UN climate negotiations begin today in Bonn and continue on until June 12th. There's already a flurry of criticism coming from all corners in regards to the developing agenda, "We...have some dismay about the way it has been structured," Jonathan Pershing, head of the U.S. delegation (Reuters, South Africa). It's not only the US that is complaining. Reuters also quotes Ibrahim Mirghani Ibrahim of Sudan: "This text should contain more balance," he said. Meanwhile, Greenpeace advocates dressed as polar bears and glaciers are boycotting outside the talks. All this melee is just the beginning of a long, fast road to the Copenhagen talks this December, where a new global strategy to fight climate change (like the Kyoto Protocol) will be developed, and (hopefully) ratified by the US. More on the talks in Bonn from Earthtimes here.
Nothing tickles our fancy more than non-destructive artistic expression. Graffiti is dope and all, but the chemical consequences of it on the environment are not. Graffiti Research Lab has wicked shit going on and is creating awareness in knowledge, art and expression. Some people have bitched and moaned that GRL are killing graffiti but they must believe art dies, so feel sorry for them. These lasers are a perfect example of urban communication. Checks it!
Friday afternoon lulls in the GO office. Sarah Geismer (my friend from way back) just passed me the above video (and these self-portraits) from artist, Levi Van Veluw. Sometimes when I look at self portraits -- especially so many at once -- they come of as self-indulgent. But this guy uses his self as a landscape. We watched the video above with the this soundtrack from the Flower Dance: Japanese Folk Melodies. Works nicely, I think...
The Roots are steady turning it out on Jimmy Fallon. But damn!! The Roots AND the Beasties. If you haven't seen the new Paul's Boutique site, go wild on it here. The Beasties and The Roots will also both light up the summer festival circuit. I'm amped for The Picnic (and more Public Enemy) in Philly next month.
Just found these through StumbleUpon. Artist Jan Vormann fills in the gaps with legos. You gotta love the the collision of childhood with old WWII-torn Berlin walls. Reminds me of cities I used to build with my little sister. More art like this on Yatzer.
Although Green Owl's camp are Brooklyn rats, last night called for some Manhattan attention in China Town's Happy Endings club. Our favorite sonik ninjas provided tunes for a night of sweaty, sexy, grimy, drunken, and thick-girls-doing-the-splits-in-daisy-dukes fun. Too bad you weren't there because it was shtupidly poppin just ask Prince Terrance, Hirothejap, or Anton Glamb. Happy Endings is every Wednesday at 302 Broome Street. DJ Teen Wolf, Reverend McFly and TelliBATHROOMSEXXX bring the Brooklyn swagg so get dum dum dum.
Good
old Dubai is slippin AGAIN. Word on the streets: Dubai property development company, Al Fajer Properties, has
fooled their investors out of £428 million. The development company is
a government-linked franchise and has been caught sending their investors
(mostly from the UK)
fake pictures of development projects.
In actuality, development has stalled significantly, some projects being canceled all together due to the global financial situation. Since the photo scandal has leaked, Dubai government officials have pressured the media from releasing any information on the issue. Wow we wow wow.
The last few months have posed a huge threat to the once sterling reputation
of the United Arab Emirate state. The pictures coupled with the large immigrant slave industry have tarnished Dubai. Not even a year ago, Dubai was an up-an-coming tourist spot where
the elite, royal and rich could spend days consuming and wiping their asses with gold pleated toilet paper, in gold-pleated rooms, with gold dogs, maids and sidewalks. Now, these bastards’ true
colors are as clear as the desert sky.
Our man, Brian Shimkovitz takes his Awesome Tapes from Africa experience onto the dancefloor this Friday night in NYC. Awesome Tapes from Africa is a centrifuge for African music on the web. In the post-Sterns, post bricks and mortar era of African imports, ATFA brings to light a ton of African music that you might only find in a random trotro station outside Accra. Brian's collection is quirky and taste-making; it's often one step ahead of academics and global pop-stars alike. So do yourself a favor and download a ton of music from the blog, then go see Brian DJ (on cassette!!) live in Tribeca. He's joined on Friday by Teen Girl Fantasy and members of the NYC disco sensation, Escort (video below) will also be DJing.
Cyclones treat Southeast Asia
like Charlie Sheen treats women. Cyclone Aila hit Bangladesh today,
killing an estimated 191 people and leaving hundreds of thousands
homeless. Aila hauled her ass through the Darjeeling
tea district, causing mudslides and killing 20 people. Rice paddies and croplands
are at stake and a small island, Nijhum Dwip and its 25,000 residents have
reportedly been submerged. Feeling pretty bummed out. Why do the countries with
the least always get hit the most? I mean, rice and tea are major exports for Southeast Asia and now they’re cleaned out. I really wish
I could volunteer my time over there but I only have enough dough to drink and
pass out in a depressed state. So what will it be, Merlot or whiskey? I think
whiskey is the most appropriate when your sad-drinking over a bitch with a
pretty name who ruined everything.
Also check out Green Owl baller, Wills, on a former post where he interview CARE's Advocacy Coordinator in Bangladesh.
Exxon makes the most money annually (477 Billion dollars)
out of all the oil companies. But alas, those bastards are not the least hip to
finding alternative fuels and cutting their emissions. Greenopia.com ranks all the slimy oil cats based on
several categories. So Checks it and inform yourself!
