Wonderland or Not http://wonderlandornot.net things that concern me, and things that make me laugh Sat, 26 May 2012 20:10:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 I Am Afghanistan http://wonderlandornot.net/2012/05/26/i-am-afghanistan/ http://wonderlandornot.net/2012/05/26/i-am-afghanistan/#comments Sat, 26 May 2012 20:10:54 +0000 cooper http://wonderlandornot.net/?p=23644 Continue Reading →

]]> If you’ve been here from the beginning you might remember my original major in college was photography. Somewhere between the demise of Bobst Boy’s LiveJournal and my obsession for the surprisingly high quality (though not from Nepal) Pashmina scarves sold in Chinatown, my paved path turned gravelly and merged with anthropology. As time went by the path dissolved to dirt. With an almost non-existent road to follow I ended up with grad degrees in public and foreign policy. Regardless, I love me some good photos and today I’m recommending a photography book titled I AM AFGHANISTAN, by K. E. Argonza.

Commonly known for her writings at Shoes Never Worn — though common is not the most appropriate word to describe her — K. E. Argonza is a 20 something “nomad, soldier, divorcee, writer and photographer”. The photos in this book are one of the consequences of her deployment to Afghanistan last year.

Photographs can create illusions, entertain, document harmony/controversy in worldwide transformation, or explain cultural change. Photographs can also dispel myths and, as is the case with this photography, bring to light the truth as seen through the reality of the lens — often a different reality than commonly thought to exist. In the case of Afghanistan it is significant — we still know so little about the country. Much of our information about Afghanistan is misinformation with good intentions. This photography book makes up for that. This book shows us reality as seen by a photographer who has spent significant time there, someone who knows the people in ways most of us never will. Photos of life as it is on a daily basis often say more than photos of drama and distress. It is the case here, and we can learn with this photo journey. I recommend it.

You can purchase the iPad version of the book here or you may wish to go for something larger. In that case you will find hardback copies available as well.

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]]> http://wonderlandornot.net/2012/05/26/i-am-afghanistan/feed/ 6 Let’s Stay Together http://wonderlandornot.net/2012/05/19/lets-stay-together/ http://wonderlandornot.net/2012/05/19/lets-stay-together/#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 05:33:38 +0000 cooper http://wonderlandornot.net/?p=23621

If you don’t love me for reminding you of (or exposing you for the first time to) this performance, you are dead to me.

Peace

Cooper

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]]> http://wonderlandornot.net/2012/05/19/lets-stay-together/feed/ 27 Happy Friday the 13TH http://wonderlandornot.net/2012/04/13/happy-friday-the-13th/ http://wonderlandornot.net/2012/04/13/happy-friday-the-13th/#comments Sat, 14 Apr 2012 01:35:35 +0000 cooper http://wonderlandornot.net/?p=23592

Friday the 13th. Superstition, generally more fun and not as dangerous as the stereotype — the man in the hoodie, the women in the short skirt, the smart Asian.

A great song too.

Happy Friday the 13th.

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