What would Neo Manila look like? Abel Arce has some ideas on the subject. The digital artist from Quezon City, also known as Polygonatic, has been working on a series of images that depict a dystopian future full of bright lights, big logos, and lots of carnage.
Read MoreNike’s Fear of God One – OPENING ACT
As a follow up to our recent Epic Phantom React unboxing, this week’s OPENING ACT features the vibrant Jerry Lorenzo and Nike Fear of God Ones in a limited orange pulse colorway. “The whole thing is just shouting orange, it’s a really bright color. It looks like an orange creamsicle,” jokes Adjima’s head-honcho Kayo Cosio. But their loudness is part of the appeal. “I have a habit of liking shoes that are not for everyone. My wife is actually saying that I own too many bright orange shoes now. But she loves Fear Of God and Jerry Lorenzo, so I think she’s OK with these ones. I was nervous buying these because I know some guys who bought them and have a hard time wearing them because they’re hard to pair with pants. I wanted the challenge though. So follow me on Instagram and if I look stupid just let me know.”
Read MoreMixed Media Future Shock by RJ Wolfgang
RJ Wolfgang is a one-man-band. Photography, design, layouts, casting, location scouting—he handles it all, combining these mixed media compositions into mini-photo zines that could be considered art projects in themselves. His most recent work has been a tech-heavy style, leaning on futuristic imagery, high-density locations, and Japanese lettering. While it may appeal mostly to fans of techwear, it’s hard not to appreciate the level of work and attention to detail that goes into each series.
Read MoreEdon Tuazon Fabreo’s Urban Philippine Dioramas
Sometimes it takes some distance for you to really appreciate your home. That’s basically what happened to Edon Tuazon Fabreo. Although he’d been interested in miniature scale models since he was a kid, it wasn’t until a trip back to Manila after spending a few years in Saudia Arabia as an OFW that he decided on combining the two loves.
Read MoreSuez and Farmhouse Celebrate and Critique the Jeepney
The other day we were listening to a Filipino rapper flexing about his Lambo and my friend laughed, joking that there’s probably only one Lamborghini in the Philippines and there’s nowhere to drive it. So when “Jeepney” popped up in the feed the next day, it was a reminder that rappers could highlight more accessible local lifestyles. Cebuano rapper Suez and Japanese rapper Farmhouse of Sushiboys recently dropped the colorful visuals for the track, featuring a bright yellow jeep, a fully stocked ukay ukay store, and a few local island clothing brands.
Read MoreSecret Fresh Teams Up With the PBA for a Cause
If you want to turn people’s heads, combining art, sneaker culture, and basketball is a great place to start. Throw in some PBA stars and make it all benefit a good cause and it’s a wrap. At Secret Fresh today you can catch the resulting mix in all its glory, organized by local stalwart Quiccs (who’s also releasing a new merch drop and sneaker sculpture) and star baller Gabe Norwood. “I’m just a little overwhelmed, to be honest,” says Norwood of the night’s turn out. “We just wanted to build the bridge between art and basketball and give back in the process.”
Read MoreDeathburger’s Illustrated Cyberpunk World Building
In a time of fleeting attention spans and never-ending scrolling, it’s rare that digital artists spend too much time on one piece. What’s the point when their work will fly by as viewers swipe through so quickly? Deathburger, on the other hand, draws such dense and detailed illustration that you can stare at them for longer than many Youtube clips. They’re full of ornate characters and baroque cityscapes.
His newest project, Nightfall, finds him building an ever more intricate world, expanding on previous themes with increasing backstory and adding new layers. The project was revealed a couple weeks ago as a Kickstarter with a goal of reaching €20,000 and he ended up getting €138,024 in backing. He plans to turn the drawings into a physical hybrid graphic novel/art book. It’s the third book in the series and definitely notches up the intensity.
Read MoreThe Challenging Illustration of Cebuano Artist Bastinuod
Illustration is often the most literal of the arts. Along with political cartoons, it’s rare that visual art comments so directly on contemporary issues. Cebuano artist Bastinuod makes good on that tradition, covering some hard-hitting local circumstances like election violence and land rights struggles. He expands on those topics to include the likes of domestic violence and traditional folklore. And he’s not preoccupied with negativity either, often broaching the area of future tribalism.
He finds his style through mixed media, often combining painting on canvas with printmaking techniques and digital art. It’s a blend of freehand characters and comic book color tones. And it’s an effective one too, one that’s both familiar and challenging. Folded paper marks bring to mind childhood comics while also creating tension and distress. Inkblots tether anger to nostalgia.
Read MorePale Rose Tattoos Bring A Classic Western Style Home
Tattoos and coffee? Not your regular combo, but we made it work. As baristas battled it out during this weel’s annual Aeropress competition, held here at our very own Honeycomb offices, Pale Rose hosted a tattoo pop up in our media room. Situated in the back of the dimmed main room and its party vibe, the glass box of our recording studio shined bright like a fishbowl as guests submitted themselves to the needle for all to see. Although the majority of customers opted for the special coffee-themed flash tattoos available for one night only, Pale Rose is known for their traditional Western-styled Sailor Jerry tattoos. The shop aims to make their name by inking the classic hearts and sparrows and panthers onto a new generation of fans. And a few brave soles went for their specialty, with one customer getting his very first tattoo on the sensitive inner bicep, much to the approval of all the spectators.
Nike’s Epic Phantom React Flyknit – OPENING ACT
For today’s edition of Opening Act, Honeycomb-founder Kayo Cosio unboxes a fresh pair of Nike’s Epic Phantom React Flyknit in a black and black-university red colorway. After peeling away the tissue, it’s immediately clear that they are not red. It’s a cool color, kind of a mix of purples and pinks and reds, but certainly not university red. Kayo has another pair of these in orange, but they’re the original flyknits with laces. “By accident, I wore them without laces once and discovered they still work really well. This Phantom doesn’t have laces either.” (Full disclosure, these were sent to Kayo by Nike.) While they’re super comfy and good for a quick jog, he recommends springing for a pair with a real lacing system is you’re going to do some serious running.
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