Jan 29 2008
Polish writer Ryszard Kapuscinski died one year ago, on January 23, 2007, at the age of 74.
As a foreign correspondent, Kapuscinski covered coups and revolutions in the developing world for forty years. Many of his articles appeared in a series of books that made him famous: The Soccer War, Another Day of Life, and Shah of Shahs.
Listen to this interview originally aired in 1988
Saló de lectura. Entrevista a R. Kapuscinski (spanish)
Jan 24 2008
A moment closed to the river in deep Amazonia, from the “Shiwiars Project”, by Valery Grancher.
“(…)I work mostly with media of all kinds, from video, photography, paintings, sometimes advertisement, marketing via Internet and this rebounding relationship with a reality of mediation perceived at the individual level triggers my interest, more than the one understood subjectively or in a phenomenological way, that is concomitant realities, whether collective or societal which intersect, their interactions with identity, memory, temporality, a given space. The Internet is a rather specific media because it allows strange situations as I said earlier which correspond to moments of 24hours, localized or global spaces confronted to a location and one individual experience. I certainly consider the Internet at a more symbolic level in relationship to our daily reality - I do not belong to a technological system which consists of generating new technologies to be grafted upon the Internet and thus supports the modern, progressive or positivist orders- I am only interested in the human experience brought up by this particular media. (…)
Jan 22 2008
I’m really glad about the freedom for the two french journalists working on the tuareg rebels in the North of Niger. But since they’re back in Paris. No more news from this country. Not a single line in the newspapers. Not a word on TV.
It’s was exactly the same for Afghanistan before 9/11.
I think people don’t realize what’s happening in Niger. I don’t think people understand that if our western countries don’t help Niger others will do it …
My friend Jean-Marc Durou, a photographer, falled in love with Niger 30 years ago. He has published more than 40 books about Sahara, and still wants to convince our politicians to help Niger … Just as Christophe de Ponfilly did for Afghanistan.
You can discover his work and take a few minutes in Niger.
Jan 22 2008
“Will the Fed’s shock rate cut rescue the global economy ?”
Evan Davis, BBC economics editor
Because of this kind of questions … I don’t want to listen to the radio today.
But I’ve found what to do with my banknote if in the future I can’t buy any flight ticket with them: I’ll go on the website of Marc Sky, The Dollar Artist, or on Won Park gallery.
Jan 21 2008
Jupiter’s Dance, the acclaimed documentary by Renaud Barret & Florent de la Tullaye is now released on DVD.
Synopsis:
The ghettos of Kinshasa - the devastated capital of Democratic Republic of the Congo a country politically and economically adrift - are filled with many gifted, yet impoverished musicians. Their outstanding talent, humour and vital energy are their on means of survival. Amongst them, Jupiter Bokondji, the charismatic leader of the band “Okwess International”, acts as our narrator and guide. This local Don Quixote introduces us to the Kinshasa music scene - teenage rappers, handicapped bluesmen, street children, griots ans guitar craftsmen - and describe his 20-year struggle to bring his music out of the ghetto.
Jan 19 2008
I’ve been filming, working, shooting Marrakesh, Morocco, since 1994, but I think that’s my best sequence in the souks.
People were used to see me walking slowly, taking time, and they knew I would buy nothing. So they now let me film whatever I want.
This video has been presented in various art fair.
Jan 19 2008
“French journalists Thomas Dandois and Pierre Creisson arrived at Orly airport in Paris at 3 p.m. today. In a news conference at the airport, they said they hoped their driver, Al-Hassane Abdourahman, would also be freed soon. The two journalists still faces charges in Niger of “violating state security.””
Via RSF
Jan 18 2008
“This shot was taken in the suburbs of Barcelona . Me and my skateboarder friends had taken the metro out here because it was good for skateboarding , so while the guys were busy getting tricks filmed I was wandering about looking for good photo oppurtunities . I eventually came across these steps which were absolutley huge , I knew they had potential for a great picture so i waited for a while.
I took several shots here that were ok , but then these 4 guys came and started to climb the steps so I waited for a while longer . Then as they reached the top of the steps they all seperated into this perfect composition , I just could’nt believe my luck . So I took the shot and here it is.
I guess all good things come to those who wait”
Dan Wood
Jan 18 2008
“A
The money will be paid mostly to the French government, but also to various regional environmental groups, including Greenpeace. Total was also fined $550,000 for maritime pollution.
The Erika broke up and sank in heavy seas in the
This drawing made by Nicolas Vial just gives you an idea of how we felt as this tragedy happened.
Jan 17 2008
Power lines in the desert near Dubai,
taken by Mariana Canepa Luna during a recent visit to Sharjah, UAERSA
Arts & Ecology supports the work of the arts in examining and addressing social and environmental concerns in an interdisciplinary and international arena. The entire programme is informed by the notion of ecology as the study of relationships between an individual and their cultural, social, political, economic and natural environments, and by the belief that the arts can play a central role in providing creative insights into the challenges facing contemporary society.
Initiated in April 2005, the programme has since consisted of a series of initiatives including conferences, ongoing discourse, international research trips, education pilots, artists’ projects and commissions, and a publication. The RSA is creating a growing network of groups and individuals concerned with the issues - alongside and working with other organisations who have similar concerns. These include Tipping Point, Cape Farewell and Arts Catalyst. More information about these projects can be found throughout this website.
Over the next three years, the ambition of the RSA Arts & Ecology programme is to become an international hub and a portal to increase the level of information and exchange. The project will act as a catalyst in seeking to involve a far greater number of artists, while simultaneously supporting, profiling and helping develop the visibility of artists’ work, sharing the outcomes and experience with others.
