Estevan Carlos Benson is an artist and musician specializing in mixed media, graffiti, photography and new media. He currently resides in the Los Angeles area.
Full Project Archive - ‘Research’
Krugman is right. 9/11 is a day of shame.
Monday, September 12th, 2011
A decade has passed and we’re still a nation trapped by our own naivete, paranoia and most of all, a fear of looking weak. However on September 11th 2001, the latter couldn’t be more true. We failed as a nation. We failed as an informed citizenry. The degree of which people did not understand our [...]
Category: Research
The art of custom instruments/found sound(?)
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
“EL. I always interested in news kinds of sounds and music. I remember seeing and listening to records of Harry Partch, and as a college student, attending new music percussion ensemble recitals at the NIU music building. Hubcaps, brake drums, and other everyday items were used along with conventional instruments.” Looks pretty interesting. I came [...]
Category: Research
Herskovits at the Heart of Blackness
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
I am surprised I have not heard of Herskivits till now. I almost suspect he’s been intentionally omitted from my African-American history education. This looks like a fascinating documentary. research: african-american, anthropology, documentary
Category: Research
Generative Music
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
Why haven’t created my own generative music software yet? Also, why is Eno the only one ever cited on this topic? It won’t bring you the success or adoration that Brian Eno’s enjoyed, but the Otomata sequencer could have you making noise like the Roxy Music alum in seconds. Way back in 1996, Eno espoused [...]
Category: Research
Unknown destinations: Sam Harris and “new atheism”
Saturday, April 16th, 2011
My views on religion and atheism have not been clarified in most of the areas of my work or communication. I’ve avoided the topic of atheism for some years because I find it boring. Arguing against the existence of superstition is not interesting to many people but I’ve come to understand it’s importance in society. [...]
Category: Research
Anthropology looks past science
Saturday, April 16th, 2011
No Science, Please. We’re Anthropologists. “While I was down in New Orleans last week at the American Anthropological Association meeting, hanging out with some cool scientists, rumors were flying every which way that the AAA leadership was attempting to create a new “long term goal” statement that would actively purge references to science from the [...]
Category: Research
Rarely in the mood to share music
Monday, November 15th, 2010
But I am now. I think after having a few months of only engaging in my personal work, my palette feels cleansed? Or maybe I feel like I’ve been musically jerking off for too long. Let’s share music then. Here’s some material I’m reaching at and pondering. I rediscovered Harry Partch recently. It’s a shame [...]
Category: Research
Vodou Wrestling
Monday, August 16th, 2010
Via: http://www.nerdcore.de/wp/2010/08/13/voodoo-wrestling-im-kongo/ Via: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa/100722/full-frame-congo-magic-athletes Spandex, brush, candle wax, dirt, spit, blood, worship and theatrics. Never realized wrestlin’ was a spiritual practice. research: africa, anthroplogy, culture, kongo, new-world, photography, vodou, voodoo, wrestling
Category: Research
Vodou Part 1
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
A collection of photos (and amazing music) from a blog on Vodun that I felt compelled to share. Not much else I can say about it at the moment. All images via Voodoofunk.blogspot.com And for the hell of it, some afro-funk mix from their dusty archives: research: anthropology, art, blog, observation, vodun, voodoo
Category: Research
