POPPING THE SEAMS

[...] Erickson’s next 25 minutes, captured on a dash-mounted video camera, offer a clip for police trainers everywhere. A microphone captured all the sounds in the officer’s cruiser: wailing sirens, crackling radio dispatches, even Peter Frampton on the stereo singing “Show Me the Way.”

Court Retires Career bank robber’s old bag of tricks. Denson, Bryan. The Oregonian, Tuesday, July 31, 2007. B1

Here is a research survey about the relationship of popular music to politics by Mark Pedelty, Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Minnesota.

for example:

2) Has a musician or song ever informed you about a political, social, or environmental issue, person, or event that you had not previously heard of? If your answer is yes, please give an example or examples.

City May Seek Permit and Insurance for Many Kinds of Public Photography - New York Times, June 29, 2007. The Metro Section. B1. Rivera, Ray.

Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million dollars in liability insurance before taking pcitures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.

A New Studio Will Market Short Videos for the Web – New York Times, July 11, 2007. Business Day. Media. C4. Cieply, Michael.

Expanding a hunt for commerce in the burgeoning art of Web video, Hollywood’s United Talent Agency and the Internet-based advertising agency Spot Runner have started a ministudio for digital entertainment from established actors, directors and others…

The new company, 60Frames Entertainment, is the latest effort by those versed in old media to tap the power of short videos that have attracted millions to portals like MySpace, YouTube and elsewhere.

On Thursday July 12, 9am-10am PST David Lester of Mecca Normal will be on Seattle’s KUOW speaking on the role of art in politics, especially in times of conflict.

Where does art impact politics? Is there a point where political art becomes polemic, rather than artistic? Where is that point? Where can art succeed in changing political regimes or movements where protestors/lobbyists are unsuccessful? What is the role of art in times of conflict? What is the relationship between art and war?