Ian Bunn | Political & Popular Culture Arts

Opening salvo over dissolution of American Empire (November 11th)

David Rolfe Graeber the 50 year old US anthropologist and anarchist is being hailed as the anti-leader of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Graeber has been profiled by Drake Bennett  in Business Week as “a key member of a small band of activists who quietly planned, then noisily carried out, the occupation of Lower Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park, providing the focal point for what has grown into an amorphous global movement known as Occupy Wall Street.” Graeber although not the movements spokesperson, provides a favorable voice to the protests comparing them to the Arab Spring. Graeber, having an impressive history of both direct and indirect involvement in political activism, claims the contemporary Occupy Wall Street grassroots protest movement represents “the opening salvo in a wave of negotiations over the dissolution of the American Empire.”

Inspired by Drake Bennett http://ow.ly/7dQIO image source David Graeber http://ow.ly/7dRGs

We're here to get revenge (October 30th)

Sam Mullet the 66 year old US Amish leader of a breakaway group is alleged to be responsible for encouraging five of his cult members to attack the bishop of another Amish community. Mullet’s two sons Lester and Johnny along with three others illegally entered the home of a 74 year old Amish bishop from a mainstream Amish community in an Ohio nearby county, using clippers and scissors attacked the man and his son removing their beards. The beards of Amish men have a religious significance, growing them from adulthood and ceasing to trim them upon marriage. Mullet claims the beards were cut after he received criticism regarding his leadership of the breakaway cult, and was meant to humiliate and punish. Mullet denies have given his approval for the attack, but claims he would not have intervened to stop them.

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Man Who Broke the Bank of England (October 29th)

George Soros the 81 year old Hungarian born US financier and philanthropist supporter of progressive liberal causes has been speculated by critics such as the right wing extremist radio host Rush Limbaugh as providing financial backing to the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ grassroots movement. Soros known as “the Man Who Broke the Bank of England” because of his US$1 billion in investment profits during the 1992 Black Wednesday UK currency crisis, is one of the 10 wealthiest US citizens with a net worth estimated at US$22 billion, and has given away through philanthropic causes US$8 billion since 1979. Soros played a crucial role in the collapse of Eastern Europe communism, as an advocate of ‘open societies’, financially supporting dissidents including Poland’s Solidarity movement. Soros is the chairman of the Open Society Institute, and former board member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Inspired by Jason Linkins http://ow.ly/6YFSM image source WEF http://ow.ly/6YFYf

I think they’re just unhappy people (October 27th)

Amy Kremer a former flight attendant and now chairwoman of the US extremist group the ‘Tea Party Express’, has expressed outrage at comparisons being made with her group to the burgeoning ‘Occupy Wall Street’ grassroots movement. In an interview with POLITICO, Kremer ironically pointed out the OWS movement “don’t even know why they’re out there protesting on Wall Street. I don’t think it’s the left’s answer to the tea party movement … I think they’re just unhappy people that don’t know really what they want… The tea party movement … the thing is, we’ve matured.” The TPE under Kremer’s leadership now endorses and promotes ultra right wing Christian conservative candidates running for state and federal offices. VP Joe Biden drew a comparison referring to both movements initial origins stating, “There’s a lot in common with the tea party”.

Inspired by Min Jung Lee http://ow.ly/6ZjUM image source bildungblog http://ow.ly/6ZkiZ

Herculean struggle with US establishment (October 26th)

Franklin Edward “Frank” Kameny a US gay rights activist and deemed one of the most significant figures has died at the age of 86. Kameny was dismissed in 1957 from his position as an astronomer in the Army Map Service because of his sexuality, leading him to begin “a Herculean struggle with the American establishment” that would “spearhead a new period of militancy in the gay rights movement of the early 1960s”. Kameny protested his dismissal and argued this case to the United States Supreme Court in 1961. Although unsuccessful in his petition, it was notable as the first civil rights claim based on sexual orientation. In 1963 Kameny launched a campaign to overturn sodomy laws and became the first openly gay candidate for the United States Congress, personally drafting a bill that finally passed in 1993.

Inspired by Linda Hirshman http://ow.ly/6ZkWk image source DCVirago http://ow.ly/6ZkSM

Get this man a plate of food (October 25th)

Michael Rubens Bloomberg the 69 year old US businessman Mayor of New York City visited the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement at Zuccotti Park. Although the visit was brief, he addressed members of the movement informing them they would need to vacate the park in order for it to be ‘cleaned’. Brookfield Properties the owners of the park had complained to the NYPD that concerned citizens and office workers were reporting lewdness, groping, drinking, drug use, unsanitary conditions and offensive odors, from and around the park. However members of the movement voiced concerns that it was an attempt to evict them from the park and prevent them from bringing back camping equipment. Bloomberg later confirmed the ‘cleaning’ had been postponed and the movement could stay “indefinitely”. Bloomberg has a 2011 personal net worth of $18.1 billion.

Inspired by Max Read http://ow.ly/6ZlfK image source Rubenstein http://ow.ly/6ZlzW

Tell her story, as she lived it (October 14th)

Courtney Michelle Love the 37 year old US singer-songwriter and co-founder of alternative rock band Hole, described by Rolling Stone as “the most controversial woman in rock history”, has announced she will be writing a “no holds barred” memoir. The memoir according to publishers “is time for the public to hear her tell her story, as she lived it”. The book will disclose her drug abuse, her private family relationships with her daughter and late husband Kurt Cobain, the former lead vocal of Nirvana. Rock biographer Anthony Bozza will be “setting the record straight” as co-author of the book, with her publisher claiming “Courtney is one of the most fascinating and provocative artists of our time … She is one of those rare performers who continues to reinvent herself time and again throughout the arc of her career”.

Inspired by BBC http://ow.ly/6KMUS image source appolinar http://ow.ly/6KMSE

A visual reflection on his travels in Asia series (October 13th)

Robert Allen Zimmerman the 70 year old US musician and painter known as Bob Dylan, is now reported to have copyright license to the images he has used in the creation of his paintings. Questions have arisen about whether the paintings are based on the singer’s “own experiences and observations, or on photographs that are widely available and were not taken by Mr. Dylan”. Dylan’s gallery Gagosian states that “While the composition of some of Bob Dylan’s paintings are based on a variety of sources, including archival, historic images, the paintings’ vibrancy and freshness come from the colors and textures found in everyday scenes he observed during his travels”. However the Gagosian web site promotion states the paintings are “a visual reflection on his travels in Japan, China, Vietnam, and Korea”.

Inspired by Ann Binlot http://ht.ly/6HMk8 image source Alberto Cabello http://ow.ly/6KMJB

The most upwardly mobile Greek since Icarus (October 9th)

Arianna Huffington [Stasinopoulos] the 61 year old Greek born US columnist and co-founder of the news website The Huffington Post, has been profiled by Vogue Magazine as “slightly teeter-tottery.” Huffinton’s profile included observations from her colleague and former other Huffington Post co-founder Kenny Lerer, refuting Huffinton’s claim of de-emphasizing the politics of the liberal website, stating the site had never been left wing to begin with, and was only seeking to pacify advertisers by appearing to move away from progressive stances on issues. The profile included descriptions of Huffinton’s clothing tastes, including the excessive use of thick makeup and the drinking of cappuccinos’ with a straw. Huffington is the ex-wife of former Republican congressman Michael Huffington, and stood as an independent candidate for Governor in the 2003 California recall election.

Inspired by Kat Stoeffel http://ow.ly/6FY4J image source Jezebel http://ow.ly/6FYFN

Was it has to be transformed for a purpose (September 28th)

Richard Prince the 61 year old US painter and photographer, renown for appropriation of photographs and their ‘re-photographing’, continues to contest his right to use material alleged to be in violation of copyright laws. French photographer Patrick Cariou filed suit against Prince’s work ‘Canal Zone’ for copyright infringement and financial harm that had been caused, due to his own show being cancelled as a result of Prince’s exhibition of the material. A US District Court ruled Prince’s use of the material was not fair use, however Prince has won the right to appeal to the Federal Court to contest the decision. Prince is famous for his series the Cowboys, a group of rephotographs created from 1980 to 1992 from Marlboro cigarette advertisements, the Marlboro Man represents an idealized figure of American masculinity.

Inspired by Kate Deimling http://ht.ly/6wEfP image source  Drpaluga http://ow.ly/6y44s

As they bantered online for all to see (September 27th)

Joe McGinniss the 68 year old US author of bestselling nonfiction and novels has released his latest politically sensitive book ‘The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin’ to much fanfare and outrage. McGinniss had rented the neighboring Alaskan house next to Pain for over 12 months. Palin responded with a 4.2m fence to block McGinniss’s view, as they bantered online for all to see. The books release has unveiled allegations that Palin, said to be a racist had a short relationship with a black college student, an affair with a business partner of her husbands, and had used drugs. McGinniss achieved overnight success at age 26, with his bestseller ‘The Selling of the President’. The book described the 1968 marketing of Richard Nixon during his presidential campaign. While initially turned down by the Hubert Humphrey campaign, Nixon’s agreed.

Inspired by Rupert Cornwell http://ow.ly/6xv8I image source eurweb http://ow.ly/6xv7z

Greatest and most influential live performers ever (September 24th)

Edward Regan “Eddie” Murphy the 50 year old US comedian and actor has been announced as the next host of the Academy Awards, following the James Franco and Anne Hathaway comedic hosting of last year’s awards. Murphy will again join up with director Brett Ratner who is producing the awards show, after having starred in his latest movie ‘Tower Heist’. Ratner released a statement stating “Eddie is a comedic genius, one of the greatest and most influential live performers ever. With his love of movies, history of crafting unforgettable characters and his iconic performances — especially onstage — I know he will bring an excitement, spontaneity and tremendous heart to the show”. Murphy is also a singer and musician having also performed in a music video featuring Michael Jackson titled ‘Whatzupwitu’.

Inspired by Susan King http://ow.ly/6tXt2 image source David Shankbone http://ow.ly/6tXs8

Publishing as a set of expressionistic possibilities (September 23rd)

Darya Alexandrovna Zhukova the 30 year old Russian born US magazine editor has released the inaugural issue of the Garage magazine to much fanfare, with the inclusion on its cover of a Damien Hirst design of a butterfly tattoo created around a 23 year old model’s vagina. Zhukova who founded the IRIS Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting contemporary culture, was previously the Editor-in-Chief of Pop fashion magazine before resigning to create her own. In an interview with ArtInfo, Zhukova defined the concept for the Garage magazine as “Our aim is not to be controversial; instead … about providing a unique viewing experience. Admittedly, it is a magazine, but it really functions as an object, a space for ambitious projects to flourish, which is why the first issue has three different covers”.

Inspired by Andrew Goldstein http://ow.ly/6tXWn image source sherdog.net http://ow.ly/6tXVU

I'm interested in exploring another art form (September 16th)

Steven Andrew Soderbergh the 48 year old Academy Award winning US film director has now denied that he is retiring from the film industry to pursue a career as a painting artist. Earlier in March of this year Soderbergh had confirmed he would be retiring from filmmaking to explore painting once he had completed the two films he was currently working on, stating “when you reach the point where you’re saying, ‘If I have to get into a van to do another scout, I’m just going to shoot myself,’ it’s time to let somebody who’s still excited about getting in the van, get the van.” Initially stating that “I’m interested in exploring another art form”, Soderbergh is now stating, “It’s less dramatic that it sounds – it’s just a sabbatical”.

Inspired by Andrew Goldstein http://ow.ly/6lx7p image source Nicolas Genin http://ow.ly/6lxho

Put citizenship ahead of partisanship (September 14th)

Howard Schultz the 58 year old US businessman, billionaire and CEO of Starbucks global reach of 17000 stores has come out in protest at the political wrangling that he claims is wreaking havoc on the US economy. Schultz claims the rancor between the US political parties has caused a “crisis of confidence”, needing urgent rectification. In a series of newspaper open letter advertisements, Schultz calls for a forum to demand an end to the bipartisan nature that has crept into the nation’s political behavior, stating “We must send the message to today’s elected officials … that the time to put citizenship ahead of partisanship is now”. Schultz along with the support of over 100 corporations have pledged to no longer contribute to either political party until the wrangling stopped.

Inspired by Sarah Skidmore http://ow.ly/6lw2k image source Sillygwailo http://ow.ly/6lwcl

You're either a luvvy or a boffin (September 10th)

Eric Emerson Schmidt the 56 year old US engineer and Chairman of Google delivered the annual Edinburgh MacTaggart lecture, where he provided a cutting critique on the education system in the UK. Schmidt cited a two camp system with “a drift to the humanities… To use what I’m told is the local vernacular, you’re either a luvvy or a boffin”. Schmidt stated that while the UK had a record of innovation, it was failing industrially to make the transition from concept to production, “The UK is the home of so many media-related inventions. You invented photography. You invented TV, yet today, none of the world’s leading exponents in these fields are from the UK. Thank you for your innovation, thank you for your brilliant ideas. You’re not taking advantage of them on a global scale.”

Inspired by James Robinson http://ow.ly/6fit0 image source Guillaume Paumier http://ow.ly/6fiAk

Ellen F. Steinberg known as Annie M. Sprinkle the 57 year old US performance artist and former prostitute actress renowned as the “prostitute and porn star turned sex educator and artist” has embarked on a new work with her partner Elizabeth Stephens, launching an art movement manifesto titled ‘Exosex’. The work fuses Steinberg’s fetishistic interests of taboo human sexuality with environmental themes, creating ‘Sexecology’ as a new discipline with Ecosexual themes since her marriage to the Earth and taking it as her lover to explore places where sexology and ecology intersect. Themes include ‘The Ecstasy of Gardening’, ‘Anal Ecology’ and ‘Greening the sex industry’. Steinberg’s work since the age of 17 has been about sexuality with an unusual political and spiritual bent, taking on the name ‘Annie’ when first starting in pornography.

Inspired by Ben Davis http://ow.ly/65g5e image source Wikipedia http://ow.ly/65gq9

Johnny Reid “John” Edwards the 57 year old US former presidential candidate had refused to answer a series of questions under oath during a deposition relating to a privacy lawsuit between his former mistress and mother of his child Rielle Hunter, and a former campaign aide Andrew Young. Young had allegedly improperly obtained from her a reputed sex video tape involving Edwards. Edwards will now face questioning under the direct supervision of a Superior Court Judge to rule on the questioning fairness, and to decide on what may be released to the press. Hunter’s suit against Young is for the return of the video tape, however the issue of a witness’s right to refuse questions that unreasonably annoy or embarrass, and the medias right to report lay at the heart of the legal debate.

Inspired by Ned Barnett ow.ly/4KADi image source Wikipedia ow.ly/4KAIB