General Interest
To say that finding certain obscure documentaries can be difficult is quite an understatement. Fortunately, finding documentary films about American folk or roots culture just got much easier, courtesy of the good people at Folkstreams.net. On this website, visitors can view dozens of very compelling documentaries about such persons as John E. “Frail” Joines, a master tale teller from Wilkes County, North Carolina and singer-faith healer Fannie Bell Chapman. Visitors looking for specific films can search the entire website for such viewing material, along with searching program transcripts, images, and essays. One rather intriguing film that should not be missed is “Hundred and Two Mature”, which provides a portrait of retired businessman Harry Lieberman. The site also contains an RSS feed and a worthwhile blog which allows visitors to leave audio feedback. [KMG]
http://www.e-flux.com/projects/siqueiros/
Mexican Muralist David Afaro Siqueiros, (1896-1974), collected over 11,000 photographic images as research materials for his artwork, often sketching on top of photographs, and asking photographers to stage scenes that would later appear in his work. Siqueiros wanted this archive made available to other artists for inspiration, and wrote, "Nothing can give the [artist] of today the essential feeling of the modern era's dynamic and subversive elements more than the photographic document." The Siqueiros Photographic Archive at the Sala de Arte Publico follows Siqueiros' wishes by providing this web-accessible image bank. Approximately half of the archive is now online, organized according to Siqueiros' original categories, which include Architecture, Objects, People and Historical Figures, Models, Workers & Industry, and Personal Photography, the largest category, with over 1600 images. [DS]
http://education.denniskunkel.com/
Over the past thirty years, Dennis Kunkel has worked in the field of microscopy, and along the way, he has developed a number of exhibits, publications, and other such materials on the subject. For those looking for such material online, this site provides both a fine image bank for general use and general information about the art and science of this interesting field of scientific endeavor. The first stop for most visitors should be the education image library area of the site. Here they can search the database of micrographs in its entirety, or browse the contents by category, which includes such areas as crystals, insects, or protozoa. One rather fun feature on the site is the “Most Wanted Bugs” section, which contains twelve “bug mugs” and “bug body” shots taken through the process of photomicrography. The site is rounded out by the “Zoom In” area, which allows users the opportunity to zoom in on a black ant, a fruit fly, or a mosquito. [KMG]
The demand for products grown under certified organic conditions continues to increase, and a number of organizations around the globe remain committed to this idea. One such organization is the International Federation of Organic Agriculture. From their homepage, visitors can learn about their organization, their sponsored events, and their advocacy efforts. Of course, those persons doing research on this field will want to take a look at their most recent report, The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2005, which is available here. Those persons who may not be entirely familiar with the basic facts of what constitutes organic agriculture will definitely want ot take a look at the “Organic Facts” section of the site. Here they can learn about the basic principles of organic agriculture, along with materials on food security, food quality, and the organic certification process. [KMG]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/farmingtoday/index.shtml
When people think of rural England, they frequently think of the tranquil farms that dot the country’s landscape. As in many other places in the developed world, agricultural practices continue to change quickly, and this radio program from the BBC 4 network provides some insight into this process and what it means to those persons who live in the countryside. Hosted by Anna Hill and Miriam O’Reilly, the program offers discussion with policy experts, farmers, local businesspeople, and government officials. Visitors can also listen to previous shows, and they may also wish to take a look at some of the related links, such as those that profile other BBC programs, including the show On Your Farm and Open Country. [KMG]
http://www.arts.gov/pub/DisasterRecovery.pdf
First created in 1992, this guide is intended to help cultural institutions prepare for emergencies and disasters that may strike their regions. This latest version of the report, prepared by FEMA and the National Endowment for the Arts, provides summary descriptions and contact information for 15 federal grant and loan programs. The report also includes an additional number of sources of federal assistance for preparedness, mitigation, and response. Within each resource listing, the report also provides information on which activities might be eligible for support and a listing of potential award amounts. This latest version also contains a host of online resources that will be most helpful, including links to the American Institute for Conservation and the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts. [KMG]
