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INTRODUCTION When Americans look at a map of Asia, they see a lot of familiar countries: Vietnam, China, Burma, Thailand. But what about Laos?
This landlocked country borders nearly every other nation in Southeast Asia -- and yet we know almost nothing about it.Laos is a land of contradictions:
Mostly Buddhist, yet ruled by a one-party Communist government. Desperately poor, yet famously kind. Centrally located, yet ignored by all.The most
peculiar fact about Laos: It is the most heavily bombed country in human history. But why? And how does a nine-year "Secret War" affect
the nation today?
ABOUT ME I am a writer, photographer and stage-performer based in Pittsburgh. For 10 years, I have written about arts, culture and global travel for
newspapers and magazines. In 2009, I trekked through the former Yugoslavia by bus, which inspired my book "The Archipelago: A Balkan Passage," published
in 2011 by Autumn House Press. The book concerns the postwar experience in Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia.This book has launched the next stage of my
writing career: To visit countries that have experienced major national trauma, and describe their recovery.
THE PROJECT I will visit Laos, starting in late April 2011. While I will travel as a civilian and tourist, I will document my travels and correspond
with my backers. Based on this exploration, I will write a book-length manuscript and produce a series of photo-essays.The project takes its name from
the annual Rocket Festival, a celebration of fertility and the oncoming rainy season. Laotians fire enormous bamboo rockets into the sky, to earn
prestige for their families and in the hopes of a bountiful harvest. I feel this an apt metaphor for the optimism and tenacity of this deeply damaged state.
YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT My trip through the Balkans cost only $1,700, including round-trip airfare from Pittsburgh to Athens, Greece. This resulted in an
acclaimed book, a successful reading-tour, and a smash-hit one-man-show, performed at Future Tenant Gallery in Pittsburgh. I funded the trip myself.For
this project, I am soliciting $1,500 in donations in order to fly to Bangkok, Thailand, then take an overland route to Laos. I am well-known for my light
and frugal travel habits, and this budget should perfectly suit the project.
All backers will enjoy regular dispatches and exclusive excerpts from "The Rocket Festival" manuscript. Your support will not only help bring a hybrid
of journalism and art into the world -- you will also aid in re-introducing two disparate cultures, once bound by politics, history, and a forgotten
migration.
Anyone who has ever visited a film set is often struck by the snail's pace and how "hurry up and wait" is the movie mantra.
That won't be the case this weekend when nearly three dozen Pittsburgh teams participate in the 48 Hour Film Project. They will meet tonight at Cattivo in Lawrenceville to receive a genre, character, prop and line of dialogue they must incorporate in the four- to seven-minute short they have to write, cast, shoot, edit and deliver by 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Kahmeela Adams, returning with Nina Gibbs as a producer of the Pittsburgh leg of the competition, said some new teams and faces are expected this year. An early meet-and-greet produced buzz and excitement, along with the feeling that people "are looking to have a good time and prove to themselves what they can do."
Ms. Adams has been sending e-mails to registrants with hints on how to prepare themselves mentally, particularly when it comes to getting to know members of their team.
"The most important thing is to stick to assigned roles ... It can get to be a bit overwhelming when you have five or six people trying to write one script in a short amount of time."
Sometimes, the snafu can be machine-made, not man-made.
"Computer problems, that's usually the big thing. We had a team that brought in a laptop and equipment while they were trying to convert the film on disc," Ms. Adams recalled of a troupe that missed the deadline and was unable to qualify for prizes other than those voted by the audience.
Three sets of films will be screened for the public Aug. 18 and 19, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave. (admission is $8 or $6 with valid student ID for each round, or $20 or $15 for students for all three).
Judges will be actors David Conrad and Jonathan Adams and Dreaming Ant owner Dean Brandt.
A dozen contenders will be shown at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Kelly-Strayhorn with winners announced that night. Admission, again $8 or $6.
Makers of the top Pittsburgh film will receive a $100 cash prize, trophy and moviemaking software along with the chance to compete at Filmapalooza, the project's annual awards.
Last-minute teams can register today but must arrive by 6 p.m. and pay $155. Go to www.48hourfilm.com/pittsburgh for more information.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10225/1079640-60.stm#ixzz0waqeDlUW
ArtDimensions Pittsburgh, in partnership with 48-Hour Film Project, is calling for artists to contribute to its next exhibit, Hollywood N'at. The exhibit, on Thursday, August 26, will be in the lobby of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in conjunction with the Best-of-Screening/Awards ceremony for the 48-Hour Film Project. We invite artists to creatively give their take on Hollywood for this excellent opportunity. Besides regular exhibit traffic, the art will be seen by the scores of 48-Hour Film Project attendees. If interested, please send an e-mail to info@ArtDimensionsPittsburgh.com.
Drop-off date: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 from 7 - 9 p.m. at ArtD Lawrenceville (4719 Hatfield Street, 15201)
ArtD member Darrell Kinsel's installation "Recreating Havoc" is July 12 at Future Tenant (819 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222). It will be up every day after the 12th for three weeks. It's great exposure for Darrell, especially as it coincides with the quarterly Gallery Crawl July 16. Make plans to attend.
Whether you are old-school or an amateur, come recharge or reset at ArtD's next Breifcase. ArtD members attend for free, $5 for nonmembers. The day's curriculum includes Bold Bios and Savvy Statements; Budgets, Time & Pricing, Oh My!; Professionally Preparing Your Art for an Exhibit; Selling Through Social Networking; and Public Relations Practices and Pitfalls. Come for the education, stay for the free give-away. Lunch will be provided. Any questions, please let us know. If you're interested, please register officially by sending an e-mail to ArtDimensionsPittsburgh@gmail.com no later than Friday at 5 p.m.
PITTSBURGH — Local songwriter Seán O’Donnell presents his first studio album, Emotional Apocrypha of the Bubblegum Gospel, available June 17 online and in area record stores. A mix of surreal love-songs and psych-folk ballads, Apocrypha showcases O’Donnell’s unique lo-fi, DIY ethic and influences. The album is produced and distributed by Monkey Corner Records. To celebrate the album’s release, O’Donnell will unveil the album during a lively singer-songwriter concert at Club Café, Thu., June 17, 7 p.m. Albums will be available for a special price of $5. Fans also can find the album online, where it is available for streaming in its entirety.
Check out our Past Events section of our website. Recently added stories include the ArtDimensions Pittsburgh origin story. Davide Weaver is our hero in The Euphony Lounge and The Pittsburgh Connection.
Maybe the most enjoyable experience we had while being altruistic was the art auction for Autism Speaks. Sean O'Donnell's social network took over 6000 Penn Avenue, inspired us with great art and raised $3,000. Read more in Past Events... Flyer artwork donated by Jessica Scott.
Call To Artists
The Open Door Church, in partnership with Hot Metal Faith Community, is calling for artists
for this year’s Stations of the Cross to be shown from Wednesday, March 31st to Friday,
April 2nd at Hot Metal’s building (2700 Jane Street in the South Side).
The Stations of the Cross depict the last hours of Jesus’ life and his crucifixion.
We invite local artists to creatively interpret the stations in any medium. The show will
be arranged in a way that encourages meditation and chronological progression, and will be
open to the public.
If interested, email lindsayjoos@gmail.com your preferred station. For large-scale projects,
please inquire about spatial restrictions. Stations will be claimed on a first come-first
served basis.
Drop-off date: Tuesday evening, March 30: 2700 Jane Street, Pittsburgh
Pick-up date: Saturday, April 3