Day 4530: Empty Sneakers Dance & Ice People.

"Connections": collage, ink.

  

Want music?

    

Click: Roberta Flack, Where is the Love?

 

2GN2S

Empty Sneakers Dance in a Stop-Motion Film Honors the 20th Anniversary of a Buenos Aires Tragedy

In late December 2004, at the Republica de la Cromagñon nightclub in Buenos Aires, more than 4,000 fans gathered for a performance by the rock band Los Callejeros. The space was well over the club’s capacity of 1,500, while a number of routes were padlocked or blocked to prevent people from entering without paying.

When a fan shot a flare into the air—something Argentinian fans regularly do at large events—the pyrotechnic ignited the interior’s decor, comprised predominantly of highly flammable materials like styrofoam. The building erupted in a blaze that claimed 194 lives and injured nearly 1,500 more. With few available escape routes, little to no fire mitigation systems, and a packed club, pandemonium broke out at Cromagñon.

The fire quickly turned into one of the most devastating tragedies in Argentinian history. To mark 20 years since the disaster, a stop-motion short titled “LONA” poignantly memorializes the community’s loss. The title refers to “canvas,” like sneakers, and Malena Martinez directed and animated the film.

Focusing on pairs of shoes that dance to cheerful music, the work evokes joyful gatherings with friends to let loose and enjoy a concert. As the camaraderie continues, flowers begin to sprout from inside each sneaker, blossoming into a vibrant reminder of the lives lost in the fire.

This special video is below, under "curated video."

Blue Monday?

Steel yourselves,we're almost to Blue Monday, the infamous date thought to be the most depressing day of the year. Back in 2005, someone made a list of all of the factors that could make for a really bad day and decided that the third Monday in January was when they all converged. Start with the fact it's a Monday, then factor in some winter gloom, a post-holiday slump (and possible holiday bills) and abandoned New Year's resolutions and yes, you've got the perfect equation for a day spent in bed with your head under the covers.

Here's the thing: Blue Monday isn't real at all! The whole concept was a marketing tactic by a travel company to approximate when people would be most likely to daydream about booking a vacation! I say we reclaim this fake sad day. However you're feeling, let's all agree to do something this Monday to keep our spirits high and our hearts hopeful. Call it an Un-Blue Monday! 

 

An Italian artist surprised with an impressive exhibition titled "Life is short, enjoy it before it melts," where he used ice blocks as the protagonists. The sculptures, created in elaborate and ephemeral forms, were designed to melt slowly, symbolizing the fragility of existence and the need to cherish every moment. The exhibition sought to generate reflection not only on the impermanence of life, but also on the impact of climate change, showing how something seemingly solid can disappear over time.

 

  

 

A 2+ minute video, Lona , here

 

 

 

  

 

Just because ...

European Robin

 

Monday's Smiles ...