Archive for March, 2005
The Art of the Marionette
by Susie Watson on March 29th, 2005
Talk about a great little pocket of popular culture! You think I
Robot is news? Not even close. Not one, but three artists wrote
this same story in the early 1900’s to be played by machine-like
marionettes that are cooler than anything in today’s sci-fi. Check
out R.U.R. by Karel Capek, William Dwiggins Millenium I, and
Fortunato Depero and his cubist creation Plastic Dances. For a
current take on marionettes, check out www.ScottRadke.com for
something eerie and fabulous.
Puppeteers and Politics
by Susie Watson on March 22nd, 2005
Since the pyramids, there have been puppets, and since Punch, they
have been in politics. We explore one of the most exciting forces in
social change - Radical puppetry. Spearheaded by people like Peter
Schumann of Bread and Puppet Theatre and K. Ruby (rogueruby.com) of
Wise Fool Puppet Intervention, radical puppeteering is a powerful
medium for unforgettable visual statements, be it in parades,
circuses, or at the next political rally or convention. Power to the
Puppets!
News Versus Entertainment - Who Cares?
by Susie Watson on March 15th, 2005
We do, not that it makes any difference. We talk about the major
issues: why are news programs giving air time to the left and the
right and thinking they have done THEIR jobs? What ever happened to
the facts? Whatever happened to presenting current events that have
greater global implications than what dress some starlet wore to the
Oscars? Listen and tell us what you think.
American Food - From 50’s Home Dining to 7-11
by Susie Watson on March 8th, 2005
We wax poetic about retro foods and examine the current culinary
scene, including eating meals on the fly at 7-11 and so-called health
foods like Silk from soy. As always, we ask, is it just us Americans
or have we poisoned other countries and cultures with our bad eating
habits? Listen and comment, please!
What is a Library?
by Susie Watson on March 1st, 2005
Are good books defunct? Where is the line between information and entertainment? Should it just be Blockbuster and Barnes & Noble only free? Should a library reflect the same crummy taste seen in our nightly TV reality shows and sitcoms? Should all the old books be thrown out? Do librarians answer to a higher power of knowledge or just reflect the community? Should they evangelize in their sacred halls? Listen in, and then you tell us!