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

Help Sea Shepherd raise funds for Waltzing Matilda #Fremantle #Western Australia

Perth Operation Waltzing Matilda Benefit
Fremantle, Western Australia

Wed, 2 Dec, 2009 6:45 PM – 11:45 PM

The evening will be entertaining and provide information on Sea Shepherd’s forthcoming Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign. The MC for the evening will be the Hon. Ian Campbell who is a member of the Sea Shepherd Advisory Board. Special guests include Brad Pettit, the new Mayor of Fremantle, Senator Rachel Siewart, Greens Spokesperson for Whaling, along with current Sea Shepherd crew. There will also be a silent auction and various raffles! Music for the night will be provided by Aiden Varro.

The primary purpose of this event is to raise much needed funds for Operation Waltzing Matilda – Sea Shepherd’s 6th Whale Defense Campaign which is being launched from Fremantle on Monday 7th December. This year, Sea Shepherd’s flagship Steve Irwin, will be accompanied to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary by the Ady Gil. The Ady Gil is a futuristic trimaran which recently set the world powerboat record for circumnavigation. Due to its speed capabilities (up to 50 knots) Captain Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd President and Founder) intends to use the Ady Gil to intercept and physically block the harpoon ships from illegally slaughtering whales.

The Japanese whaling fleet will be targeting 935 Piked (Minke) whales and another 50 Fin whales, and has threatened to add Humpback Whales* to their quota as well. Sea Shepherd will once again attempt to block the whaling fleet’s efforts to kill these innocent animals and in doing so negate their illicit profits from the so called lethal research.

* Sources suggest Humpback Whales are not being targeted but all whales are beautiful and deserve defending!

Wed, 2 Dec, 2009 6:45 PM – 11:45 PM
Location: Fremantle Town Hall, William Street, Fremantle, Western Australia
Fees: $20 per person, tickets available at the door
Contact: jeff@seashepherd.org
http://my.seashepherd.org/

Sea Shepherd is intervening to defend #Whales

On December 7, 2009 the Sea Shepherd’s – Steve Irwin will depart to defend endangered whales in the Antarctic Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

Starting in December, the Japanese whaling fleet will be targeting 935 piked (Minke) whales and another 50 fin whales, and has threatened to add humpbacks to their quota as well. The Sea Shepherd intends to once again negate their illicit profits.

Because of Sea Shepherd interventions, the Japanese whalers have suffered losses for three years. They are making steady progress towards their objective of sinking the entire Japanese whaling fleet – economically.

You can support the Sea Shepherd in a variety of ways! Go to the Sea Shepherd website.

10 Conditions of Love at Open Channel

FRAMED 07: 10 Conditions of Love or ‘How a small film became a VERY BIG deal
Friday October 30, 12.30 – 2.00pm
Open Channel Theatrette – Shed 4
North Wharf Road, Victoria Harbour – Docklands, Melbourne

Melbourne documentary filmmaker Jeff Daniels’ independent film The 10 Conditions of Love is the most controversial film of 2009. It tells the story of Rebiya Kadeer, the exiled leader of the predominatly muslim Uyghur people in the far western deserts of China and her struggle for autonomous rule. Labelled a terrorist by the Chinese government, she has been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Its selection at festivals in Melbourne, New Zealand and Taiwan this year sparked an international news feeding frenzy following Chinese government demands for the film to be pulled from the festivals and subsequent internet hacking attempts traced to mainland China. At MIFF, the film played to an audience of more than 1,000 at a special Q&A screening with Daniels and Kadeer which was was the lead news item that night, before it embarked on a recently concluded season at Cinema Nova. Not bad for a 53-minute doco made on a shoestring budget.

However, the film is also a labour of love for Daniels, who first heard about the Uyghur and Kadeer over a beer with a friend in Beijing seven years ago and set about researching and then shooting the film which has created such a stir around the world.

Join Jeff Daniels and Open Channel’s Marc Gracie as they discuss the origins of the film and the many steps it has travelled to this day. This session is invaluable for documentary filmmakers and those looking to get into the craft.

Bookings essential – framed@openchannel.org.au

Australian Sex Discrimination Act Video

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Australian Sex Discrimination Act. Adele Horin talks with Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick and author and feminist Anne Summers about that period in the Women’s Liberation movement, the landmark Act and what needs to change.

Watch the Sydney Morning Herald video.