ODDA Conversations

In light of troubling cultural changes across America, renowned artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat took her camera and headed West. In the quiet desert plains of New Mexico, Neshat brings her curiosity, her empathy, and her poetic imagination. As an Iranian-born artist and immigrant, she seeks this convergence of the personal and the political; this is also a personal process of falling back in love with the country that she once cherished. “Land of Dreams” marks a new kind of collaborative project for Neshat, but in the faces of all she met there is a clear theme: Shirin Neshat came to listen.

Gherardo Felloni, the creative director of Roger Vivier, has put a new spring in the step of one of the world’s most famous souliers. Felloni’s positive attitude and his light-hearted approach to shoemaking is however grounded in over 20 years of designing footwear for some of the biggest luxury brands.

In conversation with Jessica Michault

Designer Andrea Grossi unpacks his collections “Welcome to DeusLand” where he questions the costumes and traditions of our society.  He reflects on how creating his own characters helps him define his own ideal sustainable world.

Kristin Bedford’s new photography book “Cruise Night” takes the reader into the intimate world of the Mexican American lowrider car culture in Los Angeles, California.

In light of troubling cultural changes across America, renowned artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat took her camera and headed West. In the quiet desert plains of New Mexico, Neshat brings her curiosity, her empathy, and her poetic imagination. As an Iranian-born artist and immigrant, she seeks this convergence of the personal and the political; this is also a personal process of falling back in love with the country that she once cherished. “Land of Dreams” marks a new kind of collaborative project for Neshat, but in the faces of all she met there is a clear theme: Shirin Neshat came to listen.

In conversation with Jessica Michault

Yndi Ferreira Da Silva has abandoned the moniker of Dream Koala and is back, this time as herself. Previously known for ethereal and electronic pop, Yndi’s new project is an ode to her Brazilian heritage and the melodies of Bossa Nova. The French-Brazilian artist recently gave us a taste of her upcoming album in an acoustic EP, “Introdução”, and it’s unlike anything you’ve heard before. Her soft, sugary vocals poetically blend Portuguese and French, with emotive lyrics and contemporary Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Exploring strength and vulnerability, joy and sadness, Yndi’s music examines the dualities and contradictions of life. We caught up to discuss her journey to this new sound and the inspiration behind her debut album, “Noir Brésil”, releasing this Spring.

For the first time during his tenure as the creative director of Berluti designer Kris Van Assche collaborated with a living artist to bring his SS21 menswear collection to life. And it was the colorful, textural, and freeform art pieces by the highly respected American ceramic artist Brian Rochefort that caught Van Assche's eye. An avid ceramics collector, Van Assche was able to reinterpret Rochefort’s bold and layered vision into silk prints shirts, three-dimensional knitted sweaters, and rich patinated leather Berluti accessories. The result is an elevated collection where artists, artistry, and the artisanal are celebrated in perfect harmony.

2020 was a very good year for the 20-year-old rapper, singer, and songwriter 24kGoldn. His earworm of a song “Mood” had, by the end of the year, spent eight weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 between its original version, which featured Iann Dior, and the remix that worked in vocals from Justin Bieber and J. Balvin. 24kGoldn, who is taking a leave of absence from his full ride at the University of Southern California for Business Studies, is also in the early stages of setting up a scripted tv series about his life and his debut album “El Dorado'' out end of March. All of which is to say 24kGoldn is currently living his best life.

In conversation with Jessica Michault

Director Garrett Bradley is one of those rare conversationalists who are comfortable with silence. She pauses before answering each question, carefully considering it before responding in a thoughtful, measured fashion. This sensibility carries over into her work as a documentary filmmaker. Her first feature, “Time,” is similarly careful, shot in velvety black-and-white, and interspersed with home videos shot by subject Fox Rich during a 20-year quest to free her husband from prison. Bradley’s singular stylistic choices as a director skillfully highlight the importance of what isn’t spoken and what lies beneath the surface.

In conversation with Jessica Michault

Long-distance soul sisters actress Andie MacDowell and acclaimed author Anne Lamott connect online for a powerful and heartfelt conversation. Where they share openly and freely about their experiences of co-dependent childhoods caring for alcoholic parents and how they have used their artistic voices to work through the pain of the past. How spirituality and a connection to nature and animals have helped them to heal and their hopes for their children and the future

In conversation with Jessica Michault