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Some would describe Mreeuh Chang as a radical, based on her new children’s book entitled Drones Don’t Dream. However, I declare that she is radiant.
Getting back to truly inspiring children to hold onto their dreams, imagination and the qualities we often lose while “growing up”, this recent work of art includes a rhyming story created under the premise that children today are more spiritually and technologically advanced than previous generations. Thus they must figure out how to preserve their consciousness and explore their own imagination in an increasingly virtual society.

I had a chance to speak with Mreeuh, who happens to be an Atlanta native born to Korean immigrants. This talented Renaissance woman is not new to versatility. Chang is skilled in a wide variety of artistic expression, including tattooing, painting, illustrating and writing. Here’s what she had to say.

What do you want children or even adults to take away from the book?

This book is for the advanced child or the youthful adult. Hopefully people of all ages will be moved by it. I want people to be curious about their subconscious, nurture their imagination, and be confident and hopeful in their quest. I want people to feel confident in their curiosity and imagination, not feel so crazy, alone or out of place. I believe technology is a reflection of our untapped superhuman abilities. I want to get young people to carefully examine technological dependency, what it means to be “connected” and not let it distract them from their inner worlds. During a time of rampant access, it’s important to create a culture that nurtures the innate wisdom of children today.

In what ways has social media and technology desensitized us and made us unable to connect with our inner selves?

Every great social advancement carries a curse with it. Anything with great potential comes with unintended consequences and a complex mix of positive and negative repercussions.


Technology has deeply reshaped the nature of both solitude and connection. We can tap into the world wherever there is wi-fi. Even when you are alone, you can have everyone’s thoughts in your head and even when you are with others, you can be alone. I currently am typing this sitting next to someone playing a game on their tablet and someone else watching a movie online.

If you could go back and tell yourself something as a child, what would it be?

If I could go back and tell my former self anything, I wouldn’t, because that would disrupt the order of things. Drones Don’t Dream is definitely the book I would have wanted to read then.

You are a writer, a painter, a tattoo artist and much more. What medium do you feel most comfortable and enjoy working in the most?

Tattooing was my art school. Before then I would never complete any work or practice accuracy. My ideal medium varies depending on mood & what I’m able to do. Painting allows for the most freedom but I also need to write to process some thoughts and I love tattooing, both as trade and art form.

What’s your favorite children’s book and why?

Alice in Wonderland because of its wide range of characters, from the busy White Rabbit to the Queen of Hearts and the Cheshire Cat to the Caterpillar, the different perspectives and responses they all have towards Alice and the range of emotions she went through in her dream world. I have “No Time To Say Hello Goodbye” tattooed on my arm & wrist. It’s definitely been an influence on me growing up. 

  
Some may think you’re a radical for writing a book that contrasts social standards. What is your outlook on society’s opinion? 

I have my own mind and my own opinion & I’m a part of society so as far as I’m concerned my opinion is society’s opinion. I know there’s people who think like me, in their own way. I don’t think I’m “radical”. I’m driven by more than just the need to be different or rebel for no reason. I wrote the book because I feel comfortable writing to children. It takes away the politics and categorization of an adult audience, plus I can illustrate, so the two marry well. Also, children’s books have the most potential to impact society because not only does it foster literacy in children but it provides narratives for them to follow. This generation and the following generations are more becoming more spiritually and technologically advanced at a fast rate. At the same time, children are reading less. This is just my way of using my vision and skill to fill in this gap I see in the world.
How does spirituality play a part in your life /writing/art?

Art is definitely spiritual. Both require paying excruciating attention to yourself and the world, and the feeling of submitting to a force that is infinitely wiser than you. I call God, God because I’m American but I’m in love with what I can best describe as the force of creation that connects all living things. The root word of “spirituality” is “spirit”, this other dimension that different cultures personify into different deities depending on their region and belief system. I strongly believe that what a person believes defines their physical experience, so spirituality is a like theatre of the mind: the subconscious, the same place where art thrives. 

What is next for Mreeuh Chang?

I intend on settling in Miami while traveling back and forth. I’ll continue to create work on a larger and larger scale. I want to work more with children instead of negotiating with galleries. More workshops, less parties. More publishing, less talking. Always more creating. Drones Don’t Dream is the first of a trilogy, the next two will be released about five years apart. In the first one, the boy is a child. The second one, he is a teenager and in the third one, he is an adult.

For more, visit DronesDontDream.com

The post “Drones Don’t Dream” featuring Mreeuh Chang and Toniesha Renee appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you dig those photos you just saw (and you do), keep reading, as I caught up with Toniesha to discuss this project, Frida Kahlo, and so much more. This is definitely one of the more in-depth interviews you’ll read about such an amazing body of work.

Let’s start here. Where was this project shot and over how long of a period of time?

The project was shot in multiple of areas in Columbus, Ohio; the majority being on the east side, where my photographer and I are from. It took about two weeks to complete the story.

Frida Kahlo was a pretty influential figure. Still is. As the subject of this shoot, were there any challenges you faced trying to capture her essence and what she was about?

Well the greatest challenge I feel was not to capture Frida in her persona, but what Frida felt. I feel we as ‘popular-culture-junkies’ get caught up in lifestyle versus raw emotion. So I wanted to translate Frida’s frustration with pain and equal rights while embracing her passion for love and complexity of thought.

You and Frida are from two different time periods, clearly. Was it difficult taking elements from her time and merging them with the elements of yours?

We wanted to capture the modern representation of Frida, so there were elements that have a more metaphorical sense rather than an exact mimic to her time period. The greatest change would have to be technology. However, some of the issues Frida dealt with are still topics in today’s society.

There are a couple of shots from this shoot that really intrigued me. As the subject, I’d like you to take me through them…

Ok, the first one. You’re like lying on the ground, and there are three guys in wheelchairs over around you. What was going on there?

Well the men in wheelchairs may seem a little random, but not to forget Frida was bed ridden for the majority of her career. Lying down in front of them was a metaphorical play on technology. How advanced we’ve become and where we started. We also wanted to provoke thought on how life for her would have been easier had she been a part of our generation due to these advancements. Frida’s paintings were very dark at times; so we wanted to have shots that reflect the sorrow and seriousness of her work.

What about the one where you’re in a shopping cart, holding what looks to be a fish? It’s a crazy, kind of eerie shot.

The shopping cart was our take on the lack of resources and fresh produce. Most cities are just now gaining access to fresher goods, however there is still a lack thereof. These, we know as food deserts. She was placed in a shopping cart covered in a black veil to symbolize mourning. The frozen barracuda was meant to symbolize the reaping.

My hands down, favorite shot has to be where you’re holding the flowers, with the floral dress on, while being surrounded by flowers. What message was being sent in that one?

Frida always seemed to be affiliated with flowers, and we wanted to portray growth. “The rose that grew from the concrete”. Her stance mimics that of what you may see from Mother Mary on a prayer candle, and all of which was organic.

Frida Kahlo once stated that she never painted dreams; only her reality. Was this shoot closer to your dreams or your reality. Why?

It was literally in between both; I would call it sleep paralysis. We were bringing a dream/vision into the world, while everyone was still actively carrying out their daily routines. We meshed the energy of our thoughts with those of realism and acted on them. We see these streets daily but these streets never see our dreams. It feels like they finally had a chance to meet.

No pun intended, but Magnus Juliano snapped on this project. What was it like working with him?

Working with Magnus was nothing but pure fun. He pushed me to my limit and got me out of my comfort zone and for that I’m thankful. He is an amazing artist with great vision. One of my favorites for sure.

He mentioned your presence in an evolving art community. What do you say to that, in regards to your role in keeping the culture alive?

I feel that it is my duty to keep the culture honest on the growing platform I do have. I still have a while to impact in the way I intend to, but for now I need to inspire people to stay true to themselves and be innovative. I feel that’s key for any successful creative. We don’t want to lose integrity in what may seem as a fad nowadays. I want people to challenge themselves on getting better at their craft and partake in healthy competition.

You kinda do it all. From, of course, your work with Ohio Against The World, to being a stylist, to being the subject of crazy photo spreads. What’s next for Toniesha Renee?

Whatever God has for me, to be honest. But I plan going out the country in the next few months, as well as going back to school to continue my education. So I guess what’s next for me is just improving myself spirituality, mentally and physically. I remember seeing Brick Owens tweet “I’m just looking for spiritual enlightenment and hope money finds me along the way”. That’s the best way I can describe what’s next for me. Just remembering to take time to fucking live.

For more, be sure to visit AFridaKahloStudy.com

The post “A Frida Kahlo Study” featuring Magnus Juliano + Toniesha Renee appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.