Digging up a really bad idea

2008_ 013, a photo by e_pics on Flickr.


This sounds pretty stupid, even for TV. Robert O. Jones forwarded me this email from Ted Sanderson at the RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission:

"NEWS  "Savage" Archaeology Loots History on Spike TV

2/24/2012

Setting a terrible example, Spike TV has announced a new television
program: "American Digger" that "follows the American Savage team, led
by former professional wrestler-turned-modern- day relic hunter Ric
Savage as they scour target-rich areas, such as battlefields and
historic sites, in hopes of striking it rich by unearthing and selling
rare pieces of American history."

In a press release, Spike TV says: "In the US, there are millions of
historical relics buried in backyards just waiting to be discovered and
turned into profit. “American Digger” hopes to claim a piece of that
pie as the series travels to a different city each week, searching for
high-value artifacts and relics. After pinpointing historical locations,
Savage’s first task is to convince reluctant homeowners to let his
team dig up their property using state-of-the-art metal detectors and
heavy-duty excavation equipment. The team will then sell any artifacts
found for a substantial profit."

As described, this TV program is wrong on so many levels.  In some
jurisdictions, the actions described may be illegal if the land is
publicly-owned or regulated.  In every case, digging up artifacts
removes them from the historical context in which they have meaning,
potentially destroys significant archaeological sites, and treating
artifacts as saleable commodities de-values the heritage we all share.

Beyond deploring what is essentially historical vandalism,
preservationists should be alert to "copy cat" diggers who may try to
search for artifacts and relics at historic properties without
permission.  RIHPHC will be interested to receive information about any
artifact digging in Rhode Island."

Robert adds:
"I am utterly appalled by this.
I will draft a rebuttal immediately (as a citizen acquainted with proper archaeological procedures and artifact protection law).
Is the preservation community organizing counter-measures?  NTHP should be all over this.

As soon as advertisers are identified, I will write them too . . . apparently this can prove very effective.

The implication that stealing (yes, stealing) artifacts & relics is a way to memorialize and show reverence for the past is both stupid and arrogant.
These Neanderthals just want to line their pockets with filthy lucre."

Here is a link to the Spike TV press release.

Curiouser Review -- Boston Globe

"Curiouser" gets a nice write up in today's Boston Globe.  This group show will be up at the Museum of Natural History in Providence's Roger Williams Park through September 2011.

Bye bye Kodachrome

Bye bye Kodacrhome
Originally uploaded by e_pics

 [right] Kodachrome slides taken in Marida Mexico, in the Yucatan. Shot with an OM-4 and processed at the Kodalux lab in Findlay Ohio in 1988.

Sometime today the last roll of Kodachrome film will be developed at Dwayne's Photo in Parsons Kansas. It is the final end of an era. Much like John Lennon's quip about Elvis, for me they killed Kodachrome when Kodachrome 25 was discontinued. That was in 2001. In reality I had long before switched to E6 films.

I learned photography shooting Kodachrome. I took pictures of trains with my dad and my uncle John, in those days you weren't a serious railfan unless you were shooting Kodachrome. We shared images via slideshows and that's what the magazines wanted, not that I ever felt good enough to submit images to any magazines. The credit in the rail magazines wasn't just "photo by..." it was "kodachrome by ..."

 I think shooting slides is a great way to learn photography, you see very clearly what changes in exposure can do, what differences in the color temperature of light can do, what color can do, what light itself can do. There was also that excitement in getting the yellow box, and the smell! Memories.

My family shot stills, slides, we didn't do home movies at all, so that is something I've come to later in my life. If you haven't had the experience, home movies on Kodachrome are amazing. Simple, magical slices of time. There really is nothing else like that. That ends today too.

I am happy to say that among the mountain of film that Dwayne's got this week is one roll of slides and three rolls of super 8 film from me. Film shot in tribute to the great American invention: Kodachrome, and for a life  happily spent (so far!) in photography.

Farewell Kodachrome.

Camera Obscura by Design

Saturday October 9
ISB Parking lot - at the corner of North Main and Waterman Providence
across from the bus tunnel

10:00 to 3:00, rain or shine, free and open to the public.

check out some pics here, but better to see it in "real time".

bike tour video

Gallery Night Providence Bike Tour from erik gould on Vimeo.

Talking Back

Ever want to talk back at work?

So the economy pretty much sucks right now, maybe you have a job, or maybe you are looking for one, or maybe your hours have been cut, but we all have work to do. Sometimes it’s work with a capital “W”. Sometimes it’s just a dirty job and someone has to do it.
As part of a project looking at the impact of the Great Recession (or whatever this is) I am talking to people, all sorts of people about their jobs and their work.
What does work mean you? What do you think about on the job? What would you say to your job if you could?

I’m currently collecting audio interviews and taking pictures, and I would love to talk to you, dear reader. If you are interested, get in touch... OR if you can:

Stop by my booth at the indiearts fest, Providence RI, July 31.
12 noon to 8:00 PM. info: http://indieartsfest.com/

Hope to see you there!

Background music by AREA C.

Gallery Night Bike [photo] tour

Dear Wheelers, it has fallen to me to lead the second ever Providence Gallery Night bike tour. On this tour, in which we endeavor to cover the waterfront, and all within the brief span of two short hours we shall visit art galleries of great renown such as: Launch Gallery, Bert Gallery, Gallery Belleau and Peaceable Kingdom AND more.

We will also see such landmarks as the corner of Roger and Williams and the Narragansett Improvement Company, as well as numerous sites where such and such used to was. Will wonders never cease?

Well, probably eventually, but... Did I mention: you, you and your bike are invited? Because you are, and it will be much more fun for all of us if you join in.

There will be riding, yes and places to rest and refresh ourselves as well and the evening promises to be historic, folkloric and if so inclined, caloric.

Where do we start? At the Regency Plaza in downtown Providence. Where? you may well ask... here is a helpful google map. The tour will also conclude at this very same location.

When?: Thursday, June 17. Tour commences at 5:30 PM.

Bring your helmet if you have one, if you don't, why don't you?

Bring a camera too.

For a complete rundown of Gallery Night activity follow this linkage.