Thursday, June 04, 2009

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been a threat to the arts long before his comments during the last federal election about “rich galas” for artists.
When he announced the axing of [plans for the] the National Portrait Gallery in Ottawa, it prompted the editors at Art Threat to launch a national portrait contest. “Framing Harper” was a call-out to artists and activists across Canada to create a portrait of Stephen Harper that would capture the PM’s “appreciation” of arts and culture in Canada.
My friend submitted the portrait on the left and made it into the top 23 finalists:


I really like the winner's reference. You can check out the rest of the portraits here.

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posted by Vanessa at 10:31 PM


Tuesday, November 06, 2007

I call it Corporate Whore Coffee Co. and endeavour to support smaller independent coffee shops. However, as a poor student I will make use of a free gift certificate, especially in light of the fact that Corporate Whore Coffee Co. is the only establishment offering me respite from the cold while I wait for the bus home from my night class Wednesday evenings.

Yesterday morning the situation that led me to order their mediocre drip coffe was slightly different. Having woken up early to go volunteer, I needed help easing into full consciousness, and decided to use said gift certificate. Drowned in milk, my tall medium roast was more palatable that I remember their dark roast being.

Never really impressed in the first place with the philosophising that adorns the side of their cups, I found this one by Madeleine Albright particularly shocking (forgive the poor quality camera-phone photo):



Upon further inquiry, I see how the decontextualisation of the phrase is what created schock value for me. It also made me reflect on my choice of volunteer organisation..

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posted by Vanessa at 11:07 AM


Monday, September 03, 2007

I'm surprised that celebrity entertainment blog Perez Hilton hit so close to home. I'd never visited the blog before, as I like to stay as out of touch with celebrity gossip as possible, and only found out because I was checking out the details for their show on their myspace. Good for them!

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posted by Vanessa at 8:37 PM


Sunday, July 22, 2007

Despite the obstacles, Hayley and I supported business along the Canada Line, and saw John Travolta in drag at the Park Theatre. The primary reason we chose the Park was the show time. The added bonus was being able to get admission and a fountain drink for less than the cost of a larger chain theatre's price of admission.

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posted by Vanessa at 11:30 PM


Thursday, July 12, 2007


I was surprised to see Neville Chamberlain's words used in the context of a reconciliation between Chantal Kreviazuk and Avril Lavigne gracing the head of The Sun's Arts & Life section yesterday. No matter how badly this dispute could have shaken the music industry, I can hardly believe that it would be on par with the Munich Agreement that was supposed to guarantee against war with Hitler. I didn't hold The Sun in high regard before this, so I can only hope this headline was chosen ironically to point out the stupidity of celebrity journalism.

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posted by Vanessa at 8:21 PM


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