Flickr Group and =P

It’s been absolutely ages since I posted here. I’ve been quite busy elsewhere setting up all sorts of projects, thinking ‘I must put this at my blog sometime’, and now, here I am. I did have specific intentions to do some sort of paper on Equals Project and the E-Quality competition, which I still intend to do at some point, when the moment arises because there’s still a lot of activity which precludes writing anything at all definitive. Here are a few links for now:

http://www.youtube.com/user/EqualsProject

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2_BZTXaBht6DrvWkkk5P5GlcY5_KAw2A

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2_BZTXaBht45fEAtkVS66xljesHCJ_wF

http://www.cazart.org.uk/content/talks-seminars

And if you look at the Equals Project you’ll see there are ongoing projects over and above these, with various others planned.

I’ve just set up a new Flickr photography group via the Equals Project, to attempt to create and offer a useful group for those who seek to develop their eye, knowledge and skills by supporting one another. See here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/equalsproject/

If you’d like to be part of that you’d be more than welcome.

If you have any other ideas please do let me know. Sorry this is just a list of sorts. I will return to explain properly before too long. Hope anyone who reads this is doing well, one way or another.

I got nominated!

Mostly that would cause me to run away, but since the person who did it is someone I value, and anyway it’s good to make connections, here is my response;

This is the ‘Liebster Award’. This is what it says about it:

“For those bloggers and readers who are unfamiliar with this award, “The Liebster Award” is given to up and coming bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers. The word ” Liebster” comes from German and can mean the sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, most beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.”

Seems a tad OTT to me, so for me it means appreciated, valued, and liked, or somesuch. I don’t really follow many blogs, so I’ve just asked a very few. If you don’t want to do it that’s fine. If you want to make it in video form that’s fine too.

So Rules are…

Thank the person who nominated you.

When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.

Pass the award onto 6 other blogs {while making sure you notify the blogger that you nominated them!}.

You write up 11 new questions directed towards your nominees.

You are not allowed to nominate the blog who nominated your own blog! -You paste the award picture into your blog.

So first, thank you very much Laurel, for this. You can find her here: Nefaeria

My 11 answers to her questions:

1 Sitting by a camp fire or sun bathing on the beach?

Both. It’s great to light a campfire on the beach after the sun has gone down.

2 Your favourite poet?

John Donne. Metaphysical poet I studied for A level (16-18) whose work has stayed with me ever since. Check him out, he’s extraordinary.

3 If you garden {or could} what are your top three variety choices?

I don’t really understand the question, but my favourite things I’ve put in the garden are raspberries, asparagus and artichokes. The best bit, aside from their yumminess, is that they keep coming back every year.

4 Would you be more likely to speak your mind and risk hurting someone’s feelings, or hold things in to keep the peace?

I ALWAYS speak my mind. I can’t cope with dishonesty and lack of internal congruence. I don’t think holding things in keeps the peace anyway, because the tensions created ends up creating more problems than they solve.

5 Mead, wine or whiskey?

Not really much of a drinker, and I have a very childish palate, so probably mead, though I occasionally enjoy a glass of wine.

6 What is one thing you never leave your home without?

A key so I can get back in again.

7 If you could choose one lifestyle to lead {nomadic, homesteader, pop culture icon, etc.} what would it be? Why?

Probably homesteader, which is sort of the life I’m living anyway, though I have had nomadic tendencies, of mind if not body. Because I find being grounded and connected to the simple realities of life important. I’ve always wanted to change the world though, but think pebbles in ponds works far better than fame and fortune.

8 A book or an electronic reading device?

Book. There’s something about the feel, smell and sense of a book in your hands.

9 What do you think your most prominent talent/gift is?

Oh gawd. Being creative maybe.

10 Are you able to harness that talent or gift on a regular basis?

I follow it, I am in harness to it rather than harnessing it. I ride it. It’s my life, it takes me all over.

11 Should you have to take over the world, what changes would your underlings have to look forward to?

That there would be no underlings.

11 random facts about me:

1 A day rarely goes by that I don’t eat chocolate.

2 I love hot weather. The hotter it gets the more energy I have. When everyone else is drooping around with cool drinks I’m pounding off on walks.

3 I’m very left handed. This used to make me really clumsy and unco-ordinated but barring a few things I’ve never quite mastered (like climbing gates, tangled legs) I’m alright now.

4 I was born within the sound of Bow Bells. Theoretically that makes me a Cockney.

5 I rarely get angry, but when I do it’s probably a good idea to get out of the way, or listen. Listening is good.

6 I can go days without speaking to anyone without being at all bothered. In fact sometimes I need it.

7 I have fair hair. I’ve never dyed it.

8 My first child was 2 months premature.

9 I’m strange with patience. Sometimes I have it endlessly, other times not at all. I’ve never been quite able to work out the logic of it.

10 I don’t wear make up. I’ve tried, but generally it seems to make me look worse, not better. I prefer natural anyway so that’s ok.

11 I rarely do what I’m told, so my doing this is quite bizarre.

 11 questions for my nominated people:

1 What is your earliest memory?

2 Has there been an inspirational person in your life? If so who and why?

3 If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

4 What is your favourite book of all time?

5 What do you like most and least about the internet?

6 If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

7 What animal do you most relate to?

8 What three wishes would you ask a Genie for?

9 What do you like about yourself?

10 Sweet or savoury?

11 What happens when you die?

The people I’m nominating:

conferencereport

hexibase

vedekdrew

annikagarratt

E-Quality competition information and rules

Preamble: Many video makers at YouTube are there because they wish to express themselves and to fight for causes close to their hearts. Creativity and communication lie at the heart of what many of us do. We might be seen as somewhat homespun or even amateurish (not that there’s anything wrong, or lacking in creativity in that, far from it) in the broader world, but this is a misperception and misrepresentation. We’ve grown over a number of years, unique genres and styles developing as part of an ongoing connection between many, despite YouTube itself taking an increasingly business model. What we do needs to continue to thrive. The competition seeks to encourage and develop this irrespective of the changes, to develop our sense of community and creativity, and to introduce and create new lines of communication between this world and the art and video traditions which exists outside it. Quality and change come in many forms, we grow through interaction with those different as well as those similar.

To Enter: Make a video up to a maximum of 5 minutes (though preferably less, but any exceeding that will not be considered) which represents any cause or issue that’s important to you in a creative way. You can use video footage, photography, metaphor, music, performance, song, text, cartoon, or spoken word expressing your thoughts and feelings on your chosen topic. While you may wish to make a vlog in addition to your entry for your subscribers or anyone who might be interested, please do not make one as an entry as this competition is about creative rather than described expression.

Once made please upload it and attach it to the main E-Quality competition video. You can enter as many times as you like. Some of us have a number of inequalities or causes we are attempting to address and change, so better that than trying to get them all into one. These don’t have to be serious or scholarly. Humour, fun, entertainment, tensions, and absurdities are as welcome as are profundity, intensity or deep and meaningfuls. Do whatever works for you. If you’re unclear I’ve uploaded an example which is attached to the main competition video (though unlisted) which doesn’t cover one specific topic but which may give you some notions of possibilities. Mine is not the ‘right’ way to do it however, just one, and I’ve thrown the kitchen sink at it in terms of  implied issues. One area is probably better.

Closing date: 28th February 2013

 Rules/guidelines:

1 All footage should either be your own, or someone who’s given you permission to use theirs. If they have it marked as creative commons you still need to ask them if you can use it, and attribute them in the lowbar. But this is about your creativity and ideas not someone else’s so make sure you don’t just regurgitate others work.

2 If you use stock footage make sure it’s creative commons and attribute your source.

3 If you want to include music there are numerous sites who allow use of their music under creative commons license. Here are a few:

http://dig.ccmixter.org/

http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/

https://soundcloud.com/explore

Similarly, attribute the musician and site in the lowbar.

4 You don’t have to use all new footage, but it does need to be a new presentation or combination, offering your ideas in an original way. One of the joys of YT is how work can be reworked, altered etc. It’s part of the creative culture there and there’s no reason that can’t be celebrated.

5 Please don’t put an introduction on your video. It would be meaningless in a RL exhibition.

 Judging

After various consultations and the realisation any judgements made will be subjective and pertaining to personal taste and preference, alongside the wish to encourage and develop a mutually beneficial and supportive creative community the main form of assessment will be by contributors. Once the closing date has passed each will be asked to choose two videos, a favourite and a second place. This will be collated and the prize winner and 6 exhibition places (including the winner) chosen by this method.

There will be a second tier of voting by popular vote. The most popular video as assessed by thumbs up (ignoring thumbs down which are not part of the process) will be given a most popular vote award, but will not receive a cash prize. The top two will be entered into the exhibition alongside other winners.

One video will be selected from those who either have only phones to make videos with, and therefore no editing software, or who have never made a video before. If there are 5 or more entered into this category the best one will be entered into the exhibition, as selected by other participants, and receive a Newcomers award. If there are less than 5 they will fall into the main body of participants and this award will be dropped. They are not excluded from the top prize, but would have to be voted as best by participants. If you fall into this category (and wish to be considered for this award) please put ‘N’ at the beginning of your title so others know. If you have any difficulties attaching videos to the competition video let me know and I’ll help you resolve it.

One video will win the critics choice award which will be chosen by Falmouth University  Department of Performance and possibly a representative of the gallery chosen for the other screening . There will not be a cash prize for this, but it will be included in the exhibition.

Many thanks to all those who helped think this through. There were a number of other good ideas which would prove too complicated to action.

 Prizes:

This competition will be partly sponsored by Falmouth University Department of Performance, who will be putting up the prize money of £100.  The University will also be hosting a screening of videos made by finalists.  (If circumstances allow, this event will be streamed live through Google Hangout).

In addition, the videos of the finalists will be screened at a gallery in Cornwall.  Several venues are interested in being involved so the space chosen to host the screening will be announced in due course.

Sandman

So long it is since I made mark
On this space, the not quite place
No need to enter all the time
Or even think of reason and rhyme
As to when or why or even if
I’m coming close to
Near the edge,
The precipice, the cliff
Of making and not making
The being neither here nor there.
It’s time for bed
The sandman said
As he watched the waves
O’ertop his toes
And felt the sea and sand together
Suck them as they stood reposed,
It’s always some of this and that
Or curved and flat,
Of in and out and here and there
Of nevermore, of far and near.
The tension lies between the two
That are not two, or three or four
They’re always bothing less and more.
The time and places where I look
Upon your face, the face of all
Reflected here, the edges only made of fear,
But for all that not really here.
Mirage makes, mirage takes
And dream a dream until you wake
And sleep again in different way
Or stay, and break the pattern
Making it revealed.

Flute (with a tiny hat)

Well I thought I had something to complain about yesterday but YT decided not to share the video I uploaded today with ANY of my subscribers, so I’ll put it here instead. Dancing on shifting sand, as ever….

I’ve been saying for ages I’m going to pick up and play my flute, and have failed to do so. Finally I have, this is what came out. It’s not very good and don’t ask what the tune is because I have no idea, it’s just what manifested. I’m kind of marking this moment for posterity. Whether it will develop in any way or be as long before I pick it up again is anyone’s guess. The last time was about 3 years ago for a couple of days, I haven’t played it with any seriousness for possibly 10 years when I used to play regularly with several groups of musicians. The sound on this is generally poor, the reason being that the muscles used to get a good clear sound which are in the cheeks and mouth are out of condition. This is very much a workout for them. When you play for a while after not doing they ache.

Another lifetime

It seems to have been nearly a lifetime since I last wrote here, albeit a fairly short one. I’m not sure why, nor that I have anything especially mindblowing to share even now (even now even now, echoing off into the mirrored mind of infinity). I still make videos at YouTube, despite the fact I’m jaded with it all and weary of the policies they have there which now only encourage income creating content. I suggested to them this morning that they might like to consider another form of member/channel, that of the channel owner paying a monthly or yearly fee, which I’d be happy to do. Any other way seems to be something of a sell out to me. I’m a partner but never monetize because not only does it seem an insult to anyone who might want to watch what I create to force feed them crappy adverts, but also because one then becomes number oriented, concerned content pleases the advertiser rather than oneself or ones subscribers, and popularity largely based on the fact you’re making money for big business which I have no time for anyway. And as I continue to refuse them and the sundry other companies who email me with all sorts of promises if I let them represent me there I watch my viewing figures dropping proportionately. Not that I care how many people watch, I never have. I’ve always reckoned if anyone needed to see what I do they would, but I do find it offensive that those who are subscribed to me now only intermittently get to see what I do, and vice versa. But if it bothered me that much I guess I’d probably stop bothering making videos at all, and I still seem to quite enjoy doing that, once in a while.

On another note (this appears to be some sort of random catch up) I’ve finally finished the most ambitious painting I’ve ever done. 9 piece and movable around. Someone who is making me a frame for this (all being well) is coming round shortly so we can work that out, at which point I’ll probably show it (once it’s made). I’ve really enjoyed the process of that, as I generally do when painting. I often lose myself in it all, or find me, or become it, or am in love with it, and there is almost invariably a sense of loss when it’s done, a kind of grief at the end of a brief love affair. With this one having taken quite a number of weeks it’s probably more of a shock to the system. Even when I have another idea lined up it’s the same.

This quote was shared with me the other day, and seems very apt:

“When you start working, everybody is in your studio- the past, your friends, enemies, the art world, and above all, your own ideas- all are there. But as you continue painting, they start leaving, one by one, and you are left completely alone. Then, if you are lucky, even you leave.”
― John Cage

Well he’s just been, and as I knew was perfect for the job. He’s come up with some ideas which make it easier to manipulate and which won’t spoil the look of the thing.

 

Beehave

It’s been ages since I posted anything here. It’s funny how these things seem to ebb and flow. I tend to go with that rather than contrive input which never seems to work well, for anyone. This is an odd little story, one I’m not sure has any great or profound meaning, but I’m not sure it doesn’t either.

The other day I was about to go out when I saw an unknown car next to my vegetable plot, and someone wandering about in it. As you may know I’m well off the beaten track and my lane only leads to my neighbours fields so the only people who use it are either my ‘people’ or theirs. So I stomped off to ask this intruder what he was up to. It was a rather bemused older chap who couldn’t understand what I was on about at first, since he had apparently assumed the land to belong to my neighbours and had placed two beehives there, which they’d apparently told him he could do (on their land, not mine). He was quite put out that he’d wasted some time doing so only to have to move them. It hadn’t occurred to him to check beforehand. His car had bees flying about it, it was something of a curious scene, and how he’d managed to drive here without disaster is a mystery. I know bees aren’t vicious, but I don’t imagine they take kindly to being bundled into a confined space and thrown around.

He told me the neighbours had said he could put them in their field, but that the gate was locked so he put them where he had. Later I checked the gate, and while the main one had a padlock on it there was a large person gate to the side of it which was open, which he must have failed to notice. I told him I was allergic to bee and wasp stings (which I am, every time I’m stung it spreads further, it’s not good), but that otherwise I’d probably have suggested he leave them there. I believe the bee population is dropping and of course without them nothing gets pollinated. I do have quite a lot of bumble bees here, and have managed to learn to work round them without freaking out, and they seem to move out of the way quite happily as long as you don’t charge at them. I pointed him towards my neighbours garden and as I left he could be seen trying to get in. I have to assume he succeeded since my garden is now full of honey bees happily buzzing away. Apparently I must further come to terms with coexisting with something that can cause me considerable harm. I don’t see that as a bad thing as such, though I guess being consulted might have been nice.

It surprised me how cross I was with this silly man at the time, though it is something of a shock to see some unknown wandering about your home, be it inside or out. The significance of it being bee related is quite interesting, for the above reasons, but also because of the more symbolic considerations which I explored afterwards, and from ancient times it appears humans have revered bees, who have been around for aeons longer than we have. It would seem I’m going to have to get the hang of them, despite them not setting up home on my vegetable patch. Bees boundaries relate to pollen, not fences. I’m sure my flowers and veggies will be delighted though.