Cleopatra: The Queen of the Nile in the Queen City (pt. 1)

Feb 17, 2011 by

#CleoCincyThe Queen of the Nile has come to the Queen City!

Two thousand years after her death Cleopatra is the subject of an amazing exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Recent finds, mostly underwater excavations, are  finally yeilding tangible evidence of Egypt’s most famous queen. (The Romans tried to obliterate all mention and images of her.)

I had the pleasure of attending the media preview of the exhibit and I must say it is impressive. Let’s set the tone with a slide show of some of whats in store when you go. (More after the slide show)

The presentation of this show is simply stunning. The designer went all out in exploiting the underwater archaeology motif to great effect. Rippling blue lights gave the interior the feel of being beneath the waves while artifacts unseen for thousands of years loom above and around you. It’s guaranteed to have appeal to both the Tomb Raider generation and their seniors.

As to the contents of the exhibit itself I’ll allow those more deeply steeped in the project to explain in their own words. Let’s start with John Norman (a Cleveland native) the president of Arts and Exhibits International.

Next let’s hear from Kathryn Keane, director of traveling exhibitions development for The National Geographic Society as she tells us more about this titanic effort:

And to round out the video offerings here is the one I shot of Franck Goddio’s opening remarks. I must admit he is the one I was excited about seeing. Goddio is the director of the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology, he is the man who discovered the submerged Royal Quarters of Alexandria, the lost city of Heracleion, and the suburb of Canopus.

So thats round one. I’ll be returning soon with part two which will include more pics from Mickey DeSilva and audio interviews that I did with both Goddio himself and Mark Lach, creative director and senior VP  of Arts and Exhibitions International.

Cleopatra opens Friday and will consist of a wide variety of lectures, a book club, and many more ways in which to immerse yourself in the land of the pharaohs beyond the exhibition itself. Details on the Cincinnati Museum Center’s page for the show- Cleopatra: The Search for The Last Queen of Egypt.

See you soon with part two!

-Loki, Founder and Curator
Media access provided by the Cincinnati Museum Center, or as I like to call it- The Hall of Justice!
Content of this post is copyright 2011 SocialGumbo, LLC. This supercedes the blanket creative commons license.

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Happy Invasion Day or Reconsidering Columbus Day

Oct 11, 2010 by

Today is Columbus Day (observed), the day we honor the explorer who discovered America back in 1492. The question is how much of that commonly accepted history is factual and how much honor should we actually bestow on Columbus? By the time one gets out of high school the name Leif Erikson is known for getting here first (by about 500 years), and that is only the beginning.

Let us start with this message from Reconsider Columbus Day.

You see, I’ve had good fortune in my life. I’ve had access and encouragement in delving into the darker side of history, something I always find fascinating. I’ve also had a number of Native American friends over the years. Socialization and information have changed my perspective a lot as time has gone by. The message above is one I view as important. To help substantiate that position and provide food for thought I’d like to share the following short videos.

First is a Cherokee industrial band called Corporate Avenger. Like the Dead Kennedys they refuse to pull any punches, getting their message across in no uncertain terms. This excerpt from the band’s wikipedia entry should help communicate their views:

Spike and Adawee have stated in the past that they do not attempt to speak for all Native American people and only speak for themselves, but the band uses their music to reveal their truth about America’s past. Songs like ’20 Dollar Bill’ and ‘Christians Murdered Indians’ provide historical analysis about what was done to the Native Americans at the hands of both early English settlers and Spanish Christian invaders.

Be warned there are a few F-Bombs in this so it is definitely Not Safe For Work (NSFW). As you listen to the lyrics and spoken word portions make sure to read the parade of substantiating facts that parade through the video.

If you pay attention to history there is no doubt that the native population of our continent has suffered gravely in the wake of Columbus. A legacy that not only reflects poorly on us as a nation, and our values, but also one that sadly continues into the present day.

If you have doubt of this I ask you to read up on the Trail of Tears. Here is another Corporate Avenger tune talking about just that, it’s called $20 Bill. The reference is to the fact that Andrew Jackson is on the twenty, the man associated with not only forcing many tribes from their lands but also with the distribution of smallpox infested blankets during their exodus. The chorus is “If Hitler was on the twenty dollar bill, how would the Jews feel?”

Then there is Blackfire. A Dine, or as we call them Navajo, power trio. I have the great honor to cal these three friends. We met shortly after my wife and I started living together when she told me she had some friends coming in town who needed crash space. At the time I was producing shows so having bands crash at the house was not uncommon in those days.

That is how I met Klee, Klayson, and Janeeda Benally. I have rarely had the good fortune to cross paths with such good people. Integrity, passion, a thirst for justice, and enough musical talent to knock your socks off.  Their passion for preserving their tribe’s dying language bridges into their music, and I must say that Dine chants and loud, crunchy guitar work go together brilliantly!

The last video is one of their more recent ones- (Silence) is a Weapon.

Soak this stuff in. This is a view of America that is authentic and all to often swept under the rug.

Since 1971 we have celebrates Christopher Columbus on this day. Yet “Columbus’s claim to fame isn’t that he got there first,” explains historian Martin Dugard, “it’s that he stayed.” Take a good think about the legacy that he left and you might just reconsider Columbus Day.

[This article is crossposted on HumidCity.com]

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Never Forget: It Was The Levee Failure Not The Hurricane

Aug 29, 2010 by

In 2005 the city my family has called home for nearly 300 years was submerged due to the failure of the federally constructed levees in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Now, five years later, another engineering failure on the part of British Petroleum has delivered a punch to the gut for New Orleans.

As a river city surrounded by levees I would offer that it behooves my new neighbors here in Cincy to pause and think on this subject.

8-29-05 Remember

-Loki, Founder and Publisher, Northsider and Native New Orleanian

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4192: It’s All About Heart

Jul 19, 2010 by

Wednesday, July 14 was the local premiere of 4192: The Crowning of the Hit King at AMC Newport on the Levee.  The documentary focused solely on Rose’s on-field accomplishments and left his off-field antics off the screen.  Rose narrated nearly all of the film giving some very in-depth information and stories behind his now mythical statistics.

The movie is gratuitous and fairly sappy;  however the scenic views of Riverfront and the beautiful Crosely Field are outstanding.  This turns out to be not a documentary about a controversial ball player as much a commentary on Cincinnati history.  The Anderson Ferry shot in the beginning of the film is a lovely historical moment and Rose’s narrative is surprisingly witty, poignant and, at times, just fascinating.  When Rose talks of playing with Stan Musial during his last game, the brawl with Harrelson or his respect for Bob Gibson; it’s like listening to a cool grandpa revealing interesting stories while on a tour.  He reminds one of the many small psychological tidbits that make Baseball a study of human interaction. 

The audience at the film was just outstanding: I have never seen so many vintage tee shirts  covered by autographs and I would wager most had not been worn in 20+ years.  Folks were jovial, talking with complete strangers in line and bonding over unique Cincinnati history.

Seeing the film also brings out amusing anecdotes of “where were you” and sure enough, on our way home, Not-A-Hubs told his story of peddling his bike up Purcell Ave. as fast as he could.  His neighbor had called and was making the claim that you could hear the Riverfront crowd from the top of Purcell Ave.  Turns out he was right.  4192 reminded me of playing Knothole softball for 13 years in Trenton.  I played all outfields, third, and catcher (my favorite).  I was not a strong hitter but I could field hard and sprint.  My jersey was #14.   It also reminded me why Rose is such an everyman and gives life to the longing appeal that we do have control of our destinies despite whatever humbling beginnings from which we hail.  The same reason I wore #14 is the same reason I read all of Kurt Vonnegut’s writings.  Pete Rose was truly Fanfare for the Common Man.

If you are a Baseball, Reds, or Cincinnati fan then the up-coming DVD is an essential snapshot of Cincinnati history.  The footage, stories, stats and legacy are all worth the price of admission.  You can keep track of when the DVD is released on Facebook and Twitter.

“I was the 13th player to collect my 3000 and got my hit on 9-11. I’m a weird dude.” (Pete Rose)

While the film was worth the $20 per ticket price, the AMC was not.  No signs told us to check our ticket in on the first floor before treading up to the third where there was once again no signs telling patrons the two theatre numbers.  If you hadn’t bothered to look at your ticket you would not have known which one to go to because you surrendered your ticket downstairs.  We did get the right theatre only to find it labeled with a different movie title.  Rose made an appearance and said a few words that no one understood because the microphone was crackling and for the first 5 minutes of the film the lights were left on.

Barking Fish Entertainment = A

AMC Newport on the Levee = F

Film Premiered in LA

Best Documentary in All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival

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Fairey Gate

May 20, 2010 by

First, big thanks to @DonMooneyJr on twitter for the title!  For those who were asleep this afternoon, Shepard Fairey’s mural on Pike Street in Covington, KY was painted over with white paint.  Lauren Bishop wrote the story at Cincinnati.com and the image is present alongside the article.  The mural was across the street from John G. Carlisle School.

For many of us, this harkens back harrowing memories of Mapplethorpe.  The exhibit, held in 1990 at the Contemporary Arts Center, was titled Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Moment.  The exhibit had been in circulation throughout the country for almost a year before landing in Cincinnati.  What culminated was a perfect storm in which massive protests lead by Citizens for Community Values eventually lead to the indictment of then CAC’s director Dennis Barrie and the CAC for pandering obscenity.  An acquittal came 6 months later.  The larger aftermath resulted in how the art world framed itself and art within the community.  FANTASTIC Enquirer article Mapplethorpe Battle Changed Art World  written by Jackie Demaline is a necessary read for those not familiar.

Two pervasive feelings; one is embarrassment over the censorship from the greater Cincinnati community.  The other is seething anger over the exploitation of the location and Cincinnati’s history.  Cincinnati is attempting to see itself as a world-class city and community and censorship flies in the face of our fledgling self-prescribed identity but this writer feels terrific anger toward an opportunistic artist using our history to further his own agenda and popularity.

I love the Contemporary Art Center.  I’m a member.  However, one is torn between knowing this controversy can be good for our city in garnering the art world’s eyes toward us and feeling that Fairey may have been booked for that very purpose.  I also know that’s not fair.  The CAC’s mission statement is 

“…based on the notion that there is an inextricable link between art and life, and that connections are made through contemporary art.  

We provide a space for reflection and dialogue, where the public can engage with artists, scholars, and each other around contemporary issues.  We are committed to remaining the place where opportunity transcends boundaries.

The CAC is shaped by a symbiotic relationship with the community.  We are a neighbor, a leader, and a facilitator.  We believe in the idea of an open cultural forum where all are welcome to congregate and gain exposure to new ideas and where art is a means for people to connect to each other and to the world outside.”  Contemporary Art Center

Platow fulfilled the CAC’s mission in bringing Fairey here.  Was Shepard Fairey’s choice of mural and location exploitive?  Yep.  Should the owners of the space known?  Yep.  Is it benefitting him?  Yep.  Is it benefitting greater Cincinnati?  Maybe.

Thanks to @LivingInGin for this archived gem:  Elvis/Velvet Gala Opening

Some twitter comments from today’s feed:

@artsnob @CincyCAC monumentalizing and child soldiers with an mural, does not bring problems to light, it celebrates children at war

@5chw4r7z I guess Fairey should have done a mural with Dr King being denied lunch at Woolworths. would have fit with the current climate in KY

@LivingInGin Ax murder mural forces delay of Moscow Metro station opening. They should’ve hired Shepard Fairey. http://bit.ly/dj2xH0

@epavner shame that Covington’s arts district will be known for a Fairey cover-up instead of embracing a teachable moment

@DillyCafe Ah yes, maybe by painting over that image all the real child soldiers around the world will magically disappear.

Other reading:

Mapplethorpe & the CAC: 20 Years Ago Today

Mapplethrope controversy reverberates in Cincinnati 10 years later

Cincinnati Jury Acquits Museum In Mapplethorpe Obscenity Case

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Historical Tidbit From WEBN: The Who, Tragedy at The Riverfront

May 12, 2010 by

I’m a huge fan of history. I’m also a huge fan of social media, it pays my bills. Today while goofing about on the Internet I discovered an excellent convergence of the two. It seems that WEBN has an extensive channel on YouTube,WEBNVideo.  With a little digging there are some historical gems like this one.

WEBN’s archive news coverage of The Who tragedy at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati on 12/03/79. Photo from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

-Loki, Founder and Publisher

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