1945

 

Two Jews come into town with two crates that allows them to decimate an entire village! The latest in Uzi tech with unlimited ammo from Netanyahu's Israel? Not quite...as the title suggests, it's 1945 and these two Jews brandish crates full of perfume and cosmetics- or so they say. The destruction comes from the townspeople themselves- and the guilt and shame they've each justified and buried like a badge of deep rooted honor. 

Two closing thoughts: a) I couldn't help think how the whole scenario played out like a typical sitcom sketch straight outta Mayberry (except with decidedly more serious subject matter), and b) the timing and setting with present day Hungary couldn't be more apropos...

Today's Health Tip!

Along with the increasing variety of everyday aches and pains, getting older also brings new and wondrous ways of experiencing excruciating levels of pain never before imagined: kidney stones, Shingles and lately... Charlie Horses! I had heard these were caused primarily because of dehydration, so I drank more water before retiring for the evening, and woke up and pissed more for my trouble! And yet, and yet- Charlie and his horses continued to frequent my calves! 

If you've never had one- they are rather unremarkable, but truly memorable events in one's personal life of woe. If you're blessed (as am I), they awake you in the dead of sleep with a very distinct signature- this sudden tightening of your calf muscle. It's a definite discomfort, but it's just the warning shot for the inevitable shark bite deluxe that is about to clamp down and overtake you for around 10 or 15 seconds that will truly expand your concept of time. It's almost comical since the second you feel that preliminary tightening, you know the wave of PAIN is coming fast and there's not-a-damn-thing you can do about it* in... 1, 2, AAAGGHHHHHHH!!!!!

Who ever thought that a simple muscle cramp could be so utterly, devastatingly... PAINFUL! Anyway, if you do get them, it also means you're deficient in Magnesium- 80% of the American public is. And the most important thing to all this- some heart attacks can also be construed as... muscle cramps!!! So... take your damn Magnesium...

* maybe, just maybe there is...

Poisoning For Profit

Photo: Mathieu Asselin

Just after the previous cursory post concerning "serious photography," I came upon the very epitome of what that looks like, namely: Mathieu Asselin: A Photographic Investigation. Good lord, you can't possibly get anymore dead serious than this- direct, factual, timely. Citizens world over, especially in the US, should be up in arms about it, demanding accountability for lifetimes of pain, death and suffering. And yet nothing is admitted, nothing is done, and naturally- nothing prevents it from happening again, and again... and again. We the people continue to be treated as the pawns of industry, necessary collateral damage not in the march of progress, but in the unconscionable march for profit. Our lives are expendable, our health and livelihoods- experiments in the offing.

The evil that is Monsanto has operated and proliferated under numerous Presidents and administrations, Democratic and Republican alike. They have poisoned the constituents of either party (and beyond) with equal effect, and with equal lack of remorse- while both parties profit from their largesse. Meanwhile, the very government agency (EPA) meant to examine, prevent and hold such mass purveyors of wanton death and destruction accountable has been effectively gutted by the Trump admin and made a willing tool for the very enablement of their crimes...

And unfortunately, Monsanto is not the only mass killer we subsidize and support. "Serious" photography can only help point the way, only a serious electorate can make the change that will prevent what, right now, are the inevitable catastrophes ahead...

Are You Serious?

As in serious photographer. Now me, I'm mostly just out for a laugh here, a laugh there, and something kinda pretty once in a while to fill in the gaps. But for those serious folk out there (and god bless 'em)- Good Luck...

Art Bell- RIP

Not much I can say about Art Bell that hasn't already. All I can say is why I (like so many others) did enjoy him so. First, he had the ingenuity to dedicate a radio program strictly to... The Unexplained, particularly: aliens, UFO's, interdimensional and supernatural phenomena. And he certainly did not lack for sponsors, if anything- he had way too many!

It didn't matter if Art bought everyone's story that he had on, he had an an open mind and an unbound curiosity (concerning eccentric people and subject matter), but I do remember him throwing at least one guy off the show because his story sounded shaky- bottom line, even if you're story was iffy... you got the benefit of the doubt if it was Good (no matter how far fetched), and was told in an engaging manner. Mel's Hole was just such a story- about as far out a tale as a tale can be told. But DANG, what a story it was- as captivating as it was... imaginative (involving a bottomless pit with strange regenerative and supernatural powers)! And then on the very next show he could have someone as respected and respectable as Michio Kaku!

Never boring (did I mention his legendary voice), he was a leading proponent in legitimizing open discussion and investigation concerning extraterrestrial and supernatural phenomena- the voice and personality emanating from "The Kingdom of Nye" will be sorely missed, least in this dimension...

Virtual Hell!!!

Photo: © Stan Banos

It hadn't happened in a while, in fact, I was thinking about it just the other day- no major computer trauma in what... over a year!? That's a nice run of peace and sanity, so it was just bound to snap, bound to come crashing down from the very depths of hell and torment that it most surely presides over. And sure enough...

I opened a particular folder and clicked on a small photo icon in my Windows photo organizer (never, ever a problem there... ever- but then, why should there be?), instead- the next photo in line comes up, a photo that I now notice has completely disappeared from the icons altogether!?!?!?!? And yet, it appears from the ether, The same scenario with the next few icons in line, click on one- the next one shows up... What The!!! So...I rename the two or three to fix things up- but uh-uh... they see what I'm up to; and they ain't having it!

OK, so hard ball is what they want- hard ball is what they're gonna get!!! I open up Photoshop (OK, OK- it's only Elements 9)- and I'm gonna import and rename them from there and show them whose really running the show- and... my whole PS layout is completely altered! What The... X2!!!

This is when it happens- this overwhelming rage of complete and utter helplessness just engulfs and consumes me to the point where I just wanna (should I even say this?)... CRY!!! It's just so incredibly unjust and emasculating to kneecap me on the very thing I most know NOTHING about, am most helpless about!!! Computer disasters often involve that which I can't even begin to formulate the very questions needed to begin explaining, let alone solving...

So, several deep breaths (minus any tears) later, I begin to ever so slowly relearn how to reconfigure my PS layout to where it was (more or less) and then begin to import and rename the files in that folder. Ultimately, even that didn't work- so I had to delete the folder altogether and remake the dozen low res copies anew... A pain in the ass, but far from life altering.

Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be anything else wrong with the computer at large, and that is a major relief- as well as, yet another added note of mystery...

Not Easily Shocked, But...

Not that I'm any and certainly not all that, but at my age, having lived in The Lower East Side, worked in Harlem and Oakland, I have been around the block a few times; but... when ya tell me with a serious face that a child, an actual child (as in not even a teenager) can must represent themselves in front of a judge in an Immigration Court in the US of A... yeah, that really is (cannot be anything but) kinda all out FREAKIN'... SHOCKING!!!

Lull...

Photo: © Stan Banos

I suppose some would call it Spring Break... but it's nothing planned on my part. I just haven't felt compelled to rant or point out anything in particular (that I haven't already)- and that's certainly not to say that they're aren't enough things out there, right now to rant and rave about!

Fortunately, my salary for writing and maintaining this wee island of a blog remains consistent, no matter my output. No doubt, something will soon enough arouse me from my equal parts blissful/anxiety inducing catatonic state; in the meantime, I'm left to contemplate the hideousness of how modern car headlights now encased in plastic so quickly dull up and yellow, built in early warning systems to replace with this year's model (1st world problems to be sure)...

INTERLOCK- Mark Lombardi

"You can hang the truth on the wall and no one will give a damn."  -MarkLombardi

Well, right off the bat- no question this guy, Mark Lombardi, was a genius on a number of levels. Artist, researcher, whistle blower... And talk about an artist who spoke drew truth to power- I don't think I've ever seen any artist who so blatantly exposed and called out the roots of power and evil in such a direct and abstract way... And ALL the data, info and insights that he meticulously researched and compiled on shadow world financial/political associations and networks came from readily available public resources!

Is there any question that the powers that be did not want this guy around!?!? So when he shows up dead of an apparent suicide- yeah, ya kinda start to ask questions...

Patricia Goldstone and Mark Van Proyen - Visting Artists and Scholars from SFAI on Vimeo.

Please note: The video above is approx 1hr 18 minutes- and then, inexplicably repeats...

CHEM CON?

Intrigued? Here's the hour long, unedited version...

Recently, The Wife, has become rather obsessed with chemtrails, she checks them out first thing every morning from our apt window that has a fairly decent view of the environs above. Yeah, I know, I know... Conspiracy Theory Rabbit Hole; leave it alone and let it lie- sensible, normal folk just don't go there! And that is why I'm letting these other professionals make the argument... Many think they are spraying aluminum particles to counter the effects of global warming, and there is no denying that there are quite a few individuals and institutions that are very aware of the increase in toxic, non naturally occurring aluminum throughout our environment - hhmmmm... 

Now, for the most part, I can't tell a chemtrail from a contrail with anything near 100% accuracy- and many who swear they can are not taking into account things like: altitude, temperature, humidity, condensation, barometric pressure and all other measure of wind and weather factors that can simulate a multitude of effects. Granted. But there is no doubt that: a) we have been unknowingly sprayed, b) have an alarmingly large increase of environmental aluminum and other chemicals in our natural environs  (see/hear above), and c) and lord only knows what this can or cannot do...

Bottom line- One Simple Question: if this is simply a question of normal contrail exhaust condensing into ice crystals instead of simply dissipating- why are they expanding into cloud formations? They either freeze and condense (ie- concentrate and grow smaller) or dissipate and... disappear! Normal contrails do not exponentially expand in size and volume (see below)- unless something else is going on...

Photos: © S. Banos   Now, I'm not saying- but...

That's one helluva "cloud" from that single C... trail!

March For Sanity...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Well, it was heartening to see the many thousands (of all ages and races) that showed up in San Francisco to protest our current armed madness in the US of A. The poise, intelligence and commitment of this particular group of teenagers to address this situation in the absence of their elders is one of the few beacons of hope these past few many years... 

That hope was certainly tempereded upon reading this- remember when Republicans were... Anti-Communist? 

Addendum: The recent NATO led action does not negate the above- the point being that Republicans of yore would have been rabidly demanding like actions from the get go...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Benign Coincidence...

Photo: © Stan Banos

So I'm checking out Blake Andrew's blog as I'm oft wont to do on occasion, and click on his link to Josef Chladek's photobook website- which is quite fun, as you can well suss out for yourself. And the very first book I serendipitously clicked upon and examined on his magical bookshelf, Sorry For Damage Done by Vincent Wittenberg and Wladimir Manshanden, was delightfully relevant to what I'm currently starting to amass...

How Much Worse...

Can things possibly get? Actually, quite a bit! Thoughtful synopsis on past, present and... possible future.

Oh, Donny Boy! A Meditation

You can do this Donny- U the Man! U got the power, the power supreme... Show the world who is Boss of Bosses. Mueller is nothing, no one next to U! Light him up- show him the door, and rid yourself of this most ungrateful of parasites once and for all. Some may yell in envy, but they'll quickly respect the beauty of your power! In a week, no one will even remember his name! And you'll be home free, right as rain- to do as you damn well please, as you've always done, as you were meant to do...

Now's the time, Donny Boy- now's the time... Do it.
Unleash The Hounds Of Hell!

The Words I've Been Long Longing To Hear...

Someone with name brand recognition finally spoke up- 

directly, forcefully, no holds barred... this is how you deal with a tyrant!!!

America has no doubt been wounded by the grievous corruption this most self congratulatory of oligarchs has incorporated and disseminated throughout the ranks. Our "democracy" has always been the most imperfect and fragile of institutions, but we cannot allow whatever good the long, turbulent decades have achieved to be dismantled piecemeal by the venal policies of a bloated juvenile brute and his minions. 

I had thought America's bromance with cluelessness had long been left behind in the aughts, instead it has reemerged with a particularly virulent strain of hostility and vindictiveness, while foreign powers have been allowed to poison the waters from... within. These are uniquely troubling times, times as such that someone considerably left of center gleefully welcomes and applauds the exclamations of a former, unrepentant CIA Chief! 

Fortunately, Trump has enthusiastically derided, belittled and turned our country's main intelligence and law enforcement agencies against him. The massive, unrepentant ego, buttressed by a phalanx of law evading lawyers, that has allowed him to escape repeated, ongoing criminal activity undeterred throughout his career in the private sector will finally meet its match in this particular game of thrones- a game where the outcome will not be decided by the magnitude of his bluff.

Uninhabitable

   

Photo: © Stan Banos

Scientists tend to be pretty conservative folks, that is, irrespective of politics, they're not exactly prone to making wild, outlandish statements without ample evidence to back up that of which they speak- and even then they tend to be overly cautious. A lotta people think that scientists put out the most extreme versions of climate change imaginable, and truth is, they are pretty tame in the general assessments of the future that they make public.

Personally, and I'm not the only one- I think this downplaying of what may possibly (ie- most probably?) happen does no one any good. It lulls us into complacency- uhhh... it may get bad, then again... it may not. Couple that with the absolute naysayer deniers, and it's small wonder why what should be The Number One Issue the world over is currently such small potatoes.

Raising sea levels mean more currently inhabited land will be underwater, hence more competition (ie- conflict... WARS- GODDAMNIT!) for remaining lands and resources- not to mention desertification of other vast swaths of arable land, etc, etc... I don't have kids, the wife and I will be outta here soon enough- but damn, I just don't get these Conservatives (the ultimate irony of ironies when it comes to nomenclature) who don't give a flying about the future- if only for their kids...

Rejection: A Stalwart's Guide

Part of overall series (not submitted).        Photo: © Stan Banos

Years past I would sometimes enter competitions hoping maybe (just maybe) I'd get lucky, maybe enough of the other contestants were sick, on vacation, mistook the entry closing date- whatever. And... I... just... might... be able... to sneak... in! Of course, there's no such luck, but as the years passed and turned to decades and I created and amassed more and more work, I was able to learn from my mistakes, hone my photographs into more formidable essays, eliminate the wheat from the chaff and submit a portfolio of photographs each and every one of which could stand on its own two feet. 

Well, that kinda took care of the... quality, but not so much... the content. Previously, whenever I summoned the courage to show my portfolio in person (eg- Mardi Gras, Pet Cemeteries, etc) it would follow a fairly predictable routine. The editor, curator, gallerist would smile, rub their chin, and wave fellow office workers to look at the work. Pretty soon you had everyone including the interns gathered round the table discussing the individual photos and then reminiscing about their own personal tales and experiences. After a while the chuckles and tales of present and yore would die down, everyone would return to their posts and I would be left alone with the decider in chief who would (very) curtly thank me for bringing in the work as his demeanor resumed its staunch business solemnity. It was all well and fun, but... photography is a serious business- and who would be even the least bit interested in those kinds of photos!?!?!?

Nevertheless, hope springs eternal, and I was feeling pretty damn good about the strength and cohesiveness of the twenty photos I was submitting to The New York Times Portfolio Review 2018. Surely, after several years of trying they'd finally have one wee slot to fill with some fairly well envisioned humor... Forget fifteen, I ain't greedy- I'll settle for FIVE minutes!

Alas, yet another rejection notice deluxe. Not entirely unexpected at this point, to say the least; but at this point, the kill shot is- hey, this-is-the-best-I-got... will ever get. No, it sure ain't work that'll save the world- and god bless those that do and continue to do that work. SERIOUSLY! But, I also think (and have witnessed how) we could also use a laugh here or there along the way...

Anyway, for your personal perusal, and unabated acclamation and criticism as per the custom it has become here- below are the rejected but unbowed twenty (some seen, some new): relax, enjoy, take a load off...

 

All Photos: © Stan Banos

All Photos: © Stan Banos

On The Frontline

I'm in middle of reading/viewing On The Frontline by Susan Meiselas, in particular, the parts concerning Nicaragua and El Salvador. And I found it somewhat disconcerting, since when I initially got her book Nicaragua back in '81, I was most struck by the immediacy of her work. There was a sense of intimacy both with her subjects and her subject matter- the guerillas and the revolution, respectively. I imagined her at their meetings in secret enclaves both within the city walls and rural mountain outposts, bearing witness to the planning of the battles to follow. I imagined her following closely by as they trained, prepared, and ambushed a ruthless enemy- their official revolutionary documentarian.

So I was quite surprised to read how she was, in fact, quite the outsider, never knowing when or where the next skirmish would ensue, never being truly accepted as one of them. Not privy to their plans (how could she), she was constantly following rumors, forever relying on luck and intuition. Despite that reality, despite that most obvious divide, she was still able to convey that behind the scenes sense of presence and proximity.

Photography can be a funny thing, anyone who's done it long enough knows that one can take individual pictures that can be as misleading, as they are revealing. We know this. But despite being held at arm's length, there was a particularly genuine sense of authenticity throughout Nicaragua- somehow, someway Meiselas was able to draw us into that conflict, and not only engage us in the chaos and turmoil thousands of miles away, but also provide a modicum of insight as to what it was also like to be an ordinary citizen simply trying not to be the next person killed...

The Ignorance We Inherit

  Photo: © Oliver Clasper

A while back on PetaPixel (before I was officially banned from the site), there was a considerable controversy about a photograph that alluded to lynching being used to advertise something or other. A lot of the commenters said, so what if it did- after all, lynching was an equal opportunity killer in the good ol' US of A. Now, PetaPixel is not always known for its insightfully intellectual banter- and it was on just such an occasion that I found myself compelled to comment just to try and set some semblance of the record straight. No, Whites and Blacks were not lynched in equal numbers, they were not even lynched in equal manner! And yet, despite the long trail of undeniable fact and history- they left the conversation with... whatever they wanted to believe (ie- in denial). Which not only explains why they remain ignorant (and racist), but also why we now have he who personifies both ignorance, and arrogance, currently occupying The West Wing.

Not unlike Eva Leitolf's Looking For Evidence, Oliver Clasper's The Spaces We Inherit brings that history home to present day America; it's rather banal photographic presentations of horrific racial crime sites is a thoughtful, reflective follow up to the haunting Without Sanctuary, the collected photographic history of an America so vigorously denied, buried and revised.

The Opioid Contradictions

Photo: James Nachtwey

Decades past, it used to be Black and Brown people in inner cities, now it's majority White people- all over the country, from rural enclaves to small towns and major cities. The opioid epidemic is, well- just that. Even Ultra-Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh was addicted to OxyContin (often deploying his Hispanic maid to make the pick ups to avoid detection), and President Trump has ceremoniously declared the current US opioid problem a "National Health Emergency," but has not funded a single dollar more to help combat or alleviate it- despite the fact that it continues to worsen and intensify. Rush, a vocal proponent of punishment for drug abusers (who also lost his hearing  due to his opioid abuse), never saw jail time- and I've yet to hear of any contributions from the multimillionaire to any drug rehab program.

Anyway... TIME magazine has (for the first time in its history) assigned one photographer to cover its lead and only story in its current issue. It would be well worth looking at if only to see this master photographer do what he does best, but it is particularly well worth reading and contemplating both the images and information concerning the enormity and magnitude of this very human catastrophe. 

I chose the photograph above simply because it is a block I rather cautiously traverse (to avoid stepping on discarded needles) almost every day on the way to work- what you see above is a daily, ongoing scenario. Of course, Mr. Limbaugh would never ever equate himself with any of these unfortunates. His money bought his way out of jail, bought his way out of permanent deafness, bought his way out of the pain and public degradation that most addicts unlike himself have had to endure...

Margins of Excess

Max Pinckers Margins Of Excess looks like a truly fascinating book, I've never seen it in person- and with that price tag I'll probably never own it... but it sure does look interesting! Afar from a monograph photo book as one can possibly get- but certainly down with the "you can't make it up" vibe that I most certainly treasure...