Yearly Archives: 2013

Stoneybatter

The ‘Traveller signs’, across from Maureen’s shop in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, explained.

They were created by Japanese artist Shota Kotake, who moved to Dublin in 2004.

Writing for the On The Batter blog, Shota explains:

“A few months ago, my bike was stolen from our back yard and, a few weeks later, my good sports jacket. It was all caused by having no proper prevention on our wall facing Manor Place.

“As Maureen sometimes told us, some people climb up and look inside to see if there are any valuables to steal. We discussed about having broken glass, but that’s illegal to do. We also thought about spreading grease, but then stray cats can’t come into our back yard anymore, so we had no good idea about it. Then I suddenly came up with this idea of having some sort of art work. It could be replicating a Super Mario stage or something like that, but I came up with having Travellers on it and making them say something.”

…

“It was a huge sensation when the video of Davy Joyce replying to Simon O’Donnell came out on YouTube. All the lads in college were talking about it and that was the first time I discovered these Travellers and bareknuckle boxing culture. Everyone thought it funny that these big muscly lads were ranting on each other through the video and they send it to each other to organise a fight. Also, the words they used in the video were funny as well. I found it funny as well, but I found it more like I found a true Irishness in them. They never accept their defeat, they use a lot of unique words to describe something which can be described in a few words like “Here, I want to fight with you on this date, this place”, rather than shouting at each other how they are shit and all. I guess such garrulity is something that only Irish people can have. Moreover, these boxers have unique characters themselves.”

“A Japanese art group from the 1950s called GUTAI is one of the only such groups that became well-known overseas. And the reason they were huge is because they do stupid and meaningless things very seriously. I find Travellers kind of the same. They are doing something that looks stupid to people outside their community and culture, but they’re doing it really seriously. That’s why I love them and respect them.”

Previously: Meanwhile, In Stoneybatter

The story behind Stoneybatter’s latest street art (On The Batter)

vs-banksy-0092-600x450 vs-banksy-0101-600x450

At this point, if Banksy farted in a bottle, it would sell for a lot […] Hundreds raced to swarm around his NYC pieces every day all this month. But 10 years ago in May of 2003, Banksy’s first New York art exhibit was a small and humbly-attended affair in the expanded space of a Triple Five Soul retail store on Lafayette.

READ ON: The Untold Story Of Banksy’s First New York Show (Animal New York)

highdefinite

diy-human-cyborg-biohacks-his-own-body-designboom01 diy-human-cyborg-biohacks-his-own-body-designboom03 diy-human-cyborg-biohacks-his-own-body-designboom02

With the help of Grindhouse Wetware, ‘Biohacker’ Tim Cannon has designed a computer capable of recording and transmitting real-time biometric data to android-powered devices.

A fellow biohacking enthusiast has embedded the thing (sealed in plastic and powered by a wirelessly rechargable battery) without anesthesia into Cannon’s forearm.

Motherboard TV sez:

Called the Circadia 1.0, the implant can record data from Cannon’s body and transfer it to any Android-powered mobile device. Unlike wearable computers and biometric-recording devices like Fitbit, the subcutaneous device is open-source, and allows for the user the full control over the data.

designboom

DCTVVDublin Community Television is to close.

A statement from DCTV says:

“It is with regret that the staff and committee of Dublin Community Television (DCTV) must inform you of the orderly wind down of the station, and the planned cessation of broadcast in February 2014.”
“On 21 October 2013 the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) made it known that it would not be funding any of DCTV’s archiving project submissions. Alongside this decision, BAI support for DCTV projects through the Sound & Vision scheme had dropped. Funding for 2012 was seven times higher than the funds received in 2013.”
“DCTV had recognised its dependence on the BAI and tried to generate alternative funding. This year the station secured significant alternative funding. However, the drop in BAI support to less than a sixth of its previous annual average left the station unable to guarantee the ability to meet its obligations in wages, rent and other costs if it continued to operate.This has been a difficult decision, not least because of the belief that the station was approaching a sustainable funding model.”

Full statement here.

H/T: Come Here To Me

90287884John Murray.

Where’s he been?

“You’re very welcome to the John Murray show, with John Murray and I have to say it’s lovely to be back here this morning. I have a lot of thank yous to get through initially. First of all, a very big thank you to Miriam O’Callaghan for doing such a great job in my absence, thank you Miriam. My gratitiude to my Series Producer Margaret Curley and all the gang, Alan, Deirdre, Sheila, Zbyszek, Denise, John and Colm, great to be among you again. And a little bit more personally, my thanks to my wonderful wife Miriam and my two great children, Stephen and Catherine and my family and in-laws and friends.
Well, what to say about the last six months? One minute I’m happily presenting this radio show and enjoying life, the next I’m gripped by dread and anxiety, with the simplest task proving beyond me.

As those with experience of it know, depression doesn’t just drop in and say a quick hello and then head for the hills, or at least my kind didn’t. No, it took a fancy to me and decided to take up residence for a few months, and boy did it make its presence felt. Especially in the mornings, when the day ahead became something to endure, rather than enjoy.

But in my battle to get better, I discovered that I had in my arsenal, a secret weapon, you the listener, I’m so, so grateful to everyone who took the trouble to write to me, send me get well soon cards and mass cards, those of you who rang and texted and emailed the show, enquiring after my health.

All the people whom I met over the past few months in Rathfarnham  and elsewhere, thanks for making the tougher days a bit easier with your love and concern, and for helping me get back here this morning, so we can renew our friendship now and have a bit of craic in the process. I’m a little bit reluctant about giving advice to others who might find themselves depressed or anxious, everyone is different.

But one thing I will say is, don’t be too hard on yourself, you haven’t failed life’s test, share your thoughts and feelings with others and don’t suffer in silence. And can I say, finally to anyone who knows someone who is depressed, don’t be afraid to contact them, they mightn’t reply immediately, or at all, but boy, will they appreciate that someone is thinking of them. I know, I did!”

 

John Murray, RTE R1 this morning.

(Sam Boal/Photocall ireland)

 

I was so upset after being killed off, says Susan (Independent.ie)

emocat072311Like cats?

Like Morrissey?

JB writes:

I am reading Morrisey’s Autobiography and on page 286 he tells us that in 1995 he moved into a house on Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2…

 

“I dart about Dublin in the Saab which I park night in a lock up in Lad Lane. Dublin life is a is a steady focus on pub culture and simple pleasures. The streets are safe and it is difficult not to make friends. Instantly I find my own stray cat, who is white somewhere near the blackness of dust.

He patiently waits for me every morning but disowns me once he is fed.

There will be less suffering in his eyes as the weeks pass, yet his business down Dublin’s back alleys is of more concern to him than the variety of cat basket enticements that I lay out for him should he want to edge in permanently. But he doesn’t. I never fail to supply daily sustenance but he equally doesn’t fail to be at his appointed spot, full of simple devotion.

The inevitable morning draws me to the large Georgian windows from which I see his pathetic, half-flattened body in the middle of a deserted street. I race outside and lift his body up into two large bath towels, the body now lifeless, yet softly in my arms for the first time. His short life now over, as death always wins.”

Oh.

Moz/moggy song titles anyone?

Previously: This Charming Mannequin

Pic posed by model