Elusive Isolation

Claire: Inter Collective Online

2010-02-03T11:27:00.005+08:00

Before I am booted off the Perth Creatives blog I want to update about the new Inter Collective website we have been very preoccupied with. As the Inter Collective relocates to Hobart, Tasmania, for a year of Honours study, this might be the best way to keep informed with any new projects we tackle whilst off the mainland.

The website was built and designed by the talented Mr MacRae, and utilises full-screen images with minimal 'design', as such. Because the visual is so important in creative work, and photography is the most important document we have of our ephemeral projects, we really wanted the images to speak for themselves, and so it seemed like the nicest and most effective way of presenting an archive of our work. It's also a design Alex and I have been interested in for ages and waiting to use on something special, so we're pretty excited to see it live!

Check it out at intercollective.com.au

Tasmania is but a cheap flight away! Come visit!

Exhibition Commentary: Rounds

2010-01-17T12:57:00.005+08:00

Finally, a new addition to our series of artist exhibition commentaries. In the following video Claire Krouzecky shows us around her recent exhibition Rounds at the Free range gallery. Claire didn't post about it on the forum, keeping it a tucked away secret but we'll forgive her now that she's given up her time to provide a video retrospective of the exhibition. Hopefully she will come on here soon to tell us about her new website.

Hope you enjoy the video, and if you have real broadband, click the "HD" button and watch it in fullscreen to get all the gritty details. It's almost like actually being there.

Elusive Isolation - Ep. 2

2009-12-14T17:11:00.009+08:00

The second episode of the Elusive Isolation podcast, Jimmerish FM's new show revolving around the Perth Arts community, is available now. Joining us for this episode is Perth based artist Campbell Whyte. Discussion varies from Free Range, The Home Time Bell to remakes and Fantastic Mr Fox. We are on the iTunes store now, just follow the link below or search for 'elusive isolation' so please leave a review if you have time. Got some feedback for us? Do you have an idea for a guest we should ask on? Want to ask a question? Leave a comment!

Subscribe to the Elusive Isolation podcast through iTunes

Subscribe to the Elusive Isolation podcast through RSS

Subscribe to Jimmerish FM through iTunes.

Download File Direct - 29.9mb

Note For Macs: Option+Click the link on a Mac to download it directly. Or just drag the link to your downloads window.

Note For Windows: Right Click "Save Target As/Save Link As" to download it directly.

Elusive Isolation Podcast - Ep. 1 [Beta]

2009-11-27T01:20:00.012+08:00

This is the first episode of the Elusive Isolation podcast from Jimmerish FM, very much a beta episode. Joining us today is two parts of the Inter Collective creative team, Anna Cocks and Claire Krouzecky as well as musician Alex MacRae from the band Sons of Rico.

We will hopefully be recording a way more awesome second episode this Saturday. Until then we would love your feedback / questions in the comments.

Subscribe to the Elusive Isolation podcast through iTunes

Subscribe to the Elusive Isolation podcast through RSS

Subscribe to Jimmerish FM through iTunes.

Download File Direct - 37.8mb

Note For Macs: Option+Click the download link on a Mac to download it directly. Or just drag the link to your downloads window.

Note For Windows: Right Click "Save Target As/Save Link As" to download it directly.

Claire: freerange.org.au

2009-11-17T19:12:00.010+08:00

Allow me to introduce the new Free Range website.

Built and designed by our very own A. Mac. I'm a litttttle bit obsessed with it at the moment, and so proud/excited to see free range up and running at a very lovely pace, and relieved to have our internet presence finally up to date again, yay!

James: The Elusive Isolation Podcast

2009-11-03T05:53:00.005+08:00

As part of my Jimmerish FM project I'm going to begin a fortnightly audio podcast that will hopefully become a significant part of this forum.

It will comprise mainly of round table discussions about the Perth Art scene and wherever that leads. I will be looking out for a diverse range of Perth artists to take part.

The first recording will be held on November 14th at 1pm.

If you are a Perth artist and would be interested in taking a seat on the podcast, please leave a comment. For those of you already connected to Elusive Isolation, watch out for your invite.

Campbell: free range september

2009-09-08T22:19:00.005+08:00

Yea, there's even moresome going on in September at free range. Come and see the brand new space, it's all a finished and looking mighty pretty, ready for your arts projects. We're accepting applications for next year so write to info@freerange.org.au to get a copy.

James: Perth Bursts in September 2009

2009-09-03T01:10:00.005+08:00

Hey Guys,

For all those pussies who think Melbourne is God's gift to the world, yet are too scared to move there and suck the fun out of that poor city instead of ours, please look away now because this will only give you more to whinge about.

Perth Now has a fairly incomplete yet overwhelmingly large list of activities to do in 'dullsville' in September. I wish I had the time or the money to take a look at half of the things on the list. However, have no fear as one commenter points out though, the list is completely useless since a lot of it has to do with the PFF and I guess that's culturally invalid? They probably should have hosted the PFF in Melbourne instead... that would have been way more awesome because Coles and Woolworthes and supposedly many more large corporations are open 24hrs there!

Cut and Paste is covering some of the PFF on their video blog. I've embedded their latest video below.

Campbell: free range september

2009-07-28T20:37:00.009+08:00

free range is back!
After moving from our Subiaco gallery and project space due to huge rent
increases, we are soon to open a new venue at 339 Wellington Street, Perth.

free range has a team of dedicated long-term members as well as a group of
newcomers with great enthusiasm and energy for this new phase. We continue as a
non-profit artist run organisation that provides an affordable exhibition and
project space within a supportive network.

It is expected that the new venue will be ready for opening by September.

We invite proposals from artists and curators for our 2009 / 2010 program. We
encourage applications from all forms of contemporary art practice for solo and
curated shows, projects and performance. free range seeks to support art that is
challenging, diverse and critically engaged.

Our current programme scheduling has spaces available within each month for fornightly, weekly and short term use. These options are intended to allow for a broad range of uses by the arts community.

For an application form or any questions, please email:
tanyaschultz@netspace.net.au

We look forward to hearing from you!
(Please note our website is currently being updated and is offline temporarily.)

James: Around Perth Winter 2009

2009-07-27T14:49:00.009+08:00

Although the current group of Elusive Isolation contributers seem to be having a sleepy winter (I know I've only now got something to update on) Perth continues to have some cool stuff going on.

Dropstitch has some cool photos from the Condor Tower project. It all looks pretty awesome. I remember when I used to take the train a lot more I always wished that people would paint more murals on all the grey concrete girders and walls of the freeways like the one of the children under the mitchell freeway on wellington st that has been there for years.

The Condor Tower project seems to be really going for that idea with success. From my basic understanding it is being orchestrated by the Ololo production group. Check out their site and give them some big ups.

I've also joined the Theatre and the Colour Passion group on facebook. It's organised by Mischa Ipp and Sarah McKellar and the basic motive is to get more people from Perth going to Theatre, especially younger people with not much money.

They try to organise discount tickets to a theatre show on the last Friday of every month. They also try to organise an exclusive Q&A with the cast and crew after the show! Not sure if they are doing it this Friday because they had the last one on July 3rd but do join the group!

This is especially good if you are one of those people who are like 'Oh, I always mean to go but never get around to organising it or finding someone to go with.' Now you have no excuse! Just keep the last friday of the month free, follow the updates on the group and invite your friends. Check it out!

James: What has James been up to?

2009-07-25T18:52:00.009+08:00

Hey there, so I've been working on a new project for a while, but it's only now starting to come to fruition. It's called Jimmerish FM. It's basically a podcast studio and internet radio station. I wrote a bit more on my website.

I've always wondered, what would a conversation between a group of people my age been like in 1920s Perth? Nobody really knows because nobody recorded informal conversations. In fact, nobody probably knows what a conversation between 20 somethings in the 1980s or 1990s sounded like. Culture, history, lost. So basically I want to do Jimmerish FM which will focus primarily on round table discussions and down to earth conversations, not the kind of stuff that you would hear on any 'over the air' radio, not even on stations like RTRFM.

So please check it out, listen in, tell your friends, offer feedback.

It's also J Fest. I can't tell you where or what J Fest is, you have to find it for yourself. However, I will give you a clue, J Fest is about using technology to help create 'experiences'. I guess because that's how I value art, by the experience. How good the J Fest experience is depends on how well participants embrace it, take advantage of it.

Not that photos ever do justice to an experience but here are a few from a camera left on a bench at one J Fest event.

Campbell: Milk and Sleep

2009-05-31T22:05:00.006+08:00

Elizabeth's first exhibition since returning to Perth after completing two international residencies in San Francisco, USA and Oaxaca, Mexico.

In her latest work Elizabeth Marruffo continues to develop her unique visual language while considering the new life and old deaths that motherhood brings.

Being held at the HQ Gallery at 60a Frame Ct in Leederville the opening will be from 2-6pm with original works and prints available for purchase. It will be open weekdays, 9-5 until the 18th of June.
Come down for a hot chocolate and a nap.

Check the events page for updates on images and to let us know if you're coming. Go behind the scenes on her blog.

Exhibition Commentary: In Dreams I

2009-05-08T04:00:00.000+08:00

I'm super excited to be introducing a new dimension to Elusive Isolation. Just before Campbell took down his recent exhibition 'In Dreams I', I caught up with him and captured an artist commentary. Like a director's commentary that you may find on one of your dvds, this allowed Campbell to talk me through a quick tour of his show. It's interesting to hear what he has to say and will hopefully provide an interesting record of the exhibition for some time to come.

Since 'In Dreams I' uses predominantly visual mediums, I took along a camera as well and recorded the journey in High Definition. It's all done in one take, handheld, no tricks, simple and pure.

You can watch it below... or even better... Watch it here in HD and see the smallest imperfections in the canvases. If you would like to download it to keep instead, go to the video's page and follow these instructions for Vimeo newbs.

How did Campbell score such special treatment? It's simple, he is a valued contributer to this blog.

How to comment on Elusive Isolation

2009-05-07T17:20:00.006+08:00

Are you having trouble commenting on posts? I've put together a quick and dirty video tutorial for you to watch and help you out. Watch it below and please register to comment and comment on something so that I know you are there! Click "HD" on the video for higher quality (great for watching full screen).

Why must you register to comment? We value discussion on this blog more highly than the blog posts themselves. Registering to comment allows other commenters to follow your thoughts throughout this project and many other websites outside of blogger who use this system. We can't allow anonymous commenters because they are not accountable for what they say and that doesn't help the dialogue at all.

Remember, if you would still rather use your Blogger login details you can by using Open ID. All you have to do is go here and type in your blogspot address eg: yourblogname.blogspot.com then blogger will ask you to authorize it. From then on, look out for the Open ID log in option nearby whenever you go to make a comment. If you are already logged into Blogger all you have to type in is your blogspot address!

You could start your EI commenting career simply by commenting on this post and ask any questions you might have of the different aspects of the commenting system. Perhaps you are interested in Open ID but want to know more about it or you may want to know how to rate other users' comments? Anything! Let me know in the comments.

Claire: LIMV cookbook II

2009-05-04T14:14:00.009+08:00

Prepare your tummies! the Inter Collective is doing a live food installation for the Love Is My Velocity Cookbook II involving many bread makers, electric knives, and fresh loaves. The big event is this Friday 8th May at the Hellenic Centre for the launch at 8pm. There are more details on the LIMV website about specifics and other stuff. The installation will also be running for the duration of the Cookbook exhibition, which is held at 214 William St Northbridge (the old bank). BREAD!

Campbell: in dreams i

2009-03-06T12:24:00.006+09:00

I've got a show coming up which is opening on the 4th of April.
It's going to be totally awesome so you should all come. The opening is in the afternoon, so come down after lunch or before you head out for the night.
RSVP on facebook.

Laura: Beddin(g)stallation

2009-03-01T14:58:00.008+09:00

Temporary installation, Alda's café
Feb 18th 2009
Inter collective

As Claire outlined in a previous post after many a weeks in discussion, brainstorming and researching a laneway project an opportunity arose itself for the Inter Collective to install a work for a function for the Planning Institute of Australia at Alda's café which is tucked away in Wolf Lane. Although having been targeted by urban and Laneway activation programs we had previously dismissed Wolf Lane as a site for us due to it already being an activated space. Sitting in the lane discussing ideas we where surprised at what a huge thoroughfare for pedestrian traffic Wolf Lane is, the majority of which are full time workers not keen for there journey to be disrupted or inconvenienced in any manner (as Claire and Anna experienced when the lane was closed off for a Tony & Guy function). Alas we saw the opportunity to get some physical work happening, testing out some ideas and getting some feedback from an audience of people who are working towards activating urban sites and as there tagline goes ‘creating sustainable communities’.

We had been tossing around the idea of using mattresses for quite some time now, softening the space if you like and inviting the viewer to sit or lie and hence offering an alternate way of using and seeing the space. During our residency Site Fiction at the Arcane bookshop last year we found covering a space in a particular material allows a viewer to have a different experience of a space they have often become so accustomed to. Through covering, papering or wrapping the form and physicality of a space becomes more evident creating a new engagement with a site that users may have unconsciously become detached from.

Anyway after a week long debacle of trying to accumulate enough mattresses to fill the dimensions of the alfresco area we spent the day crazily sewing covers before loading them into the van and setting out to Alda's. Arriving a little behind schedule we get to work piling the mattresses in the centre of the area moving around tables, chairs and the few remaining patrons. After lining the floor with the mattresses (perfectly fitting the area) we set tearing strips of sheets which we then start wrapping basically around anything we can get to in the space; trees, chairs, planter boxes.

All in all (given the time, budget and site restrictions) I felt that we managed to create an interesting environment people would not be expecting yet remained accessible even if simply on an aesthetic level and invited interaction. Well, in summary a few patrons ventured outside with a glass of wine or a cigarette to make use of the space however it become all too frequency someone stumbled into the space looking hesitant made a nervous comment about ‘a sleepover’ before hurrying over the mattresses to safe ground and continuing on with their evening.

Perhaps it was the wrong audience for this kind of work but it was hard to shake the feeling that no matter what we could have done the majority of people who experienced the work where either simply not interested, struggled to take us seriously as artists or felt confronted and uncomfortable with a work that was geared at trying to achieve the exact opposite effect.
Anyway thought I’d post some photos of the work – we would love some feedback and comments and that is mainly what the night was lacking for us.
Is there an audience for this kind of work in Perth?

James: Backyard Beer and BBQ Film Festival

2009-02-25T16:10:00.008+09:00

I'm having a BBQ this saturday night. I'm building an outdoor cinema and I'm showing a few short films that are some of the most unique (not exactly perfect) you'll see in Perth and you won't see any of them at a WASA screening. It's a free private function in my backyard so the worries of liquor licenses, copyright issues and door fees are absent.

It will likely rain, the projector will likely break down and nobody will come but that's life. For those who do come though, they will be part of a unique event that can't be seen anywhere else in the world and at no other point in time.

Start Time: Saturday, February 28 at 5:30pm
Where: Leederville

BYO: BBQ produce.

James: Our impact as artists and other podcast discussions.

2009-02-25T14:33:00.016+09:00

I was listening to an episode of The Treatment the other day, featuring Darren Aronofsky (Direct iTunes link here). One topic he brought up really struck me. It seems as he is getting older that he is starting to admire people who live life as art more than those who produce art. "Making physical products is questionable... We should all be dancers."

I think what he says is quite true though, the impact a film can have on the environment is likely gigantic. From, as he points out, the chemicals required to produce and develop film strip to (and what I believe is likely far worse) all the plastic needed to produce and all the fuel burnt to ship so that we can ultimately bring dvds to a store near you is likely astronomical. While artists who effect people just by being in their presence don't produce a product, they are the product, they are art.

Another discussion I found worth listening to was on episode 12 of the Slash film After Dark podcast, found on the regular Slash filmcast feed (Direct iTunes link here). The question being asked?

Is Wall-E a Date Rapist?

I think that should be enough to wet your appetite.

Claire: disambiguation

2009-02-22T23:02:00.005+09:00

Just to clear up certain misinformation in my last post, and because it's important for you other artists to know:

I made a brief comment about the City of Perth making everything difficult for people who want to do stuff in the city. As I wrote that post very quickly the morning before our busy day installing, I didn't give much thought to how I was phrasing this, and in short, got it wrong.

Whilst I do feel I'm justified in feeling frustrated at the number of hoops we have to jump through to get something (positive!) done in Perth, and feeling like our ideas are constantly being compromised, it is important for me to clarify that in my direct experience the City of Perth is in fact focused on working with artists to activate our city whilst satisfying all parties involved.

The Inter Collective is currently working directly with the development sector of the City of Perth, and our experience with them has been favorable and positive: they approached us with an offer to help us, they have provided us with information about what we can and can't do (not always the best news, but realistic at least) which has made the planning of future projects much easier and more viable, and they have put us in contact with private parties we may also be able to work with. All of this has been invaluable to the Collective, and deserves far more mention than a throwaway, ill-informed comment.

I am posting this to make sure I haven't discouraged any of you from approaching the Council, and working with them, in your future projects.

Alex: Alex says hello

2009-02-19T23:22:00.005+09:00

Hey folks,

In short, my name is Alex. I exist in a few worlds: music, design, web development and social networking. I was born in 1984 which makes me approximately [currentYear - 1984 = age] years old, I like my tea really sweet and occasionally I'll say something nice to my girlfriend.

Music
I play in a band called Sons of Rico (a round-about reference to the movie Napoleon Dynamite). I front the act with a microphone at my mouth and a guitar round my neck. Most of the writing and recording is done by myself using "computer technology". I/we are currently working on a debut album that we should be getting round to recording mid-year and to be released end of 2009/early 2010 if all goes well!

Design
This world usually goes hand in hand with the web development world, but sometimes I'll design a poster or a cd cover - eg, this Sons of Rico one (a tentative idea for the upcoming album)

Web Development
My bread and butter for now. In this world I dabble in Flash, HTML, CSS, XML, PHP and MySQL - all of which means nothing to most people, so most of the time I say "I make websites and I make 'em goooood". I'm a perfectionist who gets stuck on an idea. Not so good when you can't convince a client that your vision is amazing - but that's part of the game - communication baby. Anyway, check out my portfolio if you've got a tick!

Social Networking
Often this involves alcohol, dancing and Elton John. This is a very important world for it aids and is essential to every other one of my worlds. I guess you could say this one's some kind of star, and the other worlds revolve around it. Yeah. How bout I write a song about it? I'll call it "Starman by David Bowie".. no wait, that one's already writ. Ok well, maybe not then.

Computer Games
I know I didn't mention this in the introduction, but I think computer games are rad. Me playing them is even radder. At the moment I'm fighting the zombie apocalypse in Left 4 Dead. Aim of the game: run and shoot zombies - and don't die. Brilliant.

Briony: Exhibition

2009-02-19T10:19:00.005+09:00

Hey If you peeps get a chance, come and check out my exhibition in Leederville, Perth, Western Australia. Or save it for the big night on the 13th of March, which will be really cool.

Claire: a few things

2009-02-18T09:25:00.006+09:00

Thought some of you might be interested to know that the Fremantle Arts Centre has FREE studio spaces in their amazing building which they let out to artists for a short residency period. Obviously you have to go through an application process and be selected, but it's not hyper exclusive or anything, and free!

Also Artsource is currently gathering expressions of interest in studio spaces - go to their website and complete the short survey... it will help them to gather information about how many people in Perth are seriously interested in studio space, how much they can realistically afford, and what kind of space/location they would be interested in. Do it!

Also the Inter Collective is doing an installation in Wolf Lane/Munster Lane for a function for the Planning Institute of Australia TODAY. We've had all sorts of trouble... the City of Perth has a ridiculous amount of restrictions and limitations on pretty much everything anyone ever does in our city, so our initial plans have shifted out of the laneway completely into the alfresco area of Aldas, but we're doing something nonetheless. Come by and have a look, it might only be up for this afternoon (from about 5), and it's a private function, so this is an unofficial invitation, but you can see it from the laneway anyway. I'll post photos later hopefully.

ALSO I've been involved in the art side of things for the Vice Chancellor's EP launch coming up on Thursday 26th Feb at the Bakery. Come down to check out all the artwork for the EP (there are 7 different artists involved) as well as heaps of stuff on the night like live projections, interactive sound-stallations, good MUSIC... etc etc. Woo!

Claire: a belated introduction

2009-01-13T23:28:00.006+09:00

this is well overdue:

I'm Claire and i'm interested in plenty of different things. art is one of them!

i am currently working in two different 'avenues' if you like...

...firstly my own personal practice, where i work mostly in watercolour. large-scale pools of dried pigment on paper. i'm interested in perception, immersion, the overwhelming experience of pure seeing, pure looking, pure abstraction. is it possible to look without attaching personal significance to that experience of seeing? vision. how much we don't see because of the immediate social and emotional connections our brain conventionally makes when confronted with visual stimuli. i also like to let the paint and paper speak for themselves, and the relationship between the two as they interact is fascinating to watch. i also really like colour, and how the eye responds to certain colours, colour combinations, pure colour and light. light light light! you can see some pictures here, but here is a sample:

i've started a personal blog, staring at the ganzfeld, to keep me creatively motivated in my first year out of education since i was 5.

and secondly...

i'm also involved in an artist collective called the Inter collective with two super artists called Anna and Laura. we've done a few projects around town, most recently the Site Fiction project in the old Arcane bookshop on William St, Northbridge. We are interested in using and working in empty, dis-used spaces in Perth (as opposed to formal galleries and art spaces) to respond to the particular conditions that space presents us with installation and performance-based work. in the future we are looking toward ideas of non-space, and open space, and how a site-specific work can have meaning and be re-interpreted in another context (ie. in another city). this will probably also involve more collaboration to expand our resources and knowledge pool. we are currently in the process of proposing a laneway project, so i'll update with that a little later when we've actually made some ground.

exciting stuff!

How to download videos from Vimeo

2009-01-01T00:42:00.000+09:00

If you would like to download one of our videos from Vimeo to keep or put on your iPod/iPhone, you must have a Vimeo account. Go here to create an account if you don't have one. Once you have an account and you have logged in, go to the video's page. If you look in the bottom right hand corner of the page you'll see a link to download the original file.

Look for this:

If you see this instead:

It means you have not logged in.

Campbell: Oxford St Market

2008-12-03T17:47:00.007+09:00

Hey, the last market was pretty awesome cool. Liz and I are going to be selling our wares at a new market that's starting this Saturday (6th Dec) in Leederville. The Oxford St Markets, they're down near the skate park.

Afters there's some launch party, I don't know if I'll make it to that as I might have been roasted alive in the heat and turned in to a sultana or something.

There'll be some new stuff at the market, a comic that I've been busting my hump on, cards, pin sets and prints. Brand new.

Hell yea.

Sally: Sally Blatchford

2008-11-25T22:53:00.007+09:00

Hey,

My name is Sally and I'm a local contemporary dance maker/performer...

I have a show coming up in December so I've posted the first development of the work 'Private Thought and Public Space' and have included all the details below.

Hope to see you there!

Please check out the project's blog and check out the video of the first development.

About the Project:
With Identity there is responsibility and certain expectations and so what if you could express yourself anonymously within the walls of the room everyone must go. The Bathroom! From meaningless babble to profound political and social commentary to why is the other gender just so wrong? ‘Private Thought and Public Space’ is a contemporary dance work that explores the stories behind the writing on the wall, the art of it and the raw humanness of its form and context.

Ticketing Information

Dates

8.00pm Friday 19th December

7.30pm Saturday 20th December

6.00pm Sunday 21st December

Where

The Chapel Space

117 Angove St

North Perth

Bookings

Phone: 0448 214 224

email: toiletdoor123@gmail.com

Pricing

$12 concession

$15 adult

EI Style Guide

2008-11-16T14:37:00.001+09:00

Hey, I'm starting this post to develop a style guide for EI.

But I don't have to time to finish it just yet, but it's here.

James: Playing With Ideas

2008-11-14T13:38:00.011+09:00

For some time I've been wanting to create a webovision show. All the big names are doing them these days. However, the biggest hurdle is trying to keep a cast when its not a professional job. The current ambition is to make four pilot episodes and then go out and seek some funding.

I've made the first two pilot episodes under the guise of various applications. I have written another three episodes that I'm hoping to get made over the summer, if I have a cast.

The idea is to have alternating episodes, one a drama, the other a comedy, set on slightly different timelines but both having different perspectives on a similar issue. They have the webovision ethos of having no set time limit. One episode could be 15 minutes long, the other could be 7 minutes long, we just go where the story takes us.

Anyway, I post this here and not on my personal blog because its not a complete idea and I would appreciate your feedback. And yes, before you ask, most of it is filmed in my house but I think you'll find that I only have like 5 friends that have ever been to my house enough to notice. You'll just have to use your imagination to remove your personal context.

You can sneak a preview of the rough cuts on Vimeo:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Campbell: Upcoming Market.

2008-11-11T12:08:00.008+09:00

This saturday, the 15th of November there's going to be a super cool market at the Hyde Park hotel. I think it's open from 10-5, and there's something like 60 store holders there. Best of all it's entirely locally made and designed ware. So you're not going to be walking around looking at a bazillion stalls of imported incense and beads. (Unless of course that's what you're in to)

Liz and myself will have a stall there where we'll be selling a range of prints, original watercolours, comics, onesies, buttons and more.

Come down and say hello.

Editors Note:

Made On The Left has a website with a blog.

James: Exciting Package

2008-11-05T17:32:00.022+09:00

I got an exciting package in the mail today. At the moment i'm in the middle of "crunch", a term I use to describe one of those black weeks where multiple due dates occur. I have little time for paid work, so living on low paychecks mean partial poverty.

While waiting for crappy old technology to render, I sometimes day dream of what I could afford on my credit card that would bring joy if I hadn't gone on a certain adventure.

Thankfully, I have found a solution... and It's a whole lot better than what I could have thought. The Home Time Bell Online Store has some cool, modestly priced, stuff for sale and I'm guessing its only just getting started. And guess what! I have the very first unboxing photos!

The pictures on the website don't

really do the quality of these prints justice. I love getting neat little packages of goodies. Now I can't wait for a future pay cheque so I can get these hung on my new wall and buy a third print so that I have a trilogy. Anyway, I think that's enough of a promo, you get the idea, I reccomend checking it all out.

Plus, If you buy quick, you get a totally rad bonus which is probably worth just as much as the prints themselves. I'm looking forward to seeing more from The Home Time Bell.

Comments Upgrade!

2008-11-04T13:44:00.001+09:00

Ok, I think the comments system is actually working a little better these days. We should be able to see how many comments have been made on new posts. Also, they are now embedded in the main page with fancy new technology. You no longer have to go to the post's specific page to comment. Hopefully it works in your browsers.

I suggest having the latest versions of Safari and/or Firefox.

Make a comment to test it out below!

Briony: Briony Stewart

2008-11-03T14:46:00.009+09:00

Hi, I'm Briony - (pretty much said the way you'd describe the ocean being salty if you think it's a bit freaky and don't know how to say it.) Anyway, I'm a Perth based author and illustrator. I think this new blog is a rad idea - it's so bloomin hard to break into the cliques of already established W.A artists. I say we become our own group too James!

So, I am really into children's fiction, and that's what I'm concentrating on writing for now and in the foreseeable future.

In 2007 I released my first written and illustrated children's book, Kumiko and the Dragon. It's been going really well across Australia, and won some national recognition which was really exciting. I've been super keen to follow it up, but its taking time.*Sigh* Hopefully there'll be something soon. I've been plodding away on a sequel to Kumiko and the Dragon, a picture book called the King of Gagunjipoor, and a Young adult novel called Fine lines. I have also been trying to improve my style and skills as an illustrator. You can look at a little blog of illustrations I update from time to time, here. I've also currently been working on a big collection of whimsical gouache & watercolour illustrations for a solo exhibition. I want to have it this summer, but have to get it organized! Argh! (I will keep you all posted.)
I also keep a blog with Campbell, called Mr.Squiggle, it's pretty fun. We hope to have another exhibition together soon.

Well I guess that's it for introductions!
Love,
Briony

Campbell: My Name is Campbell

2008-11-01T12:53:00.008+09:00

Hey, so I've jumped on to do a quick intro.

I've been making comics and drawing and painting for a long time, pretty much forevers.

I've been in a few exhibitions over the years. I've also made the odd comic too. Back in the day, I was starting to become a regular in James' films too.

Most recently I've been working on my business, which is making comics and watercolours and in the near future toys.

You can check out all the action of The Home Time Bell here. There's a semi regularly updated comic of sheer awesomeness there at the "Home Time" section. You should check it out, start from the beginning by clicking the "now playing" banner to the right.

All of my work at the moment has been going a bit slow because my partner (and regular super awesome collaborator) and I have had a baby. It's pretty intense and rocking.

James: Preparing to be Beautiful

2008-10-30T17:34:00.007+09:00

Sally isn't mentioning it (perhaps because she is only performing not choreographing) but she is featured in a fairly well funded dance work on the weeked called Preparing to be Beautiful by Perth-based choreographer Alice Lee Holland, Sydney-based composer Julian Day and costume designer Holly Boyton. As well as Sally it also features Sofie Burgoyne, Aisling Donovan, Luke Hickmott, Joshua Mu and Timothy Ohl.

It's on at the Moore’s Building Contemporary Art Gallery:

Friday, 31 October 8:00pm
Saturday, 1 November 8:00pm
Sunday, 2 November 8:00pm

You can buy tickets online if you are interested in seeing it.

James: Tropfest 2009

2008-10-27T18:27:00.006+09:00

Most of you know that I think Tropfest has about as much class as drinking wine from a can, but just to let anyone interested know that there is an information event about entering the 2009 event down at FTI this Friday night.

See the FTI Calendar here.

Sally: Calling All Creatives

2008-10-25T20:30:00.004+08:00

Crossover Australia 2009 February 15 – 19

We are inviting bright minds to come together and do what bright minds do- collaborate, clash, meander and mesh. Over the course of five days, 20 participants led by Lab Director Frank Boyd and a team of international mentors are immersed in a residential laboratory where the primary goal is the development of conceptual prototypes for ground breaking interactive projects. If you’re a programmer, a filmmaker, a digital media artist, a writer, a web developer, a choreographer, a theatre director, a composer or interested in applying your practice across platforms take the leap. Participation is free but places are limited. Apply now at www.crossover.org.au

Applications close Friday October 31st, 2008 Crossover Australia 2009 is presented by the South Australian Film Corporation and the Adelaide Film Festival in association with the Australian International Documentary Conference with financial assistance from Screen Australia.Collaboration

– The ProjectCollaboration –

The Project's objective is to preserve, enrich and succeed in creating performance opportunities for Australian artists. Working together with key supporters we see an opportunity to elevate Australia as one of the leading Countries in the advancement of the performing arts. To offer both upcoming and established choreographers, dancers, directors, composers and designers a chance to collaborate and produce truly original pieces on Australian shores. Please contact paulelmal[at]gmail.com for more information.

James: Simon Pegg

2008-10-25T15:50:00.002+08:00

I was listening to Simon Pegg on the "The Treatment" podcast. He was talking about how the first Star Wars movies were about Vietnam, and how The Force Unleashed video game is about making Omelets...

That was enough for me to recommend it to you... In case Simon Pegg wasn't already enough reason to reccomend it... Anyway, you'll see what I mean when you listen to it.

I'm looking forward to seeing his new movie on cheap tuesday next week, it's getting some interesting mixed reviews.

The Concept

2008-10-25T13:15:00.009+08:00

The idea for this blog is to be some kind of Hub, where Perth based creatives post things they recommend, have done, are doing, want to do or were inspired by. It will hopefully help create a strong peer group.

It's like an encyclopedia, its not a primary resource. This is not meant to replace an artist's personal blog or website. It's a secondary resource where people can pitch their ideas or share information and link to a primary resource. Linking is really important, this is how people exploring this blog can find other stuff on the internet that they might like. Posting information as text (rather than just an image) helps people find this site via google. Posting links to a google map for a location helps people find where to go etc etc. Inform your readers! Show the people of Perth where they can find the much fabled "culture".

I will try and begin this blog by getting my artistic peers to be authors, then hopefully they will want to invite their own Perth based artistic peers to be part of it, and so on and so on.

This idea has been tried before and failed, and this attempt probably will as well, but I'm going to try it my way and see what happens.

There is no particular theme to this blog, except for the fact that everyone is Perth based. Musicians, dancers, painters, writers, filmmakers etc, I'll be trying to get them all on board.

Discussion is the most important aim here. The site is presented as blog, but it's really a forum. Discussion is what will make EI unique among its own peers. Creating a dynamic environment where people can discuss, argue and give feedback about the local Perth creative scene is critical to EI's success.

I'm experimenting with a new commenting system that will hopefully help build a community around this website. Using this system, discussions don't have to be lost after a blog post leaves the main page and if other local art blogs sign up and use the same system, you'll be able to track the words of wisdom of your favorite commentators over a number of websites. So sign up now to comment! You can even use your OpenID.

James: My Name is Tom

2008-10-24T15:52:00.002+08:00

Hi There,

My name is Tom, otherwise known in the other world as James Pontifex. I like to create stuff. I get a lot of people coming to me wondering where all the cool kids hang out, I don't know myself really, so I'm going to create my own place.

While I'm here I would like to promote myself a bit.

I take an interest in most facets of creativity, but I like movies the most. I also like House parties and have recently taken an interest in video games.

I have my own blog called Jimmerish.

At Jimmerish you can watch some of my short films, see some of my photos and follow my moBlog.

I actually don't really like photography that much, but since I can't draw very well, I use it as a tool to help gather ideas sometimes.

I hope other artists will join this blog and introduce themselves a bit like I have done.