“Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria. By Noo Saro-Wiwa. Granta; 309 pages; £14.99. Buy from Amazon.co.ukTHROUGHOUT her childhood and early teens, Noo Saro-Wiwa spent every summer in Nigeria. The flight back always came as a shock, as was the arrival itself. The noise, decay and corruption of Lagos airport were unending, along with the insects, power cuts and the higgledy-piggledy way of living that was far too intimate for one brought up in Britain’s home counties.Ms Saro-Wiwa would far rather have stayed in the family house in leafy Surrey, with its golf clubs and Leylandii trees, or holed up with her smart boarding-school friends from Roedean. But her mother thought of their Surrey home as the ‘house’, whereas their Nigerian home was ‘home’, a character-building ‘tropical gulag’ with kerosene lamps, rice-and-okra soup, ‘body-temperature Coca-Cola’ and a live-in tribe of cackling uncles and aunts. Home, that is, until Noo’s father, Ken Saro-Wiwa, a businessman and activist from the oil-rich region of Ogoni, was arrested, imprisoned and then hanged in 1995 for his outspoken political views. The trips back to Nigeria came to an abrupt stop.For a decade afterwards, Ms Saro-Wiwa traded Surrey and Roedean…”

(Via The Economist: Books and arts.)

“A *very* common exchange I have with the general public regarding HIV-1:

Person– Where did HIV-1 come from?
Me– HIV-1 is related to a virus we can find in African primates, SIV. SIV crossed over from chimpanzees to the human population to make ‘HIV’ sometime in the late 1800s, early 1900s. This event happened at least three times, giving us the three groups of HIV-1, Groups M, N, and O, however it most likely has occurred numerous times over the course of human evolution, it just never lead to a pandemic like what we have with HIV-1 today. You can go get blood samples from African hunters right now and find viruses not found in any other human.
Person– *makes a face* From eating monkeys? It wasnt from (whispers) having sex with monkeys?
Me– I seriously doubt it. People in other parts of the world hunt and eat monkeys the same way we hunt and eat deer. Technically, I would actually bet it would be easier to have sex with an unwilling deer than an unwilling chimpanzee. Opposable thumbs and like twice the strength of a human and such.

This observation isnt meant as social commentary, but I do think its *REALLY* funny that some people think it is more believable that we got HIV-1 from having sex with chimpanzees, than from eating chimpanzees. Some yall is messed up. LOL!

Yes, humans around the world do, in fact, eat non-human primates for food. This is a problem from an ecological standpoint, as they are killing endangered creatures, and its a problem from an epidemiological standpoint (see: HIV/AIDS). The next pandemic could be hiding in someones dinner.

And though some of you might be thinking you are safe, thousands of miles away from someone eating a monkey in Africa or SE Asia, Ive got bad news for you. That person sitting across from you in the break room might be eating a MLT (monkey lettuce tomato) sandwich for lunch, cause literally tons of bushmeat (including monkey meat) is illegally exported allllllll over the world. The meat, plus all of their associated viruses. The next pandemic might be *from* Africa, but *start* in Miami. And because all of this stuff is illegal, we have no idea to what degree the transport and sale of the meat is going on, much less the levels of potentially threatening viruses. We dont know what the risk is, but it could be very, very bad.

So various government wildlife and medical research centers got together to test meat confiscated at a New York airport:

Zoonotic Viruses Associated with Illegally Imported Wildlife Products

SPOILER: They found lots of monkeys infected with lots of viruses.

So, if you are a jackass eating illegally imported monkey heads, let me offer a couple bits of advice. 1) Make sure you wear gloves and proper safety precautions while preparing your monkey head. Cutting yourself while butchering could start another pandemic. 2) Make sure you cook your monkey head thoroughly. I know, I love me some raw monkey head as much as anyone else, but consuming raw monkey could start another pandemic.

I swear. Why can’t people eat cows and pigs like normal people.

Also check out the featured ScienceBlog of the week: Inside the Outbreaks on the ScienceBlogs Book Club
“

(Via ScienceBlogs : Combined Feed.)

“New research suggests that fossils thought to represent some of the earliest multicellular life are instead single-celled, amoeba-like organisms. But even if they’re not quite full-blown animals, they may hint at how animals came into being.”

(Via Wired News.)

“The first part of this series described how growing income disparities have made it more expensive for middle-income families to achieve many basic goals, such as sending their children to a decent school. Today’s installment discusses the forces that have caused income disparities to grow in recent decades. This essay is adapted from Robert H. Frank’s recently published book, The Darwin Economy“.

(Via Slate Magazine – Architecture.)

Not having internet access has allowed me to read some of the 20+ books I’ve recently been plowing through. It has been refreshing to do more reading, but chance finding of something interesting can happen in a library, not online. Search engines narrow choices, not expand them. They look for similarities, and one doesn’t just happen upon some chance running into ideas. This concept seems to also have permeated our social environment, where people of different opinions are met with hate, not allowing others to voice ideas that could potentially have value in our lives. I remember when I first started my college education and asking an instructor I did not like to be part of my evaluation team. I felt his input was important even though I didn’t like many of his ideas or approach to things of art.

Kinda interesting.

This year we’re going to experience four unusual dates.

1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11 and that’s not all…

Take the last two digits of the year in which you were born – now add the age you will be this year, the results will be 111 for everyone in whole world.

This is the year of The Money!!!

The proverb goes that if you send this to eight good friends money will appear in next four days as it is explained in Chinese FENGSHUI.

Those who don’t continue the chain won’t receive…….

It’s a mystery, but it’s worth a try. Good luck. (How do you do this without it being spam?)

“You’ve put in tons of studio time, developed a signature style, created a body of work and are serious about selling your art or crafts and building your business. Even if you’re an experienced pro, are you doing everything you can to market yourself and create opportunities for sales every day?

Here are 25 ways to spread the word, spur interest in yourself and your work, and grow a base of dedicated customers:

1. Diversify your efforts

If you are currently working in one medium, how many other ways can your images be sold — as t-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, notecards, etc. Use online resources such as Café Press and Zazzle to sell your creations in multiple formats. Many well-known artists do this.

2. Sell Retail and Wholesale. Are you currently selling only to the public?

You may be giving up a huge market — wholesale buyers. Crunch the numbers and see if you can sell your products to the wholesale market. This involves making items in mass-production (such as prints, pottery, etc.) not strictly originals.

3. Sell your Work through Online Outlets

Etsy and other sites let you upload images and sell through their venue. Take advantage of these popular websites not only to sell but to create recognition and publicity.

4. Show Your Work in Alternative Spaces

In this economy, there are empty storefronts, window space on busy streets and other non-traditional places to show and sell your work. Pop-up galleries have become a trend, and can be placed in homes for sale, restaurants and available real-estate for next to nothing.

5. License Your Work

Many artists license their designs to manufacturers and get paid well for their work, giving them a steady stream of income. Use this as a primary or secondary way of creating income.

6. Apply to Exhibitions

Keep sending in applications to shows that suit your work. Show up personally to shows you get in to and to speak with visitors. This will lead to sales and commissions.

7. Write About Yourself

Write an article about yourself and your work, or have an article written about you. Does your work involve anything unusual or complex? Explain your techniques, using lots of photos. Post your article on ezines, your blog, or use them in press releases.

8. Regularly Send out Press Releases

Any time you have news, whether it is a show you are participating in, a new body of work you have created, or if you just want to publicize your work, you can send out press releases, by email and on paper. Send them to trade publications, local newspapers, large newspapers, blogs and news organizations. Photos of yourself and your work are essential. Most importantly, tell your story. The press is always looking for interesting stories for their readers. And face it, you’re interesting!

9. Cultivate Referrals

Word-of-mouth referrals are like gold and you want to encourage them whenever possible. So, how to get referrals? Ask for them! When you send out an email newsletter to your existing customer list, ask them to refer any friends who may be interested in your work. You may want to offer a discount or a gift card for these referrals. And be sure to thank anyone who gives you one!

10. Respond to Requests from the Press

The flip side of press releases is to respond to reporters looking for interviews, such as HARO. Also consider writing articles for publication on popular sites such as Fine Art Views who solicit them. Drive readers to your website by providing a link and then when they get there . . .

11. Make Your Website into an E-commerce Site

You spent a lot of time and money on your website. So, where’s the shopping cart? Getting online visitors is challenging enough, but when they do visit and can’t make a purchase, you lose the sale.

12. Exhibit at Trade Shows

It can be expensive to do a trade show, so make sure you have done your homework first and target the right ones. Participating in a trade show gets your work in front of many buyers and can be extremely profitable.

13. Sell at Home Shows

Do you have clients or patrons who would be willing to open their homes and invite their friends to come and see your work? Partner up with other artists if you wish and create a great experience by setting up in-home displays and sell to a private audience. Give the hostess some free work or other gift to thank them. This is a proven method I’ve used personally to make thousands of dollars in sales.

14. Do a Trunk show for a Retail Store

Boutiques, galleries and department stores have a ‘meet the designer’ event and you show up, bringing new work with you that isn’t available in the store’s inventory. You split the sales with the store and it’s a win-win. The store owner should provide their customer list for a promotional postcard mailing and you can advertise in the local paper and online.

15. Hire Sales Reps

This is a powerful way to multiply your presence and exposure to wholesale buyers. Working with reps (if you have a mass-produced production line of products) can add a huge dimension to your marketing and your sales.

16. Cultivate Buyers in Your Niche

Get involved with people who enjoy and support your chosen niche. Is your work animal-related? Attend ASPCA and charity events for animal rescue. Do you create nautical art? Participate in waterfront, sailing events and clean water causes. Donate some work to help raise money and awareness. Get to know the people who run events, and participate in groups for your cause. Subscribe to publications and websites that support your niche.

17. Advertise

This may be in a newspaper, magazine, on related websites or even Google AdSense ads. Use compelling images of your work. If necessary, get professional help from freelance writers or marketing consultants.

18. Volunteer

Help out at a local art event or sale. Get to know the people who support the arts and enjoy participating. They can often introduce you to many others in that community who can help spread the word about you. Plus, you get the satisfaction of being a volunteer and helping others.

19. Participate at a Decorator Show House Event

Many areas around the country have seasonal decorator shows where a large house is transformed by many interior designers and they are well-attended. Vendors at these homes usually get exposed to a crowd of affluent buyers and can make lots of money in sales.

20. List your Business in Directories

Is your studio listed on YellowPages.com? It’s free. Add your listing to Google search and other business directories to get the attention of local buyers. List your website address in online directories of artists and craftspeople, providing a way for potential customers to find you.

21. Print Postcards of Your Work

Choose several professionally-taken photos of your work and have a selection of postcards printed. Use these in mailings to your customer list, to hand out at shows, or as leave-behinds for business contacts.

22. Seek out Corporate Markets

Is your artwork appropriate for hanging in hotels, offices and other business environments? Submit your portfolio to corporate art advisers, or get in touch with buyers for hotel chains and make a presentation of your work for consideration. Sometimes framers work with these clients and you may be able to make a strategic partnership with a framer to help promote your work.

23. Open Your Studio.

Does your city or community offer any ‘open studio’ events where artists invite the public to see their work space and purchase their art? Participate in these, or have your own open studio by choosing dates, sending postcards, advertising and sending out press releases well in advance. This can coincide with the holidays, when certain towns invite the public to view homes decorated for a ‘holiday tour.’ Open your studio and let your guests view your work for possible gift ideas.

24. Get involved with Public Art.

A relatively new phenomenon, public art allows artists to get exposure they ordinarily would not receive.

25. Constantly Seek Opportunities.

There are many publications out there listing opportunities for artists and craftspeople to sell work. From trade magazines to website directories, you can find shows, exhibitions, projects and venues to publicize yourself and your work. Subscribe, whether in paper or online, and plan to read them regularly. Don’t miss out on ways to build your business and grow your customer base!”

(Via ArtBistro.)

Thiel Fellowship Pays 24 Talented Students $100,000 Not to Attend College:

“Peter Thiel, a PayPal co-founder who wants to inspire debate about whether higher education is overvalued, expects the fellows to develop business ideas instead.

Does he think the group will produce the next Mark Zuckerberg?

‘That’s not our metric for success,’ he said. He stressed that he doesn’t see the fellowship as an investment and isn’t looking to profit from the student ideas. Rather, he’s hoping the winners will learn more than they would by staying in school.”

(Via Chronicle.com – Today’s News.)

Urban Public Art & Design – Beyond the Gallery

Ex-Gehry Architects Devise Eco-Powered Vision for Inglewood, CA:

“Inglewood, Inglewood: Finally up to some good? A couple of Gehry-office expats have concocted an ambitious master plan to turn a broad swath of this depressed California city of 112,000 into a foliage-covered, wind-powered, mass-transit, natural spring water-spewing eco oasis. As the Architect’s Newspaper reports, Inglewood-based architects (fer) Studio want to create a full-blown ‘system of urban agriculture’ — a lofty goal in any city, but especially in a part of the world where ‘green’ means something very different from ‘environmentally minded.’ The craziest part: They might actually make it happen.

(Fer) Studio has been lobbying the local city council (though the Architect’s Newspaper describes it as ‘a fairly conservative’ body) and recently submitted their proposal to the Living City Competition, a contest for envisioning a city that adheres to crazy-strict environmental standards. The winner scoops up $125,000 and tons of media coverage. Obviously, it’ll take more than that to turn Inglewood into the sparkling green redoubt (fer) Studio dreams of, but it could be an important stepping stone and precisely what’s needed to start proving Dre wrong.

[Images courtesy of (fer) Studio; hat tip to Architect's Newspaper]“

(Via Co.Design.)

I was part of a special exhibition at Art Naples this past weekend. One thing I will NOT again do is to trust the person who claimed to be the curator. My work was securely packed, documents prepared in a new three-ring binder. I picked up my work yesterday, no binder. My art work? Damaged. Unwrapped. That is NOT the way the work should be treated. Ever!