Tag / new york

by Nikki Sin

#TMITuesday: 10 Questions With Event Creator And Artist Mariel Pauline

In my party career, yeah I can call it that sure, I meet a lot of people. None quite like this week’s feature Mariel Pauline of course. From New York, to Miami to Toronto Mariel was a hard one to sit down to chat with but we did it. Discussions of art, that thing in the desert and more fill this week’s interview. Let’s get to it shall we?

Note: This interview was completed prior to the Tarna and Heavy Meta, event’s mentioned.

1. Let’s talk about your passion project Wishing Wings, what inspired it, and what is it?

Three years ago, after the suicide and overdose of a few friends in the New York City nightlife community, I felt stuck. I wasn’t creating, wasn’t living a life I could be proud of. I began reconnecting with nature, setting intentions, and letting go. At the same time, I became infatuated with the texture of fallen wood as it dries — and from this, the Wishing Wings Project was born.

Intentions are wishes our hearts are brave enough to beat into reality.  One of the most powerful things we can do is set an intention. The Wishing Wings aim to incubate that moment of pause, reflection, and reset. 

photo by Linda Odom

At its core, the Wishing Wings are a collaborative experiential mixed media sculpture that has appeared at events and festivals in the United States and Canada, beginning with I FEEL: Summer Escape 2018. It is composed of site-specific sustainably sourced branches and other flora, which are meticulously hand-woven into 8’x10’ wings.  People are invited to write their wish on a wooden heart provided by the artist, and hang it on the piece. I collected 2018’s Wishes at the close of each event, and brought to Burning Man to be sealed in the flames of Temple Galaxia. This year, Wishes from Ontario’s regional Burn, Hyperborea, were immolated in the event’s own Temple. I am ecstatic to bring the Wishing Wings Project to a close this summer at Burning Man; Wishes from Miami’s LoveBurn, Figment NYC, and I FEEL: Summer Escape will join the entire installation to burn in the dust. 

2. Since today is #TMITuesday can you tell the readers something about you that they do not already know?

I love hiding & jumping out to scare people. Or just hiding – typically in small places, behind doors, in your dreams. 

3. You were a co-creator for Figment NYC, what was that like? 

A lot of things aligned for this one… I attended Figment NYC for 4 years prior, and their new home on Roosevelt Island is directly across from my old apartment, so bringing the Wishing Wings Project this year felt like things were coming full-circle. I loved incorporating glitter and neon paints into the materials left for the Wishing Wings so participants could leave their creative sparkle on the piece. It brought immense joy to my heart to see families engage in the art, like The Toad art car that was curated by Figment’s team. Set against the NYC skyline, it was simply magical.

4. If you could choose one song to be your ‘theme song’ what would it be and why?

People like to peg me as a “Dreams” (Fleetwood Mac) type of gal, but right now I’m really leaning in to that “Norrland” (Gidge) vibe. I’m a big fan of proper horns and the entire track carries an ethereal, sunshine-forward lightness of being throughout that makes me smile every time.


5. What drew you to this traveling artist lifestyle?

I didn’t choose this crazy lifestyle, it 100% choose me.


In September 2017, I was introduced to the Heavy Meta art car family.  Shortly thereafter, I began splitting my time between Brooklyn and Toronto. New York City was feeling claustrophobic, having grown up there, so I was invigorated by the opportunity to check out Toronto’s innovative scene and collaborate on some amazing art and experiences. Y’all don’t have an ego up here, yet. It’s nice. 

Working in event production and art direction, I’m fortunate enough to be able to “follow the project”. From blinging out a throne in The Funhouse’s Underwater Ballroom, to co-creating a 10,000 person music festival on top of a ski mountain in Vermont – every day is different. I love learning from and be inspired by where each project takes me. Getting to create magic every day is a bonus.

6. If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

There are so many things I want to do; most center around healing and end-of-life care. Maybe art therapy? Maybe working to bridge the education gap between traditional medicine practitioners and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinsonian symptoms? Definitely something that would allow for me to have a doggo, though.

7. As a contributing artist to the newly opened art maze “The Funhouse” in Toronto, how would you describe the experience? 

Holy wow, talk about dream project! All of last summer and the better part of this spring, I got to wake up and make art. Face casting alongside Paul Jackson last summer for his “Free Trial”-room collaboration with Bad Child was a huge lesson in deliberation and patience. As an emerging artist, it felt super badass to be trusted to execute this space. A few team members and I 100% ugly cried watching the Manual Arts team finish installing the fascia of the building, feeling what a gift it was to be a part of this project, and knowing what we’ve created for the city of Toronto to enjoy.  The entire Funhouse was a family effort. There’s so much love, detail, and joy in every single piece. I could not be more honoured to have been part of the team.

photo from BlogTO

8. You help create the environment and vibe for parties all over Canada, and the US. What are your must-haves at a party? 

You mean beyond free and easily accessible water, a responsible door policy, killer and well-balanced sound? I like music that allows my brain to play, and a vibe that invites people to “come as they are”- to connect without pretense. The parties where I find myself fully enjoying the experience also have an art or wellness component. Dancing for hours in a dark club is fun, but a space where there’s a collaborative mural, a rooftop, thought-provoking art, an elixir bar — most importantly, a crowd there to celebrate life? That’s a party, babe. Oh, and fire. Fire’s nice too.

9. Which event are you most excited about this year?

There are so many!  Every event is different in its own lovely way.  I’m looking forward to both the Tarna and Metaverse fundraiser parties in Toronto in July, then Burning Man to see all of the 4tress’ art cars on playa. I’m also looking forward to Burning Man because I get to torch the Wishing Wings with some friends from NYC and Amsterdam, celebrate my 2nd anniversary with my partner, and experience all the art.  I have to tip my hat to Circus Fabulae & The Cloud — so many artistically gifted friends bringing all the cool things to this Burn!

After this summer, I’m looking forward to our next Twinkle party during Halloweekend in Brooklyn. Twinkle is a collaboration between my brand, Kaphea, and Alex Daniel’s label, Playa Vibes Productions.  Together, we curate a fully immersive art-meets-music vibe with an art gallery, body painters, performances, and high octane DJs. We’re thinking this party will be Austin Powers themed. Bring on the fembots & sharks with laser beams!

Hyperborea photo by Fee Gunn

10. What’s next for you?

Right now, I’m spending some time building my wedding and corporate event decor business, and producing a few events in NYC this autumn.  My next intention is to find myself in Asia, from January – March 2020. I’d like to build some stages with woven bamboo, see some sunsets, visit some temples. I’m also interested in doing a vipassana sit while I’m there. Trying not to plan too much, and just let the Universe do her thing.

*Featured photo by Toronto’s Dead Pixel*

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by Nikki Sin

How To Utilize Amazon Prime To Give Back This Holiday Season

Viral video creator Rob Bliss dropped some knowledge, and gifts in his latest video. The holidays, or really any time of the year, are a great time to give back. Bliss uses his new video to show you how to utilize Amazon for more than just ordering toilet paper from Alexa.

Prepare for some feels.

by Nikki Sin

Heavy Meta Brings The Heat To World Maker Faire In New York

As if it weren’t hot enough in New York last weekend the team behind Heavy Meta brought more heat with the fire breathing dragon art car fresh/still dusty from Burning Man.

Seriously it was so dang hot and Fall just started.

Okay so what the heck is Maker Faire you ask? I’ll assume you asked. In summary the event is a giant show and tell with sprinkles of a county fair, science fair and all fun.
This is not the dragon’s first Maker Faire appearance of course, a few months back the art car was set up at the Detroit edition of the unique science event. Heavy Meta was invited to New York for World Maker Faire to come together as creators, meet other makers, and apparently scare the sh*t out of kids with fire.

FUN FACT: The fire system is female created, and run.

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The two day event which took place at the New York Hall Of Science also featured La Machine, a Starburst gifting Kermit, and swarms of curious children ready to become makers themselves (seen below: Heavy Meta team member Matt Von Wilde showing his creations to mini makers)

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Next up in the Heavy Meta Maker Faire tour is Pittsburgh,PA on October 14th and 15th!

by Nikki Sin

Bushwick Hipsters Trading Weed And Booze On ‘Bunz’ App

More like BUDZ Trading Zone, amirite?

Image result for broad city smoking weed

Okay so I suppose some of you are wondering what Bunz is so allow me to break it down for you:

It is essentially a bartering zone that seemed to originate on Facebook an eventually make it’s way into an app.
You can post items you want to trade with you ISO (in search of), or make a post about something you are looking for and make an offer to the OP (original poster). I’ve used the Facebook version myself to trade 6 chicken nuggets from McDonalds for a unicorn sweater. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE Y’ALL.

Additionally the original zone sparked spinoffs such as: Bunz Makeup Zone,and Bunz Pet Zone.

Apparently hipsters in Bushwick are using the Bunz trading app to trade for some dank, dank herb. If you scroll through the items in the New York Trade section of the app, you can see numerous references to “420” or “herb” in Bushwick, and I was able to get DM confirmation from 3 twitter users that they scored some green on the app near the Morgan and Jefferson stops. There is also plenty of beer for trade, and it seems like the app actively encourages people to trade tall cans as currency.  AND BOY ARE TWITTER USERS NOTICING THIS.

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Although the app seems to officially discourage the pot references by asking you if you’re sure when you write “420” in a post, clearly people are taking matters into their own sticky fingers (including a guy who is just straight up listing weed) and scoring off people who live nearby.
Nice.
by Nikki Sin

#MusicMonday: David Bowie: Visionary, Musical Icon, Starman.

It has been about a week since icon David Bowie passed away from an 18 month battle with cancer, and it has still not truly sunk in. Bowie’s music, and presence meant so much to so many people. A lot of arguments have been made that it is silly for anyone who did not know a celebrity personally should not be upset about their death; this is pile of bullsh*t to me. David Bowie’s music, and movements in the world became a part of my life, and so many others’ lives all over the world and to have the creator of those things be taken away is hard. 

Last week Twitter, and other social media platforms flooded with memories of the 69 year old singer. Late night talk show hosts such as Fallon, and Conan paid tribute to Bowie too:

The shock of David Bowie’s passing hit fans, and the world hard but it is said that his final track Lazarus from his final album Blackstar was a sort of goodbye. Proceeds from Blackstar sales go directly to cancer research too, stay classy Bowie.

In touching tributes by celebrity friends on Twitter, and Bowie’s wife Iman I think we all are grieving the starman together. Unfortunately for ex-wife Angie Bowie she was not informed of the news in the best way. While filming and competing on the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother alongside Flavor of Love star New York, Geordie Shore star Scotty T and others, the reality star was removed from the house to be told of the passing. In a come up of chaos a fellow cast member, also named Bowie, was incredibly ill, and when Angie confided in New York to tell her of David Bowie’s passing, New York mixed up the Davids…

Needless to say, although that is what this entire post has been about, we lost a legend and the world is still weeping.

“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” – David Bowie

by Nikki Sin

#TMITuesday: 10 Questions with The Real World: Skeletons’ Nicole Zanatta

This week’s #TMITuesday feature had me glued to the screen since her first word on MTV’s The Real World:  Skeletons. I’ll admit that first it was because I couldn’t understand a single world the  23 year woman was saying.  Week after week Nicole stayed in our hearts as an outspoken female who stayed true to her values, and character. I chatted with Zanatta about fitness, the wolf pack, and more!

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1. During your time on The Real World: Skeletons you referred to yourself as a bit of a player when it comes to women. Are you still rocking that?

I’m single, I’m going to do me until the right person tames me that’s what it’s going to come down to. I like to have a good time and I definitely don’t want to know what it feels like to be heartbroken. I’m willingly to give it 100%  when I feel it’s worth my wild, it just isn’t in my life right now.


2. It was revealed very early that you are a lesbian, what sort of impact on the LGBT community do you think your time on the show had. What sort of impact do you want to make on the community?

To be honest with you I am not quite sure how or if I had any impact in the LGBT community, I hope if I did it was in a positive way. But who am I to judge, people will have their own opinion. If anything I hope that women of all ages understand what it’s like to just be comfortable in their own skin. Stand up for something you believe in, who cares we all have insecurities just don’t make people aware of them  then they can’t be used against you.  Be who you are and love the life you live never be afraid to be judge, because than you’ll be afraid to live. Haha I hope that all makes sense and I don’t sound like Aristotle.

3. Your off show occupation is a New York EMT, was this something you always wanted to do?

To be honest I’ve always loved helping people. This job is my high it makes me happy when I’m there for people at their worse. It’s exciting and everyday is something new you never know what to expect, I’ll never be bored and the feeling is just incredible

4. Since today is TMI Tuesday, is there anything about yourself, or the show, that you can tell the readers that they may not already know?

Haha anything viewers don’t know…. There’s always something about yourself that people don’t know so I’ll keep it that way. Viewers got to know me for the most part, I can’t speak on anyone else.

Cast Shot

5. You and cast member Jason ended the show on non-speaking terms, what is your relationship like now with Jason (if any)?

What happened happened… Our terms now has been private and I’ll keep it that way until we’re ready to speak about it.

6. On that note, do you keep in touch with any of The Real World: Skeletons cast?

We all know I was the alpha in the wolfpack… I’ll keep it short and sweet I have made best friends with them. The women I keep in contact with all of them as a matter of fact however I definitely FaceTime and talk to Barbie (Madison) every week!

7. You’re an incredibly fit woman (like, your abs are #goals), if you could come up with a 10 minute set of exercises for the readers what would it contain?

As a personal trainer I have to look the part..10 min workout go full body body weights start off with jumping jacks for a minute, squat 25x,pushups 25x, leg raises 25x, 3 sets :) 

8. Summer is on it’s way, what’s your Summer 2015 song?

Summer song can’t say I have one yet because it was a long cold winter and just feeling like spring (;

9. Do you watch any other reality shows?

Other reality shows of course ! MTV’s The Challenge and I got into  MTV’s “Are you the one” after talking and meeting up with a few of them off camera.

(Nicole with AYTO/Former TMITuesday feature Brianna LaCuesta)

10. What’s next for you Nicole?

What’s next for me… Not sure I believe everything happens for a reason so right now I’m working in a new field (not disclosing) and focusing on myself and going to start training  for the summer bod.

I hope to see Nicole on the next season of The Challenge. Stay tuned next week for an all new #TMITuesday interview with Big Brother runner-up GinaMarie Zimmerman!