Thursday, May 31, 2007

'Edison's Eve' by Gaby Wood

As I've spent a lot of time off-line lately, it's neccessary that I post a second miniature book report for today's entry. This one was originally published in the UK as 'Living Dolls' and is subtitled 'A Magical History of the Quest for Mechanical Life'.

Some books are a challenge to get through because they sugggest so many interesting images and ideas that are easy to follow through in your own head when you should be paying attention to the text. This was true for my experience with this anecdote-filled book. Beginning around the time of Descartes in the 17th Century and winding up sometime around the talkie revolution in Hollywood, Ms Wood's micro-history of automated dolls entertains too well to feel like a substantial read. Yet, in the days since I last put it down I'm more convinced that it is a neccessary book - especially if you're interested in the development of humans' understanding of the senses, which is a theme more suggested at than actually taken on by the author.

For this reader, it's when Ms. Wood links her history of automated puppets to the pre-history of the cinema in the late 19th Century and motion-perception that the book leaps into a higher frame of intrigue. But like so many micro-history books, Wood's breezy essaic style turns too purposeful in the last chapter - about a troupe of little people called The Doll Family (the principle actors in Tod Browning's singular 01932 film 'Freaks') - where the author tries to shoehorn some broad thesis about the Twentieth Century that I either couldn't follow or seemed too obtuse for me to believe such an intelligent writer was trying to make. Anyway, the book was a treat. It made me want to design and make really cool toys.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

'The Art of Making Dances' by Doris Humphrey

Over the long weekend I had a chance to catch up on some reading. The book I couldn't put down once I started was Doris Humphrey's 'The Art of Making Dances' which is an early and very erudite example of choreography theory. In retrospect, it may not have been the best source for a person (me) who was hoping to find an introduction to the subject. I couldn't help but think two things throughout my reading: 1)Ms. Humphrey has a very particular view of choreography that incorporates little of what came before her yet 2)her break with the past isn't so complete as to anticipate our present. A transitional figure in 20th Century Choreography.

The charm of the book is in the passion with which Ms. Humphrey explains herself. She has a very engaging voice which superficially reminds me of another classic performance theory text, Richard Boleslawski's 'Acting: the First Six Lessons'.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

'Look around you . . .

. . . just Look Around You!'








(Have you worked out what they're looking for?)

Beijing, 02007, no. 3

This post focuses on reports of the Olympic-spurred organized effort by Chinese officials to modify behavior on the street, in the sky, and among the agents who will effect these changes.












'Xiexie!'

Saturday, May 26, 2007

The Lure of Letterpress

I just got back from a walk where I finally checked out Oblation, 'an old-world letterpress print shop' that has a strong reputation among designers-I-like. I was so overwhelmed I only stayed for ten minutes. In that time I did manage to make several tense laps around the store, fearing I was about to spend deeply into June's rent money. As the employees likely predicted upon spotting me, I left the store with nothing. A win for 'Wallet & Will' in their ongoing tag team war against 'Apartment & Senses'.


01967-242-02007

This week the Economist explores the state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in light of the Six Day War's forteith anniversary.




Beginning on June 5th, this blog will begin a six-post analysis of UN Security Council Resolution 242, the document adopted by the International diplomatic community as a direct result of the 01967 conflict - thus, deepening my blogging commitment to a new and completely ridiculous level.

3-2-1 Contact and Suzanne Ciani

I believe that behind all of my recurring dreams about work and Popeye-endorsed Spinach Soda hide much cooler dreams looking and sounding a lot like this.
















Ciani is profiled in the July 21, 01974 New York Times.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

To Dziga, with Love


A conversation with a friend today regarding the Chris Marker DVD prompted this post about Dziga Vertov, the Soviet documentarian for whom Marker composed the following poem. Thanks, Friend.

'Let us praise Dziga Vertov
for if I had to choose the Ten Best Documentaries of All Time
i'd call it preposterous
but if there's ONE to choose:
"A SIXTH OF THE WORLD"
Because this moment of our history, this palingenesis,
this dawn, this birth of our memory,
this first draft of what was due our world,
good and bad,
Paustovsky made us think of it
Eisenstein made us dream of it
but only one man made us SEE it
DZIGA VERTOV'








Chris Marker

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Chris Marker on Criterion





Next month the Criterion Collection will release a two-dvd set combining Le Jette and Sans soleil by the inimitable multi-media artist Chris Marker. This news got me searching for an interview that was first published in 02003 and is now considered a treasure by those who follow the work of the reclusive Marker.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

'Look around you . . .

. . . just Look Around You!'

(Have you worked out what they're looking for?)

'. . . bearded.'

It usually pays to read the last paragraph of an Economist article.



'With all due respect, Mr. Hannity, there is a very important distinction to make between civil unions and . . .'

Beijing, 02007, no. 2


An example of the Green public face China's government and business community acknowledge they must show for their Olympic city.










The winners.

Alfred Stieglitz's 291

issue 5-6, New York, Summer 01915.






Francis Picabia's 391

Issue No.5, New York, Summer 01917.








Friday, May 18, 2007

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Steam subsidies anyone?

A view from the year 01889 provided by the wonderful Paleo-Future blog.



Avoiding an enormous waste of fuel before it became a civilization-wide crisis must have seemed like a charming enough idea at the time. But this 19th Century optimist failed to tap into the same shallow well of zen wisdom as the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders - asking 'the most important question in economics: "And then what?'"

A Petrol Political debate

The moderator.

J'accuse!



Our hands are clean, 'to our knowldege'.