THE ALTERNATIVE ISSUE ALTERNATIVE ENGLISH MAGAZINE
e C E e r t r a u t S
ADIO BS R T E D O F TH AROUN HOST H G U ‘RO SHOW S’ EDGE THE P AGE
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M I D A DJ V 1 1 P AGE
LABRIS R E’S BA HONGDA ONLY WOMEN
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THE MAKING OF GASOLINE P AGE
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* Style: The Pin-Up Makeover: The Complete How to Guide to Becoming a Pin-up Girl PAGE 26
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
SAN LEE ING AND AWARD WINN NED WORLD RENOW IST TATTOO ART PAGE 26
W E R C A L L I R THE GO AY AND W D A O R B ATIONAL INTERN ION SENSAT
DIGGING DEEPER P AGE 16
P AG E 30
www.nehmagazine.com
CONTENTS VOL. 1 NO. 8 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
THE ALTERNATIVE ISSUE
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Behind the Scenes of the Making of Gasoline
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From the mind of director Marco Tessiore and vocalist Dbstk Crzzy comes Gasoline, a personification of rage and power through music, lyrics and video.
Producer, DJ, drum and bass icon, graffiti artist and actor Goldie is an international sensation and a modern day Renaissance man of golden proportions.
BY DUSTIN WILSHIRE | PHOTOS BY COURTNEY CHEATHAM AND DAVID SHELDRICK
BY VENUS NOORLEILA
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DJ Vadim DJ Vadim, aka Daddy Vad, has no time to slow down; with a new group (The Electrics), new music and remixes on the burner and his own label, it’s not hard to see how he keeps busy. BY SAMMY TECLE
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STYLE: THE PIN-UP MAKEOVER Wondering what products to use to get yourself looking the way the girls do in the magazine pin-ups? NEH Style has your step by step guide.
Pg. 23
CONTACT NEH GENERAL INFO: nehmagazine@gmail.com ADVERTISING: nehadvertising@gmail.com SUBMISSIONS: nehsubmissions@gmail.com
Goldie: The UK Renaissance Man
Digging Deeper: Deconstructing the Side of KoreaYou Don’t See There are sides to every culture that are taboo; Korea is no different. Sonny Side Films and its project Digging Deeper offer a closer look at the more sensitive and underground parts of Korea through the use of high quality production and viral videos. BY DUSTIN WILSHIRE
Continued on page 4
BY JESSICA McCORMICK | PHOTOS BY COREY LAJEUNESSE
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*
All past issues online at www.nehmagazine.com
NOV/DEC 2010 • NEH • 03
CONTENTS VOL. 1 NO. 8 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
THE ALTERNATIVE ISSUE
Features 10
Stuart Reece: Alternative Music Avenger Stuart Reece, host of TBS radio’s ‘Rough Around the Edges’ shares thoughts on Korea’s alternative music scene. BY SAMMY TECLE | PHOTOS BY JEN SEMPLE
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The Gorilla Crew Rocks the BBoy Culture The Gorilla Crew is an internationally recognized group of skilled B-Boy dancers who have had their shows on Broadway and who continue to make Korea respected as the country that is their home. BY DUSTIN WILSHIRE | PHOTOS BY JEN SEMPLE
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Venue Spotlight Labris is Korea’s foremost lounge catering to the lesbian persuasion in Hongdae and Platoon, in Gangnam is a unique project that deserves to be checked out. BY DUSTIN WILSHIRE WITH RYDIA KIM | PHOTOS BY JEN SEMPLE
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The xoxokids Are Changing the Face of the Seoul Party Scene From creative and imaginative fashion to elegant parties, the xoxokids are building a new sub-culture based on their unique ideas. BY SAMMY TECLE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHAD BURTON
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San Lee and Aerok photographed exclusively for NEH by Jen Semple.
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San Lee Tattoos are one of the social taboos that Korea has yet to let go of but standing out and without anything to hide amidst the industry’s secrecies is Tattoo Korea and award winning tattooist San Lee. BY VENUS NOORLEILA | PHOTOS BY JEN SEMPLE
NEH ™ KOREA’S MONTHLY ALTERNATIVE ENGLISH MAGAZINE
C.J. Koster Hannah Zimmerman Sean Naylor Sammy Tecle Whisper Chase
PUBLISHER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANAGING EDITOR COPY EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Whisper Chase Rydia Kim Aaron Martinson Jessica McCormick Venus Noorleila Sammy Tecle Dustin Wilshire
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
ART ART DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR ART ASSOCIATE CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chris White Harriet Bodkin Chris Gabrielsen Giles K. Joanne Kim Dennis Kim Jen Semple Chad Burton Courtney Cheatham Lauren Herrmann Cory Lajeunesse David Sheldrick
ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS ACCOUNTS MANAGER DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL PROJECTS
Jinah Kim-Allen Rydia Kim
All content Copyright 2010 NEH magazine. No part of NEH magazine may be reproduced in any form by any means without written permission from NEH magazine FOUNDING EDITORS C.J. Koster & Kelly Williams
NEH Magazine Korea’s Monthly Alternative English Magazine Founded in Bucheon, South Korea
Founded January 2010 www.nehmagazine.com nehmagazine@gmail.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO
THE FIRST WORD THIS IS FOR ALL YOU ‘OTHERS’ OUT THERE For our last issue of 2010, we invited Venus Noorleila, Seoul socialite and NEH’s former promotions director to be guest editor for our Alternative issue. Venus brings years of experience working in and on the Seoul scene and a unique perspective to the direction of this double (November and December) issue. NEH will return in January 2011 after a brief hiatus with our Future Issue in which we will examine what 2011 might have in store and how it might affect you. Thanks to all our readers for your continued support; we look forward to bringing you the best and most entertaining content. Enjoy the Alternative issue. ― C.J. KOSTER
D
evoutly attracted to the alternative, I would have to say that the universal underground has near always been like a pair of loose fit pajama pants for me. The type that will ever sanction the curves of my personal evolution by allowing for daily feats of magic or modest miracles, all whilst snug in the comfortable fabric of a sensation I’d have to dub as simple ‘glee’. It is here where the world of unique All-sorts and Every-things co-exist and coincide. Frequently copulating with an encouraging helping of the synchronicity required to push idea into reality, intent into existence and eventually the hidden into the over-ground. Tendency to connect dots between the brilliant and the bold has ever been a forte of moi, and in Korea there is no shortage of such individuals or happenings. So just fleetingly, a wee-bit of the creative reigns of NEH Magazine were gifted to me for an issue and allowed for the manifestation of what I like to see as a mini-smorgasbord. A small fistful of the quasi-avante garde. Welcome, sexy reader, to The Alternative Issue. From femme tattoo-art vixens, b-boy theatre creators, film artists, producers, dancers, music makers, sensual perspective provocateurs & other
ON THE COVER
Kelly Benes (photographed by Corey Lajeunesse), San Lee (photographed by Jen Semple) and B-Boy Ho Chan (photographed by Jen Semple.) Cover design by C.J. Koster.
Music 35%
polychromatic characters – these lovers and fighters do have one thing in common (whilst all being dynamically individual). They push on for something different. This issue is about the alternative few whose choice to dive deep into the sui generis option of D.I.Y has already added massively to the creative landscape of Seoul city. This is where the snoz-berries can really taste like snoz-berries if you are willing to lick on the mega stockpiles of wallpaper lining our current homespot. And this is exactly what they have done. Just a friendly reminder: despite how good your journey may taste at times, there will always be the little guy around the corner who is going to attempt to poison the soup and control your expansion. Make this mnemonic and commit it to memory forever: no one soul will tell the story like you can, so if you don’t step up regardless, then who will? This issue is dedicated to those who aren't like the "Others". The creators and the change agents. The ideas people. The chameleons, magicians and shape-shifters. The question askers. The renegades, the shit-disturbers and the dreamers of dreams. Massive gratitude to you all. You make me proud to rock my PJs outside. VENUS NOORLEILA
* Venus spent much of her early years scribbling in notebooks perched precariously high in Blood Wood trees and surrounded by the tickle of nature in Australia. Since then she has found her way back to Asia and to a new place of creativity in her own space. She can often be caught having long conversations with her pets and playing with energy when not writing or obsessively compulsively creating.
Dance 25%
Fashion & Style 18%
Lesbians 11%
Bears that date blow up dolls 1%
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PHOTOS BY COURTNEY CHEATHAM AND DAVID SHELDRICK
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PHOTO BY JEN SEMPLE
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PHOTO ESSAY NEH Photographer Jen Semple explorers the Seoul dance scene. From the B-Boy styles of The Gorilla Crew to burlesque dancing to chair dancing. The variety of opportunities for expression abound in a community that there is so little information about.
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Ho Chan BBoy of The Gorilla Crew (also see page 16 for more information about The Gorilla Crew and their shows.)
Hyun Joo Kang performs chair dancing.
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Mary Dollready partakes in old time burlesque: a satirical blend of performance art and other entertainment dating back to the nineteenth century.
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Stephanie Tran dances with AsiaTKillers.
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‘THE GORILLA CREW’ PRESENTS ‘RETURN’ KOREA’S INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED B-BOY DANCE TROUP HAS PERFORMED IN SINGAPORE, CHIN, JAPAN, EUROPE AND EVEN ON BROADWAY. THEIR NEW SHOW ‘RETURN’, A SEQUEL TO ‘B-BOYZ AND BALLERINA’ IS CURRENTLY BEING PERFORMED AT KAYA ART HALL. BY DUSTIN WILSHIRE WITH RYDIA KIM | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GORILLA CREW
According the Urban Dictionary, the word ‘B-Boy’, short for ‘Break Boy’, originated in the Bronx, New York in the early 70’s. DJ’s began spinning only the ‘breaks’ of songs – the parts of songs containing no lyrics – only beats. Those that began dancing over these breaks, you may also know them as ‘break dancers’, began what would become a worldwide phenomenon and cultural movement. Korea is now recognized as ground zero for modern B-Boy culture. Fueled at the onset by the street lifestyle knowledge readily available through high-speed Internet connections, as well as the influence from the large International military presence, some of the most talented crews in the world now hale from the southern portion of the peninsula. Modern Seoul and Incheon have played host to massive, government supported B-Boy festivals and competitions. Some of the most successful local crews, widely acknowledged for their tremendous hip hop dancing skills, now tour the world spreading the gospel of Korean B-Boyism. Sift through a pile of the most notable and you will certainly uncover The Gorilla Crew. Home grown in Korea, they have also performed in the United States, Singapore, China, Japan and Europe. Among the list of accolades and awards they have accumulated is the honorable distinction as the first B-Boy crew to be featured on Broadway; no
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doubt solidifies their spot among worldwide B-Boy elite. So in the crowded space of spinning power moves, hip twists and suicides, what sets the best apart from the rest? In the case of The Gorilla Crew, it’s having the creativity and execution to successfully adapt their form of dance art to theater. Their first theatrical performance was heralded across the planet. Fascinated by her street dancing man, ‘B-Boyz and Ballerina’ is a love story about a ballerina turned hip hop dancer. As their relationship grows, so does the jealousy of a rival crew. The result is a show stopping competition between opposing forces. Homecoming is the strong theme as The Gorilla Crew performs their highly anticipated follow up to ‘B-Boyz and Ballerina.’ In their new production ‘Return’, a B-Boy turned white collar worker is faced with a tough decision: take a risk and re-join his former crew in a competition to raise the money needed to hold on to their rehearsal space, or continue along the stable career path as a corporate minion. Making matters worse is a landlord determined to sabotage the competition in hopes of kicking the crew out on the street. You can catch The Gorilla Crew in their entertaining, ninety minute, street dance theatrical performance ‘Return’, through December at Kaya Art Hall, Exit #7 of Chungjeongno station. N
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NEH MAGAZINE PRESENTS
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he’s got it. Right down to this pair of foxy fire engine red bido, Ursus Octos, Care Bears etc. shoes, the kind that somehow go with everything. Then After each theme has been exhausted, it will go towards the there’s the leggings collection that are notorious conversation accumulation of a liberal mass of themed literature. Robb’s starters; they appear in magazines and scream (along with her vision of the show is clear: “So that we may all contribute to a general atmosphere) “God damnit-look at me!” Oh and then global artistic project to both participate in and comment on there’s that notably seductive intellect, and a desire to con- the academic culture of the past, bridging the outdated form of finite and physical tribute to a greater reference books to the good. She’s Lauren endless and formless Bedard. age of information.” What’s more, she has On her merry way, for brought to Seoul more the Encyclopedia than just visual treats, Show in Seoul, Lauren active activism and has magnetically atpoetic rhetoric – L.B tracted to her an enhas precipitated a new gaging ensemble of wave of art collaboraperformers who will tion and amassed an provide this educaeclectic group up for tional, musical, lyrical it’s creative truth or and thoroughly artisdares. It’s name? tic translation of a “The Encyclopedia simple theme into Show.” entertainment for Revved and ready for their audience. Planits second birthday, ning to continue the The Encyclopedia Show show every two is the dual effect of old months, Lauren also mates Robb Q. Telfer will gift the proceeds and Shanny Jean to a different charity Maney who thought to organization each instigate a merging of time. This time the the diverse art comlucky benefactor will munity of Chicago – be local NGO: Bear where (in their opinNecessity. How apt. ion) the slam poetry Clearly inspired by scene of ’08 needed a the possibilities conbit of a kick in the tained in the future of pants in terms of chalsuch a contributing art lenging its contribuvehicle, Lauren adds, tors. “I am about balance “The basic idea beand my two passions hind the show is that are art and activism. each night presents a Through this show, ‘verbal encyclopedia the universe has preentry,’” Robb explains, Figure 9.8 PHOTO CREDITS: LAUREN HERMANN & COREY LAJEUNESSE sented me with the “In other words, they opportunity to bring will utilize the talents THE ENCYCLOPEDIA SHOW these two worlds toof various artists and BY VENUS NOORLEILA gether. It's a dream give them subtopic assignments stemming from a major theme. The result is an come true.” The Encyclopedia Show Seoul: Series 1 Volume 1 evening that is greater than the sum of the individual parts, ‘Bears’ is to be held at Roofers in Itaewon on November 13th where each piece, because of the over-arching (often ridicu- with a lineup including: spoken word/prose, song, comedy, lous) theme, illuminates and is in conversation with all the installation art, live painting, and probably some gummy bears other pieces. By focusing in on what is simultaneously specific and hopefully free hugs. and general, a lens is created to by which the artists and the “If we have this many brilliant people across the globe all working on one project together, growing and knowing each audience can view all of human existence.” Several chapters (with Seoul being the 9th) have been un- other through it, solidifying and expanding a community built zipped outside of Chicago all following the rule stipulated by on the celebration of this ridiculous life, then I am certain a the originators that these shows must go in the exact same large amount of small good can be added to this cold ass uniorder as the founding Encyclopedia Show. This meaning the verse,” Lauren says. first installation will always be about “BEARS”. With subtop- For more info about the event, check out its Facebook page ics like: Grizzly Adams, Polar Bears & Toothpaste, Panda Li- (search The Encyclopedia Show Seoul.)
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VENUE SPOTLIGHT LABRIS: FOR WOMEN ONLY HONGDAE’S BAR JUST FOR WOMEN IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF ITS STYLE BY WHISPER CHASE
KOREA’S LONGEST RUNNING IVAN BAR.
WOMEN ONLY. BE YOURSELF AT LABRIS. HONGDAE. 8TH FLOOR UNIQLO BUILDING.
Thirteen years ago, what started as one woman’s dream to find like-minded friends in a hidden community, has become the go-to social outlet for her subculture. Labris is the oldest running bar of its kind in Seoul, popular not only amongst the twenty-something lesbian crowd, but by all women who just want to have a great time free of testosterone, boners, and cheesy pick up lines. Homosexuality in Korea is more or less socially unacceptable and buried deeper than most care to admit. Labris has paved the way to help Korea defy this antiquated outlook. They’ve embraced lesbianism and femininity in a way that encourages women to unite and bond beyond fleeting sexual experiences. This is the locale to frequent if you want to bust a choreographed move to the latest KPop, House and Hip Hop in a woman friendly environment. It’s classy but not uppity, and the women only bite if you want them to. Reservations are needed to get into this hot spot on Friday and Saturday nights, and Sundays are
busy too, so be sure to plan ahead. Located in the heart of Hongdae, Labris offers a sophisticated yet down-to-earth atmosphere where one can meet after work for drinks or dance the night away. It has three levels with ample seating on luxurious mahogany crush velvet high back chairs. And if you’ve got an entourage, not to worry, they’ve got three private rooms to accommodate your group. What sets Labris apart from the other women only bars in Seoul is that it has pioneered the movement to bring this community out from the shadows and into the light, and continues to do so in a fun and refreshing way. Regardless of your sexual orientation, this club is welcoming to all women. So if you’ve got an open mind and a carefree attitude, head to Labris for an unforgettable experience. Take Line 6 to Sangsu station, Exit 1. Walk towards the Hongik University front gate (approx. 10 minutes). Pass the American Apparel and it’s on the 8th floor of the next tall building or call 02-3335276 for assistance.
CALL FOR INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS 02-333-5276
VENUE SPOTLIGHT: PLATOON
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eoul’s arts scene is pushing boundaries in ways that have never been previously seen in the Land of the Morning Calm. Part of this evolution can be attributed to a particular movement that is using a seemingly limitless amount of imagination to innovate and redefine beauty and art: thexoxokids. From outdoor street parties to runway shows to clubs, thexoxokids is dedicated to embracing fashion and fun in any form. Mastermind Chad Burton (a.k.a. chadchad), a Canadian turned Seoulite, utilizes his passions as a model, photographer, stylist, and blogger to create an amalgamation that is thexoxokids. However, mere words could never do justice to the visual magnificence that appears on the website. Thexoxokids.com includes fashion photos with models rocking cool, colorful, and creative clothing. Accentuated by beautiful backdrops and Seoul’s breath-
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just a taste of what chadchad is all about. If that isn’t enough, thexoxokids.com tastefully fuses fashion and creativity with theme parties that give new meaning to the Seoul party experience. We’re talking vibrant, eccentric outfits, masks, costumes, and artwork. Recently, Bring Your Own Ghetto Blaster (BYOGB) – Volume 6: Fold Dead/The Flood was held under Sogang Bridge near Seoul’s Gwangheungchan Station. BYOGB is a hip, unique change from a bar scene that is becoming increasingly synonymous with Saturday nights in Korea. Awesome photos on the website make it evident that the latest edition of BYOGB was a terrific experience for all the beautiful people that attended. Sadly, even with BYOGB Volume 6’s massive overall
not without controversy, as the police ordered for all of the artwork to be removed after the party. However, with local support from the community, efforts are being made to turn the location into a public space.For more information on what thexoxokids is all about, be sure to log on to www.thexoxokids.com and check out the Facebook page “thexoxokids.com” to get the down-low on future events. chadchad is a pretty stellar blogger so you’ll always stay up to date on where you need to be in the By Sammy Tecle coming weekends.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHAD BURTON
HOW TO:
8 STEPS FOR BECOMING A TOTAL BETTY
After Before
INTRODUCTION Pinup models such as Betty Page and Marilyn Monroe took the world by storm with their sultry glances and sexy poses. Everyone wanted to emulate these stunning beauties and pinup style became a house hold look. Today we see the presence of pinup style on celebrities, in magazine ads, even in everyday fashion; but creating this timeless look isn’ t as hard as you would think. With the right tools and few simple techniques getting those flirty lashes and big full lips are as easy as pie. Just follow our step by step guide, created for you by NEH magazines style professionals and you too can rock this look any night of the week. STEPS AND STYLING BY JESSICA McCORMICK PHOTOS BY COREY LAJEUNESSE
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FOUNDATION:
Pin-up Makeup Must Haves:
Pinup makeup was all about having flawless, porcelain skin so even out your skin using a matte foundation and a concealer if needed, to cover any blemishes. Choose shades that match your exact skin tone and make sure to blend well watching for any visible lines.
Black Liquid Eyeliner Rose Colored Blush Matte Foundation False Lashes Red Lipstick
BLUSH:
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS
Clio: TV Stick Foundation
Banila: Co-eye Primer Purity
SkinFood: Eyebrow Powder Cake
Etude House: Code B Gel Liner
The blush shades worn at this time were mostly corals, and pinks; the most popular being a rosy pink. To apply, put a small amount of blush on your brush and apply in a stippling motion to the apples of your cheeks, blending a little into the cheek bone area. Continue until you have reached the desired intensity.
Banila: Rouge Lipstick
EYE SHADOW: For your eye shadow base you want to use a light matte color, preferably in an off white, grey, or coral tone. Apply your base with a midsized brush to the entire upper eyelid, making sure to cover all the way up to the brows. This will give them added definition, by highlighting them. Next apply a medium dark brownish-grey color, to the crease of your eye blending down to the corners of the eyelid and slightly onto the lid.
EYE LINER: To create the signature pinup winged tipped eye line you will want to use a black liquid or gel liner and a fine eye liner brush. Start your line where your lashes begin and carry it out all the way to the end of your eye creating a thick winged tip at the end. Next, apply a black eye shadow over top of your line using a small angled brush. This will help to set your liner and will smooth out any imperfections.
EYE LASHES: For your eye lashes you want to use a flirty lash that will mostly accentuate the outer edges of the lashes. To apply your lashes; first put a small amount of the water soluble glue provided to the edge of the lashes and wait 30 seconds for the glue to get tacky, next lay the lashes as close to where your lashes meet your lid as possible. Hold the lashes gently in place for 1 minute. To finish apply a small amount of black mascara to the upper lashes so that they adhere to the false ones. Applying a small amount to your bottom lashes as well to finish the eyes.
EYEBROWS: To create perfect pinup brows you need to make sure that they are well defined and are slightly angled in the arch. To start first brush the brows upward, using an eyebrow brush and create as much of a natural point as you can where they arch. Now using an eye shadow 1-2 shades darker than your natural color and an angled brush fill in your brows to create a defined look.
LIPSTICK: Starting first with a red lip liner create a full lip shape by following your natural lip line and avoid making the tops of your lips overly pointed. Next fill in your lips with your liner; this will help your lipstick stay on longer. Now apply a matte red lipstick to the entire lip area using a lipstick brush.
BEAUTY MARK:
OUR INSPIRATION
To finish off this look use a black liquid liner or eyeliner pencil and draw a mole either just under your eye and off to the side.
ABOUT THE ARTIST Jessica McCormick is a makeup artist and stylist originally from Toronto, Ontario Canada where she worked in the design community for 3 years before coming to Korea. She now joins NEH Magazine as their style director and is the founder of StiltedStyle.com, a makeup and fashion consultation company. NEH style a new addition to NEH Magazine will launch itself this January with edgy and informative articles and style spreads. NEH Style aims to blend Korean and world style trends, highlighting the creativity that is now so present in the Korean style scene. For any article requests please email nehmagazine@gmail.com or for more information on Jessica McCormick or her work through Stilted Style, visit: www.stiltedstyle.com.
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SONNY SIDE FILMS
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ARTIST’S PROFILE
San Lee and Aerok photographed exclusively for NEH by Jen Semple. 26 • NEH • NOV/DEC 2010
SAN E E
THE AWARD WINNING AND WORLD RENOWNED ARTIST IS PREPARING FOR HER WORLD TOUR AND HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AS KOREA’S MOST POPULAR AND SOUGHT-AFTER TATTOOIST BY VENUS NOORLEILA | PHOTO BY JEN SEMPLE
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oopholes are evocative of ‘experimentation’ and ‘new experience.’ The existence of loopholes tends to exude an alluring with their suggestion of a potential freedom. Indeed, if it weren’t for the activity of seeking and finding these magical zones: you wouldn’t have gotten that job you are learning how to do on the fly or even that super awesome tattoo decorating your bicep. At least that’s in Korea, where despite the cultural rules for conformity that the indigenous have become accustomed to, it is totally possible to dip into those somethings that are clearly ‘outsidethe-box’. Tattoo Korea’s golden child, San Lee, was brave enough to do just that. A girl? Tattooing? Gasp! San Lee casually grins and explains that tattooing has easily provided that ‘next level’ challenge in which art of the non bodycanvas-type had yet to yield for her clearly ambitious nature. Turns out that this foundation was to translate well into the culture and technique of skin-art, so four years deep and San is still continuing to one-up herself artistically. Building on her current nest, her clever collaboration with Aerok (arguably one of the founding fathers of standardization in many important elements of tattooing in the ROK) has set the mood for others to follow in a professional and respectful manner. Aerok (himself also once a tattooist) has been in the game for over a decade and brought back from the U.S his know-how, pioneering what many hadn’t the foggiest clue about. Most of this tattooing acuity was scooped up from putting in the hard yards at Redondo Beach coup: Drop Tattoo as an artist himself. When Aerok first touched down in Korea with the intention of opening his own spot (circa ’07) examining the local inking enterprises left little doubt in his mind of exactly how far back in the tattoo trade time warp Korea really was. Little did he know he would essentially wind up schooling the
rookies on many aspects of the craft, but namely, the absolute necessity for thorough sterilization practice in the studio – something, which a short five years back, was frighteningly absent. With Aerok’s covetable connection to his U.S tattoo familia this means patrons of Tattoo Korea are treated to the array of a much sought-after selection of lusciously rich high-end brands of ink & also topnotch equipment, some of which San Lee can’t work without. Sought-after meaning: like the trainspotters who lurked around the DJ booth to try and catch a glimpse of the label of an obscure track spinning round and round, Aerok like the hip-to-it DJ of that era, also found himself covering labels up. His was to keep under wraps what the ‘spies’ were sent in specifically to bite the style of (or as the story goes: to create a decoy by having it appear they know what’s up). If a painter will employ a profusion of different brushes and hand mix colors to perfection to complete their masterpieces, so does San with her tattoo pieces. Unlike others in Korea, her modus operandi requires a staggering array of French imports for needles and harmonization with hues to produce the type of precision with line and color that she is able to attain. San Lee freestyles portraitures and vivid scenes out of nature with ease, pieces in which the fine lines and trueness to life lead to much shaking of heads, wondering just how she does it every time. Talent like hers wasn’t about to go unrecognized for long and within the last year, San Lee hauled home a stellar 1st prize under the Totem Colour category at the recent Taiwanese International Tattoo Convention, ever gaining her place in the ranks of the big guns and making Korea proud. For the first time, a Korean artist had shone bright at an international show and rep’d classic Korean colours (like those found in the deep turquoise and earthy temple reds of traditional art), impressing
judges who have become increasingly more picky about placing prizes on artists than ever before. Tattoo Korea now boasts a shiny new crimson edged expanse of a shop. Bigger and more stacked with working artists than any other local emporium can lay claim to. Stars on the rise include: DX, SLAM & ZOO plus many others. Tattoos appear to remain generally unaccepted and continue to be basically ‘illegal’ if the tattooist isn’t in possession of a doctor’s degree or a permit to conduct surgery, technically a store can’t run. This “logic” says that if you are ‘operating’ with needles, you must therefore be a doctor. As far as licenses go, Tattoo Korea is one of the rare places to have snagged certain opportunities and can legally and proudly emblazon the entryway to their store with a sign stating their business, whereas most others must remain in stealth mode. Next for San Lee outside of her steady schedule of sessions, is to go on a tattoo world tour, hitting conventions from Berlin to Singapore. Watch her steal some more trophies and perhaps when she’s too famous to book for less-than a years notice and has a wall crammed full of accolades, then maybe (and hopefully) the powersthat-be may consent to the idea that tattooing is actually an art-form. Naturally San Lee and Tattoo Korea are already in high demand. If you are thinking about getting one of her distinctive pieces, please make your enquires with your full name, phone number, available dates to come in to the studio and an example/idea of imagery you would like to get done to vavavenus@gmail.com By the way – as a bonus: the artists will design your unique piece for FREE. N
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Ever wonder how one person had time to summon the enviable savvy of skill collection to such a degree as to cause mass murmurs through the past two decades and into the present? Call it habitual shape-shifting, obsessive-compulsive creation or multi-tasking of magnitude, these are tendencies available amongst the rare few and harnessed to positive effect by even fewer. It is said that some become overwhelmed by their talents and abilities, whilst others enjoy them with no holds barred.
For those instead whose time may have possibly been spent under the proverbial rock, get a load of the UK underground's heavyweight champ: GOLDIE: Producer, DJ, Drum and Bass Icon, Graffiti Artist, Actor and Straight-up Pioneer. BY VENUS NOORLEILA
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he buzz had to start somewhere and ever the perpetrator of the creative, a young Clifford Joseph Price (later to be known as Goldie) embarked into the early 80's with a spray can in hand and the concrete canvas of the West Midland's in his crosshairs. The fast spreading urban artwork he was responsible for around Birmingham and Wolverhampton would later be copiously featured in Afrikaa Bambaataa's 1985 feature film documentary Bombing. 'Goldilocks' (as he was once known in BBoy circles) took part in the largest British graffiti art battle alongside Bristol artist 3D, who later went on to form Massive Attack, and is also featured in the book Spray-can Art (by Henry Chalfant & James Prigoff.) Blasting on from a madly successful 2007 London solo art show Love Over Gold, 2009 saw Goldie wow his audience once more with The Kids Are All Riot, a stunning art installation, with the likes of Ian Brown attending and commenting on the beauty of his work. His 2010 show, The Lock Up, was held in a covert pop up London locale and summoned
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a mega celebrity throng inviting ever more respect for the infamous Goldie. For a quick glance into his achievement rolodex: Depicting his prolific work, Goldie has produced artistic works with 3D (Massive Attack) and Sarah Gregory. He has been commissioned to create pieces for Neneh Cherry, Noel Gallagher, Bjork, James Lavelle, Nellee Hooper, Kevin Spacey, The Sex Pistols, Snow Patrol, Pete Tong, Jason Statham and Sir Paul McCartney. As of the present, Goldie is providing all of the artwork, and album sleeves for international DJ & artist Pete Tong's Ibiza club brand Wonderland for the third consecutive year. . Fans will also be able to catch him in a BBC documentary that will be released later in the year. In league with combining his graffiti art education into finer fabrications and quite often the female form, Goldie's pieces are as colorful as they are infectious with attitude. If you have been lucky enough to be a present on the dance-floor any of the times his signature blinged-out, all gold grin has
you will agree that both Goldie and his artwork alike, resonate with this similar atmosphere. Rumor has it that Goldie will in fact be making his way to Korea once again in early 2011 – this time for his art, not for one of his ridiculously bass filthy DJ-
sets. If you would like to get a piece of Goldie, stand in line - or instead get one of his pieces by visiing eddielock.co.uk or goldie.co.uk and treat yourself to a slice of sexy for your plain ole wall. N
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SEX
THE ART OF THE TONGUE BY KAREN JONES BE THEE MAN OR WOMAN, THE USE OF THE TONGUE— FOR KISS OR FOR … OTHERWISE IS SOMETHING TO BE PRACTICED AND APPRECIATED. AND CERTAINLY, NOT SOMETHING TO BE TAKEN (OR DONE) LIGHTLY. There on the metro, quite out of sync with the Monday morning blues, came a very unfamiliar sight. Not just unto myself, but it would appear also to the other commuters (who were smirking behind their hands and some even colorlessly blushing.) There in the ‘handicapped’ seats of Line 2 heading North was an elderly couple intertwined like a pair of high school lovers audaciously canoodling without reserve. While it was more “cute” than anything else to behold two old timers potentially still in love and goin’ at it at such an age where others were sleeping in separate beds and having silent dinners, it did make me ponder on the setting for kissing in which they came from. None of the modern - already in the nude sex scene shenanigans that litter most commercial film of the present, but the era in which movies stars would indulge in dramatic snogging that gave you cause to wonder if you were actually the one with the handicap. It got me thinking… There is definitely an art to the use of the tongue. Don’t you agree? Since the introduction of the French kiss, the Hollywood tongueless kiss has moved to the rear when it comes to foreplay. Or has it? Now, as a woman whose preferred choice in a lover is mostly that of my own sex, I have to comment on what these two quaint papery valentines got me thinking of on that sunny morning in October. Rewind to roughly my twelfth year of life. I was the recipient of my first ever tongue kiss. The delivery? Two boys who had coerced my BFF and I into a round or two of Truth or Dare. The first lad must have worked on his skills somewhat and was surprisingly sensual and slow while the other took a more frantic, aggressive approach. My experience up until this point had been what I later discovered was what most of my young and inexplicably horny peers had also done – it was me and my pillow and whatever else I could use as a crash test dummy for my new found hobby of tonguing and grinding. Many crashes and many tests later, I had my first tongue kiss with a woman. Eight years was worth the wait and it was probably one of the most sensual experiences of my life at that time. Could it have been because it was taboo to kiss a woman or partly due to the daydreams I’d been generating in detail, only for them to finally materialize as a reality? Regardless, the softness of her lips, the unhurried sensuality of her tongue wrapping around mine…it wasn’t something I would easily forget. The song by Jill Sobule at once began playing on loop through my giddiness: “I kissed a girl her lips were sweet, she was just like kissin’ me, I kissed a girl, won’t change the world, but I’m so glad – I kissed a girl.” And as it would turn out from that point forward: Repeat ad infinitum. That experience and the experiences that followed taught me the value of time. A woman prefer for you to take your time when you begin your lovemaking. As fortune would have it, this is exactly how my first female lover treated me. There is an innate sensual quality to how the tongue is used in lesbian sex. This could be because it is employed a lot in during foreplay and coitus. The way one moves the tongue in a first kiss is vital to knowing how they’ll use it when they go down on you. Those who are adept at the art of the tongue have found that magical balance where the use of the lips and the tongue can bring you altogether to another realm of pleasure. Hollywood and most available porn has influenced us a lot on how
we use (or don’t use) this combination. Do you tend to follow along with the impatient underlying tone inherent to movies? Do you skip the part of the playtime where the tongue gets centre stage – and instead move without pause onto the nooky? If so, what would it be like if you took this chance to slow it down just a bit? Your ladies will thank you. For those who are interested, a lot can be perceived about how someone eats their food and about how they consequently will eat your pussy. Pay attention ladies. Does he/she inhale the food before them, or is every morsel savored and tasted in its fullness? Is it about the race to devour all that’s on the plate, or is it more about noting all the subtle flavors, smells and textures of the dish whilst enjoying the meal itself? So how can we make our women writhe in perfect orgasm by just the use of our tongues? Try this on for size. The more you answer ‘yes’ to the following questions, the more you are well on your way to having a very happy lady in your sexual midst. Do you take your time with your tongue teases? Do you let your tongue play in circles about her sensitive areas, pushing down in varying intensities, up and down and side to side? Using different parts of your tongue? Can you make it feel like the gentlest butterfly wings patting persistently right on the very tip of her clit? Did you find that place between pain and sensation where you can suck only on the button? Holding her hips down so that the attention becomes focused on that one spot? Do you interchange speeds? Slowly slipping fingers inside of her and allowing her to push up against them? Can you apply many motions at once? Sucking, licking, adding fingers, nibbling…? How do you exercise your tongue? The art of tongue is pure awareness. Knowing when to start, stop slow down and speed up is crucial. Having the patience to discover your partners’ tempo is truly a gift that you can give to them if you are game. Let’s face it, it takes more to slow down this type of journey than it does to speed it up. What if you always were to choose the scenic route with your partner, and let your tongues become reacquainted each and every time your bodies come together? Would you become better versed at the wonderful places your tongue can take you so much so that you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off each other, no matter the day or the location, or your age? I am sure the lovers on the subway got more action than half of the carriage. Yes … the art of the tongue is pure awareness. When to start? When to stop? When to slow down? And when to speed up? How long did you make out at the beginning of your relationship and how long do you tongue kiss with your partner after one year? After three years? After ten years? What’s it going to take to take your time no matter how long you’ve been together, whether you’re a man or a woman or … whatever? I’m not saying women are the only ones capable of the art of the tongue; we just happen to use it more in the seduction and eventually to generating orgasm. If more straight people followed our lead it would only facilitate everyone to become tongue happy artists … and a more joyous world it would be. N
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ADVICE
The Life of a Blonde Goddess I've been living here for a year and I hate all the stares I get from people. I'm pretty average at home, but here my blonde hair is like a halo. People treat me like I'm a goddess or something. All this attention goes beyond being flattering to bordering on creepy leaving me feeling very uncomfortable. Do they really value fair skin and blonde hair as much as it appears, or are they secretly mocking me? Stop Staring at Me Stop Staring at Me, In Western culture we are taught not to stare, and if you must, do so discreetly. In Korea, there’s no such thing as being discreet; they will full-on gawk at you without so much as batting an eye. I’ d say the main gawkers are ajashis and ajummas. They are probably shocked to see cultural diversity that exists inside of an Asian populace. The important thing to remember is this is one of the world’s most homogenous cultures, so when faced with difference, they are fascinated. Arguably some Koreans do treat Caucasian foreigners with blonde hair like they are angels, while others may be repulsed by your looks. If you look at the ad campaigns for whitening products you could argue that they pride themselves on wanting to look “ white” but still want to appear Asian. Again, this is some of the population and definitely does not represent S.K. as a whole. Whether they love the way you look, or hate it, they will stare. Whatever you do, please don’ t take it personally. I say give them a taste of their own medicine. It’ s not enough to stare back because they will engage in a stare down with you, so make a game of it. When I see people staring and whispering I stick out my tongue, make a silly face, and start staring back. Nine times out of ten, the silly faces soften the mood or they just give up. Have fun with it and if you continue to feel uncomfortable borrow David Bowie’ s mask from Labyrinth and then they’ll be gawking at your mask instead of you personally. Relationship troubles? Trying to sort out this whole ‘Korean culture’ thing? Fighting with your co-teacher? Send your questions to NEH’s advice columnist at agonyajumma@gmail.com for answers to all of life’s big questions. Anonymity guaranteed.
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THE LAST WORD THE COVER THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE Artist Celeste Amos designed this cover for our Alternative issue but unfortunately, we weren’t able to use it.
Our Alternative issue, for all intents and purposes, was a successful exploration of Seoul’s (and Korea’s) underground subculture. We introduced you to San Lee, certainly Korea’s reigning queen of tattooing and some of music’s most influential faces: DJ Vadim, Goldie, Stuart Reece and Digging Deeper; which by itself is exposing a side of Korea rarely seen. Our cover this month was meant to be this amazing work by artist Celeste Amos: a collage of images featuring the likenesses of some of the previously mentioned artists and one extra: Mos Def. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to receive the final draft of the interview with Mos Def (due to communication discrepancies with his manager.) The result, aside from not having
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the opportunity to publish what would have been an amazing interview by Elliott Ashby, was that we also weren’t able to use this cover. We’d like to acknowledge and thank Celeste for the time, energy and creativity that she put into this piece and apologize sincerely for not having it grace our front page. It was truly a very hard and arduous decision not to use this piece for the cover because it does exude so much of the creativity and free-thinking that NEH tries to express and impart in each of it’s issues. Thank you again to Ms. Amos for creating and submitting the piece. As for us, this is our last issue until 2011. To our readers, thank you for being loyal and we hope you’ll continue reading in the new year. N