Viva la Resistance


The Tunisian people have shown incredible bravery and solidarity these last few days. President Ben Ali has already made concessions to the rioting populace; first that he will stand down in 2014; and then today that he will dissolve the government and call a general election. But the people are still not satisfied - they want him gone and will accept nothing less.

Dozens of Tunisians have been killed by the police and military in the last few days, most of whom were shot despite the president’s assurances that they will stop using deadly force. Hundreds more have been imprisoned, including the leader of the Communist Workers Party. Yet they protests only seem to grow larger. I can’t speak for the Tunisian people but it seems almost like they would rather risk death or mortal injury than continue to live under a repressive and unfair regime.

IN SOLIDARITY WITH TUNISIA!

'...impulses'

{Flipping through Vogue}
F: You know...I love how fashion changes every season. Something to look forward to.
A: Ugh...It's tedious!
F: That's the point. How would you describe your fashion 'impulses'?
A: It's kinda like...Remember the episode of Friends with Rachel's disgusting 'English Triffle'. Well...My 'fashion' is that triffle & I'm Joey.

BESA: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II

An untold story that would have been cast into the dustbin of history if not rescued by the world renowned fine arts photographer, Norman Gershman. A TriBeCa gallery is showcasing photos of Albanian Muslims who saved Jews during World War II.

"Besa" -- the word for code of honor rooted in Albanian culture that, with Quranic teachings, motivated the Albanians to endanger their lives for their neighbors and for strangers six decades ago. Gershman's record provides a clear and powerful push back against a popular image more recently shaped by violent extremists.

Ramadan and Isa Nuza, brothers, sheltered two Jewish families during World War II. The refugees had new Albanian names, and the brothers never knew their original ones.

"Those years were fearful, but friendship overcame all fear," said Merushe Kadiu, whose family sheltered a brother and sister from Greece.

King Leka I of Albania said his father, the former king, helped Jews escape the country as Nazis closed in.

Albanian Muslim Bahrije Seiti Borici holds the Certificate of Honor awarded her familyin one of the images from Norman Gershman's book, “BESA: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II.” Images from the book are featured in a new exhibit at Temple Emanuel.

Lime Balla's family took in three Jewish brothers, even though her family was too poor to even buy a dining table.

The subjects' resonant voices--"I did nothing special. All Hebrews are our brothers"--share tales of kindnesses and unexpected lives conceived in the midst of catastrophe and destruction. This is a haunting look at the power of love, compassion and generosity.

La EvoluciĆ³n Silenciosa (The Silent Evolution)

"Take a dive and see the 400 eerie “bodies” serving as the seed to a new artificial coral reef. The underwater sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor titled La EvoluciĆ³n Silenciosa (The Silent Evolution) sits ~30 feet under water off the coast of Cancun/Isla Mujeres, Mexico. The sculpture is made with material that attracts all types of sea critters; with time a spirited coral reef will spring to life in its place."

Jason deCaires Taylor

Surreal!

Let us dream of tomorrow where we can truly love from the soul, and know love as the ultimate truth at the heart of all creation.

Dope Find!


Todd Selby is a portrait, interiors, and fashion photographer and illustrator. His project "The Selby" offers an insider’s view of creative individuals (prominent indie musicians, artists, designers and actors) in their personal spaces with an artist's eye for detail. His work represents neighborhoods like Brooklyn and Silver Lake.

Prolly one of the dopest projects out there...

Check it out.
(Click on the picture above)

Pork & Beef

Happy 2011!

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep, loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen.

--Elizabeth Kubler-Ross