State of the Arts

State of the Arts: June 26, 2009 Archive

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Creating art to change public behavior

Posted at 6:34 AM on June 26, 2009 by Marianne Combs (1 Comments)
Filed under: Public Art

recyclingbin.jpg

Today Mears Park in St. Paul is getting four new recycling bins.

Big deal, you say?

Not so fast, I say.

These bins were made by artists Seitu Jones and Marcus Young in a collaboration between the City of St. Paul, Public Art St. Paul and Eureka Recycling.

Christine Podas-Larson of Public Art St. Paul says it's not about making recycling bins look pretty. Instead the idea is to get people in the park to be more aware when they recycle a plastic bottle or aluminum can. By drawing attention to the act (by creating an unusual, bubbly looking bin), Podas-Larson says people will slowly become more conscious of their choices, and will notice just how often they're using containers that need to be recycled. Then, hopefully, they'll reduce their consumption.

Ultimately, she says, the goal of the recycling bins is to work themselves out of a job.

A dedication ceremony takes place at 11am this morning, at which point certain "secret gifts" are being unveiled to the public to encourage them to participate in the "art of recycling."

So, do you think it will work?

(1 Comments)

Photographer William Klein to capture Minneapolis skyline

Posted at 9:00 AM on June 26, 2009 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Film

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Legendary photographer and filmmaker William Klein is giving a talk at the Walker Art Center tonight. MPR's Jim Bickal spoke to the 82-year-old Klein. Klein mentioned the project he is working on currently is a book of photographs called "Anywhere." This book will be a collection of "crazy, interesting and strange" landscapes.

On his way to downtown Minneapolis from the airport, Klein says he was struck by the weird looking buildings that make up the Minneapolis skyline. He plans to photograph the skyline for the new book before he returns to his home in Paris. Klein calls the buildings in Minneapolis a "crazy scene."

Remembering Michael Jackson

Posted at 9:29 AM on June 26, 2009 by Marianne Combs (1 Comments)
Filed under: Music, People

michael_jackson_38.jpg

As people around the world are waking up to the news that music legend Michael Jackson has died, memorials and memories are pouring forth.

Here in Minnesota, bells will ring at 11am in Minneapolis in Jackson's honor.

People in Harlem are gathering outside the Apollo Theater, where he performed as a child.

LA Times music critic Ann Powers compared the impact of the death of Michael Jackson to that of Elvis.

Meanwhile, people are still looking for answers surrounding the details of Jackson's death.

(1 Comments)

Memories of Michael Jackson

Posted at 2:29 PM on June 26, 2009 by Marianne Combs (2 Comments)
Filed under: Music, People


People are sharing their memories of MJ. Johannah Marcott in River Falls, Wisconsin writes:

I was a fan of the man back in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s - after that he seemed to get more eccentric and all the weirdness was in full fledge. I grew up watching Thriller, Moonwalker, listening to the Bad record, and Dangerous.

He was a big musical influence when I was a kid in the 80s. I also wanted nothing more than to go to Neverland ranch and go on the rides and meet him as a kid - it would have been an honor.

And Jeff Achen in Apple Valley, Minnesota writes:

I remember getting out of school, riding home in the car with my sisters. It was our first day in a new elementary school in the eighties in a new town and our mother was excited to share with us a new record she bought for us: Michael Jackson, Thriller.

We grew to love his music and one of my fondest Michael Jackson memories was creating a silly dance to the song "Thriller" that we did for our parents in our living room. My sisters were in Kindergarten and second grade. I was in fourth grade. Since then I've grown up with Michael Jackson's music, his antics and his influence. It's a sad day to lose such a nice man and a generous entertainer.

Online, Pete comments:

In 1983 I was in Jr high at Folwell in Minneapolis. We had a "video" dance which was a traditional school dance with a big screen tv to play videos. When MJ came on, every boy in the room lost their girl to the screaming crowds by the big screen.

Interested in sharing your memories of Michael Jackson? Post a comment below or submit them here.


(2 Comments)

St. Paul artist killed by garbage truck

Posted at 9:12 PM on June 26, 2009 by Marianne Combs (1 Comments)
Filed under: Craft, People

St. Paul-based artist Jean Matzke was walking her dog in lowertown St. Paul early this morning when she was hit by a garbage truck turning the corner. 70-year-old Matzke was a fiber artist, showing her work locally at Grand Hand Gallery, and teaching both at the College of St. Benedict and the Textile Center of Minnesota. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, St.John's University, and the College of St. Benedict, and has been featured on HGTV.

(1 Comments)
June 2009
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