#graney art

[lordgraceart]

Newest piece. I did this while fooling around with my new noise brushes from @ianbarnard really like how this one turned out.

[rcc-redmarley]

Arts & Science Sculpture Commisison: The Studio Visits

As part of the development of the Arts & Science Sculpture Commission, we visited the artists’ studios. Here’s a collection of some of our favourite behind-the-scenes photographs! 

Hipkiss & Graney

Andrew Gillespie

Juneau Projects

Intervention Architecture

Want to find out more? You can visit our outdoor display case to view scale models by our four artist finalists and learn more about the design and vision of each in our Rotunda Gallery exhibition.

Do you know which proposal you would like to see it made into a full-scale sculpture in the Green Heart? If so – vote now!

[theparanoid]

Dave Graney & The Coral Snakes - I'm Gonna Live In My Own Big World

Album: The Soft 'N' Sexy Sound (1995)

[Alternative Rock, Art Rock]

[askovertherainbowblog]

Do you ever feel like your government is actively working to institute a theocracy right under your very nose, and all anyone can seem to do is tweet? (I’m not knocking the art of the well-placed tweet, by the way. Case and point the account pictured above.)

Here’s what’s going on in my part of the world, which is Alberta (Commonly known as the bible belt of Canada):

The recently elected UCP (United Conservative Party #UnderHisEye) has, by its inaction, effectively canceled a work group dedicated to eradicating the insidious and abusive practice of “reparative” therapy for LGBT+ persons. Minister of Health Tyler Shandro has claimed on twitter that he told the group they were welcome to continue meeting. However, according to Emma Graney of the Edmonton Journal, his office released a statement that “The working group has disbanded with the change in govt.” AKA, they’re pretending the group (which included a survivor of conversion therapy) doesn’t merit focus because conversion therapy/torture “doesn’t happen here.”

If you dig a little deeper, you’ll see this simply isn’t true. Of course, nobody is coming right out and calling their services conversion therapy. That would be bad PR. The practice is couched in the language of soul-searching, healing trauma, and respecting individual faith. Alberta survivor Kevin Schultz was undergoing private faith-based counseling to realign his sexual orientation as late as 2007. Journey Canada, formerly Living Waters, which claims to help folks “experience Jesus in their sexuality” (kinky?) still operates across Canada.

If anyone is in doubt, the Human Rights Campaign and the Canadian Psychology Association can shed light on why conversion therapy/counseling of any kind is deeply damaging and can even be life-threatening.

The previous NDP government at least gave the appearance of caring about the LGBT community. The UCP gives the appearance of wanting to give the appearance of caring. In any case, I kind of wonder, why not just oh I don’t know BAN CONVERSION THERAPY AS IF WE WERE A CIVILIZED 21ST CENTURY SOCIETY? The UCP certainly hasn’t shied away from taking bold action on controversial issues (eg. lowering minimum wage for minors like a bunch of literal cartoon Scrooge McDucks).

This conversion therapy fustercluck is one move in an alarmingly swift series of policy change plans the UCP has begun rolling out since April of this year. They have also pledged to remove key protections afforded to GSA’s (Gay-Straight Alliances, common “safe space” organizations for LGBT students found in secondary schools). This means teachers could, at their own discretion, be permitted to notify parents if their child joins a GSA. This would obviously defeat the whole purpose of GSA’s and put children at greater risk of abuse at home.

When urged to consult experts on why this was such a monumental mistake, and questioned about the purpose of his party’s decision, premier Kenney had this to say:

"I think it would be very rare [for parents to be notified]," Kenney said. "Probably only [when] dealing with very young kids or kids with unique emotional and mental health challenges."

AKA, he has no idea what the repercussions could be and is speaking in “likelihoods” like some kind of fiendish gremlin under a bridge, desperate to grant you three wishes whose loopholes will ruin your life. (PS: Back in 2006 Kenney bragged about working to repeal a spousal law that allowed gay men to visit their dying partners in the hospital during the AIDS crisis. So that’s the attitude we’re dealing with here.)

If you’re curious about what other draconian policies the UCP has lurking just around the corner you can read up on their full platform, which includes such gems as scrapping the carbon tax, pausing the K-12 curriculum review, pushing for more private health care options, and something ominously called the “climate war room.”

If you, like me, are having some serious Handmaid’s Tale flashbacks right now, you’re not being overdramatic. The erosion of minority and women’s rights at the hands of backsliding democracies worldwide is not some fad. It’s a real thing that is happening all around us while shiny apps are being pelted at us as a distraction.

So let’s move on to what can actually be done. Before I list some ideas, I want to cover a few key points. We’re often advised, as constituents of a district or riding, to take action by writing to our political representatives! Here’s why I think that’s a waste of time: the current political climate is extremely polarized. It’s a buzzword because it’s true. If your MLA is conservative, and you write them a letter urging them to see things your bleeding-heart liberal way... well, why would they care? You’re not even a part of the voter base they’re targeting, and they know it. They don’t need your support. Alberta voters skew overwhelmingly right-wing already.

My advice is to follow the money.

A PAC (Political Action Committee) is an organization that pools campaign contributions from members and donates them to campaigns for or against candidates or legislation. Shaping Alberta’s Future is a PAC whose stated aim is to promote a conservative Alberta with Kenney at the helm. In 2018, they raised a whopping $170,000 in two weeks to fund UCP ads. Their financial disclosure documents are pretty lengthy and can be confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That’s why I’ve broken down the info into a list of the major 5-figure contributors, all (you’ll be bowled over with shock to learn) men, most of them members of the Motor Dealership of Alberta for some reason.

For those of us who live in Alberta/Canada, that means we can do the following:

HERE is a link to a form letter addressing major donors to Shaping Alberta’s Future, politely urging them to bring matters of LGBT youth safety to the government’s attention.

HERE is a link to a list of specific donors, their contact information, and contribution amounts. This info can be filled into the indicated sections on the above letter.

Simply print, sign, and mail the letters to the addresses provided. Postage should be fairly inexpensive but if it’s an issue, take a photo of your signed letter and Canada Post receipt and I’ll etransfer you the value of your postage (within reason, guys!). If you can’t access Google drive, I’ll copy the letter to you by whatever method you prefer.

If you’d like to add information to the above list, or offer a correction, please message us or email askovertherainbowblog@gmail.com.

Additional things you can do (from anywhere):

Spreading the word always helps. Set up an email list or reddit thread. If you’re Albertan, print ten extra letters and ask a few friends to sign them. Pride month is just around the corner: bring a sheaf of letters with you to a parade and throw them in the air like confetti. (You’ll probably get some free condoms for your trouble; nice!)

Donations are not possible for everyone but if they’re possible for you, Youthsafe.net has a list of organizations that could use your support.

Stay vigilant. Read full articles covering both sides of the issues you’re investigating, and investigate in turn the veracity of your sources. Read posts from people you don’t agree with and, as infuriating as it is to have your person-hood invalidated by pseudo-scientific doctrine, pause to digest other points of view before formulating a vitriolic response. I’m not advising moderation (fuck moderation) but I am advising strategy.

Pursue local involvement. It’s tough to sit in front of a news cast in rural Canada and watch women in Alabama have their reproductive rights stripped from them, knowing a small donation to the ACLU is probably the most you can do short of upending your life to go on a march, and that won’t even move the needle much. But everyone, everywhere where voting happens, can march into a town hall and make their voice heard when it comes to the bullshit in their own community. The people around you want to get involved; they’re just not sure how to do it. Give them a means and they’ll stand beside you!

xoxo

[batmanonthecover]

BATMAN #106 -  MARCH 1957

Cover Art: Sheldon Moldoff

BATMAN’S SECRET HELPER

Script: Unknown

Art:  Dick Sprang (Pencils), Stan Kaye (Inks), Pat Gordon (Letters)

Characters:  Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Fred Varrel (brother of Jim); James Wilkins (blacksmith); Bill Seton (a diver); Dr. Walter Thorne; Jim Varrel (villain, escaped con); Varrel's gang (villains, in flashback)

Synopsis:  Criminal Jim Varrel watches a TV show on which Batman appears to personally thank ordinary citizens who have helped him put crooks behind bars, hoping to discover the identity of the person who betrayed him.

Batman story #721

STORM OVER GOTHAM CITY

Script: Unknown

Art:   Dick Sprang  (Pencils), Charles Paris (Inks), Pat Gordon (Letters)

Characters:  Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Alfred Pennyworth; Commissioner James Gordon; Keene Harner (villain); Harner's gang (villains)

Synopsis: Every time that Batman attempts to nab Keene Harner, who has threatened to loot the city during the hurricane, emergencies seem to pop up requiring the Caped Crusader's attention.

Batman story #722

THE PUPPET BATMAN

Script: Unknown

Art:   Sheldon Moldoff  (Pencils), Charles Paris (Inks), Pat Gordon (Letters)

Characters:  Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Alfred Pennyworth; Guy Graney (villain); Victor Vonn (villain)

Synopsis:  When crooks gain control of a mind control machine, they decide to use it on the Caped Crusader, making him do unusual feats, and then to reveal his secret identity...or so they think!

Batman story #723

[theatredirectors]

Carsen Joenk

Hometown? 

Chicago.

Where are you now? 

Brooklyn, NY.

What’s your current project?

Judy Doomed Us All! This is a piece created by my company Rat Queen Theatre Co. (for which I am the co-artistic director alongside Molly Bicks). It’s a piece that reimagines one of America’s most pervasive fairy tales: The Reagan Administration. Judy takes place on the fourth of July, when a tornado traps Nancy Reagan and her speechwriter, Anthony Dolan, in a particularly unsavory town, forcing them to reckon with the people they have always condemned at a distance. It’s an Americana musical wrapped in a tumbleweed and served on a tablecloth from Party City.  

Why and how did you get into theatre?

When I was a little kid, I was painfully shy so my parents enrolled me in a theatre program at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. There, I made my debut as a singing eagle where I sat in a tree for the entirety of the show. From that point on, I decided I wanted to be an actor and went to an arts-centric high school where I was a “theatre major” for four years. When I was getting ready to graduate, I worried I liked books much more than I liked performing. I thought maybe I wanted to become a professor, so I went and got a BA in Liberal Arts. Really, in retrospect, what I was realizing then, was that I was incredibly interested in world-building and narrative -more than embodying a character on stage. So, I spent my collegiate years making theatre in various capacities in various basements with many of the same people I make theatre with now!

What is your directing dream project?

There are so many projects tumbling around in my head, but I don’t know what my dream project is yet. Probably something Russian. It changes regularly.

What kind of theatre excites you?

Theatre that is collaborative and exploratory without being too precious. (Investigations of morality and aestheticism.) Theatre that bends the definition of what is understood to be “good” because it’s challenging something that been made canon by people whose perspectives are possibly too narrow. Musicals! Adaptations and revivals that explode narratives we think we are familiar with. The Square Root of Three Sisters directed by Dmitry Krymov was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever seen. What do you want to change about theatre today?

- I would like theatre to become more interested in and accepting of multi-hyphenate artists. Actor-Designers, Director-Designers, Writer-Actors- the list goes on. There is a real stigma placed around the definition of “success” in theatre. Many incredibly talented interdisciplinary artists I know are often told by other people that what they do should be synthesized to one area of focus in order to achieve said success. - It would also be great to see more development opportunities for directors and designers in American theatre, which is very playwright-centric. - Active examination of who is receiving opportunities in American theatre, whose stories are being told, who is being put in positions of leadership, etc. - Ticket prices.

What is your opinion on getting a directing MFA?

I do not have an MFA, so my scope of the actual attainment of the degree is limited to conversations and observations. I think it depends on what you hope to get out of it, and unfortunately, how it will affect your finances. At the moment, I do not have any plans to get an MFA, but I could understand the benefits. What is most attractive to me is the dedicated time and space to make work that an MFA program affords. And the networking opportunities. As someone who has struggled to overcome the social anxiety of networking, an MFA program is of interest because it is specifically structured to develop your connections. But also…money! So, really, I think whatever works for you is what you should do.

Who are your theatrical heroes? I love a list. Art heroes of various kinds: Tina Landau, Lila Neugebaur, Joseph Cornell, Sean Graney, Claudia Castellucci, Lauren Redniss, Lileanna Blain-Cruz, Dmitry Krymov, Liesel Tommy, John Gardner, Suzan Lori-Parks, Bella Brodzki, Jen Silverman, Charles Johnson, Maira Kalman, all of the Rat Queen folx.

Any advice for directors just starting out?

- Apply to everything that is of interest to you, even if you think you won’t get it. Find a bio and photo of yourself that you like. You are going to have to send it to so many people for so many reasons. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be something you are ready to attach to 1,000 emails and feel confident about. Be excited for your friends who are making new work, go see their stuff, work with them! If anyone has any advice for ME, my email is carsen.joenk@gmail.com Plugs!

JUDY DOOMED US ALL RAT QUEEN THEATRE CO

[reallya-poorwhit3btch]

in my feels to much I now know how to look happy in public and to family but inside am I am not ok  #daydream #thoughts #white #black #maroon #selfie #art #pose #model #stoner #trippy #hippie #BAAYYANNG #fashion #beauty #photo #time #420 #feelings #depression #anxiety #PTSD #edgy #sadness #hurt #problems #brat #poor #graney #quality 

[theheadbangers]

DAMNATION ANGELS - 'Rewrite The Future'

UK symphonic metal band DAMNATION ANGELS have released a new song  “Rewrite The Future“. The track is taken from their impending third album ‘Fiber Of Our Being‘, which is due for release on 31st July 2020. https://youtu.be/9J5LemcnUsc In 2020 DAMNATION ANGELS returns with their highly anticipated new album “Fiber Of Our Being” which was mixed and mastered by Scott Atkins at Grindstone Studios (Cradle Of Filth, Vader, Amon Amarth). The cover art was made by Sabercore23art. CD + Digital pre-save/order link: http://smarturl.it/DAFiberpreorder DAMNATION ANGELS are: William Graney – Lead Guitar, backing vocals, synth/orchestration Iggy Rodriguez – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar John Graney – Drums Nic Southwood – Bass, Backing vocals More Info: Website Facebook Instagram #DAMNATIONANGELS #HEADBANGERS #headbangersgr #newrelease #symphonicmetal #VIDEO Read the full article

[hudsonespie]

Matson And GD NASSCO Christen Largest ConRo Ship Built In US ‘Lurline’

Matson, Inc., a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, and General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard christened the largest combination container/roll-on, roll-off (“con-ro”) ship ever built in the United States in a ceremony at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, CA on Saturday, June 15.

The new vessel is named ‘Lurline,’ an iconic name in Matson’s long history, dating to the construction of Captain William Matson’s first ship of that name in 1887. Four more ships were given the name in subsequent years; this vessel will be the sixth.

The new Lurline is the first of two new ships being built for Honolulu-based Matson by NASSCO at a total cost of approximately $500 million for the pair, and the third of four new vessels that Matson will put into service during 2018, 2019 and 2020. Named in honor of the ocean deity revered in the native Hawaiian culture, Matson’s two “Kanaloa Class” vessels under construction at the NASSCO shipyard are being built on a 3,500 TEU* vessel platform.

Image Credits: matson.com

At 870 feet long, 114 feet wide (beam), with a deep draft of 38 feet and weighing in at over 50,000 metric tons, Lurline will be Matson’s largest ship and the largest con-ro vessel ever constructed in the U.S. It will also be one of Matson’s fastest vessels, with a top speed of 23 knots, helping ensure on-time deliveries in Hawaii from Matson’s three West Coast terminals in Seattle, Oakland and Long Beach.

Both new Kanaloa Class vessels will have an enclosed garage with room for approximately 500 vehicles plus ample space for rolling stock and breakbulk cargo. They will also feature state-of-the-art green technology, including a fuel efficient hull design, environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks, fresh water ballast systems and the first Tier 3 dual fuel engines to be deployed in containerships serving West Coast ports.

Under the latest International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements for engine manufacturers, Tier 3 engines reduce the levels of particulate emissions by 40 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 20 percent, as compared to Tier 2 standards.

“The great speed, capacity and environmental improvements of this new ship position us well to serve the needs of our communities in Hawaii for many years to come,” said Matt Cox, Matson’s chairman and chief executive officer, after the shipyard ceremony.

“As a proud U.S. company and Jones Act carrier, our investment in this new ship is about much more than maintaining a high level of service to Hawaii. It also helps drive substantial economic benefits in and opportunities in communities around the Pacific, where this vessel will operate,” Cox said.

“The construction of this ship requires 150,000 man hours to complete. It’s over a year’s work for about 2,000 professionals here at NASSCO…engineers, tradesmen and lots of support people. And over its expected lifespan, this ship will generate approximately 4.5 million man-hours of work opportunity for the U.S. mariners who will operate it…not to mention all the dock workers and terminal personnel that move the cargo on and off our ships, and all the people who produced the materials used to build this ship that are sourced here in the U.S….like the steel that came from Iowa and Alabama.

“These are all living wage jobs, supporting the families of these American workers, the taxes they pay…it all flows from this one ship,” Cox said, adding, “Multiply that by all the ships NASSCO and other U.S. shipyards are building, and you get a sense of the value of the maritime industry to our country and its economy. In California alone, there are more than 51,000 jobs tied to the American maritime industry, providing over 3.6 billion dollars in labor income with a total economic impact in the state of more than twelve billion dollars.”

“Designing and building the Lurline brings pride to every member of our team,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “It’s an honor to add the Kanaloa Class vessels to NASSCO’s decades-long history in Jones Act ship production.”

Matson invited Constance Lau, a member of Matson’s board of directors, to officially christen the vessel by breaking a ceremonial bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull. Immediately after the bottle was broken, the vessel was released from its build ways and slid backward into San Diego Bay. Lurline was then docked at NASSCO’s nearby testing and trials berth, where the final stages of construction will be completed. Matson is expected to take delivery of the vessel in late October, 2019.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 700 people, including members of Matson’s and NASSCO’s executive and project teams, Matson board members, Navy and Coast Guard officials and members of the general public.

Reference: matson.com

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from Storage Containers https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/matson-and-gd-nassco-christen-largest-conro-ship-built-in-us-lurline/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[drtanstravels]

I’ve been living in Singapore for almost 10 years now and I’ve probably mentioned this before, but not a whole lot happens here. Sure, it’s a great place to live and extremely safe, however, most things that are fun are either exceptionally expensive or just straight out illegal. Hardly any bands tour here, movies and TV shows are censored, you are even blocked from buying records from ebay.com that are deemed offensive! I once tried to buy an old, beaten up, albeit cheap copy of Blag Flag’s Nervous Breakdown e.p., but the sale was blocked because some punk dude back in the day had scribbled a swastika on it.

But there are also a ton of things to love about living here and one of the main ones is how convenient it is to travel around the area, something we do a lot. If I were still living in Melbourne, you could tack an extra seven or eight hours on to the flight-time for any trip that we make, so for most people back in Australia, a trip to stay at a resort in Phuket, Thailand is something you could do maybe once a year at most, whereas it is only a 90-minute flight from here. This might make me seem like a spoilt bastard, and I guess in many ways I am now, but when Anna initially asked me a few weeks ago if I wanted to come on a trip that she had planned with a few friends just to hang out in a villa in Thailand, I had to think about it at first. It’s not that I didn’t want be able to sit in a private 5-star resort with personal chef’s and masseuses, complimented by unlimited day-drinking and our own pool, it was more the process of getting there that made me apprehensive. In 1994, an Australian band called Dave Graney ‘n’ the Coral Snakes released an album titled You Wanna Be There But You Don’t Wanna Travel and until several years ago, the title never made any sense to me. Now I totally get it. We have been doing a lot of traveling over the past decade, but especially in the last three years as Anna has become more respected in the field of ophthalmology, and the idea of going to the airport, dealing with all of the hassles of flying and airport staff on power-trips, coupled with the physical pain I go through when sitting on a plane just made me shudder, especially when we have some very long trips coming up over the next few months. Also, there were four other people going on the trip besides Anna and myself, three of whom are doctors and when the medical-talk starts, it can sometimes take a long time to end and I just can’t contribute to the conversation. That, and hearing medical horror stories just scares the crap out of me. On the other hand, there was day-drinking and Thai food, plus it was only a short flight. Screw it, let’s do it.

Cleaners betting on which flights will be delayed

Friday, October 13 I understand that Friday 13 is supposed to be an ominous day to do anything, but I’m not a superstitious person, everyone loves Fridays and hates Mondays so I have no problem with doing anything on Friday 13, although I’ve already shown in the past that a Monday 13 can suck! Anna had Thursday and Friday afternoon off so we were flying out at 3.00pm and, factoring in the one-hour time difference, we’d land in Phuket at around four. I took Kermit down to the dog hotel, Anna arrived home and we made our way to Changi Airport. We checked in, laughed as some cleaners were kicking back and watching the flight info like it was the World Cup (right), had some lunch and boarded our flight. We arrived in Phuket hassle-free, no problems with immigration, Anna bought a couple of bottles of duty-free wine and when we went outside there was a chauffeur waiting to take us to the resort. Screw Friday 13, I had been checking the weather and, yes, it was supposed to be absolutely pissing down with rain and just constant thunderstorms the entire weekend, but if that is the arbitrary peanut in the turd, I think I can handle it.

The traffic was terrible and on our way to to the resort we asked the driver if he could stop off so we could buy some beer along the way, but he told us that might be difficult for reasons that we completely forgot to even consider — It was exactly one year to the day since the death of Thailand’s King Bhumibol the Great and alcohol was not technically allowed to be sold. We were last in Thailand in December of last year, less than two months after the King’s passing, and a lot of places still weren’t selling alcohol because, although citizens were asked to refrain from taking part in “joyful events” for 30 days immediately following his death, there was still an official mourning period of 12 months. I guess the one-year anniversary was going to be the same as that first 30 days and we didn’t want to be disrespectful. As for the traffic, that was people making their way to temples to pay their respects to the King. Our driver kept apologising profusely and explained that the major stores won’t sell any and, despite us reassuring him that it was okay and not his fault, he then began making phone calls to the resort and we soon pulled over to get petrol. Anna and myself looked around all the convenience stores there to see if any were selling, but to no avail. Looks like another entry in the ‘T-Factor‘ series. We got back in the car and before long our driver received a call, he answered and then turned around and asked how many cases we would like. It turned out that the resort had manage to find a small store nearby that would sell beer to them and they wanted to know how much we wanted and if we would prefer Singha or Chang. “Two cases of Singha, please” was my reply. Take that, Friday 13!

It took about an hour due to the traffic, but we eventually arrived at our resort, Villa Yin:

Privately situated on an exclusive hillside estate near Kamala Beach, Yin is a five-bedroomed haven that blends modern Thai architecture into the lush forested hillside.  As far as possible, the original tropical landscape has been left undisturbed, as can be witnessed by the three-metre boulder that juts up through one of the villa’s terraces.  Captivating interiors are adorned with antiques from across Asia and a daring, carefully curated art collection featuring pieces as diverse as the instantly recognisable pop art of Andy Warhol to the compelling human struggles depicted by contemporary Chinese artist Shi Lifeng.

The villa comprises a series of pavilions that cascade down the hillside to offer fantastic sea views from every room, with stylish and comfortable furnishings providing inviting places to relax and entertain.  The large, open-plan living and dining pavilion features a dark-wood peaked ceiling and black flooring but the tone is far from sombre with three walls of glass, fascinating art accents and plush leather sofas.

Villa Yin’s expansive terraces, including a sun-lounger-topped deck alongside the 18-metre pool, are picture-perfect spots to relax and unwind, or to stage an intimate wedding or special event.  Other top-notch facilities include an outdoor dining area with built-in barbecue, a large sauna, a media room with projector screen, and a wine cellar.

The awe-inspiring king-bedded master suite, with its stunning artwork, enormous dressing room and exotic bathroom, will be coveted by couples, while two bright guest bedrooms offer private retreats with king-sized beds, ensuite bathrooms and ocean-view balconies.  A guest pavilion with a king-bedded room and a living area that converts to a fifth bedroom, sits on the villa’s top level with superb views from its wide furnished deck area.

Guests at Villa Yin are treated to the service of a talented team of full-time staff including a friendly and efficient manager and Thai chef.  Dining is an absolute delight here; mouth-watering meals are served with flair by the skilled chef.  If you wish to explore the island, your villa manager will be happy to help you book golf tee-off times, yacht trips or dinner reservations, or to hire a taxi to take you to the nearby beaches of Kamala or Patong.

About to eat dinner

I think we can handle that for a weekend and Anna and myself had the master-suite! This place was enormous, too, the main lounge area was larger than our entire apartment in Singapore and our place is considered quite big. We had a little bit of time to explore, but it was dark and raining outside. The villa itself is 750 m² (8,073 ft²) and to get to our room we had to walk through the main living area and kitchen, past the pool, go downstairs through the cinema, walk past the other bedrooms and the sauna and finally we were at our suite. The suite consisted of an office, a bathroom with two rainforest showers and huge bath, and two toilets facing each other. Yes, they were in their own rooms, but if we were so inclined, we could both sit there face-to-face with the doors open and have a chat during our most private moments. After the bathroom there was a massive walk-in wardrobe with motorised cabinets and shoe-closets, however, I only brought a few t-shirts, some shorts and a bunch of underwear with me so it was kind of redundant. Once in the bedroom we were in luxury, however, the only thing that bothered me was that there was a huge window up near the ceiling that had no curtains or blinds, meaning that it would be really bright early in the morning and I’m not much of a morning person. Fortunately, I had my eye-mask from the plane so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Take a look around (most of these were taken the following day because it was already dark when we got there):

Anna on a seat in the cinema room

The view while we had dinner

Looking at the rest of the villa from the master suite

The weird office bit, complete with creepy painting

looking through part of our bathroom

Another part of our bathroom

The wardrobe

I could only get a panoramic shot of our bedroom because it was so big!

The view from our suite’s balcony

The cinema room

Where the drinking happens, minus the kitchen

Oh, and it happens here, too

We dumped our bags in our room, I cracked a beer, Anna and Elaine had some wine, the others grabbed a scotch and soon it was time for dinner. When the website described the food here as “an absolute delight,” that was somewhat of an understatement. We were served fresh fish, crabs, tom yum soup, pad thai, and vegetables, all freshly cooked in front of us in the villa’s kitchen. It was at that point that we knew we would more than likely not just be drinking too much on this trip, but horrendously overeating as well. Anna’s colleague, Yvonne, got in a little later that night as she was working late, but there was still plenty of food and drink when she arrived. When dinner was done, we got comfortable, put on some music and just drank and chatted for the rest of the night while the rain came in at a 45-degree angle and belted the windows, thunder cracking in the background.

Saturday, October 14 It was our only full day here and my greatest fear became a reality; my eye-mask slipped off during the night and both Anna and myself were wide awake at 7:30am due to the light coming in through that window. I managed to get back to sleep, but it was that feeling where you’re not really awake, but not totally asleep either until you manage to snap out of it, which happened to me at again about 9:00am. I watched a bit of a pre-season NBA game in our room for a bit before joining the others for a huge breakfast of sausages, bacon, an omelette, and soup noodles with chicken. When breakfast was done, the others had arranged massages and champagne at midday that would last for two hours, followed by lunch. I can’t stand people touching me, thus I don’t like massages so I sat in the cinema room and read a book the entire time, although I did surface to join them at one stage, however, they were all laying face-down and topless so, to avoid seeming creepy, I went straight back down the stairs and continued reading until it was time for lunch.

Lunch was spectacular again, although we had to ask them to cook about half as much as they were going to, especially when you consider that I don’t usually eat breakfast. The bulk of the afternoon was just thunderstorms, but as soon as they let up we immediately went outside. Anna, Yvonne, and Elaine jumped straight in the pool, I just kicked around on the porch because I can’t swim, and Emily and her boyfriend, Jun Ming, went and took a nap for the afternoon. Definitely a great way of unwinding, but we knew those storms would be back soon and we weren’t wrong:

This cool painting was in the cinema room

A boat caught in the storm

Now we can come out and play

Elaine, Anna, and Yvonne hanging out in the pool

This is what was fuelling them

And now they are “synchronised” swimmers

Fairly certain the unicorn was just an inflatable one

Still going

Okay, time to go back in now.

The storms returned, but soon it was time to eat again anyway, so we came back in. Anna, in typical form, may have gone a little too hard too early and struggled to keep her eyes open during dinner. This isn’t unusual, rather it’s kind of expected. It happened when we were in a Michelin-star restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil and it’s just part of the routine every time we go to my mate Owen‘s place for his Boxing Day party whenever we’re back in Australia for Christmas. In fact, his mother now just sets up a place for her to sleep in advance. In this case it was nothing a two-hour power nap on the couch could’t take care of, then she was back onboard again.

Just resting her eyes for a bit…

The rest of the night was the same as the previous, just chatting, listening to music, drinking, all interspersed with the occasional bout of improvised interpretative dance from myself when a song that is so bad that it’s good, ie. George Michael’s Careless Whisper, came on. It got to about midnight, we’d all been partying since the morning and we knew it would be hard to sleep in with that window in our room so it was time to call it a night.

Sunday, October 15 As expected, the light woke us up early, Anna still recovering from the nightmares she had when she awoke earlier to see me with my eye-mask twisted around, leaving weird lines across my face. She and the others had breakfast, but I decided to just try and sleep a little longer. Our flight was at around 3.30pm, which meant we would have to leave Villa Yin at about 12.30, something we managed to pull off and successfully make our way back to Singapore.

Thanks to all the staff at Villa Yin for giving us such a great weekend away and to Yvonne for finding this place! If you get the opportunity, definitely treat yourself and stay there. I have a feeling we’ll all be doing it again.

I look like I’m photoshopped into the background of this picture

A Stormy Couple of Days In Phuket I've been living in Singapore for almost 10 years now and I've probably mentioned this before, but not a whole lot happens here.

[rcc-redmarley]

Arts & Science Sculpture Commission - Artists on Film

Watch this film to find out more about the Arts & Science Sculpture Commission and to find out more about the artists’ proposals. 

Got a favourite sculpture? Then vote now!

Want to find out more? You can visit our outdoor display case to view scale models by our four finalists and learn more about the design and vision of each in our Rotunda Gallery exhibition.

Film by Paul Stringer. 

[theparanoid]

Dave Graney With The Coral Snakes - $1,000,000 In A Red Velvet Suit

Album: "I Was The Hunter...And I Was The Prey" (1991)

[Art Rock, Alternative Rock]

[bowlerkathryn-blog]

Somerville’s annual Fluff Festival comes to Union Square

Originally published in the Somerville Journal on Sept. 20, 2017.

By Katie Bowler

This weekend Fluff lovers and enthusiasts of all ages celebrated the 12th annual Fluff Festival.

Union Square was transformed into a Fluff-utopia, complete with live music, a performance from the beloved Fluferettes, games, Fluff-inspired foods, and more.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the invention of Fluff, this year’s festival was one of the biggest yet, with nearly 20,000 people “interested” on Facebook.

“It was a rousing success,” said Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets Ester Hanig. “We were packed to the gills.”

When Mimi Graney, author of “Fluff: The Sticky, Sweet Story of an American Icon,” founded the festival 12 years ago, Union Square was not the destination it is today, says Hanig.

“The main reason Union Square Main Streets was formed was to revitalize Union Square,” she said. “The Fluff Festival...showcases both the fact that this was a place with really deep roots and a sense of community, as a place that is cutting edge and inventive.”

Sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council and the City of Somerville, this year’s theme was “FluffCentennial: Inspiring the Next Century of Union Square Invention.”

The theme was meant to “shine a light” on how many new and exciting things are happening in Union Square, said Hanig. With Aeronaut Brewing Company, Artisan’s Asylum, Greentown Labs, Juliet’s nontraditional approach to restauranteering, and Bow Market’s opening, there square is walking the line of past and present.

“We have that wonderful blend of old and new and multicultural,” said Hanig. “One of the intents was to use the theme to shine a light on Union Square and Union Square today and what a wonderful vibrant place of invention it still is, even a hundred years later. Maybe even more so.”

Between Ebi Sushi and Mike’s Auto, Union Square Main Streets set up “Invention Alley,” featuring artists and inventors from Artisan’s Asylum and the Somerville High School robotics team.

Behind Brass Union, they set up a games area for elementary school-aged kids, including Fluff bowling, ring toss, cornhole, and more.

The shenanigans stage featured the “fluffiest and zaniest,” said Hanig, games for all ages, including an appearance from the inventor of Fluff Archibald Query, played by Mike Katz. Attendees tested their luck during Fluff jousting, musical chairs, and Fluff hairdos, and participated in the first-ever costume contest.

Food galore

In front of the Somerville Media Center (SMC) chefs battled it out during the cooking contest.

Patrick Chhoy won most innovative with Fluff Maki; Guenevere Miller won best future chef with Strawberry S’mores Bread; Cristina Sadler won most retro recipe with the Fluffy Elvis; and Sam Smith won the grand title of Centennial Winner with Fluffer Nanner Nutter Cake.

Judges included Editor at Eater Boston Rachel Leah Blumenthal, Senior Political Reporter at WBUR Anthony Brooks, Anchor for WBZ-TV Lisa Hughes, and Owner of the Smoke Shop Andy Husbands.

″[The contest] really showcases people’s creativity,” said Hanig.

In addition to a bake sale, there were 40 food vendors at the festival. Casa B, said Hanig, usually makes a chorizo Fluff pastry and fluff and chocolate empanadas.

Attendees also had the chance to ride the Fluff train and buy a special t-shirt, which differs from year to year. And, continued Hanig, they had the chance to meet Graney and grab a copy of her book.

“Between the vendors and the activities, the square is just one beehive of activity and fun and food,” said Hanig.

Though Hanig doesn’t get a chance to see much of the festival (she was the one “racing around like a chicken with her head cut off”), she looks forward to it every year, and loves seeing everyone enjoying themselves and celebrating the centennial.

“There’s a moment where all of a sudden [the festival] is really happening and going and you’re just sort of standing there, picking up the excitement and the sense of fun and community,” she said. “That’s really great.”

Hanig encourages people to visit Union Square “every day of the week” and participate in the vibrant community.

“There’s always something happening there and it’s a great place to be,” she said. “The Fluff Festival is just an example of that.”

[alphonsecampbell-blog]

Starstepper The Apache Medicine Guy.

In support of the Palmieri, Pagliaro, 'Brien, Gai, Agid, Brault as well as Graney family members I say thank you for honoring mommy, a lot better known as Josephine and relating to listed here to celebrate her life, and also our experts thank you for sustaining us. The white colored giraffes are actually still in the Ishaqbini region, and the HCP is partnering with neighborhood neighborhoods and conservation groups to shield the unusual pets, Ali said. Like her boy Patrick, possibly most ideal known for his job in Dirty Dancing, Patsy was additionally in the motion picture organisation. Fuchsia flowers possess a meaning from passion and generosity, white colored roses feeling of respect and also moisture, and reddish roses, true courage, rage and respect within the connect between family and friends. Baby weight is shed a lot faster, womb agreements to usual measurements quicker as if that's insufficient great things breastfeeding likewise decreases the chance that mom are going to cultivate breast cancer cells later in life. In the 1950s, our lawmakers began to promote (along with provides to assist) Cherokee and also their households to relocate to areas around the country where they would certainly be pushed to take on white means. When you are actually certainly not in a significant connection along with an individual, chatting filthy is actually usually simpler. The youngster always kept the technique for five years until she eavesdroped her mother referring to working with a cleaner to come back to the Seeker's Hill residence. Right now go call your mom for a hr while I assist the little ones make my Mama's Time memory cards. I experience sad about exactly what is actually taking place around our company. The Ganges is acquiring grimy daily however no person cares. Years eventually it was pretty an unpleasant surprise to me when I was actually shopping at a neighborhood Walmart as well as found a rack of White Stag apparel available. Relocate coming from toughness to durability, white and blue clothed champions from charity, belief and also hope, strict prophets, priests and masters of Jesus Christ our Lord! Mama Teresa delivered plan to the hopeless, and also spread passion and also compassion and came to be planet renowned as a Diplomat. I only read that the White Stag name today belongs to Wal-Mart; please get back to those tops and jeans in the plus sizes. Chris Gardner was actually the only son of 12 little ones that was actually being actually brought up by a solitary mommy. Pearls are actually readily available in various shades, varying coming from easy white colored and pinks to a lot more unusual eggplant, dark and peacock greenish. When you speed up well-maintained you in fact utilize your time cleansing far better as well as you know exactly what cleansers function the most ideal wherefore work. She is actually effectively educated and also worldly however cowardly in numerous methods, hers is actually a character that does not have knowledge and is actually not able to perform the improvement she desires to, a comparison to her mom who certainly never quit shifty. His proficiency in combining the science of each sound as well as leisure modern technology with the fine art from white sound, to has effectively benefited 1000s of kids as well as grownups around the globe. They go to the cleanest thing to reconsider. They hide the dirt in their http://sportandfit.pt/1-nem-com-dieta-Se-bem-Equilibrado-estilo-de-viver litter box, and also they won't make use of a litterbox that really isn't well-maintained. I believe this's because he looks a great deal like his dad that it is actually hard to find any kind of bare features that will come from his mommy besides the apparent hair texture as well as lighter skin tone. As being one will count on, the first sandblaster made use of sand to shape a surface area clean. With the correct instruction as well as a small in advance expenditure, ladies can begin new services selling, restoring as well as dispersing clean cooktops. The absence from a mama whatsoever is additionally common, because if a mother appeared, the set from activities would not unfold as they do in accounts where there is actually no parental impact.

[theatredirectors]

Iris Sowlat

Hometown?

Wilmette, IL.

Where are you now?

Chicago, IL.

What's your current project?

Underworld Anthem for Prop Thtr’s RhinoFest. Underworld Anthem is a devised piece that tells the story of Orpheus in the Underworld using  a cycle of poems by Chicago poet Alex Ranieri, with text from Ovid’s “Orpheus and Eurydice,” an Orphic Hymn (found and translated by dramaturg Emma Pauly), original music, dance, clown, and other media. The play explores what compels one to seek out the Underworld, to leave it, to relish it, to rule it, to create within it, to gives oneself to it, and to attempt to escape. This story investigates ideas of the original myth by examining plot shifts such as: What if Orpheus lost his poetry and music in addition to his beloved? What if Eurydice had a choice, and chose the Underworld willingly? How much other the “underworld” is actually below the Earth, above it, and in our own minds? What role does Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld, who is bound to travel between the Underworld and Earth, play in the story?

Underworld Anthem runs at Prop Thtr’s RhinoFest through February 21.

Why and how did you get into theatre?

I started taking beginning acting classes at Piven Theatre in Evanston, and from there, I was completely hooked! Growing up, I was a strange combination of being an incredibly introverted young person with a huge imagination and a LOT of stories to tell. I was drawn to theatre specifically because it provided the framework for a world of sheer possibility. I could be anything I wanted, and tell any story I wanted.

In college, I discovered my passion for directing and honed my craft by directing four shows at my University’s student-run theatre spaces. I was specifically drawn to directing because a director has the chance to decide exactly what story they get to tell, or through what lens to tell an existing story. Learning directing in this kind of self-led space gave me the tools I needed for a career of DIY and storefront work in Chicago.

What is your directing dream project?

I have several dream projects, so I’ll share just a few here:

-       Jane by Paula Kamen: In the 1960s, before Roe vs. Wade, a group of young women at the University of Chicago started an underground abortion service which bloomed into the “best kept secret in Chicago.” This fresh, relevant, suspenseful docu-drama tells their story.

-       Life, and a Lover by Natalie Meisner: A magic realism historical drama about Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West, and the life and death of Woolf’s character Orlando.

-       feminine octagon [or, aristotle can eat me] by Amy Gijsbers van Wijk: An immersive kaleidescope of femininity, gender, and sexuality…. with lots of glitter :)

-       Kristina, the Girl King by Michel Marc Bouchard: So many things to explore about the choices women in certain positions make, and the lens through which they are seen, that are super relevant today.

-       Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story by Stephen Dolginoff: An elegant, erie two-man musical about Chicago’s gay 1920s “thrill klllers.”

If anyone wants to hire me to direct one of these plays, I would love to chat with you :)

What kind of theatre excites you?

I am excited by theatre that uses highly theatrical or unexpected storytelling devices to get to the heart of often unspoken or silences truths in society.  The work I make is usually a mix of social relevance and magic realism. I like to be surprised. I like playing with unexpected storytelling forms, such as the use of non-linear stories, heightened language, or multi-genre/interdisciplinary works. Most of all, I am excited by work that leads the audience to have a very specific “OH! Shit.” moment of surprise.  

What do you want to change about theatre today?

The default (in programming, leadership, Boards, casting, production teams, and “target” audiences) is still overwhelmingly white, cisgender, male, and upper-middle-class. Unfortunately, this is systemic, and a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. But, fortunately, so many theatres, especially in Chicago, are working towards bridging that gap (on and off stage) and creating more access and inclusion for artists, arts leaders, and audiences of all identities. Theatre is for everyone. Theatre - especially in the areas of executive and artistic leadership - needs to reflect the diversity and intersectionality of the communities it is being made in. Theatre is inherently a place of possibility, and if some institutions continue to limit who gets representation, to a very narrow default, everyone misses out.

What is your opinion on getting a directing MFA?

I plan to apply to MFA programs in the next year or two.

My reasons for applying are that I crave the balance of Space and Structure that an MFA program can provide.

“Space” means, a wide open artistic playground where I can make the art I want to make, with the freedom to make mistakes, or change something mid-process, without some of the constraints that directing outside of academia can impose.

And “Structure,” means the support of an institution and a faculty who are some of the highest caliber in the country posing challenging questions that allow me to re-frame how I think about my work and my choices, questions that I would not think to ask myself.

Who are your theatrical heroes?

Will Davis, Mary Zimmerman, Julie Taymor, Ariane Mnouchkine, Olivia Lilley, Sean Graney, Jo Cattell, Marti Lyons, Vanessa Stalling, Molly Brennan, Isaac Gomez, Caridad Svich, Charles Mee, Tina Landau, Anne Bogart, Rohina Malik.

Any advice for directors just starting out?

My advice would be to:

1.     Move to the type of city where you see the kind of work you want to make

2.     See as many plays as you can, on all scales of production and all genres. Just immerse yourself in it - that’s how you will be even better at articulating exactly what you like.

3.     Go make stuff! Don’t wait for someone’s permission for you to create something. If there is a play you want to direct, just go do it, even if it’s on a very small scale. Give yourself permission to make a mess. Give yourself the freedom to make something glorious.

4.     Know your worth.

5.     I don’t know who first said this, but: If no one is giving you a seat at the table, instead of trying to squeeze in, just build your own table and invite people to it.

Plugs!

You can see updates on my work on my website, www.IrisSowlat.com If you would like to reach out to me, please use the comment box on my website or email me at iris.sowlat@gmail.com

[rcc-redmarley]

Meet the Artists: Hipkiss & Graney

In March 2020, a new public sculpture will be unveiled at the University of Birmingham campus, bringing together arts and science in the new University parkland, the Green Heart. This sculpture will explore ways in which art and science can inform each other, spark debate, and bring about new understandings of the world in which we live.

In this blog series, you will find out more about the artists and their proposals. Last but by no means least, it’s Hipkiss & Graney!

Hipkiss & Graney

Image credit: Greg Milner photography

About Hipkiss & Graney

Hipkiss & Graney are a visual arts duo from Ingot Studios, Stirchley, South Birmingham. Their highly collaborative practice explores ideas around collectivity, community and counter-movements through socially engaged workshops, large-scale interactive installations and performative outputs. Their performances discuss political and environmental issues, often involving magic realism and fictional organisations.

What’s the proposal?

Hipkiss & Graney

This is How We Saved the World, The Repository

Image credit: Patrick Dandy

Hipkiss and Graney are designing a sculpture that projects holographic representations of university lecturers and researchers, amongst others. The design will draw from dystopian and science fiction narratives, with a soundscape to match.

The aim of this project is to create a new, hopeful and empowering narrative about the future of our planet. Through research, collaboration and kindness we can create a better future for everyone.

Hipkiss & Graney Say…

“We want to work with big ideas about society and the environment and the most natural way we find to approaching these issues is through building immersive worlds and experiences for the viewer.”

Describe your practice in 5 words…

Folk tales for our time

What do you think?

Do you like this proposal? Would you like to see it made into a full-scale sculpture in the Green Heart? If so – vote now!

Want to find out more? You can visit our outdoor display case to view scale models by our four artist finalists and learn more about the design and vision of each in our Rotunda Gallery exhibition.