Archive for July, 2021
Suni Lee
“Talent alone won’t make you a success,” said Johnny Carson. “Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is, ‘Are you ready?’”
Lincoln Clarkes show
My dear friend photographer Lincoln Clarkes is having an opening tomorrow: “P r O t E s T,” a window display exhibition from July 16th – 31st 2021, 234 East 5th Ave – at 4by4on5th in Vancouver. The “opening social” is tomorrow, Friday, from 5:00 – 7:00pm. From the news release:
When environmentalist Greta Thunberg traveled the globe, millions of concerned youth following in her wake, adding their voices to her emotionally succinct vocabulary targeting governments and corporate agendas that put profits before people. Were you there experiencing the tsunami of environmental awareness?
This major protest movement is relived in Lincoln Clarkes’ photographs. Clarkes’ P r O t E s T postcard series was photographed at the zenith of Thunberg’s media-fuelled mission during her visit to Vancouver in October, 2019. There are over fifty identifiable faces, surprisingly unaware of Clarkes’ camera capturing their powerful, at times poetic messages.
Throughout his prolific career, Clarkes has photographed several major protests and has published numerous postcard series. “P r O t E s T” is a remarkable combination of both sharp messaging and vital images.
I will be there with bells and beret on!
Photograph by Lincoln Clarkes, 2019
Canada Day
The faculty email-listserv at my university has been roaring the last day or so, prompted by an ad sent out by the campus bookstore: “Canada Day Sale – 25% off Canada-Made Items!” The ad – since taken down – was at best grossly tone-deaf, given the recent discoveries of several hundred unmarked graves of indigenous children on the grounds of former “residential schools” run by the Canadian government and the Catholic Church.
My colleagues’ emails have ranged from plaintive to strident to illuminating to defensive. And a couple of the usual trolls have shown up. Overall, I have found the spectacle more edifying than irritating. Many of my colleagues have used this occasion to do what they do: teach.
My own feelings today are mournful.
basil.CA 