Last week over 100 students from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, concerned about how government funding cuts will impact the future of the university, disrupted a Board of Governors’ meeting to announce a political manifesto. The Manifesto for a Vibrant, Strong, and Independent NSCAD, which can be
Continue readingAuthor: Rob Maguire
Rob Maguire: Life with Pi: wading into Vancouver’s independent theatre scene
Last night, I was warmly welcomed onto the board of directors for Pi Theatre’s. Pi produces bold, uncompromising plays that explore modern life. They also have a fantastic staff and a dedicated, enthusiastic board. I’m thrilled to be collaborating with such a talented group of people. Beyond a shared interest
Continue readingArt Threat: Brazil to give $25 monthly culture stipend to workers
While many governments are cutting funding to the arts and disingenuously downplaying the economic importance of culture, Brazil may be headed in the opposite direction. The South American country has announced that it planned to give workers a 50 real ($25) monthly stipend to be used on cultural expenses. Recipients
Continue readingArt Threat: If Dr. Seuss books were titled according to their subtexts
While I might be more likely to pick up a book entitled The Psychological Implications of Holiday-Motivated Materialism, I’m not so sure about a five-year-old. You can check out all eight tweaked titles at War On Idiocy, who have also posted this fine little cultural jamming gem. Via Kottke.
Continue readingArt Threat: Graphic Advocacy: International Posters for the Digital Age 2001–2012
An international exhibition of political poster design, Graphic Advocacy: International Posters for the Digital Age: 2001-2012 is currently on display at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Curated by MassArt professor and Chair of Graphic Design Elizabeth Resnick, the featured work spans nearly three dozen countries and touches on
Continue readingArt Threat: Pussy Riot member denied appeal by Russian court
A Russian court has turned down an appeal by jailed Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina, who has requested to serve the remainder of her prison sentence in the future when her 5-year-old son turns 14. She had argued that their separation has damaging his development. Amnesty International criticized the ruling.
Continue readingArt Threat: Radiohead threatens to “sue the living shit” out of British PM
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke is threatening to “sue the living shit” of British Prime Minister David Cameron if his Conservative Party uses their music in an election campaign. “I can’t believe he’d like King of Limbs much. But I also equally think, who cares?” Yorke told Dazed & Confused. “As long
Continue readingArt Threat: The People of the Kattawapiskak River: watch for free until January 18
With Attawapiskat and its band chief, Theresa Spence, remaining in the headlines, the NFB has made Alanis Obamsawin’s new documentary on life in the First Nation community available for free. The People of the Kattawapiskak River can be streamed online at NFB.ca until Friday, January 18. Or just click the
Continue readingArt Threat: The Human Library lends people and renews understanding
Are you curious what goes on in the mind of a queer Islamaphobe? Or perhaps you’d rather pick the brain of a polyamorous lover? No, I’m not suggesting you call up your cable provider and subscribe to TLC. Rather, you should step away from the screen and hit up the
Continue readingRob Maguire: The $700 plate of noodles
When I moved to Vancouver last year, I found this tiny Thai restaurant in my neighbourhood. As a lunch special, they offered a tasty plate of pad thai for $7 from 11am–3pm. I was soon eating there once or twice a week, often bringing along my partner or a hungry
Continue readingArt Threat: Sony hatches ploy to keep Bob Dylan out of the public domain
Bob Dylan has a new album out, but you’re not supposed to listen to it. Sony Music has released a box set of demos by the artist, entitled The 50th Anniversary Collection: The Copyright Extension Collection, Vol 1. With only 100 units available, the ultra exclusive release isn’t intended to
Continue readingArt Threat: 1984 is blacked out in a graphic tribute to George Orwell
Penguin Books is releasing new editions of George Orwell’s best known books on January 21 to commemorate the inaugural “Orwell Day” — an annual event to celebrate the author and his influence on media and modern discourse. Designed by David Pearson, each book has a unique, typography-focused layout. It is
Continue readingArt Threat: Happy holidays from Soviet Russia (and us!)
In the spirit of the holidays, we’d like to share with you this lovely collection of Soviet greeting cards. Enjoy! (There’s more where that come from if you check out this link.)
Continue readingArt Threat: Amnesty International goes Gangnam Style for Chinese dissidents
I’m tired of Gangnam Style. Especially so since Psy denounced his past anti-war performances in South Korea — presumably because criticizing the US military doesn’t jive with his newfound pop celebrity status in America. Even more exhausting are the endless Gangnam Style parodies and rip-offs, most of which are simply
Continue readingArt Threat: Carrot loophole saves theatre from tax hike
Austerity measures in Spain have increased taxes on nearly everything. Tax on theatre tickets was bumped from 8 to 21 percent, and in an already challenging economy, theatre companies were naturally worried about whether higher costs would keep the public away. In the town of Bescanó, two hours north of
Continue readingArt Threat: Girls with guns, boys with blow dryers – Is this gender-neutral toy catalog just a holiday publicity stunt?
Designing a toy catalog — or most any mass-market consumer catalog for that matter — is usually an exercise deeply rooted in the status quo. Top-Toy, the largest toy retailer in Northern European and licensee of the Toys “R” US chain in that region, is gently disrupting some of society’s
Continue readingArt Threat: Pussy Riot videos banned by Russian court
A Moscow court has ordered Russian internet providers to block videos by Pussy Riot, calling them “extremist” and seeking to incite “mass disorder”.
Continue readingArt Threat: Stevie Wonder to perform at Israeli military fundraiser
Muscial icon Stevie Wonder will perform for a fundraiser to support the Israeli military, who recently ended their week-long bombing campaign of Gaza that killed 160 Palestinians and injured one thousand more, mostly civilians. According to Israeli news website Ynetnews, Wonder will appear at an annual gala hosted by the Friends of the Israel Defense […]
Continue readingArt Threat: Carbon Visuals illustrates the serious state of climate change
Since 1991, nearly 14,000 peer-reviewed scientific articles have been published on the topic of climate change. Of those, a mere 24 reject human-caused global warming. Despite the overwhelming evidence that climate change is, in fact, real, there is still a need for highly effective communications tools to educate the public on the dire importance of […]
Continue readingArt Threat: Designer’s tumbleweed clears land mines
The Mine Kafon, by Afghan designer Massoud Hassani, is designed to be blown across dangerous terrain by the wind, triggering mines as it passes over them.
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