by Miné Salkin | Aug 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
For Sustainability Television
The Arizona State University Art Museum is putting together an exhibit to depict environmental issues through initiating dialogue through artists and the public.
The exhibit, Defining Sustainability, will run between August 26th to February 20, 2010. In collaboration with the ASU Ceramics Research centre, the art show is a non-traditional museum project that will illuminate issues such as the interaction between human beings with the natural environment, the effects of urban human environments and the concerns they place on the individual’s inherent relationship with the Earth. According the university’s press release, the need to further the conversation of sustainability is its goal:
“Each exhibition tells a simple story — an artists’ proposal for green transportation or a designer’s solution for recycled shad structures — which together convey the complexity of sustaining life on earth.”
Through the non-conventional format of the exhibit, the diverse array of multimedia art installations depict the exploration of these real-world environmental concerns by experiencing it through the creative process.
ASU will be presenting three central exhibits, including Native Confluence: Sustaining Cultures by acclaimed artist Nora Naranjo Morse. Jillian McDonald, from New York, is also showcasing her work Alone Together in the Dark, which is an exploration of unsustainable “ghost towns” and cities.
As Arizona’s desert-setting makes it a hot spot for sustainable dialogue, the art show will be featured at several international conferences such as the U.S. GreenBuild conference and other organizations involved with United Nations Climate Change Conference in Denmark.
by Miné Salkin | Aug 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
After the rains settled, we headed back to Deer Lake Park for the second installment of the Vancouver Virgin Music Festival. Still disappointed from missing out on the previous night’s headliners, The Roots, the glorious beaming sunshine gave the warm forebodings of a good festival still ahead…
The SPIN earth team took Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros down to the river for a chat after their energized, folk-rock performance on the stage. Smokin’ cigarettes on the dock, the band talked about what it’s like to live like a band of gypsies, sharing everything with their bandmates except for “dirty underwear.”
Later that afternoon, we hooked up with Emily Haines, singer extraordinaire from Metric. They blazed the Festival stage with an tiger-like fierceness, shredding it up with hits such as “Dead Disco” and “Monster Hospital.” Haines discussed the successes of their latest album Fantasies, which has sold more records than their previous one over four years. Metric’s got a solid base of zealous, loyal devotees that makes them hugely entertaining to watch.
The final set, Ben Harper and the Relentless 7, graced the stage while every woman let out an “oooohhh” and an “ahhhhh” and for good reason — Harper is a beautiful man. Harper howled out some of his classic tunes, sedating everyone through his intoxicating smoothness. The sun was setting in a pink lemonade sky while he lovingly stroked his lap steel guitar. It was a glorious weekend.
Metric Official Website
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Official Website
Ben Harper and Relentless 7 Official Website
by Miné Salkin | May 7, 2009 | news, Uncategorized
Almost 60% in B.C. say they can’t give clients due attention
For Metro Vancouver
Nearly two-thirds — 60 per cent — of front-line social workers in British Columbia said they “rarely” or “never” give adequate attention to children and families due to unmanageable caseloads and high stress levels, according to a report released yesterday.
A study by the Pivot Legal Society involving 109 current and former employees of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) suggests that B.C.’s child protection programs are compromised by a lack of government funding.
“Social workers felt that they didn’t have the ability to do what they needed to do with families and fulfil their reporting responsibilities,” said Darcie Bennett, researcher for Pivot.
Employees also reported that “burnout” took a toll on their emotional health as a result of the lack of resources and time, affecting their own relationships with their families and physical health.
Pivot lawyer Lobat Sadrehashemi said the study’s results are “alarming.”
“The overarching principle is to protect the interests of children, and here we have more than half of social workers pointing to a lack of resources and preventative measures.”
Paul Jenkinson, a spokesperson for the B.C. Association of Social Workers, said these problems have been known since the mid-1990s.
“It’s disturbing that it continues,” he said. “Seventy per cent (of welfare clients) are children who are born into poverty and have no political power.”
by Miné Salkin | Apr 25, 2009 | Uncategorized
The YumYum Tree
Courtesy Snapper Music
Psychedelia meets full-formed jazz in Ozric’s 30th album, meeting new peaks of musical eccentricity. Since their formation in 1984, the English quartet has made a considerable impact in the tradition cottage industry-styled electronica, having made millions of sales in the West, but never signing to a major label. The album opens with the aptly self-descriptive track “Oddweird”, bringing to mind the adventurous computerized sound of early Sega Genesis games — but without the overwhelming tackiness. The song “Yum Yum Tree” takes a detour into a cosmic dimension of space-styled rock that makes you want to drop acid and pretend to fly. Mastered by the smoothest of digital technologies, the album takes you to the edge of the galaxy and back, dwelling in spacier rock themes than their 2008 work Sunrise Festival. (Snapper)
by Miné Salkin | Apr 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
for Metro Vancouver
Police don’t plan to make arrests at event celebrating cannabis culture
Smoking marijuana may be a criminal offence, but Vancouver police won’t be looking to make arrests at a pro-pot rally on Monday that is expected to attract thousands of people.
Const. Jana McGuinness said officers will be present at the event, which takes place in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery every April 20.
A contest to win a Blueberry Skunk plant, from 2007
“As long as there isn’t a public safety issue, where things would move into the streets, then the event will be able to continue,” she said.
Last year, about 6,000 people took part in the 420 gathering to celebrate marijuana culture.
Despite open pot use, no arrests were made. That many people are expected to return this year and to spark up joints at 4:20 p.m.
Jodie Emery, Green party candidate for the Vancouver-Fraserview riding, said the event is a celebration of Canadians’ “autonomy.”
The B.C. Green Party platform for the May 12 election includes the legalization of marijuana.
“Millions of dollars go into enforcing marijuana laws, and this money could be used to prevent more serious problems like violent crimes or identity theft,” she said.
Jodie Emery is married to Marc Emery, founder and president of the B.C. Marijuana Party.
He’s facing extradition to the U.S. for selling marijuana seeds to Americans online.
by Miné Salkin | Apr 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
A couple of months ago, as I was sifting through the myriad of underground bands, when I came across Search Parties. They’ re the kind of band you’d see at places like the Railway Club, the Cobalt, and the Biltmore — slightly grungy venues with an irrevocable coolness too.
Ben Kelly, Baxter Hall, Thomas Weidman, Harlan Shore, Tjom Speakman and Adrian Yee are barely legal.
Ranging from 16 to 20 years old, this band has a ferocity and lyrical maturity that is far beyond their years.
In February, the band played acoustic sets at secret bank locations in ATM rooms, just to prove how people can have fun and be creative without worrying about money and the recession. They’re hip, but also have a social conscience and are brimming with optimism.
Search Parties is best described as an ambient, western, electronically-shredded mash-up, and each delivery is different and unique. Just the way music should be.
Needless to say, they blew out my camera speakers. Sorry for the crackles.
Search Parties MySpace
