December 21, 2009
linguistica - linguistics
Che fortuna! Mi appassionano le etimologie e le parole e la storia delle lingue, e in tre giorni mi è capitato di trovarmi in mezzo a due discussioni del genere: una dal macellaio e una al bar.
(>>english version)
How lucky! I love words, etymology and the evolution of languages, and in three days I happened to intervene in two discussions about these matters: at the butcher's and in a café.
December 14, 2009
help! - aiuto!
I can't find anything good to say.
Non ho proprio niente da dire.
December 10, 2009
AVATAR
(english version only) On receiving this information I think it's new and interesting, so I'll share it as it is. Says the press release:
AVATAR (A Visual Artist’s Temporary Actor Replacement) Agency
Presented by Adam Simon and Marianne Weems
Founded by visual artist, Adam Simon (Four Walls, Fine Art Adoption
Network) and theatre director, Marianne Weems (the Builders
Association), AVATAR will be making its first public presentation at
Momenta Art on December 11 at 7:00 p.m. The evening will include
representations of past precedents, theatrical renditions of sample
situations and discussion with the audience.
AVATAR Agency offers the services of young, talented and socially
adept actors as stand-ins (or “avatars”) for visual artists at the
openings and art events that require you to make your best impression.
The visual artists will hire the actors for a nominal fee, though it
may also be possible to exchange services for artwork.
Most visual artists are comfortable spending time alone, occupied with
solitary pursuits. It often comes as a shock when they realize that a
large component of what is required to have an art career is going to
events and meeting people, making a good impression, etc. In other
words, being the kind of social animal artists are vocationally not
suited to be. Most actors, on the other hand, thrive in any situation
that requires them to perform socially but often have few
opportunities to practice their craft. For the first time in the
history of the contemporary art world, a solution is being offered to
this paradox.
The event is free and all are invited to attend.
Momenta Art is located at 359 Bedford Avenue, ground floor, between
S4th and S5th Sts. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. By subway, take the
L train to Bedford stop (the first stop in Brooklyn). Exit on the
Bedford side. Walk south 12 blocks. By car, take the outside lane of
the Williamsburg Bridge to the first exit. Make a sharp right onto
Broadway. Drive 2 blocks to Bedford Avenue and make a right. We are
located a half block on the right after you pass under the bridge.
Special event this Friday at Momenta Art: http://momentaart.org
Dec. 11th, 7:00 PM
December 07, 2009
art - arte
An excellent article by Jerry Saltz talks about Jeff Koons' Puppy, and says in short that Koons' art is the kind of public art that's understood and makes people happy. Joy-giving art, I like it better than the dark, suffering kind. And it's not less intelligent: just different.
http://nymag.com/arts/all/aughts/62516/
(>>versione italiana)
Un bell'articolo di Jerry Saltz parla del Puppy di Jeff Koons, e dice che non solo è quel -raro- tipo di arte pubblica che il pubblico capisce, ma è un'opera che fa anche stare bene chi la vede.
Arte che dà gioia, la preferisco a quella cupa e tormentata, quella che accusa e denuncia. E non è meno intelligente: solo diversa.
http://nymag.com/arts/all/aughts/62516/
positive thinking - pensiero positivo
Positive thinking reduces my possibilities: most poets know that sadness is the best mood for writing, most critics know that without dislike gives interesting points of view. This way, te art-blog stays rather slim, but it's ok.
(>>versione italiana)
A furia di pensare positivo, mi resta poco da raccontare: i poeti sanno bene che si scrive di più quando si è tristi, i polemisti sanno bene che quando non c'è rabbia ci sono pochi argomenti. Così l'art blog è magrolino, ma va bene.
December 04, 2009
booooo-hooo-hooo!
One more rejection from a festival, bless Charles Bukowski's soul! He knew all about rejections. (And I didn't tell you most of them, anyway.)
(>>versione italiana)
Un altro rifiuto da un festival, e lo dedico a Charles Bukowski, che di fallimenti sapeva tutto. (E ho fatto finta di niente con molti altri.)
December 03, 2009
video art - videoarte
I've seen two very good videos at Hangar Bicocca, in Milan: Maria Teresa Sartori's "QWERTY o così va il mondo", on the way the keyboards are made (which is not the most efficient) and "August 2008", by Rä Di Martino. The place is very far from where I live and chilly as well, I didn't stay for long and the longer pieces didn't catch me. But the installation was fine, the average quality good, and those two videos outstanding.
Maybe because they are rather similar to what I do?
(>>versione italiana)
Ho visto due bei video all'Hangar Bicocca, quello di Maria Teresa Sartori "QWERTY o così va il mondo", sull'inefficienza delle tastiere dei computer, e "August 2008", di Rä Di Martino. Andare fino alla Bicocca da casa mia è un viaggio, e là si moriva di freddo, ho dato appena un'occhiata ai video più lunghi. Però l'installazione era ben fatta, e i lavori piuttosto buoni, e questi due particolarmente originali e interessanti.
Forse perché sono lavori che un po' mi somigliano?
December 02, 2009
advertising - pubblicità
Great spot for the savings program of a French bank: husband and wife, fighting in the kitchen. (Wonderful casting, by the way. ) She opens a cupboard shouting, ready to grip the plates. He stops and redirects her to another cupboard, she opens it, takes a tall pile of plastic dishes and throws them on the floor, one by one.
We always agree on money matters, says the couple in the opening.
(>>versione italiana)
Al cinema, quando sono a Parigi, vedo e rivedo la stupenda pubblicità per il programma risparmio di una banca francese: lei e lui (bellissimo casting) stanno litigando in cucina. Urlando che non ne può più, lei apre un armadietto e allunga la mano verso i piatti di porcellana. Lui la ferma con un gesto e apre l'armadietto accanto, da cui la moglie prende una pila di piatti di plastica per scaraventarli sul pavimento a uno a uno.
Andiamo sempre d'accordo quando si tratta di risparmio, dicono all'inizio.