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An all-female cast of Neolithic fertility idols, Egyptian slave girls, maenads, Celtic she-devils, lingerie models, and 20th century war victims populates the collaged paper scrolls and friezes in "From Victimage to Liberation: Works from the 1980s and 1990s" at Galerie Lelong. Transferred onto zinc plates, the characters in Spero's so-called "stock company" of 450 female archetypes serve as iterable and interchangeable hieroglyphs in her recursive body of work. At the time the works were made, this aggregative strategy solved a practical problem — Spero's dexterity gradually deteriorated after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1961 — but it also portended the remixing tendencies of postmodernism and Internet culture. If she had lived, Spero would have been an aficionada of the Pinterest board.
The first posthumous solo show of Spero's work in New York, "From Victimage to Liberation" presents two very different artistic personalities. Unflinchingly political collages from the 1980s juxtapose images of female victims of oppressive regimes in Argentina, Nicaragua, and South Africa with Amnesty International reports of human rights abuses. These works have the moral seriousness of Käthe Kollwitz, while the latter-day Spero indulges in naughty Beardsleyesque irreverence. In the tripartite vertical composition, "Runner" (1997), a phalanx of Amazons runs across the bottommost perimeter. Two Minoan maidens surf through a golden nebula. A winged Sirin endowed with an exaggerated phallus presides over the scene on a platform in the sky. In the stratified matrix of "The Underworld" (1995), a meander of snakes adorns the bottom register, while an image lifted from a medieval drolerie depicts a kneeling woman performing analingus on the Devil. Made in the same year, "Life Dance," with its Greek vase figures pleasuring themselves with prehistoric dildos, revels in the liberatory possibilities of female autoeroticism.
Some critics have reproached Spero for creating a universalizing myth of female experience. Writing in "Art In America" in 1973, the film critic Jane Weinstock accused Spero of fabricating an "otherworldliness that reinscribes the traditional female/male opposition." Viewers weaned on constructionist theories of performative gender are in danger of choking on the heavy portion of goddess imagery in Spero's work. Even the show's title sounds quaintly earnest and teleological. But rather than banishing the work into the provinces of well-intentioned essentialism, it's more interesting to think about the work as it sits at the crux of these debates. The multicultural frittata of imagery that populates Spero's works reflects the diversity of femininity in representation, while clinging to a transhistorical sorority of women across space and time. While the large and joyful multi-panel composition, "The Goddess Nut II" may be guilty of reiterating earth mother clichés with its frolicking nymphets and celebratory goddess imagery, "Picasso and Fredericks of Hollywood," critiques, in no uncertain terms, the objectification of women under patriarchy: Spero transforms Picasso's "Woman with Bouquet" into a protuberant, testicular peeping tom pursuing lingerie-clad mud flap girls, a splayed, Dubuffet-like succubus, a mandrake-shaped, fork-footed mother figure with distended breasts and roots sprouting from her udders across the picture plane.
Spero's work can be understood in terms of what postcolonial theorist Gayatri Spivak has termed "strategic essentialism." This position, while acknowledging that gender is culturally constructed, adopts essentialist language as a rhetorical device and political tool. The diversity of Spero's everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to cultural appropriation actually prefigures the anti-essentialist claim that gender isn't self-evident, but a slippery and contingent performance. All the while, her self-made myth of transcultural sisterhood opposes contemporary patriarchy and makes a case for solidarity among women. At a moment when anti-essentialism can so easily slide into post-feminism and even anti-feminism, Spero's quasi-mythic pantheon of appropriated female archetypes might be more relevant and challenging than ever.
"Nancy Spero: From Victimage to Liberation: Works from the 1980s and 1990s" is on view at Galerie Lelong, 528 West 26th Street, through Feburary 16, 2013.
To see paintings from the exhibition, click the slideshow here.


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Hammerin' Hank Aaron, the all-time Home Run King (yeah I said it) was on Studio B with Shepherd Smith a little bit ago and they got to talking about why so few kids are playing the game. Hank was specifically talking about black kids, which makes sense since the number of black Major Leaguers has really gone down, but I wonder about all kids.
I can't help but wonder if we started taking these dumps around the country, I don't mean landfills, I mean these run-down dumpy areas, and turned them into baseball diamonds and put a bat and a ball in every kid's hand and a Braves cap, a Cubs cap, a Yankees cap, even a *gulp* Mets hat on their head, if it might not help the country in a way, you know, with morale. It's the Great American Pastime, and a beautiful game, and I think if we got all kids involved in it and truly made it our national game, it could go a long way.
Furthermore, it'd be nice if we could get the stadiums (and businesses around the stadiums) to work with fans on pricing. Baseball fans aren't rich. Baseball fans are simple American folks who love a great game. If it was less of an expense to go to a game, have a bite to eat and something to drink, and just enjoy the atmosphere of it all, people'd be a lot happier.
Okay I'll get off my soapbox. Go Braves.

subset: commoncrawl


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An original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the 2007 hit movie "Freedom Writers" starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank and "Grey's Anatomy's" Patrick Dempsey, Scott has energized over a million leaders, educators, volunteers and students worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope. Speaking to more than 125 groups a year for the past decade, he is the speaker of choice for conferences, conventions, schools, fundraisers and banquets.
The author of "Dream Now: How to Take Hold of the Life You've Always Dreamed About," Scott's unique message is one that has inspired, educated and empowered almost a million people, helping them make the most of their lives.
At the age of 14, Scott dropped out of school and his English grammar was so poor that he was classified as an English as a Second Language student. By the age of 16, he had already lived in 26 different places. At an early age, he began using drugs and alcohol.
The high school dropout now holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and Trinity International University. He is currently working on his Ph.D.
Scott's appearance at CBC is made possible by the Title V Celebrando Educación grant. The grant's goal is to improve retention and completion rates and increase enrollment in technical and/or professional occupational fields of study at CBC.
All CBC faculty and staff who attend the Leadership Symposium will earn professional development hours. In addition to Scott's motivational speech, participants also will receive information about Campus Connect, Blackboard and student retention best practices/strategies.
For more information about attending the event, contact Santos Jones at 361-354-2426.


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By the numbers: Presidential libraries
Published On: Apr 25 2013 02:15:01 PM CDT Updated On: Apr 30 2013 01:18:40 PM CDT
Former president George W. Bush was joined by every living president for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas today. Take a look at images of the center as well as a by-the-numbers look at other presidential libraries.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.


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'Women Who Rock' to rock the park
June 19, 2013 —
MILFORD, PA — Milford's summer concert series, Music in the Park, continues on Sunday, June 23 from 1 to 4 p.m., focusing on "women who rock." Performers include Sabrina Reitman, known professionally as Abri. At 19, Reitman is already a Broadway veteran (Young Nala in Disney's "The Lion King" and Little Inez in the Tony award-winning show "Hairspray." Following her is Regina Sayles, known for belting out foot stomping fun tunes, or melting the crowd with soulful ballads; and headlining the day is the Heather Maloney Band, whose self-titled third album, Heather Maloney, is already sold out, only having been released in March
Music in the Park, co-sponsored by Milford Borough, is presented on Sunday afternoons in Ann Street Park. Visit www.facebook.com/gazebomusic for more information.


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Red Sox Road Trip 2010
This past weekend, a couple of Red Sox prospects, the 2004 and 2007 World Series trophies, Wally the Green Monster, and some of the fabulous Red Sox staff made their way down to Fort Myers, FL for the Red Sox Road Trip. On Saturday, the trophies made a stop at the Edison Mall and the Gulf Coast Town Center. My Saturday was filled with an exciting all-day trip to the library to work on my research paper. I sure had plans for Sunday though.
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Holding that trophy must have been an awesome moment!! I'm jealous. Now I'm making a mission to hold the 92 or 93 Jays hardware.
I've started to hear good things about Westmoreland. Apparently, a lot of scouts are high on him after only one year in short-season A-ball. That tells me that they really see something in the guy, ranking him that high this early in his development. Very cool that you got to meet him. I'm wondering if he is worth picking up in my fantasy 'keeper' baseball pool right now! Hope you enjoy the rest of the Spring!
maybe your mom will slowly become a baseball fan, my mom is. its tough for her in a house with three guys but she always plans our baseball road trips and ends up having a great time.
i dont know how you contained yourself holding the trophy. that is surreal, unforgettable picture.
Marty Ray looks like a cool guy and he has a cool job. i would love to be doing what hes doing here in a few years
Wow! What a great trip. It was so worth driving along Alligator Alley (I remember it well). I love your pics with the trophy and the fact that you interviewed the prospects. Here's hoping you find an internship. Any organization would be lucky to have you.
You have a picture with the trophy!!!! I'm jealous. Pretty awesome!
What a great time you had. I wish the Dodgers had something like that. Our Caravan this year was a bit disappointiing.
Thanks for the 7th inning stretch suggestion. Added it to the list! However I do not think you will like it as much as anticipated
What a thrill to hold the trophy. I can only imagine what that would have been like. Talking to the prostpects is really cool. They're still down to earth and most of the time very good about talking with the fans.
Glad you had such a good time.
Wow, very cool! Holding the trophy! What a dream come true!
Like you, I love meeting prospect. A few of years ago I met alot of them at Vero Beach. When you actually see them on the regular roster it makes it more special.
I don't have email address for Vin but you can send him regular mail at
Vin Scully
1000 Elysian Park ave
Los Angeles, Ca 90090. Tthe old zip was 90012 but the Dodgers got a zip code all to themselves. I wrote about it here and posted pictures of the stamps with Dodger players. I am told that Vin responds! I actually been wanting to write to him myself but I always put it off. Let's you and I do it this year!
Lucky you. You got to hold the World Series trophy! I'm so jealous but I'm glad you had a great time. Awesome pictures as well!
Damn…the world series trophy….whoa. What's it like? What's inscribed upon it, etc?
It's really cool that you got to spend time with the prospects…wow.
Must have been great to hold that World Series Trophy, eh? Can't beleive they let you, those pictures are keepers for sure.
Great photos! So awesome they let you hold the trophy! I may have run away with it if they let me do that…lol


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Archive for the 'College Radio Woodie Award' tag
Blog odds and ends: North Mississippi Allstars, Travis Singleton, i105, Senryu, more
North Mississippi Allstars to open 'Shed' season
We've been on the ball with keeping you abreast of the forthcoming spring/summer/fall concert season at "The Shed" at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, 1820 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville, but here's something extremely cool — the North Mississippi Allstars have replaced Unknown Hinson as the season opener.
"Due to unforeseeable circumstances Unknown Hinson is not able to open our Shed Season as he has in the past," according to Aaron Snukals, marketing and special events director at "The Shed." "He will return to the Shed to host our Halloween show October 29, 2011."
The Allstars will open the season on Saturday, April 2. Tickets for all April and May shows go on sale March 1. Here's that lineup:
- April 2 – North Mississippi Allstars
- April 9 – Big Gun
- April 15 – Al Nelson's Tribute to Roy Orbison and Rock & Soul Review
- April 16 – Hayes Carll
- April 23 – John Anderson
- April 30 – Todd Snider
- May 7 – The Nighthawks
- May 14 – Devon Allman's Honeytribe
- May 21 – Scott Miller & The Commonwealth
- May 27 – Mustang Sally
- May 28 – Marty Stuart
The North Mississippi Allstars recently released "Keys to the Kingdom," their first album since the death of Jim Dickinson, the father of NMAS members Cody and Luther Dickinson.
i105 Listener Appreciation concert set
WFIV-FM, i105, has announced that a free listener appreciation concert featuring up-and-coming British band Scars on 45 will take place on March 11 at Relix Variety Theatre, 1208 N. Central St. in Knoxville.
Travis Singleton in the awards running
It was just last month that we wrote about singer-songwriter Travis Singleton prior to his gig at Maryville's Vienna Coffeehouse, and now comes word of his continuing success:
He writes on Facebook: "After advancing from Round 1 in the 2011 Peoples Music Awards (over 2000 entrants), Travis Singleton's song 'Breathe' made into Round 2 with nine other artists/bands in the Pop category. That round was voted on by a panel of music industry executives, and their votes and critiques have been tallied: 'Breathe' is now a FINALIST in the 2011 Peoples Music Awards Pop category! Beginning March 1st and lasting for 5 weeks, the online vote will be reopened, and listeners from around the world will be able to make their choice from the final 5 artists in the Pop category. The top TWO artists at the end of the five weeks will then perform at the Peoples Music Awards ceremony in London England this June."
The organization behind the awards is based in London and showcases up-and-coming artists/bands from around both Europe and North America. To vote for Singleton, go here: http://peoplesmusicawards.com/travissingleton/
WUTK nominated for a 'Woodie'
WUTK-FM, 90.3 "The Rock is already respected in East Tennessee — the station has been voted "Knoxville's Best Local Radio Station" in Metro Pulse's "Best of Knoxville" Readers' Poll from 2006-2010. Now, it's getting some national recognition — the station has been nominated for an MTV-U "2011 College Radio Woodie Award," a prize that honors the best college radio stations in the nation that break the latest, emerging music and "act as pioneers in the industry." The nomination means that MTV-U recognizes "The Rock" as one of the top 50 stations in the nation, and now WUTK has made it into the top 10.
Now the station is seeking listener help to win the top prize. To vote: Go to http://radiowoodie.ratemyprofessors.com, locate WUTK in the list of nominated stations, and click on the "vote" button. You can also visit the station's website for more information and links. (You can vote as often as you'd like, by the way.) You can vote through March 1. If WUTK wins, you can tune in to MTV, MTV2 and MTV-U at midnight, March 16, to watch the awards ceremony broadcast.
Save Senryu!
Things are not looking good for Wil Wright, frontman of that most wonderful indie-rock outfit Senryu. We reviewed "Half Wild," the band's forthcoming new album, here. We're no strangers of our love for Wil and this band. Which is why we urge you to help save that most flamboyant, maniacal genius from the clutches of those who hold his life in their collective palms.
Watch the "ransom" video here, then contribute to the band's Kickstarter campaign so that the new record can be disseminated in the manner that benefits both band and fans. You have 23 days left. The goal has almost been reached, but don't let that deter you — making it and exceeding it will likely ensure that Senryu continues to make future recordings.
Please. Wil is a friend of mine. I don't want to be one of the unfortunate few who get one of his body parts/organs mailed to my house. That would seriously ruin my day.


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ROCHESTER, Minn. — There can be a potential communication barrier between medical providers and deaf or hard-of-hearing patients. Mayo Clinicear, nose and throat expert Colin Driscoll, M.D., is available to discuss the language barrier, including tips for hearing-impaired patients and physicians.
Patients who cannot hear well or who are deaf often require communication assistance for their medical appointments so they and physicians and other health care workers can understand each other and avoid misunderstandings. This is generally through a medical sign language interpreter, computer-aided transcription services, telecommunications devices and written materials.
"There are many patients with significant amounts of hearing loss who really struggle to follow conversations but may not always admit it," Dr. Driscoll says. "Providers often don't recognize it or are unwilling and unable to take the additional time needed to communicate more fully."
Eye contact between the doctor or nurse and the patient is key, says James Cartledge, a Mayo Clinic patient who is deaf.
"Talk directly to the patient because the interpreter will interpret what you are saying," Cartledge says. "I have to look at the interpreter to get the information, but then I look back and forth to the person who's speaking."
Good communication is essential so patients understand critical details about medications and surgeries and other procedures, he adds.
"Deaf or hearing-impaired patients should feel empowered to press for clear explanations from interpreters and physicians and other health care staff, but health care workers should take steps to make sure that good communication is happening in the first place," Dr. Driscoll says.
Dr. Driscoll offers the following tips for health care providers when communicating with the deaf or hearing impaired:
- Be aware of any hearing difficulty and have the patient's attention before talking.
- Face the patient, slow the rate of speech so there is space between words, and speak clearly.
- Reduce background noise, if possible, and if the patient has limited hearing, politely ask whether he or she hears and understands the information.
- Type out the discussions with patients and offer them written information about their course of treatment or any other information that is exchanged. Written information is very helpful, even for normal hearing patients, Dr. Driscoll says.
"If providers and the medical system are better educated about the difficulty deaf and hard-of-hearing patients face then there will be less pressure on the patients to advocate for themselves," Dr. Driscoll says. "Providing tools for providers also helps them more easily and effectively communicate reducing the frustration for all."