RCINY (Romanian cultural institute)

This months cover by Aleksandar Ares,
layout by K.K.W

Dark days ahead? Changes @ the Romanian Cultural Institute in NYC. Article by K.K.W

"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred" (1)

Traian Basescu (President of Romania) speaking at a rally in his support.
Photo courtesy of wikipedia

As if matters were not already somewhat grim in Romania (the fight over the judiciary, press freedom: journalists under fire, the referendum against the president, and possibly having to borrow money from the IMF, etc) now the government has changed the mission, subordination and leadership of the RCI. Most alarming is the undemocratic process by which these changes were made. It forgoes the regular transparent and consultive process of legislating by the Parliament of such a change.

Through an emergency ordinance bill passed on June 13th 2012, the government now seeks to "preserve and perpetuate national identity." Apparently elements within the government did not like the current direction of the RCI, and clearly sees the power having control over it brings. The changes made via the bill are aimed at stemming what some feel are "...highly negative effects of some state of affairs that tend to affect, permanently, the sense of belonging to the Romanian nation of those who are already settled, temporarily, in other states". In protest over the changes the director & deputy director of the RCINY have both pledged to resign in mid-Nov 2012.     

Corina Suteu (left- former director of the RCI),
& Oana Radu (former deputy director of the RCI)

The Romanian cultural institute has 17 branches, including NYC, in various parts of the world. Their strategy or aim, to be open to the outside world, re-link the Romanian cultural market (cut off from the west)with the western world. Given the broad reach of 17 branches, its an immense outlet for whoever appoints its leaders and has major influence over them and or to dictate policy. 

While the institute under its president Horia Roman Patapievici has maintained an a-political agenda, many feel it will be the complete opposite given new leadership via the changes, backed by the government. Also, there is the very real danger of the governments actions being used as a precedent for further acts that by-pass normal political process.     

Stefan Peca,  former communication coordinator.
 Image courtesy of  Mr Peca 

In addition to all this its clear that altering the mission of the RCI is part of a plan to use it as an instrument for serving the Romanian diaspora (Romanians living outside of the country who can still vote on many issues), bringing events and programs in Romanian for them. Conversing with Stefan Peca through Facebook about the matter he had this to say, "...Romanian politicians have changed the Institute's mission, which is now an instrument for mainly serving the Romanian diaspora, focusing on events and programs in Romanian for them. Though there are two other cultural governmental agencies in Romania with the sole purpose of serving the diaspora (one of them within the RCI), the new government decided to politicize the institution (which now runs under the direct control of the Senate) and choose a traditionalist, nationalistic path that reminds us of the communist 80s rather than the modern approach that the RCI had until the summer of 2012, when these changes occurred. It is such a shame because the new president of the institute has already declared that RCI will stop promoting "experiments" (new art, literature, music and film) and focus on rehashing the classics. The young artists (coincidentally whose works are the number 1 cultural export asset of the country) won't have support anymore (because they are not "established" enough), a considerable blow to Romania's "living" culture. Instead, the offer of the new RCI will focus on Romanian classic literature and science, a policy that proved to be a complete failure in the 90s. Instead of growing its status as one of the most vibrant European cultural institutes (and the work that RCINY has done in the past 6 years in NYC is exemplary - with a very small budget they managed to connect the best contemporary Romanian artists with the NY scene) the RCI will probably succumb to the dark ages of Soviet-type propaganda, and stop being regarded as representative to contemporary Romanian art. Already, young artists are abandoning all intentions to work with the new Institute, and probably a subversive movement against this politicization of culture - a long term cultural war, already showing its signs - will start very soon, just like in the early 2000s. " 

In the end, nothing lasts forever. And on that note, here's hoping that these dark days head will be no more then a brief interruption, that will soon pass thanks those who realize they have a duty to stand in active opposition, against a clear and present danger to contemporary Romanian culture.  
If you would like to know more, go to:http://icrny.org/n169-Romanian_Cultural_Institute_changed.html, or:www.google.com/search?q=romanian+politics+2012&hl=en&gbv=2&gs_l=heirloom-hp.3.1.0l10.51544.66264.0.69078.19.14.1.4.4.0.325.1511.9j1j0j2.12.0...0.0...1c.1.rCNbmWKOtkg&oq=romanian+politics"Art is the reason, art is the way" (1) Niccolo Machiavelli. Stage One Pro 51cm Road Bike - Road & Touring Bikes (Google Affiliate Ad)Packleader Pro 51cm Road Bike - Road & Touring Bikes (Google Affiliate Ad)roxy Oregon Shoes (Blk) - Women's Shoes - 9.0 M (Google Affiliate Ad)

Sasha Sagan

This months cover by Aleksandar Ares,
layout by K.K.W

Sasha Sagan, @ Central Park West Oct 2012

"In between worlds of emotions."

Article & photos by K.K.W

"Often enough you find that ballet is a difficult art-form to understand, yet when you do its like looking up at the stars on a clear night. No words need be spoken." (1)

As with all other art-forms those who choreography infuse their performaces with various aspects of themselves, feelings of being alone, somber emotions and days spent tinged with the sensual. Sasha Sagan's piece embodies all of these things.

The low-key melodic tones of the music (Sebastian Plano & Olafur Arnalds)gripped the room as the dancers began their movements, tender graceful movements bespeaking loneliness even while being together. 4 pairs or couples, each merging and briefly breaking apart, in between them, worlds of emotions.

At various points a pair or single dancer would stop-still as the others carried on, their sudden immobility like a ringing note. An eerie reminder of isolation in a world that keeps moving and changing, despite the pain of the individual(s).

Its structural and rhythmic complexity never ceases to be personal, sensitive, and also universal. A somber shade always followed by a faint sense of light as powerful as the stars in the night, seemingly out of reach, though forever there. It was absolutely moving, so much like its creator.

Born Sasha Evtimova, her piece was part of the New York Choreographic institute's (an affiliate of the New York City Ballet) 2012 fall session, of which she was chosen to be a part of along to with two others (Gentian Doda & Troy Schumacher). She is by far one of great examples of contemporary Macedonian culture art.      

Sasha Sagan.  @ Central Park West, Oct 2012

If you would like to know more go to:www.studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2011/11/artist-spotlight-sasha-sagan.html, or:www.facebook.com/sasha.sagan?ref=ts. (1) Aleksandar Ares. "Art is the reason, art is the way."

Whitney V Hunter ("Site")

This months cover by Aleksandar Ares,
layout by K.K.W

"Site": Contemporary dance/performance.

Article & photos by K.K.W

On the one hand two words describe Whitney V Hunters "Site"; action & process. Then again the words struggle, brotherhood, and beautiful art, also comes to mind. Part symbolism, dance performance and what could be considered ritual/spiritual, "Site" is a five man act that draws together varied elements to create a complex visual story.

Set to an amazing score, part collected sounds from field recordings, Orisha music, contemporary blues, Hip-Hop and original text from photographer/visual artist Myron Christian Macauley's book, "Modern Man in Search of Soul", the music creates the perfect back-drop of sound to their stunning performance. Both merge together to transcend the stage and amaze the viewer with something tender, bold, that touches you.

The beginning seems to represent disunity, individuals in a struggle, competing for the microphone, the spot light, without much consideration for each other. As the performance proceeds there's a shift in the energy, the formation stats to change and unity begins to surface. A playfulness emerges not unlike young boys "rough-housing". One part reminded me of Winslow Homer's painting "Snap the whip", as the young men join hands in a line the two on either end hurls those in the middle forward, while still holding on to them.

When the end comes it courses with their vitality, a distinct power due to their greater sense of each other, the ritual that seemed to cleanse the bonds between them uniting their spirits while generating the feel of some lost African American folk tradition remade, through contemporary art. 

Whitney V Hunter is a visual/performance artist and curator. "Site" stars Hunter, Otis Donavan Herring, Youthen Joseph, Riccardo Valintine, Andre M Zachary. 

Whitney V Hunter

Whitney V Hunter.

If you would like to know more, go to:www.whitneyhunter.com/whmedium. 

Barclays Center

This months cover design by Aleksandar Ares,
layout by K.K.W. 

Rise of a "young one" (Barclays Center). Article & Photos by K.K.W

"Urban gentrification is associated with migration within a population. In a community undergoing gentrification, the average income increases and average family size decreases. This generally results in the displacement of the poorer, pre-gentrification residents, who are unable to pay increased rents or house prices and property taxes. Often old industrial buildings are converted to residences and shops. In addition, new businesses, catering to a more affluent base of consumers and those that can afford increased commercial rent, move in, further increasing the appeal to more affluent migrants and decreasing the accessibility to the poor." (1)

Over the last 5-10 years and in fact more, many have watched as Brooklyn has become a more desirable place to live. Park Slope, "Dumbo", Cobble Hill,  Brooklyn heights, Ditmas Park sector are prime examples of this. All have fallen to change via gentrification (some would say a natural soci-o-economic cycle).   

Early stages of construction (spring of 2012)

With this comes Real Estate developers, new structures, buildings, Cafes, restaurants, posh stores catering to, primarily, new residents and to a small degree those who still live there. The use of "eminent domain" played a major part in the rise of Barclays Center - the latest addition in a wave of new architecture along Flatbush Ave (between Myrtle & Atlantic Ave), changing the landscape of Brooklyn.  The project was initially proposed by Bruce Ratner back in 2004 after he purchased the New Jersey Nets (now The Brooklyn Nets) in the first step to build them a new home and moving them to Brooklyn. Jay-Z is a partial owner of the team, which makes sense why he would have serious involvement. He was also the main performer for opening night, Sept 28 2012. 

   

Early stages of construction (spring of 2012)

Some of the obvious pro's are jobs via construction/demolition labor to remove the buildings that was there,  and in erecting the arena (a 2006 economic impact study found that the project would produce more then 17,000 construction jobs). Along with this, designers who created it, those who sold the materials for it and all the middle men in between.  It has brought some jobs to the area since it opened, people who staff it for the games and events, the "clubs", bars, lounges, restaurants,  and shops contained within, including Jay-Z's 40/40 club (more then 8,500 permanent jobs). Not to mention the traffic safety officers who are there directing pedestrians for every event, the extra police on hand, and the sanitation crews for clean-up. In addition to the Nets, there will be performances by Barbra Streisand, John Legend, Smashing Pumpkins, Justin Bieber, The Who, Green Day, and Rihanna to name a few. Although many of those who live in Brooklyn can't afford tickets, I suppose its a comforting thought have the honor of such events being so close.    

Mid-Spring 2012

The con's starts with those who owned the private property and businesses forced to vacate via "Eminent  Domain", so the arena could be built. This will in-fact will be more of a reason for further development in Brooklyn that will see possible displacement of long time residents, and may lead to increased gentrification. The center is only part of a larger project, which includes 16 residential towers around the arena of which, only a few of the building units will be for low and middle-in-come families. With more construction comes traffic delays, dust and noise pollution, not to mention loss of revenue for some local businesses. 

New architectural development raises the property value of the land its built on, existing property around it and the area as a whole. It will also cause property taxes to increase, which in cases of those who cannot keep up with such increases lose their property,  or are forced to raise rents to cover costs. When those who rent cannot afford such increases, they leave for elsewhere, while new tenants eventually take their place. Already you can see some empty store-fronts, and other sections pushed out, like Dekalb Market (evicted in favor of "City-Points" development - a series of residential buildings with a Century 21 store).    

Mid-Spring 2012

Within the next few years we will see even more changes to the landscape of Brooklyn, and with this an increase in new residents, displacement of old residents and businesses, and further signs of gentrification. And although some of this will have positive results for the Brooklyn, many will be on the losing side unless they can keep up with the changes. This is all part of In The Shadow Of The Young Ones, urban change in our time.

Mid-Spring 2012

Early Summer 2012

Fall, opening day Sept 28,  2012

Fall, opening day Sept 28,  2012

If you would like to know more, go to:www.studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2012/10/dekalb-market.html, or:www.studiophoenix.blogspot.com/search/label/In%20The%20Shadow%20Of%20The%20Young%20Ones. (1) Taken from the Wikipedia article,  "Gentrification". "Art is the reason, art is the way"