Creator Spotlight: Kicki Yang Zhang
Kicki Yang Zhang is a Berlin-based artist, content creator, model, makeup artist, and fashion icon — you name it, she can do it all. The multi-talented artist can be found on Instagram posting her vibrant makeup looks and alternating hair-dos, posing in eccentric photoshoots, painting intricate nail designs, and even posting psychedelic short animations. Her creative endeavours have earned her a staggering 335k followers — her Instagram bio, which reads “the art of reinvention,” perfectly sums up Kicki's ever evolving appearance.
Musical Spotlight: Eli Smart
Raised by a family of musicians on the tropical Hawaiian island of Kauai, Eli Smart creates music in a genre he has coined “Aloha Soul” — a style that fuses the spirit of Hawaii with the grit of British soul music. Smart, who studied at the Paul McCartney-founded Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, pairs the vibrant sounds of the Hawaiian lap steel guitar with the dark, captivating sounds of the bass. The result is a groovy sound that references the styles of The Beatles and Tame Impala.
In the Loop: A conversation with crochet artist Alexandria Masse
In the 21st century, trends can emerge then disappear overnight. Brands can replicate fashion trends in almost real time, continually releasing new styles and collections. These trends cycle through eras; the cyclical nature of fashion allows trends to rise, fall, and eventually re-enter the mainstream years after their peak. Recently, an unexpected garment has resurfaced as trendy: the balaclava. So where can you go to find one of these eye-catching hats? We reached out to Alexandria Masse, a Canadian designer whose eye-catching balaclavas would add spark to any wardrobe. Here’s what she had to say about her craft — and her recent popularity surge on TikTok.
The BookTok Phenomenon: A conversation with Cameron Capello
Welcome to the world of BookTok — a lively community of avid teenage readers. The more you interact with these creators and their book-themed videos, the more they’ll frequent your for you page, and soon you’ll be enthralled by the many recommendations, POVs, fanarts, and cosplays displayed on the hashtag.
Issue 04: Seeing You Through Them
In her early 20s, an art history student on sabbatical found herself at the Tate Modern in London. Alone in a room full of people, ironically, she was only comforted by the artwork and its transfixing powers. The others in the room, unaware of the weeping young woman, engaged with the work, having their personal experiences. Some viewed the artwork under furrowed brows, some unbothered, some silently, and others loudly.
Issue 04: I Hate Thinking About Art: Life Through The Eyes Of A Writer
I hate thinking about art. I hate thinking about art within the confines of poetry on coffee stained book pages or globs of acrylic paint clinging to canvas. I hate thinking about art as a talent. I hate thinking about art as something that just a lucky few have the approved knack for. I hate thinking about art as a job. I hate thinking about art as only something you see, something that remains external from you. I hate thinking about art as a hat I get to put on, show off, and go to sleep without.
Issue 04: Interview with Oracle Bakery
Scrolling through your social media in the past year, you’ve no doubt stumbled across your fair share of frog-inspired creations. From Youtube creators like Melanie Locke to big-name brands like Duncan Hines, it seems like everyone is trying to re-create Oracle Bakery’s endearing butter-cream designs. The Audacity sat down with Claire Ma, the mastermind behind Oracle Bakery and its trending treats, to discuss cake art, social media, the pressure of the spotlight, future plans, and more.