STRIPPED, GREG FRIEDLER'S NAKED LAS VEGAS

The subculture of Las Vegas bares all in this documentary from filmmaker David Palmer that follows avant-garde photographer Greg Friedler as he compiles the fourth and final book in his critically acclaimed “Naked” series.

In August of 2007, with no confirmed subjects nor a location at which to shoot, Friedler and Palmer embarked on a highly emotional 30 day roller coaster ride that would eventually bring together 173 naked human beings of every shape, size and walk of life. Entering a single white room with a red curtain, the participants of “Naked Las Vegas” open themselves up, baring not only their bodies, but also their souls.

Greg Friedler says he is "completely mesmorized by people, by raw humanity. What do people do for a living? How does this in some way define a person? Where does a person fit into Society? What do people dream of doing or being? What class is someone? Can we arrive at a person’s essence based solely on their raiment?"

Check out Stripped.

SOHO ARTIST INSTALLATION SATIRIZES MEDIA'S TAKE ON CANDIDATES CLINTON AND OBAMA

Recent installations, "The Assassination of Barack Obama" and "The Assassination of Hillary Clinton "explore the figurative, but highly effective attempts by the American populace to assassinate both candidates reputation during their historic candidacy for president. Reflecting the sentiment that no one is without blame or responsibility, artist Yazmany Arboleda's installation shows the extreme effects of a society's intent on castrating anyone in power.

Everyone is responsible, no one - and no group - is safe in this highly evocative and controversial exhibit. In the all-encompassing installation that explores the themes of sexism, racism, ageism and homophobia, one questions to what end we are willing to go to tear down our leaders in the process of electing them.

The installations can be viewed online.
The Assassination of Barack Obama
The Assassination of Hillary Clinton

SEEDS OF COMPASSION | DALAI LAMA VISITS SEATTLE

“Compassion arrived with the sunshine in Seattle,” said Dan Kranzler, Seeds of
Compassion co-founder.

A celebration of the many cultures that can be found in the Northwest kicked off the event, as 1000 people of all ages, representing 40 cultures, processed onto the field and joined the crowd in the stadium. The procession included groups representing Tibetan, Native American, Chinese and Latin American cultures.

As part of the procession of cultures, His Holiness the Dalai Lama entered the stadium and took center stage. Valued members of the community, including Governor Christine Gregoire, representatives from local Native American tribes, local youth and partners in the Seeds of Compassion efforts joined His Holiness to address the crowd.




“Today is not about international politics, but about coming together to plant the seeds of compassion for a more peaceful world,” said Governor Gregoire and honorary chair of Seeds of Compassion.

Seeds of Compassion is an initiative of the Kirlin Charitable Foundation. The purpose of the initiative is to nurture kindness and compassion in the world, starting with children and all those who touch their lives. Seeds of Compassion is partnering with early-childhood-development advocates and organizations, foundations, educators, scientists, business leaders and the greater community to highlight and promote the evidence-based programs, tools and strategies that greatly assist with the healthy development of children as happy, compassionate members of society.

A diverse group of youth from across the world that have come together to share their unique perspective of the Seeds of Compassion events on a blog.

Learn how to get involved in the Seeds of Compassion.

HOW DO STUDENTS LEARN TODAY?

A Vision of Students Today--This is an interesting video from a Kansas State University class on college students and education. I have seen firsthand how students act in class. They are all on Facebook during the learning experience. Socializing has always been more interesting than learning. Now that there are computers in the classroom they can do both at the same time.

VOICES SELECT| THEATER

I've wanted to write about Spring Awakening ever since I heard Duncan Sheik interviewed on NPR a week ago. Mind you I haven't seen the play personally, but I love the story and concept. Then I was reminded again when I watched the first hour of the Tony Awards and it was winning left and right. I didn't watch to the end, but this play won 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical. I’m not at all surprised.

Spring Awakening takes its inspiration from one of literature’s most controversial masterpieces – a work so daring in its depiction of teenage self-discovery, it was banned from the stage and not performed in its complete form in English for nearly 100 years.

This story is about 2 teen lovers, living in a repressed society. It speaks about taboo subjects like suicide, abuse and abortion and is performed to contemporary, hip music. It reminds me of the tone in RENT which I have seen three times and have the soundtrack on my iPod and on CD. I favor theater, art and media that speak to youth in original and modern ways. Spring Awakening appears to ‘fit-the-bill’ -- fresh and innovative, and I think we can all applaud that, especially when there are so many remakes of old works. It is truly refreshing to see theatrical Producers and Directors taking on more original pieces rather than rehashing the tried-and-true productions. Those certainly have their place, but artists should be responsible to show the present culture--our time-frame, or at least adopt/adapt the art within our modern culture. That is all we have to leave behind for future generations to visualize the place we are in now-- ten years into the Millennium.

Adapting old stories so that they resonate contemporaneously is difficult and risky business. But with originality, creative producers can serve up entertainment and inspiration to people of all ages. Maybe they will even go one step further and offer solutions. I’m sure Spring Awakenings is well worth the ticket to a few hours of fun and enjoyment.