Jan 202010
I am writing you from the forgotten islands off the coast of Asia. A land where the corrupt government allows the rich and poor remain on their extreme ends of the economic spectrum. The beaches here are white-sanded and green-watered, the city is littered with both squatters and high-rise condos, and the most fashionable thing to do is save money.
This is where I was born. It’s the place I have almost no memories of and have only revisited once, 15 years ago. I have so many pictures and stories I want to share of my trip to the Philippines so far. I am going on week two and I have already taken over 3,000 photos. I’m going to have to pick only about 3 to share until I can return to the states, since the internet here is almost non-existent and extremely slow. Upon arrival at the NAIA airport in Manila, I was met with a million kicks to my senses and I wish I could truly share them all.
Enjoy what I can be patient enough with loading.
Mabuhay.
Posted by Kaia
Jan 072010
There’s a reason Polaroid cameras came back down from attics and grew even more popular in the recent years than they were in the 70′s. For one, Polaroids are like black and white film: they can make anything you shoot look vaguely artistic. There’s also the instant nostalgia and gratification of seeing the old-looking photos that you took two seconds ago. Although Polaroid film is no longer available in stores, the Polaroid hobbyists have been clinging onto the remaining packages for as long as they can. I found “lost Polaroids packs” available at Urban Outfitters for 20 bucks a pack. That opens up a whole different can of worms and is a bit of a digression from what I really wanted to post about.
I use Polaroids for journaling purposes. It’s easy. Everywhere I go, I take a picture, and instead of waiting around to get it developed or printed, I have an instant and perfect-sized picture available for pasting onto notebook pages. In two days, I will be going back to the Philippines to rediscover my roots. This trip is the perfect journaling opportunity. I’m already packing my DSLR and an extra lens so I can have all sorts of photographic orgasms during the three weeks I’ll be there. But I’ve been teetering back and forth between wanting to pack the Polaroid camera and using up my remaining packs of film. The pros, in my mind outweigh the cons. It’s bulkiness makes it so inconvenient, and I’m not sure I’ll have many opportunities to bring it ALONG with the DSLR but goddammit, when else can I take polaroids of the Philippines? Right? or stupid to waste so much energy into packing this extra piece of equipment? help.
In the meantime, check out my little collage of my Polaroid past.
edit: something else to think about. Lady Gaga is the new face of Polaroid’s resurrection from the instant film cemetery. BUT it looks like we’ll be seeing more of these guys around after all! hoorah! This justifies me using up my remaining cartridges.
©Kaia Marie Balcos
Posted by Kaia
Nov 282009
I strongly urge anyone and everyone who is following or checking us out to share some photos you’ve taken from Thanksgiving. It’s easy, just subscribe by clicking “Log In” on the bottom left corner of the page and register for a new username. Fill out the info, bookmark the dashboard menu, and within a few hours, you can contribute. Please be patient with the publishing process as we do edit each entry before letting them go live.
+ + +
My family’s version of Thanksgiving is far from traditional.Although it is very traditional for us, it may seem absolutely foreign to everybody else. For one, we don’t serve many actual Thanksgiving dishes, and our dinner starts at about 2 p.m. This year, I attempted introducing an all-American dish. By the end of the night I think my sweet potato casserole was no match to the noodles. Even the stuffing failed to withstand the Filipino vegetable noodles called pancit, whose empty tray by the end of the night signaled the farewells.
Our family gatherings consist of gossip sharing, piano playing, photo taking, movie watching, and in this case, (as oddly enough most cases) it ended with a haircut. We don’t get to see each other as often anymore. Because of this, every time we reunite for holidays or birthdays, my “little” cousins voices grow deeper, they grow taller, and the conversations are slowly evolving into something with a little more substance.
After looking through these photos after the night was through, I realized how familiar it all is and how simultaneously weird my family must seem to others. To quote Jon and Kate Plus Eight (since their final episode aired this past Monday and I was actually an avid fan before all the tabloids caught on- go ahead make fun), “It’s a crazy life, but this is our life.”
Continue reading »
Posted by Kaia
Nov 162009
How could I resist the alliteration?
When you don’t make it in time to catch the sun, it’s always fun to play with flash. Of course when that fun wears off, there are always other ways to find entertainment.
©Kaia Marie Balcos
Posted by Kaia
Nov 092009
I told my best friend as I pulled into South Station that coming back to Boston was like revisiting an imagined college past that I forgot ever happened. I was wandering through the ridiculously clean transportation hub feeling so many instances of deja vu that I couldn’t figure out what to do with myself. Over time, relationships, financial situations, goals, and people change; however, the cities that hold distant memories remain constant…maybe with a few new stores in odd places. (They are building an Urban Outfitters around the corner from my old apartment. eh)
Boston for me is always a total escape from reality. It’s always bittersweet having to leave it along with the people I love.
I thought I’d share some pieces of my weekend. I’m feeling like a time traveller. When will teleporting become a reality?
Posted by Kaia
Nov 032009
Last week, I incorrectly labeled all artwork featured at the Powerhouse as Japanese. I thought it must be Japanese since they’re celebrating the launch of a Japanese toy camera company and serving Japanese beer and featuring Japanese DJs. I’m glad I made that mistake because it led me to read a little bit more about what the images were really of.
Taken from a basement of punk venue D-22 in Beijing, the portraits document the lively underground scene that thrives despite the country’s limiting socialist ideals and government-controlled media. Photographer Matthew Niederhauser captures the absolute passion in all of the musicians’ faces. Punk’s true form is far from dead in Beijing.
In addition to Niederhauser’s photographs, the book Sound Kapital also features poster illustrations by Beijing graphic novelist Ca Zhuxi.
If you want to learn more about the book, visit the website, or even better, attend the book’s launch party at the Powerhouse Arena this Thurday! Powerhouse Arena is located at 37 Front St. in Dumbo, Brooklyn (York St. stop on the F train). The launch party takes place from 7 until 9:30.
See you all there!
all images © Matthew Niederhauser
Posted by Kaia
Nov 022009
The magic of Christmas had worn out years ago. But every year, I still get extremely anxious and excited in my stomach for a holiday that exists not because of its original religious celebration of saints, but because of commercialism. Even the secular version of Halloween no longer prevails in my mind. I love Halloween for the pure drunken happiness it brings to everyone whether they’ve consumed alcohol or not. Although it would be absolutely surreal if everybody truly celebrated the dead and dressed as zombies, I think seeing a million slutty officers, little divas, and cartoon characters brought to life is equally entertaining.
I just love Halloween. AND to be honest, I’d much rather have it on a Wednesday so that celebrations can last two weekends. We’ll have it again in a few years I suppose.
Continue reading »
Posted by Kaia
