Arnie Guha Acid4Yuppies

24/06/2024

Very much looking forward to giving this talk on WHAT MAKES MY ART PSYCHEDELIC at Green College, UBC ...

Experience a moment.

"Like every great religion, we seek to find the divinity within and to express this revelation in a life of glorification and the worship of God. These ancient goals we define in the metaphor of the present—turn on, tune in, drop out."
-- Timothy Leary, 1967 (transcript, documentary SUMMER OF LOVE, PBS and WGBH, 2007)

BODHISATTVA TRILOGY 01: DEADHEAD, DANCING (2023)

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Taking inspiration from the psychedelic art movement of the 1960s and the rave culture of the 1990s and “micro-dosing” it into the current environment of digital creative arts, artist Arnie Guha Acid4Yuppies creates supercharged works of art that transcend the norm. Learn more about Arnie's upcoming talk: https://bit.ly/4bcNOUk

15/11/2023

One of my highlights this year was designing this album cover for Rea Beaumont 's single, The Dream of Olwen (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/classical-music-discoveries-5819/episodes/19110-rea-beaumont-charles-wil-160970537). Rea is a fellow Greenie and I was lucky to be able to photograph Rea last year at a hypnotic recital at Green College, UBC.

Rea, congratulations on a magnificent piece. And thank you for including me in your work. To be continued ...

26/10/2023

The latest in my series : this is L, our colleague at Phase 5 (thank you so much for agreeing to be part of this project).

This time, I took a series of photographs of L on my while we were on a Microsoft Teams meeting. Typically, for this series, I work with screenshots, which I then edit. This time, I took a series of photos, which I then worked on, as a set, to develop this portrait. The blur is partly created through the layering of several related photos, each treated a little bit differently.

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My Stolen Faces project was born during the shutdown -- from repeated exposure to Zoom calls and seeing people on screen rather than in person. And from the very use of the screen and the image in a relentlessly utilitarian context. In , I am seeking to create art out of utility ... to liberate my subject from the original visual context. It is work in progress and I'm having fun.

If you'd like to be part of it, please do drop me a line.

24/10/2023

Congratulations Amana on the 5th of Highness Global ... what an incredible band of , so many of whom I'm proud to call my friends! Thank you for working tirelessly on our behalf and bringing to fruition what we, artists, dream about in our fever ... and, as you always remind us, we're only :)

24/10/2023

Last weekend, I was in Dartmouth NS for . On a mad whim, I decided to combine my love of with my passion for photographing people into a at The Dart Gallery ... possible only because the indefatigable Jane MacDougald is the most indulgent curator of my work and goes to extreme lengths to let me experiment with my craft. In a further, impulsive act, I decided to add a performative element to it: I challenged myself to edit the pics (mostly cropping and fixing the light) in real-time and project them on to the window so that they would be visible at street-level.

I was overwhelmed by the response: close to 200 people attended (I had initially thought it was around a hundred but then we counted signatures and pics) and their joy and excitement at participating in my project provided me with greater validation than I could have imagined.

NS reminds me of - that magical neighbourhood where I spent my childhood, and to which I returned as a young university student. Thank you, Dartmouth, for adopting me and for featuring me, two years running, as one of your artists for Nocturne: Art at Night. And most importantly, for being there, for supporting me with your joy, your enthusiasm and your belief in my project.

Here are the pics ... 🙏

For NOCTURNE 2023, Arnie Guha set up a Pop-Up Psychedelic Portrait Studio at The Dart Gallery in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This creative space was open to the public and featured a mesmerizing psychedelic atmosphere created by projecting Guha’s images and films onto diffused surfaces. For this proje...

21/10/2023

: SAMRAT (thank you so much for being part of my new series)

SAMRAT, which means EMPEROR, is my cousin's nickname ( we grew up together)
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My Stolen Faces project (work in progress) involves using screenshots of WhatsApp calls with friends, selfies posted by them, and other social media pics that they share with me, to edit and create black and white portraits -- portraits that might look as though the subjects had intentionally sat for them.

The idea was born from repeated exposure to Zoom calls and seeing people on screen rather than in person. And also from the very use of the screen and the image in a relentlessly utilitarian context. In , I am seeking to create art out of utility ... to liberate my subject from the original visual context. It is work in progress and I'm having fun.

If you'd like to be part of it, please do drop me a line.

stolen faces (new series)

My Stolen Faces project (work in progress) involves using screenshots of WhatsApp calls with friends, selfies posted by them, and other social media pics that they share with me, to edit and create black and white portraits -- portraits that might look as though the subjects had intentionally sat for them.

The idea was born from repeated exposure to Zoom calls and seeing people on screen rather than in person. And also from the very use of the screen and the image in a relentlessly utilitarian context. In , I am seeking to create art out of utility ... to liberate my subject from the visual context. it is work in progress and I'm having fun.

If you'd like to be part of it, please do drop me a line.

21/10/2023

Montreal landing | Air Canada

19/10/2023

FOGGY NIGHT, NEW YORK CITY (2019)

by JUMA , as seen on the at Fall 2023 : https://jumastudio.com/product/acid4yuppies-foggy-night-new-york-city-printed-cargo-skirt-12-recycled-water-bottles-black/

17/10/2023

by JUMA at The Shanghai EDITION ... I am so honoured to be included in this fantastic show for !

JUMA's "Apocalyptic: A Sustainable Revelation" Runway Show

A Neo-Noir Symphony of Sustainable Design and Artistic Collaboration

On October 13, 2023, the Edition Hotel in Shanghai became a stage for JUMA's "Apocalyptic: A Sustainable Revelation" runway show, a neo-noir symphony of sustainable fashion and artistic expression. The event unfolded as a captivating spectacle, echoing the haunting beauty of a techno urbanism future where style and sustainability intertwine.

The runway transformed into a canvas, showcasing artwork from a diverse array of artists – Nigel Nolen, *LLND, Tara, Acid4Yuppies, Alpertalisman, Duohan Zhang, Frankie Zhang, Karmay, Shush, and Reynard – seamlessly interwoven into the clothing designs. Jewelry from Marcela Godoy, an esteemed professor at NYU Shanghai, added a touch of elegance to the post-apocalyptic aesthetic. The music created by Laurant Lettree, one half of the artist duo *LLND, engendered a harmonious confluence of industrial cadences, resonant Chinese flutes, and intellectually invigorating techno compositions which permeated the runway.

The show's theme, "Apocalyptic: A Sustainable Revelation," served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable practices in the face of environmental challenges. JUMA's unwavering commitment to sustainability was evident throughout the show, with all garments crafted from recycled water bottles, a testament to the transformative power of sustainable design.

JUMA's Spring/Summer 2024 Collection unveiled a captivating blend of dark and moody designs, transcending the ephemeral nature of seasonal trends and blurring the rigid lines of gender norms. The collection embodied the collaborative spirit of the platform, showcasing the creative synergy between JUMA and the featured artists.

"JUMA's runway was a portal into the arcane and timeless, where artistry met sustainability," said Alia Juma, Design Director. The show's success affirmed JUMA's position as a pioneer in sustainable design, inspiring the fashion industry to embrace a more conscious and environmentally responsible approach.

Key Highlights of the Event:
Sustainable Fashion: The entire collection was crafted from recycled water bottles, demonstrating JUMA's commitment to sustainable practices.
Artistic Collaboration: The runway showcased artwork from a diverse group of artists, seamlessly integrated into the clothing designs.
Gender-Fluid Designs: The collection blurred gender boundaries, offering a refreshing approach to fashion.
Visionary Theme: The "Apocalyptic: A Sustainable Revelation" theme highlighted the need for sustainable practices in the face of environmental challenges.

The "Apocalyptic: A Sustainable Revelation" runway show marked a pivotal moment for JUMA, solidifying its reputation as a visionary force in sustainable fashion. The event's success echoed a resounding message: fashion can be a powerful catalyst for positive change, embracing sustainability and artistic expression while redefining the boundaries of style.

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#多伦多 #上海 #北京 #大连

14/10/2023

Setting up for tonight!


The Dart Gallery
6 PM to Midnight, tonight!

127 Portland St.
Dartmouth, NS

The project is a tribute to Dart Gallery Artist, George Smith of Cape Breton, who died recently. It is his picture that I am using as backdrop, with permission from the Gallery.

For
Nocturne: Art at Night
Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission

12/10/2023

so excited to be part of NOCTURNE2023

10/10/2023

"My dream is to wash all faces in the varied electric hues of psychedelia so that we may perceive ourselves beyond the image in our mirrors and be surprised, perhaps, at what we see when we are touched by the light of curiosity and exploration." https://nocturnehalifax.ca/projects/psychedelic-portrait-studio/

Nocturne: Art at Night The Dart Gallery

09/10/2023

It was so wonderful to run into my dear friend (and the one who gave me the confidence and support to put myself out there with that show), the magnificent artist, Oliver Heinrich. I also credit Olie with suggesting the lightbox as a medium (Olie's lightboxes are spectacular).

07/10/2023

So excited about my upcoming at:

The Dart Gallery
127 Portland St.
Dartmouth NS

October 14: 6 PM - midnight
For Nocturne: Art at Night 2023

06/10/2023

With DJ Burnin' Vernon

06/10/2023

DJ Burnin' Vernon playing the midnight set at The Painted Lady, Toronto

06/10/2023

With DJ Burnin' Vernon -- what a night!

Nina Conaty, thank you for this beautiful picture.

06/10/2023

DJ Burnin' Vernon , last night, playing a magnificent midnight set at The Painted Lady. I came in on the evening flight from Montreal and made it in time for a really good photo session. Will post more pics over the weekend. Way to go, Jocelyn!

04/10/2023

stolen faces (new series)

During COVID we stopped seeing each other in person and switched to Zoom. At first, I felt this created distance between me and people I'd like to photograph. But then I thought: why not turn it into a series?

After all, remote video was, and indeed has become, our new visual reality.

So, this is my series in progress (working title: STOLEN FACES) where I use screenshots from phone conversations or selfies sent to me by friends on Facebook; I edit them, quite severely, and create hi-res, large format portraits.

The point is to meditate on the process of image-making: the yielding of an artistic moment from critically churning an otherwise standard digital image (I am talking here of the image itself, not the subjects ... they were, and are, naturally glamorous :) )

02/10/2023

ON TRAIN #68

As you might know I have been photographing hands -- in use, mostly, but not exclusively -- for my project. This is my latest pic (thank you fellow passenger, L. for allowing me to take and post this photograph).

02/10/2023

I'm so thrilled to announce the launch of the limited edition line: Pocket Squares (15 x 15") | Bandanas (22 x 22") | Scarves (32 x 32") | Shawl (50 x 50")

In Toronto, you can purchase pocket squares and bandanas at Michel's Bespoke

Or you can DM on FB Messenger me and we will ship it to you.

29/09/2023

I like to keep this page positive ... but today I am feeling truly bereaved by the wanton felling of the 300-year-old Sycamore Gap Tree, by Hadrian's Wall. We see this all around us: the easy and cruel chopping of trees for ever-increasing square footage ... and it hurts to see it each time, but this ... this, I simply cannot comprehend. Where is the profit, if one could even use that word in this context, in the felling of this magnificent tree?

The Sycamore Gap Tree or Robin Hood Tree was a sycamore tree standing next to Hadrian's Wall near Crag Lough in Northumberland, England. It was located in a dramatic dip in the landscape and was a popular photographic subject, described as one of the most photographed trees in the country. It derive...

28/09/2023

Such a treat talking art with James Ridyard last evening. I find James's use of colour so buoyant, so refreshing ... and thank you, James, for supporting my project!

27/09/2023

So excited about my upcoming project The Dart Gallery for Nocturne: Art at Night 2023:

https://nocturnehalifax.ca/projects/psychedelic-portrait-studio/

Pop-Up at The Dart Gallery, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Anyone who wishes to have their portrait taken can walk in on a first-come-first-served basis. The psychedelic ambience will be achieved by my own images and films on diffused surfaces, using everyday objects.

The portraits will then be projected as part of our ongoing NOCTURNE display on the window of The Dart Gallery, visible at street level, on Portland Street.

We hope that the combination of light, photography and people – together with the element of performance and chance, involving the public – will make this an engaging addition to NOCTURNE.

My dream is to wash all faces in the varied of so that we may perceive ourselves beyond the image in our mirrors and be surprised, perhaps, at what we see when we are touched by the light of curiosity and exploration.

26/09/2023

Z among the hydrangeas

23/09/2023

https://nocturnehalifax.ca/projects/psychedelic-portrait-studio/

OCTOBER 12 - 15

The Dart Gallery
127 Portland St

19/09/2023

Took a few pics of RGM at the ROM: https://westoninternationalaward.com/winner/

It was so wonderful to see Rob's entire body of work -- all building towards a consciousness of what he so eloquently described as the "subjectivity of nature" -- recognized and celebrated today.

And, more selfishly, so good for us to be able to catch up on this side of the Atlantic.

When Z and I left, Rob was signing books ... the queue was a mile long and we felt so happy and proud on our walk back home on this beautiful Annex night.

Writers' Trust of Canada

18/09/2023

Congratulations, Rob, on the inaugural Weston International Award for lifetime achievement in non-fiction!

17/09/2023

DEADHEADS, DANCING (2020) | edited photograph

Available as fine art print 2020 FLORAL COLLECTION (online catalogue)

This is a very special picture for me. I took it in Hudson in the first year of COVID. The realization of the idea of transmutation -- of anything into everything, now and always, and now again -- was very liberating for me: the actual, visceral realization of an idea in the realm of experience.

These flowers, dancing in death, became my anthem for a while.

16/09/2023

Had a fantastic night of making art last night ... another