The global Democracy is… conversation expands July 7 with the launch of the inaugural Democracy Photo Challenge.  The contest asks people around the world to complete the phrase “Democracy is…” through digital photos submitted online. The Democracy is… conversation leverages social networks and creative challenges to allow global publics to share, consider, debate, and learn from diverse perspectives on democracy.

Photo entries will be accepted from July 7 through July 28.  Democracy is… partners worked with Google’s Picasa Web Albums team to create the contest platform, which is the first of its kind, specifically to power the Democracy Photo Challenge. An independent jury will announce 36 finalists August 19, and the public will select 12 winners during a global online vote beginning August 19 - August 26.  The winners will be announced on the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Democracy, September 15, with the winning photographs exhibited at the UN in New York.   

“How appropriate that the winning photos should be on display at the UN,” said jury co-chair and International Center of Photography Director, Willis Hartshorn. 

On October 12th 1978 Nancy Spungen, an ex-prostitute, sometimes stripper and heroin addict, was found dead in a bathroom at the Chelsea Hotel in New York. She also happened to be the girlfriend of he Sex Pistols' bassist Sid Vicious, who was quickly accused of her murder. Less than 6 months later, he died of a heroin overdose and the case was closed.

The death of Sid and Nancy has passed into rock legend and has only added to the controversial and notorious image of the Sex Pistols and punk music.

At the request of Sid's mother, who committed suicide in 1996, rock author and punk expert Alan Parker has devoted himself to discovering WHO KILLED NANCY? By interviewing 182 people and re-examining NYPD evidence, he investigates what really happened that night in room 100.

Watch the new music video for Dennis Ferrer's Hey Hey.

Watch the new video Make Me Wanna Die from Taylor Momsen's band Pretty Reckless.

This video is awesome so watch out,  Little J is hot and she rocks!

May 01, 2010 — May 29, 2010
18 Wooster Street, New York

Deitch Projects is pleased to present May Day, an exhibition of new work by Shepard Fairey, as its final project. Titled not only in reference to the day of the exhibition’s opening, the multiple meanings of May Day resonate throughout the artist's new body of work. Originally a celebration of spring and the rebirth it represents, May Day is also observed in many countries as International Worker's Day or Labor Day, a day of political demonstrations and celebrations coordinated by unions and socialist groups. “Mayday” is also the distress signal used by pilots, police and firefighters in times of emergency.

With energy and urgency befitting the title May Day, Fairey captures the radical spirit of each of his subjects, using portraiture to celebrate some of the artists, musicians and political activists he most admires. Says Fairey, "These people I'm portraying were all revolutionary, in one sense or another. They started out on the margins of culture and ended up changing the mainstream. When we celebrate big steps that were made in the past, it reminds us that big steps can be made in the future."

Watch the new Chromeo video Night by Night.

Watch the new Rihanna video Rude Boy.

Watch highlights from the HERVÉ LÉGER Fall 2010 runway show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park. 

Watch highlights from the CHRISTIAN SIRIANO Fall 2010 runway show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park. 

Watch highlights from the MICHAEL ANGEL Fall 2010 runway show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park.