Blogs

Slant by Jamien Pride and Chaz Powell

Upon entering the Social Room of The Skylyne at Temescal, you’ll likely be drawn to a subtle, yet stunning art piece composed of colorful blue and orange threads. The art piece, titled Slant, is the masterpiece of artists Jamien Pride and Chaz Powell. It is such an honor to host Pride and Powell’s first permanent installation at The Skylyne. It is because of Bay Area based artists like them that our mantra, ‘Together We Rise’ rings true. Read on to learn more about their inspiration behind the piece, along with their creative process.

The Skylyne: What’s the name of the piece you created for The Skylyne, and what inspired you to create it?

Pride & Powell: The concept of Slant was inspired by the room it occupies. During our initial walkthrough, we saw the space in which the art would be displayed—the energy from the towering concrete wall felt very heavy, cold, and lifeless. We wanted to create something that felt light and organic to bring a sense of balance; the art became a living and breathing addition to the space.

The Skylyne: Can you describe your piece for us?

Pride & Powell: [Made of] thread, wood, and steel, Slant represents the spectrum of Black expression and the benefit of perspective. What the viewer sees is dependent upon where they stand and how they interact with the piece. Slant cannot be fully appreciated until the viewer decides to change their perspective. In that decision, Slant’s complexities are shown through shifting gradients, organic and architectural angles, and interplay with light.

The Skylyne: What was the creative process for completing this piece?

Pride & Powell: The creative process for Slant was a paradoxical combination of rigid planning and flowing with our artistic intuition. After multiple sketches, painstaking spreadsheet calculations to determine the spread and blend of colors, and failed mock-ups erected in our living room, the final execution came down to trust in our vision, abilities, and teamwork.

Slant is our first, permanent art installation and something we hadn’t previously executed on this scale. It truly is an act of alchemy to start with an idea and see it fully realized.

The Skylyne: What’s the day-to-day reality of the artist scene in the Bay Area, including the opportunities and difficulties of selling, marketing, finances, production, and just getting work done?

Pride & Powell: We were just starting to get our footing as active visual artists in the Bay Area. But given that we’re still in a pandemic, we think the art scene is in a state of transition and adaptation to the restrictions on gathering. As artists, it’s been difficult to prioritize being productive as we cope with unprecedented levels of uncertainty, anxiety, and loss. We’re taking it day-by-day, while still trying to maintain some channel of creativity and expression at home.

The Skylyne: What Oakland restaurants, artists, and public spaces in the area inspire you?

Pride & Powell: Oakland-based artists we highly respect and follow are Hueman, Jen Garcia, Muzae Sesay, Lauren Lamboy, Lenworth McIntosh (Joonbug), and Paige Ricks. The most inspiring spaces in Oakland, other than Black-owned galleries, are the preserved areas that have not been drastically altered by gentrification and continue to encourage fellowship. Local events that celebrate Blackness like the Black Joy Parade and Oakland First Fridays are just a few examples of authentic Oakland community.

The Skylyne: How can our community support you? 

Pride & Powell: Continuing to support all local Black artistry is more important and more impactful than supporting us individually. Oakland’s people are who make The Town [what it is]. And with all of the resources being allocated to new buildings and infrastructure, there’s a multitude of Black creatives in the Bay that deserve access to the same number of resources and opportunities for growth.

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Our truth is the idea we want to own in people’s minds in relation to our competition. It is not a tagline. It is our rallying cry that declares who we are and what we stand for.

Together we rise. Together we thrive.

The Skylyne at Temescal was designed to foster and support the local community. We have made major investments into the neighborhood for improved lighting, bike trails, and a new recreation center. Our structure was literally built by Oakland residents, and we're dedicating almost all of our retail space exclusively to local businesses and community-serving storefronts because we know that when Oakland thrives, we all thrive.

“I love to build and see my community build.”

These were the passionate words shared in 2015 by Timiza Joseph, an Oakland resident in anticipation of the construction of The Skylyne. Today, we’re excited to announce that the doors of The Skylyne at Temescal are officially open to anyone looking for apartments in Oakland!

Our apartments are nestled at the intersection of Oakland and Berkeley in Temescal, one of Oakland’s oldest and coolest neighborhoods. Built by local businesses, we strive to continue fostering a sense of unity with our local community. The Skylyne is a five-minute walk from the MacArthur BART, and a fifteen-minute walk from tons of local shops and exquisite restaurants, including Subrosa Coffee and Tea, Pizzaiolo, and Cholita Linda (to name a few).

As one of the tallest buildings in Temescal, you can see the beauty of Oakland from the best vantage point. It's jaw-dropping and majestic. Imagine coming home to a beautiful Oakland apartment, and unwinding from the day while enjoying expansive views from a 15th floor rooftop sky deck complete with a pool.

Our upscale amenities don’t stop there and include well curated lounge spaces and a fully equipped fitness club. Lastly, our Oakland apartments offer keyless entry, in-unit laundry appliances and a paw spa.

Living at The Skylyne will offer you a brand new metropolitan lifestyle at the heart of Oakland and Berkeley. Move-ins begin this month. Apply today to take advantage of up to 3 months free rent (limited time offer, restrictions apply).

You can stop by our Leasing Office daily between 10am to 5pm or contact us at 510-616-9814 to book your tour experience of our Oakland apartments today!

Together, we will rise.

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_{The Skylyne offers a metropolitan lifestyle humming with the unique energy, innovation and creativity of Oakland, built by the hearts and hands of Oakland itself. Offering studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes plus penthouses, your new home is in the vibrant and community-minded Temescal neighborhood. Spend days exploring Temescal Alley, the East Bay’s hippest street, or take the BART from MacArthur Station, into Downtown San Francisco in 16 minutes. When you're ready to relax, come home to stunning views and amazing resident amenities.}

Great Bites Near The Skylyne at Temescal!

Stepping out the doors of The Skylyne at Temescal opens up a whole new culinary world outside of your brand new apartment in Oakland. From the spicy tastes at Bowl’d BBQ to the hearty bowls of ramen at Marufuku, the Temescal restaurant scene is still abuzz with a variety of cuisines that are sure to satisfy your cravings.

We’ve highlighted some of the top Oakland restaurants that our residents are raving about. Don’t worry, we’ve made sure these recommendations offer either takeout, delivery, or outdoor seating while following social distancing protocols to keep you and your family safe. Additionally, they are all within a short walk of The Skylyne.

Aunt Mary’s Cafe: 4640 Telegraph Ave. | Open Daily | 9am-2pm

Only a 10-minute walk away, you can guarantee that you’ll get your brunch on at Aunt Mary’s Cafe! Explore a plethora of Southern-style menu options, including their sweet Ambrosia pancakes or their Louisville Hotbrown Sandwich. Don’t forget to order a pie (or two) for the road!

Between the Bun: 4920 Telegraph Ave. Ste A | Mon - Sun | 11am-9pm

You haven’t had a lobster (or crab) roll quite like the one served at Between the Bun. This Oakland restaurant keeps it straight to the point with their menu items, and we are here for it! Take your pick between the lobster or crab rolls with soups, and quench your thirst with a refreshing soda when visiting this Temescal seafood spot.

Bowl’d BBQ: 4869 Telegraph Ave. | Sun - Sat: 11am-9pm | Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

You’ll experience nothing but flavor at this Korean barbeque restaurant. Start your meal with their veggie Jhap Chae or glazed potatoes. If you like spicy food, you’re in luck! Enjoy lunch specials like the Kimchi stew or fried rice, or spicy rice cakes to give you an extra kick of flavor.

FOB Kitchen: 5179 Telegraph Ave. | Wed - Sat | 11:30am-8:30 pm

It’s nothing but good vibes over at the FOB Kitchen. This woman-owned restaurant boasts of its solid Filipino food and tropical-inspired cocktails to embrace the culture. Sink your teeth into their crunchy, free-range fried chicken before indulging in one of their takeout cocktails like the Pina Negroni.

Marufuku Ramen: 4828 Telegraph Ave. | Open Daily | 5-9:30pm (Lunch take-out 11am-2:30pm)

The wait is worth it at Marufuku Ramen, an authentic Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen shop next in the lineup of must-go Temescal restaurants. The ramen broth, “a rich and milky, premium Tonkotsu broth cooked for over 20 hours to extract umami flavor,” is just one aspect that guests experience while dining here. And tell your vegan friends they’ll get to enjoy just as much taste with their special vegan menu option.

Pizzaiolo: 5008 Telegraph Ave. | Wed - Thur: 4-9pm | Fri - Sat: 4pm-9:30pm | Sun: 4-8pm

Expect nothing but world-class, farm-to-table dishes at this Italian eatery. Start off your meal with their Blue Heron Farms little gems salad, followed by your pick of wood-fired pizza options. And be sure to grab a tasty cocktail at their happy hour Wed-Sun from 4-5:30pm!

Have you tried any of these Oakland restaurants? What have been some of your favorite takeout or dine-in options lately? Let us know what you ordered on instagram, @skylyne510

An Interview with Joonbug Lenworth McIntosh

If you’ve visited the main lobby of The Skylyne at Temescal, then you’ve likely noticed a whimsical mural to the right.

In this month’s #TogetherWeRise post, we’re featuring local Oakland artists in our community. We interviewed the local, multidisciplinary artist behind the masterpiece, Lenworth “Joonbug” McIntosh, to get a better sense of the piece and how it ties into the history and culture of Oakland. Check out what he had to say about his artistic process, art in Oakland, and where he finds inspiration around the Bay Area.

The Skylyne: To start off, could you explain what you do?

Joonbug: I'm a multidisciplinary artist, working mainly in illustration, but I tend to add multiple mediums to those illustrations. I also use oil paint, whatever it is that needs to get the narrative across. I also shoot photography, mainly analog film photography. I currently live in Oakland, and am from Jamaica originally. My style kind of takes on an aesthetic from the 60s/70s Black Diaspora. I create a lot of funk and silhouettes now. I love colors, more of the harmonic style where all the colors need to spread out over the canvas and work well with each other. As well as line work. I like semi-bold lines. I love curves. I like when everything kind of flows into each other and has a very fluid feel, and it doesn't feel like it's disrupting the space. Kind of moving like water in a way. A lot of my characters that I chose for The Skylyne mural are the characters that I'm most prominently using, called The Birds. They stem from a lot of the imagery that I've seen over the course of my life. A lot of the feelings I've felt in the diaspora, just growing up in the Dancehall culture in Jamaica and coming here and seeing a lot of 50s, 60s, and 70s kind of vibe like Good Times or Ernie Barnes’ work. There are a lot of influences from the Black experience that I'm pulling from in my work.

Interviewer: What’s the name of the piece that you created for The Skylyne, and what inspired you to create it?

Joonbug: I honestly don't know that this piece has a name. I want it to convey a certain feeling that would transport you outside into the world of the surrounding area. I've been in Oakland since 2015, and I believe in walking around, especially with my camera. I sometimes feel like I tend to see the spots that aren't always in the limelight but are part of the fabric that makes Oakland...Oakland. This piece is like a photo walk in a way that feels like I'm just walking with my camera and painting what I see in the scene with the brush.

What I wanted to convey is someone walking in my shoes on a typical day in Temescal, or just Oakland in general. I chose the color and different things that had a way of tying in nature as well to capture the vibrancy of the scene and people's energies. I have a dog skateboarding and showing the freedom of being on a skateboard made sense to make that the character versus an actual person. Then you have this Black woman coming from the farmer's market, symbolizing this healthy, community vibe. We have someone holding up a plant, which ties into my collecting of plants. It's nice to have something that's growing slowly and changes over time, and you come to find out that you've also grown. There's a certain sense of relaxation with plants that I love to put in my work. You can also see the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge in the distance.

Interviewer: Nice, gotta love photo walks and plant parenting during quarantine. What was the creative process for completing this piece?

Joonbug: I think the only thing I stressed about had nothing to do with the creative process but more so gathering the supplies. I spent a day in a car running around trying to get the right materials. I finally found a spot in Berkeley that had the right canvas size, then I had to stretch it. So, my studio mates helped me stretch it and then I had to get the frame shipped from the Netherlands. So, it was just like a whole circus getting me to the point where I could actually paint on the surface. But once we got there, it worked from two drafts. The first draft was very loose, and the second draft has a bit more detail that would showcase what my idea was. Once I had that sketch down, [The Skylyne] approved it. Then I went to the canvas, and I started to freestyle.

Interviewer: Nice. Okay, last question. What Oakland restaurants, artists, or public spaces inspire you?

Joonbug: Okay, so there's a few places. Anula’s Cafe is this hidden gem on 14th Street and Franklin in downtown Oakland, and it's run by this Sri Lankan woman named Anula. She's a grandma. She’s very sweet and has this fusion of Caribbean and Sri Lankan food. Her food just makes you feel like a good home cooked meal. I love her food. I love going there. Then Kamdesh Afghan Cuisine on 14th and Webster. I had never had Afghani food until I moved here, and I tried it out for the first time here and just fell in love with it. It's one of those places where you just open the menu up and everything's good. There's also the Minto Jamaican Market at Broadway and 41st. I go there to get all my Jamaican food, groceries, and always like the Jamaican beef patties and chicken patties and everything that reminds me of home.

I also like the coffee shop scene. Oeste had a very good vibe. I like Coloso Coffee whenever they’re open. Farley's on occasion. Part 2 Gallery has a lot of good shows that are always happening. I do like going to Lake Merritt, and walking around there and Chinatown. My friend, Janell, owns Pietisserie, and I still love getting pies from her.

I love to go to The Hatch because it is a nice little bar, very chill.

Interviewer: Cool. Any last words before we close out?

Joonbug: I want to thank specifically Oakland. I used to live in [San Francisco] and that was the first place in the Bay Area where I lived. When I moved to Oakland, like almost instantly, I felt this certain sense of just belonging. I can't really describe exactly how it was, but as soon as I walked around Lake Merritt for the first time, I just felt like this certain breeze that made me feel seen, you know? I just want to thank Oakland for gracing me with that feeling. I've learned so much from being here about community and what it takes to work with others, to support others in all walks of life, to see the passion that people exude for one another and put art above all else.

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_{Our truth is the idea we want to own in people’s minds in relation to our competition. It is not a tagline. It is our rallying cry that declares who we are and what we stand for.}

_{Together we rise. Together we thrive.}

_{The Skylyne at Temescal was designed to foster and support the local community. We've made major investments into the neighborhood for improved lighting, bike trails, and a new rec center (our structure was literally built by Oakland residents), and we're dedicating almost all of our retail space exclusively to local businesses and community-serving storefronts because we know that when Oakland thrives, we all thrive.}