Apr. 17, 2020

PROXY [virtual] SPRING SERIES, VOLUME FIVE

PROXY [virtual] SPRING SERIES
VOLUME FIVE

We’re back with the final week of the PROXY [virtual] SPRING SERIES to keep you engaged and occupied during the shelter-in-place order. We’ve so enjoyed doing this that we will be returning regularly with some bi-weekly programming suggestions to help us stay connected while we continue to stay apart.

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FILMS

PROXY SPRING SERIES SELECTION

Disaster Playground

Directed by Nelly Ben Hayoun, 2015 [not-rated]

In a time of global pandemic, let’s think about something a little bit more charming: meteors! DISASTER PLAYGROUND explores the little known system that monitors near-earth asteroids and assesses the risks posed should they make impact with the Earth. Director Nelly Ben Hayoun plays with the inherent comedy of the complex chain of command – from NASA to SETI to the United Nations – as she introduces who is (and who isn’t) watching the skies.

EXTRA: We’ve curated a playlist to match the film – check it out below

Watch on Vudu

International Space Orchestra

Directed by Nelly Ben Hayoun, 2013 [not-rated]

We are recommending another film from director Nelly Ben Hayoun this week because we are big fans of her work. A “designer of experiences”, Ben Hayoun uses documentary filmmaking to probe and provoke institutions that are often out of view of daily life, inserting herself into the narrative. INTERNATIONAL SPACE ORCHESTRA follows a team of space scientists – organized and directed by Ben Hayoun – as they compose and perform an original piece of music honoring the moon landing.

Watch on Amazon

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ARTICLES

AUCTION HOUSE METEORITES

Last month, the New York Times reported on a hot new item taking over New York’s finest auction houses – meteorites! The article explores how meteorites – traditionally the domain of scientists searching for clues about universe – have captivated wealthy collectors whose high stakes bids are driven by differing values.

LIBERATING OURSELVES FROM USEFULNESS

Jenny Odell and Wendy Liu – authors of How To Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy and Abolish Silicon Valley, respectively – released an email exchange they had for LitHub around the ways in which capitalism is often incongruous with personal and ecological health. Their work pushes for a reevaluation of what is seen as “productive”, an important notion to consider as many of us find our work upended in this crisis.
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Created, cared for, and curated by ENVELOPE

PROXY [virtual] SPRING SERIES
VOLUME FIVE

We’re back with the final week of the PROXY [virtual] SPRING SERIES to keep you engaged and occupied during the shelter-in-place order. We’ve so enjoyed doing this that we will be returning regularly with some bi-weekly programming suggestions to help us stay connected while we continue to stay apart.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
FILMS

PROXY SPRING SERIES SELECTION
Disaster Playground
Directed by Nelly Ben Hayoun, 2015 [not-rated]

In a time of global pandemic, let’s think about something a little bit more charming: meteors! DISASTER PLAYGROUND explores the little known system that monitors near-earth asteroids and assesses the risks posed should they make impact with the Earth. Director Nelly Ben Hayoun plays with the inherent comedy of the complex chain of command – from NASA to SETI to the United Nations – as she introduces who is (and who isn’t) watching the skies.

EXTRA: We’ve curated a playlist to match the film – check it out below!

Watch on Vudu

International Space Orchestra
Directed by Nelly Ben Hayoun, 2013 [not-rated]

We are recommending another film from director Nelly Ben Hayoun this week because we are big fans of her work. A “designer of experiences”, Ben Hayoun uses documentary filmmaking to probe and provoke institutions that are often out of view of daily life, inserting herself into the narrative. INTERNATIONAL SPACE ORCHESTRA follows a team of space scientists – organized and directed by Ben Hayoun – as they compose and perform an original piece of music honoring the moon landing.

Watch on Amazon
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
ARTICLES

AUCTION HOUSE METEORITES
Last month, the New York Times reported on a hot new item taking over New York’s finest auction houses – meteorites! The article explores how meteorites – traditionally the domain of scientists searching for clues about universe – have captivated wealthy collectors whose high stakes bids are driven by differing values.

LIBERATING OURSELVES FROM USEFULNESS
Jenny Odell and Wendy Liu – authors of How To Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy and Abolish Silicon Valley, respectively – released an email exchange they had for LitHub around the ways in which capitalism is often incongruous with personal and ecological health. Their work pushes for a reevaluation of what is seen as “productive”, an important notion to consider as many of us find our work upended in this crisis.

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LISTENING

SPRING SERIES PLAYLIST, VOLUME FIVE

PROXY founder Douglas Burnham provided an accompanying note for this week’s playlist:

“This week’s DISASTER PLAYGROUND playlist is built as a lively, beat-driven soundtrack to our very own rolling disaster. Like so many of us, I am filled with a rush of feelings about our new unreal reality: grief, awe, despair, hope and anger, to name a handful. While I am hopeful that the Great Pause will bring about some positive change — and am greatly heartened by the heroic actions of so many — I’m also outraged over our lack of preparedness as a country and the utter failure of our federal government to lead us through this crisis. Yet directed anger, coupled with grief (and a little fear thrown in), can be a strong motivating force, and we have joined others in pivoting our practice to help tackle the mounting needs in our community.

This playlist is more akin to the playlists I make for my weekly trail runs and, like the original Ed Banger Records electronic music soundtrack, it creates a playful sonic alert to a narrative of potential planetary doom. Sometimes you need a forward driving beat to keep going against the wind, to scale that crazy hill. It now feels like we are all leaving on a long distance run in the wilderness, going places we’ve never been before. I hope this playlist helps you meet the challenges ahead and that it adds moments of pleasure to your journey.”

— dB

Listen on Spotify or Apple Music

FLOODLINES

The Atlantic launched their first narrative podcast in March, Floodlines. Host Vann R. Newkirk II looks back at Hurricane Katrina and its effects on the people of New Orleans. Rigorously reported and at times deeply upsetting, the podcast tracks the failures of people, policy, and systems in the botched response to the hurricane, a record of memory that is more important now than ever.

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ACTION

Each week we’re pointing to opportunities for you to support those most impacted by the crisis at hand. Take a look and get involved.

BUY SOME BOOKS

Many bookstores across the Bay Area are struggling right now to make ends meet. To keep these important cultural forces alive through the crisis, consider placing an order online with your favorite independent bookseller! Many shops are also running GoFundMe campaigns to supplement their income – including Alley Cat Books, Adobe Books, and Dog Eared Books to name a few. Find your favorite bookstore online and chip in if you can!

THE SF + MARIN FOOD BANK

We are going to keep the SF + Marin Food Bank in our action items this week, because there has never been a more important time for their services. Consider donating time or money to support this essential component of our city’s safety net.

GLIDE

GLIDE is a social services provider in the Tenderloin that creates a caring community for folks experiencing homelessness in the Tenderloin. Throughout this crisis, they are continuing to supply three daily meals free of charge to those in need. You can support their efforts here.

HAYES VALLEY HELP

Are you looking to lend a hand or a neighborhood resident in need? The Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association has an email account to match volunteers with those needing assistance. Please reach out to hayesvalleyhelp@gmail.com to get involved.

 

THOUGHTS? As always we welcome your feedback and ideas. You can reach us at info@proxysf.com.

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