THE GENERALIST: NEWS DIGEST 1

This is a new feature aimed at keeping up with the sharp increase in information, stories and feedback coming into The Generalist's post box every month.

BIKE PALESTINE

A few months back, The Generalist published a report from the artist George Snow about his first visit to Palestine [See: OUR MAN IN RAMALLAH]. Now delighted to receive news that he has set up an exciting new venture called Bike Palestine which is running three 7-day cycle tours of the region, starting 25th April, 26th September and 23rd October. You can follow developments on his Bike Palestine blog. George is collaborating with the Siraj Centre in Bethlehem, Palestine Siraj aims to create links between the Palestinian people and people from around the globe through educational tourism, interfaith and ecumenical dialogue,  culture and youth exchange programmes. every month. George teaches 3D animation from his home in Cortona, Italy. His school's web site is www.3D3world.com

POLISH ROCK

Great as ever to hear from the journalist Chris Salewicz who has recently come back from Poland where he attended the launch of a new documentary 'Beats of Freedom' which he narrates, about the modern history of Polish rock and the part that it played in the transformation of the culture and the country from the 50s until the fall of communism. The film, which features great live concert footage, is directed by Leszek Gnoinski and Wojciech Slota.

According to the Krakow Post: 'The film features plenty of archival footage of some of the most iconic festivals and influential bands that worked to provide a voice for those without one under the communist regime, as well as present-day interviews with many of the musicians. Amongst the featured bands you'll find such names as Czesław Niemen, Maanam, Brygada Kryzys, Perfect, Republika, and Lady Pank.'

There are two great trailers on YouTube here and here.You can just about hear the interview with Chris on Polish TV (Chris's words are slightly obscured by the audio of the simultaneous translation). Like everything that Chris does, this looks to be a sterling and fascinating piece of work. Release details to follow.

[You can hear a great interview with Chris talking at length about his excellent biography of Joe Strummer on The Audio Generalist]

TV SMITH & THE ADVERTS:

Contacted by WDF Productions who are currently producing a feature length music documentary called "Sell Me Something Cheap", about the career of singer/songwriter TV Smith and The Adverts. TV Smith is still performing (solo) and details of his latest releases and gigs as well as his large back catalogue can be found on his website.

FORTEAN CONFERENCE

Have received news from The International Fortean Organisation (INFO) who are staging 'FORTFEST A-Wake!: A Tribute to John Michell & John Keel' on April 24th/25th at the Peabody Court Hotel in Baltimore, MD. Keynote speakers include Joselyn Goodwin, Doug Skinner, Stephen Braude, Daniel Pinchpeck, Gary Mangiacopra, Phyllis Benjamin and Orion Foxwood. Delighted to read that, on the Sunday, a coach will take you on a tour of 'Symbolist Washington (beyond Dan Brown)’. It says: 'Do ghost photography and EVP recordings on site. Bring water, a snack and infra-red film!

John Keel died on July 3, 2009 aged 79. He was a prominent American ufologist (an observer and chronicler of UFOs – unidentified flying objects) and the author of The Mothman Prophecies (1975), a book about paranormal phenomena which was made into a successful film starring Richard Gere. Read his Daily Telegraph obituary here.

See Previous Posts on John Michell: JOHN MICHELL: A TRIBUTE/JOHN MICHELL MEMORIAL/JOHN MICHELL: SACRED GEOMETRY]

  

SILKSCREEN POSTER ART

SPECIAL PRINT RELEASE
2010 JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
FIREHOUSE GOLDENVOICE #94/#95 poster by CHRIS SHAW AND RON DONOVAN. There are several variants available for purchase from Hangar 18 - but hurry. Most have sold out.

Those who plan to attend this years Glastonbury Festival should look out for Ron Donovan and Chuck Sperry of the Firehouse Kustom Rockart Company in San Francisco who have been invited to join  Chris Hopewell and partners from Jacknife Posters in Bristol to produce fantastic silkscreen posters live. Anyone at all interested in this great artform, which is gaining ground in the UK, should check them out. [For more about Ron and Chuck see Previous Post: PHOTOGRAPHING POSTER ART ]

RETURN OF POLAROID

One of the new re-engineered instant film cameras made public in January this year at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). For more details see Polaroid

Some while back  The Generalist  posted a story about The Impossible Project, whose aim is to produce Polaroid film for millions of Polaroid owners around around the world who still have their cameras  - an estimated three million are in circulation - but cannot get the instant film cartridges since Polaroid bankrupt in 2008. The two initial releases of film - PX 100 and PX 600 Silver Shade - are now available for $21 a pack.

To buy film and find out more, check out the Impossible Project shop. Sale started March 25th. See news report: Former Polaroid employees bring instant film back to life by Tim Bradshaw [Financial Times]

For background see the main Impossible Project site and a great Wired  feature; 'The Impossible Project: Bringing back P:olaroid' by Mic Wright. [Nov 2009]

[See Previous Post: PHOTOGRAPHIC FUTURES 2]

LONDON CALLING

 Just received my copy of Barry Miles' excellent new book 'London Calling: A Countercultural History of London since 1945' [Atlantic Books], a more detailed review of which will appear in the near future.