the land of sex and sinners "For most of its past Ireland was notorious for possessing the most carefree moral outlook in Christendom. While current permissiveness is viewed as a completely modern phenomena in fact several millennia of unique and often shockingly broadminded attitudes form the core of Irish sexual history. The Land of Sex and Sinners traces the complete timeline of Irish sexual and gender development from the mysterious sexio-religious rites of pre-history to the all too blatant teenage coming-of-age rituals of contemporary life."

This is the intro to the excellent documentary made mostly in gaeilge (irish) directed by Jimmy Duggan and financed by TG4, irelands native speaking TV channel (only @ 8 years old)The documentary appeared in the stranger than fiction documentary festival in the IFI, Irish film institute. the screening was followed by an open panel discussion which was very wide ranging.The documentary will be screened in 4 parts by TG4 in the upcoming weeks.

what i gathered from the film and the discussion was roughly the following: -In the past we lived in a healthy balanced age -This changed into the unhealthy and unbalanced age we live in today -A paradigm shift is happening in society, a REbalance is (re)emerging

5000 years ago Neolithic farming communities lived on this land and it is widely believed that there was balance between the masculine and the feminine in all aspects of the civilisation. The soil, the water, the earth being the fertile receptive motherlike deity and the sun with its life force energy being the direct masculine deity. When joined in union, the masculine and the feminine created life. Fertility was recognised, understood and celebrated.

the amazing architecture and buildings of the time give us best evidence to back up this theory The Megalithic Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth, Fourknocks, Loughcrew and Tara are located in the present day County of Meath on the east coast of Ireland. The Boyne Valley Mounds at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth were built around 3200BC making them older than Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The Winter Solstice sunrise illuminates the passage way leading into the burial chamber of the megalithic passage tomb at Newgrange on the 21st December 2003

so for only 1 day in the year the act of penetration is played out and demonstrated by the architecture, the shaft of light representing the penis enters the vagina and fills up the womb of the chamber (this is not meant in anyway to be rude, as some might find it, it is merely communicating the facts)

With the arrival of the bronze age came increased warfare and competition, more male charateristix. the architecture began to change from the round mounds to phalluss or standing stones this more or less continued untill todays age we live in where conflict and competition are at there most brutal highest but something has changed we are part of the Paradigm Shift that is slowly affecting all levels of civilisation

as Fritjof Capra states in the second edition of his best selling book "the tao of physics"(1975), written 15 years after the first one i paraphrase "the existing major problems of our time are all facets of one single crisis, a crisis of perception. An outdated worldview existed for several hundred years which included the belief that a society in which the female is everywhere subsumed under the male is natural. There was a need of radical revision and this revision is already happening in many areas of life. The new emerging worldview is an ecological worldview that is grounded in spiritual awareness. This rising culture is growing and becoming a powerful force of social transformation" in his later book "the hidden connections" (2003) Capra states that the event that changed the "political landscape of the age" was the closure of the WTO (world trade organisation) talks in Seattle in 1999 by the global justice movement you can watch Capra give a free archived "berkley lecture" webcast

at present in ireland the government is trying to build a motorway through one of irelands most sacred sites, the hill of Tara. This was the centre of government, the place where the high king of ireland ruled the land. in the film Queen Maoibh was depicted as being the ruler, the soon to be king having to have sex with her to sign the deal. a campaign is underway to avert this crazy idea, it is gatehring momentum and perhaps could become the metaphor for our age more speed, more roads, more cars, more wars and who cares about that which is held sacred or bring about a more sustainable balanced existence

After the discussion i was talking with the academic from Trinity, Mary Condren Th.D whom I was very impressed with. She is the author of the book "the serpent and the goddess" and is invovled with the The Institute for Feminism and Religion

So it seems theres a lot to learn about these dynamics that are affecting our society and left unaddressed could lead to full on destruction of our species and maybe the planet too.

After the discussion, and after getting distracted by bumping into old friends from years back i finally got to the table and had a bite to eat and a very livley chat about this and that with my housemate kate. We were sitting there at a table for four and the two girls beside us got up and with that an elderly couple came over and asked if they could sit down, it was empty so they did. We said to them "are you going to see a film" they said yes that they were going to the next screening about chernobyl because they support the charity, children of chernobyl, that is headed by ali hewson, bono from U2`s wife. "Chernobyl Heart shows the invisible trail radiation leaves behind. The film opens in the exclusion zone, the most radioactive environment on earth"

so the conversation developed along lines of us-fair play for supporting this, well done them-its great to see young people like yourselves here us-well its great that there is more and more things like this happening, that people are becoming politicised and with that taking action to try to improve things. them-thats very encouraging it was about this point that the lady said "by the way im Anne Madden and this is Louis le Brocquy i said "im duncan" and kate said "im kate". Louis le Brocquy is one of irelands leading artists and even though i dont like a lot of modern art i do happen to enjoy his work. this is one of his paintings of Beckett, whom i believe he was friends with in france (irish abroad, irish home, the land of saints and scholars???) so the conversation continued and we got talking about how, roughly, theres bad things going on in the world but they can be overcome and indeed there is a growing body that is challenging injustices in todays world. they are doing this because they are being informed by the emergence of more stories, documentaries, festivals, centres, spectacles....

but aswell as this it is not a case of "come here we know how all should live",as happened previously but of people from all backgrounds in society coming around the table as equals. to add to this people who had never been asked to the table before are being asked to give their views, and just maybe "jimmy" is the lad who sees things that others dont, maybe one simple bit of wisdom from him is exactly what is needed to solve the problem?

from there the idea that artistic creativity instead of violence was the way to change things was explored anne was invovled with and knew many of the people involved in the "revolution" in paris `68 and one of her theories was that as a result of absolute barbarity the opposite is formed, that of absolute creativity which is perhaps coincidental as that morning i had put a piece online on the architectural schools website

about the situationists who were heavily involved with `68

i gave the example i like and have participated in, the berlin love parade in cold war 80`s berlin people protested, they were ANTI this, anti that but then in 1989, 150 people in berlin had a demonstration FOR tolerance, respect and communication between nations. not only that but they decided to be creative and they turned it into a little free techno party on the streets. 10 years later and there was 1.5million people dancing on the streets of berlin, and it rocked

kate asked me would i have a drink and she asked them would they like something, instead they insisted on buying a bottle of wine for the table. So this fine positive conversation continued untill their film was starting when they had to run. it was a pleasure to have had such a livley discussion with such interesting, creative, interested people

during the conversation i also mentioned state of emergency and the fact that i am still banned from irelands architectural online community, archeire. but thankfully i have started participating and working with, in my opinion, the most progressive global networks on the planet; indymedia and social forum i had previously announced at the end of the post screening documentary that the second irish social forum was on this weekend

so thats about it we are in the process of setting up the dublin ECG (eco city group) node and from that helping develop the botanix spine and a healthier metro system, the interconnector than the one being proposed by the government at present

the IFI stuff has acted as a fine catalyst Stranger Than Fiction is the only annual festival dedicated to celebrating the best of factual film and television in Ireland.

you can watch the "berkley lectures" from last febuary on the free webcasts i just watched Hidden Connections: The Inner Dynamics of Ecological Order” Fritjof Capra, PhD; Founding Director, The Center for Eco-Literacy:

here in dublin we will be screening these lectures and i would propose to you, EASA, that you watch the screenings in stereo, same time, your place. and then after we can meet in the IRC to chat as well as the chats we will have in our own local areas.

next screening should be wednesday next week

webcast.berkeley.edu is the link to watch the films you just need to download the free real player, link on page

fritjof talked about: what is life- a scientific view cognition and mind networks changing values in worldview- philosophy and politics how present capitilist system is unsustainable global justice movement ecological systems eco design education inspiration

lenth of talk 1 hr 18 mns first half hour is very sciency. after that deals with what real things are happening today more on capra here www.fritjofcapra.net

another talker, the famous non violent peace activist and spiritual teacher; starhawk, joined us on mayday for our actions and in the open media centre we created

to find out more about this stuff, please see here easa.antville.org

26th of December an earthquake hit the city of Bam in Iran. 40,000 people have died and many many more are in desperate need of help.

here in ireland we are involved with FILLAWELLY and we are organizing the FILLAWELLY WANDER. a sponsored walk around the 25 miles of Dublin Bay on Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 2004 in aid of Trócaire all the money will go directly to Bam fancy dress is encouraged on the weekend to make the event as fun, enjoyable and memorable as possible. Collectores will have wellies that they are trying to fill full of cash during the walk and in the 2 pub crawls.

2-day fun walk along Dublin bay, raising money for those still suffering in Bam in Iran Saturday along the Northside. Sunday along the Southside.

FILLAWELLY has already begun, last saturday in the SHRDLU studios @ Mullanahone, county Tip. there was a super farewell party for Etaoin during which 2 black wellies (ruber "wellington" boots) were cleaned and BAM was written in white on their sides. money was added over the night and at 8.28 am on sunday morning, as the sun was rising there was an auction for a can of dutch gold beer, it went for $3.85

anyway thats what is going on here. we are trying to get more people doing more things, preferabaly with wellies, to raise money, quickly, for people in bam a fine example is the Castlecomer Wellington Race which has happened every new years day for the last 18 years in kilkenny the burn the irish bar crew from the burning man festival (possibly the biggest maddest party on the planet ever) are also getting involved

it would be great to hear what other fundraising events are going on around europe or perhaps some of you could set up events with us, who knows what it could spark off?

you can view detail maps here click on locator maps -interactive

FILLAWELLY WANDER- the program so far

Thurdsay night-informal get together and film screening meet in national gallery, new part 6pm and make way up to bolton street cinema for some episodes of Monty Python including the ministry of silly walks

Friday night-pubcrawl @ office land 6-9pm, baggot street, IFSC...

Saturday-Northside Meet and collect with wellies 8-10am outside Howth dart station, Start walk 10am; Howth village, Howth head cliff walk, Sutton cross, Dollymount, Clontarf, Fairview, North Strand, Talbot Street, North Earl Street, O`Connell Street, city centre. 5-6 hour walk into town, 25km / 15 miles

Saturday night-pubcrawl @ city centre 6pm till late, temple bar....

Sunday-Southside Meet 9-10am outside G.P.O. Start walk 10am: city centre, south dock, grand canal basin, south wall, Ringsend, Sandymount, Booterstown, Blackrock, Dun Laoighaire, 40 foot swimming area, Sandycove Martello tower, (where James Joyce began his novel Ulysses), Dalkey head 3-4 hour walk from town, 15km / 10 miles

its going to be a busy few weeks with some tough walking but it is going to be a lot of fun

on Sunday the 9th of December 2003 a piece of land art was done on the beach of Lahinch in county Clare, Ireland. It was done by 4 people for a few different reasons.

most of us are familiar with PI (3.14.........) but few of us are familiar with PHI Φ(1.618...........)

its the number which makes up the "golden section" in art and architecture. its supposedly the most perfect proportion it has been used for thousands of years by artists and architects. it also appears throughout much of science

what do you think?

it took 2 and a half years for this event to happen doing the wall in the "samogar art gallery" was great too

full story, more pix and commentry on indymedia ireland

when your on that beach, its the edge of europe. next stop is new york @ 3000 miles

FUSPEY-fun-sustainable-peaceful-existence FUSPEY is a direction to work toward, individually and as a network. Creativity is a very powerful tool for change, we are trying to use art to communicate and to challenge (in a non-violent way) a revolution in perception Last night was the first FUSPEY Irish event, it was also an Indymedia public screening. Strangers watched a very important film, Globalisation And The Media

Unfortunately the 35second film of what FUSPEY is about could not be shown, but you can watch it here

Strangers met each other and developed ideas on how to get more people aware of stuff and involved with stuff- ie the INDYnews at one o clock from moore st. in a few weeks time. The previous IMC post How can things develop for Indymedia Ireland? explored other interesting ideas which were discussed last night

More interesting and exciting things can be found at FUSPEY projects

in 1989 150 people had a protest in berlin FOR tolerance understanding and respect between nations, they choose to be creative and had a techno party

10 years later there was 1.5 million (1,500,000) people dancing on the streets of Berlin for the BERLIN LOVE PARADE, and it was brilliant

the main focus of this year for FUSPEY is the event next summer in the French city Lille, 2004 city of culture. We will be part of the EASA network, there will be 500-1000 of us and this network will be 1 of 5 networks working from a derelict building that is being turned into the “cultural machine”. Last year EASA built an Eco pavilion in the Danish eco village friland which featured on mainstream Danish tv as well as indymedia. Next summer we hope to build a mobile information dissemination vehicle. We will also create lots of interesting events. A Manu Chao global community of sorts is one of the other networks involved with this Lille project

There will be FUSPEY events, films, wanders, talks, workshops, dart parties, exhibitions…. Every week. Anyone can get invovled Next week we will probably be screening the film BARAKA in DIT bolton st. Which is simply one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring films you might ever see

I nearly forgot, things ended in a firework party last night. A fine start.

You can also add your views, criticisms, ideas, stories on the FUSPEY message board

positively is powerful, fuck the cynics

GLOBALISATION AND THE MEDIA was the documentary screened in the umbrella tent during EASA003 in denmark. it is going to be screened soon in DIT (dublin institute of technology) school of architecture and i am wondering whether there is anyone else who would like a copy of the documentary and is willing to show the film in their college. i can burn and post you a copy. its from "informed dissent", an undercurrents cd rom which also includes much other v relevant info about what is going on in the world today. world renowned philosopher noam chomsky offers much info on what the US is doing today. it would be an exciting project if there was a few nodes around europe showing this film at the same time, and then meeting up in an online chatroom to discuss things after. as was proposed here http://easa.antville.org/stories/521450/

"GLOBALISATION AND THE MEDIA, award winning documentary explores how the United States has spend the last fifty years constructing the present New World Order. Aided by its powerful military resources, alongside the IMF, World Bank and the World Trade Organisation, the rules of global trade have been largely imposed to serve its own interests. Globalisation and The Media explores the role of the media in this corporate led takeover of global resources." is how film makers describe the documentary.

www.oxdox.com

www.cultureshop.org

www.zmedia.org

www.indymedia.ie

9.11 two years on Why?

Why is the most important question there was to be asked after 9.11 was it asked? It was a horrible event but it showed the world that many people are against the US and its forced empire which includes the unfair economic systems of WTO, IMF and world bank. It will serve as a benchmark in time in the future. When will architecture start to seriously deal with these issues of trade and globalisation? I have lived in the united states and have family there, I feel sorry for them as the government, the education system and the media is not fully informing its citizens of what is going on in the outside world, with the result of probably more horrific attacks such as 9.11. DC This article was featured on the front page of PARAPLY, edition 8 tue the 5th of august

“that country and it's leader are a danger to the world.” Said Nelson Mandela, speaking in NUI Galway 20/06/03, referring to George Bush and the present US regime. www.indymedia.ie gives full text

easa.antville.org is an earlier EASA thread about 9.11 and Liebskind`s proposed new scheme from February 2003

The World Trade Organisation (WTO)meeting is taking place in Cancún, Mexico, from Tuesday 9th to Sunday 14th September SEPT 13TH is INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WTO

At "sustainable living" in denmark and after, there was much debate as to where globalisation and trade issues come into the "architecture and sustainability" debate. This saturday will be a chance for you to find out more, test your ideas, get involved. Things will be going on in your area- look around your streets for posters

"Another World Is Possible: We have before us a choice--the world of militarism and corporate globalization, or a world built on global solidarity, rooted in a foundation of democracy, dignity, sustainability, and cooperation. This fall we have an opportunity to bring our vision to life, through a series of actions and campaigns that will build toward a better world." is from san francisco based Global Exchange, an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. www.globalexchange.org is their website

news.bbc.co.uk is a bbc report called "WTO protesters: Where are they now?"

www.indymedia.ie is an excellent article "The Rise of Open Source, Network-Based Movements" written by an IMC ireland person

Conall O'Caoimh, project coordinator with Comhlamh, is an NGO observer on the official Irish government delegation and he reports daily to NEAR fm 101.6 from Cancún. You can listen to him on radio @ 1.30pm (north dublin only) or download his reports from NEARfm website www.nearfm.ie

easa.antville.org was an earlier piece posted to this EASA site "make trade fair- a call on all EASA community to get involved" posted by myself when working with IMC-oxford before EASA003, it was removed by the webmaster as the view then was that "trade and gloabalisation has nothing to do with architecture" does it?

see also indymedia cancun, to find out about stuff as it happens cancun.mediosindependientes.org