Stories about Arts & Culture from February, 2013
Japan's Conservation Groups Fight to Preserve Wetlands
Damp and marshy, they seem boring and barren. But contrary to their appearance, tidal flats or coastal wetlands are rich in biodiversity and help maintain balance in the water cycle. For Japan, which hosts 46 of the 2,098 registered wetlands worldwide, their conservation is essential.
Who Owns the Copyright for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival?
It has been popular in recent years for photographers (professional and amateur alike) to publish their pictures of Trinidad and Tobago's various Carnival activities online, especially on social media sites like Facebook. But now, the Trinidad & Tobago Copyright Collection Organization (TTCO) considers this to be a possible copyright infringement. Netizens weigh in on the issue.
Dominica, Curacao: Carnival 2013
Catch a glimpse of what this year's Carnival celebrations were like in Dominica and Curacao.
Trinidad & Tobago: Calypso Music
Calypso dead? Not quite. Calypsonians and calypso shows being lazy and unoriginal? We have plenty of that. The Eternal Pantomime explains.
A Fantastic Comeback for Trinidad & Tobago Carnival
The International Soca Monarch Competition in Trinidad and Tobago is a major highlight of the country's Carnival festivities but this year it also served as a comeback for former winner Austin “SuperBlue” Lyons, who managed to tie defending champion Machel Montano for first place and a share of the International Soca Monarch title. Bloggers think it was a masterful return to the Carnival arena.
Musicians Aim Fighting Words at the Gambia's Hardliner President
A popular music video featuring a group of artists taking aim at the president of the Gambia's tightening grip on the West African country has gone viral among Gambians home and abroad.
Hand-painted Ads in Guinea-Bissau
In Guinea-Bissau “there is a real market of experts on painting wall advertisements”, says landscape architect Manuel Bivar. In 2011, he shared a collection of photos featuring hand-painted ads from Guinean shops on the African contemporary culture website, Buala.
When Uncle Matt Went to Albania
Matthew Pointon of Uncle Travelling Matt shares this detailed, six-part account and photos of his travel in Albania in 1996 and 1999: […] The Land of the Eagle is little known even in Europe and that’s a shame since it has some incredible scenery, friendly people and fascinating history. […]
Listening to Colours
Original de Vilaweb. Neil Harbisson és primer ciborg reconegut oficialment per un govern i el protagonista del documental guanyador al Festival Sundance 'Cyborg Foundation', del cineasta català Rafel Duran. Harbisson va néixer amb acromatòpsia, una condició que li impedeix distingir els colors. Aquest artista visual i compositor, amb l'ajuda d'un enginyer, va inventar l'Eyeborg, un dispositiu que li serveix per percebre les freqüències que emeten els colors.
Brazil Gets Into Carnival Mood to the Afro Beats in Salvador
The biggest party on the planet, Brazilian carnival, has grown to such an extent in Salvador, Bahia, that it’s now spread over three main points in the city, attracting half a million tourists during the days of revelry. Preserving Afro-Brazilian culture is key to the Bahian carnival, and this year the theme for the famous Pelourinho historical centre is ‘Black Carnivals’.
‘Les Miserables’ Parody by South Korean Air Force
The South Korean air force's “Les Miserables” parody video went viral over the week, garnering over 2.8 million hits. The video features snow-shovelling military men suffering under a vindictive superior while juggling thwarted love, a nightmare situation for South Korean men who are obliged to two years of military service.
Fatwa Snowballs, Kashmir's First All-Girl Band Calls it Quits
Pragaash, the first all-girl rock band from Kashmir, has quit after a local Muslim cleric issued a fatwa calling the girls' behavior un-Islamic. The short-lived musical group had also received online and offline abuse.
Malaysians to Psy: “Don't Perform for Corrupt Ruling Party”
Global pop sensation Psy has been invited to perform at an event in Malaysia hosted by Prime Minister Najib Razak and the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, but instead of being welcomed, many fans have turned to his Facebook page pleading him not to attend and perform at the Chinese New Year event.
Gay Korean Actor Reveals Coming Out Struggles
After Hong Suk-chun, the first openly gay actor in South Korea, discussed the struggles he has faced since coming out as a gay man in 2000 in a recent talk show, net users discussed the country's changing attitudes toward homosexuality and reflected on the reality that sexual minorities confront in South Korea.
One Billion Rising: Global Day of Action, Fighting Violence Against Women
Every third woman will fall victim to rape or abuse in her lifetime. On February 14, 2013 an action day will take place worldwide to demand an end to the violence against women and girls. Countless events have also been organised in Germany and Switzerland.
YouTube Removes North Korea Propaganda Video
The latest North Korea propaganda video that shows an animated version of New York city in flames, had been removed from YouTube as a video game maker, Activision, filed a copyright infringement complaint. North Korea Tech explains more about the video.
Creating Art to Kuti’s Legendary Beats
Mr. Jaeger has worked on several of Knitting Factory’s Fela efforts including Fela: Live In Detroit 1986, and the Ginger Baker compiled Fela: Vinyl Box Set 2. Wes Flexner speaks with the person behind the artwork for “Best of Black President Pt 2″, an extensive collection of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti’s music...
Levitating Around Singapore
Jayden Tan and Jeff Cheong have been ‘levitating’ around Singapore and they are even teaching students about the secrets of levitation photography. Their project has been gaining attention in Singapore and many people have already noted the creativity of their photos.
Death Knell for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival?
As Trinidad and Tobago gears up for its 2013 Carnival celebrations, bloggers discuss whether this is the beginning of the end of the national festival.
“Radical Imagination” in the Context of Global Protests
The development of digital communication has allowed the voice of the people to be carried further, whilst at the same time liberating words, images, ideas and actions that were previously restricted to specific areas. The virtual world is ultra-connected, full of ideas and teeming with innovative entrepreneurial initiatives. People in the real world then use this digital interconnection to protest, organise and express dissident ideas.
Jamaica: Superpower!
Don’t mind the IMF. Thanks to Volkswagen of America, Inc., we’ve been reminded yet again that Jamaica is a cultural superpower. Jamaica Woman Tongue reminds us that “the Jamaican presence at the Super Bowl wasn’t just the VW ad. It was Beyoncé doing the dutty wine, to the invigorating beat...
