zan

Saturday, February 28, 2009

On Iran, an Apostle of Patience

Thursday, February 26, 2009; Page A19

If you ask White House officials whom President Obama listens to about Iran, they mention an interesting name -- Lee Hamilton, the former congressman from Indiana who co-chaired the 2006 Iraq Study Group that urged engagement with the Iranian regime.

So I called Hamilton this week at the Woodrow Wilson International Center, where he serves as president, to ask for his thoughts about strategic dialogue with Tehran. He gave some interesting answers that match (not coincidentally, I suspect) what you hear from senior Obama administration officials. Though Hamilton wouldn't discuss his two meetings with the president since the inauguration, his private advice probably tracks what he told me on the record.

Hamilton cautioned against expecting any quick breakthroughs. He recommended a patient process of engagement that would be analogous to long-term diplomacy with the Soviet Union. "Those of us who favor dialogue with the Iranians have to be clear that success will not come quickly," he said. "You'll have to have direct, sustained engagement over a long period of time."

Sunday, February 22, 2009

lizz wright -- eternity (live in new york)

Heather Nova -- Ride

deus live in concert

Saturday, February 14, 2009

BRÜCKE: The Birth of Expressionism

BRÜCKE: THE BIRTH OF EXPRESSIONISM
IN DRESDEN AND BERLIN, 1905-1913
February 26-June 29, 2009

"This exhibition features more than 100 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by the pioneering artists’ group known as Brücke. With their emphasis on vivid color and emotional directness, the Brücke artists gave birth to German Expressionism. The exhibition is organized by Reinhold Heller, an internationally recognized scholar in the field. It is on view at the Neue Galerie from February 26 through June 29, 2009. It is the first major museum exhibition devoted to these artists ever held in the United States.

The group was founded in 1905 by four students in Dresden: Fritz Bleyl, Erich Heckel, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Living and working communally, they shared a fervent faith in a utopian future. The name Brücke, which means “bridge” in German, was chosen to represent their intention of linking the art of the past with that of the future. Drawing on diverse sources, ranging from medieval woodcuts to African and Oceanic art, the Brücke artists fused these influences into a highly distinctive style. Through their art, they sought to restore a sense of value and unity in a fragmenting world. " from the website

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Antonio Gaudí

from UbuWeb
Director: Hiroshi Teshigahara
Music by Toru Takemitsu

Antonio Gaudí (1979) download avi format 699 mb | Download subtitle file| go to UbuWeb page | Art Torrents

Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí (1852–1926) designed some of the world's most astonishing buildings, interiors, and parks; Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara constructed some of the most aesthetically audacious films ever made. Here their artistry melds in a unique, enthralling cinematic experience. Less a documentary than a visual poem, Teshigahara's Antonio Gaudí takes viewers on a tour of Gaudí's truly spectacular architecture, including his massive, still-unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. With camera work as bold and sensual as the curves of his subject's organic structures, Teshigahara immortalizes Gaudí on film.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Entropa -- Europe shows it's true colors on Free Speech

http://www.lexpress.fr/medias/190/entropa-9-belgium-entertainment-eu-art-czech_255.jpg

It is amazing -- Europe shows it's true colors when a work of art offends other Europeans. There is not a peep about freedom of speech and the artist's independence. The Czech government, first time holder of the EU presidency buckles under pressure, makes the Artist pay back the money he was paid, and pledge not to demand any payment for the six months that Entropa is on lease to the Czech Government.

Entropa, partly covered by a sheet

And Yes, it ordered the Bulgarian section of the work be covered with black cloth last Wednesday. In the process Czech Government managed to turn the event that was to celebrate Europe and it's newest members, into a commemoration of Stalinism. Just a look at the countries who demanded that the art piece be taken down, or in the case Bulgaria, she demanded (and had that demand met) that the part of the work depicting Bulgaria be covered by cloth. it seems that that the very countries who have most to celebrate for their freedom of speech, are the ones opposing it. Perhaps fascism can be eradicated from the political life of a country rather quickly, but to have it removed from people's hearts and minds is apparently more difficult.

A close-up of the part of the Entropa installation depicting Poland

In the meantime it looks as if David Černý has pulled off what he had intended -- by demonstrating the prejudices and stereotypes, he has helped bring them to light -- very nice indeed.

P.s. As a non-European can someone explain some of the jokes to me? Why is (Slovakia wrapped as a Salami in Hungary's Tri-Color) funny or offensive? Elephants and Hypos in Finland? Are there really that many gay monks in Poland?