Friday, May 22, 2009

Aung San Suu Kyi


Approximately, two weeks now, she has been imprisoned in the notorious Insein Prison in Yangon, Burma - Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). After being under house arrest for thirteen years, she was scheduled for release this week. However, a mysterious American man swam across the lake surrounding her house and spent the night there. After arresting the man when he tried to swim back the next day, the Burmese junta immediately used this incident as an excuse to lock Aung San Suu Kyi up in prison. Her trial is ongoing now.

In 2010 elections are scheduled, which the junta calls its first steps on the road to democracy. Having the leader of the NLD imprisoned is all too convenient for the military leadership. Through Burmese media in exile both Burmese in and outside their country as well as foreigners all over the world, have access to news from Burma. For more news, visit the Democratic Voice of Burma, Mizzima and Irrawaddy websites.
















This cartoon was copied from the Mizzima website

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Art Amsterdam

Thanks to Miriam I was able to visit the Art Exhibition at RAI last weekend. Looking back, I find that it was mostly the photos that made a lasting impression. It makes me wonder whether I do not like paintings as I cannot recall any that I specifically liked. Well, the photographers that I remembered were Phyllis Galembo, of whom a collection of ethnographical work was shown.


















Another one I liked was Michael Wolf who made a series of architecture in China called the transparent city.













Next on the to-do list is to visit the World Press Photo Exhibition! More about that later...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Tribute to Tompi



Now that I am practicing Indonesian songs for the Anak Wayang benefit dinner on May 23rd, I again realize how much I love Tompi. That man is the bomb, especially on stage. Here's some evidence to prove it, including the (mostly female) fans all singing their hearts out.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Fiksi

What started as - what I thought was - Indonesia's answer to Amelie Poulain (cute girlie girl, nice music, pretty colors), turned out to be an impressive thriller. Fiksi is the story of Alisha, a girl haunted by her past, looking for love. Not knowing how to express that, obsession gets hold of her. It drives her to find the endings to the stories that Bari, the sexy writer with a continuous writer's block, tries to put on paper. The stories of their lives are however the most dramatic ones. Great movie, I especially like the photography and the music.

Single ladies doing it

Must say that I really like Beyonce's video, so I was especially happy to see this! In reply to Miriam's post and with thanks to Maike, here's some great dancing!