2010 Olympiad Artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (creator of Sky Searchlight) condemns BC arts cuts

Press Release

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer lives and works in Canada and Mexico. Born in Mexico, he is a Canadian citizen. Now based in Montreal, he at one time lived in Vancouver. His artwork Vectorial Elevations, a highly visible public work involving searchlights in the Vancouver sky, is part of the Cultural Olympiad (the arts component of the 2010 Winter Olympics) and has become one of the most popular of the Olympiad artworks.

During a Q&A after his keynote speech at CODE: Dialogues, a 2010 Cultural Olympiad conference, Lozano-Hemmer told an audience that when he learned BC arts funding was to be cut by 90% after the Olympics, he felt that in this context his artwork was “obscene,” and said he was dismayed by BC politicians’ lack of vision.

He expressed a faint hope that the key and visible role of the arts in the Olympics would induce politicians to change their minds. He also said he hoped it would induce Vancouverites to ask themselves “what is it about these [art] projects that are making this moment special?” He went on to ask “And what if people get used to that and they demand that of their city, to have that kind of vibrancy and cultural stimulation and so forth? What if the politicans were to be [shown] that this is important not just economically, because culture brings in a net worth, but also in terms of quality of life?”

A number of Olympiad artists have, despite contract clauses limiting free speech, spoken out about the arts cuts, but not all of them have Lozano-Hemmer’s international stature. Lozano-Hemmer represented Mexico at the 52nd Venice Biennale and his work is in the collection of NY MoMA and the Tate Modern and many other key museums worldwide.

YouTube video and full transcript of his remarks are here: http://stopbcartscuts.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/artist-rafael-lozano-hemmer-creator-of-the-vectorial-elevations-searchlight-piece-criticizes-bcs-arts-cuts/

Explanation of the “9-11″ remark in the video clip: Before Vectorial Elevations was launched, its energy use wasn’t fully understood and the piece was accused of being “an environmental 9-11.” In fact, for its entire month-long run, the artwork uses the same amount of power as only 10 hockey games.

For more information please contact Lindsay at Stop BC Arts Cuts: (604) 313-7744 or email: stopbcartscuts@paarc.ca

TV Heart Attack Performing at the Habitat

TV Heart Attack Performing at the Habitat

TV HEART ATTACK will perform an all ages show on Tuesday March 2 at The Habitat (248 Leon Ave). The set time is 9:30 PM.

http://www.tvheartattack.com
http://thehabitat.ca

TV Heart Attack en Route to Canadian Music Week

PRESS RELEASE

VANCOUVER ROCK BAND TV HEART ATTACK TO HIT KELOWNA EN ROUTE TO CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK IN TORONTO

February 2, 2010 – Vancouver rock band TV HEART ATTACK will introduce themselves to Toronto audiences at this year’s Canadian Music Week (March 10-14). After a successful year in 2009 (The Peak Performance Project, Olympics Sega Game, Management deal), the band is ready to hit the road in support of their well-received EP Lost In The Sway. As local support for TVHA skyrockets, other cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, and New York have taken note. Hooking into the Toronto music scene is the obvious next step for TVHA, and they plan to do it loudly.

Lost In The Sway has given the bands live show “a sense of danger that we have only tapped into recently which, in my opinion, is paramount to rock and roll,” says lead guitarist Art Guest. The band is focused and tighter than ever: new songs, new themes, and “a whole new grasp on what the ‘TVHA’ live show is all about,” notes Jason Corbett, the band’s frontman. TVHA audiences can expect to hear material that is “plain and simple, unhyphenated rock music that harks back to the stadium-fillers of prior decades, from glam-era David Bowie to grunge pioneers Nirvana,” (The Georgia Straight).

TV HEART ATTACK is no stranger to touring, both big and small. In addition to multiple cross Canada tours, the band has opened for The Killers, played at Virgin Fest, and shared the stage with 54-40, Sloan, and The Von Bondies. Other recent accomplishments include appearances on the Whistler TV series and MTV’s Kaya, an add to the Sega Olympics 2010 Game Soundtrack, a big budget music video for hit single ‘AO’, and attending the PEAK Performance Project Boot Camp (a $5.29 million project created by 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop BC based emerging artists).

TVHA has experienced a good taste of success due to the fact that they have “no interest in letting time, money or indie status get in the way of (their) ambition,” (See Magazine). Of course, having great songs does help.

TV HEART ATTACK will perform an all ages show on Tuesday March 2 at The Habitat (248 Leon Ave). The set time is 9:30 PM.

“Enticing hooks, big choruses, a swell of guitars, a flurry of drums and little time wasted.” – CMJ Magazine

“TV Heart Attack packs the pieces of your broken heart into bittersweet hook filled rock songs. Their sound is exciting and vital. It’s inspired and completely confessional.” – The Vancouver Sun

“You will be humming along right quick.” – The Province

“Through their connection with audiences and their ability to promote themselves, they’re building their own brand.” – See Magazine

“There is something that sets this Vancouver band apart from the music of two decades ago — the sheer size of its sound.” – FFWD Weekly

For all media inquiries please contact Sarah Hawkins at sarah@shawkinspr.com
Shawkins Public Relations Co.

PUNKSVILLE (The Movie) to be produced in Kelowna

PRESS RELEASE

PUNKSVILLE (The Movie) to be produced in Kelowna

Producers of the Okanagan-based film and TV production company, Death or Glory Productions, are extremely pleased to announce their new film project, PUNKSVILLE, a full-length motion picture to be filmed entirely in the Kelowna area. Currently in pre-production, filming is set to begin in early April 2010. The scripted film will use Kelowna as the backdrop for the small city of Punksville.

“We are determined to use Kelowna locations – and local characters – in the film as they are in real life, thus showcasing and promoting those who are supporting us,” says James Blonde, producer/writer.

PUNKSVILLE is a drama that follows the story of a young, free-spirited girl, “Jo” (Athena Lebessis, American Pie Presents Beta House), who is torn between settling down with her wealthy, bland boyfriend, or opting for something a little different. When her favourite punk-rock band, The Saint James, comes to town, Jo unexpectedly gets involved in 24 hours of rock ‘n’ roll madness, and is forced to make a life-changing decision.

“We are extremely excited to have Athena on our team. We were lucky to have met her while she was in Kelowna visiting friends. Athena read the outline of the film, and then agreed to our offer of lead female character ‘Jo’,” says Felix Vinyl-Poét, producer/writer.

The Saint James have made local, and national news in recent months, having struggled with the school system, in their efforts to raise funds for school music programs.

Death or Glory Productions is appealing to local businesses and investors to step up and help financially support this project. Sponsorship and investment packages are available from $1,000.

“We hear lots of talk around here, but we aren’t seeing action when it comes to cash,” says Blonde. “We would like to see people put their money where their mouth is, and then be proud when the film hits international film festivals, showcasing the Kelowna area as it is.”

The total budget for the production is set at $600,000 CAD.

“With new tax incentives of up to $10,000 in write-offs, investing in a film production like this is a great way to support the Okanagan film industry. We are offering all sponsors and investors on-set access, and the opportunity to be actively involved in many aspects of the filmmaking process,” says Trance Blackman, producer/writer.

Artistically, with a name like “Punksville”, the producers feel the film will have huge international appeal, and will have subtitles in French, German, Spanish, and Italian.

“We’re so excited to make a film we would want to watch; real musicians, Euro-style cinematography, no green screens, just hands-on Filmmaking 101,” says Blonde. “We’re insisting on local cast, crew and production equipment. We have secured the latest in world-class cameras and editing facilities. Jon Summerland, the Okanagan film commissioner, has been instrumental in accommodating us with local resources, equipment, permits, and locations.”

The producers have also consulted with Kelowna Mayor, Sharon Shepherd, who was open and supportive of the project.

Sponsorship and investment packages are available from Death or Glory Productions. Further details are available at the Punksville website, also home of The Saint James, at www.punksville.com.

Contact the producers by email at info@punksville.com.