Hi Everyone, Thought it best to introduce myself to the Netbehaviour list now - before it's too late.
I am new here and am studying an MA in London, Art and Politics, Goldsmiths, originally from Canada. I come from a journalist back ground. So I suppose it was natural for me to find the origin of manifesto fascinating, and a challenge to myself. I clicked on the link from the Do It With Others at the Dark Mountain blog, and then read Paul Kingsnorth's post http://www.paulkingsnorth.net/2007/09/i-resign.html about why he had resigned "I travelled round England for nine months, uncovering real, meaningful, urgent and important stories, few of which the media have even noticed. I'm not some sort of investigative genius. I just got off my arse and moved about a bit and talked to people: ordinary, unglamorous people with remarkable stories to tell. That's what I thought journalists were supposed to do. [...]The point is that the country, and the world, are made up of stories; incredible stories of real people fighting real battles, and few of these stories are being told." "I haven't got much further than that (though I do have a very good name). What I really need are collaborators; fellow writers and artists who see a space out there for something deeply, darkly unfashionable and defiant, and who would like to help make it happen. This is a long journey, I imagine, which begins here. I need people of integrity and ideas to help me shape it and make it happen. Interested? Then drop me a line and let's see if we're on the same wavelength. A journey begins here. Who knows where it will end up?" Still wondering if I want to stay in the UK after the completion of my course. Have been to some events and shows at furtherfield's HTTP gallery - I hesitate calling it a gallery, because it seems so much different than the rest of the spaces I have visited. I went to the Class Wargames weekend, which was excellent, and I also went to the weekend opening for the Kate Rich show 'Feral Trade Cafe'. I brought my own home made cake to the event and there were loads of other people there, including those working at the space. What was so different from any other of my event and exhibition expriences, was how down to earth and friendly they were, I could talk to them even though I was not some high flyer. I was treated with as much respect as the artist taking part. I would say that this kind of unpretentiousness, connecting with visitors and anyone who just happend to be asking questions silly or otherwise, is a fair representation of most of furtherfield's acitivies and ideals, ! not sure if they have any ideals actually. Note to self - must look deeper into this stuff. My time on Netbehaviour has only been a couple of weeks at most, and already I have learnt so much. It's crazy, completely fluid and alive, unlike any other list. My own ideas around the notion of people being rude on the list to Douglad, is that what has been happening is a very natural state of affairs, and I really do not feel that anyone should take these incidents too seriously. From my own experience some of the best, most interesting and vital things happen out of controversy. I am enjoying the submissions so far, and realise that there is still plenty of time until the show at HTTP. I should say now, I do not intend to get involved in making any work for the DIWO and Dark Mountain, but will be part of the dialogue every now and then. It gives me the space to be a part of it without having to contribute any actual art - which is one of its strengths. Those of you who are making work - you should know that there are lurkers on the list who I know, who are journalists - peers, who are completely enthralled by what's going on. Even if you are not currently aware, this project is going to be far reaching outside of this list and the HTTP Gallery. And I do not mean just the Internet. What mean is, that there are journalists who belong to the BBC media and other mainstream newspapers who are looking out for alternative ways into dealing with such issues and activities, openings which are not caught up in the usual, commercial trappings, institutionally directed or controlled. This is because many of the main bodies in media and education are at a loss in how to engage with the subjects an ideas being considered. These frameworks which have so far sustainied themselves, in holding themselves up as leaders of culture, business and creative industries are not successfully dealing with the issues of the day because they are too re! liant on the very systems which have put us here in the first place. They need people like yourself and myself, to show them different forms of expression so to guide them out of their own limited, quagmires. They do not want answers, they just need to relearn how to be real again. Shake things up a bit. Enough of my noise, all I have left to say is, that I wish you all good luck on this. I will certainly do my best to promote it to everyone I know because this kind of work like deserves more representation. Go for it! all the best, Stuart. _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list NetBehaviour@netbehaviour.org http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
