More than 1,000 guests flocked to SoHo Lounge to experience the work of emerging filmmakers, artists, musicians, and live performers at Ignite, presented by Gen Art and Beck's beer. "We felt it was important to have one large event that showcases everything Gen Art supports," said Monica Glass, Gen Art's regional manager. "Sometimes people just attend our fashion shows or film screenings and associate us only with that, but we support fashion, film, music, and art." She worked with Gen Art regional director, Julia Brown, and event coordinator, Rebecca Mandleman, as well as Cece Feinberg Public Relations, to bring the event to Miami for the first time.A red-carpet entrance led to the patio area, where guests enjoyed one of the several open bars courtesy of Beck's, Stella Artois, Bass Ale, Tanqueray, Smirnoff, and Fiji Water. Gen Art platinum members and associate producer members (who get all the perks of the former and then some) enjoyed a sneak peek an hour prior to the start time at a cocktail reception. Besides previewing all the art and meeting the artists, members dined on shrimp club sandwiches, pulled pork baguettes, and tapas from D'Vine District restaurant.
A performance by Parafernalia Productions brought the event's comic book heroine to life. The seductive moves of dancer Miuki Madelaire, who was dressed in skin-tight black vinyl with billowing red fabric, were mimicked by her just-as-skimpily-clad backup dancers. A video of the heroine in action served as a backdrop to the performance. The U-Go City Breakers, break-dancers from Ico U-Go Productions, followed with a high-energy routine of head spins, twists, and flips. Ignite gobos flashed over the dancers and pulsated to the beat during the routine.
Art filled the nightclub's indoor and outdoor areas. Guests first encountered an interactive graffiti mural being painted on a large wall by artist Ekipo. Later they left their own mark on the black and white mural with multicolored spray paint. Inside the club, various rooms were transformed with artwork. One space displayed the work of local artists, such as Gregor Busch, Sandra Bermudez, and Jean Villamizar. "Shorts on Fire," a series of films representing the best of Gen Art's shorts of 2005, was on constant rotation in an adjacent room, where guests lounged on comfy beanbag chairs with handfuls of popcorn and candy.
Upstairs, the performing arts reigned supreme with musical performances by Jacuzzi Fuzz and Flirting Through Violence. Onstage, models dressed in clothes made from chair covers moved robotically for the Art of Shade fashion installation. Life-size cardboard cutouts of the same models in lingerie were suspended from the ceiling along with other costumes.
Those wanting to be part of the art scene instead of just looking at it took a stab at Movieoke (think karaoke without the singing), where people reenacted car scenes from their favorite movies. Cinfinty Multimedia Production provided a mock set with an Acura TL and flat-screen TV monitors that displayed the scene of choice, including classics moments from Thelma & Louise, Clueless, and Wayne's World. Guests inside the car recited the lines as they appeared on the screen. Everyone who participated received a souvenir DVD of his or her performance.
—Vanessa Goyanes
Photos: Cinthia S (break-dancer)
A performance by Parafernalia Productions brought the event's comic book heroine to life. The seductive moves of dancer Miuki Madelaire, who was dressed in skin-tight black vinyl with billowing red fabric, were mimicked by her just-as-skimpily-clad backup dancers. A video of the heroine in action served as a backdrop to the performance. The U-Go City Breakers, break-dancers from Ico U-Go Productions, followed with a high-energy routine of head spins, twists, and flips. Ignite gobos flashed over the dancers and pulsated to the beat during the routine.
Art filled the nightclub's indoor and outdoor areas. Guests first encountered an interactive graffiti mural being painted on a large wall by artist Ekipo. Later they left their own mark on the black and white mural with multicolored spray paint. Inside the club, various rooms were transformed with artwork. One space displayed the work of local artists, such as Gregor Busch, Sandra Bermudez, and Jean Villamizar. "Shorts on Fire," a series of films representing the best of Gen Art's shorts of 2005, was on constant rotation in an adjacent room, where guests lounged on comfy beanbag chairs with handfuls of popcorn and candy.
Upstairs, the performing arts reigned supreme with musical performances by Jacuzzi Fuzz and Flirting Through Violence. Onstage, models dressed in clothes made from chair covers moved robotically for the Art of Shade fashion installation. Life-size cardboard cutouts of the same models in lingerie were suspended from the ceiling along with other costumes.
Those wanting to be part of the art scene instead of just looking at it took a stab at Movieoke (think karaoke without the singing), where people reenacted car scenes from their favorite movies. Cinfinty Multimedia Production provided a mock set with an Acura TL and flat-screen TV monitors that displayed the scene of choice, including classics moments from Thelma & Louise, Clueless, and Wayne's World. Guests inside the car recited the lines as they appeared on the screen. Everyone who participated received a souvenir DVD of his or her performance.
—Vanessa Goyanes
Photos: Cinthia S (break-dancer)
Break-dancers from Ico U-Go Productions spun, flipped, and twisted for the crowd at Gen Art's multimedia event.
Local graffiti artist Ekipo painted a mural during the event, and guests later had the chance to add their own artistic touches.
Miuki Madelaire (center) from Parafernalia Productions brought Gen Art's comic book heroine to life.
Cardboard cutouts and garments were suspended above the stage for the Art of Shade fashion installation.
