Well today is the first round of voting in the French elections and things are not looking up for Sarkozy. These clever pieces of street art have been turning up all over Paris lately.
Are you eligible to vote today ? Who are you voting for ?
The Harlem Book Fair is coming to Newark, New Jersey for the first time and celebrating two days of literary-filled events next week. Newark Mayor Cory Booker and city leaders kicked off the “2012 as Year of Newark Literacy” campaign earlier this month from the Newark Public Library, coinciding with National Library Week.
Started in 1998, the Harlem Book Fair is billed as a large-scale, multi-cultural literary festival that has graced cities like Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York. Organizers expect the event, taking place April 27 and April 28, to draw thousands of attendees along with more tha 100 exhibitors.
Founder Max Rodriguez described the Harlem Book Fair as an “outdoor book party.” The book fair is free to the public and will be held at Rutgers-Newark at the Paul Robeson Center and the outdoor plaza.
The theme of this year’s book fair is “Let Us Read” and according to Rodriguez, publisher of “QBR The Black Book Review” based in New York, there will be a little bit of something to interest every reader. Just a few of the events on schedule include: “Art to Books”, an exhibition on book illustrators; a Hip-Hop Literature exhibit; screenings of literary films; and a huge secondhand book sale.
On Friday, April 27, events start at 10 a.m. and go until 3 p.m. and include a Young Reader’s Pavilion which focuses on children’s and young adult literature.
On Saturday, April 28, events run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For dyed-in-the-wool bibliophiles there’s nothing quite as pleasing as the unique aroma of old books. When we enter an antiquarian bookshop or historic library, we invariably assume the soporific mien of a somnambulist. Now, our friends at Abebooks.com in conjunction with University College London have produced an informative film exploring the intoxicating effect of old book vapors. [Full disclosure: My book business has had a commercial relationship with Abebooks for many years]
Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand and one of the most popular destinations for travelers. The tropical beach resort offers all types of accommodations ranging from backpacker bungalows to five star resort complexes, but bibliophiles will only have eyes for The Library. This amazing 26 suite hotel, located on Chawey Beach is a booklover’s dream come true. The hotel offers the usual amenities, pools, restaurant, etc., but the heart of the little resort is the Library. Guest are encouraged to borrow books to read on the beach, poolside, in the restaurant (called Pages of course) or to just hang in the cool library.
Lucie and Simon are Paris-based artists/photographers/videographers who create suspenseful and enticing works that invite the viewer to create a personal narrative for their stunning work. The eerie, post-apocalyptic environment of their film Silent World is a sterling example, with spot-on music by Philip Glass. It’s well worth seven of so minutes of your time.
Argentinian artist/activist Raul Lemesoff has found a unique way to promote his “peace through literature” project. Lemesoff has transformed his old 1979 Ford Falcon into a traveling library shaped like a tank. The Arma De Instruccion Masiva or Weapon of Mass Instruction travels the streets of Buenos Aires fighting ignorance one book at a time.
The tank library is comprised of more than 900 books at any given time. Lemesoff gives away the books for free and restocks with donations. His ultimate goal is to take the book tank on a global road trip.
According to sources at BBC plans have been completed for production of Spies of Warsaw, a two part historical spy drama adapted by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais from Alan Furst’s acclaimed novel.
David Tennant (Doctor Who) has been confirmed as the lead in this exciting new production. Tennant will play Mercier and star alongside Janet Montgomery (Black Swan) in the role of Anna.
The two-part film adaptation of Furst’s novel will hopefully capture his finely honed narrative evoking a desparate Europe stumbling into war. Fans of Alan Furst’s compelling and well-researched portraits of characters who transcend self-interest and heroically confront real evil have long waited for films of the taut and atmospheric historical thrillers.
New York City-based artist Heidi Neilson’s project Cloud Book Study is both a book, which flipped through at high-speed reveals a time-lapse cloud study and a time-lapse film of clouds flying across the pages. The 50-second video below shows a quick view of the project. You can see more of Neilson’s fine, limited edition works on her website, including some more cool book projects.
Here it is already halfway through National Poetry Month and nary a post about poetry ( or Charles Bukowski ). Well, here’s an amusing missive from Bukowski to his friend and fellow poet Willam Packard written at the very end of 1990 and jam-packed with writerly wisdom and advice. Enjoy.
The European Commission, along with the Italian government, has announced a four-year, € 105 milion plan to protect and improve the archeological site at Pompeii. Dubbed Grande Progetto Pompei, or the Great Pompeii Project, the plan is the result of the collapse of several key buildings at the site in November of 2010, and of the ongoing wear and tear at the World Heritage Site, which attracts more than 2.3 million visitors each year. Some of the funds will be spent improve visitors services and staffing.
