Superfuzzy

Succah in the Desert

Just got back from the far south … stayed in this hut near Mitzpe Ramon in the desert, with no electric or plumbing.

Ahmed & friend, our hopeful guides

We didn’t really need guides, but ran into Ahmed and his friend every time we turned a corner. In perfect English, learned at the New Gate school, they asked “where would you like to go?” It turns out school is out for summer this week, so the market for guides in the Old City was quite crowded.

At the Western Wall

Today we took a drive to Jerusalem and visited many of the popular sites, visited with the locals, ate some great hummus and of course took lots of photos. More later, I promise. (it’s quite late here and I’m wiped out.)

Straight to the Heart

Yesterday I went on a short photo safari in the old part of Tel Aviv with Erez. Called Neve tzedek (Oasis of Justice) it’s actually the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv.

We didn’t see lots of graffiti except for a handful of stencil tags and pasteups. Most of the stencils were very political. I’ll post more of them over on Flickr later on.

We saw the one above, “Straight to the Heart” many times. The notice board on the left has a poster for the upcoming Gay Pride Tel Aviv which I’ll miss — it’s the day I come back to NYC.

In Tel Aviv, We Don’t Make Dirt

That’s the approximate translation of the sign on the waste bin.

Halfway through the first full day an no jet lag yet, which is a good sign. Spent the morning scootering around Tel Aviv and Yaffo, and now off to the beach again.

I Have Arrived

After a grueling flight, which started with me being chosen for extra security measures, I have arrived in Tel Aviv. First stop, the beach, followed by an invigorating fruit drink. The weather and water are perfect, although the locals think the water is still too cold for swimming. Luckily, no jet lag yet, but we’ll see how things go tomorrow.

Travel Time שָׁלוֹם

On my way to Tel Aviv today. Stay tuned for more posts from your Middle East correspondent.

Astoria

Had a lovely day yesterday walking around Astoria (Queens) with Michael. Highlights of the day included running into some fun kids on the secluded beach under Hell Gate (bridge, above) and wandering through the fallow industrial environs of 1st Street. More photos to follow on Atomische.com.

Visual Artists, Take Action: Don’t Let Congress Orphan Our Work

Under CURRENT COPYRIGHT LAW, any work you create is automatically protected, even if you share the work via novel channels like Flickr or Photobucket.

The Orphan Works 2008 Legislation would change that. It would force you to register every image you make with privately-held commercial registries. All unregistered works will be exposed as potential “orphans” for commercial infringement. In other words, Congress proposes to remove automatic copyright protection, opening the possibilty of unlimited, unlicensed and unathorized COMMERCIAL use of your works.

This site makes it easy for you to communicate with your members of Congress. Please feel free to use the templates below and when you fill out your address, your members of Congress will be automatically identified. Non U.S. artists please go here for a sample letter and the U.S. agencies to contact.

TAKE ACTION TODAY and tell your colleagues.

Reslience

My friend Henry is having a solo exhibition of photos from Friday, May 9, 2008 to Saturday, May 31, 2008, called “Reslience”. Check it out!