Eric إسماعيل‎ Parnes:

Modernist Nowruz Haft-Seen

2012-03-17T01:23:00.000-04:00

I was commissioned to provide my interpretation for the Haft-Seen for Nowruz.

Cereal Box Gifts of Iran

2012-03-14T12:41:00.001-04:00

In America one must consider if children actually concerned themselves with the taste of the cereal or the gifts that were packed in the bottom of the boxes. When I was a child, these were cheap plastic items, I seem to recall a submarine. In the 1950's it appears metal bicycle licence plates from around the world, featuring Iran were all the rage. Notice the prominence of the Iranian men in the upper left!

Topps Flags of the World 1956

2012-03-07T11:52:00.001-05:00

Topps, best known for its baseball cards in the United States, issued this colorful 80 card set of Flags of the World in 1956. I enjoyed looking at the countries represented from the Middle East. Iran seems to be the best depicted in comparison to the others, particularly Syria in its depiction of a angry Beduin with a sword and Egypt which apparently in 1956 was still building the great pyramids.

Tron Legacy and Rose Water Sprinklers

2012-03-03T10:30:00.001-05:00

During the IMAX premier in late 2010 one may notice that the set design for Tron Legacy included various non traditional items placed within the "safe house" scenes. While the design itself has borrowed from some influence from 2001 A Space Odyssey, one can clearly view three silver rose water sprinklers on the table under the mid century lamp. This was the brainchild of Darren Gilford, the production designer and I believe he did a magnificent job in development and fabrication this environment.

Hippies in Iran and the Dervish درویش,

2012-03-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

A typical representation of the Dervish is of men in white gowns spinning around with tall caps on their head. What one should know is that the Dervish often takes vows of poverty, and would often wonder without material need. This postcard is from 1908 in Iran and shows a very contemporary looking man that could have been photographed 60 years later in San Francisco, or even today...

The Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas

2012-02-29T17:26:00.000-05:00

Aladdin Hotel in 1995

Aladdin Hotel Shirt

Aladdin Hotel 1968

Atlantis Hotel Dubai

The Aladin Casino opened in 1966 in Las Vegas, with a later reopening in 1995 until its demise several years later. Without having to explain the obvious. all elements of design and merchandising were intended to reflect aspects of the fantasy/reality in regard to the 1001 nights story of Aladdin. Certainly for many people a trip to the Aladin Casino in Las Vegas might have been viewed as a snapshot of the actual Middle East, and while many would be quick to discount such a thought, some of the construction/design in the last 15 years does come close....

A Serio-Comic Map of Europe 1900

2012-02-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

From Bibliodyssey "A political caricature map by Frederick Rose of the countries of Europe, known as the Octopus Map from the brooding presence of the Russian Empire depicted as a massive octopus, whose tentacles stretch out towards Europe. China is shown in the grasp of Russia, as is Persia and Poland. France and Spain are attractive women, while Germany, Italy and England are Military commanders. his map, by Rose, followed the style created by a Frenchman, Joseph Goggin, showing Russia as an octopus."

Notice the Turkish shoes, and the Russian tenticle around the head of a the Persian.

سوپرمن , SUPERMAN and Nabil Fawzi

2012-02-20T12:14:00.000-05:00

In the late 60's Superman was introduced to Arabic reading audiences. Unlike Persian, there is no letter "P" in arabic so the B ب was used unlike in Persian where a P پ exists . Dont worry this goes the other way around as well, with so many letters not found in the english language when translating... In addition to the name modification, Clark Kent became Nabil Fawzi. Interesting how the graphics are more artistic as a result of less writing clutter that is normally seen in the English versions. The April 1970 issue Aramco gives further details "Another problem had to do with the distressing fact that Arabic reads from right to left instead of left to right and that kids in the Middle East open the comic book at what in western countries would be the back. That meant that the filmed reproductions of the original art work had to be reversed before printing plates could be made, a process that immediately produced a basket of letters from curious kids who wanted to know why the "S" on Superman's costume was backwards.Because Arabic is a language that tends to run on at sometimes extravagant length, IP also had difficulties with translation. Until translators and calligraphers (who inscribe the translated text right onto the filmed copies of the original artwork) got the hang of it, the crisp English, neatly fitted into the "balloons", often expanded into enough text to fill a pamphlet." In addition here is another newspaper outlining some of the original challenges in the attempt to connect the differing cultures.

Harem Pants en Vogue

2012-02-19T14:25:00.001-05:00

The Harem pant suit reminiscent of Scheherazade of 1001 Nights (during the 1960s that is). Pulled from a Vanity Fair in the 1960's I believe the harem suit made its Western contemporary debut. There is somewhat of a futuristic modification to the basic design. I dont think the earrings came with the outfit...

Little Egypt and Hootchee Kootchee

2012-02-17T10:54:00.000-05:00

I remember the first time i saw a belly dancer.... in Cario with my Baba, which in turn brings me back to a discussion on Little Egypt... not the place in Astoria Queens, but the first Belly Dancers in the US.

The Chicago World's Fair did bring some legitimacy to Middle Eastern Dance in terms of visibility in the West. In 1898 Thomas Edison captured perhaps the first film of Belly Dancing. Looking at this with over 100 years is dangerous, as her costuming being a mixture of victorian and Middle Eastern sensibilities were probably quite foreign appearing at the time. It would appear that the dancers were quite aware of how to take advantage of this new found interest. Now according to Anna's belly dancing article, which is much more informative than the wiki article on the subject. "It is believed the first major appearance of belly dance in America happened at the World’s Columbian Exposition aka the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. The fair featured a re-creation of an Egyptian market aptly named “Streets of Cairo” where vendors sold Egyptian goods, and dance and music groups from countries like Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Tunisian, Algeria, Turkey, among others, shared their cultural tradition on the stages along the “midway”. The dancer’s hip and stomach movements were considered vulgar and strange compared to the popular waltz and ballet which were acceptable forms of dance of the time. The nearly, fully covered dancers were also considered very controversial for not being corseted, which was the fashion trend and “respectable” custom of the day.

An entertainment promoter for the Exposition named Sol Bloom quickly took advantage of the controversy surrounding the foreign dancers and began billing the dance as the “hootchee-kootchee” dance in order to get more customers. This advertising tactic was a huge success. Soon, others including Vaudeville promoters, labeled its all-American adult entertainment as “hootchee-kootchee” dance in their popular shows, which later became known as burlesque, the precursor to modern day stripping or “exotic” dance. Though burlesque dancers used some of the movements they saw the foreign dancers do, it was not in part or in whole the same traditional and folkloric dance as performed by the “real” belly dancers at the World’s Fair. This misuse of the term belly dance subsequently spurred two of the most common misconceptions about belly dance - that belly dance is related to the strip tease or “exotic dance” and that belly dance is about seduction. Over 100 years later, the belly dance community at large is still trying, unsuccessfully, to educate people about the true dance form and bring to light its inaccurate association with stripping and burlesque.

Sol Bloom is also said to have coined the term “belly dance,” which is a translation of the French term “Danse du ventre” or dance of the stomach, said to have been first used by French invaders to Egypt in the late 18th century. The term belly dance, only made the foreign dancing more scandalous to Victorian mannered Americans, that considered direct terminology for body parts like “belly” unwholesome talk.

At the Exposition, a Syrian-born dancer named Farida Mazar-Spyropoulos performed with “The Algerian Dancers of Morocco” under the name “ Fatima”. Farida later claimed to have been the first “Little Egypt”, but did not perform under this title at the Exposition. Since then many dancers, Middle Eastern and otherwise, have used the name “Little Egypt” to promote themselves, some more respectably than others.

One such dancer, and probably the most recognized as “Little Egypt,” was actually a Vaudeville burlesque dancer named Ashea Wabe (pictured right). Her most infamous claim to fame was being questioned at a New York City bachelor party on December 19, 1896 for Clinton Barnum Seeley after police were tipped off “that indecent dances were going to be given by Little Egypt and others ."

The Persian Palace

2012-02-16T11:37:00.000-05:00

Ve travelled all da vay from Isfahan wit rugs.. and people came for da hot "belly dancing" girls (Zan) from Paris!

Upon researching one thing or another, I came across the Chicago World Fair, and the Middle Eastern world that was constructed within its boundaries. One of the most visible monuments was the Persian Palace. The following synapses taken from the Paul V. Gavin Library provides a interesting perspective, particularly of the disappointment of the Persian contingent, and the focus on belly dancers from Paris. My take was that they had hoped to attract crowds as they do today with cute girls staging an event, but surprisingly enough in the 19th contrary a women showing more than a wrist was probably all the gentlemen could process." It was expected that the people of America would take a deep interest in the customs, manners, handicraft, and people of Persia. In token of this expectation a company of twenty-two Persians arrived in Chicago, April 9, 1893. They had traveled from Shiraz and Teheran overland to Constantinople, and thence by Austrian Lloyd steamer to New York. A few weeks later a second contingent arrived safely from Isfahan by the sea route - down the Persian Gulf, through the ocean to the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, New York and Chicago, being sixty days on the way - one of the longest journeys taken by anybody to reach the World's Fair. These people hoped to attract Americans by setting up their shops, where the weaving of carpets, rugs and shawls, the engraving of metals, the labor of lapidaries, and the manufacture of Persian candies might be seen. But the genius of Midway Plaisance was pleasure and not instruction. The working people of Persia soon became the scarcely seen on-lookers in Midway, beholding "the greatest Oriental star, Belle Baya, the prize beauty of the Paris Exposition of 1889," and other dancing girls, who were nothing more nor less than young women of Paris."

However, there are others who see this event as the first time Belly dancing made its presence known on such a scale in America, and therefore the sensationalism attributed to the event is not necessary negative. More on this to follow.

Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Versace babouches

2012-02-13T13:31:00.000-05:00

More finds from my travels in the souks. These are based on the typical Moroccan design, known as the babouche. There is always one rule when bargaining, which is to pretend you dont actually care about the item you want, but the trained seller knows that glint in the eye... in any event I got a reasonable deal on these.

New Kids on the Block in Beverly Hills of Arabia

2012-02-12T14:14:00.001-05:00

Going back a short period in time many in the US wish to forget, in 1990 the New Kids on the Block where immensely popular, and as a result they had their own cartoon to accompany their fame. One particular episode has the group to be arranged to wed a "Middle Eastern" woman, straight out of 1001 nights. What makes this more than a typical Arabic based plot, is that the family lives in a mansion right in Beverly Hills. One wonders if the writers were slightly influenced by the 30+ years of Persians living in Beverly Hills many in McMansions. Regardless, to read into anything further into this script would undoubtedly lead one to madness. However, the video is posted above.

Cyrus the Great and تخت جمشید, in Baghdad

2012-02-11T15:43:00.001-05:00

The Iranian Embassy in Baghdad Iraq has recently been in the news as a result of a bombing. Less has been focused on its unique design. This structure is based on the columns of Persepolis during the rule of Cyrus the Great, and invokes a Persian Neo Classical design. Admittedly I am unaware if this genre of architecture exists as a term, but it does now. I have found very little written on the subject and history of the structure. I have put a small piece I have in my collection of the original stone work for reference.

Dont take my Harem away

2012-02-10T12:16:00.000-05:00

A wonderful resource Arab Kitsch has documented Vaudeville songs based on or around the Middle East themes. "Between 1900 and 1935 the number of popular songs composed on topics pertaining to the Middle East far exceeded those of any other time period in American history until the Persian Gulf War. Between 1905 and 1908 the Salome craze, prompted by the premiere of Richard Strauss' opera, flooded Coney Island and vaudeville theaters with numerous parodies and take-offs (pun intended). This was followed by a spate of songs about the ever-popular Cleopatra. But several other factors, both economic and social, prompted a sustained popular interest in things and people "oriental." The importing of Turkish tobacco prompted cigarette brand names such as Fatimas, Murads, Egyptian Deities and Rameses. Literary groups were memorizing Fitzgerald's translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Eventually, all would be caught up in the conflagration of World War I in which Turkey joined with the Central Powers against the Allies.
For the lyricists of the day, "oriental" was shorthand for designating anything "east of Suez," or more properly, anything east of Morocco or the Dardanelles. There was no concern for precise geography or national boundaries. Mecca could be in Turkey, Baghdad in Persia, and a Salome dancer named "Princess Oy-Vay-is-meer" could be called a "Hindoo lady.""

From Iraq to India or the other way around

2012-02-08T20:22:00.002-05:00

These items were purchased in Iraq by a US military soldier. The items are evokative of the typical Middle Eastern esthetic. However they are not from the Middle East. If you ask any "older" Iranian man or woman they are experts at telling you how to differentiate Persian rugs. They throw out terms like the thread count and the fringing, but do they really know the precise thread count of a Tabrizi? My point being I am not an expert in copper works, however being around so many at early points in my life, I knew there was something odd about the designs, and had to investigate the object further to confirm my suspicion. These items, that are sold as representations of the Middle East, and the "Arab" world in the heart of the Middle East, are actually produced in India. The designs are not Persian, nor Iraqi. Sometimes the context matters most when you are in the Bazaar...

Iranian Female Ninjas

2012-02-06T12:13:00.002-05:00

This piece recently appeared on PressTv, Irans english television channel. First, it is worth noting the Iranian flag, mixed with the Japanese "rising sun" imperial flag in the lower right corner. While this is certain to entertain many in the world, I can not help myself thinking of how the costumes are quite action figure like. A fusion of Chador, and Ninja almost sounds like a perfect fit. I prefered the tiger striping to the all black. The niqab/ face covering envokes elements many in the West would associate with GIJoe/Action Man. The Daily Mail has more photos of their training here.

Saudi Drift and MIA

2012-02-05T13:14:00.000-05:00

With the super bowl in the US in 2012, the performers are quick to release some products to enhance the experience. This year MIA, and Madonna are performing, and MIA's new video is influenced by a Saudi "past time" involving acrobatics with cars. It is worth mentioning that in a country where gas prices are of almost no concern, it does not surprise that vehicles are used for more than just getting to work. It is also noted that Saudi Arabia has one of the most modern systems of highways, that look more American than many of the American highways themselves!. Multi lane roads within desert settings, Provides a contemporary twist on the slow camel caravans of only 80 years ago.

Iran Female Police Force Mercedes and Motorcycle

2012-02-03T11:30:00.000-05:00

More toys...The first photo is a toy Mercedes police car from Iran (manufactured in China) based on the 2007 highly publicized Iranian female police force. These photos inspired me to paint the seemingly surreal nature of reality. In addition I felt compelled to design some of my own toys based on similar themes. Below is a Toy based on the Iranian volunteer voice, Basij, and a Ducati motorbike created to match the Mercedes.

American Black History in Iran

2012-02-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

Photos above are of African Americans stationed in Iran during WWII in the Gulf Command. These were the inspiration for a series of small studies, shown at the bottom. For a little history, the Persian Gulf Command was a US service command established in December 1943 to assure the supply of U.S. war material into the Soviet Union. It subsequently came under the command of a succession of engineer generals. Following the War Department’s full militarization of construction, the Iranian District ceased to exist in May 1943. I have asked a older family relative, who would have been a little boy during this time, if he remembers seeing Black US soldiers, and was informed that he did remember seeing some, and that at the time they were viewed with a mystic as "cultural representatives" of the United States. Certainly, like other places in the world, there were no Black segregation laws in Iran, and while there have always been Africans in Iran, this influx of African Americans within the Gulf Command would have been a first. It would be interesting to find any material based on their experiences.

The Gulf Command Patch, is a design I assume from within the US armed forces, which includes a red scimitar, from the flag of Iran (or Persia) of the ancient Persians. The white seven pointed star is taken from the flag of the Kingdom of Iraq representing purity and religion of the Middle East, and the green color of the shield denotes the agriculture of Persia, and Islam. Green being the choice colour of reference.

Il fiore delle mille e una notte, The flower of 1001 Nights 1974

2012-01-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

This is the fourth posting regarding adaptations from 1001 Nights. We have seen one commercial movie about every 25 years now taking one to the mid 1970s. Directed by Pier Pasolini, as the third film in his "Trilogy of Life" series. Each of these movies has their own strengths, and this film invokes the storytelling suspense that exists in many of the short stories. In terms of costumes and sets, the filming was done across North Africa, Yemen, Iran and beyond. In that there is a "realness" to the shots, combined with various visual influences including Bedouin, Ethiopian, Tibet, and Persian.

Chichén Itzá and Ziggurats

2012-01-28T12:28:00.000-05:00

After visiting the Yucatan several times and returning with some interesting samples of building material, it is worthy to discuss the popular speculation that the pyramid shape temples bare a striking resemblance to those found in Giza Egypt. Many people have suggested this indicates a cultural connection however the pyramidal design is a basic and solid architectural concept. With that said, aside from the pyramidal base, these pyramids differ considerably in their intention as well. Those within the Mayan culture were made with steps to reach a top level specific to prayer services. The Pyramids of Egypt, suggest a burial only basis for their construction with no external stairway (it is worth to note that tombs have been found within many Mayan pyramids). Their is however, a much closer Middle Eastern comparative structure, is the Ziggurat with a ramp leading to the ceremonial structure at the top. ( this photo is taken of a reconstructed Ziggurat in Iraq showing US troops walking down the staircase)

The small model featured above of the castillo, in Chichén Itzá, I completed in order to resemble the ruins circa 1830 popularized by Incidents of travel in Yucatan. By John L. Stephens. The plates are worth viewing on their own merit. The deserts may reclaim with sand, but the tropics do so by absorbing the structures in record time.

The Thief of Bagdad 1940

2012-01-27T12:16:00.000-05:00

This is the third installment regarding movie adaptations from 1001 Nights. During the onset of WWII this British production was made taking many of the themes from the tale from 1924. This colour movie holds up in terms of many of its special effects, considering the time. While this adaptation is seemingly less dream like than the 1924 version, its palate of pastels is visually engaging. It is a shame, that to my knowledge, none of the set models or background paintings have survived. The movie also encouraged a jewelry line production, allowing women to walk around with a bejeweled "Sultan" lapel in addition to other characters in the movie.

Original "Barbie" Dolls from Iran

2012-01-26T11:39:00.001-05:00

As it has been noted that Iran has banned Barbie dolls, I thought to pull out of my collection some old wax dolls each about 20 inches in height. Two are labeled as "Mullahs" and come complete with Tasbih or prayer beads. The woman is well dressed, and her expression is quite realistic. I have been told these were sold from the 40's into the 60's, while these came from Iranian homes, I would have guessed they were made for the Bazaar as tourist items. Which brings me to a Persian tale involving a family member. I am told that Baba as a young boy was offered to paint something in a house of a Mullah, and agreed to do so, but enlisted his brother to help as well. After they finished the job, the Mullah gave them 5$ but the brothers each claimed it as their own. They took it up with their father (or my Grandfather), and he told them that he would settle this in the most fair way possible. He took the money, put it in his wallet, and told the boys to go to sleep!.

Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rose Water Sprinklers

2012-01-25T12:57:00.001-05:00

"Deep" in the Souk (or Bazaar in Persian) you can find many an item, including these highly recognizable perfume labels, that have been converted into rose water sprinklers. I picked these up for obvious reasons. For a little background, the process of distilling roses within water is an ancient process, and has been practiced in and around the Middle East/Mediterranean first by the Persians, then Greeks, and Romans and the list goes on. Rose water can be used for weddings and funerals, as well as food and cleaning. It has no limitations. However as a child I learned that it is not made to be ingested like a soda.

The Palace of The Arabian Nights , Le palais des mille et une nuits (1905)

2012-01-24T14:50:00.002-05:00

The second posting in this series regarding movie adaptations from 1001 Nights. This is the first motion picture adaption. The Palace of The Arabian Nights was produced by Georges Melies. A typical Melies fantasy with walking trees, crawling white bears and balled dancers. Based of the tale of 1001 Nights. Aside from watching something over 106 years old, it is interesting to note the mixture of themes in this film, from skeletons, ballet dancers, and "sultans". Finding the entire length video was slightly challenging, however once it was acquired I uploaded the video in its entirety.

The Thief of Bagdad 1924

2012-01-22T12:03:00.002-05:00

The Thief of Bagdad is a 1924 movie by Raoul Walsh and starring Douglas Fairbanks. Freely adapted from One Thousand and One Nights, it tells the story of a thief who falls in love with the daughter of the Caliph of Bagdad. What I find most compelling of this movie is the attempt for accuracy in terms of specific Islamic references, including the written dialogue material. The sets are rumored to have been some of the most costly during the 20's, and are quite grand in scale as referenced by the above screen shots. I have attached the movie found on youtube as well.

A Hawk and a Snake Fighting the Myth of Etana

2012-01-21T13:40:00.000-05:00

Top of "Tree of Life" from British museum

When I returned from a recent trip, I was walking in a parking lot and a snake seemed to "fail" from the sky. After a double take, I saw the raptor follow, and I was able to capture this on my camera. It caused me to contemplate the meaning of viewing something like this.

In the contemporary Middle East the hawk and falcon, and eagle are revered animals. I think it fair to say the West shares this appreciation for the raptor as well. One can find raptors on most currency, and used as emblems from the military to sports. While most cultures revere them in some format pictorially, one is required to go back to find early sources for the depiction of the animal that is similar today, which inevitably takes me to the ancient Sumerians. Specifically the double headed eagle that today is most commonly associated with European coat of arms. It would appear that following the trail of civilizations, the Sumarians were once again the fathers of the image dating back to the 20th century BC to the 7th century BC.
Cylindric seals discovered in Bogazkoy, an old Hittite capital in modern-day Turkey, represent clearly a two-headed eagle with spread wings. The aesthetics of this symmetrical position explains in part the birth of this religious figure: It originally dates from circa 3,800 BC, and was the Sumerian symbol for the god of Lagash, Ninurtason of Enlil.
Now how about a snake? The current most visible representation of a snake and a raptor can be found on the flag of mexico. The coat of arms is derived from an Aztec legend that their gods told them to build a city where they spot an eagle on a nopal eating a serpent, which is now Mexico City. However we are once again compelled to reach further back in time to the Sumerians to the Etana myth.

The tree of Tablet II is Etana himself, whose birth its sprouting marks. The eagle and the serpent are conflicting aspects of man´s soul, the one capable of carrying him to heaven, the other pulling him down to sin and death. Ignoring the voice of his conscience (the small fledgling), he becomes guilty of perfidy, greed and murder; for this, he is punished. This is an allegory for spiritual death; the same idea is expressed by the childlessness of Etana, to whom the narrative returns (Etana´s barren wife being the equivalent to his barren soul, and the desired son/fruit an allegory by which Etana will be judged).

Flying Carpet

2012-01-20T19:43:00.000-05:00

The Flying Carpet, originally recorded in 1001 Arabian/Persian Nights. This is a cold cast piece from Austria early 20th century. No doubt this gentleman will either fly from the carpet, or what he is smoking from his pipe.

Pot Holders of Saudi Arabia

2012-01-19T08:32:00.000-05:00

Two "his and hers" pot holders from Saudi Arabia. And yes I do in fact use them. While these are intended for a tourist audience, keep in mind that tourism is not exactly on the top of the list for Saudi. It's somewhat difficult to get visas for entry unless its for Hajj reasons or work.

The Iron Sheik or perhaps the Iran Sheik...

2012-01-18T13:35:00.003-05:00

The Iron Sheik, portrayed by a Iranian Hossein Khosrow Vaziri, felt that after the 1979 revolution, the better choice in terms of acceptance in the US would be to portray an Arab. His character was wildly successful in the United States, and embodied a sense of Orientalism that has been under evaluated. For an entire generation children and young adults from the 1980's and early 1990's looked toward the Iron Sheik as the singular visual representation of a Middle Eastern man. With a quick search I found one can purchase his clothing online.

Iranian Stealth Drone Toy Scale Model In Photos

2012-01-17T17:23:00.001-05:00

For about 4 dollars you can pick up what would appear to be a scale down version of the stealth drone that was captured by Iran in December. I was not sure what to expect, as I have a few toys from Iran, and the quality is questionable, plus most of everything is made in China. However These shots come directly from the toy manufacturer and they have a metallic speckling which gives the toy a slightly more artistic appeal. Just maybe I will pick up a few... If your interested in getting a hold of one of these bad boys. sign up on my blog, and email me.

Iraqi "Prayer Rugs", جانماز, سجادة for the US Army

2012-01-16T23:58:00.002-05:00

I have a few of these I picked up and at first they appear to be the exact size of a typical prayer rug, and a immediate eye catcher. The ones I have seem to be fashioned to represent different military units that were stationed, and their respective years in service. On further inspection, they are not really prayer rugs, although they "could" be used. They are interesting keepsakes made in Iraq that were sold to soldiers, and while they are not fine woven wool knits, they are still an obvious blend of culture, and a snapshot of that time period.

Pasha Turkish Coffee Liqueur

2012-01-16T10:35:00.000-05:00

I had this bottle of Pasha Turkish Coffee liqueur sitting on one of my shelves as a small child. I remember taking off the label because it offended the esthetic on the bottle, which was about 22 cm in height (or perhaps my mother took of the label...). I finally tracked down a unopened bottle, which has been quite difficult considering I can not determine if this is even been manufactured or imported into the US in 20 years. It has a taste similar to Kahlua, but a stronger espresso base. The bottle is an impressive Orientalist design, perhaps dating from the 1960's. It does invoke well known elements of the Middle East, specifically the pointed top and rounded base. In any event, it makes its presence known on a shelf.

One Helmet, One Influence, Too many Conspiracies

2012-01-15T10:45:00.001-05:00

Iraqi Helmet Design 1995-2003

Original German helmet from WW1 1916

From Tate Modern Exhibit

Typical Iraqi helmet used

Mark on Iraqi helmet

This is a helmet worn by members of the Iraqi Fedayeen Saddam (Saddam's Men of Sacrifice) paramilitary force from 1995-2003. It is made from light ballistic fiber and is painted black to match the Fedayeen uniform. Featured on the right side is an insignia bearing the silhouette of Saddam Hussein and an inscription in Arabic reading " One G-d, One Homeland, One Leader.'

Many people have speculated that the helmet is a direct Inspiration from Star Wars' Darth Vader its simply unlikely. it was a specific genisus for Michael Rakowitz's show at the Tate. Here he had a vital opportunity to actually inform and amaze, but who cares?. One piece featured obvious visual points for the Star Wars Darth Vader Mask designed in 1977, that being a Japanese Kabuti helmet (although i dont agree with that the Japanese influence), the German WW1 Stahlhelm and the Iraqi helmet. So what would this say about the Fedayeen helmet in terms of this supposed Star Wars connection? Nothing really.

So lets do something very simple and look at the evidence we have. I spent the summer at NYU taking some college classes in High School, one being a film class where at 16 I wrote a paper about the influence of Star Wars. Star Wars was specifically influenced in terms of esthetic by WWII, with NAZI Germany providing a rich and fertile costume designer's imagination for a villain. "When John Mollo needed to create a rough mock-up for Darth Vader [...] he grabbed a German helmet from the military room".

Iraq's 20th century past has been directly influenced by two western powers, the British, and guess who else? Germany. Look at the typical helmet of the Iraqi army.The Darth Vader helmet is nothing more than a modern interpretation of the German Stahlhelm helmet, complete with a Arabic inscription referenced above "One G-d, One Homeland, One Leader.", on the side of the helmet. That seems very familiar to another German slogan "One people, one nation, one leader" (Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer).

So without writing a thesis on this, its clear that German western design, specifically the Nazi's, which were highly stylized ( the SS uniforms were manufactured by Hugo Boss) have influenced military powers since the 1930's including fictional works in the 1970s. People would love to say its reality imitating fiction, but we will still have to wait for this one. And dont get me started about all of the other misinformation about Star Wars being the sole influence on Iraq. Or maybe you should...) If you want to read more on the history of the helmet this blog does a thorough job. Remember Life is always stranger than fiction.

COMME Des GARCONS of Arabia...

2012-01-14T15:56:00.000-05:00

Polish artist Filip Pagowski single handedly created one of the most visible and recognizable icons associated with the popular Japanese brand, as seen in the top image from a COMME Des GARCONS retail store. I was asked to take the popular brand and make it "Middle Eastern". I decided the best way to represent this was by simply focusing on the eye. Specifically, the heavy use of Kohl around the eyes.

Scenes from the Magreb (المغرب الكبير)

2012-01-14T13:16:00.000-05:00

Excerpts from photos that I took in the Maghreb. I will let the photos tell their respective 1000 words each.

A Greek Still Life with the Parthenon's (Παρθενών) true colours

2012-01-13T11:59:00.001-05:00

Another shelf scene that includes a silver pomegranate, a reproduction Greek vessel from Athens, and a hand painted Parthenon that I did to represent what scientists now conclude are the original colours. It is fascinating to me that generations have concluded that the statues/and buildings, including the reproduction of a foot from a Greek statue, were made originally in white. Think of how much Neo Classical architecture has been made that incorporates white as the primary colour. From most of the buildings in Washington around the mall, including the Senate house of the United States, to banks, and train Stations. Speaking of the mall in DC, the Washington monument is also stark white. While the obelisk is Egyptian in origin, perhaps the designers wanted to match the "modernism" of the solid Greek design.The reality is that these temples and statutes had expressive and sometimes, questionable colour schemes that lost their colours after centuries of neglect and left only the exposed stone left. . When visiting the National museum in Rome, there are a few rare examples of heads with actual skin tones and natural eyes left. Personally I like what the white has come to represent, but I cant help but wonder if all of the futuristic white concept spaces today are based off of this misunderstanding of the original association of stark white design and the intelectual mythology of the Greek temples.

Izdubar

2012-01-12T20:11:00.000-05:00

This is a video piece entitled Izdubar I made in 2009 which used a four channel video of US Apache gun ship video on a loop with a traditional Iraqi song as the background.

Spiritual implications and contrasts of ancient gods and battles over the skies of Iraq (Mesopotamia).

The naming of the piece Izdubar, comes from the mistranslation of cuneiform in the late 19th century for the Babylonian demi god Gilgamesh.Used by the British, in trying to understand the cultural legacy of Mesopotamia.

Dolls from the Middle East

2012-01-12T13:09:00.001-05:00

From the series of 12" dolls based on characters from the Middle East. It would appear I never grew out of playing with toys...

Modern Ancient Still Life

2012-01-11T13:10:00.000-05:00

A quick photograph of one of my shelves. I will let the photo speak for itself.

Ancient oil lamps with LED lights in resin

2012-01-10T16:53:00.001-05:00

A piece I made a few years ago, LED lights fabricated out of resin, based on 1st century Roman era designs. The lights are actually quite powerful and are placed in the same insert where a wick once resided. I am still impressed by the detail and care that was put into the design of these oil lamps. To see the beard used as the flame/light/ is amazing and rather cute. I am going to suggest that the variation and design in oil lamps is akin to the attention and appreciation for other utilitarian accessories that we use today, such as the iphone etc.

Ancient Greek House Model

2012-01-10T11:50:00.000-05:00

This Greek House model made of plaster was added to my collection a few years ago and has a interesting history.

On May 6, 1935, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt signed official documents creating the Works Progress Administration (WPA), designed basically to employ those who lost their jobs due to the Great Depression. Part of the WPA, the Museum Extension Project, employed individuals to make and distribute free visual education materials to public schools, institutions and buildings open to the public. These models are rare as the materials were extremely fragile and have subsequently been destroyed.

Gold Leaf Monobloc Chairs

2012-01-09T18:18:00.001-05:00

Perhaps the most democratic piece of furniture is the monobloc, resin chair. This inexpensive design is found in both the private and public sphere, the impoverished to the indulgent, and to houses of worship and places of commerce. This is the ultimate utilitarian object, and is overlooked in terms of its design and value. Painted in enamel, and gold leafed in 24k, these objects now demand attention.

Persian Warriors Puma, Nike, and Adidas

2012-01-09T11:36:00.000-05:00

From the depths of my files comes a study based on a scene from antiquity juxtaposed with some modern accessories. Originally this piece was made from glazed tiles painted in brillent colours depicting Persian warriors in procession. Today we often view the ancients as wearing tunics that are rough and simplistic in basic drab colours with limited patterns. However this is not the case, the ancient Persians had a taste for distinctive clothing and accessories (we still keep that tradition). The sharp outfits and managed appearance were done with reason which is no different then today. The perfect curls found in mens' beards did not happen by magic, instead curling was accomplished by setting the beard and hair, least we forget the earrings as well. Some trends are timeless.

Alleyway at Night in Morroco

2012-01-08T12:35:00.000-05:00

An non orchestrated moment in time, peering into a seemingly foreign and dangerous world, however familiar and seemingly normative in its reality. From my recent trip to Marrakech Morocco.

Iranian Television utilizes the Terminator Soundtrack

2012-01-06T14:53:00.000-05:00

Compare the techno version of Iran tv with the original synth version below. Its interesting how the production department used the Terminator soundtrack. I had found this one late night, and filed it away, but had to post this for its intrinsic genius.

Sex drugs and rock and roll in Farsi graffiti in Soho

2012-01-06T10:32:00.000-05:00

"Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll" in Farsi spray painted on a Soho street. The top image works well as it's juxtaposed on a face, while perhaps this does not adhere to the tagger's code of ethics it makes for something more interesting.

I am not the one who is crazy, it is you!

2012-01-05T17:10:00.000-05:00

A still from a late night movie. or early in Iran, about a woman who starts to remember that a ex Savack officer is hiding in her midst. She starts to go "crazy" furnishes a gun and its the mans's pipe that gives him away at the end. Hope I didnt ruin it for you. But I enjoyed the visuals...

Arabic wrist watch

2012-01-05T12:12:00.000-05:00

I purchased this, or should I say my parents purchased this watch for me when I was a child. I will not name any people, but the watch was borrowed and never returned. you know who you are... and recently I was able to find a replacement 20 years later!. The swatch was made with arabic numbering, and a design on the watch band.

Models of Morrocco

2012-01-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

Walking in Paris, a real estate agency caught my attention, the models of houses for sale in various cities in Morocco were complete with all of the details of the Orient, including figurines with Fez.

Dead Sea Scrolls In NYC

2012-01-04T11:35:00.003-05:00

There was an impressive array of antiquities on display, including some very rare pieces that to my knowledge have not been shown outside of their permanent display. The lighting was impeccably arranged and the textiles themselves were show cased in a circular display, with very low LED light. Some of the audio was slightly loud at times. The Canaanite pillars were a special treat.

New Cuneiform

2012-01-03T00:43:00.003-05:00

A recent acquisition to my personal collection. This is most likely a transaction record....aka a receipt. either Akkadian or Babylonian.

The second is a pillow form inscribed both sides in diminutive characters. The edge with an old inked Arabic inscription on a narrow paper band. Surface somewhat worn. The back with large chip comprising about half its surface.

The cuneiform writing system was in use for more than 35 centuries, through several stages of evolution, from the 34th century BC down to the 1st century AD. It was completely replaced by alphabetic writing (in the general sense) in the course of the Roman era and there are no Cuneiform systems in current use. For this reason, it had to be deciphered from scratch in 19th century Assyriology. Successful completion of decipherment is dated to 1857.

Porcelain Persian 5 inch Stiletto Shoe

2012-01-02T11:24:00.000-05:00

Reaching far into the past with early objects unearthed in Iran, up to the present period, Persians have influenced ceramic design with brilliant blue and white floral patterns translated unto traditional utilitarian objects

GLAAD Art Auction 2011

2011-11-27T12:32:00.001-05:00

Gaddafi Death Mask

2011-10-20T11:55:00.001-04:00

Part of my collection of masks, it seems particularly appropriate to draw attention to the inherent dynamics of a figure that orchestrated his public image appearances.

Neon Commercialism

2011-09-17T11:48:00.000-04:00

In this set, the artist explores the perceived association of Western brands and their logos emblazoned in our contemporary psyche. Almost alit with burning religious flame, the logos and their unexpected Farsi transliterations create poignant images of a globalized diaspora of these commercial enterprises. Hermes, Puma, Ferrari, and their kin, contain a degree of shock in their unexpected reincarnation in Middle Eastern letters, which is not the norm in the modern Orient. Intentionally using a Farsi typeface used in traditional poetry and scripture, Parnes’ series thus bring life to the old adage, “lost in translation.”

World Trade Center debris, plexiglas

2011-09-03T12:56:00.000-04:00

World Trade Center
2001

8 x 8 x 44.5cm

World Trade Center debris, plexiglass

One of the most lauded works fromParnes’ oeuvre, World Trade Center utilizesactual debris from arguably the most important event of the early 21^stcentury. “On September 11^th, “ the artist recalls, “I watched frommy roof in real time the display that unfolded in New York City. After the second Tower collapsed, somethinginside compelled me to immediately descend to the unfolding chaos downtown. Isnuck into the off-limit zones, knowing the labyrinth of streets in the areaand experienced the drama first hand. Equipped with a dust mask and camera, Ifound only a few fellow New Yorkers roaming the area in a seemingly mesmerizeddaze. It was this particular contrast of the intensity of hours earlier, withso many survivors seeking refuge from the wreckage that I found sodisturbing. Silence accompanied themorning breeze, sprinkling bits of someone’s morning paper and variousfragments.

This piece was featured on the home page of the New York Times web site www.nytimes.com and was displayed at the New York Times building in Times Square.

Front Page of nytimes.com

Lobby of New York Times building

Gold, mirrors and "marble"

2011-06-17T15:14:00.000-04:00

Gold, mirrors and "marble". This fairly humble establishment, that serves Egyptian food, argila, and quick bites to London's police presented a clear and well achieved esthetic, with just the right level of "bling".

Scenes from Paradise

2011-06-16T13:46:00.000-04:00

Some interesting compositions of fountains and sidewalks, that I captured in Marrakech.

The artwork of Osama

2011-05-08T18:37:00.000-04:00

This is a piece I was working on two years ago on representations of Bin Laden to go with the actual debris from the world trade center I hand picked on Sept 11th when I snuck down after they closed it off. The works now seem to complete each other as pure symbolic representations.

Photograph, mask, 2009

World Trade Center debris, acrylic, 2001

A STILLLIFE in Brooklyn

2011-03-23T09:57:00.000-04:00

Some photos from STILLLIFE @ Verge Art Brooklyn Dumbo, 2011. Some featured press from the likes of Mutualart.com, as a must see for the Armory Show, Artinfo.com which interviewed us in a positive spin, and Hyperallergic.com.

Understanding Campaign.

2010-12-02T13:27:00.000-05:00

Recent works for use as completed photos include scale models of chains in the middle east. I placed some graffiti on the back of a "Subway" with the Arabic word for "understanding", which is being used in the current "Understanding Campaign"

Painting of a Bedouin in Louis Vuitton*

2010-10-29T19:32:00.000-04:00

A Bedouin Arab originally painted by John Singer Sargent c. 1891. Repainted in acrylic paint in 2010 with Louis Vuitton inspired print..

Hamas on Horseback

2010-08-26T14:22:00.000-04:00

Hamas on horseback. scale figure 1/6th. Part of the series of characters of the Middle East.

Camel Racing

2010-08-15T00:40:00.001-04:00

These are two photographs that I captured in Reno Nevada. Aside from the obvious sense of the bizarre, there was a clear sense of the surreal in terms of the context and the aesthetic.

Banking on Scale Modeling

2010-07-27T23:06:00.000-04:00

The first of a series based on my paintings, but in scale model form. I have always been fascinated by models, and scale, as well as brands and products. But that is obvious, is it not?

Hamas, Guns, and Nikes...

2010-06-21T10:31:00.000-04:00

Two more figures from the collection. Featuring a young Hamas member, and old school PLO toy.

IDF Female Soldiers on Patrol

2010-06-20T21:05:00.000-04:00

Did you know? Operators of a number of erotic websites that feature IDF (Israeli Defense Force) related material report that 10% of their users arrive from countries like Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority including Gaza. Some websites even go as far as offering services in Arabic. This is a part of the series of characters of the theater of the middle east that I made. All of these dolls are 12 inches tall and will be printed life size.

Khatam Shoes

2010-06-18T18:25:00.000-04:00

Shoes based on traditional Persian designs. I had them in the studio, but they just happened to be my size, and since they are functional, They now grace the streets of NYC.

Lamp From the East

2010-06-14T22:05:00.001-04:00

I picked this up on one of my journeys. This is old, I estimate from the 40s. and had originally been a vase that had been "converted" into a lamp with two bulbs and room for a shade. Fast forward a few years, and I decided to reconstruct the lamp with a LED light source. and a adjustable arm constructed from aged piping.

Dossier Report, UAVs, and COCA Seattle.

2010-06-11T15:52:00.001-04:00

More adventures in modeling, I can not resist making models... The show featuring some of the works in Khatam frames went up in Seattle yesterday at COCA, and I photographed them before they were stuffed in a box and sent via UPS Store which still seems to use a apple MAC from 1989. This is located on 2nd ave and I believe 11th in case you want to see it for yourself. A wonderful pictorial in Dossier Journal on some of my works....

Lets go shopping @ Chanel, Louis Vuitton

2010-05-17T20:35:00.003-04:00

The first preview of a series of custom 12 inch dolls based on different characters within the Middle Eastern Theater. Doll #1, just arrived home, and removed her shoes in the hallway before taking her bags upstairs. She had been busy shopping after getting her hair and nails done earlier in the morning. As a result of the humidity she had to schedule an appointment less than a week after her last visit to the salon, so she could have her hair blown out. The salon just received a beautiful shade of beige which was too much temptation, so she had her previous nail color taken off and had her nails and toes painted. The boutique phoned her as she was getting her feet pumiced and informed her about the new collection at Chanel. With intense excitement she decided to pick up a slightly off creme blouse to wear later in that night for a dinner and dancing party at the house.Just next door, she caught a glimpse of Louis Vuitton's latest black heels with straps and a gold wedge. This would finish the outfit, and could not be missed.

12 inch doll, custom chador, bags, and lit display case.

Shopping with AW, Hardees, Baskin Robins, Dunkin Donuts, Blimpie, and coming soon, the Body shop!

2010-05-12T17:46:00.001-04:00

The latest piece in my shopping series is a study for a large scale painting. this is 20 by 8 inches.Many of these will be in the upcoming COCA show in June, including to larger versions of McDonalds, and Starbucks. It is worth to note that currently Saudi Arabia has the largest per capita amount of Western Chains in the Middle East. In Iran, where American chains are not permitted to conduct business, there were a series of fast food businesses that modified their name and appearance in order to appear similar to the western counterpart.

M1 Abrams Tank and Humvee (scale model), Gold Leaf, Wood

2010-05-07T00:14:00.001-04:00

Revisiting the series of iconified objects that I made from scale model cars, buses,and cities I decided to expand on this theme, with the next logical step- military vehicles. This is a M1 Abrams tank and a Humvee.I will eventually make life size versions of these and therefore consider these as studies, but at the moment my studio's dimensions preclude such endeavors.

On a side note, I had a recent interview with WNYC's Benjamin Walker on my "shopping" series, as well as advertising spin on the paintings in BrandWeek.

Gold leaf Iraqi helmet and skull

2010-04-27T00:21:00.001-04:00

After acquiring this helmet from the 1980s via the Iraqi army, it joined the series of icons that I have gold leafed. The Iran/Iraq war, often overlooked within the pages of history, was the first modern engagement of the late 20th century that most closely resembled the trench warfare of Europe that took place during WWI. Trenches, mines, gas, planes, and tanks slowly gaining territory, only to relinquish it.

China Town hammer and production video of my studio...

2010-04-12T23:29:00.000-04:00

I made this (ok with the help of director and producer Rebecca Weber ) on behalf of a production company in a state that creates images for broadcast on a device that derives its name from the Greek word meaning "far sight", and the Latin word meaning "vision". I present this video which features a tour of my studio, and the art work that was created for it.

Un obélisque

2010-04-09T20:32:00.002-04:00

I constructed this miniature (which is about 10 inches tall). A small representation of the beauty of the relic, the forgotten, and the once discarded.Obelisks were prominent in the architecture of the ancient Egyptians, who placed them in pairs at the entrance of temples. The word "obelisk" as used in English today is of Greek rather than Egyptian origin because Herodotus, the Greek traveller, was one of the first classical writers to describe the objects. Twenty-nine ancient Egyptian obelisks are known to have survived, plus the "Unfinished Obelisk" found partly hewn from its quarry at Aswan. These obelisks are now dispersed around the world, and less than half of them remain in Egypt.

Recent Blog articles

2010-04-05T16:49:00.000-04:00

There has been a flurry of recent blogging, so I thought to post some links to Kim's NYC fashion blog Fashion Whirled featuring a article on, well me, as well as my recent trip to San Fran where I picked up these shoes from Sou Sou Tokyo and finally a book review at Sanaz' indispensable Persianesque

Resin Soldiers

2010-03-13T15:37:00.000-05:00

I originally cast these resin figures in 2004, but stashed them away as I didn't have a place for them in my studio. They are cast to be slightly dirty, and a tad mis-formed. I still do not have room for them, but they have been begging me to display them. so here they are on 5 by 5 by .5 inch plexi lightboxes powered by a LED light source.

Conflict/Interest @ Second Street Gallery

2010-02-13T18:29:00.000-05:00

One blizzard, 8 hour drive, and a key that wouldn't remove itself from the ignition, and the opening was on. A intelligent, and dynamic showing. which was well worth the trip. Was wonderful to be in the company of Mona Hatoum, and EYAL DANIELI / NAOMI FALK / MONA HATOUM

TIM HETHERINGTON / RICHARD KRAFT /STEVEN RUBIN / MARY SCHEPISI / SUARA WELITOFF

Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي

2010-01-10T12:26:00.000-05:00

As a sign of his consolidation of power, Saddam's personality cult pervaded Iraqi society. Thousands of portraits, posters, statues and murals were erected in his honor all over Iraq. His face could be seen on the sides of office buildings, schools, airports, and shops, as well as on Iraqi currency. Saddam's personality cult reflected his efforts to appeal to the various elements in Iraqi society. In the tradition of such works, I have painted four 3.25 by 4.25 inch paintings of the Second Saladin, after his capture.

Maya

2009-12-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

Part of a new series I decided to create from my second trip to the Mexican realm of the Maya. What is facinating is that it is within recent times that the Mayan civilization intersected with a contrasting other, that being the Spanish. It seems fresh. View the others here

Images from Washington DC

2009-12-02T18:50:00.001-05:00

a few photos from the last show. images can speak for themselves...

Two New Paintings.

2009-11-14T12:23:00.000-05:00

in between the designing front, and a recent show in DC I have had few moments to create new works, these past two months, but I finished the studies for these two paintings which are 30 by 40 inches. Now if I only had a studio that was larger they 30 by 40.....

A home redux

2009-10-29T14:50:00.000-04:00

After two months of pain and suffering, I have gotten the basics of the inside of the first floor of my parents home completed. While there is so much more to finish, I am happy with the final. Two new bathrooms, a new kitchen from top to bottom, and a redesign of every other room. from painting, to rewiring, to moving basically every item.

New lighting

2009-09-21T10:42:00.000-04:00

As I decided to take September to remodel my parents house, its been a long time coming, I created a ceiling light for the entry doorway based on my previous line of reclaimed lighting. When i finally finish this project, some photos to follow.

Iran Neda and the Image

2009-06-23T00:25:00.000-04:00

I have been obsessively following the events in Iran. a few days ago i was forwarded many personal videos of students being beaten and killed. One of course was of a rather dashing girl, Neda, who was shot in the heart, and died on the street. After watching it three times, I found myself tearing a bit. There is something so impersonal about a video, yet at the same time if you allow yourself to follow, it is extremely intimate. To watch a death of anyone is difficult, yet when it is a young girl, just the wales of the people around her was enough. Now she is being labeled as a image or logo of a uprising. The media loves to pick up a story run it through, and then simply move to something else. While I am not exactly suggesting that this should be prolonged I wonder will people actually remember this girl and what she represents. I started on some new works, taking specific moments from footage and painting from it. While painting her in particular, I find myself trying to hold on to a specific moment, and in that I know that this person, who I never met, and have little idea as to what kind of human she was including her interpersonal issues, will have some meaning in my short time on this planet. I do hope that as the twittering, and facebooking move on to more mundane issues, that some people will find room to remember at the very least what living in a more free society, and choice are really about.

The miniature mars series

2009-06-05T13:03:00.000-04:00

Another series of the miniature, taken from small models, modified, repainted, to accurately portray two events on the face of mars. One being the Viking landing (which is 1/2 inch tall and 2.4 inches in length) in 1975 and the next, which I was alive for, is the mars rover Sojourner twenty years later in 1997 as it investigated "Buffalo Bill" (1 inch height and 1.5 in length)

NASA's Viking program consisted of a pair of space probes sent to Mars, Viking 1 and Viking 2. Each vehicle was composed of two main parts, an orbiter designed to photograph the surface of Mars from orbit, and a lander designed to study the planet from the surface. The orbiters also served as communication relays for the landers once they touched down.

It was the most expensive and ambitious mission ever sent to Mars. It was highly successful and formed most of the database of information about Mars until the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Viking program grew from NASA's earlier, and more ambitious Voyager Mars program, which was not related to the successful Voyager deep space probes of the late 1970s. Viking 1 was launched on August 20, 1975, and the second craft, Viking 2, was launched on September 9, 1975

The Mars Pathfinder ('MESUR Pathfinder^[1]) was launched on December 4, 1996 by NASA aboard a Delta II just a month after the Mars Global Surveyor was launched. After a 7-month voyage it landed on Ares Vallis, in a region called Chryse Planitia on Mars, on 4 July 1997. During its voyage the spacecraft had to accomplish four flight adjustments on 10 January, 3 February, 6 May and 25 June. The lander opened, exposing the rover called Sojourner that would go on to execute many experiments on the Martian surface.

My lights

2009-06-01T22:19:00.000-04:00

While this show coming up is the first appearance of my new lights, I have been making lit objects for many years. These are based on the idea of taking old lamps, and lamp parts, including bulbs when possible, and reassembling them into something that is quite modern, yet contains its original elements. I have made a few of these, and am considering working on a hanging series. The next is a light made in 07 that is almost organic in its design, yet is made from iron, and plexi. At the same time the plexi encases a rock, specifically hematite which is what iron comes from. The last is also organic in form, resembling a small plant, and I chose a solid plexi cube, to show case the wiring as it descends.

Stonehenge or Stan Hencg

2009-06-01T11:09:00.000-04:00

My fascination for the miniature has now led me to spend the week constructing various models of structures and machines. The first being a scale version of Stonehenge. The piece is on a panel 8 inches by 8 inches. and is aprox 1.5 inches at its tallest. While I find the concept of postitioned rocks intgiguging, it is to me a more primitive example of a structure, when compared with other impressive works at or around 3000 to 2000 BC (See Mesepotamia or the Pyramids of Giza for a comparisson) Again i give you a wiki summation.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) west of Amesbury and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones and sits at the centre of the densest complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.^[1] Archaeologists had believed that the iconic stone monument was erected around 2500 BC, as described in the chronology below. However one recent theory has suggested that the first stones were not erected until 2400-2200 BC,^[2] whilst another suggests that bluestones may have been erected at the site as early as 3000 BC

I love crabs (decapod crustaceans)

2009-05-28T15:02:00.001-04:00

I find crabs fascinating, their variety, and their structure. And now some information per wiki:

Crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" (Greek: βραχύ/brachy = short, ουρά/οura = tail), or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax. They are generally covered with a thick exoskeleton, and armed with a single pair of chelae (claws). 6,793 species are known.^[1] Crabs are found in all of the world's oceans. Additionally, there are also many freshwater and terrestrial crabs, particularly in tropical regions. Crabs vary in size from the pea crab, only a few millimetres wide, to the Japanese spider crab, with a leg span of up to 4 m

A Sign of the Times

2009-05-19T23:02:00.000-04:00

On a recent visit to the American Museum of Natural History, a significant portion of the exhibit spaces are closed for most of the day. You need look no further to see how things are effected. On another note I was pleased to receive some seismology print outs from Italy from the museum for use in art.

re furniture

2009-05-15T14:08:00.001-04:00

My love of science and the natural forced me to come up with a in house concept for a natural history museum. When I was young I loved going to the Smithsonian in Washington and I always wished I could have some of the dioramas with me. This piece has been refurbished, painted, distressed, and I have created a environment within where snails molded in wax now live. More to come.

Jeffersons model Pyramid

2009-04-11T23:49:00.000-04:00

took this photo again illegally (why you are not supposed to take a photo, who knows) at Jefferson's home of a small cork model of the pyramid at giza. While I have actually been to the real one, this well made model, is something that I lust after. He loved to entertain people in his home and impress them with is collection, something that was common during the age of enlightenment. I could settle for a pyramid or two...

From my collection: a treasure from Persepolis

2009-03-20T20:00:00.000-04:00

Takht-e Jamshid was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BC. To the ancient Persians, the city was known as Pārsa, which means "The City of Persians". Persepolis is the Greek interpretation of the name Πέρσης πόλις (Persēs polis: "Persian city"). This fragment was most likely from the corner of a column that was maticulously carved with floral designs. This piece is made of the same material found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection of works (although not as large), and is a cherished possesion.

End of Bridge NYC 09

2009-03-13T00:29:00.000-04:00

New York Bridge Art Fair 2009 Day 1

2009-03-06T00:34:00.000-05:00

Tonight was the opening party for Bridge, we set up way into the wee hours, and after having to navigate the insane West side parking restrictions, we set to work. In the morning we raced over to the early preview for Pulse and met up with some friends who are showing there. After countless hours hanging etc the show was ready, and there was a generous crowd tonight. The air was so hot, that it felt like we were showing in the middle east. But enough talk, and here are some photos.

Hamas Tv Porn During Gaza Siege

2009-02-19T22:39:00.000-05:00

While I posted this almost a month ago, I decided to post it again. One wonders why this was missed by almost every media outlet. Again no need to even discuss viewpoints on Israel vs Gaza. But seperately a organization that is dedicated to Sharia law, which outlaws music at weddings, and calls for "modesty" clearly needs to fire its latenight programer as he was two busy watching Polish pay for porn channels and forgot the main feed was on. A must watch.

Iran morning TV

2009-02-17T01:20:00.000-05:00

Some times I find myself watching Jaam Jam ( a Iranian tv station) being unable to turn off the live segments of this childrens morning show. I love her vibrant hijab style, and if you didnt know what farsi sounded like you would mistake this for a Japanese program. Anyway, I copied a small clip.