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September 29, 2004
RESFEST 2004
The annual ResFest kicks off today at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The festival runs Thursday, September 30th - Sunday, October 3. Get the full schedule and ticket information online. www.resfest.com
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MacArthur Grant Winners 2004
MacArthur Foundation announces their 2004 "genius award" winners... $500,000 - no strings attached. Four artists in the mix.
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Suburbia, Social Change and Deviant Culture
Metro's Gary Singh opens this week's article, Zine Scene, with a fitting quote by J.G. Ballard, "I feel that suburbia, which is generally regarded as a place where not that much happens, is in fact more crucial in terms of social change than people realize. Changing lifestyles, changes in social conciousness--they are much more apparent in a place like this." Singh's reference here is to San Jose and the Art of Zines 04 exhibit now showing at the San Jose Museum of Art. Read the article.
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September 28, 2004
Big Lil Cabaret Rummage Sale
Just in time for Halloween...Big Lil's Comedy Caberet is having a rummage sale at 157 W. San Fernando Street (corner of San Pedro St.) In addition to their skit costumes, they have a piano, furniture, props and retro clothes/shoes. While you're there, ask about their "Save the Arts" petition.
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Sprout by Thomas Campbell - West Coast Tour
Sprout is the new feature length film by Thomas Campbell. Shot entirely on 16mm film, Sprout takes you on location to Sri Lanka, Morrocco, Costa Rica, Indonesia, California, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Mexico.
The West Coast tour kicks off Wednesday, September 29th in Santa Barbara, followed by San Luis Obispo on the 20th, Santa Cruz on October 1st, Pacifica on the 2nd and back down to Southern Cal for a few more stops in mid October. Thomas Campbell will be accompanied on this tour by featured surfers and musicians including: Tommy Guerrero, Ray Barbee, Jack Johnson, Him, Will Oldham and Neil Halsted of the Mojave 3. Get venue locations and updated tour schedule at trimyourlifeaway.com
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September 27, 2004
On Silence by Aldous Huxley
The twentieth century is, among other things, the Age of Noise. Physical noise, mental noise and noise of desire -- we hold history's record for all of them. And no wonder; for all the resources of our almost miraculous technology have been thrown into the current assault against silence.
That most popular and influential of all recent inventions, the radio is nothing but a conduit through which pre-fabricated din can flow into our homes. And this din goes far deeper, of course, than the eardrums. It penetrates the mind, filling it with a babel of distractions, blasts of corybantic or sentimental music, continually repeated doses of drama that bring no catharsis, but usually create a craving for daily or even hourly emotional enemas. And where, as in most countries, the broadcasting stations support themselves by selling time to advertisers, the noise is carried from the ear, through the realms of phantasy, knowledge and feeling to the ego's core of wish and desire. Spoken or printed, broadcast over the ether or on wood-pulp, all advertising copy has but one purpose -- to prevent the will from ever achieving silence. Desirelessness is the condition of deliverance and illumination. The condition of an expanding and technologically progressive system of mass production is universal craving. Advertising is the organized effort to extend and intensify the workings of that force, which (as all the saints and teachers of all the higher religions have always taught) is the principal cause of suffering and wrong-doing and the greatest obstacle between the human soul and its Divine Ground. -- Aldous Huxley, from Silence, Liberty, and Peace (1946)
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September 25, 2004
A Whole New Form of Tagging
It seems that Tom Bihn isn't just making bags for laptop computers and other stuff these days. He's making friends with all those Americans that share his shame, not to mention the French reading consumers given privy access to the bottom portion of his bilingual washing instructions. The first six lines read just like the English, but the last three French lines are the ones creating all the stir. "We are sorry that our President is an idiot. We didn't vote for him."
The tag has created such a buzz that he produced a t-shirt with the label directions screenprinted on the front and is donating all the profits to the Seattle Vet Center. He's raised $16,000 so far!
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September 22, 2004
METRO's Best of the Bay - Reader's Pick
The readers of Metro have cast their votes in the Best of Silicon Valley 2004, and we thank all of you that voted Anno Domini the "Best Place to See Art" (we came in as the runner's up...) and VillageSavant.com was voted "Best Local Blog"... THANK YOU!
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Signs of Intelligent Life
Julie 'Jitterbug' Pearce glances skyward as she adjusts the quartz crystal atop her homemade UFO attracting device. The three large tubes are strobe lights while red lasers, hidden in the short silver tubes direct light at the crystal. She hopes the combination of lights and sound will attract UFOs. The box at lower right house a compass and an EMF (electromagnetic field detector) while the keyboard is available to communicate notes back to any intelligence that might answer. Full story here.
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Boyfriend Arm Pillow
Just when you thought it couldn't get more surreal... A recent Japanese product targets those who like sleeping on their partner's chest, but don't necessarily have a partner around to do it with. So far they are said to have the shape right and have it padded appropriately for comfort. The additional selling point is that they've eliminated all the sounds and smells of the standard boyfriend and have even added an alarm clock which gently shakes the arm when it's time to get up.
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September 20, 2004
Gregangelo & Velocity Circus
FUNDRAISER FOR CHILDREN UNITED BY EXPERIENCE
Saturday, October 2, 7pm-11pm
CUE Space
1824 9th St
Oakland, CA 94607
call 510.839.0706 for advance tickets
admission: $10 in advance, $20 at the door
www.childrenunitedbyexperience.org
complimentary hor d'eurves and no host bar
Gregangelo & Velocity Circus Troupe Flying trapeze, a double Mongolian contortion act y Serchmaa Byambaa & Bolorma, SuperGigi, Troll Man Scott Norlund, an aerial rope act by Mark Trahan, DJ Magician Emcee Chin Chin. "Wonder Woman" Rachel Stegman and the film and visual art of Gavin Kroeber... and more.
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Fanatic's Creed
"The cardinal doctrine of a fanatic's creed is that his enemies are the enemies of God." ~ Andrew Dickson White
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Just Vote!
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September 18, 2004
Tucker at the Drawing Center NYC
SJ installation by Tucker & Steve Lambert, 2003
Tucker Nichols is in an impressive group show at The Drawing Center in SoHo. (Hopefully they'll do an exhibit catalog. ) Thru Oct. 23rd.
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Submit your Teen Diary for Publication
The Write Doctors want you to submit your diary from your teen years....those hopes, dreams, bad poetry and self-obsessed ramblings about your life's profound urgencies that are now sitting in a box in your parents attic. Submit your old diary or journal entries for publication in the anthology "If You Read This I'll Kill You; Breaking into Our Teen Diaries." Deadline is Oct. 1, 2004
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September 17, 2004
Quiet American presents at 964 Natoma
Aaron Ximm, aka Quiet American, presents Field Effects 20 at 964 Natoma in San Francisco on Friday, September 17th. The Field Effects series showcases the use of found sound, found materials, and field recordings in media art, presented in a uniquely comfortable environment. It's one of the most consistently remarkable events that we've been attending (since Field Effects 1) in the bay area. We highly recommend it. Doors open at 8 p.m. $6-10 sliding donation at the door.
"The world makes music, remember to listen." ~ Quiet American
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2004 Book Arts Jam
+ Over 60 artists displaying original artist's books, fine press books, prints, multiples and zines
+ Letterpress printing demonstations
+ Educational Exhibits
October 2, 2004
10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (free admission)
Foothill College in Los Altos Hills
Easy Directions:
->from 280, exit El Monte Rd. - West.
->Park in Lot #1 and follow signs to Book Art Jam
!!! remember to bring eight quarters for parking !!!
bookartsjam.org
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September 16, 2004
Ghost in the Shell II: Innocence
Ghost in the Shell II: Innocence opens September 17th! Watch the trailer. We highly recommend watching the Japanese version - longer download, but worth the wait.
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September 13, 2004
William Burroughs on politics
During an interview with Gregory Corso and Allan Ginsberg in 1961, Burroughs states:
"To concern yourself with surface political conflicts is to make the mistake of the bull in the ring, you are charging the cloth. That is what politics is for, to teach you the cloth. Just as the bullfighter teaches the bull, teaches him to follow, obey the cloth."
Corso asks, "Who manipulates the cloth?"
To which Burroughs answers, "Death."
William S. Burroughs Interview, 1961
conducted by Gregory Corso and Allen Ginsberg
Originally appeared in Journal For the Protection of All People
Corso: What is your department?
Burroughs: Kunst unt Wissenschaft
Corso: What say you about political conflicts?
Burroughs: Political conflicts are merely surfaced manifestations. If conflicts arise you may certain powers intend to keep this conflict under operation since they hope to profit from the situation. To concern yourself with surface political conflicts is to make the mistake of the bull in the ring, you are charging the cloth. That is what politics is for, to teach you the cloth. Just as the bullfighter teaches the bull, teaches him to follow, obey the cloth.
Corso: Who manipulates the cloth?
Burroughs: Death
Ginsberg: What is death?
Burroughs: A gimmick. It's the time birth death gimmick. Can't go on much longer, too many people are wising up.
Corso: Do you feel there has been a definite change in man's makeup? A new consciousness?
Burroughs: Yes, I can give you a precise answer to that. I feel that the change the mutation in consciousness will occur spontaneously once certain pressures now in operation are removed. I feel that the principal instrument of monopoly and control that prevents expansion of consciousness is the word lines controlling thought feeling and apparent sensory impressions of the human host.
Ginsberg: And if removed, what step?
Burroughs: The forward step must be made in silence. we detach ourselves from word forms-this can be accomplished by substituting for words, letters, concepts, verbal concepts, other modes of expression; for example, color. We can translate word and letter into color (Rimbaud stated that in his color vowels, words quote "words" can be read in silent color.) In other words man must get away from verbal forms to attain the consciousness, that which is there to be perceived at hand.
Corso: How does one take that "forward step," can you say?
Burroughs: Well, this is my subject and is what I am concerned with. Forward steps are made by giving up old armor because words are built into you---in the soft typewriter of the womb you do not realize the word-armor you carry; for example, when you read this page your eyes move irresistibly from left to right following the words that you have been accustomed to. Now try breaking up part of the page like this: (formatting may not hold in some browsers)
Are there or just we can translate
many solutions for example color word color
in the soft typewriter into
political conflicts to attain consciousness
monopoly and control
Corso: Reading that it seems you end up where you began, with politics and it's nomenclature: conflict, attain, solution, monopoly, control--so what kind of help is that?
Burroughs: Precisely what I was saying---if you talk you always end up with politics, it gets nowhere, I mean man it's strictly from the soft typewriter.
Corso: What kind of advice you got for politicians?
Burroughs: Tell the truth once and for all and shut up forever.
Corso: What if people don't want to change, don't want no new consciousness?
Burroughs: For any species to change, if they are unable and are unwilling to do so--I might for example however have suggested to the dinosaurs that heavy armor and great size was a sinking ship, and that they do well to convert to mammal facilities---it would not lie in my power or desire to reconvert a reluctant dinosaur. I can make my feeling very clear, Gregory, I fell like I'm on a sinking ship and I want off.
Corso: Do you think Hemingway got off?
Burroughs: Probably not.
(Next day)
Ginsberg: What about control?
Burroughs: Now all politicians assume a necessity of control, the more efficient the control the better. All political organizations tend to function like a machine, to eliminate the unpredictable factor of AFFECT---emotion. Any machine tends to absorb, eliminate, Affect. Yet the only person who can make a machine move is someone who has a motive, who has Affect. If all individuals were conditioned to machine efficiency in the performance of their duties they would have to be at least one person outside the machine to give the necessary orders; if the machine absorbed or eliminated all those outside the machine the machine will slow down and stop forever. Any unchecked impulse does, within the human body & psyche, lead to the destruction of the organism.
Ginsberg: What kind of organization could technological society have without control?
Burroughs: The whole point is I feel the machine should be eliminated. Now that it has served its purpose of alerting us to the dangers of machine control. Elimination of all natural sciences----If anybody ought to go to the extermination chambers definitely scientists, yes I'm definitely antiscientist because I feel that science represents a conspiracy to impose as, the real and only universe, the Universe of scientists themselves----they're reality-addicts, they've got to have things so real so they can get their hands on it. We have a great elaborate machine which I feel has to be completely dismantled--- in order to do that we need people who understand how the machine works ---the mass media---paralleled opportunity.
Ginsberg: Who do you think is responsible for the dope situation in America?
Burroughs: Old Army game, "I act under orders ." As Captain Ahab said, "You are not other men but my arms and legs---" Mr. Anslinger has a lot of arms and legs, or whoever is controlling him, same thing as the Wichman case, he's the front man, the man who has got to take the rap, poor bastard, I got sympathy for him.
Corso: Could you or do you think it wise to say who it will be or just what force it will be that will destroy the world?
Burroughs: You want to create a panic? That's top secret----want to swamp the lifeboats?
Corso: O.K. How did them there lifeboats get there in the first place?
Burroughs: Take for instance some Indians in South America I seen. There comes along this sloppy cop with his shirt buttons all in the wrong hole, well then, Parkinson's law goes into operation---there's need not for one cop but seven or eight, need for sanitation inspectors, rent collectors, etc.; so after a period of years problems arise, crime, dope taking and traffic, juvenile delinquency---So the question is asked, "What should we do about these problems?" The answer as Gertrude Stein on her deathbed said comes before the question--- in short before the bastards got there in the first place! that's all---
Ginsberg: What do you think Cuba and the FLN think about poets? And what do you think their marijuana policy is?
Burroughs: All political movements are basically anti-creative----since a political movement is a form of war. "There's no place for impractical dreamers around here" that's what they always say. "Your writing activities will be directed, kindly stop horsing around." "As for the smoking of marijuana, it is the exploitation for the workers." Both favor alcohol and are against pot.
Corso: I feel capitol punishment is dooming U.S.A.
Burroughs: I'm against Capitol Punishment in all forms, and I have written many pamphlets on this subject in the manner of Swift's modest proposal pamphlet incorporated into Naked Lunch; these pamphlets have marked Naked Lunch as an obscene book, most all methods of Capitol Punishment are designed to inflict the maximum of humiliation---note attempts to prevent suicide.
Ginsberg: What advice do you have for American youth who are drawn to political action out of sympathy for the American revolution---
Burroughs: "I wouldn't be in your position"---old saw. If there is any political move that I would advocate it would be an alliance between America and Red China, if they'd have us.
Corso: What about the Arab peoples---how are they faring?
Burroughs: They're stuck back thousands of years and they think they're going to get out with a TV set.
Corso: What about the Negros, will they make it---not only the ones in the South, but everywhere?
Burroughs: Biologically speaking the Afro-asiatic block is in the ascendancy---always remember that both Negro and White are minority groups---the largest race is the mongoloid group. In the event of atomic war there is a tremendous biological advantage in the so-called underdeveloped areas that have high birth rates and high death rate because, man, they can plow under those mutations. The country with a low birth rate and low death rate will be hardest hit---and so the poor may indeed inherit the earth, because they're healthier.
Ginsberg: What do you think of White Supremacy?
Burroughs: The essence of white supremacy is this: they are people who want to keep things as they are. That their children's children's children might be a different color is something very alarming to them---in short they are committed to the maintenance of static image. The attempt to maintain a static image, even if it's a good image, just won't work.
Corso: Do you think Americans want and could fight the next war with the same fire and fervency as they did in World War 2?
Burroughs: Undoubtedly, yes---because they remember what a soft time they had in the last one---they sat on their ass.
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Tribute in LIght QTVR
Jook Leung has made a new, full screen panorama from this year's Tribute in Light in NYC to commemorate 9/11.
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September 10, 2004
California Theatre Opening
The "Downtown's Crown Jewel" opening ceremonies is Friday, September 17th, beginning at Noon with the Mayor's dedication. The open house and tours begin at 4pm. The public is invited to attend - 345 South First Street, downtown San Jose.
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The Nicktoons Film Festival
To showcase the diversity of independent cartoon filmmaking, Nicktoons, Frederator Studios and Animation Magazine have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind competition called The Nicktoons Film Festival. They're looking for the best cartoons on the planet–animated shorts that combine a unique look, great character design and a funny plot. You just might get a slot in their compilation series that will broadcast on Nicktoons this fall and take home the Nicktoons Film Festival Grand Prize of $10,000! Get more info, download your entry form and send in your film. details here
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Fan Ho Retrospective
Residing in San Jose is FAN HO, an internationally awarded photographer (268 awards) and acclaimed Hong Kong / Taiwan film director (25 films) . You can see his 50 year retrospective at Modernbook Gallery beginning Friday, Sept. 10 from 7 - 10pm at the opening reception.
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September 09, 2004
Sample this...
It's been common knowledge if not common practice in the emerging music industry for samples of notes, beats and melodies to be plucked from here and borrowed from there as long as the appropriation held up to the under less than 10 seconds rule... The thought going around was that it was considered safe to sample less than 10 consecutive seconds of any given work to create a new piece without paying licensing rights. But even then there was plenty of controversy and opposing opinions depending on which side of the sample you resided on. A recent decision from a federal court of appeals looks to put an end to the argument altogether. Their judgement makes no distinction between borrowing 1 second of a copyrighted song versus the entire work. Pay a license fee or pay a fine. Read the full AP story here on Wired.
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September 04, 2004
PBS and NPR - Petition
If you are not aware of this already, chances are you will one day stumble across an email in your inbox that starts out like... "On NPR's Morning Edition last week, Nina Totenberg said that if the Supreme Court supports Congress, it is in effect the end of the National Public Radio (NPR), NEA & the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). PBS, NPR and the arts are facing major cutbacks in funding..." The truth can be found here on NPR's website including news that Congress recently approved a $390 million funding level for fiscal year 2005. More info about the original petition and what to do if you receive a copy here.
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September 03, 2004
Andrew Schoultz Cover Story
Congrats to Andrew for appearing as this week's SF Weekly cover story. Well deserved!
photo: (c) 2003 A.D.
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September 02, 2004
Artists for Kerry - South Bay
Art Work Donation request for Art Auction Fundraiser to benefit MoveOn.org.
Exhibit Preview, First Friday Opening, October 1st
Live and Silent Art Auction, October 15, 2004 6:30 10:00 p.m
RSVP as soon as possible to:
Elizabeth Borelli
831-462-1043
elpelle@pacbell.net
Both events will be held at Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design
150 South Montgomery St. (between Park and San Fernando), San Jose
www.galleryAD.com
As impassioned members of the arts community, we are outraged by the level of destruction that has resulted from four years of the Bush Administration. An unfounded and unjust war, a huge federal deficit, and the environmental devastation caused by this administration leaves us deeply concerned for our future.
We invite you to participate by donating a piece of art work to this important event. JoAnne Northrup of the San Jose Museum of Art will assist in curating this exhibit of over 50 local and national artists, all showing support for this important cause.
All proceeds will be donated to MoveOn.org, a non-profit political action committee working to send volunteers to swing states with the goal of increasing voter registration.
Artists and guest receive complimentary admission.
Tickets are $25. per person / $40. per couple
Silent auction 7:00-8:30 p.m. - Live auction begins at 8:30 p.m.
R.S.V.P. as soon as possible to:
Elizabeth Borelli
831 | 462 1043
elpell@pacbell.net
South Bay Artists for Kerry.
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A-Noise Streetcasting the RNC Aug 27-Sept 2
There have already been over 1500 arrests from the protests in New York during the Republican National Convention this week. An A-Noise street correspondent just claimed this is the highest number of arrests from any protest in America yet. Can anyone confirm this? Listen in to live broadcasts of the RNC protests from the streets of NYC.
The A-Noise broadcast and archives fuse politics, art and culture to encourage activism and create a collective memory of our successes. This is not the predatory mainstream media, but a straight-up grassroots communication network, by the people for the people.
A-Noise is a collaborative project organized by independent sound makers to coincide with the protests at the Republican National Convention in New York City. Our goal is to create a welcoming and supportive structure that sound artists, journalists, radio groups, and activists of all skill levels can plug into during the RNC. The overall project will include workshops, editing workstations, and air-time programming on a coordinated webstream network of many stations.
We are conscious of gender, race, and class issues. We are committed to representing New Yorkers, and including and valuing contributions from all interested resistance communities. Your participation is essential!
Groups working on the A-Noise project include: free103point9, the New York Indymedia Sound Team, Rise Up Radio, Autonomedia, Enemy Combatant Radio, Portland IMC, and many amazing radio and sound allies around the country.
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Lawrence Ferlinghetti reading tonight
Lawrence Ferlinghetti reads from Americus I tonight at City Lights Bookstore in S.F. He describes his work as "part documentary, part public pillow-talk, part personal epic... a descant, a canto unsung, a banal history, a true fiction, lyric and political..." The reading begins tonight at 7p.m. at 261 Columbus Avenue. Admission is free.
Posted by Brian at 09:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 01, 2004
Power to the Peaceful
On Saturday, Sept. 11th, 11am - 5pm, Michael Franti and his group Spearhead with Guerrilla Management bring you the 6th Annual 911 Power to the Peaceful Festival at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park, SF.
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