National Gallery Victoria Triennial, December 2017 - April 2018
“ … an installation of 100 individual human skull
forms piled up on the gallery floor, each which engage with the architecture of
the site. a somber study of mortality … In MASS Mueck celebrates the form that
links all humanity, and pays homage to a symbol that has stood within the art
of essentially all cultures and religion.”
I think what’s also important to note is that WWII was not fought on US shores, allowing it to be romanticised. The war isn’t glamourised in Europe the way it is in the States. Pearl Harbor isn’t viewed as a huge tragedy, but rather one of the final acts of a far more brutal conflict. And, with the exception of the UK joining in the “war on terror”, Europe by and large hasn’t had another major war, so shaken were we by WWII.
When I was in 6th grade I had a teacher who would play the “Proud to be an American” song and video every day after the pledge and make us all sing it and do a little dance to it. Every. Single. Day.
After the last 40 years of the 1% getting almost all of the monetary benefits of the government, it is long past time to consider joining and participating in a union where you work
A historic evening for Northern Ireland. As of midnight tonight,
after twenty-five years, the IRA have called a ceasefire. In a statement
released earlier this evening they said ‘there would be a complete
cessation of all military operations’.
On this day in music history: August 4, 1992 - “New Miserable Experience”, the second album by Gin Blossoms is released. Produced by John Hampton and Gin Blossoms, it is recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN from February - March 1992. Formed in Tempe, AZ in 1987, the Gin Blossoms emerge out of the same music scene that also produces The Refreshments, The Sidewinders and The Meat Puppets. They take their name after a quote in a book found under a photo of W.C. Fields, with the caption reading, “W.C. Fields with gin blossoms”, describing the comedic actor’s red bulbous nose and face, a result of years of heavy drinking. Featuring band members Doug Hopkins (lead and rhythm guitar), Bill Leen (bass), Jesse Valenzuela (rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals) and Robin Wilson (lead vocals, harmonica, guitar, percussion). They record their first album “Dusted” for San Jacinto Records in 1989. It features early versions several songs that they revisit later. The Gin Blossoms are signed by A&M Records in 1990, and release a five track EP titled “Up And Crumbling”. Originally intended to be their full length major label debut, they experience a creative dry spell and are not able to come up with more new material. The band return to the studio with John Hampton (The Replacements) at the Memphis studio famous for artists as diverse as Sam & Dave and The Staple Singers, to Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Big Star recording there. Doug Hopkins escalating alcoholism and depression lead to him being fired by A&M before recording wraps. Then Hopkins is asked to sign over his song publishing rights before being paid money ($15,000) he was previously owed. He reluctantly agrees to the terms and leaves the band, being replaced by Scott Johnson. When “Experience” is released, it is to little fanfare and meager sales. It languishes for several months before the release of “Hey Jealousy” (#25 Pop, #4 Mainstream Rock) in June of 1993. It becomes a huge radio hit, opening the floodgates to the album’s success. A&M repackages it with new cover artwork and refocuses its promotional efforts. It is followed by “Until I Fall Away” (#13 Modern Rock), “Found Out About You” (#51 Pop, #1 Modern Rock) and “Allison Road” (#20 Mainstream Rock, #39 Modern Rock). However this success is dampened by the suicide death of Doug Hopkins on December 5, 1993, despondent over his ouster from the band. The Gin Blossoms’ debut is later remastered and reissued as a two deluxe edition in 2002, with the second disc including tracks from their first album, EP releases, B-sides and live recordings. Originally released on CD and cassette only, the album receives its first vinyl release in 2017, pressed on clear, rusty brown (double vinyl) and blue smoke vinyl (single LP) to commemorate its twenty fifth anniversary. New Miserable Experience" peaks at number thirty on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 4x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
Dani. 36. Houstonian. PhD-MD student. Multiple local museum volunteer. Choleric. INTJ. Existential-Atheist. Tejanx-American. Pansexual. Pangender. Aromantic. Polyamorous. Cat Enthusiast. ONTDer. Chronically Ill (secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis and associated Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, POTS, Intestinal Failure. Epilepsy and dysphagia). Mentally Ill (Bipolar II. Disorganized thought NOS and schizoaffective disorder). In recovery from chronic anorexia nervosa, 11yrs Sober. I have a BS in Biology and a BA, MFA and PhD in Creative Writing-Poetry. Retired performer.
