I spent this evening at The New School listening to a panel discussion about Radio Performance in effecting social change in rural areas and third world countries.  Here’s the marketing notes from Radio Communities: The Other Side of the Electronic Divide:

“Radio creates a dimension in which various communities can meet, exchange, discuss, and develop ideas, transforming the way we think of notions of geography and public place. Since cyberspace and advanced technologies in media have not yet reached much of the developing world, radio is still the most accessible medium for sharing knowledge across borders and in spite of time and space. As non-visual medium, it has gained additional prominence in politically charged situations where a certain degree of anonymity is necessary. What political, cultural, and humanitarian goals can be served by this medium exclusively? How does radio function as a tool for shared information? This panel discusses the longevity of the medium and the ability of the airwaves to keep the world connected where technology fails. Panelists include Pete Tridish, founder, Prometheus Radio Project; William H. Siemering, president, Developing Radio Partners; Khin Phyu Htway, student, The New School and contributor to Voice of America, Burmese service; and Gregory Whitehead, writer and artist. Moderated by Stephanie Guyer-Stevens, producer, Outer Voices. This event is presented as part of the Vera List Center’s program cycle on The Public Domain. “

My take aways from this talk… Radio (and we’re not talking about Internet Radio) is much easier for communities to adopt than other mediums of communication – and a lot less expensive. 

There were several examples of inexpensive radio stations built in low income areas of 3rd world countries where it’s literally changed the life of the people of that community.

The was some discussion of various laws that govern ownership of a radio station and how that should be equitable (if a corporation can own a radio station, why not a labor union? that’s’ a question asked  a couple of times tonight).

I left before the end of the talk and briefly went by Flute bar, where a party was going on – but soon left and came home – but not before I had a glass of red wine.

Not trying to “hawk” any of this “stuff” in the Art NYC store (all Syntagma blogs have a “store” on them) but I decided to look at what’s in the store and if I like it … to display it here.

Apparently there is a special canvas that can be used for reproductions – fairly expensive as a canvas goes (44″ x 30″ artist canvass by Epson).  Isn’t Epson a printer company?  I guess it is, and they make this type of canvas also. 

Besides, it has a picture of one of my favorite Cezanne paintings on the cover (which is currently on loan to the Metropolitan – and I saw it again just the other day)… so it must be good.

 

 

Now, this is something I can’t resist recommending – Marshalls “Perfect Pair” Ink jet Canvas and Photo Oils Set, for Hand Coloring on Marshall’s Ink Jet Canvas Prints …and it really is called “Marshall’s“.   You can order it at the ArtNYC store ….. I’m not hawking it but if you need something like this…here it is.

 

By the way, you can treat almost any surface and make it suitable for art with Marshall Pre-Color Spray, Pretreats Surfaces to Accept Marshall Oils or Pencils, 11oz Can – and it’s from “Marshall” …. too bad it’s not got “Sponder” in the name, too.

 

Pre Color Spray is used to pretreat glossy black & white prints, sepia or brown-tone prints, color prints, resin-coated photographic papers, canvas or canvas board to allow them to accepts Marshall Photo Oils or Marshall Color Pencils.

That’s enough for one post.

Don’t get invited to that many Birthday parties and when the invite came for Carolyn (Carolyn’s picture is here) and Nichelle’s (Nichelle’s picture is here) Birthday party (they both happen to have the same birthday) I accepted. 

There were about 50 people who attended – maybe more, and among those who I talked with (and bothered to get give/ get cards) author and life coach Karen Salmansohn (picture of Karen on the right) and reporter Jessica Seigel of Pink Magazine (picture of Jessica on the right).

It’s also strange the party ended up being right next door to my office at IBM.

Several comedians and writers were at this party …. probably should have talked to more people.

It was not that easy for me to be in a room where I did not know anyone – except Nichelle and Matt.   I was thinking of canceling at the last minute but I’m glad I came to the party.

Actually got a good photo of me out of this and you can see the whole collection of Flickr here.

                                                    

Microsoft figured out how to get people to download their new Windows Live Toolbar – amuse them …… with the Tales of Zoltar

 

It’s quite a lot of fun.  

While we’re at it – having fun – here’s a couple Oil Pastel Sketches I did earlier this year that I did not have online.

This was a sketch I did of a Cow’s Skull at the Brooklyn Artists Gym early this Summer.

I did this study of windows at Brooklyn Artists Gym in last spring, earlier this year.

 

I did this nude study about 2 months ago but re-photographed it and felt I got a better shot – and I wanted to point out that if I left out the breasts on this very sexy model – she had little or no breasts – being an athlete and runner – but the perfect body …and that’s what I was trying to capture.  Also…her face…well….I’m painting energy – I tried to paint her face but could not focus on it ….I was more interersted in her legs and fantastic muscle tone.

Ideally, I’d like to have focused more on her face ….also, had a lot of back and neck pain that day….I had to really focus to complete the sketch – not sure how I did it.

 

This is the very first study I did at Brooklyn Artists Gym last May. I had been driven back to painting by feelings I had no other way to channel.  It feels so good to paint.

Time for Bed.