Does Europe Have a Sense of Humor?

 

 

 

Czec artist David Cerny decided to test the notion when he installed his sculpture ”Entropa” in the European Council building in Brussels. He was paid $800,000 to commemorate Belgim’s EU presidency with a work of art. His piece depicts unflattering stereotypes of the 27 EU countries in a map shape. Bulgaria, which was depicted as a hole-in-the-floor toilet, was the most miffed and removed its ambassador from Prague. Apparently the Czec Republic is already known for being somewhat anti-E.U. and Cerny also didn’t quite stay true to his propsal, which was supposed to involve artists from each country. He claims no bad intentions. He told The Times in London:

“I am seriously very pro-European. It would be a great pity if Europe would not be able to take this as a bit of satire and irony. If we are strong as Europe it should be OK for one nation to make fun of other nations.”

What’s the fuss? Here’s how he depicted some countries. You decide:

Bulgaria – a series of hole in the floor toilets
Netherlands – under water with minarets peeking through the water
Luxembourg – a lump of gold with a For Sale sign
France – the words “on strike”
Sweden – an IKEA cardboard box
Belgium – a box of chocolates
Great Britain – was absent from the sculpture, seemingly because of the country’s lack of interest in the E.U.
Germany – a series of roads which some say take the shape of a swastica, but Cerny denies it
Italy – a soccer field and players because of the country’s obsession
Spain – all concrete, representing the building boom that’s taken place in the last few years

 

 

Tom McCormack Back at the Mic

You might remember him from The McCormack Brothers, his acoustic trio with brothers Mike and Dave, or Meanflower, his alt-country band (also with brother Dave). Today, Tom McCormack is on his own
… well, sort of. 
Tom just released a solo album, “Anxieties and Accomplishments,” a collection of catchy rock tunes that sound at times like Son Volt’s Jay Farrar. McCormack employed the help of an all-star Richmond crew: his bro Dave on organ, backing vocals by Regan, two members of Carbon Leaf on guitar and bass, and two former members of Agents of Good Roots. For the last three years McCormack’s been touring with Carbon Leaf so this is his chance to get back to his own work. Check out the first single.

Tom’s also an artist, creating work like the above acid-etched steel panel. The rusted panels turn up in warehouses he’s renovated in Petersburg, Va. (the acid he’s used for refinishing claw-foot tubs). He combines the two, and a fascination with industrial sites, to yield an almost sepia-toned memory of places most of us drive right by. More recently he’s explored buildings and streetscapes as subjects. See more here.