Handpicked from the Internets
Cleaning out the digital mailbag this morning, I found a few gems pertaining to the Occupy movement, economic collapse, and intentionally bad, prizewinning art: Salon asks how the appalling image…
Visual art
Litter made lovely: Washed Up – New photographs by Alejandro Durán
Alejandro Durán’s photographs are so intriguing they almost make me think that littering is a great idea. That is, until I realize that the beauty in waste has only been…
Lesbian art attack – The picks from Autostraddle’s NSFW Lesbosexy Sunday
The amazing crew at Autostraddle have compiled a slew of Lesbo art for all to peruse and politic upon, including a full-on gallery, list of installations, documentaries and more. There’s…
Engaged devotion and care – The terrariums of Paula Hayes
It might be because I just started paying attention, but it seems to me that terrariums are on the rise. These delicate glass globes filled with tiny gardens are like…
Politics play prominently at the 54th Venice Biennale
Water is the political motif for a significant number of works and death stalks the corridors of the Venice Biennale.
Art as a Weapon – Eric Drooker and the persistence of the committed artist
Eric Drooker's visual art responds to political crisis and upheaval by inspiring reflection and action.
Art in Exile – Iranian born Shirin Nashat speaks to art as voice
I recently came across this beautiful and moving talk by Shirin Nashat, an Iranian born artist who has lived most of her life in exile from her native country. “Art…
Understanding the Crash illustrates resistance to capitalism
Graphic novel Understanding the Crash features stories of struggles against speculative economics are skillfully outlined. From the Miami housing market bubble burst that ignited housing rights struggles, to community struggles…
Vancouver seeks Viaduct variations – re:Connect competition looks to obtain citizen input
It’s the site of what is arguably Vancouver’s most notable event, a bitter battle between the Non-Partisan Association and an alliance of Strathcona activists and Chinatown business people – the…
Althea Thauberger’s photo mural speaks of Vancouver’s darkness
Thauberger in Afghanistan (Photo: Sharon MacKay) It would be nearly impossible to accuse Vancouver artist Althea Thauberger of being weak or fearful; in fact she is quite the opposite. Not…
Haunted animals – New doc project explores animal suffering
Liz Marshall, the director of Water on the Table, is working with photographer Jo-Anne McArthur on a new cross-platform documentary about the price animals pay as subjugated, commodified and oppressed…
3D Hitler photo album launched in Germany
"The Face of the Dictatorship: the Third Reich in 3D" contains roughly 100 images of the dictator shot in 3D, originally used as Nazi propaganda beginning in 1936.
Art exhibit seeks to foster dialogue on 9/11 – September 11 — Past, Present, Future features work of 16 artists
Curated by Andrea Arrovo, "September 11 — Past, Present, Future" features work from 16 artists across the globe.
Underworlds Takes Views of the Chemical Coast – New photography by Isabelle Hayeur
Montreal photographer Isabelle Hayeur first trained her camera on waterfronts in 2008 to create “Underworlds”, now open at Division Gallery in Montreal. Long observing the transformations of her own local…
The deserted but beautiful homes of Detroit – A look at Kevin Bauman’s "100 Abandoned Houses" collection
Detroit has been the poster child of the American recession for number of years. While many Detroit organizations and residents are taking a “do-it-yourself” approach to rebuilding their city, their…
Stealing to save the world – Kenk is a fascinating graphic novel about Toronto’s notorious bike thief
The vilified bike thief Kenk gets a complex treatment in this intriguing graphic novel.
Christian outrage shutters contemporary art exhibit in Manilla
A contemporary art exhibit at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines has been shut down amid accusations that the work is "blasphemous".
New Banksy work riffs on Murdochgate
This new Banksy work plays on the ongoing News Corporation phone hacking scandal. Have you discovered any other artwork related to Murdochgate? Tell us in the comments below. Via REBEL:ART.
South African designer creates sun shades from scraps
South African designer Heath Nash built shade structures using scrap materials — largely discarded beverage containers.
Mapping queer Toronto – The art of social cartography
A new mapping project by Julia Hoecke,Fran Schechter and Susan G. Cole (at Now Magazine) has compiled a fascinating collection of cultural, political, and social spots relevant to the LBGT…