What is the Culture of Chaos?
An older black man swept up heaps of shattered glass from the floor of his nail salon. The glass front door of his business had been smashed in the uproar of protesting for justice in the killing of George Floyd that led to property-destructing outbursts in downtown Santa Monica, late Sunday afternoon.
The Arts are Contagious
The already-vulnerable world of the arts is taking more hits per COVID-19. Viruses thrive from crowds, as do arts and culture.
Teaching Tragedy (or not) Remotely
When socio-political issues come in the form of a tragedy, such as the evolving Ahmaud Arbery case, colleges and universities often provide a breathing ground for expression and discussion.
Associated Students pass resolution “in solidarity” with Jewish students after criticism
The board members of Associated Students (AS) unanimously approved and sponsored the “Expressing Solidarity for Jewish Students at Santa Monica College” resolution at their Zoom-hosted board meeting on Monday. This approval comes after a week’s worth of impassioned criticism and support of the resolution from Santa Monica College (SMC) students and members of the public.
A Forte of Sacred Geometry
Normally in Venice, CA or in the Bay Area, Dillon Forte etches the ancient miracle of the world's design on an expectant tattooees to the sound of Buddhist prayers, or trap music. That is, when California isn't under statewide self isolation.
Put "Always Tomorrow" on the Quarantine Queue
The band kicked off the tour for their fourth studio album "Always Tomorrow" with back to back southern California shows.
"Calling All Earthlings" to Stay Indoors
Life’s a beach. Or, it was for Californians before social distancing- defined for the first time this month by Merriam’s Webster as “the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance from other people or of avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection.”
Now Playing, On a TV Near You
What does twenty bucks buy in the COVID-19 economy? Well, it can buy 23.8 rolls of toilet paper. While it’s probably smart to stock up on those, another Andrew Jackson can be used to stream one of several major motion pictures - still in theaters - at home.
Disabled Artists Shine at Tierra Del Sol Gallery
John Maul is the solo artist of his own sold-out gallery exhibition in Los Angeles (LA). He also happens to be in his mid-sixties and have non-verbal learning disability (NVD). “Well, it’s not that he’s completely non-verbal,” explains Page Wery.
Straightwashing: An Epidemic
The first time I watched "Breakfast at Tiffany’s", I thought it was a bore apart from Audrey Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly. And the cat. The second time I watched it, I got it.
A Warrior Who Fought With Her Words: Toni Morrison
A collage is used to show the metamorphosis of the late Toni Morrison's physical self, from refined young, striking beauty to gorgeous, giggling gray-haired matriarch. The way her collage-like Black Book served as a shocking, artfully true compilation of American blackness, the documentary The Pieces I Am is just as true for the writer's life.
Vanity's Fairest At Their Finest
Whoopi Goldberg is bathing in milk right next to late comedian Richard Pryor, the priest. A little to the right is actress Ali Wong as Marie Antoinette. Welcome to Vanity Fair: Hollywood Calling – The Stars, the Parties, and the Powerbrokers. Beginning Feb. 8, the photography exhibition is hosted by the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City.
Of Cults and Culture
The word “cult” is like the word “love”; both have been overused to the point of senselessness. Everyday, people say they “love” things that they certainly wouldn’t marry or die for. Pop culture elements that tout a dedicated group of fans are quickly dubbed as a “cult” following, though the fans likely wouldn’t drink poisoned Flavor-Aid to show their devotion to, say, Rocky Horror Picture Show. To be fair, with Rocky Horror fans, you never know.