MY CITY BY DAY, MY CITY BY NIGHT

(This time in English)

Times Square is still tourist's paradise. If visitors could vote in today's primaries for mayor, Michael Bloomberg ("please call me Mike") will probably be reelected - don't worry Mike, without their vote it will happen too, unfortunately nobody is ready for Reverend Billy yet-. To his credit, it was Bloomberg who chose to seal off the heart of Manhattan to traffic and bring a bit of peace to this area. It didn't take much, just a bunch of tables, chairs, a few umbrellas and some stolen space that once belonged to cars and now belongs to humans. During daytime not only tourists but also new yorkers enjoy it. Coffee and cigarette breaks have a new taste in midtown.

Herald Square

At night tough, the taste is very different. Along Broadway, from Times Square to 34th st, all those chairs are occupied by homeless.


Broadway and 37th.

One after the other. Bloomberg either don't think or don't care about having this stretch of city looking 'ugly' to those same tourists that fight for chairs during daytime. I still remember that years ago, in Madrid, outrageous mayor Alvarez del Manzano banned benches in Puerta del Sol to avoid homeless in the area. Fortunately for us, Bloomberg and Manzano don't seem to talk very often and so far, the vision of New York by night as a homeless city is silently taking shape in those new bed/chairs. I don't mind. The Times Square of the new century always looked too fake to last. So fake that now that reality is hitting back after a year of official crisis, homeless are visibly back to remind us that times are tough. Maybe Bloomberg didn't find a place yet to hide them before his reelection, like Giuliani did in the early nineties. Or maybe they are so many that it's already an impossible task. I hope the solution won't mean taken those chairs away from citizens. Homeless, after all, are citizens too and if a city is not able to provide them with a decent rooftop, let them at least profit from one of the few bright ideas of a politician.

Some fresh data from the 2008 census to think about, especially because for most of that year everybody was still living the 'high life', so imagine how the data about 2009 will be:

• The official poverty rate in 2008 was 13.2 percent, up from 12.5 percent in 2007. This was the first statistically significant annual increase in the poverty rate since 2004, when poverty increased to 12.7 percent from 12.5 percent in 2003. New York's 14.2 percent poverty rate in 2008 was higher than the nation's 13.2 percent, according to the report.
• In 2008, 39.8 million people were in poverty, up from 37.3 million in 2007 -- the second consecutive annual increase in the number of people in poverty.
• In 2008, the poverty rate increased for non-Hispanic Whites (8.6 percent in 2008 -- up from 8.2 percent in 2007), Asians (11.8 percent in 2008 -- up from 10.2 percent in 2007) and Hispanics (23.2 percent in 2008 -- up from 21.5 percent in 2007). Poverty rates in 2008 were statistically unchanged for Blacks (24.7 percent).
• The poverty rate in 2008 (13.2 percent) was the highest poverty rate since 1997 but was 9.2 percentage points lower than in 1959, the first year for which poverty estimates are available.
• The real median household income in the United States fell 3.6 percent between 2007 and 2008, from $52,163 to $50,303. This breaks a string of three years of annual income increases.
• Meanwhile, the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 45.7 million in 2007 to 46.3 million in 2008, while the percentage remained unchanged at 15.4 percent.

THE UNTOUCHABLE

(This time in Spanish)

La realidad siempre supera a la ficción. Si Robert de Niro y Silvio Berlusconi compitieran por un oscar al mejor intérprete de Al Capone, creo que, pese a mi admiración por De Niro, el ganador sería mister Berlusconi. O al menos eso votaría media Italia, parte del extranjero y sobre todo, los cuatro italianos que han empapelado el sur de Manhattan con este poster fantástico a imagen y semejanza del de la película Los Intocables de Brian de Palma.

Hasta hace apenas un año los neoyorquinos no tenían ni idea de quien era este señor. Les sonaba de haberle visto estrechando la mano del presidente Bush pero poco más. En los últimos meses, entre escándalos variados con putas, orgías y acoso y derribo a periodistas, hasta la prensa estadounidense, muy poco dada a hablar de lo que ocurre fuera de la burbuja americana, se ha ensañado con Berlusconi. Y para que la ciudad entienda un poquito mejor quién es este personaje que inexplicablemente sigue siendo primer ministro de mi país materno, 'la nuova Carbonería' viene al rescate con la 'nueva imagen' del Cavaliere, perfectamente visible en Little Italy, Lower East Side y Soho.

Spring and Wooster

Según me contó Alberto Baudo, el periodista italiano que tomó las fotos y conoce a los ‘autores del crimen’, la iniciativa de los carteles partió “de dos estudiantes italianos y de dos profesionales que viven en Nueva York y que se sienten frustrados con la imagen que el presidente de su país proyecta sobre Italia”. El grupo se autodefine como ‘la Nuova Carbonería’, en alusión a la Carbonería, una sociedad secreta que funcionó en la Italia del siglo XIX durante el llamado Risorgimento Italiano y que se oponía a todo tipo de opresores. Los carteles de El intocable Berlusconi son sólo el principio de su pequeña revolución.

'I nuovi carbonari', que de momento prefieren permanecer en el anonimato, han invertido 4000 euros de su bolsillo en imprimir varios centenares de posters, un proyecto con el que simplemente aspiran a que “los estadounidenses entiendan que no todos los italianos están de acuerdo con lo que hace Berlusconi” según Baudo.

Kenmare and Mulberry

Bajo la imagen de ‘Il Cavaliere’con aire pensativo un título: “The Untouchable. Unimpeacheable at law (El intocable, no impugnable por decreto)’”. Sobre un lateral, cuatro frases contundentes: “Dirige Italia con poder absoluto. Nadie puede tocarle. Nadie puede pararle”. Son las mismas que en el cartel original de la película de De Palma definían a Al Capone, el mafioso más célebre de los años treinta en Estados Unidos. En ese cartel la imagen de Robert de Niro flotaba sobre la de Elliot Ness y el grupo de policías (los intocables) que le dieron caza durante los años de la prohibición. En la nueva versión en cambio, Berlusconi ‘planea’ sobre una imagen de la ciudad de Roma, martirizada por su presencia en el Quirinale (la residencia presidencial).

Bowery

Cuando Aznar gobernaba España y me encontraba con desconocidos dispuestos a hablar de política, yo aprovechaba que soy medio italiana para esconderme bajo esa nacionalidad y evitar el escarnio. Ultimamente me ocurre lo contrario, tengo que evitar mencionar mi parte italiana para no verme envuelta en conversaciones que inevitablemente acaban en Berlusconi. Por suerte ahora me queda el recurso de unirme a 'i nuovi carbonari'...

GREAT NEWS!!

(In Spanish and English)

La idea de este blog nació el día en que Barack Obama ganó las elecciones. Me hubiera encantado cubrir su campaña electoral pero por razones que no vienen al caso no pudo ser. Desde entonces he utilizado este blog para ofrecer mi visión de EEUU y sobre todo, de Nueva York, de una forma más personal de lo que puede hacerse en el diario para el que habitualmente escribo. Sin prisas, al ritmo que marca la vida y no al que que imponen las teorías sobre la velocidad bloguera. Y así he llegado a mi post número 80. Ya sé que no es un número redondo pero no importa. Mi amiga Gloria Vilches, una de las artistas más especiales que conozco, me ha regalado uno de sus excelentes collages. Es un irónico montaje con el que celebrar una gran noticia, que quiero compartir aquí porque al parecer este blog también es 'culpable', en parte, de que hoy pueda contaros lo que leeréis un poco más abajo. Se me cae la baba de felicidad!

The idea of writing this blog was born the same day that Barack Obama won the presidency. I would have loved to cover the campaign but for different reasons it didn't happen. Only then I realized the web was there for me to write and share my experiences and thoughts. Since last November I've used this blog to look at New York and this country in a very personal way, close to journalism but not necessary attached to what's supposed to be news. I've also pushed myself to write in English. After almost 10 years living in this country I had to try. That's how I made it to post #80. The number it's not a round one but it doesn't matter. My Spanish friend, the artist Gloria Vilches, has done one of her very special collages for me. It's an ironic piece to celebrate very good news that I would like to share because in a way, this blog has helped me to get (I still can't believe it!!!!) here:

USC Annenberg/Getty Arts Journalism Fellowships awarded to leading arts journalists
August 11, 2009

Six distinguished mid-career arts journalists have been selected as Fellows for the USC Annenberg/Getty Arts Journalism Program.

Under the direction of Sasha Anawalt, director of arts journalism programs at USC Annenberg, this year's Fellowship will focus on the visual arts and architecture of Los Angeles, with attention paid to the challenges confronting journalists working in the digital-media era. How does today’s arts journalist, especially during a worldwide economic downturn, become the focus for conversation and persuasion? The 2009 Fellowship will be about enabling arts journalists to take a bold lead and tell stories that meaningfully connect audiences and artists.

With support from the Getty Foundation, the program, now in its eighth year, seeks to establish a new standard of excellence in arts and culture coverage. The Fellowship’s philosophy is guided by a core belief in the importance of first-hand encounters with both artists and journalism colleagues. The three-week program begins November 1, 2009.

The Fellows for 2009 are:

Joshua Samuel Brown, writer and photo-journalist. Based primarily in Asia for the past 15 years, Brown has contributed visual and performing arts stories to the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Standard, Sculptural Pursuit and many other publications. He has co-authored four recent Lonely Planet titles including Taiwan, Singapore and Belize, and is the author of “Vignettes of Taiwan,” published by San Francisco-based Things Asian Press.

Barbara Celis, reporter, blogger and filmmaker. For the last five years New York-based Celis has regularly covered American arts, culture and politics for Spain’s El Pais. She is a frequent contributor to ARS, Ioncinema, La Repubblica, the Spanish editions of Vogue, Rolling Stone and Cinemania. She has a bilingual blog, www.cronicasbarbaras.com and is finishing her first documentary, "Surviving Amina."

Kelly Klaasmeyer, editor and critic. Editor of Glasstire, an online magazine devoted to the visual arts of Texas, Klaasmeyer also writes about art for Houston Press. In 2004, she was awarded the Lone Star Award for first place in Arts and Entertainment Criticism. A working artist, she holds an MFA in Painting and a BFA in Painting and Drawing.

Neda Ulaby, writer and editor, radio and print. National Public Radio arts reporter Ulaby specializes in film, books, intellectual property issues, and cultural trends. She also hosts NPR’s weekly arts podcast. As former managing editor of Chicago’s Windy City Times, a gay and lesbian weekly newspaper, she oversaw staff and freelancers as well as contributed news, features and film reviews.

Randall Roberts, editor and critic. At the LA Weekly, music editor Roberts oversees the multimedia music content of laweekly.com and the music blog West Coast Sound. Roberts has also written for the Village Voice, Salon, Stylus.com, Seattle Weekly and other publications. His work has been honored by the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, the National Association of Black Journalists and Association of Food Journalists.

Matthew Westwood, writer and editor. As arts editor of the national daily newspaper The Australian, Westwood is responsible for coverage of the nation’s fine, popular, and indigenous arts. He writes mainly about classical music and opera, and the performing arts generally. He is a former editor of 24 Hours, a classical music magazine, and features editor on the startup team of London’s Metro in 1999.

"These Fellows are more interested in what the art they are covering makes us think than they are in telling us what they think about the art," Anawalt said. "Their knowledge, imaginations, and the high level at which they practice journalism -- half of them internationally -- help them foster direct and sometimes intimate conversations between their subjects and those who depend on the media for arts information. They will challenge the program further to push toward the edges where text, image and voice meet on the Web."

The 2009 USC Annenberg/Getty Fellows were selected from an international pool of over 90 applicants from 24 American states and 16 foreign countries by a committee of arts journalists and journalism school directors.

I LIKE YOU BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR BRAIN WORKS

(This time in Español)

Esto es lo bueno de las entrevistas realizadas en un programa que supuestamente no da información: puedes escuchar al presentador decirle al entrevistado frases como las del título de este post. Una vez más, el Show de Jon Stewart -en teoría pura comedia- se encarga de sacarle los colores a un personaje al que la prensa 'seria' debería haber puesto en evidencia hace tiempo y que sin embargo, sigue paséandose por el mundo predicando barbaridades en periódicos y canales -New York Post, Fox News- que la población se toma muy en serio. Esta señora llamada Betsy McCaughey se hizo célebre en los años noventa por inventarse una de esas mentiras que de tanto repetirlas se transformó en verdad y que contribuyó a que la reforma sanitaria impulsada por Bill Clinton fracasara estrepitosamente. La señora en cuestión decía que Clinton y su reforma habilitarían una especie de consejos sumarísimos en los que se obligaría a los ancianos a decidir cómo acabar con sus vidas cuanto antes. Por muy surrealista que parezca, aquella milonga creció hasta tal punto que hubo muchos ciudadanos que se la acabaron creyendo.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Betsy McCaughey Extended Interview Pt. 1
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

(esta entrevista consta de dos partes, la segunda puede pincharse al terminar la primera)

No tengo muy claro si el resto del planeta se ha enterado de la gravedad de la batalla en la que está inmerso Obama ahora que ha decidido emular a Clinton. Abordar la reforma sanitaria de un país en el que el mayor índice de bancarrotas lo provocan las deudas médicas, donde 47 millones de personas carecen de seguro y donde incluso quienes están asegurados, se arriesgan a perderlo todo si les toca enfrentarse a una enfermedad grave, parece, hoy por hoy, un heroicismo mucho mayor del que supuso el que un hombre de raza negra se presentara a presidente. Las poderosas aseguradoras que se oponen a la reforma no están solas: tienen de su lado a la derecha más recalcitrante, que acude a los mítines informativos que se organizan por todo el país armados con pistolas, enarbolando fotografías en las que conecta a Obama con Hitler y con carteles en los que se amenaza de muerte al presidente y su familia. Y son precisamente personajes como la infausta McCaughney, que ha vuelto a salir a escena -con el mismo discurso de hace quince años y otras variantes-, quienes alimentan el odio de millones de personas cuyo funcionamiento cerebral yo tampoco acabo de entender. La entrevista de Jon Stewart a McCaughey deja constancia del nivel intelectual del enemigo, pero como bien demostró el 'fenómeno Sarah Palin', nunca hay que desestimar el poder de la estupidez humana.

THE FUN OF BEING 'HOODIOS'

(This time in English)



I just found out about an American Latino/Jewish band called Los Hoodios. The name couldn't be a better pun. It is not easy to be playful with a name, make sense and be funny and that's what caught my eye out of a press release - I don't like press releases-, and made me want to know more about these Hoodios *it sounds like 'Jews' in Spanish and it also sounds like 'jodios', a soft curse, plus all the meanings around 'the hood'... In their music they mix hip hop with kletzmer and salsa, although sometimes they choose one over the other. Quite a cocktail! It could be of your taste or not but it is undeniable that their lyrics are smart, they blend both cultures, make political commentary and have a sort of Beastie Boys flavour. I miss that a lot lately because I am tired to go to concerts in which the audience is packed with guys who look like they have been dumped by their girlfriends and need to loose themselves into the sorrow that enfolds the sad music and lyrics of many indie/alt/folk bands. I've been addicted to those bands too -yes, I was dumped too!- but it's about time for some light so I welcome something a bit different that makes a clever use of language and blends it with joyful music.
They have a few albums out, the last one is called Carne Masada and includes the song Times Square (1989), a musical homage to the old hip hop school and to a city long time gone. More info about the song and its musicians here.

COMUNICACIÓN NO VERBAL (I)

(This time in Spanish)
En este verano de emociones continuas que me está tocando vivir tenía en mente escribir algo sobre nuestra capacidad para comunicarnos físicamente, sin la ayuda de la palabra. Y de repente me he cruzado con una columna de Maruja Torres en la que explica perfectamente todas esas cosas que ultimamente se me pasan por la cabeza. La pregunta con la que arranca su columna me la hice yo el día en que murió un gran amigo, Julio Anguita. Fue mi primer encuentro real con la muerte. Ahí va esta estupenda reflexión. Los abrazos no dados.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH 200 GUITARS

(This time in English)

I was quite skeptical about the whole buzz surrounding the Rhys Chatham concert at the Lincoln Center on Saturday. The only thing that made me go was the idea of 200 electric guitars playing together. Curiosity always pays back. It was announced as 'the concert of the summer' but to me the idea of a minimalist composer taking over the stage sounded scary. I've tried to enjoy Steve Reich but I haven't been able to. I know, I should, I guess it 's the result of my own ignorance, but I like melodies, and and sometimes it is difficult to find them in that type of music. It can be hard to listen to if you are not used to the genre, but I have to confess that experiencing the performance of 'A Crimson Grail' of Rhys Chatham was an awakening moment. It is not a concert that you ‘see’. Your whole skin gets wrap up into it. There were many feelings, which is what I probably can't find in most experimental or minimalist music.

This time was different. Imagine that 200 electric guitars surround you. Imagine that their sound starts slowly traveling as a wave, jumping from one guitar to the other. Imagine all those guitars in crescendo, filling up the air, the sky, the whole city, to the point in which you have to stand up, open your arms and smile with your eyes closed. I saw a few people doing that in the marvelous third movement of an hour plus concert that was definitely one of the highlights of this never ending summer of great free concerts in New York. It was a mix between a rock concert, a great symphony, a bit of church music and a crazy Sonic Youth moment.

Rhys Chatham on the main stage

Rhys Chatham was on the stage directing another four musical directors placed along the Lincoln Center Garden, in which a horseshoe shape of guitar players -the audience in the center of it- performed this piece created in 2005 for 400 guitars and adapted to a smaller ensemble for the USA premiere. There were three movements. The first one took me completely by surprise, what a beautiful piece of music, melodically simple but organically very complicated, many voices, many volumes, playful and breathtaking. It gave me the goose bumps.

One of the four musical directors
and Rhys Chatham far away on the main stage

The Lincoln Center made a call last year to find amateur and professional players willing to perform for free in the one night only event. Unfortunately, the rain killed the performance last summer so they postponed it for a year. Rain was threatening again on Saturday -it has never rain as much as this summer in the city- but this time we were lucky. Many of last year musicians came back. A few new ones were recruited. Among them, Manon, the 17 year old daughter of Chatham, one of the few female players. This French girl, talking in her broken English after the performance, told me that she had seen her father working in this piece for so long that she asked him to be part of the performance, even if she has played guitar only for a year. "It is not a difficult piece to play but you have to learn to listen to the other players" she explained. The feeling after the concert? "wowwwww, I don't have the words to explain it in English!!!". Sitting by her side, another performer, Emilie Friedlander, a 24 year old violinist and music critic that just wanted to be part of the whole experience, said that "having musical knowledge and experience in an orchestra was enough for me". In fact, Chatham didn't audition the candidates, they were selected based in their musical backgrounds, covering a wide range, from very professional players to beginners.

They all did it for free. They got a set of strings and a meal. "We are here for the love of music". Keith Patchel's words summarize the feeling among the performers. Patchel is a composer himself who has actually played before for Chatham and he is in love with 'A Crimson Grail'. "It's a fantastic piece, almost like a Renaissance piece, with chorus speaking to each other from different sides of the quadrum". In that last gorgeous third part that made the whole audience stand up in the middle of it just to feel it stronger, he couldn't sit still either. The power of music.

Keith Patchel and other guitar players at the end of the concert

What else could I said? Thank you mister Chatham for having conceived such a beautiful piece of art! (more info about him and A Crimson Grail)