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| From Fotos of the Year |
A breakdancer enters the dance floor with a backflip at the third annual Día Libre in Parque Palermo, Buenos Aires, October 17th 2010. (Photo/Brian Funk)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Día Libre Alternative Sports
A breakdancer enters the dance floor with a backflip at the third annual Día Libre in Parque Palermo, Buenos Aires, October 17th 2010. (Photo/Brian Funk)
Day in Recoleta
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| From Fotos of the Year |
A man sits and rests during the warm evening hours in the Plaza Francía on October 16th 2010. (Photo/Brian Funk)
March for Death of Mariano Ferreyra
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| From Fotos of the Year |
Thousands of Protesters from different Labor Unions protested in response to the death of Mariano Ferreyra union organizer on October 20th, 2010 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The march criticized corruption occurring within distinct union syndicates. (Photo/Brian Funk)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Rage in Villa Lugano
Fires and protests broke out in the lower class neighborhood of Villa Lugano in response to the homeowner and immigrant tensions in the neighboring Villa Soldati.
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| From Street Life |
Friday, December 10, 2010
Violent Confrontation in Buenos Aires
As the sun set on the southern edge of the city of Buenos Aires, the spectacular glow of the red horizon left behind the horrifying obscurity of violence, death, and desperate voices searching for answers.
The confrontation began as hundreds of neighbors from Barrio Villa Soldati gathered to protest the lack of government intervention in the immigration problem. Stopping the traffic on major avenues around the entrance to the Indioamerican Park, most the the neighbors voiced strong opposition to the presence of immigrant families of mostly Bolivan descent setting up encampments upon local public park grounds.
The focus of the anger quickly changed directions as a mob of protesters marched towards the immigrants encamped within the center of the park. Showers of rocks, and the sounds of gunshots could be heard as a confrontation of angry neighbors against the immigrant encampments mixed with other neighbors from the poorer slums supporting the immigrants.
As the night fell upon the park grounds, several men left screaming holding the body of one boy 19 years old who was killed by a bullet as others suffered serious injuries. Ambulances leaving the scene were even hit with bullets from Villa Soldati neighbors within the park. Neighbors still remained within the vacated area, and very few police presence was reported.
The confrontation began Friday, December 10th when angry neighbors from Villa Soldati, Buenos Aires began to take to the streets to voice their opposition to the make shift campgrounds established by various immigrant families on the public Indioamerican Park grounds. The first confrontation ended with three deaths, and infuriated people on both sides of the issue.
Politicians reacted to the city disturbance with arguments about whether the City Police operated by the Mayor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri should take charge, or whether the Federal Police or Military governed by President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner should intervene. In either case, both sides seemed to questionably look at each other for a possible solution to the serious problem.
It is unsure whether the neighbors themselves were responsible for the shooting. Camera's caught Julio Cappella a hooligan from Argentina's United Fans organization as a potential suspect in one of the shooting deaths. It is not confirmed but questions linger over whether some other hooligans may have taken a part in the violence. Argentina's soccer hooligans are often seen as an organized mob like entity.
The confrontation began as hundreds of neighbors from Barrio Villa Soldati gathered to protest the lack of government intervention in the immigration problem. Stopping the traffic on major avenues around the entrance to the Indioamerican Park, most the the neighbors voiced strong opposition to the presence of immigrant families of mostly Bolivan descent setting up encampments upon local public park grounds.
The focus of the anger quickly changed directions as a mob of protesters marched towards the immigrants encamped within the center of the park. Showers of rocks, and the sounds of gunshots could be heard as a confrontation of angry neighbors against the immigrant encampments mixed with other neighbors from the poorer slums supporting the immigrants.
As the night fell upon the park grounds, several men left screaming holding the body of one boy 19 years old who was killed by a bullet as others suffered serious injuries. Ambulances leaving the scene were even hit with bullets from Villa Soldati neighbors within the park. Neighbors still remained within the vacated area, and very few police presence was reported.
The confrontation began Friday, December 10th when angry neighbors from Villa Soldati, Buenos Aires began to take to the streets to voice their opposition to the make shift campgrounds established by various immigrant families on the public Indioamerican Park grounds. The first confrontation ended with three deaths, and infuriated people on both sides of the issue.
Politicians reacted to the city disturbance with arguments about whether the City Police operated by the Mayor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri should take charge, or whether the Federal Police or Military governed by President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner should intervene. In either case, both sides seemed to questionably look at each other for a possible solution to the serious problem.
It is unsure whether the neighbors themselves were responsible for the shooting. Camera's caught Julio Cappella a hooligan from Argentina's United Fans organization as a potential suspect in one of the shooting deaths. It is not confirmed but questions linger over whether some other hooligans may have taken a part in the violence. Argentina's soccer hooligans are often seen as an organized mob like entity.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Music Therapy for the Elderly
Drum in hand and focus directed towards the circle of 20 students each equipped with drum and large drumstick, Professor Diego Cueto dictates to the class a basic and moderately manageable rhythm. Tapping the wooden block against a cylindrical painted bin drum, Cueto pounds out a recognizable Argentine drum line. After a few repetitions he counts down the beats until a rattling chorus of percussion adds to his banging reverberation.
Smiles grow on the faces of the students as they sit and pound with fluid motion the dictated rhythm. A couple of students excitedly stand up and gently throw around their legs and arms as if possessed by the infectious South American Batucada. The echoing reverberations sound like the same marching political battle cries which frequent the Plaza de Mayo, or the festive strikes heard during neighbourhood murgas. In fact, the energetic vibrations send the dancers into a Murga-esque trance.
Read More at: http://www.argentinaindependent.com/socialissues/development/music-therapy-for-the-elderly-/
Smiles grow on the faces of the students as they sit and pound with fluid motion the dictated rhythm. A couple of students excitedly stand up and gently throw around their legs and arms as if possessed by the infectious South American Batucada. The echoing reverberations sound like the same marching political battle cries which frequent the Plaza de Mayo, or the festive strikes heard during neighbourhood murgas. In fact, the energetic vibrations send the dancers into a Murga-esque trance.
Read More at: http://www.argentinaindependent.com/socialissues/development/music-therapy-for-the-elderly-/
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Humahuaca in Blanco y Negro
The cultural center of the Humahuaca Gorge, in Jujuy the northernmost Argentine Province, this town sits at 3,000 feet near the frontier with Bolivia. The town's charm lies in its narrow, cobblestones streets and adobe houses.
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| From BlancoyNegro |
Friday, November 12, 2010
Microbrews in Argentina
The Latest Article for the Argentina Independent
Artesian Beer
It was only around 30 years ago one of Argentina’s bigger industries developed quietly along the relaxed and sun soaked slopes on the Eastern edge of the Andes mountains. It started small but this new industry of wine grew to a point in which today, it is enjoyed by households all around the country and world. Within the last decade a similar movement has taken root, yet unlike its alcoholic counter-part, the artisan beer businesses – or breweries – have slowly been popping up in varied locations all around the country.
The Quilmes beer franchise reigns as king in each supermarket freezers, bar or parrilla yet it has become more and more common in Buenos Aires to stumble across unique beer brands before unseen. This new appearance of artisan beer, (craft beer) and microbreweries over the last decade have increased much more than the general Argentine consumer may believe.
Read the Rest at
http://www.argentinaindependent.com/culture/general-culture/artisan-beer-in-argentina-/
Artesian Beer
It was only around 30 years ago one of Argentina’s bigger industries developed quietly along the relaxed and sun soaked slopes on the Eastern edge of the Andes mountains. It started small but this new industry of wine grew to a point in which today, it is enjoyed by households all around the country and world. Within the last decade a similar movement has taken root, yet unlike its alcoholic counter-part, the artisan beer businesses – or breweries – have slowly been popping up in varied locations all around the country.
The Quilmes beer franchise reigns as king in each supermarket freezers, bar or parrilla yet it has become more and more common in Buenos Aires to stumble across unique beer brands before unseen. This new appearance of artisan beer, (craft beer) and microbreweries over the last decade have increased much more than the general Argentine consumer may believe.
Read the Rest at
http://www.argentinaindependent.com/culture/general-culture/artisan-beer-in-argentina-/
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
And the Pelotudo Award goes to...
I found this video online. A pelotudo is someone with big ¨pelotas¨or in Argentine Slang someone who is a dumbass! Enjoy
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
El Latigo de la Cuidad
It´s dying down the latigo de la cuidad, this heartbeat that fades off during the waning rush hours. The city will sleep. The beat slowly extinguishes with the muffled bus brakes, and highway groan. Even the resounding moto blast sift higher into the cool evening air. The city decorates itself as it sleeps with lit up billboards, dim avenue lights and glittered room illuminations hundreds of meters in the air.
The cellular vehicles which travel up and down the narrow channel alleyways, streets, and undergrounds filter out their last gulps of life. The remaining souls slip past the moon´s night bulb to their homes, enclaves and blankets. No more to been seen, no more to be heard. Even such a vibrant beast needs its rest. Only the sun´s coddling warmth will awaken life´s dreaming beings.
The cellular vehicles which travel up and down the narrow channel alleyways, streets, and undergrounds filter out their last gulps of life. The remaining souls slip past the moon´s night bulb to their homes, enclaves and blankets. No more to been seen, no more to be heard. Even such a vibrant beast needs its rest. Only the sun´s coddling warmth will awaken life´s dreaming beings.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Enough Autotune
This entry isn't the most mind blowing, but I'd like to announce my official annoyance with the Autotune. It's one thing to hear rapper Little Wayne making it as an R&B singer by making his voice sound like some futuristic rap wizard, yet my tolerance for this new music making technology hit it's climax, when I heard a song from Argentine reggae and rap artist Fidel Nadel sing a sappy, and irritating reggae R&B love song. I don't mean to judge to harshly on Fidel's style, but just having some dreadlocks and a beard doesn't make you Gregory Isaacs. This song is a classic example of what's wrong with some of the Argentine reggae scene. This isn't to say that all of the reggae coming out of Argentina is outdated, but adding the computerized autotune voice effect diminishes the movement's effect.
First of all, some of the charm that gives reggae it's everlasting sound is the classic soulful vocal parts by many of the best lead singers from Toots Hibbert to Steel Pulse's David Hinds. Reggae is a music typically light on the instruments, which leaves room for singers to contribute a soulful presence. The problem is that the autotune now allows everyone from Akon to your tone death Aunt Margret to sound like Michael Jackson. This is an incredibly attractive but ultimately deceptive feature.
The futuristic robotic voice has seemed to work for artists like Little Wayne because he uses his creativity in both his lyrics and booty shakin' and contemporary electronic back beat rhythms. Fidel's new Te Robaste Mi Corazon has all the making of a innovative, and catchy new tune until he begins to sing the refrain. The classic reggae feel is lost immediately and the soulful sound turns into a semi cartoonish, chipmunks voice unable to convey the true heartbreak which the lyrics strive to fulfill. However I shouldn't be such a tough judge, the hypnotic reggae piano staccato might leave society's minds numb to the painful mechanized shrills!
See his new video and be the judge for yourself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk_e1pkGYyA
First of all, some of the charm that gives reggae it's everlasting sound is the classic soulful vocal parts by many of the best lead singers from Toots Hibbert to Steel Pulse's David Hinds. Reggae is a music typically light on the instruments, which leaves room for singers to contribute a soulful presence. The problem is that the autotune now allows everyone from Akon to your tone death Aunt Margret to sound like Michael Jackson. This is an incredibly attractive but ultimately deceptive feature.
The futuristic robotic voice has seemed to work for artists like Little Wayne because he uses his creativity in both his lyrics and booty shakin' and contemporary electronic back beat rhythms. Fidel's new Te Robaste Mi Corazon has all the making of a innovative, and catchy new tune until he begins to sing the refrain. The classic reggae feel is lost immediately and the soulful sound turns into a semi cartoonish, chipmunks voice unable to convey the true heartbreak which the lyrics strive to fulfill. However I shouldn't be such a tough judge, the hypnotic reggae piano staccato might leave society's minds numb to the painful mechanized shrills!
See his new video and be the judge for yourself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk_e1pkGYyA
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Blogging Hiatus
Bievenidos, once again I´d like to come back and write about things which interest me in my time in Latin American, in particular Buenos Aires, Argentina where I have been living for the last 7 months. In general, I would like to apologize for the brief summer hiatus it has been filled with super hot humid weather (95 degrees fahrenheit), trips to the beach in Uruguay, work as a coordinator for a summer study abroad program with CIEE in Argentina, Christmas with my girlfriend in Pergamino, and a new photo internship with a local publication called the Argentimes(check it out). So I've kept busy over the last month and half however I haven't been making much money but it's all good because so far I've been relaxed. However, I don't know how much longer I can go not making much money. In any case, I wanted to say Hi again and resume my blogging ways.
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