FOOD: A Gourmet Pantry Curated for the Soul

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

Tonight, I stopped by Joseph Riley Land's Gourmet Pantry pop-up shop that recently opened late last week and is conveniently located in a cozy spot at the renowned Astor Row Cafe.

The pantry is made up of carefully selected items that you would find in chef extraordinare Joe's kitchen. He stands by everything that his shop sells 100%. The Gourmet Pantry represents so many regions as far as Argentina and as close as New Jersey. This shop is all Joe - an eclectic blend of tastes that suits all of your kitchen needs from balsamic vinaigrette, wide array of artisanal sweets, red peppers, butters, grits and so much more. And this is only the beginning!

You can hear it straight from the man himself via his blog.

He is my go-to person for anything foodie related - he got me hooked on Moravian cookies (all of them!) just last year and I'm now trying to figure out the many ways to eat La Salamandra's dulce de leche instead of simply dipping a spoon in the rich tasting sinful treat.

I'm in awe by Joe's tenacity to see his vision become a reality and am looking forward to seeing his brand at local markets across the city as well as the shop's special events coming in the near future. In the meantime, join me and hop on the MTA then stroll your way to Joe Riley's Gourmet Pantry. 

Congratulations, Joe!!

-Chante

ART: We The People - Rico Washington and Shino Yanagawa

Rico and Shino at the opening reception
Photo Credit: We The People

Yesterday, I stopped by the Gordon A Parks Gallery & Cultural Arts Center in the South Bronx is see the "We The People" collaborative arts project by Rico Washington (journalist) and Shino Yanagawa (photographer). 

This incredible exhibit showcased the faces and words of residents that live in buildings regulated by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Those that live in these buildings are often not heard from unless an election is near (to be brutally honest). This exhibit is an eye opener to those who have not lived in or know anyone who has lived in a NYCHA housing complex. 

We The People features interviews and photographs of such notable former NYCHA residents as Hip-Hop artist/ actor Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), author/ filmmaker/ cultural critic Nelson George, lauded photographer Jamel Shabazz, Young Lords co-founder/ original Last Poets member/ Emmy award-winning news reporter Felipe Luciano, venerable jazz musician/ recording artist Olu Dara, author/ Emmy award-winning filmmaker Dennis Watlington, Hip-Hop artist/ music industry CEO Buckshot, Hip-Hop icon Afrika Bambaataa, and many more.

What I found enlightening was the work about Felipe Luciano. The revealing nature of this interview that Washington led and the visual capture by Yanagawa was captivating as Luciano delved into the cultural racism that existing as a youth living in public housing - a legacy of not-too-distant past, I might add.  


Inspired by the documentarian works of Jacob Riis, Gordon Parks, and Ruiko Yoshida, Washington and Yanagawa brazenly explored the concept of second-class citizenship as applied to blacks and Latinos residing in New York City's Housing Authority sites. Both former residents of housing projects, Washington and Yanagawa aimed to lift the ubiquitous cloak of darkness cast onto the citys housing projects through candid interviews and photo shoots facilitated over the course of 12 months in various housing projects throughout New York City's five boroughs.

The exhibition has closed but I have hopes that it will re-open soon in order to continue to spread the gift of this exhibition's message as well as to "debunk the myth" of those living in public housing.
-Chante

ART: Gutai at the Guggenheim

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

"Gutai art does not alter matter. Gutai art imparts life to matter." 

-Gutai Manifesto

Yesterday, I checked out the Gutai: Splendid Playground at the Guggenheim on the exhibition's closing weekend.

It was my first time visiting the Guggenheim (if you have not been, you need to go once in your lifetime). The venue is it's own immaculate work of art, I must admit! Ok..back to the art.

Gutai: Splendid Playground presents the creative spectrum of Japan’s most influential avant-garde collective of the postwar era. Founded by the visionary artist Yoshihara Jirō in 1954, the Gutai group was legendary in its own time. Its young members explored new art forms combining performance, painting, and interactive environments, and realized an “international common ground” of experimental art through the worldwide reach of their exhibition and publication activities. Against the backdrop of wartime totalitarianism, Gutai forged an ethics of creative freedom, breaking through myriad boundaries to create some of the most exuberant works and events in the history of Japanese and international avant-garde art. 

Immediately, when I walked into the museum, visitors were bombarded with Yoshihara’s Please Draw Freely, a collective drawing on a freestanding signboard re-conceived for the Guggenheim’s rotunda and created by visitors, invites adults and children to collaborate, think, and imagine for themselves. And, when you look up as you are propelled to do at the Guggenheim, you see a recreation of Motonaga Sadamasa’s magisterial work (Water) that lingers above consisting of polyethylene tubes of varying widths filled with brightly-colored water between the rotunda levels, making giant brushstrokes out of catenaries in the open air that catch the sunlight.

How cool is that!?

As I made my way up the rotunda's ramp, you feel like you are transcending levels of your own art consciousness and constantly questioning the definition of visual art - what is art? who decides that? how is art created? 

That was my take away from this journey. 

The presentation of these works and the works themselves rendered me speechless. The works that resonated with me were Shiraga Kazuo's Wild Boar Hunting (both the work and his creative process), Tanaka Atsuko's Electric Dress and Shimamoto Shozo's animated film (distorted with vinegar and paint to create another art form).

Stunning!

You have got to see this exhibit for yourselves! The showing at the Guggenheim is through Thursday, May 8th! Also be sure to view the video about the exhibit, here.

-Chante

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

LaunchPad's Monthly Built-in-Brooklyn Craft Fair

Me and, designer, Jenowade
Photo Credit: Pamela Landvreugd

Last month, I stopped by Brooklyn's Launchpad for their monthly crafts vendor shoppe featuring the finest in artistry, nosh and vintage gear.

I was fortunate to meet artists and entrepreneurs: Jenowade (designs inspirational and creative jewelry - see the 'Namaste' silver necklace below), Lindsey Schneider of Little Bear Pots (picked up a new tea cup - definitely want to purchase her tea sets), Christiana Greene of Bum Cake vintage vendor (copped a 1940's silver and black opal piece - my first vintage jewel) and the ladies of Shea On U for their smooth body butter that smelled too good not to eat (yes I tried..ha!).

Namaste Jewelry by Jenowade Designs
Photo Credit: Chante/VySyn Photography

Visit Launchpad’s website for the next date of their monthly crafts offering and join their mailing list to be the first to know the latest cultural events that are happening at this amazing Franklin Avenue venue! 

Chante

SIDE TOURING: The Tea Culture Movement

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

"A man without tea in him is incapable of understanding truth and beauty." -Okakura Kakuzo

Recently, courtesy of Side Tour, I had an opportunity to experience a tasting of Tieguanyin (oolong tea) with artist and co-owner of Mandarin's Tea House, Timothy Hsu for two hours - with every passing minute the taste become incredibly more potent! The experience was amazing and I highly recommend a visit to the tea house for a cup of tea with your cultural lesson.

The tea culture is so expansive and inclusive with tea novices, aficionados and snobs intertwined at socials, and the ranges of teas that are steeped into existence continually redefine the question of "how many teas are out there?”

There is a tea movement gaining momentum whether out of people seeking a healing alternative rather than continue with tradition medicines that fail us or choosing a healthier way of life by way of drinking natural beverages that taste good (and are good for our bodies) instead of indulging in bad drinks that are loaded with processed sugars, fructose, etcera. Or simply have the utmost respect for the leaf - whether it be part of a spiritual or cultural regime. Whatever the reason - more people are drinking tea and that is great thing!

Spices and Tease at the Chelsea Market [NYC]
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

The tea world is still fresh to me and I'm enjoying every millisecond. My introduction to loose leaf tea was about two years ago. And my very first tea house experience was at the Radiance Tea House this past January. What will be my next tea experience? I can see more tea tastings in my near future (the April 11th Tea By Tiffany’s Chocolate & Tea Tasting comes to mind!). Or perhaps being a part of a Japanese tea ceremony. Who knows!? But whatever the experience I'm grateful to broaden my cultural palate.

Visit to the Sullivan Street Tea & Spice in the West Village [NYC]
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

SideNote: If you want to know more about the medicinal benefits of tea or are curious about the various Asian teas, be sure to read "Healthy Teas" by Tammy Safi. It was so helpful to me! Learning is fundamental but while I experiment on my own I tilt my hat to tea specialists that have inspired & enlightened me - Tiffany (Twitter: @teabytiffany), Mario (Twitter: @mariotravels) and Nicole (Twitter: @teaformeplease).

What's In Your Cup?
Chante