Outside In: Wellington jazz among the discourses

<p>The jazz community in Wellington, New Zealand, is vibrant and energetic: this small, geographically isolated city hosts between 90 and 100 jazz performances each month. Yet in terms of both New Zealand music and the international profile of jazz, Wellington (and New Zealand) jazz occupies a curious blind spot, absent from the scholarly and mainstream discourses of both. This absence is reflected in Wellingtonians’ own practice, in which perspectives from overseas (usually the U.S.) are privileged. Combining ethnography, practice-led research, and a variety of theoretical lenses, I examine the Wellington scene and its dynamics. Initially describing the local scene in geographical, economic, and social terms, I examine notions of “scene” and “community”, illustrating the ways in which they privilege dominant perspectives at the expense of a broader, collective identity. Through detailed case studies of central government music funding and the New Zealand School of Music jazz programme, I illustrate the dual hegemonies with which Wellington jazz musicians must contend: underlying discursive assumptions about the nature of both New Zealand music and the jazz tradition combine to leave local jazz in a liminal space, in which it arguably fits both categories, but is present within the discourse of neither. In the second part of the thesis, engaging with the discourses on authenticity in jazz, the tradition, and identity, I consider the nature of jazz expression. On one hand, ‘true’ jazz expression requires the performer to perform their identity; on the other, it is bound by a set of practices and/or aesthetics, deriving from a Black (or Blues) aesthetic. The combination of imperatives is problematic for musicians of other cultures, as E. Taylor Atkins (2001) has pointed out, and it is for this reason that jazz discourse remains largely rooted in the U.S. By turning the concept of authenticity in jazz back on itself, I propose that the creativity mandated by jazz aesthetics allows for new, culturally specific forms of jazz that draw on the individual identity of the performer, and which therefore sit firmly within the jazz tradition, at least in relation to particular definitions. Presenting a number of case studies, I illustrate the concepts of authenticity and identity in relation to performance in the Wellington scene: local musicians imbue the jazz they perform with new, locally specific meanings that derive from their own identity and context, despite overtly drawing on overseas influences. As a result, the jazz performed in local scenes like Wellington may fruitfully add to the discourses of both New Zealand music and jazz, by presenting additional perspectives that challenge preconceptions of both.</p>

Outside In: Wellington jazz among the discourses

<p>The jazz community in Wellington, New Zealand, is vibrant and energetic: this small, geographically isolated city hosts between 90 and 100 jazz performances each month. Yet in terms of both New Zealand music and the international profile of jazz, Wellington (and New Zealand) jazz occupies a curious blind spot, absent from the scholarly and mainstream discourses of both. This absence is reflected in Wellingtonians’ own practice, in which perspectives from overseas (usually the U.S.) are privileged. Combining ethnography, practice-led research, and a variety of theoretical lenses, I examine the Wellington scene and its dynamics. Initially describing the local scene in geographical, economic, and social terms, I examine notions of “scene” and “community”, illustrating the ways in which they privilege dominant perspectives at the expense of a broader, collective identity. Through detailed case studies of central government music funding and the New Zealand School of Music jazz programme, I illustrate the dual hegemonies with which Wellington jazz musicians must contend: underlying discursive assumptions about the nature of both New Zealand music and the jazz tradition combine to leave local jazz in a liminal space, in which it arguably fits both categories, but is present within the discourse of neither. In the second part of the thesis, engaging with the discourses on authenticity in jazz, the tradition, and identity, I consider the nature of jazz expression. On one hand, ‘true’ jazz expression requires the performer to perform their identity; on the other, it is bound by a set of practices and/or aesthetics, deriving from a Black (or Blues) aesthetic. The combination of imperatives is problematic for musicians of other cultures, as E. Taylor Atkins (2001) has pointed out, and it is for this reason that jazz discourse remains largely rooted in the U.S. By turning the concept of authenticity in jazz back on itself, I propose that the creativity mandated by jazz aesthetics allows for new, culturally specific forms of jazz that draw on the individual identity of the performer, and which therefore sit firmly within the jazz tradition, at least in relation to particular definitions. Presenting a number of case studies, I illustrate the concepts of authenticity and identity in relation to performance in the Wellington scene: local musicians imbue the jazz they perform with new, locally specific meanings that derive from their own identity and context, despite overtly drawing on overseas influences. As a result, the jazz performed in local scenes like Wellington may fruitfully add to the discourses of both New Zealand music and jazz, by presenting additional perspectives that challenge preconceptions of both.</p>

THE CONCEPT OF THE ARCHIPELAGIC PROVINCE AND ARCHIPELAGIC STATE IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAW

The concept of an archipelagic province in law number 23 of 2014 is interesting, especially international law of the sea and Indonesian national law. This research is due to the concept of an archipelagic State's special treatment, which is a concept derived from the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This research accommodates the state's interests with special conditions for States that are geographical, social, political, and economic conditions by fulfilling the 1982 UNCLOS. The state is a subject of the international, but the archipelagic province receives special treatment from the central government in DAU and DAK. The problem in this research is how the concept of an archipelagic province and state is based on national and international law? The research method used is normative juridical research based on the applicable laws and regulations. The analysis is carried out using a descriptive method that explains the concept of an archipelagic province and state from the perspective of national and international law. The archipelagic state's international and national law concept cannot be applied to mutatis mutandis. The criteria for an archipelagic state as an intrinsic geographical, economic, defense and security, and political unit have historically been regarded as such. The 1982 UNCLOS and national laws cannot be applied in determining the criteria for an archipelagic province. According to the elucidation of Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning regional government, the archipelagic province based on geographical and cultural conditions is a moderate concept. This concept is beneficial in determining the characteristics of an archipelagic province.

Unlocking India’s potentials in Far East Asian Region: Rethinking Indo-Mongolia ties in the present context

The Far East refers to the geographical, economic, and cultural regions of Eastern Russia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Because it is so geopolitically and culturally diverse, the part is important because of its geostrategic importance, energy resources, and business opportunities. This study will focus on unlocking India's potential in Northeast Asia and Mongolia's important role in India's engagement in the region. Despite India's age-old historical, cultural, and religious links with Northeast Asia and Mongolia, India's role remains marginal. With China's increasing presence and dominance in Northeast Asia, India, under the purview of Act East and Connect Central Policy, emphasizes strategic and economic relations with China's closest neighbors such as Mongolia, Japan, etc. Using qualitative research methods Mile and Huberman analysis technique, this research will reveal India's potential in Northeast Asia and Mongolia's important role in terms of India's involvement in the region. As a result, Mongolian foreign policymakers were enticed by India's active engagement in the non-aligned movement, reputation as the world's greatest democracy, and non-interventionist ethos.

LEISURE OF THE PEOPLES OF DAGHESTAN: TRADITIONS AND INNOVATIONS

The purpose of this article is to show, using the example of Daghestan, the traditional forms of leisure and their transformation at the present time. The sources for its writing were the studies of Russian ethnographers, as well as the field material of the author. Traditional forms of leisure, like other components of everyday culture, are closely related to the lifestyle, worldview and religious beliefs of peoples. The natural-geographical, economic conditions of Daghestan, the peculiarities of the norms and stereotypes of interpersonal, social relationsб developed over the centuries, as well as the dynamics of the ethno-cultural characteristics in the modern time - these and other factors underlie the formation of a pronounced, recognizable originality of leisure culture Daghestanis. Both in everyday life, and on holidays, not only collective leisure, ritual meals, fun, and relaxation were needed, but also mutual assistance, material and physical participation in the organization and conduct of leisure activities. The article notes that in our days, an awakened interest in traditional culture is expressed in the return to folk forms of leisure, in their revival. Examples are given that confirm the thesis that a changing way of life ultimately leads to the transformation of forms of leisure. It is emphasized that the main part of the traditional leisure was aimed at the all-round development of the personality, physical improvement, as well as entertainment. Over time, almost all traditional forms of leisure were transformed or completely lost, and in their place came other models, not always the best, but generally corresponding to the modern way of life of the people.

Book Review: Bulgarian Literature as World Literature, edited by Mihaela P. Harper and Dimitar Kambourov (Review Essay)

The essay reviews a recent collection of seminal critical readings of Bulgarian literature as “world literature.” Published by Bloomsbury Academic, the volume under discussion contributes to the study of the dynamic interaction of “minor” literatures with local, regional, and wider manifestations of global literary space. It is organized in four sections of thematic contributions authored by scholars from Bulgaria and beyond that discuss historical, geographical, economic, and genetic processes in the development of Bulgarian literature. The review follows the sections closely, and is attentive to specific phenomena, positions, texts, and contexts that render the concept of “minor literature” negotiable and open to reformulations. As most of the static labels are nowadays flushed into the conglomerate of “marginocentricity” and the reality of “quality literature” is no longer a criterion in the admission of local literatures to worldwide prominence, literary circulation has, to a great extent, become a function of the global market. The publication of the reviewed volume is the outcome of a vigorous effort to establish Bulgaria’s literary location within these processes and beyond them.

Integral Assessment of the Level of Marginalization of Regional Societies in Russia

The marginalization of society is one of the most acute problems of modern Russia leading to a slowdown of the development of social and human capital. World practice shows that the social atmosphere serves as a necessary environment for the self-realization of the individual and the disclosure of the natural potential inherent in it. The social background sets certain standards for a person’s self-expression, promotes the conversion of his talents in the economic and cultural spheres and it is an integral part of the process of forming a civil society. If modern education, high-quality medicine or high culture stimulate the development of human capital, then crime, poverty or social diseases, on the contrary, suppress its growth. The article shows the versatility of marginalization, explains its main causes and regional specifics. A system of indicators and a methodology for evaluating this phenomenon are proposed. The author presents an attempt to link a number of statistical indicators of social exclusion with the most striking characteristics of social marginalization. On this basis, a methodology for assessing the marginalization of regional societies is developed, the heterogeneity and regional specifics of this phenomenon are shown and the main factors of geographical, economic, cultural and institutional origin that cause reduced or increased values of marginalization are identified.

“Tourist Space” as a Concept: Scientific Approaches to the Study

The article attempts to generalize various points of view of foreign and domestic scientists on the concept of “tourist space”, its potential and structure as an object of construction. The main scientific approaches to understanding the tourist space (geographical, economic, economic-geographical, social, sociocultural, interdisciplinary) have been identified and systematized, their characteristic features have been identified. Based on the analysis, it was concluded that the most holistic concept of the tourist space can be presented as part of an interdisciplinary approach with the involvement of specialists from various fields and areas involved in the creation, arrangement and development of tourist spaces of the worlds regions. Based on the combination of numerous typological criteria for tourist space proposed by scientists, its main elements are identified. In conclusion, the problem areas in the study of tourist space are identified which, in the opinion of the authors, not yet reflected in the understanding of its essence. The results of the study can be used in developing the fundamental theory of tourism, in developing concepts and strategies for the development of tourism in the regions of Russia to increase the competitiveness of regional tourism products and their promotion in the domestic and international tourism services market.

HOW TO COPE WITH HEAT AND COMBINED WITH HOT AND DRY CLIMATE IN CHAHAR-SOFE (FOUR-SIDED) HOUSES OF THE ZOROASTRIAN VILLAGE OF MAZRAEH KALANTAR, YAZD, IRAN

The body of every village like Mazraeh Kalantar village was formed based on geographical, economic and cultural factors. The geographic factor itself consists of two categories, namely artificial geography and natural geography. Many factors can be classified under the heading of natural geography. In the field of physical architecture, the focus is mostly on climate factors, such as water, wind, cold, heat, humidity, sunlight, shape and the substances of the land. The Zoroastrian Village of Mazraeh Kalantar is located in the Meybod city (Yazd, Iran) and a hot and dry area. There are Chahar-Sofe (four-sided) houses in this village and various methods and considerations have been proposed to prevent the sunlight in these houses; therefore, in this study, in order to find the solutions for coping with heat and Combined with dry and hot climate in Chahar-Sofe houses of the Mazraeh Kalantar village, five houses have been investigated. Some of these solutions include: selecting the right geographical location, creating sofe (porch), Creating shadows, choosing a suitable type, colour, and size for the building materials, choosing the right type of roof covering, central courtyard, having the suitable architectural body and mass for houses, etc. These items show how much environmental factors, especially the climate of a village, can affect every aspect of a house, including: the type of home materials, the physics and shape of the house, elements of the home, how the house is Geographic orientation and the spaces inside it, etc.

The Challenges of Rural Electrification in Canada

There have been significant energy justice issues in the development of Canadian rural electrification (RE), particularly in the provinces of Alberta, Ontario, and the Yukon territory. In an historical approach, investigative questions concerning the nature of the problem, the discourse, solutions canvassed, and changes over time, are asked. These questions frame matters of distributive justice and social justice. Lessons learned include: (i) geographical, economic, and political context can determine the just allocation of RE benefits and burdens; and (ii) public vs private approaches to RE have developed in different provinces. However, there is little evidence that successful distributional and social justice results in RE were very different in Alberta (private power) and Ontario (public power). Legal instruments, particularly Rural Electrification Association co-operatives, played an important role in Alberta.