that’s all i got
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Nathaniel Stern, PhD
Had my VIVA yesterday, for my dissertation. It was awesome – amazing feedback, a great discussion, some provocative comments. My examiners really engaged with the text in ways that any doctoral student would be thrilled by. I’ll write about it some time, but am too busy celebrating right now. Anyhow, no revisions: I’m a doctor.
Woot.
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That’s my art!
Although not mentioned by name, that’s a Compressionist print of mine framed in the doorway, in this article in the art newspaper:
Gallery dedicated to book art opens in Brooklyn
Commercial venture shows growing popularity of the medium
New york. In tune with a growing interest in print and book art, a new pop-up gallery has opened in Brooklyn’s DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) neighbourhood dedicated to the art form. Called Central Booking, the space is the brainchild of Maddy Rosenberg, a book artist and independent curator who has worked in the field for more than two decades, and hopes to further expose the versatility of the medium to the art world at large.
“My definition of the book is very expansive and inclusive,” says Rosenberg. “When an artist says they’re making a book, that’s my parameter.”
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American Furniture/Googled
I’ve penned a review for the Milwaukee Art Museum’s American Furniture/Googled exhibition, and it’s up on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Mary-Louise Schumacher’s “Art City” site. Teaser:
The “American Furniture/Googled” exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Museum through Sunday is a surprisingly interesting show, even if only in its promise.
Little did I expect, when going to what I assumed to be a very tame gallery talk, to be engaged in a discussion about controversial topics surrounding knowledge and research. At first glance, the exhibition feels like little more than a post-curating gimmick: a bunch of slideshows about designers and furniture next to their 19th century counterparts.
But the show’s charming curator, Mel Buchanan – the museum’s relatively newly appointed assistant curator of 20th-Century Design – convinced me of at least one thing: Google gets people talking. As our small crowd at the Buchanan-led chat disputed issues of truth, power and silliness online, our interest exponentially increased. I’d definitely recommend the show; just be sure to bring a friend, or group, who likes debate.
Buchanan was given a tiny budget – even by non-museum exhibition standards – and told to use everyday technologies to access the MAM’s collection of furniture design circa the 1800s. She and her collaborators actually considered several ideas before settling on Google searches for their pieces as its starting point.
These throwaways included, among other things, a Wiki show, where museum-goers could contribute their own information and opinions for each object, and a Facebook show, where each piece got a profile and friends, and we could write on their virtual walls.
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Colin Richards @ Gallery AOP (Johannesburg)
One of my favorite South African artists at one of my favorite South African galleries (disclosure: the latter is MY South African gallery):
8 – 31 October 2009
Opening on Thursday 10 October at 18:00
Preview by appointment
Walkabout with the artist on Saturday 10 October at 12:00
Colin Richards Parrot (African Grey) I (detail) 2009  Watercolour 580X760mm
Colin Richards
For more information, please call 082 808 9971
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Try the company (Capitalism: A love story). Or, “If companies are people…”
I saw the advert for Michael Moore’s new film today (Capitalism: A love story), and decided to write him a letter. It follows. Any thoughts from my readers are welcome in the comments, as well as via email.
Hi Mike:
Long time fan, first time writer.
As my wife and I were sitting and watching the latest from the Supreme Court’s non-activist judges the other day, we were enraged, again, by the idea that “corporations are people, too” – a historical mistake with dire consequences. But then Nicole – the smarter of us -Â wondered aloud, “If they are people, why has the state never tried them for murder?” Sure, companies whose irresponsible actions have ended people’s lives have been sued by individuals for monetary compensation, and there have even been occasional consequences for individuals within various companies on such occasions. But if corporations are people under law, and commit these crimes as a corporation (aka person), should not the corporation be subject to the same rulings as people are? What would it mean for a corporation – as a thing; or rather, a person – to serve 10 years in jail? A life sentence? To get the death penalty? Why can’t we incarcerate one? Has it ever been tried (forgive the pun)? I’d love to see it. I’ve love to help it happen.
How might I, or we, try such a thing?
Keep up the good work! Warmly,
Nathaniel Stern
http://nathanielstern.com