Kunanthropology; Or, The Sub-Arctic Encounters of Kunan the Polar Bear during IPY 07-09

Too Hot Too Wet Too Dangerous by Karey Shinn: Fashion Show April 22nd, Toronto

2009-04-21T17:33:00.005-04:00

"Catwalk"!? tsk, tsk... It's a BEARWALK now!!! ;)

photograph by Eoin Harris ft. Nikki Johnson

APRIL 22/ 2009: Karey Shinn presents Earth Day runway show

Toronto Alternative Fashion Week "Planet" event finale

DISTILLERY DISTRICT- FERMENTING CELLAR
55 MILL STREET EAST BUILDING 6
6PM - 1AM (Karey showing @ 10pm)

TICKETS GOING FAST! - call Karey now at 416-769-1078 to ensure you don't miss the boat!

Advance Tickets:
$20/ Day Pass
$55/ Week Pass (4 days incl. Apri 21, 22, 23, 24)
also available @
The Rage: 2 Kensington Ave. Kensington Market
Magpie: 884 Queen Street West
Jazma Hair Inc: 8 St. Joseph St (Yonge/Wellesley)
MOOG Audio: 442 Queen St West
Flaunt Boutique: 260 Carlaw Ave., Suite 101B, Leslieville

$25/ Day Pass at the door

www.alternativefashionweek.com

www.kareyshinn.com

Tire et le buuuuuuut!

2009-03-06T17:56:00.001-05:00

Kunan playing hockey on Radio-Canada in Québec!!!

http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/une_heure_sur_terre/2008-2009/Reportage.asp?idDoc=75965

Journée internationale d'action pour le climat

2008-12-08T05:46:00.003-05:00

Kunan à Montréal!photo by Jacques Grenier

http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/12/08/221915.html

US says I'm endangered, Canada wants US tourists to pay to hunt me!?

2008-05-15T21:34:00.002-04:00

THANK YOU US FOR DECLARING POLAR BEARS ENDANGERED!

BOO TO CANADA FOR NOT SHOWING THE SAME RESPECT!

Guns in National Parks?

2008-05-04T05:30:00.000-04:00

DON'T SHOOT!

A MESSAGE FROM ONE ENDANGERED SPECIES TO ANOTHER:

2008-04-30T17:23:00.001-04:00

Bush - You've got until May 15th!

from Scientific American

Court Orders U.S. to Stop Keeping Polar Bear Status on Ice

Federal court gives the Bush administration two weeks to decide whether to list polar bears as an endangered species

Arctic Climate Impact Science

2008-04-25T04:57:00.000-04:00

Have you read the full ARCTIC CLIMATE IMPACT SCIENCE report released today? It's an update to the ARCTIC CLIMATE IMPACT ASESSMENT. Finally the scientists are beginning to understand why I have come south! (italics mine)

pg. 85
Recent analysis of the Western Hudson Bay polar bear population found a decline from
1,194 bears in 1987 to 935 bears in 2004, a reduction of about 22% (Regehr et al.
2007b). This decline appears to have been initiated by the earlier observed declines in
body condition and demographic parameters, caused by the earlier spring break-up of
sea ice (Regehr et al. 2007b). Sea ice break-up in western Hudson Bay occurred more
than 0.8 days per year earlier from 1971-2003, meaning that by 2003, break-up was
occurring approximately 26 ± 7 days earlier than in 1971 (Gagnon and Gough 2005).
After the population decline began, it was probably aggravated by continuation of an
existing harvest which was no longer sustainable (PBSG 2006). In 2004, the
Government of Nunavut actually increased the quota of polar bears that could be
harvested from the Western Hudson Bay population from 55 to 64, based on the
perception of communities which, due to the increased sightings of polar bears around human settlements, believed that the size of the population was increasing (Stirling and
Parkinson 2006). An alternate explanation for the increased bear sightings is that polar
bears, nutritionally stressed due to earlier sea ice break-up, are encroaching on human
habitations in search of supplemental food (Stirling and Parkinson 2006, Regehr et al.
2007b). The PBSG (2006) advocate a precautionary approach when setting harvest
levels in a warming Arctic, and they recommend that appropriate management action be
taken in response to the decline in the Western Hudson Bay population.

pg. 89:

Outlook
Several projections of polar bear habitat and population have been made as part of the
analyses to inform the USFWS decision regarding listing the polar bear on the U.S.
Endangered Species Act. Using 10 general circulation models (GCMs) that best
approximate observed trends in sea-ice loss, Durner et al. (2007) projected a 42% loss
in optimal polar bear habitat during summer in the polar basin by mid-century (Figure 2).
As the projected rates of habitat loss tend to be less than the rates observed during the
past two decades, these estimates are considered by the authors to be conservative
(Durner et al. 2007). Amstrup et al. (2007) predicted that realization of the changes in
sea ice projected by the same 10 GCMs would mean the loss of approximately two-
thirds of the current polar bear population by mid-century.

© text 2008 WWF. All rights reserved

CN Tower Climb!

2008-04-20T02:29:00.003-04:00

The World Wildlife Fund has been organizing this fantastic event for 18 years, to date with over 60,000 climbs by humans raising over $6 million for conservation programs. Respect!

1776 steps in exactly 15 minutes with no breaks - not bad for my first-ever CN Tower Climb, if I do say :)

The experience was quite surreal - the staircase itself is within the hollow tapering shaft of the tower, which rises to dizzying heights as the air cools and thins around and within it... There were people hyperventilating at every landing, but the willpower and medical support was there for everyone to reach the top. That's what it was all about: making that extra effort to go the distance the hard way, the more fulfilling, self-sufficient way. This is the attitude we all need to change bad habits (like riding elevators, cars and airplanes) and live sustainably on this planet: we have the power within ourselves to climb tall obstacles.

I met so many wonderful people who care for Arctic wildlife in particular, and for Planet Earth in general. For a sense of how huge this event was, check out WWF-Canada's Flickr stream - whoa!

Here are some of my favourite pics from the day, but first a link to Tara Wood's video, in which I have fun doing pre-climb jumping jacks with Mix 99.9 radio producer Planet Maurie :)

The bear hugs make it all worthwhile :)

Special thanks to Maggie Macdonald & Keith Stewart, WWF's Good Life bloggers, for all their support and for introducing me to the WFF staff!

photography by Linda Lee © cc 2.0

I have eaten whales larger than this Zip Car before! Save the whales! Save them for me!

What an honour meeting Pete Ewins (above, in green shirt), Director of Species Conservation at WWF Canada! He had just returned from Churchill, Manitoba, one of my favourite spots. Hey, Pete - how come I'm not tagged as part of your amazing Polar Bear Tracking project!? I love following the journeys of Nukilik, Ikkuma, Qanniq, Nanurluk and Anaana on your interactive map, but how will they know when I'm heading for a night out on the town in Toronto!?

That's WWF-Canada President and CEO Mike Russill with CFRB radio and as always my favourite Panda pal!

photography by Ken Mak © cc 2.0

now after climbing the tower, a little massage with my homebear K-raat...

That's a woman from Tourism Ontario in the background (above). She wanted to know my favourite spots in the province, and much to my surprise had never heard of 'em: Winisk, Atawapiskat, Fort Severn... Hey, don't promote Ontario's northern ocean coast as an eco-tourism destination - more fish for me!

That's ace videographer Eoin Harris taking a break from editing concerts for MTV to film my upcoming music video - stay tuned it's coming soon!

"We're not worthy!" Now about this WWF Panda. Let me just say that this bear is a professional, taking the role of mascot very seriously - always does what the headset bodyguards say, and in between staged photo-ops mimes improvisingly and happily with humans young and old alike, spreading cheer all around. AWESOME! But... Will. Not. Say. A. Word. I think Panda was even offended that I tried to strike up a conversation. You see, as an independent bear, not associated with any particular organization or brand, I am free to speak my mind in engaging conversation with members of the public, or throat sing at the moon with other animals, or growl back at aggressive tourists - all without having to worry about any sponsoring company lawyers. And I can take my gloves or even my head off without fear of traumatizing children for life with the inference that Santa doesn't live at the North Pole. Another benefit of not being mute: when a baby bear in disguise as a human child accuses me of being a human adult dressed as a polar bear, I can let 'em know I smell the fur under their skin! Grrrrr!!!!

Getting ready for "Bearobics"...

photography by Karey Shinn ©

Girl From Ipanema (Bear From Iqaluit version)

2008-04-02T02:59:00.006-04:00

Nice way to calm down in the evening after Fossil Fools day adventures with the Rebel Clowns... Lounge piano at the Great Hall coatroom! People tell me my playing doesn't quite capture that tropical bossanova feel. I blame the northern lights!

photography by Bronwyn Miller ©

Fossil Fools Day

2008-04-02T02:59:00.000-04:00

It was a typically toxic day in Toronto, sprawling metropolis of landfill and asphalt...

Tessa and Michaela from the Rebel Clown Army were trying to keep their cool amidst the condo gloom...

... but fashionably dystopian urbanism isn't cool, it's depressing.

I was feeling homesick and missing the snow, just killing time under the bridge by myself...

We were so bored and anxious we fought for an umbrella, even though it wasn't raining.

Tessa just couldn't take it anymore, she fainted and I felt bad for not just giving her the umbrella.

I was weak from malnutrition so carrying her home wasn't an option. We waited for the Go train to commute somewhere, anywhere...

We waited forever but still no train service. Luckily a gust of foul-smelling air woke up Tessa, and so it was time to ride the umbrella express...

We considered buying a luxury sports car, but our carbon footprints already dance with two left feet...

... and the costs of gasoline are so high these days...

"What was that you were saying about Biofuels?"

Hark! Remnants of an urban glacier! On The Run!

Woozy from the pollution, our day ends with a lovely stroll along the concrete waterfront.

Shelter at last! An airport terminal on sacred aboriginal land!

And finally some food! Hurray for imported local produce! Just being around the packaging gave us the strength to live for another Fossil Fools day.

Happy April Fools?

photography by Eric Shinn, Michaela Kennedy & Tessa Alexanian

Postcards from Lake Ontario

2008-03-18T11:42:00.000-04:00

photography by Karey Shinn & Eric Shinn ©

so much snow!

2008-02-07T04:10:00.000-05:00

Ate some calimari for Chinese New Year, then went dancing to Dubslingers at Thymeless Bar tonight after giving a speech on the AGYU Performance Bus. Finally got home in the middle of the night and yay - even more snow to shovel! Arctic snow is old, Toronto blizzards are fresh. Bring 'em on!

© photography by Karey Shinn

It's official: I'M A ROCK STAR!

2008-01-10T05:18:00.000-05:00

POLAR BEAR FEVER

World Sousveillance Day @ Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto

2007-12-24T03:30:00.000-05:00

photography by Ariel Garten©

"To ensure a safe and pleasant environment, Yorkdale Shopping Centre management asks that you comply with the rules of conduct listed below. The Following activities are prohibited on Yorkdale Shopping Centre property:
...
4. Wearing of disguises (ie. masks, balaclavas, face warmers, hoods, bandanas, etc.) in the shopping centre.
...
12. Taking photographs or videotaping on the property without prior permission from management."

More about sousveillance and World Sousveillance Day here:

http://wearcam.org/wsd.htm

Corporate Kids Christmas @ Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Hamilton Airport

2007-12-03T20:46:00.000-05:00

photography by Trevor Coleman©

Nuit Blanche Toronto 2007

2007-09-30T03:07:00.000-04:00

Epic night! I danced with giant snowflakes in Grange Park, joined the room service crew at Swintak's dumpster hotel in Chinatown, made a laptop offering to Nick Moss' animatronic ET-Yoda altar, got a little too close to Jennifer Marman and Daniel Borins' UFO crash scene at U of T, grooved with Sandy the TTC film location manager at Lower Bay Station where parked subway cars were rattling as amps for booming sub-woofer basslines, then got rescued from an urban glacier at Bloor and Dufferin by a totally tubular street-vac dude - my hero!

photography by Eoin Harris©

Kunan - vs - Samurai

2007-05-06T02:25:00.000-04:00

may the PLUR be with you

Mythos II at Centre of Gravity Circus
photography by Air`leth Aodhfin

Chicago Zoo Camouflanthroopology

2007-03-14T03:42:00.000-04:00

Kyoto Rally at Toronto City Hall

2007-03-11T15:05:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who came out for this beautiful day, with lots of engaging members of the public, inventors, politicians, media, activists, samba dancers, polar bears... Canadian Members of Parliament Olivia Chow and Jack Layton joined us for some discussion and photographs, and Jack even tested out a solar-powered car (great for Arctic summers, winters not so much)...

photography by Karey Shinn ©

Manhattan Odyssey

2007-03-03T21:04:00.000-05:00

I've been curious about New York City ever since the icebreaker "Manhattan" traversed the Northwest Passage in 1969...

... so I thought I'd head down to make my own "Coney Island Passage" for 2007!

Hmm... could this palm tree on the beach be a sign of climate change?

If we could see the North Pole move back through time, we could follow it back to the rainforests that have left giant tree fossils still remaining in today's thawing Arctic tundra.

Will signs of this tree remain in another 65 millions years? Good thing digital photos don't fade over time!

"There's definitely definitely no logic... to human behaviour... but oh to be involved in the exchange... of human emotion"

This amusement park has seen better days...

... but these Brooklyn dudes were cool!

At the subway station, this NYPD cop and I had an engaging conversation about keeping the peace amidst climate chaos...

Most people on the train from Brooklyn to Manhattan wanted to know "What's the special event?" and I'd reply "The ice caps are melting". Several commuters expressed surprise that I wasn't affiliated with a sponsor, brand or product, and this "broke the ice" for amusingly serious candid conversations. If you saw this face on the train, what would you ask?

The subway station at Battery Park felt like a bunkerrific interactive security agency world's fair exhibit, with an oldschool hip hop feel. Pre-recorded voices broadcast imperatives like "Face forward while on the escalator" while I descended to the platform. Access to and from the train was restricted by chain fence and retractable metal grids that locked the train into place and rhythm. Everything was eerily quiet but the sound had nowhere to go.

Outside at the southern tip of Manhattan, beautiful sunny morning beneath the advancing giant skyscraper glacier edge...

As a nomad, I offer my respects to all old and new world people.

I happen upon a metal globe-in-hand sculpture with crushed polar region, restored from the WTC wreckage following "9/11". Pondering the relative risks of terrorism and climate change...

Within seconds of being denied entry to this sightseeing bus for lack of "money", I became a part of the concrete crevasse sightseeing tour as I overheard the tour guide announce to the tourists that they were "passing the polar bear on the right".

"Why did the polar bear cross the road?" Because the ice was melting!

Finally, I arrive at my hotel.

photography by Karey Shinn ©

Front Page of National Post = Convenient Publicity

2007-02-22T07:49:00.000-05:00

What better way to promote the upcoming Rally for Kyoto than by making an appearance outside University of Toronto's Convocation Hall during an Inconvenient Truth lecture by Al "The Goracle" Gore, reproduced above the fold (okay, on the fold) on the cover of a national newspaper?

Karey and I hope 2 C U at City Hall for the Kyoto Rally: Sunday March 11, Noon-2pm!

Skating on Thin Ice at Grenadier Pond in High Park, Toronto

2007-02-18T16:16:00.000-05:00

Heading to Toronto via Viking Express

2007-02-16T16:06:00.000-05:00

Snow business like sew business in Karey Shinn's costume design studio...