36 Exp and Free For Arts festival

This coming week we are spoiled for choice for art exhibitions, with the launch of 36 Exp and the Free For Arts Festival! The 36 Exp sounds really great, it's a combination of 36 artists/photographers/students from around the world, let loose with 36 exposure film. The opening night is launched this Thursday 30th from 6.30 at the EASA gallery see here for details.

Next is the start of the Free for Arts Festival. Events will be taking place all over Manchester from Friday 1st October, with the launch party taking place at Sand Bar from 8 til late. Particular highlights being the Papergirl exhibition at the Soup Kitchen and The Toy Shop at The Art Corner

Let's go Gaga

'...at what point does homage become theft?' asks Camille Paglia recently in her scathing article about Lady Gaga in The Sunday Times Style Magazine. An interesting question and one I have been pondering ever since. What is an acceptable amount of 'influence' on a piece of work? It is deemed acceptable that we have been encouraged all the way through art school to contextualise your own work through the similarities of other artists and it is human nature to group things together to make sense of it all (think Spotify's related artists link) but when does this border over into blatently copying someone else's work?


I recently came across a fascinating site called You Thought We Wouldn't Notice (see here) where individuals are invited to post comments about their work and the plagiarised efforts of others who clearly couldn't think of their own ideas. It' s a compelling view. I must have been on there for about 3 hours looking through the lists and comments. On there are some repeat offenders who have no shame about ripping off the ideas of others and worst still claim they have done nothing wrong. However to quote Picasso (yes your favourite Andy, you don't have to tell us again) 'Good artists copy. Bad artists steal.' I think the problem here is when people don't even acknowledge someone as an inspiration or do really poor replicas that do others no justice, causing hurt and offence. That is awful and can cannot be condoned.


In reference to Gaga, as much as I am not a fan of her work and would never buy her music, I cannot deny her massive popularity and I don't disrespect her for that. Furthermore is it really worthwhile to expend such an unhealthy amount of time offering negative opinions about other people's artistic merit and their authentic validity? Is our time better spent trying to develop our own forward thinking outlooks as true creative individuals? At least she is someone who acknowledges her sources as obvious as they may be. One of them being Warhol..... Warhol copied tins of soup and is one of the most famous artists America has ever had.
At times I have found myself disenchanted with the art world and the true meaning of art. Commercial success and any connection with the masses equates to puerile subsistence so we are lead to believe. It is deemed about as satisfying emotionally as a Big Mac meal with no fries. Does that mean we have to stay impoverished to continue to be a true artist? To quote J.K Rowling 'poverty is romanticised by fools'.
Gaga reflects the essence of our times, where everything is easily accessible, superficial and instant. A Pot Noodle of music. A time where we are sold fame and fortune and actively encouraged to take the short cut route thanks to people like Simon Cowell. Only real genuine talent can be cultivated over a long period of time, through personal experience and a sincere reflection of an ongoing journey. The banality of everyday life is what always strikes a cord, how you perceive things ultimately and how you connect with that will always shine through. I love looking at the work of others and and I will always enjoy art of arts sake. I will always have the internal struggle. It is that despair that drives me and is my worst and best friend. Anouska

Kate Tempest -Teens' Speech

Copyright Kate Tempest

My words won't do the lyrically skilled Kate Tempest any justice so just listen for yourselves.

Glinka

First Cause and Effect exhibition

Second up is our debut exhibition! The show is titled 'Staged' and is at the Art Corner, Fallowfield. It  features the work of recent graduates Anneka Morely, Emily Morgan and Gerald Irwin. Sorry no links to their work as of yet, but take it from me it is all of a high quality... oh and Andy Glinka will be exhibiting some photo's as well!! Dates of the exhibition are 11 October - 14 November. We will be posting more links, info and what not in due course but for now put a big star in your diaries on the 11 October with *going to the Art Corner*. Click here for more info on the venue itself.

Ciao for now, Glinka

Kraak Exhibition

Some exciting exhibitions to mention... first up is an exhibition organised by the lovely Sam Sawdit. It runs from 15 October - 22 October at Kraak called FIVE BY 12. The gist being there are 12 artists each showing five pieces of work. I am one of the 12 artists and I'll be showing some new work. The 12 artists all range from different backgrounds and will be showing work from a variety of mediums from 3D art to photography, illustrations to oil paintings... a real mix bag and I'm really looking forward to it. A big wooop wooop to Sam for being the main player in organising this, I know she's put a lot into it. So it'd be nice to show your support by coming down an d having a look at the work. You can find more details on the event and the artists exhibiting here. 

Glinka

Save The Arts

David Shrigley Video

As you may or may not be aware of, the government (the out of touch bunch (whoever is in office) that make decisions on our behalf) are proposing to make 25% cuts in funding for the arts. Now obviously we are living in a time where there have been cuts of all kinds, form jobs to hair - but 25% is extortionate! This spells trouble for the smaller galleries as well as national and regional museums. I tell you what, you Tory b*stards, follow that Hague fellas lead and start sharing rooms in ya fancy hotels and maybe take a little bit of a wage cut so us lot can have the opportunity to escape and be inspired by art!

Check out the Save the Arts blog here and sign the petition here

Glinka

Betty Raspberry illustrations

Illustration by Betty Raspberry. Courtesy of Lis Marsh

The last bits of summer are nearly over and although it's a shame, I'm kinda looking forward to wearing my new fabulous coat, a lightly knitted scarf and my new pair of grey brogues (can't get enough of them!)
We had a nice encouraging email from Lis Marsh who wholeheartedly supports our tea drinking obsession (I must be on my 3rd or 4th today??) A talented illustrator based in Manchester Lis goes under the name of Betty Raspberry. Her drawings are fabulously enchanting and I love the way her illustrated characters combine naivety with an eye catching sassiness. Her work is available for commissions, so please check out her site for more details!
Lis is also a new member of the Manchester Craft Mafia which actively supports creative craft designers in the area. They have just updated their website and are doing some really great things in and around the city! So check them out here. Infact I'd totally forgotten there was a group in Manchester so I was happy to be reminded (I'm in a constant daydream, forgive me everyone!). I was one of the co-founder members of the original Leeds Craft Mafia back in the day when I had my little store Fabric Junkie in The Corn Exchange. I was passionate about selling handmade things from around the world and I also sold vintage clothing and accessories. It was a sheer labour of love. (Oh my poor little shop taken over by the corporate nasties) After a bit of googling, I found some articles but I'm not sure the Leeds C.M still exists (??) which is a shame, but you can also find Craft Mafia's in Glasgow, Nottingham and Newcastle. 
The original http://www.austincraftmafia.com started back in Austin Texas by some super crafty people but now they can be found at a city near you getting right behind original talent! Its so good to see handmade crafters making the most of their talents, as we all know how hard it is to make a living from doing what you love, so rock out! Right I'm off now to put the kettle on.... again! Until next time Anouska

Moore Peter Cook

Nearly finished reading 'Tragically I was an only twin - The Complete Peter Cook' I just thought I'd post a clip of the sketch that first got me into Cook (and Dudley Moore). It comes across just as funny (if not funnier) in written word.... simple, clever and genuinely funny stuff,

Glinka

R.I.P Corrine Day

I've only just found out that the fashion photographer Corrine Day has died of a brain tumour on 27th August. Her early work was so influential to me as a fashion styling student as her honest and authentic documentary style approach really caught my eye. She was pivotal in the influence of Kate Moss's success and participated in making heroin chic and grunge become a real fashion movement with her controversial images. Its a sad loss as her work really was iconic. Some may not agree that fashion is art, but to me all visual creativity in any context can be considered as art and I don't believe that a commercial context devalues work in anyway. Does art have to be for arts sake or can it be art with a purpose? Some may disagree with me, but for now lets just appreciate her great talent here.

Get your Toast on and a random appearance in the Metro!

Poster Design Artist For Ambulance

I've not written for a few days but it seems that Andy has been keeping you company with his tales of inspiring conversations at awkward social settings! Loving the weather this week too... end of Aug/early Sept is always nice and then it goes freezing almost over night!!! Anyway lets enjoy it whilst it lasts... just wanted to mention this weekend at The Bay Horse in Manchester, Toast Recordings are hosting a 'free creative workshop event' this Sunday. It sounds like a really good idea, and I'm gonna nip down if I can! It's on from 2 until 10 and it's a combination of all things arty so there should be something there for everyone! Check out Toast on Facebook here.
More news... I don't often makes grandiose claims to fame about local celebs, but what the hell. I just happened to be on the bus the other day and flicking through The Metro and I was like' whhat? No way!' Long story but I used to work in a clothes shop in Chorlton (shall remain unnamed!) I also used to sell my vintage style necklaces there too and they used to sell really well. Anyway Bez's girlfriend used to come in all the time and buy loads of stuff and in this picture she is wearing my Love Spinner necklace! See Metro here..Just think people all over the place will be wearing jewellery that I've made with my own bare hands! Funny thing is I wouldn't have known if I'd not got on the bus that day. Shame the circumstances aren't great for them though. Obviously Bez has continued to lose the plot since his Monday days, not good..Anouska