Ask MetaFilter questions in the media & arts category

What is this style of African art called?

guiltpop — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:20:30 -0800

Is there a formal name for the style of African art displayed at the beginning of the film 'Pray The Devil Back to Hell'? I've seen this style a few places before.

There is the album cover for 'Warm Heart of Africa'

And someone on metafilter once posted these Ghana film posters.

I haven't studied art. I don't know how to describe why these paintings are similar...but when you look at them you can see that they are all of a similar style.

I'm pretty much in love with the way these look, and I am trying to find a way I can explore and discover more of it.

'African Art' is too broad a search term.

Thanks.

rss feed for authors' new books?

jefftang — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:25:10 -0800

I read a lot of serial genre fiction, specifically science fiction and fantasy. I'm currently reading a lot of series and some of them don't get new books very often. I sometimes completely miss new books. Is there some resource, preferably Google Reader compatible, that will allow me to just maintain a list of authors, and have it tell me when a new book is out? Amazon doesn't seem to have specific author/series searches. There was this question, but it's old, Amazon specific, for subjects not authors, and the answer no longer works. Assuming there's no such resource, would you use such a service?

If I was there, I'd hit Times Square and take the pics myself. So this will have to do.

rileyray3000 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:49:10 -0800

I'm looking for portraits of stereotypical New Yorkers but Getty, Flickr, Picasaweb are all failing me. Where do I find these iconic faces of the Big Apple I'm looking for shots of New Yorkers with attitude. Unfortunately the stereotype seems to have more exceptions than rules as far as my web searching goes. Is there a site of just, I dunno, NY faces? I'm sure it's a longshot but I need taxicab drivers, cops, pushcart vendors, tough chicks, extras from Jersey Shore and the like and so far I can't seem to find it.

Holy Carbon Copies, Batman!

Irontom — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:59:33 -0800

I am looking for examples of comic book characters with with the ability to create duplicates of themselves... The two examples I have so far are Luminous from the DC Animated Universe and Jamie Madrox (aka The Multiple Man) from the X-Men. I'm sure others exist, but I have sadly been out of the loop on comics for more than a decade now.

Architecture destroyed in movies?

guictx — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:45:45 -0800

What movies feature the destruction of beautiful and iconic contemporary architecture buildings? I can remember the Guggenheim in The International, the ESO Hotel in Quantum of Solace, or the modernist cliff house in Zabriskie Point, but nothing else comes to mind...

MN porn actors

Astro Zombie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:23:49 -0800

Name some porn stars from Minnesota. Male, female, gay, straight, festish, whatever. Looking for as complete a list as possible.

How can I identify this illustration of a chicken and fish?

rockstar — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:21:30 -0800

Can anyone identify the origin of this illustration of a chicken with a fish tied to its back? My girlfriend has seen this illustration in a number of places, but can't seem to find the original source of the piece. She emailed the artist on whose site the above image appears, and while we got some good leads, they were ultimately dead ends. It seems that the illustration might go back to the early 20th century, but it's hard to trace.

So: Has anyone seen this before, know someone we might consult, or know a way to track down the history of an illustration like this?

Lomo arigato.

sugarfish — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:13:47 -0800

I need some tips for using my new Diana F+ camera. I got a Diana F+ for Christmas, yay! I've shot film before, but not for a looong time, so naturally I have some questions.

Where's the best place to get more film? I got a couple of rolls of 400F 120 with the camera but I'm going to need more soon. I know I can get some from lomography.com but is there a cheaper place?

What about getting it developed? Is there a good lab where I can mail them? I think I'd want a CD and the ability to have matte prints. I live outside Chicago so if there's a can't-miss lab locally, that would be cool too.

Does it matter where in the little indicator window that the film number is? (Silly question, I know.)

What are some good places online to find out more info about using the camera -- forums, etc? I trust mefites to know where knowledgeable people hang out.

Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

What's your preferred collection of Mahler symphonies?

deticxe — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:52:23 -0800

Could anyone recommend a good Mahler cycle? Even better, could anyone post their favourite recordings of each symphony...so far I've been relying on biased friends and dubious Amazon 'Listmania!' collections. Thank you :)

Curiosity seeks remorseless inexorable robot for long walks in countryside.

Leud — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:39:51 -0800

Identify an old sci-fi short story - unstoppable robot slowly hunting a man across wilderness? Can you identify a sci-fi short story that I remember reading perhaps 20-25 years ago. A robot hunting a man across a wilderness - unusual as the robot moves very slowly, walking pace only. The the man can avoid it and get clear but whenever he stops to sleep/rest/eat etc it gains on him.

Memory is vague, but robot may have been spherical and I'm pretty sure was silvery and reflective - allowing the man to spot it at long distances (such as seeing it on the horizon when waking in the morning?)

The wilderness I think was just - woods, mountains etc, not a post apocalyptic desert. I don't think there were any other characters other than the man and robot and no communication between the man and his hunter.

Can't remember any more than that but the idea of an inexorable pursuit by a robot came up in conversation the other day and day and it's bugging me that I can't remember the name/author or how it ended!

Decorative graffiti

bluelight — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:12:02 -0800

Art filter: I'm thinking about using spray paint to decorate the walls of a shop. I've never done this before, please help! It's an on-campus bike shop and I have permission to paint over the very bland, existing white walls.

I'm starting to get some ideas and thought about buying spray paint. I'd probably only be buying three cans, all of which will be of our school colors, because this is going to be an out-of-pocket expense and I am a poor student.

My first question is, whether or not something like the 'American Accents' Spray is fine.

Also, I was thinking about doing some stencils for parts like chain rings and then putting them up on the wall and spraying around it. Do you have any good ideas for how I should stick my stencil onto the wall besides tape? I was thinking about using cardboard for stencils. I've also never done stencils before but I do have access to photoshop and a printer and probably some pizza boxes.

I know spray paint will smell so I'm probably gonna buy a bottle of air freshener while I'm at it. Other than advice like avoid spraying in the eyes, I'd welcome any suggestions or tips.

Thanks!

Camera/lens to rent?

kathrineg — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:49:16 -0800

What digital camera/lenses should I rent? The huge range of lenses and bodies available for rent are completely overwhelming me.

Right now I'm using a small point-and-shoot Canon (!). I've managed to get some interesting stuff out of it, but now all my pictures are starting to look like they're meant to accompany a local newspaper's human interest story. It's time for something else. I want to end up with:

--Very high-resolution images from which I can make poster-sized prints
--Experience with a few distinct lenses

Given these parameters, what do you suggest?

If you like Orhan Pamuk....

Morrigan — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:07:23 -0800

What author would you recommend to an individual whose favorite writer is Orhan Pamuk but who has already read all of his available works in English?

More cello, please.

biochemist — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:23:48 -0800

I'm looking for songs similar to Cello Song by Vast, Glass Vase Cello Case by Tattle Tale, and Great Escape by Moby. Basically, songs with prominent cello and with a darker feel to them. I'm not looking for all-cello/string bands, such as Apocalyptica and Break of Reality.

Backpacking movie

mordecai — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:50:59 -0800

Have there been any feature films made about a couple backpacking in India?

How do I become a good radio interviewee?

harriet vane — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:54:31 -0800

I've recently been interviewed on the radio, and have been asked back for another round. I'd love some tips on being a good interviewee, being prepared, being useful to the audience, etc. My subject is one where I'm an enthusiastic amateur, rather than an expert. The show is a daytime chat show, nothing hardcore. Light and fluffy, with tips for the average person, seems to be the order of the day.

My previous interview went well, except that the DJ introduced a political subject (I had luckily just read up on it) and was kind of scatter-brained. I managed to get all my prepared points out, but apparently I can't rely on him to guide me through this process.

I'd love to know how I can make the most of this opportunity - it's not often I get access to such a large audience.

If you're a DJ, what do you like your interviewees to do? If you're a regular listener to radio chat, what makes you stop and listen to a segment?

Do you know the lyrics to this song?

h00py — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:56:28 -0800

I heard a song on the radio station JJJ with some lyrics that sounded to me like this: "We go out in the coco fire, never ever coco liar". It is more than possible that these lyrics have been woefully mangled. It was a guy singing. If you know what this is could you tell me please? I heard this song on JJJ the other week. I don't know whether it's an old song or a new one, but I felt like I'd heard it before. Anyway, I really liked it and one little part of it has been haunting me ever since so I'd love to listen to it in full again.

I am about to reveal my complete ignorance of musical tablature here, but the notes in my head go aa g gg cc b a aa cc ff ed (I tried to find an online keyboard to record it on but couldn't find one that would record it in real time with the spaces between notes put in as played, plus also it would have sounded like shit because I can't play).

VH1's dancing cat promos

doh ray mii — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:30:31 -0800

Does anyone remember the VH1 promos, circa 2000, that had cats dancing to various songs? The two I can remember off the top of my head involved The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" and Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills". I'm pretty sure there were several others as well. I've never been able to find any reference to them on the Internet, and I'm sure I'm not imagining them. Help!!

The Purple Painting

3FLryan — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:23:40 -0800

Can you help me remember the name of a painting? The painting was in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC around April 2008. It was not there yesterday so I assume it was part of some special exhibit.

It is large, maybe in the 5-6 feet tall by 3-4 feet wide range.

The painting is the inside of a train car. There is a man or woman (I can't remember which) sitting in the train car looking out the window. There is a man or woman's (I can't remember which) face in the window of another train that you can see outside the first train's window. The two people are looking at each other.

The painting is made almost entirely out of shades of purple.

Thanks!

How do I become an advertising copywriter?

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:05:49 -0800

How do I get involved in copywriting and other creative endeavors in the advertising industry? As someone in the industry, what do you believe is essential for me to learn in order to become successful and happy? What books, blogs, etc. should I be reading? I live in a major metropolitan area in the US that has a sizable ad industry with many big-name accounts. I like it here, so I don't plan on moving to either of the coasts.

I'm in my early 20s and have decided to get a bachelors degree. I plan to apply to a local 4-year art and design school (one of the top in the country) because I want to enroll in one of their advertising-centric programs. I'm trying to decide between their B.S. and B.F.A programs, and will be meeting with them soon to get more information.

Here's my throwaway, just in case: wannabeadwoman@gmail.com

Music of the Spheres

WidgetAlley — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:14:27 -0800

I absolutely loved the Brussels Musical Instruments Museum. What albums should I be buying? Help me flesh out my world music collection! I recently had the chance to go to Brussels and tour the incredibly awesome Musical Instruments Museum there. Part of what makes the experience so special is that they give you a set of headphones and in front of many of the display cases are little transmitters that will play a sample of the instruments you are gawking at. I particularly enjoyed the world and historical instruments displays, and would like to track done some of those same sounds to play at home!

Some of the things I remember particularly enjoying were Congolese drumming, Tibetan temple music, Chinese guzheng and guqin, old zithers, fin de siecle accordions, Indonesian gamelan, fife and drum, and early guitars and lutes-- but really I'm looking for any music that typifies a particular period or culture.

So, what albums exemplify a historical period of music or an awesome world instrument?

Why did Dr. Fredericks plagiarise Trumbull Stickney's poem?

jaffacakerhubarb — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:01:04 -0800

Help me understand a poetry conundrum thrown up by the film The Good Shepherd. I've seen the film The Good Shepherd a few times, which I think is necessary to get a full grasp of the plot. I'm fairly confident that I understand most of the story, but there's one glaring exception that I remembered when I happened to see part of the film yesterday.

To remind you of the context, Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) is studying literature at Yale university under Dr. Fredericks (Michael Gambon). After a poetry reading, Wilson is kept behind for a brief conversation with Dr. Fredericks. After what appears to be a sexual advance from Fredericks, Wilson goes to leave, but pauses momentarily before doing so after being asked to listen to a poem Fredericks claims to have begun writing. He recites the first stanza of the following poem:

A bud has burst on the upper bough
(The linnet sang in my heart today);
I know where the pale green grasses show
By a tiny runnel, off the way,
And the earth is wet.
(A cuckoo said in my brain: “Not yet.”)

I nabbed the fly in a briar rose
(The linnet to-day in my heart did sing);
Last night, my head tucked under my wing,
I dreamed of a green moon-moth that glows
Thro’ ferns of June.
(A cuckoo said in my brain: “So soon?”)

Good-bye, for the pretty leaves are down
(The linnet sang in my heart today);
The last gold bit of upland’s mown,
And most of summer has blown away
Thro’ the garden gate.
(A cuckoo said in my brain: “Too late.”)

He ends by saying the poem is unfinished. Wilson, whose curiosity implies familiarity with the poem, discovers it in his university library, and after helping to expose Fredericks' apparent status as a German agent responds to his asking why Wilson betrayed him with "You know and I know Trumbull Stickney wrote that poem in 1902. You were my teacher. You betrayed me.".

While Fredericks' artistic 'betrayal' perhaps provided some impetus for Damon's decision to assist in his exposure, what I don't understand is why Fredericks' character did such a thing. Was it an attempt to deflect from the tension resulting from his advances? A message of some kind? Or an accidental betrayal of his cover resulting from him not actually being an expert in literature, and thus ignorant of the realities of academia and the dangers of plagiarism? I don't see how you could be planted inside an Ivy League university and be ignorant of some of the most basic tenets of any academic discipline.

I really can't figure it out, and if any of you have an answer or could just give your take on it I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

What to do with seeds?

bleucube — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 07:36:23 -0800

What do people do with seeds besides plant them? Examples: Watermelon seed necklaces, cherry pit spit distance contest...etc Any type of seed will do. Thanks!

Looking for a movie!

reductiondesign — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:53:41 -0800

Asking for a friend: She's looking for a movie from the 90's. "What's that movie with the Hispanic boy and girl who fall in love against her father's will and she teaches him to read and he has a ponytail and works as a mechanic and her father brought the family into America illegally? It's from the 90's or so, and it's bugging the crap out of me. HELP!"

As always, thanks, MeFi!

It's a [Blank]

Jezztek — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:12:49 -0800

"It's a _____" Movie quotes needed. So I'm working on a silly video project where I'm looking for as many memorable permutations of the words "It's a [blank]!" in movies.

Think along the the lines of Arnold Schwarzenegger screaming "It's a bomb!" in Last Action Hero after finding the numbers pinned to whats-his-faces chest, Admiral Ackbar yelling "It's a trap!" during the encounter with the death star II in Return of the Jedi or Buster Poindexter yelling "it's a bone!" in Scrooged when they travel back to his early years at the TV station.

Any others come to mind? (movie / character or actor / scene would be great)