Local Joints 2 & 3 | Bonjour, from Paris and Montreal

When we ask artists, “can we meet you at your favorite spot?” we almost always get a yes but it’s not always the easiest or most traditional locations we find ourselves at. But, who are we to say no to a trip? That’s something we’ll never do.

So, after Muncie, Indiana we found ourselves on a plane to Paris to meet up with painter and filmmaker Emmanuel Kazadi.

Having been born in the U.S., but raised between the Congo and France, Emmanuel is a citizen of the world. He’s no doubt a local in many zip codes but where he’s “from” and what he considers “home” are complicated questions. So, it was only after discussing a number of spots across the globe that we were able to find the place—a cafe on the outskirts of Paris, not far from where he went to school and came of age.

There we caught up with the artist about his unconventional path as an artist, what he and his friends mean when they say they have to “die empty,” and why, as of recently, he questions whether things have been going too well?

You can find our conversation with Emmanuel here:

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Oh, and obviously we happened to be in Paris during the pension protests. But what’s a trip to France without some burning, some windows getting smashed in, and then a glass of chilled red? Ah, the city of love. We for sure are not dying empty.

After refining our french in Paris, we found our way to Montreal to meet up with miniaturist Marina Totino.

At a laundromat that felt as though someone had left it mid-cycle, Marina spoke to us about her fascination with surrealism and nostalgia. But, more than that, we uncovered the source of her never ending desire to create places that don’t exist.

Believe it or not, Marina’s miniatures serve as a therapeutic escape for herself. But maybe for you, too?

Can’t say we’ve ever shot inside of a miniature—until now. Check it out below:

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merci Paris and Montreal.

That’s it from us for now. Talk from the road.

🏃‍♂️ 

-Jack

P.S. Feel free to respond and let us know where you’d like to see us go next.