arts in canada.

worried about the arts in BC? i found this article on the {vancouver biennale blog}. let me tell you, i am writing an email once i finish this post. i have to..

{vancouver artist, Geoffery Farmer's Airliner Open Studio (2006) }

{BC Arts Budget Cut by 40%: Culture Minister Says Public is 'Unconcerned'}

Plank Magazine {find awesome letters at this Plank link} has published a report based on an Alliance for Arts and Culture press release noting that the government plans to reduce funding for the Arts Council by 40% over the next two years.

“The impact to the province will be devastating,” said Amir Ali Alibhai, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Arts & Culture. “The BC Arts Council supports a sector that employs 80,000 people and generates $5.2-billion annually. It is bigger than the forestry and fishing industries combined. At a time when the government is doing everything they can to create and retain jobs, why are they implementing measures that will trigger layoffs and cause organizations to reduce programming?

More amazing is new Culture and Tourism Minister, Kevin Krueger’s thoughts on the matter, “I am not hearing complaints at all from the arts and cultural community,” he said. “I think people are pretty happy with what we’ve done.”

If you’re interested in letting Kevin Krueger or your local MLA know what you think about local arts funding cuts here’s a few resources to help you.

You can check out Kevin Krueger’s website here. You can email Kevin here -> kevin.krueger.mla@leg.bc.ca. And you can look up the contact details for your local MLA here.

{please please please send a message to Mr Krueger and let your voice be heard. }

vancouver biennale.

well lookie, lookie. vancouver has a biennale. a definite congrats goes out to vancouver, but whats next, regina? i have yet to check out any of the installations, but am quite excited to do so. {The Biennale will reach a world wide audience via the International media and simulcast events bringing Vancouver into homes world wide and identifying Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver as ‘a happening’ place in the arts.}

{vancouver biennale}
{vancouver biennale blog}

laser eye surgery.

last week i stepped under the laser. i gathered my bones {scaredy bones, perhaps} together and got the deed done. glasses no more! i say. until february i am still covered under my parents health insurance so i took advantage. i had a lot of questions, and wanted the complete low-down before i had the surgery but my optometrist could offer only so many answers.. so its not necessary for anyone to go uninformed.. this entry is for anyone who's thinking, hoping or knowing anyone wanting laser eye surgery.

my optometrist { dr. Koh at Mount Pleasant Optometry} in vancouver.

my laser eye surgeon { dr. Lin at Pacific Laser Eye Centre } in vancouver.

{ procedure. }

between laser-assisted intrastromal keratoplasty {lasik} and photorefractive keratectomy {PRK}, lasik is a versatile procedure in the sense that it is effective for a wider range of patients. On the other hand, PRK is a simpler procedure to perform. because i am quite young and have fairly healthy eyes, despite my astigmatism, myopia {nearsightedness}, and poor vision, i was a perfect candidate for the procedure. my surgeron, allowed me to choose which procedure i preferred, and i chose lasik because of its versatility, it required less time off work, and had a faster healing process. unfortunately i am not to rub my eyes in any form for three months, which seemed like an incredibly difficult task to undertake, but i trained myself well after about a week or so.

{ pain }

none. anethetic was dropped into my eye, and i was given gravol {orally}to help my nerves. slicing, dicing, lasers, and gross smells. weird beyond anything i've ever experienced, but not painful in the least. the gravol did ts job. i feel that i could have easily freaked out... if it lasted much longer, my concentration may have diminished.

{ healing. }

{day 1} noon - gabrielle and molly picked me up,grabbed food for the rest of the day {i won't be cooking anything}and they watched movies at my house all day as i listened. no opening eyes till morning. three different drops were administered through out the day; approximately two drops every half hour. the girls helped me with that till night. no touching the eyes in any way for any reason. no shower.

{day 2 - two weeks} time off work - no swimming, no open eyes during shower, no touching eyes, get nothing in eyes {sweat}, sunglasses always on when outside, driving not recommended, no straining of the eyes {take it easy with computers, television, books}, no makeup. continue with less drops. relax.

{two weeks} back to daily routine. avoid rubbing eyes.

{three months} rub eyes again.

{ cost. }
{note: prices differ with eye centres, these prices are merely what i paid.}
{* covered by my health insurance}

pre-operative exam with optometrist $80 {$80*}
consultation $0
lasik procedure $3,100 {$2800*}
extra eye lubrcating drops aprox. $60
post-operative exam with optompetrist {1 week} $80 {$80*}
post-operative exam with optompetrist {2 weeks} $80 {$80*}
post-operative exam with optompetrist {1 month} $80 {$80*}
post-operative exam with optompetrist {6 months} $80 {$80*}
post-operative exam with optompetrist {1 year} $80 {$80*}

total: $ 3,640.

can't believe my ears.

i felt extraordinarily necessary to post this new music. blowing my mind. dusting my ears, and eyes. the two videos left me jaw-dropped. my mind is tilted.

{socalled}

listen on myspace
watch {you are never alone - socalled}
watch {(these are) the good old days - socalled}

i thank you lindsay roo for introducing me to this crazy folkster.

welcome.

so.
here we go.
perhaps this won't be as scary as it seems. let me flounder a little, and i'll find my groove. welcome to the grand. grand beginning {of this blog, of course}. thank you for joining me. i think as i become more comfortable with blogging, writing will appear more frequent, and fluent.

first off. here is my website {always under construction/improvements}. unfortunately the site doesn't offer any taste of recent works, but will come autumn. while this website got me a high grade in my.. web design/flash {diva 205} class, it was incredibly simple to make. above any other aesthetic quality that art can obtain, simplicity rocks my world. experiencing clean, sharp, simple design makes my knees weak. you'll see it in my recent artwork {once i publish photos.} but in the meantime, here we go.

charming mango wooden radio from {greener grass design}

greener grass design offers well-designed products that are functional, sustainable and very attractive. 'Greenergrassdesign is a curatorial approach, a particular aesthetic, both varied and cohesive. With an ever-changing product range including some larger production items, some limited edition along with design originals, Greenergrassdesign hopes to offer-up something special to both designer and consumer.' it's difficult for me to see myself as a consumer and not be dragged down by its label. i put a lot of effort in not supporting the detriments of mass consumerization but the fact is, we are all consumers, and we sustain the economy. choose well.

sexy Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg Branch Candlestick by Ted Muehling on {rose and raddish}

Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg Nest Votive by Ted Muehling on {rose and raddish}

i've always been a sucker for lighting. the golden illuminating murmur forcing silhouettes and soft whispers. i love rose and radish's sophistication.

ball string lights from {better living through design}

better living through design is my favourite design website for inspiration. there is such an extensive fusion of different styles, media, and technique. love. love.