Search

Placeholder Content Image

Paul McCartney’s new collaboration hits all the right notes

<p>It took a long and winding road to get there, but Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones have finally decided to come together and collaborate for the group’s upcoming album. </p> <p>After a rivalry that has played out over half a century, a Rolling Stones representative confirmed to <em>CNN</em> that the 80-year-old former Beatles member will play the bass “on just one RS track.” </p> <p>Rumours had been circling that Ringo Starr would be recording on the album as well, but the <em>CNN </em>spokesperson denied the reports upon confirming there would be “no Ringo Starr at all.” </p> <p>The news was met with a chorus of delight from fans on social media, though some had been speculating long before the confirmation came through. </p> <p>“Dads everywhere, rejoice!” Tweeted <em>Entertainment Tonight.</em> </p> <p>“Holy cow!” wrote one supporter, “this is a dream collaboration.”</p> <p>“We love this!” another fan declared. </p> <p>No further information is available for the as-of-yet unnamed album, and it will be the group’s first release since their drummer, Charlie Watts, passed away from throat cancer in 2021. </p> <p>While to many it feels like just yesterday, it was in the 1960s that The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were two of the world’s most famous groups, setting the bar high for any and all that dreamed of following in their musical footsteps. </p> <p>Six decades on, The Rolling Stones are still touring here, there, and everywhere, but The Beatles came to an end in 1970. John Lennon then died in 1980, and George Harrison later in 2001. </p> <p>This isn’t the first time the music superstars have let it be to join forces and produce hits for the world to enjoy. Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote The Rolling Stones' ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, and the Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger dropped by the studio four years later when The Beatles recorded their hit ‘All You Need Is Love’.</p> <p>According to <em>Rolling Stone </em>magazine,  “Jagger was a semi-regular guest of honor at Beatles sessions: He also turned up for the mixing of <em>Revolver</em> and the recording of the orchestral section of ‘A Day in the Life’.” </p> <p>With their collaborations in mind, it can be hard to imagine that the two groups were ever in competition. But any dissonance seems to have been minor, if their banter in recent interviews is anything to go by. </p> <p>In a 2020 interview with Howard Stern, Paul stated his belief that the “Beatles were better.”</p> <p>Mick Jagger responded to the comment in an interview of his own, stating that there was “obviously competition.” </p> <p>And just one year later, while promoting his book <em>The Lyrics</em>, Paul noted that he believes the Stones to be a “blues cover band”, and that the Beatles’ “net was cast a bit wider”. </p> <p>Wide enough, it seems, to take the steps to collaborate and give their fans some long awaited satisfaction.  </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Music

Placeholder Content Image

Art gallery investigates links to Holocaust

<p dir="ltr">The Wollongong Art Gallery in New South Wales is grappling with shocking new revelations that a major donor with a gallery named after him may have been a Nazi collaborator before emigrating to Australia from Lithuania. </p> <p dir="ltr">Bronius "Bob" Sredersas donated approximately 100 works by revered Australian artists to the gallery in 1976, just six years before he died. </p> <p dir="ltr">Despite working as a steelworker at Port Kembla, he saved his money to meticulously collect valuable paintings. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, after the gallery’s 40th birthday celebrations in 2018, which also celebrated the central role Sredersas played in its establishment, former councillor Michael Samaras noticed he was described as a policeman for the Lithuanian government's Department of Security.</p> <p dir="ltr">The councillor found the findings suspicious and decided to investigate further. </p> <p dir="ltr">"When all the publicity happened for the 40th anniversary of the gallery there was media, including on the ABC Illawarra webpage, about the fact that he was a policeman in Lithuania before the war," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"And I just knew from general knowledge that a lot of the police from Lithuania ended up in what was called the Auxiliary Police Battalion, which actually did much of the killing in the Holocaust.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"The Wollongong City Library local studies section has a whole three boxes of material on him so I got his birth certificate."</p> <p dir="ltr">In uncovering these devastating claims, the Wollongong council, who owns the gallery, has been put on the back foot, with Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery receiving letters from the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies who have offered to help work with the council to investigate. </p> <p dir="ltr">"That has to be dealt with in a way that does not hide the past, recognises the allegations if they are proven and how we deal with the Sredersas Collection and how that's represented or interpreted," Mr Bradbery said.</p> <p dir="ltr">While the investigation is ongoing, Dr Efraim Zuroff, director of the Jewish human rights organisation the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, has suggested council remove the name of Bob Sredersas from the gallery in the meantime. </p> <p dir="ltr">He said, "I think it's important that a decision is made to remove his name as it's basically a statement that we do not want to honour people who participate in the crimes of the Holocaust."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Wollongong City Council </em></p>

Art

Placeholder Content Image

How r/place – a massive and chaotic collaborative art project on Reddit – showcased the best and worst of online spaces

<p>Many would be familiar with <a href="https://www.reddit.com/">Reddit</a> as one of the largest social networking sites, with a large group of forums (“subreddits”) catering to almost any interest. </p> <p>Since the beginning of April, Reddit has played host to a massive collaborative art project called <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/place">r/place</a> that simultaneously shows us some of the best and worst attributes of cybercultures. </p> <p>Originally launched in 2017, r/place ran for 72 hours. The lifespan of the new r/place was also short – ultimately lasting for just five days. Beginning initially as a blank canvas, r/place allows users to place one coloured pixel every five minutes (or 20 minutes for unverified accounts) as they attempt to build a collective art piece. </p> <p>Traversing through r/place takes you for a journey through time, memes and cultures.</p> <p>At any one moment you might be looking at a Nine Inch Nails logo, the flags of various countries, a QR code linking you to a YouTube video titled The Most Logical Arguments AGAINST Veganism (In 10 Minutes), and a <a href="https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/people/zyzz">homage to Zyzz</a> – a popular bodybuilding figure who passed away in 2011. </p> <p>Some artworks on r/place don’t seem to represent anything at all. The sole mission of <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/TheBlueCorner/">The Blue Corner</a> is (you guessed it) to have a blue corner depicted on the final art piece. </p> <p>The artwork constantly changes over its short lifetime. But even if the drawings of some communities may not go the distance, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnRCZK3KjUY">the time lapse videos</a> depicting the ongoing mutation of the canvas has become a key part of this art piece, ensuring all contributions play a vital part in the lifecycle of r/place.</p> <h2>Collaboration – and opposition</h2> <p>r/place shows us the collaborative nature of humans in online spaces. After its emergence in 2017 it was hailed as “<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/reddit-place-internet-experiment-579049">the internet’s best experiment yet</a>” and praised for capturing “<a href="https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/04/place-was-the-internet-in-all-its-glory/">the internet, in all its wonderful glory</a>”. </p> <p>This collaborative online art project allows people to express their individuality as well as collective identities formed through interactions with online spaces. </p> <p>This year’s iteration of r/place, in contrast to the previous version, demonstrates the interconnectivity of communities in digital spaces. No longer is r/place solely reserved for Reddit users. Now, there is clear power in drawing on communities distributed across Twitch, Discord and Twitter. </p> <p>This influx of communities from all over the internet has not been well-received by all.</p> <p>There is a belief Twitch streamers are ruining the work <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/place/comments/tw3fou/eu_streamer_took_over_our_small_asean_artworks/">of smaller communities</a> and are attempting to sabotage the project. </p> <p>Instead of being a democratic representation of online communities and their art, the argument goes, Twitch streamers are encouraging their fans, numbered in the hundreds of thousands, to capture hotly contested territory.</p> <p>Factions – such as those formed between <a href="https://twitter.com/Rubiu5/status/1511077247025057793">Spanish streamers and BTS fans</a> – have become the primary way to ensure power and influence over the art project. </p> <p>Smaller communities are driven out at the expense of larger influencers with more bargaining power in this pixel warfare. </p> <p>It is not just individuals taking part in this art project. Many believe “bots” are <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/place/comments/tu2gdg/bots_by_the_username_rplace_are_attempting_to/">running rampant</a>, performing automated tasks in a way that is antithetical to the idea of this artwork as a representation of human achievement as opposed to technical prowess. </p> <p>These examples are just a fraction of the chaos over the internet in the last few days: 4chan operated <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/place/comments/tufngh/4chan_is_trying_to_make_the_trans_community_look/">coordinated attacks</a> on the Trans flag and LGBTQ+ panels, and streamers are receiving an influx of <a href="https://clips.twitch.tv/TrappedBoringKleeCclamChamp-WJ0LwTK-Uhox6MSa">death threats</a>.</p> <h2>The best and worst of us</h2> <p>At its best, r/place is a powerful illustration of strangers coming together about their passions online and the collaborative nature of the internet. </p> <p>At its worst, it represents everything we have come to dislike about the internet: the exclusion of smaller voices at the expense of influencer cultures, factions between communities, and the toxicity of some cybercultures.</p> <p>Whatever the case, this project has been great for boosting Reddit’s publicity as the company <a href="https://fortune.com/2021/12/16/reddit-goes-public-ipo-filing/">goes public</a>.</p> <p>In its final moments earlier today, users could only place white tiles and watch the spectacle of a once vibrantly coloured collaborative art piece that caused so much chaos among online communities simply transform back into a blank canvas.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Reddit</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-r-place-a-massive-and-chaotic-collaborative-art-project-on-reddit-showcased-the-best-and-worst-of-online-spaces-180662" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Art

Placeholder Content Image

Ray-Ban and Facebook collaborate on a controversial project

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook and Ray-Ban have announced the launch of a “first generation” pair of sunglasses that has divided fans of the brand. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ‘smart glasses’ combine a sleek looking pair of sunnies that showcase the brand’s signature style, but with a very unique feature. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The glasses boast a tony 5MP camera lens in each of the glasses that can be used to capture life’s special moments completely hands free. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The glasses feature a simple touch button to start a 30-second video recording that says stored on the glasses. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the user opens the Facebook View app, the photos and videos download onto your phone and can be shared on any social media platform. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook's president of their Reality Labs Andrew Bosworth said the glasses are introducing a new way of connecting. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Ray-Ban Stories is designed to help people live in the moment and stay connected to the people they are with and the people they wish they were with.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said, "We're introducing an entirely new way for people to stay connected to the world around them and truly be present in life's most important moments, and to look good while doing it."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the glasses certainly seem impressive, many potential customers have questions about privacy. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook predicted the hesitancy, and said the glasses were “designed with privacy in mind”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a blog post announcing the product, they say "we have a big responsibility to help people feel comfortable and provide peace of mind, and that goes not only for device owners but the people around them, too."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While Facebook assures users that the glasses are equipped with software to protect the privacy of others, it’s up to each individual customer to not abuse the new technology. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook's Ray-Ban Stories are now on sale from $449 in Australia, at OPSM and Sunglass Hut or Ray-Ban online.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out the promotional video here.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CTm1mBSBE8i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CTm1mBSBE8i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Ray-Ban (@rayban)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Image credit: <span style="font-weight: 400;">Getty Images / Instagram @rayban</span></em></p>

Technology

Placeholder Content Image

Prince Charles and Lionel Richie announce new collaboration

<p>Prince Charles has met with singer Lionel Richie to announce their collaboration in Barbados during the royal’s Caribbean tour.</p> <p>The music legend has been named as the new global ambassador for Prince Charles’ charity.</p> <p>The Prince’s Trust, which was co-founded by the Prince of Wales in 1976, aims to help vulnerable young people access jobs, education and training.</p> <p>"I've been involved with the Prince's Trust for a number of years and, of course, I understand exactly what they do – giving opportunity to kids who would never ever have a shot at anywhere close to their dreams," said Richie on Tuesday at the Coral Reef Club Hotel.</p> <p>The Prince thanked the 69-year-old singer for taking on the role, alluding to his hit song Hello: "It must have been you I was looking for". Richie replied, "Oh, did you say that? He did say that."</p> <p>Richie has also been named chair of the Global Ambassador Group for the charity. In this role, he will focus on international youth unemployment and education.</p> <p>He is the latest celebrity to support the charity, joining the ranks of<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/george-and-amal-clooney-bring-their-a-list-glamour-to-buckingham-palace" target="_blank">Amal Clooney</a>, Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch and more.</p> <p>Earlier this week, the charity and Amal collaborated to launch the Amal Clooney Award, an honour that puts the spotlight on "the work of young women who have succeeded against the odds to make a lasting difference in their communities". Amal is set to present the prize next year.</p> <p>"I am honoured to have been invited by Prince’s Trust International to participate in this global initiative celebrating young women who are change-makers in their communities," Amal said in a statement.</p> <p>"It is a privilege to be able to play a part in a project that will draw attention to incredible young women who are the future leaders of our world."</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Prince Charles and Lionel Richie sharing a laugh.</p>

Music

Placeholder Content Image

3 very unexpected musical collaborations

<p>Sometimes, musicians forge friendships with others because they run in the same circles, or have similar sounds and successes. Other times, however, we hear that famous musicians have met or become friends, and it’s a struggle to figure out how that happened.</p> <p><strong>1. David Bowie and Nina Simone</strong></p> <p>In 1974, at a private New York club called the Hippopotamus, Nina Simone bumped into David Bowie shortly after seeing him perform live. Miss Simone had not been performing around that time, and was experiencing tax problems. When she ran into Bowie, he invited her to join his table, and the two exchanged phone numbers. At 3am the next day, Bowie called Simone, kicking off a nightly ritual that would last a month. Bowie’s encouragement, and his insistence that Simone wasn’t crazy was what helped her resume performing. Of Bowie, Simone said, “He’s got more sense than anybody I’ve ever known. It’s not human – David ain’t from here.”</p> <p><strong>2. Beyoncé meets the Dixie Chicks</strong></p> <p>When Beyoncé’s 2016 studio album <em>Lemonade</em> was released, the song “Daddy Lessons” was noticed by some for its distinctive bluegrass sound. The biggest-selling all-female group of modern times, the Dixie Chicks, certainly took notice of the song, and took to performing it at their live shows. During the Country Music Awards (CMA) show in 2016, the Dixie Chicks teamed up with Beyoncé <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6NmaWJZFqA" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">to perform “Daddy Lessons” together</span></strong></a> in what was a show-stopping moment. While many conservative (read: bigoted) country music fans took to social media to decry the performance, we would not object to more collaborations from these record-shattering women in the future.</p> <p><strong>3. Kate Bush collaborates with Prince</strong></p> <p>In 1990, Kate Bush made her way backstage at one of Prince’s concerts. The pair had been mutual fans of one another’s work for many years, so it was no surprise that Bush proposed a collaboration as soon as she met Prince. Her track, “Why Should I Love You” was, in her eyes, just about finished, but was in need of some backing vocals that Prince would be perfect for. Prince took the recording, and, instead of singing the requested backing track, he added guitars, piano, and bass, completely changing the original sound of the track. Before returning the song to Bush, he added some harmonies to the vocals, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3j4pgqdwNA" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">the finished product</span></strong></a> is, well, wonderful.</p> <p>What is your favourite unexpected musical collaboration?</p>

Music

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.