Black Out

for katie and alex b

dolce and gabbana

This ad was banned in Italy because it "offended the dignity of the woman, in the sense that the feminine figure is shown in a degrading manner. The woman has an alienated expression, with an absent look". The news article labels this as "gang rape".

I started to think about my personal ethics, and those enforced or engrained in my mind because of the society around us. When I first saw this image, there was no thought of this, what I am interested in is the intentions of the organizers of this ad now that I have read the controversy over it.

source (http://www.news.com.au/gang-rape-dolce-and-gabbana-advert-banned/story-e6frfkp9-1111113111890)

And to echo Jen's post on the Calvin Klein ad that she posted:

alex

From Wikipedia:

Banana republic is a pejorative term originally used to refer to a country that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture (e.g. bananas), and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy, and corrupt clique.^[1] The first known use of the term banana republic was by American author O. Henry in his 1904 book of linked short stories, Cabbages and Kings. The book is based on Henry's 1896-97 stay in the Honduras, while hiding from federal authorities for embezzlement in the United States.^[2] The term was originally invented as a very direct reference to a "servile dictatorship" which abetted (or directly supported in return for kickbacks) the exploitation of large-scale plantation agriculture (usually banana cultivation).^[1]

The main history of the introduction of bananas into the European market is vital to understanding the concept of a banana republic. Bananas were introduced into the European market in 1870 by the captain of The Telegraph, Lorenzo D. Baker, who initially bought bananas from Central America and sold them in Boston at a 1,000% profit.^[3] While Baker traded bananas between the Caribbean and the United States, it was U.S railroad tycoon Henry Meigs and his nephew Minor C. Keith who started banana plantations, initially along the railway tracks in order to feed their workers, and upon realization of the lucrative profit of bananas sold in the United States, began also to export bananas from their plantation to the American Southeast.^[4] A major factor in the popularity of bananas in the United States was that it was a tropical fruit that was sold at a substantially lower price than even local American fruits such as the apple (in 1913 a dozen bananas sold for a quarter, while the same price could only buy two apples).^[5] The reason exporters were able to profit from such a low price point is because banana companies were able to obtain large areas of land in the Caribbean and Central and South America to grow banana plantations, as well as exploit the local population as a cheap source of labour.^[5] The largest banana company, United Fruit Company (now known as Chiquita Brands International) was the result of a merging between Andrew Preston's Boston Fruit Company and Keith's Tropical Trading and Transport Company in 1899 and became so influential in the banana industry that by the 1930's contributed to between 80 and 90 percent of all banana trade with the United States^[6]. The Standard Fruit Company, now named Dole Food Company, was established in 1924 by the Vaccaro Brothers.

COOL NAME, OLD NAVY.


-Sarah Konigsburg

Figure Skating Costume

A Russian figure skating couple was asked to change their costume by Aboriginal groups when they performed at a national skating competition earlier this year. The couple used the same routine for their Olympic performance with their "toned" down costume.

HErer

Thomas Tait for ALEX

Hes from london and was in the last issue of I.D. so hes pretty easy to find. His website is innactive.

THIS WEEK: Handmade Nation

MICA hosts Faythe Levine, co-author of Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design, to present a free screening of the 2009 documentary film of the same name and discuss the contemporary craft movement with the audience. Levine will be at the Brown Center's Falvey Hall (1301 W. Mount Royal Ave.) on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
Dubbed "the ambassador of handmade" by the New York Times, Levine in 2004 founded Art vs. Craft, Milwaukee's independent craft fair. She is co-owner and curator of Paper Boat Boutique & Gallery in Milwaukee.
About the film: In 2006, Levine traveled to 15 cities and interviewed 80 artists and designers to capture the virtually tight-knit community that exists through Web sites, blogs and online stores and connects to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries and craft fairs. Interviews were also conducted in artists' studios and homes of the featured makers. For a sneak peek of Handmade Nation, visit www.handmadenationmovie.com.
This screening and talk is in conjunction with the Warren Seelig: Textile per se exhibition on view at MICA through Sunday, March 14.

fencing masks

Jun Takahashi fall 2006-



victor & rolf-


alex