Assemble Online Magazine

For those of you folks who weren’t able to attend the GEMS one-year anniversary party, not only did you miss out on good chocolates, fresh beats and awesome artwork, but you also missed a sneak preview of the Puma spring 2010 collection! Yes, I’m rubbing it in your faces, but its okay. I snapped some shots and even got a chance to chop it up with one of the Puma representatives who was present at the event. Big ups to Puma and GEMS for making a great event!

Minhjamin: What was the approach for the 2010 spring release for Puma?

Puma: We noticed the shift in footwear changing from the loud and colorful looks of previous years and went for a more subtle and clean cut appeal.

Minhjamin: That is definitely noticeable with the shoes you have on display. A lot of the shoes you have displayed are more sleeker and have a low profile look.  By the way, I’ve noticed the Puma Romas of years past has gotten a makeover.

Puma: You have a good eye. We have redesigned the Puma by making a Puma ‘68. We’ve added bolder colors, a higher toe guard with gum soles and added jagged cut edges to the top shoe collar. We also redid the G. Vilas.  Previous models were notorious for yellowed mid soles. As a result, we’ve changed manufacturing locations and have solved this issue. It was a hard decision to make since a good portion of fans liked the yellowed mid soles giving it an old school look. Also, we have given the Puma Match more colorway options such as the maroon pair you see here.

Minhjamin: Good to know the classics are still around and revamped for the upcoming year. I’m curious to know the story behind the shoes in the glass case. What are those?

Puma: Those are our latest cushion technology we are using on all of our running shoes. This model in particular is inspired from the Japanese samurai where warriors would wrap their feet with cloth. In this case, we’ve used Japanese selvage denim. There is no determined price range or distribution date for these just yet, but we’re anticipating them to be fairly limited.

Minhjamin: Impressive! I can’t wait to see more of the spring 2010 line ! Thanks for your time!

All photos courtesy of Mario Savage.

Legendary. Iconic. The Greatest.

No words — no matter how praising, idolizing, nor admiring — will ever fit best to describe the wonder that left our world last week. Even if in only a matter of days, weeks, months, or years we’ll unconsciously abstain from speaking Michael Jackson’s name in our daily conversations, his name will never be forgotten.

Peanut Butter Wolf, DJ, producer and founder of Stones Throw Records, put together this video medley only hours after discovering the news of Jackson’s passing. It played live at his VJ set at the Echoplex in LA later the night of June 25.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson, the legend, the icon, the greatest.

As a followup to his album, The Cool back in 2007, Lupe Fiasco is wrapping up the production of his new project, “Lasers.” His new album is set to release on December 29, 2009. This project includes special guest appearances by Bun B and Kid Cudi. Check out this teaser vid that previews the substance of the album:

First leak off the album: Lupe Fiasco ft. Mathew Santos – Shining Down

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

On July 3, the Crewest comes to you again with a dope exhibit bringing Texas graffiti art to Los Angeles. Each piece of the exhibit is made from some of the sickest graffiti artists hailing from The Lone Star State.  If you’re in LA, come check out what the Texas graffiti scene is all about. For more info, check out the Crewest website.

BEYOND MEDIA is putting together its ninth installment of its international festival for architecture and media. This year’s theme of “VISIONS” will be investigated through various installations and demos dedicated to reflecting on the visions brought forth by the forms and limits of contemporary architecture as well as looking at its art form in a way that go beyond the present.

The festival’s opening will take place Thursday, July 9, at 3 p.m. at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, Italy. The symposium starts the same day and will end Saturday, July 12. Curated by Pietro Valle, it will explore six themes: architecture, art, literature, the global city, communication and construction techniques.

Patrons can also enjoy a workshop to discuss the this year’s theme, an exhibition on projects of urban transformation, over 15 hours of video screenings displaying architecture from across the globe, and a series of special events throughout the duration of the festival.

Check out a few of the demo images:

I’m a huge De La Soul fan so you know I think this shirt is dope. UNDRCRWN released this tee as part of their caricature line. UNDRCRWN also has a bunch of other dope gear on their website. Check ‘em out.

That’s wassup.

Feeling creative and don’t mind getting a bit messy on a Sunday afternoon? Travel to the Blue Rooster Atwater Studios or Blue Rooster West at Meltdown in Los Angeles and learn the basics of silk screening using the sun and photo emulsion. From creating your own image to a finished print, Blue Rooster’s workshop walks artists, new and old, through the entire process sharing tips and tricks along the way.

Be sure to sign-up ahead of time, as the class only allows a maximum of seven to eight people at a time. Classes are from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Upcoming classes at Atwater Studios will be held June 28, July 12 and July 26. Meltdown classes are June 28, July 5 and July 19. For those who have their own supplies, the four hour-long workshop is $75 and is $200 for newcomers needing a start-up kit (which includes 1 screen, 1 squeegee, 1 at. photo emulsion, 1 qt. emulsion remover, scoop coater, 5 tubs of ink in your choice of color, and 1 set of clamps).

Stay fresh and full of life.

Atwater Studios is located 3245 W. Casitas, Los Angeles, CA 90039 and is open Wednesday to Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Blue Rooster West at Meltdown is located at 7522 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046. Call (323) 861-9471 for information on silk screening and other classes hosted by Blue Rooster.

The Grammy Museum is sharing a collection of some of Michael Jackson’s most iconic wardrobes worn throughout his career. The exhibit will also feature videos of the “King of Pop” and his memorable Grammy performances. So if you are in downtown LA, stop by the Grammy Museum’s third floor across from the Staples Center and check out the exhibit. Rest in peace MJ and keep it fresh Assemblers.