People Zoo #8: A Very Important Person, Lynda Barry

When I first read Lynda Barry's comics as a teenager, I felt overwhelmed with a love for people. She captures humanity (especially the teenaged variety) in all its ugliness, awkwardness, and sweetness. Her comics come from the little stuff and deal with the big stuff. The best part is you can meet the person, Lynda Barry, IN PERSON!!!! She will be at the Brooklyn Comics and Festival. This festival takes place on Saturday, December 4th in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Click here for more information: http://www.comicsandgraphicsfest.com/

People Zoo #7: 2 People + 3 Guitars = Face Blindness

http://faceblindness.bandcamp.com/
This is one thing I do with my friend, Chris, that makes me wonder about people. I hope you enjoy it!

People Zoo #6: A person named Jonah Lehrer

Jonah Lehrer is a real people person and that's why I've chosen to honor him here at People Zoo. He loves people and their brains and so do I. If you'd like to better understand the greatness of Mr. Lehrer, you can visit him at many different locations:

His blog:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/frontal-cortex/

At Radio Lab, where he is a frequent contributor:
http://blogs.wnyc.org/radiolab/

Or you could read one of his books!
Proust was a Neuroscientist
or
How We Decide

People Zoo #5: People honor and remember other people with festivals

It seems that it helps people to remember other people who advanced/inspired/improved the collective human experience. One such person is Albert Ayler. There is a FESTIVAL for him tomorrow at Roosevelt Island!!! A People Zoo favorite, Marshall Allen, will be there to perform in memory and honor of Mr. Ayler.

People Zoo #4: People have visions!

Thanks to the eyes and brains people have, many have some type of vision. However, some people also have visions!!! There are many ways for people to have visions: drugs, religious experiences, physiological ailments such as migraines, psychological disturbances, and even LIGHT!

Artist, Brion Gysin, along with Ian Sommerville came up with a device called the Dreammachine which induces visions (also known as hallucinations), after learning about the hallucinatory effects of stroboscopic light. (Dreammachine Wikipedia page)

Not only was this invention fascinating to those old Beats, William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, who enjoyed a variety of hallucinatory and mind-altering entertainment, but it brings up the peculiar issues about the seemingly universal geometric imagery of human hallucination. Chevrons, checkerboards, scanning bars, points of light, concentric circles and swirls....where do these things come from? Why is it that someone on mescaline will see the same imagery as a person experiencing a migraine or a person who is exposed to flickering light or a person who is having a "holy" vision? Do we all have a basic visual language programmed in our people brains that is innate to our species? If so, why? What purpose does it serve us? Why do people experience hallucinations at all?

If you want to read more about these people puzzles, I recommend a few books...

Migraine by Oliver Sacks

Chapel of Extreme Experience by John Geiger

and if you live in or visit New York City, you can test out the Dreammachine yourself in the Brion Gysin exhibit at the New Museum in July 2010!

People Zoo #3: People make psychedelic light shows

It's TRUE! People make psychedelic light shows, even in this day and age!

Going to see the Joshua Light Show as the backdrop for performances by Dean and Britta and Spectrum was a true delight for the ol' eyeballs! (My ear drums were very happy too.)

I must admit I was worried that the light show would either give off some out-of-touch hippie vibes or remind me of a screen saver, but I am happy to say that it did neither. The swirling abstractions felt relevant and exciting and left me wishing that there were more shows of the sort.

The true revelation last night was when, at the end of the performance, the scrim on stage was lifted to show the many people who had been creating the visuals in real time with the music. I was filled with awe, seeing that PEOPLE made those incredible sights come to life.

Joshua Light Show has a long, fascinating history, so read more on their website.

People Zoo #2: A person named Matt Furie

Dear Visitors,

Matt Furie is a person who draws colorful, anthropomorphic creatures and makes comics with them. He is the acclaimed (by me) author of the Boys Club series.

This video is a glimpse into Mr. Furie's world:
Matt Furie's Big Adventure

Even though this guy likes stuffed animals, it definitely does not mean his drawings are safe for children and/or work.

Other good things about Matt Furie:
-from Columbus, Ohio
-born in 1979
-has a Caboodle

People Zoo #1: People Make Music

Dear Friend,

Today I highly recommend visiting these people:

Conversion Party:
http://conversionparty.com/

Golden Girls:
http://www.myspace.com/goldengirlsma
(There are naked skateboarding ladies on this page, so NSFW, depending on your chosen profession.)

Torn Curtain (TC):
http://everydaylikeness.blogspot.com/

These young people really make everything seem as though it will be alright in the world of Rock n Roll. I admire their enthusiasm for effected electric guitars, and I have high hopes for the Future thanks to their awesomeness.