“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 <i>your</i> 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

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ARTISTS AND POETS UNITE! Draws oes ts

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Dear Harald and Jonathan, fe mn eet to

{just finished reading the October issue of Planet A four? of the art foun nsGuesne secondary chon S ering cnr ed he erry oa eee Sree especialy enjoyed "The Grd show Critique” and ‘bunch of mated ccs ‘the “Obituary/Spiro T. Agnew"-blurb. poe tat ual coer wesc cor a tributions, and so I have enclosed herewith 19 poems ition eee ane, that you might like to use as filles in upcoming issues a mnie ne oki rns i porte ct Wer ae cra peewee hep porta i wet te the | See etereaies pat ceeeaieior 'An invader from a Kiler-galany. ecacenanae dee vant tek croton) Col Car tenemos 1 Osa eacans dents forte ea oural The Chaloner tat Shelagh ade mg. a Met USiay iy land my students at Quesnel Secondary School Because its me takes obras! | eee] ee eee publish, The loooow-budget journal, now advertised Note? ase F gan Jomste St, Exnado widen The Conaian Wrter’ Market ae wit iN do tosey? | Vy oC accepts poetry and art work from people living repre ae =e fmoret, 6.C. — ed She ans es 5 v FE” yANAOA : Ces ce eee Wyn 324 Sincerely yours, Cards+ win chaeeeh

{6-602 Elm Street Letters

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