CricketToes

JuxtaPacific: The Real Art of Fiji

So, kids of America, how much do ya know about the island nation of Fiji? That it's nestled in the South Pacific Ocean should not be startling news if ya paid attention in your elementary school geography class, but what do you really know about its people, culture and art? If you said, "Well, they make awesomely kitschy decorations, lights and fruity drinks for my annual Tiki party," then you've got a well deserved, unduckable dope slap comin' to ya.

As history tells, the manner in which a culture perceives another often finds its roots in war. And so it is that the United States' involvement in the Second World War both informed and warped the American conception of Fiji and its close island neighbors. Without fully grasping the impact their actions would have, the American soldiers, pilots and sailors who served in what we charmingly call The Pacific Theatre in the fight against Japan brought stories and artifacts back home from the region, igniting a firestorm of interest. During the ultimate decade of shameless cultural appropriation--a.k.a. the 1950s--this interest became a runaway fade based on very little knowledge and possessing no authenticity. We still carry this flawed and incomplete vision of the South Pacific with us today.

So whaddya do to counter the dominant, shallow, pseudo-Polynesian culture displayed so prominently in the U.S.? Ya do exactly what the new exhibition at the University of Wisconsin (UWM) Art History Gallery is doing: Stand it side-by-side with original work created by contemporary Fijian artists, take a step back and let the resounding clash begin!

Entitled JuxtaPacific--Haha! Now that's just downright ingenious, no?--the show was conceived and organized by Mary Jane Connor, a recent UWM graduate who spent several months last year in Fiji while working to complete her MA in Art History. Translation: She's way smarter than you and me. Turns out, she's not only a passive consumer of art who can respond correctly to any artwork flash card ya throw at her but she's something of an artist herself.

In an email, she shared some of the backstory of JuxtaPacific's birth:

"I hung out with most of the artists in this exhibition on a regular basis while I was in Fiji last year.  I worked on some art at the Oceania Centre for Art and Culture on the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva.  When we were not at the Centre working we drank a lot of kava [Ed. that's a favorite indigenous booze--Whoot!] while we passed around sketch books- consistently making collaborative sketches, talked about art and life and life as artists, and collaborated on other paintings and sculptures as well.

I knew that I wanted to have an exhibition of contemporary art from Fiji.  As I became better friends with the artists, we began discussing plans for an exhibition in the United States... I wanted to put American culture on display- put tiki culture in display cases as Fijian and Pacific island culture has been for so over the past hundred years.  Look at our culture and how tiki culture created perceptions of the islands.  The art and objects should hopefully play off each other and created sort of a visual and philosophical dialog- regarding religion and spirituality, perceptions of the exotic island woman, and the appropriation of cultural traditions and objects that manifest from the confluence of cultures.

...I think it is really important for the art world to begin recognizing and accepting art practices and aesthetics from other parts of the world.  Artists from all over the world are entering the global art market and we should learn from these new practices and ideas."

Right on, sister!

While the show did have its inaugural run at The Wormfarm Institute's Woolen Mill Gallery in Reedsburg, WI in August--and kudos to them for putting it on!--Connor tells me that the UWM exhibition will have more intel about the art and objects, offering a full discussion on faux vs real and the consequences thereof.

Artists featured in the show include Eparama (Abraham) Lagi, Micah Penamena, Rusiate Lali, Mason Lee, Irami Buli, Selwyn Do’oro, Anare Somumu, Esala Talebula, Ilisea Lee, Jeke Lagi, John Navosa, and Ledua Peni. According to Connor, some have exhibited in London, Australia, Tahiti, Hawaii, Bali, American Samoa, and various other places, but for others this will be their first time exhibiting outside of Fiji. Now that’s a unique opportunity ya just can't pass up, people!

The opening reception for JuxtaPacific is tomorrow, Thursday October 1, from 5-8PM at the UWM Art History Gallery in Mitchell Hall, Room 154, 3203 N. Downer Avenue. Got a hot date? Bring him/her/they along! Or stop by anytime between the hours of 10AM and 4PM, Monday-Thursday. You've got until October 22, 2009.

If you're still not convinced that this exhibition will change the way you think about South Pacific island culture and bring you closer to its people, well, I've got another reason for you to go: In a tragic event, the region in which Fiji is located witnessed a major earthquake--some say 7.9, others say 8.3--and a subsequent tsunami yesterday. Fiji itself did not experience a tsunami, but other islands did. Currently, 100 souls have been counted as lost and that number will most probably rise. Please go to the exhibit to show your honest and true solidarity with the people of the South Pacific.

Remember, folks, we're all in this together.

Link (Thanks, Mary Jane!)

Carl Sagan Sings The Cosmos Electric

Yesterday our good pal Brian reminded us of a music video that we'd heard about on "All Tech Considered", a regular segment on NPR's All Things Considered, that y'all simply must experience. Despite having passed from this mortal coil nearly 13 years ago, the extraordinarily brainy and charismatic astronomer, astrochemist and author Carl Sagan is still singing the praises of the cosmos--literally.

Musician John Boswell composed "A Glorious Dawn (Cosmos Remixed)" using video from Sagan's groundbreaking 1980 PBS television series Cosmos and transformed the scientist's speech into singing through Auto-Tune, an electronic cheat for vocalists with questionable talent and work ethic--I'm lookin' at you, Britney!--but a pretty fantastic creative tool if used with non-sneaky intent. There's also a minor assist from übergenious-in-his-own-right Stephen Hawking.

A few of the samples chosen don't quite flow, musically speaking, but it is nonetheless a stirring tribute to the man who made the complex science of the universe and the philosophy of our place in it accessible to all. Also, just like Sagan himself, it is simultaneously cool and cheesy!

(Thanks, Brian!)

Tomorrow is Museum Day!

Since 1846, one institution has stood as the undisputed bastion of history, science, art and culture in these United States: The Smithsonian. While it's had its share of controversy and mismanagement--most recently in 2007--the name still evokes the kind of respect and reverence usually reserved for saints and died-too-young Rock and/or Rollers.

As is fitting for such a prestigious establishment, the Smithsonian would like to give back to the generous people who keep it and so many others afloat year after year, and that means you! Through its publishing arms Smithsonian magazine and Smithsonianmag.com, the Grande Olde Archive of American Life and Culture has organized Museum Day--a day of FREE general admittance into museums and cultural venues across the country--tomorrow, September 26, 2009. Huzzah!

Various Wisconsin institutions and orgs are participating:
Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Milwaukee
Circus World Museum, Baraboo
Haggerty Museum of Art, Milwaukee
Hearthstone Historic House Museum, Appleton
Hutchinson House Museum, Waupaca
New Richmond Heritage Center, New Richmond
Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison
Racine Art Museum, Racine
Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie
The Octagon House and America's First Kindergarten, Watertown
Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc
Wisconsin Union Galleries, Madison
Woodson Art Museum, Wausau

Go here now to download the Museum Day Admission Card, which gets you and a friend, family member and/or fellow art/culture lover in for no money down, nil, nothin', zip, zilch, zero, etc. And be sure to thank the good folks at whichever place ya visit for saying "Yes, we will!" to this awesome event.

48 Hour Film Project Theme Song Smackdown

The 48 Hour Film Project, prime enabler of frantic short film and video making insanity, recently announced a competition designed to pit composers, musicians and tune dabblers against one another in a fierce battle to become Theme Song Laureate. Rather than give it an painfully earnest artsy title that'll entrap your gray matter in a whirlwind of what-the-hell-does-that-mean speculation, the creators of the showdown decided to go with the obvious: The 48HFP Theme Song Contest!

So why would a film project need a theme song? Because everything and everybody needs a theme song--no doubt, yours is playing in your braincase right this minute. But as time goes on, we all change and evolve, so the ditty that expresses who we are must change as well. Admit it, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" no longer holds the deep emotional resonance it once possessed when you were four.

And so it is that the 48HFP desires to acknowledge its own evolution by searching for and selecting a new anthem. The fact that it will celebrate its 10th birthday next year merely gives it a practical milestone tie-in.

Here's the basic intel:

1. Song entries must be of original composition. If you use samples, you must obtain permission from the copyright holder(s) to use them.

2. Entries must be between one minute 30 seconds (1:30) and two minutes 30 seconds (2:30) in length--no more, no less.

3. Entries must be submitted in MP3 format via email, along with a completed 48HFP Theme Song Contest Submission Form.

4. Instrumental entries are eligible--I emailed 48HFP to double-check, so trust me--but if your song includes lyrics, you must submit two (2) MP3 versions--one with lyrics and one without--and a lyric sheet.

5. Final deadline is Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at 12PM EST/11AM CT.

For full details, download the forms here.

Now, if you've read this far but have not yet asked yourself, "What’s in it for me?" it's clear that either you're a total newbie to this here blog--and if so, welcome!--or I've failed utterly in my tireless efforts to get you to believe in your talents enough for you to ask that question and I shall redouble my commitment to you from this day forward.

Either way, I'm gonna go ahead and tell ya exactly what's in it for you--drum roll, please: The winner of the 48HFP Theme Song Contest will receive $1,000 in cash--that's USD greenbacks--will have his/her theme song heard at more than 200 screenings around the globe each year--Cannes Film Festival hobnobbers, prepare to be dazzled!--and will get an on-screen credit at each screening where the song is played. Whoozzah!

So then, musically inclined Ladies and Germs, without further delay, start your compositions!

Link (Thanks, Liz!)

Wisconsin Hybrid Theater Mashup: Very Old-Timey + Old-Timey + New-Timey

Gather 'round, kids, and sit your tiny cabooses down for Cricky has a tale a tell, one that will transport you back in time to those thrilling days of yesteryear when radio--yes, radio--ruled the airwaves, winning the hearts and minds of all who could afford such a highly sophistimacated doowacky. It was a time when the occasional wardrobe malfunction was never seen by the masses--FYI, visually overstimulated youngins, radio doesn't come with pictures--and the chance fleeting expletive was never heard by the hoi polloi as the then fledgling Federal Communications Commission (FCC) leaned all its heavy weight on anyone who even thought of a naughty word, not to mention a naughty deed.

For all its repression, racism, jingoism, sexism and other nasty -isms, those three decades did manage to produce some mighty fine drama and comedy that folks from all backgrounds enjoyed as they participated in the Great Radio Listening Experiment. The Shadow, The Whistler, Dragnet, Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and our all-time favorite king of the nutjobs Spike Jones--Whoot!

Present day, there is a small group of thespians in our fair Miltown who've been laboring hard to bring work of similar merit to audiences of all ages through live productions. This merry band of old-timey-is-the-best-timey devotees carry out their theatrical antics under the marquee name of Wisconsin Hybrid Theater (WHT), and last week I had the superb pleasure of meeting two of them: Charles Sommers, founder/playwright/director, and Randall Anderson, actor.

Both made their appearance at Alterra on Prospect in dapper suits and Brylcreemed hair, so I felt a tad underdressed in my 2007 "Writers' Guild On Strike" t-shirt--I made it myself! Okay, I downloaded the graphic and ironed it on--but, as all men schooled in gentlemanly ways are wont to do, they said not a word of derision and happily conversed with me as if I wasn't some rabble-rousing proletariat. Classless society wins!

Anyhoo, as Anderson rightly pointed out during our delightful discussion--which, by the way, was filled to the brim with quick-witted jokes and funny stories--the company's own slogan gives the best explanation of its raison d'être--marketing students take note: "WHT produces original adaptations of classic late nineteenth century stories in a mid-twentieth century medium for early twenty-first century audiences and their Moms." Nicely done, no? One could argue that it's a bit long-winded, but it does the job it's meant to do and with just the right amount of clever wordplay.

In practical terms, the troupe's main goal is to craft and present live comedic "radio" shows, complete with sound effects. This means that each production serves two masters: 1) the audience in attendance, who are firsthand witnesses to the scripted if-anything-can-go-wrong-it-will elements, and 2) the imaginary radio audience, who should remain ignorant of the mishaps taking place on stage. And they do it all with nary a four-letter word! Now that's what we call a challenge.

As we chatted over coffee, Sommers revealed his inspiration for founding the plays-clean-enough-for-everybody company in 2007: His mom. To be more specific, his frustration at not being able to take his mom to a theatrical performance without feeling so uncomfortable by overt sexual content/innuendo and shock-inducing language that he wanted to sink down into his seat and never come up for air. To be fair, for some mother/child pairs that's perfectly okay and they live to see another play, but for others, well, it's just not and they walk away from the experience dazed and lightheaded, whispering to each other, "Eew, let's not do that again, 'kay?"

Sommers did want to make clear to me, and by extension to y'all, that even though WHT's productions are billed as "family-friendly", these are intelligent, humorous, multileveled works that adults of every age can and do enjoy. Ya hear that, people? It is possible to be intelligent and funny! Will wonders never cease?

For his part, Randall Anderson had nothing but praise for the original scripts penned by Sommers and recounted the scribe's deft handling of the flying monkeys in WHT's 2008 production of The Wizard of Oz. For obvious reasons, the concept of winged primates is a tremendously difficult thing to convey through words and sound, so Sommers solved the problem thusly: Sound effects were created to imitate bodies rolling and feet landing on the ground, while the actors grunted, "Hup! Hup! Hey!" When another character asked who they were, they simply replied, "We’re The Flying Monkeys!" Haha! Nothin' beats an acrobat joke, eh?

While WHT's shows aren't actually broadcast over the air or on The Internets™, both Sommers and Anderson were very much open to the idea when I raised the issue. So, if there's a real-life Milwaukee radio station out there that would like to discuss a mutually beneficial partnership with WHT, contact Charles Sommers via email at radiowht at gmail dot com. Better do it quick 'cause an idea this good doesn't sit on the shelf for long.

For those who'd like to see WHT in action, their production of Dracula begins next month at the Alchemist Theatre in Bayview. The six-show run includes four 3PM matinees October 18 & 25 and November 1 & 8, and two 10PM shows October 23 & 30. Tickets are only $9.99!

Word of encouragement/caution: Both of WHT's 10PM shows follow 7:30PM performances of Dracula: The Undead, a dark and sexy romp, so those with a Count Vlad fetish can get a double helping, just leave your übersensitive kiddies, aunties and/or moms at home, 'kay? 'Kay.

Buy your tix here!

(Thanks, Charles & Randall!)

Experimental Guru Tom Hamilton Comes Home!

It's a rare thing indeed for Cricky to be bloggity bloggin' on a weekend, but there's an amazing music event happening tomorrow night that each and every peep within driving distance of Miltown should know about: Alternating Currents Live presents the Tom Hamilton and Thomas Gaudynski Duo!

That's right, kids, on Sunday, September 20, at 7PM übertalented Milwaukee native Tom Hamilton will be back in his home town--straight from highfalutin NYC--to perform his experimental music/sound art at Woodland Pattern Book Center, 720 E Locust Street. Once there, he'll be joined by skilled local artist Thomas Gaudynski, creating a combo that's sure to blow your brain right out of its pan!

For over 40 years, Hamilton has been crafting and engineering music that transcends traditional definitions, engaging audiences in unique auditory experiences. In collaboration with a slew of other tremendous artists, his work has appeared in over 50 CD releases of new and experimental music, and his sound installations have been presented at museums and festivals in the US, Canada and Europe.

Hamilton's excitement that the city of his birth has opened itself up to the sublimely experimental was clearly expressed to us through a message he sent to our band Liver Pants on MySpace--we're friends!--back in April of this year:

"Hi Folks, Just wonderful stuff. You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear this Made-in-Milwaukee music. I grew up there in the 60s & none of this was going on - there was no scene at all."

Aw, thanks for the generous kudos, Tom, and we welcome you home with warm and wacky electronic arms!

Link

Related:
Sonic Poetry Explored

A Night of Photogs & Phashion

We've got two recommendations for those of you lookin' to head out on the Miltown tonight:

1. Right on the heels of a special two-week exhibition of the Brady Street Photo Festival, Caggio: An Art Experiment extends its love and admiration for the shutterbug artist by presenting images crafted by three Wisconsin-based photogs: Amelia Coffaro, Ben Lambert and Gary Hannabarger.

Each member of the triad skillfully demonstrates a strong visual style unique unto themselves, as can be witnessed on their respective websites linked above, and will be on hand at the opening reception this very evening at Caggio, 918 East Brady Street, from 5-9PM.

If ya find yourself trapped with your art apathetic in-laws/cronies and just can't get away, you've got until October 14, 2009, to see the show.

2. Art incubator RedLine Milwaukee is holding its official "soft" opening this weekend and tonight's happening includes a phashion--only boring folks spell it with an "f"--show with models traipsing down the runway in outfits from Bruce Paul Goodman clothier. Also, Susanne Carter will present some movement pieces and video installations by Anthony Lopez and Jon Salimes will be on display for your enjoyment.

It all starts at 6PM at 1422 N 4th Street. A $20 door donation is requested.

And don't forget to stop by tomorrow for a fancy free event from 4-9PM, featuring a coming-out party for RedLine's Resident Artist debutantes and a plethora of other nutty artsy types walkin' around in their own wearable art. In addition, there's an Open House from 12-4PM on Sunday.

Now get out there, kids!

(Thanks, Kaitlin, Joseph & Lori!)

Related:
Photo Walkin' Brady Street
Fashion, Schmashion--Let's Wear Some Art!

Who Are the Gay Folks in Your Neighborhood? The People that You Meet Each Day!

On Monday, September 14, 2009, the extremely fine and upstanding crew over at Milwaukee's Cream City Foundation introduced two new facets to their myth-busting, perception-changing, fear-eliminating Gay Neighbor Billboard Campaign: Hi–tech, ultramodern digital billboards in both English and Spanish, and a Spanish language version of the Gay Neighbor website, MiVecinoGay.org. Whoozzah!

The ginormous digital billboard--featuring images of happy, loving, well-adjusted families across the racial spectrum that just happen to include one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) member--was unveiled at the Clear Channel Outdoor Grounds in Pewaukee, WI to the uncontrollable oohs and aahs of the gathered LGBT community, their loved ones and allies, and several media outlets. At the same momentous event, the Spanish language website was announced and every single attendee not affiliated with Fox News joined in a hearty slogan cheer "El Amor Fortalece Familias!"

This campaign to help unburden our society of homophobia, and the hate and injustice that stems from that irrational fear, is all of kinds of good, kids. While we cannot realistically expect all to reach a point of loving acceptance, if we continue to work everyday we can reasonably hope to turn most toward a basic and due respect. Granted, this is only one aspect of the greater struggle and much more needs to be done and said, but we are all better off for having such an exceptional organization so committed to social justice and civil rights in our midst. Thank you, Cream City Foundation!

On a very related note, MPTV-Milwaukee Public Television's local Latino culture and public affairs show ¡Adelante! will air a piece on the Gay Neighbor Billboard Campaign and the MiVecinoGay.org website on Channel 10.1, Tuesday October 6 at 6:30PM, with two rebroadcasts on Channel 36.1 scheduled for Wednesday October 7 at 12:30AM and Sunday October 11 at 5:30PM. If you miss all three times, you can still watch it on MPTV's video archives page after it airs.

Link (Thanks, Denise, Maria & Peggy!)

Related:
Hey, I Know that Gay Guy--He's My Neighbor!

Don Your Fancy Knickers for Latino Arts' Noche de Gala

Save for a handful of old-timey holdouts, nearly every one of us appreciates the casual dress code so common in these modern days. On occasion, though, even hardcore tattered-jeans-are-who-I-am types find themselves overwhelmed by a desire to slap on the formal suit or gown--perhaps both--and show off in all their fanciful glory. If you've been experiencing what is technically known as the Puttin' On The Ritz Itch, Latino Arts, Inc. has got just the worthy cure you need coming up this Saturday as it hosts The Fifth Annual Noche de Gala!

Milwaukee's Latino Arts Inc. presents international, highly regarded Hispanic artists and musicians each year while at the same time serving a crucial role within the local community through its educational and cultural awareness programs. One of its most successful is the Latino Arts Strings Program, which was a recipient of the 2008 President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Coming Up Taller Award, as noted right here on CricketToes--Whoot! Proceeds of the Noche de Gala will go to benefit this outstanding program.

On stage for the swanky shindig will be Diego Del Real and His Orchestra, swingin' the hypnotic, sultry, hip-movin' sounds of cumbia, merengue, salsa, and bolero. Best to get your fill of libations and appetizers beforehand 'cause once they begin to weave their musical spell you'll never wanna stop dancin'. Don't believe me? Well, just listen to few song clips from their 2004 CD Musica Tropical, Vol. 1 here, then tell me with a straight face that I'm full o' beans, 'kay?

The night's other featured attraction is the opening of Luis De La Torre's Welcome to the Holy Land exhibition. Tackling the diverse and complex issues of dual identity, economics and war, Chicago-based De La Torre speaks with a powerful and humane voice through his paintings and found object art. Check out his work on his website.

Also, peeps who decide to attend this shimmering event will enjoy a performance by the previously mentioned award-winning Latino Arts Strings Program as well as a dance demonstration led by Dan Balderas' Salsabrosa Dance Company. Now that's a full night of Latin goodness!

Latino Arts' Fifth Annual Noche de Gala is this Saturday, September 19, beginning at 8PM at 1028 S. 9th Street. Cricky has it on ultimate authority that only a limited number of spaces are still available, so if ya wanna be and be seen at this season-defining gala, ya gotta call 414-384-3100 to reserve your spot. Tickets are $50 per person or $175 for a table of four.

Those who can't make it, or are a little low on cash right now, but still wanna show support can purchase raffle tickets for $1 each or a pack of six for $5. Grand prize is two round-trip airline tickets on AirTran Airways, and second prize is a Sony laptop with one year of Time Warner Cable’s All-In-One Package. The drawing will be held during Noche de Gala, but you need not be present to win. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the main reception desk of United Community Center (UCC) at 1028 S. 9th Street.

Link (Thanks, Jon!)

Related:
And the 2008 Coming Up Taller Award Goes to... Latino Arts Strings Program!

Milwaukee Film Wishes It Was an Airline for Some Reason

Haha, yeah, I just got an email from Milwaukee Film announcing that the trailer for the 2009 Film Festival is up and runnin', so I took me a look-see and, um, well, it's somethin' all right:

Feels a little Southwest Airlines campaigny--ya know, "Wanna get away?"--but I do kinda loves me the Nuclear Bee Testing joke.

What y'all think?