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The purpose of FILE is to collect and display photographs that treat subjects in unexpected ways. Alternate takes, odd angles, unconventional observations - these are some of the ways photographs collected in FILE reinterpret traditional genres. We leave the Kodak Moments to the family album, the glossy fashion spreads to Vogue, and the photo finishes to ESPN. Rather than taking the well-trod paths, we veer off to get a different perspective. Confused? Browse The Collection. The photos say it better than we can.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
FILE: Unexpected Photography
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Favorite Photographers: Part#5
Daily Dose of Imagery is a fantastic photo blog brought to you by Sam Javanrouh. Javanrouh was born in Tehran, Iran. He moved to Toronto, Canada in 1999, and became a creative director at Optix digital pictures, a visual effects and animation company.
His photos are dreamy and earthy bits and pieces of everyday life. Photos are copyright property of Sam Javanrouh:
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Zaha Hadid : "I Don't Do Nice"
Zaha Hadid has created a reputation as one of the most distinguished architects in the world. Designing unique and controversial architectures has become Hadid's trademark.
Born October 31, 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq. She received a degree in mathematics from the American University of Beirut before moving to study at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. After graduating she worked with her former teacher, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, becoming a partner in 1977. It was with Koolhaas that she met Peter Rice who gave her support and encouragement early on, at a time when her work seemed difficult to build. In 1980 she established her own London-based practice. During the 1980s she also taught at the Architectural Association. She has also taught at prestigious institutions around the world. A winner of many international competitions, theoretically influential and groundbreaking, a number of Hadid's winning designs were initially never built.
Here are some of Hadid's stunning designs:
1.Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre
2.Vertical Shopping in Istanbul
Source: 100% Design3.Opus Tower in Dubai
Source: Yanko Design4. Richard and Lois Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, Cincinnati (Ohio), USA
Source: EgoDesignWhen asked about her style in an article by The Guardian Unlimited, Hadid said:
I don't design nice buildings - I don't like them. I like architecture to have some raw, vital, earthy quality. You don't need to make concrete perfectly smooth or paint it or polish it. If you consider changes in the play of light on a building before it's built, you can vary the colour and feel of concrete by daylight alone.
To read more about Hadid's projects, visit her official website here.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Cooking Lessons From My Mother
My mother is a terrific cook, and when she decides to teach someone how to cook, she gets overly enthusiastic. Today, she decided to give me a crash course on how to make fasoolia 7'adra ma3 rouz (green beans stew with rice). When I told her to give me the needed instructions and leave me to experiment on my own, she just looked at me like I was a simpleton. Taking cooking lessons from my mother can be rather...er...intimidating.
Mother: Start cutting the green beans...faster...you are cooking for lunch not dinner. This is how you do it.
She grabbed six beans and cut them all deftly at once.
I sauteed the garlic in the pan.
Mother: Now, you never leave the garlic cooking by itself. You have to stir it in the bottom of the pan, or it will burn.
Me (irritated): I am already doing that!
Mother: Just in case you forget in the future.
I added the meat, and the spices.
Mother: Don't stare at the stove like this. The smart woman takes advantage of the time on her hand.
Mother: Just in case you forget in the future.
I added the meat, and the spices.
Mother: Don't stare at the stove like this. The smart woman takes advantage of the time on her hand.
Me: I prepared the ingredients in advance, and everything else is ready.
Mother: Well, find something to do!
I busied myself with wiping the counters next to the oven.
Mother: Now, the smart woman does not drool over the counters. She keeps any eye on the cooking meal.
Mother: Well, find something to do!
I busied myself with wiping the counters next to the oven.
Mother: Now, the smart woman does not drool over the counters. She keeps any eye on the cooking meal.
I gave up. I added water and tomatoes sauce, and watched it cook.
Mother: Remember, for Chinese dishes, we don't cover the food while it's cooking.
Me (confused): Why are we talking about Chinese dishes?
Mother: Shhh...I am giving you tips for other dishes. You are looking at a walking encyclopedia, so learn from it while you can.
I washed the rice and prepared the other pan to cook it.
Mother (whispering): One of secrets of a successful rice dish is to cook it a bit before adding the water. Thats what makes the rice "mfalfal" (tasting great).
Me (looking around): Why are you whispering?
Mother: Because it's a secret...Ha! Can you smell that? Thats when you know that you can add the water.
My mother is a very soft-spoken person, but during cooking lessons, her pattern of speech can change slightly when she starts losing her patience. Her Jordanian accent becomes heavy.
Mother: Remember, for Chinese dishes, we don't cover the food while it's cooking.
Me (confused): Why are we talking about Chinese dishes?
Mother: Shhh...I am giving you tips for other dishes. You are looking at a walking encyclopedia, so learn from it while you can.
I washed the rice and prepared the other pan to cook it.
Mother (whispering): One of secrets of a successful rice dish is to cook it a bit before adding the water. Thats what makes the rice "mfalfal" (tasting great).
Me (looking around): Why are you whispering?
Mother: Because it's a secret...Ha! Can you smell that? Thats when you know that you can add the water.
My mother is a very soft-spoken person, but during cooking lessons, her pattern of speech can change slightly when she starts losing her patience. Her Jordanian accent becomes heavy.
Mother: Stir the rice gently, please. You don't want to break it while it's raw.
I stirred the rice carefully.
Mother: Shoo had? I did not say "tabtabeih" 3al rouz (pat the rice). 7arkee eidik!( Stir faster!) Halla, I want to show you a cool move to stir the food in a pan.
I stirred the rice carefully.
Mother: Shoo had? I did not say "tabtabeih" 3al rouz (pat the rice). 7arkee eidik!( Stir faster!) Halla, I want to show you a cool move to stir the food in a pan.
She grabbed the handle of the pan and magically managed to toss the rice upside down without spilling a grain.
Me (impressed): I am not sure I can do that.
Mother: It is ok, 7abibti. Try it. It is easier than you think. Haik...like flipping pancakes...ta da!
I tried.
Mother: Deeri balek! (careful!)...Ro7tee ma "tokoftee" el akel 3al ard! (You almost spilled the food on the floor!)
Me (impressed): I am not sure I can do that.
Mother: It is ok, 7abibti. Try it. It is easier than you think. Haik...like flipping pancakes...ta da!
I tried.
Mother: Deeri balek! (careful!)...Ro7tee ma "tokoftee" el akel 3al ard! (You almost spilled the food on the floor!)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Silent Library
Six people go to the library. They all sit around one table. One of them produces six identical cards and lines them side by side on the middle of the table. At the signal, everyone takes a card. They all flip the cards at the same time. There is only one card different, and whoever gets it becomes the victim of various kinds of silly torture suggested by a display board in the corner. Everything is supposed to happen with no sound uttered from any of the six people involved. Behold The Silent Library game. A refreshing hilarious game from Japan:
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