Happy birthday to me
Yup, turning the wise old age of 33 today. Nice number and it means I'm not dead yet. Which is a good thing.
It's been sparse posting here lately. I've been running around fixing things and now things seem to come together in a very nice way.
First things first:
Facts from the world collection 3 is out on Schibsted in September
Second things first:
In September we will have an exhibition at Serieteket in Oslo to celebrate five years of Facts from the World
Third things first:
Nazca will tour Norway around the release of the book.
Here's the schedule:
Saturday 22nd of September
Exhibition at Serieteket opens. Presentation with Erik Falk.
Wednesday 26th of September
Charlies bar, Kristiansand. Nazca plays with instruments and your emotions.
Thursday 27th of September
Mir, Oslo. Nazca plays it's collective heart out to anyone present. Warmup: Near Mint First Editions
Friday 28th of September
Releaseparty of Facts from the World book. Inside, Bergen. Nazca plays, sings, sees right through you.
Saturday 29th of September
Presentation of the book at Raptus comics festival
29 August 2007
18 August 2007
17 August 2007
Online petitions for Andrej Holm
Here
Here
And here
The gist of it, is that if we follow the logic of terrorism by association, we are all guilty.
I even did a strip about this three years ago.
Here
Here
And here
The gist of it, is that if we follow the logic of terrorism by association, we are all guilty.
I even did a strip about this three years ago.
14 August 2007
Why, this must be an act of terrorism
Because I am publishing this text on my blog:
Open letter against the criminalization of critical academic research and political engagement
On 31st July 2007 the flats and workplaces of Dr. Andrej Holm and Dr.Matthias B., as well as of two other persons, were searched by the police. Dr. Andrej Holm was arrested, flown by helicopter to the German Federal Court in Karlsruhe and brought before the custodial judge. Since then he has been held in pretrial confinement in a Berlin jail. All four people have been charged with "membership in a terrorist association according to § 129a StGB" (German Penal Code, section 7 on 'Crimes against Public Order'). They are alleged to be members of a so-called 'militante gruppe' (mg). The text of the search warrant revealed that preliminary proceedings against these four people have been going on since September 2006 and that the four had since been under constant surveillance.
A few hours before the house searches, Florian L., Oliver R. und Axel H. were arrested in the Brandenburg region and accused of attempted arson on four vehicles of the German Federal Army. Andrej Holm is alleged to have met one of these three persons on two occasions in the first half of 2007 in supposedly "conspiratorial circumstances".
The Federal Prosecutor (Bundesanwaltschaft) therefore assumes that the four above mentioned persons as well as the three individuals arrested in Brandenburg are members of a "militant group," and is thus investigating all seven on account of suspected "membership in a terrorist association" according to §129a StGB.
According to the arrest warrant against Andrej Holm, the charge made against the above mentioned four individuals is presently justified on the following grounds, in the order that the federal prosecutor has listed them:
- Dr. Matthias B. is alleged to have used, in his academic publications, "phrases and key words" which are also used by the 'militante gruppe';
- As political scientist holding a PhD, Matthias B. is seen to be intellectually capable to "author the sophisticated texts of the 'militante gruppe' (mg)". Additionally, "as employee in a research institute he has access to libraries which he can use inconspicuously in order to do the research necessary to the drafting of texts of the 'militante gruppe'";
- Another accused individual is said to have met with suspects in a conspiratorial manner: "meetings were regularly arranged without, however, mentioning place, time and content of the meetings"; furthermore, he is said to have been active in the "extreme left-wing scene";
- In the case of a third accused individual, an address book was found which included the names and addresses of the other three accused;
- Dr. Andrej H., who works as urban sociologist, is claimed to have close contacts with all three individuals who have been charged but still remain free;
- Dr. Andrej H. is alleged to have been active in the "resistance mounted by the extreme left-wing scene against the World Economic Summit of 2007 in Heiligendamm";
- The fact that he - allegedly intentionally -- did not take his mobile phone with him to a meeting is considered as "conspiratorial behavior".
Andrej H., as well as Florian L., Oliver R. und Axel H., are detained since 1st August 2007 in Berlin-Moabit under very strict conditions: they are locked in solitary confinement 23 hours a day and are allowed only one hour of courtyard walk. Visits are limited to a total of half an hour every two weeks. Contacts, including contacts with lawyers, are allowed only through separation panes. The mail of the defense is checked.
The charges described in the arrest warrants reveal a construct based on very dubious reasoning by analogy. The reasoning involves four basic hypotheses, none of which the Federal High Court could substantiate with any concrete evidence, but through their combination they are to leave the impression of a "terrorist association". The social
scientists, because of their academic research activity, their intellectual capacities and their access to libraries, are said to be the brains of the alleged "terrorist organization". For, according to the Federal prosecutor, an association called "militante gruppe" is said to use the same concepts as the accused social scientists. As evidence for this reasoning, the concept of "gentrification" is named -one of the key research themes of Andrej Holm und Matthias B. in past years, about which they have published internationally. They have not limited their research findings to an ivory tower, but have made their expertise available to citizens' initiatives and tenants' organizations. This is how critical social scientists are constructed as intellectual gang leaders.
Since Andrej Holm has friends, relatives and colleagues, they now also are suspect to be "terrorists", because they know Andrej. Another accused individual was blamed for having the names of Andrej Holm and of two others charged (but not jailed) in his address book. Since the latter are also deemed to be "terrorists" - this is how "guilt by association" is established.
Paragraph § 129a, introduced in Germany in 1976, makes it possible for our colleagues to be criminalized as "terrorists". This is how, through § 129a, the existence of a "terrorist group" is claimed.
Through these constructs, every academic research activity and political work is presented as potentially criminal - in particular when politically engaged colleagues who intervene in social struggles are concerned. This is how critical research, in particular research linked with political engagement, is turned into ideological ring
leadership and "terrorism".
We demand that the Federal Prosecutor (Bundesanwaltschaft) immediately suspend the § 129a-proceedings against all parties concerned and release Andrej Holm and the other imprisoned from jail at once. We strongly reject the outrageous accusation that the academic research activities and the political engagement of Andrej Holm are to be viewed as complicity in an alleged "terrorist association". No arrest warrant
can be deduced from the academic research and political work of Andrej Holm. The Federal Prosecutor, through applying Article § 129, is threatening the freedom of research and teaching as well as social-political engagement.
Because I am publishing this text on my blog:
Open letter against the criminalization of critical academic research and political engagement
On 31st July 2007 the flats and workplaces of Dr. Andrej Holm and Dr.Matthias B., as well as of two other persons, were searched by the police. Dr. Andrej Holm was arrested, flown by helicopter to the German Federal Court in Karlsruhe and brought before the custodial judge. Since then he has been held in pretrial confinement in a Berlin jail. All four people have been charged with "membership in a terrorist association according to § 129a StGB" (German Penal Code, section 7 on 'Crimes against Public Order'). They are alleged to be members of a so-called 'militante gruppe' (mg). The text of the search warrant revealed that preliminary proceedings against these four people have been going on since September 2006 and that the four had since been under constant surveillance.
A few hours before the house searches, Florian L., Oliver R. und Axel H. were arrested in the Brandenburg region and accused of attempted arson on four vehicles of the German Federal Army. Andrej Holm is alleged to have met one of these three persons on two occasions in the first half of 2007 in supposedly "conspiratorial circumstances".
The Federal Prosecutor (Bundesanwaltschaft) therefore assumes that the four above mentioned persons as well as the three individuals arrested in Brandenburg are members of a "militant group," and is thus investigating all seven on account of suspected "membership in a terrorist association" according to §129a StGB.
According to the arrest warrant against Andrej Holm, the charge made against the above mentioned four individuals is presently justified on the following grounds, in the order that the federal prosecutor has listed them:
- Dr. Matthias B. is alleged to have used, in his academic publications, "phrases and key words" which are also used by the 'militante gruppe';
- As political scientist holding a PhD, Matthias B. is seen to be intellectually capable to "author the sophisticated texts of the 'militante gruppe' (mg)". Additionally, "as employee in a research institute he has access to libraries which he can use inconspicuously in order to do the research necessary to the drafting of texts of the 'militante gruppe'";
- Another accused individual is said to have met with suspects in a conspiratorial manner: "meetings were regularly arranged without, however, mentioning place, time and content of the meetings"; furthermore, he is said to have been active in the "extreme left-wing scene";
- In the case of a third accused individual, an address book was found which included the names and addresses of the other three accused;
- Dr. Andrej H., who works as urban sociologist, is claimed to have close contacts with all three individuals who have been charged but still remain free;
- Dr. Andrej H. is alleged to have been active in the "resistance mounted by the extreme left-wing scene against the World Economic Summit of 2007 in Heiligendamm";
- The fact that he - allegedly intentionally -- did not take his mobile phone with him to a meeting is considered as "conspiratorial behavior".
Andrej H., as well as Florian L., Oliver R. und Axel H., are detained since 1st August 2007 in Berlin-Moabit under very strict conditions: they are locked in solitary confinement 23 hours a day and are allowed only one hour of courtyard walk. Visits are limited to a total of half an hour every two weeks. Contacts, including contacts with lawyers, are allowed only through separation panes. The mail of the defense is checked.
The charges described in the arrest warrants reveal a construct based on very dubious reasoning by analogy. The reasoning involves four basic hypotheses, none of which the Federal High Court could substantiate with any concrete evidence, but through their combination they are to leave the impression of a "terrorist association". The social
scientists, because of their academic research activity, their intellectual capacities and their access to libraries, are said to be the brains of the alleged "terrorist organization". For, according to the Federal prosecutor, an association called "militante gruppe" is said to use the same concepts as the accused social scientists. As evidence for this reasoning, the concept of "gentrification" is named -one of the key research themes of Andrej Holm und Matthias B. in past years, about which they have published internationally. They have not limited their research findings to an ivory tower, but have made their expertise available to citizens' initiatives and tenants' organizations. This is how critical social scientists are constructed as intellectual gang leaders.
Since Andrej Holm has friends, relatives and colleagues, they now also are suspect to be "terrorists", because they know Andrej. Another accused individual was blamed for having the names of Andrej Holm and of two others charged (but not jailed) in his address book. Since the latter are also deemed to be "terrorists" - this is how "guilt by association" is established.
Paragraph § 129a, introduced in Germany in 1976, makes it possible for our colleagues to be criminalized as "terrorists". This is how, through § 129a, the existence of a "terrorist group" is claimed.
Through these constructs, every academic research activity and political work is presented as potentially criminal - in particular when politically engaged colleagues who intervene in social struggles are concerned. This is how critical research, in particular research linked with political engagement, is turned into ideological ring
leadership and "terrorism".
We demand that the Federal Prosecutor (Bundesanwaltschaft) immediately suspend the § 129a-proceedings against all parties concerned and release Andrej Holm and the other imprisoned from jail at once. We strongly reject the outrageous accusation that the academic research activities and the political engagement of Andrej Holm are to be viewed as complicity in an alleged "terrorist association". No arrest warrant
can be deduced from the academic research and political work of Andrej Holm. The Federal Prosecutor, through applying Article § 129, is threatening the freedom of research and teaching as well as social-political engagement.
13 August 2007
06 August 2007
Hi to Ilta Sanomat readers
'In the future' started it's one month daily run in Ilta Sanomat last week. Editor Juhani Tolvanen graciously named me honorary finn, so I could be featured in the Kuukauden Kotimainen-thing. I am humbled, honoured and blushing.
'In the future' started it's one month daily run in Ilta Sanomat last week. Editor Juhani Tolvanen graciously named me honorary finn, so I could be featured in the Kuukauden Kotimainen-thing. I am humbled, honoured and blushing.
04 August 2007
24 July 2007
Constitutional monarchy, ist in de äär for youu and meee
I would like to give my wholehearted support to Astarte Education, which promises to teach us how to 'create miracles with the angels and your own power'.
For the cheap sum of 24.000 NOK per year.
The fun part is of course that this venture is co-run by Her Royal Highness Märtha Louise of Norway. Shit, the monarchists were right, this is way more entertaining than a republic.
Kids, this is what happens when you don't get out enough. Or live in a gated community.
Finally we have a Rasputin to call our own!
I would like to give my wholehearted support to Astarte Education, which promises to teach us how to 'create miracles with the angels and your own power'.
For the cheap sum of 24.000 NOK per year.
The fun part is of course that this venture is co-run by Her Royal Highness Märtha Louise of Norway. Shit, the monarchists were right, this is way more entertaining than a republic.
Kids, this is what happens when you don't get out enough. Or live in a gated community.
Finally we have a Rasputin to call our own!
23 July 2007
22 July 2007
Wussup?
It's been little posting here lately, I'm again up to my eyeballs in deadlines.
On my desk:
A new Facts from the world book
Last illustrations to a finlandswedish schoolbook. Contributed over 50 illustrations for that one + doing the cover.
Layout for interview compilation due out on Söderströms.
A new comix-article. 1000 words by tomorrow.
A longer action-pastiche is in the works. Due for publication january next year.
The graphic novel I am doing with one of the best artists in the norwegian game
Mixing the Nazca album (Thanks to Tuomas for giving my Powerbook a boost)
It's been little posting here lately, I'm again up to my eyeballs in deadlines.
On my desk:
17 July 2007
Libero reviews Free for All DVD
(rough translation by Markus Norrena)
Latest Libero (2/2007)
DVD
Nazca
Free for All
I have some really bad experience of live-dvd:s. Even if the band is really good, usually the DVD:s are boring and with bad sound. Even with this bias, Nazca's Free for All is an exception. During the one hour I drank only 2cl whisky and smoked only one cigarette.
Nazca's DVD is very captivating with it's visuals. The colours and shadows, and the videoprojections, create worlds which vary all the way to the moon.
On this gig at the media center Lume, each song is an artwork of its own. It is very impressive, how successfully the atmosphere of the gig has been recorded through very professional editing-, camera- and soundwork.
And the band is not shit either. This fenno-norwegian band surprises with it's original magicality and strong rock-sounds. Karstein's voice is strong and he uses it beautifully and wholeheartedly. Nazca is like a cake, where every ingredient is present in exactly the right amount.
I think the receipt is secret, because through its music, Nazca both mystifies/confuses(?) and surprises the listener.
Hanna Roisko
We thank Ms. Roisko wholeheartedly and are pretty chuffed she liked the DVD. You can get it for yourself here, btw...
(rough translation by Markus Norrena)
Latest Libero (2/2007)
DVD
Nazca
Free for All
I have some really bad experience of live-dvd:s. Even if the band is really good, usually the DVD:s are boring and with bad sound. Even with this bias, Nazca's Free for All is an exception. During the one hour I drank only 2cl whisky and smoked only one cigarette.
Nazca's DVD is very captivating with it's visuals. The colours and shadows, and the videoprojections, create worlds which vary all the way to the moon.
On this gig at the media center Lume, each song is an artwork of its own. It is very impressive, how successfully the atmosphere of the gig has been recorded through very professional editing-, camera- and soundwork.
And the band is not shit either. This fenno-norwegian band surprises with it's original magicality and strong rock-sounds. Karstein's voice is strong and he uses it beautifully and wholeheartedly. Nazca is like a cake, where every ingredient is present in exactly the right amount.
I think the receipt is secret, because through its music, Nazca both mystifies/confuses(?) and surprises the listener.
Hanna Roisko
We thank Ms. Roisko wholeheartedly and are pretty chuffed she liked the DVD. You can get it for yourself here, btw...
16 July 2007
Updated Flickr
Just bought an Epson perfection 4990. It's so damn sweet! Rock on over to Flickr to check out the old slides I've been scanning today.
Can someone arrest this man?
Guardian Unlimited reports that the Bush administration remains determined to strike Iran during the next 18 months.
Considering the great success these guys had in Iraq, it looks like to me that the born-again fundamentalist chimp is aching towards bringing the Rapture closer and ensuring the return of the messiah.
Or something equally batshit crazy.
These madmen must be removed from power. A S A P.
Guardian story
Guardian Unlimited reports that the Bush administration remains determined to strike Iran during the next 18 months.
Considering the great success these guys had in Iraq, it looks like to me that the born-again fundamentalist chimp is aching towards bringing the Rapture closer and ensuring the return of the messiah.
Or something equally batshit crazy.
These madmen must be removed from power. A S A P.
Guardian story
13 July 2007
06 July 2007
05 July 2007
cinemateket
(norwegian post, grab a dictionary or move on...)
Cinemateket har nettopp sluppet sin sommerkatalog hvor de har bedt norske kulturfolk om å velge en film for visning på Filmens hus.
Av grunner best kjent for dem selv, ba Cinemateket meg om å velge en film. Jeg ble selvfølgelig utrolig glad og stolt over å bli spurt, men så kom dilemmaet:
Av ALLE filmer laget i verdenshistorien, hvilken vil du sette opp på Cinemateket?
Djiiis...
Først tenkte jeg at jeg skulle være skikkelig undercover og avsløre meg selv som en connoisseur av sær europeisk kunstfilm. Navn som Svankmajer, Tarkovski, Kusturica, Kaurismäki og Bill Viola dukket opp på lapper over hele kontoret.
Jeg hengte rundt på filmsites og nileste wikipedia i jakten på den perfekte film. Som selvfølgelig ville sette meg selv i et bra lys.
Så bestemte jeg meg for å drite i poseringa og nominere en av mine evige favoritter som jeg aldri har sett på kino.
Ladies and gentlemen:
Jeg velger....
Dr. Strangelove!
regi: Kubrick. Peter Sellers i tre roller.
Kan det bli bedre?
Såh, om du er i Oslo torsdag 23.August eller Fredag 24. August...
litt før klokka sju
stikk innom Filmens hus, Tancred-salen og se på:
DR. STRANGELOVE, OR: HOW I LEARNT TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE ATOMIC BOMB
(norwegian post, grab a dictionary or move on...)
Cinemateket har nettopp sluppet sin sommerkatalog hvor de har bedt norske kulturfolk om å velge en film for visning på Filmens hus.
Av grunner best kjent for dem selv, ba Cinemateket meg om å velge en film. Jeg ble selvfølgelig utrolig glad og stolt over å bli spurt, men så kom dilemmaet:
Av ALLE filmer laget i verdenshistorien, hvilken vil du sette opp på Cinemateket?
Djiiis...
Først tenkte jeg at jeg skulle være skikkelig undercover og avsløre meg selv som en connoisseur av sær europeisk kunstfilm. Navn som Svankmajer, Tarkovski, Kusturica, Kaurismäki og Bill Viola dukket opp på lapper over hele kontoret.
Jeg hengte rundt på filmsites og nileste wikipedia i jakten på den perfekte film. Som selvfølgelig ville sette meg selv i et bra lys.
Så bestemte jeg meg for å drite i poseringa og nominere en av mine evige favoritter som jeg aldri har sett på kino.
Ladies and gentlemen:
Jeg velger....
Dr. Strangelove!
regi: Kubrick. Peter Sellers i tre roller.
Kan det bli bedre?
Såh, om du er i Oslo torsdag 23.August eller Fredag 24. August...
litt før klokka sju
stikk innom Filmens hus, Tancred-salen og se på:
DR. STRANGELOVE, OR: HOW I LEARNT TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE ATOMIC BOMB
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