Five Bullets 7.1.22
This week: Elvis, Sylvia Earle, Mickey Hart & more
Happy Friday everyone! Here’s five things I found interesting this week:
This past weekend, I had a chance to view Baz Luhrmann's biopic ELVIS. As a big fan of the King of rock n roll, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The film is a fresh, exciting and moving take on Elvis Presley's (Austin Butler) road to stardom and his complex relationship with his mysterious manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). I've listened to Elvis's music most of my life, but am not too familiar with the history. I will definitely be diving deeper and checking out some biographies. If you're on the fence about seeing the film - see it! The music scenes alone will have you dancing in your seat.
The FBI removed 25 Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings from the Orlando Museum of Art last week. The investigation is based on evidence that the works may not be authentic and also questions their rightful owner. Basquiat, a New York artist who collaborated with Warhol, passed at the age of 27 in 1988. He produced some of the priciest paintings ever sold, including Untitled, which sold for $110.5 million. (Interested in learning more about the complexities of the art world? Check out The Lost Leonardo and Banksy Does New York).
Marine biologist Sylvia Earle has been exploring the ocean depths and raising awareness about the health of the planet's oceans since the '50s. In 1970, she led a team of women on a two week expedition to the ocean floor. She hold's the record for deepest sea walk, among numerous other records. Earle is currently president and chairman of Mission Blue - check out her Ted talk on how to protect the oceans.
Photographer Will Wilson uses a drone to capture images of abandoned uranium mines which litter the deserts of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, threatening Indigenous lands. These mines contain contaminated materials that seep into the environment in windy and rainy conditions. As a citizen of the Navajo nation, Wilson's images and other works highlight Indigenous survivance - survival and resistance.
Grateful Dead drummer, musicologist, and author Mickey Hart has recorded and produced music and field recordings from across the globe, including Tibetan chanting to voices of the rainforest. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released the Mickey Hart Collection which features 25 albums released by Hart which preserve these "world" musics. I look forward to diving into these incredible albums.
Got something to share? Leave me a comment!
That's all for this week! As always, thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
PSA: I will be out of town next week and doing some traveling! The newsletter will return in two weeks on July 15. Enjoy the 4th of July holiday weekend!
See you in two weeks.
KW
Currently reading: The Twilight World - Werner Herzog
Currently listening to: A Go Go - John Scofield