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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 2002)
Pulse Editor Jacquelyn Lewis jacquelynlewis@dcdlyemerald.com Thursday, October 24,2002 OregcnDailyErrerald On Tuesday Don't eat me! The Pulse editor attempts to create a culinary masterpiece Filtered culture is far from liberty For some stupid reason, mankind is gallivanting around calling this period in human existence “the information age,” as if we are any less confused about things now than we were when we ate mites off of each others’ backs. It’s damn hard to make sound decisions or be sure of anything anymore, and that’s the only thing that makes sense. Unfortunately, culture is now being delivered to us via giant corporations with little concern for empowering the polity. We live in a society that looks for under standing of its fellow man not through our own compassion and commiseration or through his feelings or thoughts. In stead, it judges by that man’s purchasing decisions. To para phrase cultural critic Thomas Frank, many people fancy themselves too savvy to be duped by advertising, but ad vertising works at such a deep level that we often underestimate its pow er for shaping consciousness and identity. Many Americans, overcome by the inanity of commercial culture, fail to see what real cultural exchange can bring to a society. Recently, Paul Wolf and his col leagues presented a report — “COINTELPRO: The Untold Ameri can Story” — to the U.N. High Com missioner for Human Rights. The re port detailed the atrocities committed by the FBI against social and cultural movements during its Counter Intelligence Programs (COINTELPRO) regime known to exist from 1956 through 1971. FBI agents infiltrated hundreds of so ciopolitical movements and organiza tions. The agency worked tirelessly to create factions within groups using vio lence, disinformation and scare tactics to quell movements around the coun try. The report quotes a former COIN TELPRO Internal Security Branch Chief saying that one of the main goals of these programs was “penetration of specific channels of American life where public opinion is molded,” and to prevent it from having “influence over the masses.” This lends legitima cy to the idea that culture is the lens through which we view and identify with the rest of the world. Programs like these possibly still exist, but now the FBI has a little more help. Commercial culture serves as a preemptive assault on po tential movements by dividing and pacifying the public. Instead of cul ture creating an active, passionate . Turn to Bechard, page 10 Joseph Bechard Cultural Obstetrician My House or yours? The basement club features film, music and a forum for creativity Aaron Shakra Pulse Reporter If it wasn’t for the bright red sign outside 1136 West Fifth Ave., My House would be as inconspicuous as any other home in the neighborhood. However, on a given night, there is likely to be music, films and artists lurking within its walls. And the neighbors don’t even complain. My House is the brainchild of Marc Moscato and Jesse Garlick, and it’s lit erally a basement. It opened in March and has played host to a variety of un derground and independent perform ers. All ages are welcome at the events. “It’s not really about partying — it’s about art and culture,” Moscato said. Next up on the schedule is “Lost & Found: A Weekend of Found Films” on Nov. 1 and 2. The films were shot in a variety of formats: 8-millimeter, Super 8-millimeter, 16-millimeter and regular old VHS. Some consist of loops and stock footage sewn together—notably, one entitled “Election Collectibles.” Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; each show starts at 8 p.m. There will be live music accompanying the films on Friday. The suggested donation for “Lost & Found” is $3. Money raised at every My House show goes directly to the artists. In the house’s short-but busy history — 16 shows — no ad mission price has exceeded $5. Moscato, a University arts and ad ministration graduate student, coordi Turn to My House, page 8 Courtesy photo The My House founders have embraced DIY principles to make a venue for independent and underground performers. J Cellist plays Bach in unlikely venues Courtesy photo Cellist Matt Haimovitz will be visiting E_ugene as part Qf his JBach "Listening Room" tour. Matt Haimovitz opts to play cello in intimate settings; he will perform Friday night at Sam Bond’s Garage Helen Schumacher Pulse Reporter Bach will be coming to a bar near you this Friday, when ac claimed cellist Matt Haimovitz performs the composer’s work at Sam Bond’s Garage. The Israeli-born musician is vis iting Sam Bond’s as part of his Bach “Listening Room” Tour. In an effort to diverge from the for mality of classical music, Haimovitz is playing Bach’s first three Suites for Cello Solo at tav erns, jazz clubs and coffeehouses instead of the symphony halls where one might usually expect to hear this type of music. Haimovitz is touring to promote his new album, “6 Suites for Cello Solo,” which was released on Oxin gale Records — an indie classical la bel Haimovitz and his wife started. Haimovitz said the “Listening Room” tour gives classical music fans an opportunity to experience the music up-close and personal, as well as giving those who aren’t fa miliar with the genre a chance to . listen without feeling self-conscious^. “The music that I’m playing is really very intimate, subtle mu sic,” Haimovitz said. “I usually play 2,000 or 3,000 seat concert halls. In such spaces, it gets lost, this music.” He said Bach’s compositions are a good doorway into classical music. “Bach’s cello solos are some of the most profound music. More than that the show is a wonderful way to be introduced to the music. It has such a more human aspect to it and is just as raw as anything in the rock idiom,” he said. The tour has even brought 31 year-old Haimovitz to the most unlikely of places — the leg endary New York City punk rock club GBGB. “It was an amazing place. I fell in love with it,” he said. “It felt right to present something that’s never been done before.” Haimovitz’s performance should be a treat to classical music listen ers sick of stuffy, formal concert halls and an occasion for non-listen ers to broaden their aural horizons in a less-intimidating atmosphere. The show is this Friday at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Contact the Pulse reporter at -helenschumachet@daiJyemerald.cQra.j
