Aleksandar Grozdanovski: Q&A

This months cover featuring a photo(KKW)
from "Loft in the red-zone"

Aleksandar Grozdanovski-A.K.A: "Herzel"
self portrait. photo courtesy of the artist.

Photographer, DJ, Sound Engineer, Producer of music, Artist.

Herzel Live @ kod! Photo courtesy of the artist.

All these things and more can be said about Aleksandar Grozdanovski of Skopje. A  DJ whiz in his own right and a clever eye for meaning within imagery and sound. 

SP: Aleksandar, thanks for the interview.

AG: Your welcome Kerwin, thanks for taking an interest.

SP: When did you start getting into music production?

AG: All my life I'm occupied with music! I was playing piano and a little bit guitar in elementary school. After that I got into dj-ing. Still dj-ing from time to time. Then as an artist I was using sound in the art context. In the production of my own stuff more seriously the last two years under the moniker of Herzel. 

SP: Given that music entails a lot, what is your role in production?

AG:My role is everything in the production, from track writing, playing and mixing to cooking and cleaning the apartment:)

SP:What music projects are you working on at current?

AG: Waiting for my first 12" vinyl to drop out next month for belgian label Moody Heights, a sub-label of Other Heights. Working on a new EP with my girlfriend and regular collaborator Genoveva. Her involvement in the creative process beside vocals is equally important in the creation of the music. I have to mention also my involvement in a band with my friends. We are in the process to define our sound, but anyway it is going well so far.

SP: Everyone is influenced by someone, music-wise who are they for you?

AG: Tough question... Many great things in music, from indie, shoegaze to experimental electronica and detroit techno, The list with names will be too long:)

SP: I've seen in your facebook profile your an "Anarchist", what's that about(briefly)and does it flow into your creativity?


AG: It is more about quasi personality in the virtual world. Also if you noticed in a religious views says Buddhist! So, it is written more in a parody way and not taking so seriously the "Facebook" world:) 


SP: I noticed the Buddhism my friend:) but Anarchy is edgy and wakes people up, had to ask:)


SP: As far as photography, what got you into it?


AG: My passion for cinematography in the beginning. Through "moving pictures" my interest ended in the magic of single frame. That's how i've got into it...


SP: That is awesome! Its the same with me. The style of certain cinematographers floats into my photos.


SP: Who are some of your favorite photographers?


AG: I will mention only  Bernd and Hilla Becher, but there are many more!


SP: Macedonia is a beautiful place, but has its share of problems, do you think its a good environment for creativity?


AG: Any environment is good and bad in the same time, depends a lot in which mood you are and the way you live. But if you are open, and creative person you will find the way.


SP: Aleksandar, nicely said. Congrats on the vinyl drop, let me know where I can order one. And thanks again for taking the time. Cheers!


Aleksandar(Herzel)is from Bitola Macedonia, now working an living in Skopje, capital of Macedonia. He was born August 9th and studied at NATFA. If you would like to know more, go to: www.soundcloud.com/herzel Interview by K.K.W. "Art is the reason, art is the way" 

Wall Street: "Rome" is burning? Part 3; On the front lines

This months cover featuring
a photo(K.K.W)from "Loft in the red-Zone"

It was a strange feel being amongst them,
as I don't know very many people willing to
sacrifice their time or their safety for some
greater good. It leaves you feeling
happy and sad.

Even if you didn't know there was going to be a protest rally starting at Zuccotti park, you knew something was up. Media vans were parked up and down Broadway in Manhattan, reporters hovering on the edges of the protesters HQ(Zuccotti park). Various protesters were stationed at the east and west end of the park; signs up, voices high, projecting towards the passing crowd. The park had become a community of sorts, people working in groups, while others rested for the next shift. Their com-link was up and running, coffee was at the ready, food(donated by supporters)was being organized. Buttons were being made, flyer's unpacked, banners made, and the basic sanitation needs of the park was being met. People took turns sweeping, and cleaning up. 

Media and reporters were there throughout the
morning and the day. Most were from the lower
levels of the media world.

Some of the protesters laundry is done by supporters. The whole park was alive with the collective will of those who now, called it home. The police were out in force but didn't seem to worried about  what they were seeing. After speaking to some of them[protesters] I learned that its various small groups who came together to form the collective, stationed at the park. Just about everyone was talkative and focused in one way or another. I got there at about 11am, and left at 2:34pm to visit my friend Marika, at the "Loft in the red-zone" exhibit at 23 wall street. When I got back the rally had started and people were already marching towards Centre street. Students who had walked out of class, teachers, union workers, and various individuals who had come on board for the cause. The drummers had begun to beat and beat, leading the people forward like the mythic call "to arms"!, "to arms"!, forward march! The collective will was such that at any moment sparks could fly at any moment. I grateful to be alive in this corner of time in the world, whatever it meant. "...There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were wining. And that I think was the handle, that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of old and evil. Not in any mean or military sense, we didn't need that. Our energy would simply prevail. We had all the momentum, we were riding the crest of a high,  and beautiful wave"...People were looking out from their office buildings and expansive homes, with a look in there eyes that could not easily summed up. Shop keepers cheered and showed support. Some showed signs of anger and disbelief. It really was a huge amount of people.

Its still hard to believe that so many of them
are sleeping there, and toughing it out.
One young woman,
 Zebeyda, from New Jersey,
subleased her apartment
so she could stay in the city till spring

When we all got to Centre street area many others were waiting, and small crowds were waiting on the sidewalks, and on the steps of the immense court house. The scene was powerful in its potency, much so, like a similar scene had played out more then 2,000 years ago, for almost the same reasons. "Rome",  is burning. What are you planning to do about it? Article and photos by K.K.W. "Art is the reason, art is the way". If would like to know more, go to:www.occupywallstreet.org 

The kitchen area.

I have to say the NYPD was on the job and
there were no acts of brutality,  or unreasonable
treatment of the protesters that I saw.

"Wall Street": Rome is burning? Part 2

This months cover featuring a photo
from "Loft in the red-zone" exhibit,
at 23 Wall st for the rest of the week.

The whole place felt like a strange outcast community.

These photos are from the "Occupy Wall street" protest HQ in Zuccotti park,  in lower Manhattan, which was on 10/5/11. It was about 11pm when I got to the park.There was a rally that was going to start at about 3pm. It went from the park to Centre st court sector, photos from that will follow shortly. Photos by K.K.W: Nikon Cool-pix L22

The media were there in droves from every
level. More cameras and mic's then I've ever seen.

The park was a fully functioning world, with food donated
(there was even pizza, I got a slice), laundry done by supporters,
com-link(wi-fi), and places to sleep.

Money was being stamped for spreading the word.

This is when Mark Ruffalo showed up.

He seemed very interested in what was going on. 

He stayed to answer some questions and then
made a his way out. But his presence really
caused a stir and added some force to the scene. 

Zubeyda(left) and her friend. She had
a lot to say about Political views, and
where lives, New Jersey. 

This is there food station. All of the food, water,
coffee, pizza, veggie burgers were donated
by supporters.

Mark Ruffalo again

This is when the Rally started moving towards Centre st

As the protesters were going by
I tried to get shots from an angle
against the construction site
at Fulton st. Mans machines and
creations towering over them.