Culture

  • Poem: Prolific Plantings

    Poem: Prolific Plantings Prolific Plantings These carefully sown crops selectively planted in welcoming settings to blossom like fireworks bursting from receptive mother earth instant blossoms of blood red hue spattered with flesh and

  • Marketing science

    intro = For the Common Good: CSIRO and Public Sector Research and DevelopmentEdited by Peter EwerPluto Press, 1996. 102 pp., $19.95 (pb)Reviewed by Dot Tumney The CSIRO division of the Community and Public Sector Union sponsored this monograph on

  • Leunig's characters come to life

    State of BewildermentBased on the work of Michael LeunigPerformed by Trestle Theatre CompanyDrama Theatre, Sydney Opera HouseFrom November 7Reviewed by Brendan Doyle An angel flits above the noisy, dusty city. Vasco Pyjama rows across the stage in an

  • Just the thing to drive psychoanalysts insane

    No Safe PlaceMary-Rose MacCollAllen and Unwin, 1996. 173pp., $14.95Reviewed by Tony Smith It is an understatement to say that Adele Lanois has a problem. She has lots. Her mother appears in daytime visions. Her father worries about her, advises her,

  • The short inspiring reign of King Ludd

    Rebels Against the Future: The Luddites and their War on the Industrial RevolutionBy Kirkpatrick SaleQuartet, 1996. 320 pp., $21.95 (pb)Reviewed by Phil Shannon "Luddite" is used these days to deride anyone who resists the march of technology. Those

  • Strong textures

    Second SkinGhostwritersPolygramReviewed by Marcus Greville The Ghostwriters have produced a very strong album, incorporating brooding vocals with a large variety of instrumental depth and melody within each track. Unfortunately, the depth of musical

  • The best that money can buy

    Washington BabylonBy Alexander Cockburn and Ken SilversteinVerso, 1996. 316 pp, $24.95 (pb)Reviewed by Phil Shannon The US has the best politicians that money can buy. This is an old joke that never fades but, although certain Australian politicians

  • Rap from the west

    DangerCompilationDeath Defying TheatreReviewed by James Vassilopoulos The danger project is a compilation of rap music by musicians and rappers from Sydney's western suburbs. It was developed after the Death Defying Theatre presented Hip Hopera 95.

  • Williamson without bite

    Life of Riley: The importance of being earnest The difference between the value created by a worker and the cost of maintaining him or her is not as constant as the business community would have us believe. Generally, wages must be driven down

  • Poem: Somewhere

    Poem: Somewhere Somewhere Somewhere, a man woman or child carries a rifle bazooka mortar handgun machine gun gleaming rifle Insaned by death any death is a prize for death Living in fear fear travels in all directions No-one safe, for

  • Role reversal

    Dating the EnemyWritten and directed by Megan Simpson HubermanReviewed by Afrodity Giannakis Dating the Enemy is a gender-swap comedy in the tradition of many popular movies of the '80s. In this one, the change happens in two ways, with a woman and a

  • Musos for East Timor

    Love from a short distanceVarious artistsShock RecordsReviewed by Nick Fredman The range of artists who contributed to this excellent compilation is an example of the growing support for the East Timorese people's struggle for self determination.