The words of the song “Strange Fruit” were originally penned in 1936 under the name Lewis Allan by Bronx schoolteacher Abel Meeropol in reaction to a photograph of the 1930 lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith in Marion, Indiana.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to listen to Billie Holiday’s memorable rendition of Strange Fruit the same again after viewing this photograph, which is part of the point of Piotr Szyhalski’s Labor Camp Orchestra, including its “cover” of Strange Fruit – to make visceral the Iraq war. To take us beyond the blaring headlines, patriotic jingoism, and national security fervor to a place that is literally unforgettable.
For the 2010 01SJ Biennial ZER01 is collaborating with SF Shorts: San Francisco International Festival of Short Films to issue an open call for 5-minute shorts interpreting the theme Build Your Own World that were shot using a cell phone, flip video camcorder, or other mobile media device. You can interpret this theme literally or figuratively, seriously or humorously to envision how mobile technology can contribute to positive social change. Selected films will be featured at both SF Shorts and the 2010 01SJ Biennial and cash prize is available for top selection.
Proposals for the workshops and micro-grants are starting to roll in. The workshop call ends on February 15th, and the micro-grants on March 8th, so you still have time to send in proposals. New calls will be posted soon. See here for more information on the current 01SJ Biennial open calls.
Forecast’s public art resource library now online!
The game continues (See earlier post Is it art or advertising Part I).
“As curator Steve Dietz has observed, new media art is like contemporary art—but different.”
Sometimes in the dead of winter in MN we tend to forget that summer ever existed, or that we have neighbors! This project by Gail Katz James is a friendly reminder of warmth (from sun and spirit)!
Support “the largest concentration of technology-based public artwork in the country”
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San Jose Airport Art Program – Consulting Art Technician “ (aka ArtGeek)”
“The ArtGeek oversees the largest concentration of technology-based public artwork in the country. Located in the San Jose International Airport’s brand new terminal, the collection includes a giant propeller-driven robotic sculpture, streaming networked cameras, a massive cloud of flickering glass, liquid-cooled projectors, twitter feeds, and a school of live fish with underwater surveillance cameras. Working from an underground Art+Tech workshop with electronics bench and state-of-the-art sound system, the ArtGeek keeps it all humming.” More info.
Art(ists) On the Verge at the Weisman Art Museum
Artists on the Verge 2008-2009 at the Weisman Art Museum features works or documentation of works made by the inaugural group of Art(ists) on the Verge fellows. Installations of all six commissions are included. Artists are Aniccha Arts (led by Pramila Vasudevan), Avye Alexandres, Christopher Baker, Kevin Obstatz, Andrea Steudel, and Krista Kelley Walsh.
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Revolutionary Love 2 at the Minnesota State Capitol
On Labor Day, September 1, 2008, artist Sharon Hayes gathered nearly 100 people at the Republican National Conventions on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul to read a text in unison addressing political desire and romantic love.
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The State of Things at the Minnesota State Capitol
On Labor Day, September 1, 2008, artist collaborators ligorano/reese installed a temporary ice sculpture spelling out the word “Democracy” on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol during the RNC for the UnConvention.
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