Inside Chicago's Exxxotica Porn Expo

[Originally published in office magazine Issue 20. Get your copy here.]

The Brooklyn Academy of Music Celebrates Solange and Mikki Shepard

May 06, 2024

Established in 1861, the Brooklyn Academy of Music has evolved into a revered emblem of New York City's cultural scene, passionately dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of performance.

Each year, the academy's programming steals the spotlight at its Spring Benefit gala, showcasing its enduring impact. This year's gala honored the groundbreaking musician and artist Solange, arts producer and arts activist Mikki Shepard, recognizing them as bold visionaries who epitomize BAM's core ethos. Amidst captivating performances by the Alva Rogers Puppet Theater, the mesmerizing melodies of harpist and composer Nailah Hunter, and the soulful tunes of singer-songwriter Beverly Glenn-Copeland, attendees reveled in an evening of artistic brilliance, fueled by the electrifying sets of DJ Bembona and DJ Lovie.

Photography by Jesper D. Lund

Shepard's unwavering commitment as a BAM consultant and board member was rightfully acknowledged, while Solange's curated Eldorado Ballroom musical series, which drew sold-out crowds last spring featuring luminaries like Kelela and the Clark Sisters, further underscored the duo's profound impact on BAM's cultural landscape. Before accepting her well-deserved accolade, Solange was introduced by her friend and fellow artist Toyin Ojih Odutola, who highlighted Solange's insatiable thirst for knowledge and her role not just as a performer and creator, but also as a visionary shaping spaces where Black women can thrive. Draped in a stunning ensemble from Acne Studios, the singer delivered a poignant acceptance speech, offering heartfelt reflections on her personal journey towards joy. Check out the captivating snapshots of the evening, from the artist's preparations at WSA to their gathering with friends at The Fisher.

Find God: Nick Sethi

May 04, 2024

"Simon’s prompt to me was as simple as it was impossible… in 12 pages, 'Find God.' These photographs depict a 300 year old sacred tree in Tamil Nadu, one whose root system connects both below and above ground, whose trunk is the mother and roots and branches are her children, whose caretaker nicknamed Ma hasn’t left her side in decades, who my friend Paige and I got lucky enough to travel days towards and spend hours with, who met my own mother over FaceTime, who started as a tiny seed and has evolved into a whole universe, home to termites, puppies, poisonous snakes, rituals, wishes, intentions, water, air, wind, fire, and most importantly, faith.

My camera is my religion, my spirituality, my mindfulness practice, and my tether to all. My reason to pay acute attention and my way to connect and respect. The shutter button is my favorite thing in the world. Every click is a small “I Love You” and not a moment is ever wasted. It’s my way of noticing what I’m already noticing, examining it, being thankful for it, and even letting it pass. I’ve clicked well over a million frames so far… I’ve counted. I don’t know if I need to find god, but I’m excited to keep looking."

Photography Nick Sethi
Photo Assistant Paige Labuda

Find the rest of this story in Issue 21.

Synchronicity: Maisie Williams

And who better to speak on personal revelation than an actor who’s grown up in the spotlight, a crucible of self-perception? Amidst the distractions of stardom, the Game of Thrones star’s enduring self-confidence has given her something we all should be envious of: she knows who she is, the path she’s on, and how to traverse the unpredictability of life.

With a range of diverse projects under her belt since the finale of Game of Thrones and a highly-anticipated Christian Dior biopic series freshly out on Apple TV, Williams finds herself increasingly grounded by her own private revelations. She takes the time to explain herself, responding directly and without hurry to my deeply personal questions about meditation, social pressure, and self-perception with honesty and an engaged sense of humble self-assuredness.

By the end of our conversation, I felt a sense of illumination from our time together: like my own philosophies around serendipity and the flow of the universe had been truly seen in a rare moment of human connection across screens.

For this feature, I wanted to present William’s thoughts unobstructed by anything more than this introduction. A snapshot of her current state of mind and own private revelations: perception and epiphany in a beautifully clear understanding of the world.

ON FINDING JOY IN THE SMALL MOMENTS

I love the simplicity of life, really. The things that bring me the most joy are just seeing my post lady, going to my local yoga place, and seeing some of the ladies that I practice with there — just real simple things.

I recently had my pipes freeze over, and so I went to my neighbor's house to take a shower, and I felt part of the community in a way that's just very simple and beautiful. I’ve just been nurturing my circle and my world to a point where I find these little synchronicities, which is really beautiful.

Find the rest of this cover story in Issue 21.