Entry #13

Week of November 14th to 20th, 2005

Monday, November 14th
Photography Lecture: Flor Acosta http://www.cge.udg.mx/revistaudg/rug25/rug25floracosta.html and
Nick Nichols http://michaelnicknichols.com
Flor Acosta teaches photography at the Instituto and her work, "Super Flor" was also on display in the foyer of the Teatro Angela Peralta. This exhibition was comprised of miniature frames of self portraits in costume & poses of goddesses from world mythologies.

Nick Nichols, a National Geographic photographer, showed the audience his latest book, Ndoki: The Last Place on Earthpage by page. It covers a 2000+ mile trek by J. Michael Fay and his pygmy guides as they walked through lands that are still uninhabited. Their efforts led to the creation of 20 or more National Parks. You can see many of the images of this book online. The photos were astonishing and the trip itself was gruelling as the team made its way through extrmemly rough terrain. Check out Nichols' web site for some of the most amazing photos you will ever see.

Wednesday November 16th
Photography Lecture: Ralph Lee Hopkins http://www.agpix.com/results.php?agid=RaLeHoWi32
and Jock Sturges http://www.benhamgallery.com/artists/sturges.html

Hopkins has taken photographs in many of the world's most remote places: the Arctic, Antarctic, the Galapagos, the Grand Canyon and Baja California. His presentation was easy going and good humored. His photographs took us to those far away places he knows so well: he made 25 visits last year to Baja! (or some outrageous number like that.)

Sturges' work is no less controversial today than it was when the FBI arrested him for being a pornographer. His photography is founded upon classical Greek art and Impressionism; many of his subjects' poses are reminiscent of Matisse, Degas and Renoir. However, because all his subjects are young, pre-pubescent even, and without exception lithe and beautiful, one wonders why the naked bodies of large women are not represented. He said that his wife, after delivering their newest child, did not want to be photographed because she was unhappy with her shape, although he thought she was still beautiful. Different body types and women of middle and old age would have made his arguments more valid to many more people in the room.

Thursday November 17th
2pm Indian Curry Luncheon hosted by Mujeres en Cambio. This scholarship fundraiser was prepared by a well known female chef . The evenet was held at the beautiful Hacienda de las Flores, on Calle Hospicio #16. The meal was delicious and it gave me an opportunity to meet more people and find out about the good work that Mujeres en Cambio does in the community. For information about this group go to their web site: http://portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/mujeres/

5-8pm Art Opening: Works by Gene Johnson at Casa de la Cuesta, which has a permanent collection of over 200 indigenous masks that have all been used in ceremonial dances. This opening gave me an opportunity not only to see Johnson's work but to have a look at the very impressive and somewhat scary mask collection and a tour of the B&B itself. http://www.casadelacuesta.com/gallery.html

8pm Feria de la Lana y el Laiton : Ballet Folklorico Michoacan & craft fare

Friday November 18th
5pm Movie: Kikujiru No Natsu (2000) This was a quirky film that was both sad and very funny. There are many scenes that will stay with me a long time: the octopus, smashing the watermelon, fishing in water that has no fish, the space alien. The pacing is odd, sometimes it seems so slow, I wished it would end, then something memorable would happen like the hit and run scene. Some people think it is one of director Kitano's best films. It also has a very good soundtrack. See it if you get the chance.

7pm Art Opening: Encaustic paintings and Icons by Eschwan Winding at Galerie LeNoir. These were beautiful. Especially impressive were her series of icons that illustrated the four elements of earth, air, water and fire. The goddesses had familiar faces, like Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and other notable women. The icons were triptychs with six sides. They are made to sit on a table, not to be hung on a wall, so all surfaces may be observed.