Join us for a very special fashion film created to celebrate the 1 year anniversary issue of OPALUS magazine premiering at Western Canada Fashion Week on April 1 and 4!
JOE LAISI - OPALUS MUSICIAN
When sound and imagery are combined together they bring both the film and the piece of music to the next level.
There has been a great response to the original music created for our latest OPALUS fashion films. Therefore, you've been asking and we are proud to officially introduce to you who is behind these inspiring sounds... introducing, the talented Joe Laisi!
Joe has written, preformed and recorded the music for the following films: OPALUS and LUXX Ready to Wear Campaign (a series of 4 short films, one score), The Colorful Mind of a Surrealist Call for Submissions, and Drifting Shadows of Intrigue Issue Release. Joe is currently working on two new scores for our soon to be released (and longest yet) fashion films!
Find out more about Joe in this official OPALUS interview!
OPALUS
It is such a talent to be able to transform what a visual feels like into a sound that has this same feeling which enhances the piece as a whole. Please tell us what this process is for you.
JOE LAISI
It's a combination of looking at the visuals and an explanation of what the director is going for. Then I sit down with guitar and try to feel out what suits the piece the best. A little trial and error is involved also until it comes out the way I want it to sound.
OPALUS
What instruments have you been using to create these pieces for OPALUS?
JOE LAISI
All of the instrumentation has been done on the guitar, except I used a drum on the video for Luxx. Other than that it has been a combination of electric and acoustic guitars combined with some effects pedals.
OPALUS
What types of sounds/music styles are most inspiring you at the moment?
JOE LAISI
I've always been a fan of pure, natural, guitar plugged into a tube amplifier kind of sounds. Let the guitar and amp take care of the tone. I do use other sounds in my guitar rig (delay, reverb, tremolo) but there is something special about a great sounding guitar plugged straight into an amp and turned up loud!
Rock and roll has and will always be my inspiration.
OPALUS
Our current issue is about, the colorful mind of a surrealist. For many artist they can see visuals when they hear music. When you look at art, do you ever hear music pouring out of it?
JOE LAISI
The odd time, but not really. I like to separate art and music. When I look at a piece of art or a picture I appreciate it for what it is visually, how it comes across to the eyes. If I want to hear music I put on a record and listen. To me they are two separate entities, unless of course I am asked to create a sound for a specific piece of art. Then I'll have to sit down, get into my head, and combine the two.
OPALUS
How long have you been playing guitar, and what is your favorite style to play?
JOE LAISI
I've been playing for 18 years. As far as styles go I've always been a fan of punk rock. Straight forward no flash and dash kind of playing. Pure, raw, and simple has always been my go to.
OPALUS
You are in a couple bands, where can people listen to them?
JOE LAISI
Drive The Day
Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals
Freedom Over Fear is our debut album with pre-production in the works for a follow up album.
JFR
Project X is the second full length album from this band. I was hired on to tour as a rhythm guitar player and ended up being involved in a music video for the song Take Me As I Am as well as recording the rhythm guitar on the album Project X.
The band is going through some personnel changes right now so it's a little up in the air as to what is happening in the future.
There is also a punk band but that one is kind of a secret of sorts. All will be revealed in due time.
OPALUS
If your imagination could create the perfect environment to create in, what would it be?
JOE LAISI
A room with giant windows, wide open to hear the sounds of the outside world. Sun, waves crashing, birds singing , wind whispering through the trees. A calm reflective space where my mind would be free and open. A place where I could be as free as I need and let the inspiration from the outside world flow into my head and out through my fingers. I believe they call this your happy place!
Our Collaborations:
Submission Theme Announcement
Coming up with the themes for Opalus Magazine is always fun and exciting!
The next issue, which happens to be the anniversary issue is themed "Dream Travels in the Pastel Sky" and is released April 1!
The next two issue themes are:
July Issue
BEAUTIFULLY DELINQUENT
(Submission Deadline: June 1)
October Issue
ETERNAL EFFLORESCENCE
(Submission Deadline: September 1)
If you, or anyone you know would like to contribute to OPALUS Magazine, share the themes, and check out the details on how to submit your work for consideration by visiting our submissions page.
We look forward to seeing your perspective and imagination shine through your submissions.
-
Malorie Shmyr
Creative Director and Editor
of
OPALUS Magazine
SHOWstudio LIVE discussion panel - Maison Margiela
Don't miss SHOWstudio discuss the Maison Margiela Autumn/ Winter 2015 womenswear collection during their live discussion panel for Paris Fashion week!
Discussion begins - 18:45 GMT
Image of the empty runway for the Paris fashion week Maison Margiela A/W15 collection
Image pulled from http://www.maisonmargiela.com
Emilio Pucci Runway LIVE stream NOW #MFW
Don't miss the Milan Fashion Week LIVE streaming of Pucci NOW!
http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/2015/02/emilio-pucci-livestream-milan-fashion-week#.VPID1CnzedQ
Watch LIVE Elisabetta Franchi runway show LIVE at #MFW
Watch the LIVE streaming of the A/W15 collection by Elisabetta Franchi in Milan Fashion Week!
8pm in Milan
12pm in Alberta, Canada.
Artist Interview - Krista Acheson - Part 2
We are honoured to have the fine art series "This one goes out to the one I love..." by Krista published in our latest issue of OPALUS. This truly engaging series addresses her experience of "...working through frustrations and the emotions inherent in wanting to help, support and 'save' a loved one who really may not want, need, or even, at this point, be capable of being 'saved'."
We found this series so fascinating and each piece so individually strong that we felt we needed to create a special 3 part interview series with Krista to give us more insight on three of our favourite pieces from the series, and discover more about her brilliant perspective and imagination.
Part Two - " TACITURN PACHYDERM"
Title - Taciturn Pachyderm
(paper lantern)
Size - 24” X 16”
Medium - Ornamental Paper, Paverpol, Pendent Light fixture
OPALUS
Please tell us about the meaning behind "Taciturn Pachyderm."
KRISTA ACHESON
That piece was hung above all the other pieces overlooking the exhibit and was meant to be my "elephant in the room".
It was a male figure composed of tiny elephants I cut out of ornamental paper and made into a light fixture. "Taciturn" means uncommunicative and secretive.. so I think it's title was the best way to communicate how little success I was having in trying to dissect the situation and how it still loomed over and permeated everything.
OPALUS
You have many different mediums that you have used in this series, from painting to sculpture, is there one medium in particular that feels the best for you to work with?
KRISTA ACHESON
I usually pick the medium that feels right for what I'm expressing. When I'm documenting an event it feels right to paint and encrypt symbolism, like I'm taking notes.
Painting is more a result of something personal I'm dealing with. Like writing in a diary.
When I sculpt it usually means there's still a heavy emotional involvement with the topic, and squishing clay is my artistic equivalent to squishing a stress ball.
The fiber art pieces ( "Wish you were here?", and the making of duplicate "Dissection" rat purses) were really repetitive and time consuming to create. This helped me a lot with my tendency to ruminate and relieved some mental agitation. It was practically stimming behavior. Very much the same experience with cutting out hundreds of tiny paper elephants.
So I guess the different mediums kind of subtly communicate how I'm internally feeling about the topic of the piece and how the art piece is helping me work through the emotions. I also think, in the end, it results in a more dynamic and interesting show.
OPALUS
What beverage do you most often have when creating?
KRISTA ACHESON
Depending on the emotional need at the time it can be liquor, coffee or chai tea.
An Image from Krista's series in OPALUS.
OPALUS
What can we look forward to in the future from you?
KRISTA ACHESON
I will be participating in a group show entitled "Talking Creatures", under the alias " Gerri Harden" at the AGSA where I'll have a series of new sculpture pieces. The opening reception is March 5 from 6 – 8:30 pm and the show runs until May 2.
I am also currently applying at galleries in hopes to hold my next show entitled " Cat's in the Cradle", which will be a similar mixed media installation styled show as "This one goes out to the one I love..."
OPALUS
Where can we buy a piece from this series to have in our home?
KRISTA ACHESON
You can either contact me at kristaacheson@kristaacheson.com or on my etsy shop. (www.etsy.com/ca/shop/FetusFactory)
Thank you to Krista for sharing your imagination and fascinating perspective with us! Enjoy the rest of her pieces in OPALUS starting at page 22, and come back soon for part 3 of this artists' interview, something not to be missed!
Hello Milan Fashion Week!
Thank you London fashion week for the incredible inspiration.
Here we go Milan Fashion Week!
Watch it LIVE here, we know we are!
http://milanfashionweeklive.com/LIVE
A Film to inspire our next theme
OPALUS Magazine is a submission based visual arts magazine. We reach 59 countries and have published work from 14 countries so far.
Our anniversary issue is a very special issue and we invite you to be a part of it! Submit your work today for consideration at submissions@opalusmagazine.com
We accept fashion and fine art photography, experimental works, fine art and sculpture
Enjoy this inspirational video for our submission/issue theme, "Dream Travels in the Pastel Sky"
Create Director / Editor - Malorie Shmyr
Makeup Artist - Rebecca Nantel
Model - Lyra Brown
London WomensWear A/W 2015 - Gareth Pugh
OPALUS has been closely watching London Fashion week via our favourite portal, SHOWstudio and Gareth Pugh is, naturally, our favourite Womenswear A/W 2015 we have seen so far!
Watch the discussion panel and collection via the incredible