Content Magazine

Featured: Brandon Luu @bluubasaur in upcoming Issue 14.4 “Profiles”

 Order issue and attend Pick-Up Party Sept 1st as NUMU Gallery https://bit.ly/144fall22 

Born and raised in San Jose, Brandon is quickly becoming the voice of our future. By day he teaches middle school, and in his spare time he serves on the board of directors for Poetry Center San Jose. 

Poetry is something Brandon has felt strongly about for some time, noting that it’s an opportunity to bring people together, regardless of age or circumstance. “It’s a form of expression that sets itself apart as a hybrid between language and feeling. People often ask, ‘Do you have to understand a poem totally for it to leave you with a feeling?’ I’ve learned that however you come to understand that feeling, it’s valid.” 

As a Creative Ambassador, Brandon will produce a creative expression project focused on community poetry. The project’s core is based on the creation of a collaborative art piece titled We Are San Jose. The piece will feature work by local Asian artists and poets. Brandon will host a social media campaign to collect art, photos, and videos that showcase different parts of San Jose. ⁠

@bluubasaur (https://instagram.com/bluubasaur) @weartsanjose (https://instagram.com/weartsanjose) #WeArtSanJose 

Issue 14.4 Features: Brighton Denevan @brightondenevan Cade Cowell @cc4_official @Chineseperformingartsofamerica Creative Ambassadors @sjculture Amy Hibbs @instahibbs Brandon Luu @weartsanjose Dana Harris Seeger @danaharrisseeger Eric Hayslett @the_drive_thruu Ricardo Cortez @tijuanarickart and Stephanie Barajas @stephroars Kathy Aoki @kathy_aoki_artist Jay Gatsby @jaayy_gatsby Joane Orbon @ubakc.sanjose Mary Jessie Celestin @mary_celestin @sanjose_strong ____ Written by @blacksheepmade Photography by @thecultivator #ContentMag #SouthBay #408Creates #art #WeLovePrint

 https://youtu.be/vhW5d_5znMY

#87 - Angela Ostermeier - VP of Development, Cinequest

Angela joined the Cinequest team as the Events & Development Manager in 2018 and has expanded her role and responsibilities to VP of Development.

Angela works closely with sponsors, venue locations, and VIPs to ensure that Cinequest events such as Maverick Meet-Ups, Nightly VIP Soirees, and Opening & Closing night parties go off without a hitch. She prides herself on her attention to detail and drive to make each year's CQFF a success.

In our conversation, we learn about Angela's interests in the film industry, her experiences before coming to Cinequest, and her plans and ambitions in the world of filmmaking. She also gives us some insight into the year's in-person festival, her favorite film, and announces the new Cinequest Beer/Wine Garden, which ones today (8/16/22) and runs 11:30a to 7p daily through the festival. The Unzipped Pavilion is a great venue to meet visiting artists and each other over affordable kraft drinks, food trucks, and entertainment.

(Located at the stunning new Unzipped Pavilion, across from the California Theatre at 350 S. 1st Street 95113.)

Recorded in the Media Lounge at AC Hotel by Marriott Sunnyvale Moffett Park.

(Sidenote: I mistakenly call the AC at the "Marriott Park." That is incorrect, is it the AC Hotel by Marriott Sunnyvale Moffett Park)

Beverage:

AC Hotel Signature Cocktail - a refreshing Cucumber Gin and Tonic

Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival Summer 2022 will feature 450 artists arriving to present the world's finest new films in downtown San Jose and Campbell.

Cinequest In Person, August 16-29

cinequest.org

IG: cinequestorg

Featured:  “Manik” - Nicholaus James Dalton @manikdub 

 "I also love seeing one color after the next pop, contrast, and move against the others. It never gets old. I try not to think about it too much. Just do.” _Nicholaus James “Manik” Dalton  

Dalton’s artistic philosophy blends cultures of sight, sound, and spirituality. In his most recent work, he attempts to harness “something spontaneous, perfect, but perfect because it is organic."   

Get your issue at the Content Pick-Up Party Sept 1 in partnership with NUMU - New Museum Los Gatos

Details at https://www.content-magazine.com/events/event-pup-14-4/ 

Follow Nicholaus at @manikdub and visit his website to purchase artwork. https://njdart.com/

 _______ 

Written by David E. Valdespino Jr. @thedaveed Photography by Daniel Garcia @thecultivator

James G. Leventhal is an enthusiastic art leader and visionary who has worked at top museums throughout the Bay Area and the United States. Now, as of January 2022, he is back in San Jose as the executive director of the Institute of Contemporary Art San José (ICA).

In this episode, James shares about major figures who shaped his path into this work. You’ll hear about the artist who sparked his early pivot from wanting to be an artist to wanting to support other artists, and the hero who inspired his view of museums as inclusive community centers.

With these influences and his professional experience, James comes to the ICA with a down-to-earth and sustainable vision that breaks through barriers and invites people in. Listen in on what this means for the ICA as a place for community to come together through immersive, experimental, and collaborative art.

More info about 

ICA San Jose (https://www.icasanjose.org)

IG @icasanjose (https://www.instagram.com/icasanjose)

__________________

This episode's music is "408" by Jack Pavlina. Read more about Jack in Issue 14.1 Winter 2022 — release date: Dec. 9, 2021: https://bit.ly/Discover141

Follow Jack at @jackpavlinamusic

Spotify: https://bit.ly/jackpavlina

Featured: Dana Harris Seeger @danaharrisseeger

in upcoming Issue 14.4 “Profiles”

Order issue and attend Pick-Up Party Sept 1st at NUMU Gallery

(Link in Profile)

https://bit.ly/144fall22

“Community drives me. Connecting with other artists helps the public see what impact artists have on local and global communities.”

An artistic all-star, Dana Harris Seeger is a painter, printmaker, educator, and entrepreneur. Her work is often influenced by her experience growing up as a second-generation Baltic American.

Harris Seeger’s creative expression project, Dialects of Art, includes a series of public lectures designed to help artists communicate their stories through artwork and understand how visuals translate across cultures. She will collaborate with artists from different cultural backgrounds working in different mediums throughout the project. The lectures will culminate in a podcast set to release later this year.

Next Dialects of Art featured Pilar Esparza, Saturday 2-3pm⁠, August 13th⁠

at School of Visual Philosophy @schoolofvp

⁠⁠

Register: tinyurl.com/SVPDialectsofArt⁠

⁠

Issue 14.4 Features:

Brighton Denevan @brightondenevan

Cade Cowell @cc4_official

@Chineseperformingartsofamerica

Creative Ambassadors @sjculture

Amy Hibbs @instahibbs,

Brandon Luu @weartsanjose

Dana Harris Seeger @danaharrisseeger

Eric Hayslett @the_drive_thruu

Ricardo Cortez @tijuanarickart,

and Stephanie Barajas @stephroars

Kathy Aoki @kathy_aoki_artist,

Jay Gatsby @jaayy_gatsby

Joane Orbon @ubakc.sanjose

Mary Jessie Celestin @mary_celestin @sanjose_strong

____

Written by @blacksheepmade

Photography by @thecultivator

#ContentMag

#SouthBay

#408Creates

#art

#WeLovePrint

Tony Gapastione is a pastor turned filmmaker, actor, director, producer, screenwriter, podcaster, and CEO of BraveMaker.

In this episode, Tony shares how he went from creating in the shadows of his spiritual work as a pastor to the empowering realization that the performing arts can be a spiritual experience itself. Now from the hub of his organization BraveMaker he supports brave storytellers of all kinds through film screenings, panel discussions, and an annual film fest in Redwood City.

In the wake of his own recent loss, Tony’s first feature film Last Chance Charlene invites much-needed conversation about death in our culture that largely keeps it at arm’s length. Get a look into the emotional and real-life inspiration for characters in the film as well as a couple of fun easter eggs to look out for. Hear Tony’s thoughts about normalizing and de-stigmatizing discussions of death and suicide in support of those who are grieving.

Last Chance Charlene will be playing at the Cinequest Film Festival on Sunday, August 21 and Saturday, August 27. 

Follow Tony on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tonygapastione/

Find his website at https://www.tonygapastione.com/

Follow BraveMaker on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

And on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bravemakerorg/

Red more about Tony and BravemMaker on our blog feature https://www.content-magazine.com/articles/brave-maker/

Did you watch the film and want to process your thoughts, questions and emotions?

Photo by Israel Soler https://instagram.com/israelsoler_/

__________________

This episode's music is "408" by Jack Pavlina. Read more about Jack in Issue 14.1 Winter 2022 — release date: Dec. 9, 2021: https://bit.ly/Discover141

Follow Jack at @jackpavlinamusic

Spotify: https://bit.ly/jackpavlina

Ruben Escalante suffered a heart attack as a freshman in high school. But this is only surprising until Ruben reveals the trauma they endured as a child: the father who went out at least once a week and came home drunk, angry, and violent; the early death of the grandfather who was the only one that could subdue his dad's temper; the constant and vicious attacks at school by bullies who could not accept a sensitive, poetry-loving brown boy.

In our conversation, Ruben talks about how art, music, and movies were always a way to cope with life's challenges, how they came to San Jose, and how discovering South First Art Walk opened their eyes to the creative scene. Now, as the Programs Director at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center powered by Google at MACLA, Ruben can continue to grow as an artist and mentor while helping others find their voice and police in creativity.

We also discuss Ruben's new film, "danny boy" which will premiere 6/25 & 6/26 at the Tech @thetechinteractive in partnership with @sjmade

"Reclamation" marks the very first time San José based filmmakers will have their work viewed within the IMAX dome–an iconic landmark in our city.

TICKETS:

https://www.sanjosemade.com/pages/reclamation

Film Preview: https://youtu.be/Kq4bBHKLsUA

Follow Ruben at MACLA https://maclaarte.org/

And, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/casualgiant/ and https://www.instagram.com/emo_kids_of_color/

Ruben is featured in issue 11.4 "Profiles" https://www.content-magazine.com/articles/ruben-escalante/

__________________

This episode's music is "408" by Jack Pavlina. Read more about Jack in Issue 14.1 Winter 2022 — release date: Dec. 9, 2021: https://bit.ly/Discover141

Follow Jack at @jackpavlinamusic

Spotify: https://bit.ly/jackpavlina

Kenneth Tan moved back to his home in San Jose from Los Angeles to help care for his grandmother, Crescenciana Tan ("lola" in Tagalog), in 2014. They began painting as an activity to do together. Lola would paint what she felt with watercolor, and then Kenneth would add drawings with markers based on her stories and memories - this led to a series of paintings they called "The Lola x Kenneth Collaboration."

The time he spent with Lola from 2014 until her death in December 2016 brought out the artist Kenneth always wanted to be.

Recently, Kenneth created and self-published a book to honor Lola's life story in "Crescenciana: a memoir & art book." 

In our conversation, we discuss the process of creating the book, a few of the stories of Lola's life, and his journey in becoming an artist.

Preview and purchase "Crescenciana" at lolaxkenneth.com (https://www.lolaxkenneth.com/crescenciana)

Follow the Kenneth at lolaxkenneth (https://www.instagram.com/lolaxkenneth/)

Content interview with Kenneth at https://www.content-magazine.com/articles/9-3-lola-kenneth/

__________________

This episode's music is "408" by Jack Pavlina. Read more about Jack in Issue 14.1 Winter 2022 — release date: Dec. 9, 2021: https://bit.ly/Discover141

Follow Jack at @jackpavlinamusic

Spotify: https://bit.ly/jackpavlina

Stacey is an attorney and program manager by trade and an art lover and community builder by heart. Stacey focuses on strategic partnership development and social impact for San Jose Walls. Born and raised in San Jose, she is passionate about creating a legacy of impactful public art in her hometown. 

In our conversation, we learn how she became a part of the SJWalls team and her desire to help the creativity in San Jose. As well, we discuss the transition from POW! WOW! SJ to SJWall. And we find out about her and her husband's Scamp - a lightweight fiberglass trailer camper.

Follow Stacey at stacey.kellogg and stellathescamp

For San Jose Walls, sjwalls.com and sanjosewalls

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy grpg.org 

Featured Issue 14.3: Don Budd - Tone Freq Recording Studios - tonefreqmastering.com

Ask around the local music scene for a reliable recording studio, and certain names will start to repeat. One is Tone Freq Recording Studios, where hundreds of bands have gone to record their albums with craft and care. Behind that reputation is Don Budd, an audio engineer and producer, who treats each project like his own baby.

“I train my ears more than I train everything else.” -Don Budd

Written by Esther Young @eestarrious

Photography by Daniel Garcia @thecultivator

Join us on Thursday, May 19th at 7p for Content Pick-Up Party 14.3 "Perform" at the Cilker School of Art & Design at West Valley College in partnership with their annual Cilker Art & Design Expo, a presentation of the Content Emerging Artist Award.

Issue 14.3 Features: Illustrator- Megan Rizzo Daisy | Artist - Jenifer Renzel | NFT Art | Borca Experience - Jonathan Borca | Fox Tale Fermentation Project | SJMSU Richard Karson | SJC Airport Art | West Valley College Dean - Dean Shannon Price | Sound Engineer - Don Budd | Cultural Shop - Tank Shit Shop | West Valley Cilker Design Students - Anat Baird, Orit Avinoon-Metz, Sienna Hopper, Kate Kanemura, Sarah Kissinger, Frances Cooke | Content Emerging Artist - Jezrael Gandara, Chelsea Stewart, Kiana Honarmand | Album Picks - Needle to the Groove

RSVP - bit.ly/cilkerexpo