Introducing Guest Host, MegZany, Artist

03/06/19 • 42 min

This month we welcome guest host, MegZany who will be taking our mobile recording studio for a fierce ride bringing you a fantastic lineup of women artist's embracing sex positivity at the core of their work. Before we drop her first episode this Thursday (March 7, 2019), Andrew talks with Meg about her journey from corporate America to full-time street artist, feminism, and why she decided to focus on sex positivity this month as State of the Art's second guest host.

Guest hosting is a new project we're exploring on SOTA in 2019 as part of our initiative to be more inclusive, bring on diverse voices better suited to discuss certain topics, and to build community. Guest Hosts are invited to take full-ownership of their chosen theme, inviting artists, curators, collectors, influencers they believe will add a strong voice to the platform and their selected topic of discussion. If you are interested in guest hosting or have a theme suggestion, please comment on our Instagram @StateoftheArt.

-About MegZany-

From selling humans legally in the corporate world as a recruiter to installing art in the streets illegally, MegZany is leaving her mark on the world through street art.

MegZany is a Los Angeles-based street artist best known for her “Courage Has No Gender” campaign. Zany began putting up work in the streets in 2016 starting with her biplane + banner image and has quickly evolved her practice and expanded her reach from the streets of Los Angeles to cities including Brussles, Wynwood, Miami, Montreal, London, Kraków, Lyon, Paris, Berlin, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Boise, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Memphis, New Orleans, and Austin.The nature of Zany’s work is a celebration of contrasts, for instance, bold, assertive text paired with figures that connect with viewers on a different level, often evoking childhood nostalgia. Furthermore, an enthusiast herself from an early age, Zany celebrates the trope of flight and often utilizes images that depict aviation in her projects. One of Zany’s most iconic stencils is of Amelia Earhart paired with the mantra, “Courage Has No Gender” intended to generate awareness regarding societal gender disparity and encourage viewers to create an optimistic future. As a female street artist actively working in a male-dominated field, Zany herself is a modern iteration of Earhart as she fearlessly shares her hopeful message.

You can learn more about MegZany here

Or follow her @MegZany

-About MegZany-

From selling humans legally in the corporate world as a recruiter to installing art in the streets illegally, MegZany is leaving her mark on the world through street art.

You can learn more about MegZany here

Or follow her @MegZany

Previous Episode

Reflecting on "The Black Creative" with hosts Andrew Herman & Tre Borden

State of the Art host, Andrew Herman, returns to the podcast to unpack February 2019's theme, "The Black Creative," explored and produced by guest host, Tre Borden. Together they discuss inclusivity on platforms, how we (SOTA) and others can improve our approach and expand that dialogue, Tre's takeaways and the moments he found most resonant in the interviews, and how each artist brought a different perspective and served as a reminder that, yes, these are all black experiences but they're all uniquely individual. Tre also shares how he became involved in the arts and the conversations he aims to inspire through his projections.

Thank you Tre for being our very first guest host on State of the Art Podcast.

Next Episode

Sex Positive: The Art of Shaping Body Politics with Amanda Micallef, President & Co-Founder of Arsenic

MegZany kicks-off her month-long exploration of sex positivity with Amanda Micallef, co-founder and president of Arsenic, a media group focused on embracing sexuality and empowering women in the industry. Together, they discuss Arsenic's mission, how they're championing sexuality, the affects social media has had on the movement, and the backlash sex positivity faces amongst both men and women.

**Things to Note**

The name "Billy" comes up in this conversation, referencing Billy Hawkins, co-founder at Arsenic.

-About Amanda Micallef-

Amanda Micallef was inspired to co-found Arsenic because of her strong sex-positive feminism beliefs. Arsenic began as a community of female models where Amanda put the editorial power in the hands of the women themselves. Arsenic, since expanded into music, fine art, events, television, and beyond. Before founding Arsenic, Amanda spent 12 years as a producer of over 20 films, music video, and commercial productions, where she was responsible for all aspects of projects from inception through distribution.

You can learn more about Arsenic here

Or Follow them:

On IG

@Arsenic

@ArsenicGallery

@ArsenicAudio

On Snap

@ArsenicTV

https://www.weareelemental.co/