A Reel-to-Reel Recorder Animates Wildlife Automata Using Carl Sagan’s Warning of Climate Disasters

A new advertisement for the United Nations Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability program in the world, recalls the nearly 40-year-old speeches of the prescient American scientist and cosmologist Carl Sagan. Famously testifying to Congress in 1985 to alert of the dangers of a warming environment, Sagan was an unflinching advocate for transitioning the world away from fossil fuels and protecting the planet for generations to come.

In “Carl Sagan’s Message,” the Brazilian production company Boiler Filmes and ad agency AlmapBBDO bring the scientist’s words back to life alongside a menagerie of wildlife automata. As a reel-to-reel audio recorder plays his speeches, a kangaroo, elephant, moose, and more—all of which were created by artist Pablo Lavezzari—begin to wiggle. Each is part of a larger installation, a fitting metaphor for the connection of all living beings.

Throughout the nearly two-minute ad, Sagan warns, “We’re doing something immensely stupid…The abundance of greenhouse gases is increasing. One degree of temperature change is enough to produce widespread suffering and famine worldwide.” Unfortunately in 2023, the planet has already surpassed one degree, and we now face the immense task of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celcius. “40 years ago it was urgent,” the ad reads. “Now it’s an emergency.”

 

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article A Reel-to-Reel Recorder Animates Wildlife Automata Using Carl Sagan’s Warning of Climate Disasters appeared first on Colossal.

from Colossal https://ift.tt/a7w6ZyW
via IFTTT

how to ask good questions

Asking good questions can be a valuable skill in various areas of life, including education, career, and personal relationships. Here are some tips for asking good questions:

1. Be clear about what you want to know: Before asking a question, take a moment to consider what information you are seeking. Be specific and avoid vague or ambiguous language.

2. Consider your audience: The type of question you ask may depend on the person or group you are asking. For example, a technical question to a specialist in the field may be more detailed than a general question to someone unfamiliar with the topic.

3. Use open-ended questions: Open-ended questions encourage discussion and can lead to more information than closed-ended questions. For example, instead of asking, "Did you like the movie?" you can ask, "What did you think of the movie?"

4. Avoid leading questions: Leading questions can imply a particular answer and may influence the person's response. For example, asking, "Don't you think the movie was terrible?" suggests a negative opinion.

5. Avoid judgmental language: Using judgmental language can make people defensive and less likely to answer the question. For example, instead of saying, "Why did you do that stupid thing?" you can say, "Can you explain your reasoning behind that decision?"

6. Listen actively: Pay attention to the response to your question, and ask follow-up questions if necessary. Active listening can help you gain more insights and better understanding of the topic.

7. Ask for clarification if needed: If you don't understand the answer or need more information, ask for clarification. It shows that you are interested in the topic and value the other person's perspective.

Overall, asking good questions requires clarity, openness, and curiosity. By asking good questions, you can gain more insights, deepen your understanding, and build better relationships with others.

how to ask your boyfriend for money

As an AI language model, I cannot determine the specific dynamics of your relationship with your boyfriend, and whether it is appropriate or not to ask him for money. However, if you have a genuine need and feel comfortable discussing your financial situation with your boyfriend, you can approach the conversation in a respectful and considerate manner. Here are some tips to help you:

1. Be honest: Start by explaining your situation honestly and clearly. Let him know why you need the money and how much you need.

2. Be specific: Be clear about how much money you need and when you need it. This can help your boyfriend better understand your situation and make a decision on whether he is able to help.

3. Be respectful: Ask your boyfriend for help in a respectful manner. Avoid using a demanding tone or making it seem like you are entitled to his money.

4. Discuss repayment: If you and your boyfriend agree on lending money, discuss how you plan to repay the loan. Set up a clear repayment plan and stick to it.

5. Be prepared for a refusal: It's important to remember that your boyfriend is not obligated to give you money. If he declines your request, try to understand his reasons and avoid making him feel guilty or obligated to comply.

Remember that open and honest communication is key in any relationship, including financial matters.

hichamazizzz076.arabs495-en@blogger.com

how long to boil jars for canning

The length of time you should boil jars for canning depends on what you're canning and the altitude at which you live. As a general rule, it's recommended to boil jars for at least 10 minutes, but some foods may require longer processing times.

Here are some general guidelines for boiling jars for canning:

• For high-acid foods such as fruits, pickles, and tomatoes, boil the jars for 10 minutes at sea level (up to 1,000 feet), and add an additional minute of boiling time for every 1,000 feet of elevation.

• For low-acid foods such as vegetables, meat, and poultry, it's recommended to use a pressure canner instead of a boiling water bath canner. The exact processing time will depend on the type of food and your altitude, so be sure to follow a tested recipe or a trusted canning guide.

• Always adjust your processing time according to your altitude. At higher altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature, so you need to process your jars for a longer time to ensure that they're properly sterilized.

It's important to note that these are general guidelines, and you should always refer to a trusted canning guide or recipe for specific instructions on boiling jars for canning.

Cuba and the Carnivalesque Takes Center Stage in Kehinde Wiley’s New Portrait Series ‘HAVANA’

“Portrait of Yaima Polledo & Isabel Pozo” (2023), oil on linen, 108 x 81 15/16 inches. Photo by Max Yawney. All images © Kehinde Wiley, shared with permission courtesy of Sean Kelly Gallery

Amidst his signature verdant backdrops, Kehinde Wiley (previously) situates his subjects in the center of the composition, chins tilted up with regal gazes, enveloped in the grandeur of colorful patterns. The artist is known for monumental portraits in oil that reframe European painting traditions, especially referencing court portraiture in which royal or noble families—almost exclusively white—were portrayed in extravagant dress symbolizing wealth and power. Wiley flips the narrative by positioning historically marginalized Black and Brown figures front and center.

Wiley’s latest body of work titled HAVANA, on view now at Sean Kelly in New York, continues the artist’s interest in the cultures and traditions of the African diaspora. He draws on two separate visits to Cuba, first in 2015 and again in 2022, exploring the carnivalesque phenomenon in Western culture, which manifests in numerous colorful, celebratory events around the world, such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Wearing layers of vivid fabric and carrying juggling sticks or instruments, Wiley captures the individuality and creative focus of each person. He says:

The performers are each different—there’s so many different points of view, so many different life experiences, but one thing that unites them all is the very sense that America dominates the economic fortune of Cuba. The relationship between America and Cuba is one that has been fraught with a fascination, a suspicion, an intrigue, and a cultural weight.

Wiley references notable artists like Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Pablo Picasso, and Alexander Calder, who around the turn of the 20th century explored similar themes. Through portraits of acrobats, dancers, and musicians, Wiley examines the political history, economic hardship, and thirst for artistic freedom in Cuba, focusing on circuses and carnivals as sites of celebration, disruption, and self-expression.

 

“Portrait of Erika Gray Ferro” (2023), oil on linen, 48 x 36 inches. Photo by Max Yawney

On his first visit to Cuba, Wiley stopped by the Escuela Nacional de Circo, or the National Circus School, to learn about the history of the medium in the country and its national circus, Circuba. Prior to the Cuban Revolution, the nation was home to numerous family-run companies, but today, there is only one. During his second visit, he met with members of Raices Profundas, a group regarded as one of the world’s most authentic performing ensembles in the Yoruba tradition.

Like in many parts of the world, numerous cultural histories intersect in Cuba due to the period of European colonization, which resulted in the forced migration of Indigenous populations and centuries of enslavement of African peoples. Over time, circuses and elaborate street parties became “opportunities for the formerly enslaved to engage in moments of freedom and grace that were generally forbidden,” reads an exhibition statement. “The carnival, Mardi Gras, and street processions were events in which chaos could arise, love could be expressed, and a spiritual embrace of religious traditions could be manifest.”

HAVANA continues at Sean Kelly through June 17, which includes a three-channel film featuring some of the performers. See more from the artist on his website or Instagram, and you might also want to check out Big Chief Demond Melancon’s elaborately beaded Mardi Gras costumes.

 

“Portrait of Rassiel Alfonso Leonard & Nairobys C. Placeres Riviero” (2023), oil on linen, 108 x 72 inches. Photo by Max Yawney

Left: “Evel Antonio Study” (2023), oil on paper, 44 x 30 inches. Right: “Jorge Gonzales Acosta Study” (2023), oil on paper, 44 x 30 inches. Photos by Adam Reich

“Portrait of Yadiel Arrozaceno Dorticós” (2023), oil on linen, 72 x 60 inches

“Portrait of Anet Arias” (2023), oil on linen, 48 x 36 inches. Photo by Max Yawney

“Portrait of Daniel Paiol López” (2023), oil on linen, 96 x 72 inches. Photo by Max Yawney

Left: “Juan Cabrera Pulido Study” (2023), oil on paper, 45 x 31 inches. Right: “Misahel Hernández Study” (2023), oil on paper, 44 x 30 inches. Photos by Adam Reich

“Portrait of Tony di heon Gonzales & Armando Leon Aquirre” (2023), oil on linen, 108 x 72 inches

“Portrait of Juan Cabrera Pulido & Emilio Hernandez Gonzalez” (2023), oil on linen, 108 x 72 inches

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Cuba and the Carnivalesque Takes Center Stage in Kehinde Wiley’s New Portrait Series ‘HAVANA’ appeared first on Colossal.

from Colossal https://ift.tt/Z6cFnPW
via IFTTT

SVA Continuing Education Offers Summer Courses, Workshops, and Artist Residencies

Andrea De Luigi (Artist Residency Alumnus ’22), “Against All Odds” (2021), acrylic, ink, relief, and collage on canvas

Ready to take your practice and creativity to new heights? SVACE has the resources and expertise to help you go to the next level. With a diverse range of more than 200 courses and ten artist residencies, you’ll find everything you need to achieve your goals and actualize your potential. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, explore new artistic avenues, or simply deepen your practice, our experienced faculty will provide the guidance and support you need to grow.

Head to sva.edu/ce to explore our offerings and register for upcoming free events.

Artist Residency Programs & Intensives

Online and on-campus courses are available in:

• Advertising
• Animation
• Art & Activism
• Design
• Film
• Fine Arts
• Illustration and Comics
• Interior Design
• Photography and Video
• Professional Development
• Visual and Critical Studies
• Visible Futures Lab
• Visual Narrative
• Writing

Free Virtual Events & Information Sessions

Registration Details

Course Advice
If you need advice or have questions, please email ce@sva.edu to connect with one of our course advisors.

About the School of Visual Arts
School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprising 6,000 students at its Manhattan campus and 35,000 alumni in 100 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For information about the college, please visit sva.edu.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article SVA Continuing Education Offers Summer Courses, Workshops, and Artist Residencies appeared first on Colossal.

from Colossal https://ift.tt/sGa2tC1
via IFTTT