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Is photography over? Of course not. But a provocative title none the less, appropriated from SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art), suggesting we think more deeply about what photography was, what it now is, and where it’s going. Given the nature of contemporary art practice, the condition of visual culture, the advent of new technologies, and many other factors, what is at stake today in seeing something as a photograph? What is the value of continuing to speak of photography as a specific practice or discipline?

In April 2010, SFMOMA convened a range of major thinkers and practitioners to write brief responses to this question and to convene for a two-day summit on the state of medium. 

Interesting, insightful and evocative in my opinion. Feel free to leave your comments below.

Special thanks to Chase Jarvis for bringing this discussion to my attention. Photo/videos courtesy of SFMOMA.
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United We Fall 08/31/2010
 
A film by Bryan Law and Dan Dicks "United We Fall" is a documentary about the North American Union that is being developed right now between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. For years this topic has been debated in the news and in political circles as being a possible future for North America. In recent years, the mood has shifted and a rift is developing between those who want a Deeply Integrated North American Community, and those who wish to retain their national sovereignty. This film takes a look at both sides by interviewing both insiders and activists who have been at the heart of this heated debate. The film also looks to the broader agenda of building a world government and its implications.


Featured Interviews: Robert Pastor (Council on Foreign Relations), Allan Gotlieb (Trilateral Commission, Bilderberg) Herbert Grubel (Creator of the "Amero") Luke Rudkowski (We Are Change) Dan Dicks (Press For Truth) Vijay Sarma (Political Activist, Independent Journalist) Dr. Andrew Moulden (Canadian Action Party) Richard Syrett (Talk Radio Host)
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I first became aware of Charles Veitch and his organization, the Love Police, during the G20 summit in Toronto. He was among those arrested under false laws and detained for an extended period of time (some 20 odd hours) at the Toronto Film Studios makeshift prison. A simple YouTube search of his name will bring up many inspiring videos of activism and insight:
A class action lawsuit in the amount of $45M has been launched against the Toronto Police Services Board and the Attorney-General of Canada who represents the RCMP (The Star reports) for all those wrongfully arrested, detained, imprisoned or held by police during the G20 summit at locations across the city. There are many horrific stories and eye-witness accounts circling the web backed by plenty of video footage on YouTube depicting police brutality (among other things like sexual abuse) during the G20 summit in Toronto.

Charlie often uses a sort of humorous in-your-face styled approach to inspire people around the world to question what they're doing with their lives - I thought this was video below was particularly awesome. Something I'm glad I did was get out of the 9-5 "drone" lifestyle a year or so ago. Here he speaks to commuters crossing the London Bridge:
Watch this long interview for a glimpse into his mind and world views, which are extremely interesting in my opinion. He touches on subjects including perception of reality, police, world population control, swine flu and much more:

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A little inspirational video about entrepreneurship... enjoy:
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The Cove 05/07/2010
 


The Secret Is Out. Spread the Word.

The Cove exposes the slaughter of more than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises off the coast of Japan every year, and how their meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is being sold as food in Japan and other parts of Asia, often labeled as whale meat. The majority of the world is not aware this is happening. The focus of the Social Action Campaign for The Cove is to create worldwide awareness of this annual practice as well as the dangers of eating seafood contaminated with mercury and to pressure those in power to put an end to the slaughter.

And it’s been working. The film has been making waves since it premiered last year. Critical praise and audience awards worldwide have focused international attention on Taiji and the annual dolphin drives off the coast of Japan. Under intense pressure, Taiji called for a temporary ban on killing bottlenose dolphins. The film, which was originally rejected, was shown at the Tokyo Film Festival due to public outcry. Residents in Taiji are being tested for mercury poisoning, and for the first time Japanese media are covering the issue.


Close to a million people have signed on to the campaign, but this is just the beginning. The fisherman are clearly rattled, but haven’t stopped killing dolphins.

TakePart now to help shut down the cove for good.
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