the term WOMAN became my teacher. She took me in and let me follow her through the lunar and solar cathedrals of her twist on tribal fusion bellydance- East Coast Tribal. It hasnt been easy for me- im not one of those people born with the innate ability to do everything super awesome first time I try- its a path. Its a choice. Its a devotion and ever unwinding faerytale that has led me “home.”
Over the past few years, feeling the tugs of gypsy blood in my veins, I have started venturing further and further away from home. Performing, dancing, teaching, and playing in oceans and mountains that are older than time. My travels eventually sailed me across the sea to Indonesia where I studied traditional Balinese Dance. I was recommended to take class with an amazing dancer Nikelle Khan . She is a great teacher, beautiful soul, and also the one responsible for introducing me to where I am now- studying Odissi dance. An ancient devotional temple dance originating from Orissa, India.
This past February I had an opportunity to go to India. My boyfriend is dedicated to Isha Yoga and was going to volunteer at the ashram and so I took this time to be a student myself- and began to learn about Odissi dance. I took a very full on workshop in southern Goa with Chantelle Devi who gave me a solid introduction in the short amount of time we had. I danced everyday for 5-7 hours a day- in my downtime I was doing an additional 2 hours of movement practice- I couldnt get enough- when I wasnt dancing Odissi- I was reading it, watching it, and soaking it in. All of this- is still only the beginning. For Odissi dance is considered so intricate and difficult that one can study it for 20 years and still be a beginner. It is a path. And here I am- rerouting back onto this path. It feels good. It feels like settling back into a routine I never had. I danced Odissi and practiced my mudras for the rest of the time I was in India- but after I returned to NYC my practice fell by the wayside and I got distracted with those typical life things- like paying rent, and re-doing my website, and getting gigs, and took up playing the musical saw, and traveling and building- such is the life for someone who has a hard time just picking one thing and getting it done lolololol. However, something happened- and I stumbled upon a sweet but strict Indian teacher that was kind enough to let me join her class. . . and I have once again- returned to the dance.
It feels good. It feels easier, smoother, still hard- but not foreign, still difficult- but attainable- in smaller doses and more manageable with the day-to-day- but also building off all those hours, moments, days, cities, countries, mountains, sunsets of experience. And so with each day- my dance grows- and my body learns and neurons fire and then tomorrow I will remember it and execute it smoother than today. Thats the thing with dance- you have no choice but to be exactly where you are at. And it feels good to be home. Home in my own body. Home in my own space- still building toward the future.
Adventures taken on like fresh breaths of air I near completion of our west coast circuit. Slowly crawling across the sky like the fog of San Francisco rolling over the hills- I will creep into NYC in the middle of the night. Silently tip toeing over summer who has just laid down to rest.
Time will be necessary to flip my sleep schedule but I look forward to those first quiet productive nights prior to reintegrating to my favorite hometown.
Rested and inspired I return home. Secrets whispered to me from the grandmother energy of the tall tall trees to the great blue depths of lake Tahoe fill my psyche. Biking across pearlescent desert dreamscapes cloud my periphery, breathtaking turn after breathtaking turn of making our way down the 1 collecting moonstones straight from the ocean fill my daydreams, floating in the meditation pool in Sierraville’s hot springs watching shooting stars paint the sky. Reality takes on such vivid flight it’s almost hard to believe that these moments of grandeur and natures majesty are blossoming all around us in real time.
So many old friends surfaced I barely had time to realize I was only visiting. Super outpouring of love to all of those that made my trip extra special out on the west coast! From canyon view outdoor dance parties to sunset ocean-front weddings to fresh seared tuna in the middle of the Black Rock Desert- every moment of the past month has been a dream come true.
Thank you world for all the magick you weave in each direction and the infinite joy in which it brings.
The art doesn’t stop there though ladies and gentleman! Even I got to become participatory interactive art through Kikimora Studios (
