One of the great American visionaries of the twentieth century, R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) endeavored to see what he, a single individual, might do to benefit the largest segment of humanity while consuming the minimum of the earth’s resources. Doing “more with less” was Fuller’s credo. He described himself as a “comprehensive anticipatory design scientist,” setting forth to solve the escalating challenges that faced humanity before they became insurmountable. Read More
"Kay Ryan, Outsider With Sly Style, Named Poet Laureate" was, at the end of last week, #9 on the New York Times 10 most e-mailed articles list. Apparently there is a large crossover between lovers of verse and readers of the Gray Lady. According to my poet world contact, Ryan is an “unsentimental choice.” He also says that it is rare that someone is chosen who, like Ryan, is at the height of her popularity arc. Ryan has published six books and regularly has poems in The New Yorker. Her poetry is compared to Emily Dickinson, a Faberge egg (but it is not merely decorative, cautions Salon), and Marianne Moore. Ryan will replace Charles Simic to become the sixteenth poet to hold the year-long laureate post.
Photo by Paul McDonough
The Sasha Wolf Gallery in Tribeca is now showing In Our Dreams, a group exhibition that’s up until August 9th. I love Pablo Lopez’s photos of Mexico, particularly “Libramiento, Mexico-Cuernavaca, 2007.” Also intriguing is the baby sleeping under newspapers (above) in Paul McDonough’s photo “Couple with Baby, 1979, NYC,”. The whole exhibit can be viewed online.
This movie is great. I remember it coming out and my thinking I should watch it but I just never got around to it. Anyway, yesterday I watched it. Meryl Streep (with whom I am not ashamed to admit I am more-than-slightly obsessed) is fantastic as writer Susan Orlean, Nick Cage carries the role of the twin Kaufman brothers superbly, and Chris Cooper is endearing as the toothless John Laroche. The story on the surface appears quite a bit convoluted but ultimately ends up conforming to the conventional Robert McKee narrative form one Kaufman twin swears by. The genius of this film is that it’s self-referential without being overly self-indulgent. Read More
Exploiting the countless forms of communication, I conducted three interviews with artists, using three different forms of communication. These artists are not necessarily the art-stars we see posing awkwardly on the cover of magazines or hiding quietly in the corners of exclusive nightclubs. They are unique in that they all are creating and completing narratives within their artwork that confront difficult questions that we sometimes find easiest to ignore. This is interview with Nico Dios is the first of the three. Read More
“I’d Never Willingly Do You Harm,” a show curated by Tony Cederteg, is opening this Thursday, July 17. Included in the show are some past Dossier contributors, Ola Rindal and Carlotta Manaigo, hopefuly future contributors, such as Peter Sutherland, and yours truly. Although my pictures have been in Tony’s shows before, I have never actually gotten to see a show he’s curated, but I can say that the installation shots have made me wish I had. And I do know for sure that he throws a good party. So if you’re around Thursday, come through and show us some love…
I stumbled upon this great video, which is actually the third of four, in which This American Life’s Ira Glass talks about telling great stories and making good creative work. You needn’t be in radio or TV to learn something from this. Ira talks about how discerning taste and love for what you do combined with diligence through your less-than-a-genius phases will carry you through as it did for him. Not exactly groundbreaking stuff but nonetheless I sure as hell need to be reminded from time to time (via 43folders).
I went to see The Wackness purely for nostalgia of door-knockers and keeping shit on the D.L, but I actually thought it was pretty good. My boyfriend, who is from Seattle also liked it, so that should be some barometer. Me, I don’t think I really knew who Kurt Cobain was when he died and he thinks Biggie is garbage bag, so….
The point is, that aside from Mary Kate Olsen, (I’m sorry, but she is really bad) this movie is dope. On the real, son. One of the characters says to never trust anyone who doesn’t smoke pot, like the beach, like dogs, or listen to Bob Dylan. Word.
Marcelo Gomes has a new book. Available as an edition of 500 through Hassla Books, the 28-page saddle-stitched color work is a perfect companion to any summer activity, whether you’re flipping through it at a picnic, or in your favorite air-conditioned room.
Miles Anthony Benjamin Robinson’s video for “Buriedfed” is up on Pitchfork. I like that he’s wearing shorts, gives the whole thing an authentic feel. Congrats to Miles, who’s been making big moves this summer.