by Niki Smart
LOS ANGELES ARTIST’S JOURNEY OF SELF-EXPLORATION AND TRANSFORMATION DURING ISOLATION OFFERS A SENSE OF HOPE FOR A NEW ERA
Building Bridges Art Exchange announces their upcoming show 
by artist Walter Erra Hubert and curated by Marisa Caichiolo, which takes place from February 26 to March 30, 2022 at Bergamot Station Arts Center (2525 Michigan Ave. Unit F2, Santa Monica).
Walter Erra Hubert is a Pasadena-born, internationally-recognized artist working in the mediums of acrylic paintings, mono prints, resin and mixed media. Walter chose to self-isolate in 2018, two years before the international lockdown, resulting in his latest striking body of work Promising Skies, which reflects a world moving towards a new reality. The large-scale art works are realized in acrylic while the show will also feature his works that incorporate resin and mixed media. All of the art will be showcased at Building Bridges Art Exchange’s Santa Monica Gallery.
Born to Italian immigrant parents, Walter is heavily influenced by his U.S. and Italian roots and straddles both worlds. His Pasadena studio provides space for exploration inspired by the expanse of the metropolis while his home and studio in the Italian countryside allow for a sense of separation associated with nature and introspection. Walter’s Italian heritage and 30 years of experience using varied artistic mediums appealed to Argentinean Curator Marisa Caichiolo who actively seeks to showcase a diverse range of artists from around the world. “Walter’s eerily-timed decision to self-isolate inadvertently became emblematic of a universal experience and, during that time, his quest to connect with the core of his being ended up producing his strongest and most significant body of work, which we’re thrilled to showcase in Los Angeles”.
Walter’s self-imposed lockdown began at his Pasadena studio and continued at his studio in his home in rural Italy. His isolation resulted in these multi-dimensional, multi-layered works . The magnificent large canvases invite the viewer to embark on a journey of discovery through Walter’s impressive brush work, dripping paint and penetrating energy.
Walter’s expression is deeply influenced by the subconscious, a comparison that can be drawn to current events of the pandemic and post-pandemic era. The magic of nature and journeys of the spirit are at the core of Walter’s work. Promising Skies encapsulates Walter’s vision with imaginary and mystical elements. He creates paintings by merging a multitude of tools, including everyday items such as spatulas, wood carving tools and hair dryers and the fluidity of the materials captures the artist’s strokes and movements. Walter muses, “I am in constant exploration of the tension we perceive between the realms of matter and spirit. I hope that the viewer senses that language and is drawn into the relevance of the journey.”
Although the current global outlook may be seen as bleak and unpredictable, Promising Skies reflects a world moving towards a new reality with a sense of hope. In each translucent piece, an ocean of opportunities, portals and evocative lights can be seen beckoning toward the future, representing the promise of new beginnings. Connecting to the past and creating a bridge to the future is the ideal path for Walter to engage with today’s collective consciousness. Explosions of light, volcanic eruptions, deep water currents and sensual feeling inspired by connections between the elements are among the bounty of natural phenomena that nourish his perspective and vision of the universal forces of Mother Earth.
Walter was recently selected as an American artist to show at the 2022 9th Beijing International Art Biennale in China. The exhibition is currently being held at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing through March 2022. The curatorial theme is The Light of Life and the piece selected by the curatorial committee is “The Light Portal”. This piece was completed in 2021 by the artist as part of the series, “The Era of Solitude”. He has had several solo shows in Europe and his paintings can be found in the permanent collections of the M.A.C.I.S.T contemporary art museum in Italy, and venerable institutions including the L.A. Times Mirror Building. Walter was also recently chosen as a featured artist for a special Miami ART BASEL publication.
Promising Skies can be viewed from February 26 to March 30, 2022 at Building Bridges Art Exchange at Bergamot Station Arts Center (2525 Michigan Ave. Unit F2, Santa Monica). BBAX is open Tuesday to Friday (11am – 5pm) and Saturday (noon – 6pm).
https://www.waltererrahubert.com
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by Dennis Richardson
2022 is the year of eliminating the extras that we don’t need, as trends show more people than ever taking part in Dry January and other health-conscious, bad-habit-kicking life changes. If you’re one of those people (and even if you aren’t), we’ve got one question for you:
What’s better than Happy Hour? Holistic Happy Hour — and you’re invited! Read on for the details.
On Thursday, February 24th, in partnership with Optimist Botanicals, Remedy Place is reimagining the Happy Hour experience & kicking off a new monthly event series filled with all of the socially charged aspects of a night out, minus all of the typical toxins (think happy hours without the hangovers).
Remedy Place believes that strong social connection is a critical pillar of a healthy baseline. As we all know, one of the most common means of socializing (with friends, on a date, etc.) is grabbing drinks at a bar. While a good happy hour cocktail here and there can be great (with balance!), now more than ever Remedy Place is seeking out ways to improve our social calendar lineups with activities that don’t necessarily revolve around drinking culture.
- Through this new Happy Hour series, Remedy Place aims to provide an upscale destination to experience the same level of social connection of a night out, without compromising your physical or mental wellbeing.
- Guests will be invited to socialize with friends (+ make new connections) at the club’s bar and lounge space while enjoying their wellness-inspired sips and live music to set the scene for an elevating mind/body experience.
- Taking the traditional “Happy Hour Menu” to the next level, complimentary cryotherapy treatments will be offered to all guests in attendance throughout the duration of the happy hour.
- The first Remedy Place Happy Hour will be on Thursday, February 24th from 5:00 PM PST – 8:00 PM PST @ the club’s West Hollywood location (Remedy Place, 8305 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069) (No RSVP necessary!)
About Remedy Place
Welcome to the world of social self-care. Founded in 2019 by Dr. Jonathan Leary, Remedy Place is the world’s first social wellness club. By bringing together top alternative medicine doctors, ancient practices and modern technologies, Remedy Place gives people the tools and support they need to take control of their health by integrating self-care into their daily and, most importantly, social lives. Happy hour takes the form of a cryotherapy session; date night starts with a guided breathwork ice bath; while a team brainstorm is held over a vitamin drip. With a short term goal of having every guest feel better than when they walked in, the mission of Dr. Leary and Remedy Place is to ultimately change the state of standard healthcare. For more information or to book a visit to the West Hollywood flagship, visit www.remedyplace.com or join the movement at @RemedyPlace.
by Kara Reynolds
Living in SoCal is often like being in a world full of sunshine. And it makes sense that you’d want to bring some of that fun, vibrant energy into your home as well. No matter where you live in sunny Southern California, there are so many ways that you can make your home match your own personality while you modernize and clean it up in order to make it sleeker and more current. From simple fixes to larger projects, it truly is all about what you want to bring into the space. Of course, every home is different and every style is different, so there are so many options you can explore.
1. Embrace Simplicity
One of the easiest ways to make any home look more modern is to embrace simplicity in design and furnishings. Although it can be tempting to deck out a space with the most fun, bright and colorful accessories, using simplicity in the form of neutral colors, clean lines and simple decor can make a space feel much more uplifted and current. Simplicity is timeless!
2. Bring In More Light
This isn’t always an easy fix for everyone, but if you can manage it, it’s well worth it. Having plenty of natural light in your space is one way to make it feel more modern and current, as it helps everything feel much more uplifted. If you happen to have big windows or open doors, now might be the time to open them.
3. Add a Home Office
This might be a case of practical modernization, but one thing that everybody needs a little bit more of nowadays is space to get work done and to have a little bit of solitude. There are so many ways that you can add a home office into a space that you might not of expected before. Consider adding a home office in your sunroom, basement or even an accessory dwelling unit if you have one.
4. Lighten Up the Walls
One of the easiest ways to make a space look brighter and more modern automatically is still bringing some lighter colors. Specifically, using lighter neutrals on the walls can open up a space and leave more room for other accessories to take the spotlight. If your house feels dark and dingy, this can be a great step that you can take.
5. Get Rid of Wallpaper
On the same subject, if you happen to have wallpaper on your walls, especially outdated wallpaper, one of the best things that you can do to modernize your space is two get rid of the wallpaper. This is often a very easy fix, and it can do a lot for a space, including freeing up room for other, more sophisticated and current decor.
6. Declutter
One of the easiest ways to transform a space without actually transforming the space itself is to declutter and clean. Whether you are already a bit of a minimalist or you find yourself to be a bit of a collector of things, there’s no reason why you can’t take a day or two for a full deep clean in order to make room for a more intentional space around you.
7. Remove Carpeting
Carpeting is often considered to be outdated, especially in terms of modern decor. If you can rip up carpeting and find some beautiful hardwood or even industrial concrete underneath, you can easily transform an entire space into a modern paradise.
8. Update Light Fixtures
Lighting can be extremely transformative, even if we aren’t talking about natural lighting. If you have clunky, outdated light fixtures all around your home, replacing them with a simple, sleek light fixtures can be the exact shift you need to make your space feel much more modern and authentic.
9. Art You Care About
One thing that can drag the house down tremendously is art and decoration that isn’t thoughtful or personalized. No matter what kind of art you’re interested in, it’s important to find decorative pieces that you actually enjoy and want to spend time around. That way, your space will feel uplifted and personalized, in addition to feeling modern.
10. Get Smart
One fantastic way that you can make your home not just look modern, but also feel modern, is to invest in some smart home technology. From smart thermostats to lights that go off on command, having a smart home can make your life easier and make your entire space flow with an ease that you’ve never known before.
Making Your Home More Modern
There are so many ways that you can modernize your home, from the way that it looks to the way that it feels. By adding functional elements and finding decoration that you truly love, you can make your home a modern paradise in the Golden state.
by Dennis Richardson
Some crossovers and collaborations are just meant to be and turn out oh so perfect. Pairings like peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, and pickles and carrots are just some of the best. Yes, pickles and carrots!
At least in this case, it’s Grillo’s Pickles and Carrots By Anwar Carrots, who are back at it again and stealing the perfect-pairings show. The teams have collaborated and released their second limited edition collection available exclusively at Urban Outfitters. As of February 7, fans can shop the “fresh” three piece capsule including a full-zip hoodie, long-sleeve and t-shirt in-store and online with prices beginning at $40. What’s better than two veggies teaming up for a dope collab?
To celebrate the collection, Urban Outfitters is hosting a pickle-themed party in Los Angeles at its store located in the Rialto Theater, located at 812 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014 in DTLA on February 10 from 7 to 9pm. The event will be hosted by notable rapper and personality Smino with a DJ set by NOS. In addition to pickled carrots and traditional cucumbers, snacks will be provided by Beyond Meat and drinks by Miracle Seltzer. In accordance with the LA City Vaccination Verification Ordinance, masks and proof of vaccination are required.
Grillo’s Pickles has been synonymous with crave-worthy streetwear as tempting as their mouthwatering snacks. Launching merch collaborations connecting with foodies, athletes, celebrities, skate culture and more, the pickle brand has since sprouted into a cult-favorite lifestyle brand. The Urban Outfitters exclusive Grillo’s Pickles x Anwar Carrots collection will be the pair’s second collaboration together, once again highlighting the duo’s iconic orange and green hues. Drawing inspiration from brands’ individual style, the new launch will showcase an authentic appreciation of both creatives’ in this capsule driven by food, art and streetwear culture.
Come on, you’ll never know how good it is until you give it a try!
About Grillo’s Pickles
With clean, simple ingredients (garlic, vinegar, dill, salt and grape leaves) and zero artificial preservatives, Grillo’s Pickles are the best refrigerated pickle brand. A brand that started with a 100-year-old family recipe, backyard-grown ingredients and a hand-built wooden pickle cart in Boston, has now grown to the phenomenon that went viral for their beloved pickle bouquet and pickle merch! Grillo’s offers mouthwatering bites nationwide for sweet, spicy and sour flavor seekers, with their selection of chips, wholes and spears, Pickle de Gallo and vinegar drinks. For more information, visit GrillosPickles.com.
About Carrots by Anwar Carrots
Hailing from Trenton, New Jersey, Anwar carrots in 2007 founded Peas & Carrots international, an emerging streetwear brand and creative collective. Known for his dynamic approach to aesthetic both in personal style and creative output, Anwar has become an entrepreneurial leader of the next generation of Los Angeles creatives and fashion icons of street culture and music. Always evolving, Anwar started an eponymous menswear label, “Carrots by Anwar Carrots” launching at the Scion A/V retail gallery space in March 2015.
About Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters is a lifestyle retailer dedicated to inspiring customers through a unique combination of product, creativity and cultural understanding. Founded in 1970 in a small space across the street from the University of Pennsylvania, Urban Outfitters now operates over 200 stores in the United States, Canada and Europe, offering experiential retail environments and a well curated mix of women’s, men’s, accessories and home product assortments. For more information, visit Urban Outfitters at www.urbanoutfitters.com.
by Mia Barnes
Taking vitamins and nutrients can keep your skin looking beautiful. You probably have multiple steps to your skincare routine, so why not add one more? Incorporate these essential vitamins and nutrients into your daily regime.
7 Most Important Vitamins and Nutrients for Healthy Skin
Having healthy skin makes you look and feel good. Washing your face regularly is one way to maintain clear skin, but vitamins are also useful. Here are 7 essential vitamins and nutrients to add to your skincare routine.
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D is produced when your skin absorbs sunlight. That’s why it’s important to get outside at least once a day. Vitamin D can help with skin cell growth and repair and improve your metabolism. It can increase your skin’s immune system and reduce inflammation.
There are products containing this vitamin that help with psoriasis. To get Vitamin D naturally, eat foods containing this vitamin, such as salmon or tuna fish. Try to get at least 600 IU’s of Vitamin D daily.
- Vitamin C
This vitamin is found in the outer and inner layers of your skin. It produces collagen which plays a role in skin elasticity. Vitamin C also decreases cell damage, heals wounds, and prevents wrinkles.
Plus, it can lighten your skin and make it appear more radiant. To get Vitamin C you can find over-the-counter products and dietary supplements. Another idea is eating citrus or plant-based foods, such as oranges or strawberries.
- Vitamin E
This antioxidant helps to protect against sun damage by absorbing harmful UV light. This then prevents dark spots and wrinkles. Vitamin E is produced through an oily substance emitted by your skin’s pores. This substance keeps your skin conditioned reducing dryness. You want to get at least 15 mg a day of Vitamin E.
You can do this by taking supplements or using a topical cream. If you take any medications, talk doctor about drug interactions. For example, Vitamin E may interfere with some cholesterol-lowering medications.
- Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps aid in the process of blood clotting. They can also help with certain skin conditions, such as stretch marks, spider veins or dark spots. This vitamin can be found in multiple topical creams, including Aroma Naturals products. Doctors use these creams for people undergoing surgery to reduce swelling and bruising. Along with medication, you can eat foods rich in Vitamin K, like kale or spinach.
- Protein
The protein you eat turns into amino acids which are the building blocks for your cells. They’re also used to make important proteins, such as collagen, which form the structure of your skin. Some amino acids protect your skin against UV rays or heal and repair damaged tissue.
To get more protein, consider eating more meat, such as beef or chicken. You can also make simple swaps such as eggs or yogurt for cereal. Another tip is to include a source of protein with every meal.
Here is some food containing protein to add to your plate:
- Lean meats
- Fish
- Seeds and nuts
- Dairy
- Beans and lentils
- Vitamin A
Vitamin A prevents sun damage by interrupting the process of collagen breakdown. It may also protect you from sunburn, help your oil glands, and heal scrapes and cuts. The recommended daily intake of Vitamin A is 900 mcg RAE for men and 700 mcg RAE for women. To increase your daily intake, take supplements or eat leafy green vegetables.
- Calcium
Calcium can strengthen your bones and prevent serious injury. It can even rejuvenate your skin, by regulating cell turnover. Calcium improves your skin’s barrier by keeping out pathogens and locking in moisture. So, if you have dry skin, this nutrient is beneficial.
You need at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day. One easy way to obtain this goal is by drinking milk. You can also eat other dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt. Another idea is taking dietary supplements, like calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Keep in mind calcium carbonate should be taken with food.
