Poverty

The new Videopoem focuses the discussion on poverty. With George Ortega, former host of the Happiness Show, we bring up such points as how the United States only gives one percent of its GDP to foreign aid and how corporate America controls the media so American citizens receive a false impression of our role in the world.

Both those ideas are ongoing themes of the show. One where we explore the forgotten Aemrica and the other on the domination of the media by corporate interests.

Although a depressing topic, the show itself was fun to make. George knows his material and it was a pleasure to interview him. It had been awhile since I had appeared before the camera and its takes a little gettting used to the bright lights and making your points into an impersonal camera. After the initial anxiety I caught the flow and things went smoothly. The show was also fun because I keyed out the blue curtain that was taped behind us and put in images of down and out individuals. I had wanted to achieve and original looks and get away from the talking head cable access look. I think I achieved it although I didn't get alll the blue out. I actually like the streaks feellng it gives it an abstract expressionist painterly touch. Big words I know but the show has been had a fondness for big words and large concepts. Why not as John Doe said to me?

So the show will be on in all three of its markets-the 'qua, White Plains, and Manhattan-this week as well as streaming on the web. I know it's a lot for all of you to sit through and listen to us bandy these ideas about but if you give it half a chance you might actually enjoy the slow pace of the show in counter to the fast pace nature of Aemrican life these days.