Moai Kava Kava
The Tomkins Collection is an online showcase of art objects from primitive cultures that represent ancestors, guardians and idols. The African and Oceanic collections are simply incredible. [Link]
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April 27, 2006
April 25, 2006
Swing and Sway the Hawaiian Way
Continuing with the tropical music theme, let's move on to something a bit more authentic than Mouseketeers in muu-muus, and take a look back at that all-too brief period of time in the early 20th century when Hawaiian slack-key guitarists and ukulele players fused island rhythms and melodies with swing and ragtime to produce a happy hybrid jazz that had toes tapping and hips hula-ing all over the U.S. mainland. Even if you're unfamiliar with Hawaiian bandleaders like Lani McIntire, Augie Goupil, or Andy Iona, you'd probably recognize many of the tunes they played as genre classics.
Re-read this fine article on the history of Hawaiian music I linked to a while back [Link], or have a look at this extensive Hawaiian sheet music cover gallery [Link]
April 17, 2006
The Paintings Of the Revolution Will Not Be Velvetized
Maopost: the site that lets you become a Hero of the Cultural Revolution! Just choose one of their classic propaganda posters, then send them a photo of yourself along with $149, and artist Zhu Yao-Hui will synthesize a gorgeous oil painting of you joyfully serving the Chinese Communist Party! [Link][via YesButNoYes]