Soul i-D  is the newest book offering from Taschen. It is a look inside of some of the most creative minds of our time. It is a collage of great images, creative and inttelectual thought and is certainly a book nearly any person would enjoy. - Joe Dirosa

Life, love, and wisdom as seen by i-D

Watch the video of the Betsey Johnson Spring 2009 Collection runway show from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NY  on New York Artist Series TV.

Alexey Kallima will present a new body of work Chechnya Women's Team of Parachute Jumping and Its Virtual Fans for his first solo gallery exhibition in New York. A refugee from Grozny, Chechnya, Kallima fled to Moscow shortly after the Russian invasion in 1994. The artist frequently references the effects of this turmoil in his politically-charged paintings and installations. For this exhibition, Kallima will present a group of new large scale paintings and a dynamic installation referencing the current Russian police state.

Although Alexey Kallima has moved beyond the traditional academic training he received at the University of Krasnodar towards a more expressive language, he acknowledges the monumental character and principles of historical painting in his work, which examines the ongoing Russian/Chechen conflict and his personal and highly political response as a refugee. The paintings and drawings depict young women in varying stages of parachuting that recall the segregated teams Kallima observed as a child. While Russian propaganda maintains that the conflict is over, the Chechen economy has been paralyzed and segregation is still prevalent. Kallima's work imagines a utopian world where ethnicity does not temper equality. His use of perspective and expressive brushstroke reveals his interest in representing the heroism of the Chechen people and his affection towards them. 

Due to Taschen Books timely 25th Anniversary this year we are graced with another opportunity to look into the intricate and sometime devilish mind of one of New York's most self expressive photographers. Leaving literally no perversion untouched Terry Richardson's Terryworld brings us closer to the extremes of sexual expression.  Maybe because Terry's mom dated Jimi Hendrix or possibly for some other reason but Mr. Richardson brings is more freedom of sexual expression than the orgy tent at Woodstock. Occasionally thrown into the pages are looks into the deep seeded personalities of several celebrities as well. 

** Warning don't try the Little Boy Blue totally naked over the fire at home!**

New York Artist Series TV details the Silent Rave that happened on April 18th, 2008 at 6:17 pm in Union Square NYC.

Thousands of people came out with their iPods on the first warm day of Spring and danced ...and danced..

All Saints Day

peaceXpiece : can we come together? 

peaceXpiece : can we come together? is a New York Artist Series short film detailing the peaceXpiece festival put together by Paul Kostabi on April 19th, 2008 in Central Park. 1,000 canvasses were given to people to create the world's largest mural to promote green peace. The result was nothing short of amazing!