As we all know, many a recent wildlife photo competition entry and winner have been found to have been somehow staged. Let me emphatically assure all viewers that this candid, in the wild photo has not in any way been staged, altered or manipulated on site, in camera, or via any form of digital processing. Furthermore, it has not been lured or coerced into appearing through gastronomic, financial or sexual compensation (particular emphasis on the latter).
Wildlife is making a small comeback in some areas of our world, particularly as they encroach upon urban environments. There's hardly a park in San Francisco that doesn't sport a Beware Coyote sign; nevertheless, I was recently taken aback spotting this rarely seen specimen in my neighborhood park- the iconic "deer in the headlights" gaze probably the end result of my in camera flash, after which it quickly rebounded to its natural state.
While not exactly war zones, young Mr. Caz purposely goes out of his way to visit and show us some fairly dangerous places in his videos- places even locals dare not tread, and ya gotta give him his just props for that.* So how does blonde, crazy man Kurt get away with it- over and over and over again in some of the most dangerous hoods throughout the known world? How does this energetic young gringo (which he humorously denies being at one point when called) go parading about, forever engaged in his never ending, open air narrative, camera ostentatiously poised aloft** as if shouting 'look at me, look at me' anywhere and everywhere he goes!
At first, it seems downright miraculous, not to mention foolhardy- and it most definitely is that. But watch closely, and there is a formula to his success... Like a shark, he is forever in constant motion, confident, and always moving at a brisk pace; only stopping to grab some quick street grub, ya really gotta move just to keep up with him- very much a moving target! And he's engaging, open to meeting people, he really loves getting out there and doing the friendly impromptu meet and greet- the man is the epitome of an out and out extrovert writ large! And he makes the active effort to learn the necessary bits and pieces of the language, customs, greetings and background history he needs to get him through his current moment, country, situation. He's already almost as fluent in Spanish as I am- not very, but enough to get by... And he's not a fool- he doesn't wander about at night looking to get killed, and will at times, hire a local to transport him from one spot to the next in some of the most isolated of dodgy areas.
As he gets people to respond to him in a positive manner by signaling out, his high visibility and energy tends to create a positive feedback loop with those around him wherever he goes which doesn't exactly make him invulnerable, but most definitely works in his favor. And it's evident that he really does believe that there really are good people in some of the seemingly worst of places...
*Me? I wanna chill on vacay- no, don't wanna lie on no hot sand doing nothing on a beach, just don't wanna be looking behind my back every step of the way is all; I'm an introvert for the most part and much prefer calling my own shots (as much as possible) when it comes to risk!
**whereas most photographers strive to conceal theirs
Over the years, I've come to firmly believe in reincarnation, which was part of Judeo/Christian beliefs back in the day (way back in the day) before both religions became more commodified to suit their more earthly needs. FWIW- reincarnation is in complete and total harmony with Christ's "live forever" teachings.
My belief in reincarnation stems (in part) from NDE recountings, which are often slagged off by doctors and scientists alike as mere drug induced, oxygen depleted hallucinations- fair enough, until some patients also started recalling individual details that happened (during their quasi brain dead state) in the operating room by the surgeon and his crew as the former "float" overhead and watch said goings* while also experiencing some combination of a life review and a short introduction to the secrets of the universe (including the role of reincarnation), all in short order. Eventually, in this time relevant/irrelevant scenario, the person is persuaded to reunite with their broken bodies after first pleading to stay in the far better realm (a realm often inconsistent with their own religious or atheistic beliefs). The individual details differ but the basic scenario remains- we're here to experience, learn and thereby graduate to the next level.
Religion is basically the politicalization of spiritualty (never a good thing), and our fledgling science is limited by its own arrogance and pitifully limited resources and technology- just look at the trauma inflicted on age old scientific theories by the Webb. We confidently stroll about thinking we got it all straight about our creator(s) and his, her, their ultimate plan- just ask any acolyte of any major religion (or cult), or just as confidently amble forward in our indomitable armor of science... despite not knowing what 96% of the physical universe is made of, or even where it is! Yeah, and you're calling me crazy...
Stephen Shore is widely recognized as an American photographic master of the latter twentieth century- particularly of color photography. And not unlike others who reach such heights of confirmation and affirmation, he chose to go in diversely divergent tangents not wishing to repeat that which he already pioneered and exemplified. And like so many others who choose this route, the aftermath is full of much smaller projects not quite so illustrious...
Topographies: Aerial Surveys of the American Landscape is one formidable project however, filled with handsome landscapes taken from a bird's eye view via drone. Many of the images are stunningly beautiful and each is lavishly reproduced complete with their respective GPS coordinates. Interestingly, while some are very obviously taken from an aerial viewpoint, one could unknowingly mistake others for the photographer just being at a high vantage point. The former tend to be flatter, more abstract, two dimensional compositions, while the latter provide more depth- and a more unique and intimate perspective...
Space Jesus- OK, OK, a triptych, not... a Trinity!
Yeah, yeah, I know, I know... it doesn't take 12 years of Catholic childhood academia to know this post features only one of the ever iconic trio, namely- The Son (minus The Old Man and the ever lovin' Holy Ghost). Dad had the entire Old Testament to himself, then sonny came along and got his own book, but I don't have the slightest idea what the Holy Ghost was or is, frankly, I don't think any of the priests, brothers or sisters in all those 12 years knew either. It always seemed the lackluster afterthought of what was essentially a two man tag team- was it just a feeling, an amorphous non-corporeal entity, or a white dove that flew around and... and? We never found out, no one ever spoke of "The Ghost," we did speak of the name change however, the "Holy Spirit" was a decidedly better term for that which we couldn't define, describe or identify- it also sounded a tad less spooky and helped delineate it from the other character, the uhhh... Friendly Ghost.
But then, I could never make sense of "the soul" as a kid either- no idea. For a good while I thought it actually resembled a conch shell and was an actual human organ (physical, spiritual or some miraculous combination thereof) that made its home deep within our chest (where people usually indicated when they spoke of it), somewhere around our heart- or more practically, actually encasing the heart to provide the latter some amount of protection. Now, that made sense! I think my confused and conflated religious imagery may have come from all the depictions of Christ's after burner of a Sacred Heart. I couldn't make sense of his internal combustion engine of a heart with all the fixin's, and for the sake of my prepubescent sanity probably just decided they were rather badly rendered depictions of the more pedestrian, seaside conch shell.
Could never make sense of that triangular women's reproductive system thingie either. It would always appear at the weirdest times and places and had no idea if it represented a demon's head, some stylistic set of moose antlers, or... or? Literally could not make head or tails of the damn thing- was it possible that they were mistakenly depicting it upside down? But even that wouldn't help, seems there was always a bit of artistic license on that one. But I digress, not that there was a point to be made in any of this in the first place.
Get on the Cross Jesus- he makes me smile the most!
I’m a fairly big history buff, a good part of why I’m partial to documentary type photography. So I was fairly intrigued by this historical mystery/puzzle of a film. Honestly don’t give that much a damn about the hierarchy of English royalty, but I’m forever fascinated by how history is recorded for the ages in all its grandeur, infamy and... inaccuracy.
The heroine of The Lost King, far from a professional academic, is looking for that something larger to give meaning to her pedestrian life. She establishes an interest in King Richard III upon seeing the play and gradually becomes obsessed with his life and legacy, particularly- what the hell became of his remains?
So she stops working, starts researching, and through sheer force of conviction (and procuring official funding) manages to commence an archaeological dig for his centuries deceased royal highness in a… parking lot car park.
Long story short, they do indeed find the body, her primary role in achieving said feat is minimized for posterity’s academia’s sake, and discover that said king was not a hunchback, but a survivor of scoliosis!
A coupla things that really help clarify some of the houpla of the last few days. First, remember that Bragg threw out the first case they had against Trump as too risky. DA's do not like to lose! So, "underwhelmed" as some of us may be with this current case, for Bragg to now go all in and prosecute Take Two means- this is the hill he's willing to die on (check 5 min mark), and it ain't got shit to do with Melania.
And even if (even if) that appetizer of a case should ever so nobly fail- this one is most assuredly NOT!!! And then there's: Jan. 6 in DC, voter fraud in Georgia, business dealings in NYC w/Letitia, and a certain rape/defamation suit. Trump may be getting a bump now, he may be raking in the funds from fools throughout our land... but this Whopper of a criminal Titanic is finally and long last going down! Just hope the long overdue arteries don't permanently clog and spare him of his fate.
At least that's how the person with the "very, very, large brain" spells it- and if justice serves, will be convicted. And again in Georgia, and twice more in DC...
Some folks (like myself- not to exclude say... Ukrainians) are quite the outraged how Putin lied Russia into an attempted takeover of Ukraine. While this has resulted in wide international condemnation of Mr. Putin, many an American seems to have forgotten how we were completely, and not so conveniently, lied into a war in Iraq. And as we now try to somehow, someway legally address the myriad of crimes committed by our former Narcissist-in-Chief, Donald J. Trump, Mr. Bush now seemingly enjoys being fondly recast as the lovingly harmless, grandfather type who paints adoringly cute portraits and tableaus ensconced in the privacy of his bathtub, the same W Bush who needlessly lied us into a war of invasion in a country that did us no harm, and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi men, women and children for the sake of his own... vanity! Later he would 'joke' about the reasons he started the war, because by then... hey, we all needed a little humor- did we not? Gotta make some use of thousands of needlessly slaughtered innocents!
The good, honest people at FOX News (those currently being sued for lying to us about a recent election) were quite gun ho at the time to get their war on- mocking, haranguing, and ridiculing the UN weapons inspectors on a daily basis for declaring there were no weapons of mass destruction to be found. Who were these unmanly, girly boy spoilers for a good fight anyway?
Later, of course, those same good people at FOX claimed, how were they to know there were no weapons of mass destruction? "We were lied to," by the media no less! Lied to, by... themselves! Good thing that kind of thing, where FOX lies to its viewers, no longer happens! And uhhh... let us not forget that even "the paper of record," the most venerable NY Times also wanted in on the action- as did most every other traditional news outlet (as thousands protested in the streets worldwide against the most obvious of hoaxes). But on to the battlefield we did go, to dignify ourselves with untold tales of needlessly heinous torture and imaginary valor.
Linoleum is rather painfully described as "comedy, drama, science fiction," when fantasy would have done just fine (same with Everything Everywhere All At Once). One thing's for sure, it's nothing what you think it will be. It's a little bit guy building a rocket in his garage, a little bit coming of age, a little bit middle age crisis, and a lotta so much more...
And this little movie delivers it all, or at least tries to, if you let it- we're all connected, everything happens for a reason (except when it doesn't), life is what you make it, except when it has other plans... The movie challenges you from the start and may test some viewers patience before pulling all the plugs at the very end where it actually pays more than a passing homage to none other than... 2001! As for the title- yeah, got me on that one.
I warily approached the premises upon carefully scoping out its perimeter and inner layout. Secret bio-weapon grade lab set within the side of a local mountain face? Guantanamo style, ultra high security, prison complex? Domestic cartel, fentanyl manufacturing and distribution complex?
More like... the parking lot at The San Francisco Art Institute! What dire secrets lie behind its well guarded walls; what accursed practices sadden and imprison everyone within?! This intrepid photographer attempted to find out before being compelled to flee by whatever forces rule from within. How long can this desperate plea continue to go on ignored and disregarded?
ADDENDUM:No Joke! It really is sad- should've done my HW!
A truly great David and Goliath story, and its totally based... on a true story! Nan Goldin is a definite known name in the photography world, but when tackling the powers that be, Multi-Billion Dollar powers that be (with international connections), an artist in a niche genre is not exactly on a level playing field with the gods of finance.
Throughout their legal proceedings, The Sacklers never once expressed remorse, or any semblance of human emotion or empathy, for the real life victims of their greed- avoiding bad publicity and further financial consequence were their only considerations. But All The Beauty And The Bloodshed is not just about the mostly triumphant victory* of art over blood money, that is, how Goldin waged a ridiculously uphill battle against the financial purveyors of America's ongoing opiate epidemic, it is also about her tragic youth and upbringing, the travails of her adult life, and finally, about the art she continued to make despite the personal trauma. Brave woman, braver warrior, brave human being and artist.
*The Sacklers will still have more money at the end of the time allotted by the court to disperse their $6 Billion dollar fine- than they do now thanks to the careful manipulation of their monies.
Addendum: The Fraenkel Gallery currently has an exhibition of Goldin's more recent work (including a slide show) till 4/29.
From as far back as Alexis de Tocqueville, the French have a long, well established history of traversing the mighty seas from the far reaches of the old country to discover, investigate and reveal to us what is truly great in America! This time photographer Francois Prost captures the majesty of American strip clubs in all their tacky, strip mall, neon glory from "sea to shiny sea" in... Gentlemen's Club.
The photos look great in all their square wonder- good choice of format to uniformly display them in all their various shapes, sizes and demeanors. And the book looks quite the treat as well- unfortunately, it is sold out and a second printing has yet to be confirmed. One can always hope...
Finally made my way to Chris Rock's new comedy special. Now, I usually would've jumped upon first hearing, but truth be told, his previous performance (Tamborine) was surprisingly... lackluster, and the clips I caught from the current special sadly seemed to echo that trend. Rock has been my personal king of comedy for a good decade plus; one can't sustain that indefinitely, and ironically, it was he who would actually note how the powers of his comedic peers would start to tarnish and diminish. I suppose both age and living large (and in increasing isolation) do little to maintain an edgy, punk, comedic persona.
Rock's number one super power is/was his genius level prowess at observation- translated into his frenetic, in your face delivery. He could organically riff on his acute observations with an ease and fluency that would leave one convulsing in laughter (eg- his description of middle aged church woman stuffing their ample feet into their dainty Sunday best footwear until the tops of their feet resembled warm loaves of bread fresh from the oven). LOFL!
This special was different however, it marked the advent of an equal amount of... proclamations. He was actually preaching, pontificating as opposed to merely presenting the evidence, and letting his comedic presentation draw you to its own conclusion(s). It struck me as being both intellectually and comedically... lazy- like aging rock stars who find they've lost a step or two on stage and now rely on grand gestures instead of the more nuanced, natural motions of a now faded youth.
Finally, the issue of the slap itself. And frankly, I expected more- both on a comedic sense and a philosophical one (yes, Rock can go there- both with relative ease, and truly revelatory results). He has repeatedly proven his powers of insight and scathing self reflection on a wide variety of topics- he goes wherever the evidence leads him. But we didn't get that this time 'round, instead we got something more like Trump's current Retribution Tour. He succeeded in landing his counter punches at last- but little else. I expected more, simply because he's been so exemplary of it.
Michael Jai White is one seriously devoted martial artist, he’s also equally devoted to disciplining his mind as well as his body, which is evidenced in how calmly, rationally and succinctly he breaks down and analyzes the whole Will Smith Incident- not to mention fame, power and human ego in part and whole. A font of information on the intricacies of human interaction: physical, emotional, social.
PS- And me being as dumb as I am didn’t realize till recently that he and none other than Black Dynamite are actually one in the same. The latter being one of the most perversely and genius level comical enterprises ever put to film!
