TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

8:57 PM
Posted by jodi rose

my head hurts. another day in E55 listening to strange glitches and clicks and buzzing sounds in the name of musique concrete. the program is starting to take shape though, and tonights interview with sumu gave me a direct line from 1950's radio france to 2005 fbi - and something about creating new worlds with sound - but you'll have to tune in when it goes to air for more details.
the pain is receding slightly - a few less words tumbling around in my brain. better get some more out, they build up and then it's a nightmare. new new thing is to try and do things within 24 hours of having the idea - or else they get stuck on the to do list for months.
and every day generates so many more new plans - trying to finish the ones I'm already in the middle of, but keep losing focus.
Reading about the hottest hippest trends of the world art scene in swedish magazine 'bon' which I found lying around the house (those flatmates are good for something after all!) and was thrilled to discover they include a number of elements I'm already doing.
"new subjectivity - the most personal may be the most universal.. the Swedish art world seems to be full of people confronting the sorrows of love or their deep longing for an absent father" [excellent, tick for both] " more and more artists are willing to explain their methods and frames of reference in writing" [always see website attached!]
"Global Approach - artiss travel and move from country to country just like everybody else"... [aha]
"Research - the artistic process as research is a hot topic. Many artists consider their art to be as valid a form of enquiry into the nature of reality as science - and perhaps even more genuine" [damn straight!]
"The aesthetics of failure - many artiss are working with a kind of failure esthetic. Being human and creating are viewed as issues of inadequecy, of making things that are unique in their imperfection, and that's what makes the artwork interesting [fail again, fail better. you know I was just thinking about this, having seen tracey moffat's photography show of scorpio women at rosyln oxley gallery, the back room where she had contact prints of all the shots taken trying to get the main one was far more compelling for me than the final product. Realised I'm going to have to start podcasting - since am on a panel and workshop about DIY radio for electrofringe - decided to include all my live performances in all their inadequate glory, and full recordings of the interview/conversations I've been having with various artists that never make it into radio programs - but with all the embarassing silences and stupid questions and 'sorry, I'm a bit fuzzy today' left in]
"Slow Art - you've got to give art the time it takes. So much of our society is about maximising profit. For many, artist and observer alike, art is a refuge from all that." [hmmm well the fortune can come along and catch up with the fame any time now ;) ]
"Showing off - artists and institutions seem to be working with new energy and daring. We'll probably be seeing more self-proclaimed geniuses and media-diva artists" [sonic artstar, cult of the mad genius artstar - hell I never know I was part of a diva movement - but I like it!!] They also featured a usefull article on how to look chic when you're showering in public restrooms - not that I'm quite so destitute, but nice reminder of the reality to all this glamour. Nicholas Roeg, in his book about brushing with fame (the actor from bad boy bubby in case you have no idea who he is) talks about having to ask the limo driver chauffering him to an awards ceremony or screening to make a quick stop at the dole office so he could put his form in. and presumably, eat that week.
p69 Bon International No. 3

now I rarely look at the careers section of the saturday papers, but happened to glance this week and found an article on play and how good it is for you. wanted to give the links for leggoland and seriousfun but seem to have misplaced it. maybe later when I finally sort and file all the stacks of paper in my study.

Today I had a very intriguing CD arrive from Sonic Arts Network - who emailed me and said, hi, we'd like to send you this CD. I said, OK. Bring it on. Must write a proper review and start new section on sonic artstar website. Anyway, it's a very whimsical yet strict document of the Big Ears radio show on Resonance FM, charting their attempts to broadcast within the guidelines of Fitzgeralds Broadcast Manifesto from 1931. They appear to have played many on air games - like radio paper rock scissors, guess the voice etc. Some gems include:
1.2 deviations from a logical structure should never be made purely for the sake of elegance
2.1 all content should be expressed concisely but without discourteous abruptness.
2.3 Features of a predominately entertaining nature should not challenge the generally accepted norms of good taste and decency.
2.12 No reference should be unnecessarily obscure. [damn!]
3.1 Deviations from a restrained and cautious style of presenting should not be made
3.4 The broadcaster must never allow unplanned occurrences to disrupt a calm and collected persona [gonzo journalism anyone!?]
3.7 The broadcaster should be cleanshaven, although the wearing of moustaches maybe permitted in those counties in which there is no consequent conflict with the local customs or law.
5.2 The broadcaster must avoid casual reference to persons of celebrity for the mere titillation of the listener or amusement of the listener.

www.sonicartsnetwork.org

Those are my favorites, and I'm very indebted to Big Ears for bringing it to my attention, as I will be taking their advice: article no. 4 reassess your own principles on broadcasting.
Indeed, the night air taught me to leave in everything you'd usually cut out, and abc in general that if I can make it, they will play it.
extraordinary. except that one about being lost in the forest outside vilnius - must try and resurrect it when I have a spare minute.
Maybe in 2008 - had a lovely email this week from someone building a bridge, inviting me to come and make an artistic expression with it - I love it when people come to me!!
Must go not, there are other words I'm meant to be pushing around - some would call this procrastination, but really it's essential to my sanity. And Philippa's ;)