Have your say!

Have your say on the National Cultural Policy. You have until Friday 21 October.

Spring update...

It's been a pretty hectic few months and in between all the responsibilities of being a mostly responsible member of a family I continue to meet dynamic individuals doing incredible things. I have been working with graphic/web designer on a new website for my business, which is looking great and continue to search for new opportunities and approaches to accommodate the many varied creative individuals I work with. Other news...

• Last week I caught up with Jane Longhurst, an accomplished actor, who has recently taken on the role of Project Manager for the Theatre Council of Tasmania. What an exciting and challenging time for both amateur and professional theatre in the state. There appear to be a good group of people round the table, so let's hope there is the vision and capacity to look at some interesting models to support the support and growth of this sector.
• Jaspa Wood has been working with me in the Tasmanian Regional Arts office, managing the Open Your Eyes project, which was held at the end of September across Southern Tasmania. One of my favourite elements of this was the inclusion of the Roving Artists, a fantastic mechanism that provided information and art to regional communities. Lovely idea that I would like to factor into every future project I manage. Check out Tristan Soward
• Tasman Village was the venue for the recent Tas Regional Arts gathering and it was great. So check it out if you get the chance.
• Bonorong and Tarkine Trail last week launched a new Tas Devil research project in partnership with the Book End Trust and the Tas Land Conservancy. Very exciting and another entrepreneurial project with social outcomes. An example of business doing GOOD.
• and just on that, check out this piece from Zizek...

Where are the great philosophers?

Hundreds of years ago the thinkers of the world were often supported by the monarchy. Their wisdom was sought and often guided the decisions of the court. I have been wondering about our modern day philosophers? I guess we can thank the Universities for housing many of them, providing a wage, while they challenge the minds of upcoming philosophers. We hope.
Slavoj Zizek, firebrand philosopher was recently on ABC's Q&A. What an amazing thinker he is, but he wasn't alone. The robust debate between the whole panel, Kate Adie, BBC Foreign Correspondent; Jon Ronson, writer and psychopath expert; Mona Eltahawy, Egyptian born democracy activist; and Greg Sheridan, The Australian's foreign editor, reminded me of the lack of such debate and philosophizing. It also reminded me of how we are now in a society which tends to reward a position, an annual income or some external achievement, rather than radical or 'dangerous' thinking. There is little space for pointless, actually rarely pointless, philosophizing. Room to record, reflect and respond. This methodology used in many contemporary research projects; often utilised when we are in unknown territory, could this be the modern day version of philosophy? 
Either way, I say bring it on-be brave. Let's have more discussions and access to the minds of great thinkers. And let's hope we can then find the time in our complicated lives to digest and ruminate on their words.

'The Store' Manifesto

I am for an art that is political-erotical-mystical, that does something other than sit on its ass in a museum.
I am for an art that grows up not knowing it is art at all...
I am for an art that embroils itself with the everyday crap and still comes out on top...
I am for an art that takes its form from the lines of life itself, that twists and extends and accumulates and spits and drips, and is heavy and course and blunt and sweet and stupid as life itself.
I am for an art that a kid licks, after peeling away the wrapper...
I am for an art that is smoked, like a cigarette, smells, like a pair of shoes.
I am for an art that flaps like a flag, or helps blow noses, like a handkerchief.
I am for an art that is put on and taken off, like pants, which develops holes, like socks, which is eaten , like a piece of pie, or abandoned with great contempt, like a piece of shit.

written by Claes Oldenburg as the manifesto for the opening of The Store in New York.

TASARTSLIVE

Get online and support Jonny Scholes who has set up a central hub for creative websites in Tasmania. He has just received funding through the Regional Art Fund to build the site even better, so please go to Tasartlive, give him some feedback and submit your listing.

AbaF Awards in Hobart

I shared a fantastic evening on Thursday with Naomi Howard, painter extraordinaire and designer, Fiona Tabart at the Henry Jones Art Hotel.

Being nominated for the Woodside Better Business Partnership Award was a great privilege, thanks so much Naomi. I was happy to go into the mix if it helps the conversation about how individual artists are supported. Congratulations to the winners and to Jane Haley, Magdalena and Essie for a lovely evening.

I was stoked to see an email on Friday acknowledging my work as 'best practice', which to me is almost more important than winning the big one. The passion continues and I look forward to another exciting year with interesting, insightful and incredibly creative individuals. x

Just Ask

I remember a few years ago listening to an Australian film producer talking about the process for reviewing new scripts. While thousands were posted to his office and sat piled up on his desk, it was very rare for him to receive any calls from writers. He was obviously astonished by this.


Today I cheekily requested Reg Mombasa as my friend on Facebook. What the heck I thought. I love his paintings, he's a fascinating individual-what do I have to lose? Nothing-because within a few minutes he had responded. (mind you, I think he befriends everyone who requests-so give it a go) 


After two years writing alongside other volunteer Tasmanian writers on the writeresponse reviewing blog we have developed a track record of reviewing a number of festivals, performances and events and are now confident to approach others. Following an exciting discussion about the possibility of having a team at the Sydney Biennale 2011, we wrote a basic but friendly email directed to the right person and within a few hours we had confirmation...'yes, they would love to have us there'. Brilliant! Now we just have to find some money to cover the trip, but brilliant. 


Obviously what we were offering was worth something. It reinforced the need for us all to value the work that we do in the arts and to step out there and ask for what we want or need. We may not always get it, but it's worth the risk don't you think?


Opportunity to ask...anyone who wishes to support us in getting to Sydney next year please make contact and we can list you as a sponsor. Cheers