International Arts Movement congratulates IAM members Adam Browne, Brendan Choisnet, and Daniel Nayeri of Cult Classics, LLC for their upcoming feature film, “The Cult of Sincerity,” being released April 8, 2008.  The film will be the first feature ever to have its world-premiere on YouTube.  For more information, see Cult Classics’ official press release below or visit www.cultofsincerity.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:

Ben Laurro, Pure Publicity
(615) 595-8466 or (818) 753-4056

“THE CULT OF SINCERITY” FIRST FEATURE FILM TO HAVE WORLD-PREMIERE ON YOUTUBE

Redemptive comedy sees friendship, regret, and hope in an age of cynicism

Brooklyn, NY, March 20, 2008 – In what many are calling a “tipping point” in independent movie distribution, three redemptive filmmakers, in partnership with YouTube, will release their feature-length film free of charge on the world’s most popular video sharing website. The world-premiere of “The Cult of Sincerity” is slated for April 8, 2008.

“Five years ago, even two years ago, releasing a full-length feature online would not have been possible,” said filmmakers Adam Browne, Brendan Choisnet, and Daniel Nayeri of Cult Classics, LLC. “Independent filmmakers are democratizing Hollywood. The online generation is looking for good content, and we believe ‘The Cult of Sincerity’ will be embraced by the college and career audience.”

An intellectual and off-beat comedy set in New York, the film’s main character, Joseph, starts a “cult of sincerity” to confront the perceived unhappiness, cynicism, and boredom of his generation. He wants to find something to believe in, something simple enough to put on a T-shirt. Reminiscent of Don Quixote, Joseph sets off to find the most genuine thing you could ever say to someone. The Cult of Sincerity is a witty exploration of changing friendships, permanent regrets, and hope in the age of irony.
Cult Classics is creating a new revenue model for independent filmmakers. By partnering with the independent music website, AmieStreet.com, the film will be available to audiences free of charge, while still generating revenue for the filmmakers and providing financial support for an African charity.

The goal is to get viewers to watch “The Cult of Sincerity” on YouTube, as well as sign-up with AmieStreet.com through the film’s link at www.amiestreet.com/cultofsincerity where the registrant will receive two free songs and the filmmakers $2. Cult Classics also is offering a mobile download (iPod, portable device) for the discounted price of $3, with 2/3 of the money going to Fount of Mercy, a respected charity that helps children in Africa (www.fountofmercy.org).

“This is the triple-bottom-line approach to entertainment,” said Erik Lokkesmoe of Different Drummer, a global grassroots marketing company that is promoting the film. “Three things happen when people watch this film. They support the independent filmmaker. They receive free songs and an entire online experience. And they help a charity. This is the future of film.”

For more information on “The Cult of Sincerity,” contact Ben Laurro at Pure Publicity or visit www.cultofsincerity.com. Advanced online screenings for reviews are available upon request.

NEW YORK, NY, March 3, 2008 – International Arts Movement congratulates IAM Board Member James Elaine for being selected as a 2008 Ordway Prize Recipient.  Elaine, UCLA Hammer Museum Curator, will receive an unrestricted award of $100,000 as an acknowledgement of his many contributions to the arts world.

In 1999, James Elaine became curator of the “Hammer Projects” series, a program that Elaine and Director Ann Philbin created, where he has organized over sixty-five exhibitions including three large survey shows.  Prior to that, he was the curator for the Drawing Center’s “Selections” series in New York City.

Elaine is particularly respected for his consistency in showcasing artists very early in their careers, often for the first time in an institutional setting, and thereby introducing the public to important new forms of expression. Among the artists to whom Elaine has given critical early support are Kara Walker, Layla Ali, Janine Antoni, Mark Bradford, Teresita Fernandez, Mark Grotjahn, Glenn Ligon, and many others. Elaine will become Adjunct Curator at the Hammer this month as he embarks on a year of research and independent curatorial work in China.

James Elaine joined the Board of Directors for International Arts Movement in 2007.  His insight and expertise on matters of art, faith and humanity have proven invaluable to IAM.  Says IAM Executive Director Bryan Horvath, “We are fortunate to have Jamie involved in our movement and are thrilled for him to receive this recognition."

Co-sponsored by non-profit group Creative Link for the Arts and the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, the Ordway Prize was established in 2005 to celebrate mid-career artists, curators and art writers.  This award – an unrestricted prize of $100,000 – is one of the largest cash awards in the visual arts.

LINKS:

TM SISTERS OFFICIAL WEB SITE

Full Press Release

Save the date:

IAM Annual Conference: Feb 28-Mar 1, 2008 (NYC)

NEW YORK, NY, August 23, 2007 - International Arts Movement congratulates Regional IAM/Miami leaders Tasha and Monica Lopez de Victoria, a.k.a. The TM Sisters, whose art is featured on the cover of September's ARTnews magazine, where their innovative and cutting edge interactive performance art has earned them recognition among the "25 Trendsetters of 2007."

According to ARTnews, the TM Sisters "represent a new generation of Miami artists."  Through works such as Super Bolt, a video game/performance art piece where dance skills can save your life, they define an art medium that combines elements of video games with video and performance art.  The TM Sisters' artistic expressions have been described in other media as “visually appealing, optimistic and fun*” and “inspired,” “exceptional,” “unique,” and “spirited.**”

The TM Sisters, both in their 20's, already boast a remarkable C.V. that includes group exhibitions in Poland, Denmark, China, Russia, Iceland, England, Canada, Germany, and Norway, in addition to Boston, New York, Miami, and other U.S. cities.

“We are delighted to see Monica’s face on the cover of ARTnews, one of the most influential art magazines in the world,” says Makoto Fujimura, founder of International Arts Movement.  “The TM Sisters are not only artists of excellence and innovation, but are also leaders in the Miami IAM group, and we expect that this is just the beginning.  The respect they are receiving from the Art world is well deserved, but we are also delighted to have them journey with us to re-humanize the contemporary art scene.”

To learn more about the TM Sisters, visit them at www.TMSisters.com.

For a download of this news release, click here.

*http://www.wdwdw.de/filter/TM Sisters.txt

**http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2005-08-11/culture/a-collaborative-canvas/full

Selected LINKS*:

Forbes Magazine Online

MSNBC

The Guardian
(U.K.)

The Providence Journal
(Rhode Island)

The Hays Daily News
(Kansas)

NEW YORK, NY, August 2, 2007—International Arts Movement founder Makoto Fujimura was featured in a recent article by Eric Gorski, Religion writer for the Associated Press.  The article has been carried by newspapers and webzines around the world, including MSNBC, Forbes Magazine Online, and The Guardian (U.K.).

IAM’s website traffic jumped 20% in the days immediately following the article’s publication and included hits from over ten nations—a sign that people around the world are taking note. 

In addition to introducing IAM to a wider, international audience, this article brings to the public forum the heart of IAM’s mission, “to gather artists and creative catalysts to wrestle with the deep questions of art, faith, and humanity in order to inspire a creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that ought to be.” 

The AP article has also been an on-line conversation starter, with links to it popping up on blogs, web forums, and discussion boards every day.

For more information on how you can support IAM, check out our Capital Campaign

For a copy of the MSNBC.com article, see our articles archive.

For a download of this news release, click here.