Modern Art or an Impertinent Joke?

In this article, http://blogs.elpais.com/papeles-perdidos/2011/09/l.html#more, called The ‘comb’ of Catellan, or La ‘peineta’ de Catellan, a writer for El Pais is not very subtle about her opinion of the sculpture placed outside the headquarters of the Milan Stock Exchange created by the artist Maurizio Cattelan, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurizio_Cattelan, an Italian artist that lives in New York and is famous for his satirical and often outlandish art. Almost every comment was in direct opposition with Ms. Molina’s opinion.

->It's amazing that Ms. Molina in his explanation to the comments insists on lying! was never "covered"! well what is that to be "timid retreat"? No need to be a careful reader, if the lie was in the title! the sculpture was removed or blocked or anything like that. Discussion was, is and will remain, which is healthy is not odd for an artist like Cattelan.

->Ha, ha, ha. Angelita, commend to your guardian angel, because this does not save anyone. What a shame. Much embarrassment you cause the Lost Papers.

Cattelan is most famous for a sculpture he made of the pope being struck by a meteor, and once was commissioned in Amsterdam, to create an exhibit in one week, and since he decided that was not enough time, he broke into a different gallery and stole all the contents of the gallery including random objects like a typewriter and set them up as his own exhibit in the gallery that commissioned him. This sculpture is titled LOVE and is thought to be a rebuke against the prominent financial leaders who led the world into the current crisis. When I first read Ms. Molina’s article and the comments, I found myself siding with her, that he was just a prankster that called himself an artist and took serious issues too lightly. But the more I read about him, (interesting interview: http://www.indexmagazine.com/interviews/maurizio_cattelan.shtml ), the more I respect his artistic style. He obviously puts a lot of thought into his pieces; contrary to what a lot of people think (many just view him as a big joke). For example, he says about art, “"If art is serious about claiming a central role in today’s society and culture, this is the best chance it’s had in ages.... I think it’s time for artists to get over auction houses, galleries, and high-production-value exhibitions and start using our voices again." Sometimes the best way to get society’s attention is by being controversial. I think he knows this and uses it.

Changes in Saudi Arabia

Women in the Islamic religion are stereotypically known for their position of inequality in society. 

            On Sunday, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia decreed that women would be allowed to vote and run for advising positions of office. This is a very radical stance, considering that the largest Islamic sect, the Sunni Islam, are known for the segregation and control of their women, as based on the Qur’an. For instance, as posted, it is written in verse 4:34 that "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard." Traditionally speaking, women in Saudi Arabia and Islamic countries are forced to a completely different standard than men and women around the world. A couple of small examples are: most Islamic women must wear clothing that covers their faces and bodies, to travel without a mahram (unmarriageable relative) is socially unacceptable, and in court of law "one testimony by man is equal to two by women". 

            However, there are also many instances in the Qu’ran in which it states that men and women are equal in punishment under God, and were ‘created equally’. There has also recently been a push for more rights for women. As stated by the ChristianScience Monitor, “King Abdullah’s edict granting limited political rights for women shows that ideas such as universal suffrage may yet win out against Saudi Arabia’s state-sponsored creed, known as Wahhabi Islam.” Women in Saudi Aravia will be able to vote for the first time in nationwide elections in 2015.  Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia is a monarchy and thus the elections are not heavily weighted, so mostly this is just an important symbolic gesture. The King also seems to practice what he preaches- earlier this month he appointed a female deputy minister of education. In many Islamic countries like Iran and some parts of Egypt there are signs of reform with many female scholars reinterpreting the Qu’ran and one very clear sign that repression is losing its battle is women’s right to vote in Saudi Arabia.

            There are many movements for radical change all over the world, especially right now. In Spain, the youth are clamoring for a louder voice and change from old traditions to new improvements- and in Saudi Arabia this is exactly what’s happening.

Is it just that people are finding it easier to see a looser interpretation of religion which leads to a broader acceptance of deviance from traditional values? 

Should the Eurozone Become the United States of Europe

I read an arcticle that clearly states tha due to the financial collapse of Europe the only way to save the Euro currency is to join together as a fiscal Union creating a single government. The reason this belief is set in motion is that the only way to swiftly respond to economic turmoil such as the greek bailout is to create a fiscal union in which all states put into a single treasury which can act in the event of economic collapse and can help support weaker nations within the euro.The financial problem is creating political static in the Eurozone and the only solution now maybe a forced Union by the citizens of the countries


questions.
1. will a Union Really solve the ailements in the Euro and if so who will lead the Euro, will it be strong states like Germany or a delegation?
2.Will political static between nations put an end to the idea of a fiscally united Europe?

Source:http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com/2011/09/06/can-the-eurozone-become-a-united-states-of-europe/?hpt=op_bn8

Germany? Germany? Anyone?

Today, Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou, made an announcement requesting for more financial funding from Germany. This has spurred countless debates across the internet and world as to who should take responsibility and pick up the slack to bail out Greece. Many German taxpayers feel they are not responsible for a country they believe "over-indulged". Also, what cost would bailing out Greece have on other struggling EU nations? The above cartoon represents one artist's opinion on the matter. Should there be so much focus on Greece when other EU nations are experiencing financial crises too? Who should pick up the slack?

Goodbye, Toros...

This weekend, Catalonia marked the end of an era with the region's final bull fight. A tradition spanning over 600 years, a ban on bullfighting in the Catalan region begins on January 1st. Bullfighting is a controversial part of Spanish tradition. With declining tv viewers and ticket sales, has the public been slowly rejecting the practice, or is it a larger issue in a move away from Spanish tradition? Is it that bullfighting, a part of Spanish tradition for centuries, is now looked at as inhumane and therefore, the population wants to attend less. Or a bigger picture, a move away from Spanish traditions, that people do not have the time or receive the same viewing pleasure as past generations did.

The popularity of Peace

History: The peace symbol was designed in a movement for disarmament of nuclear weapons in 1958. The sign is a combination of semaphore signs N and D. The symbol was then popularized in America by a college student studying in Europe in 1958 for an antiwar movement.

Questions: Does the popularity of this symbol cause us to forget its meaning? Soft/Hard power, Is there times where war is necessary to solve a conflict? How do we know when it has come to this?

The Euro a symbol for a crumbling Union?

For years now the euro has been the economic symbol behind the European Union. Since it was first introduced on January 1, 2001 the Euro has continued to grow and become the second largest curency behid the United States dollar. The Euro has become the economic driving power behind 22 countries, but has recently suffered adecline. Greece a member of the European Union has suffered financial problems and is unable to pay its debt. As a result ITaly and Spain, two of Greece's largest loan holders, have began experiencing economic problems. These economic problems have sparked the Spanish to contact the French and Germans to bail them out. Strong reluctance from French nd German bankers threaten to destroy the currency and make the world question how committed France and Germany are to the European Union. Just like the Euro seems to be collapsing so too is the Economic power house that drives it.

Small, Yet Mighty...

This weekend I got to cross off one item on my bucket list- attend a La Liga match. This particular one was between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Because of our budget, we sat within close proximity to the rowdy group of Rayo fans but I have to admit, I'm glad we did because their energy and enthusiasm really added an entirely new element to the game. To them, the symbol of their team means so many things.

Rayo may be on a now nine game losing streak, but their fan base is as rowdy and ready as ever. Even against the best teams and players in the world, the Rayo emblem remains the strongest and most worthwhile in their minds.

Barcelona's Sidewalk Art

When I was wandering the streets of Barcelona this weekend, I couldn't help but notice that most of the sidewalks had this symbol repeated on the tiles on them:

As I researched I found that these are symbols representing the "Ruta Del Modernisme".

The Ruta is a schedule/itinerary that guides one through the creations of the main architects of Spain: Gaudi, Domenech i Montaner, and Puid i Cadafalch. 

I believe it also represents the importance placed on the art, history, and culture of Spaniards. 

There are red tiles in some areas of Spain that are placed to show the main areas of the Ruta, like the one below:

I can't help but love the amazing way that Barcelona placed history and education of art in such blatant and yet subliminal way. 

http://www.rutadelmodernisme.com/

National Anthem

National anthems are a part of the modern day state, that are used to united people over a common symbol, a song. Whether played on national holidays or when you win the gold medal, they are used to evoke emotion and tie people to a state. According to Wikipedia, a national anthem, "evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people." 


The Star-Spangled Banner is a large part of US culture and evokes memories of a young country's struggle for freedom. It symbolizes the hope of a young nation as it fights the British in its early days. In the lives of Americans, this song holds strong significance and emotional value. 

Swiss Bank loses two billion dollars

On September 13th it was discoevered that an employee of the swiss bank UBS had fradualently invested away nearly 2 billion dollars of the banks money. The bank claims that customers will not be affected by the incident but the company in itself has dropped nearly 7% in the global market and a third quarter net loss has been projected. There are not only financial reprocussions but a severe blow has been dealt to the companies public image. UBS had barely slipped away from bankrupcy in 2009 due to the global economic crisis.The new turmoil has forced the company to terminate the positions of more than 3,056 employess nearly one fifth of its total staff. This crisis reminds the international community of a similar case in which Jerome Kerviel lost more than 5 billion euros in unauthorized investments causing the collapse of a distinguished french bank. The main question I pose is, why are these banks giving their investors such freedom in the investment field and why is there no oversight? As we have seen in the past, for example the stock market crash of the 1920´s, large investments with little oversight and ever decreasing legal protocol in the international banking system always lead to catostrophic failures in the banking industry. Such failures could make an already painful lul in the economy even more unbearable.Not only can cases like this be damaging to the economies of europe but also to the overseas establishments which have invested in said companies.Both cases seem to point out a huge flaw in the European banking system and yet both have been swept under the rug like an embarassing picture. It seems that the bank UBS has learned nothing from its mistakes . In fact, the bank has claimed no responsiblity for the matter puts all the blame on the rogue investor, UBS even fails to accept responsibility for the economic damages done by the rogue investor claiming "no customer funds were harmed" but this is wishful thinking at best. Customers pensions, savings, and CDI's are bound to affected due to the 7% drop in UBS, not only from this but from the already miniscule profit line projected in the third quarter.In closing, Banks need to watch their investors more feverishly and constantly check the books because the results of not doing so could be cripiling to the economy.

Sources:
1.http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1315910863587.shtml

2.http://www.rtl.fr/actualites/economie/article/ubs-perd-2-milliards-de-dollars-un-tra

3. Colbert Report

Youth Unemployment

This article is an interesting look at the reaction to youth unemployment in Greece, Italy, and Spain. In each country, the youth has reacted differently. The article says:
Yet despite their similar predicaments, the youth of southern Europe has responded to the crisis in very different ways. When tens of thousands of young Spaniards emerged in May, apparently out of nowhere, to turn Puerta del Sol, a square in central Madrid, into a tent city, the tenor of their complaint was far from revolutionary. The earnest young protesters, dubbed indignados, devoted themselves to talking through and voting on every issue that occurred to them; alcohol was frowned upon.

Polls found that up to 80% of Spaniards had some sympathy with the peaceable young protesters, who have called without much controversy for a reform to Spain’s voting system to allow smaller parties to break the current duopoly, an end to political corruption, mercy for mortgage-defaulters and a bit of a biffing for bankers. Had their demands been more focused on the structures that keep them unemployed, enthusiasm might not have been as universal.

Spain reaction is very different from that of Italy, where much of the youth has emigrated to find work, and Greece, which has seen violent youth protests. What does the peaceful and often idealistic response of Spanish youth say about Spain and Spanish culture? Do you think the approach of Spanish youth will be more effective than the approach of the youth of Italy or Greece? What are some possible side effects that could arise (short-term and long-term) from such an unemployed youth?

Royal Wedding- I'm over this fairy tale.

Friday, April 23rd, was the wedding date of Kate Middleton to Prince William. Surrounding the royal event were months of publicity and hype. As I was searching for editorials for our first Wicked Wednesday, I saw 4-5 articles describing the royal wedding, that occurred 21 weeks before.

Is the society looking to the royal wedding as a replacement for the lack of/misguided weddings we have in our respective countries? Or as a way to ignore the current recessions in our respective countries and to view the extravagant lifestyle of royalty?


this is a graph of the eurozone's current crisis.

list of some of the shows that aired solely to unravel the royal wedding.

The Economic Rating In the Eye's Of An Italian...

The article explains the background information regarding Italy's Standard & Poor economic downgrade from an A to an A+; however, the most interesting aspect of the article for me was the blurb on the side highlighting an Italian citizen's opinion on the issue. He voices that he believes Italy's less-than-stellar economic position is largely the fault of Berlusconi, who, according to the citizen, is not providing adequate leadership in a time of turmoil. He believes concrete changes need to happen for the prosperity of future Italian generations.