THIS IS NOT JUST A BULLETIN BOARD!!!

Fans of Art & Mayhem (all 3 of you) - may have been dismayed by the quality of postings recent months - as it sems to have become like a displayable version of Marrickville councils ACME e-list.

That's largely because Mayhem has been in New York - trying to write a PhD and doing research on ife drawing. I've made some postings abut art and life generally - but alchohol abstinence has inhibited my gellery attendance somewhat....

This week - I've stuck on details about THREE EVENTS ON THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT (Feb 28th) PLUS somhtig amazing on saturday.... ALL AT WORTHY INTERESTING GALLERIES.

you can read the details below.
It's strange about the internet - the way that even in brooklyn I can apear to have my finger on the pulse of sydney art - just with an internet connection.

I also get a bit sad sometimes realising what I'm mising out on! especially the slit launch at medium rare last week - I even shed a tear and had to go to Babeland looking for decent dyke porn and a new sex toy....

maybe the above is to much information. Sorry.

but I've also been thinking about what defines the art I like. and I think it is stuff that involves CONNECTION.

I like paint - because it connects me with sloppy snotty oozy bodily bits - and makes me feel all oozy and sexy and a bit abject.

I like bright colours - because they shimmer and remind me of mambo trumpets and evoke a vibratory jouissance - that Eizabeth Grosz is far more eloquent about than me.....

I lke 'political' art - or conceptual art that explores themes of connection, change and community - because it explores connection change and community.

I just wish more of it was more transparent about the types of 'communties" being connected - and the delirious ambiguities of semi recuperated avante-garde ant intelectual posturing combined with a strategic niche careerism.

i'm as careerist as the next person - but it would be nice if we could be a bit more playful about our own ambiguous and fragile waiverings between being radical and recuperable.... It is a rather odd tension running right through the creative economies and one that probably many thrity-fourtiy somehtings would be willing to invest in.....

I find purely conceptual or 'purely' abstract or 'pruely anything a bit frghtening because it sems to cut off and close in possibliites rather than open up and expand them. this may just be an ex-catholic thing.....

I get scared when words surrund things too much, I get depressed when paint is streaky or too linear or flat and I get nauseaous when things are to astringent or claustrophobic or pompous.....

going to the Feminisnt art confests in New yrk was both exhilarating and scary. the churchy zeal of US femininsts is a bit scary. Esepcally since they're so pale and earnest and straight and midle clas and not kinky or queer or trashy.....

I am also pale and earnest and man, I'd LOVE to be middle class AND also kinky, queer and trashy. at the moment I'm far too bookish to be the latter.....

So having given a little mainfesto - i thoguht I'd mention some of the funstuff htat's been happening. the ctationality of contemrpoary art scares me a little - and I indlge in it to. Nameing names as plugs for friends or stuff I like - wihtout acutally critically ENGAGING with the work....

But I also hope that the plugs and circulations act to remind readers, archivers whoever THAT THERE IS A HELL OF A LOT OF ART THAT IS HAPPENING. and whether it is interesting or engaging or challenging - is largely up to how we, the audiences choose to engage with it. (Seeing and talking about it is a start, eh?)

so I JUST READ that IN GOSFORD - some people did a conceptual piece wiht a tree in a shopping mall.

apparently it was a high fallutin collaboration within a larger work with artists from Canada, Korea,
Japan and Australia.

A tree in Gosford Mall provided support for a stall display board as well as leaves to pin to it, which
were sold to passersby. Conversations focused on ideas related to limits of commodification processes, who
controls monetary regimes and determines monetary values, and the broader ethical concerns of deceit and
powerlessness for many within this system.

This work aimed at providing a context to link other works in the wider event such as those relating to the
Gulf War (oil) and local environmental issues (water), as well as text I provided for the screen displays in
a week long shop display taken from Senator Ron Paul in his speech to the US House of Representatives
(2006) called the End of [American] Dollar Hegemony.

It reminds me alitte of they sydney uni greens a few years back (ie 15 - fuck i'm old) who hadned out leaves as part of their studnet election campaign...

but reading about something - doesn't acutally encompass what the work actually meant to people who experienced it, amde, it engaged with it..... I duno what i'm trying to say but I BELIVE LISA KELLY is serious about using 'art' or art spaces as a publicforum for a critical engagement with art.... and so I urge reader to explore the latest LOOSE project:


Is it possible to bring political art into the gallery?

***
feedback session, wednesday february 28th, from 6pm
***

Thumbs up, thumbs down... a wrap up and debrief on the exhibitions, workshops & newspaper project

"If You See Something Say Something" initiated by Keg de Souza & Zanny Begg

http://www.ifyouseesomethingsaysomething.net/

Loose projects, level 2 168 Day St, Darling Harbour, Sydney

gallery hours: thursday and friday 12-5pm, saturday 1-6pm

the same bloody night Factory 4 has an opening of

Constructions by Helène Barbe (from Paris), opening 6 - 8pm, Wed 28 Feb until Sat 10 Mar

Outside Wall Work painting by Kate Mackay

at 49 Shepherd St, Marrickville, Sydney. (Shepherd St runs off Addison Rd)

The Showroom is open every Thurs - Sat, 1 - 6pm

AND DON't LOOK HAS: The Adventures of Sprite

WHEN: Opening Wednesday February 28, 6pm, Thur March 1 - Sat March 10 (Thur-Sat 11-5)

WHERE: DON'T LOOK Experimental New Media Gallery
419 New Canterbury Rd (Near Marrickville Rd), Dulwich Hill

WHO: Tanya Richards

CONTACT: Greg Shapley - Ph: 0401 152 434
EMAIL: dontlookgallery@gmail.com
WEB: myspace.com/dontlookgallery
Also see www.cdm.uws.edu.au/dubiously_wholesome

The Adventures of Sprite
Tanya Richards

Why is it that clowns are at home both at children's parties and in nightmares?
In a creative exploration of the Jungian concept of Persona, Tanya Richards invokes her alter ego, a slightly deranged clown called Sprite.

Sprite, through video, sound and performance, explores the tension between conformity and the individual in the construction of self. We all wear 'masks' to cope with everyday life. We act differently, depending on who we're talking to, and what we're doing. 'Masks' help us put up with the mundane and tedious, as well as the unexpected and shocking, but at what cost?

In this exhibition, Sprite challenges the distraction, boredom, fantasy and psychotic behaviour that often lurk behind the acceptance of repetitious everyday experiences. By revealing the moral constructs behind fairy tales and rhymes (the keepers of much modern-day morality), Sprite smashes the spectacle laying bare the forced facades of modern existence.

Practically, she does this by weaving herself into the well-trodden paths of staid childhood stories and verse. By rupturing tales that should run 'automatically', she forces us to sit up and take notice – to 'think' about what we're seeing and hearing instead of humming along to some mystical hermetically-sealed mantra.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT GREG SHAPLEY ON 0401 152 434 OR
EMAIL dontlookgallery@gmail.com

MEANHWILE OUt IN LIVERPOOL Khaled Sabsabi has curated "TONE"
as part of te Arab Film Festival.

THIS IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO MARDIS GRAS!!!!


Join us on 3 March at the Liverpool Regional Museum as Casula Powerhouse and Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) launch an exhibition of audio-visual works by Arab artists as a parallel program to the 2007 Sydney Arab Film Festival.


It is about negotiation and openness of opinions. It suggests there is no singular way of communication or conflict resolution but diversity of opinion about the Arab world and diaspora.
- Khaled Sabsabi

Tone - a word rich with shades of meaning. Tone may be defined as a tint or shade, a musical sound of definite pitch, a modulation of the voice expressing meaning and feeling, or style and elegance, among many others.

Local and international artists have come together to initiate a dialogue on the many Tones of Middle Eastern and Arab culture. Their works reflect and interact with each other within the gallery space, creating the opportunity for conversation and debate. No one opinion is the right opinion.

Artists involved in this project include: Nadyat El Gawley and Fatima Mawas, Mireille and Fabian Astore, Anna Bazzi-Backhouse and Murmur Sayed Ahmed, Nabila Irshaid, and Jacko Restikian.

For more information on the 2007 Sydney Arab Film Festival, visit http://www.sydneyarabfilmfestival.com.

Exhibition Details
WHO: All Ages
WHERE: Liverpool Regional Museum
Cnr. Hume Highway & Congressional Drive, Liverpool
WHEN: LAUNCH Saturday 3 March 2-4pm
Exhibition runs until 24 March
TIME: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm
COST: FREE
MORE INFO/ RSVPs would be appreciated for the launch by 28 February.
RSVP For more information or to RSVP, call reception on (02) 9824 1121 or email reception@casulapowerhouse.com

Migrating within the Slit

Migrating Within - Angela Femia, Helen Sturgess, Elke Wohlfarht
Serious Play - Bonita Bub, Ben Terakes, Melody Williams
spat + loogie - futuresearch

Exhibition open: Wednesday February 21 to Saturday March 10, 2007

Opening night drinks: Wednesday February 21, 2007 6-8pm

Firstdraft opening hours: Wednesday - Saturday 12-6pm

...

Migrating Within - Angela Femia, Helen Sturgess, Elke Wohlfarht

An exhibition of immersive installation works by three female sculptors, characterised by a use of diffuse light to evoke the ephemeral rather than the concrete, questions rather than answers.

As Helen Sturgess's Objects migrate through the gallery in real space and time they interact with the other works, linking Elke Wohlfahrt's observation of 'mutedness' with Angela Femia's reflection on memory and the home.

In an attempt to put into order the ephemeral territory of memory, Angela Femia's Memory Cupboard utilises the symbolism inherent in the cupboard and the house. Found and constructed objects are juxtaposed in an endeavour to navigate towards a better understanding of memory.

Utilising the whole gallery space yet essentially 'unlocated' within it, Helen Sturgess's Migratory Objects are translucent forms that hover and sway, migrating slowly, influenced by the movements of passers by. As adults we tether ourselves to the ground, weighing ourselves down with possessions and responsibilities. To be lighter than air, to fly or to float, is an eternal dream.

Elke Wohlfahrt's heightened sensitivity as one who has migrated led to Muted Suburb, an observation of the 'mutedness' that has evolved in contemporary western society. Glass and dust unite to present and re-present the video footage, resulting in a disorientating account of suburban life.

Serious Play - Bonita Bub, Ben Terakes, Melody Williams

Serious Play features artists that employ a playful approach to a broad range of materials whether it is the body in the case of Ben Terakes’ performances and drawings, industrial materials in Bonita Bub’s objects or the ‘mock-up’ construction of Melody William’s props.

The works commonly use humour and game playing in order to deliver messages concerning awkward and slippery territory such as ideas of masculinity, outsider status and anti-authoritarian sentiment. They generally preference unpolished aesthetics over pristine surfaces, are concerned with emotions and have a strong foundation in drawing. Ben Terakes devises performances and watercolours that explore the inability to define masculinity within a post-feminist framework. Whilst Terakes uses his body or watercolours as his medium Bonita Bub prefers to construct ambiguous organic shapes from industrial materials such as cardboard, transparent plastic and furniture foam. Melody Williams makes tools and props for undefined actions stemming from her playful urges and interest in the escapist potential of theatre and film.

spat+loogie - futuresearch

futuresearch is Lo-fi DIY virtual reality based on google image search and the unknown. Magic eyes, 3D and the Internet collide- almost as good as the motion picture ‘The Net’.

futuresearch is art to hang in the office.

futuresearch is….. A google image search of words pertaining to the future, mashed up into 3D lenticular prints. Then connecting with these image-makers from all over the net and the world, to explain the phenomenon of google and the future.

Custom made magic eyes circa 1991, for the new millennium – cross your eyes and step away for best effect.

Home made video goggles taking you on lo-fi faux virtual-reality tour of the INTERNET.

New media art for those who appreciate glitter and gold. The future, as predicted in 1989, is finally here.

Futuresearch is also pictures of computers.

spat+loogie are a Sydney based collaborative duo whose practise dips into the forms of installation, video, new media and performance. Their largest work to date is new!shop, a life-sized interactive supermarket which toured through festivals last year.

_____________________________________________________________________

For media enquiries contact
mail@firstdraftgallery.com

Attached:
Migrating Within, Press Image, 2007.
Bonita Bub, Stop Sulking Edward I, 2005.
Ben Terakes, Chief of the Cherokee (Performance Documentation), 2006.
Melody Williams, Workbench, 2005.
spat+loogie, Mystery, 2007.

Firstdraft
116-118 Chalmers St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
t: +61 (0)2 9698 3665 e: mail@firstdraftgallery.com
http: //www.firstdraftgallery.com
Firstdraft opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday 12-6pm

Firstdraft is supported by NSW Ministry for the Arts and the Australian
Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and
advisory body.

Firstdraft is supported by DPM and Bristol.

Firstdraft is a non-profit gallery run on a voluntary basis by a group of
practising artists. It is one of the longest running and most successful
artist-run initiatives in Australia. Firstdraft asserts the importance of
contemporary art production, dissemination and discussion in society,
providing a stimulating exhibition space that is professional and accessible
for a diverse range of artistic practices and projects.

hi tea ladies,

next thursday we have the exhibition opening & launch of slit magazine's 11^th issue, 'the 't' show'. opens 6-8pm thursday 22 february, continues friday 23^rd to sunday 25^th february 12-5pm.

featuring tom fairweather by jamie dunbar , sex intents by cat o nine tails, mr t by lasy penelope, plus works by wife and aunties, sam king, textaqueen, zanny begg, zoo and more.

lots of sexy photographs from slit associates as part of mardi gras, not just for viewing, they'll be for sale too...

for more information visit www.slitmag.org

see you there

pete

Sherman Galleries’ Directors
warmly invite you to attend the opening of

VOICELESS: I FEEL THEREFORE I AM

on Thursday, 22 February 2007 5.30-8.30 pm

to be opened at 7pm by Mr Peter Garrett MP, AM
Shadow Minister for Climate Change,
Environment, Heritage and the Arts

in the presence of Hugo Weaving and Abbie Cornish

Exhibition dates: 23 February - 10 March 2007

for more details about this exhibition, please visit our
website: http://www.shermangalleries.com.au/


SHERMAN GALLERIES
16-20 Goodhope Street
Paddington NSW 2021
tel: 02 9331 1112
fax: 02 9331 1051
email: info@shermangalleries.com.au
website: http://www.shermangalleries.com.au

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday 10-6 pm Saturday 11-6 pm

Neighbourhood parking near the gallery is limited
taxis are a thoughtful alternative


Voiceless: I feel therefore I am has been generously supported by
Voiceless, the fund for animals and Ondine & Brian Sherman AM. With thanks
to Otto Ristorante and Macro Wholefoods Market for their additional
support; and to Art & Australia, Pig in the House (Organic Wine), Dinosaur
Designs and Dr Charles Green for their kind assistance.

sydney Street Art

while i'm living it up in the big apple
you can still catch a little taste of new york in sinny....

those genius punters of fine culture at may street have got a great launch this week....

MAY’S PROUDLY PRESENTS

THE SYDNEY-MELBOURNE CONNECTION

DEB & PHIBS

Opening Beers:

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2007

OPENING DRINKS

MAY LANE ST PETERS

(next to St Peters train station)

Down in the lane this month we bring out the big guns as we feature a collaborative effort from Deb & Phibs. Deb is one of Melbourne’s finest, whose self portrait-inspired girls are no mere wallflowers. Her seductive style is unmistakable and is bound to stop traffic.

Deb is joined by her partner Phibs, with whom she’s been experimenting with aerosols. Originally from Sydney but now based in Melbourne, Phibs has been actively painting for the last 18 years, inspired by the art and mythology of other cultures- both ancient and modern. Solo, their work is unique- together they transcend the ordinary.

…

Each month, MAY'S invites a street artist to paint a 3 x 2.5 metre panel space installed on May Lane, St. Peters. At the month’s close, the panels are taken down and replaced afresh for the next ‘chapter’ in the project. The MAY'S scenario obviously differs from normal graffiti practice but, like all street work, is subject to ‘the elements’.

Each new artist’s work is hailed in with drinks, which this month will take place on February 16. Eventually, MAY'S will re-exhibit the panels together as a preserved account of the lane’s activity. Each artist’s feature work is for sale via MAY'S.

MAY’S also acts as a commissioning body, connecting the featured artists with people interested in funding or purchasing new street art works. For more information on each artist, check out www.mays.org.au

…

www.mays.org.au / (02) 9550 4232 / maysprojects@gmail.com

RADICAL HEROES

TONIGHT: Four-person Brazilian art collective, Contra Filé, will bring local and international artists together for an exhibition and workshops commenting on the 'war on terrorism' If You See Something, Say Something.

The exhibition opens the 2007 season of Marrickville Council's Chrissie Cotter Gallery and will be held tonight Monday 5 February from 6-8pm. The exhibition runs until 18 February.

Contra Filé are currently in residence at Council’s Artist Residency, and have organised the exhibition with the support of the Mori Gallery and Marrickville Council’s Art Grants Scheme.

If You See Something, Say Something brings together eight international and eight Australian artists to contribute artworks, articles and workshops.

The works are being shown in three galleries and range from sad and serious to humourous. The artists invite viewers to engage with the world around them and challenge their understanding of the causes of violence, mistrust and war.

Contra Filé will hold a Portuguese and English language workshop at Chrissie Cotter Gallery on 10 February 2007 from 2-4pm at the Chrissie Cotter Gallery.

For more information on the workshop, exhibition or to arrange interviews with the artists contact Zanny Begg 0421 420 420 or Keg de Souza 0412 920 044. Or visit www.ifyouseesomethingsaysomething.net.

The Chrissie Cotter Gallery is located in Pidcock Street , Camperdown. Entry is free, and the gallery is open Wednesday - Sunday from 11am-4pm.

On TUESDAY KUDOS has an exhibition opening of......

A kitschy collection of works by women.
Inspired by domesticity, pin-up 
girls, advertising and 1950s housewives,
this exhibition brings a touch 
of camp femininity to this year's Mardi Gras
season and a dash of 
romanticism in time for Valentine's Day.

DOMESTIC LOVE opens 6-8pm Tuesday 6 February
Kudos Gallery
6 Napier St. Paddington NSW 2021
exhibition continues to 17 February 2007
open Wednesday to Friday 11am - 6pm, Saturday 11am - 4pm

Kudos Gallery is run by COFA students and funded by
Arc @ UNSW

On WEDNESDAY - Part 2 or 3 of the If you see something say something juggernaut will be launched at MORI gallery - 168 Day Street (near Darling Harbour) from 6-8pm

Artists at Mori Gallery: Squatspace, Grupo Etcetera (Argentina),
Contra File (Brazil), pvi collective, Al Fahdil (Iraq), Keg de Souza
and Zanny Begg, Astra Howard, Arlene TextaQueen, Taring Padi
(Indonesia). Part of the If You See Something Say Something
multi-venue exhibition and newspaper project. Performance by Justice Yeldham.

Squatspace will be exhibiting contributions to their Redfern Mapping Project
Where they've invited people to bring in maps of Redfern Waterloo area. the project is ongoing - so you can bring in your map on the night or post them later. check out: for more info: http://www.squatspa ce.com/blog/ ?p=52

Meanwhile Harrison Galleries has a special Valentines Day opening for all you Stricken Art Lovers.

Adelaide artist Loene Furler has some paintings that are boasting about being 'neither figurative nor abstract' - with the one on the e-invite looking like a bunch of cubey lines in a blue field.....

hmmm....

mayhem is happy salivating over the "contemporary fabric compositions" of Sarah Nolan. They're composed, they're fabric, they're new. both the pics on this blog come from Sarah....I wish I could do more than salivate online.....