Foretaste Nº 12
An occasional newsletter as a deep dive into the minds, habits, obsessions, affairs, and influences of our friends and fam.
Together & Luis Mendo
Our friendship with Luis Mendo goes back to what feels like another life. Luis was doing art direction and design for many different publications, was one of the best and well-known editorial designers of the Netherlands (and abroad) and was running his practice from a beautiful small studio on the Utrechtsestraat in the old city centre of Amsterdam when we first met. After his move to Tokyo he shifted from editorial design to illustration and became a well-known artist for clients like the New York Times, Monocle and many more. Luis is by far one of the most friendly persons in our network, surrounded by positive vibes and good energy, and always in for collaborations, whether that was for the cityguides in the Journal de Nîmes, or last years opening of the new House of Atelier Munro. For this 12th issue of Foretaste he sat down and, instead of curating images around his current topics, draw them all 🙇🏻 Enjoy, and see you back online soon!
—
Currently
Drawing for brands and publications worldwide from a tiny studio in Tokyo, Japan. Clients include Apple, The Guardian, Monocle, New York Times, Uniqlo and Wired.
Currently reading
I’ve become very addicted to Georges Simenon’s books. The Maigret cases make a very soothing bedtime read. Simenon’s life is also fascinating: he wrote about 500 books in his life as it would take him about 11 days to write one.
Currently watching
Never watched Seinfeld before, so I am now binging the whole show while in bath. Together with reading Maigret, it’s part of my soothing before-bed ritual. Much enjoyed Pixar's Luca and Turning Red. So many artists I follow worked on them… Also just finished the sublime Fargo season 4.
Currently listening
My talented friend Luis Urculo makes incredibly beautiful playlists with music he bumps into when travelling the world for his art shows. I recommend playing them as background music while working.
For news I listen everyday to The Globalist on Monocle 24 radio and TWJ’s The Journal.
Currently eating
Always crazy about Thai food which thankfully is everywhere in Tokyo. When working, my go-to take away (2 min from my studio) is Chiyoda Sushi and I will buy any bread they bake at Beaver Bread. My friend Taku-san lived and worked as a pizza chef in Naples for years. He makes the best Neapolitan pizza in whole Tokyo and just opened Fakaló Pizza 3 min away from my house.
Currently drinking
Always highball, or haiboru ハイボール which is just whiskey and soda. For lunch and dinner give me a glass of Spanish red wine.
Currently obsessed about
Drawing. Although I drew all my life, it’s since I moved to Tokyo 8 years ago that it became an obsession and a medicine. Drawing saved me from depression and cured my burnout. Also brought to paper the best memories of my life.
Currently distracted by
Human inanity. And watching a madman change the world in real time.
Currently trying to avoid
Negativity and Covid-19. So far so good.
Currently frightened by
The climate emergency of course. Although I try to stay positive, I am most of the time conscious — and careful — about my choices and carbon footprint. I recommend Dense Discovery for a good view on the design, tech, culture and sustainability.
Currently transcended by
Seeing my 2 year old grow, sing, read her name, speak instinctively in Spanish & Japanese and learn a song after just listening a couple of times.
Currently fulfilled with
The fact that I am able to live from my drawings. It’s something that I never thought possible, despite having drawn all my life.
Quick highlights from the Slacks (in no particular order):
Toshiko Mori’s interview on New Reader, via Saba
Residente’s This is Not America + its references! via Joachim
Down the rabbit hole of pigments with Heidi Gustafson, via Luis
The Signal is a publication on current affairs in a strange world, via Kimberly
Is Fresh just a bit too fresh? via Joachim
An “Anti-Woke” Film Festival? via Chris
The Latecomer’s Guide to Crypto, via Martijn
This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan, via Joachim
We’re all lost in Taiga Takahashi’s world, via Kimberly
Kyle Chayka’s piece on iPhone Cameras that are too smart, via Joachim
Did we stopped making Einsteins? via Martijn R
Branding done really well: Swee Kombucha, via Joakim
And yes, Fuck Putin and is Stupid Fucking War, via Joachim
Hope you enjoyed this one - And as always, let’s get Together soon IRL!
PS. There are enough bots and ghosts in our lives. We’ve always seen Together&, human and alive, so please enjoy, participate, share and forward this. And we'd love to see you in Slack to discuss things often. If you know people who should join, let us know!