Protesters rally round the monument to the founders of Kiev in Independence Square, 20th Feb 2014.
Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/ Getty Images.
(http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2014/feb/20/clashes-in-kiev-in-pictures)
From our currently peaceful haven in New Zealand it’s hard to comprehend scenes like this happening in the world right now. There is some mad footage coming out of Ukraine showing the police having a hell of a time trying to evict people from Kiev’s aptly-named Independence Square yesterday. At least three police were killed. I hate to think what the clashes looked like from the side of the protesters, whose death toll numbers at least 77, with the government having resorted to armoured vehicles and snipers with live ammunition.
Despite the bloodshed protesters still refuse to leave the square, and thousands more are hitting the streets for the first time in reaction against the violence. The Ukrainian parliament has passed a resolution for security forces to withdraw from the square and there are, at least, peaceful scenes on Friday morning showing protesters singing together in solidarity, Cossacks beating defiant drums, even some police addressing the crowds having joined the anti-government side.
People listen to police officers from Lviv who have joined anti-government protesters as they speak from a stage during a rally in Independence Square in Kiev, 21st Feb 2014. Photograph: Reuters
Protesters first occupied the square in November, in protest of a Yanukovych government decision, under pressure from Moscow, not to pursue an agreement to strengthen ties with the European Union. As of Friday an agreement (pdf link) has been signed by ‘all sides’ as a compromise to settle the conflict, though shockingly, the Polish Foreign Minister has been overheard (and recorded on film) telling a protest leader ‘If you don’t support this deal you will have martial law, the army. You’ll be dead.'”
It doesn’t sound like they had much of a choice…
Sources: The Guardian:
– … 2014/feb/21/ukraine-crisis-president-claims-deal-with-opposition-after-77-killed-in-kiev
– … 2014/feb/20/ukraine-crisis-new-clashes-strain-truce-live-updates
– … 2014/feb/20/ukraine-dead-protesters-police
– … 2013/nov/22/russia-ukraine-eu-pact-lithuania
There has been alot in the news recently highlighting the plight of asylum seekers in Australia – all of whom are now sent to offshore processing centres in Nauru or Manus Island (Papa New Guinea). “The desolation, the isolation and the hopelessness clearly show a humanitarian disaster in the making and the Australian tax payer is picking up the extraordinary bill” said Greens senator, Sarah Hanson-Young.
Click the image for an interesting cartoon depiction of the situation from an ex-employee:
In Auckland at the mo? i.ryoko has a lovely, reverberant, 3-storey stairwell at his disposal, if you’re interested – should be fun! I will be joined by two talented friends from as far as Dunedin and Australia, plus a mystery guest. Attend at will – all welcome. More shows to be announced soon as part of my residency which continues until March 2nd. Stay tuned. Huge thanks to the Audio Foundation, Matt Faisandier and Sally McIntyre for being extremely excellent!
sonorouscircle.com/iryoko
sonorouscircle.com/theconvoy
www.audiofoundation.org.nz
I.RYOKO IN RESIDENCE AT THE AUDIO FOUNDATION
Today I (Thomas Lambert, a.k.a I.RYOKO) began my residency at the Audio Foundation in Auckland. This is the first time the residency has been offered and I feel very lucky to be here. Over the next three weeks I will be working from the AF studio in Myers Park with the aim of producing an ‘adventurous and well realised new sound work’, along with an exhibition of photography. I will also be having a public event or three, so if you’re in Auckland please stay tuned for more info! Details will be available here or through the usual Audio Foundation outlets.
VALENTINES DAY MONSTER MASH IN WELLINGTON
Rumours abound that the All Seeing Hand and Erica Sklenars will display the full visual extravaganza that rain denied them at CALH. What better way to spend a romantic evening?!
PYRAMID CLUB OPENING IN WELLINGTON THIS WEEKEND!
While Wellington is on the verge of losing two of its prime music venues (Puppies and Mighty Mighty) it is about to gain one which will fill the gaping void left after the closure of the Frederick Street Sound and Light Exploration Society in 2012. ‘Freds’ was not just a venue but the hub of an enthusiastic arts community until its untimely demise as the result of building safety regulations under threat of earthquakes. Now, at long last, the legendary Dan Beban brings us the next incarnation: Pyramid Club! Opening this weekend… Party on!
I thought before Camp A Low Hum starts tomorrow I better hurry up and post the photos from Chronophonium… The summer of fun continues!
Our Australian brothers, A Dead Forest Index, kicked off their AU/EU tour last night with the acclaimed English post-punk band, Savages. They will be playing sixteen shows throughout Australia, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark so alert your friends in foreign lands! Judging by the words on the Savages website, these will be excellent shows: “OUR GOAL IS TO ALWAYS DISCOVER BETTER WAYS OF LIVING AND EXPERIENCING MUSIC. WE BELIEVE THERE ARE STILL NEW WAYS TO BE FOUND.” Right on!
Read a recent interview with Savages on UTR
savagesband.com
adeadforestindex.bandcamp.com
Thanks to Altmusic for bringing another excellent, awesome, inspiring show to NZ, this time in the form of electronic music pioneers, Drew Daniel and M.C Schmidt, a.k.a Matmos.
If you missed out, you missed out! But for talk of Bjork, psychic experiments, and morrrre check out this video interview on 3 News and/or this radio interview on Radio NZ’s Music 101 recorded on Thursday before the Wellington show.
Sally of Mighty assists in a ‘psychic experiment’
Ducklingmonster
Koi
WOOP! The great Allison Schulnik has produced another spectacular video work! (Great music by Aaron M Olson also!)
& here’s an interview with the artist, thanks to Beautiful/Decay:
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