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Fewer black funeral banners blanket Baghdad
This is the way almost all Iraqi families announce the deaths of relatives. When a loved one dies, hanging the banners is the first order of business.
If it was a violent death, as many here are, a banner is hung at the scene of the attack. Another is nailed up at the victim's house, another along the main road into his neighborhood and perhaps another at his mosque.
They are always made from black cloth, and the names of the dead are always painted in yellow. The other details — a list of relatives left behind and the place and dates of the funeral — are usually painted in white. Most banners are around four feet long and three feet wide.
It is a custom that existed here long before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, but over the last five and a half years, the banners have taken on new meaning. They are an informal measure of security, a way for residents to gauge whether their neighborhood is becoming more or less dangerous.
Between 2005 and 2007, at the height of violence, the banners blanketed Baghdad. They still hang on buildings and blast walls across the capital, but in far fewer numbers.
"There was a time when you could see one almost everywhere you looked," said Mohammed Hussein Abbas, a high school teacher from Baghdad. "The banners were everywhere."
About 350 Iraqi civilians were killed in violence across Iraq last month, half as many as a year ago.
"The walls of the hotel on the corner there used to be covered," said Abbas, pointing. "Of course people are still being killed, but not as many."
As soon as a family receives news of a death, one or two relatives are usually asked to handle the funeral banners, often cousins, nephews or uncles of the deceased.
Most banners are hand-painted by professional sign makers. Each one typically costs about $4; families who bring their own cloth are charged a dollar less.
Banners can be painted and dried while mourners wait, usually in less than half an hour.
"Even though my business has gone down, I am happy," said Ali Kasim Hashim, who earns his living painting funeral banners in a small Baghdad shop he shares with his father, a portrait artist. "Security is the most important thing for Iraq, so I don't mind having fewer customers." This is the way almost all Iraqi families announce the deaths of relatives. When a loved one dies, hanging the banners is the first or... more -
Laserize It!
Lasers always conjure images of Pink Floyd at the planetarium and evil plots to take over the world. But for Scott Campbell of Mama Tried, it's the latest technology in customization. Lasers always conjure images of Pink Floyd at the planetarium and evil plots to take over the world. But for Scott Campbell of Mama Tr... more
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24 horsepower golf carts capable of jumping!
If you always thought playing golf was best suited to graying old men who didn’t have the energy to run around a football field or probably drive a formula 1 racing car, think again. Golfing can be quite exciting and action packed if you chose to drive one of the custom golf carts designed by the Bad Ass Golf Carts ... If you always thought playing golf was best suited to graying old men who didn’t have the energy to run around a football field or pro... more
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Cyclists prefer handmade bikes
Truly amazing and inspiring (as a bike lover - engineering, sustainability, joy and all the good things riding a bicycle brings to your personal experience).
The San Francisco Chronicle today published a great article about:
1) Craig Calfee (his bamboo designs, custom frame bikes and Ghana travles/programs "It is wonderful to work with natural materials that just grows out of the ground")
2) Mike Ahrens (Ahrens Bicycles, grew up in San Jose riding BMX and dirt bikes)
3) Bernie Mikkelsen (Mikkelsen frames, built primarily with steel material, "Carbon breaks? Throw it out. A steel bike never dies")
The rest of the article is here (all 3 bike makers):
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/0... Truly amazing and inspiring (as a bike lover - engineering, sustainability, joy and all the good things riding a bicycle brings to you... more -
India: Babies Thrown 50ft Off Temple
You've heard of the term "bouncing baby". Well this is what it means for the people of Solapur in India - dropping babies from the roof of a temple into a bedspread fifty feet below - apparently for good luck. It's believed it makes the children strong. You've heard of the term "bouncing baby". Well this is what it means for the people of Solapur in India - dropping babi... more
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Pimpin' Victorian monitor
The inexorable march of technology has rendered my 4:3 aspect ratio 19" LCD mod and my pump-less water cooled PC obsolete, so when I saw at 24" wide screen monitor on sale for $299.00 I grabbed it with the intent on making a Steampunk All-in-One PC The inexorable march of technology has rendered my 4:3 aspect ratio 19" LCD mod and my pump-less water cooled PC obsolete, so whe... more
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You are not entering the U.S. in that hat, sir (And not even Current TV)
"I was going to America to do a very American thing, promote my book"
British artist, writer and self-styled dandy was turned away by US immigration recently after arriving in New York to promote his book. He once crucified himself for his art, had it filmed by Sarah Lucas to a soundtrack by Gavin Rosedale and then he promptly fell off the cross and ripped his hands along the way. He swam with great white sharks, he's been a gangster¹s toyboy and wasted £100,000 on prostitutes of every description. Now he has written a memoir about his drugging and whoring and clashed with US homeland security for being a dangerous undesirable. "I was going to America to do a very American thing, promote my book" ... more -
Microsoft destroys customized Xbox, posts gamer gigantic box of fun
Passionate gamer Nathaniel, who had illustrated his Xbox 360 with graphic design, artwork, and signatures, sent his console to the Microsoft repair centre, inscribed with 'Microsoft: please do not clean'. When he received it back, the whole console had been washed sparkly-clean and devoid of customization (ouch). Hawty McBloggy today gives us an update on Microsoft's response, which came in the form of a massive cardboard box. Find out what Bill Gates signed and put in the box at the link. Passionate gamer Nathaniel, who had illustrated his Xbox 360 with graphic design, artwork, and signatures, sent his console to the Mic... more
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Vinyl Designer
An inside look at how vinyl designer Jorge Oswaldo goes from concept to finished art piece. This LA based artist hopes people will embrace his up and coming style. His work is a blend of digital design and quality craftsmanship.
He explains what it means to design with self-adhesive vinyl. We also get a glimpse into some of his exciting future projects. Stay tuned at http://www.JorgeOswaldo.com An inside look at how vinyl designer Jorge Oswaldo goes from concept to finished art piece. This LA based artist hopes people will emb... more -
Bart Art
Meltdown Comics (My favorite comic book store in LA) is having a three day exhibit and opening reception for Project Bart. This exhibition features customized versions of Bart Simpson by 20 contemporary pop artists (the exhibit will be at New Yorks Toy Tokyo Showroom Gallery in September). The Meltdown reception is on Wednesday August 1st from 7pm to 11pm. Meltdown Comics (My favorite comic book store in LA) is having a three day exhibit and opening reception for Project Bart. This exhibi... more
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