:: GussetBLOG ::

:: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 ::

Sustain

In the latest in our occasional series on unusually specialist magazines found laying around in the office kitchen, we now present Building Sustainable Design.

Which this month includes a though provoking article on the current assumption that buildings can be built for a 25 year life span and how this can no longer stack up financially or environmentally, an interview with Lucy Pedler of Bristol based sustainable architecture practice Achipeleco on why she “had hoped that the recession would be more catastrophic,” and a brilliant article on “What termites can teach us about natural ventilation in small buildings.”



Following from this there is of course next weeks Pestival, which Stewart Lee fans will probably already be aware of from his 41st Greatest Stand-up routine. Comedy at the insect themed festival is provided by Robin Ince along with many other fasinating insect based art projects from the Termite Pavilion to broadcasts from Resonance FM and workshops from The Art of Being a Maggot to Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Sadly I can't make any of this, but I'm most upset missing out on Cross Pollination, where “Internationally acclaimed sound recordist for BBC’s Life in the Undergrowth and original member of Cabaret Voltaire, Chris Watson, curates an evening of experimental insect music.”

Due to a family wedding I was also unable to attend Chris Watson's workshop at UWE last weekend, and I forgot to blog about it in advance, but there are still some events to go on the STAGING SOUND 2.0 programme, including the Dorkbot Bristol Sound Hack followed by Guerilla Busking in Bath this Saturday.

Back on an environmental footing, various national media have picked up on the “living wall that died” in Islington. Most of the press have hung the story off of the waste-of-public-money angle rather than the technical issues with the failed watering system / learning experience / maybe the odd weather we've had? There most be an engineer somewhere mopping a sweaty brow as that one passes over. Either that or (s)he will be saying “I told you so.” A year or so ago I'd've worried that this would lead to a cut in spending on environmental projects but in the current financial and political climate I know it's going to get cut anyway regardless of previous successes or failures. Not good times.

Labels: architecture, Bending, Economy, Electronic Music, Environment, Insects, News, Politics, Sustainability

:: Dan 26.8.09 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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£10 million to research decline in bees

"The decline of bees, butterflies and other insects is to be investigated by leading scientists in a new £10 million initiative announced by the Government."

From the Co-Op:



What The Co-operative is doing for bees

"We’ve launched Plan Bee, a new campaign and 10-point plan to help reverse the worrying decline in the British bee population. Watch one of our short films and then read our 10-point plan what we are doing."

Labels: Co-Op, Insects

:: Dan 22.4.09 [Arc] [1 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Put your leg on my eye and tell me you love me
Originally uploaded by Arenamontanus.

"A foray into erotic photography."

Labels: Flickr, Humour, Insects

:: Dan 3.8.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Japanese Bug Fights
[thanks sofi]

Labels: Humour, Insects, Video

:: Dan 8.1.08 [Arc] [0 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Mystery Insect
Originally uploaded by gusset.

What is this?
Found on a building site in Gloucestershire last week.
Please ID.
I think it may be from space.

Labels: Insects, Video

:: Dan 9.6.07 [Arc] [3 comments] [links to this post] ::
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