Modern Atlanta

Milan/Atlanta, MAfrique/MA’ology Africa…two different cities united under a single vision-celebrate contemporary Africa

April 2011. Destination: Milan, design capital of the world. Where: iSalone del Mobile, the worlds largest design event for the trade. Mission: Africa.


MAfrique Exhibition in Milan, Italy. A fresh new look at contemporary Africa and Modern Atlanta’s (MA) iSalone del Mobile debut and first collaboration outside the United States.

MA in its first activity outside the United States and in special collaboration with the highly regarded Italian non profit, CEFA Onlus, introduced MAfrique to the over 400,000 visitors attending iSalone. MAfrique, an exhibition about the emergence of contemporary Africa, its architecture, design, visual arts, and talented people. In June 2011, the excitement continued in Atlanta in MA’ology Africa.

MA’ology Africa

In Atlanta, Georgia, MA’ology Africa continued exploring our curiosity and fascination with Africa, and why the west in particular, now more than ever, is looking to Africa’s creative side for inspiration and ideas. MA’ology Africa comprised a fashion runway show, African drummers, documentary photography “The Lost Boys of Nigeria” by acclaimed African-American photographer Presscott McDonald, and the inspiring work of talented African photographer J. ‘Quazi’ King aka Quazimotto.On.Wax.

MA’ology Africa took place in June in Atlanta, Georgia as part of 2011 Design Is Human Week.


Photographer Presscott McDonald (l) discusses his work documenting the Nigerian Lost Boys (background)


MA’ology Africa attendees having a laugh with photographer J. ‘Quazi’ King (center)

MA’ology Africa was a fundraiser for the humanitarian relief agency CARE International in support of CARE’s mission empowering women and children in need in Africa and indeed around the world. To learn more about CARE, click here

MA’ology Africa, Atlanta, Georgia. Fashion courtesy Jeffrey New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions

MA’ology Africa was inspiring and presented fresh perspectives, because for the first time we journeyed to a different Africa, one that is contemporary, international, and sophisticated.



In curating the fashion for MA’ology Africa, Jeffrey’s (Jeffrey New York/Atlanta) inspiration for contemporary Africa focused on collections that are bold, courageous, and likes confidence, ranging from the beautiful bold jewelry of acclaimed eco jewelry designer Monique Pean to the bright Spring/Summer collections from the likes of Prada, Lanvin, Dries Van Noten, Marni, and other top designer brands. www.jeffreynewyork.com


MA’ology Africa, Atlanta, Georgia. Fashion courtesy Jeffery New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions


MA’ology Africa, Atlanta, Georgia. Fashion courtesy Jeffery New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions

This event celebrated Africa’s path to success and prosperity. MA’ology Africa represents new instincts and this massive continent’s inner beauty and creative culture interpreted by some of the world’s top designers.


Bold, beautiful, confident. MA’ology Africa model in Eco Jewely by acclaimed designer Monique Pean, courtesy Jeffrey New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions


MA’ology Africa models. Fashion, courtesy Jeffrey New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions

North Africa-inspired super low sectional seating by Jean Paul Gaultier (pattern) for Roche Bobois

Photography

Presscott McDonald
Acclaimed fashion and celebrity photographer Presscott McDonald hails orginally from Brooklyn, New York, and now lives and raises his family in Miami, Florida. After attending the Savannah College of Art & Design, he was offered an internship with renowned photographer, Annie Leibovitz.

The direction of McDonald’s new personal work leads him to explore the forgotten and unrecognized of modern society. In “Nigeria’s Lost Boys” project, his documentary work featured at MA’ology Africa and later in the year and strikingly curated by the talented Donnamarie Baptiste, an independent curator that works predominantly in the contemporary art world.


“Lost Boys of Nigeria”, documentary work of photographer Presscott McDonald. MA’ology Africa

The images depict the commonalities all Nigerians share with the young boys detained in juvenile detention centers such as the Brostal Remand Centre. Brostal is one of three facilities in Nigeria that house its under age law breakers and abandoned boys. The facilities lack both the proper personal health and educational needs to reform the misguided adolescence.

J. ‘Quazi’ King (Quazimotto.On.Wax)
Originally from the West African nation of Equatorial Guinea, Quazi moved to the US for college in 1999. King is a self taught Photographer, “Photography was like a screaming voice in my throat ready to burst out” After loosing the job he held for 6 years, he spent a long time soul searching for clarity and answers about how to apply the concept of loving what you do and getting paid for it.


work by Quazimotto.On.Wax, MA’ology Africa

More MA’ology Africa

MA’ology Afirca took to the runway to the beat of African drummers and sounds of African funk made popular by the father of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti as played by DJ Tony Sayso.


MA’ology Africa attendee and African drummer.


MA’ology Africa, Atlanta, Georgia. Fashion courtesy Jeffery New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions


MA’ology Africa, Atlanta, Georgia. Fashion courtesy Jeffery New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions


Attendee at MA’ology Africa.


MA’ology Africa, Atlanta, Georgia. Fashion courtesy Jeffery New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions


Attendees at MA’ology Africa.


MA’ology Africa, Atlanta, Georgia. Fashion courtesy Jeffery New York/Atlanta. Hair/Makeup, Authentic Beauty. All models, courtesy Catwalk Productions


Attendee at MA’ology Africa, work by Quazimotto.On.Wax. African Drummer (r)



MA is extremely proud to announce that MA’ology partners and support included Jeffrey New York/Atlanta, CARE International, Dewberry Capital, Roche Bobois, Catwalk Productions, Authentic Beauty, Lenox Cupcakes, and PRG.

MA’ology Africa photography by Jessica Steele-Harding and Patricia Andre.