the stone releases the image

art for the Goddess's sake

Thanks chonnie - kia kaha

chonnie art

art

transitions

I've managed to unfreeze my old computer which has a treasure trove of photos from a few years back. I am interested in transitions and the places where that occurs

 

We are constantly transitioning from yesterday to tomorrow

act act act and art

My call on the ACT party is that the party is just about over. I think the party will not make it in the next election. Low polls, the rodney mistakes have been critical, and the looney side of the party are just digging bigger holes.

For instance muriel neuman's speech about 'one law for all' - Good post on the Standard. And from Russell Brown

Now muriel is one of these people that believe little pale-people were here before maori and taught them everything they know - you know the stuff - maori were dropped off here as slaves, pregnant to their chinese overlords and so on. Utter shit of course but there are a few 'believers' here. So what are the pearls of wisdom from muriel? From her speech. 

"There is enormous support in New Zealand for an end to racial division. That was evident in the overwhelmingly supportive response Don Brash received to his Nationhood speech in 2004. And as we know, in essence, that speech promoted the race relations policies of ACT.

Opposing Maori privilege will require real courage. There are big issues and big challenges ahead: the proposed foreshore and seabed legislation; the United Nations Rights of Indigenous People (which even Labour would not support); the Maori seats in Parliament; Maori seats on councils; Treaty principles being inserted into legislation; the whole Whanau Ora programme, which appears to be underpinned by racist policies. Any proposal based on race should be vigorously opposed."

ACT have every right to be frightened - the signs are written - slippery slope time. And they look at the maori party and think WTF. But the aspect they don't consider is that the maori party is determined to look after maori and they don't care what non-maori think. ACT do not have the same freedom. Of course they say they don't care and with loopies like newman and her theories for getting votes, you could almost believe they don't care - but they do really care - otherwise they wouldn't be in parliment - they would be out there making the big money.

Cactus Kate has a couple of very good posts from inside ACT. Well worth a read.

Maps has an amazing post about an 'art raid' to multi-millionaire Alan Gibbs 'neverland' property. At times hilarious and sad, the post describes the large art works privately owned and asks some great questions about the role of art in political discourse and the intentions of art buyers and the political uses they encumber some art with.

art and culture

Royal Moko Barry Ross Smith - Go here.

I haven't asked permission to use the image of the painting but i'm hopeful that because I have linked to the site where you can buy it that barry will be okay with it.

This painting has caused upset. My view is that moko should not be used in this way but i am torn because I believe in art and the right of artists to push the boundaries. But the line comes in when appropriated cultural items, that have meaning, are used.

From Stuff

"A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with a traditional Maori tattoo has raised the ire of Palmerston North residents who believe the image is insulting to both Maori and the Queen.

The print, at the Downtown Art & Framing store, features a young Queen Elizabeth with a moko on her chin and lips.

The date of the Treaty of Waitangi signing appears in Roman numerals next to the monarch.

What does all that mean from the artists point of view?

"Paeroa artist Barry Ross Smith, who created the artwork last year, said it was not intended as an attack on anyone.

"It was a way to show as a country that we have self determination from England.

"We actually built an entirely new race by signing the treaty, so the Queen of that new race would need a moko."

Mr Smith also did a self portrait in which he has a full facial moko – a statement about the merger of two equal cultures.

Hmmmm not sure about all that. So why are people upset?

"Palmerston North Maori warden Nola Te Papa, of Tuhoe, said she was shocked when she first walked past the print on Tuesday.

"Those are only worn in Tuhoe by people in the chief's bloodline," she said.

"These artists are getting too carried away with the Maori moko, that's abusive. They are just printing it anywhere."

The print was a breach of tikanga (Maori custom), which could result in bad luck for family members of the Queen and the artist, Miss Te Papa said.

and

"Bev Blackwell said it was an insult to Maori culture and the Queen.

"I think it's disgusting and offensive. It should be destroyed and taken away."

Are artists allowed to just do what they want? We know society puts barriers in place via laws regarding decency and so on but is it okay for an artist to use a cultural item that causes insult to the people that cultural item has meaning for. Obviously the technique is used deliberately for effect by some artists but in this instance where the artist says they didn't intend to insult the people that were insulted - what then? Say sorry? Say too bad? Say - that's art. It is a tough one but the lines are always there it is really a question of where they are drawn.

smithyman 199

199


Questions, not firm answers.
A common ground, of figures in fog, shifting
shapes, voices which aren't quite heard.
Someone getting in on an act? A disciple
or disciple of disciple? doesn't
come clear.
What does seem clearer:
apparently nobody talked this time round
about nakahi.

Art event from Tame Iti

There are a lot of unanswered questions around the "terror raid" of just about 2 years ago. I agree the raid with the fully kitted out black clad and visored authorities caused terror, but i am not convinced it had anything to do with "terrorism".

Recently supression orders have been issued - when it all comes out there will be many questions that the authorities will have to answer.

In the meantime an art event that I wish i could attend.

"Tuhoe activist Tame Iti will next week launch a Wellington art event inspired by the police raids in October 2007.

The week-long event will showcase work by dozens of New Zealand artists, and will include workshops , films and artist talks, spokeswoman and artist Robyn Kenealy said.

The exhibition would close with an auction on October 17, officiated by veteran political activist John Minto and former Greens MP Nandor Tanzcos.""

"Proceeds from work sold during the exhibition would go to court costs of those arrested during alleged "anti-terror raids" on October 15, 2007, most of whom were still facing trial.

Public outcry followed the police raids at Ruatoki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Similar raids were carried out in Whakatane, Palmerston North, Auckland and Wellington.

Police arrested 18 people, including Iti, initially intending to charge some of them using the Terrorism Suppression Act.

However, police amended the charges to ones relating to firearms and drugs, after the Solicitor-General ruled against the newly introduced counter-terrorism laws."

Lots of questions...

Kseniya Simonova - sand art

Ukraine's got talent - Kseniya Simonova

Art is a very wide, almost infinitely wide, encompassing pastime. I can't imagine anything not able to be considered art - by someone.

Sand art is interesting because although based upon simplicity, it is ever-changing and quite complicated. It draws the eye and opens up vistas which a moment ago weren't there.

Hat tip It's all one thing blog