22.12.08

SABBATICAL




Going on holiday sabbatical and posting will be spotty at best. Happy holidays!

17.12.08

NEW ANIMALS SOUTHEAST ASIA DIVISION





Many new species discovered in Southeast Asia's Greater Mekong River region. These animals include the Kachin woolly bat and this proud pink cyanide-shooting millipede. Also, the world's largest spider with a leg-span up to 12 inches, was discovered in a cave in Laos. More scary and deadly animal discoveries here and here.

14.12.08

WENDY AND LUCY



I saw the new Kelly Reichardt film over the weekend, Wendy and Lucy. The film is emblematic of the times in which we live and our wanderlust generation. Wendy is traveling, running from something ambiguous. She is searching for something enigmatic, and she is broke, burdened, and desperate. Her sole companion is her dog Lucy. It's a trying film, richly beautiful, but often bleak. Approach with caution, but those seeking literary cinema outside of hollywood's formulas will be well rewarded. Lucy is wonderful and provides a heartbreaking performance.

12.12.08

11.12.08

TREE HUTS NYC





Now on view in Madison Square Park, NYC is Tadashi Kawamata's Tree Huts. Upon first inspection, the tree huts seems to invoke nostalgia and a sense of play. Yet upon further reflection, a more insidious meaning comes into view. Given the location of the unreachable huts among the neighboring skyscrapers along with the impending winter and the astronomical housing costs, the City seems to be sending a message to its homeless residents - "Go climb a tree."

More info

The tree huts will be taken down December 31.

6.12.08

FIELD RECORDINGS



Chris Watson - Vatnajökull









Forget (for a moment) the concept of the album as a collection of preconceived songs. Consider music composed by nature. Consider sound captured by patience and chance. Consider field recording auteur Chris Watson. The above 18 minute mp3 was recorded at Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Iceland. You can hear the titanic shifts of the ice. The birds over head. The water seeping out from the melting, ancient glacier. Like watching a fantastic nature documentary in your head. Break out the big headphones for this.

PS - This track and the two others that compose the album Weather Report (all tracks about 18 minutes long) are available on amazon for 89 cents each. Very much worth purchasing.

4.12.08

GRAFF ANIMATION


MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Artist Blu's website with more pictures and info.