Hi Guys,
I just wanted to chime in on this exciting discussion re the direction
of possibilities towards a CNZ strategic plan etc Firstly cheers to
all the initiators on this one Douglas, Damian and Zita and every one
else awesome. Anyway here is my 3 cents as i distract myself from work.
Having skimmed through the screeds so far a few things stand out to me
in reaction:
1. The need for a space that is not MIC or the Film Archive to cover
digital media/art/augmented reality etc.
These spaces have lead the way over the years in changing opinion and
carving out a certain path but speaking as a Wellingtonian sometimes
it feels like there is nothing down here that is fostering the direct
development and fountain of ideas and creativity in our arena. I have
personally being craving a space/lab that is totally focussed on
digital art for years down here. There is so much of it going on
especially now that places like Vic are teaching and churning out
students fluent in MAX, Processing and digital performance aspects. If
we don't create something to inspire them we will LOSE THEM all and
they will bugger off overseas. All credit to the galleries that add a
token digital element every now and then but compared to the
international scene we are really lacking and holding back progress.
I currently have a studio at Toi Poneke Arts Center and this place has
been a godsend for me to establish myself and get things like the
Storybox Project of the ground. It fosters artists and gives them the
space to expand by giving them the spaces they need to survive. There
are some great measures and lessons here i think when thinking about
what a future ADA Hub could look and feel like.
I have felt for sometime that the MIC (and to a lesser extent the film
archive) has fallen short by a long way towards creating something
that can foster the digital arts to the wider New Zealand public. Its
a shame that the MIC has not opened itself up to foster a national
approach and as a result has become bogged down in focussing on
Auckland and buttering up international artists.
My preference would be for a facility that has a gallery/performance
space, dirty space for workshops and building things, offices/studios
for people running the place to continue pushing things along, room
for residencies....sheesh it sounds like another MIC.....hmmmmm but
the difference being it would have a national focus - for the people
by the people - it would start in one center i.e. Wellington and then
be established in others around the country.
However small this is to begin with it is at least a start but is
something that needs to happen - in the form or a bus, container,
shack anything.
2. ADA summer camp
Based on something that Zita wrote....
Douglas instead of fixating on the word 'bus' can we maybe just think
of it as a signifier of mobility? not necessarily a thing that moves
but an approach that can be moved, a way of decentring the idea of a
'room', one that connects with different kinds of 'rooms' in
different
cities, a way of increasing access to a pool of particular tools and
modes of working, a summer holiday even...
In the vain of more workshop oppourtunities and harnessing the
creative power of community i am personally craving going somewhere
with a bunch of inspiring people working on a theme / idea / project
and devising something during that period of time. The idea of going
to an old house by the beach that is loaded with all the gear and
trickery required and jamming together would be my idea of choiceness.
Each day could be structured by individual time, talks from people,
open workshops for the community, and at the end a presentation of the
new work to all an sundry in a performance or installation session.
Something like this that could be held outside of the lecture theatre
environment away from the constrains of the city as well i think would
A. open up the flow and focus on collaboration B. send ADA out into
the wider NZ community C. be a great reason to go and create new work.
Of course the idea needs fleshing out but i think as part of a process
for fostering the future community of digital/electronic artists in
Aotearoa somethings that can be aspired to are essential.
3. Getting it out to rural areas aka. freaking the locals out.
Great idea. Love it.
Robert Appierdo
[email protected]
// 021 663 339
// 04 802 3960
// skpe: robertappierdo
// 63 Abel Smith St
// Wellington
-----------------------------------
+ DNATION CREATIVE
+ www.dnation.co.nz
+ www.storyboxproject.tumblr.com
-----------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Ada_list mailing list
[email protected]
http://aotearoadigitalarts.org.nz/
