Chinese Censorship

The following was sent to me by a Taiwanese curator. I can't believe Melbourne would kowtow to Beijing. Oh, I forgot, Rudd.
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"Withdrawal of “Miao Miao” screening from the MIFF
28/07/2009
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The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia (TECO) is very surprised and regretful to hear that the distributing company of the film entitled “Miao Miao”, namely Fortissimo Films, which is based in Hong Kong, has decided to withdraw the screening of “Miao Miao”, directed by Taiwanese Cheng Hsiao-Tse.
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The withdrawal is due to the recent boycott made by the authorities of the Chinese People’s Republic which controls Hong Kong, against the Melbourne International Film Festival. This has nothing to do with Taiwan which is in support of the continuous participation of the film and the freedom of expression and human rights.
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The TECO regards that the arts is a special medium that should be above politics and free from political dictation. The TECO firmly believes that it is wrong to boycott this international cultural event because of political differences. The TECO feels very disappointed that the Australian public will be unable to have the opportunity to enjoy viewing “Miao Miao”.
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However, there are two Taiwan short films, namely “Joyce Agape” and “The Pursuit of What Was”, that will still be participating in the Melbourne International Film Festival. The TECO will continue to give their full support to the Melbourne International Film Festival, and hopes to introduce more Taiwan films to this event in the future."

dangerous art

The Guardian has an article about the Robert Morris Bodyspacemotionthings exhibition at the Tate Modern and how this interactive work, which was made in the seventies, is still hurting people.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/jul/12/tate-modern-robert-morris-injuries

Robert Colescott (1925-2009) RIP

George Washington Carver Crossing the Delaware painted by Robert Colescott.

Artist, age 100, unveils new work

As they say, age is just a number.
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Here is artist Hans Enri, who was born 100 years ago, unveiling a new art work for the UN.
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If this isn't inspiring, then I don't know what is.
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Read here for the details and photo info:


http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/06/06/100_year_old_swiss_artist_unveils_mural_at_un/?comments=all

Taiwan's gender equality

The Venice Biennale recently opened and Taiwan has had its own pavilion since 2001. Since its inception the Taiwan Pavilion has exhibited a fair representation of female artists. But unfortunately, not this time around.
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The unintentional humorous title Foreign Affairs, a subject which the organizers are well versed in, had me chuckling.
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The four male artists representing Taiwan this year are HSIEH Ying-Chun, CHEN Chieh-Jen, Chien-Chi CHANG, and Cheng-Ta YU.
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For more info:http://www.tfam.museum/

53rd Venice Biennale 2009 - Internet Pavilion

It's that time of year again, for the opening of the prestigious Venice Biennale, the granddaddy of international art exhibitions. However, the nationalism of the Venice Biennale is a bit irksome to me. Art should be able to transcend national borders, shouldn't it?
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One pavilion that doesn't represent a nation is the Internet Pavilion, initiated by artist Miltos Manetas, curated by Jan Aman and produced by Art Production Fund.
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http://www.PadiglioneInternet.com and http://www.Biennale.net

First figurative sculpture found

A newly discovered sculpture is said to be the oldest figurative work (36,000 years old) in existence. But that is not the marvel.

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Scientists think this sculpture shows a shift in the early human brain and perhaps coincided with complex language. Since there is no audio from that time period, there is only the visual image to make such deductions.

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Read here for more info:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/05/oldestsculpture/
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Some reader comments refer to this sculpture as early porn, while art historical texts often refer to these prehistoric fecund females as a relic of fertility or goddess worship. What do you think?