Monthly Archives: October 2009

#Trafigura, toxic waste scandals, gagging orders and social media

October 18, 2009news, RSA Arts & EcologyAlan Rusbridger, Ecology, Free Speech, Gag, Genie, Guardian, Ivory Coast, No Doubt, Parliament, Parliamentary Reporting, RSA Arts & Ecology, Scandals, Social Media, Spectator, Toxic Waste, Trafigura, Tweet, Tweeters, Victory

Anyone who is sceptical about the power of social media should compare this fromÂ The Guardian this morning â€œGuardian gagged from reporting parliamentâ€ with the twitter stream forÂ #Trafigura. Trafigura, you will remember, are the company responsible for dumping lethal toxic waste in Ivory Coast. The overwhelming sharing of information about the attempt to gag a newspaper from parliamentary reporting is nowÂ online here thanks to The Spectator who no doubt feel empowered by the fact that the genie is already out of the bottle on Twitter.

EDIT: At 1.00pm came this tweet from Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian:

Thanks to all tweeters for fantastic support over past 16 hours! Great victory for free speech.#trafigura

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

MA Arts & Ecology | University of Falmouth

October 17, 2009Announcements, RSA Arts & EcologyAcademic Environment, Art Disciplines, Campus 1, Campus Admissions, Dartington, Discourses, Ecology, Falmouth Arts, Falmouth Ma, Falmouth Uk, Full Time, Interdisciplinarity, Methodologies, Philosophies, RSA Arts & Ecology, Scientists, Time Arts

Arts & Ecology MA | Dartington Campus
1 year (45 weeks) full-time

Arts & Ecology has been designed to allow arts practitioners to develop their skills in the context of ecology, interdisciplinarity and place. The MA provides a challenging academic vehicle in which youâ€™ll develop your arts practice, further your ability to engage with complex ecologies and work with other artists and scientists.

Youâ€™ll explore various discourses, methodologies and philosophies conventionally associated with non-art disciplines (especially those of the sciences), and apply them to contemporary approaches to ecology through your arts practice.

http://www.falmouth.ac.uk/ page on Arts & Ecology MA

Apply direct to the Dartington Campus:Â admissions@dartington.ac.uk or telephone 01803 861618.

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

#Trafigura art prize to be announced November 3

October 17, 2009news, RSA Arts & EcologyArt Prize, Artists, Axa, Brakes, Constance, Corporate Sponsors, Ecology, Emerging Artist, Launch, Masters, Reputation, RSA Arts & Ecology, Slaughter, Struggle, Talented Artist, Trafigura

It is a struggle for artists to get paid, but surelyÂ no artist in their right mind would want to accept a prize from a company with a reputation like Trafiguraâ€™s. That would be, ah,Â toxic to any emerging artistâ€™s career, donâ€™t you think?:

Young Masters will also officially launch an Art Prize which will be continued by the Trafigura Foundation each year.Â The Art Prize, totaling Â£4,000, will be awarded to the most talented artist as judged by a panel of highly respected arts professionals.Â Young Masters is curated by Constance Slaughter and Beth Colocci and is supported by corporate sponsors Trafigura, AXA and Brakes Group.

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

Waste and opportunity: Tristram Stuart on how we could save the world with what we throw away

October 17, 2009news, RSA Arts & EcologyBakery, Book Festival, Ecology, Granary, Opportunity, RSA Arts & Ecology, Video Camera, Wasteage

What we could do with what we waste from RSA Arts & Ecology on Vimeo.

Last week at the Birmingham Book FestivalÂ I chaired Tristram Stuart talking about his excellent bookÂ Waste, an event programmed by the RSA. It is a brilliantly researched piece of work that leaves you horrified at the scale of the developed worldâ€™s pointless overconsumption.

Half way through the talk he brought the scale of our wasteage dramatically to life when pulled out a sliced granary loaf that heâ€™d picked out of a bin outside a bakery a few hours earlier and started counting out the slices.

At that point I pretty much gave up chairing and pulled out my little video cameraâ€¦

Read the book; itâ€™s good.

Tristramâ€™sÂ Waste website

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

Seminar/workshop | Nations in the age of global economic meltdown

October 16, 2009Announcements, RSA Arts & EcologyArt Professionals, Capitalist Economic System, Corporate Politics, Critical Exploration, Ecology, Economic Activities, Global Call, Global Economy, Global Financial Crises, Guest Speakers, Interconnections, International Platform, International Seminar, Knowledge Production, Marina Grzinic, National Governments, National Values, Nationalist, Nationalist Ideology, Participation, Protectionist Policies, Seminar Workshop, Symbiotic Link, Xenophobia

Call for participation
Nations in the Age of Global Economic Meltdown
International Seminar/Workshop for Contemporary Art Professionals:
November 10 – 11 2009

Muzeum Sztuki
LÃ³dz
Poland

Guest speakers: Marina Grzinic and Jens Haaning.

Muzeum Sztuki in LÃ³dz, in collaboration with Public Preparation, an
international platform for knowledge-production and networking, is calling for applications to participate in a two-day seminar/workshop dedicated to the critical exploration of interconnections between nationalist ideology and the capitalist economic system.

Amongst other groups, the contemporary art community is witnessing growing tendencies toward nationalism, which in the most radical cases take the form of violent intolerance, racism and xenophobia. With the very recent appearance of the global financial crises, protectionist policies have emerged, re-gained in popularity and started to play a central role in the emergency plans for economies directed by national governments. Capitalism forms a fundamental part of modern economies and, having developed hand in hand with modern nation state apparatuses, recent changes in the global economy and the revival of nationalism force us to recognise, discuss and examine, the changes in relations between these two super-forces which drive the world. In focusing on the symbiotic link between nationalist ideology and the neoliberal capitalist order, we would like to invite art professionals, especially curators, theoreticians and artists, who have been dealing with this issue and related topics in their prior practice to participate, to share their knowledge, experience and ideas during “Nations in the Age of Global Economic Meltdown”.

The questions that might be addressed during the two-day seminar/workshop could be articulated as follows: How are national values and traditions used as an excuse for economic activities and corporate politics? How is capital used as a tool of power to fulfill nationalist-imperialist policies in particular regions? How might the return to protectionist politics influence nationalist movements in contemporary Europe during this crises of global capitalism? How do they deal with migration and transnational identity? Why do nation-states behave like companies and companies act like nation-states? What is behind states branding themselves and using marketing tools and companies becoming multinational empires with their own rules and regulations? How is art and cultureÂ instrumentalised for the sake of strengthening national identity and promoting the nation?

The seminar/workshop consists of a seminar and a screening open to the public plus discussion on November 10, 2009 continuing with closed workshops on November 11, 2009. The workshops will be held by Marina Grzinic and Jens Haaning.

We greatly regret that Muzeum Sztuki and the Public Preparation teams cannot provide accommodation and travel grants, butÂ we are able to provide supporting letters for funding organisations and assist with individual fund-raising.Â And of course we are happy to advise on budgeting options such as good value accommodation.

The seminar language will be English.

If you are interested in taking part in the workshop/seminar, please email:opencall@publicpreparation.org

The deadline for the application is 1 October 2009.

For further information, please, contact the Public Preparation team viarael@publicpreparation.org

About the Public Preparation platform:
“Nations in the Age of Global Economic Meltdown” will take place within the framework of Public Preparation events. Public Preparation is an international platform for knowledge- production and networking. First and foremost it is a space for international collaboration focusing on the current practices of critical thinking and production in the field of contemporary art. The main agenda of Public Preparation is to concentrate on questions linked to the concept of an artist as a citizen. Contemporary art is a crucial part of the public realm, exhibition spaces are places for open discussion and artists have the power and responsibility to be actively engaged in the process of examining, imagining and changing social reality. The current phase of Public Preparation activities deals critically with the growing tendencies of nationalism in contemporary Europe, aiming to envision alternative ways to think about the global community. More information about Public Preparation project can be found atÂ www.publicpreparation.org

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

The Big Draw under The Black Cloud

October 16, 2009news, RSA Arts & EcologyBig Black, Black Artwork, Black Cloud, Black Projects, Bristol, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Climate Change, Curated, Drawing, Ecology Centre, Heather, Ivan, Morison, Public Shelter, RSA Arts & Ecology, Themes, Uncertain Future

Two projects weâ€™ve been involved with came together in a good way this weekend. The idea forThe Black Cloud, the public shelter artwork created by Heather and Ivan Morison emerged out of a Bristol residency the RSA Arts & Ecology Centre organised back in 2007, with the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Curated byÂ Situations, the shelter has been hosting a series of community events based loosely on how we imagine our uncertain future â€“ all held literally underÂ The Black Cloud.Â After the discussion it was also host toÂ The Big Draw, the Campaign For Drawingâ€™s great project to get as many people drawing as possible. This year is their tenth year and they asked The RSA Arts & Ecology Centre to pick one of the themes; we choseÂ Look to the future: work together to combat climate change.

Michaela Crimmin, Head of Arts at the RSA was down there this weekend and took this on her phone.

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

Wooloo.org | Call to artists

October 15, 2009Announcements, RSA Arts & EcologyArtist Groups, Artists, Climate Change Conference, Climate Problem, Collaborations, Collective Action, Copenhagen, Copenhagen Open, Curators, December 7th, Delegates, Ecology, Environmental Activists, Global Climate Treaty, Governmental Organizations, Hosts, Hotel Space, Kyoto Protocol, Last Chance, Life Happenings, Proposals, RSA Arts & Ecology, Signa, Substantial Problem, Tim Flannery, Wooloo

wooloo.org | PARTICIPATE OR DIE
Call to artists and curators

Deadline October 1 2009

NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN
Wooloo.org is organizing the people of Copenhagen to open their homes to 5.000 environmental activists during the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in Denmark this December.

Utilizing this large-scale human meeting as its exhibition platform, the NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN festival invites artists and curators to submit work proposals.

New Life Happenings. Propose a happening or event for the thousands of NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN hosts and guests during the UN Conference. Your concept should involve collective action and will be implemented alongside works by artist groups Superflex (DK), Signa (DK/A) and Raketa (SE) among others.

To learn more about NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN and to apply for participation, go to:http://www.wooloo.org/festival

PARTICIPATE OR DIE
From December 7th to 18th, 2009, representatives from 192 nations will gather in Denmark for the UN Climate Change Conference to reach an agreement on a new global climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. In addition to the large number of official UN delegates, thousands of activists and Non-Governmental Organizations are bound for the conference which has been called: “Humanity’s last chance to combat a climate problem that is now all but overwhelming.” (Tim Flannery, Scientist and environmental activist).

However, there will not be enough hotel space to accommodate most of these visitors, as all hotels in Copenhagen and the surrounding area (including Sweden) have already been booked for the official delegates. Furthermore, even if they were available, many visitors from all over the world would not be able to afford them anyway.

In order to help solve this substantial problem, NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN is running a volunteer-based campaign to get private Danish homes to open their door to the thousands of visitors. Through street campaigns and collaborations with local organizations, NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN aims to reach this goal by November.

ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE?
At the end of Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth”, Gore lists ten simple life rules to combat global warming. These include using less hot water, recycling more, etc. While Wooloo.org supports this sustainable thinking, we also believe that the real problem will not be solved by asking individuals to modify their behavior but only through addressing the wrongs of a global economic system that thrives on exploiting natural resources and people.

Seen in this way, the climate crisis is not just a threat but also an opportunity: The opportunity to create transnational commitment around radical re-thinkings of a destructive system. The first step to create such change, is to develop alternatives to the current system and our existing cultural codes.

That is our mission with NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN.

By asking artists to develop happenings and reflections for a new life – and then request that thousands of participants implement them – Wooloo.org aims beyond the traditional art exhibition to become an active organizer of experiments in civic engagement and social empowerment.

PEOPLE BEHIND
NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN is organized by the artists-run community Wooloo.org.

Founded in 2002, Wooloo.org is today used by more than 13.000 artists from over 140 countries. Wooloo.org projects have been presented in such places as: Artists Space (USA), White Box (USA), Basel Kunsthalle (Switzerland) and the Third Guangzhou Triennial (China).

For more information, seeÂ http://www.wooloo.org andÂ http://www.wooloo.org/festival

For further questions about NEW LIFE COPENHAGEN or Wooloo.org, please contact Martin Rosengaard; email:Â contact@wooloo.org / phone: +45 6171 6101, Wooloo.org, Pastursvej 46, DK-1778 Copenhagen V.

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

Thinking of Planning a Sustainable Event?

October 15, 2009ArcolaEvent Management, Management Students, Meegan, Organizers, Practical Guide, Tools

For information on greening an event, check outÂ Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide by Meegan Jones. It is an indispensable one-stop guide for event and facility organizers, managers and professionals, and event management students who need a powerful, easy to use collection of tools to deliver events sustainably. It covers a wide range of events and even features Arcola in the book.

Go to Arcola Energy

The Nature Conservancy

October 15, 2009Announcements, RSA Arts & EcologyArid Lands, Beautiful Nature, Call For Submissions, Coral Reefs, Deserts, Digital Images, Digital Photography, Diversity Of Life, Ecology, Grasslands, Lakes And Rivers, Life On Earth, Marine Habitats, Nature Conservancy, Nature Photo, Nature Photography, Nature Photos, Partnership, Photo Contest, Photo Winner, Photography Competition, Presentations, Stunning Nature, Sustainable Models, Sustainable Practice, Types Of Forests, University Of Oregon, University Of Oregon Eugene

Enter Our 4th Annual Photo Contest

The Nature Conservancy invites you to enter your stunning nature photos to our 4th annual digital photography competition.

We’re looking for beautiful nature photography representing the diversity of life on Earth. Your original digital images of our lands, waters, plants, animals and people in nature are all eligible for the competition.

We are especially interested in images that showcase the wide range of habitats across our planet, including all types of forests, grasslands, lakes and rivers, deserts and arid lands, rainforests, marine habitats and coral reefs in all seasons and around the world.

The winner’s image will be printed in the 2011 Nature Conservancy calendar – reaching nearly 2 million households worldwide.

TheÂ Best Nature Photo winner’s image will be featured on The Nature Conservancy’s website, nature.org, which is visited by more than 3 million people annually.

Find out more on the Nature Conservancy Website

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

Actors wanted | The Waste Ed Roadshow

October 14, 2009Announcements, RSA Arts & EcologyActors Wanted, Ascot, Dialogue, Ecology, Educational Charity, Educational Tools, Environment, Greater London, Org Uk, People, Photo, Pilot Project, Professional Actress, Project Leader, Registered Charity, Rehearsals, Roadshow, RSA Arts & Ecology, Travel Expenses, Volunteers, West London

Waste Ed Roadshow, charity creating educatioinal tools for young people, is looknig for two actors for pilot project

We are a registered charity creating exciting educational tools for teaching young people about ecology. Our new project -Â The Waste Ed Roadshow – is looking for two actors – male and female – to perform a 20 minute humourous dialogue about waste and how it effects ourselves and the environment.

Suitable people will be 18-25 years old, lively and confident, have some acting experience, and be genuinely interested in ‘green’ issues.

The performance will be part of up to 5 pilot runs of the roadshow, from end of May through June. Rehearsals will be led by our Project Leader (a professional actress). To keep travel expenses to a minimum, we are looking for volunteers from the West Greater London/Woking/Ascot area.

If you’re interested in getting involved contact us with a bit about yourself, your experience, and a photo if possible.

You can also visitÂ www.waste-ed.org.uk for more information about the roadshow.

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology