spectraversa

Obama Inauguration tomorrow!

2009-01-19T10:16:00.003-05:00

I went down to New York City for the election in November, because I felt I needed to be in the country where global history was being forged. Now, couldn't make it to Washington for the inauguration but will be glued to my screen to watch Barack and Beyonce.

In the Montreal Mirror

2009-01-14T21:26:00.003-05:00

...Some shameless self-promotion...

An article about my projects in the Montreal Mirror, Noisemaker 2009 issue

by MARK SLUTSKY

Aisling Chin-Yee goes by a relatively new job description: “I’m a multimedia producer,” she says. With irons in the fires of documentary filmmaking, short narratives, online distribution and musician-filmmaker collaborations, the term is perhaps the best way to describe the multi-talented Nova Scotia native.

Originally, she says, “I wanted to be a director, but I started working on other people’s projects. I loved working on tons of different films at the same time, rather than just focusing on one project and saddling myself to that for the next two years of my life. I like collaborating with people.”

Chin-Yee was a co-producer on the NFB’s Making Music project, which, together with Pop Montreal, hooked up local musicians with emerging directors. She’s since taken on a variety of projects, most recently producing Daniel Shacter’s short film Three Mothers, now making the festival circuit, for Périphéria Productions, as well as preparing to launch video site Snacker TV.

For Chin-Yee, the Internet has opened up an entirely new venue for indie directors and producers to show their works. “You don’t need to shoot 35mm to have something that looks good online. And it’s short format, it’s quick, you’re accessing people in their daily lives, you’re not asking them to remove themselves, come to a theatre—you’re just part of their regular workflow. That’s how I like to work, I’m pretty all over the place, multitasking a lot, so that’s how I like to consume a lot of media too.”

Finding quality work in the sheer amount of video uploaded every second can be a challenge, and that’s where Snacker comes in. “The idea for Snacker TV is basically good quality episodic films, online,” she says. “It’s basically an online television station—simple format, not too much going on on the screen. We’re going to try and do it like seasonal television—one 10-episode series that’s going to be on at a time, and then when that’s finished, going on to another series.”

And that’s not all, as Chin-Yee’s got a couple of her own projects up her sleeve. “I work on a lot of hard-hitting documentaries so I like making stupid documentaries,” she laughs. “So right now I’m developing a project about hold music. Which is funny, because I’ve spent a significant time with people on tech support and having to deal with their hold music. There’s a whole crazy psychology of how to keep people sane and not want to kill you when you’re keeping them on hold!”

Voting in the US Election in Brooklyn

2008-11-04T19:16:00.004-05:00

I decided last minute to head down to New York from Montreal to witness the biggest election of our time. Obama vs. McCain, and I wanted to be in the belly of the beast when the polls came in. Staying with friend, and Obama supporter (and active member of society, going door to door to get people out and vote, Chirag Patel who lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Here's a short video of his voting experience, and my first look at these archaic washing machines that Americans vote on.

Currently I am sitting artist and freelancer co-working space, 3rd Ward in Bushwick, Brooklyn for the "Call for Change" program, where volunteers get on their cell phones and call the battleground states to get citizens out to vote. In the 3rd Ward there is a poll watching party, with free silkscreening (of Obama's face) and a sculpture of Palin's head.

How to use your new iPod cellphone

2008-10-10T23:48:00.014-04:00

So you are the new owner of an iPod Cellphone. Sometimes referred to on the street as an iPhone. As a fellow owner of an iPod cellphone, let me give you a few starter tips to begin your new life.

First. you take pictures of all your friends for your contacts. See example with Matthew Forsythe and his new iPod cellphone.

This will annoy, yet excite them once you show their picture when they call.

Then you download the Montreal STM application. so you can find the bus. This will also impress your bus taking friends.

Then set your ringer to the old school telephone ring to be like all the other iPod cell phone users.

Then you start uploading images to Facebook. This will show everyone that you have an ipod cellphone. And can take pictures anywhere and pretty much of anything. And get it to Facebook without wasting anytime going to a computer.

This will also makes them jealous. Yet excited because they will have their pictures on FB immediatly.

It also shows how cool you are in the middle of the day.

You should then post all random information you have about your iPod cell phone on your barely used blog. Such as info like, "I downloaded the new beer pouring application. It really looks like my phone is a pint of beer."

This will show the 2 people who accidently press on www.spectraversa.com in your email signature that you are cool. And own an ipod cell phone.

Then you complain about the cost of owning an iPod cell phone.

But secretly think you are better than everyone else because you are willing to spend your rent/food money on an iPod cellphone.

Try these simple steps when getting your iPod cell phone and make new friends (which means new contacts in your iPod cell phone) today.

Adolph Harper cuts more Cultural Funding

2008-09-04T11:07:00.003-04:00

Stephen Harper continues to slash away at cultural funding, by stripping Tele-Film of 14.5 Million dollars of new media funding.

As seen on artthreat.net check out this appropriatly satirical video.

Deirdre Porter

2008-06-05T16:05:00.003-04:00

My best friend, the infamously funny Deirdre Porter died on May 30th in Halifax due to leukemia. She was the most amazing friend and will be missed intensely by many, many people who were fortunate to have known her. She had a full life, if short, and spent her last year living and loving Japan.

xoxo Deirdre. I can't wait to see you again.
Aisling

The One AM Radio video

2008-02-27T16:32:00.003-05:00

Beautiful little video, made with pencil drawings and a Mac isight camera and photobooth. And to think I use mine to just pictures of myself and my dog with distorted heads. Music by One AM Radio. Check out their youtube channel for more.

207 People Freeze in Grand Central Station

2008-02-18T17:06:00.003-05:00

Stumbled Upon this video of 207 people all simultaneously "freezing" in place in a busy New York public space. The other passer byers are totally confused at this mass time freeze! Pretty awesome idea.

Give Meaning This Holiday: Up the Yangtze

2007-12-20T10:59:00.000-05:00

If you are wondering where to put best to put your money this holiday season, think about Yung Chang's documentary Up the Yangtze which recently came back, high in competition from IDFA and on its way to Sundance. One of the compelling characters in the film Yu Shui, a young girl, whose family is displaced by the flooding of the 3 Gorges Dam hydro electric project, and goes to work on a cruise liner for tourists who want to take a leisurely vacation down the Yangtze river to support her family. A candid, and strong young woman, who takes on a huge responsibility for her parents and brother and sister. Her hard working parents, who's daily struggle has gotten harder, as Yu Shui's father was diagnosed with cataracts in his eyes.

Yung and EyeSteelFilms have started a fund, to raise the money for his medical operation, as it is incredibly expensive to do, and beyond the means of this family's income. So what may be a little for you and I, can make a huge difference to this family. Check it out at GiveMeaning.com and consider donating to yufam

More digital Smiles

2007-11-12T21:42:00.001-05:00

Matt and I have more fun with digital cameras in ilesansfil cafe, Utopik after Montreal's Bar Camp. More silliness.

Digital Smiles

2007-11-03T18:32:00.000-04:00

Dear Internet,
You've been busy, I've been busy, and we've grown apart. Well, more like Me and Blogger have grown apart. But, I have no excuse really for this lack of blogging, so here's how I will make it up to you, Internet. Please accept my digital smile as token of my love.

Sincerely,
Aisling

ps - this is the fun us Montreal city folk, Matt, Rob and Colleen, have while driving to get some "fresh air" hiking in the mountains. It was great, stretch the legs, see the changing leaves, and rush home to youtube our experience.

St-Viateur street party

2007-06-10T21:21:00.001-04:00

Finalement! The summer seems to be here to stay now, and to kick off the festival season, last week started with the St-Viateur street party in Mile End. Here's some highlights. A video of Socalled and Friends, with Josh's hit song from his album Ghettoblaster. As well as the unofficial afterparty under the over pass by Bernard street with Sixtoo.

10 MPH : across the country on a Segway

2007-05-21T21:51:00.000-04:00

After returning from my exciting klezmer boat trip in the Ukraine, I am up for some serious cross country documentary action. And by serious, I mean two wheels, standing, and 10 mph of segway transportation.

First seen on
core 77, 10 MPH : across the country on a Segway is a documentary film that follows Josh Caldwell and Hunter Weeks as they quit their jobs to go across the very country selling them the American/corporate dream.
Eat my slow moving dust, big business! Deciding that travel on a segway was the way to go, this film has the potential to ask us to look at our fast pace lives, corporate ideals, and SUV driving ways. It should at least be fun, and a way to see if these segway things are worth the purchase.

Socalled and the Klezmer cruise film blog!

2007-04-26T22:20:00.000-04:00

Just rushing around packing - getting ready for the National Film Board and Beitel/Lazar Production of The "Socalled" king of Klezmer I will be blogging from the Ukraine on the first ever Klezmer cruise down the Dneiper River, that Josh Dolgin aka. Socalled will be both attending and leading a 60 person choir.

check out the blog with videos like this one at
www.nfb.ca/socalled

Holy War Dance Party!

2007-04-16T20:44:00.000-04:00

This truly is the fun we were never meant to have....

Enjoy this fun, political dance vid - the best weapon we have today...

me and oscar

2007-03-25T20:55:00.000-04:00

I am fortunate enough to work at the National Film Board of Canada, and had this wonderful, but such a dorky looking picture of me, with Torill Kove, the director of the Oscar winning film, The Danish Poet. On her triumphant return from LA, there was a photoshoot for the employees at the NFB to share in the celebration.

Danish Poet is such a special little film, I recommend it to anyone who feels like they are wondering around this earth directionless. You never do know what sequence of events will shape your future!

have a laugh at my picture, Ms. Miya looks much more sophisticated!

tags technorati : osar, danish poet, academy award, torill cove, NFB, animation film, canada, canadian

opensourcecinema

2007-03-12T23:28:00.000-04:00

Ever wanted to use "happy birthday" in a film? Sick and tired of corporate media conglomerates stifling artistic and cultural expression? Had enough of youtube's "cease and desist" emails on your favourite videos? Got DJ Dangermouse's now classic mashup, The Grey Album on your ipod? Rest assured, there is a remedy to aid the mediaphile ...

Release your inner frustrations in a creative way with opensourcecinema.org, the interactive website for Brett Gaylor's current film, Basement Tapes, the documentary being made in co-production with EyeSteelFilm and the NFB on the issue of media ownership, and in particular, the importance of the music download culture, as well as the artistic revolution behind reappropriation, and mashing up pop and political culture for citizen made media. On the site, you can get involved in the making of the film, by mashing up your own remixes and interpretations on scenes that could appear in the final film.

All the necessary ingredients are provided :
1) your vids and footage to remix
2) already made mashups for inspiration

In Basement Tapes, Brett will explore the issue of copyright, how it neither protects the artists, nor helps the consumer/citizen react to the cultural/commercial icons, music, and images that we are surrounded with everyday. But, the free culture movement, spurned by the power and freedom of the internet and technology has opened up creation to the consumer. So, with download culture being threatened, and with Google having too much to lose to be inovative, Brett and Basement Tapes asks the questions to those that are effected and are effective in the war on intellectual property, an invites you to get involved in this process.

You will even have access to heavy hitting free culture thinker, Lawerence Lessig footage to have your way with. Just re-upload your final work back onto opensourcecinema.org and get involved in the movement to release art from the corporate owners.

Check out the site for more info, and an up close and personal "walk and talk" vlog from Brett himself, where he tests your listening skills with the concepts of Left and Right.

tags technorati : basement tapes, copyleft, mashup, brett gaylor, remix, film, video, editing, archive, open source, technology, internet, community

Expozine Awards 2007

2007-03-08T21:59:00.000-05:00

The Expozine Awards gala was held last night to celebrate the hard work of local publishers, illustrators, and page writers (not post writers like me...). Independent and DIY artists and their followers congregated for some cheap beer, entertainment, and lots of smoke machine to get a glimpse at this years winners:

Best English Comic

Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Best English Zine

Welcome to Gayside by The Third Leg.

Best English Book

The Theory of the Loser Class by Jon Paul Fiorentino, Coach House Press

Meilleur Zine

Ex Aequo (tie):

Le fascicule du FAS / spécial non-apprivoisable et non-domesticable, par fas.mjack.net

Sexy Fall // Chute! // Nous Numéro 1, de Louise-Andrée Lauzière; Éditions les cuisines piquantes

Meilleure Bande Dessinée

Hasemeister (spécial Halloween) par Frédéric Mahieu

Meilleur Livre

Cyclope opus #3 / Plan cartésien, Éditions Les 400 coups

tags technorati : expozine, montreal, publishing, independent, comics, zines, illustration, mainline theatre,

Nuit Blanche 2007

2007-03-06T20:44:00.000-05:00

Nuit Blanche this past weekend, a short vlog....more later.

Tags: nuit blanche, montreal, festival des lumieres, lights festival, art threat, gallery, kino, dancing,

Creative Commons UK: Mix and Mash Film Contest

2007-02-24T23:24:00.000-05:00

Get into the copyleft spirit with Creative Commons UK moving pictures mash up contest of three minutes shorts. CCUK even has a video resource providing archival and public domain material for your downloading pleasure.

So, reclaim your cultural commentary, stir it up with some good ol' human competitive nature, and get into it with your take on the remix theme of, "Britannia Rules, Britannia Sucks", and the possibilities that that holds.

Deadline is March 10th, so get downloading, get cutting, and get sharing - because your film has a chance to be judged by a stellar panel, that includes, BoingBoing's Cory Doctorow, as well as film and net worthy beings from the British Film Institute, BritDoc Festival, as well as independent filmmakers. And, there's prizes. Cool prizes.

Check out the link for more info, and to see the current submissions for some share-alike inspiration that cultural expression is on its way out of corporate hands, and into the hands of the artists.

And, stay tuned for a Canadian version of Mix and Mash...
cross posted to Art Threat.

Tags: creative commons, CC, UK, mix and mash=contest, boingboing, remix, mash-ups, film, video, music, share-alike, cory doctorow, BFI, BritDoc, culture, lessig, competition, contest

Tony vs. Paul

2007-02-23T21:58:00.000-05:00

minirobot let me in on this year old youtube gem that was hidden in the rubble of lonelygirl "ask a gay man", and the disappointment of the ever increasing lack of content due to "copyright infringement". Tony Fiandaca and Paul Cummings of Tetriscide made this phenomenal stop motion extravaganza of two friends (they acted as well - or posed I should say) who become enemies, and the picture by picture trials and tribulations that are attached to flying punches, face in the grass travelling, and warm handshakes. In the increasingly corporate and unfun path that youtube is moving down, it is nice to come across real creative content.

tags technorati : tony vs. paul, stop motion, animation, film, youtube, Tetriscide, fighting, pixelation, battle

Poetry in Spam

2007-02-18T23:59:00.000-05:00

Filtering through my spam has proven to be more interesting than all the emails, list serves, and all the rest of the crap that I have granted access into my email inbox! My philosophy: the evolution of spam has grown past the basement viagra operations (though they are still in full steam and vigor, bless 'em!), and the letters encouraging us to "deposit money into my Nigerian account". But have reached the socially hidden, basement stayed poets of the internet . . . spamming us to read their automatic writing exercises.

It's kind of fun.

Here's one that I found in my last clean-up:

"contrary, ignorance. But this is not the mark of all relatives; everything that is not substance. But one and the selfsame receptive of these qualities, but only in that subject of which the with one thing, and great in comparison with another, so that the same boat cannot be said to find its explanation in the word rudder. As defined with reference to that of which the things indicated are a quality, that which takes its character from the quality has a name have to admit that such parts are not substances: for in explaining is said to be capable of admitting contrary qualities. definition will not be appropriate, for the rudder does not have likewise, is a continuous quantity; for the parts of a solid occupy half. The existence of the half necessitates the existence of that Neither in the case of contraries, nor in the case of difficulties might ensue, and this is true with regard to all those him and the slave will remain the same, for it is of a master that a is white, black, that which is cold, hot, that which is good, bad, being indicated by the preposition of or by some other follows that there is no half, and vice versa; this rule also village: or we say that a house has many in it, and a theatre few, subject, for it comes into existence at the same time as the animal.

Now the head, the hand, and such things are substances, and it is As for the rest, time, place, state, since they are easily But it is by reason of the modification which takes place within the first is reciprocally connected, as in the aforesaid instances, when common. It is, therefore, established that in every proposition, of necessary for one to be true and the other false. Health and disease As for the rest, time, place, state, since they are easily cold, for it has entered into a different state. Similarly that in the sense of the word opposite which applies to possession and relative in so far as it is some ones property, not in so far as it qualities, inasmuch as we are said to be such and such in virtue of takes place, through disease or any such cause. The virtues, also, same time both white and black. Nor is there anything which is things which admit these qualities are affected in any way. Honey is Further, primary substances are most properly so called, because easily be rendered ineffective or speedily removed, are called, not subsists also between the species and the genus to which the primary Again, perception is generated at the same time as the perceiving determinate sense."

Deep.

anyway - Kung Hei Fat Choi - Happy New year of the golden pig... live it up.

tags technorati : happy chinese new year, pig, golden pig, spam, poetry, junk filter, funny, poem, hidden, basement poets, artists

tags technorati : Kung Hei Fat Choi

Best Shout Out Ever.

2007-02-11T21:29:00.000-05:00

The 49th installment of the Grammys has been quite stellar, with such highlights as The Police reunion (but everyone is going to say that), and Jamie Foxx crip walking on stage (which reminded me that this was a goal of mine to learn to do since I was a teenager...now my current goal of the week...), but so far, best thing of the Grammys was Ludacris' SHOUT OUT to right wing "culture warrior", Bill O'Reilly. Confused at first, I admit (and bit peeved about The Roots not winning...), jumping onto my trusty imac to ensure that this had to be a joke. And, sure enough, Ludacris has as much humour as he does, frequent ladies homes in various area codes (lame joke, I know). For those like me, who were confused, a few years ago, O'Reilly critisized and insulted Ludacris and other hip hop artists, and the corps. that they endorse. Corporating whoring is another topic of discussion, but for now, we can just stick to the dressed up racism, and the undeserved self-righteousness of the Fox trainwreck, and his accusations that slapped him back in the face soon after.

You can read more about this scandal that ensued with Bill O'Reilly's sexual harrassment suit on AllHipHop.com , where they write:
"According to reports, former associate producer Andrea Mackris claims that O’ Reilly bought her a vibrator and gave her instructions on how to use it."

So creepy.

And you can read more at GlobalBlackNews.

Anyway - the Grammy's aren't over yet, but a here's my shout out to Ludacris for being the best speech yet.

tags technorati : ludacris, grammy, grammys, 49th, music, rap, hiphop, bill o'reilly, winner, scandal, fox, shout out, funny, rapper, best rap artist of the year, awards show

Technical wonderment, or geeky connectivity? let's say both...

2007-01-22T22:54:00.000-05:00

Either mine and Rob's relationship is a testament to the power of fiber optics, citizen journalism, and the blogosphere or, it just shows everyone on the internet how geeky we actualy are. Rob is currently travelling out west on the Wal-Town the Film tour with fellow uberculturist, Ezra Winton. A film by Sergeo Kirby, and a NFB co-production with Le Production Grand Nord, and Loaded Pictures, featuring uberculture's 2 year tour across Canada spreading awareness, getting into antics about the dastardly Wal-Mart's business practices, and destruction to local commerce.

Off and on planes + both our busy schedules + time zones + expensive cellphone bills + youtube = I need to keep checking out the Wal-Town weblog/vlog to get the scoop of what is currently in the "goings-on" of Rob and Ezra's western film tour. An entertaining duo in dancing pixels and weathered sound, it's a great way to keep in touch and to see them cross the country, discussing an important issue that they devoted themselves to for such a long time.

So as nerd-worthy as this is, these little smatterings are a great way to keep connected, along with the expensive cellphone bills, and emails... And if you are in a town where Wal-Town is screening, East or West, go check it out.

Jan. 24: Gibsons, BC
Jan. 25: Vancouver, BC
Jan. 26: Courtenay, BC
Jan. 27: Victoria, BC
Jan. 28: Salmon Arm, BC
Jan. 29: Whitehorse, YT
Jan. 30: Dawson City, YT
Feb. 1: Lethbridge, AB
Feb. 2 & 4: Edmonton, AB
Feb. 5: Yellowknife, NT

East
Jan. 25: Fredericton, NB
Jan. 26: Saint John, NB
Jan. 27: Moncton, NB
Jan. 28: Summerside, PE
Jan. 29: Charlottetown, PE
Jan. 31: St. John’s, NL
Feb. 1: Corner Brook, NL
Feb. 2: Sydney, NS
Feb. 3: Wolfville, NS
Feb. 4: Halifax, NS
Feb. 5: Labrador City, NL
Feb. 9: Ottawa, ON

tags technorati : wal-mart, wal-town, uberculture, union, bigbox store, multinational, sweatshop, labour, labor, tour, loaded pictures

tags technorati : rob maguire, ezra winton

tags technorati : loaded pictures, Wal-Town the film

Canucks vs. Canadiens

2007-01-18T20:04:00.000-05:00

This is footage from my first NHL game, Vancouver Cancucks against my Montreal Canadiens. It was a pathetic game, where I didn't get to see even one goal, but witnessed the fans continuing distress at our team bumbling around the ice. The Canucks, who won by 4-0, even seemed depressed by the end, as if they were challenging the pee wee league to an unfair match. Friends came up from New York (Canucks fans, go figure), and of course they were happy with the result, but they didn't get to experience the full force of Montreal's hockey obsession, and the verbal active fans (beyond the booing). We had great seats, as we showed up after the first period, and got a deal on some centre ice, lower section tickets, even though we were surrounded by corporate suits. Who lamely split (maybe their SUVs were going to get towed) before the game was done.

It seems like tonight (Atlanta) MAY be the end of the Canadiens downward spiral...but, as the game is currently on, I don't want to jinx it.
So fingers crossed.

tags technorati : montreal, canadiens, hockey, NHL, canucks, vancouver, 4-0, lose, game, bell centre, slump, tickets, RDS, CBC, TSN,

Bollywood North

2007-01-13T18:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the premiere of two great things: The Bollywood big budget blockbuster, Guru, and the world premiere screening of a Bollywood film outside of India. Megastars, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, of the largest filmmaking industry pleased 1200 fans in Toronto last night. And to the screams of adulation they graced the red carpet, and the idea that not everyone is watching American, Hollywood films. Canada can learn a thing or two from the Indians, who support their own cinema, from development to distribution, and have a lavish cinema that is known and cherished by many other nations. Whether it’s global warming and globalization in the air, the Bollywood and Hollywood North marriage will hopefully be around for a long time, and 1200 screaming Canadians will feel as passionately soon about their own films. You can read more about this here.
Here's a trailer of the film:

tags technorati : hollywood north, bollywood, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, cinema, toronto, filmmaking, canada, culture, guru, bollywood north,

REpost: The Echo Chamber project

2007-01-07T17:21:00.000-05:00

This is a post from March 15th 2006 (ah, the ides of March!), that was spammed quite severely - and as much as I love people visiting my site, through such google searches as, "h0t young etc...", I think I'll pass, because it's just confusing and disappointing for me, and those looking for more exciting, revealing footage then what me and my little camera can provide. So, to not lose this post in the abyss forever, Here it is, one more round. I did lost the comments page, where I had some nice correspondense with Kent Bye of The Echo Chamber Project - but I hope we will be able to pick up a conversation after all these months.

In recent good news for The Echo Chamber Project, Kent has just received a $55 000 grant to keep up his dedicated work. Congrats! Well deserved as you can see by the project overview:

OVERVIEW
The Echo Chamber Project explores collaborative investigative filmmaking by using new media technologies as well as a repository of original video interviews with journalists and scholars. It is a project that details the limitations of American journalism while at the same time embodying innovative solutions through collaborative media production. In short, it is an independent filmmaker's "YouTube" combined with "Wikipedia" for serious journalism.

Radical innovation is needed in order to discover both sustainable business models for hard-hitting investigative journalism as well as new ways of maintaining influence and audience attention with trustworthy content. The Echo Chamber Project explores the two key trends of Online Video and Tapping into Collective Intelligence through Citizen Participation.

There are three end products for The Echo Chamber Project:
1.) A collaboratively edited 90-minute documentary film about how the mainstream media became an uncritical echo chamber during the lead-up to the war in Iraq.
2.) A set of open source tools and methodologies for participatory journalism and collaborative film editing that is sustained through a viable business model.
3.) An online, interactive collection of transcribed video segments that are annotated and filtered with user-contributed context and meaning at http://www.echochamberproject.com.

Here's the previous post, please don't spam me with more sexy talk.

March 15, 2006:

Check out this site, The Echo Chamber, Kent Bye's open source multi-media rich site/blog that looks critically at the (predominantly American) media's role in molding the culture landscape, and the slanted, and often propagandic information that is fed to the public for passive, unquestioned consumption that caters to fit the political administration's liking. I came across the video "Government Bypasses Press" while perusing on blip.tv.

Kent Bye investigates the idea of democratic media, and the future for internal dissemination in the form of new media, and grassroots, collaborative film making. The Echo Chamber Project is different than many other politically critical independent news sites, because it offers, and asks for positive solutions, including engagement in the media and the corporate structure of our culture. its great when you come across these little gems of websites - and I will definitly be checking back to The Echo Chamber.

tags technorati : kent bye, the echo chamber project, media, media dissemination, internet, culture

Hinterland Who's Who

2007-01-06T02:50:00.000-05:00

The New Year has rolled in, and it's that time of year when you make resolutions about how you are going to make this year the best one yet. All that self-improvement and all that. So to look to the future, let's all reflect on the past. And what's better for Canadians then the appropriated memories that what we grew up with. The informative, and fun: Hinterland Who's Who. Here's a great video on spiders, and their downward addictive spiral. Enjoy.

tags technorati : hinterland who's who, crack spiders, funny, youtube, spiders on drugs, experiments canadian culture, TV, television, vignettes, educational, appropriation

tags technorati : spiders on drugs, hinterland's who's who, canadian culture

Goodness Gracious Me - it's the Eve of Boxing Day Eve

2006-12-24T18:14:00.000-05:00

I am back in wonderful Nova Scotia with all my family (with whom i have noticed, take a lot of naps, myself included), all festive for the Holiday Season. And in pure, I suddenly have all this time on my hands, let's google (the appropriated word for Search) youtube for vids. In dedication to the holiday consumer festivities, the mall lines ups, and the newly introduced Sunday Shopping in Halifax (except the Liquor stores, to my dismay), here is a video from the British Show, Goodness Gracious Me, on fashion. Not much to do with Christmas, not much to do with anything else, but it made me laugh, as my stomach rumbles for the Chin-Yee holiday lobsters. Hope you all have a wonderful break, and I will be blogging again soon!

Jon Stewart

2006-12-13T21:57:00.000-05:00

In New York last week, Rob and I hightailed it down there, got stuck on the George Washington Bridge - and made it in time to stand out in the cold to get into The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. It was a bit surreal, especially since we were in Montreal that morning and drove straight to the show, but it was an awesome experience. Jon chatted a bit with the audience, and got berated by an audience member about the sprinklers... the special guest was rocking climbing crazy man and now author, Ed Viesturs, who bantered well with JS. It was a quick fix though - the 23 minute show is a 23 minute show, no retakes, no editing, cut to commerical, back to the show kind of deal. Colbert and Stewart of conflab a bit before their on air banter. It was a great - but short experience, got to love John Stewart for maintaining one of the best shows and news sources on the air today.

Girating Cowboy

2006-12-12T20:40:00.000-05:00

Rob and I spent a wonderful time in New York City, and amid all the bright lights, tall buildings, anmd indie/corporate vibe of the city, here's what I thought was blog worthy. The girating Santas of the Broadway hardware store. But, the icing to the cake was not these wonderful Holiday gems, it was the window next door, that took Christmas one step further...with the cowboy Santa. Red suit and all. I wonder if he's a republican? Probably not, his sleigh doesn't run on oil.

tags technorati : santas, toys, windows, holidays, christmas, new york, NYC, vacation, cowboy santa, cowboy, girating, hardware store, funny, silly

90s pop culture turns high culture - Mario bros medley

2006-12-03T18:26:00.001-05:00

Is this what it feels like to hear your favourite song on the "oldies" network? Not really, but I thought that I would try to shake some of us invinsible 90s kids up a bit...

The rate that our pop culture gets turned around, reapproriated, and sent back to us packaged in a newer, sexier outfit is remarkable - and exciting when things like this video/orchestra are out there - to shake up the remixers and tech savvy gamers out there.

Here's a fun reminder that the recylcing of cultural symbols and signifiers is not limited to the underground DJ, or even the remixing rap artist. here's a 6 minute medly performed by play! a video game symphony.

This is not an original idea, and I am proud to say that during my high school band days (stand up and electric bass - which I cannot play at all anymore but in my mind), two keen and talented musicians, no older than 17 wrote an entire ensemble piece for a full band, with this very same idea. The Mario Bros theme songs - sans the Ninetendo 64 version. Now that is foresight, and if those two talented Dartmouth Highers of Nova Scotia (circa 1996-1999) are out there, please drop me a line - you wrote us in the rhythm section the most kick ass dungeon part.

recorded by: djuret
www.kristiankarlberg.se

tags technorati : supermariobros, mario bros medley, mario, luigi, orchestra, play!, video games orchestra, video games, video, songs, waterworld, mario 3, nintendo, nintendo 64, music, live

progressive print mags

2006-11-30T23:01:00.000-05:00

As we all soak up our media intake online, from many, many, many outlets on the internet - there are some courageous media savvy individuals and organizations that still make hard copies of their work. Sometimes for free, and sometimes for low cost, and even, gasp, hand deliver it to your door, so that you can read over the breakfast table, rather than balancing your breakfast over your keyboard (and hence, spill coffee or egg yolks into it...which my dear news junky partner (rob maguire) so lovingly did to my imac, because his powerbook is in the shop. Speaking of Rob, here's his podcast, featured on CitizenShift on this very subject of independently published newsies, like The Dominion - a grassroots newspaper about Canadian and international politics, as well as Montreal's local bi-monthly issues based mag, Siafu.

tags technorati : siafu, progressive, print, magazines, the dominion, publishing, independent, press, media, rob maguire, montreal, newsies, online, information, podcast, citizenshift

papercuts

2006-11-28T00:06:00.000-05:00

In the spirit that a couple glasses of wine, 12:09am, and the PVR recorded Colbert Report - here is a fun animated gif of a unrealistic way to commit suicide...with papercuts.

And to write about something that has nothing to do with papercuts (but I am an accident prone paper user) - Here's an unoft summary of my week:
Today (or yesterday) 27th: Jewelery class - I am making my first lost wax ring. It is nice to do things that don't require me to look at a screen.

Tomorrow (or later today) 28th: learn to save lives a la St-John's Ambulance instruction. They want me to be there at 8:30 am. That is no way to get this potential life saver in the mood of doing any lifesaving good. I hope they provide the coffee.

29th: see day 28th - but hopefully with more lifesaving skills than I have now.
And, check out some Georgian restaurant by Snowdon metro.

30th: This Final Cut Pro user, is going to become a dual Avid editor too! This skill seems to be more beneficial to me than the lifesaving one at this point - but I guess its all relative to whether you are choking around me in the future, or need me to cut a film.

1st: see day 30. and TBD.

This post is completely useless. My apologies for reaching the end of it.

tags technorati : papercuts, animated gif, suicide, aisling chin-yee, jewelery, Montreal, odd, strange posts, useless, information

Expozine Montreal

2006-11-26T20:19:00.000-05:00

Montreal’s small publishing and artistic community came out in droves to share their wares, and celebrate the groundswell of artistic independence in congregation at Expozine. In the stuffy, packed basement of a church in Mile End – the bustling noise of creative collaboration was eminating off the concrete walls, and you could breathe it in the oxygen-starved air.
An uncountable number of small publishers filled the room, and among the things that I picked up (and looked on longingly – but couldn’t take home either because I came ill-prepared with not enough cash, or the crowd around the table was too big to get through.), were both editions of Matt Forsythe’s ogingogo comic
filled with reflective illustrations and carefully chosen obscurities. Combining a playful technique with asian flavour, the comic is for the thoughtful reader/viewer with a sense of subtle humour. Decidedly un-North American, Matt’s global influences are apparent in his comics.
Political bi-monthly, bi-lingual magazine, Siafu were also publicizing their free publications – a collective of Montreal journalists and commentary on specific subjects, such as education, and this month’s reclamation of public space. And, many silk screening and printmaking artists were showing off their very wall-worthy work, for reasonable prices.
All in all, oxygen or not – Expozine is not only a haven of diverse and interesting independent Montreal talent – its was also a great gathering of the creative community, that has been thriving in their resistance to corporatization and are taking control on the making and distribution of our culture.
Here’s a short video of what was going on in the basement.

tags technorati : expozine montreal publishing self independent small publishing fair comics zines art silkscreen printmaking creative collective magazines poetry

kudos to my dear fellow Dartmouthians

2006-11-16T22:20:00.000-05:00

In support of fellow members of the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia clan, I raise my hat and beer to Matt Mays and his new album, When The Angels Make Contact. Released last week, the is-it-an-album-is-it-a-sound-track-to-a-kick-ass-David-Lynchesque-film, is something to checkout in this talented Dartonian's repatoire. Reflective, and long highway driving worthy, I love hearing about Darksiders doing what they want to do, well.

tags technorati : matt mays, dartmouth, nova scotia, darkside, music, rock and roll, tim baker, east coast, halifax, band, singer, when the angels make contact

Quietening smallness and sunlit beaches

2006-11-15T00:07:00.000-05:00

I went home to Nouvelle Ecosse this past long (federal employee) weekend. It was a much needed break from the impending cold of the Mont, and visit with the family and friends. It is always a breath of fresh air to go to the beach, Conrad's beach in particular, to watch the crashing waves, the sand suck in the thirsty salt water, and to watch the huge sky, and water stretch on and on.

I miss this part. The loud bigness of quiet. Sounds stupid, I know, but that's the wording that describes it best for me. Vocab and grammar are things of the past for me it seems.

Here's a terribly shot video of the sun setting on Conrad's, and a soft reminder to me that there is a lot of space around, that doesn't need to be filled by me or you.

tags technorati : beaches, beach, nova scotia, sunset, reflecting, canada, conrad's beach, surf, shimmer, wind, peace, quiet, space, ponder

Mid-Term Hound

2006-11-07T21:02:00.000-05:00

As the American mid-term elections kick off, enjoy the time with a video of a Canadian dog watching the polls trickle in, the pundits waffling on no doubt, late into the night. This is of course, Beta, the most apathetic of apathetic dogs. She's friendly to robbers, and conservatives. And if asked, still has no opinion on North Korea.

She does like to pee on Bush though, and loves a minority very much.

tags technorati : election, American, USA, mid-terms, CNN, canadian, dog, polls, pundits, politics, america, vote, democrat, republican

Hallowe'en Spirit

2006-10-26T22:29:00.000-04:00

Okay, to blow the cob webs off of my blog (or maybe I should leave them there, now that Hallowe'en and coldness are in the air...), I will ring in the festivities of the fall with this pumpkin big mac that I saw on Boing Boing. It was originally posted on the Bits & Pieces blog. It's a great picture, and I am in the market for some pumpkin carving ideas, so any suggestions are well-welcome. But I have to say that the comments are just as good. It is great to see the debate over the iconic burger-pumpkin, complete with giant meat patty and all.
Here is a sample of the comments: what is the point of this?
# posted by Anonymous : 5:56 PM

This is pretty cool!
# posted by Anonymous : 6:02 PM

haha. that looks cool :D I wonder if anyone wound eat it? XD
# posted by Anonymous : 6:57 PM

you can't fucking eat it.
# posted by Anonymous : 7:52 PM

Hey retard, it's a pumpkin, of course you can eat it
# posted by Anonymous : 8:07 PM

lol, someone just got schooled!
# posted by Anonymous : 10:19 PM

Yeah you can eat it but I imagine it would taste pretty nasty...great idea anyways. t(-_-t)
# posted by Anonymous : 10:19 PM

how big a grill did he have to use to cook that pattie?
# posted by Anonymous : 11:25 PM

thats not a big mac... wheres the secret sauce??... the extra bread in the middle??... the second patti??... if anything thats a 1/4 pounder w/ cheese...
# posted by Anonymous : 11:59 PM

wow, and the U.S. is already the most obese country. Just imagine if we started eating shit like this!
# posted by Anonymous : 1:25 AM

As an obese American, I would totally eat this. Also, I would totally thank God for creating a country full of yummy pumpkin burgers I could eat in front of other countries with their rice and veggies and crap. Totally.
# posted by Anonymous : 2:41 AM

The AMERICAN Halloween... sad
# posted by Anonymous : 3:50 AM

actually there are 2 kinds of pumkins...ones for eating and ones for decorating...the ones used for decorating supposedly don't taste very good, i don't know why we don't decorate both tho
# posted by Anonymous : 5:03 AM

That Big Mac pumpkin is a total slut...who hasn't had sex with it??
# posted by Anonymous : 5:32 AM

It is a 1/4 pounder with cheese!
# posted by Anonymous : 6:29 AM

I would totally eat that pumpkin out.
# posted by Anonymous : 8:32 AM

Looks kinda like pac man with pimples and his mouth full.
# posted by Anonymous : 8:48 AM

Yeah, not enough patties to be a Big Mac
# posted by Anonymous : 9:14 AM

I think that pumpkin is deceptively small, therefore the patty is probably not that big.
# posted by Anonymous : 10:15 AM

It's a Le Royale with cheese....
# posted by Anonymous : 11:26 AM

tags technorati : boing boing, bits & bytes, fall, autumn, jack-o-lanterns, carving, orange, burgers, big macs, hamburger, mcDonalds, fastfood, America, obese, funny, halloween, pumpkin

Land of the propagating magnets

2006-08-20T21:56:00.000-04:00

Land of the propagating magnets
Originally uploaded by spectraversa.

These magnetic ribbons were everywhere in California (and I have seen some of the creeping up here) This one made me laugh - and shudder. War propaganda appropriating the peace ribbon, in camoflage - good to wear in any war zone.

tags technorati : war magnets land of the free because of the brave california irony car bumper stickers peace ribbon

2nd Video: Peace Rally to end warcrimes inflicted on the Lebanese people

2006-08-12T21:31:00.000-04:00

Here's another short video from the peace march in Montreal last weekend. It's the same speaker in my previous video post, but I felt that it is still important to let our collective voices be heard on this matter.

tags:
middle east montreal lebanon peace war warcrimes israel protest stephen harper Canada

Venice Beach Busker

2006-08-07T20:25:00.000-04:00

On a trip to Los Angeles last week - I went to the infamous venice beach - and saw this guy busking...slightly abusive to the crowd, he wouldn't let anyone leave or go on with his show unless he reached X amount of dollars (that he did, a few times - but, hey everyone's gotta earn a living.) His show was entertaining nonetheless - so check it out. A little light hearted fun...

tags technorati : venice beach buskers dancing sunny california LA los angeles hiphop

Montreal Peace March for Israel out of Lebanon

2006-08-06T22:53:00.000-04:00

Today in Montreal, 65 000 people congregated peacefully in Parc Lefontaine to protest against the injusticeful massacres that Israel is inflicting in Lebanon - and continues to do in Occupied Palestine. Walking in solidarity downtown, and speaking out against the Israeli war crimes and the US and Canadian compliance (and US funding) - the signs, the chants, the united view of many Canadians and others in the global community are demanding that Harper uphold what Canada stands for, what the United Nations stands for, and for Israel and America to follow international law - and to stop the killing of innocent people, and the demolition of culture.

The video (I am trying out youtube) is at Guy-Favreaux building downtown.

To see more pictures and commentary check out Rob Maguire's blog and you can check out more pictures at my flickr page.

tags:
middle east montreal lebanon peace war warcrimes israel protest stephen harper Canada

Reflecting in the heat...

2006-07-24T00:20:00.000-04:00

watching sailboats and trying not to melt!
Originally uploaded by astrodoll.

Maybe it's the heat - maybe it is that time of year, when you reassess, re-look, and pretty much "re" everything that is going in the world, and more selfishly, yourself.

I look at the shambles and war crimes that are not only happening each day in the middle east, and all over the world (but the Israeli wars crimes (and other middle eastern conflicts/invasions) and killings are the ones that are deamed "newsworthy" right now) but being beamed into our homes. And the embarassingly apologetic racism that Steven Harper is spewing under the International lens - and successfully supporting an illegal invasion, and flushing Canada's reputation down the shitter. We are not only sitting on the sidelines, twiddling our thumbs over whether the people of Lebanon deserve peace and safety, and even whether our own civilians deserve to be safe in this country or others.

And, as I look at all this... I am wondering what I am going to do? Where is my responsibility in this? The action that I feel in my heart (as I sit comfortably in my Montreal home, the absence of missiles and bombs whistling overhead - my walls all standing sturdly around me) is pumping hard, and I am standing here foolishly, thinking among other things...about my self. And my own miniscule misfortunes... apathy is scary, but self-absorbtion is just plain ugly.

This is for another post though.

2006-07-16T21:19:00.000-04:00

spectraversa

Obama Inauguration tomorrow!

In the Montreal Mirror

Voting in the US Election in Brooklyn

How to use your new iPod cellphone

Adolph Harper cuts more Cultural Funding

Deirdre Porter

The One AM Radio video

207 People Freeze in Grand Central Station

Give Meaning This Holiday: Up the Yangtze

More digital Smiles

Digital Smiles

St-Viateur street party

10 MPH : across the country on a Segway

Socalled and the Klezmer cruise film blog!

Holy War Dance Party!

me and oscar

opensourcecinema

Expozine Awards 2007

Nuit Blanche 2007

Creative Commons UK: Mix and Mash Film Contest

Tony vs. Paul

Poetry in Spam

Best Shout Out Ever.

Technical wonderment, or geeky connectivity? let's say both...

Canucks vs. Canadiens

Bollywood North

REpost: The Echo Chamber project

Hinterland Who's Who

Goodness Gracious Me - it's the Eve of Boxing Day Eve

Jon Stewart

Girating Cowboy

90s pop culture turns high culture - Mario bros medley

progressive print mags

papercuts

Expozine Montreal

kudos to my dear fellow Dartmouthians

Quietening smallness and sunlit beaches

Mid-Term Hound

Hallowe'en Spirit

Land of the propagating magnets

2nd Video: Peace Rally to end warcrimes inflicted on the Lebanese people

Venice Beach Busker

Montreal Peace March for Israel out of Lebanon

Reflecting in the heat...

vlog from Fundy

Quivering Dog

The US House of Commons rejects Net Neutrality

back on the vlogan

Lost Lazarus...got the desktop blues

North of 9/11 book launch

My guilty pleasure... Ask a Ninja

The Death of the Internet - the viral doc

Meet Beta

Omar from Koumbit

The new dog....what to name her

Sergio y Vanessa at Diary of a Lost Circus

Grand Central Dancing

Potato peeling vendor in NY

Who Owns Culture?

Chin-Yee family fluff

Autonomous Media : activating resistance and dissent

ish...it's networthy re-birth

one kind of travelling shot...

"I take one step closer to you"

Tales from the Public Domain

compressors, trains, and cats in heat. . . .

2:30am...minus 20 degrees... and art galleries...bring it on!

PC Revolution 1981

Connectivity across borders

i hope what they say about 1st impressions isn't true...