Last night I took part in a stakeholders meeting at the civic centre to help review a draft of Mississauga's new sculpture policy. there weren't many in attendance. the people I saw there are those individuals who have been working hard towards the improvement of art and culture. I enjoyed the more in-depth look at the policy and its proposed budget.
There was criticism on the part of the city to not be enforcing a tougher stance towards money from development going towards public art and public works.
There was also a suggestions as to working public art into the quotes created for the city's review as well as having a permanent budget line in these documents.
Here are my thoughts. First I have little or no experience in this field. As a visual artist I think it is a fantastic opportunity for a municipality to take control of its public works and inject a little bit identity and originality into its developments. I think that it is an easy argument that developers should be putting money into these types of endeavours as well.
I don't think that they should be forced. Though the minimum must be met so that it begins a precedent I do not think that trying to "leech" money out of the system before it is ready is safe.
Also it is not necessarily a good thing to inject too much money into a system that has not been proven. A glut of cash could cause wastage and problems in the foreseeable future. It becomes a slippery slope. With proper increases and banking of the yearly funds the city will be ready when the right project comes along.
I also like the idea of having public art grow and change. More research into what the public would like to see seems very important. I would like to set up a kiosk sometime this summer to see if people will respond to public art and give feedback. Perhaps they want more access to art in general and don't care about sculpture or sound art. There is a section in the draft which places education of the public as one of the priorities. A good place to start for those who would like to get involved would be here. It is essential that the city get help with these details, although seemingly minor, workforce is short when dealing with budgets, private work for voluntary reasons is priceless.
During the beginning of the modern era western culture enjoyed one of its most creative periods. We are experiencing a sort of cultural renaissance as well. Our technology allows us to generate content faster than we can sort it or process it. The Arts and Craft period was instrumental in reminding the population that creativity helps to create healthier societies. We don't have to necessarily become socialists but we do have to start caring.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Accountability
It seems that the only time I write is when something disturbing happens. The last exhibit was a success on a few levels, the press, the turn out, the sales. All three are important when trying to expand a career and anyone who says you dont need all three is missing something.
The truth of the matter though, there is a fourth element. That counts as everything else outside of that. It doesnt matter how much of a success my art show was or will be in the future if I am still dissatisfied with the way that things are in my community. There are a number of issues popping up repeatedly. Repetition without intention is probably the most annoying thing you can imagine. People who repeat themselves twice as if you werent listening or capable of catching their drift, double negatives, etc. I have realized a couple of things from attending local AGM's at non profit orgs.
First, the board cannot hide behind a poor ED. It is up to the Board to keep the ED in line and make sure that they are doing their job. This is not limited to balancing the books and making sure the building they occupy doesnt burst into flame. It is more than that and must take several key factors into play. Community feedback is perhaps most important. If you find the community asking again and again where is the accountability you have to wonder. If the community seems to be perpetually complaining and worrying about the future of something they have not been included in the discussion at large.
Important changes are being implemented. These changes will allow us to take the first steps towards creating places to gather that have cultural and social importance. This week coming there is a panel discussion where a draft of the public art policy will be released to the general public. Port Credit is one of the possible chosen sights for something to take place. The community in this area have wanted something for a while now and have even worked to have a few of their own pieces installed to date. A mural, a totem pole.
In past entries I lamented the lackluster performance of ED's and non profit organizations in Mississauga. A number of them are currently flagged for various issues but non seem to be truly interested in changing for the better (I am simplifying and certainly do not mean every non profit in the city but the most visible to date).
Last week I attended two AGM's. Two very visible non profit orgs in Mississauga held their meetings on the same date. Not only does this seem strange (though April is a busy month for them as it is the end of the fiscal year), it seems almost planned to a paranoid mind. I wouldnt go so far as to say that it was but this certainly didnt help matters. The first meeting was fine, but when questions were asked they were dealt with in a reasonably trite manner by the ED. Clarification was needed and for someone like myself who is just starting to read accounts and balance sheets its important to ask questions. Although the meeting was fairly exhaustive and the printed material covered everything you could ask for they still missed out on something very important. Direction.
The second meeting was unfortunately only caught half way through as I had to travel from the city centre to a nearby parks and rec' area. When I arrived they were entertaining suggestions and questions from the membership. It is difficult to relate exactly how this meeting was going but chaotic would describe it. Instead of acknowledging the members ideas and noting them in the minutes the president instead chose to back peddle and act in a defensive way. If the president didnt blame a short coming on the previous ED who had left recently they chose to say that they had tried and failed before. In short any idea that was brought to the plate was met with resistance and ignored. This org also lacks direction. some of the suggestions should have been entertained and follow up could easily have been enacted through a town hall style meeting at a later date in the year. One member suggested that the logo be changed, link the location of the org to other areas of Mississauga as well as get more volunteers to help out with the operations of the board. If this was dealt with differently an observer could interpret the meeting as successful. Instead a very large defensive was raised and most suggestions passed over. This could lead observers to believe that the board does not want feedback, does not want members to care about what is going on, and eventually give the full impression that they do not care what the members are interested in. Unfortunately this is not very effective at producing long term positive feelings about the org and could force people to other orgs and locales like Nielson Park Creative Centre (which has a very good reputation).
So where did this rant come from? It doesnt matter how decent I am doing or how happy I am as a producing artist, it still affects me desperately that the overall health of the arts in Missisauga is sickly. If our orgs were interpretive, intervened in the affairs of the public and communicated with us through outreach we would see a vastly different landscape today. I will continue to work towards a time when these orgs can be held accountable in some way. Until then they can expect to see me at their events, their AGM's and various places of business so they know someone is keeping an eye on them, if only for my own interests.
The truth of the matter though, there is a fourth element. That counts as everything else outside of that. It doesnt matter how much of a success my art show was or will be in the future if I am still dissatisfied with the way that things are in my community. There are a number of issues popping up repeatedly. Repetition without intention is probably the most annoying thing you can imagine. People who repeat themselves twice as if you werent listening or capable of catching their drift, double negatives, etc. I have realized a couple of things from attending local AGM's at non profit orgs.
First, the board cannot hide behind a poor ED. It is up to the Board to keep the ED in line and make sure that they are doing their job. This is not limited to balancing the books and making sure the building they occupy doesnt burst into flame. It is more than that and must take several key factors into play. Community feedback is perhaps most important. If you find the community asking again and again where is the accountability you have to wonder. If the community seems to be perpetually complaining and worrying about the future of something they have not been included in the discussion at large.
Important changes are being implemented. These changes will allow us to take the first steps towards creating places to gather that have cultural and social importance. This week coming there is a panel discussion where a draft of the public art policy will be released to the general public. Port Credit is one of the possible chosen sights for something to take place. The community in this area have wanted something for a while now and have even worked to have a few of their own pieces installed to date. A mural, a totem pole.
In past entries I lamented the lackluster performance of ED's and non profit organizations in Mississauga. A number of them are currently flagged for various issues but non seem to be truly interested in changing for the better (I am simplifying and certainly do not mean every non profit in the city but the most visible to date).
Last week I attended two AGM's. Two very visible non profit orgs in Mississauga held their meetings on the same date. Not only does this seem strange (though April is a busy month for them as it is the end of the fiscal year), it seems almost planned to a paranoid mind. I wouldnt go so far as to say that it was but this certainly didnt help matters. The first meeting was fine, but when questions were asked they were dealt with in a reasonably trite manner by the ED. Clarification was needed and for someone like myself who is just starting to read accounts and balance sheets its important to ask questions. Although the meeting was fairly exhaustive and the printed material covered everything you could ask for they still missed out on something very important. Direction.
The second meeting was unfortunately only caught half way through as I had to travel from the city centre to a nearby parks and rec' area. When I arrived they were entertaining suggestions and questions from the membership. It is difficult to relate exactly how this meeting was going but chaotic would describe it. Instead of acknowledging the members ideas and noting them in the minutes the president instead chose to back peddle and act in a defensive way. If the president didnt blame a short coming on the previous ED who had left recently they chose to say that they had tried and failed before. In short any idea that was brought to the plate was met with resistance and ignored. This org also lacks direction. some of the suggestions should have been entertained and follow up could easily have been enacted through a town hall style meeting at a later date in the year. One member suggested that the logo be changed, link the location of the org to other areas of Mississauga as well as get more volunteers to help out with the operations of the board. If this was dealt with differently an observer could interpret the meeting as successful. Instead a very large defensive was raised and most suggestions passed over. This could lead observers to believe that the board does not want feedback, does not want members to care about what is going on, and eventually give the full impression that they do not care what the members are interested in. Unfortunately this is not very effective at producing long term positive feelings about the org and could force people to other orgs and locales like Nielson Park Creative Centre (which has a very good reputation).
So where did this rant come from? It doesnt matter how decent I am doing or how happy I am as a producing artist, it still affects me desperately that the overall health of the arts in Missisauga is sickly. If our orgs were interpretive, intervened in the affairs of the public and communicated with us through outreach we would see a vastly different landscape today. I will continue to work towards a time when these orgs can be held accountable in some way. Until then they can expect to see me at their events, their AGM's and various places of business so they know someone is keeping an eye on them, if only for my own interests.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Show at Motyka Fine Arts
It is that time of year again, yes the annual rush to finish painting a show in time. I have most of the work made and painted already. Since March is shaping up to be quite the busy time for me, I am endeavoring to have everything done by the end of February. I am painting at multiple sites and using the regular studio as a workshop for building supports. So far it is working out well. However I feel old and tired when looking at the work. In some cases I have grown as a painter, but in others I have not.
I am continually looking on the web for synchronicites. I believe that Western art is coming to a conclusion (at least for this period). There is always an ism, or what the critics consider book ends that will help them to figure out when one things ends and another begins. Is this always the case? Its hard to say whether there has to be anything at all that would describe these types of historic events.
I'm sure that there were plenty of artists that have fallen outside the book ends and have failed to receive adequate attention during their lifetime, or posthumously, as well put into perspective, repositioned and included in the faithful list of iconic artists from so and so time and ism. What happens when there are no more isms? Or worse, the lack of one is so blatant and troubling that they begin to try to fit square pegs into round holes.
During one of my surfing sessions lately I found an artist that shows his work in New york. Born 1959, painter. Normally this wouldn't mean anything at all if it wasn't for the fact that I found an image of a painting of his with an image that I used from a national geographic. Derivative comes to mind. Wait, that's what I do. In the words of the Fantastic Mr. Fox, Cuss.
The image was the exact same one that I had used in a painting called cinematic beginnings. When I say that I search the "cloud" for synchronicities I hadn't thought that it would pertain to my work. Though I should be more forgiving as there are quite a few artists making work in North America and that I shouldn't beat myself up about it. If people are working from popular or corporate images there is bound to be some overlap. This could mean one of two things however.
-One, that I am on the right track, that since this gentlemen is using these images there is something special about them that makes it worth while.
-Two, that I am on the wrong track and headed towards obscurity. The second, more dire circumstantial situation is the one that I have been dreading for years but have not had any indisputable truth to go by. This is an indisputable truth though. Cuss.
Obviously this gentlemen has been painting for a long time. I always thought that the found images game would be something that I would work out of. It has made me very sensitive to illustrative techniques and I am finding these recycled images everywhere. Ones that I have seen in my clippings of magazines and books and those that I have physically used in my art. The question now is what will I do. This gentleman's work was quite exhaustive and detailed. He projected the images and work from reference creating a very painterly style. I have gone in a similar direction where I attempted to make the image disappear while maintaining a sense of realism in the paint. I focused on the use of colour and composition rather than brushstroke and paint. This is perhaps the largest problem facing me at this point. I have a solution to this problem.
I have always been struggling with the direction of my work; where it was taking me, etc. I assumed that by simply working I would get there. That mediated steps would result in too much planning and would ultimately ruin my work. This is partly true. However if I look down the line I see a dead end. I have always assumed what it would look like, now I know what it is. If I am to escape this void that Western art seems to be spiraling into I have to look far ahead and escape before it is too late.
Even now as I write this I am talking as if I am a prisoner of some system. In an interview lately I actually said that I work with perspective because I feel that it echoes the system, but I am only perpetuating it by following it, whether I am pointing it out or not.
The only thing that I can think of that would save me from my terrible end at this point is to abandon structure and found images in favour of something that makes more sense. The only problem is, I'm not sure if I can undo the damage that has already been done.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Press Releases and Travel
South Beach:
Oulu, Finland.
St.Thomas Ontario, Canada.
After I came back from teaching abroad with the Odyssey program in Quebec I visited the town that my parents and I were born in. It was an important weekend for me to take part in; the beginning of the addition of local artists to their city market. My relatives were very large supporters of my work for a long time and contacted the local paper to come out and speak with me.Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Long time no (C)ulture
It has been a very long time since I wrote in this blog. The main reason being a very busy schedule. Unfortunately I wish that meant that a lot of ground has been covered in the mean time. I do not wish to elaborate immensely on this topic except to say that things are much more difficult than they should be. Over the course of the development of the cultural masterplan in Mississauga I was exposed to many different types of personalities and histories. There were positive histories and negative ones. Individuals attending the many workshops and information sessions had been through similiar incidences of renewal and change in the past only to have things slip back into the same rut that has remained a dominating presence almost since inception. This city, the people who live in it and visit it all have the same thing to say; that there is something lacking.
Now that I have had my hands, wrists, elbows and arms deep in all of this I have formed a new hypothesis, one that is slowly becoming a popular theory.
Since the adoption of the cultural masterplan as the next step in the development of a unique cultural identity for Mississauga things have been moving slow. I have not seen change in the seperate non-profit institutions. Although they appear to be developing programming towards eliminating the surreptitious stagnation of their organizations activities they are merely a simulacrum for something substantial. Connection.
It almost goes without saying that if you host an event, you will have some people attend it. If you plan something out that requires bodies to participate there are enough people walking the streets and driving around in the summer time that they will drop in. Guaranteed? Maybe not?
There is a division of productive interest in reporting events that do not register on the political agenda of the local decision makers. Our newspaper is sadly under-utilized as any sort of communication tool. Those events/group activities that do not appeal to the common denomiator are marginlized simply out of neglect. This is no surprise as Mississauga does not have any sort of media presence. The news is owned by the star. The star is owned by a larger national corporation. the only hope that we have of any real press, in advance to an event or as reportage of a happening has to register on the star's radar, or not at all.
Recent reports about local shows have been full of errors and inconsistencies due to poor checking of facts and a lack luster understanding of whats going on in our community. It is not uncommon for artists not to be mentioned (as a sculpture that was unveiled recently had no mention of its author linked to it in the article that was reporting the event)...
That brings me to the here and now. In earlier posts I had supported the notion that it was up to the public (namely practicing artists) to step up and offer collaboration, projects and events to help kick start the public mind set to be engaged in the creation of culture (an end towards a cultural identity) instead of passive consumption. I assumed naively that those I contacted would feel the same way. It turns out that their work ethic is not what it is supposed to be. I feel that not only was I avoided, talked to less than plainly and finally treated as if I wasn't an originator of an idea, I was stuffed into a position of complete subordination. My question is; if this is the way that they treat the extraordinarily driven individuals that live in this City, how do they see, and treat the general public? Do they loathe them? Do they hate the fact that after all these years of collecting paychecks, partially funded by the people that visit and attend their responsiblities, they have to keep maintaining a facade of amiable hospitality? What does this have to say about the board of directors that help to maintain leadership and operation of these institutions? Do they care what happens with the day to day management?
It is difficult to say who is right and who is wrong. I am merely a bystander with a stake in my community because I care what direction we are headed in. Apathy within the populace is at, what we suppose, an all time high. The surest way to battle it is to Connect. It is an interesting posit to question whether or not there is anything wrong with Mississauga and the population when it comes to the creation of culture. There are enough people here. We are an affluent city that is highly educated and prosperous. We have all the trappings of a cultural metropolis. It is my belief that the problem is not with the way our citizens live, but the way that they are forced to live through apathetic non profit institutions that seek only to maintain the status quo. There is no experimentation, no adventurous spirit that is at the source of a competitive market place. There is no room for creative individuals to make dreams come true.
One of the major obstacles that we must deal with as a Municipality over the next twenty years is how to hang on to our Youth. We must give them space to grow and develop and without the adventurous spirit this will not happen. We must give them a reason to stay or they will move to the city that does. Our Economies are shifting. Ours is becoming an innovative economy no longer necessarily dependent on manufacturing or retail. If we dont change the way that we think and do business we will flounder like so many others. Although the monolith that we have built has a solid foundation there is no guarantee there will be any around to worship it when the prayers go silent.
Now that I have had my hands, wrists, elbows and arms deep in all of this I have formed a new hypothesis, one that is slowly becoming a popular theory.
Since the adoption of the cultural masterplan as the next step in the development of a unique cultural identity for Mississauga things have been moving slow. I have not seen change in the seperate non-profit institutions. Although they appear to be developing programming towards eliminating the surreptitious stagnation of their organizations activities they are merely a simulacrum for something substantial. Connection.
It almost goes without saying that if you host an event, you will have some people attend it. If you plan something out that requires bodies to participate there are enough people walking the streets and driving around in the summer time that they will drop in. Guaranteed? Maybe not?
There is a division of productive interest in reporting events that do not register on the political agenda of the local decision makers. Our newspaper is sadly under-utilized as any sort of communication tool. Those events/group activities that do not appeal to the common denomiator are marginlized simply out of neglect. This is no surprise as Mississauga does not have any sort of media presence. The news is owned by the star. The star is owned by a larger national corporation. the only hope that we have of any real press, in advance to an event or as reportage of a happening has to register on the star's radar, or not at all.
Recent reports about local shows have been full of errors and inconsistencies due to poor checking of facts and a lack luster understanding of whats going on in our community. It is not uncommon for artists not to be mentioned (as a sculpture that was unveiled recently had no mention of its author linked to it in the article that was reporting the event)...
That brings me to the here and now. In earlier posts I had supported the notion that it was up to the public (namely practicing artists) to step up and offer collaboration, projects and events to help kick start the public mind set to be engaged in the creation of culture (an end towards a cultural identity) instead of passive consumption. I assumed naively that those I contacted would feel the same way. It turns out that their work ethic is not what it is supposed to be. I feel that not only was I avoided, talked to less than plainly and finally treated as if I wasn't an originator of an idea, I was stuffed into a position of complete subordination. My question is; if this is the way that they treat the extraordinarily driven individuals that live in this City, how do they see, and treat the general public? Do they loathe them? Do they hate the fact that after all these years of collecting paychecks, partially funded by the people that visit and attend their responsiblities, they have to keep maintaining a facade of amiable hospitality? What does this have to say about the board of directors that help to maintain leadership and operation of these institutions? Do they care what happens with the day to day management?
It is difficult to say who is right and who is wrong. I am merely a bystander with a stake in my community because I care what direction we are headed in. Apathy within the populace is at, what we suppose, an all time high. The surest way to battle it is to Connect. It is an interesting posit to question whether or not there is anything wrong with Mississauga and the population when it comes to the creation of culture. There are enough people here. We are an affluent city that is highly educated and prosperous. We have all the trappings of a cultural metropolis. It is my belief that the problem is not with the way our citizens live, but the way that they are forced to live through apathetic non profit institutions that seek only to maintain the status quo. There is no experimentation, no adventurous spirit that is at the source of a competitive market place. There is no room for creative individuals to make dreams come true.
One of the major obstacles that we must deal with as a Municipality over the next twenty years is how to hang on to our Youth. We must give them space to grow and develop and without the adventurous spirit this will not happen. We must give them a reason to stay or they will move to the city that does. Our Economies are shifting. Ours is becoming an innovative economy no longer necessarily dependent on manufacturing or retail. If we dont change the way that we think and do business we will flounder like so many others. Although the monolith that we have built has a solid foundation there is no guarantee there will be any around to worship it when the prayers go silent.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Informal Exhibition Space
For those of you who have been reading my blog and keeping up to date with what has been happening in Mississauga you will know that we still don't have any informal exhibition space with walking traffic and accessibility. I have begun the negotiation for a space that is west of the bridge on Lakeshore in Portcredit in an attempt to give some artists (mostly local) a chance to show their work. For me this was important because not all artists in Mississauga are focused on creating and showing work that can be displayed in a private gallery or a commercial setting.
I plan on packing the space and having an opening the week of the southside shuffle in order to maximize visibility and attendance. I have a number of people on board that are interested in being a part of this project already and am always looking for more. I have not begun the auditing process to see who has what work to show, but since there will be a fee to show work for the weekend I believe that this will sort out those who are not serious about showing the work.
Contact me if you read this and you are interested. I am encouraging everyone from the very experienced to the beginner. It will be a great chance to increase your network, learn about hanging a show and selling work (if that is your goal) and meeting the general public.
I come from a strong art community (OCAD) where these sorts of endeavours are quite common and are most of the time put together by students who are looking for exposure. It is sad and predictable that this has not happened repeatedly in Mississauga as of yet. At one point there were a few scattered student run projects but nothing that ever lasted. Of the three major spots to show work in Mississauga, not one is dedicated to giving local artists a solo show or a professional development. Workshops which aim to develop artists in the region are few and far between and are almost always run by our local community Non profit Mississauga Arts Council. It is sad that they are expected to do all the work.
There are a number of well run private galleries in Mississauga but they do nothing to increase awareness and expand the perspective of Mississauga's inhabitants. Bazgasht at the AGM proves that there are very large groups of culturally driven enthusiasts in Mississauga who are also being ignored when it comes to cultural development. If it wasn't for Asma Mahmood and her partner organizations they would most likely still not have a forum for expression of their cultural interests.
I am hopeful that things will begin to change. There is a social theory described by the phrase broken window. This simply means that all it takes is one person to throw a rock through an abandoned building's window for other people to begin doing the same. That first broken pane of glass says that we don't care even though that may not be the case. And the arts, much like an abandoned building doesn't have the interested parties financial backing to repair every window that is broken. However, in the exact reverse of this theory is the hope that when some good is done, it also spreads contagiously through a population. Positivism breeds positivism.
I plan on packing the space and having an opening the week of the southside shuffle in order to maximize visibility and attendance. I have a number of people on board that are interested in being a part of this project already and am always looking for more. I have not begun the auditing process to see who has what work to show, but since there will be a fee to show work for the weekend I believe that this will sort out those who are not serious about showing the work.
Contact me if you read this and you are interested. I am encouraging everyone from the very experienced to the beginner. It will be a great chance to increase your network, learn about hanging a show and selling work (if that is your goal) and meeting the general public.
I come from a strong art community (OCAD) where these sorts of endeavours are quite common and are most of the time put together by students who are looking for exposure. It is sad and predictable that this has not happened repeatedly in Mississauga as of yet. At one point there were a few scattered student run projects but nothing that ever lasted. Of the three major spots to show work in Mississauga, not one is dedicated to giving local artists a solo show or a professional development. Workshops which aim to develop artists in the region are few and far between and are almost always run by our local community Non profit Mississauga Arts Council. It is sad that they are expected to do all the work.
There are a number of well run private galleries in Mississauga but they do nothing to increase awareness and expand the perspective of Mississauga's inhabitants. Bazgasht at the AGM proves that there are very large groups of culturally driven enthusiasts in Mississauga who are also being ignored when it comes to cultural development. If it wasn't for Asma Mahmood and her partner organizations they would most likely still not have a forum for expression of their cultural interests.
I am hopeful that things will begin to change. There is a social theory described by the phrase broken window. This simply means that all it takes is one person to throw a rock through an abandoned building's window for other people to begin doing the same. That first broken pane of glass says that we don't care even though that may not be the case. And the arts, much like an abandoned building doesn't have the interested parties financial backing to repair every window that is broken. However, in the exact reverse of this theory is the hope that when some good is done, it also spreads contagiously through a population. Positivism breeds positivism.
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