The Art Issue?
Hiya readers! You’re getting a hyuge make-up ish, because Long Time No Look!
I’ve been telling friends and family for eighteen–plus months (beFORE someone got elected and installed) that I wished we still had “old-timey sanitoriums” , meaning resortlike institutions where more well-to-do families could send relations who needed physical or mental recuperation to “take in the mountain / seaside / trendy health term air” for weeks to months and then, when feeling restored, return from that bucolic pace.
Alas! If such experiences ever existed, they are extinct - at least for most Americans - today. And I keep increasingly needing this dream, although I actually feel as though I'm in the neo-nightmare in which one is
running but not going anywhere, screaming but can't even make a sound. I keep getting hit with added stress, with little to no relief. A bit is my own tendency to hyperbole, but there are also several real Familial Situations, health issues, mental health diagnoses, work woes, and of course, the state of the world.
Over the past few months, we viewed boat strikes, a missile-led regime change in Venezuela, threatening rhetoric towards Greenland and Canada, and a “will you or won't you call it a” war against Iran, We watched the use of our country's own force against citizens in cities such as LA, Chicago, and of course Minneapolis. We also saw the buildup of detention centers and casual callousness - even cruelty –towards anyone even suspected of being an immigrant or requiring deportation.
We've seen the proliferation of AI and its imposed usage upon us, along with its degradation of the environment - and we've seen that environment spawn deadly and dangerous extreme weather, including cold snaps, violent storms, and early extended heat - all while agencies such as NOAA
and the NWS go un- or underfunded.
Li’l Snow Bunny Foo Foo
We’ve also observed the rights and dignity of parts of the population being threatened and denied. (What we haven’t viewed are the complete Epstein Files.)
We watched the Winter Olympics and saw Gwen Stefani hawk a paid app to pray with her during Lent (while you could use the Pope’s FOR FREE, JUST SAYIN’.) But we also worried about Medicaid being defunded, a national book ban, the Post Office becoming insolvent by 2027, the SAVE Act disenfranchising millions of voters – largely married women and those from lower income households - and the US officially withdrawing
from the World Health Organization (while its Secretary of Health and Human Services takes ice plunges in jeans and talks about sniffing drugs from toilet seats but, like our current CDC, is likely not well equipped to guide the public safely through any new health threat.)
In Oklahoma, citizens helped shut down the sale of an ICE detention center on the south side, but shortly after that, it was discovered and underreported that there will be a DHS / ICE office downtown at 101 N. Robinson – basically overlooking the Clara Luper Memorial Plaza. Oklahoma also has an agreement between the Highway Patrol and ICE called Operation Guardian. Focused on the highways throughout the state, this initiative focused on commercial truck drivers allows OHP to stop vehicles and detain people regarding their immigration status.
So I’ve been a bit stressed, and that impacted my output. I’m trying to create again. I hope you enjoy the journey.
A (January) Day at OK Contemporary
As is printed on one of my old Nine Inch Nails concert t-shirts, Artis Resistance. Participating in art –
creating, contemplating, championing – is a way to maintain resilience in oneself and in the world. Allowing varied voices to express unique circumstances, interpretations, and outlooks gives us a chance not only to find echoes of ourselves in others, but to confront new information and to discard principles which no longer feel relevant.
I very much enjoy finding art in my environment – be it in museums or on the street. It so happens that one day in January 2026, Granny got to see exhibitions ArtNow 2025: Materials and Boundaries and Jakian Parks: The Black Land at OK Contemporary. I wanted to share a few images with you. I hope you enjoy them at least a bit as much as I enjoyed my visit!
ArtNow 2025: Materials and Boundaries
Leticia R. Bajuyo - Loop:Gravity
Jakian Parks: The Black Land Rituals and Rejoicing in African American Rodeo Culture (Punk is) lunging after some glimpse of a new and better world. Lester Bangs
Student work in the first-floor hallway
Jakian Parks: The Black Land Rituals and Rejoicing in African American Rodeo Culture
ArtNow 2025: Materials and Boundaries : Kendall Ross - IRememberThinkingItWouldChange
Mary Claire Becker – Tulipmania
(1&2) Denise Duong and Gabriel Friedman - I givetoyouapieceofme
Irmgard Geul - ALandscapeOfMemories
Punk rock, when I was a part of it, was called 'the underground.' There was something very attractive in all the hidden places, the hidden histories. Mary Harron
Đan Lynh Phạm -IBeartheFruitofMy Ancestors(on the wall,)TreGià,MăngMọc (floor)Background image is Carlos Barboza: WhatWeBuried(WeBacame)
Interactive area at OK Contemporary
Jakian Parks: The Black Land may remind some movie viewers of ConcreteCowboy, a 2020 movie now streaming on Netflix starring Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin. It’s based on the book Ghetto Cowboyby G. Neri, in turn inspired by the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club of Philadelphia. There is a rich history of black horsemanship across America and in Oklahoma,
such as preserved by the Boley Rodeo & BBQ Festival (May,) the D&R Ranch in Tulsa, and the Cowboys of Color Rodeos in Oklahoma City (November) and Tulsa (August.)
Jakian Parks will remain at OK Contemporary until June. And I must admit that I’ve already been back to see it and a new exhibit: Anthony McCall: Solid Light!
Street Scenes
Grafitti, construction / restoration of the former Rainbow Record building, NW 23rd & Classen. This historic site was going to be remodeled. Due to the space ’ s condition, it ended up needing to be mostly demolished. Then the city delayed permit signatures, so work was unable to continue for large stretches of time – giving taggers ample opportunity to decorate. However, it has now been built up and enclosed, though work continues. It’s supposed to be home to several new, unnamed, storefronts. I MISS RAINBOW
and also have some thoughts abuout the ephemeral, almost liminal natute of grafitti.
Shall I say “somewhere in the Plaza District” to preserve this one for posterity?
This wall has already been painted over, re-
grafittied, and painted again. Classen around NW 10th .
Soyou’rebornandsoyouthought Thefuture'soursokeepandhold
I’mgonnakeepcatchingthatbutterflyinthat dreamofmine… (- The Verve)
“Stop
Perverts”
Love the anarchy dot on the “I”. Close to downtown. I know where but I’m not saying. Brrr! OKC has some thoughts about winter weather. It’s winter weather, right?
People have evolved into something selfish, greedy and intolerant. People are unaccepting, because of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation... I've seen it in punk clubs, and I've seen it in the world. -- Gerard Way
I took a picture of the fungus on this stump, and it looked like a face.
The grass is the mouth. Can you see it? Am I crazy? (Yes. The answer is yes.)
The butterflies are back in TECHNICOLOR. One of them is looking at me.
You can't wrap your arms around a memory
Take warmth from me, cold autumn wind cut sharp as a knife . And in the dark for me, you're the candle flame that flickers to life
Broken and torn, crushed like a flower under the snow
And like the flower in spring love will rise again to heal your wings
Love heals the wings of a butterfly on a wheel (- The Mission)
Trip to Tulsa!
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a stadium show. But since things are how they are, I decided that I wanted to see this one, and make sure some people I knew had the chance, also.
When I heard Nine Inch Nails was playing at the BOK Center in Tulsa on a weekend, I made sure members of my household were all available for a mini vacation. Here are some images from our trip!
We got up on Friday, February 27, drove the turnpike to Tulsa, and went to The Brook (in Brookside) for a bite to eat. I stopped across the street at Ida Red, where I almost bought this t-shirt:
I do love taking pics of graffiti (& stickers!) These are just outside of The Brook - and wish I could have captured more of T-town’s FAB tags around over/underpasses, and along other roads, but the itinerary of others also had to be considered.
After Brookside, we ventured to Decopolis! Decopolis is a collection of Art Deco (and, apparently, dinosaurs.) Once housed at the bottom of the
Philcade Building (not to be confused with the Philtower, which I do often; how many pretty Phil skyscrapers does Tulsa need?) Decopolis is mid-move from nearer the river (my Tulsa compass) to around Sheridan. Both locations are on 11th St. The Route 66 sign is on Sheridan, where there is no Stuff To See but there is a neat little 50s ice cream shoppe. So oops, a little out of the way for a cool pic. Here’s some random art I saw while we were driving:
If you were lucky enough to experience County Line BBQ
you too would have EXCLAIMED at those tubs being reused. Anywhatsis, inside to Decopolis!
(I told you there were dinosaurs there.)
Decopolis made sure to mention that Art Deco had a revival in the 80s, a decade in which many then-retro design elements were influential. . And you thought Nagel only did LADIES.
Decopolis: https://tinyurl.com/e6mvw3b7
Putting boundaries on how punk should sound/look is the least punk rock thing one can do. Be yourself=Very punk. Patrick Stump
They also had old yearbooks!
The dinosaurs in the gift shop look like they're holding on for dear life. Probably saw the news, poor things.
We walked out of Decopolis and I GASPED IN WONDERMENT because I hadn't even seen what was across the street! It was Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios! That’s Buck there with the shiny rocket. Also saw Stella the space cowgirl and PIGGY STARDUST celebratin' 100 years of Route 66.
Buck Atoms: https://buckatomson66.com/
Buck Atom (top)
One of several unnamed robot sculptures (bottom)
The punk-rock ethos was “Do it yourself. Anyone can do this. We're not sent from the heavens.” Michael Stipe
PIGGY STARDUST!!!
Also Stella Atom the space cowgirl at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios.
Then we went to the Center of the Universe:
https://tinyurl.com/yn33jpna
If the building behind the cloud sculpture looks unsettlingly familiar: Tulsa's BOK “Lost Twin” tower was designed by the same architect who worked on the NYC towers which fell on 9/11: https://tinyurl.com/wanymvt6
The Center of the Universe is an acoustic anomaly. Inside a
small circle, it sounds FLATLY LOUD, and everything outside the outer ring is muffled and hard to hear.
The back of this sculpture featured planes, but because of sunglare and bad vision, the photos I took of that (and the circle) were unshareable.
Drove by the Woody Guthrie Center five minutes to close, whoops!
I know it best as where the Sex Pistols played on Jan 11, 1978: Cain's Ballroom.
Cain's has hosted Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Count Basie, Jack White, Green Day, Eric Clapton, and many more. Trent
Reznor talked about performing there. Across the street is where OK Pop will open.
Never pass up the opportunity for Fancy Water! (Tried my first cubano at The Vault, an awesome mid-century gastrointestinal discovery!)
AND THEN IT WAS TIME FOR TULSA TO DROWN IN THE SWEET SORROW OF THE CLASH AT
Set List Act 1: B-Stage: (You Made It Feel Like) Home / Ruiner / Piggy / (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)
Act 2: Main Stage: Wish / March of the Pigs / The Frail / Reptile / Heresy / Copy of A / Gave Up
(We had front row seat in the top tier near the back curve of the stadium, and I have an old cranky phone so pics give little detail, but I thought they might convey some of the stage experience.)
Reptile
I've been a NIN fan since I first saw the video for "Down in It”, released in 1989. I haven't been able to make it to every show, but I've some stories from several!
Copy
of A
I played a guitar with a file, and a synthesizer.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud Henry Rollins
Act 3: B-Stage: Vessel / Closer / Parasite / As Alive as You Need Me to Be
Act 4: Main Stage: Mr. Self Destruct / Less Than / The Perfect Drug / I'm Afraid of Americans / The Hand That Feeds / Head Like a Hole / Hurt
Nine Inch Nails opened for Peter Murphy at Cains Ballroom on March 18, 1990. Here he is talking about it, thirtymumble years later: https://youtu.be/GcxNEn6-edM
"Died. Said 'fist fuck' and won a Grammy. ”Trent Reznor about what his epitaph would read after winning his first Grammy
Cel phones throughout the stadium during Hurt
Fun after the show!
View from our hotel room. The bottom of The Lost Twin, which looks exactly like the towers I remember visiting several times in NYC in the 1990s. It’s somewhat surprising to me that the BOK Tower in Tulsa doesn’t get more recognition today because it’s just… eerie. On Saturday, we got a drink at Summer Moon (which I have since learned is a regional
chain.) They were very nice.
Then we went to Utica Square and ate at the Stonehorse. I had a lamb sausage dish. I didn’t take a lot of pictures of Utica Square, but it has a unique atmosphere. We also had a sunglasses breakage and had to buy a new pair at Walgreens - even the Utica Square Walgreens was hoity toity THERE WERE NO CHEAP SUNGLASSES.
Went to the Philbrook Museum and paid $5 extra per person for an Andy Warhol exhibit. One of the people I was with was a bit bemused“Is this it? I thought it was going to be paintings.” Not The Velvet Underground “Venus in Furs” playing while mylar pillows bopped our butts. But if you think about it for one second, Andy had sourced pee art (look it up), took
Polaroids, and wore an obvious wig. His pop art was meant to challenge convention. This installation is quintessentially Andy, and I am DELIGHTED we were able to experience it.
Absolutely blown away by Gordon Parks but running out of room to reproduce more photos. I highly recommend his work, and hope that I can show you more Philbrook next issue!
People ask me: "What is punk? How do you define punk? ” Here's how I define punk: It's a free space. It could be called jazz. It could be called hip-hop. It could be called blues, or rock, or beat. It could be called techno. It's just a new idea. For me, it was punk rock. That was my entrance to this idea of the new ideas being able to be presented in an environment that wasn't being dictated by a profit motive. Ian MacKaye
There's so much more I want to talk about! I have more I'd love to say about our Tulsa trip, and I did manage to Achieve Activities after that. Alack and fie/phooey, this perzine still does have some space constraints.
Crappy concert pics next time?
Songs to Share
A l'il musical thing that happened while I was being extensively nonartistic and unprolific:
https://youtu.be/t7OIc-DBRXM
Angine de Poitrine
(French for angina pectoris, a medical term for chest pain - often caused by lack of blood to the heart as caused by coronary artery
disease) is a Canadian duo who performs in outfits that, according to one member, “started out as a joke” but now help them retain anonymity. They found fame in February 2026 when their performance on KEXP went viral. Arty and experimental, their music is classified as math rock and may appeal to those who appreciate Primus, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Battles, or King Gizzard.
Meanwhile, I've been leaning more heavily into shoegaze, noise rock, and dreampop since writing an article/insert about it.
https://tinyurl.com/33jcffwy
I rediscovered how much I enjoyed drone and buzz, so my early 2026 playlist suggestions lean heavily in that direction - though there's still some tuff three chords, surf punk, and pop punk on it. (But “indie isn't a genre”! Sure, we might have a mass understanding of how an “indie” song is supposed to sound,
but I feel that just shoeboxes an act, and the actual definition is “produced and distributed independently” - so indie artists range the sonic gamut. MYNEW BANDNAMEISSONICGAMUT.)
Dead Pioneers - Nazi Teeth
https://youtu.be/lM0TnyGELuI
DEADLETTER – Among Us
https://youtu.be/fNDTtEv_uIY
Dropkick Murphys - Citizen I.C.E.
https://youtu.be/mSrDkRm7_78
Failure - The Air's on Fire
https://youtu.be/NmrtO_1lfcw
Rolling Blackouts… - Sunburned in London
https://youtu.be/tYY97d_Zgvc
Afghan Whigs - House of I
https://youtu.be/NmrtO_1lfcw
Cannons - Light as a Feather
https://youtu.be/9-yZpY9bilk
Death Cab for Cutie – Riptides
https://youtu.be/YhruCF_beiA
Mattstagraham - Maybe I'll Walk
https://youtu.be/FI6l1cub3Aw
Modest Mouse - Look How Far...
https://youtu.be/SRr_3hk69Wc
Sprints – Need
https://youtu.be/LCo7FMN-GfU
Surfbort – Hot Dog
https://youtu.be/FDb41MdbhrU
FEWS – Metal
https://youtu.be/oOwLR-80Ddc
IDLES - 1049 GOTHO
https://youtu.be/NmrtO_1lfcw
Swervedriver – Son of Mustang
Ford https://youtu.be/f1gi23R1iqo
Wavves - Sinking Feeling
https://youtu.be/AZKHEOXdRGU
I generally leave the music calendar to UMAmi, but DIIV will be at Beer City Music Hall on Cinco de Mayo! I've been playing Frogin BoilingWatera lot, as well as material from Deceiver, IstheIs Areand Oshin.
Also listening to plucky new spring blossoms from: A Place to Bury Strangers, Brigitte Calls Me Baby, Chalk, Guided By Voices, Holy Fuck, Pigeon, The Maine, and Vundabar.
In addition, there is new material by Bob Mould / Sugar, Buzzcocks, Gogol Bordello, IST IST, Kim Gordon, Metric, New Pornographers, Pulp, She Passed Away, Silversun Pickups, Social Distortion, The Black Keys, The Julies, The Twilight Sad, They are Gutting…, and more!
Caveat:IuseYouTubelinksfor youasIfeelit'seasiestformost
peopletoaccess,anditprovidesa visualandauditoryexperience.I reviewedfullmusicstreamingin theDecember2025F3r@L: https://tinyurl.com/h2a7vnmr
anddeterminedthatmostmajor serviceshaveseriousethical issues.IusephysicalCDswhen possible.WhenIcan'tutilizethe library,Iamonafamilymember's “sketchical” plan.Irecommend Tidalformajormusicstreaming!
Read Recently
I've been “in the middle of” three books on music for months: Such GreatHeights:TheComplete CulturalHistoryoftheIndieRock Explosionby Chris Deville, The Cars:LettheStoriesBeToldby Bill Janovitz, and Shoegazeby Ryan Pinkard. Unfortunately, my overstressed brain has had difficulty focusing on nonfiction, and I keep dropping these tomes for novels. Instead, here’s what I've recently read:
TheEncyclopediaof UglyFashion:A Hilarious
Introspective... by
Karolina Żebrowska
I don't know how hilarious this was. I definitely disagree with a lot
of her definitions - which made looking up articles of clothing difficult - or opinions, but I did appreciate the pretty pictures.
Bunny by Mona Awad
I enjoyed 2023’s Rouge but missed this 2019 release, which sounded up my alley. I ended up slogging through it. I don’t think it’s Awad’s fault; it’s just not the right read for me. Bunnyis a dark, fantastical journey following MFA student Samantha Mackey as she enters the orbit of a clique of selfaffirming wealthy women who perform esoteric (or are they insipid?) rituals and call each other “Bunny” .
TheFutureSaints
by Ashley Winstead
The Future Saints are a fictional band fronted by Hannah, who is taking the band in a new musical direction just as they encounter record exec Theo. Together, they go from down and out to dejour, but Hannah’s erratic behavior – spurred by an intense relationship with her sister (and the death of the band’s former manager) -threatens their
success. Or is success what Hannah is really chasing?
InEveryGeneration
by Kendare Blake
A 2023 YA and by the way… therewas goingtobeaBuffy rebootandnowit’s beenkilled.IAMDEVASTATED!We were going to be able to go back to Sunnydale and enjoy adventures with a New Generation! This tome seems something like that scenario; Frankie Rosenberg, Willow’s daughter, becomes the new Slayer. This was a light read but utterly enjoyable. Now that the show has been shelved, I want more. Luckily, Blake has written them!
TheLostStory
by
Meg Shafer
Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell went missing in the state forest only to reappear in six months. Fifteen years later, Emilie Wendell needs their help to find her own missing person. This novel is based on The Chronicles of Narnia but also reminds me of The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. It does have some flaws but I really enjoyed this escape from everything in the real world.
TheOctoberGirl by Matthew Dow Smith I don’t read a lot of graphic novels I found this one simple and charming; it might be a good entry for reluctant readers –as long as they enjoy “fairy tales” .
Polybius
by Collin Armstrong
Almost all the reviews I read were raves, and I simply don’t understand the appeal. I picked this up because it looked like a story I could share with my son; something like Ready PlayerOne(which I realize is flawed, but was fun when it was released) mixed with dark dystopias. Later (because I am old) I learned the idea isn’t original, but based on an urban legend. Okay. But I felt the characters were onedimensional and the violence too extreme in a clinically gory, Patrick Batemaneque way. It seemed to celebrate, rather than guard against, chaos.
TwelveMonths by Jim Butcher Peace Talks and Battle Ground, the previous books in the series, came out in 2020, so
this new release had me struggling to remember what happened during the Battle of Chicago. Seems like a suitable continuation of The Dresden Files. Honestly, I just hope Jim Butcher hasn’t done anything weird I don’t know about IAMLOOKINGATYOUNEIL GAIMAN.
I also consumed: OtherBirdsby Sarah Addison Allen, Lessonsin MagicandDisasterby Charlie Jane Anders, ThiefofNightby Holly Black, Motheaterby Linda Codega, Hungerstoneby Kat Dunn, and of course To Throw Away UnopenedViv Albertine. You can read that review in UMAmi No. 33 (March 2026) at https://tinyurl.com/22yscbrx
DVD Reviews
Bugonia.
I don’t know why I keep watching movies from this director. (It’s because of Emma Stone.) A pox on Yorgos Lanthimos! Actually, this is my favorite film of his.
Cassette:A DocumentaryMixtape
This 2016 documentary starts out with subtitles, but stick with it; it’s
mostly English. I enjoyed this look at cassette culture and history, featuring punk pioneers Ian MacKaye, Henry Rollins, and Mike Watt with inventor Lou Ottens.
GoodFortune
Starring Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and Aziz Ansari with Sandra Oh. Oh, it has its flaws. But Keanu shines as a bumbling angel who loves chicken nuggies.
LarsandtheEmoKid
A 2015 film following the life of Lars, a suburban teen who is depressed. His parents are getting divorced, his best friend is gone, and he’s being bullied. But he also finds some new misfits.
Nobody2
I never saw the 1st one but grabbed this because I saw Breaking Bad. I don’t think I need to catch up. Hutch owes a debt and has to take assignments to pay it off. However, he’s exhausted and his relationships with his wife and kids are unraveling, so he asks for a break – during which he takes his family to an amusement
park he enjoyed as a child. EXCITEMENTENSUES.
Roofman
Starring Channing
Tatum and Kirsten Dunst. I expected a more banal comedy, though I thought Tatum might make it fun. Better than I expected! And it’s based on a true story.
TheRoses
Starring Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg, this is a.re-imagining of “War of the Roses” . It features lovely architecture and scenery and is amusing.
Seen on Streaming
So, this section is basically to preserve my memory! I don't have the time or space to delve into deep reviews, but if you like my style, you might want a peek at a few of these:
Disney/HBO/Hulu: Have I Got News For You
The Pitt
I love this show so much I watch a podcast about it. I never ever in my life bothered with a podcast before this.
BillyIdolShouldBeDead
I had no idea Idol had an OK connection but his partner Linda Mathis is apparently from the state! She gave him daughter Bonnie Blue, who prefers more privacy.
TheBeeGees:HowCanYouMend aBrokenHeart
DavidBowie:TheLast5Years I’mChevyChase…
TheLastShowgirl
RentalFamily
Brendan’s Fraser’s in this and the Japanese scenery and slow unfoldining is lovely.
Sinners
Rewatch this Oscar winner. I don’t care about awards. I do care about history, music, and storytelling.
Springsteen
Superman
Tuesday
Death is a gothic parrot, and eventually My Mom Ate Death (MYNEXTBANDNAME.).
Woodstock99:Peace,Love,and Rage
Netflix
Mid-CenturyModernFireplace
ADiscoveryofWitches
AManontheInside
Brockmire
Legacies
NorthofNorth
This 30 minute indigenous comedy series needs more recognition.
NurseJackie
Rizzoli&Isles
TheLyingGame
GossipGirl
I spent most of My Depression under a blanket watching this. I’d never seen it before. I’m up to S3 and by the end of S1 (haven’t changed my mind) I knew who GG was.
Painkiller
CristelaAlonzo
Watched “Upper Classy” knowing nothing about Cristela or her comedy, and ended up enjoying it so much I then viewed “Middle” and “Lower Classy” also!
28DaysLater
ABigBoldBeautifulJourney
Bottoms
CaughtStealing Dog
KillYourFriends
Nicholas Hoult plays a Britpop record exec.
ManonFire
Mixtape RezBall
The355
TheDeadDon'tDie
TheUnlikelyPilgrimageofHarold Fry
UndertheSilverLake
YouTube
Josh Johnson
Josh is a stand-up comedian who is also known for his work on The Daily Show, releases new sets weekly. I don’t know how he manages to be uproariously funny, a great longform storyteller, current on events, - all while seeming to keep hold of his sanity: https://tinyurl.com/3mkp8b8x
Also/Upcoming in April
Lucy Darling – April 8
Carisa Hendrix performs as Lucy Darling at Rose State Performing Arts Center. She is a magician and comedian known for her charismatic crowd repartee and stunning stage presence.
Rex Manning Day –April 8
Medieval Fair – April 10-12
Record Store Day –April 18
National Library Worker’s Day –April 21
Maria Bamford – April 23
Festival of the Arts – April 23-27
April is also:
Autism Acceptance Month
https://tinyurl.com/bd7hcbzz
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
https://tinyurl.com/4wdyshxz
Genocide Awareness Month
https://tinyurl.com/k4m3jys2
Stress Awareness Month
https://tinyurl.com/44t85kmh
International Guitar Month
https://tinyurl.com/3u6tjxm6
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
https://tinyurl.com/yae42f23
National Alcohol Awareness Month
https://tinyurl.com/3kmn3rw8
I wrote a thing on Alcohol Awareness Week and a Salute to Straight Edge. An edited for space version appears in this month’s UMAmi but I have a longer article with more information in it available online at isu.pub/PPtZRBU
About Making Art
All that stuff I was talking about earlier? I have more to say, but I’m hoping to have a May Mental Health issue.
I haven't been able to create much because of “everything going on” - but I do believe that art is important. Conceiving new ideas, creating new images or pieces of music or words – or, if you are like me and don’t consider yourself “crafty”, supporting artists by consuming their work and evaluating its impact – helps us expand our ourselves and our world. It exposes us to new outlooks and opinions and gives us additional ways to express our own. Engaging in art can relieve stress, both short- and long-term.
There are many ways to be artistic. I am not a carpenter. I don’t create fabric arts such as knitting. I don’t cook. I don’t paint. In fact, I’ve been so overwhelmed that I’ve lost my guitar calluses. But there are other ways to create. I take pictures and express myself through fashion. I don't draw well or often, but I do doodle a little bit. Sometimes I tear things up and piece them back together in ephemeral collages. (As I don’t consider myself very good at art, I often don’t
let it stick around.)
I've written poetry, vignettes, and of course nonfiction zine content.
I am neither confirming nor denying that this is a portrait of Super (Granny) Anarchy
I’ve decided to share some of my art with you in hopes that it will inspire you to prioritize time and space to create your own – and to value it when others do (i.e., to ethically consume art.)
These days we need art more than ever!
I like kids' work more than work by real artists any day. Jean-Michel Basquiat
I always said punk was an attitude. It was never about having a Mohican haircut or wearing a ripped T-shirt. It was all about destruction, and the creative potential within that. Malcolm McLaren
Doodling can help you focus and generate new ideas.
Digital art rendered in less than two minutes in response to a prompt about self-description.
Hi.
Creativity can be temporary and transient.
Like sand mandalas, whiteboard art (sometimes) really focuses on the moment.
Instead of buying cards, make your own. A guy walks up to me and asks, "What's Punk? ” . So I kick over a garbage can and say. "That's punk! ”. So he kicks over the garbage can and says, "That's Punk? ”, and I say, "No that's trendy! ” -- Billie Joe Armstrong
I think he’s an angry leprechaun.
Example collage about a band I enjoy.
Question: do I keep my art transitory due to selfdoubt and embarrassment about my abilities?
Questioning anything and everything, to me, is punk rock. Henry Rollins
Experiment with fashion.
Ain't nobody more punk rock than Robert Johnson, Lead Belly, even Little Richard. Fantastic Negrito
Art is how we decorate space; music is how we decorate time. Jean-Michel Basquiat
Punk is not dead. Punk will only die when corporations can exploit and mass produce it. -Jello Biafra
