I posted Ai Weiwei's images on Facebook. I was sent a warning, so I censored the photos using Facebook logos. Tuesday morning my account was disabled without notice or further details...
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
HAPPY 48TH BIRTHDAY DOCTOR WHO!
From the first aired episode November 23, 1963!
www.youtube.com
Fearing that his time machine will be discovered if he lets school teachers Barbara and Ian go, the Doctor sets the TARDIS on its first journey. When the TARDIS finally materialises, it is on a barren, rocky landscape, with an ominous shadow falling across it. Classic clip from the 1963 four-part story 'An Unearthly Child', the very first Doctor Who...
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Egyptian protesters are devising ingenious ways to protect themselves!
 |
| I love these goggles! |
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Cultural Exchange Offers Respite in U.S.-China Tensions
Why are there not more programs like this?
www.nytimes.com
The success of the U.S.-China Forum on the Arts and Culture raises an uncomfortable question for the United States: Why are there not more programs like it?
Exhibition Opening, Nov. 23, 7pm at Dar Al Funoon
Dar Al Funoon Cordially invites you to an exhibition of Sculptures and Drawings
By Jamal Abdel Rahim
The Sounds of Love and Freedom
Opening on Wednesday 23rd of Nov. 2011 and continuing through the 3rd of Dec. 2011
The artist will be present to launch his book Om Kalthoum
Monday, November 21, 2011
Analysis: Challenge to PM brings Kuwait a breath of Arab Spring
KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwait has been little touched by the wave of unrest that has swept some of its neighbors this year. But the storming of parliament by protesters last week brought it just a taste of...
Horrifying image of Tibetan nun in flames on street in latest self-immolation protest against China
www.dailymail.co.uk
The image is taken from a video released by protest group Students for a Free Tibet, who smuggled it out of southwest China following the incident.
"the Vampire Squid" conquers Europe!
www.independent.co.uk
The ascension of Mario Monti to the Italian prime ministership is remarkable for more reasons than it is possible to count. By replacing the scandal-surfing Silvio Berlusconi, Italy has dislodged the undislodgeable. By imposing rule by unelected technocrats, it has suspended the normal rules of demo...
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Possible Protest Gathering at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait on November 20, 2011
Kuwait City, Kuwait
November 20, 2011
Subject: Possible Protest Gathering at the U.S. Embassy on November 20, 2011
Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all U.S. Citizens within your area of responsibility.
There are unconfirmed reports of a possible silent protest gathering in front of the U.S. Embassy on Sunday, November 20 at 19:00. The gathering may take place near the main Embassy gate. An increased police and security presence around the Embassy compound is expected.
Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments. At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Please avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings. Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.
U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.
Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For further information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information can be found. In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook.
The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.
U.S. citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Emergency and Informational Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.
This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/
November 20, 2011
Subject: Possible Protest Gathering at the U.S. Embassy on November 20, 2011
Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all U.S. Citizens within your area of responsibility.
There are unconfirmed reports of a possible silent protest gathering in front of the U.S. Embassy on Sunday, November 20 at 19:00. The gathering may take place near the main Embassy gate. An increased police and security presence around the Embassy compound is expected.
Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments. At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Please avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings. Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.
U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.
Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For further information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information can be found. In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook.
The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.
U.S. citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Emergency and Informational Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.
This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/
Saturday, November 19, 2011
a woman posts a nude photo of herself on her blog, and Egypt goes nuts!
I've been wanting to post something on this for a few days now but have been hesitant since most of the facebook posts that I have seen contained a copy of the offending image (and I do not want to get in any kind of trouble - given where I currently live and work!) ...then Nicholas Kristof comes to the rescue:
www.nytimes.com
Aliaa Magda Elmahdy had to expect outrage from conservative Muslims when she posted nude photographs of herself online. But liberals have been critical, too.
Police Pepper Spray UC Davis Students = Professor Demands Chancellor Resign!
www.youtube.com
Title says all. During peacefully Occupy Movement, police came in to tear down tents and proceeded to arrest students who stood in their way. Once students p...
UC Davis Professor Demands Chancellor Resign Over Pepper Spraying Of Students | The New Civil Rights
thenewcivilrightsmovement.com
A UC Davis Assistant Professor is demanding the resignation of the University’s Chancellor over Friday’s pepper spraying of students at an Occupy Wall Street protest
Friday, November 18, 2011
Neutrinos still faster than light in latest version of experiment ...
 |
| Scientists from Cern have repeated their finding of neutrinos travelling faster than the speed of light. Photograph: Cern/Science Photo Library |
www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/.../neutrinos-still-faster-than-light?...
Finding that contradicts Einstein's theory of special relativity is repeated with fine-"We Need to Ai Weiwei": The Ai Weiwei Question on Chinese Social Media
 |
| This one shows Ai being whipped, with different types of punishments. The one the guard is holding says “tax evasion”. Others include stirring up trouble and causing a revolution. |
hyperallergic.com
What
has the response to Ai Weiwei’s tax case been like in China? Netizens
are using images to circumvent censorship and show support.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
How I Learned to Stop Fearing and Love Exotic Art - opens at CAP on Nov. 20th
Celebrated
artists from the Middle East and North Africa represented at JAMM’s inaugural
exhibition in Kuwait
Strategic art advisory JAMM to hold an
exhibition in Kuwait of 40 artworks by Contemporary Arab and Iranian artists
JAMM, an
independent art advisory, will host its inaugural exhibition in Kuwait at the
Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) warehouse located next door to the Life Center
in industrial Shuwaikh (block 2, street 28). Curated by Ali Bakhtiari, the
exhibition, entitled How I Learned to Stop
Fearing and Love Exotic Art, will open on 20th November 2011. The show will end on 10th
December 2011.
Highlighting
the use of writing in the field of contemporary Arab and Iranian art, JAMM”s
exhibition will feature artworks that incorporate text in its various forms-
calligraphy, graffiti, quotations, poems and sometimes just a single letter.
Featuring works by both emerging and established Middle Eastern artists, the
participating artists include Parviz Tanavoli, Hassan Hajjaj, Farideh Lashai,
Katya Traboulsi, Fareed Abdal, Amira Behbehani, Shezad Dawood, Nargess Hashemi,
Susan Hefuna and Farhad Moshiri.
“This is a
wonderful opportunity to present the works of contemporary Arab and Iranian
artists and to showcase works in various artistic media that incorporate text.
The use of writing is familiar theme in the field of contemporary Arab and
Iranian art. We want to highlight and celebrate that.”
–
Sheikha
Lulu Al-Sabah, co-founder of JAMM
About JAMM:
JAMM was founded by Kuwait based
art-journalist and former Middle East Director for Philips de Pury, Lulu M.
Al-Sabah and former head of Christie’s, Middle East, Lydia Limerick. Their
mission is to create cultural projects without geographical boundary.
Projects range from large-scale exhibitions and events to
small-scale activities focuses on the development of the art market in the
Middle East and other key regional markets. For more information on JAMM,
please visit www.jamm-art.com
For more information on JAMM, please contact
Gazala Shaikh: gazalashaikh@jamm-art.com
Ai Weiwei Absent (艾未未‧缺席)
 |
Ai Weiwei, Forever Bicycles, 2011 |
Ai Weiwei Absent (艾未未‧缺席), the appropriately titled exhibition currently on view at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM), is the best show of the Chinese artist’s work you are likely see in Taipei for at least the next few years. Unfortunately, the displayed works reveal little about why he has become...
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Rise of the West—or Not? A Revision to Socio-economic History
While researching the voyages of Zheng He, I found this interesting take-down of
one of the central grand narratives of the West:
The Rise of the West—or Not? A Revision to Socio-economic History
Frank Miller pissed off about Occupy Wall Street and Muslims!
I guess I did not realize that comic book artist Frank Miller what such a cranky, angry, Islamophobic hypocrite:
Frank Miller sure is pissed off about Occupy Wall Street
www.avclub.com
Frank Miller sure is pissed off about Occupy Wall Streetwww.avclub.com
Comic
book crank Frank Milller’s political philosophy has become as angry—and
jagged, and messy—as his drawing style pretty much since 9/11,
Monday, November 14, 2011
Ai Weiwei vows to fight amid new challenge from authorities
...Hours before the deadline for paying the 15m yuan (£1.47m) fine, tax officials told the artist and human rights campaigner he could not use his mother's house as collateral and that there were problems with the funds he had raised in a public appeal.
"I only heard this morning about this money problem," Ai told the Guardian on Monday. "They put us in a very difficult situation. They are not following the law. There is nothing I can do"....
"I only heard this morning about this money problem," Ai told the Guardian on Monday. "They put us in a very difficult situation. They are not following the law. There is nothing I can do"....
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Petition to Release Tibetan poet Tashi Rabten
www.change.org
High Peaks Pure Earth, 100 Thousand Poets for Change, Split This Rock, members of the Tibetan community, and human rights/freedom of speech supporters...
Ai Weiwei to challenge tax demand
www.bbc.co.uk
Chinese artist and government critic Ai Weiwei says he will use money loaned from supporters to challenge his tax demand in court.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
a natural solution for pests and fertilizer?
This seems like such a natural solution to so many problems, not sure why this is not used more (I can only speculate that pesticide and chemical fertilizer companies have something to do it). I have heard about this practice being successfully used in China too, but the below link is about rice farmers in the Philippines that have found an ally as they try to protect their crops from pests and the effects of global warming. Farmers use ducks to help keep the water in their paddies fresh, and to get rid of weeds and other pests that could damage their crops. Duck manure also works as a good organic fertilizer, which helps to decrease the amount of money farmers spend on harmful pesticides.
www.aljazeera.com
Integrated rice-duck farming has helped farmers to spend less money on harmful pesticides.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
More than 1,300 Qataris hospitalised for over eating over Eid Al Adha
gulfnews.com
More
than 1,300 people needed treatment at a Qatari hospital after suffering
from stomach upsets caused by excessive eating on the first two days of
Eid Al Adha
Saturday, November 5, 2011
The East India Company & Cultural Exchange
 |
National Maritime Museum, London
A striking example of how the East India Company influenced Chinese culture is this 19th-century Chinese painting, "A Trading Junk," with a ship in the background flying the Company flag.
The greatest single force in the expansion of the British Empire was the East India Company, and now it finally has its own permanent gallery in London.
Chinese Citizens send Ai Weiwei over a million RMB in half a day!
The charges against Ai Weiwei are so obvious false, Chinese citizens send him over a million RMB online in half a day in protest against the powers that be...
www.huffingtonpost.com
Not since Spartacus has there been such a widespread act of generosity for an activist and leader. On November 1, the Chinese government declared that dissident artist and activist Ai Weiwei owed $2.4 million dollars in unpaid taxes, and had to pay it back within the next 2 weeks.
shanghaiist.com
On Tuesday, dissident-artist Ai Weiwei (艾未未) who was freed not too long ago from an 81-day detention, was slapped with a RMB15 million fine for tax evasion, a princely sum he has been given 15 days to cough up. The very next day, his mother Ai Ying (高瑛) and brother Ai Dan (艾丹) announced that they we...
Friday, November 4, 2011
Chinese netizens help Ai Weiwei pay taxes
| Chinese netizens help Ai Weiwei pay taxes Financial Times
By Kathrin Hille and Jamil Anderlini in Beijing Thousands of Chinese have donated money online to help Ai Weiwei pay a $2.4m tax bill, in a rare fundraising ...
|
11th Tibetan sets self on fire to protest Chinese rule...
 |
| Tibetans-in-exile hold placards showing the monks who had set themselves on fire to protest against the Chinese rule in Tibet during a protest march in Dharamshala. (AFP Photo/Lobsang Wangyal) |
Qiu Xiang died Thursday after setting herself on fire in southwest Sichuan Province, becoming the 11th Tibetan to embrace a grisly protest against Chinese rule.
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