Gays on boats are my worst nightmare #ausvotes #wrongchoice

Lee-Anne Raymond – Painting 10A – are the burqa and nica a matter of fashion or choice? #Melbourne #painters

isochronos metamorphosis with nicab by lee anne raymond

Lee-Anne Raymond currently exhibiting in a group show Painting 10A, at the Brunswick Street Gallery #Melbourne. A range of artists will be represented, all are painters. Lee-Anne has created 4 new works challenging the misconception that the burqa and nicab are a matter of fashion or choice providing the wearer with security and empowerment.

Painting 10A
Until 14th July, 2010
Brunswick Street Gallery
2/322 Brunswick St
Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia

www.leeanneart.com
Humanist Transhumanist Catalogue

‘the creative class doesn’t exist’ #arts #artspace #cognitivecapitalism

‘the creative class doesn’t exist’
With Maurizio Lazzarato and Angela Melitopoulos
Location: Artspace

In Sydney for one public event only: Maurizio Lazzarato and Angela Melitopoulos in dialogue on artists, precarity and collective experimentation.

The changing boundaries between work and leisure, the conquering of distance via tele-technologies and the exponential expansion of the culture industries in the late twentieth century are supposed to have created a new ‘creative class’. People who work in the media, the Internet, museums and the entertainment industry seemingly comprise this engine-room of neoliberalism. Yet the segmented and differential nature of these industries generates a situation where most artists, for example, declare an income from their activities that falls below the poverty line. Contrary to the idea that the creative class embodies the values and privileges of the expanding creative industries, many artists and art workers instead find themselves in the same boat as intermittent, casualised and precarious workers.

In this conversation between the sociologist and philosopher Maurizio Lazzarato and the artist Angela Melitopoulos, a space opens up for questioning the current place of artists and of ‘creativity’ within cognitive capitalism. They discuss the contradiction deep at the heart of creative industries and contemporary cognitive capitalism: the erasure of non-productive time, which is precisely the time required for creation to take place at all. They debate the question, initiated by Marcel Duchamp, of how ‘an-artist’, rather than the Artist, might function to open up new ways of feeling, doing and saying and of experimenting with new institutions that might promote different forms of collective creation.

Maurizio Lazzarato is a sociologist and philosopher who lives and works in Paris. Among his recent publications are: Lavoro immateriale. Forme di vita e produzione di soggettivita (1997); Videofilosofia. Percezione e lavoro nel postfordismo (1997); Tute Bianche. Disoccupazione di massa et reddito di cittadinanza (1999); Post-face à Monadologie et sociologie (1999); Puissance de l’invention. La psychologie economique de Gabriel Tarde contre l’economie politique (2002); Les Revolutions du capitalisme (2004).

Angela Melitopoulos, is an time-based artist, realizes video-essays, installations, documentaries and sound pieces and curates exhibitions and seminars. Her work focuses on duration and mnemonic micro-processes in documentation. Her work has been shown in many international video and film festivals, exhibitions and museums (Antonin Tapies Foundation Barcelona, Manifesta 7, Centre Georges Pompidou Paris, Whitney Museum New York). Currently she is a research fellow at the Matrix East Lab in the University of East London.

6 July 2010, 6:00pm
ARTSPACE

T: +61 2 9356 0555
F: +61 2 9368 1705
artspace@artspace.org.au

The Yes Men create the Yes Lab – helping train you how to become an activist

The Yes men are launching the Yes Lab, a series of brainstorms and trainings to help activist groups carry out Yes-Men-style activist projects on their own. They’ll give advice and facilitate, but participants will carry out actions themselves, without them.

Description.WHAT: Un/shore: A beach, denied

Description.WHAT: Un/shore: A beach, denied
WHO: Greg Shapley
WHEN: Opening Wednesday May 12, 6pm, featuring DJ Jack Shit
Thursday May 13 – June 12, 2010
WHERE: Mori Gallery, 168 Day St, Sydney

UN/SHORE: A BEACH, DENIED

Kyeemagh beach, at the mouth of the Cooks River, Botany Bay, has never been a Bondi or Manly, but a couple of years ago this small, working class beach simply disappeared. A victim, not of rising tides and climate change, Kyeemagh beach succumbed to the NSW Government’s desalination juggernaut (whose pipe runs from the plant itself at Kurnell, under Botany Bay to Kyeemagh). Although this shoreline is being rebuilt, the gains have been negligible, and the potential losses, greatly understated.

‘Un/shore: a beach, denied’, a new installation by new media artist Greg Shapley, interrogates what it means to have a security fence surround a valuable public asset, rendering it a private construction site – an eyesore and earsore – an extra blight on an already highly impacted landscape. Shapley takes a stroll round this landscape comprised of surreal juxtapositions, documenting the uncanny moments – the bits between humanity and humour, and the cold reality of business as usual.

In this exhibition, Shapley weaves a tangled web of moving imagery, sound and sculpture using a multitude of overlaid media to portray this sight, so un-Australian, a beach, denied.

Greg Shapley is a new media artist and composer. He has been Director of Don’t Look Gallery and the Sound of Failure Festival and currently teaches at the University of Technology, Sydney. This year Shapley will also be exhibiting at the Newington Armory as part of the Memory Flows project.

The exhibition opening features Jack Shit spinning foxtrots, tangos and sambas for your dancing pleasure.

CONTACT:
Greg Shapley – gshapley@gmail.com,
phone 0401 152 434
http://gshapley.com/

Tell Obama to keep his promise, save the #whales

I’ve signed, have you?

Dear Friend,

In an altogether shocking move, President Obama’s delegation to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has decided to back a plan that would legalize commercial whaling — including in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary — for the first time since the international ban was passed over 20 years ago.

We only have until the start of the IWC meetings in June to convince the President that this plan is a horrible idea. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

Join me and tell Obama to keep his promise, save the whales.

Greenpeace will be delivering all the names and messages to high-ranking officials in the White House on June 3rd. I’ve already added my name. Add yours today.

Humane Chain forum – stop Australian exports of live animals #fb

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is hosting a Humane Chain forum to highlight the ongoing inhumane and economically damaging live animal export industry in Australia.

The event will also present evidence collected during WSPA’s recent investigation into the mistreatment of Australian sheep. Investigators have documented cruelty throughout the live export supply chain, from transportation on ships, through to holding yards and abattoirs in the Middle East.

Grant Courtney, Federal President of the Australiasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) will be discussing the negative economic and social impact of live animal exports on rural communities. And will highlight the more humane and economically viable alternatives to the trade and how the Australian Government can protect Australian jobs.

All are invite to come along and learn more about the live sheep export trade, meet like-minded people and find out how you can help end the intolerable cruelty of live exports.

Where: Parliamentary Theatrette, NSW Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney, Australia

When:  10am for a 10.30 start until 12pm, Wednesday, March 10, 2010

RSVP: Limited seats available and allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Please RSVP by emailing jessicaborg@wspa.org.au. WSPA will email all RSVP’s approximately one week prior to the event to confirm seat allocation.

Together we can end this unnecessary cruelty – http://www.humanechain.org.au/

Farragut North, a play about dirty tricks and media fixers on the campaign trail

In a double election year for Victorians, what the public get to know about the respective candidates will be created in PR boardrooms around the country long before the campaigns commence.

Farragut North, set within Washington’s back corridors and bars, explores the compromised relationships between media managers, spin doctors and journalists on the campaign trail as the Democratic party decides on its presidential candidate.

Stephen, a young and extraordinarily gifted press secretary is working for a fastrising candidate. With confidence and power beyond his years, he’s convinced that he and seasoned campaign manager, Paul can steer their team into the west wing without breaking a sweat. But power demands the highest of integrity and someone must fall when a confidence is broken to the opposition.

With quick-witted banter and an inside look into the world of politics, Farragut North is a timely tale of hubris, loyalty and the lust for power.

“A morality tale about a ‘Crackberry’ generation mover and shaker…and the frenzied scheming and counter-scheming of would-be Washington kingmakers.” LA Times

Beau Willimon worked as a campaign aide in college, and graduated to working on campaigns for Hillary Clinton and Howard Dean. Farragut North captures the merciless pursuit of victory as well as the way political machinations have eclipsed what’s really at stake in elections.

“The subject of [Farragut North] is not politics,” Willimon says. “The subject is ambition, power, hubris … it’s a universal story.”

Starring Red Stitch ensemble members David Whiteley, Brett Cousins and Tim Potter alongside Lucy Honigman, Kurt Geyer, Karen Roberts and Adrian Dean, Farragut North is directed by Kim Durban.

Previews: Wednesday 3 & Thursday 4 February
Season: Friday 5 February – Saturday 6 March
Times: Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 6.30pm
Bookings: (03) 9533 8083 or www.redstitch.net
Venue: Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear, 2 Chapel St, St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia

Blog: Politicians Failing Whales #fb #geekgirl #fail #whales

One of the things that most annoys me about politics is the destruction the political system leaves in its wake. And why no matter whom we seem to vote for, all groups and individuals should be judged on the immediacy of what they do, and how they can mitigate the risk of inheriting the rubbish of former regimes. Simple, but having integrity is a great place to start!

I think this would have to be a universal doctrine of how one calculates the success of the incumbent. With a lot more scrutiny, immediacy and distribution of communication, we ‘the people’ are able to denounce the tardy, stupid, ineffectual and incompetent politicians we vote for.

We can’t seem to win: the right royal bunglers of this world just keep on coming. I think this may have to do with the type of people who work in Government and the type of people it attracts. Certainly, I’ve been told a good many times it’s hard to get good people in Gov’t: but surely there needs to be a bit more of a litmus test employed when employing people.

My vote for bad pollie of the week: it’s a close tie between the procrastinating K.Rudd dud (http://twitter.com/KevinRuddPM) or that arrogant plonker twit (http://twitter.com/TonyAbbottMHR). The latter got into the hot-seat by lying, the former making noise (centre-right) until he too can potentially lie legitimately. I doubt Australians are mad enough to vote for Abbott, who has a track record of not being able to separate Church from State, and btw looks shockin’ in his speedos!

Rudd refuses to get legal with the Japanese (who sank the Sea Shepherd’s Ady Gil) even though he keeps making veiled threats to do so, and leaving Ms Julia Gillard (Julia.Gillard.MP@aph.gov.au) in charge (who now also makes veiled threats on his behalf).

Abbott doesn’t want to offend or hurt the Japanese Gov’t feelings. OMG perhaps he can organise a pity party!! #fail

It’s just crap city for the whales, being killed illegally by the Japanese in the Southern Oceans for meat. Leaving little choice for direct action groups like Sea Shepherd or Bob Barker, who are having to up the ante on gaining attention to save and defend whales.

I’m amazed no one has been killed, and I think this has more to do with sheer bloody luck than strategy or intention.

We have to continue to speak on behalf of animals, and we have to continue to let politicians know they are not doing a good enough job!!

I don’t care about Kevin Rudd climbing rocks (on Cradle Mountain) with his kids on holiday. Get off down the mountain Kev and do some bloody work! You made election promises you won’t keep!

Veiled threats are causing the situation to escalate by not having the courage as a Gov’t to defend Southern Ocean whales and Australian citizens. I am disgusted by your ineffectiveness K.Rudd and that’s why you get my vote for shit pollie of the week!

Links:

Tumblr | Stop Killing Whales

Blogspot | Save the Whales Please

Oppose proposed new Victorian laws. Write to politicians today before new law is passed. #Youthlaw needs your help!

On Tuesday 8th December the Upper House of Victorian Parliament will debate and vote on proposed new laws that give invasive powers for police which will impact on the everyday life of tens of thousands of Victorians.  On 26 November (2009) the Government and the Opposition members in the  Lower House of Parliament passed the proposed laws despite acknowledging they breach fundamental human rights.

Youthlaw seeks your urgent support to oppose this proposed law and request voting be deferred until  politicians properly investigate and consult with community rather than rush it through Parliament.

The proposed ‘Summary Offences and Weapons Control Amendment’ Bill introduces new ‘move on powers’ for police that enable them to order any one to move away from public spaces even if they haven’t committed any crime. Interstate experience indicates these laws will target young people in particular.

The Bill also allows the police to conduct random searches including strip searches of children under 18 in certain circumstances. Similar proposed legislation in WA has been sent off for investigation by an upper house Committee due to the public uproar about the impact of these invasive powers on the community.

If you don’t want laws that have proven to be ineffective, unfairly target young people and create unnecessary conflict between community groups and police then please send an email such as the one below, to the Government by Tuesday 8th December 2009.

SUGGESTED EMAIL MESSAGE
I AM WRITING TO URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THE ‘SUMMARY OFFENCES AND WEAPONS CONTROL AMENDMENT ACT’ BILL OR AT LEAST DEFER PASSING THE BILL UNTIL THERE HAS BEEN A PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS SUCH A LAW. THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD PARTICULARLY ENABLE CONSULTATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE, HOMELESS PEOPLE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE EFFECTED BY THESE LAWS.

Please email to:

john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au
Premier, Leader of the government, ALP
ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au
Leader of the Opposition, Liberal party
rob.hulls@parliament.vic.gov.au
Attorney General, ALP
bob.cameron@parliament.vic.gov.au
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, ALP
peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au
Leader of the National party
sue.pennicuik@parliament.vic.gov.au
Greens, Australian Whip

Please forward to all your friends and networks.
Please email me if you are interested in further information about this issue.
Tiffany Overall
Youthlaw