sábado, 11 de setembro de 2004

Antonio C-Pinto: Though following by the book old conceptual art recipes, this wit project by suiss artist Christoph Buchel and italian artist Gianni Motti could very well join the RNC protests. So why did it not? Post-contemporary art is about street and techno culture, it is about action, and it is about agit-prop. Public art loves the urban terrain and also loves the web milky way. But if you keep it inside a clean, protected glass case, it may perish ... or become a museum artifact. —. Christoph Buchel and Gianni Motti: “The point of departure of Guantanamo Initiative is a geopolitical and juridical problem concerning Guantanamo Bay, located on south-eastern coast of Cuba. In 1898, the end of the Spanish-American War and the Treaty of Paris left Cuba in a state of quasi-colonial dependence vis-a-vis the United States. In 1903, the American government forceably obtained the ratification of the Platt amendment (1901), which granted the United States absolute right to interfere in Cuban affairs. With this accord, and then with the Treaty of 1934 (signalling the end of the protectorate), the United States obtained a perpetual lease on the 117.6 square kilometres area of Guantanamo Bay for 2000 US dollars annually (4, 085 dollars today). The Vienna Convention on the Laws of Treaties specifies that a treaty obtained through threat or use of force is null and void. The international legal community also stipulates that perpetual contracts are invalid and that one cannot require a party to assent to perpetual engagements.” [press-release] Thanks to: E-Flux, Centre culturel suisse à Paris, World News Network, World Photos, Guantanamo. Link 1:21:24 AM

Antonio C-Pinto: Women on Waves. Mission: Portugal; Aug 29th - Sep 11th. It seems silly. It is silly. Notwithstanding, silly as it is, the real fact is that Portuguese government (liberal-conservative) took military action against a small Dutch boat called Borndiep, not allowing it to enter Portuguese waters under the false argument that Women on Waves were trying to land in Figueira da Foz (a 15.000 inhabitants Portuguese town, known for its huge and beautiful beach) to practice illegal abortions. Rebecca Gomperts, doctor, artist and sailor, has managed with her colleagues and supporters a huge media coverage of the entire operation, and also an intense and cool hardtalk with ministers and officials of this conservative Euro country. From the point of view of what has been recently called tactical media — in relation to post-contemporary art — this has been a real landmark (or shall I say seamark...). WoW web site, done by Mediamatic, deserves some of your time. From WoW web site: “We support safe, legal abortion. If this is not available, the safest way to do an abortion is with the medicine ''Misoprostol". Here we explain the safest and most effective procedure. We also provide the scientific background to this method.” Keywords: abortion, tactical media, social networks, smart mobs. To protest against the Portuguese Government please go to its web site. Link 12:06:32 AM

© Copyright 2004 Antonio C-Pinto. Last update: 26.09.04; 18:58:08.