“'Zero History' looks at cultural branding - Akron Beacon Journal” plus 1 more

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'Zero History' looks at cultural branding - Akron Beacon Journal Posted: 18 Sep 2010 11:29 PM PDT Events Calendar In This Section Most Read Stories Blogs: Ohio Politics/Elections: Hudson group hosts county and state candidates forum Cleveland Browns: Wednesday's Browns/Ravens injury report Marla Ridenour on Sports: Carson launched Blount's career Varsity Letters: Three From Walsh Jesuit Soccer to Play at Next Level The330: Restaurant Spotlight: Bombay Grill Tribe Matters: Columbus claims Triple-A Championship First Bell - On Education: Army dad deploys across country to walk son to Akron school The Heldenfiles: HeldenFiles Live! Pets: Best Friends Cleveland Cavaliers: Cavs announce Williams signing Akron Zips: Dambrot inducted into Summit's Hall of Fame Kent State Sports: Check Out KSU vs. PSU at Water Street Tavern Akron Docs in Haiti: Orphans in Fondwa Buckeye Blogging: Ohio State / Miami: Revenge for Who? All Da King's Men: Bubba Backs Tea Parties….And Then Doesn't Blog of Mass Destruction: Enforcing Rush's Commandment Akron Law Café: Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and Enactment of Other Reforms Filibustered in Senate Car Chase: Collector Car Auction at the Glenmoor Gathering Let's Talk Real Estate: Murder in Franklin Township Sound Check: Legendary Drifters show at Kent Stage postponed until February See Jane Style: Making It Up HRLite House: From the White House – New Federal Approach to Hiring 'Zero History' looks at cultural branding Novel about mysterious designer overally complex, yet fascinating By Monica Rhor Associated Press Published on Sunday, Sep 19, 2010 It's fitting that the latest novel from the man credited with coining the word ''cyberspace'' is littered with references to the cyber-toys of 21st-century life. In William Gibson's Zero History, a thriller about the search for the designer of a mysterious, highly sought-after underground clothing brand, characters flash iPhones, do Google searches, communicate through Twitter and rely on GPS tracking devices with almost addictive fervor. Gibson has created a world that seems futuristic yet is tinged with retro touches, including constant references to '80s pop culture, faded fashion trends and H.G. Wells fiction. It is distinctly familiar, yet somehow disorienting. The intricate, at times confusing, story line centers on Hubertus Bigend, a wealthy, powerful — and ultimately distasteful — businessman who reels Milgrim, a recovering drug addict, and Hollis Henry, a former rock star, into his quest to secure a contract for U.S. military uniforms. Bigend also wants to track down the designer behind Gabriel Hounds, an off-market clothing line. His pursuits put Bigend — and his increasingly reluctant recruits — at odds with a retired Special Forces officer-turned-arms dealer, leading to a highly choreographed showdown. At its weakest, Zero History relies on an overly complex, less-than-compelling plot. It's difficult for anyone except the most hardcore fashionista to get excited about the search for a brand of jeans. However, at its best, Gibson's latest work is a fascinating running commentary on a culture ruled by brand names, electronic gadgets and constant, ever-more intrusive methods of surveillance. Like Milgrim, Gibson displays a keenly observant eye for detail and layers his novel with descriptions of iconic pop culture artifacts such as Kangol caps and B.U.M. Equipment sweat pants. Ultimately, the dizzying ride through a landscape of label-dropping and brand names produces what one character calls ''an allergy'' to logos, corporate mascots and ''any concentrated graphic representation of corporate identity.'' Not a bad take-away in an age when personal branding and product placement are the order of the day. It's fitting that the latest novel from the man credited with coining the word ''cyberspace'' is littered with references to the cyber-toys of 21st-century life. In William Gibson's Zero History, a thriller about the search for the designer of a mysterious, highly sought-after underground clothing brand, characters flash iPhones, do Google searches, communicate through Twitter and rely on GPS tracking devices with almost addictive fervor. Gibson has created a world that seems futuristic yet is tinged with retro touches, including constant references to '80s pop culture, faded fashion trends and H.G. Wells fiction. It is distinctly familiar, yet somehow disorienting. The intricate, at times confusing, story line centers on Hubertus Bigend, a wealthy, powerful — and ultimately distasteful — businessman who reels Milgrim, a recovering drug addict, and Hollis Henry, a former rock star, into his quest to secure a contract for U.S. military uniforms. Bigend also wants to track down the designer behind Gabriel Hounds, an off-market clothing line. His pursuits put Bigend — and his increasingly reluctant recruits — at odds with a retired Special Forces officer-turned-arms dealer, leading to a highly choreographed showdown. At its weakest, Zero History relies on an overly complex, less-than-compelling plot. It's difficult for anyone except the most hardcore fashionista to get excited about the search for a brand of jeans. However, at its best, Gibson's latest work is a fascinating running commentary on a culture ruled by brand names, electronic gadgets and constant, ever-more intrusive methods of surveillance. Like Milgrim, Gibson displays a keenly observant eye for detail and layers his novel with descriptions of iconic pop culture artifacts such as Kangol caps and B.U.M. Equipment sweat pants. Ultimately, the dizzying ride through a landscape of label-dropping and brand names produces what one character calls ''an allergy'' to logos, corporate mascots and ''any concentrated graphic representation of corporate identity.'' Not a bad take-away in an age when personal branding and product placement are the order of the day. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php Five Filters featured article: Beyond Hiroshima - The Non-Reporting of Falluja's Cancer Catastrophe.

A Cultural Treasure - Virginia Connection Newspapers Posted: 09 Sep 2010 04:44 PM PDT Sara Melendez already has her ticket: the self-proclaimed "culture vulture" is eagerly anticipating Teatro de La Luna's Latin American harp festival at the Spectrum Theater in Rosslyn. The native of Puerto Rico and long-time Arlington resident makes it a point to attend every year. The festival, which is in its 13th year, offers a choice of two performances, Friday, Sept. 17 and Saturday, the 18th; this year's concert will feature Marcelo Rojas from Paraguay, Alberto De La Rosa from Mexico and Juan Aquino from Venezuela. "I am so eager to attend … in addition to the fact that it's beautiful harp music on its own, there's great diversity because each country does it a little differently," said Melendez. In certain countries and regions of Latin America, which include Mexico, the Andes, Colombia, Venezuela and Paraguay, harp traditions are very strong but the style of music and the instruments vary from place to place. Alejandra Espinola, cultural attaché at the Embassy of Paraguay said the festival is a wonderful way for "other people to have a hint of the beautiful sound of the Paraguayan harp." She noted that the harp is part of the Paraguayan national identity — "It is the national instrument, which means it is played the most and it is the most famous." Ever since the conquest by the Spaniards, Espinola said, harp music has been developing in Paraguay. The Embassy has been working with Teatro on the festival for a long time and Espinola credits the relationship with Nucky Walder, a producer with Teatro for the success of the event. "Nucky has been a good friend and a wonderful cultural ambassador and we are thrilled to be part of it." Another friend is Berta Rojas, who as the artistic director for the festival has worked closely with Walder on the program. "I am a concert artist myself; although in a somewhat different field as I play classical guitar," said Rojas. Having a demanding concert schedule herself with many trips abroad has not deterred Rojas from her work on the festival. "I was born in Paraguay … I am passionate about the sound of the wooden harp. Nucky and I are very good friends and I admire Teatro for all they do to promote the arts in our region," she said. According to Rojas, producing an event with musicians from different countries poses unique challenges, especially when she is traveling but modern technology has made her job more manageable. She and Walder communicate via e- mail and they listen to recordings of prospective musicians on YouTube since not much is available on a CD format. "Then we contact the artists looking to put together an entertaining and exciting program, something we have been able to accomplish successfully all these years." Walder is effusive in her praise of Rojas' contributions and also expressed her appreciation for the donors and countless volunteers in the community who support the event — all funds raised go toward the International Festival of Hispanic Theater. "In addition, I really want to thank the Arlington County Cultural Affairs Division and the Arlington Commission for the Arts, as well as the embassies," she said. Melendez, who said she has been a season subscriber to Teatro's programs since she discovered them, has been spreading the word about the Hispanic arts organization. "I do every little bit I can because they are a community treasure that we need to make sure we protect." Having the concerts at the Spectrum in Rosslyn, Melendez said, is perfect because it's a smaller, more intimate theater. "What I myself look forward to every year is the jam session at the end of the concert in which all the artists play a piece that they didn't rehearse before that night and they play whatever comes out of their souls right on the spot," said Rojas adding, "That is an amazing moment to witness and enjoy." This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php Five Filters featured article: Beyond Hiroshima - The Non-Reporting of Falluja's Cancer Catastrophe.

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