“16 Planet of the Arts / ‘December 1996
Red, Ochre and the
Big Blue Machine
by James Riley
ope lies less in the
direction of grand theories than in
the capacity to see.” Susan Griffin,
Whole Earth Review
Most of the dogma being fed to
us about the “technological revolu-
tion” going on around u, is that it
brings with it great ‘progress’. At the
same time we are presented with
greater dilemmas than we have faced
ever before: a widening gap between
the rich and poor, environmental,
economic, political and ethical crises
to name only a few concerns that
artists are challenged with.
The bigger concern that faces us is
the ennui and apathy that come with
being aware of what is present.
| believe that the questions really
are these: Do you ignore the
inevitable technocorporate order that
is envisioning even more intricate
methods of electronic addiction? Do
you locate yourself in a comfortable
sinecure within the context of the
electronic age?
SAMOAN FIRE KNIFE D,
ANCER
sages Playing and dancing with fre isa (QUE.
@ show stopper that sizzles for om
Yost Aay 1
Weach aad a wmce man
Or do you challenge
the lofty ideas of a
dominant and
mainstream culture
that presents itself
as the great liberator
in the same context that those words
are being spoken?
The beauty of the Internet, and
the possibilities that could come from
it for artists, is that it is a blank
canvas. (Although there are many
who are quickly perpetuating the
same discourse on the internet as on
television.) The tools are there, but
can we approach the internet
empowered with ‘beginner's mind’?
The power artists’ have is the
ability to take nothing, and out of
that to struggle to create something
that was never imagined before.
Jaron Lanier, a computer program-
mer who coined the term ‘virtual
reality’, feels that “artists are going
to be more important in the next 100
years than they have ever been
before because they can expand the
narrow limitations that have been set
on the computer model”.
What is required is balance.
Daedalus said to Icarus, “Do not fly to
close to the sun, because your wings
are just made of wax, and they will
burn. And do not fly to close to the
ocean because the waves are power-
ful and they will pull you under.”
We all know what happened to
Icarus.
The balance is between being
thoughtfully critical and nihilistically
escapist, believing in the potential
and the beauty of the communication
of art, and finding an audience that
can find succinct meaning in this com-
munication.
More important than anything is
attacking the ennui that surfaces.
(Is it just a cruel joke that we
spend all this money to go to art
school?)
It takes a faith that is respectful of
suffering, not oblivious of it’s exis-
tence. And with out dialogue, aware-
ness does not occur. Well, you know
it’s there secretly in your
heart. But it doesn’t reach the
perimeter of the circle if it isn’t
spoken. @&
ards+
Letters
..continued from page 6
ARTISTS AND POETS UNITE!
Dear Harald and Jonathan,
| just finished reading the October issue of Planet
of the Arts. | found it in Quesnel Secondary School's
counseling center. And | loved it! The energy and
expertise were wonderful!
| especially enjoyed “The Grad Show Critique” and
the “Obituary/Spiro T. Agnew”-blurb.
| noted that your journal considers unsolicited con-
tributions, and so | have enclosed herewith 19 poems
that you might like to use as fillers in upcoming issues
(over the next year or two?). I’ve searched through
my portfolio of work and chosen poems that, | hope,
your artist-readers will especially enjoy.
| also want to solicit drawings by Emily Carr stu-
dents for the literary journal The Challenger that |
...continued from page 13
Press Gang Continued
That books and authors under the Press Gang label have won awards
and that we had the ability to survive after the demise of Press Gang
Printers. The fact that authors return with their next manuscript is valida-
tion that we did it right and it’s a very happy experience.
With mainstream publishers offering more opportunity to small press
with alternative view points is there still a place far a feminist publisher?
Yes, we are essential for a first time writer, no matter how good you
are. Small publishers are the only way to be published. In Canada; Press
Gang Publishers is considered top in offering opportunities for women
writers. We have a diverse spectrum of women authors.
Persimmons’ book Sunnybrook was Press Gangs first hard cover book
with color images. Do you intend to publish more like this?.
It depends on what the sales are like with this book. It was very expen-
sive to produce. If Sunnybrook is successful, there are already four other
manuscripts with illustrations lined up.
Apart from Persimmon Blackbridge, does Press Gang publish work of
other Emily. Carr women?
For the book covers, we sometimes contacts Emily Carr for sources on
local artists. Chick Rice and Susan Stewart, both Emily Carr instructors,
have done several book covers.
Press Gang Publishers books
and the authors have won the
following awards:
Restricted Entry Censorship
on Trial by Janine Fuller & Stuart
Blackley winner of the presti-
gious editor’s Choice Lambda
Literary Award; Bending at the
Bow by Marions Douglas, winner
of the 1996 Writers Guild of
Alberta Georges Bugnet award.
Her Tongue on My Theory
Images. Essays and Fantasies by
Kiss & Tell, winner of the
Lambda Literary award for the
Best Small Press Book; and
Unruly Women. The Politics of
Confinement and Resistance by
Karlene Faith, winner of the
1994 VanCity Book prize.
Press Gang Publishers
Fall 1996 release titles:
Sunnybrook:
A true Story With Lies
by Persimmon Blackbridge
Cereus Blooms at Night
by Shani Mootoo
Throwaway Angels
by Nancy Richler
Vancouver Rape Relief
& Women’s Shelter
Needs women who are
i d in vol in
© 24 Hour Crisis line
¢ Transition House
for Women & their
Children
TRAINING SESSIONS
TUESDAY EVENINGS
For more information
and for a training interview
Call
872-8212 or
876-0872
WOMEN’S
EVENTS
AND GROUPS
February 5, 1997 WAVAW exten-
sive training in counseling & crisis
intervention. For more information
phone 255-6228
March 24, 1997 International
Women’s day - we are looking for
volunteers to help at the event. If
you want to volunteer but not be
involved in the organising commit-
tee, phone Claire Robillard at
708-9491.
Battered Women’s Support
Services (info, referrals, advocacy,
support).
Counselling line 687-1867
Business line 687-1868
ECIAD SafeWalk Program
call 844-3890
The Artist
by Dan Lukiv
A three-year-old,
Pencil in curled hand,
Draws cavernous nostrils,
Garlic-clove-hands and -feet,
And many legs for dogs,
Because what exactly is
A four?
The dog becomes a centipede,
A face a blueberry-pancake;
A bunch of multi-sized circles
Is a mouse called Bob.
She thrusts a picture at me,
And blurts,
"This is you!”
| look like a monster,
An invader from a Killer-galaxy.
She laughs:
blades of 97435! | Wonder
Diane of the Arts
E-C-T.A. 0,
1394 Jomnstan St,
and my students at Quesnel Secondary School
publish. The loooow-budget journal, now advertised
Canada-wide in The Canadian Writer’s Market,
Because it’s me?
Not me?
Dan Vogel is an Emily Carr alumnus who
graduated from Studio in 1996. He is currently
rking as a i in in Hawaii.
;
made mae a” Med ee bin =
i
H
=
|
)
accepts poetry and art work from people living
Cards+
Letters
continued on page 38...
across Canada.
Sincerely yours,
Dan Lukiv
6-602 Elm Street
Quesnel, BC V2J 3X1
Pencil back in hand,
She draws circles as varied
As Segovia's concerts,
She draws a mouth, an Incan tomb
With Chicklet-teeth,
And then she gets bored
And asks for ice cream.
46 Planet of the Arts / December 1996
Press Gang Continued
‘That books and authors under the Press Gang label have won awards
and that we had the ability to survive after the demise of Press Gang
Printers. The fact that authors return with their next manuscript is valida
tion that we did it right and is a very happy experience
With mainstream publishers offering more opportunity to small press
with alternative view points i there stil a place fara feminist publisher?
Yes, we are essential fora fist time writer, no matter how good you.
‘are. Small publishers ae the only way to be published. In Canada Press
‘Gang Publishers is considered top in offering opportunities for women
writers. We have a diverse spectrum of women authors.
Persimmons’ book Sunnybrook was Press Gangs first hard cover book
with color images. Do you intend to publish more lke this?
"depends on what the sales ar like with this book. It was very expen
sive to produce If Sunnybrook is sucessful, there are already four other
‘manuscripts with illustrations lined up.
“Apart from Persimmon Blackbridge, does Press Gong publish work of
other Emily Carr women?
For the book covers, we sometimes contacts Emily Carr for sources on
local artists. Chick Rice and Susan Stewart, both Emily Car instructors,
have done several Book covers.
Press Gang Publishers books
abl ‘and the authors have won the
Phoneme press Gang Publishers
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Cards+
Letters ao
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