Category Archives: Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff

SOLD!

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Yes, folks, it’s now official. This lovely nude portrait of Der Harper just went up for sale on Kijiji after its owner (formerly anonymous) came out of the closet about it. The CBC has the deets: What’s it like to … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Canadian Counterpunch, Isn't It Ironic?, Morticia! You Spoke French! | Comments Off

Best Mad Max: Fury Road review EVER.

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Sabina Becker

And now, for something completely different: I don’t know if this critic-guy would call himself a feminist, but he’s sure not doing a bad job of, you know, ACTUALLY BEING ONE in here. Making fun of “meninists” is a very … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Men Who Just Don't Get It, The Bold and the Badass, Uppity Wimmin | Comments Off

Quotable: Michael Moore on librarians

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Sabina Becker

The revolution will be led by writers…and readers…and the people who bring the two together.

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Quotable Notables | Comments Off

It’s Canada Day, ya bastards!

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Stompin’ Tom is sorely missed, but he’s still here in spirit, never fear. And here’s another notable Pied Piper of Canadian music…bandleader Bobby Gimby, opening Expo ’67 in Montréal:

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Canadian Counterpunch | Comments Off

Happy May Day!

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Sabina Becker

This version of “The Internationale” comes as a coda to another song, which was cut off. According to the YouTube link: “In 1944, to honor the Allied victory in Italy, legendary counductor Arturo Toscanini — a refugee from Fascism in … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Cool Beans | Comments Off

“In Tatjana’s Shoes”: German art students taken on prostitution, human trafficking

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Sabina Becker

“In Tatjana’s Shoes”, a street art exhibit by a group of students from Osnabrück, Germany. Photo: EMMA. Human trafficking and prostitution are big topics in Germany right now. A law reform is on the table, but the real debate is … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Confessions of a Bad German, If You REALLY Care, Law-Law Land, Uppity Wimmin | Comments Off

Quotable: Eduardo Galeano on Utopia

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Sabina Becker

The recently deceased poet of Latin American journalism reads one of his loveliest, truest and most poignant pieces aloud. The on-screen translation’s a bit wonky, but I think you’ll get the idea: PS: According to one of the commenters on … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Paraguay, Uruguay, Quotable Notables, Under the Name of Spain | Comments Off

Two great lights go out at once

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Today, the world lost two greats of literature. Uruguay lost this one: …whose influence on my awareness of the issues of all of Latin America is tremendous, thanks to his Open Veins of Latin America and Days and Nights of … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Confessions of a Bad German, Obits and 'bobs, Paraguay, Uruguay | Comments Off

Non, je ne suis pas Charlie. And here’s why.

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Sabina Becker

Mock on, Mock on, Voltaire, Rousseau; Mock on, Mock on, ’tis all in vain. You throw the sand against the wind, And the wind blows it back again. — William Blake No, I am not Charlie Hebdo. I am not … Continue reading →

Posted in Angry Pacifist Speaks Her Mind, Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Crapagandarati, If You REALLY Care, Isn't It Ironic?, Isn't That Racist?, Karma 1, Dogma 0, Law-Law Land, Morticia! You Spoke French!, Pissing Jesus Off | Comments Off

Why the Marquis de Sade is nobody’s hero

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Sabina Becker

Detail from “The Martyrdom of St. Barbara”, by Jean Bellegambe, 1528. Musée de la Chartreuse, Douai. What gives with the idea that a notorious 18th-century aristocratic sociopath — a chronic, pathological liar who ruthlessly took full advantage of his high … Continue reading →