Growing up GNR: Marielle Stobie

Cairo is proudly premiering Marielle Stobie's first-ever photography show, titled "Strange Days", on April 12th. 

"2012 has saturated my life with metal music and over-the-topness. This collection is what I've been capturing in those moments." -Marielle Stobie 

 For some context and a little insight into Marielle's work, I interviewed her last week about her memories of learning how to shoot a gun as a child, her all-girl metal bowling team, and moving to LA.

Marielle also dressed herself in some over-the-top Cairo digs, which were of course photographed.

Be sure to come to the opening on APRIL 12, featuring the artist's work, a psychedelic music set by Ozen, and friends a-plenty. See you then!

Here are some photos from our shoot: 

Earrings: Shannon Perry

T-Shirt: Silkscreened at Cairo

 Earrings: Pamela Davis (MuchoDesign)

Clothing/Necklace: Vintage

 Top: Vintage

Gems: Sold at CAIRO!

 Boots: Vintage

Personal Style: Pleather pants and GNR

For more photos, head to Cairo's Tumblr.

The interview: 

 Tell me about "Strange Days", the theme of your newest collection. 

When I was working on the theme for this collection, I was thinking about my photograph of Leatherhorn, and that song ("Strange Days" by The Doors) popped up in my head. That is my favorite piece of the show.  I didn't  want the theme to be too goth or too metal, but that is where a lot the context is. It's definitely a dark show. I wanted to focus on stuff that makes me think, and that puts me in a weird head space. The rest I want the audience to make their own mind up about.

How does the song "Strange Days" encompass the vision you are trying to capture? 

I think it really ties them all together. A lot of the images are pretty random. It's really a reflection of that wintertime feeling. Everyone hibernates and isolates themselves here in Seattle when its cold…It evokes kind of an eeriness in the Northwest. People get strange here. I am not a diehard Doors fan by any means, but I felt that song is really fitting. 

What you inspires to take pictures?

I am really inspired by 1970's photo lookbooks and annuals. Some can be hippie nonsense, but some are really creative.  

Who is someone you would love to work with, locally or otherwise?

I might end up collaborating with artist Peter Short and jeweler Sarah Brown, which would be awesome. I also want to collaborate with illustrators, like Stacey Rozich. 

Do you have a favorite artist? 

Stylistically, I love Man Ray.  My favorite print artist is Mœbius, hands down. And I really like Ryan McGinley for his photographs of those nudes in caves. I might do something like that when I go to LA. 

Do you have a favorite local Seattle band? 

Definitely. It's down to two… they are totally different styles. Night Beats and Black Breath. Oh, and a third! One is party music, one metal band, and for a singer-songwriter, I love Jesse Lortz.  We are just oversaturated with music talent in this city. 

How would you describe your personal style? 

I'm all over the place. I grew up thrifting and getting vintage clothes. My mom used to make my clothes when I was a kid. I've refined it for the most part these days. Beatnik/weird/hippie/metal, I guess. 

Who is your idol? What would you cook them for dinner? 

He's not my idol, but I think it would be funny to make dinner for Kyle Mclaughlin from Twin Peaks. I was watching Dune last night at work and I was thinking about how much of my life he has been a part of. I saw him at a county fair in Yakima. I would cook him a pork flank with polenta and persimmon sauce. 

Where is somewhere you have always wanted to travel to?

I want to go to South America. I want to go to Iceland, too. It's affordable and I really want to check out those hot springs. 

What is one motto you always live by?

Try to keep your cup half full. Do whatever you need to keep yourself inspired, keep yourself grounded. Life is all about perspective. Try to stay optimistic, you know? It's so easy to let yourself get down. 

What is something not too many people know about you?

I am a member of a Hesher metal chick style bowling league. We we play at the AMF on Rainier then get wasted at Montana Bar on the Hill. We all have customized denim jackets with leather. It's awesome. 

You're moving soon! How come?  

I think I've been resting on my laurels a little too long in Seattle.  I think could get more work down in LA. Seattle is awesome, and I feel like I can do any project for no money. I have a great portfolio because of friends who have modeled for me, or lent me gear.  But… I need some sunshine! I was thinking about living on Venice Beach. I never been a beach girl. 

Marielle's show will be on display at CAIRO from April 12th to May 7th. Come check it out!

A Rainy Day with Jojo Corväiá

There is something wonderfully strange about Jojo Corväiá, the owner/chef/Feng Shui master of Capitol Hill's Arabica Lounge. How else would you describe someone who keeps mostly inedible objects in his fridge?

"My fridge is filled with toys. I'm not kidding. I have a cow, a turtle, a naked guy taking a shower, a scratchboard, legos, and some film. My little figurines with multiple eyes go next to the vegetables." 

The concept of Arabica Lounge has grown from Jojo's zen personality, holistic approach to life, and insatiable desire to uphold a sense of community in Seattle. It is where one can go to experience "food, music, nice ambiance, nice people. All the senses must be involved at Arabica." 

These must be the reasons he is so revered by his patrons:

"Customers write me postcards when they travel…It's amazing. They give me gifts too! Everything from homemade sausages to a grand piano."

Jojo and I met up last week to get dressed up and discuss family, travel, and the future of Arabica. Check out our interview and photos from the shoot below:

"My first culture shock coming to the USA was going to the supermarket. I stood frozen in the cereal aisle and I asked myself, "why do we need an aisle for cereal?"

 "My favorite place to hike? The Himalayas."

"There are things I put in the shop that cannot be found anywhere else. I try to bring culture."

*to see more photos of Jojo, go to Cairo's Tumblr!

The Interview:

Where are you from?

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. My family is Sicilian and French. My father is Baron Corvaia, called "The Baron of the West".  

What made you stay in Seattle? 

When I visited here I liked it the best out of all the cities in the US. I wanted to change careers. I decided to do something that included all the things I like to do in my life. So I hired a...couch? No, a coach. I always get those words confused. He guided me through my ideas and thats how I created Arabica. 

You're a dog person? 

I'm a dog person. Kahla is a Scottish Terrier. She's my first ever dog. She is 14 years old. She is the longest relationship I have ever had besides my parents. I gave her a bath this morning. Domenico is my second dog. He's a 7 year old Wire Fox Terrier. They are just my dogs. That's it. 

What is one rule you always try to live by? 

Be yourself.

You are a cook, no? What is your best dish?

In my own life, I make my own yogurt, and eat it with olive oil, salt and paprika and homemade flatbread. It's almost healing. It makes me feel so good. I think it has to do with the fact that it awakens memories of my grandmother. 

What do you miss most about home? 

I don't go there very often. I miss a couple of friends. Or maybe the simplicity of food there: the food of my grandmother and aunts. Food here is complicated and has so many unknown ingredients. I also miss my farm. 

What is something no one knows about you? 

Even though I see hundreds of people a day, I am a very lonely person. I go home and I feel very lonely. It doesn't make me sad though; I am kind of a loner. Also, have a learning disability. I am dyslexic and I have a very hard time differentiating left from right. Sometimes I even get lost getting from Arabica to my house. 

How would you describe your personal style? 

I am very eclectic but very particular in my sense of taste. I don't wear or have things because they are iconic or trendy. Like, I have never owned any Bob Dylan music, for example. 

Where is somewhere you have always wanted to travel to? 

Every year I travel somewhere far and challenging and interesting. There are so many places I want to go. Ethiopia. The Sahara. 

What do you expect for your upcoming trip to Cairo?

I will go there to see the pyramids, to understand the different culture. I travel in order to expand my horizons and remind myself that there is no single way to live your life. I go to learn how to feel comfortable with people that are different to me, and appreciate those differences. There are so many cultural differences that you get to experience when you travel. It changes how you see your own life. 

How did you get the name Arabica? 

That is the type of coffee bean we serve at the shop. It is from Ethiopia. 

What is one thing your grandparents taught you that you will never forget? 

I don't know how to translate this. [Goes over to the faucet and turns the tap on slightly] Small stream. Always wash dishes, have a shower, anything, with a small stream. There is no reason to waste water on this planet. 

What’s the next step for Arabica?

We have a new dinner menu opening on March 22nd. It is a huge endeavor--platters, pickles, vegetables, pasta. Everything will be handmade, everything is unique. A lot of the food comes from ideas given by friends throughout my life. One of the recipes is based on a conversation I had with a friend about what his grandmother use to make him when he was little. The recipe was in my head for 20 years, and after looking at so many books for recipes, that is what we are going with. Rachel Ravitch will be cooking the dinners. I believe it is very important that we do it. I want to try to make people understand that we are far from a coffee shop. There are so many things going on at Arabica. I want to do so much there.  

Want to come to Arabica's opening dinner night? Get more info here.

**Jojo is wearing MuchoDesign jewelry, a Stacey Rozich for Cairo silkscreened tee, and vintage, all found at Cairo!