Wednesday, April 28, 2010

M.I.A. - Born Free

Here's some work i think worth promoting/distributing (and that slides right in with my installation State of Mind ) -

'Born Free' is a song from M.I.A. leaked on internet on April 23rd which is being used for the soundtrack of a Romain Gavras' (son of political filmmaker Constantinos "Costa" Gavras) -directed short film, itself a promo-teaser for his forthcoming "Redheads" - a feature-length film on the same themes as the Born Free video. It's the first single off her upcoming third studio album which will be released in US on June 29, 2010.


I've liked M.I.A. for awhile - a lot of her rhymes are really catchy and remind me of jumprope-skipping cants ('Paper Planes') until you actually listen to the lyrics and get with her head; the awesome sonic work in her material is also way-good and deliciously interesting to the ear. She's consistently kept her work digging, despite her popularization, and 'Born Free' is a real hit to the brain - it's swimming in the zeitgeist next to 'District 9' and 'Children Of Men'. I am really looking forward to the release of 'Redheads.'


Be informed: the video is "difficult" and certainly mature. It's unnerving and raw and probably upsetting. It's also hot and street-real.


The YouTube video is behind an "adults-only" rating, so you'd have to either signup or login with your username to see it. Better to get the widescreen full version straight from MIA's site:


Go, girl. Props out.


Whooo!
Yeah man made powers
Stood like a tower higher and higher hello
And the higher you go you feel lower, oh
I was close to the end staying undercover
staying undercover
With a nose to the ground I found my sound

Got myself an interview tomorrow
I got myself a jacket for a dolla
.............
and the car doesn't work so I'm stuck here
yeah i don't wanna live for tomorrow
I push my life today
I throw this in your face when I see ya
I got something to say
I throw this sh!t in your face when I see ya
Cause I got something to say

I was born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
(bo-bo-born free ....)

You could try to find ways to be happier
You might end up somewhere in Ethiopia
You can think big with your idea
You ain't never gonna find utopia
Take a bite out of life make it snappier yeah
Ordinary gon super trippyer
So I check sh!t cause I'm lippyer
And split a cheque like slovakia

Yeah i don't wanna live for tomorrow
I push my life today
I throw this in your face when I see you
I got something to say
I throw this sh!t in your face when I see you
Cause I got something to say

I was born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
(bo-bo-born free ....)
ooooh

I don't wanna talk about money, 'cause I got it
And I don't wanna talk about hoochies, 'cause I been it
And I don't wanna be that fake, but you can do it
And imitators, yeah, speak it

Oh Lord? whoever you are, yeah come out wherever you are
Oh Lord? whoever you are, yeah come out wherever you are
and tell em!

Born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
I was born free (born free)
(bo-bo-born free ....)

lyrics ©2010 M.I.A.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

State of Mind - The Politics of Information




State of Mind is my second major installation in Second Life and examines propaganda and the transmission/accessibility of information. A fun tour through historical propaganda and new satire on the topics of internet boogeymen, child abuse statistics, the manipulation of the web, spycams, suppressed information, skewed statistics, television and RFID technology.

The installation features 23 "spycams" that can be accessed to watch everyone else in the installation, or watch yourself! (you know you want to :D)

Also featured is a mandatory RFID-tagged bracelet which must be worn in the installation or you will be subject to immediate teleportation home, bringing home the reality of mandatory personal identification in the form of RFID-enabled passports, driver's licenses and state ID cards.

Come one, come all! Try your luck at the Charlton Heston Memorial Patriot Shooting Gallery! Get your picture taken as a "terrist" in the Abu Ghraib Photo Booth! Try to surf the net! Watch TV (while it watches you)! Listen to the wonderful, stirring patriotic music! Grab a CheezBurger© and some Freedom Fries! And whatever you do, don't go into Room 101! :D

*be darn sure to pick up the Office of Mental Security RFID-enabled bracelet at the entrance!!! I've already been sent home twice by my own Enforcers for not wearing it :D


State of Mind will be open at the Aquitaine location for two weeks as a preview for the main opening in May at the 4 Bridges/BORDC (Bill of Rights Defense Committee) sim for a wider audience.




State of Mind will be hosted in Aquitaine for two weeks .