The Ballad of The Bit

Just out: from a great science writer (author of Chaos, which approx 13 years ago made my eyes wide open) James Gleick's new book The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood is telling a story of data which, according to the author's theory, form the basis of our universe. Should not be missed...

The Heart Of The Matter

Espai Tactel is a new exhibition space born out of the creative minds of Tactelgraphics, a Valencia based  design studio. They focus on photography, design, illustration and video.
For their first show, opening April 15th 2011, they have invited 18 artists, mainly working in illustration and photography. You can find more information about Espai Tactel and the participating artists on their blog or Facebook page.

Calling All Filmmakers! April Deadlines for Grants

Some more stuff, thanks to WomensArts.org!

(FILM/MEDIA ARTS/WOMEN) Women in Film Finishing Fund—Provides cash awards ranging from $1,000-$15,000, as well as in-kind services, for the completion of films by, for or about women. Open to short and long formats in all genres, including narrative, documentary, educational, animated and experimental. Principle photography and rough cut must be completed by time of application. Applications accepted from filmmakers around the world (men may apply, as long as their work is about or for women). Student projects ineligible. See website for complete guidelines and application. Women In Film Foundation, Los Angeles Office, 6100 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 710, Los Angeles, CA 90048, T: (323) 935-2211, foundation@wif.org, http://www.wif.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114&Itemid=88. Deadline: April 29, 2011

(FILMMAKERS) Pacific Pioneer Fund – Supports emerging documentary filmmakers who live and work in California, Oregon, and Washington with grants of $1,000-$10,000. Open to organizations and individuals with fiscal sponsorship. Filmmakers should have demonstrated a commitment to the craft of making documentaries with several years (but no more than 10) of practical film or video experience. Submit application (available on website), along with a DVD of up to 10 minutes of edited footage from the project for which support is sought. Pacific Pioneer Fund, 2887 College Ave., Ste. 106, Berkeley, CA 94705, Contact: Armin Rosencranz, armin@stanford.edu, www.pacificpioneerfund.com/. Deadline: April 15, 2011

(VIDEO/FILM) The Roy W. Dean New York City Video Grant – Funds Shorts, Documentaries, and Independent Features under $500,000. Funds films that are unique and make a contribution to society, that tell compelling stories about little known subjects. Seeking films that expose and bring important information to light through story. Projects with strong story-telling aspects are most likely to be awarded grants. Projects must be original, but may be of any length and may be works-in-progress. Independent filmmakers, student filmmakers, independent producers, and independent production companies may all submit.

Winner receives over $18,000 worth of equipment, services, and consultations toward completing project; for a breakdown of products and services, see website. Submit a sample of previous work, along with a two-page project proposal describing the target audience for the film, plans for distribution, how the project is unique and how it benefits society, your relationship to the material, a synopsis, stylistic approach to the material, and a list of names and positions of proposed key production personnel. See website for complete guidelines and application form. NOTE: Applicants may reside anywhere; it is not necessary to be a New York resident to apply. FEE: $38/students $28. Carole Dean, From The Heart Productions, 1455 Mandalay Beach Rd., Oxnard, CA 93035-2845, (805) 984-0098, Caroleedean@att.net, http://www.fromtheheartproductions.com/howto.shtml. Deadline: April 30, 2011

Calling All Emerging Writers, Painters Over 45, Musicians, Dancers and Other Creative Creatures in Need of Sustenance!

Hey everyone, Mirabee is still alive and kicking! Sorry about not seeing some of you in Chicago. That was pretty disappointing BUT my reading at Book Cellar has been rescheduled for September 22nd, 2011 and there will be another reading in the Chicago area that week as well, probably in Winnetka. Stay tuned....

For now, I'm trying not to sit long at the computer so I'll be brief (still very much on the mend....not great but not bad)....just want to remind you all that this coming week I will be reading at Raab Auditorium at the Boston Public Library at a free event sponsored by TransculturalExchange. My reading will be on Thursday, April 7th at 6:30 but please come to the other readings as well: Reif Larsen (reading at 5:30 pm) the amazing author of The Collected Works of T. S. Spivet, a genre-breaking illustrated novel and Jayne Anne Phillips (reading at 7:30) wonderful author of several books, most recently Lark and Termite. For more info about this event and the rest of the conference (YOU CAN STILL REGISTER FOR THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE, believe it or not!), please go here: http://transculturalexchange.org/conference_2011/schedule.htm

Also, for those of you in the Boston area who are interested in learning more about publishing your first book, from finding an agent, working with editors to promoting your book, you are more than welcome to come to on yet another TCE sponsored free public eventFriday afternoon, April 8th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the Boston Room at the Boston Public Library. I'll be moderating a panel with novelist and editor Jedediah Berry (The Manual of Detection) and poet Marissa Crawford (The Haunted House). For more info, go here: http://transculturalexchange.org/conference_2011/schedule.htm

I'll also be reading at Fairfield Library in Fairfield, CT on April 14th AND in New York Friggin' City on April 19th and 20th. I'll be at the Strand on the 19th and The Cake Shop on the 20th. Please check my calendar for details: www.thememorypalace.com.

Enough of THAT stuff, on to YOU:

(MUSICIANS/COMPOSERS) Exploring the Metropolis administers the Con Edison Musicians’ Residency: Composition Program. Heading into its third year, this expanding program serves three constituencies: (1) composers get consistent, long-term, private creative space; (2) host cultural facilities fill underused space and also present the composer in a public program; (3) the community is invited to at least one free program – a master class, an opera-in-progress, etc. This year, we will be expanding the program to accommodate 8 NYC-based composers in 4 sites (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens). Online applications will be available early April 2011. If you’d like to be notified of the next call for applications in spring 2011, sign up for their e-newsletter. http://exploringthemetropolis.org/musicians-residency

(DANCERS/ PERFORMING ARTS/FILM) Dance MOViES Commission Program—The Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY is now accepting proposals for the DANCE MOViES Commission program. Selected artists receive awards ranging up to $40,000, and can also apply to create their works in conjunction with the Artist-in-Residence program at EMPAC. Works commissioned may take advantage of EMPAC’s infrastructure and technology, such as computer-controlled rigging, flexible black-box studios, and post-production engineering for audio and video. Previously commissioned works range from a punk marching band creating mayhem in the streets of Chicago to a poetic film based on the autobiographical account of a US-based African choreographer returning to dance in Zimbabwe. Read more about EMPAC and the DANCE MOViES Commission. Questions: 518-276-3918 or lesteh@rpi.edu. Deadline: April 18, 2011

(ARTISTS) Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Foundation Grant is offered to American painters aged 45 or older who demonstrate financial need. The primary emphasis is to promote public awareness and a commitment to American art, as well as encouraging interest in artists who lack adequate recognition. Questions: Call 508-487-1750 or visit www.paam.org Deadline: August 15, 2011.

(ARTISTS) Galeria Bielska BWA is happy to announce the first edition of Artist In Residence programme. Artists from around the world working in the field of visual arts, are kindly invited to send a proposal for a site-specific work, an intervention in the public space of the Bielsko-Biała city.

During three months artists will have the time and chance to research, develop and make an art project in the public space which will relate to the subject of Beyond the time and to the history of the city. Besides the opportunity of showing your work in a public space Galeria Bielska BWA will include the digital presentation of the works made during the residency in the exhibition 1^st of September. The Gallery provides two apartments, living room, fully furnished with kitchen and bathroom. Artist pays own travel expenses, materials and personal needs.

How to apply: Please send the project proposal, CV/Statement (maximum 3 A4 pages) and portfolio (preferred format: Pdf )- in Polish or English via e-mail to the project coordinator Izabela Ołdak, e-mail: izabela.oldak@gmail.com before 30^th of April. For more information please contact the project coordinator. Deadline April 30, 2011.

(ALL) Vermont Creation Grants—Applicants to this category must be able to demonstrate that the primary component of the proposal is to fund the time, supplies, facilities (rehearsal or studio), etc. for the creation of new work. Work may be at various stages of completion. Grant amount $3,000. The council typically
awards 10-12 grants. Deadline May 2, 2011.For more info, go to: http://vermontartscouncil.org/Grants/ForArtists/CreationGrants/tabid/80/Default.aspx

Steve Bishop: Suspension of Disbelief

We love: Suspension of Disbelief, installation piece by Toronto-born & London-based artist Steve Bishop, consisting of taxidermied fox pierced with 4 fluorescent light tubes.
Also from that period (2007): Staring at Cat Staring at Cat Staring, pictured left.
Steve's more recent pieces, such as Christian Dior - J’Adore (Mountain Goat) and Jean Paul Gaultier – Classique (Arctic Fox) take inspiration from figurative perfume bottles shapes and are no less amazing.
Besides his sculptural work, Steve also curates and publishes the biannual paper MONO.
If you're in Berlin in the next 2 weeks, you can visit The Myth of Fingerprints, his solo @ Galerie Koal.