God Jul, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

snowflakes falling (close up)

snowflakes falling - and the tree outside the window

i love second hand books reading

Appropriately christmasy photo-eye magazine

photo-eye booklist winter 2007. Cover image by Lisa Robinson.

"The primary and most fundamental function of the arts is to engage their audience and spark dialogue, in whatever manner seems best. This journal has attempted to do just that, by creating a space for reflection and insight, and providing an opportunity for conversation and questions to sprout and find life within the broader context of contemporary photography and the visual arts."

Wonderful wintery Ana Ventura

SCREENPRINT #1. 52cm x 52cm [19,7 x 19,7 inches], 300gr fabriano paper. Signed and numbered 50 edition.

This is so beautiful! I love Ana Ventura's work - it's always new and magical and kinda in a different way, but essentially her. There's loads new in her shop so have a look!

Adam Fuss.

Adam Fuss. Photographs by Adam Fuss. Text by Thomas Kellein. Distributed Art Publishers, New York, 2003. 112 pp., 114 color illustrations, 6¾x9½".

"This is a handsome little book which serves as a catalogue to an exhibition of Fuss’ work at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The essay by Thomas Kellein begins as a recitation of chronological facts: that Fuss was born in London in 1961; that he was sent to live with a maternal grandmother in Australia, away from his parents after his father suffered a stroke in 1963; that he spent many childhood hours outdoors and alone; that he loved the diversity of nature and saw William Blake as a spiritual father of sorts. But this chronology acts as preparation for an in-depth exploration (realized in dialogue with Fuss) of the symbology rife in Fuss' images. There are snakes, ripples, birds, evidence of movement, shadows, and silhouettes, all traced sans camera directly onto photographic paper. This is difficult territory to navigate, and every competent author will bring a different set of worthy interpretations to the table; Kellein's approach is well worth the reading. The reproductions are crisp and rich, sitting on a medium weight glossy paper; the images hold to consistent dimensions throughout the book, which, combined with substantial white borders, is greatly appreciated."

The world can't wait

I remember them talking to us about how absolutely vital recycling and taking care of our planet is at kindergarten (that was in the 70's) - and somehow today it's still not seen as something paramount or obvious. I really hope the climate deal reached at the UN summit will finally take us at least to the road of getting there.

Read more here, here or here for example.

book of miri

image from book of miri

I've been meaning to add this blog to the links ever since I first discovered it (through for the love of ourselves) - and write a little something about it, but never quite managed the thought of what, who, where. So I though the best thing to do was to show you this picture from the blog, and the following conversation with my husband, who doesn't speak Swedish.

me: "You know the blog I've been trying to explain to you about, that I just really like (but it's in Swedish)."

him: "Oh the one you've been saying she's a librarian with some incredible clothes, and writes great stuff about books, but also about weird people in second hand shops - or those who should just be banned, and looks kinda like A...?"

me: "...and sometimes there's cats all over her. Anyway this is the one [shows him picture]."

him: "Oh brilliant I know exactly what you mean! That blog - what more is there to say!"

me: "Exactly!"

him: "Exactly!"

(or words to that effect)

The blog is just genius. (...also be sure to have a look at bokdialogen where she writes solely about books.)

I don't know what to say about this

Given to attendees of her show during london fashion week I'm told - together with a promo-bottle of her new perfume - oh well oh dear

Klimt inspired

Photographed by Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue.

Amelia's magazine

Amelia's magazine - issue 8

A lot of covers are bland and boring - not this one! - I really like it a lot

World Aids Day

This year again I'm hoping that you will do what you can.

The reported number of HIV/Aids cases are continuing to increase - just as we seem to have been able to curb the spread in Africa and other developing countries the numbers are rising again in Europe and the USA.

UNAIDS The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
World Aids Day Information and suggestions on how to get involved
WAD.se World Aids Day Sweden
RED Might seem frivolous, but it matters to change consumer patterns
Staying Alive MTV's Global HIV and AIDS initiative for young people