Tag: Video

The Seasons’ Canon by Crystal Pite

This summer, the Palais Garnier in Paris revived The Seasons’ Canon—a stunning ballet by Canadian choreographer, Crystal Pite. The Seasons is based on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, “recomposed” by Max Richter. I’m fascinated by the way the individual appears in a crowd—at once isolated and easily discerned, yet part of a synchronized whole. The work is sensual, yet draws on Pite’s […]

Surf Rider

Me and a million others—all of a sudden—raving on the wave of Surf Rider. A scintillating combo of modern dance and after hours, I have watched this an embarrasingly large number of times. So satisfying, so mesmerizing.

Emily Wilson Reads from The Odyssey

I recall casually picking up Emily Wilson’s translation of The Iliad in a bookstore once and being instantly stunned by the power of the Ancient Greek that she managed to pack into English. Then came The Odyssey—equally strong. The best part came years later when I saw her remove her jacket, reveal her badass ink, and then—read. If you’re unsure what […]

Lhasa: De Cara a la Pared

Llorando de cara a la pared se apaga la ciudad Llorando Y no hay más muero quizás Adónde estás? Soñando de cara a la pared se quema la ciudad Soñando sin respirar te quiero amar te quiero amar… Rezando de cara a la pared se hunde la ciudad Rezando Santa María Santa María Santa María 

Molotov: Gimme the Power

Like lots of people, I first heard this on the incredible Mayans MC. Here is the MTV Unplugged version. The lyrics are worth the read. [Verso 1] La policía te está extorsionando (Dinero) Pero ellos viven de lo que tú estás pagando Y si te tratan como a un delincuente (Ladrón) No es tu culpa, dale gracias al regente Hay […]

Antony and the Johnsons: Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

Sad darkness. Pure & distilled. Ma, take this badge off of me I can’t use it any more It’s getting dark, too dark to see Feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door Ma, take these guns […]

Fifth of November
2020

Remember, remember, the fifth of November, The Gunpowder Treason and plot. I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot. In light of the election and in honor of V and Guy Fawkes and George Orwell, and — mostly: In honor of the many who have died under tyranny. The famous V Speech— Voilà! In view, […]

Kalachakra: 2011

In a talk from 2011, Robert Thurman introduces His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his thirtieth reading of the Kalachakra, in India, with some 150,000 people present. Time is presented a pure compassion — as being in total presence of another. History becomes a machine for the ripening of beings. Hope and optimism are kindled. This holistic view focuses on […]

Christopher Nolan: Up Close and Distant

With all the anticipation surrounding Tenet, here’s a reversed way of looking at Christopher Nolan: There is something hypnotic about watching these characters live and breathe so far away from the camera. In the midst and fog and crowds, they seem to lose all individuality. But perhaps something quite different is taking place. Seen a different way, in these long […]

Healing Jungle, Lurking Snakes

I began 2020 by getting thrown off guard by this haunting and hallucinogenic film, Embrace of the Serpent (El abrazo de la serpiente, 2015) by Ciro Guerra: Its double story, the ghostly black and white cinematography, and the theme of desperately seeking a cure in parts unknown. The Amazonian Shaman Karamakate bridges the two tales, two journeys which are thirty […]

Come to Believe
Snow (Hey Oh)

There are many, all anonymous, who know the meaning of this… Come to believe that I better not leave Before I get my chance to ride … which is to say: Don’t quit before the miracle. Come to decide that the things that I tried Were in my life just to get high on When I sit alone, come get […]

Babylon Berlin:
Beginning and Ending

A lot has been mentioned about the title sequence of Babylon Berlin, and it even garnered awards such as the top nod from the Art of the Title 2018. There is something truly hypnotic about the swirling sequence, drawing you into a dream, but in actuality, the mesmerizing insanity of the Weimar Republic. Kudos to designer Saskia Marka. But I […]