PETA Takes On New York Fashion Week

PETA New York Fashion Week3

"...artistic expression is a vehicle for social change." said professional dancer, Kyle V Martin.

For New York Fashion Week, Enforced Arch founder and choreographer James Koroni teamed up with PETA. Their performance piece evoked compassion for animals who are killed to make fur garments.

"This is another way to get people to think about the cruelty of the fur industry by making them think, 'how would I feel if I was killed for my coat?' " said PETA campaign specialist Ashley Byrne. "I think when someone pictures the terrifying experience of being attacked and beaten, all because someone wants the coat off your back, they begin to understand what the animals who are killed for fur are going through."

FUR IS UNNECESSARY

Unless one is homeless, a traditional indigenous person living in cold climates, or in a truly life-threatening situation – there really is no good excuse for wearing fur. Fur performs no better than most synthetics when it comes to retaining warmth. Arctic explorers, alpine climbers, and cold-climate sports and adventurer’s gear typically lacks one thing: Fur. Considering the leaps and bounds textile producers have made in sustainable textile production, including imitation furs, there is no reason to put animals through such incredible amounts of pain and suffering. (SOURCE)

PETA New York Fashion Week

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE

So many investigations, documentaries and exposés from Asia, to Europe, to North America contradict the outright lies being told on the pages of fashions magazines across the globe and under the pop-culture limelight. Here are some resources to see for yourself exactly how fur is made. Keep in mind, that while animal advocates stand to gain nothing but peace-of-mind, the fur industry stands to lose billions of consumer dollars:

Visit the International Anti-fur Coalition for a list of  70 international anti-fur organizations, or visit the list of the Fur Free Alliance for 35 more international anti-fur organizations. (SOURCE)

NO ONE IS PERFECT.

Most people who purchase fur garments do not know how they are made – and that’s not surprising, considering the monumental effort to keep the process hidden. Let’s say you have some fur, so now what? If you currently own a fur garment, or inherited one from family, why not donate it to coats for cubs or the homeless and turn a product that represents indifference to suffering into a life-saving object? (SOURCE)

Other professional artists that contributed to this performance:

Assistant Choreographer - Tracey Katof

Dancers - Dee Keaveney, James Koroni,  Kyle V Martin, Marie Paldrup, Rachel Hettinger, Tammi Greenberg, Paulette Lewis, Tracey Katof, Tyrone Bevans

Camera - Ben Effinger

Music - Watch Dogs by Notic Nastic

More info on the inherent cruelty of the fur industry at Reinvent The Icon: http://www.reinventtheicon.com/about-pinnacle/fur/

connie & jimmy - episode 2

In the second installment of “connie & jimmy”, an episodic 1940’s black & white mini-series, a couple deals with a hairy situation that’s not so black & white. Jimmy has all the best intentions but he can’t seem to avoid slipping up. Good thing Connie can keep him in check with her talent for turning classic songs on their heads in an effort to teach Jimmy an important fashion faux pas. “connie & jimmy” keeps your heart all aflutter but your feet on the ground.

connie_and_jimmy_MAIN

Even though “connie & jimmy” are living in the 1940’s they’d be astounded at what visionary designers such as Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart of Vaute Couture and Joshua Katcher of Brave GentleMan are doing.

For more information on these and other fashion rebels visit: http://www.TheDiscerningBrute.com http://girliegirlarmy.com/ http://www.ecouterre.com/ http://laikamagazine.com/

Please, Don't Touch LIVE

Please, Don't Touch, Enforced Arch, James Koroni 'Please, Don't Touch,' depicts the unfortunate lives of animals caught up in the skin trade. With this performance piece we become a voice for the voiceless and tell their story. 'Please, Don't Touch' focuses energy on a topic that sits at the intersection of social justice, ecology and design. Our ultimate goal is to to become effective conduits for empathy and creative tools for change. Through the use of live performance, transmedia and personal interaction, this project will impact the heavily guarded perceptions of fur iconography by shedding light on what isn't revealed behind the glitz and glamor.

Please, Don't Touch, Enforced Arch

Please, Don't Touch, Enforced Arch

Please, Don't Touch at 3rd Ward Art Gallery

Please, Don't Touch - Art Gallery - 3rd Ward - James KoroniEnforced Arch's Anti-Fur performance piece, Please, Don't Touch, was featured in 3rd Ward's Semi-Annual Art Gallery Showcase. ‘Please, Don’t Touch’ focuses energy on a topic that sits at the intersection of social justice, ecology and design. It's ultimate goal is to to become an effective conduit for empathy and a creative tool for change. Through the use of live performance, transmedia and personal interaction, this project will impact the heavily guarded perceptions of fur iconography by shedding light on what isn’t revealed behind the glitz and glamor. Here are a few pictures from that evening: Please, Don't Touch - Art Gallery - 3rd WardPlease, Don't Touch - Art Gallery - 3rd Ward Please, Don't Touch - Art Gallery - 3rd WardPlease, Don't Touch - Art Gallery - 3rd Ward

Kelley Donovan & Dancers

Kelley Donovan & DancersPlease join Enforced Arch this Saturday evening as 'Mover' James Koroni presents 'Please, Don't Touch' as a guest choreographer in Kelley Donovan & Dancers. At this performance you will also have the pleasure of seeing Kelley Donovans' latest work in progress 'Fractured Realm!'

BUY TICKETS HERE!

Kelley Donovan & Dancers

Please, Don't Touch: James Koroni, Jessica Chou, Tracey Katof

Kelley Donovan & Dancers: Amy Larson, Chizuru Tanaka, Jaclyn Fauci, Bud Burdick, Grace Lerner, Jordan Gehley, Kristen Klein, Sylvana Tapia, Christina Chelette, Justina Gaddy, Maya Kite, Caroline Carbo, Caroline Yost

TONIGHT: 3rd Ward Featuring Enforced Arch

3rd Ward Member Art ShowcaseTonight, 3rd Ward is having their semi-annual Member Group Show! Enforced Arch has been invited to present their collaborative piece, 'Please, Don't Touch!' Come celebrate with us!

Member Group Show FREE Tonight, November 18th, 2011 7-10 pm 195 Morgan Avenue

Merci Beaucoup

James Koroni, Tracey Katof, Enforced Arch, Paris Enforced Arch would like to extend a special thanks to the following people who helped send the Anti-Fur performance piece 'Please, Don't Touch' to Paris. Our community has grown as a result and new opportunities have presented themselves. We created this video to thank everyone for their unconditional support. Enjoy: Thank you; Amanda Lee, Andrea Rosa, Andrea Torres, The Anti-Fur Society, Beatrice Cox, Bettina May, Blossom Du Jour, Bonnie Erickson, Brooke B Toohey, Bud Burdick, Carly Fox Horton, Celine Orang, Clara Lofaro, CocoaV, Creadanse, Daphne Cheng, David & Nancy Dorius, Elizabeth Castoria, Esther Bell, Foodswings, Gavin Reign, Hope Kandel, Jasmin Singer, Jennifer Fox, Judith Vogel, Julia Hochner, Joshua Katcher, Kristin Mularz, Lauren Cox, Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, Marcia Fox, Margo Martinez, Marlena Pavich, Mary Sarsfield, Melissa Fornabaio, Michel Lambert, Michele Bernstein, Michelle Cohen Carpenter, Nicole Johnson, Nina Athanasakos, Pamela Elizabeth, Paris Vegan Day, Rachel Kay, Rebecca Hall, Shelley Ohmes, Stacie Adams, Tarik Daniels, The Gentle Gourmet, Vaute Couture, Vegan Paris Day, VegNews, Verité Catering, The West Cafe, Tracey Katof, Zachary Koval

MASTER CLASS Fundraiser

James Koroni, Enforced Arch          Tracey Katof, Enforced Arch With choreographers James Koroni & Tracey Katof of Enforced Arch website! All proceeds go towards the 'Please, Don't Touch' fundraiser.

$20 - 2 hr class* Tuesday, September 13th at 7:00 PM Location: Pearl Studios Nyc Studio K 500 8th Ave., New York, NY 10018

7:00 PM - 7:45 PM Contemporary warm-up including pilates strengthening

7:45 PM - 9:00 PM Athletic & quirky Contemporary segment from 'Please, Don't Touch'

*The Enforced Arch community is searching for compassionate 'Movers' for upcoming opportunities. This is a great way for us to get to know you as a dancer and artist!

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser, Joshua KatcherOur fundraising event on Tuesday evening went brilliantly. The turn out was outstanding! A crowd made up of friends, family, artists, activists, fashion industry professionals, dancers, choreographers, Clara Lofaro fans and of course the lure of Bettina May topped it all off! I could not have had a more splendid time. A special thanks you to all those involved including: Bettina May , dough-nut stop till you get enough!

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser, Bettina May

Clara Lofaro accompanied by Andrea Torres on Taps!

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser, Clara LofaroJames Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser, Andrea Torres

Lauren Cox & myself performing 'Please, Don't Touch' with Marlena Pavich's Anti-Fur pants!

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser, Lauren CoxVerite Catering

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser, Verite Catering

The West Cafe in Williamsburg

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser, The West CafeThank you to Cocoa V, Blossom Du Jour, Bettina May's PinUp Class, Foodswings, Tracey Katof, Bud Burdick, Carly Fox Horton, Joshua Katcher, Vaute Couture and of course thank you for being in attendance!

James Koroni's Birthday & FundraiserJames Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser

James Koroni's Birthday & FundraiserJames Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser

James Koroni's Birthday & FundraiserJames Koroni's Birthday & FundraiserJames Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser

James Koroni's Birthday & Fundraiser,As for the fundraiser element, we raised just enough to send one dancer to Paris which means there is still more outreach to be done. We have created an IndieGoGo web page. If you know anyone that might be interested in our cause please send the following link their way:

http://www.indiegogo.com/Please-Dont-Touch

Here is the launch of our video:

‘Please, Don’t Touch’ focuses energy on a topic that sits at the intersection of social justice, ecology and design. Our ultimate goal is to to become effective conduits for empathy and creative tools for change. Through the use of live performance, transmedia and personal interaction, this project will impact the heavily guarded perceptions of fur iconography by shedding light on what isn’t revealed behind the glitz and glamor.