UPDATE: Chinese artist Ai Weiwei released

After being detained by the Chinese government for the last two months, artist and activist Ai Wei Wei has been released on bail. The public outcry for his release hopefully paid into the release. Ai Wei Wei is outspoken about his government's policies; in particular to human rights. Also his art pieces help transcend these notions.

"Nicholas Bequelin, Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, welcomed news of the 54-year-old artist's release."

"His detention was political and his release is political. It is the result of a huge domestic and international outcry that forced the government to this resolution … I think Beijing realised how damaging it was to hold China's most famous artist in detention,"

story via - The New York Times

story via - The Guardian

story via - The BBC

West Village bodega Hercules’ Fancy Grocery

"Having befriended Hercules after years of visiting his store, Jody learned that his 40-year plus business was at risk of shutting down by the end of the month.

The choice for a location was clear, Store Buyout had begun.

Two days later, on May 20th 2011, the artists descended upon Hercules’ Fancy Grocery with cameras, a briefcase full of cash (gathered via three days of cash advances) and a proposition for the unsuspecting proprietor."

story via - storebuyout.com

action via - storebuyout.com

more @ fusionartsmuseum.org

Brazillian Kayapo tribe loses land to dam construction

Brazillian President Dilma Vana Rousseff has won out on the long battle to steal the Kayapo tribe's land for the use of building a hydroelectric dam. People seem more wrapped up on pointless things like the reality tv and if the so called rapture is real. Real people's lives are at stake due to human doings; no more less by gods and imaginary beings in the sky. Puts perspective on things...

Chief Raoni cries from learning his and his peoples land will be destroyed for the Belo Monte Dam



story via - amazonwatch.org

story - via: NuovaEnergia.eu

Kayapo people - via: wikipeedia

Belo Monte Dam - via: wikipedia

Single Piece Slate - personal vinyl pressing

http://singlepieceslate.com/

Lisa Gunn - Sculpture Artist: Trauma and Healing of the Body

Lisa Gunn's art is on exhibit at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. She explore's her own body's journey from the trauma she faced with her accident and its path to healing.



"Gunn's work is primarily concerned with her own personal and emotional responses to body trauma. Her sculptures focus on growth, healing and preservation, while her films explore the overwhelming power of nature and its ability to age and erode."



story - via theherbert.org

news/details - via - theherbert.org

Mexican Electrical Workers Union - Fun and Facts

Many people may have seen the slight, even humorous, spectacle that occurred at the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (Sindicato Mexicano de Electricistas - SME) protest in Mexico City. The worker's union had the support of their own El Luchador del SME.


As his presence is assuredly a welcomed if not inspiring one, the focus of the matter still lies in Mexican President Felipe Calderon's decision to lock over 44,000 SME workers out of their jobs since October 10, 2009.

"The Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME) has asked for international solidarity in resisting the government liquidation of their company, the termination of the workers, and thus the destruction of the union."

The following link provides a short statement and the email of President Felipe Calderón. Stand with the Mexican Electrical Workers Union


"Federal Police seized the plants of the Central Light and Power Company of Mexico, firing 45,000 workers and crushing the independent Mexican Electrical Workers Union." Photo: María Luisa Severiano.

story - via TALKINGUNION.COM

publications and news- via UEINTERNATIONAL.ORG

story - via LABORNOTES.ORG


Humberto Montes de Oca (left) of the Mexican Electrical Workers

VIDEO - Mexico SME Electrical Workers Report On Union Busting And Privatization Of Their Union At SFLC

pictures by protest attendees - via FLICKR.COM
pictures by protest attendees - via FLICKRIVER.COM

TOR - Internet "Traffic Analysys" software

www.torproject.org

"Using Tor protects you against a common form of Internet surveillance known as "traffic analysis." Traffic analysis can be used to infer who is talking to whom over a public network. Knowing the source and destination of your Internet traffic allows others to track your behavior and interests."

"Tor is a network of virtual tunnels that allows people and groups to improve their privacy and security on the Internet. It also enables software developers to create new communication tools with built-in privacy features. Tor provides the foundation for a range of applications that allow organizations and individuals to share information over public networks without compromising their privacy."

How TOR works