Last week, an incredible contemporary art collaboration took place in New York that has caused a stir in the art community. Meet influential artists: Diane Azrak and Arlette Tebele of Brooklyn New York. Diane Azrak of @PhotoNoire, is a raised fashion photographer who has turned her love of photography into an art, not only for her clients but as a lifestyle. Her signature flair is influential in making black and white photos cool again. Azrak studies photography in NYC at Parsons School of Design and is dominating the art field with her most recent exhibitions and strong social media presence. Her latest art exhibition, “Collab at the Lab,” held at Gowanus Print Lab, debuted a collection of original work and collaborations with fellow artist and Illustrator, Arlette Tebele.
What sets Diane Azrak apart from most photographers is her different alter egos, which she lives through her multiple social media account. Her first photography account on Instagram is @di.not.dee_photo, where she documents her colored photos of clients, usually of engaged couples wanting cute pictures or people just wanting professionally taken photos for their work or social media. It is no doubt that Diane can direct a professional and impressive photoshoot and print them out to look beautiful. However she has another side to her, which is more artsy and daring as a photographer, called @memoir.noir, where she strictly curates the account to be uniformed in simply black and white. Each picture is eclectic and stunning, having a vintage and warm feel to them. The name of the account, @memoir.noir is derived from the Iphone filter called “noir,” which edits pictures to be black and white. Her unique approach to art and photographer is a pleasure to look at and this is due to the fact that Diane’s works are usually constructed by an impressive abundance of layers and depth in anything that she uploads or publishes. She is a freelance documentary, portrait and editorial photographer, who’s work has appeared in numerous publications and social media outlets.
Her photography covers a wide range of genres, including editorials, fashion, traveling, art, glamour, lifestyle and personal documenting. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Diane was exposed and influenced by the city’s culture and energy, which reflects in all of her photos and this is just the beginning of the young photographer’s journey. Diane is an upstanding person who has traveled the world far and wide and has thankfully brought along her camera for us to see. Her unique approach to art and film is what sets her apart, having a classic feel with her photos but with an edge.
Diane has exhibited pieces in local community shows here and there, but this exhibition was her first big show exhibiting over 3 pieces of work. Diane has always had a close relationship to photography. Her uncle, who is a photographer, bought her first camera for her 9th birthday and has been her mentor ever since. She has grown up documenting her life with her point and shoot digital cameras long before iPhones and Snapchat. Over time, Diane had noticed her sensitivity for light and detail had been a consistent thread through her work. She is very inspired by memory and moments and the role photography plays within capturing that, as well as using images to convey a visual language. Being so inspired by light, Diane begun to experiment with colored and neon lights, looking for ways to bridge the relationship of light and sculpture to photography. Photography has taken such a digital route as social media and technology have taken over, and she would like to bring materiality back into the medium by making more sculptural works.
Arlette Tebele, on the other hand has been featured in various art exhibitions and charity art shows in New York and New Jersey. Arlette’s favorite show was actually aired on Million Dollar Listings! However, this was the first time where the exhibit is featuring just her and one other artist, which was pretty exciting!
Diane was introduced to the venue, GPL by Arlette, herself. They’ve been wanting to collaborate for a while and had hopes of working on a show together. So, when Diane was presented with the opportunity to work in the space, Arlette introduced her to the lab. Arlette first got involved from a friend who had seen her art and thought she’d be perfect for the space, which naturally led to this exhibition. She’s been hoping to become more familiar with the process of exhibiting and all the work that it involves. She also was excited to meet cool and new people within the art industry while additionally getting inspired by their visions and creations! Her work is mainly a collection of playful and nostalgic pieces. The overall theme for the work tends to focus on the idea of not taking life too seriously. I love having fun, and honestly never want to grow up! All the art I do is experimental. She try as she gos, and if she messes something up – that’s art too. She uses a wide range of mediums from spray paint to digital illustration, presumably with software like ibis paint for pc. Arlette use stickers, comic books, skateboards, anything that catches her eye, really! She has always wanted to do her own show, but never felt like she had the guts to actually do it. But when Arlette got this opportunity, she immediately accepted, and couldn’t be more excited!
Collaboration has always been a big part of their work and process. Whether it be with other artists, or collaborating on ideas with mentors and peers they find there is always something to be learned and seen through the eyes of others. In this case, collaborating with each other and seeing the way they works with different mediums has led them both to see their work in entirely new ways. Collaborative work is one of the highlights of being an artist. Two people share their ideas and turn them into creation. It’s a lot of fun to unite perspectives and watch them come to life. They both benefit personally every time they work with another artist, whether it be through learning new techniques, gaining new ideas, or even sharing a bond.
For future projects, Diane definitely thinks screen printing screen printing will be a part of her process later on. She already has begun thinking of a project that it would be useful for and she loves the idea that the process is so mechanical and exact. Arlette has also been looking into screen printing for a while. Andy Warhol, the master screen printer, is an artist who deeply inspires her. She loves the way screen printing captures an element of art that can’t be done otherwise. Diane has recently been working on a large self titled book for Memoir Noir, which will incorporate most of the work in this show, along with many other images she has been taking like them over the years. As well as continuing to work and experiment with light and sculpture in relation to photography, creating that relationship, allowing the work to live in a physical space, as well as creating something truly unique that the art world has not yet seen.
