Tim Hawkinson

Maurizio Cattelan

That's what I'm talkin' about.

Jonas Staal & Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei

The exhibition Al-Qa'ida Torture Devices comprises a presentation of a selection of typical western household appliances, tools and other instruments, such as electric irons, drills and cutting torches, which Al-Qa'ida has been using as torture devices on captives.

Historically, Osama bin Laden, a current leading figure in the Al-Qa'ida network, used to be an important US ally during the Afghanistan war (1988) against the former Soviet Union. During the last few decades, this relationship reversed completely: Al-Qa'ida is now 'protesting' against what it perceives as the intervention of western (American) countries into the islamic world. However, it is interesting to notice that, despite their disgust of western influence, they have employed basic western products, i.e. house- hold appliances and other tools, in order to fight and combat the 'intruders' and other enemies of their choice.

Our western society has not only provided part of the social and cultural context for Al-Qa'ida to operate in, it has, moreover, provided it with the tools to do so more effectively.

On April 24, 2007, American soldiers searched a so-called 'Al-Qa'ida safe house'. They found a collection of explicit hand drawn pictures, possessing a certain 'art brut' quality, that presumably has been used as a guide to the torturing of enemies. The products and their description that have been depicted in this collection form the basis of Al-Qa'ida Torture Devices.

In the same house, the American soldiers found a captive, hanging in chains from the ceiling, that had been tortured in a fashion suggested by the drawings.


The seemingly 'innocent' tools that are on display, obtain in perspective of the exhibition their violent content, that has been suggested in the afore- mentioned drawings. This ambiguity inherent to the tools and devices is representative for the double position that Al-Qa'ida occupies in relation to the western world, both as (former) ally and (current) enemy.









News article about the torture methods

Official site Jonas Staal

Continued:

"Art" or abuse?

Katinka Simonse TINKEBELL

TINKEBELL. is Katinka Simonse's alter-ego, a 'designer of discussions'. She created a huge controversy over the killing of her cat in order to make a designer hand bag out of it, claiming she "always wanted to carry it close to herself". TINKEBELL. researches the issues of contemporary populist movements, including animal rights activism, and their strategies. Hypocrisy within these movements and discourses is the main focus point of her work.

She recently got a lot of heat for one of her installations named SAVE THE PETS.









Those hamsters look like they're having loads of fun in those transparant plastic balls. No?

Official website: http://www.tinkebell.com/

...interesting. i always thought nothing said "We hate the West!" like driving around in a brand name pickup truck while waving chinese-made kalinshnikov rip offs...

Lou Shabner

Lisa Kokin







http://easydreamer.blogspot.com/sear...l/Illustration

Nam June Paik (July 20, 1932 - January 29, 2006) was a South Korean-born American artist.
He worked with a variety of media and is considered to be the first video artist.







http://www.paikstudios.com/

I love Paik's stuff.

Marcel Lefracq







http://www.lefrancq.be/Pagecadre.htm

pumb

Cameras designed by Wayne Martin Belger.
Otherwise known as Boy of Blue Industries.


Untouchable (HIV)

Designed to study and photograph a geographic comparison of people suffering from HIV.

4”x5” camera made from Aluminium, Copper, Titanium, Acrylic and HIV positive blood. The blood pumps through the camera then in front of the pinhole and becomes my #25 red filter. Designed to shoot a geographic comparison of people suffering from HIV.


Third Eye Camera

Designed to study the beauty of decay.

4”x5” camera made from Aluminium, Titanium, Brass, Silver, Gem Stones and a 150 year old skull of a 13 year old girl. Light and time enters at the third eye, exposing the film in the middle of the skull.


Heart Camera

Designed to take photos of soon-to-be mothers who are at least 8 months pregnant, and explore my relationship with my twin brother who died at birth.

4”x5” camera made from Aluminium, Titanium, Acrylic, Formaldehyde and an infant human heart.

Check out his website for other contraptions:
http://www.boyofblue.com/

coolest set of pics ever.....


but seriuosly...a.wesom.e thread.

http://www.adrianos.gr/en/paintings

only found about him few minutes ago..just saw a booklet of his 2006 exhibition and wow he has evolved.

Good morning. This is beautiful. I found out last week that I have an exhibition in October. It may be shared with a photographer from New Zeland called Alexandra Simms. I think she has a website but I don't think she puts anything other than her commercial work on it.

thats great news darling.
pls have someone take loads of pics as you enjoy yourself there drinking cheap wine or smth. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cheers babe. Come visit near the time!

Huang Yan



http://www.chinesecontemporary.com/huang_yan_cv.htm

michael cina

http://creativejournal.com/articles/...a#.T9hwPVbngdB