H.O.P.E for Darfur

H.O.P.E for Darfur
is part of Human Rights First. The acronym stands for Help Organize a Peace Envoy.

These pendants are courtesy of the artist, Janna Weinstein, who has created and donated these pieces to Hope for Darfur. Each one is $50, and the site explains that 80% of the profit will go directly towards the campaign for peace in Darfur.

Take a minute or two and browse the site, sign the petition and learn more about another tragic moment in our history. Buy a necklace and make your outward "never again" statement. That statement does not only apply to the Jewish Holocaust, it means that NEVER AGAIN should we, as people living in comfort, sit idle as people are suffering and dying around the world.

I like that they are using art as activism. It is huge that this artist is donating her time to create all of these pendants. Leave a comment when you receive yours - maybe send a photo!

Tracked: Performance Installation - Almost here!

I've gotten some great response to my performance installation which is opening next week. I'm working on the invitation and submitting info for the press release. Here's a sneak peak at the invite.

Tap me on my shoulder, and tell me . . .

that my plane bound for home has arrived. - paraphrased quote from Richard Blanco, poet and civil engineer

I was struck by his precise descriptions about home, place, identity and being a poet. I have been trying to find the interview on NPR's site, so that I could listen to it again more carefully. While I was tempted to pull off to the side of the road to take notes, I made do by writing without looking.

He is a poet and a civil engineer who was born in Cuba, and lived in Miami for a while before living in Connecticut. I have been grappling with many of the ideas he spoke of in this interview, and had a long discussion about the issues with my hunny (who is from Trinidad). Blanco's new book is Directions to the Beach of the Dead. No time for fancy linking, just follow this link to read more about him and his work: http://www.richard-blanco.com/Directions_to_the_Beach_of_the_Dead.php .

For lack of time, and being bummed about not finding the interview, I will list some thoughts:

1- When you are exiled from the country where you were born, does your new city/country become your home?

2- What becomes of the place you called home, previously?

3 - What are the reasons people are exiled from a home country? And, why do some feel they can never go back? (politics, business, religion, sexuality)

4 - Is there some common feeling among exiles, such as an overall sense of displacement no matter where they live after leaving the home country?

5- While many people who leave Latin America and the Caribbean arrive in Miami, to what extent is Miami part of the Lat. Am/Caribbean imaginary?

6 - Can a new location ever replace, in the mind of the exile, the idea of home? Does anyone ever come to claim a new location as "home?" Does this relegate the country of birth to merely a place of origin, with no attachments?

7- To what extent does family ties in another country affect an exiles' ability to restablish "home" in a new location?

Any thoughts, from exiles or otherwise, I would love to hear your feedback.

BabLar @ NYC Pride - Invitation

I received this evite from my subscription to Staceyann Chin's mailing list. I wish I was going to be in NYC later this month to support and join in on the action. Passing it along to all of you, in the hopes that someone will carry my spirit there. . . let me know . . .





Host: Marta, Andrea and Staceyann
Location: Pride March Starting Line5th Ave and 52nd Street, New York, NY View Map
When: Sunday, June 25, 12:00pm

Dear friends,

We would like to extend an invitation to all of you to march with a collective of Black and Latina Lesbians and our allies in the Annual New York City Gay Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25th 2006. This invitation is open to official or unofficial groups, organizations, and individuals who wish to march and support the issues that our collective will be highlighting on this day. For more information, please see BABLAR's (Black and Brown Lesbians against Racism) statement of intent which you should receive via email. If you are interested in marching or helping with this event, please respond to this e-mail indicating your particular interest. You may also send any inquiries to bablar2006@gmail.com. Feel free to circulate this e-mail to all who may be interested. HAPPY PRIDE! Marta, Andrea and StaceyannBabLar: Black and Brown Lesbians Against RacismWe are Black and Latina lesbians committed to highlighting issues of race and racism as they pertain to Black and Latina women, and girls, and how those issues are addressed in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community.We begin with the premise that women, and therefore lesbians, are still OPPRESSED. As Black and Latina Lesbians, our issues are specific to us and simultaneously connected to the larger Black and Latino communities.It is the duty of the LGBT community to address issues affecting Black and Latina lesbian communities. Our issues are often invisible within the larger discourse about LGBTQ issues.

Tracked - a performance installation

On July 4, 2006, I will present a performance installation, entitled Tracked at Art Center/South Florida’s window at 924 Lincoln Road. This piece will cost approximately $1160 to construct. I am reaching out to people that I know would support this type of artistic creation in our community. With your sponsorship, I will be able to bring this project to fruition. Below is a description of the project, and how you can help.


Tracked is a performance installation which seeks to address the way that people are tracked, traced, tapped and ultimately trapped by government and commercial surveillance. This site specific work consists of a wooden maze, vertically facing Lincoln Road. From the pedestrian mall, viewers will be able to watch as the artist crawls, climbs and attempts to navigate the maze. This navigation is akin to our movement in our everyday lives. Everywhere that we go – the grocery store, the gas station, a café – we leave behind a trail which can detail the pattern of our lives. The trail is in the form of a credit card swipe, a telephone call, or a zip code given to a store clerk. In this constructed maze, the feeling of being trapped by this trail is heightened due to the space confinement. Using the body as part of this performance installation, viewers can connect on a personal level, and draw parallels to the way their own lives are tracked by a variety of sources. Tracked will open on July 4, 2006, at 7PM with a premier performance. It will run through July 18, 2006, with performances every Tuesday and Thursday at a TBD time.


How you can help: (send payment via paypal - donation button to the right)

Sponsorship ___$50 ___$100 ___$150 ___$200 $ _____(other)

How would you like to be recognized in the advertisements? (name or company name/logo)


If you have a logo, please send it to lara_steinpardo@hotmail.com.

I thank you for your support, and I look forward to seeing you at opening night. If you have any questions for me, please call 305-775-9683 or email. If you would like to speak with the Art Center, please contact Claire Breukel - 305-674-8278, or cbreukel@artcentersf.org.

Why be an Optimist?

Memorial day never used to mean much to me. I am against the war, and do not hold too much weight for the overall good of the military. However, with the passing of both of my grandfathers in the past year, I had to pause to at least think about what it meant to be part of the military. They, of course, had no choice, but to be in the military. My paternal grandfather, was, as I like to call him, a reluctant soldier. He didn't want to be where he was, but he figured he'd make the best of it. He took these amazing candid photographs of fellow soldiers totally goofing around!

My maternal grandfather had a lung condition and was forbidden to participate in combat. He was a weatherman, and absolutely loved it. That was what we connected about when I was a kid - the weather. And, people joke about discussing the weather, but with him, it was the greatest way to spend an afternoon.

My maternal grandfather was in the Optimist's Club, and for the longest time, I thought this was something like a Rotary Club, a civic organization of some sort. Recently, at a bed and breakfast, I was drinking tea out of a mug, and it was imprinted with the Optimist's Creed. What? It's really about being an optimist!

So, I thought again about both of my grandfathers and how they really did look to the bright side of things. I felt that on this Memorial Day, (well, a day after), I would post this creed in their honor, and try to live a little of it.

Optimist's Club Creed
Promise yourself . . .

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something of value in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistake so the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit presence of trouble.

note from a student

I've been quiet on here, but super busy otherwise. School is wrapping up, and I only have a day and a half left as a high school teacher. Now it's starting to hit home . . . it's bittersweet to say the least. I hope that I can keep up with some of my former students.

Here's what one of the said, as a comment on my website.

hi ms. s! i see that you're doing a wonderful job with your web page and i wanted to drop by and say hi and to say that i'm really going to miss you this next school semester. you're the best! don't forget me and thankyou for opening my world even more to art.'] your student, Vicky Quintana

Thanks, Vicky!

Hurricane Preparedness

How do you know when it's almost Hurricane Season? When, at 1 PM students peek outside the classroom door and are afraid they signed up for night school. Oh, and when the news media starts showing more satellite pictures like this one from the Miami Herald (5/16/06).

For the past two days the earth has poured down, gusted winds and even hailed all over the Miami area, and left many wondering if they're prepared for the upcoming Hurricane Season. I, a Miami native, feel like I've got a handle on it. I know what to do, when to do it, and I DO IT! This is not one of those things you can procrastinate about. If you aren't prepared for a storm, it's still coming. The good news is that there is a lot people can do now to help themselves out during a storm. It really scares me to think that folks still believe that zig-zagging masking tape over their windows will prevent anything! So, if you read this, pass it along and spread the knowledge. Help each other stay safe and be prepared.

There are several sites you can go to for a lot of information (weed through what you know, and you'll get some good tips)
National Hurricane Center
FEMA (I know, I know, but it has some info)
Florida Disaster Site

Here's what my family and I do:

1. Get together a Hurricane Kit,yes an actual bag, box or something, which includes food and water for 2 days of more, for each person, flashlights, batteries, battery-operated radio/tv, an old-fashioned plug-into-the-wall phone, sanitary items (wipes, tampons, toilet paper), and games (Cranium and Uno are my favorites).

2. Close the shutters early.

3.When you hear that a storm is coming, fill up your gas tank, and keep filling it up until you are home for the duration of the storm.

4. Pick a location where everyone in your family will go when a storm is coming, and go there ASAP.

5. Charge cell phones, laptops and cameras so you can still use them after the power is out. Last year my power was out for two weeks! And, dammit, I need to take pictures. Seriously, though, you'll want your cell phone,laptop and camera operational for use after the storm.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IS MAY 21 - 27

caribbean woman writer as scholar

The Caribbean Woman Writer as Scholar: Imagining/Theorizing/Creating
May 30 - June 3, 2006, Hollywood, Florida

At the end of this month, I will be presenting a paper at the Caribbean Woman Writer as Scholar Conference, put together by African New World Studies at FIU. I have received the preliminary program and it looks to be a jam packed conference with presentations, art, performance and good company. Some of the topics include: Caribbean Spirituality; Race, Nation and Imagination in Caribbean Women's Writing; Zami, Sexuality and the Politics of Desire; Beyond the Mother Construct; Language, Voice and Caribbean Women Writers; and Unpacking Masculinities.

Here is a brief description of my presentation:

The Rests between the Beats: Addressing the Silencing of a Voice

In addressing the systematic silencing of Caribbean women, we often look to the outside world for rationale. However, just as internalized racism causes much harm, so too does internal silencing. For women who self-identify as artists, scholars, writers or activists, the time in between “productive” activity can produce a heavy burden. These women may feel a loss of self-esteem, self-worth or direction. Or, they may simply abandon their passion along the way. This work in progress attempts to uncover women’s views on this silent period, and how their internal dialogue is exists with societal systems of racism, sexism and homophobia. This work will be part of a larger work in which I address the ways in which Afro-Caribbean women utilize their bodies to explore theories on exile and displacement.

artists' exchange: create and share

A fellow artist and I discussed swapping pieces of work. Well, actually, she brought it up and I was hesitant. I thought, "Give away my artwork, why the heck would I do that?" Later on, I realized that she had a point, we could all benefit by sharing our work with fellow artists. I see two primary reasons: 1) Community is hard to come by,and 2) my old work ends up sitting in a box in my studio. Instead, I'd like to get in out there into the world again, and bring someone else's work into my home and small art collection.

So, this is my proposal, and it is limited to visual artists, at this point in time. Find one piece of work in your studio, and exchange it with another talented artist for one of theirs. There aren't necessarily any size limitations, but the artist is responsible for shipping of the work, therefore it may be worthwhile to pick an unframed work, and let the other party handle that. The work should be something that you consider some of your best work, not something headed for the trash (although maybe to some self-deprecating people, that is their best work, and they just are too hard-headed to see it . . . but that's another discussion for another day). This swap is limited to those who view themselves as professional artists (meaning that in your head, or in reality, that is your primary occupation). In this way, we can ensure the highest quality of the work to be swapped, and artists won't feel jipped out of their hard-produced work.

Once you get your artist swap partner, send or deliver the work to them by June 9 (sooner is ok, later is not!) Please only sign up if you feel you can commit to sending a fellow artist one piece of work by the deadline. It would be a shame to have a one-ended swap and a sad artist.

And, by the middle of June, each of us will have a new piece of artwork by a talented artist. How's that for starting an art collection and community building at the same time?!

Get started, create and share
You'll need to set up a free swap-bot account and enter the password "artist" to join the swap, as it is not a public swap.

Email me with any questions or concerns:
reachout@larasteinpardo.com

Travel and Research in Cuba Threatened

In a ridiculous attempt to ban intellectual pursuits and creative knowledge, Florida's Legislature has approved a ban on travel to Cuba by students and professors. While they say that this only applies to those trips using certain funds, it includes nearly all possibilities a student or professor has - grants and even private donations! Private donations! That means that they are legislating organizations which are not even technically under governmental authority.
But, that point is merely an adjunct issue to the main issue- Why place this ban on research, education and outreach? Many important projects take place in Cuba, and Florida has a particularly important role to play in keeping up with Caribbean nations - blockade or not. Their rationale is that Cuba is a "terrorist state," and the money will benefit this "terrorist nation." That is really a load of garbage. What it is doing is keeping knowledge about Cuba out of the US, that is the true intention. People fear what they do not know, and this is a propagation of that intention.

I urge you to write to dissuade the governor from passing this bill. Without the ability to pursue research or other creative/intellectual endeavors, we are only hurting ourselves with self-imposed ignorance.



My senior thesis was on Judaism in Havana, Cuba. A photo series can be viewed on my website. I completed this research at the University of Colorado with the support of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Grant. Through this research I was able to add to the body of knowledge on Judaism in Cuba and the state of Cuba after the Special Period. It was an important step in the foundation of the work I plan to do while working towards my PhD in Anthropology at the University of Michigan. It is unfortunate that I am so happy to leave Florida for my education, but it would be impossible for me to enjoy the intellectual and creative freedom that I would have in almost any other state. Why does Florida want to push out scholars and artists?

OK- HERE IS THE HERALD ARTICLE FROM TODAY'S PAPER . . .

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
School trips to Cuba face ban Legislation banning college and university students and professors from traveling to 'terrorist nations' -- including Cuba -- is headed to the governor.
By JENNIFER MOONEY PIEDRA
jmooney@MiamiHerald.com
TALLAHASSEE - A bill aimed at banning public and private universities and community colleges from sponsoring trips to Cuba and other nations labeled as ''terrorist'' by the U.S. State Department cleared both chambers of the Legislature and is on its way to the governor.

The plan, which is the brainchild of Miami Republican Rep. David Rivera, will block the schools from using state funds, private donations and grants to ``implement, organize, direct, coordinate, or administer activities related to or involving travel to a terrorist state.''

That's bad news for students like Brett Jestrow, who says he could not have written his doctoral dissertation on plants native to Cuba without doing research in the island nation.

The 27-year-old South Miami resident was able to go there in 2004, study at the National Botanical Gardens in Havana, work with Cuban botanists and drive around the country looking for different plants -- all possible because of a $1,000 grant from the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University.

''Taxpayer money should not be used to support or subsidize terrorist regimes -- period,'' Rivera said. ``Particularly when America is fighting a war on terrorism.''

Under the plan, colleges and universities in Florida -- both public and private -- would not be allowed to send students, professors or other faculty members to Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.

Rivera made no secret of the target of his legislation.

''Its practical impact in Florida will focus squarely on one country -- Cuba,'' he said. ``Cuba has been a sponsor of terrorism. The Castro dictatorship is a force for evil.''

School administrations, Rivera said, would be responsible for enforcing the law.

For the University of Miami, that is not a problem.

''There is no question the University of Miami would always be compliant to any bill or law that is passed,'' said Margot Winick, a university spokeswoman.

Even if the governor signs the bill into law, professors and students still could travel to terrorist nations -- but they would have to pay out of their own pocket.

Critics of the measure say it is ''political demagoguery'' and that Rivera, a Cuban American, is trying to use anti-Castro legislation to appeal to the emotions of voters.

''His record representing his district has been rather poor,'' said Lisandro Pérez, a professor at Florida International University and former director of FIU's Cuban Research Institute. ``It's reprehensible that Rep. Rivera uses Cuba and this issue to further his political career.''

Perez, who regularly travels to Cuba for research using grant money, said he will continue his studies, regardless of any changes to the law.

''My research is on Cuba and if I need to go, I will go,'' he said. ``I'm not going to change my behavior because of a ridiculous law.''

The push by Rivera was fueled by the January arrests of FIU professor Carlos M. Alvarez and his wife, Elsa, an FIU counselor. The couple is accused of being unregistered agents for Cuba.

Rivera tried passing a similar bill two years ago, but it was killed in the Senate.

This session, the Senate bill won unanimous approval April 27 and the House version also had unanimous support during its final vote Wednesday.

Despite the country's communist regime, students and professors who conduct research in Cuba say they have a right to go.

''It would be a real drag, a real drawback if students couldn't go to Cuba,'' said Jestrow, who spent a month conducting research on the island as an FIU student. ``For some people, it's really important to go there.''

Go Back to Mexico? thoughts on a Day of Action

“Go back to Mexico!” That’s what one of my students heard while she was on Spring Break.
“But, I’m not Mexican,” she replied.
“You’re a beaner.”
“What is that? I’m Cuban, not Mexican.”

Identity is important in every person’s life. It is also important to realize when everyone needs to come together for something larger than an individual’s country of origin. And, this does not mean giving up that identity. It means realizing that amongst the many differences there are also a load of similarities.

Miami had fewer protesters than every major city in the United States. In a city where most of the population was born in Latin America or the Caribbean, one would think that people would turn out in droves when asked to support immigrants’ rights. However, a disappointingly low 10,000 spread among 4 separate protests was all Miami could muster. Denver had 75,000 people, Oakland with 17,000 and New York and LA each gathered a whopping 400,000 people.

So, why the low numbers in Miami? Despite cries to come together as one large “American” immigrant community, the answers lie in countries of origin. There is no shame in identifying country of origin. It does not imply dissent, when used to express identity.

Our largest immigrant community, Cuban Americans, unlike Haitians, Mexicans and others, have rights and benefits thrown upon them in Miami. In the hotly debated "Wet Foot/Dry Foot" policy, any Cuban who reaches land is eligible for political asylum in the US. This policy does not apply to any other people who attempt the same dangerous pursuit. Namely, it does not apply to Haitians, who are the second largest group to attempt long sea voyages to Miami in search of asylum. If they are caught, they are first held in horrible prison-like conditions, and then sent back to Haiti. But, I digress. To be sure, there are many immigration issues which are not only unfair, but also unjust. Primarily responsible for low numbers in Miami, low Cuban turn-out.

Why Miami immigrants did not feel part of yesterday's Day of Action? Cuban Americans already benefit from the unjust system in place now. Haitians have a lot to lose by gathering in large numbers to protest the US government, and I do not think many felt safe enough to take bold actions. As Marlene Bastien, executive director of Haitian Women of Miami, explains, Haitians attempted to boycott shopping, but went to work "because they don't know their rights" (Herald article 5/2/06). Unlike Cubans, Haitians feared being fired from work, found out as illegal, being viewed as illegal even if they are not, and need to keep up a good public image.

Across the country it seemed that there was an idea that this Day of Action was aimed solely at Mexican Americans. I do not believe this to be the intent, but many here in Miami may have felt that this was not their issue to debate. There was a belief that traversing the waters from Latin America, the Caribbean or other country to the US is not the same as crossing a “land border.” But, borders are borders, and they come in many sizes, shapes and spaces. Crossing them requires different tactics of negotiation and risk, but they are being crossed, no less.

Portrayed as a Mexican American issue, many rallies addressed issues of farming and work in related fields. Here in Miami, there are many Mexican American immigrants who do work in farming. They work in Homestead and turned out for the rallies and protests. Many of the growers were in favor of the Day of Action, and gave their employees the day off. (This gesture, I think, has much to do with their need for labor at cheap rates. If their workers are legalized, then they would ultimately face less risk of punishment for hiring “illegal” workers.) In fact, according to the front page article in the Herald today, this was the largest rally in Miami, with 5,000 people.


(from BBC, Homestead Protest)

Finally, what goes unrecognized are the thousands of people who are “in limbo” – not with papers, but not without. Many of these people have been waiting patiently for years on end for their day to come, for immigration officials to send them their precious promised documents. I know many people in this situation, and they do not have the same concerns as those who have come on a more “illegal” basis – ie rafting, swimming, running to shore. These people have tried to pursue all “legal” lines of residency and citizenship, and yet still await any official action. Herein lies the dilemma. If some sort of “legalization” occurs, will it provide any benefit to those people still waiting in line? Or will they be asked to take a back seat, and wait patiently for a few more years while they process everyone else? These are major questions which need to be addressed before any official immigration action can be taken by Congress. And, these people need to stand up and let themselves be heard as well.

It thrills me to see so many people stand up, nationwide, and demand to be heard. This is only one step, and cannot possibly stand for every voice. Miami, in particular, is in a unique situation, with people coming from many countries trying to form this diverse city.

participants needed: performance art

My friend, and talented artist, Ayanna Jolivet McCloud is creating a performance piece for Diaspora Vibe Gallery. She sent this to me and others requesting participants for this piece. Let her know, directly, if you are interested. Her email address is archipelaga@gmail.com.

Loosing Ground, 5 x 7 inch, Digital Print(2005) from a peformance at Diaspora Vibe

PLEASE FORWARD & POST to artists, students, and community members:

---------
CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS (MIAMI, FL)

Artist Seeking Participants for Performance Installation at gallery on
Friday, June 9, 7-9 pm and rehearsal on sat, May 13, 1-2pm. Looking
for everyday people, performers, artists, actors, non-creative types,
mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, all ages, body types, genders.
Prefer people of color. All participants will receive photo
documentation and an immeasurable amount of gratitude from the artist.
This is a very simple and very inactive performance. Participants are
asked to simply lie on the gallery floor and stand up every 15
minutes. The performance is for 2 hours. This is nonpaid, but is truly
a unique experience to put on your resume and a great way experience
art. Participants will be acknowledged in online catalogue.

To participate send name, email, phone to: archipelaga@gmail.com

About Performance:
Goofer Dust is a performance installation by Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud
exploring memory, time travel, and Afro-Diasporic ritual. In this
newly created work, images, video, sound, and live bodies are
interwoven to reveal rituals of dreaming and the inconsistencies of
time. Using the body as an ephemeral object, Goofer Dust, frames the
body's relation to time, space, itself, nature, the community and the
celestial. Goofer Dust will be presented as part of the Off the Wall:
Experimental Lab Series at Diaspora Vibe Gallery on Friday, June 9,
7-9 pm. An online catalogue with images and text will be presented on
labotanica.org.

Amber Sharp's "Triple Minority" - Best Short In MGLFF

At it's east coast premier, this was the first film I have seen at this year's Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival that truly caught my attention. It was definitely a relief, in a way, since I am her official "Miami Host." I have to say that after watching the films in the Shorts Program, What Girls Like, on Sunday evening that I was beginning to wonder if the short format is viable. On Monday at Cries of Freedom, the Shorts Program for films by African American women, I was thrilled to see some great pieces.

Amber Sharp wrote and directed "Triple Minority." This 15 min short is about a Black woman named Clair who seeks to negotiate familial ties, religion, and years of ostracism from family and church brought about after she "comes out of the closet." Her partner, Rebecca, has a powerful role in the film as confidant and heroine - unwilling to lose her love to society's norms.


Amber Sharp, Photo from Triple Minority Website

When speaking with Sharp, she explains that this film is not autobiographical, but of course, there are elements "which I can relate to, as most Black women can." In the Q&A following the film, she explains that she comes from a "dysfunctional family and had to learn to just leave the garbage behind." In this film, Clair tries to deal with her family's dysfunction at the encouragement of her partner, Rebecca. Eventually, though, she does chose herself and her love for Rebecca over family and church acceptance in a bittersweet ending that had me nearly in tears. Despite the short nature of the film, it is easy to get emotionally involved with the characters and wish them well when it's over.

Interestingly enough, the title "Triple Minority" comes from a scene that was ultimately cut. Coming from the film program at University of Southern California, "we had strict time limitations . . . every film had to be 12 1/2 minutes." Her partner and producer, Seema Gaur, explains that Sharp had to petition for the extra time to extend her film to 15 minutes. After comparing this film, with other shorts, I tend to agree with those strict time limits. It forces the filmmaker to narrow in on their artistic voice and the actual story they want to tell. As Sharp says, "get in, tell the story, get out . . . that's pretty much how I am anyway."

As for what she'll do next, Sharp plans to write a television series and is already busy working on a pilot. She tells my partner and I that we might end up being part of composite characters in an upcoming project. Wow! That's great. Can't wait to see us on the big screen. Although we probably won't be able to tell which character we are, since as most writers do Sharp takes a little something from someone interesting and blends that into a character. Gaur,also a middle school therapist, commends her style and the "way her mind works . . . it's fascinating . . . you know, tonight, she'll go back and get right on her laptop and start writing."

I am fully impressed with the work of Sharp thus far, and look forward to whatever she pursues in the future.

missing miami already

It won't be for another few months until I leave town for Ann Arbor, but I'm already pining away for that sabor Miami. It's something that's hard to explain until you've experienced it, and even then it's easy to take it for granted once you've got it. Miami is unlike anywhere I've ever been - sort of a awkward combination of everything I've ever seen in another country. It doesn't come together easily by any means. People are angry here, people can be hostile towards those who aren't from the same country, but every now and again there is a break through.

Today on a stroll down Lincoln Road after my yoga class, I overheard two men talking, in Spanish (I'll write it in English):

"Can I have one of those," one man says pointing to the other's cigarette.
The other man reaches to his pocket to give him one, and says,"What country are you from?"
"I am Bolivian," the man replies.
"Oh, I am from Uruguay," he smiles and lights the cigarette for his new compatriot.

While simple, this kind of exchange made me smile. Two men, who don't know each other, share something. In the process they learn where one another are from. Even if this exchange never moves beyond knowing the others' country of origin, something is gained - a knowledge that there are so many people living in Miami who are from somewhere else and each has their story to tell.

Miami truly fascinates me and I will miss so many things about it's sabor (flavor).

And the list begins: (in no particular order)Let me make a disclaimer: this is by no means comprehensive, and I am not including anything which specifically deals with missing certain people...trying to stick to experiences.
1. The sunrise over the Julia Tuttle Causeway
2. Arepas in any grocery store
3. Israeli cheese has just appeared in the "new" Publix on the Beach
4. Sweaty yoga (just cause it's hot outside)
5. Cuban spanglish
6. Brazilian Portuguese
7. Sports beach (3rd and the sand)
8. Yoga on the beach
9. the Boardwalk and the Sweat Sisters
10. 30 min flight to the Bahamas
11. driving to Key West
12. Ethnic Bakeries (Haitian, Jamaican, Argentinean, Jewish, Cuban) run by those people
13. Creole radio on NPR
14. the Venetian Causeway
15. Palm Trees
16. Cafe con Leche from anywhere, not just a cuban restaurant
17. preparing to hunker down for a low-grade hurricane
18. the hurricane kit my hunny has so dutifully prepared
19. south pointe park and the pier
20. that Epicure has turned from a store for little Jewish old ladies into a gourmet market for everyone

More to come. . .

job posting: education outreach - fairchild

Not much time to write, but I got this email about a job and it seems great. Here's the email I received:

Dear Educators,

Many of you know Bridgette Michaels -- a valued colleague in the Fairchild Challenge program. She has worked tirelessly with Netiva Kolitz to coordinate the High School Challenge over the past two years. We are sad to announce that Bridgette will be leaving Fairchild to move with her family to Anapolis, Maryland. Bridgette is a much respected colleague, and she will be missed.

This leaves us with a position to fill, and an opportunity to infuse the program with new talents and perspectives. The position description for an Education Outreach Coordinator is attached. The person in this position will work closely with Netiva Kolitz to coordinate the High School Challenge program, and will work fluidly with the rest of the Fairchild Challenge team, as well. Please help us spread the word, and forward the attached position description to interested colleagues.

We plan to have the candidate selected by the end of May, so please don't wait if you know anyone who might be interested. Questions can be directed to Dr. Cynthia Klemmer, Manager of the Fairchild Challenge program, at (305) 667-1651 x 3354 or cklemmer@fairchildgarden.org.

Thanks very much for your help in getting the word out!

Sincerely,

Cindy, David, Netiva, and Eva
The Fairchild Challenge Team


Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156-4233
(305) 667-1651 x 3354
www.fairchildgarden.org

lila downs rocks miami

Lila Downs, Mansion, South Beach, FL, April 9, 2006

Last night Lila Downs performed to a disappointingly small audience at Mansion on South Beach. The lack of turn out, though, is not a reflection of her talent as an artist. Put on by the same folks (Easton Bravo Productions) who organized last year's Latin Funk Festival, the line up also included local bands like Locos Por Juana.

Downs' combination of intellect and artistry lend to an experience for the mind, ears and eyes. She sing melodies which incorporate socio-historical knowledge, while using her body to express the many characterizations of the songs - from protagonist to lazy politicians. She consistently enagages the audience in Spanish and English and leaves little doubt in my mind that we have yet to see the last of Lila Downs in Miami.

For more information on Lila Downs check out:
her interview and sound clips on NPR

Art Blogging Forum . . . a bust? not necessarily

Last night's Art Blogging Forum at the Miami Beach Library was a good start to a conversation that artists and bloggers should be having. And, in an interesting twist to the typically cyber-world, we had the conversation in person!
It was definitely more of a panel than a dialogue and only a few audience members managed to get any words in edge wise. I think most were concerned about the strict time limitations which was made VERY clear. "The library is closing at 8:30, so we need to end promptly at that time." In fact, the library does not close until 9:00 PM. While I was unable to continue on to Parilla's for more discussion, I am glad that I went to listen in on the start of the discussion about Art, Blogging, Intention, Responsibility, Media, and more.

A few statements remained on the forefront for me, mostly because I disagree with their inherent assumptions:

1) Art is a free-for-all, and consequently art blogging is a free-for-all.
2) Blog v Print Journalism - how they are similar.
3) An artist uses the content of blogs (their own or others) to inform their art.

Today I will address #1 Art is a free-for-all, and consequently art blogging is a free-for-all.

Art is in NO way a free-for-all. I am an artist and I certainly don't feel like a kid running wild in the playground. If art was in fact a free-for-all, then art would really have no standards of quality or artistic integrity. Additionally, this statement does not take into account the systems at play in the world of art making, namely museums, critics, money, etc. These systems of power hamper the free-for-all nature which is a false belief about art making, viewing, selling.

Art blogging - not a free for all either. I don't consider myself an art blogger, as I typically write about whatever random thing I feel like. However, those that do consider themselve "art bloggers" certainly wouldn't just "have at it" with no sense of structure. Or, if they do, I am certainly not reading them because it would just be too annoying to read through poor grammar, sentence structure and incoherent thought patterns.

Where there is some freedom is in the nature of blogging. For one, it's FREE. Yup, nice perk. I can get on here and say what I want with minimal effort. So, it enables me to be more free than on my website. On the website, I have to plan and present myself well. But, again if it was just random rattlings of my mind and boring explanations, then there would be no readership. And, those that consider themselves art bloggers need to have some readership, or it becomes merely a journal.

At a later date, I will address points #2 and #3.

For a detailed account of last night's forum, visit Greener Miami. Rebecca took pictures and created a live blog for the first hour.

Other sources for thoughts on the panel:
Critical Miami
Art Blog
TNFH
Tu Miami (en espanol)

Gettin Funky in Miami, Latin Style

website updates and Spring show

So, I've been quiet on here because I've been paying my neglected website some attention. It's still in progress, don't think that'll ever stop, but check it out. I'm adding new images and writing soon. I am super thrilled with the work Kathy has done on the design.

Here's a sneak preview of some work that will soon be appearing on the site . . .

Yerba Buena in Miami

Gusman Theater Post

Door in Santiago de Cuba

And, my work will also be in a show next weekend. Here's the invite: