99th ACSA Annual Conference Architecture’s Expanded Territories
Topic chairs: Lola Sheppard, University of Waterloo / Mason White, University of Toronto
In Rosalind Krauss’s 1979 essay “Sculpture in the Expanded Field,” (PDF) Krauss observed that the practice of sculpture had been obscured and could only qualify itself in opposition to architecture and landscape. Krauss identifies three additional practices of sculpture that sculpture had previously been burdened with and names them “site-construction,” marked sites,” and “axiomatic structures.” Taking up a similar cause in 2004, Anthony Vidler offered emergent practices for “Architectures Expanded Field,” (DOC)by arguing that “underlying the new architectural experimentation is a serious attempt to reconstrue the foundations of the discipline, not so much in singular terms, but in broader concepts that acknowledge an expanded field, while seeking to overcome the problematic dualisms that have plagued architecture for over a century: form and function, historicism and abstraction, utopia and reality, structure and enclosure.”
Vidler’s potent proclamation and offer to architecture to evolve with its time has incubated for more than 6 years. Where are we now in this (still) expanding field? This session will table the messy and contentious territory between architecture, landscape, ecology, and urban design. A territory whose foundation was cultivated by Benton MacKaye, planned by Constantinos Doxiadis, designed by Cedric Price, with recent developments chronicled by Keller Easterling, among others. In short, the session will look at where the XXL and the S meet, or a new architecture within our expanding territories.
It could be argued that the potential of an expanded territory is increasingly being hijacked by an agenda of “good practice,” in the name of sustainability, often reducing architecture to the operational concerns of construction efficiency and building performance on a particular site. This session asks what form, format, and programs might exist in the new territory afforded by a deeper understanding of site? Or, what is sustainable design without the burden of sustainability?
What defines these expanding territories? Architecture’s recent privileging of operational costs over capital costs is a paradigm shift in scale, program, and function. No longer relegated to façade design only, we are seeing ever-expanding ambiguities of architecture’s envelope. This session seeks to find these large territorial lines, interrogate them, design them, and expose them. What potential lies in the tools encouraging a widening envelope of design influence – environmental data, maps, politics, economies – upon a give site? Sometimes it might not even look like architecture. The session calls for speculative design research proposals or critical papers to think big. How does design operate at the scale of the region or the globe? Forgoing utopian ambitions to design the region or the globe, how can design participate in the temporal space of emerging natural and artificial systems – energies, ecologies, mobilities, and, possibly most importantly, economies? What is the role and operation of the big project in our age of urgent environmental issues and crippled economy? Where do you stand in the expanding territory?
Text by InfraNet Lab.
On Saturday 17 July an international exhibition, Swarm Intelligence: Architectures of Multi-Agent Systems, will open at Architecture SH in HKU’s Shanghai Study Centre near the Bund, Shanghai, China.
Swarm intelligence is a revolutionary new theory for explaining how the world operates. It has already transformed a number of disciplines from biology to economics. But how can it contribute to the discipline of architecture? And what can architects learn from those working in swarm intelligence in other disciplines? This important exhibition brings together some of the world’s leading architects, engineers, students and artists to address this question for the first time, including: Zaha Hadid Architects, London; Kokkugia, New York and London; Alisa Andrasek, Biothing, London; Francois Roche, R&Sie(n), Paris; Cecil Balmond, London; Casey Reas, Los Angeles; London and Foster + Partners, London; Architectural Association; UPenn; Columbia GSAPP; TU Delft; CITA and USC. It showcases some of the freshest and most inspirational digital design work to have emerged in recent months.
To coincide with the exhibition, a major international book is being published, Neil Leach, Roland Snooks (eds.), Swarm Intelligence: Architectures of Multi-Agent Systems.
Theatre for One is a portable performing arts space for one performer and one audience member, that turns public events into private acts, making each performance a singularly intimate exchange.
For 10 days, Theatre for One will be in residence in Duffy Square, presenting magic, poetry, dance, puppetry and theatre pieces created specifically for this venue.
T41 was conceived by Christine Jones, a freelance set designer. Recent projects include Spring Awakening, at The Eugene O’Neill Theatre, (Tony Nomination); The Book of Longing, music by Philip Glass, poems by Leonard Cohen, for The Lincoln Center Festival; and The Onion Cellar, with music by The Dresden Dolls, at A.R.T.’s Zero Arrow Street.
T41-2, the current Theatre for One booth, was designed by LOT-EK. Visit their website to learn more about them.
The Disposable Film Festival was created in 2007 to celebrate the artistic potential of disposable video: short films made on non-professional devices such as one-time use video cameras, cell phones, point and shoot cameras, webcams, computer screen capture software, and other readily available video capture devices. Check their DDF Vimeo Channel.
The symposium ‘Positions in flux: On the changing role of the artist and institution in the networked society’ will center on some of the major parameters for the current and future development of contemporary art. In particular it will reflect on the aspect of cultural sustainability of art projects, art and technology initiatives and art curating.
‘Positions in flux’ will give floor to international artists, theoreticians, critics, cultural producers and aims to initiate a truly critical debate. The symposium is designed for a broad audience working in the field of contemporary culture and art, with a desire to understand what comes ahead and how to respond to these changes on an artistic or institutional level. ‘Positions in flux’ will provide a platform and “thinkspace” for artists, cultural workers, theoreticians and a broader public to envision the future in our field and to provide us with the necessary information to make choices for a meaningful and sustainable development of society and culture.
The three panel discussions follow a clear thematic scheme and try to bring in as much expertise and viewpoints as possible. The panels are interlinked and designed to initiate an ongoing discussion among the participants. (Text by The Netherlands Media Art Institute)
On January 19, 2009, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured an image of Chaitén Volcano. Two versions of the image appear here: a close-up view of the caldera (top) and a view of the surrounding area (bottom). These false-color images include visible and infrared light. Vegetation is red, bare (possibly ash-covered) ground is brown, and water is deep blue. The plume from the volcano appears off-white, and it is thick enough to completely hide the land surface below. (NASA text)
The history of Futurismbegins on 20 February 1909 in Paris with the publication of the first Futurist manifesto in the large-circulation daily, Le figaro. Its author, the wealthy Italian poet, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, writing from his luxurious villa rosa in Milan, had selected the Parisian public as the target of his manifesto of ‘incendiary violence’. Such attacks on the establishment values of the painting and literary academies were not infrequent in a city enjoying its reputation as the ‘cultural capital of the world’.
The Boston Globe’s website is sharing its 2008 photographs. As they say: “It’s not the story of 2008, it’s certainly not all stories, but as a collection it does show a good portion of what life has been like over the past 12 months.”
A U.S. Marine with a ground combat element assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Task Force Mechanized, Multi-National Force – West walks through the Hatra Ruins in the Jazeerah Desert in Iraq on July 20, 2008. The task force is conducting disruption operations in the area to deny the enemy sanctuary and prevent foreign fighters from accessing the area. (Lance Cpl. Albert F. Hunt, U.S. Marine Corps.)
A competitor dives from the 14 meter-high bridge over Drina river during annual high diving competition in Bosnian town of Visegrad July 12, 2008. (REUTERS/Stringer)
Most of the homes in the Oakridge mobile home park, which reportedly had 600-800 homes, lie in ruins after burning in the Sylmar Fire on November 15, 2008 in Sylmar, California. The fire began last night and was fueled to more than 2,600 acres by strong erratic winds in excess of 70 miles per hour which kept firefighting aircraft grounded in the morning. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Samuel Peter from Nigeria receives a punch from Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine during their WBC heavyweight boxing world championship fight in Berlin, Germany on Oct. 11, 2008. Klitschko won the fight after round nine due to technical knock out. (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
The recent “acqua alta” (high water) in Venice, Italy reached a depth of 1.56 meters (5 ft, 1 in.) on Monday – the deepest flood in 22 years, and the fourth highest flood level in recent history, claimed Venice’s Tide Center. The water began to subside on Tuesday, while residents and tourists made their way through the city, hip-waders or not – one man even took the opportunity to ride his wake board through Piazza San Marco (until police stepped in). Although this flood was severe enough for the mayor to ask tourists to temporarily stay home, Venetian floods are fairly routine, several occurring every year, and residents usually take it all in stride. (text by The Boston Glove)
A woman walks through floodwater on Piazza San Marco during floods on December 1, 2008 in Venezia.
Customers stand in flood waters in a pastry shop in Venice December 1, 2008. Tourists and residents struggled to get across the city over raised walkways. The Centro Maree, which forecasts water levels, said sea levels in the Adriatic rose 1.56 meters (5.1 ft).
TheWhoFarm (aka The White House Organic Farm Project) is a non-partisan, petition-based initiative to respectfully request that our 44th President oversee the planting of an organic farm on the grounds of The White House, our nation’s First Home, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC.
While everyone who signs the petition is an honorary TheWhoFarmer, Daniel Bowman Simon and Casey Gustowarow are the primary TheWhoFarmers.
Daniel Bowman Simon, 28, is a graduate of New York University, with a BS in Marketing. He also completed an MBA at University of the Pacific. He holds a Certificate in Conservation Biology from Columbia University, and is in the slow process of completing a Masters in Urban Planning at New York University Wagner School of Public Service. Prior to TheWhoFarm, Daniel worked for The Gaia Institute and at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Daniel was a US Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, working in business development and solid waste management on the island of Bohol, where he lived in a bamboo hut, and became friends with Casey.
Casey Gustowarow, 27, is a graduate of McDaniel College, with a BA in Biology. Prior to TheWhoFarm, he worked on Ivy Brand Organic Farm in Maryland, and lectured on conservation policy at McDaniel College. Casey was a US Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, working in coastal resource management on the island of Bohol, where he lived in a bamboo hut, and became friends with Daniel.
TheWhoFarmMobile is two school buses fused together with an organic edible garden on the roof. It was originally designed by Stefan Sagmeister and Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s, built by Tom Kennedy, and named Topsy Turvy. TheWhoFarm acquired the bus, ripped off the roof and planted an organic edible garden. TheWhoFarmMobile is now traveling across the big country to visit schools, food pantries, farmers’ markets, festivals in an effort to inform the nation of TheWhoFarm and our petition.(text provided by The Who Farm)
Green Sea Turtles in the waters of Bora Bora, Tahiti are seen in this undated photograph from an exhibit titled “Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World,” recently shown at the Peerless building in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. The exhibit showcased animals most threatened by global warming, such as green sea turtles. The gender of sea turtle eggs are determined by temperature, which means global warming would upset the natural gender balance. (Michele Westmorland)
World Animal Day was observed earlier this month – on October 4th. Started in Florence Italy in 1931 at a convention of ecologists, World Animal Day has since expanded its focus from its original intent, which was to bring attention to endangered or threatened species. The day is now set aside as a time to reflect on all of the animals we share this world with, and our involvement with them – and to spur action to commemorate that respectful relationship. Half the world’s mammals are declining in population and more than a third are probably threatened with extinction, according to an update of of the Red List (an inventory of biodiversity issued by the IUCN), released on October 6, 2008. Below is a collection of recent photos of animals around the world – Happy (belated) World Animal Day. (Text by The Boston Globe)
Indah, a three week old Malayan tapir chews on a twig during her first photocall at Edinburgh zoo, Scotland October 16, 2008. Malayan tapirs, which are an endangered species, are hoofed animals related to rhinos and horses and are found in the forests of Malaysia, Thailand, Burma and Sumatra. (REUTERS/David Moir)
Narwhals seen along the floe edge in Arctic Bay, Canada. The whales are pushing under the ice to feed on cod. They come up in seal holes and rotten ice in order to catch a breath. This undated photo is part of an exhibit titled “Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World,” recently shown at the Peerless building in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. (Paul Nicklen/National Geographic Image Collection)
This undated handout picture shows a Common Kingfisher with a fish in his beak. Germany’s environmental protection organisations NABU (Naturschutzbund) and LBV (Landesbund fuer Vogelschutz) announced on October 10, 2008 that they had nominated the Common Kingfisher as “Bird of the Year 2009″. (MANFRED DELPHO/AFP/Getty Images)
A baby Linne’s two-toed sloth relaxes on a towel at Chiba Zoological Park near Tokyo Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Probably borrowing from the successful book title and movie “Fast Food Nation”, Slow Food Nation is the largest celebration of American food in history, it will bring together tens of thousands of visitors to San Francisco to experience an extraordinary range of activities highlighting the connection between your plate and the planet. Slow Food Nation features tastings, chef demonstrations, a major conference on food values, social justice and the environment, an urban farm, a music festival and workshops, forums, films and interactive exhibits.
What is Slow Food USA?
“Slow Food USA is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the food traditions of North America through programs and activities dedicated to Taste Education, Defending Biodiversity and Building Food Communities. Slow Food USA believes that pleasure and quality of life is greatly increased when we make time to cook and share meals with family and friends using ingredients that honor our traditions and our land.
The Slow Food movement was founded in 1989 and flourishes in 131 countries around the globe. Currently supported by 83,000 members worldwide (16,000 members in the U.S.), Slow Food’s ethos is defined by the belief that food is a common language and a universal right and an appreciation for slowing down and savoring the convivial traditions of the table. Established in 2000, non-profit Slow Food USA has grown to 200 local chapters in 47 states. Its members include culinary professionals and food enthusiasts, farmers and food producers, educators and students. Slow Food USA envisions a world in which all people can eat delicious food that is good for them, good for the people who grow it and good for the planet.” (text by Slow Food Nation)
Jaime Pitarch. Chernobyl (2007). Lime tree wood, aniline, oil, varnish. Jaime Pitarch is one of the artists being displayed at The Rest of Now, an exhibition in an ex-aluminium factory in Bolzano, Italy, as part of the Manifesta Biennale.
Now, the Manifesta Biennale is the European Biennial of Contemporary art, changing locations every two years. The next Manifesta edition, Manifesta 7, takes place in 2008 and will be situated along a string of locations on Europe’s North-South transit route, linking the regions of the Austrian Tyrol to the Italian South Tyrol and Northern Italy. It is the first time that Manifesta takes place in a Host Region instead of a Host City. After Rotterdam (1996), Luxembourg (1998), Ljubljana (2000), Frankfurt (2002), San Sebastian (2004) and Nicosia (2006 – cancelled), the Autonomous Province of Bozen / Bolzano – South Tyrol and the Autonomous Province of Trento who together constitute the region of Trentino – Sudtirol/Alto Adige have been selected by the International Foundation Manifesta (IFM) for its industrial heritage and cultural infrastructure, which will form the basis for formulating a new strategy for the next edition of Manifesta.
History
Manifesta grew out of an early Dutch initiative, to create a pioneering, pan-European platform for the contemporary visual arts. The concept of an itinerant Manifesta first took shape in Rotterdam, in consultation with a specially appointed International Advisory Board (the forerunner of the present International Foundation) and with the support of thirty National Governmental Arts organisations and Ministries of Culture in Europe.
Manifesta developed into a fast growing network for young professionals in Europe and one of the most innovative biennial exhibition programme to be held anywhere. This is due, in no small measure, to its pan-European ambitions and its uniquely nomadic nature. Both the network and the exhibition, with its related activities, are equally important components of this itinerant event. Manifesta offers a platform for emerging artists, on the basis of a networking organisation, which is able to respond flexibly to new artistic, technological and cultural developments. The most obvious aspects of Manifesta’s inbuilt flexibility is the fact that a new, pan-European theme or concept is developed on each occasion by a team of outside curators, working in close consultation with representatives of all kind of cultural, social, academic institutions in the host city. In other words, each new edition aims to establish a close dialogue between a specific cultural and artistic situation and the broader context of European visual contemporary art. At the same time, Manifesta provides strong continuity, through its ever-expanding network of contacts. (info source: www.the-artists.org)
“Designing Water’s Future is aimed at generating exceptionally creative and original design thinking to raise awareness of the emerging global water crisis—and to do so in ways that inspire people to act. Reaching beyond all boundaries, the initiative seeks to reframe how we think about water, how we manage it, how we save it. It will address the design problem of the crisis, redefining the outdated, limited cultural mythologies that have become obstacles to progress on one of the world’s gravest threats.”
The goals
* Engage in design thinking: Challenge assumptions using human-centered research to determine the most effective strategies for communicating and develop prototypes to test effectiveness. * Define new approaches for public participation and engagement: From the most tactile to the most virtual, inspire individuals and communities with bi-directional (push-pull) engagement. * Develop and apply tools for messaging: Use online and traditional communications vehicles for distributing the manifesto, messages, calls to action, fact-based narratives and data provided by Circle of Blue and other sources. Generate comprehensive messaging and communications tools and strategies for water that may be applicable universally and/or to specific target audiences.
* October 1, 2008: Projects may be submitted online. * December 15, 2008: Deadline for entries. * February 2009: Finalists announced. * February–April 2009: Finalists develop polished presentations. * Late March 2009: Finalists attend the Aspen Environmental Forum. * August 2009: Finalists invited to Copenhagen for a collaborative workshop. * October 2009: Selected projects will be published. * November–December 2009: Select number of projects will be presented to participants of the World Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen
Once again the (labels apart) lounge electro-poppers Tim Gane, Laetitia Sadier, Andrew Ramsay, Simon Johns, and Joseph Watson return with their fuzzy Moogs, peculiar string trots, deep-tones, and playful vocal melodies.
As Gane has noted in interviews, Chemical Chords was constructed by fiddling with infinite chord combinations and analog drum loops.
Embrace the groop’s pop molecules as you surf the 60s French pop and Motown soul waves of Chemical Chords.
Stereolab, (Chemical Chords) = Three Women (not the Robert Altman’s one)
Sep 20 2008 8:00P Detroit BarCosta Mesa, California
Sep 21 2008 8:00P Glass House Pomona, California
Sep 24 2008 8:00P La Zona RosaAustin, Texas
Sep 26 2008 8:00P Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia
Sep 27 2008 8:00P 40 Watt ClubAthens, Georgia
Sep 29 2008 8:00P Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, North Carolina
Sep 30 2008 8:00P 9.30 ClubWashington, Washington DC
Oct 1 2008 8:00P Trocadreo Theatre Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 2 2008 8:00P Fillmore at Irving PlazaNew York, New York
Oct 3 2008 8:00P Fillmore at Irving Plaza New York, New York
Oct 4 2008 8:00P Fillmore at Irving PlazaNew York, New York
Oct 6 2008 8:00P Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 7 2008 8:00P Club Soda Montreal, Quebec
Oct 8 2008 8:00P Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, Ontario
Oct 9 2008 8:00P Crofoot Detroit, Michigan
Oct 10 2008 8:00P Vic Theatre Chicago, Illinois
Oct 12 2008 8:00P First AvenueMinneapolis, Minnesota
Oct 14 2008 8:00P Gothic Theatre Denver, Colorado
Oct 17 2008 8:00P Showbox Seattle, Washington
Oct 18 2008 8:00P Wonder Ballroom Portland, Oregon
Oct 19 2008 8:00P Commodore BallroomVancouver, British Columbia
Oct 21 2008 8:00P Fillmore San Francisco, California
Oct 22 2008 8:00P Fillmore San Francisco, California
Oct 23 2008 8:00P Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, California
Oct 24 2008 8:00P Belly Up TavernSolana Beach, California
Dec 12 2008 8:00P The Pavilion Cork, Cork
Dec 13 2008 8:00P Tripod Dublin, Dublin Dec 14 2008 8:00P Black Box Belfast, Northern Ireland
Dec 16 2008 8:00P Oran MorGlasgow, Scotland
Dec 17 2008 8:00P Academy 3 Manchester, Northwest
Dec 18 2008 8:00P Concorde 2Brighton, South
Dec 19 2008 8:00P Koko London, London and South East
Last month 18 of the world’s leading photographers were shortlisted for the Prix Pictet, the first photography award dedicated to sustainability. Can a photograph really help to sustain the planet? According to The Prix Pictet, “It depends on the photograph.” The contest mobilizes the medium of photography to bring the message of sustainability to the public. At its 2008 launch in London, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland (Special Envoy on Climate Change to the Secretary-General of the United Nations), explained that “The Prix Pictet offers photographers the opportunity to influence change for the good of sustainability.”
Cooper-Mooreis an improviser, composer, music educator and music and instrument creator, designer, and builder (e.g. the xylophone related ashimba, as well as the bass diddly-bow, horizontal hoe-handle harp, the 3-string fretless banjo and electric mouth bow). He has associations with saxophonist David S. Ware, William Parker, Bill Cole and more recently Assif Tsahar.
As soon as I have more information about the tour I will post it.
For now, learn more about this illustrious individual HERE
‘Green Earth’, a brand new international design competition. Calling all design professionals, students and enthusiasts, Green Earth is looking for graphic artwork that raises awareness of the environmental issues affecting the planet and provokes positive change.
There are two categories to which you can enter your work in the Green Earth competition. The first is Green: Create a graphic artwork that illustrates the environmental protection and how human beings and nature could coexist in a greener world. The second category is Earth: Give the gift of a greener world at Christmas. Create a graphic artwork that will make this festive time of the year a moment to consider what we can do to help our planet’s survival.
Translates into “It Was an Appointment.” It is one the most classic/controversial short films. Its a fast pace film seen through the eyes of the driver, cruising through Paris streets at 140mph with his 275GTB Ferrari early in the morning.
* The car that was used in the filming was a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL and the sound of 275GTB Ferrari was dubbed. * Some independent groups calculated the car never exceeded 85mph which the director denies. * Lelouch was arrested shortly after the film was screened but was later released without charge. * Three people were in the car, with Claude Lelouch at the wheel.
How many points are there in a line?
What is the number of numbers?
How can we verify that the random is random?
11 JULY – 15 AUGUST / Gallery 1
data.tron is conceived by Ryoji Ikeda.
Using pure data as a source for sound and visuals, datamatics combines abstract and mimetic presentations of matter, time and space in a powerful and breathtakingly accomplished series of works. data.tron is a dramatic, intense and deeply absorbing audiovisual concert, where every pixel of visual image is strictly calculated by mathematical principle, composed from a combination of pure mathematics and the vast sea of data present in the world. These images are projected onto a large screen at an extremely fast rate, up to four times faster than normal film, heightening and intensifying the viewer’s perception and total immersion within the work. (thanx Networked Music Review)
The ISSUE Project Room is another one of those place where you and I would like to Teletransport to see and hear precious events.
If you are floating around New York, go to Brooklyn and enter FLOATING POINTS 2008 at ISSUE Project Room, and innovative house speaker system designed by Stephan Moore. This festival is loaded with some unique aural treats that will reside your brain for a couple of weeks. Some of the shining starts to come are Phill Niblock, Sawako , Yasunao Tone, Francisco Lopez, and others. So if you are around Brooklyn….GO NOW!
All guitarists go join Rhys Chatham in his next performance (August 15) at the Lincoln Center in New York.
In 2005, the New York composer Rhys Chatham was commissioned by the city of Paris to write a piece of music. The result was A Crimson Grail, a work for 400 electric guitars, which premiered at the basilica of Sacré-Coeur for La Nuit Blanche, an all-night arts festival. For its first U.S. performance, the work has been extensively revised by the composer for an outdoor performance at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, to suit the dynamics of the park’s outdoor acoustic. A Crimson Grail will call on the talents of 200 guitarists (including 16 electric bassists), who will be selected from an applicant pool drawing on the many talents of musicians in New York City and beyond.
A U.S. Marine with a ground combat element assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Task Force Mechanized, Multi-National Force – West walks through the Hatra Ruins in the Jazeerah Desert in Iraq on July 20, 2008. The task force is conducting disruption operations in the area to deny the enemy sanctuary and prevent foreign fighters from accessing the area. (Lance Cpl. Albert F. Hunt, U.S. Marine Corps.) 
A competitor dives from the 14 meter-high bridge over Drina river during annual high diving competition in Bosnian town of Visegrad July 12, 2008. (REUTERS/Stringer)
Most of the homes in the Oakridge mobile home park, which reportedly had 600-800 homes, lie in ruins after burning in the Sylmar Fire on November 15, 2008 in Sylmar, California. The fire began last night and was fueled to more than 2,600 acres by strong erratic winds in excess of 70 miles per hour which kept firefighting aircraft grounded in the morning. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Samuel Peter from Nigeria receives a punch from Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine during their WBC heavyweight boxing world championship fight in Berlin, Germany on Oct. 11, 2008. Klitschko won the fight after round nine due to technical knock out. (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
A woman walks through floodwater on Piazza San Marco during floods on December 1, 2008 in Venezia.
Customers stand in flood waters in a pastry shop in Venice December 1, 2008. Tourists and residents struggled to get across the city over raised walkways. The Centro Maree, which forecasts water levels, said sea levels in the Adriatic rose 1.56 meters (5.1 ft). 
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