Posts made in October 2019

rice university, 360 MAGAZINE, health, study, leukemia

Cocktail proves toxic to leukemia cells

Rice University, MD Anderson research points toward better personalized therapy

A combination of drugs that affect mitochondria — the power plants inside cells — may become the best weapons yet to fight acute myeloid leukemia, according to Rice University researchers.

A study led by Rice bioscientist Natasha Kirienko and postdoctoral researcher Svetlana Panina found that mitocans, anti-cancer drugs that target mitochondria, are particularly adept at killing leukemia cells, especially when combined with a glycolytic inhibitor, while leaving healthy blood cells in the same sample largely unaffected.

Their open access paper, a collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, appears in the Nature journal Cell Death & Disease. The research could lead to new ways to personalize treatment for patients with leukemia.
“We started with the idea of finding an underlying connection between types of cancer and their sensitivity to specific kinds of chemotherapeutics, mitochondria-targeting drugs,” Kirienko said. “Our bioinformatic analysis, which included 60 cell lines from nine different cancer types, showed that leukemia cells are particularly sensitive to mitochondrial damage.”

The researchers exposed the cell lines to multiple known mitocan molecules. They found low doses of a mitocan/glycolytic inhibitor cocktail killed all of the leukemia cell lines they tested at concentrations lower than what was necessary to kill healthy cells. Conversely, they reported that solid tumor cells, like ovarian cancers, proved highly resistant to mitocans. Glioblastoma cells were sensitive to mitocans, but unfortunately more resistant than healthy blood cells.

In their best experimental results, 86% of targeted leukemia cells were killed, compared to only 30% of healthy blood cells. “A number of drugs currently used in the clinic have some cancer preference, but here we’re talking about a five-fold difference in survival,” Kirienko said.
The researchers also showed a significant correlation between how efficiently mitochondria can turn energy from incoming oxygen into useful adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and how resistant they are to treatment.

“The more efficient they are, the more resistant they will be to mitochondria-targeting drugs,” Kirienko said. “If this holds true, doctors can perform a relatively simple test of this specific parameter of mitochondrial health from a patient’s sample and predict whether the treatment would be effective.”
Panina said computational models led them to think the glycolysis pathway could be enlisted to help mitocans. “Glycolysis also provides ATP, so targeting that will decrease energy as well as block the precursor for energy production in mitochondria, which mitocans will exacerbate further,” she said. “It led us to believe this combination would have a synergistic effect.

“Cancer cells are usually more metabolically active than normal cells, so we predicted that they be might be more sensitive to this combined strike, and they are,” Panina said.

Kirienko said a presentation of the research she and Panina gave at MD Anderson’s recent Metabolism in Cancer Symposium drew a large response. “People were very interested, and they immediately started asking, ‘Did you test my favorite drug or combination?’ and ‘Are you going to test it in a wider panel of cancers?’”

That work is well underway, Panina said. “We’re currently doing high-throughput screening of these potential synergistic drug combinations against leukemia cells,” she said. “We’ve gone through 36 combinations so far, building landscapes for each one.”
“And we found some that are more effective than what’s reported in this paper,” Kirienko added. “But we’ve also found some that are antagonistic — two drugs that negate each other’s effects — so it’s also important to know what therapeutic cocktails should not go together.”

Co-authors of the paper are postdoctoral fellow Natalia Baran; Marina Konopleva, a physician-scientist and professor in the Department of Leukemia at MD Anderson; and Rice graduate student Fabio Brasil da Costa. Kirienko is an assistant professor of biosciences.
The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, the Welch Foundation and the National Institutes of Health supported the research.

Read the paper at http://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-019-1851-3.pdf.

This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2019/10/31/cocktail-proves-toxic-to-leukemia-cells/

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:


Kirienko Lab: http://kirienkolab.rice.edu/index.html
Marina Konopleva: http://faculty.mdanderson.org/profiles/marina_konopleva.html
Rice Department of BioSciences: http://biosciences.rice.edu
Wiess School of Natural Sciences: http://naturalsciences.rice.edu

coco, pitbull, Armon Hayes, Vaughn Lowery ,360 MAGAZINE

Keeping A Dog In The Inner City: A Guide

Many people who live in the midst of a city crave the company of a dog. Living in built-up urban areas can sometimes be a lonely existence, and sometimes a dog is a soothing and comforting housemate that will keep you sane during rough times. However, when you live in such a busy area, it is important to do this responsibly. You want to make sure your pet is happy and contented in their surroundings before you shell out on such a big responsibility.

Check with your landlord
Before you head down to the pet store, double-check that your landlord actually allows pets in your property. You could cause real problems for your lease if you suddenly show up with an unexpected animal. If your landlord is reluctant, then have a clear and open chat about what type of dog you will be keeping and how you will look after it. If the landlord explicitly states that an animal is a no-go, then you may have to move.

Choose a breed that’s right for the area
Want to own a racing hound when you live on the 16th floor of an apartment block? That might be a bad idea. However, if you’re lucky enough to live in a house with a garden, and live near plenty of parks, you should be fine for more energetic breeds, such as labradors. Visiting a dog expert like Snowy Pines White Labradors will help you know if a lab is right for your family. If you decide a labrador is right for your family, then make sure you have plenty of room, and wide open spaces nearby to take them for runs. You need to give your dog what it needs and in this case, it is bigger space.

Be aware of the summer months
The warmer months can be incredibly tough on dogs. The sun not only makes it uncomfortable for them to exercise and move around, but it also dehydrates them. One extra consideration to make is how hot the pavement will get in direct heat. This could really hurt your dog’s paws, and so you may need to consider getting little covers for your dog’s feet. If in doubt, stick to shaded areas, and always bring water with you to keep your pet hydrated while the weather is intense.

Research daycare
Unless you happen to have inherited tonnes of wealth, your reasons for living in the city are likely to be a regular job. This means you will be away from your apartment and indeed your dog. If your employer doesn’t let you bring your dog to work, then you will need to research some daycare options. It’s not fair on your dog to leave them in a confined apartment or house while you go to work, especially in smaller city abodes.

There is an extra level of responsibility to consider when adopting a pet in the city. You have to be mindful of how you will exercise it and whether it will be truly happy in your living conditions. However, if you have the means to take it on regular walks, provide daycare and treat it with undying love, then you might just be ready for the adoption forms.

Lexus, IS 350, F Sport, automotive review, Vaughn Lowery, 360 Magazine

LEXUS IS 350 F SPORT AWD

By Vaughn Lowery

Have you ever driven on the streets and wondered, “Why people purchased this small Lexus?” At first glimpse, it’s unassuming and subtle. But after testing out the 2019 Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD, we possess an entirely different perspective. At roughly $51,640 USD, this model definitely is a contender for the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

DESIGN

The overall skeleton of the model hasn’t changed much in the last 20 years. The silhouette still appears somewhat the same. Of course, the most pronounced new features are the triple beam headlamps with a set of divorced daytime running lamps adjacent to an overly pronounced spindle grill. The front is aggressive and brave which fits in line with Lexus’s new mantra, “To be bold.” Once you stamp F Sport badging onto this vehicle, you get 18″ 5-spoke wheels and an interior which is unique in its class.

Inside, the cabin is quiet and the overall instrument panel dazzles. With the click of a button on the steering wheel, you can see different screens and reports which are mostly up to your customizations. The 10.3 inch infotainment system is sleeker and larger than its precursors. Middle counsel bears an arm control with a mouse-like joystick which allows you to toggle around the menu. The race-inspired front seats are heated and cooled as well as exhibits an F Sport insignia. Multi-adjustable, power front seating, allows the driver to feel more in control of the vehicle. There’s a ton of legroom in front if you push the seats back, only you lose most of the already non-existent legroom in the rear. All in all the car seats 4 comfortably but 2 of the adults shouldn’t be over 5’7. There’s no panoramic roof offered, but the sunroof makes it feel more receptive. Not to cite, the faux suede headliner makes the car feel luxurious. In accession, the analog clock in the center of dash adds a tinge of elegance with functionality.

Technology

Although Lexus Enform allows you to immediately speak with an operator for directions while in motion, there’s still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Yes, you can split the screen to view music while you watch directions, but it can get quite cumbersome while driving. And, since you want to pay close attention to the road, the dual/triple view can make it tough to focus on the mapped out routes which were programmed for your road trip.

The 10-speaker Premium Sound System adds an element of enjoyment which most models in its it class can’t come near to. So if you love music with heavy bass lines like we do, then this system delivers. In gain, the static Bluetooth capabilities along with Siri Eyes Free should keep you somewhat intuitive in this compact world.

We highly recommend this model for youthful car enthusiasts who reside in overcrowded urban centers. Short wheelbase, parking assist and backup cam makes it easy to fit in small parking places.

Safety

Lexus Safety System+ comes standard on this trim. It offers an array of modifications which will come in handy on extended trips where driver’s fatigue can creep in. On plenty of occasions while in heavy street traffic, the Pedestrian Detection alerted us to be cognizant of jaywalkers which is the norm in NYC. Furthermore, since the car sits low, many cars couldn’t take notice of its small physique, but our Pre-Collision System managed to keep us on our toes while others proved to cut us off. Moreover, while on long distance trips lane departure and steering assists came in handy alongside of radar cruise control. In increase, the Intellingent High Beam headlights work like a charm on the Brooklyn Bridge and inside the Holland Tunnel, providing us with ample light while inside those dark pockets.

Performance

With virtually the same powerplant of the 2020 Toyota Supra, this 3.5L, V6 aspirated engine outputs 311 HP with 280 lb-foot of torque. It may not be as responsive as its predecessor, the 2014 IS which possessed a 5.0L V8, but it unquestionably has its soul. Overall the chassis is nice and has a stiff suspension. In Sport+ Mode, the steering feels stiffest and the exhaust notes are intensified. The AWD adds about 200lbs to the car’s weight, but it’s easily worth it. Particularly, if you like to claw around corners while being planted. With 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined, she’s worth her weight in gold.

In short, the Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD is quick, nimble and delivers the right curb appeal at the right price. In fact, she’s approximately $10,000 less than a beamer which possesses far less features. Thus, if you’re in the market for a seductive compact sports sedan with a ton of driver intuitive amenities, then look no further.

For all things Lexus IS F Sport AWD go HERE.

360 MAGAZINE , Vaughn Lowery

5 Sure-fire Signs You Have a Pest Infestation

Pests can lead to a number of health complications if they are allowed to coexist with you in your home. Unfortunately, it can be months before a pest problem becomes blatantly obvious. Here are some subtle signs to look out for, all of which indicate that it’s time to take action and call on the experts. 

Holes in your clothes 

Holes in your clothes may be a sign of a rodent infestation, but silverfish are the most likely culprit. Silverfish are particularly drawn to fabrics with a high sugar or starch content, such as cotton, linen, silk, rayon, and leather. After they have indulged in a meal, your clothes will be left with tiny holes and may also sport a multitude of yellowish stains that can be difficult to remove. While ensuring that your closet is well ventilated and cleaning and vacuuming it on a regular basis is likely to help reduce silverfish activity, it might not be enough to get rid of these hardy pests entirely. You may need to call on the help of a professional pest control company, like Moxie Pest Control, for assistance. 

Droppings 

Excrement left behind is one of the reasons why pests are so dangerous. Rodents, in particular, are known to leave little pellets lying around on your kitchen countertops and in your cabinets. Inspect these areas regularly if ever you suspect that rats or mice have infiltrated your home. 

Unpleasant odors 

If you notice that your home has slowly developed an unpleasant smell, it may be a sign that pests have made their way inside. This horrible smell usually comes from pest urine and feces, but it may also be emanating from rotting bits of food that the pests have carried off and stashed somewhere. Either way, it is worthwhile trying to find where the odor is coming from and, if necessary, contacting the pest control professionals to come and have a closer look and deal with the problem effectively. 

Damage to your home 

Many pests are capable of causing subtle damage to various areas of your home, including the walls, floors, and wiring. You may notice that there are tiny scratch marks on the floor from sharp little nails and feet scurrying about, holes in the walls, and gnaw marks in your electrical cabling. Another visible sign of pests is holes in the cardboard boxes within your pantry. 

Evidence of nesting 

Most pests, and rodents especially, will take the time to create hospitable nests for themselves in small hideaways within your home. This is actually a good thing, as it makes it easier for you to detect their presence. Common signs of nesting include pieces of shredded paper, scraps of fabric, blades of grass, and leaves. 

Remember, pests can be dangerous, so you will want to remedy the problem as quickly as possible once you have determined that it is there. While natural, DIY pest control methods do exist, the easiest way to keep them at bay for good is to rely on the experts!

5 Tips To Help You Stay Safe While Traveling

Traveling has several incredible benefits, including the opportunity to meet people from all around the world, visit new places, and have many exciting new experiences. However, traveling to an unknown country can be daunting, and you must be careful to protect yourself and your belongings. To help you get the most out of your experience, here are five tips to help you stay safe while traveling.


1. Purchase a personal alarm


Personal safety alarms are small, portable devices that make huge amounts of noise (up to 130 decibels) when activated. They can be an effective way to startle an attacker, giving you time to get away, or they can alert people to your situation if you require help. Many travelers feel safer when carrying a personal safety alarm as it gives them an extra sense of security. You can find a wide selection of different alarms on the market today; make sure you consider size and alarm time when choosing one for your travels.


2. Do your research beforehand


Research the area you’re visiting to understand the culture, political situation, and to learn about the culture. This will help you identify any areas you should avoid on your travels, for example, locations that have a high risk of theft. It is also a good idea to research the area you’re staying in, along with transport options to reach your accommodation. That way, you will feel prepared, organized, and confident once you reach your destination. You can find plenty of useful advice and tips on different destinations by reading travel blogs or travel forums online.


3. Pack a portable security camera


There is a vast variety of technology on the market that can help keep you safe while traveling. A portable security camera is lightweight, discreet, and can easily be packed in your suitcase when you go away. Having a security camera in your hotel room will give you peace of mind that your valuables are safe when you’re not around. Many modern security cameras offer remote viewing and instant notifications directly to your smartphone. This allows you to view live feed and monitor the location on the go.


4. Keep valuables locked up


Keep any valuables you have locked in your bag or safe if your accommodation has one. This includes items like your passport, money, travel documents, and electronics. Avoid carrying your wallet, purse, or phone in your pocket (especially your back pocket), as this makes you an easy target for thieves. Consider purchasing a money belt to keep your cash safe. These are innovative belts with a concealed pouch to store your money securely and safely.


5. Avoid wearing expensive items


It is advisable to avoid wearing expensive items like jewelry, watches, or designer handbags when traveling abroad. These items may attract unwanted attention and could make you a target for thieves and other criminals. If you want to wear a watch, then choose a plastic or cheap model that doesn’t look flashy or expensive. Leave valuable jewelry at home and consider removing and locking up wedding rings etc. when traveling in certain areas.

Aidan Cullen, Halsey, Axwell, 360 MAGAZINE, Capitol Music Group

Axwell × Halsey

Acclaimed producer Axwell – of Swedish House Mafia, Axwell/Ingrosso – has remixed Halsey’s new single, “Graveyard.” Released today by Capitol Records, the track is available for download /streaming HERE. View the static video HERE.


Halsey performed “Graveyard” on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” yesterday. View HERE She is nominated for three American Music Awards – Artist of the Year, Favorite Music Video (“Without Me”) and Favorite Song – Pop/Rock (“Without Me”).


“Graveyard” is from Halsey’s new album, Manic, which is set for release on January 17, 2020. Fans who pre-order Manic in digital format will instantly receive “Graveyard” plus her 5x Platinum hit “Without Me” and “clementine.” Exclusive album/merchandise bundles are now available at Halsey’s online store.


Her 15th career Hot 100-charting hit, “Graveyard” has amassed more than 100 million combined global streams. Appearing on 41 New Music Friday playlists, “Graveyard” is the most added track of her career. It has topped Spotify’s Today’s Top Hits playlist. The official video – directed by Anton Tammi (Lykke Li, JIL) and starring Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria,” Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood) alongside Halsey – racked up more than four million views in the first 48 hours and now has more than 25 million combined views. PAPER likened the video to “a ‘Euphoria’ bonus episode.” Billboard said, “We all need an escape from reality sometimes, and in her new video, Halsey is taking us on the escape of a lifetime.” Check the clip out HERE.


Since 2015, Halsey has amassed over 23 billion streams worldwide and sold more than nine million adjusted albums globally. She has played sold out dates on five continents (including New York City’s Madison Square Garden), been nominated for a GRAMMY® and appeared on a wide variety of magazine covers, including Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, NYLON, Forbes, Playboy and Billboard. Her 2015 debut album, BADLANDS, was certified Platinum by the RIAA within one year of its release. Halsey claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 with 2017’s Platinum-certified hopeless fountain kingdom, which contained such hits as the 2x Platinum “Now or Never” and the 4x Platinum “Bad at Love.”


The success of “Without Me” has made Halsey the first and only female artist to have at least three songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 for 50 weeks each. Rounding out the trio of songs are the 2x Platinum “Eastside,” her collaboration with Benny Blanco and Khalid, and The Chainsmokers’ 10x Platinum “Closer,” which she featured on. “Without Me” spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in early 2019, marking her first solo single to reach the top spot. It now ranks as the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit by a female artist of this century. She is the first artist to rank at Nos. 1 and 2 simultaneously on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Songs radio airplay chart. In March 2019, Halsey became the first artist in history to replace herself at No. 1 twice on the U.S. Pop Songs Airplay chart when “Without Me” returned to No. 1, bumping “Eastside” from the top spot. “Without Me” is the most-played song of 2019 at U.S. radio. She featured on BTS’ Platinum hit, “Boy With Luv,” and, more recently, alongside Future on “Die for Me,” a track from Post Malone’s new album.


Halsey continues to push creative boundaries, expanding her influence and impact beyond music. After making her film debut in the animated 2018 summer movie Teen Titans GO! as the voice of Wonder Woman, she was seen in A Star is Born, starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. She continues to use her voice to speak up for causes she passionately believes in, including disenfranchised youth, women’s rights, mental health and the LGBTQ community. GLAAD honored her in 2018 as “Outstanding Music Artist.” She recently won the Hal David Starlight Award, presented by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, plus a VMA and two Teen Choice Awards.

 

FOLLOW HALSEY

http://iamhalsey.com

http://twitter.com/halsey

http://www.facebook.com/HalseyMusic

http://instagram.com/iamhalsey

*Photo Credit: Aidan Cullen

DeLeón Tequila, 360 MAGAZINE, spirits, drink responsibly, libations

CÎROC, CÎROC VS and DeLeón

Give the gift everyone will love this holiday season—alcohol! Whether they are vodka drinkers, brandy connoisseurs or tequila lovers, CÎROCCÎROC VS and DeLeón  have options that will make any liquor aficionado happy. Both CÎROC and CÎROC VS Brandy are distilled by time and sold at a reasonable price that will not hurt your bank account. DeLeón Platinum is everyone’s go-to tequila with the smoothest finish, and when you are wondering what to get the person who has everything, the high-end and luxurious DeLeón Leona Tequila is just the gift for them. Crisp and refreshing, this must-try tequila is a favorite among the elite tequila enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
 
CÎROC $29.99
CÎROC  White Grape is a limited time flavor of rich tasting spirit made with vodka five times distilled from fine French grapes, finished in a tailor-made copper pot still in Southern France.  The sweet complexity of distilled grapes, clean finish and absence of alcohol burn can be savored alone or mixed to release the true flavors in every cocktail.

CÎROC VS Brandy $42.99
CÎROC VS is a sophisticated spirit crafted from fine French grapes for a modern expression of classic French Brandy. True to the brand and its value, VS stands for “Very Special,” signifying the superior quality and craftsmanship of CÎROC VS.

DeLeón Platinum Tequila $60
A crowning jewel among tequilas, experience the top shelf and high-class tone of DeLeón Platinum Tequila. Exquisite highland agave is slowly roasted in traditional clay ovens for a subtle taste profile with a whisper of sweet agave, citrus, warm spice and smooth vanilla on the finish.
 
DeLeón Leóna Tequila $799.99
If presentation is everything, DeLeón Leona Tequila wins. It is beautifully paired with a python-skin flask in a limited edition box. Selected from a private reserve, this exceptional liquid is aged in robust American Oak, and then rested for more than a year in the finest French Sauternes casks. The result is a deep amber color with notes of fresh fruit.
 

Cyberattack, IAITAM, tech, 360 MAGAZINE

IAITAM v MICROSOFT

Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM) CEO Dr. Barbara Rembiesa issued the following statement today:
 
Microsoft’s announcement that it will let end-users buy some of their own apps and licenses through Office 365 should be regarded with great concern by business owners, financial officers, and IT Asset Management (ITAM) program heads.” 
 
“This is the road to chaos and monumental waste, particularly if other software makers follow suit.  By basically bypassing all controls on licensing and purchases within companies, it will be incredibly difficult to know what has been purchased, who has purchased it, when it needs to be renewed, what needs to be ‘patched’ and which software is no longer being protected against hackers.  The result will be a rat’s nest of confusion, bad records and huge fines.”
 
“For years now, I have emphasized that you cannot manage what you do not know you have. For that reason, IAITAM developed a centralized ITAM model that incorporates 12 Key Process Areas (KPAs) and a set of best practices that assists IT Asset Managers with executing those processes. These identified best practices allow the ITAM program to be centralized, while the people they manage have appropriate empowerment and decentralized control.”
 
“For the model to work, the ITAM Program Manager has to be able to set up a program that tracks and stores information about specific IT assets with a centralized view of those assets as needed and required for future planning and compliance purposes. This includes being able to identify what software is in the environment and ensure that the software is licensed properly. The program begins with Acquisition Management and ends with Disposal Management. During that lifecycle, a Software Asset Manager needs to know that what the organization has in its environment remains compliant.”
 
“However, Microsoft’s announcement will change all of that.”
 
“Microsoft has said that on Nov. 19, 2019, it will begin allowing end-users to purchase Office 365 Power Platform low-code services, PowerApps, PowerBI and Flow. The user would be responsible for paying for the transaction and the applications themselves would be licensed to the user. The specific services are meant for business users and not IT administrators nor developers. The way most prior and existing licenses have worked, users would have to get permission from their administrators (to include the IT Asset Manager) to add those services.”
 
“Under the new way of doing things, if an organization receives an audit letter from Microsoft, the software publisher will have information on what is installed or supposed to be installed in the environment as an outgrowth of the business-driven transactions. Because the end-user would be in control of the license, the IT Asset Manager would have no way to prove what licenses are in the IT environment. This could lead to huge fines, as well as a security issue. If Microsoft finds that the organization or its end-users cannot prove software license compliance, the publisher could receive millions of dollars in penalties because the organization would be out of compliance.”
 
“The job of an IT Asset Manager is to protect an organization from losing control over its IT assets. Remaining in compliance with software license terms is a major money-saving aspect of a mature ITAM program. Without being able to prove compliance, the program’s core competency would collapse, and its value would become severely diminished.”
 
Following ITAM best practices is a roadmap for organizations to protect and get the most out of their IT assets. IAITAM offers courses and training opportunities throughout the year for agencies and businesses seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity and IT management.

ABOUT IAITAM
The International Association of Information Technology Asset Managers, Inc., is the professional association for individuals and organizations involved in any aspect of IT Asset Management, Software Asset Management (SAM), Hardware Asset Management, Mobile Asset Management, IT Asset Disposition and the lifecycle processes supporting IT Asset Management in organizations and industry across the globe. IAITAM certifications are the only IT Asset Management certifications that are recognized worldwide. For more information, visit www.iaitam.org.

Machine Gun Kelly, Hollywood Whore, Halloween, 360 MAGAZINE, Interscope Records

MGK × Halloween

Machine Gun Kelly (EST 19XX/Interscope Records) presents the haunting video for his emotional song, “Glass House.” The riveting track showcases a spiraling MGK, who pays homage to everything from his life trials to late industry peers; including, Mac Miller, Nipsey Hussle and Chester Bennington. Director Jordan Wozy follows the dark lyrics with haunting visuals of MGK and Naomi trapped in a burning car; leaving the viewer to contemplate whether the incident is an accident or wildly premeditated. “Glass House” appears on MGK’s latest studio album, Hotel Diablo, alongside tracks “Candy” featuring Trippie Redd, “el diablo” and “I Think I’m OKAY” featuring Yungblud and Blink 182’s Travis Barker. Watch the video for “Glass House” HERE.

MGK has spent the year serving fans with a slew of new releases. He recently invited viewers on an intense journey with the visual for his track “5:3666” featuring Phem. He has brought his high, charismatic energy on the road, during performances his widely praised Hotel Diablo World Tour; a two-part endeavor which recently wrapped in Moscow, in late September. He also gained much recognition during his annual EST Fest, which took place in Butler, OH this August. Machine Gun Kelly is currently on tour with Young Thug, co-headlining the Justin Bieber Big Tour which is set to wrap in Los Angeles on November 18.

For more information visit www.machinegunkelly.com 
 

Machine Gun Kelly Hotel Diablo Album
Retail: http://smarturl.it/HotelDiabloMGK
Video: http://smarturl.it/GlassHouseVid

GR Gallery, Apnea, Johan Van Mullem, art, fine art, design, 360 MAGAZINE

Johan Van Mullem

GR Gallery is pleased to announce “Apnea,” the first solo exhibition of Johan Van Mullem with the gallery. The show, organized by Russ Basin, explores the artist unique creative practice and inspirational process of estrange himself. Apnea  will reveal the latest series of artworks conceived by the artist appositely for this occasion, together with some older iconic models. It will put together 25 original pieces, always executed with the artist’s signature gestural technique and striking early Rembrandt-like style. Together with different sizes of canvas works will be exhibited several preparatory drawings on paper. 
 
Opening reception: Friday November 22tnd, 6:00pm – 9:00pm (Exhibition Dates: November 22, 2019 – January 12, 2020). Members of the press can contact GR gallery in advance to schedule a private viewing and an interview with the artist. 
 
GR Gallery, 255 Bowery (between Houston & Stanton) New York, NY 10002 |  info@gr-gallery.com | tel: +1 212 273 2900
 

The title is inspired by one the artist’s most fierce passion that becomes the only way to take an appropriate break from the aberrations and disorders of the contemporary world, a sort of underwater meditation. The paradoxical notion that the self-awareness and social examination can be found strictly through the absence of these systems is explored through his relationship with the act of painting. A process that allows Johan to take the proper distance and become free to put himself, through his forceful gesture and unbiased inspirations, completely into the creative process. As he explains: “All my work is done as unconsciously as possible. I never program a work or attempt to elaborate on a sketch. I never try to impose my feelings or ideas on a work. I always work the same way, by trying to feel the medium, the music, the silence, or the size, whether it is sculpture, drawing, or painting. It is a question of energy and discovering the moment. One must always reflect upon what they discovered, until something new appears.” 

Apnea” aims to showcase the exclusive creative approach of Master artist Johan Van Mullem by unveiling a lavish selection of works that epitomize his carrier, marked by unique introspective psychological portraits slightly reminiscent of the Renaissance Flemish school. With the aid of vigorous brushstrokes, his powerful and dramatic aesthetic research is delivered by a strong color contrast that make the artworks uncommonly vibrant and luminescent capable to issue a vital and up to date energy.  

JOHAN VAN MULLEM was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1959 to Flemish parents, and spent much of his childhood following his diplomat father from country to country. He is a painter and sculptor known mainly for his powerful depiction of the human figure through luminous brushstrokes. He claims inspiration only from personal encounters with people on an everyday basis rather than aspiring to be like or to be inspired by any well-known artists, even though some merely aesthetic similarities with bacon, Goya and the Flemish school are perceptible. Van Mullem’s work can be found in public and private collections internationally, including collections in Brussels, London, New York, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles and at the Musee d’Ixelles in Belgium.