This is pretty good. permanent link to this post

The evil Chicago foie gras ban has been overturned!

I only mention it now as it’s been discussed here before.

The thing that really irritates me about these foie gras bans is that the true food demons in our culture — large factory farms — have too much clout for animal activists to have any affect. So they end up picking on small, artisanal farmers creating a relatively rare delicacy.

M.River adds = Here is a NYT article on the “artisanal farmers” of foie gras - No Days Off at Foie Gras Farm.

T.Whid adds… er, ah… oops permanent link to this post

OH SHIT!

NYT gots the details… permanent link to this post

Photographs from the Church of the Rough Guide at OTO last night are now up at Flicker. Yes, some people ate the shrimp off the walls.

OTO’s Flickr set permanent link to this post

WANT, a collaboration between MTAA and Radical Software Group, uses 900 video clips of actors to illustrate search-engine requests. It’s as goofy and perplexing and overwhelming and sad as the Internet itself. The next time you use a search engine with one of those “Other users are currently searching for . . .” features, you won’t be able to resist picturing the forlorn, chubby face that goes with the query for “SALMA HAYEK EATING COOKIES.”

via Get Plugged In By ‘LIVE,’ the New Art Show at UC Irvine’s Beall Center for Art and Technology (OC Weekly ) permanent link to this post

Thought this was funny: Goats Eat Free at the Getty (NYT) permanent link to this post

Just got this email from Hasan:

Tonight (May 7)
The Colbert Report
Comedy Central
11:30 (Eastern and Pacific)/10:30 (Central and Mountaln)

I’m going to be on The Colbert Report discussing my project, “Tracking Transience” and how do deal with being on a terrorist watchlist. Stephen Colbert is supposedly doing a little story on Nelson Mandela still being on the terrorist watchlist…I guess Mandela was unavailable, so they called me.

We met Hasan at the Creative Capital retreat in ‘06. If only all the terrorists on the watchlists were like Hasan, the world would be a happy place…

If you don’t know Hasan’s project, “Tracking Transience,” you should check it out! permanent link to this post

Conflux 07 - MTAA’s Super Slow 5k

Conflux is the annual art and technology festival for the creative exploration of urban public space. The 2008 festival takes place September 11 - 14 throughout New York City. You can now submit a proposal to participate in the 08 festival here.

The deadline is May 31, 2008. permanent link to this post

On May 9, from 7pm to 10pm, Over The Opening is please to present “Church of the Rough Guide”, a new installation by Nick Lesley and Eben Lillie. “Church of the Rough Guide” continues the themes and characters found in recent their performance “Rough Guide to the Grotesque”.

“Church of the Rough Guide” is devoted to the lessons of the “Rough Guide to the Grotesque” as written by the great travel writer, Boreas. “Rough Guide to the Grotesque” is a tall tale that depicts an idealistic hero whose principles live on in all of us today. On a quest for love and companionship he faced many dangers. He was deceived by a false idol of love and engaged in a battle of sexual appetites with his apparent soul mate, Sophia of the Forest. He died tragically shortly after finding happiness in joining the Caridea tribe; a juicy, fleshy commune. The story contains lessons of love, comradery, lust, and community which are valuable to us all.

The performance of “Rough Guide to the Grotesque” was made possible with the help of the cast, The Living Theatre, Materials for the Arts, and the House of Yes (RIP). The work premiered at The Living Theatre in April of 2008.

Rough Guide To The Grotesque
permanent link to this post

A Comparative Study of Apples and Oranges

Introduction

MTAA for Website Unseen #98 (ed: this piece no longer works in contemporary browsers FYI) with support from MT Science.

This introduction will cover the main themes of the larger study soon to be published. The comparison of apples and oranges should be viewed within the 3 main aspects of fruit usage in the United States. These aspects being (1) pleasure, (2) nutrition and (3) decorative display. This study compares apples and oranges within the cultural and national boundaries of the United States.

Areas used for comparison in this study.
1. Color
2. Shape and Texture (includes skin and meat)
3. Taste
4. Nutritional Value
5. Economics (includes price and availability)
6. Traditional and Non-Traditional Uses

I. COLOR

MTAA conducted comparison tests of the colors of the two fruits with these criteria in mind. 1) In what quantity does the fruit’s color promote appetite for it, i.e. does the red color of a granny smith promote greater appetite than the orange color of a Sunkist. (For the purposes of this study we’ve included only red apples and no golden or yellow.) 2) Does the color promote each fruit’s decorative display in a domestic or commercial setting, including dining room tables, sideboards, coffee tables, kitchen tables, etc in domestic settings and retail furniture outlets. Boardroom tables, reception desks and marketing and/or advertising materials were judged in non-fruit related industries. These studies involved interviews with lay people and professionals who generally use fruit as decorative devices. MTAA also used laboratory studies designed to elicit responses from subjects as to their proclivity to either apples or oranges as decorative devices. We used only color in these studies and experiments and did similar experiments using shape and texture as the criteria.

II. SHAPE AND TEXTURE

MTAA compared these characteristics using the same criteria with similar sampling and testing procedures as the color tests. We measured how the shape and texture promoted appetite and decorative display. These tests were conducted both through visual inspection of shape and texture as well as through a tactile inspection i.e. a “feel” test. With the tactile test MTAA added an identifier section, quantifying which fruit was more easily identified through touch.

III. TASTE

MTAA conducted numerous taste tests using people, monkeys, rats and parrots as testers. With each test group we tested which fruit was more preferred. A Crave Test was also conducted, which measured which fruit was more craved by the test groups. The Crave Test is methodologically very complicated and the details will be published in the full study but it measures how often the test subjects thought of, visualized, or sought after the fruit.

MTAA also tested the taste and crave-ability of prepared foods that use the two fruits as a main ingredient including juices.

IV. NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Using data from the USDA, MTAA compared the nutritional values of the fruits as well as a number of prepared foods that use the fruits as a main ingredient.

V. ECONOMICS

MTAA compared the availability and price during different times of the year in different parts of the US using empirical data provided by the National Apple Growers Association and the National Orange Growers Association. MTAA have also created a comprehensive price/nutrition ratio for all parts of the country for the year 1998.

VI. TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL USES

MTAA did extensive anthropological research into the uses of the two fruits in different cultural contexts such as ingredients in recipes, prominence in religious ceremonies, use as motivational awards, depiction in art and architecture, and general status symbols within different cultural categories. These categories included the contemporary dominant culture of the US, contemporary and historical subcultures, indigenous populations, and small-scale societies both contemporary and historical.

These studies yielded data with which MTAA could create an “Importance Factor” within each cultural category.

The wealth of information which these comparison studies yeilded is currently being analyzed at the MT Science Labs. MTAA forecast a 2004 release of the Comparative Study of Apples and Oranges.

published 2/28/00 permanent link to this post

The impressive Fred Benenson has released his ITP master’s thesis project.

It’s called Cause Caller and it makes it easy for anyone to call politicians and bug them about stuff they care about. One can also create a cause and get all one’s friends to bug politicians that might help the cause.

Lots more on the Cause Caller site, including a demo video, so check it out… permanent link to this post

Reminder: MTAA is doing a live demonstration TONIGHT!

On April 29 from 8PM to 10PM, in a Sunset Park factory, the artist collaboration MTAA shoot and simultaneously screen two films… starring you.

Two directors/camera operators will set up at Light Industry deep in the heart of Brooklyn. The space will have some cheap/random props and costumes. If you want some acting direction, we’ll have scripts and improv notes ready. If acting isn’t your thing, just come in and be your fabulous self. The shooting will be continuous and casual with both films projected live for your viewing pleasure. Join us for the entire shoot or just walk in for your close-up.

More info here…

Plus, as a SPECIAL BONUS, T.Whid will conduct a screening of contemporary loops. It’ll work like this:

while (!handsInTheAir) {loop;}

It will loop and iterate AT THE SAME TIME!

Be there or be something with 4 right angles!

FREE

lightindustry.org
Events take place in Industry City
55 33rd Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenue), 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(directions) permanent link to this post

New artwork - “i like america and america likes me” is an open wiki history of America and Michael Sarff at http://americaandme.wetpaint.com/

I’m just trying to figure it all out. Yes, I can use your help. permanent link to this post

Sunday Forecast
High 53 degrees F
Chance of precipitation 30 percent

ARTWALKING: Eyewash’s 10 year Anniversary Show
Curated by Larry Walczak & Donna Kessinger.
30 artist in 30 storefornts on Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
April 27 through June 8, 2008
Opening Sunday April 27 (2 to 8 pm)

MTAA will be showing (LOVE + HATE) x 100 at Amarcord Vintage Fashion - 233 Bedford Ave between N4 and N5

MTAA will also be hanging out a Spike Hill (Bedford and N7) in a booth in the back around 6pm if you want to join us.

Tom Brumley @ Bedford Fruits & Vegetables
Peter Fox @ Earwax
Asha Ganpat @ Blackbird Parlour
Linda Ganjian @ Catbird
David Kramer @ Trojanowski Liquors
Peter Krieder @ Bedford Cheese Shop
Hiroshi Kumagi @ Bliss
Yuliya Lanina @ Mini Mart
Jeesoo Lee @ Kings Pharmacy
Lisa Levy @ The Health Food Store
Nora Ligorano & Marshall Reese @ Reel Life
Rebecca Major @ Peters since 1969
Ben Marxen @ Northside Pharmacy
Sebastian Masuelli @ Spike Hill
Ondi McMaster @ Ella’s
Shari Mendelson @ Uva Wines
Vikki Michalios @ Angelicas Beauty Shop
Jonas Mekas @ Spoonbill
MTAA @ Amarcord
Diane Nerwen @ Ugly Luggage
Rune Olsen @ Victoria’s Coffee Shop
Catya Plate @ Eyeco Vision
Bob Seng & Lisa Hein @ NYC Pet
Amanda Thackray @ Bagelsmith
Ishmael Randall Weeks @ Oculus 20/20
Sante Scardillo @ Kasia’s
Tamika Kawata @ N7 Deli
Gandalf Gavan @ Brooklyn Industries

update - photo from the install, more pics soon…

permanent link to this post

Finally some sanity…

++++

April 21, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUDGE DISMISSES MAIL FRAUD CASE AGAINST BIO-ARTIST KURTZ

Buffalo, NY—A process that has taken nearly four years may be coming to an end. On Monday, April 21, Federal Judge Richard J. Arcara ruled to dismiss the indictment against University at Buffalo Professor of Visual Studies Dr. Steven Kurtz.

In June 2004, Professor Kurtz was charged with two counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud stemming from an exchange of $256 worth of harmless bacteria with Dr. Robert Ferrell, Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

Dr. Kurtz planned to use the bacteria in an educational art exhibit about biotechnology with his award-winning art and theater collective, Critical Art Ensemble.

Professor Kurtz’ lawyer, Paul Cambria, said that his client was “pleased and relieved that this ordeal may be coming to an end.”

The prosecution has the right to appeal this dismissal. How the prosecution will proceed is unknown at this time. If an appeal were undertaken the case would move to the New York Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City.

Lucia Sommer, Coordinator of the CAE Defense Fund, which raises funds for Kurtz’ legal defense, said, “We are all grateful that after reviewing this case, Judge Arcara took appropriate action.” She added that “this decision is further testament to our original statements that Dr. Kurtz is completely innocent and never should have been charged in the first place.” permanent link to this post

Stolen wholesale from the NYT:

Yale University said on Monday that it would not allow a senior to participate in a campus art exhibition unless she made a written statement that her “performance,” in which she repeatedly inseminated herself and then induced miscarriages, was a fiction that she had concocted. In an article on Thursday in The Yale Daily News, the student, Aliza Shvarts, right, was quoted as saying that she had inseminated herself “as often as possible” over several months while taking herbal drugs to induce miscarriages, which she recorded on video to display for her senior-year art project at a show beginning on campus on Tuesday. Her claim drew intense criticism. Yale said last week that Ms. Shvarts had told three university officials that she had not inseminated herself or induced abortions but had made up the story as part of the project. On Friday, however, Ms. Shvarts insisted she had really experienced “repeated, self-induced miscarriages,” although she said that she had not known if she was actually pregnant. Yale officials said the denials were part of the continuing art performance, and on Monday demanded that it end. Peter Salovey, the dean of Yale College, and Robert Storr, dean of the School of Art, also said that they had found “serious errors of judgment” on the part of Ms. Shvarts’s adviser and an art instructor who knew of the project. They did not identify the adviser or instructor, though Ms. Shvarts has said that her adviser was Pia Lindman. Mr. Salovey said that “appropriate action” had been taken against the two teachers, but did not elaborate. Neither Ms. Shvarts nor Ms. Lindman could be reached for comment.

Me? Ambivalent about it… permanent link to this post

New art! From MTAA! It’s on the web! You’ll need QuickTime!

click this: (LOVE + HATE) x 100 permanent link to this post

Rhizome members!

MTAA has submitted a proposal for the Rhizome Commissions Program. If you would like to get yours truly some cash to make some damn art, then go here and vote for us.

Go here. Vote for us. It’s simple. It’s here.

You can vote for some other people too, but first, vote for us! If you’re not a Rhizome member, you can’t vote for us. You can become a Rhizome member if you have a burning desire to vote for us (and you should vote for us).

Stop reading this and go vote for us already! permanent link to this post

Is any of it true?

+++

According to MTAA’s highly placed BIG media sources, Aliza Shvarts, abortion artist and Yale student, has said she never knew if she was pregnant and only took herbal abortifacients. Also the AP is reporting that it was a hoax. It’s always nice to see the right-wing blogs get punk’d big time so I’d give her a C.

update
There’s more here. According to Yale, it’s a fiction. Shvarts is trying to stick to her guns, but ends up sounding clueless. If she’s trying to play everyone, she’s pretty hamhanded. Someone needs to tell her that if you’re going to create fiction, you need to keep the fiction up for everybody.

+++

What about that starving dog? I can’t figure this out. Also seems like a hoax (or, perhaps, a fiction). Ed Winkleman covered this a tad and on his blog he posts a message from the gallerist that they fed the dog and it was only tied in the gallery for 3 hours during an opening. (Is it cruel to chain up a dog?) The dog subsequently got away.

Unless the gallery is lying (they could be, but I’ll take them at their word), I don’t see how this was cruel. Sounds less cruel than walking by the starving animal in the street and doing nothing. I don’t get it. The petition against the artist seems sort of like that right-wing punk of the left where folks signed a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide. But in this case you get to sign a petition against something that never happened to stop it from happening again, though there are no plans to make it happen again (and it never happened in the first place).

(Sorry M.River, stomped on your post, which was really, really funny.) permanent link to this post

“If she’s doing what I think she’s doing, Aliza Shvarts might be the first “great” conceptual artist of the internet age.”

warrenellis.com

In the post below, I, M.River, revealed to the artblogshere my blessing and curse of Infallibility. I would like to now reveal my first post Infallible revelation truth.

At first you will think only of this truth as M.River once again just speaking the facts. Please go beyond this point. Please meditate on this truth until you reach the next level where the world becomes clear and your art reality sharp. Here is the truth.

JODI is the first great conceptual artist of the internet age not some student at Yale who punked Gawker.

Go now in peace and love. permanent link to this post