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amuse

WORK PLAY PASSION two 26

MOMA.org

amuse a mini publication of things i like, love, and i want to share with others.

i hope you like it too, but if you don't that's okay.

jim one

2026 JIM CLARK

smallslive.com

• THIZZI
• REM
• amuse
• WORK-PLAY-PASSION
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• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• 5 Urban Art Perspectives

9 MoMA through my lens 17 The Word

19 Meet An Artist 23 NYC Walking Tour

27 Paparazzi New Year!

29 30a Songwriters 35 Reverie Fine Art

39 Smalls Jazz Club 40 Please Tell Me?

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DE X

DAY DEAINS

• Place
• ONF
• NO PAR Monday-
• BOXERS GREATDOKERS GREATBOX
• URBANart

PERSPECTIVES

Art doesn't always ask permission. Sometimes it shows up sprayed across a brick wall at dawn, slapped on a stop sign in the form of a sticker, or etched into the city by tire tracks and winter's leftovers. We tend to reserve the word "art" for frames, pedestals, and gallery lighting, but the most honest creativity often lives outside those velvet ropes. Graffiti, in all its unruly forms, is a public conversation. It's bold, fleeting, and often anonymous, like a secret passed between strangers who happen to look up at the right moment.

But art isn't limited to paint and concrete. It appears in the way people decorate themselves, the accidental patterns left behind by crowds, and the chalky handwriting of salt and slush after a snowstorm. A building becomes a canvas through decay and repair. A road tells its own abstract story in oil stains and faded lines. Even residue has a point of view if you stop long enough to notice. These moments weren't planned for museums, yet they carry intention, emotion, and a timestamp of real life happening right now.

Capturing this kind of art is less about polish and more about curiosity. It asks the viewer to loosen their definition of beauty and accept that creativity doesn't need approval to matter. Whether it's rebellious, humorous, accidental, or poetic, it all deserves a second look and maybe a photo before it disappears. Because tomorrow, the wall will be repainted, the snow will melt, and the road will be washed clean. The art will move on, as it always does, leaving only proof that someone, or something, made a mark.

• EWY WYO..
• LOVE
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• "TW, NE MINIMUM?
• BOLEM
• YES
• MOKIWORLD
• RADIO
• METAL FANTA
• Granma 82 iserwe joe
• DR BARAKA www.lly-art.co
• ROSE WEAVER PILATES amuse 7

طالة

Walking through MoMA feels less like touring a museum and more like entering a living conversation. The galleries hum with movement, reflection, and quiet awe, where visitors become part of the artwork simply by standing before it. Faces tilt, bodies lean, phones lift, notebooks open. It feels like the art watches back. Reflections in glass, shadows on polished floors, and the choreography of people pausing and passing all fold into the experience, blurring the line between observer and exhibit. Under my lens, the museum becomes a layered composition, great masters of contemporary art framed not only by walls but by the human presence that animates them.

Younger guests move through the space with a different rhythm. For them, MoMA is a playground of ideas, a fun and tactile learning experience where curiosity leads the way. They linger at interactive moments, laugh at unexpected forms, and absorb lessons without realizing they are studying at all. Between iconic works and thoughtfully curated photography exhibits, the museum offers entry points for every generation. It teaches without lecturing, inspires without insisting, and reminds us that art is not static. It lives, it evolves, and for a moment, it includes us.

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AGFA

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MOMA.org

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BE NICE BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANYONE SHOULD STOP YOU

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While visiting MoMA, I noticed the contrast between a black-and-white photography exhibit and a woman in a red dress. I photographed her, and she thought I was in her way. I explained she wasn't, I simply loved how her dress popped in the frame. After a brief exchange, I learned she was Johanna Hoffsten, an artist from Sweden. Featured here are several of her sculptures, a painting series, and her artist statement from her website. Ask me about her mom.

"My art is a reflection of our time, a mirror of social dynamics, and a commentary on the state of the world. Through a style that combines playful colors with critique and humor with seriousness, I aim to challenge the viewer's perception and create reflection around societal norms and expectations. I express myself through multiple techniques-painting, sculpture, ceramics, installation, stop-motion, and film-to explore different perspectives and tell stories in ways that transcend the limitations of a single medium. For me, art is a way to understand the deeper structures that shape our reality, where each work is a response to the visible and hidden aspects of our society." Johanna Hoffsten | johannahoffsten.com

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This is the takeover. The housewife who got tired of it all and decided to take matters into her own hands, to take center stage. To hell with it all! She's the new leader of the family. Not a Mrs. so-and-so, but her own person. Trapped in the housewife life of serving everyone but herself, she now demands recognition for her work. College educated, but pushed aside, forced to wait on her husband's every move. She's done playing by those rules.

In the pictures she has orchestrated, she erases her husband, just as he and the outside world has previously erased her. With a smile, perfect posture, and impeccable style, she uses the skills she's gained from being a homemaker to slowly take over the world.

Here's a glimpse of Johanna's mother, who was also at MOMA. Joanne Posluszny-Hoffsten, the woman in the black sweater dotted with red hearts, is an accomplished artist in her own right. Born in Buffalo, New York, she has exhibited internationally and received the City of Linköping's Cultural Award in 2011. Her work spans emotionally charged series like *The Silence of Abuse* and romantic public installations such as *The Golden Love Pavilion* Trained in fine arts, literature, and film, she works primarily in mixed media and lives in Linköping, Sweden. Clearly, artistic talent runs in the family. Visit joannehoffsten.se it see more about her.

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Swea

We stepped into the heart of New York City's most iconic neighborhood on an unforgettable walking tour of Bleecker Street, led by NYC licensed guide Dave King. From a hidden Picasso to the former homes of Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, Carrie Bradshaw, and even a few *Friends* apartments (top right of this page), the tour offered a deep dive into the creative pulse of the Village.

Our first rest stop was McSorley's, the oldest pub in New York City. We ducked in from the cold for a few beers and great conversation walk with me

A WALKING TOUR WITH DAVE KING

before warming up and heading back out to continue the walk.

Next on the list was the hidden Picasso, pictured below and yes, you can walk right up to it and touch a piece of his art. From there, we popped into a couple of record stores and recreated a photo inspired by Bob Dylan's album cover. Along the way, Dave shared incredible history and stories that brought the neighborhood to life. We wrapped up the walk at Corner Bistro, finishing with one of the best burgers and fries I've had in a long time.

• delahaba.com
• CORNER BISTRO
• CORNE BISTRO

• amuse urbanhikerguide.com
• COPPER UNION
• Sean McSorley's Dandy

If you're anything like us, you'll be back.

urbanhikerguide.com

Paparazzi New Year!

Ringing in the New Year with a "Paparazzi New Year" photoshoot-flashy, fun, and buzzing with energy. Huge thanks to Black Cat Creative and to Gwyneth and Ryan Plowman for pulling it all together and kicking off the year in style. I had a blast using my new little lens, which leans into a disposable-camera vibe with dust spots, vignetting, and other unexpected quirks. I may not use it all the time, but for play and experimentation, it's a joy.

RETROPIA

"THIS IS THE LENS I WAS SHOOTING WITH TO CAPTURE THIS IMAGE OF SHANAINE"

iamjimclark.com

And yes, I edited it in Lightroom, added the text in Photoshop, and sent it online where you found it. A fun retro lens that I highly recommend trying it. SAVE 10% if want to with discount code JAMES00915

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30a Songwriters Festival

• 30aSongwritersFestival.com ka. tzer.
• al Juice.
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ELMO snap shots

30A Songwriters Festival will celebrate its 17th year January 16 - 19, 2026 with performances on the main stage with headline performances by renowned artists Mavis Staples, Toad the Wet Sprocket, 10,000 Maniacs, I'm With Her, Nikki Lans and Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves.

Here are some of my favorite snapshots from the festival. If you know me, you know how much I love capturing live music through my lens. They say, "a picture is worth a thousand words," so I'll let the photos do the talking. Enjoy! See more faces from the festival on the back cover.

MAYIS ST

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30aSongwritersFestival.com the F

• INVIERNO ERIAS
• GRADD CREMANT
• PERIA
• Henri Matisse - Peasant Woman
• Sara Willard
• OWNER OF REVERIE
• TERESA

Reverie Fine Art was founded on a simple but powerful idea: to close the distance between artists and the people who love their work. By championing creators at every stage of their careers, the gallery cultivates an environment where discovery feels personal and inspiration arrives naturally. It is a place where conversations begin, connections take shape, and art is experienced not as a static object, but as a shared moment.

Where creativity meets thoughtful curation, Reverie places storytelling at the center of the experience. Each work is selected not only for its visual presence, but for the voice and vision behind it. Featuring artists from around the globe, the collection feels at once expansive and intimate, a layered gathering of perspectives that encourages visitors to slow down, look closer, and linger with meaning.

REVERIE fine art collective

ReverieArt.com

Family-owned and guided by a love for the arts, Reverie offers a warm and welcoming approach to collecting. With more than 2,400 works from over 156 established and emerging artists, the gallery strikes a careful balance between depth and diversity. Whether exploring the online gallery or visiting in person, every interaction is shaped by care, curiosity, and the belief that art in all its forms should feel accessible and personal.

At its heart, Reverie celebrates art as a bridge to emotion, culture, and imagination. The gallery's carefully curated mix of styles and mediums ensures there is always something new to discover, from bold contemporary statements to evocative classics. It is an open invitation to everone to engage, explore, and take home pieces that continue the conversation long after the visit ends.

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TOP ROW - Igor Melnikov - Portrait of Human Soul / Portrait of Human Soul II / Portrait of Human Soul III BOTTOM LEFT - Sebastian Picker - The Letters BOTTOM RIGHT - Satori Gregorakis - Monkey Bull

TOP - Satori Gregorakis - Marching Band

MIDDLE ROW LEFT Ryan Mayall - Earth Angels MIDDLE CENTER - Gallery MIDDLE RIGHT Emily Hopper - Love, Grief, and Sunshine BOTTOM LEFT - Shelter Serra - Fake Roley with Diamond Dust BOTTOM CENTER - Migul Martinez - Woman BOTTOM RIGHT Horton - 1965 Charcoal Man

ReverieArt.com

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Mahdi Ricks Quintet

Smalls Jazz Club sits below street level like a well-kept secret, the kind New York pretends not to brag about while bragging anyway. Tucked into Greenwich Village, the room is intimate, brick walls, low ceilings, and a piano that seems to breathe along with the crowd. There's no traditional stage, just musicians and listeners sharing the same air, the same dim light, and an unspoken agreement to stay quiet and let the music lead. Nothing beats walking downstairs and stepping straight into live jazz from the Waldron Mahdi Ricks Quintet.

Ice-cold cocktails, bowls of mixed nuts and olives, and a packed room of jazz lovers complete the scene. The low light turns my photos a little artsy and imperfect, but that feels right here. Smalls isn't about polish; it's about presence. These are moments meant to be felt and heard first, then remembered later, lingering long after the last note fades. smallslive.com amuse 39

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COVER

The Museum of Modern Art celebrates creativity, openness, tolerance, and generosity. They aim to be inclusive places—both onsite and online-where diverse cultural, artistic, social, and political positions are welcome. They are committed to sharing the most thought-provoking modern and contemporary art, and hope you will join us in exploring the art, ideas, and issues of our time. moma.org

It seems like I know what I like and I just want to include more of it. I'm envisioning art, live music, or a comedy show, reconnecting with nature, sharing a few poems, and perhaps another collaborative photoshoot with models and photographers. I do have some fun events photos I can share with you too.

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WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF? LESS OF? LET ME KNOW-THANKS! Yes, I'm asking because I've learned that if you don't ask, nothing happens. Share your likes, dislikes, thoughts, and "love it or hate it" comments by sending me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you!

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CAUTION

I do my best to capture the "all dressed up" you in every photograph. It might take a little more time, but the results are always worth the wait.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPTURE THESE IMAGES.

IAMJIMCLARK photographer

Call me at 850.357.0088 to discuss your next photo session, a fun portrait or candid event coverage.

dictionary.com verb (used with object), a-mused, a-mus-ing.

to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner: She amused the guests with witty conversation.

2. to cause mirth, laughter, or the like, in:

The comedian amused the audience with a steady stream of jokes.

amuse to occupy the attention with something pleasant. That which amuses is usually playful or humorous and pleases the fancy.

words related to amuse tickle, gratify, wow, please, delight, cheer, charm, regale, interest, gladden, divert, panic, grab, crack up, put away, knock dead...

3. Faces from 30a Songwriters amuse me every time.

4. Enjoy a NYC Walking Tour tease on page 23.

5. Go to page 17 to see the amuse word of this issue.

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