JUNE 2024

This month, we profile contemporary artist Matthew Day Jackson, look at The Most Expensive Coffee Money Can Buy, and publish The Journey to Finding a Home by Faith Foushee.

Matthew Day Jackson

Matthew Day Jackson was born in 1974 in Panorama City, California. His upbringing in the diverse environment of Southern California, combined with his studies at the University of Washington (BFA) and the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University (MFA), profoundly shaped his artistic vision. These formative years laid the groundwork for his multidisciplinary approach, which would later define his career.

Jackson’s work is characterized by its exploration of American history, mythology, and the human condition. He often engages with themes such as mortality, identity, technology, and the environment. His art spans various media, including sculpture, painting, video, and installation, and is known for its intricate craftsmanship and conceptual depth. He draws inspiration from a wide array of sources, including Buckminster Fuller, Franklin Roosevelt, Marcel Duchamp, Bruce Nauman, and Bas Jan Ader, to name a few​.

One of Jackson’s pivotal works, “Sepulcher” (2004), represents a Viking burial ship and marks a significant turn in his career, signaling a departure from painting to a broader exploration of mixed media. This piece reflects his interest in personal mythology and universal themes of death and rebirth. Another notable project, “The Tomb” (2010), The Tomb, a large-scale work derived from the Tomb of Philippe Pot. Jackson replaces the eight hooded monks who carry Pot’s effigy with astronauts that are rendered from scraps of wood and plastic.

Jackson’s work has been exhibited globally, with shows in New York, London, Paris, Beijing, and Venice. His exhibitions, such as “Dynamic Maximum Tension” (2009) and “Heel Gezellig” (2011), have been critically acclaimed. His solo exhibition “Counter-Earth” at Pace Gallery in 2023 showcased his latest works, blending elements of science fiction and historical references to challenge viewers’ perceptions of reality and time​.

Jackson’s philosophy revolves around the interconnectedness of all things. He believes in the visionary power of humanity and often uses recycled materials, high-tech neon lights, and traditional craftsmanship to create his art. His works are not only aesthetic objects but also profound commentaries on the contemporary human experience​.

Residing in Brooklyn, New York, Jackson continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art. His legacy is one of innovation and introspection, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own place within the vast tapestry of history and the cosmos. His contributions to art are not just about visual impact but also about evoking deep, philosophical questions about existence and progress​.

Matthew Day Jackson is a transformative figure in contemporary art, whose work challenges and inspires. His ability to weave complex narratives through diverse media makes him a standout artist of his generation. As he continues to evolve, his art remains a testament to the boundless potential of human creativity and exploration.

Exploring the World’s Most Expensive Coffees

Coffee, a beloved global beverage, varies widely in flavor, origin, and price. Among the most luxurious are those with unique qualities and high costs. Here, we explore some of the most expensive coffees in the world, highlighting their origins, processing methods, and distinctive characteristics.

1. Black Ivory Coffee

Black Ivory Coffee, produced in Thailand, costs a staggering $2,500 per kilogram. Elephants consume the coffee cherries, and the beans are collected from their feces. This process imparts a smooth, earthy flavor with notes of chocolate and malt, and the coffee’s rarity and labor-intensive production contribute to its high price.

Contrast: The ethical practices in Black Ivory production, ensuring elephant welfare, set it apart from other animal-processed coffees like Kopi Luwak.

2. Misha Coffee

Misha Coffee, originating from Peru, is priced at $1,500 per kilogram. This coffee also involves an animal-assisted process, where the coatis (a raccoon-like animal) consume the cherries. The resulting beans are known for their rich, complex flavor profile, featuring fruity and nutty notes.

Comparison: Like Black Ivory and Kopi Luwak, Misha Coffee uses animal digestion to enhance flavor, but each involves different animals and yields distinct taste profiles.

3. Kopi Luwak

Indonesian Kopi Luwak costs about $1,300 per kilogram. Civet cats eat the coffee cherries, and the beans are collected post-digestion. The enzymes in the civet’s digestive system reduce acidity, resulting in a smooth, unique flavor.

Contrast: Ethical concerns about the treatment of civet cats in mass production have led to criticism, unlike the more humane practices in Black Ivory coffee production.

4. Ospina Coffee: Dynasty Gran Café, Premier Grand Cru

This Colombian coffee, priced at $1,250 per kilogram, is celebrated for its heritage and exceptional quality. The beans are grown in volcanic soil, imparting a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of fruit and chocolate.

Comparison: Unlike the animal-processed coffees, Ospina Coffee’s value comes from its historic cultivation methods and premium growing conditions.

5. Finca El Injerto

From Guatemala, Finca El Injerto costs $1,100 per kilogram. This coffee is renowned for its rare and exclusive beans, cultivated with meticulous care. Its flavor is complex, featuring floral and fruity notes.

Contrast: Finca El Injerto’s high price is due to its exceptional quality and limited production, similar to Hacienda La Esmeralda but differing from the animal-processed methods of other luxury coffees.

6. Saint Helena Coffee

Saint Helena coffee, priced at $870 per kilogram, is grown on the remote island of Saint Helena. The unique climate and volcanic soil contribute to its distinct flavor profile, which includes citrus and caramel notes.

Comparison: Like Ospina Coffee, Saint Helena’s high price is attributed to its geographic exclusivity and superior growing conditions rather than unconventional processing methods.

7. Hacienda La Esmeralda

This Panamanian coffee, known for its Geisha variety, costs $560 per kilogram. It’s celebrated for its floral and fruity notes, including jasmine and bergamot. It regularly fetches high prices at auction, reflecting its outstanding quality and meticulous cultivation.

Comparison: Both Hacienda La Esmeralda and Saint Helena coffees derive their value from unique growing conditions and exceptional flavors, but Hacienda La Esmeralda’s prestige is particularly linked to the acclaimed Geisha variety.

The world of luxury coffee offers diverse and extraordinary experiences. From the controversial Kopi Luwak to the rare and ethically produced Black Ivory, and geographically exclusive Saint Helena to the auction-favorite Hacienda La Esmeralda, each coffee provides a unique journey. While their prices reflect rarity and unique production methods, the true value lies in the remarkable flavors and experiences they deliver to coffee enthusiasts worldwide. Whether it’s savoring an animal-processed bean or enjoying pristine flavors from a remote island, these coffees exemplify the pinnacle of coffee craftsmanship.

The Journey to Finding a Home

By: Faith Foushee

Home is a funny thing. When I was growing up, home was a noun: the house my parents raised me in, where I played outside with the neighbors and rode my bicycle up and down the street. 

Home was constant. A place to come back to every day with comfort and security. 

Then, I grew up and moved a few hours away to a different house. It felt like I was just away at summer camp for a while. But as months turned into a year, the new place began to feel more like home. The shift was subtle. Returning to the house I grew up in started to feel strange, almost like visiting a memory.

So, do I have two homes? Or just one? The feeling was different. Home meant something different. 

Now, I’m a digital nomad living in Colombia. Home is no longer a noun.

You don’t have to have a house to experience a home because home is a feeling. Even when it feels like a place, it is the people and experience.

The warmth of friends, the love of family, and the sense of belonging make up a home. 

I’ve never visited any place outside of where I grew up that made me want to live there until now.

The realization hit when I went on a weekend trip with friends to the coast of Colombia. In the Uber on the way back from the airport, one of my friends asked: Does anyone else feel like we’re coming back home? 

And it did. I hadn’t thought about it until he asked. And I’ve thought about it ever since. 

Home isn’t a person, place, or thing. It’s a feeling of those three things combined. Home is different for everyone. Your home and my home are different. That’s the beauty in it. Your home doesn’t have to be understood by everyone, and it probably never will be. 

When you find connection and comfort, and your heart feels at peace, you will know you’ve found home. If you haven’t found it yet, you’re not alone. We’re all searching. 

And if you’re like me, there’s not only one person, place, or thing that makes a home. It’s okay if the feeling changes over time. 

Keep exploring, learning about yourself, and connecting with others. When you know, you’ll know.