BillViola's "moving" narrative

Yesterday I viewed Bill Viola's new works. Many interesting pieces regarding BODY studies framed on the wall (his usual video portraiture with variant edges to them).

There was one wall that affected me immediately. A woman crying in the middle. A burning home. A contemplative man (maybe her husband?). What i experienced was a bizarre and emotionally coherent "narrative via 3 screen storytelling. It was really really moving.

Above are some images i snapped from my afternoon gallery visit...

Great Author. Brave Woman.

JUNG CHANG was born in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China, in 1952. She left China for Britain in 1978 and obtained a Ph.D. in linguistics from York University in 1982, the first person from the People??s Republic of China to receive a doctorate from a British university. She lives in London and has recently completed a biography of Mao.

IPFF 2009

calls it: Emotional Survival.

Yoani Sanchez is an international blogger and digital journalist.

Yoani Sanchez, 34, won the Maria Moors Cabot Prize for Generacion Y, a blog critical of Cuba's one-party Communist government. The prize is the oldest international award in journalism. It is given by Columbia University to journalists who have furthered inter-American understanding. Her blog was hosted on an internet domain in Germany, and built “by hand” by Yoani. Almost 2 years after blogging, Yoani returns even more strongly to the role blogging as her means for “EMOTIONAL SURVIVAL”. She continues faced with the daily reality of life in a totalitatian state.

Yoani wrote:

Many of those who know me, think that in me ‘the elevator doesn’t go to the last floor” or that I “have some screws loose” or that I’m “nuts”. Everything I have done in this little life, (get in trouble, write a thesis about literature in the dictatorship in latin America, join my life with a disgraced journalist, return to my country and post in this blog), could well be seen by a specialist as manifestations of a mental disorder. Everything is possible…”

“Without the personal exorcism of writing my posts, reality would overwhelm me in a crushing and paralyzing way.”

Footnotes: Yoani requested permission to travel to Spain to receive the Ortega y Gasset Journalism Award but permission was denied by Cuban government.

She was invited to attend a literary event in Italy, an invitation arranged by her Italian Translator, Gordiano Lupi, but permission to travel was denied.

In March 2009 she requested permission to travel to an International Documentary Film Festival in Prague, of which she was a member of the Jury, but permission was denied.

Eating Disorder support site...

http://community.livejournal.com/proanorexia

BROOKLYN Wall 2009.

My latest "portrait" work is now hanging on a wall in Brooklyn fine art museum.

I love the stone wall behind the white hanging board.

Happy,happy,happy.

AND NFS (NOT FOR SALE). I'm bring my portraits home to hang on MY wall when my show is ova :)

VIEWMASTER finding !

My last film for the GIRLSTORIES trilogy is "in the works".

The film is told as a "slideshow presentation" via a toy viewfinder (that was my idea).

I never went to the toy store looking for the thing yet, as I've been finalizing the script. WHEN all of the sudden on a simple stroll downtown, ALAS, i walk right past an antique VIEWMASTER toy for sale at some antique thrift shop. I talked the lady down from $10 to $5. Got my shots of this thing that i needed, and now it sits on my workdesk as a...ummmm. what do they call that...oh yeah, a "souvenir".

God works in mysterious ways. Why the hell would a broken crapVIEWMASTER be out in some thrift street fair. Nobody would buy that thing BUT ME. CRAZY.

LUV it.

bye bye for now.

luv, MExoxo

About the loss of artist Jo Spence

Question:

To what extent did your working together enable you to address issues of loss and mortality?

Was mourning and grief an aspect of your relationship with Jo during the last year of her life?

Answer:

Thinking about the question after Jo's death, I can see a recent project was my unconcious way of dealing with the fact that we would never see each other again. It was like the war photographer who has to get that last shot no matter what is happening around him. I suppose I would have overcome some of the loss and trauma had she just drifted away without being part of the last creative project. Unfortunately, cancer waits for no one.

United Kingdom akajoey screening !

My film about the Darlie Routier case was projected onto a public bathroom wall, Saturday evening, in LONDON. The COLLISION Festival 2009 !

Wall installation for Fine Arts show, 2009.

FINALLY! My wall features:
A pastel, charcoal and school chalk drawing portrait.
A cellphone image, manipulated with Photoshop techology.
A collage/assemblage of this female inmate's situation (cancer).

I have one last typewritten text 56" scroll I need to add to the left of the wall, but Ill get that down later in the week. I am also creating a ZINE booklet for the public to learn about the plight of art systems for women in correctional facilities, and how there is absolutely NO LITERATURE out there commending or talking about female prison art. FOr now joey (aka jane), it's rest-time.
HOW YOU (i.e. I) PULLED THIS OFF TODAY, ONLY GOD KNOWS. I ACTUALLY MANAGED TO OPERATE COMPLETELY LIKE THE PRISON DICTATES-BEING CREATIVE WITH WHATEVER JUNK AND/OR DEVICES I CAN FIND LAYING AROUND (OR LAYING IN A TRASHCAN).

STAY TUNED FOR THE OPENING DATES (AND STAY OUTTA PRISON).
This show will be dedicated to ALL women in prison who do not have a voice.

LUV,
akamexo

UNITED KINGDOM akajoey screening SATURDAY

This Saturday. United Kingdom. Take pics for me if you can, i'll be runnin' around the United States sending my best wishes from abroad :)

SATURDAY, 22 AUG 09
One night of experimental interaction

Times: 7pm till late
Entry price: £5
Where: Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST

This year’s event will be a creative experiment in which artists and audience will simultaneously engage in a form of social interaction based on game theory. Expect not to know who is who!

Alongside a collection of site specific works, an international group of artists and performers will facilitate altered versions of familiar social situations and games in which the audience is invited to participate to allow the process to become complete.

luv,
akame

Dolphin Activism .

i went to see the film, THE COVE this weekend. I didn't expect a spectacular movie, but i was deeply moved by the time i walked out. what struck me is just how UNIVERSAL it is to feel a "need" to fight sometimes for what you feel so strongly in your heart of what "justice" is. i have experienced this "fight or flight" phenomenon on a very personal and viceral level within my personal life so i can relate.

here is a snapshot i took of a very clever table set-up outside the theatre EXIT DOOR, a single dolphin activist used to recruit and deliver flier information about the cause against dolphin murders.

luv,
akamexo

ZINE

I went to a consignment shop this mornin' and noticed at the counter a fanzine. kinda like the ones made in the underground and punkrock scenes. I got inspired and want to create a ZINE available at my photography show in Brooklyn. The general public can read about current jailhouse protocol and the general treatment of female prisoners. Also, actual complaints and writings from my gals.

will be SO fun to make this. I will find a day this week to hybernate in a quiet library booth and make my mini-booklets. Then mass-print them for free somewhere that there's a free B&W copy machine. i luv tryin' to B a lil' more socially responsible in a selfish and $$$ driven world.
GOODBYE.

luv, akamexo

akame and his favorite boiling hot summer cap :)

Preliminary TESTS

These are some preliminary tests of a hospital inmate portrait photo that I will manipulate. My goal is to approach THIS project in the exact same way these inmates have needed to approach "their" creative expression: by snatching, snaggin' and conning every single thing i can get my hands on, in order to "make" these images beautiful... and made.

I am studying the various things given to me by prison inmates over time (cards, letters, drawings) and will use this as my Professor for this project:)

always,
akame
xo

Research on "paper".

Today i made some phone calls trying to research, and learn, which type of paper would best suit my idea for my female inmate portrait image. I learned that HAHNEMUHLE rag paper is "it" for me. It will allow me to "professionally" inkjet my cellphone portrait onto a 30x60 rag-paper print. I can then use charcoal and chalk to further accent and manipulate the image. Then I can spray a "protective" lacquer spray to hold the chalky surface and protect it from future damage. I'm gonna get a 5x7 rag-paper print first to do a test. If all looks good, then i get a couple of diet coke's, and a box of drawing tools, and a gooey erasure, and i head to the studio bench, and i "do my thang". I have a feeling i'm gonna fall in love with this portrait so to insure that i get to keep it for my living room till i die one day, i'm gonna price it at $15,000. that means that if anyone actually Buys It, i can use the money for a downpayment on a trailer park home with a junkyard dog and a fake potted plant, and make all of my dreams "come true".

i blabbed enuff for now. GOODBYE.

luv, ME.xoxo

New FALL photography show.

I am preparing to create my NEW work for the FALL photography show i will be a part of. My idea is to integrate still photography with charcoal drawing. I want to work sitting at an easel with a 24x36 photograph portrait that i have printed onto textured paper. Then charcoal accents to the manipulated image of a portrait. I will be presenting the work of a female inmate, so the visual metaphor is meant to represent to inability of the inmate to leave prison, yet still be a strong presence within the realm of FINE ART. ummm, here's my pics i took this morning showing the studio i will work in.

lov,
mexoxo

POCAHAUNTED docu-fessional video

"yours truly" may be soon directin' a video for one of the most innovative bands around, POCAHAUNTED! STAY TUNED. everything bout them makes Ms. Jane Public (i.e. I) very excited!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSHDT9qcLKc&feature=related

Archives research

I recently took a look at some research i completed on the Death Penalty. so much material to sink my teeth into. it's incredible how so many families on BOTH sides of the arguement have legitimate heartfelt concerns, but yet NOTHING concrete ever distinguishes itself. my goal is to deliver an educated opinion in the outfit of a cinematic narrative. time will tell how i pull this one off. The name of this movie will be joey?? COWELL. my lifelong pet project.
goodbye.
luv, me.xoxo

SUBWAY ideas for GIRLSTORIES !!!!

So akajoey (that's correct - that would be ME) was riding on the subway system yesterday morning on a journey to look for new ideas. The mission/destination point was BROWN UNIVERSITY in Rhode Island. BUT, on my way to the bus station i had to ride the ghetto-ass subway and saw right before my eyes the most inspiring thing in the world! I saw a young ghetto-ass girl with bad-ass sneakas and handwritten dungarees !!! JEANS ALL SCRIBBLED ON EM!!! I LOVED IT! I snapped a few pics (ummm, yes mam, i did it discretely) and NOW I know how i want the GIRLSTORIES trilogy to be in between films. my narrator shall NOT wear a gown ladies and gents my narrator shall wear GHETTO-ASS BLUE JEANS WIT MY FILMS ALL SCRIBBLED ALL OVA THEM!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH. k. k. I guess ur rite. I like the ghetto-ass subway after all. Geez, Luise. ya gotta rub it in.

Ahhh go to hell !!! Bye for now and till later!

akame

xo

CLICK ON THESE IMAGES TO ENLARGE AND BRING DA GHETTO a little CLOSER TO YA ...

Brain mapping for new film

Here is another sneak preview from my film-in-progress, "HOMEWRECKA". I was browsing thru books in the library yesterday(actually i was looking for places to drive to for the weekend) and i found this old 60's dilapitated book. ooooh, i fell in love with it's scent of an attic. i saw a road map inside the travel book that caught my attention, so looking both ways to make sure that my coast was clear, i ripped the page outta the book, shoved it into my pants pocket (which actually had a hole in them) and split from the library. nope, the detectors never went off (only one page dummy!) Later that evening i scanned it into my computer. i (i.e. ME) played with the roadmap image. ME (meaning "i") tossed it into my film editing of "HOMEWRECKA". ALAS, I NOW HAVE CREATED THE WAY MY FILM WILL EXPLAIN THE LOCATION OF THE STORY OF MY CHARACTERS!!!! INSIDE THE MAIN CHARACTER'S SKULL :) ANd for the record, the main character IS in a coma (but shhhhh, don't spoil this for others who don't know yet)!!!

Enjoy, and click to enlarge and get deeper inside the thinking process...

United We Stand

LIGHT INDUSTRY is one of the greatest underground film screening series that i have beared witnessed to in quite some time. After the closing of Collective Unconcious in the east village due to wicked rent hikes, i had almost lost complete faith in the underground uniting and finding a new venue to screen the "unsolicited". Thanx to lia and Ed, the place has found itself! Yeah, sure, they need a wall fan to get some air circulating in the space (notice it by Lia's feet in the picture) , but the film work shown here is like no other (and i ain't saying that cause they show my personal crap either....um seriously....bye)

p.s. the film image of the woman's face below is from an amazing experimental film titled, Warm Broth by filmmaker Tom Rhodes aka Luther Price

3 quotes for the day...

“If you continually write and read yourself as a fiction, you can change what’s crushing you”.
Jeanette Winterson


The Importance of Art
"the proper moral purpose of one's life is the pursuit of one's own happiness or rational self-interest;and the role of art in human life is to transform man's widest metaphysical ideas, by selective reproduction of reality, into a physical form—a work of art—that he can comprehend and to which he can respond emotionally.

Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

“The whole point of civil disobediences is to make a moral statement. It’s not a competition or game to see who wins or loses. It’s all about doing what’s right regardless of the consequences.”

Ann Hansen, DIRECT ACTION, MEMOIRS OF AN URBAN GUERILLA

LONDON screening August 22. Venue change

Here is an update about all things Collision, UK 2009 .

Due to geographical distance it has not been possible for you guys to collaborate in a way that I first imagined. Not a problem! I have been discussing things with all of you just not at the same time and have attached an updated version of the dossier which contains the latest set of ideas from everyone.

One very important thing is that we have had to change venue!!!

But fear not the dates are the same 22nd Aug and the new venue is just as cool. The main reason for this change is the managers of the last venue recently had some large scale events which attracted a lot of attention from the police and local noise unit. The result of this was The Old Police Station now has a strict policy of closing all events by 11pm which means start kicking folks out at 10.30.

Any of you who have been to a Collision event before know that it is not your typical private view kind of vibes and we felt strongly that a 10.30 finish is too early. So we found this little gem...It's called the Bussey Building, an old Victorian gun factory slap bang in the middle of Peckham high street that now houses a bunch of local artists.

I know quite a few of you had specific plans for parts of the police station but don't worry there are plenty of interesting nooks and crannies that will suit, even a roof terrace with spectacular views over the Peckham Riviera.

Check it out here http://www.peckhamvision.org/wiki/Open_House_Weekend

For those of you who can I would like to arrange a meeting with all of you so you can come and see the venue and chat to each other about your plans. I'll start by suggesting Sun 26th July. I will book a viewing with the Bussey Building people. So let me know.

On last thing.....I need to get all your technical requirements asap! Anything you need let me know.

Look forward to hearing from you all.

We will be featuring filmmaker akajoey's flmwork !

Tom

Still image of "WorkInProgress" film

Here is a new still image from my current work-in-progress film titled, HOMEWRECKA.
Notice i am combining/superimposing 35mm slide film photography with marker drawing and polaroid found portraits. i am sooo excited with how things are looking so far visually !

A mystery of destruction.

There is a recurring phenomenon. EVERY SINGLE TIME I locate an interesting setting for one of my films, within a year the location becomes demolished, or destroyed, by natural causes.

Hence, here is the pool used for my last film, NICE PEOPLE. Last week i decided to stroll thru the park, where i shot the exterior scene, and alas. INSIDE THE POOL WAS A BULLDOZER!

The hospital in my film, EPISODE was burned down by arson.

The street in my film, D-BLOK SNAG was demolished and made into a posh residential cooperative.

The gorilla house for Bongo in my film, I NEED YOU was destroyed and made into a "congo".

Well, now my pool! I walked up to the maintenance guy (his name was Dick). I asked him, "Hey Dick, what happened to the pool?"

Dick said, "listen man. I just work here. Last i heard they were gonna try to make that hole into a water park. Go figure."

"Thanks Dick", i said.

ENJOY THESE IMAGES. CLICK ON EM TO MAKE EM BIGGER...

BREEDING my collection of "stuff"

I have finally begun to "breed" my collection of gathered "stuff" for my new film, HOMEWRECKA. By "stuff" i mean:

- newspaper clippings
- public library stamps
- images found stapled to bulletin lamp posts
- actual news stories
-my own personal movie idea notes

So with my "stuff" i began editing my latest film.
And honestly, i kinda hate to break it to ya
BUT- IT IS SIMPLY (um how do i say this) BLOWING ME AWAY!!!!!!!!!
STAY TUNED FOR THIS NEXT NEW FILM of MINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HERE IS A SAMPLE STILL IMAGE. CLICK AND SEE WHAT I MEAN. BUDDY ...

Kindness via Commentary!

After my recent exhibition/installation for my film, MISSING GREEN i found a few amazing notes left as comments by people. The whole point of the film installation was to draw awareness to clinical depression and the plight of Missing Persons across the United States. I DID NOT expect to get such sweethearted and goodspirited commentary. It made the whole thing, and all the work i put into creating the exhibition, worth while.

CLICK ON THESE IMAGES TO READ EM BETTER :

Slideshow for Michael.

PRESS PLAY ABOVE MY SLIDEHOW for MICHAEL

this is based on my APOLLO visit on Sunday to pay respects to my first inspiration as a child.

i imitated him and knew the entire BEAT IT dance, as a child.

i wore his glitter glove (my aunt sewed one up for me), as a child.

i had the red jacket, as a child.

i owe him. he brought a lot of joy into my life.

i am still shocked at how our America loved his spirit, and then decided to destroy that very spirit they found so very special.

and in a way i am SO glad that he has gone away from us and dances in a more peaceful place.

the LAST writing on the plastic wall at the APOLLO was by ME. Read it carefully before the video fades to black.

I DeDICATE THIS DOCUFESSIONAL VIDEOWORK, TO MICHAEL.

by, akame

Every business mogul NEEDS a business card CASE

Who sayz CLAIRES is just a teenage ear piercing store chain?

Ain't ME (i.e. I)

CHECK THIS OUT: When akajoey was finally able to print out some janepublic.com cards (ummm,took him bout 3 months to figure out how to do dat with his computa) he just HAD to go find himself a case to carry em around in. Well, da MALL had da perfect case, wit a PEACOCK on it !!!!! WAHOO!

Question: Mr. aka, did the peacock try to say anything to you during purchase?

Answer: Um, I don't remember. I was too busy trying not to pee in my pants, I was so excited that the case was only $5 .

bye

love,

akame

xoxox