Logging Chains

Close-up of  logging chains in the back of one of the old trucks at NohBec in the Selva Maya of Quintana Roo, Mexico (see Selva Maya, Selva Maya II, and Radiator Cap). I got some funny looks when I took this picture. 

Module 33

This is a clip of Nik Bärtsch's Ronin live at the 2006 Berlin Jazz Festival. The Swiss pianist and his talented quintet play an entrancing brand of minimalist, ethnic jazz that has been termed "Zen funk". Additional videos and music clips can be found here. Nik Bärtsch has been getting a lot of play in my lab this summer. [NOTE: Yes, he is palm muting the piano]. 

Words

A lovely film by Will Hoffman and Daniel Mercadante (aka Everynone) for WNYC's Radiolab program. Music is by Keith Kenniff. Words are context sensitive, they have multiple interpretations, and they produce distinct consequences. No wonder right speech is the first ethical principle of The Noble Eightfold Path. [NOTE: The seed words shift seamlessly in this beautiful video. Look closely].

Comics Manifesto

Spent several hours last week at the wonderful Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. The main exhibit, NeoIntegrity, included original work from over 200 cartoonists, illustrators, and animators. Robert Crumb, Jules Feiffer, Charles M. Schulz, Theodor Giesel (Dr. Seuss), Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, Jack Kirby, Maurice Sendak - everyone was represented. One output of the exhibit was a "Comics Manifesto" (shown above).  As outlined in Point 4: Comics are about ideas, the progression of ideas, the agency of the cartoonist to have ideas, the communication of the cartoonist to the world of their ideas because agency and ideas are important and what comics are. This little museum was rich in ideas.

Folk Art

Had a lovely visit to the American Folk Art Museum yesterday. The four floors of gallery space contain a wealth of beautiful art, but I, perhaps, was most drawn to the metal sculptures by "Artist Unknown".  Two examples are shown below:

Pre-Columbian Statue

Have spent the last several days glueing together the beautiful pre-Columbian statue shown above. It broke into about 40 pieces during shipping from my mom's house in Louisiana to New York. UPS most have really been throwing the boxes around.  I've had the statue for over 30 years (thx, Guillermo), but I don't really know much about this mysterious lady with the dog on her lap and the snake coiled around her head. The overall style suggests Nayarit or Colima, Mexico. The eyes, however, are decidedly oriental. I'm just glad it's back together. [NOTE: There were a few small piece left over (in the baking pan to the left). Couldn't figure out where these went.]

Am I Wrong?

Couldn't resist posting this. Keb' Mo's delta blues make you feel like Friday afternoon. Turn up the volume. Am I wrong? [NOTE: Bows to Barry Briggs at Ox-Herding for introducing me to Keb' Mo'].

Fireworks

I know, I know.  I posted a clip of the July 4th fireworks display at Hudson Bay Park last year (see 4th of July). But they were better this year. See for yourself. Spectacular. [NOTE: Music by The Album Leaf].

Ancient Way of Life

This clip shows Miao villagers tending and planting their rice fields. Which is something that they have done for hundreds - if not thousands - of years and are very good at. [NOTE: If you look carefully, you can see the string the farmers lay out to make sure they plant in a straight line. I love the water buffalo lounging in the mud.]

Welcome

Miao villagers at Lang De (see A Gathering of Miao and Fixing an Earring) perform a dance of welcome for visitors. [NOTE: The entire village came down from their fields to do this.]