So here we are: the fourth issue of ‘X’. Our news-
letter seems to be receiving gradual support, in that the
mixture of contributors is beginning to resemble roughly
a Christmas fruit cake. The cake is prepared and put
together over a 10 day period or so, then baked every
second Wednesday. If you have work of your own that
you feel would suit the tabloid format, would print
well, and be something you would like others to take a
look at, then by all means make sure you submit it for
publication. We are also interested in your ideas and
feedback as to what you like or dislike, and what sorts
of things people might like to have appear in this news-
letter. Contributions, in whichever sense you would
describe them, are welcome from everyone. Things are
beginning to pick up; changes come in short waves;
around the school every day are discussions of our work
and thoughts and attitudes. Perhaps some of this will
find its way into ‘X’. Such was the case with the visit
of Richard Kostelanetz, who has been working in liter-
ary forms and criticism for several years, and all in all we
hope the piece which begins on page one receives some
attention. It seems that his work changes and moves
rapidly over the months, though his concerns remain
stable. In 1973, speaking in The End of Intelligent
Writing, Kostelanetz spoke about writers and literary
politics: “The young writer’s greatest enemies are, of
course, the powers of repression and reaction, but the
major antagonist within us is such a limited conception
of personal destiny that any sense of collective feeling or
interest is inhibited.”” When reading this you may want
to think of some happenings on the Canadian horizons,
say in Huron County (Ontario), where a group has formed
as Concerned Citizens. Their worry is over the kinds of
books their children are reading in schools. For example
(of all books!) Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners. Just a
few books are being made the figureheads for a most
peculiar battle; and in Vancouver there are small fires
regarding the (cough) kind of poetry being published,
and how certain people manage to receive enough sup-
port through government grants. But it’s come about
that many people have forgotten that the 1970 War
Measures Act was the most effective censorship ever
implemented in Canada. And the Government is on the
move again, this time with proposed amendments to the
Criminal Code, amendments which would broaden the
legal understanding of obscenity to the point where it
will be impossible to make little but absurd judgments of
“good” and “bad”. The new definition would make
obscene anything of which ‘the dominant characteristic
of the matter or thing is the undue exploitation of sex,
violence, crime, horror, cruelty or the undue degradation
of the human person.”’

Imagine that. Want to spend a few years dealing
with those sorts of codified laws? The potential vagaries
involved in interpretation are incredible. If opposition
to such maneuvers is ineffective, what next? With the
creation of our newsletter we enjoy the freedom of
addressing each other, talking and listening; the point is
that such a forum has not existed previously at the Col-
lege of Art in any substantial way. As ironic as this may
seem, in a place where so much goes on to create and
destroy various forms of art and culture, it’s true, yessir.
What is made and understood at the college would seem
to have a bearing on how we see the world and each
other, yes? Our newsletter can be located amid that
vortex as well as others of, how shall we say, a more
practical nature. As we say, things are taking shape, and
we hope responses of all kinds continue.

Out of the changes in this issue over the last, most
notable likely is the change in its colour and the absence
of the “On View” section. The latter has been dropped
due to the influx of material from within the college; as

Editors:

I am writing in response to the article in the
last issue of ‘‘X”’ that explained the process of the
Helen Pitt Graduate Awards and indicated the
sort of politicking that is involved when it comes
to choosing winners. The article ended with the
question: “‘Is politicking inherent to the art
process or does art transcend political gamesman-
ship?” I can’t really take this question seriously
because as I experience it, art is a force antithetic
to politics. I don’t know what mutual back-
scratching goes on when monetary awards are at
stake, but I do knqw that art cannot be awarded
with material benefits as its true nature lies in the
realm of pure experiencing. When one receives an
award it is the political aspect of that person, that
is to say the ego, that is receiving it. The art
remains unchanged. Awards are by their very
nature a political process.

The other question that came to my mind
when I was reading this article is about the con-
cern of incentive in the creative process. Are we
to follow the voice of our own “inner necessity”’,
as Kandinsky would say, or should we use our art
to play petty games for phoney goals in this
illusionary flux that many people fondly call the
“real” world. Although it takes a great deal of
shrewdness to win at such games, the desire
arises from a sensibility of shallowness and only
does indignity to the individual. I can say in all
honesty that I couldn’t care less if I ever win an
award for my art, even if money is at stake.
Money is great in the practical sense, but who said
art is practical?

Please excuse me for having heart.

Rob Reid, fourth year

Bus passes

Student bus passes go on sale Tuesday, October 10th.
They will be on sale for two weeks, until October 27th.
The cost of the pass is based on 5 round trips per week.
The price is $46.00 and will allow UNLIMITED bus travel
from October 15th until December 31st, 1978. Five
round trips per week for the rest of this term would cost
$56.00 without a bus pass. As well as saving ten dollars
outright, you are entitled to unlimited weekend and
evening travel, which makes for a much bigger saving.

If a person needs a refund after purchasing a pass,
there will be a rate of exchange based upon the date of
returning the pass.

Another pass for the second term will be offered in
January and will cover from January 1st to April 31st.
This pass will cost $66.00 per person. For more infor-
mation phone 681-9525 for Rob Reid, student council
president, or Tom Kowall, student services. x

photography by Jamie Jenkins

Do you remember?

Do you remember the questionnaire that you were
asked to fill out during registration? Appreciation goes to
those of you who did complete it. From it we have been
able to find out what the student population’s collective
identity is like and the kinds of student services that you
would like to have. The percentages given below are
based on responses received.

First, some information about the entire student
population. We have some 420 students here at present
with 190 of you male and 230 female.

As you no doubt are aware, the student population at
the College is composed predominantly of people who
have had many and varied educational, work and life ex-
periences before coming here. We have the figures to

prove it.
Age %
17 -19 2077.
20 - 29 65.0
30+ 14.3

Of the 82.8% of you who did not come here directly
from high school, some 67.5% have had some form of
further education.

95.5% of you list British Columbia as your permanent
residence with 85.5% from Vancouver and surroundings.
We also have students from USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Holland.

The predominant reason for coming to the College of
Art was listed by 40.9% of you as the opportunity to
work with other artists. Specific programs was second
with 27.0%. Quality of education, physical facility and
Vancouver as a city all received around 20% of your
votes. Someone out there specified brain damage as the
reason for being here and another listed the availability
of living nude models. . . .

Fifty per cent of the respondents have had their work
exhibited and 18% have worked with arts organizations.

The interest that the majority of you have shown for
various Student Services gives us some guides for accumu-
lating information and developing programs in the near
future. You are welcome to come and discuss any of
these areas with me and Tom Kowall.

A considerable amount of interest has been indicated
for information on and help with financial matters, tem-
porary work, recreational activities, personal problems
and enrichment, academic and career planning. I won’t
bore you with great quantities of figures on these. If any
of you want to see the complete report drop by my office.

— Eva Allan

well, it happens that Vanguard, published by the Van-
couver Art Gallery, compiles a ‘Noticeboard’ section
which covers the gallery and museum scene quite thor-
oughly. We refer you to that publication if that is the
sort of information you're after.

Apart from this, there’s not much more to be said
as this issue is wrapped up, ready for typesetting. Con-
tributors this time around include: Jamie Klyman, San-
dra Wiley, Nancy Cogburne, Daniel Bélanger, Rob Reid,
Harry McIntyre, Eva Allan, Jamie Jenkins, Laura Baird,
Ian Wallace (assistance), Don Jarvis (with variations on
the ‘X’ theme, page 3) Vera Traff (more assist-
ance); this issue also graphically designed with the
assistance of Colin Fenby, David Sit-Sea Chu from third
year graphic design. Last issue in graphics there was the
energy of Vida and John and Jim, and of course the
mysterious P. M. Trapp.

Deadline for the next issue is Wednesday, 25 Oc-

tober, at 4:30 peee-em. Whatever material you have

may be left at the main administration office (Dunsmuir
Street), with Vera to be more precise. All written pieces
submitted must be typed and double-spaced; with
anything, please also write your name and, if possible,
a phone number should we not be certain as to how
one might want something printed.

‘X’ is published on behalf of funding from student
services; we are without an address, other than that
we’re all working and learning in the same place day-to-
day. ‘X’ is typeset by Makara Publishing, and printed by
Press Gang in Vancouver. :

On Wednesday, October 18th, there will be a meet-
ing for anyone interested in talking about the newsletter
and contributions. See you at 4:30 peee-em in the library
at the main school. X

Gordon Moore and Joshua Berson, co-editors

ol

So here we are: the fourth issue of °X", O
Teter seems to be receiving gradual support, in that the
le roughly
pared and put
together over a 10 day petiod or so, then baked every
second Wednesday. If you have work of your own that
you feel would suit the tabloid format, would print
well, and be something you would like others to take a
Took at, th nit it for
publication,
feedback as to what you like or dislike
of things people might like to have a
letter. Contributions, in whichever sense you would
describe them, are welcome from everyone, ‘Things ate
beginning to pick up: changes come in short waves:
around the school every day are discussions of our work
and thoughts and attitudes, Perhaps some of this will
find its way into “X°. Such was d
of Richard Kostelanctz, who has be
ary forms and criticism for several year

by all means make sure you sul
We are also interested in your ideas and

1d what sorts

cease with the visit
working in lies
ill in all we
hhope the piece which begins on page one receives some
attention. It seems that his work changes
rapidly over the months, though his conce
stable. In 1973, speaking in The End of Intelligent
Writing, Kostelanetz spoke about writers and literary
politics: “The young writer's greatest enemies are, of
course, the powers of repression and reaction, but the
agonist within us is such a limited conceptio
I destiny that any sense of collective feeling or
hibited.” When reading this you may w.
to think of some happenings on the Canadian horizons,
Huron County (Ontario), where group has formed
i Theit worry is over the kinds of
books their children are reading in schools. For example
(of all books!) Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners, Justa
few books are being made the figureheads for a most
peculiar battle; and in Vancouver there are small fires
regarding the (cough) kind of poctry being published
nd how certain people manage to receive enough sup.
port through government grants. But it’s come about
that _many people have forgotten that the 1970 War
Measures Act was the most effective censorship ever
mplemented in Canada. And the Government is on the
‘move again, this time with proposed
Criminal Code, amendments which would broader
Tegal understanding of obscenity to the point where it
impossible to make little but absurd judgments of
and “bad”, The new definition would make
obscene anything of which “the dominant characteristic
of the matter or thing is the undue exploitation of sex,
horror, cruelty or the undue degradation
of the human persor

imagine that. Want to spend a few years dealing
with the sorts of codified laws? The potcntal vgais
involved in interpretation ae incredible. If opposition
to auch mancuvers i inefective, what next? With the
creation of our newsletter we enjoy the freedom of
‘ditesing cach other, ling sn stening the pin
that sucha forum has not existed previously atthe Col
lege of Artin any substantial way. As ron as this may
na place where 30 much goes onto create an

destroy various forms of at and cult
What is made
to have a bes
other, yer? Our
vortex as well at others of, bow all we say, a. more
practical nature. As we say, things are taking shape, and
tre hope responses ofall kinds contin

‘Out af the changes in this tue over the lt
notable likely i the change in ts colour and the abs
ofthe “On View” section. The ater ha been dropped
die to he influx of material from within the collegesas

' true, yess
derstood at the college would
fon how we see the world and cach
swsletter can be located amid that

Editors
Tam writing in response to the article in the
last issue of "X" that explained the process ofthe
Helen Pite Graduate Awards and indicated the
ng that i involved when it comes

winners. The article ended with the
Is politicking inherent to the art
‘or des art transcend political gamesman
take this question seriously

because as I experience it, artis force antithetic
to polis. I'don't know what mutual back
scratching goes on when monetary awards are at
stake, but do kngw that art cannot be awarded
‘with material benefits as it true nature isin the
reali of pure experiencing. When one receives an
ward it the political aspect of that person, that
is to say the ego, that i receiving it.The art
remains unchanged. Awards are by: theie very

question

that came to my mind
article s about the com
Are we

to follow the voice of our own “inner necessity
as Kandinsky would say, or should we use our ar
{to play petty” games for phoney goals in

asionary flux that many people Fn all
“real” world. Although it takes a great del
shrewdness fo win at such games, the des
arises from a sensibility of shallowness and only
‘does indignity to the individual. I can say in all
honesty that I couldn't cate Tes if ever Win an
award for my art, even if money is at stake,
Money is great inthe practical sense, but who sid
artis prac

Pease excuse me for having heart.

when T was reading
‘etn of incentive in the creative process.

Rob Reid, fourth year

Bus passes
Student bus pats goon sl Tuesday, October 10h
‘They will be on tle for two wees, antl October 27h
The cout ofthe pate baud on 5 roundtrips per week
‘The pice $46.0 and wl allow UNLIMITED bus ave
from October 15: until December 31st, 1978, Five
round eg po mek for the rar f thy ee wold eo
$56.00 without bus pasAs well a saving fn dollar
outright, ned to wnlinited weekend. and
Ifa penn needs a refund after purchatng 3 pay
choc sll trite of exci ned wpe te Gate a
reurng the ps
nathr pss forthe second term wll be offered in
Janary and all cover om Jantar date Apel 3
This pas wll cost $66.00 py or mate infor
Hatin lone 68.9525 (ure Reh ead
pridet oc Torn Kowal, deat service.

‘photography by Jamie Jenkins

avel, which makes for a much bigger savin

Do you remember?

Do you reme
asked to fill out du

ber the questionnaire that you were

ing registration? Appreciation goes to
11 who did complete it
able to find out what the student population's collective
identity is like and che kinds of student services that you
would like to have. The percentages given below ate
ses received.
information about the entire student
population. We have some 420 students
with 190 of you male and 230 female.
As you no doubt are awate, the student po}
the College is composed predominantly of people who
have had many and varied educational, work and life ex
periences before coming here. We have the figures to

those of From it we have bee

based on resp

re at present

prove it
Age
17-19 2027
20-29 65.0
30+ 143

Of the 82.8% of you who did not come here directly
from high school, some 67.5% have had some form of
further education,

195.5% of you lis British Columbia as your per
residence with 85.5% from Vancouver and surround

Holland,
The predominant reason for coming tod

‘Are was listed by 40.9% of you as the opportunity co
work with other Specific programs was second
with 27.0%. Quality of education, physical facility and
Vancouver as a city all received around 20% of you
votes. Someone out there specified brain damage as the

nd another listed the availability

Fifty per cent of the respondents have had their work
ited and 18% have worked with arts organizations
The interest that the majority of you have shown for
various Student Services gives us some guides for accumu.
formation and developing programs in the near
You are welcome to come and discuss any of
these areas with me and Tom Kowall
{A considerable amount of interest has been indicated
for information on and help with financial m
porary work,
and en
bore you with great quantities of figures on these. If any
of you want to sce the complete report drop by my office.
Allan

recreat problems

well, it happens that Vanguard, publi
couver Art Gallery, compiles a “No
din

ed by the Van.
jeeboard” section

scum scene quite thor
publication if that is the

which covers the gallery a
oughly. We refer you t0
sort of information you're after.

Apart from this, there's not much more to be said
as this issue is wrapped up, ready for typesetting. Con:
tributors this time around include: Jamie Klyman, San
dra Wiley, Nancy Cogburne, Daniel Bélanger, Rob Reid
Harry Melntyre, Eva Allan, Jamie Jenkins, Laura Baied
sn Wallace (assistance), Don Jarvis (with variatios
the °X’ theme, page 3) Vera Traff (more assist

so. graphically designed with the
Fenby, David SieSea Chu from third

Last is

year graphic design
energy of Vida and John
1. Trapp.

in graphics there was the
d Jim, and of course the

for the next issue is Wednesday

Whatever

5 Oc
naterial you have

may be left at the main administration office (Dunsmui
Street), with Vera to be more precise. All written pieces
submitted must be typed and double-spaced: with
wything, please also write your name and, if possible,
‘4 phone number should we not be certain as to how

something printed

‘of funding from stud
services; we are without an address, other thant
we'te all working and learning in the same place day-to:
day. °X’ is typeset by Makara Publishing, and printed by
Press G

‘On Wednesday, October 18¢

ing for anyone interested in taki
and contributions, See you at 4:30 pece-em in the library
at the main school.

there will be a meet:
about the newsletter

ordon Moore and Joshua Berson, co-editors