Norman Lindsay probably didn’t waste too much time studying economics in his young turn-of-20th century days, as the ‘dismal science’ hadn’t yet occupied our collective imagination. Although he may have read something of Adam Smith, its erstwhile 18th century godfather, who gave economists lots to chew on for the next three hundred years; and his contemporary Keynes, formulating soon-to-be influential economic growth theories; or even [...]
Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category
The Magic Pudding
Posted in Culture, Economy, Editorial, Environment, Society, tagged dismal science, economic growth, Norman Lindsay, The Magic Pudding on May 25, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Global Gormley
Posted in Culture, tagged Antony Gormley, Lake Ballard sculptures on May 17, 2012 | 3 Comments »
Despite its relative isolation, Kookynie is often in the vanguard of cultural (first Australian outback eruv) and artistic endeavours. In 2003 as part of the Perth Festival, British sculptor Antony Gormley was astute enough to select our ‘front yard’ for an original sculptural installation of impressive dimensions. Actually it’s about 50 kms on a dirt [...]
Shame, The Hunter & Sleeping Beauty
Posted in Culture, tagged alienation, Julia Leigh, Michael Fassbender, redemption, Sam Neill, Shame, Sleeping Beauty, The Hunter on March 15, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Reviews of three films about alienation, exploitation and redemption. Shame is directed by Steve McQueen (no, the Bullitt guy died in 1980) and stars Michael Fassbender as a NY executive with a serious problem of sex addiction, manifested in his use of prostitutes, masturbation at work, constant pornography use and fleeting relationships. His sister’s arrival upsets his grim routines, as she moves in temporarily [...]
‘God of Speed’
Posted in Culture, tagged God of Speed, Howard Hughes, Luke Davies on September 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Luke Davies’ book was published in 2008, but often the slow mail to Kookynie means that KC’s book reviewer has to make up for lost time. The ‘God of Speed’ is a debauched take on the life of Howard Hughes. It’s a wild ride, as we share the old man’s delirious (‘stream-of-consciousness’ is an understatement) telling [...]
Sex, Sand & Sculpture
Posted in Culture, Society, tagged censorship, David Handley, Little Boy Lost, Paul Trefry, Sculptures by the Sea, Tamarama Beach, Waverley Council on November 6, 2009 | 1 Comment »
‘Sculptures by the Sea’ is a hugely popular annual event at Sydney’s Tamarama Beach with sculptures along spectacular cliff tops, in nearby park, and 500,000 visitors. This year’s controversy generated PR ’frisson’ and backwardness. ‘Little Boy Lost’ by Paul Trefry is a life-like but oversized fibreglass rendition of a naked small boy with a spaced look. After initial exposure, so to speak, powers-that-be decided the poor boy’s nascent [...]
‘Capitalism: A Love Story’
Posted in Culture, Economy, World, tagged Capitalism: A Love Story, Goldman Sachs, Hank Paulson, Michael Moore, US financial bail-out, US Treasury, Wall Street on November 3, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Michael Moore’s new film ventures into the broken lives of low income Americans suffering in the sub-prime melt-down and so-called global financial crisis, and also into the corridors of US executive and corporate power. It’s not a pretty picture! Moore’s usual cheap technique of walking up to security guards and doormen of said headquarters with his cameras is put to good effect and raises our [...]
The English Surgeon
Posted in Culture, Society, tagged Henry Marsh, Igor Kurilets, The English Surgeon, Ukraine brain surgery on October 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
‘The English Surgeon’ is a masterful documentary film about hard lives, brain surgery and hope in Ukraine. Brain surgeon Henry Marsh has been coming from his London home to Kyiv for 15 years to operate on desparate Ukrainians considered inoperable, misdiagnosed or unable to afford surgery. Working with his protege Igor Kurilets under primitive conditions, in a former KGB hospital, they manage to prolong potentially [...]
Vale Mr Percival
Posted in Culture, Environment, tagged Colin Thiele, Coorong pelicans, Dixon Lanier Merritt 'The Pelican', Mr Percival, Storm Boy on September 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Co-star of 1976 classic children’s film ‘Storm Boy’, Mr Percival has passed away at Adelaide Zoo, at the ripe old age of 33 years. Adapted from a book by Colin Thiele, the story is about Mike, growing up on the wild Coorong coast in SA and raising three orphan pelican chicks. Eventually two return to the wild, but Mr P stays with his friend. It won 1977 AFI Best Film Award. Despite [...]
Really Keen Keneally
Posted in Culture, tagged Australians:Origins to Eureka, Bondi Book Festival, Johann Blumenbach, Kristina Keneally, The People's Train, Tom Keneally, Zabriskie Books on September 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Prolific writer Tom Keneally stormed back into the book market last week with the release of two new oeuvres. Not bad for a 73 year old! KC Culture Correspondant (KtripleC) attended a pre-launch soiree in Bondi organised by Zabriskie Books. Tom entertained us hugely with yarns and stories about stories. Questions by the host would set off TK streams of consciousness, including a gem about the [...]
