Cairo Dwek left behind her life as a model in Los Angeles to pursue her aspiration of becoming a fine artist.
Antagonist Movement
June 06, 2013 10:35 AM
New York City can be a harsh reality for a 20-something with big dreams and a small bank account. Each year, countless artists, musicians, writers and romantics alike flock to the city in hopes of changing the world through their talents. The Antagonist Movement, a social art movement born in NYC, strives to provide these artists with an outlet for their work.
Starting in 2000, The Antagonist Movement has helped over 3000 amateur artists find a venue to exhibit their work. Rejecting the standards and “rules” of mainstream art, The Movement works with many artists who are challenging traditional values and politics. Ethan Minsker, founding member of The Antagonist Movement, has been one of the many threads weaving together multiple projects, artists and, impressively, continents. The Movement works both nationally and internationally, bringing together a solid network of talented creators.
For 11 years, The Antagonist Movement put on weekly art shows at the bar Niagara. For many visual artists this was their first, and possibly only, art showing in NYC. The weekly showings have come to an end, but The Movement continues to provide outlets through an open-mic night on the first Sunday of every month at Black & White Bar in NYC. Actor Jonah Hill began his career at these open-mic events, quickly becoming a headliner. The movement artists also produce a fanzine, Psycho Moto Zine, both in printed and digital form.
On June 1, Antagonist artist, Un Lee, participated in the Howl Festival’s Art Around the Park live-painting event; this is an example of the widespread opportunity for artists through the movement’s networking abilities. Passion, talent and strong character are valued by the movement’s artists, and of course, a bit of punk rock spirit and a rejection of rules.
The movement’s second international film, “The Dolls of Lisbon,” is currently available for purchase on their website, www.antagovision.com, as well as on iTunes and Amazon. The film tells the story of the collective struggles on international and national artists to create art while living in an economically driven world. They shipped 100 blank-canvas dolls around the world to a variety of artists to be made into a work of art. Many dolls were then displayed at an annual art fair in Lisbon, Portugal. The “Zapatista Dolls” used throughout the Zapatista rebellion in Mexico were the inspiration for this project.
“The Antagonist Movement is not a style of art, but a group of artists with the goal of always creating something new,” said Minsker. What started as several artistically frustrated friends looking for a creative outlet has turned into a true cultural movement. Minsker exudes excitement and passion for his fellow artists. Thousands of artists, two books, four movies, and countless fulfilled dreams later- he is just as dedicated today as he was in 2000.
By Meghan Pero
Photographs By Roman Yee
related posts
Pointillism revived: Rising artist Cairo Dwek connects the dots
Christopher Russell Interview: Beneath the essence of clay
Christopher Russell spent his youth in a small town outside Boston, Massachusetts. According to his kindergarten report card, he had an “unusual talent for art”.
ALL WHITE Summer SOIRÉE Party
ALL WHITE Summer SOIRÉE Party was held on June 25, 2022 and the night started out with the beautifully dressed guests.
American Ballet Theater Summer Gala
Spring/Summer of 2022 has seen a rushing return of events, dressing up, and the social calendar.
Elizaveta Litovka ‘Flowierdy’ footwear sculptures Interview
Naïve Beauty: Flowierdy
Support people in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s said in a tweet on February 24 that “Now, more than ever, we need concrete support.”
SHIOTA CHIHARU EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
TWELV interviewed performance and installation artist Chiharu Shiota and discussed her personal and professional life, as well as her inspiration and what plans she has for the future. The COVID-...
OLAF BREUNING Interview
OLAF BREUNING Interview is now available!
QUERIES OF A QUIRKY MIND
...
RYAN MCGINLEY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Standing before the images created by Ryan McGinley, one becomes entranced by the irresistible visions of freedom and joyous irreverence.
YAYOI KUSAMA INTERVIEW "AN OUTSIDER TO INFINITY"
In Yayoi Kusama’s world, everything is a polka dot — the cosmos, the earth, the world, stars, the moon, and people.
Body Beautiful Exhibit Opening November 21st
“BODY BEAUTIFUL”
A Group Show Curated by Indira Cesarine
OPENING RECEPTION: November 21, 2019
INTERVIEW: GRACIE ELLISON PORTLAND BASED ARTIST
Gracie Ellison is a self-taught Portland based artist who focuses on canvassing portraits of grumpy and solemn faced women with use of patterns, textures and colour. She was drawn towards canvas...
MAURIZIO CATTELAN INTERVIEW "MAD SCIENTIST"
MAD SCIENTIST by MIGUEL FIGUEROA
WOLFORD LEADS THE SUSTAINABLE FASHION REVOLUTION WITH DUAL CRADLE TO CRADLE CERTIFICATION
Making History With The Aurora Collection
"GREETINGS FROM SWEDEN" BY RUVAN
Ruvan Wijesooriya is a self-taught American Photographer, who began by starting a skateboard brand before moving to working with clients such as Vogue, Samsung and many in the nightlife...
INTERVIEW: Adriana Wynne French-American multidisciplinary artist
French-American multi-disciplinary artist studying a BFA degree at Parsons school of Design in Fine Arts and acquiring a minor in Museum and Curatorial Studies.
ZIP III Opening March 9th
Like it or hate it, we live in a fully connected digital world these days.
INTERVIEW: FAHREN FEINGOLD CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ART
The name of contemporary American artist Fahren Feingold has become synonymous with fluid, feminine watercolours in her...
Interview: Lisa Ann Markuson on Modernizing Haiku
The minimalism of Haiku poetry– it’s English form dictated simply by the syllabic pattern 5-7-5– allows this traditional Japanese verse to span languages, cultures and ages.
Interview: Rebecca Leveille's Solo Exhibit "The End of Love"
Certain artists have captured the zeitgeist of a particular time and place in such a powerful way that history will forever be represented through their images.
Oussamah Ghandour’s Journey from Ad-Man to Painter
Do you remember that episode of Mad Men when Don Draper decides to quit the ad business and follow his true calling as a painter?
Jörgen Axelvall's "KÄR / LEK" Photo Exhibit in Tokyo
For Jörgen Axelvall, photography is a language.
Interview: Illustrator Roby Dwi Antono on his Startling Surrealist Imagery
In a single painting, Indonesian artist Roby Dwi Antono combines a breastfeeding lamb, a kiwi bird, power ranger, crocodile, and a child.
Interview: Bettina Werner's Pioneering Use of Salt in Art
Being an artist isn’t just a matter of creating paintings or sculptures in a particular medium, it’s about making your mark on history.
"One Year of Resistance" Recalls an Unsettling Year Under President Trump
During President Trump’s inauguration week, curator Indira Cesarine hosted a group art exhibition entitled Uprise / Angry Women in response to the election.
Artist-Activist Francesca Galliani Brings Her Messages of Empowerment to Fashion
Modern day social activism can be found and utilized everywhere from social media to organized protests.
ARTIST MISHA KAHN'S ANTI-RIGHT-ANGLE EXHIBITION "MIDDEN HEAP" ON DISPLAY AT FRIEDMAN BENDA
Artist Misha Kahn lives in a world free of right angles.
Interview: Lin Dai, CEO of Hooch, the Game-changer Drinking App
Hooch is here just in time for the holidays! The Hooch app is the first-of-its-kind, subscription-based drinking app, offering customers 30 free drinks a month for just 10 dollars.
Chrome Hearts Miami Transformed into Candy Shop and Gallery for Art Basel
Chrome Hearts is celebrating Art Basel at their Miami retail space with a pop-up confectionary and café, alongside the launch of group exhibition in their second floor gallery. The...
Indira Cesarine's "Only You" Art Series Visualizes Emotions after Betrayal
New-York based artist Indira Cesarine premiered the video format of her art series “Only You” at Art Basel Miami in 2010...
Chappy's "Dress the D" Halloween Campaign Promoting Safe Sex
The new-on-the-scene dating app Chappy has gained recognition for its mission and success in producing more meaningful...
Ashley Judd & Gloria Steinem Address Human Trafficking at Apne Aap Benefit
The award-winning actress Ashley Judd, luminous in a bisque maxi-dress, was feted at a Manhattan soiree on Thursday night.
Yayoi Kusama to Open Namesake Museum in Tokyo
On your mark, get set, go! Yayoi Kusama enthusiasts will be delighted to know that tickets to the venerated Japanese artist’s namesake museum go on sale August 28.
Just Cavalli Restaurant & Club Opening in Porto Cervo
From the brand that fully embraces the bold and vibrant Dolce Vita lifestyle, now comes the ultimate nightlife experience. On July 14th, the...
The witty pop art of Alessio Franceschetto
Minimal, quirky and straight to the point, all uniquely describe the work of artist Alessio Franceschetto, a superhero of graphic art.