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October 31, 2005

A Thin Line Between Art and Violence

Los Angeles neighbourhood activists took on Paramount Pictures over billboards promoting 50 Cent's upcoming film, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. The billboard depicts 50 Cent holding a microphone in one hand and a gun in the other. Astonishingly, one of the billboards was situated near a pre-school in an area affected by gang violence.

Fortunately, Paramount acquiesced and the billboards were removed. Not sure if this was an act of corporate responsibility or a saavy PR move (is there a difference?)

What's interesting is that the creators of the billboard could argue that the image depicts the real-life choice 50 Cent, aka Curtis Jackson, had to make. On the one hand (quite literally) there is the violent world of gangs and drug dealing. On the other, there is fame via hip hop. Fair enough. Maybe the real issue is that 50 Cent and his entourage are trying to play it both ways. They want fame but not at the cost of losing their street cred. Sadly, in light of 50 Cent's unprecedented rise to stardom, it could be argued that one is not possible without the other.

Posted by Jason at 10:14 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

October 24, 2005

Combating Compassion Fatigue

"I am alone. All my children and grandchildren are dead. Who will care for me now?"
- Farooq Khan, Pakistani earthquake survivor

50,000 people are dead as a result of the earthquake that rocked Pakistan earlier this month. Unfortunately, the hurricanes that have pounded the Carribean, Mexico and the U.S have diverted the world's short attention (I know I've felt that way) but this is when we need to dig deep.

Winter is approaching in Pakistan and the impact of the earthquake could be magnified. These folks need our support just as the tsunami victims did, the flood victims in Mumbai, and the countless hurricane victims. We need to make our depth of compassion as vast as our appetite to consume. Do the world a favour and forego that latte so that you can give to your favourite charity.

Here's a link to the article in which the quote above is found.

I've also included this link to an interesting article on post-disaster myths. An interesting article that could truly connect global supporters of disasters to those in need.

Have a great week.

Posted by Jason at 1:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 17, 2005

TED Prize Winners Announced

What's TED?

Well, TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. More specifically, TED is an annual conference that brings together a wide spectrum of "thinkers and doers for inspiration."

The folks at TED have announced this year's TED prize winners. They include:

Cameron Sinclair, co-founder of Architecture for Humanity

Larry Brilliant, founder of the Seva Foundation

Jehane Noujaim, documentary film-maker (Control Room, Startup.com)

I'm inspired. Hope you will be too.

Posted by Jason at 7:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 12, 2005

One to Look Out For: Right To Play

I've been meaning to hip readers to this organization for a while.

Right To Play is a humanitarian organization that develops and runs sport and play programs to encourage the physical, social and emotional development of the world’s most disadvantaged children. Right To Play is supported by Olympic and Professional athletes as well as a growing number of volunteers.

As a former athlete, I sincerely believe in the power of athletic participation and its ability to positively impact a person's life. Support this org! Give this site a visit and tell others about it.

Check out the PSA here.

Posted by Jason at 1:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 4, 2005

Jenny Holzer: Art As Activism

American artist, Jenny Holzer and the public arts organization, Creative Time, will continue Ms. Holzer's artistic commentary on 9/11 and more recently the federal response(?) to Katrina this week.

Holzer will project U.S. government documents (many from 9/11 briefs) and the poems of twenty international poets on the facades of five buildings including the Rockefeller Center; the Bobst Library at NYU (Oct. 3 through 5); and the public library (Oct. 6 through 9). Read this NYT piece to learn more.

I wish I could experience this exhibit myself but travelling to New York just isn't in the cards. I'd love it if someone out in the NY area could send their thoughts (and images) on the exhibit.

Posted by Jason at 10:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack