Sean - An Oral History of Wildlife Sound Recording

Here's a project from the British Library that looks kind of interesting - I haven't had a chance to listen to any of the interviews yet, but will check them out. I'm fond of hobbyist field recordists capturing nature sounds with specialised sound gear. The interviewed recordists are a mix of hobbyists and professionals.

"Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between."

Here's the link to the post from the British Library's Sound and Vision blog -

Sound and vision blog recent posts

Sound and vision blog recent posts

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuHere's the post on the project from the British Library's Sound and Vision blog -

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

Over the past few months we've been working on a very special project that sets out to record and document the fascinating experiences of British wildlife sound recordists, from the scientist to the hobbyist, and everyone in between. Interviews with Wildlife Sound Recordists explores all aspects of wildlife sound recording, from childhood memories and early encounters with nature to changes in recording technology, recording expeditions and the role natural sounds have played in the lives of our interviewees. - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html#sthash.JNcOCc9S.dpuf

http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/sound-and-vision/2014/06/an-oral-history-of-wildlife-sound-recording.html

And here's a link to the interviews, housed on the British Library's Sounds archive site (which invites one to "Explore 50,000 selected recordings of music, spoken word, and human and natural environments.")

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Interviews-with-wildlife-sound-recordists

Sean - Tender

Now available on iView, beautifully made local documentary, filmed in my region. Tender is set in the wonderful Port Kembla Community Centre (I've done some work with them in Open), and follows the team as they consider setting up an independent funeral service. Then, the Centre's volunteer caretaker Nigel faces his own challenge. The people in the film are an interesting mix of characters, but especially the non-staff, such as Andrew and his faithful little dog Bailey. And Port Kembla, with its mix of declining industry and run down neighbourhood, is just an incredibly atmospheric backdrop.

http://www.tenderdocumentary.com.au/#a-documentary

I notice the director, Lynette Wallworth, comes from a video art/installation background, and she gives the documentary a nicely poetic tone, more reflective than bombastic. Great soundtrack too by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. The best work Cave does are his film soundtracks I reckon. These types of independent stand alone Australian docos seem to be an endangered species, so it's very encouraging to see something like this pop up. Of course, when it was on ABC 1 it was totally hidden away at 10.30pm on a Sunday night! Could easily have been in a primetime slot.

On iView

http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/tender/DO1126H001S00

Sean - Ushio Shinohara, Tokyo, William Klein

Wow, I can't believe Ushio Shinohara is still alive and still boxing painting! Thanks for the link below Sonya, to the documentary Cutie and the Boxer. I'll watch it asap. The 2 images above are of the "Boxer", Ushio Shinohara, creating his unique boxing calligraphy paintings as a young man in Tokyo in the early 1960s. Complete with a mohawk years before punk. The photos are taken from a book called Tokyo by American photographer William Klein, published in 1964. Now ultra rare and expensive, I managed to buy a reasonably priced copy of this book when I was in New York in 1996. It's one of my most prized photography books. I love it, and look through it at least every few months. The stark and grainy b/w photography of William Klein is stunning, and captures Tokyo/Japan during a vibrant period, with the ultra modern and traditional crashing against each other, and throwing out all sorts of wild avant-garde art, from the grotesque dance of Butoh, to Shinohara's physical calligraphy. Klein's images have a very immediate and candid feel, with many of his photos capturing spontaneous moments in the street. Klein actually released four city themed photography books; New York, (1957 & until recently the only one of the series to be reprinted); Rome (1960); Moscow (1964); Tokyo (1964).

Here's an interesting article by photographer Eric Kim - 10 lessons William Klein has taught me about street photography -

http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/03/26/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography/

Klein's book New York is considered the classic, but I think Tokyo is his best. Here's the actual book below. Did I mention, I love this book! And now I can watch Cutie and the Boxer to see what happened to Shinohara.

Sonya - A funeral, reported

I came to this article about the funeral of a 6-year-old stabbing victim in Brooklyn somewhat bizarrely, via another NYTimes article about its digital strategy:

"There was even a half-joking reference to the readership spike that came after an initial foray on Twitter by the new executive editor, Dean Baquet, who had priased coverage of a Brooklyn funeral and provided a link."

I clicked on the link. Normally, I tend to avoid stories that cover funerals. Perhaps it's because I'm not sure what a journalist's role would be at such a gathering but also because I feel uncomfortable looking at photos or vision people who are grieving and in distress. 

A few weeks ago, I hesitantly clicked on a photo gallery that showed community members gathering outside a local Catholic church to farewell a young father who had taken his own life. I felt guilty for clicking the link and wondered whether the coverage was necessary as the gallery loaded. But ultimately I found myself feeling really heartened that so many people turned out to pay their respects and say goodbye. The street was familiar to me, which helped me comprehend just how many people had attended the service, or had tried to, from the photos it looked as though the crowd was spilling onto the footpath and road.

I was struck by the writing in this story about a child's funeral in New York. It has just the right amount of detail and felt direct, yet personal. I always enjoy articles from The New York Times, and it's largely to do with their unique writing style as well as their beautiful photographs. Their writing style is routinely observational, personal and factual, making it a pleasure to read.

You can get a few glimpses into The New York Times in these docos:

Page One: Inside the New York Times

Bill Cunningham's New York (a beautiful character piece, I really loved this doco and gave it to VM one year for her birthday)

I also picked up 'My Life in The New York Times' by Ross Bleckner from Kinokuniya last year, which is a wonderful book of collage created from pages and pages of the newspaper.

Sonya - An artist, a jazz club and a (fictional) writer

Hello Kites,

I've been easing myself into hibernation as the night fogs in Wagga Wagga begin and the temperature routinely dips below 5 degrees. Here are a few things I've been consuming whilst remaining indoors:

Cutie and the Boxer (Documentary)

I've been slowly working my way through a few of the films from the 2013 Sydney Film Festival program. In the first half hour of Cutie and the Boxer, I reached for my phone to find out whether it was truly a documentary. There were a few moments that were a little too perfect, which made me think it could have been an Exit Through The Gift Shop style doco or loosely scripted.

Here's a brief synopsis from the Sundance Institute:

Zachary Heinzerling’s remarkable debut is an indelible portrait of art, companionship, and the 40-year love story between Ushio and Noriko Shinohara, two Japanese artists who meet and marry in New York in the early 1970s. Surviving decades of hardship, resentment, financial anxiety, thwarted aspirations, and Ushio’s chronic alcoholism, they are a study in artistic symbiosis.

Now 80 years old and finally sober, Ushio is preparing a joint exhibit with Noriko. Ushio’s mixed-media sculptures and “boxing” paintings, infused with chaotic energy, have brought notoriety—but rarely income. Meanwhile, Noriko, emerging from her husband’s shadow, creates intimate comic-styled watercolor and ink drawings that tell the story—a muted empowerment fantasy—of their alter egos, Cutie and Bullie.

I enjoyed this doco and found myself thinking about it for days and weeks afterwards. As a film about a relationship, it was pretty devastating, especially with some of the archival footage that's used in the film and when you are introduced to Ushio's and Noriko's troubled son Alex.

The Great Beauty

I was alerted to this film by Lee Tran Lam, connoisseur of many important things, including food, books, music and films. I have to say, the storyline was very different to what I had expected. The trailer and the odd review I'd read made the main character out to be a party animal, and though the opening scene was (scarily) Baz Luhrmann like, it turned out to be a fairly philosophical film that was also entertaining. It was beautiful to watch, and the music was a lot of fun and ultimately, it left me feeling quite disturbed.

And finally I caught 'The art of stockbroking' on RN Drive the other night, which featured a conversation with Li Cunxin, of Mao's Last Dancer fame who is now the Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet (I really enjoyed his Australian Story episode a few years ago and find his voice so familiar, he has an accent similar to a few of my family members) and Michael Tortoni who runs the Bennetts Lane jazz club in Melbourne. Apparently both men had worked as stockbrokers, which is how the conversation opens but this segment soon became a fairly spirited discussion about the arts in Australia. It made for perfect Monday night listening while I was fixing tea :)

Hot chocolate time now! Hope you're both safe and well.

S