“The Heritage of Sound” by Nate Speare

“The Heritage of Sound” by Nate Speare

--in memory of Jed Speare--

-       

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CONTEMPORARY ARTS INTERNATIONAL (CAI)                                                       

Acton, MA – Contemporary Arts International (CAI), a nonprofit art center, announces the performance on CAI’s Container Man Stage. The performance is entitled “The Heritage of Sound” by Nate Speare, in collaboration with Ana Cantoran, to recognize Jed’s Speare’s achievement and contributions as a sound artist and acoustic ecologist in the field of Sound Art.  CAI’s Container Man Stage is a 14-kinetic-sculptural-orchestral instrument created by Viktor Lois. There will be two shows respectively on August 19, Friday, 8:00-9:00PM and August 20, Saturday, 8:00-9:00PM.  

“The Heritage of Sound” is a tribute to Nate’s father, sound artist and multimedia artist Jed Speare, who passed away in March 2016. Jed Speare, nick-named “Mr. Mobius”, served for over twenty years as the director of Mobius, Boston’s artist-run center for experimental work in all media.

As a storyteller, vocal performer and astrologer, Nate Speare’s performance references include myriad sources of folklore-based oral tradition as well as extended range vocal techniques of the Roy Hart Theatre, PanTheatre and other experimental companies. The subject matter of his works ranges from pedestrian struggles to sacred experiences. “The Heritage of Sound” explores memory as an urgent yet non-linear inquiry that is both personal and transpersonal, and that unfolds in time and space. Speare draws inspiration from his father, Jed Speare’s environmental approach to composing sound works: the soundscapes played during the performance are ‘found sound’ from a specific acoustic environment. The dynamic therein is an invitation for Speare to sing, which can also mean cry, lament, laugh, crescendo or suspend a moment of silence. At the same time, Speare invites the audience to participate in an act of remembering stories of parent-child bonds as he urgently conjures memories and associations in the moment based on prompts that the audience delivers. The inquiry posed involves the sometimes-awkward encounter between subjective, sentimental memory and the rawness of the surrounding world in all that it evokes, from alienation to astonishment to tenderness. “The Heritage of Sound” is co-created with the guidance, direction and performative sensibility of partner Ana Cantoran Viramontes, an accomplished interdisciplinary artist and ritualist.

Nate Speare is a mythopoetic vocal artist, storyteller, educator and astrological consultant. He holds an MFA from Naropa University. He has performed and collaborated with PanTheatre (France), for which he was an artist-in-residence at the Roy Hart International Artistic Center in Cevennes, France. He has performed original solo work with Nettles Artists Collective, The One, United Solo Theatre Festival, and IRT Theater's 3b Development Series, and with Mobius and CyberArts Gallery in Boston. He is a Teaching Artist at Marquis Studios and an astrological reader at Catland Books. He is also a storyteller and researcher for Storyeon, a folkloric archive associated with the Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbolism at the Carl Jung Center of NY. 

Jed Speare was an artist and arts manager working in a variety of media and settings. Initially trained in music composition, he has presented sound, performance, video, installation, conceptual, multimedia and community-based works locally, nationally, and internationally in festivals and locales such as San Francisco, Amsterdam, Canada, Taiwan, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria, France, and Italy. A more extensive bio of Jed can be found at http://www.mobius.org/jed-speare/

Ana Cantoran Viramontes is an interdisciplinary performer, movement artist, director and researcher of the relationship between ritual and the performative body. In working with Nate Speare, she seeks to find the artistic structures that provide the vocal and aural container for human memory, as well as elevating sounds of iron and concrete in our search for connection with what is bigger than us.

CAI’s admission fee is $5 for students and $10 for adults, which will include a tour of the studio and the sculpture park.

For more information, visit our website at www.contemporaryartsinternational.org.

Governor Baker Signs Comprehensive Energy Diversity Legislation

Governor Baker Signs Comprehensive Energy Diversity Legislation Reduces Ratepayer Costs, Embraces Advanced Technologies and Diversifies Energy Portfolio to Include Hydropower and Other Renewables BOSTON – Today, in a continued effort to stabilize electric rates, ensure a diversified energy portfolio for the Commonwealth, and embrace advanced technologies, Governor Charlie Baker signed comprehensive energy diversity legislation into law at the State House with Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, legislative leaders, and energy and environment stakeholders. An Act Relative to Energy Diversity (H. 4568) garnered bi-partisan support and promotes the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to reducing energy costs while strengthening the state’s clean energy economy and progressing towards Massachusetts’ greenhouse gas reduction requirements.  “Massachusetts is always at the forefront of adopting innovative clean energy solutions, and this legislation will allow us to build on that legacy and embrace increased amounts of renewable energy, including hydropower,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With our partners in the Legislature, the Commonwealth has taken another major step towards providing residents and businesses with a cost-effective and reliable clean energy future.” “The hydroelectric and offshore wind power generation authorized in this legislation will play a crucial role in securing clean and cost-effective energy for the Commonwealth’s ratepayers,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By utilizing renewable sources of power generation, Massachusetts will continue to lead the nation in embracing economic and environmentally friendly methods to generate electricity to meet the needs of our communities.” “The ability to procure clean hydroelectric power and off-shore wind is another important milestone in the Commonwealth’s transition to a diversified energy portfolio,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “By embracing renewable energy generation technologies, the Baker-Polito Administration continues to make progress in achieving the emissions reductions targets set forth by the Global Warming Solutions Act.” Consistent with the Baker-Polito Administration’s previously filed legislation authorizing the procurement of hydropower generation, An Act Relative to Energy Diversity (H. 4568) requires utilities to competitively solicit and contract for approximately 1,200 megawatts (MW)  of clean energy generation – base load hydropower, onshore wind and solar supported by hydropower, standalone onshore wind, solar, or other Class I renewable resources. In addition to recognizing the necessity of hydropower generation to provide reliable generation to meet Massachusetts’ energy demand and achieve the greenhouse gas emissions goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act, the legislation signed by Governor Baker allows for the procurement of approximately 1,600MW of offshore wind. The bill spurs the development of an emerging offshore wind industry to create jobs and represent the largest commitment by any state in the nation to offshore wind. “Massachusetts is taking yet another important step towards a clean energy economy,” said Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Chairman, State Senator Ben Downing (D-Pittsfield). “We are jump starting two industries - offshore wind & energy storage - that will shape our future, while recommitting ourselves to meeting our Global Warming Solutions Act requirements. More will need to be done, but this effort shows we are up to doing it." “The conference report creates the pathway towards our clean energy future,” said House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill). “By focusing on procurement this bill does the hard work of translating goals into a process that will make them a reality. The 2800MW of combined wind and hydro energy approved in the conference report will ensure that Massachusetts remains a national leader on clean energy and will help to secure a more reliable and sustainable future.” The bill also builds on Massachusetts’ national energy efficiency leadership, providing additional support for the Commonwealth’s business community by establishing a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The PACE program, facilitated by MassDevelopment and the Department of Energy Resources, will enable commercial and industrial property owners across the state to finance comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades that are repaid through a property tax assessment on their building. “This legislation is another step forward in diversifying our energy supply while moving Massachusetts towards our green energy future,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). “We must continue to work together to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels while also addressing unacceptably high electricity rates.” “With this bill, the Commonwealth has taken an important step of expanding clean energy while looking out for ratepayers,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I thank my colleagues for crafting this smart strategy that will bring stability to costs while expanding opportunities for offshore wind and hydro. I’d also like to thank the Baker Administration for its foresight in prioritizing energy legislation.” In an effort to enhance ratepayer savings associated with the procurement of renewable energy resources, the bi-partisan legislation authorizes the use of energy storage technologies paired with renewable power generation. Advanced energy storage technologies include batteries, flywheels, thermal and compressed air technologies that allow merchants, utilities, and electricity customers to store and discharge energy as needed instead of purchasing or generating more expensive energy during times of peak demand.  The legislation also directs the Department of Energy Resources to determine if energy storage goals are prudent for the Commonwealth and, if is so, to set a procurement target for 2020. Recognizing the importance that energy storage technology holds for the Commonwealth’s energy market, the Baker-Polito Administration previously announced a $10 million Energy Storage Initiative to study opportunities to support the Massachusetts energy storage market. Massachusetts is now only the third state in the nation to authorize an energy storage procurement goal. “Energy storage technology has the potential to be a game changer for the Massachusetts energy market, further cementing our place as a national clean energy leader” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “By pairing renewable energy resources with energy storage technology, this legislation will allow the Commonwealth to lower energy costs for ratepayers, shave our peak demand energy usage, and reduce our state’s carbon emissions.” “Today marks an historic occasion for the Commonwealth in creating a new industry via off-shore wind,”said House Speaker Pro Tempore Patricia A. Haddad (D-Somerset). “This legislation also provides us with a solid foundation from which we can further increase our renewable energy sources and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Governor Baker and Secretary Beaton have been good partners throughout the crafting of this bill and it has been a pleasure to work with them.” “The implementation of the omnibus energy bill will help Massachusetts meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the expansion of clean and renewable energy resources, including hydropower and off-shore wind energy,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).  “As a member of the conference committee that produced the final bill, I’m pleased we were able to reach a consensus that will move the Commonwealth forward in achieving a more diversified and environmentally-friendly energy portfolio.” “We need to make good choices now to ensure that Massachusetts has reliable energy for the future that is cost-effective and environmentally sound,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester). “This legislation builds a clear framework for sources like offshore wind and hydroelectricity to play significant roles in that future.” “This is a monumental piece of energy legislation. This is a win for the environment, the economy and the people of the Commonwealth,” said Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Chair Thomas A. Golden, Jr., (D-Lowell) and lead negotiator on the bill. “While this is a historic moment for the Commonwealth, there is still work to be done. However, this legislation will serve as the cornerstone of our clean, renewable future.” “I supported the passage of this energy bill because it advances offshore wind and hydropower in Massachusetts,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton). “These initiatives will begin a new phase of clean energy procurement for the Commonwealth. Although this legislation is a good beginning, we have quite a long way to go to meet the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act and ensure a clean energy future for our state.”

Governor Baker Announces Hiring Transparency Initiative

Governor Baker Announces Hiring Transparency Initiative

BOSTON – Governor Baker today announced the launch of the Baker-Polito Administration’s hiring transparency initiative, providing new online search features for new hires in Executive Department offices.  Effective immediately, the public will have access to a web page within the state’s transparency website, Open Checkbook, that provides more detailed information on recently hired state workers.

“We are pleased to deliver on our promise to increase transparency around the hiring of state employees,”said Governor Charlie Baker. “The people of Massachusetts and prospective job applicants deserve a state government that conducts an accountable and fair hiring process when it comes to filling publicly posted positions in the Executive Department.”

The information that can now be found on the View New Hires website includes: the start date of the position; the name of the selected candidate; their annualized salary; their relevant years of experience; their education, licenses and certifications held; as well as an indicator of whether a written reference was issued by an elected state official on behalf of the candidate selected. 

“We are glad to take an important step today towards a more transparent state government,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The new policy implemented today will ensure that the applicants chosen to fill open positions are qualified and fully disclose any recommendation made on their behalf by an elected official.” 

Data on hires made between July 10 and July 23 appear in the first publication and the site will be regularly updated on the Monday following the first and third Saturday of each month.

“Disclosing this information is consistent with the Administration’s directive to provide frequently requested public records on our websites, making it easier to review publicly available information on new employees,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore.

僑委會國慶文化訪問團美加巡演 田秋堇授旗

僑委會國慶文化訪問團美加巡演 田秋堇授旗

    僑務委員會所籌組美加地區國慶文化訪問團7日在台北松菸誠品表演廳進行行前公演暨授旗儀式，由僑委會副委員長田秋堇授旗予團長張富美博士。田秋堇預祝訪問團海外演出成功，以傳達政府對僑胞的關懷。訪問團9月起於美加地區15座城市進行巡迴演出，藉由演出與僑胞歡慶雙十，並展現台灣文化軟實力。

    7日的行前公演首先由歌手簡語卉和黃上分別演唱天后張惠妹與搖滾天王伍佰的經典歌曲。接著由曾在世界小丑大賽獲獎的周子汧表演雜耍以及獲獎的「魔幻立方體」特技，展現台灣年輕世代創意；視障歌手蕭湘婷以國、台、粵三語三聲帶演唱多首歌曲，優雅美聲感動眾人；主持人李明德自彈自唱多首民歌，全場重溫民歌年代的美好時光；潘越雲壓軸演唱成名作品《天天天藍》與多首經典；全體演出人員最後合唱《愛拼才會贏》，彰顯僑胞在海外奮鬥的拼勁。

    田秋堇授旗給張富美時表示，僑委會每年國慶與農曆新年都會遴派國內優秀的表演者或團體赴海外為僑胞演出，僑胞在海外為中華民國進行實質外交，期望透過訪問團的巡迴演出，傳達政府對僑胞的重視與關懷。

    張富美表示，擔任僑委會委員長八年期間沒有機會和訪問團一起出訪，很高興能擔任團長，期待能與各地的僑胞久別重逢，共敍鄉誼。

    潘越雲說，雖然曾經多次赴美演出，但這是第一次到北美地區為僑胞演出，感謝僑委會的安排。

    僑委會105年美加地區國慶文化訪問團將於9月11日在加拿大艾蒙頓進行首演，之後依序在蒙特婁、多倫多、美國芝加哥、底特律、波士頓、紐約、華府、奧蘭多、北卡洛麗、奧斯丁、鳳凰城、洛杉磯、舊金山、西雅圖等地巡迴演出，預計10月12日返台。

 

僑委會美加地區國慶文化訪問團7日在台北進行行前公演暨授旗儀式，僑委會副委員長田秋堇（前右）授旗予團長張富美（前左）。

僑委會美加地區國慶文化訪問團行前公演暨授旗儀式，僑委會副委員長田秋堇（前）於授旗後致詞。

僑委會美加地區國慶文化訪問團一行與僑委會副委員長田秋堇（右四）合影。

僑委會美加地區國慶文化訪問團行前公演，全場觀眾、表演者與僑委會副委員長田秋堇（中）大合照。

臺灣青年胸懷世界 國際組織及社會企業研習團訪波士頓

臺灣青年胸懷世界　國際組織及社會企業研習團訪波士頓

不同於傳統參訪行程安排美國知名大學校院或高科技實驗室，中華民國(臺灣)教育部青年發展署主辦的2016年國際組織及社會企業研習團則參訪美國各地非政府、非營利組織，希望透過實地瞭解這些社會企業如何運作，以達到社會平等或試圖解決各式社會問題的目標。

這群由樹德科技大學林素莉老師帶隊的研習團於2016年8月3日拜會駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處教育組，代表教育部及駐波士頓辦事處接待的駐波士頓教育組組長黃薳玉在致詞時說道，很高興接待教育部青年署訪團拜訪波士頓。教育部青年署國際組織及社會企業研習團海外參訪已執行3年，但這是第一次類此訪團來到波士頓。黃薳玉提到，美國新英格蘭地區高等教育學府雲集，來自臺灣的留學生有1,639名，但教學卓越的學校非僅有臺灣學生耳熟能詳的哈佛大學及麻省理工學院，更有在人文、商學領域名列前茅的學校如Williams College、蔣宋美齡夫人的母校Wellesley College、Babson College、Bentley University等，所以歡迎團員未來有機會可以到新英格蘭地區留學。教育部國際司與青年署設置許多計畫方案，鼓勵青年學子走出臺灣，看看世界，面向全球。黃薳玉也提到，研習團參訪單位之一：國際志工組織United Planet的執行長David Santulli，曾在去年應教育部邀請訪問臺灣，拜訪執行教育部學海築夢的大學校院，與臺灣從事教育改革的社會企業交流，而United Planet也辦理國際志工與國際實習計畫。

聽到黃薳玉介紹美國新英格蘭地區高等教育，多為大學生的研習團團員不禁紛紛提出許多關於美國新英格蘭地區留學生現況，如：為何臺灣學生鮮少聽到美國新英格蘭地區優秀知名的大學校院、新英格蘭地區留學生畢業後生涯發展，回臺或留美定居工作情形等，黃薳玉也都一一詳細回覆，可見研習學生對來美求學非常感興趣。

拜訪過休士頓及華府等地社會企業的研習團已有不少收穫，選派東吳大學吳昭賢同學代表分享過去二星期的研習心得。吳同學說，在休士頓的農場當農夫，學習到相同理念想法的人，創造農場與社區互惠合作的良善關係，而在華府的社會企業，體認到完善的商業模式其實可以使社會企業走得更久遠。唯有實地體驗晤談，才能深刻學習到國際組織與社會企業運作模式，也翻轉過往對平日生活飲食或社會企業的想法。吳昭賢並表示，在波士頓將參訪5個國際組織或社會企業，包括國際志工組織United Planet、主要從事食物廢料與垃圾再利用的食物廢料再利用公司Bootstrap Compost、致力綠色經濟的CERO (Cooperative Energy, Recycling and Organics)、食物外送社會企業的icater及提供彈性工作空間給創業家的Fields Corner Business Lab等社會企業，相信此次拜訪波士頓團員將收穫良多。

座談會後，黃薳玉特地帶領研習團學生參觀波士頓華埠，介紹由中華民國政府捐贈的牌坊及參訪國父孫中山在美國各地籌募革命基金時曾下榻的洪門致公堂，引領學生進入歷史的旅程。

研習團成員為來自臺灣各大學校院的大學生，需在臺灣接受國際組織及社會企業相關課程研習，經教育部多次面試遴選才獲選來美研習參訪。團員平常已積極參與社會企業或對國際組織甚感興趣，其中一位團員更是麻省理工學院畢業生莊智超創建IOH個人開放經驗平臺的員工。經過近一個月的美國研習，這群學生不僅從參訪單位學習到社會企業運作現況，也從團員間彼此交流切磋激盪出許多火花。

從國立成功大學菁英領袖培育班兼備人文關懷、崑山科技大學海外實習團與非營利組織仁人家園合作到教育部青年署主辦的2016年國際組織及社會企業研習團，都彰顯臺灣重視培養青年學子具備世界人文與社會關懷的精神，也是臺灣青年體驗世界，提升自我全球移動力的最佳例證。（經文處教育組提供）

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES BOSTON ARTIST OPPORTUNITY FUND

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES BOSTON ARTIST OPPORTUNITY FUND

BOSTON - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the launch of The Opportunity Fund, a pilot grant program designed to support individual artists in activities that help them share their work with the public or teach others, continue their professional development and hone their skills. The fund is one of the early stage implementation programs in support of local artists that was announced when the Boston Creates Cultural Plan was unveiled in mid-June. Applications for grants up to $1,000 will be accepted on a monthly basis on the first of every month. Up to $10,000 in funding will be available each month to support specific needs such as materials, professional development, conference fees, travel related to professional development, stipends for teaching artists, or anything that helps an artist share their work with the public. Teachers may also apply to help fund cultural field trips.   "When we launched Boston's cultural plan, we talked about finding ways to enable artists to create and showcase their best and most innovative work," said Mayor Walsh. "There is a tremendous amount of creativity in Boston and the Opportunity Fund is one way we can help them find the resources they need to thrive." Artists living or working in the City of Boston are eligible to apply for a grant. Grants are also available to teachers at schools located in Boston, teaching artists offering workshops in a Boston Public Library, Boston Center for Youth & Families, senior housing or a senior center, or a non-profit social service agency in Boston.   Grants will be distributed every month except for October and April, when other Boston Cultural Council grant applications are due. Individuals may only receive grant funding from the Opportunity Fund once per year. This pilot program is expected to evolve to meet the needs of local artists, with guidelines likely to be refined or expanded as the program progresses. "The Opportunity Fund will allow us to help artists when they need it, when a small investment grant can help them to take advantage of the chance to showcase their work or learn a new skill," said Julie Burros, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. "It was created to enable artists to share their work with others throughout the year.  We're excited about getting the Fund started." All grantees will be required to submit a final report that describes the outcomes of the experience and how the funds were spent. For more information or to apply, visit https://bostonculturalcouncil.com/ About the Boston Creates Cultural Plan The cultural plan was created out of a year-long community engagement effort designed to help local government identify cultural needs, opportunities, and resources and to prioritize, coordinate, and align public and private resources to strengthen cultural vitality over the long term.  The full cultural plan can be found online at  http://plan.bostoncreates.org. About the Boston Cultural Council The Boston Cultural Council (BCC), under the umbrella of the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, annually distributes funds allocated by the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, to support innovative arts, humanities and interpretive sciences programming that enhances the quality of life in our city. For more information, please visit here. About the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture works to enhance the quality of life, the economy, and the design of the City through the arts. The role of the arts in all aspects of life in Boston is reinforced via equitable access to arts and culture in every community, its public institutions, and public places. Key areas of work include support to the cultural sector through grants and programs, as well as the production and permitting of art in public places. For more information, please visit here.

國際當代藝術中心第六屆研討會訂 8/7 起舉辦

2016 SYMPOSIUM for NEW ART ARCHEOLOGY

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CONTEMPORARY ARTS INTERNATIONAL (CAI)

                                                           

Acton, MA – Contemporary Arts International (CAI) is staging the sixth annual Symposium in the realization of the “New Art Archeology” idea at the Quarry. The previous 5 years we have been focusing on the stone carving solely on the “Archeology” stone pile.  This year, in addition to artists Jen Ta-Hsien from Taiwan, Abel Kotorman from Hungary, Ted Castro and Mark Smith from Massachusetts, we have also invited Richard Metz from Pennsylvania to create artwork that is site-specific to the forest environment of the Quarry ground. Together, we will continue the creation of this New England landmark.  The Opening reception will be held on August 7, Sunday at 2:00PM; and Closing Exhibition on August 28, Sunday at 2:00PM.

Echoing Richard Metz’s tree painting in the Quarry woods, our indoor Gallery will feature exhibition of Metz’s prints and watercolors. Most of the prints and more recent watercolors began as drawings of his magnified observation of flowers and buds, and allowing these shapes to suggest faces. As Metz stated “…I wanted a wild, untamed feeling to exude from the works. They are not like conventional nature works but more icons, or drawings. The style comes from certain expressionist woodcut ideas, comic book designs, and the strange otherworldly shapes of the plants themselves.”

During the Symposium we are open to the public every day from 2-5PM. CAI’s admission fee is $5 for students and $10 for adults, which will include a tour of the studio and the sculpture park.

For more information, visit our website at www.contemporaryartsinternational.org.

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Contemporary Arts International (CAI), also known as The Quarry, is a non-profit located in a 12.9-acre quarry in Acton MA. The mission of CAI is to promote the creation, understanding and appreciation of contemporary arts in the global context through art education, artist-in-residency, exhibition, and international symposium. For more information, visit the CAI’s website.