So recently, I decided to introduce a new feature on RAT RIOT called Yo!, where I highlight young movers and shakers, who are slowly making a name for themselves. It gives my readers an opportunity to see people around their age who are doing things to make their dreams become a reality. The first person that came to mind when I decided to start this new project was Kendrick Daye, the founder and Editor of Art Nouveau Magazine. We recently had an opportunity for us to talk about all of his success. Check out the dope interview, and check for more of these Yo! features to come.
You’re quite the eclectic, what inspires you to pursue so many different arenas of creativity?
Honestly, I would say it’s the love of art. I just love art and love creating it no matter what the medium. So whether I’m writing a story or taking a photo it’s still an outlet and still art.
You’ve been a writer and photographer for quite some time, was it a natural progression for you to want to start a magazine?
I think it was. Whenever I was working somewhere else I was not really doing what I wanted to exactly. When I worked as the Arts & Entertainment editor for my college newspaper I was covering things I wouldn’t necessarily cover. It was exactly what I needed at the time and the magazine gave me the opportunity to spotlight things I thought were dope. I always wanted to start a magazine, it was always a goal, so I’m glad to say I’ve done it.
Out of all of your talents, which do you enjoy the most, and which do you feel the most connected to?
I’m connected to them all. But I love photography. I really just want to explore more of my photography.
Tell our readers about ART Nouveau.
Art Nouveau Magazine is a weekly online art & culture magazine. You can check it out at www.an-mag.com. We have weekly features and interviews. Past interviews include J*DaVeY, Denzel Washington, Matt & Kim, Bobby Valentino, Josh MacPhee of Just Seeds, illustrator Mike T, Mims, Mike Myers, Christina Ricci, and the list goes on. We also post news and the latest videos daily.
How did you come up with the name?
When Phillip and me first came up with the idea to start the magazine of course the name is like the hardest part. The first thing we came up with was Avant Garde Magazine or something like that. And it was kinda cool. But, it didn’t sound right. Then while looking and researching the avant-garde we stumbled upon Art Nouveau and loved what the term literally meant, it translates to “New Art” in French. We were like that’s it!
When did you launch the magazine?
We launched in the fall of 2007 and we’ve been kicking since then.
How has the magazine changed over the last year or so?
Well the layout you see now at Art Nouveau is actually our second layout and we just launched in January. The way the issues are spread out has changed. And we’ve added more integration from outside bloggers like Corinne Stevie, Danny! and illustrator Ejordanill.
Being based out of Atlanta, it’s a mecca for black music, who are your favorite up and coming bands?
Out of Atlanta, I love a lot of what I hear. Tendaberry, Corinne Stevie, A-Ware, Ben Carson (look out for him) and Muffy are all the cream of the crop to me. I just like the way they approach music. And they’re all wonderful performers also. That’s something you rarely see with Atlanta artists now a days.
Music and Art are constantly changing, how do you keep up with everything?
Honestly, I have to just read a lot of news. I get a lot of information from sites like Billboard.com, Pitchfork, MTV News, NME, NY Times and Juxtapose Magazine. I also check out sites like ffffound.com and artistaday.com for artists to features and spotlight.
What’s the dopest experience you’ve had as head of A-N so far?
The dopest thing is going to concerts. We get the opportunities to see all these dope bands. I’ve seen Solange, Estelle, Katy Perry, Diplo, Girl Talk and so many more. it’s pretty cool.
The motto of A-N is ART is everywhere, what made you want to bring ART to young peoples attention?
I just believe in art. It gives people an outlet. People would be surprised at where their minds can go if they take that ennui and create some damn art. People always say “oh I’m not an artist.“ But art is so many things. You can be a cook and be so good at what you do your cooking is art. Art is everywhere.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
As far as visual artists I love Kehinde Wiley, Kris Lewis, Corinne Stevie, Clayton James Cubitt and so many others. As far as musicians I really dig a lot of stuff, everything from The Dream and Brandy to Johnny Cash and Lucinda Williams from Big and some “Hardcore” Lil’ Kim to Basement Jaxx and Madonna. I just like good music. My favorite writers are Alice Walker, Raymond Carver, and Chuck Palahniuk.
As A-N grows, where do you see it going?
I see it going so many places. We have an independent record label called Nouveau Music and we’re promoting our artist Corinne Stevie hard. We also have a book publishing company and we’re about to begin releasing art books and coffee table books pretty soon.
What new projects are you working on?
I’m working on my book. It should be out soon. I just haven’t had a chance to finish it. My bad. But it’s my to-do list this week. It’s called “Everything they say I am, I am,” It’s pretty cool I think. I’m also working on another project which is a collaboration with Corinne Stevie called “Crazy Cousins.” Corinne and me have another collaboration, a graphic novel called “Art Kids” about a group of kids in a art school in Miami. I’m also starting to get deeper into my fiction and I can’t wait to see where I go with that.
A-N has been creating a buzz around Atlanta with the events you throw, how does it feel to be getting recognition and seeing your dream become a reality?
I wouldn’t say my dream is a reality. It is and it isn’t I guess. But any amount of recognition I get I truly appreciate. It feels good whenever someone comes up to me and says that read Art Nouveau or like my photography or something. It’s cool. I feel in that aspect is a reality. But I have so much more work to do to feel content.
Any final thoughts?
Art is Everywhere. Britney Spears changed my life. Facebook is dead. Twitter is such a sexual name for a social networking site. I think I saw Frankie when in a car next to me when I was driving one day. Check out www.an-mag.com or www.greateclectic.com and check out my blog too, it’s pretty cool if I do say so myself .
