Easter 2013...

Austerity and rigor, my brethren!

... and a fine weather for ducks.
___

Outrageous: Our Planet Earth is for Sale

The very sad and shameful spectacle of entire populations 
betrayed by their own governments... 
When arte-tv shows 'where it hurts', it really hurts.

"This documentary is an investigation on three continents, because the issue of land 
grabbing is global. Three continents and three emblematic cases to tell a single story and 
the dramatic consequences there may be if nothing is done to protect the interests of small 
farmers and developing countries."

- Exploitation of small farmers

The massive sale of agricultural land to multinational companies in Africa and Latin America has caused many

local farmers expropriation: with the arrival of these firms, prices soared. After some attempts to resist, the 
farmers in countries such as Ethiopia and Uruguay are now being forced to work in these new farms, earning
paltry wages.

[AgoraVox France]

- The case of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia depends on imports to feed a growing population. To ensure the country's food security, King Abdullah 
has ordered the Saudis to go abroad to cultivate land.

[AgoraVox France]

- Ram Karuturi in Ethiopia

The Indian Ram Karuturi is one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs on the planet in the agri-food sector. 
By acquiring 300,000 acres of farmland in western Ethiopia, he plans to provide nearly 20% of world rice 
production. But the man does not stop there: his company has identified 1 million hectares of fresh land 
in Sudan.

[AgoraVox France]


___

Earth Hour 2013: Let's switch off the Planet...

Paris switches off lights for Earth Hour.

Paris will turn off the light of more than 200 buildings: City Hall, Parc des Princes, Notre 
Dame Cathedral, Hotel des Invalides, Opéra Garnier and Opera Bastille, all bridges, 
fountains and squares. As for the Eiffel Tower, the lights will be extinguished for 5 minutes
for security reasons.

___

Agostino Iacurci's 2-days work on Le Mur...

Le M.U.R. - # 138 - Agostino Iacurci - March 16-17, 2013 [photo: vanna santoro]

[G@ttoGiallo]

Ai on Fb.

___

A White Wave arises in Paris...

... Stand up with the Syrian people today, 7pm in Paris, or wherever you are. 
Stop the massacres!

[Follow on Twitter]

____

Spring Cleaning in Vatican City?

[Jean Gouders & Jean-Eric Anders]

• Cambridge Professor John Pollard: ‘the Vatican in a dangerous place’.
Secrecy is a way of life at the Vatican, not least at the Vatican Bank. For decades the Institute for Works of Religion 
has been shrouded in mystery. [euronews, March 15, 2013]. 

***

Midnight in Griset: Last 2013 Snowfall?

          


Despite what is happening currently in Europe - and in my Parisien fief - our planet has 
reached during the last decade the hottest peaks in the course of more than 11,300 years.

Take a glimpse to the Global Temperature [Earth Policy Institute]

___

Tania Mouraud's poster on Le Mur.

Le M.U.R. - # 137 - Tania Mouraud - February 28-2013

[Have a look at Tania's SITE].

____

'Time for Outrage' and shots in Marseilles

Outraged by the price asked by the owner of an apartment that I badly want... and even more
'indignant': Stéphane Hessel died today.
I'll spend 3 more days in Marseille still looking forward for my future flat on the south side 
of the old port.

(I'm at Vertigo Hostel, in the
computer room)

I made an offer to the greedy woman, based on current values of
Marseille's real estate market, at a price approved by the same 
agency that offers that property for sale. 
I'm waiting for an answer without much hope, the woman will 
persist, as she has done for months, despite common sense.

I therefore visited another apartment and got involved with the 
agency, so I've posted a new ad to sell my Paris flat - no agency 
in order to foster the buyer with a fair price. Now waiting to see what happens.
. . .

Nevertheless, when in Marseilles I walk and shoot lots of pics...

La Major Cathedral across the harbour, from the Passarelle.

The Courthouse, backside.

The Stock Exchange building (1860), on the Canebière avenue.

Construction site of the shade house on 'Quai des Belges', head of the city's old harbour.

The all new 'Ombrière', designed to shade the fish market, opened on March 2, 2013.

Saint Ferréol Church at sunset.

Clouds as a quilt spread on the old port.

____

1 Billion Strike, Dance, Rise, Worldwide

This video is worth a thousand words...

On Thursday, 14 February, women and men in 203 countries will come together 

in the largest day of mass action ever to stop violence against women and girls, 

to express their outrage and to strike, dance and rise to support an end to violence 

against women once and for all.

[Paris Flashmob on Dec. 2012]

___

Darco... on Le Mur.

Le M.U.R. - # 136 - Darco - February 9, 2013

[Darco by Artcurial]

___

When Digital Art Reaches the Sublime

Art vs War: Imagining the Klimt's 'Kiss', pasted on the desolation of a city destroyed by its 
own president... this is the deep cry of the irrepressible hope of a whole country, Syria.

Born in Damascus in 1980, Tammam Azzam lives and works in Dubai. 
Selected solo and group exhibitions include Ayyam Gallery Al Quoz, 
Dubai (2012, 2009); Ayyam Gallery DIFC, Dubai (2011); Ayyam Gallery 
Beirut (2010); Ayyam Gallery Damascus (2010).

Tammam Azzam's 'Freedom Graffitis'
___

Rubbish Paper Cut&Pasted on Le Mur

Le M.U.R. - # 135 - Rubbish Cube - January 24, 2013

[Rubbish Blog]
___

2013 INTERNET FREEDOM DAY

One Year Ago: Internet users around the globe started to fight back the Internet censorship law. 

Pro-freedom groups both large and small created ways to show their support for an open and 
uncensored web. Hundreds of thousands of people participated, and major websites like Google, 
Reddit, and Tumblr joined the cause. When January 18th, 2012 rolled around, the stage was set.

___

This year, we celebrate the victory and remind Internet users everywhere that the fight 
continues by declaring January 18th Internet Freedom Day. 

Le Mur on January 2013 with Da Cruz

Le M.U.R. - #134 - Da Cruz - January 5, 2013

___