Elizabeth Jordan’s Strength and Balance

Last Updated on Saturday, 17 September 2011 07:59 Written by Allison Rapson Thursday, 14 April 2011 07:13

On Wednesday April 13, the Urban Zen Center opened its doors for a very special evening: The Strength and Balance Private Fundraiser. The evening was special because of the extraordinary art enveloping the walls of the Stephan Weiss Studio, because of the vibrant mix of artists and lovers of art, because of the inspiring philanthropists who served as tangible proof that one life has the potential to change countless lives.

Introducing our first ever cultural ambassador – JR

Last Updated on Friday, 1 April 2011 06:57 Written by Urban Zen Friday, 1 April 2011 03:30

What can we say about JR? For months, Urban Zen’s Creative Director, Sonja Nuttall, has been poring over a book of the amazing public art he has created in diverse communities around the world. And then, she meets him at TED. JR, who usually prefers to remain behind the lens, has agreed to be Urban Zen’s first cultural ambassador.

JR, an innovative artist and 2011 TED Prize Winner, goes solely by his initials and is best known for plastering large-scale photographs in destitute areas around the world including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kenya, Cambodia, China, Israel/Palestine and the United States.

STRENGTH & BALANCE: A CONVERSATION WITH ELIZABETH JORDAN

Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 March 2011 06:45 Written by Urban Zen Tuesday, 29 March 2011 05:45

As our celebration of Women’s History Month comes to a close, we thought we would share with you an inspiring conversation that we recently had with photographer Elizabeth Jordan. Elizabeth’s captivating work is currently on display at the Urban Zen Center making for a truly beautiful exhibition illustrating the strength and balance of women.

Here, we share with you a little bit more about the woman behind the camera.

Nomad’s Russell James Talks Inspiration and Culture

Last Updated on Friday, 28 October 2011 01:37 Written by Urban Zen Thursday, 24 February 2011 02:47

Nomad Two Worlds launched this past Tuesday in Los Angeles, and we are honored to be a part of this amazing collaboration and movement uniting art, education and culture. We took some time with Russell James, the creator of Nomad Two Worlds, and got his insight on the exhibition, cultural education and collaboration. Russell is a renowned fashion photographer, enthusiastic humanitarian and close friend of Urban Zen.

NOMAD TWO WORLDS

Last Updated on Wednesday, 2 March 2011 01:59 Written by Donna Karan Tuesday, 22 February 2011 10:30

A CELEBRATION OF CREATIVITY, CULTURE AND COLLABORATION

There are projects you are simply born to be part of. For me, it’s Nomad Two Worlds, now unveiling in Los Angeles. I couldn’t feel more passionately about this amazing exhibit, especially having spent time this past November with Aboriginal tribes in Australia. To experience the spirit of these people, to see and feel the craft and wisdom of their traditions, is to understand why we must bring their artistry to the world. We must illuminate, educate and raise awareness while cultures like this still exist.

Nomad Two Worlds is a creative, multi-media collaboration I became involved with two years ago with the brilliant photographer Russell James, whom I met through my dear friend Lisa Fox, a fellow Aussie. Nomad Two Worlds is everything Urban Zen is about, and frankly, everything I’m about. Connecting the dots between the past, present and future. Expressing the artistry and soul of native cultures through the technology and creativity of modern artists. Most of all, Nomad Two Worlds is about preserving and exposing what is threatened to be lost forever – our individuality as people. Because as technology moves to make us all one, we lose the wonder and wisdom of where we came from.