As the excitement of Halloween fills the air on this All Hallow’s Eve, if there’s one thing that embodies that ghoulish spirit, it’s the Thriller Dance. For anyone who hasn’t seen one of GoMA’s newest acquisitions, Candice Breitz’s King (a portrait of Michael Jackson), it’s well worth the 15 minutes you’ll spend laughing. The work is a multiple-screen video installation in which 16 of Jackson’s most ardent fans each present their interpretation of his 1982 chart-topping album, Thriller. Here in the map office, we’re also ardent fans of Michael Jackson’s iconic dance (even though a few of us weren’t alive when it first made its debut), and we’ll admit to partaking in the routine in the office on more than one occasion (it’s a great stress reliever). So when we heard that the registered world-record for the most people doing the Thriller Dance in unison was recently broken, our competitive spirits pricked up. At 73 people, we figure it’s a record we could break … anybody for a spot of Thriller?
Entering a supermarket these days is an ethical workout. With each item on my list, I try to consider the packaging used, the practices and resources used in its production, how far it has travelled, whether it supports the local economy, whether it fairly supports the producer, its health value and appeal, and its dollar cost. So, as a seafood lover, I’m ashamed to say that my main consideration when buying fish and seafood is freshness. But I’ve just picked up a copy of the Sustainable Seafood Guide. Produced by the non-profit Australian Marine Conservation Society, the guide and accompanying pocket-cards help consumers wade through a mire of considerations to make purchase decisions that support sustainable fishing practices. So, what’s the bad news? Southern bluefin tuna and scallops are overfished, while Atlantic salmon and barramundi are farmed using unsustainable practices. Choose whiting, bream, flathead, calamari and tropical trevally instead. Incorrect labelling in the marketplace is rampant, so it’s worth asking. The good news is that as consumers, we have an awesome amount of power. We can help improve the health of the oceans by voting with our wallets. And encouraging others to do the same. Check out the guide. And think twice about ordering those prawns for Christmas - give the guide instead.
Born in 1946, Yann Arthus-Bertrand has been interested in the wilderness and animal world throughout his lifetime. Using a camera, he started to create a record of his observations and eventually discover his gift: testifying through images. In 1991 Arthus-Bertrand became a photojournalist and founded Altitude, the leading aerial photography agency in the world. Inspired by the link between humankind, wildlife and nature, he partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to focus his vocation on a long-term documentary photography series: The Earth From Above, Wild Animals, Horses, and 365 Days. Earth From Above will be on show at the World Financial Centre Plaza in NYC from May 1 – June 28, 2009 (for those who are over there - Yen?). An inspiring visual record for future generations, Earth From Above is an outdoor public art exhibition and experiential event presenting awe-inspiring portraits of our planet, and a new perspective on the need for sustainable living.
theworldfor.com is dedicated to providing a voice for world opinion in one of the most important elections in United States history. While this election will ultimately be decided by US citizens at the ballot box, this site can inform those voters as to the world’s interest in this election, in an era when we are all interconnected. It’s interesting to note that those voting for McCain show up in countries like Somalia, Uganda, Iran, Libya … Who do you vote for?
Window shopping with Amazon. This is pretty cool.
via Environmental Graffiti: Welcome to the world of Reverse Graffiti, where the artist’s weapons are cleaning materials. It’s an art form that removes dust or dirt rather than adding paint. Some find it intriguing, beguiling, beautiful and imaginative, whereas others look upon it in much the same way as traditional graffiti – a complete lack of respect for the law. Reverse Graffiti challenges ideals and perceptions while at the same time shapes and changes the environment in which we live, whether people think for the better, or not. Continue reading ‘clean graffiti’
Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stor are the folks behind Architecture for Humanity, a charitable organisation which seeks architecture and design solutions to humanitarian crises and provides design services to communities in need. They used the 2006 TED Prize to start “Open Architecture Network” the worlds’ first open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. This week, I saw Cameron speak at EcoGram and true enough he was inspiring and funny. Their projects prove that positive change can and does happen, and the best part is that it can be grounded in super simple, pragmatic and universal principles like involving the community, sharing ideas and using resources in smart ways. The high of getting a business card from a TED speaker is my geeky equivalent to getting an autograph from your favourite rockstar. Cameron Sinclair’s business card doesn’t say “architect” it says “eternal optimist”. I think that is an awesome job title to have.
A man I knew only as Mr John Macrossan (and my favourite customer) passed away recently at 78 years of age. I still recall our first meeting some time ago and our lengthy chat about our favourite cheeses. I would see John once every two months or so and each time we’d discuss our mutual interest further. Over time I came to know him by name and also his warm, friendly and down to earth manner. If asked, I would describe him as a very tall man with friendly eyes, a permanent smile and always enthusiastic! I look back fondly on our lengthy discussions in front of the cheese fridge and wonder if our paths would still have crossed were it not for our love of good food! Lastly, a quote from John himself – ‘Life’s too short to eat only Quickes Cheddar’. I couldn’t agree more John! We’ll miss you dearly…
It’s that time of year when travel and holidays are soon to be on the cards, whether it be long Christmas jaunt, a summer mini-break or a rejuvenating New Year holiday. For those of us who haven’t booked anywhere yet, or are stuck for ideas, Tasmania’s The Winged House is a lovely notion. Standing over the cliffs of Table Cape in northern Tasmania, with unadulterated 180-degree views across the ocean, The Winged House features two bedrooms, a Japanese bath, gourmet kitchen and 2.3 hectares of secluded bliss. Complimentary wine, breakfast goodies and fruit and vegetables – alongside important phone numbers for ordering crayfish, a chef or a massage – welcomes visitors. Designed by well-respected Australian architect Richard Goodwin, The Winged House is part paraglider, part artwork, part architectural achievement and all luxury.
I had high hopes for the week in Bali. I’d heard therapeutic-sounding tales of the island’s virtues; a place perfect for relaxation, massages and downtime. This was my main aim for the week; an island getaway.
Only two hours by plane from Darwin, the temperature was similar to the Top End; a little humid and barely dropping below 27 degrees. After being picked up from the airport by my driver, Yeoman, we whizzed through narrow streets lined with a blur of wooden furniture shops, stone statues of ancient gods, and colourful flags. We were on our way to my haven-from-the-world for the week, a ‘cultural village’ called Desa Seni.
The village is about 30 minutes from the airport in Denpasar, so Yeoman and I had time to chat on the way. He told me that after the bomb attacks at Jimbaran and Kuta in 2005, many tourists stopped coming to Bali. Now, slowly they have started to come back. Through the city streets we sped, while Yeoman pointed out some key points of interest on the way, Continue reading ‘a balinese blessing’
Rinse them under a tap after a hot summer’s day. Don’t avoid puddles – step in them for fun because the shoes’ exterior won’t be damaged. Rain, hail or shine, Melissa Joy and Alexandre Herchcovitch’s Rubber Saddle Shoes are cute, practical and ethical. Known for its rubbery plastic shoes (technologically-engineered injected thermoplastic shoes to be exact), melissa aims to carry out a fair and conscious practice of design by using sustainable development as a premise, from the inception of an idea to its production. With each shoe collection, melissa partners with renowned designers such as Vivienne Westwood, the Campana brothers, Karim Rashid and J. Maskrey. Alexandre’s collaboration with melissa began in 2002 and since then he has created two or more styles for melissa every year. With a colour and shape to suit all styles and tastes, melissa shoes are available online for your shopping pleasure. Be warned: you won’t stop at one pair.
A collection of autumn leaves ordered in concentric circles by colour, a line of blood red leaves snaking down a river that have been pinned together with a fine series of thorns and an icicle that winds gently around a tree stump before melting in the first rays of sunshine. As a photographer, sculptor and environmentalist, Andy Goldsworthy works with materials from nature to create beautiful sculptural, and often temporary, artworks. The British artist uses leaves, thorn, stones, icicles, dust and snow to handmake breathtaking artworks. Inspired by nature, his works include everything as simple as lying down in the street during a sun shower in order to create ‘rain shadows’ on the pavement to capturing a cloud of dust on film as he throws a handful of earth into the air and large-scale commissions of rock walls, which wind through the pristine countryside. His soft-handed approach means that the creations could almost happen naturally.
With over 28 billion tons of CO2 emitted each year, an innovative firm is working on transforming the abundant supply CO2 available to produce renewable and sustainable fuels for global consumption. Carbon Sciences is developing a breakthrough technology to transform carbon dioxide emissions into the basic fuel building blocks required to produce gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other fuels. The largest and most concentrated source of CO2 emissions is the growing use of coal-powered electricity generation, especially in developing countries where coal is abundant and inexpensive. In 2030, there is projected to be about 43 billion metric tons of C02 exhaled into the atmosphere. Whilst I believe the preferred method of energy is purely renewable, Carbon Sciences offers a positive idea for a transitionary energy system utilising what is currently wasted.
Do you know someone who needs one of these notepads? Maybe they do too much and need to concentrate on doing one thing or they might have trouble remembering one thing to do. Available online at pretty bitter, two packs of these notepads will provide you with over a year’s worth of ‘to-do’ actions and will keep you focussed on the task at hand.
Low GI, low fat, high fibre, low carb, preservative free, natural preservative – there is a lot of food lingo floating around that describes what people eat in contemporary society. Traditionally, the food pyramid drew the line between ‘good’ food and ‘bad food’, but recently there has been many ad campaigns in between, which are blurring the boundaries between the two. It is no wonder that food has become linked to our emotional state and we may experience feelings of guilt when eating ‘bad’ foods. All You Can Eat explores these concepts by portraying individuals eating their favourite foods. The closely cropped images focus on the subjects’ faces, as guilt battles pleasure in the ritual of consumption. All You Can Eat is on show at the Brisbane Powerhouse until October 26.
with Sophia Young, Food Editor of Vogue Entertaining & Travel
Describe your cooking style at home? It is not very different from what I do for the magazine – very produce-driven, with quite defined flavours. Often I build dishes around one or two key ingredients. At the moment I am taken with blood oranges but they will soon be gone and I will be moving onto lovely summer tomatoes. I often find that condiments, pickles and preserves that one has on hand are a wonderful way of taking a simple thing in different directions. I am a huge fan of the Spanish Forum vinegars, which I swear one could drink. Another favourite is a good Italian vincotto, which I like to use in sweet and savoury recipes. Good anchovies, olives and capers also give one huge mileage in the kitchen.
Continue reading ‘5 questions’
Whilst last night’s ARIA Awards were owned by 17 year-old Gabriella Cilmi and Sydney-based dance outfit The Presets, the night also belonged to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – the recipient of two ARIA Awards. Winning Best World Music Album and Best Independent Album, Geoffrey is a talented indigenous and blind Australian musician who sings in Yolngu language. Geoffrey is from the Gumatj nation in North-East Arnhem Land and plays drums, keyboards, guitar and didgeridoo, but it is his angelic voice, which has received him great praise from coveted musicians such as Elton John, Bjork and Sting. Continue reading ‘congratulations geoffrey’
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