Hito Steyerl - Lovely Andrea and other documentaries

From Dispersion to London Festival of the art of Japanese Bondage

Dispersions of Henrik Olesen, Hito Steyerl, Seth Price, Anne Collier, Hilary Lloyd, Maria Eichhorn and Mark Leckey:
"The works in Dispersion often take the form of archives, histories or collections, sometimes adopting an anthropological approach. In many cases, they are characterised by an interest in feminism and gender politics in the realm of sexuality and sub-culture."

The one artist that completely endured my imagination was Hito Steyerl... recently I found that she has done a lot of other interesting documentaries and it seems she has quite an interesting approach as a documentary director - and very ingaging pieces as a result of this approach:



As part of Dispersion at the ICA, I saw Lovely Andrea... a documentary ....."In Tokyo she is looking for a photo series that she posed for in 1987 as a “rope bondage” model. While making inquiries with experts and authorities in the bondage arts (which are mainly marketed online nowadays), she found what she was looking for in a magazine archive...."

"....By associatively linking desire and bondage, voluntary subjection and captivity, dependencies, networks, complicity, and cliques, Steyerl creates a polysemous play of thought: Who are the string pullers? Who are the puppets? How do things stand with the pictures?...."

Coming to my main interest ... japanese bondage... it's fascinating to observe it although I haven't seen it live, to see pictures of it....and experience it as a subject... the model in Lovely Andrea says it beeing tied is liberating... will see.

Bag of Change

Last week I experienced an aunusual and unexected event. Some probably experience much bigger and a lot more serious attacks, but it all comes from the same problem... it is the same problem - conscience.

As part of my belief regarding conscious human evolution is the expectation that once we grow up as a civilization - it is part of our matrix, our gene, to respect the other species, not to attack your own and to look after our environment. Not the opposite as some beleive. The opposite is the symptome that we still haven't grown haven't developed, that we either need to empy the cup or fill it up with some goodness.

To celebrate all change and growth I will get another bag of change to replace my other one!


What happened was that some 4 boys - dark skinned, black hooded attacked me - they wanted my bag - I didn't let go... they took just my old mobile and my ipod nano... I am not angry at them, I am angry about what they have become.

Put yourself in my place...

I really liked this song when it came out: Kylie Minogue It kind of matches the way I have been feeling recently... in moments like these I wonder how permanent my feelings can be.
well, I can only wait and see!

Carbon Karma

At the one life live show in March (where just a year ago I met lovely Katie Keegan, with whom we cofounded Green sisters) I spoke with the psychologies's editor in chief - Maureen Rice. She advised that I get in touch with Catherine Jones, who runs Psychologies' eco blog - Carbon Karma.

So in the last Carbon Karma blog post you can read about an eco warrior, who happens to be me... and I am very proud:

Let's hope this will be just a beginning of a successful and effective media journey!

Best Kate
Eco warrior and cleaning specialist!

shrewd meanings

I just came across of a description of yahoo's new CEO - Carol Bartz (January 2009): "Carol Bartz is shrewd, strong-minded, blunt, and disciplined".

I first discovered the word shrew when I translated from bulgarian the title - Taming of the shrew (Укротяване на опърничавата)... The Taming of Katherinе (I'm Ekaterina, some personal cross referencing here)....


— shrewd·ly adverb
— shrewd·ness noun:
marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen b: given to wily and artful ways or dealing (a shrewd operator)

synonyms shrewd, sagacious, perspicacious, astute mean acute in perception and sound in judgment.
#shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment
(a shrewd judge of character).
#sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness .
#perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden (a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade).
#astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill (an astute player of party politics).

Words can have a very powerful meaning, not always just definition-wise but often, what understanding they can bring to the person reading it. That's why I got so excited just by reading what shrewd means. Then learning about who Carol Bartz brought even more meaning to the definitions above...

Such description can never be inborn - you have to earn them!

I am starting to scare myself... you make it all go away!

I just want something I can never have...

dissidents in the city

G20 in London. Lying in the middle of bishopsgate, among tents, freegans giving food away, among hundreds and thousands of people, there is music, helicopters; meditating people, dancing people,bankers going home after a day of work; many cameras, bicycles, posters, and more free food is given away a bit further up the road.

There were workshops, some crushed windows of RBS bank, which I totally disapprove of, oh yes and a lot of police officers!

Climate Camping in the city, and some really powerful people, shaking hands, doing small talk, meeting for a first time, talking big stuff, doing politics?!
But are they really doing the one most important thing- making wise decisions. Not wise as well calculated, politically relevant, financially calculated ... You know what I Jean!

I will post some pics later...

Seattle Night Traditionally

I mentioned in the previous post Seattle night. If anyone wonders what's the grungiest place after Seattle, they should know it is Bulgaria!

You need a proof. Best to come down to the next Event, but as it is long way away check this video out:



Performed by Bobby The Killer Whale (Kosatkata), who if you might have already noticed sounds 100% like, if not even better than Chris Cornell.

You want to compare: sorry no before you do that here is a cover one of my most ever favourite songs Hunger Strike:


And here his Owesomeness the real Chris Cornell:



ah, kind of not regretting even for a second I wasn't born in Seattle, but in Bulgaria. The grungiest musically per capita, country in the world.

Just returned this week from one of the best holidays I have ever had! Many things made it great, but one of the culinations was the now traditional for me attendances to the Seattle night. The surprise of the evening was catching up with a good old friend of mine - Vlado.
Vlado happens to have become a singer/song writer and actor with multiple creative projects. Here is as he explains "a black-and-white tribute to the 'Kings of thriller' - Frederick Forsyth and Robert Ludlum..": 'Po4ti' ('Almost') by Vlado & Co. Watch it on MySpace Videos. 'Po4ti' ('Almost')

Not necessarilly be strong, but feel strong....

This voice... that has sung countless times to me, in the dark, when I am alone and sad, and in the day when the sun fills up my hear with joy I have sung I am still alive, alone, happy!

Into the wild is a real story, that started a long time ago and is still continues.
It's about being real and about achieving your potential, one way or the other - we are human, and die human... and we should act human at all time.

The question is what does human mean.
Into the wild has some of the answers... and they are beautiful!

Top 10 Online Tools to Connect With the Obama Administration

Top 10 Online Tools to Connect With the Obama Administration

I watched the inauguration of Barak Hussein Obama today as the 44th American President of the United states, everyone is looking up to him for a change that a lot of us need, he is new, he is different and I mean the way he thinks is different from anyone ever been part of world politics. He is a people's person. He is not a spoon fed, spoiled and dehumanized individual and I hope he remains as stable, as mindful and as principled as he appears.

I hope he sees his grand children!

All the best,
Kate

still alive

There is a band that has infuenced my life to a great extent. I have listened to Pearl Jam since 1991, or may be 1992...only fifteen. They have been with me in my sorrow, in my despair, in the toughest moments of my life and now in joy, in peace with my self and other, in love and in enlightenment.

This video is just to show how transformation is always due. I can say a lot of things about knowing who you are in every moment, moment to moment, but I will leave to enjoy one of the greatest rock poetry of our time.

Zeitgeist

One can always doubt what seems the unbeliavable. However too many documentaries and too many smart men got involved in the debate of on world conspiracy theory.

Yesterday I was recomended an you tube full documentary footage - Zeitgeist.

I could see the reflection of my face while watching - mouth dropping, eye widenning in disbelief, tears running down my cheeks with every new comprehension. It was unbelievably sad and very very scary.

Here is the link to the movie. If it is still there:


I have began to think of different ways to promote freedom.
If you wish to discuss the movie with anybody, please feel free to get in touch.

You need 2hrs 3 minutes to watch and a life time to do something with your life. Hurry up.

Follow this link for full source list.

Bio(hazard)

Biohazard weren't sold out. I wonder why? Some photos should follow...

Withholding

Being genuine and true to yourself have been concepts that I have become acquainted in recent years.
Genuine:

1. real: having the qualities or value claimed a genuine Cézanne

2. sincerely felt: not affected or pretended a look of genuine surprise

3. candid: honest and open in relationships with others a very genuine person

4. pure bred: being of unmixed breeding of genuine stock

I have recently become more aware of how this could lead to various complications if one is not fully aware of possible consequences. How easy is to be in touch with your own genuinity?
Is it something achievable, is it a goal or a life long experience, or just a positioning in relation to others or is how others see you or how you see yourself in others.

Thinking of genuinity led me to think about Withholding: "The source of guilt and hostility lies mainly on the "charge" or repressed, unfulfilled intentions, connected to misdeeds one commits or witnesses, and the withholding of the truths about these actions (or inactions) from oneself and others. Confronting these misdeeds and withholds, and regaining the ability to take responsibility and feel forgiveness, results in a major sense of reconciliation. In this section, viewers restore the integrity and personal power that has been inhibited by guilt, justification, blame, and the fear of harming others."

Is someone who is lacking self-awareness, is also being far from genuine?
Is someone who is striving towards self-awareness, being genuine?
What the hell is self-awareness then?

This has become a more serious post as I expected. I need to stop here.

images from the past

I have finally decided to get the pro flickr account. I am meeting myself again.
After my summer massive awakening(as if I have been in a coma) it is a very refreshing exercise to take a real look at myself. It definitely feels like I am looking at somebody elsebut I do recognise myself.

There is a strange sense of lost and found and forgotten but remembering. I am writing this to warn all of you, that life is short and we have little time to waste. The only advice I can give is be aware.

I feel it is important to be conscious of the past and in active preparation for the future - to build that bridge, you need material - get it from from anything that you have - photographs, diaries, videos, emails, memorabilia, ask your mother the circumstances of your birth and your conception (I did that last year), ask your grandparents how did they met, check with your friends. And then relate everything to the present - it is a sensational feeling of being and knowing who you are. ANd stay there. Be now.

I think many people get confused that being in the present, being in the moment is about forgetting about the past and not worrying about the future - well, it isn't. One is only capable of being in the here and now if you have full awarness about the past and you are fully anticipating the future.

I am off to a Biohazard concert tomorrow. I haven't listend to this band for more than 10 years. It is a bridge that I am trying to build.

Unfortunately my bridge across forever is currently off the table. But if the buddha dated I will start building it in the near future. Tune in to Darwin's Radio and remember catastrophe living.

New Green Era Continued...

Tomorrow I will wake up and 2008 would have gone indefinitely without me making it known that the cleaning industry had grown a bit bigger and I have contributed personally for that.

After 18 months of organisation and planning I finally managed to finalize the first printed marketing material for Ultimately eco. If you wish to have a sneaky look at the flyer at my new blog space ultimatelyeco

I will continue occasionally blog about stuff on my pearlkate blog
but mostly I am planning to "scribble" on ultimately ecological subjects!

See ya.
pearlkate

New Green Era

After managing to sell the idea about blogging to my beloved brother, I have realised what a fool I have been. Running a blog is not a simple task but a bit of routine can bring good ideas in the public domain and may be even inspire a few.

Last year I was very much into the Feta idea. I still think it is an excellent idea for a business, but... I came up with a better one.

Coming up with an idea from scratch is one thing - the feta stall for example, what happened last year is that I finally realised what I have had for more than 5 years right there in front of me is an excellent business platform.

I will save you from guessing - it is the cleaning business again. But now not just...

I wish I have continued to post on this blog right after I finally clicked. And to have kept it all along. Simply because if you are interested in the process not only the final result - you will find it amusing how from a Feta stall, Ekover Cleaning I found myself tinking of a big social networking site, where people buy and people sell. But they know each other - virtually. Then gradually I reduced it back to a one service - cleaning. Why? Because it is simple, but powerful. It was a personal conviction that was inspired by good logic, a Rutherford logic.

Since the launch of Green Shoots - an event that I help organising and I am really passionate about (see www.theglasshouse.net) in December 2007, I have come to realise the amazing time I am witnessing. A time that some call a Revolution and some a Renaissance. (as heard at the Green Salon talk last night, organised by Lucy Johnson).

For me it is a Renaissance, hence I decided to rename my company to UltimatelyEco.
What is your view - A revolution or a renaissance?

Do you like feta?

Do you know what is the difference between feta and white cheese from other countries?
From October 2007 only feta produced in Greece - specific regions in Greece, will be allowed to wear this name.

I love feta. In Bulgaria we eat feta like bread - with everything.
I have quite a few combinations that would surprise some of you.
Feta and honey, or feta and jam...
I like my porridge with feta, honey and milk.

So - do you like feta?
or you have another favourite type of feta ...bulgarian, turkish, danish, german, brindza or...?
or what do you like your feta with?
I am also looking for the best feta you have ever tried?

Let me know.

x
Kate

Ekover Cleaning

I am launching an environmentally friendly business -

Ekover Cleaning
for
Domestic and Office cleaning/Detox - with natural cleaning products or Ecover
Detox home - substituting all hazardous chemicals with healthy options
Detox cabinets and shelves - substituting all hazardous chemicals with healthy options
Detox body- help you pick the rigt diet and choose the best source.

What's the story!? I was trying to remember when exactly did my interest in the environment started? Well if campaigning for fresh air and healthy life is a proof of interest in environment issues - it must have all started when I was 10-11.
How?
My parents were smokers and we lived in a small flat. We were 3 children and I was trying to stop them using the kitchen for smoking area. I was the oldest of the 3 and I guess I knew that smoking was bad and I hated the thick stinking cloud of cheap cigarettes that was often poisoning our tiny kitchen.

I don't think I blame my parents but I still keep a deep feeling of disgust and rage when somebody is smoking around a child or a non-smoker.

I also have came to the conclusion that if you want to be healthy - you have to make an effort yourself. Health is not something given - it is something you strive for.

So campaigning for fresh air + personal responsibility for your health = Ecover Cleaning

So Ecover Cleaning is a realisation of a long-term goal to promote clean environment.
With Ecover Cleaning I hope to be able to promote excellent health and clean environment but not only climate change, saving the tropical forests, preserving the nature - it's more your own personal environment - you, your home, your garden, your office.

Have you ever thought or read or watched about the chemicals we use in our every day life - what we eat, drink; what we wash ourselves with, what we put on our skin; what we clean our home with; what we put in our garden; how we have our homes build - it is full of seemingly safe and friendly staff which contains a cocktail of chemicals half of which is known to be hazardous and the other half is not proven yet to be of any danger!?

I have done some research and I found an endless list of articles, scientific evidence, campaigns and actions to raise awareness about this soimportant issue. I can only say that - most of the hazardous chemicals are related to cancer and hormonal dysfunction. No place to think twice.

To find all available research and advice please visit our website, which will be launched by 10th May 2007. Until then contact me through the blog.

If you live in London and you need someone to look after your home, garden or help you detox - call me to discuss the available choice: 07833684529.


x
Kate