Members of the Klaxons have revealed that they took a powerful hallucinogenic to aid the process of recording their new album.

“There had been tensions between us for a while. Circumstantial personality-based things that had gone unconfronted. The experience just connected us, gave us a new insight into each other and what we’d both been going through…There was a brief point where I thought, ‘Will we ever be able to do it again?”

Back in 2007, the Klaxons released Myths of the near future, hands down my favorite album that year. Then there was nothing. I thought the band had broken up. I’m glad they’re back at it. I missed you guys!

Research in mice suggests that scientists may have a new lead on using gene therapy against the virus that causes AIDS.

In the new study, researchers engineered human stem cells — cells that create other cells — to lock a kind of “door” that allows HIV to enter.

The door, a “receptor” on immune cells linked to a gene known as CCR5, is disabled in a very small percentage of people, and those people appear to be virtually immune to HIV…”That’s like nature telling us how to cure AIDS”

An international architecture competition was set in motion on March 21, 2005 for the new art gallery, after years of planning and discussion. The shortlisted finalists included: Will Aslop (London, UK), Arthur Erickson (Vancouver, Canada), Zaha Hadid (London, UK), and Randall Stout (Los Angeles, USA). Shortly after, the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada’s Festival of Architecture hosted the four finalists to present their proposals to the public at the Winspear Centre. The world’s most famous female architect, Zaha Hadid, did not attend (Art Gallery of Alberta). This was her biggest faux pas, and what, ultimately, cost her the job. According to AGA Chief Curator and Deputy Director, Catherine Crowston, the jury was split between Randall Stout and Zaha Hadid (Clintberg). Had she been more vigilant in this competition, I might be writing about the architectural genius of Hadid rather than Stout.

The need to change the name from the Edmonton Art Gallery to the Art Gallery of Alberta is another interesting topic. Officially, it was to honour the $15 million contribution from the provincial government (Art Gallery of Alberta). The undertones of this name change suggest something else though. It puts Edmonton on a pedestal above Calgary, not only in art but also in culture. Similar to how the University of Alberta was chosen to be in Edmonton, rather than Calgary, caused a public outroar back in 1907 (Goyette and Roemmich 173). There has always been an long standing rivalry between Edmonton and Calgary, and this just serves to add fuel to that fire.

Funding for the AGA came from a variety of sources: municipal, provincial, federal governments, and even Edmontonians. Generous Edmontonians donated a total of $20 million to the project, testament to the community’s support for the arts. Originally projected to cost $48 million, the cost quickly ballooned to $88 million during the economic boom. Nowadays, a project of this magnitude would have never seen the light of day because of the recession. The AGA serendipitously picked a great time for fruition, despite the final price tag.

The City of Edmonton put forward the Capital City Downtown plan to provide a “high quality, livable urban environment” and breath life into the downtown core (City of Edmonton). For the longest time, downtown Edmonton was devoid of life. The addition of the AGA to the arts district is a step in the right direction in promoting this goal. The AGA will be a focal point for culture and entertainment, providing exhibits, films, lectures, public event spaces, a restaurant, a gallery shop, art classes, etc. There are even late night art parties, dubbed the “Refinery party”, three times a year. And last but not least, the architecture of the AGA, like other architectural wonders, will bring in people from all over the world. It’s most definitely a world class institute.

Visually, the AGA is a treat to the eyes. The limited color palette consists of white, grey, silver, and black. These colors aren’t seen very often in nature, moreso in primary industry such as mining. Thus, it’s very fitting, and very “Canadian”, then that one of the main components of this building is zinc, as Canada is the world’s largest zinc producer (Wikipedia).

The windows are arranged in a regular, rectangular pattern which repeats throughout the exterior of the building. One immediately notices the reflective quality of the windows. Depending on where you’re standing, you’ll see City Hall, the Provincial Court of Alberta, Churchill Square, Stanley A. Milner library, etc.; essentially, the city of Edmonton can be seen when one looks at this miraculous building. Another noticeable feature of the windows are the angles. At the front of the building, they intersect at an almost 45 degree angle, pointing to the sky and leading people to the entrance of this building. It is welcoming and warm to the people.

The building’s exterior is composed of three key materials: patinated zinc, high-performance glazing, and stainless steel. The patinated zinc forms a repeating pattern of quadrilaterals, of varying values. Not only does it add texture to the building (the appearance is almost that of scales on a snake), but it also breathes life into the building and into the surrounding Churchill square.

A much talked about aspect of the building is the stainless steel ribbon, known as “Borealis”, that runs throughout the building and permeates it. The ribbon definitely has some biomorphic qualities and natural rhythms to it, whereas the rest of the building is box-like and industrial. The city of Edmonton is full of life and culture; the ribbon reflects those “natural” rhythms. This ribbon is at odds with the rest of the building, cutting through it like the North Saskatchewan river through the sprawling city of Edmonton.

Overall, the building fits in well at its prominent location on Churchill Square. It immediately draws your attention, which is what art does, engaging the viewer, and even inspiring one to learn more about art. Politics and art, and the cultural fabric of Edmonton, are symbolically tied together by being placed next to each other on the square. The arts are important to Edmontonians and it shows.

In your eyes I see the eyes of somebody
I knew before, long long long ago
But I’m still trying to make my mind up
Am I free or am I tied up?

I change shapes just to hide in this place
But I’m still, I’m still an animal
Nobody knows it but me when i slip
Yeah i slip, I’m still an animal

There is a hole and I tried to fill up with money
But it gets bigger till your hopes is always
In your eyes I see the eyes of somebody
That could be strong

Tell me if I’m wrong
And now I’m pulling your disguise up
Are you free or are you tied up?

I change shapes just to hide in this place
But I’m still, I’m still an animal
Nobody knows it but me when I slip
Yeah I slip, I’m still an animal.

p.s. - The Burning Ear did an excellent piece on the band and music. Definitely worth checking out.

Another thing that really struck a chord with me, was how socially conscious this church is. There was a presentation from Filter Pure. It’s a worthy cause: provide water-purifying filters to those without access to clean water.

The City Centre Church has been at the Paramount theatre since July 2006. Inside, it is largely unchanged from its movie going heyday. Funny, the last time I was in the Paramount theatre, it was nearly 15 years ago to see Terminator 2: Judgement Day…

Best of 2009

Usually, I post an online “Best of” mixtape, but I just found out that Myspace bought out and, essentially, shut down Imeem. WTF?!?!

ps – If anyone knows of a comparable site to Imeem, let me know!

Update

I found a couple of great sites for online music: Grooveshark and Soundcloud. Great sites! Enjoy the playlist :>