A good day for contemplation

A good day for contemplation, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

As I look out my window and see the snow laden branches sagging from the weight of the snow, I think to myself “What a beautiful scene!” It is a good day to stay home from work, snuggle up by a warm fireplace, read a book and relax. But I am an artist. There is no time off for art. I think “art” all the time. Every observation is material for artistic expression. So what does all this have to do with the photograph I present here of Milena? Perhaps nothing, unless I compare the cold world outside with the warmth that is obviously expressed in this image. Why can this unfortunate world have such contrasts? Can our human condition possibly be expressed in a single work of art? It is not likely. But looking at this image, in the context of this day and my place and time within this universe, I am compelled to see beyond the beauty of Milena, as she reclines comfortably and provocatively on a couch with the warm glow cast upon her skin from the lamp behind her. I am forced to think of a world of contrasts, where somewhere there is a homeless person, sleeping outdoors, trying to keep warm by covering himself with a blanket of corrugated boxes covered and soaked by the wet snow. Suddenly I am overwhelmed with a feeling of sadness. Not just for the homeless person, but for all the misfortunes that exist in this world. Art can do that. It can trigger thoughts, not only in a direct, literal sense, but also an indirect implied sense. Contrasts at work.

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Visit my web site.

This session was not recorded in film, but you can view some of my other sessions on my site.

Reflections (explicit) on Vimeo by Sol Lang

Reflections (explicit) on Vimeo by Sol Lang, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

Featuring Kerri Taylor, taken during a photo shoot with Sol Lang.

Watch this video on Vimeo. Video created by Sol Lang.

Good Morning Kimmey

A short video featuring Kimberley Van Der Ferron playfully performing to "All Over Now" by the Rolling Stones.

Directed, filmed and edited by Sol Lang.

Love Machine from Sol Lang on Vimeo.

Inspired by Love Machine by Sol Lang – an art piece created using TroyArt robot for the Toy Art exhibit at MuBE (Museu Brasileiro da Escultura) in São Paulo, Brazil. Date of exhibit January 15th - 30th, 2011.



Museu Brasileiro da Escultura

Rua Alemanha, 221, Jd. Europa

São Paulo - SP - Brasil

CEP 01448-010



Song: Strip-Teaser by Aniella (cc)

Satin & Lace

Satin & Lace, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

Fitting textures for the delicate female skin. They speak of sensuality to our sense of touch. Close your eyes and imagine it against the back of your hand. Avoid using your finger tips as they are too rough to truly appreciate the smoothness and softness of this delicate texture. And once you are able to perceive this sensation of touch, meditate on it and feel your heart grow with desire. Now open your eyes and feed your fantasy with the image before you, to complete the experience.

View this image in the original size to get all the details.

Spirited Milena

Spirited Milena, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

For the first time I am able to express in words what I am showing photographically – i.e. the classic beauty that is Milena. Her sensuality is conveyed, not just by her stunning appearance, but also by her body language, which consists of graceful, feminine movements that cannot really ever be captured by the still camera. Although it is not for lack of trying, one does get a sense of it through my photographs of her. Looking at her, no matter how she is attired, her spirit exudes pure elegance.

Leaders' Debate | Green Party of Canada

Leaders' Debate | Green Party of Canada

By Elizabeth May on 30 March 2011 - 7:56am

 

Yesterday, on Power Play with Don Martin,  I began, “déjà vu all over again.”
Haven’t we been here before?  Didn’t the issue get resolved?
Why did the Consortium say I could not be included in 2008?  Because, they claimed 3 of 4 leaders said they would not participate if I were included.  That was the only reason.  So when Jack Layton and Stephen Harper relented I was included.
This time they have a new reason.  Invitations only go to parties with MPs in the House.  They are making this up as they go along.  The debate decision-making is an  unregulated, ad hoc process that makes decisions without benefit of rules or criteria.  The decision makers are the so-called Broadcast Consortium, as the news directors from CBC, CTV, Global, TVA and Radio Canada style themselves when making all the decisions about the leaders' debate.
How can a group of five television executives decide to exclude a party running in 308 ridings when they include a party that only runs candidates in Quebec?  How can debates, a critical part of the democratic process, operate in such a high-handed and arbitrary fashion?  How can a party with the support of one in ten Canadians be excluded?  And most fundamentally, how can TV executives tell Canadians that a vote for Green candidates is not a viable vote?  That is in fact what they are doing.  Far from facilitating a full and fair discussion in a democracy, they are interfering in democracy by dictating what votes are worth casting. What other interpretation can there be when the news media tells the public what leaders have a right to be heard? 
Yet, we were the only party in 2008 to receive more votes than in 2006.  We had nearly one million votes.  We are the only party likely to raise important issues, consistently ignored by others.  We are the only party committed to “high road” politics, to rejecting the politics of negativity, the attack ads and the smears. 
Canadians are fair minded.  Over 70% in poll after poll have argued that the Greens should be included.  This is not because 70% of Canadians plan to vote Green, but because Canadians recognize that democracy is healthier when all voices are heard. Right now, 83% of those who have gone on line on the CBC poll support the Greens being in the debates.
Canadians know when something is unfair and wrong.  This decision will be pilloried by Canadians from coast to coast because it offends our basic sense of decency and fair play. 
Please help us turn up the pressure.

Sign the Petition at demanddemocraticdebates.ca (which is endorsed by the Green Party of Canada).
 
Send emails to:
CTV - Wendy Freeman President of News  and News Managing Editor Dennis McIntosh programming@ctv.ca
CBC Jennifer McGuire General manager and Chief of News  ombudsman@cbc.ca
Global - Troy Reeb  viewercontact.globalnational@globaltv.com
TVA - Serge Fortin rédacteur en chef, au service de l'information de TVA info@tva.ca
Radio Canada - ombudsman@radio-canada.ca

Thank you!