In a pause to live a fiction.

(Summer afternoon in Hyde Park, London)

Soundtrack: Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeros, The Cure, Big Audio Dynamite, The Knife and Taken by Trees.

Photos: Hermano Silva © 2010

The new season is upon us and The Gentleman would like to suggest some ideas for you. The Indian spiritual leader Osho once said that life always happens outside, in the open air. Isn’t it a good moment in time to consider the advice?

So keep this in mind: “SUMMER IS TIME…”

- TO BUY a new pair of Haviana flip-flops;

- TO VISIT the retrospective exhibition about the visionary designer Martin Margiela on Somerset House in London (starting June 3);

- TO WORK OUT harder in the gym to get in shape;

- TO GET FRESH with the peppermint liquid soap from Dr. Bronners. It has 18 different purposes and it’s earth friendly;

- TO DRINK gin & tonic made with Bombay Sapphire or with the most gentlemanly of all, the Hendrick’s gin;

- TO BECOME a bit tanned in Hampstead Heath in London or on Badeschiff in Berlin. Nudism in the Tiergarten or on a deserted beach is also an option;

- TO PREPARE your luggage for a summer trip, and once there TO SWITCH OFF your mobile phone;

- TO TRY a new flavour of ice cream;

- TO PHOTOGRAPH more;

- TO ENJOY the long evenings with sunlight with a picnic in the park. Don’t forget a cooler for your beers;

- TO VISIT the exhibition of the photographer Wolfgang Tillmans (from June 26th on) at Serpertine Gallery, London;

- TO CYCLE more, thereby avoiding the heat on the tube;

- TO REUNITE with your mates to watch Brazil win the World Cup;

- TO DANCE to whichever music you like at a summer festival;

- TO BE happy, after all the summers are always unforgettable!

Picture above: Holga camera photographed with a Mamiya RB in a slide film cross processed

Photo: Hermano Silva © 2010

While this blog and its writer are on holidays in Sweden, here it is a quick post from Stockholm. We’ve just found out how Swedes keep their good-looking appearance. It was very surprising to know that the recipe is actually old and simple.

Lanolin-Agg-Tval soap is mainly made of eggwhite based on a traditional homemade recipe which has been passed from generation to generation over centuries. The  instructions tell us to use the soap once a week. The foam should be smoothed on the face and neck for over 5 minutes. The result – we tested – is really close to what the product promises: “glow skin soft to the touch”.

The best of it is the price, around 2 euros each. But  it can also be found on Amazon.com for 18,50 dollars a box with half a dozen eggs – ops – soaps.

Photo: Hermano Silva © 2010

Recently I watched an interview with Lady Gaga where she says she is not a “shuffle person”, referring to the shuffle option on the i-Pod that allows people to listen to music randomly. She said that rather, she prefers to listen to the album of an artist from the beginning to the end for months before moving on to the next one. I can say that I’m not a “shuffle person” either. My last favorite album (“March of The Zapotec/Holland EP” from Beirut) played here for more than three months – on repeat.

But some of the readers asked me to reveal what I have been listening to lately. I made a list of the coolest (and indie) new sounds that will inspire you before a night on the town:

MIIKE SNOW

Swedish band that makes an electronic sound with smart lyrics. What’s cool about their look is that all the members have some sort of facial hair. “Animal” and “Black & Blue” are the songs to listen to and the videos to watch.

THE XX

Band from Southwest London. It was a good surprise for me when my friend Paulo introduced me to their music. What I like on their songs is the mix of female and male vocals, which almost creates a dialogue at times. “VCR”, their last single, is simple yet romantic.

THE DRUMS

Considered the band to watch this year, according to the designer and photographer Hedi Slimane – who discovered many of the bands you listened to over the last few years, The Drums are similar in style to 80’s rock bands. “Let’s go Surfing” and “Submarine” are the coolest songs.

BEACH HOUSE

With a more atmospheric sound, this American band is a less obvious choice than the others listed here. I would recommend if you like indie music that you draw inspiration from them while working on your sketchbook – as I do. “Zebra” and “Norway” should be good samples.

GOLD PANDA

Another weird sound that mixes east and west with multiple references to Indian, Japanese, and electronic music. Since Cornershop I haven’t seen many bands so competent in mixing sounds in a modern way like they do.  Go for “Quitters Raga” and their vintage/analog videos.

+ WEBSITES TO LISTEN TO VIA STREAMING:

SHHH.FM: Brazilian sound-stylist Jackson Araujo teaches us one or two things about clash of styles. Every mix is possible on his hands. Highly recommended.

MUSIC VICTIM: From Spain, their podcasts always have their fingers on the pulse.

HYPE MACHINE: An alternative to LastFm. Mark your favorite songs with a heart.

Click here to read what we were listening to last summer

Photo: Hermano Silva © 2009

I was never very keen on the idea of using Twitter. Why one more layer of communication on the top of so many other tools we use? Shouldn’t RSS, Google Reader, Skype, Facebook, MSN, Google Talk, etc be enough?

Thinking a bit more about it I thought it would be fair with the readers of this blog give them a more quick, fast and personal channel to inform about things I am looking at on a everyday basis.

Of course that when I got in contact with the Twitter pages of people I admire – such as the singer Billy Corgan, the artist Jenny Holzer and the “NY Times” critic Cathy Horyn - I was a bit more convinced.

The main vocation of The Gentleman will keep being to look at some subjects like a virtual magazine is supposed to do. I hope you are enjoying it by the way.

For those who want more speed I hope to meet you there: @gentlemanworld

Photo: Sunny day with birds at Hollywood beach in Chicago by Hermano Silva

February is time:

- TO EXPERIMENT;

- TO ENJOY the Carnival in Rio. But if Brazil is too far for you, Carnival in Cologne/Germany is also fun;

- TO WATCH “A Single Man” in the cinema (February 12). It’s the first movie of designer-turned-into-director Tom Ford. We cannot wait any longer to watch it;

- TO DEVELOP a strategy for what to buy for the next season. Prioritize carefully: what you have to buy now and what can wait until things are much cheaper on next sales;

- TO VISIT the retrospective exhibition of the photographer Irving Penn at National Portrait Gallery in London (February 18). Irving died last year at the age of 90 years leaving an incredible legacy to the history of photography;

- TO DRINK a new type of tea while you wait for spring to come. But in case you’re in the Southern Hemisphere it’s time to enjoy a bit more the sun.  Summer is a season that always leaves unforgettable moments;

- TO READ a short book while taking the subway instead of getting stressed in traffic jams while your car is polluting the atmosphere;

- TO DOWNLOAD a good podcast of stand-up comedy;

- TO GO fast since February is the shortest month of the year…

Collage above: image of a João Pessoa beach by Hermano Silva; image from the poster movie “A Single Man”;  iconic photo “Cuzco Children” by Irving Penn from 1948 and results of Google Images after a research for “Aaa Ki tea” and “Carnival Rio” words.

Eine g… grosse Sau

Berlin Wall at the Mauerpark

Siegessäule

I couldn’t move foward to another topic without posting here some considerations about the museums of Berlin. It happens that this is the European city with more museums than any other in the continent. So to visit some of them is part of any tour when in Berlin.

Of course I haven’t been to all of them, but from the few I have seen I though would be fun to make a short selection and to dedicate to those who will be visiting the city in the next months. Here we go:

1. BEST MUSEUM SHOP: BAUHAUS -ARCHIV

Who didn’t copy Bauhaus designs? Well, in Bauhaus Archiv  Museum you will have the chance to know some of the original sketches, projects and objects that this school-turned-into-movement had created. Nothing as going straight to the source, isn’t it? At the end of the tour you will find the coolest objects to buy from watches to posters in a small shop.

2. BEST PERMANENT COLLECTION: ALTE NATIONALGALERIE AT THE MUSEUM ISLAND

If you are fascinated by 19th Century painting like I am, this is a place for you. The collection started in 1862 with 262 paintings – a present from the banker Joachim Wagener to the Prince Regent of Prussia. Germany wasn’t unified yet, but the Nationalgalerie started not with a state decree but  pushed by a spirit of civic patronage. The main works of the German painter Caspar David Friedrich (my favourite) are there along with paintings of Carus, Schinkel, Monet, Coubert and Rodin.

3. BEST PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION: GUNDLACH AT MARTIN-GROPIUS-BAU MUSEUM

The fashion photographer F. C. Gundlach fairly receives an homage from this museum with a retrospective of all his work. Between 1950’s to 1990’s Gundlach worked for the main fashion magazines in Germany and created an extensive photographic work. With a root on photojournalism, his pictures are honest, real, positive and elegant. It’s also remarkable his portraits of movie stars and film-directors. The exhibition runs until 14th of March.

4. BEST ARCHIVE SURPRISE: HELMUT NEWTON AT MUSEUM FÜR FOTOGRAFIE

The most interesting thing here is the possibility to “jump” inside Helmut Newton’s world. His cameras, his clothes, notebooks, objects used in his shoots and even a car are revealed for the public in a permanent exhibition. Permanent because The Helmut Newton Foundation is based on the Museum Für Fotografie. The main exhibition is showing at the moment the 394 images of the most expansive photography book of all times: “Sumo” by Newton published by Taschen.

More about Berlin here

Photos: Hermano Silva

After a long while without posting here I’m back to say that the last months have been very busy. I moved to another city, I started a Masters Degree graduation and to study became a “full time” job.

But this post is actually dedicated to Berlin, from where I am writing now.  The city celebrated 20 years of the fall of its wall last November. A huge party to celebrate this historical mark took place at Brandeburg Gate with some leaders of European countries, some exhibitions, concerts, etc. It was nice to see the party even under a strong rain.

But why is Berlin so fascinating? For me it’s because it provokes constant flashbacks. On the streets is possible to see the most remarkable haircuts from the 80’s combined with weird clothes from the 90’s. Radio channels (my favourite is 105,5 fm) play old hits that make you remember good moments from the past. The attitude of the Berliners overall is relaxed with no rush. There is no traffic jam, and as Nina Lemos, a Brazilian journalist, said it’s a city where no one cares about plastic surgery.

Berlin is interesting also in terms of architecture. To destroy the old in order to rebuild the new has become the city currency. Here it’s possible to find very classical palaces, to the modern Bauhaus lines to futuristic buildings at Postdamer Platz. A real journey on time in a walking distance on the city of the wide streets.

The writer Mark Twain captured the Berlin mood in his notebooks. When visiting the city at the end of 19th century he wrote: “The site it stands on has traditions and a history, but the city itself has no traditions and no history. It is a new city; the newest I have ever seen”. His experience here seems to be similar to the ones I have every time I come back. He also said: “I don’t believe there is anything in the whole earth that you can’t learn in Berlin except the German language”. Genau!

Photo: Hermano Silva

São Paulo is one of the less obvious cities that I know. The coolest things are not easy to be found. They can be hidden in places you had never imagined.

The barbershop Nove de Julho is one of this places. Localizated at the forgotten Galeria Ouro Velho in downtown the space is at the opposite direction of the once edgy and now posh Galeria Ouro Fino – also at Augusta Street. Barbearia Nove de Julho is attracting some of the boys with the best haircuts you can found around thanks to its manager, the barber and hairdresser Thiago. With a very sharp tool he can really give a new look for your beard.

The place is all decorated in a 50’s style and the radio is always playing old rock songs. It’s very common to see guys leaving with huge Rockabilly forelocks and hairdos. Not a place for girls – only the beautiful ones are allowed to come in – this is a men’s territory.

Where: Galeria Ouro Velho. Rua Augusta, 1371, loja 105.

Photos: Hermano Silva

Welcome to Bucktown and Wicker Park, a neighborhood at the North West of Chicago… The name Bucktown comes from the term “bucks” that means male goats. They were the ones that prevailed in the open fields of the area in the Eighteenth century.

From the Loop (downtown of Chicago) take the Blue Line subway to North. Damen is the subway station where you have to drop off to visit Bucktown.

The eclectic mix of old and new or classic and hip are everywhere like in this shoes shop with an old sign.

Historic buildings are now residence of artists, fashion designers and students.

North Milwaukee Ave has the best shops and it’s the livelier street.

The vintage shops are one more reason to visit. But at Damen Ave  you will also find from small boutiques of new designers to bigger names.

Do you remember the record store from the movie “High Fidelity” with John Cusack? Well, it’s inspired by the record stores of Bucktown. The movie is a homage to the indie Chicago and it’s community. My favorite record store is Reckless Records (1532 N Milwaukee Ave). The Championship Vinyl – the store of the movie – is now an empty place on the same block as Reckless.

The windows are always charming like this one that announces the Fall with trees and red leaves.

Graffitis are not so common in Chicago but here you can find some interesting Art Street.

Wicker Park – that you can see a bit far away in this picture – is also a cool place to visit and relax after walking around. But be aware of the traffic jam or full trains you may face around 6pm.

MORE:

Debonair Social Club: 1575 N Milwaukee Ave. The trendiest nights with a fashion crowd are there.
Plan B: 1635 N Milwaukee Ave. A option for those who want to avoid the gay neighborhood of Boystown.
The Flatiron Arts Building: 1579, N Milwaukee Ave with N Damen. Galleries and some artist’s studios.
Marc by Marc Jacobs: 1714 N Damen Ave. The same as others stores of the designer.

Photos: Hermano Silva