Sunday, October 3, 2010

US apologizes for infecting Guatemalans with STDs in the 1940s

Crimes. The study "appears to have been funded" by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, he said, citing four primary ethical violations: 1) study subjects "were members of one or more vulnerable populations;" 2) there is no evidence they gave informed consent; 3) they were often deceived about what was being done to them; 4) they were intentionally infected with pathogens that could cause serious illness without their understanding or consent. Where are compensations? If, as joint statement states, “the study does not represent the values of the United States”, crimes should not be repeated. Unfortunately subsequent wars where the US got involved suggest otherwise.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Scott said to me that he was determined to put his album out

I met Scott, 40 and his partner Sandy, 45 at Thirroul station. I chatted with them as always I do with interesting people whom I meet in public space. They were kind enough to permit me taking a few photos of them. Scott and Sandy sing at public places and collect 30~40 dollars a day. Scott was in the paint mixing trade and lost his job six months ago. He is trying to find a new job. Sandy is on pension due to her medical condition. They have been together for last six years. Scott is a country music man. He and Sandy sang a couple of songs for me – John Denver, Glen Campbell, Neil Diamond etc. It didn't take long for them to get and audience around them. A gleaming young blind woman came up to him and said “I can’t see you but your singing is beautiful”. Scott is of Aboriginal background. He was a guitarist cum singer for a band till a few years ago and had had an agent also. That was a good time. Scott has put lyrics his cousin wrote for him, into songs. His album is ready and he is trying to get it out. I told him stories of Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Scott said to me that he was determined to put his album out. 

Home


I am back home photographing for my most favourite essay "Home". Amanda is enjoying her TV time watching Johnny Cash while Ruch and Milith engaging themselves in drawing and building blocks.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Etiquette. Campbelltown Art Centre

During 2010 Campbelltown Arts Centre is expanding its program of live performance to include a range of works that push at the boundary of contemporary performance and actively engage with audiences, location and site. The first work to be presented as part of the Live Program is Etiquette by innovative UK-based company Rotozaza. It will be performed in Campbelltown Arts Centre’s CafĂ© from 19 April until 2 May.

Etiquette is a 30 minute live experience for two people who simultaneously play the roles of performer and audience. Etiquette will quite literally draw you into a gripping and highly personal performance. Taking a seat with a friend or stranger, and using separate headphones, you follow instructions and act out the performance together, inhabiting roles in a series of short scenes, many borrowed from film and theatre. This fascinating show opened in London in 2007 and has been performed around the world, including England, Australia, Canada and Spain.

"gripping... If the line between audience and performer seems blurred, Rotozaza’s 'Etiquette' erases it entirely." New York Times/Herald Tribune

“Etiquette explores the gap between language and meaning. In creating an entirely private space in a public setting, something extraordinary happens.” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Etiquette is available at Campbelltown Arts Centre every day from 19 April until 2 May at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. There will be afternoon/ evening performances from Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 April, and on Saturday 1 May at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. Bookings with a friend are advised as participation requires two people per session.

Rotozaza are based in London and Brighton, UK. The writer and director Ant Hampton formed Rotozaza in 1998 and joined with performer Silvia Mercuriali shortly afterwards to make the second show [DUE] in Milan, Italy, 1999. They have been working together in different ways and in various countries and languages on over 20 Rotozaza productions. Since 2003 the work has involved particularly close collaborations with Neil Bennun, Greg McLaren and Melanie Wilson.

Campbelltown Arts Centre is a multidisciplinary contemporary arts centre located in Western Sydney. Since opening in 2005 the Centre has pioneered a contemporary arts program that engages with critical issues of our times. The Centre supports the research, development and production of new work and creates platforms for multidisciplinary arts practice.

To make a booking for Etiquette or for more information, contact the Campbelltown Arts Centre Box Office on 4645 4100 or email artscentre@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au. Campbelltown Arts Centre is located at the corner of Camden and Appin Roads Campbelltown.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Martin has a dream





Martin is 20 and a juggler. He's lost his job a couple of months ago. I met him at the Martin Luther King Jr mural in Newtown when I was on a photo shoot there. Martin has got a dream to realize i.e. to become a trainer in juggling. He performs at the space around the 'I have a dream' mural everyday. This space is his theatre. Daniela, 27 met Martin a year ago there. She studies Social Welfare at TAFE. Daniela often brings her study material to Martin's theatre to read.