Folksy Finds blogged about COTL#4, which is on-sale at Folksy
Go see!!
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
exeter zinefest
EXETER ZINEFEST IS A FREE NON-PROFIT D.I.Y EVENT CELEBRATING UNDERGROUND AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING HAPPENING SATURDAY MAY 3OTH AT THE PHOENIX ARTS CENTRE IN EXETER, DEVON WHICH WILL COINCIDE WITH THE NO STARS NO STRIPES PUNKROCK ALL DAYER AT THE SAME VENUE. BOTH EVENTS ARE ALL AGES + ALL INCLUSIVE!
WHILE THE FOCUS IS PRIMARILY ON ZINES, ALL AREAS OF DIY ARE WELCOME - COMICS, ART, CRAFT, POSTERS, SHIRTS, PATCHES ETC. ETC.+ WE ARE PLANNING ON SHOWING FILMS
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED WITH HELPING US ORGANISE ZINEFEST OR IF YOU WANT TO 'BOOK' A TABLE PLEASE EMAIL IZZY PEPPERMINT_SKINNY@HOTMAIL.COM
Myspace for more infos
Monday, 27 April 2009
sabrina chapadjiev interview
In support of the blog post about her upcoming tour dates, I thought I'd post the interview I did with Sabrina Chapadjiev, Editor of ‘Live Through This: On Creativity and Self-Destruction’ for Reassess Your Weapons zine, #9 (2008). I really believe in Sabrina's work so much - so if you can, go to the dates in Manchester and Edinburgh (or Vienna and Bonn)!
Hi Sabrina, how are you?
I’m okay. How are you?
What can you tell me about your book, ‘Live Through This: On Creativity and Self Destruction’ for those who may not have come across it yet?
Wait. . .you didn’t tell me how you are yet? Oh- right, I’m filling the questions out, and you can’t respond. I’m going to assume you’re well, and continue.
‘Live Through This’ is an anthology of women artists talking about how they’ve used art to deal with self-destructive tendencies. That’s how it started out. However, it also became a study between self-destruction and creation, and the necessity and the balance of the two.
Why was it important to you to write this book *now*?
I don’t know. Well, first off, I have to say I didn’t write it. I edited it. A majority of the writing and brilliant ideas are all by the artists in the book- bell hooks, Nan Goldin, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein… they’re all fairly smart. However, I have, for a long time- wondered about women with these tendencies. . .seeing as I have quite a self-destructive bent in college myself. As I say in the intro, it started with Sarah Kane. I felt so in tune with her, that when she off-ed herself, it sorta rocked my mental boat. I sorta tried to steady that boat for awhile, and once I succeeded, I still wondered if what lead me to Sarah Kane would eventually lead me down the same road. I didn’t want it to, and wondered if there were other artists who’d dealt with these things but had not only survived them, but still were able to make transcendent art without having to be labelled, ‘suicide artists’ or ‘self-destructive’ artists.
I held this thought quietly in the back of my head for a while, and was then talking to publishers about my previous collection, ‘Cliterature- 18 interviews with women writers.’ One press was like, ‘We’re not going to publish an interview series, but we like how you think, kid. . .any more ideas?’ I pitched them something similar to this, ‘For Smart Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide’, which then evolved into ‘Live Through This.’
As trite as it may sound, when reading the book I saw parts of my story (past and current; self-destructive and searching for ways to be less so) in the words the women had committed to page.
With the book, and the offshoot blog projects etc. how important is it to you to not only document the important life stories, and creative routes out from despair that the featured women have shared, but also to provide support and encouragement to readers and viewers by demonstrating and depicting lives that have, or are in the process of becoming less destructive?
I ask this, as it seems that you’re providing readers with quite a lot of stimulus, food for thought, and examples of women who have found a ‘way through’ that could be a very important act of example, support and understanding to others. And also, I recall reading a ‘Live Through This’ blog entry you wrote that seemed to be so supportive and encouraging of women and their own personal battles; almost like there was *somebody* out there who gives enough of a damn to write and share, support and defend.
Was part of the book project purposely constructed as a hand-outstretched?
None of your question sounded trite, although it is a very long one and I’m hoping I’ll answer it correctly. Do I win something if I answer correctly? I am hoping for a stuffed rabbit.
I knew that I was presenting a topic that was going to be a bit loaded for people. . .it rarely receives a bland reaction when I talk about it. Either people suddenly feel the need to tell me that they’ve suffered themselves, or their sister has, or their girlfriend or. . .Since I’m not a therapist, or a psychologist, or any –ist, I didn’t quite know what to do. I very much wanted women to feel they could talk about these things openly, but I am also attempting to balance that line of guarding my own sanity. I spoke to contributors that have had intense reaction to their work who’ve dealt with the same thing, and the constant refrain was- Give them information. Give them a place to go. That seemed logical. And more helpful than me just taking it all in. I want these stories to be heard, and to be held in the highest value, but- again, as with my last project, I am desperately an advocate for women starting discussions, groups, communities themselves. The resource list at the end of the book is precisely that, and was the idea of my editor, Crystal Yakacki, who also edited Kate’s book, ‘Hello, Cruel World.’ Crystal’s brilliant.
So, hand outstretched? Yes, of course. But then, what book isn’t?
In the book, Cristy Road writes of self-destruction that, ‘here finally came creativity to thoroughly get in its way.’
I can totally appreciate where she’s coming from (hell, I‘ve relied for years on constructive, creative
outlets to get me through difficulties, and to quieten the stuff painfully banging about in my skull), but to what degree do you think creativity can act, not just as distraction from self-destruction, - but more that that; as a way to find one’s own voice?
To the 90th degree. Of course, this is bearing in mind altitude.
No, I don’t know. What is creativity? It is self-expression. True creativity is some stemming from yourself thing that came outta you and you don’t know what it is and now you gotta look at it. That’s the thing, too- you gotta look at it. You express, you think, you consider, and then you express some more. Each time you do that, consider your self, you are developing your own voice/style/self. Putting on clothes and looking in the mirror is like that . . . you put on a hat, you consider it, you take it off.
Voila. You are a hatless person. Take that world!
And so on.
Something that I know to be true is that often the path from self-destruction is the ‘difficult’ option, when a reliance on tried and tested forms of self-destruction seem like the easiest thing to continue.
In fact, this is something Inga Muscio also refers to in the book where she says:
‘I only knew one thing: write or die. “Die” meant leaving who I was and never coming back again. I saw the option of that, and it was easy and attractive on many levels. It could involve heroin, insanity or full court press emotional retreat.
Probably heroin.
But I knew writing better and had already established a pretty serious trust there. Writing has a proven track record saving my ass, so I consciously chose writing over any of the easy, attractive deaths that waltzed around my imagination’.
It’s a really tough question, but what do you think we can do to further highlight the importance of those ’difficult’ choices and moves, and encourage them in our communities?
One of the most important things I’ve learned in doing this book has been that our internal and personal struggles, once we survive them, shape the way we move and think through the world. Once we survive our personal injustices, we are able to bring that to our worldview and help others. I constantly turn to bell hooks’ essay on this point, as she details how as a child, she couldn’t stop crying, “I mourned for myself and for my family- for all of us caught in cycles of pain… My tears were a constant reminder that somewhere, something was very wrong.”
And what is hooks known for now? Constantly crying out in the face of racism, sexism and classism. Once that warbled cry is controlled, and refined, and considered, it is a very precious weapon that has the power to change the thing that began the tears.
Many of the people in the book have used forms of ‘skilled’ creativity, such as drawing, music making, creating art, rapping, writing poetry, teaching dance, playing the cello, performing, etc. as ways to re-focus their destructive energies and ‘control‘.
As a firm believer in ‘everyday creativity’ myself, what would your response be to people who may say it’s ‘easy’ for the people featured in the book as they had ‘obvious skills’ to draw from and ways to create, but that that they themselves are not ‘creative’ at all - they can’t draw, sing, play an instrument, write, perform, etc. like those in the book.
Good question. 5 stars. Goes well with Shiraz.
Ummm, I have to say that I didn’t go with [publisher] on press because they only wanted ‘written essays’ in this book. I was like, ‘What- you’re going to only save the essayists.’ Seven Stories (the hot press that
signed me) was totally on-board with the art, which was partially why I signed with them. Still, it was hard for me to even get dancers and musicians involved.
I was a bit chagrined that I couldn’t include scientists, teachers, politicians and their stories.
I very much believe that creativity is in each person, and should NEVER be relegated to artists. Still, I’m not answering your question… How can people that feel they’re not artists benefit from the book? Well.. .
1. Reading the stories, they can understand that they’re not alone – hopefully giving them this community can be enough for them to find their personal way to move forward.
2. You don’t have to be a ‘writer’ to write. Or to journal. You don’t even have to show it to anybody. Everyone writes. We write checks, e-mails that we forget, notes, lists, but we often write to other people . .I would take one of the regular everyday forms of writing you already do, and modify it so it is just for yourself. Instead of ‘Ten Things I need to get at the grocery store.’ It’s ten reasons I
wished I stopped cutting. Or ten anything. Lists are great. Letters too. It’s not about the writing or the art of it all- it’s about getting something out there that you can look at so you can self-reflect. As an artist, right now I can only think of arty things. But part of the reason I have my blog is so people can share this information... I’m having a posting soon called, ‘How I Get through’ so we can
learn from each other.
What is your view on the potential power of creativity?
This book isn’t necessarily focused on what the exact ‘the power of creativity’ is, it is more geared to helping individuals understand, assess, and manage the magnitude of their own power. If you ask me about creativity’s power specifically, well, I tend to resort to a Nicole Blackman line, from her poem, Daughter- a litany of things she would teach her daughter, one of them being, ‘You have an army inside of you that will save your life.’ Creativity, for me, is a way of rallying the troops. A way of calling them to order, by their personal names. “Soldiers Rage, Fear, Terror, Happiness, Joy, Sensitivity and Tenderness, are you here?” “Yes, Sabrina- all present.” We tend to only present the best parts of ourselves to others, and sometimes – often to ourselves as well. This book hopefully will give a manageable way of dealing with the more prickly emotions and parts of ourselves, so we can have them become a part of us as well, instead of us being consumed by their seduction.
How important do you think it can be to reconsider the constructs of ‘normal lifestyles’ in order to make (creative) breakthroughs to generate alternatives to the ways we (self-destructively) live; thus transforming the same energy we use to self destruct and convert it towards creation?
I’m sort of confused by this question. I think you’re asking if people need to structure their lives in an unorthodox way to encourage creative habits?. . .is that it? I don’t know. I’m going to pretend that’s the question.
Listen, everyone has their own way of working… their own rhythm. Some like the 9-5ness of their days, and that stability allows them to be creative, some people feel the need to throw it all to the wind and start from scratch. Whatever floats your boat.
I’m aware that you’ve been touring the US with this book, often with some of the featured writers doing readings, to create empowering spaces to discuss self-destructive experiences.
How have the tour events been going?
Awesome.
Why was it important to you to take this book on tour?
I’ve learned that you need to promote a book. So there’s that. But then also, it was really important for me to meet some of the author’s after having worked with them so extensively, and for them to meet each other as well. The fact that we were able to put on incredible, I mean- INCREDIBLE, and awe-inspiring evenings that touched a lot of people was something wonderful as well.
Personally, I had been sitting alone – working on this book really fucking hard for around two years... really, only a few of my friends knew about it and how hard I worked, and so when it came out. . .it sort of freaked me out. Like- it was ‘out there’ and people could ‘buy it’. But once I started giving lectures and doing workshops around this topic, it was such a relief for me. I had built up so much thought/knowledge in those two years and hadn’t really shared it with anyone. Now I could. The floodgates opened. It felt great- and even more so. . .people were responding.
By the way. . .I’m looking to do some lectures/workshops at Universities and such in the UK and Europe. . .so please spread the word.
This issue of ‘Reassess Your Weapons’ zine is devoting space for submissions on the theme of ‘Recovery’. The response so far has been flabbergasting, in terms of the breadth and extent of life experiences that women have, or hope to ‘recover from’ - from heartbreak, to loss, abortion, failure, upbringing, etc., alongside the more self-destructive addictions, eating disorders, forms of self-harms etc.
I was just wondering what your thoughts, or experiences, or reflections on the book are, in terms of recovery? And perhaps where creativity may fit into this.
In terms of recovery... People talk about recovery like it’s something you get over. I see it as something you take with you. You were hurt- you have a scar- it doesn’t go away. It molds you, and thank God it does. Each experience burns us a little. Changes us. I think people are afraid to accept their self-destructive pasts. There’s such shame around it.
But guess what? You survived it. You’re surviving it right now. Look at you!! But don’t forget what happened. Carry it with you. It’s part of who you are now, but that’s okay, because it’s a part of who we all are. So shape the world with ‘who’ that it’s made you.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I also write plays and play music so check out my website.
Do you want to suggest ways in which people can become more aware of ‘Live Through This’, or suggest other resources?
Go to the book’s website- sabrinachap.com/LTT ... there’s a bunch of video interviews I’m doing with contributors that I’ll put up soon talking a bit more in-depth. And there’s a link to a buncha radio interviews with me and other people. If you friend us on myspace page or facebook, I’ll let you know about any events coming up, or you can contact me if you want to set one up.
There is a resource list in the back of the book, but people are always free to post their own survival techniques on the blog- livethroughthisblogspot.com
Many thanks for taking the time and energy to respond to this interview Sabrina; I have so much support and gratitude for the work you’re doing with this project; it’s deadly important.
Oh, thank you!
Hi Sabrina, how are you?
I’m okay. How are you?
What can you tell me about your book, ‘Live Through This: On Creativity and Self Destruction’ for those who may not have come across it yet?
Wait. . .you didn’t tell me how you are yet? Oh- right, I’m filling the questions out, and you can’t respond. I’m going to assume you’re well, and continue.
‘Live Through This’ is an anthology of women artists talking about how they’ve used art to deal with self-destructive tendencies. That’s how it started out. However, it also became a study between self-destruction and creation, and the necessity and the balance of the two.
Why was it important to you to write this book *now*?
I don’t know. Well, first off, I have to say I didn’t write it. I edited it. A majority of the writing and brilliant ideas are all by the artists in the book- bell hooks, Nan Goldin, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein… they’re all fairly smart. However, I have, for a long time- wondered about women with these tendencies. . .seeing as I have quite a self-destructive bent in college myself. As I say in the intro, it started with Sarah Kane. I felt so in tune with her, that when she off-ed herself, it sorta rocked my mental boat. I sorta tried to steady that boat for awhile, and once I succeeded, I still wondered if what lead me to Sarah Kane would eventually lead me down the same road. I didn’t want it to, and wondered if there were other artists who’d dealt with these things but had not only survived them, but still were able to make transcendent art without having to be labelled, ‘suicide artists’ or ‘self-destructive’ artists.
I held this thought quietly in the back of my head for a while, and was then talking to publishers about my previous collection, ‘Cliterature- 18 interviews with women writers.’ One press was like, ‘We’re not going to publish an interview series, but we like how you think, kid. . .any more ideas?’ I pitched them something similar to this, ‘For Smart Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide’, which then evolved into ‘Live Through This.’
As trite as it may sound, when reading the book I saw parts of my story (past and current; self-destructive and searching for ways to be less so) in the words the women had committed to page.
With the book, and the offshoot blog projects etc. how important is it to you to not only document the important life stories, and creative routes out from despair that the featured women have shared, but also to provide support and encouragement to readers and viewers by demonstrating and depicting lives that have, or are in the process of becoming less destructive?
I ask this, as it seems that you’re providing readers with quite a lot of stimulus, food for thought, and examples of women who have found a ‘way through’ that could be a very important act of example, support and understanding to others. And also, I recall reading a ‘Live Through This’ blog entry you wrote that seemed to be so supportive and encouraging of women and their own personal battles; almost like there was *somebody* out there who gives enough of a damn to write and share, support and defend.
Was part of the book project purposely constructed as a hand-outstretched?
None of your question sounded trite, although it is a very long one and I’m hoping I’ll answer it correctly. Do I win something if I answer correctly? I am hoping for a stuffed rabbit.
I knew that I was presenting a topic that was going to be a bit loaded for people. . .it rarely receives a bland reaction when I talk about it. Either people suddenly feel the need to tell me that they’ve suffered themselves, or their sister has, or their girlfriend or. . .Since I’m not a therapist, or a psychologist, or any –ist, I didn’t quite know what to do. I very much wanted women to feel they could talk about these things openly, but I am also attempting to balance that line of guarding my own sanity. I spoke to contributors that have had intense reaction to their work who’ve dealt with the same thing, and the constant refrain was- Give them information. Give them a place to go. That seemed logical. And more helpful than me just taking it all in. I want these stories to be heard, and to be held in the highest value, but- again, as with my last project, I am desperately an advocate for women starting discussions, groups, communities themselves. The resource list at the end of the book is precisely that, and was the idea of my editor, Crystal Yakacki, who also edited Kate’s book, ‘Hello, Cruel World.’ Crystal’s brilliant.
So, hand outstretched? Yes, of course. But then, what book isn’t?
In the book, Cristy Road writes of self-destruction that, ‘here finally came creativity to thoroughly get in its way.’
I can totally appreciate where she’s coming from (hell, I‘ve relied for years on constructive, creative
outlets to get me through difficulties, and to quieten the stuff painfully banging about in my skull), but to what degree do you think creativity can act, not just as distraction from self-destruction, - but more that that; as a way to find one’s own voice?
To the 90th degree. Of course, this is bearing in mind altitude.
No, I don’t know. What is creativity? It is self-expression. True creativity is some stemming from yourself thing that came outta you and you don’t know what it is and now you gotta look at it. That’s the thing, too- you gotta look at it. You express, you think, you consider, and then you express some more. Each time you do that, consider your self, you are developing your own voice/style/self. Putting on clothes and looking in the mirror is like that . . . you put on a hat, you consider it, you take it off.
Voila. You are a hatless person. Take that world!
And so on.
Something that I know to be true is that often the path from self-destruction is the ‘difficult’ option, when a reliance on tried and tested forms of self-destruction seem like the easiest thing to continue.
In fact, this is something Inga Muscio also refers to in the book where she says:
‘I only knew one thing: write or die. “Die” meant leaving who I was and never coming back again. I saw the option of that, and it was easy and attractive on many levels. It could involve heroin, insanity or full court press emotional retreat.
Probably heroin.
But I knew writing better and had already established a pretty serious trust there. Writing has a proven track record saving my ass, so I consciously chose writing over any of the easy, attractive deaths that waltzed around my imagination’.
It’s a really tough question, but what do you think we can do to further highlight the importance of those ’difficult’ choices and moves, and encourage them in our communities?
One of the most important things I’ve learned in doing this book has been that our internal and personal struggles, once we survive them, shape the way we move and think through the world. Once we survive our personal injustices, we are able to bring that to our worldview and help others. I constantly turn to bell hooks’ essay on this point, as she details how as a child, she couldn’t stop crying, “I mourned for myself and for my family- for all of us caught in cycles of pain… My tears were a constant reminder that somewhere, something was very wrong.”
And what is hooks known for now? Constantly crying out in the face of racism, sexism and classism. Once that warbled cry is controlled, and refined, and considered, it is a very precious weapon that has the power to change the thing that began the tears.
Many of the people in the book have used forms of ‘skilled’ creativity, such as drawing, music making, creating art, rapping, writing poetry, teaching dance, playing the cello, performing, etc. as ways to re-focus their destructive energies and ‘control‘.
As a firm believer in ‘everyday creativity’ myself, what would your response be to people who may say it’s ‘easy’ for the people featured in the book as they had ‘obvious skills’ to draw from and ways to create, but that that they themselves are not ‘creative’ at all - they can’t draw, sing, play an instrument, write, perform, etc. like those in the book.
Good question. 5 stars. Goes well with Shiraz.
Ummm, I have to say that I didn’t go with [publisher] on press because they only wanted ‘written essays’ in this book. I was like, ‘What- you’re going to only save the essayists.’ Seven Stories (the hot press that
signed me) was totally on-board with the art, which was partially why I signed with them. Still, it was hard for me to even get dancers and musicians involved.
I was a bit chagrined that I couldn’t include scientists, teachers, politicians and their stories.
I very much believe that creativity is in each person, and should NEVER be relegated to artists. Still, I’m not answering your question… How can people that feel they’re not artists benefit from the book? Well.. .
1. Reading the stories, they can understand that they’re not alone – hopefully giving them this community can be enough for them to find their personal way to move forward.
2. You don’t have to be a ‘writer’ to write. Or to journal. You don’t even have to show it to anybody. Everyone writes. We write checks, e-mails that we forget, notes, lists, but we often write to other people . .I would take one of the regular everyday forms of writing you already do, and modify it so it is just for yourself. Instead of ‘Ten Things I need to get at the grocery store.’ It’s ten reasons I
wished I stopped cutting. Or ten anything. Lists are great. Letters too. It’s not about the writing or the art of it all- it’s about getting something out there that you can look at so you can self-reflect. As an artist, right now I can only think of arty things. But part of the reason I have my blog is so people can share this information... I’m having a posting soon called, ‘How I Get through’ so we can
learn from each other.
What is your view on the potential power of creativity?
This book isn’t necessarily focused on what the exact ‘the power of creativity’ is, it is more geared to helping individuals understand, assess, and manage the magnitude of their own power. If you ask me about creativity’s power specifically, well, I tend to resort to a Nicole Blackman line, from her poem, Daughter- a litany of things she would teach her daughter, one of them being, ‘You have an army inside of you that will save your life.’ Creativity, for me, is a way of rallying the troops. A way of calling them to order, by their personal names. “Soldiers Rage, Fear, Terror, Happiness, Joy, Sensitivity and Tenderness, are you here?” “Yes, Sabrina- all present.” We tend to only present the best parts of ourselves to others, and sometimes – often to ourselves as well. This book hopefully will give a manageable way of dealing with the more prickly emotions and parts of ourselves, so we can have them become a part of us as well, instead of us being consumed by their seduction.
How important do you think it can be to reconsider the constructs of ‘normal lifestyles’ in order to make (creative) breakthroughs to generate alternatives to the ways we (self-destructively) live; thus transforming the same energy we use to self destruct and convert it towards creation?
I’m sort of confused by this question. I think you’re asking if people need to structure their lives in an unorthodox way to encourage creative habits?. . .is that it? I don’t know. I’m going to pretend that’s the question.
Listen, everyone has their own way of working… their own rhythm. Some like the 9-5ness of their days, and that stability allows them to be creative, some people feel the need to throw it all to the wind and start from scratch. Whatever floats your boat.
I’m aware that you’ve been touring the US with this book, often with some of the featured writers doing readings, to create empowering spaces to discuss self-destructive experiences.
How have the tour events been going?
Awesome.
Why was it important to you to take this book on tour?
I’ve learned that you need to promote a book. So there’s that. But then also, it was really important for me to meet some of the author’s after having worked with them so extensively, and for them to meet each other as well. The fact that we were able to put on incredible, I mean- INCREDIBLE, and awe-inspiring evenings that touched a lot of people was something wonderful as well.
Personally, I had been sitting alone – working on this book really fucking hard for around two years... really, only a few of my friends knew about it and how hard I worked, and so when it came out. . .it sort of freaked me out. Like- it was ‘out there’ and people could ‘buy it’. But once I started giving lectures and doing workshops around this topic, it was such a relief for me. I had built up so much thought/knowledge in those two years and hadn’t really shared it with anyone. Now I could. The floodgates opened. It felt great- and even more so. . .people were responding.
By the way. . .I’m looking to do some lectures/workshops at Universities and such in the UK and Europe. . .so please spread the word.
This issue of ‘Reassess Your Weapons’ zine is devoting space for submissions on the theme of ‘Recovery’. The response so far has been flabbergasting, in terms of the breadth and extent of life experiences that women have, or hope to ‘recover from’ - from heartbreak, to loss, abortion, failure, upbringing, etc., alongside the more self-destructive addictions, eating disorders, forms of self-harms etc.
I was just wondering what your thoughts, or experiences, or reflections on the book are, in terms of recovery? And perhaps where creativity may fit into this.
In terms of recovery... People talk about recovery like it’s something you get over. I see it as something you take with you. You were hurt- you have a scar- it doesn’t go away. It molds you, and thank God it does. Each experience burns us a little. Changes us. I think people are afraid to accept their self-destructive pasts. There’s such shame around it.
But guess what? You survived it. You’re surviving it right now. Look at you!! But don’t forget what happened. Carry it with you. It’s part of who you are now, but that’s okay, because it’s a part of who we all are. So shape the world with ‘who’ that it’s made you.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I also write plays and play music so check out my website.
Do you want to suggest ways in which people can become more aware of ‘Live Through This’, or suggest other resources?
Go to the book’s website- sabrinachap.com/LTT ... there’s a bunch of video interviews I’m doing with contributors that I’ll put up soon talking a bit more in-depth. And there’s a link to a buncha radio interviews with me and other people. If you friend us on myspace page or facebook, I’ll let you know about any events coming up, or you can contact me if you want to set one up.
There is a resource list in the back of the book, but people are always free to post their own survival techniques on the blog- livethroughthisblogspot.com
Many thanks for taking the time and energy to respond to this interview Sabrina; I have so much support and gratitude for the work you’re doing with this project; it’s deadly important.
Oh, thank you!
live through this - manchester and edinburgh
*MANCHESTER*
Two mental health related events with Sabrina Chapadjiev, editor of 'LiveThrough This : On Creativity and Self Destruction'
http://sabrinachap.com/
http://www.sevenstories.com/book/?GCOI=58322100238060
(This is also the first event of a Mental Health Discussion Group that will start meeting monthly from June.)
*****
TALK AND Q&A
Sunday May 10th, 5-8pm
The Talk will be a reading, visual presentation, and an in-depth exploration of the themes that emerged in the dialogue of art and self-destruction within the book. This will be followed by a Q&A.
*****
MENTAL WEALTH WORKSHOP
Monday May 11th, 5-8pm
Being diagnosed as bi-polar, depressed, anorexic or mentally ill can often feel like being handed a sentence. Often, with each of these 'diagnoses' comes the stigma of weakness and mental instability. But what happens when we start turning out symptoms into gifts? Beyond medication and therapists, what ownership can you have over your own mental health? In this workshop we'll take a closer look at the hidden gifts inherent in the things that destroy us. we'll discuss ways to harness these 'symptoms' - not as burdens that misdirect is, but as self-knowledge worthy of attention.
THERE IS A MAXIMUM OF 15 PEOPLE FOR THIS WORKSHOP, SO PLEASE EMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE A PLACE. (kaffequeeria@riseup.net)
*****
VENUE
Both events will be held at the LGBT Centre, Sidney St, Manchester.
This is an accessible space.
TIMINGS
5pm - open with hot meal, cakes, tea (cheap & vegan)
6pm - talk / workshop starts
8pm - end
COST
Events are free but we will be asking for donations to help cover Sabrina's travel costs.
*****
LIVE THROUGH THIS is a collection of original stories, essays, artwork,and photography. It explores the use of art to survive abuse, incest, madness and depression, and the often deep-seated impulse toward self-destruction including cutting, eating disorders, and addiction. Here, some of our most compelling cartoonists, novelists, poets, dancers, playwrights, and burlesque performers traverse the pains and passions that can both motivate and destroy women artists, and mark a path for survival. Taken together, these artful reflections offer an honest and hopeful journey through the power inherent in struggles with destruction, and the ensuing possibilities of transforming that burning force into the external release of art. With contributions by Nan Goldin, bell hooks, Patricia Smith, Cristy C.Road, Carol Queen, Annie Sprinkle, Elizabeth Stephens, Carolyn Gage, Eileen Myles, Fly, Diane DiMassa, Bonfire Madigan Shive, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein, Toni Blackman, Nicole Blackman, Silas Howard, Daphne Gottleib, and Stephanie Howell.
- - - - - -
*EDINBURGH*
Lecture & Discussion by editor Sabrina Chapadjiev
Tuesday 12th May @ St Paul's Hall, Jeffrey St, Edinburgh
doors 7pm, £3
Performance with Sabrina Chap, Jo Foster & McGillivray
Saturday 16th May @ The Bowery, Roxburgh Pl,Edinburgh
doors 7.30pm, £3
About the tour - While putting "Live Through This" together, I found myself constantly attempting to understand what makes a person take their silent rage out on themselves, rather than understand it. Themes of shame, control, power and isolation came up continually- and soon I realized that each artists’ story shone some light on why some of the most intelligent and powerful people I knew were destroying themselves.
About the Performance – Sabrina, songwriter and playwright brings us a folk and blues infused performance supported by Fence Collective favourite Jo Foster with her melody strong songs, and McGillivray (aka Kirsten Norrie) a favourite of the Ladyfest group themselves, she's been away in Oxford recording her first album 'Wolves', 17 electifying, haunting songs based on the tradition of lining out and mouth music.
“I've seen the kind of show Sabrina can put on. It's good, strong work. Her talk is articulate, accessible, compassionate and street level smart. She has woven together a mind boggling presentation...she carries an important message.” Kate Bornstein
Further Information
For further press information and photo's contact Marylou - Marylouanderson@hotmail.co.uk, 07981507207
www.ladyfestedinburgh.com
www.sabrinachap.com/LTT
3 pounds on the door
Two mental health related events with Sabrina Chapadjiev, editor of 'LiveThrough This : On Creativity and Self Destruction'
http://sabrinachap.com/
http://www.sevenstories.com/book/?GCOI=58322100238060
(This is also the first event of a Mental Health Discussion Group that will start meeting monthly from June.)
*****
TALK AND Q&A
Sunday May 10th, 5-8pm
The Talk will be a reading, visual presentation, and an in-depth exploration of the themes that emerged in the dialogue of art and self-destruction within the book. This will be followed by a Q&A.
*****
MENTAL WEALTH WORKSHOP
Monday May 11th, 5-8pm
Being diagnosed as bi-polar, depressed, anorexic or mentally ill can often feel like being handed a sentence. Often, with each of these 'diagnoses' comes the stigma of weakness and mental instability. But what happens when we start turning out symptoms into gifts? Beyond medication and therapists, what ownership can you have over your own mental health? In this workshop we'll take a closer look at the hidden gifts inherent in the things that destroy us. we'll discuss ways to harness these 'symptoms' - not as burdens that misdirect is, but as self-knowledge worthy of attention.
THERE IS A MAXIMUM OF 15 PEOPLE FOR THIS WORKSHOP, SO PLEASE EMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE A PLACE. (kaffequeeria@riseup.net)
*****
VENUE
Both events will be held at the LGBT Centre, Sidney St, Manchester.
This is an accessible space.
TIMINGS
5pm - open with hot meal, cakes, tea (cheap & vegan)
6pm - talk / workshop starts
8pm - end
COST
Events are free but we will be asking for donations to help cover Sabrina's travel costs.
*****
LIVE THROUGH THIS is a collection of original stories, essays, artwork,and photography. It explores the use of art to survive abuse, incest, madness and depression, and the often deep-seated impulse toward self-destruction including cutting, eating disorders, and addiction. Here, some of our most compelling cartoonists, novelists, poets, dancers, playwrights, and burlesque performers traverse the pains and passions that can both motivate and destroy women artists, and mark a path for survival. Taken together, these artful reflections offer an honest and hopeful journey through the power inherent in struggles with destruction, and the ensuing possibilities of transforming that burning force into the external release of art. With contributions by Nan Goldin, bell hooks, Patricia Smith, Cristy C.Road, Carol Queen, Annie Sprinkle, Elizabeth Stephens, Carolyn Gage, Eileen Myles, Fly, Diane DiMassa, Bonfire Madigan Shive, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein, Toni Blackman, Nicole Blackman, Silas Howard, Daphne Gottleib, and Stephanie Howell.
- - - - - -
*EDINBURGH*
Lecture & Discussion by editor Sabrina Chapadjiev
Tuesday 12th May @ St Paul's Hall, Jeffrey St, Edinburgh
doors 7pm, £3
Performance with Sabrina Chap, Jo Foster & McGillivray
Saturday 16th May @ The Bowery, Roxburgh Pl,Edinburgh
doors 7.30pm, £3
About the tour - While putting "Live Through This" together, I found myself constantly attempting to understand what makes a person take their silent rage out on themselves, rather than understand it. Themes of shame, control, power and isolation came up continually- and soon I realized that each artists’ story shone some light on why some of the most intelligent and powerful people I knew were destroying themselves.
About the Performance – Sabrina, songwriter and playwright brings us a folk and blues infused performance supported by Fence Collective favourite Jo Foster with her melody strong songs, and McGillivray (aka Kirsten Norrie) a favourite of the Ladyfest group themselves, she's been away in Oxford recording her first album 'Wolves', 17 electifying, haunting songs based on the tradition of lining out and mouth music.
“I've seen the kind of show Sabrina can put on. It's good, strong work. Her talk is articulate, accessible, compassionate and street level smart. She has woven together a mind boggling presentation...she carries an important message.” Kate Bornstein
Further Information
For further press information and photo's contact Marylou - Marylouanderson@hotmail.co.uk, 07981507207
www.ladyfestedinburgh.com
www.sabrinachap.com/LTT
3 pounds on the door
for real
Make sure you truly love what you do because if / when you get so busy that you don’t know which way is up, you have to, at the very least, know that you are spending ALL of your time doing something that you truly enjoy.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
not quite sure where mine is on here
As mentioned in an earlier post, COTL4 is currently featured at the New Museum in New York! It is part of a Live Archive supplement to the show: "The Generational: Younger Than Jesus"
(photos by Carolyn Wachnicki via Nicole J Georges)
Sunday, 19 April 2009
wrong
I don't even know where to begin talking about how wrong I find these images. These outfits are for sale, and are being bought. Poor, poor creatures, 100% humiliation...
Thursday, 9 April 2009
reminding me what it's all about
From a Kimya Dawson blog post...
This passion is energising to me.
One day I'll write about the songs that do this for me.
This song has been my mantra since the first time I popped the album Green into the tape player of my mom's old minivan. This is the song I screamed along to driving fast on windy dirt roads at night. This is the song I shouted to the heavens from the top of the dam. This is the song that pounds against the inside of my skull when I feel out of control- reminding me that I am not.
This is my singing in the shower song.
I have been singing this song in the privacy of my aloneness for 20 years.
It is crazy to watch myself sing it out loud in a room full of people. It is crazy to hear what it sounds like from the outside of myself.
Around and around we go.
Rule your own world.
This passion is energising to me.
One day I'll write about the songs that do this for me.
Monday, 6 April 2009
keeping it together zine
from my inbox...
Keeping it Together is a resource on conflict resolution and coping with personal conflicts within d.i.y. / activist communities.
It is looking for contributions (words / pictures / both), including:- recommended resources e.g. books, leaflets, organisations- personal experiences
Suggestions:
i)Frustrations encountered
ii)Managing difficult situations / people- any successful prevention tips/ coping strategies?
iii) Have you ever felt that your own behaviour may have caused conflict within a group? How did you deal with it? How did others deal with it? Did you feel the results of conflict were even positive?
NOTE: as this is a sensitive topic, all personal experiences will be edited very carefully to ensure anonymity for potentially implied contributors / and individuals and/or communities.
Please send your contributions to: kit.contributions@googlemail.com
If you want to send contributions via post, please e-mail me first.
DEADLINE: SUNDAY 10th MAY 2008, 11:59PM (or so)
Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested! Looking forward to hearing from you, Heena
Keeping it Together is a resource on conflict resolution and coping with personal conflicts within d.i.y. / activist communities.
It is looking for contributions (words / pictures / both), including:- recommended resources e.g. books, leaflets, organisations- personal experiences
Suggestions:
i)Frustrations encountered
ii)Managing difficult situations / people- any successful prevention tips/ coping strategies?
iii) Have you ever felt that your own behaviour may have caused conflict within a group? How did you deal with it? How did others deal with it? Did you feel the results of conflict were even positive?
NOTE: as this is a sensitive topic, all personal experiences will be edited very carefully to ensure anonymity for potentially implied contributors / and individuals and/or communities.
Please send your contributions to: kit.contributions@googlemail.com
If you want to send contributions via post, please e-mail me first.
DEADLINE: SUNDAY 10th MAY 2008, 11:59PM (or so)
Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested! Looking forward to hearing from you, Heena
Sunday, 5 April 2009
d.i.y queer film festival
from my inbox...
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
entzaubert is a radical queer d.i.y. film festival happening June 4th-7th 2009 at the queer wagenplatz schwarzer kanal in Berlin.
We will create a space for queer/feminist DIY cinema – you provide the films!
We are looking for films within or beyond these categories:
arty, punky, no-borders, anarchic, documentaries, porn, trashy, experimental, feminist, funny, serious, low-budget, no-budget, music, quality, concise, international, homo-socialist, homosexualist, revolutionary, polyamourous, monogamous, lazy, tranny-dyky, faggy, old, brand-new, provocative, difficult, hot …
we welcome films in any language – multiple language/subtitles are always appreciated. if that’s not possible, don’t worry!
download submission form here:
http://entzaubert.blogsport.de/images/entry_entzaubert09.pdf or http://entzaubert.blogsport.de/images/entryformentzaubert.doc
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
deadline: May 1st 2009
contact: entzaubert[at]riseup.net
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
/ / / / WORKSHOPS / / / /
up for sharing your skills? need a reason to make your first film?
we plan to organize a couple of workshops during the festival.
we would like you to prepare, moderate or host them – or simply share equipment…
This might be filming, editing, directing, subtitling, writing, costumes, make-up, acting, light/sound/camera as well as discussions.
Just write us an email with your ideas.
/ / / / ABOUT ENTZAUBERT / / / /
entzaubert is non-commercial, entry to all screenings is by donation.
we support the idea of copyleft and creative commons.
entzaubert offers a platform for movies, films, documentaries that might not get screened in mainstream commercial festivals.
entzaubert is a radical queer festival.
We think that queer is about living your life in a political way which challenges gender and power structures.
We think that fucking with gender normativity, abolishing borders and fighting for migrants’ and workers’ rights are all part of one struggle.
The capitalist system is based on social inequality. So for us opposing capitalism is fundamental to the fight against transphobia, homophobia and sexism as well as racism, fascism and militarism.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
http://entzaubert.blogsport.de
venue:schwarzerkanal berlin
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
entzaubert is a radical queer d.i.y. film festival happening June 4th-7th 2009 at the queer wagenplatz schwarzer kanal in Berlin.
We will create a space for queer/feminist DIY cinema – you provide the films!
We are looking for films within or beyond these categories:
arty, punky, no-borders, anarchic, documentaries, porn, trashy, experimental, feminist, funny, serious, low-budget, no-budget, music, quality, concise, international, homo-socialist, homosexualist, revolutionary, polyamourous, monogamous, lazy, tranny-dyky, faggy, old, brand-new, provocative, difficult, hot …
we welcome films in any language – multiple language/subtitles are always appreciated. if that’s not possible, don’t worry!
download submission form here:
http://entzaubert.blogsport.de/images/entry_entzaubert09.pdf or http://entzaubert.blogsport.de/images/entryformentzaubert.doc
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
deadline: May 1st 2009
contact: entzaubert[at]riseup.net
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
/ / / / WORKSHOPS / / / /
up for sharing your skills? need a reason to make your first film?
we plan to organize a couple of workshops during the festival.
we would like you to prepare, moderate or host them – or simply share equipment…
This might be filming, editing, directing, subtitling, writing, costumes, make-up, acting, light/sound/camera as well as discussions.
Just write us an email with your ideas.
/ / / / ABOUT ENTZAUBERT / / / /
entzaubert is non-commercial, entry to all screenings is by donation.
we support the idea of copyleft and creative commons.
entzaubert offers a platform for movies, films, documentaries that might not get screened in mainstream commercial festivals.
entzaubert is a radical queer festival.
We think that queer is about living your life in a political way which challenges gender and power structures.
We think that fucking with gender normativity, abolishing borders and fighting for migrants’ and workers’ rights are all part of one struggle.
The capitalist system is based on social inequality. So for us opposing capitalism is fundamental to the fight against transphobia, homophobia and sexism as well as racism, fascism and militarism.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
http://entzaubert.blogsport.de
venue:schwarzerkanal berlin
Thursday, 2 April 2009
colouring outside the lines - the exhibition
A few snippets of information to whet your appetite for the upcoming Colouring Outside The Lines exhibition this summer...
The exhibition is to be held at Gallery II in Bradford.
Running from Fri 26th June to Fri 24th July, 2009, this group exhibition will feature British female artists working beyond the bounds of the cultural, or artistic mainstream.
The exhibition is a curatorial collaboration between Rachel Kaye from Gallery II, and Melanie Maddison [me!] of Colouring Outside The Lines zine.
The exhibition will feature artworks and installations by:
Morwenna Catt
Helen Musselwhite
Louise Art&Ghosts
Abigail Brown
and
Heidi Burton
The exhibition is to be held at Gallery II in Bradford.
Running from Fri 26th June to Fri 24th July, 2009, this group exhibition will feature British female artists working beyond the bounds of the cultural, or artistic mainstream.
The exhibition is a curatorial collaboration between Rachel Kaye from Gallery II, and Melanie Maddison [me!] of Colouring Outside The Lines zine.
The exhibition will feature artworks and installations by:
Morwenna Catt
Helen Musselwhite
Louise Art&Ghosts
Abigail Brown
and
Heidi Burton
younger than jesus
The Generational: Younger Than Jesus is a new Triennial at New Museum, New York, USA. It runs from April 8th to June 14th 2009. The exhibition focusses on 50 emerging artists from 25 countries, all of whom are under 33.
Colouring Outside The Lines zine issue 4 has gone on its travels to New York to feature in the 'live archive' resources section of the exhibition space, explained as:
Colouring Outside The Lines zine issue 4 has gone on its travels to New York to feature in the 'live archive' resources section of the exhibition space, explained as:
The New Museum’s fifth-floor Museum as Hub space will serve as the live archive of “The Generational: Younger Than Jesus.” Organized by freelance critic Brian Sholis, the space will serve as a research platform, discussion venue, and repository of international periodicals, films, and music created by or documenting this generation. Materials will be gathered from diverse sources: Sholis’s conversations and interviews with the exhibition’s artists; contemporary publications and zines selected by international correspondents; and texts by philosophers, sociologists, journalists, marketing, and technology experts about this generation.
Friday, 27 March 2009
textiles and feminism, or, 'I wish I could be in Toronto'
from my inbox...
///////////////////////////////////////////
She Will Always Be Younger Than Us
Textile Museum of Canada
55 Centre Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
February 11 - September 7, 2009
She Will Always Be Younger Than Us focuses on contemporary artists working with fiber and feminist concepts, concurrent with a retrospective of the textile works of Judy Chicago. The exhibit includes the Nike Blanket Petition* (2003-2008) and the video Knitoscope Testimonies (2006). Other artists include Ginger Brooks Takahashi, Wednesday Lupypciw, Gillian Strong, and Orly Cogan.
///////////////////////////////////////////
*The Nike Blanket Petition is complete. A new interface has been developed with all signatures from 2003-2008 with an overflow of over 1,000 participants from 40 countries. If you have mailed in a square, please find it at this link, stitched into the border of the blanket with your name: http://www.microrevolt.org/web/blanket.htm
///////////////////////////////////////////
She Will Always Be Younger Than Us
Textile Museum of Canada
55 Centre Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
February 11 - September 7, 2009
She Will Always Be Younger Than Us focuses on contemporary artists working with fiber and feminist concepts, concurrent with a retrospective of the textile works of Judy Chicago. The exhibit includes the Nike Blanket Petition* (2003-2008) and the video Knitoscope Testimonies (2006). Other artists include Ginger Brooks Takahashi, Wednesday Lupypciw, Gillian Strong, and Orly Cogan.
///////////////////////////////////////////
*The Nike Blanket Petition is complete. A new interface has been developed with all signatures from 2003-2008 with an overflow of over 1,000 participants from 40 countries. If you have mailed in a square, please find it at this link, stitched into the border of the blanket with your name: http://www.microrevolt.org/web/blanket.htm
Thursday, 26 March 2009
advice to sink in slowly
Today I got some wonderful post... the 2nd postcard book from the 'Advice To Sink In Slowly' project.
Featuring such illustration gems as these below, it's a real keeper for when all creativity and confidence flies out the window! (which seems to be happening all to regularly at the moment...)
by Lee Basford
by Oliver Sutherland
by Amy Timms
"Advice to sink in slowly is a series of posters designed by recent and established graduates of University College Falmouth for the purpose of passing on advice and inspiration to first year students.
A poster is given as a welcoming gift to every first year student when they enrol."
Sunday, 22 March 2009
sister spit in september
from my inbox...
Hi all,
Sister Spit, the awesome lit/spoken word/performance troupe led by celebrated author Michelle Tea of 'Rent Girl' and 'Without a Net' fame is coming over to the UK and Ireland this September with a whole new line-up of celebrated queer/grrrl artists, writers, zinesters and performers.
Michelle says: 'I write books, and host readings for other people who write books, to be listened to by people who like reading books. My last novel is called Rose of No Man's Land and is about a teenage genderqueer loner who gets mixed up with a speed freak mall rat and falls in love. Or something. My last anthology is called It's So You and it's full of essays by stylish people about how they came to look so great, such as Eileen Myles, Kim Gordon, Jenny Shimizu, Kate Bornstein, Ali Liebegott, Tara Jepsen, Beth Lisick and other modern role models. I run the Radar Reading + Salon series in San Francisco, and every so often pile a bunch of bitches in a van and set off across the country under the guise of Sister Spit: The Next Generation.'
...and the intro for their US tour in april: 'Sister Spit: The Next Generation is hitting the road again, with a whole new all-girl lineup of zinesters, fashion plates, novelists, performance artists, slam poets and fancy scribblers. Inspired by the legendary Sister Spit Ramblin' Roadshow of the 90s, Sister Spit: The Next Generation is hauling a vanload of killer underground female talent across the USA and into your town. The latest gang hits the road in April 2009!, carrying on the tradition of rowdy, raucous literary adventure. As they journey across the USA, they're joined by a rag tag bunch of special guests - old Spit travelers of yore. Come and meet your new favorite performers'
- This US tour features: Michelle Tea, Beth Lisick, Ariel Schrag, Sara Seinberg, Kirya Traber, Ben McCoy, Cristy C. Road and The Next Generation’s California tour is generously co-sponsored by the CA LGBT Arts Alliance and the California Arts Council.
This UK tour is still awaiting a full confirmation of artists, and we can keep you posted as we find out.
http://www.myspace.com/sisterspitnextgen
http://www.myspace.com/michelletea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Tea
http://www.sisterspitnextgen.com/fall07/michelletea.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/texta/sets/72157602455971563/
If you're interested in organising a show as part of the Sister Spit UK tour in September 09, please contact me. We are looking for all manner of venues, audiences and set ups; from academic settings, student union events, LGBTQ, pride events, lit/spoken word shows and festivals, intimate performances in small venues, ladyfest events, grrrl/queer events etc
If you have any ideas or wanna forward this to anyone else you think may be interested, please feel free to go ahead!
I look forward to hearing from you :)
Em @ Lola and the Cartwheels
xx
lolaandthecartwheelssheff@hotmail.co.uk
lolaandthecartwheels.webs.com
emma.ledger@googlemail.com
Hi all,
Sister Spit, the awesome lit/spoken word/performance troupe led by celebrated author Michelle Tea of 'Rent Girl' and 'Without a Net' fame is coming over to the UK and Ireland this September with a whole new line-up of celebrated queer/grrrl artists, writers, zinesters and performers.
Michelle says: 'I write books, and host readings for other people who write books, to be listened to by people who like reading books. My last novel is called Rose of No Man's Land and is about a teenage genderqueer loner who gets mixed up with a speed freak mall rat and falls in love. Or something. My last anthology is called It's So You and it's full of essays by stylish people about how they came to look so great, such as Eileen Myles, Kim Gordon, Jenny Shimizu, Kate Bornstein, Ali Liebegott, Tara Jepsen, Beth Lisick and other modern role models. I run the Radar Reading + Salon series in San Francisco, and every so often pile a bunch of bitches in a van and set off across the country under the guise of Sister Spit: The Next Generation.'
...and the intro for their US tour in april: 'Sister Spit: The Next Generation is hitting the road again, with a whole new all-girl lineup of zinesters, fashion plates, novelists, performance artists, slam poets and fancy scribblers. Inspired by the legendary Sister Spit Ramblin' Roadshow of the 90s, Sister Spit: The Next Generation is hauling a vanload of killer underground female talent across the USA and into your town. The latest gang hits the road in April 2009!, carrying on the tradition of rowdy, raucous literary adventure. As they journey across the USA, they're joined by a rag tag bunch of special guests - old Spit travelers of yore. Come and meet your new favorite performers'
- This US tour features: Michelle Tea, Beth Lisick, Ariel Schrag, Sara Seinberg, Kirya Traber, Ben McCoy, Cristy C. Road and The Next Generation’s California tour is generously co-sponsored by the CA LGBT Arts Alliance and the California Arts Council.
This UK tour is still awaiting a full confirmation of artists, and we can keep you posted as we find out.
http://www.myspace.com/sisterspitnextgen
http://www.myspace.com/michelletea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Tea
http://www.sisterspitnextgen.com/fall07/michelletea.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/texta/sets/72157602455971563/
If you're interested in organising a show as part of the Sister Spit UK tour in September 09, please contact me. We are looking for all manner of venues, audiences and set ups; from academic settings, student union events, LGBTQ, pride events, lit/spoken word shows and festivals, intimate performances in small venues, ladyfest events, grrrl/queer events etc
If you have any ideas or wanna forward this to anyone else you think may be interested, please feel free to go ahead!
I look forward to hearing from you :)
Em @ Lola and the Cartwheels
xx
lolaandthecartwheelssheff@hotmail.co.uk
lolaandthecartwheels.webs.com
emma.ledger@googlemail.com
spring cranes
To mark the first day of Spring, my friend Emily and I made over 600 paper cranes and have hung them in Hyde Park, Leeds. Go see them while they're still there!
The photos are dark as we did our guerrilla hanging mission under the cover of darkness so that we didn't get stopped from doing it (the cops only spoke to us once!)
Go see the cranes (while they last) during the day to see them at their best :)
They're hung in six bush sections of the park... Follow the chalk arrows to the small paved "courtyard" bit, where there's benches, slap bang in the middle of the park; if you follow the paths from hyde park corner/hyde park road to the university you'll hopefully pass them/the circular "courtyard" bit.
Happy Spring!!
The photos are dark as we did our guerrilla hanging mission under the cover of darkness so that we didn't get stopped from doing it (the cops only spoke to us once!)
Go see the cranes (while they last) during the day to see them at their best :)
They're hung in six bush sections of the park... Follow the chalk arrows to the small paved "courtyard" bit, where there's benches, slap bang in the middle of the park; if you follow the paths from hyde park corner/hyde park road to the university you'll hopefully pass them/the circular "courtyard" bit.
Happy Spring!!
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
one freak show
Lynnee Breedlove's One Freak Show coming to the UK at last!
Lynn Breedlove returns to the UK as a no-op transsexual comic 15 years after tearing through as dyke lead yeller of punk dyke band Tribe8. Since then, fronting the band, writing the urban punk novel, Godspeed, performing with the all woman spoken word troupe Sister Spit, and hosting San Francisco’s queer cabarets, Breedlove has developed an onstage persona sharp as a new chainsaw blade humor and an intimate, improvisational fluidity that reaches everyone, turning the specific universal, and making high-minded political concepts fun at last.
The One Freak Show has been touring Europe and North America in six languages, in a form that continues to bring the activism, laughs, visibility, and education through the usual ridiculous, confusing, and shocking antics, this time including stuffed animals and eggbeaters. Don't worry, knives and body parts are still part of the show.
(Note: There are two solo shows: Tranny 101, and Confessions of a Poser. Confessions of a Poser will show at Bar Wotever in London. Everywhere else, including Club Wotever in London, will be Tranny 101.)
March 25 Bristol
9 Bath Buildings, also the address (just off cheltenham road, Montpelier)
godspeed movie, show
March 27 London (Tranny 101)
Club Wotever
Venue: The Cross Kings, 126 York Way, King's Cross, London N1\
Doors: 20:00 -02:00
Show start 21:00
March 28 manchester
yard theater, old birley street, hulme
7:30 doors for 8pm start
with manchester performance poet jackie hagan www.myspace.com/jackiehagan
March 29 manchester workshop
workshop 1-3
lgbt centre, sidney st (behind the 8th day on oxford rd)
free.
March 29 leeds
March 31 London (Confessions of a Poser)
Bar Wotever
Venue: Central Station, 37 Wharfdale rd, King's Cross, London N1
Doors: 19:00-00:00
Show start 21:00
April 1 Dublin
April 2 Newcastle urban cafe/dance city
Godspeed movie 915
show 945
How absolutely wonderful to go see a gender-bent and bending border-crossing whip-smart cutting-edge performer—who allows the audience to become children for a few moments. Terry Baum, SF Bay Times
Maybe most of this stuff will never make it to the mainstream. That's the mainstream's loss...Rachel Howard, SF Chronicle
Uninhibited humor lends tender insight and perspective to a gender politics debate that often takes place in a fiercely contentious atmosphere...Billy Tania, SF Bay Times
Lynn Breedlove returns to the UK as a no-op transsexual comic 15 years after tearing through as dyke lead yeller of punk dyke band Tribe8. Since then, fronting the band, writing the urban punk novel, Godspeed, performing with the all woman spoken word troupe Sister Spit, and hosting San Francisco’s queer cabarets, Breedlove has developed an onstage persona sharp as a new chainsaw blade humor and an intimate, improvisational fluidity that reaches everyone, turning the specific universal, and making high-minded political concepts fun at last.
The One Freak Show has been touring Europe and North America in six languages, in a form that continues to bring the activism, laughs, visibility, and education through the usual ridiculous, confusing, and shocking antics, this time including stuffed animals and eggbeaters. Don't worry, knives and body parts are still part of the show.
(Note: There are two solo shows: Tranny 101, and Confessions of a Poser. Confessions of a Poser will show at Bar Wotever in London. Everywhere else, including Club Wotever in London, will be Tranny 101.)
March 25 Bristol
9 Bath Buildings, also the address (just off cheltenham road, Montpelier)
godspeed movie, show
March 27 London (Tranny 101)
Club Wotever
Venue: The Cross Kings, 126 York Way, King's Cross, London N1\
Doors: 20:00 -02:00
Show start 21:00
March 28 manchester
yard theater, old birley street, hulme
7:30 doors for 8pm start
with manchester performance poet jackie hagan www.myspace.com/jackiehagan
March 29 manchester workshop
workshop 1-3
lgbt centre, sidney st (behind the 8th day on oxford rd)
free.
March 29 leeds
March 31 London (Confessions of a Poser)
Bar Wotever
Venue: Central Station, 37 Wharfdale rd, King's Cross, London N1
Doors: 19:00-00:00
Show start 21:00
April 1 Dublin
April 2 Newcastle urban cafe/dance city
Godspeed movie 915
show 945
zine: race privilege identity
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS:
Zine for Race, Privilege & Identity gathering
*please forward*
Race, privilege and identity is a gathering taking place in Bristol,UK, 25-26th April 2009 (see http://raceprivilegeidentity.wordpress.comfor more information)
Its aim is to engage with issues of race, privilege and identity in DIY queer-feminist communities through building dialogue, coalitionsand resources. The gathering will be both practical and issue based - we aim toprovide a skill-base so people can feel empowered to constructively tackle multiple forms of exclusion that are silenced through the hidden normativities of radical queer and feminist communities.
As part of the gathering, we're compiling a zine to be made availableat the gathering, to provide resources & starting points for discussion.
... & we need your fabulous & fierce contributions to make this happen!
Possible topics include:
* personal narratives - How do these issues affect you? How have you seen them play out within DIY/queer/feminist communities?
* practical suggestions - What can you do when you're faced with your own privilege (or when someone else points it out to you)? What does it mean in practice to be an ally? How & when do you confront people with their own privilege in a way that keeps you safe? Other ideas could include privilege checklists or other tools to get folks thinking.
* required reading - What books, articles, zines do you feel are crucial to understanding identity issues & the ways in which they intersect? Tell us about them & why you recommend them. Also don't forget relevant projects that we should be supporting & working with.
* or... your brilliant suggestions here!
Please send contributions to raceprivilegeidentity@riseup. net by April 15, 2009.
*** We're also still seeking volunteers for the gathering, so pleaseget in touch (raceprivilegeidentity@riseup. net)! ***
Zine for Race, Privilege & Identity gathering
*please forward*
Race, privilege and identity is a gathering taking place in Bristol,UK, 25-26th April 2009 (see http://raceprivilegeidentity.wordpress.comfor more information)
Its aim is to engage with issues of race, privilege and identity in DIY queer-feminist communities through building dialogue, coalitionsand resources. The gathering will be both practical and issue based - we aim toprovide a skill-base so people can feel empowered to constructively tackle multiple forms of exclusion that are silenced through the hidden normativities of radical queer and feminist communities.
As part of the gathering, we're compiling a zine to be made availableat the gathering, to provide resources & starting points for discussion.
... & we need your fabulous & fierce contributions to make this happen!
Possible topics include:
* personal narratives - How do these issues affect you? How have you seen them play out within DIY/queer/feminist communities?
* practical suggestions - What can you do when you're faced with your own privilege (or when someone else points it out to you)? What does it mean in practice to be an ally? How & when do you confront people with their own privilege in a way that keeps you safe? Other ideas could include privilege checklists or other tools to get folks thinking.
* required reading - What books, articles, zines do you feel are crucial to understanding identity issues & the ways in which they intersect? Tell us about them & why you recommend them. Also don't forget relevant projects that we should be supporting & working with.
* or... your brilliant suggestions here!
Please send contributions to raceprivilegeidentity@riseup. net by April 15, 2009.
*** We're also still seeking volunteers for the gathering, so pleaseget in touch (raceprivilegeidentity@riseup. net)! ***
the idiot cycle
from my inbox...
Dear friends and family,
Here's the an excerpt from the press kit of my new film, "The Idiot Cycle":
"The Idiot Cycle" a feature length documentary written, directed and produced by award winning filmmaker Emmanuelle Schick Garcia has already started to create a buzz.
The film, shot over three months in eight countries, looks at the shocking facts about cancer.
"The Idiot Cycle" uncovers is that only 2% of the world's 100,000 synthetic chemicals have been fully tested for toxicological data. The film also uncovers a secret EPA report that the chemical industry has spent decades burying, that states that 95% of cancers are caused by the environment and that more people will get cancers from dioxin pollution (caused by chemical processes like making chlorine products or pesticides) than any other cause, more than sitting out in the sun, more than smoking. Why don't you know this?
It's simple. The petro chemical industry that makes all your plastic consumer goods, automobile parts, pesticides, fertilizers, rubbers and so forth are basically six companies. These six companies also have a monopoly on cancer treatments and they're the one's that have financed and marketed "cure for cancer" runs and associations for the past decades.
So while these companies have made you sick, they'll also profit a second time by giving you drugs. It's also no secret why cancer is the most expensive drug on the planet.
Where is the government? Whether it's Canada, the USA, or Spain, governments have sided with these companies time and time again. The film also uncovers the reason why your concerns and health take a back seat.
But "The Idiot Cycle" continues. Now these same 6 companies are producing genetically modified crops. These new foods have never been tested by anyone, anywhere for long term effects like cancer. Are we seeing a similar pattern to that of the chemical cycle? I think so.
While independent studies have shown G.M. foods to cause cell proliferation, those studies were stopped before they could be completed. But don't worry, because if these foods make you sick, the same 6 companies will be there to treat your cancer.
Film out September 2009.
Official web site out June 2009.
Please become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/JPS-Films/110677360257
And please pass along to friends and family touched by cancer.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
i think if i knew her...
... I would be inclined to hug Keri Smith warmly and often
The above is from her March 16th blog.
"... also as if it knew exactly what I needed the universe has sent me a flood of mail full of things that I needed to hear. I am all ears. and my darkish mood lifts. though I do believe these dark periods are entirely good and necessary. they prepare us to enter into a new place or stage. doesn't mean that they feel good at the time.
move we must. or sit still and stagnate. I feel something big stirring inside these sleepy bones"...
The above is from her March 16th blog.
friendship: art
from my inbox...
From: www.myspace.com/disc0kid
Im currently working on a photo installation based upon friendship and what it means to different individuals. I need as many as people as I can get to participate (I need AT LEAST 150 images) so Im trying to reach as big an audience as possible. I need people of all ages, all sexes and from all walks of life to take part in this.
All I need is people to write on an A4 piece of paper what friendship means to them, and hold it up in front of them, take a photo in portrait format and then email it to me. The text has got to be big enough to see in a photograph, but apart from that theres not much else that’s required. The text can be one word, a sentence, an in joke or even a drawing – its pretty open.
I am aiming for AT LEAST 150 of these in the next 3 weeks! I need as wide a variety of people to take part as possible so please pass it onto all your friends, and get yer parents and granny in on it too!! The final piece is going to be part of a huge photo installation kinda thing (and its gonna be amazing!)
Any contributions are very gratefully received!!
From: www.myspace.com/disc0kid
Im currently working on a photo installation based upon friendship and what it means to different individuals. I need as many as people as I can get to participate (I need AT LEAST 150 images) so Im trying to reach as big an audience as possible. I need people of all ages, all sexes and from all walks of life to take part in this.
All I need is people to write on an A4 piece of paper what friendship means to them, and hold it up in front of them, take a photo in portrait format and then email it to me. The text has got to be big enough to see in a photograph, but apart from that theres not much else that’s required. The text can be one word, a sentence, an in joke or even a drawing – its pretty open.
I am aiming for AT LEAST 150 of these in the next 3 weeks! I need as wide a variety of people to take part as possible so please pass it onto all your friends, and get yer parents and granny in on it too!! The final piece is going to be part of a huge photo installation kinda thing (and its gonna be amazing!)
Any contributions are very gratefully received!!
Monday, 16 March 2009
not curated down to
There's a lot of this sort of documenatation about at the moment, and this trailor sadly looks like it doesn't refer much to the women active in this form of art, unlike some of the better documentaries and media I have seen, but I like this clip for the statement,
New Brow Trailer 1 from New Brow on Vimeo.
“[people] can buy what they like instead of what has been curated down to them from art consultants, art curators, stuff like that…”
New Brow Trailer 1 from New Brow on Vimeo.
useless talents
Am reposting this post from the Pikaland blog, cuz I love this idea so much :)
For the record, I can fit my full fist in my mouth..
http://pikaland.com/2009/03/16/useless-talents-irrational-fears
By Sarah Watts
For the record, I can fit my full fist in my mouth..
http://pikaland.com/2009/03/16/useless-talents-irrational-fears
By Sarah Watts
Sunday, 15 March 2009
entry point
from my inbox...
In celebration of International Zine Month for July 2009 I am creating a compilation zine about how YOU got into zines. The zine will be titled, "ENTRY POINT" aka "How did I get myself into this mess?" It's time to spill your guts about how Sassy Magazine, Riot Grrrl, the book Hard Love, etc turned you into the zinester you are today.
The format will be 1/2 sized. What I would like is for each zinester wanting to take part to submit their own ONE page of a 1/2 zine, already layed out. I think it will give an interesting look to have all of these zinesters from all around the world use their own style and layout techniques to talk about how they got into zines. If you want to be able to be contacted, or even promote your own projects, please list your contact information on your page.
I would prefer that these are mailed to me so i can paste them all ready to go in a mock up. Emailing is also an option, but remember the quality just won't be as good if i have to print it out.
Each person who has an entry and any zine distros interested will receive a "flat" from me. The idea is to give this zine away for FREE in the month of July. You can make your own copies to give out to as many people as possible.
If you wish to participate please submit your piece NO LATER than April 30, 2009. I will do the mock up in May and i will ensure everyone has their flat at the beginning of June so they can get their copies ready for International Zine Month in July.
Submit work to:
Nicole Introvert
P.O. Box 35501
Richmond, VA 23235
USA
Questions? nicole.introvert@gmail.com
Would you like to donate some cash to help with the cost of copies/shipping? Pay Pal any donations: nicole.introvert@gmail.com
IZM Blog: http://internationalzinemonth.wordpress.com/
In celebration of International Zine Month for July 2009 I am creating a compilation zine about how YOU got into zines. The zine will be titled, "ENTRY POINT" aka "How did I get myself into this mess?" It's time to spill your guts about how Sassy Magazine, Riot Grrrl, the book Hard Love, etc turned you into the zinester you are today.
The format will be 1/2 sized. What I would like is for each zinester wanting to take part to submit their own ONE page of a 1/2 zine, already layed out. I think it will give an interesting look to have all of these zinesters from all around the world use their own style and layout techniques to talk about how they got into zines. If you want to be able to be contacted, or even promote your own projects, please list your contact information on your page.
I would prefer that these are mailed to me so i can paste them all ready to go in a mock up. Emailing is also an option, but remember the quality just won't be as good if i have to print it out.
Each person who has an entry and any zine distros interested will receive a "flat" from me. The idea is to give this zine away for FREE in the month of July. You can make your own copies to give out to as many people as possible.
If you wish to participate please submit your piece NO LATER than April 30, 2009. I will do the mock up in May and i will ensure everyone has their flat at the beginning of June so they can get their copies ready for International Zine Month in July.
Submit work to:
Nicole Introvert
P.O. Box 35501
Richmond, VA 23235
USA
Questions? nicole.introvert@gmail.com
Would you like to donate some cash to help with the cost of copies/shipping? Pay Pal any donations: nicole.introvert@gmail.com
IZM Blog: http://internationalzinemonth.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
lost constellations
There's this neat thingy where you can flip through the pages of Tara McPherson's upcoming book online. Go here
Neat-o-rama!
If anyone wants to buy me one of her sculptures I wouldn't turn you down :)
Saturday, 7 March 2009
rosemary has the right idea
By Rosemary Travale.
Am listening to Liz Phair's 'Ant in Alaska' as I type - jeez, what a song...
is she looking?
Sometimes I think artist and writer Keri Smith is peering into my brain...
'An Observation' from Keri's blog, The Wish Jar
'An Observation' from Keri's blog, The Wish Jar
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
grassrootsfeminism.net
An interview I did for Reassess Your Weapons zine with Red Chidgey about the European Grassroots Feminism website is up now on The F Word website, HERE
Incidently, the website also features much artwork from the UK Ladyfest Art Collection that I have been archiving for the past few years, and there's also a small interview with me on there too - eek!!
Being a small part of this growing project has been neat, and please do feel free to get involved with it yourself!
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
looking super sweet
THE BREEDERS
THROWING MUSES
X
KIMYA DAWSON
TEENAGE FANCLUB
SHELLAC
TRICKY
MELT BANANA
GIANT SAND
TARA MCPHERSON ART EXHIBITION
This is swiftly turning into some sort of dream festival lineup for me :) Can't wait til may!
Monday, 2 March 2009
girls rock! UK - get involved
From my inbox...
Apologies for the silence this year. Things at Girls Rock have been on hold a while due to a number of reasons but we thought you'd like an update...
Since the management committee reformed at the end of last year we have had a number of useful planning meetings and started working towards some funding applications for the GRUK 2009 programme. There have also been a couple of successful benefits - thanks to everyone who helped with those. Unfortunately we had to cancel the general meeting and now Ladies Rock 2009 due to the flooding at Lambeth Women's Project. Girls Rock UK is totally seperate from LWP but sees the building and organisation as its home and family. We feel it is important to help secure and support this amazing organisation. The management committees of both organisations have significant crossover so it has been a difficult time and we have had to be realistic about what GRUK events we could pull off this year.
I know lots of you have expressed an interest in helping out with GRUK so here is how you can;
- run a benefit to create funds for another event to happen - let us know what we can provide in terms of promo/merch etc
- update our paperwork so we can apply for more funding
- Apply for funding (please contact us first for appropriate info)
- Plan curriculum/workshops for a future camp
To make the project work we really need more people on board helping at the management level - we need people who are clear about how much time they can commit, who have excellent communication skills and who will deliver on time. We are all incredibly stretched so it would be great to have people on board who will hear/see what needs to be done and sort things out. Until the basics are back in place we will not be having general meetings. We really want to work together and have a united, coherent project that is the best that we can deliver. Please contact us if you would like to do a smaller scale project under the banner of Girls Rock! UK - lets work together!
If you would like to help get us in shape for a rock camp later this year or 2010 please contact girlsrockcampuk@gmail.com or call 07973718431.
If you want to use your time in a more hands on way you could always help get LWP back in shape for the local ladies and another rock camp - contact lambethwomensproject@yahoo.co.uk if you'd like to help.
Hope to see you soon,
Naz, Ego & Victoria
xxx
Apologies for the silence this year. Things at Girls Rock have been on hold a while due to a number of reasons but we thought you'd like an update...
Since the management committee reformed at the end of last year we have had a number of useful planning meetings and started working towards some funding applications for the GRUK 2009 programme. There have also been a couple of successful benefits - thanks to everyone who helped with those. Unfortunately we had to cancel the general meeting and now Ladies Rock 2009 due to the flooding at Lambeth Women's Project. Girls Rock UK is totally seperate from LWP but sees the building and organisation as its home and family. We feel it is important to help secure and support this amazing organisation. The management committees of both organisations have significant crossover so it has been a difficult time and we have had to be realistic about what GRUK events we could pull off this year.
I know lots of you have expressed an interest in helping out with GRUK so here is how you can;
- run a benefit to create funds for another event to happen - let us know what we can provide in terms of promo/merch etc
- update our paperwork so we can apply for more funding
- Apply for funding (please contact us first for appropriate info)
- Plan curriculum/workshops for a future camp
To make the project work we really need more people on board helping at the management level - we need people who are clear about how much time they can commit, who have excellent communication skills and who will deliver on time. We are all incredibly stretched so it would be great to have people on board who will hear/see what needs to be done and sort things out. Until the basics are back in place we will not be having general meetings. We really want to work together and have a united, coherent project that is the best that we can deliver. Please contact us if you would like to do a smaller scale project under the banner of Girls Rock! UK - lets work together!
If you would like to help get us in shape for a rock camp later this year or 2010 please contact girlsrockcampuk@gmail.com or call 07973718431.
If you want to use your time in a more hands on way you could always help get LWP back in shape for the local ladies and another rock camp - contact lambethwomensproject@yahoo.co.uk if you'd like to help.
Hope to see you soon,
Naz, Ego & Victoria
xxx
Saturday, 28 February 2009
such a great funding opportunity...
from my inbox...
Rosa First Grants Programme
For its first ever grant, Rosa is awarding £25,000 in total to fund projects with a focus on Body Image. Rosa seeks to fund work that will help women and girls in the UK view themselves more positively and with less self-criticism. Applicants will be asked to answer the key question: How can you support women and girls to develop a positive body image?
They are particularly keen to hear ideas relating to those who are under 25 years of age, but will consider a range of projects. Applicants will need to show evidence of working in partnership, demonstrate a link to the media and also have funding other than Rosa's to contribute to the delivery of the project.
Please download the Information Pack and Application Form from www.rosauk.org. If you have any questions about the pack or need them in a different format, please phone 0207 324 3044.
Deadline: 9 March 2009
Link: www.rosauk.org
Rosa First Grants Programme
For its first ever grant, Rosa is awarding £25,000 in total to fund projects with a focus on Body Image. Rosa seeks to fund work that will help women and girls in the UK view themselves more positively and with less self-criticism. Applicants will be asked to answer the key question: How can you support women and girls to develop a positive body image?
They are particularly keen to hear ideas relating to those who are under 25 years of age, but will consider a range of projects. Applicants will need to show evidence of working in partnership, demonstrate a link to the media and also have funding other than Rosa's to contribute to the delivery of the project.
Please download the Information Pack and Application Form from www.rosauk.org. If you have any questions about the pack or need them in a different format, please phone 0207 324 3044.
Deadline: 9 March 2009
Link: www.rosauk.org
Thursday, 26 February 2009
too many pennies
Today seems to be the day for me blogging about beautiful things that are waaay too expensive for the likes of me.
Let this be eye candy viewed from-afar then!
These wonderful wooden carved pieces are the work of Julia Harrison. Swoon!!
Let this be eye candy viewed from-afar then!
These wonderful wooden carved pieces are the work of Julia Harrison. Swoon!!
i'm strangley smitten
By Rachel Wright's anatomy dresses.
You can see them in all their pricey glory at her Etsy page: Toolgrrl.
You can see them in all their pricey glory at her Etsy page: Toolgrrl.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
grilling the good guys
from my inbox...
Guess what?
The Rookie Files zine wants submissions for Issue 2!
There are 3 types of submission:
(1) Manifestos!
Here is what manifesto means
manifesto |ˌmanəˈfestō|
noun ( pl. -tos)
a public declaration of policy and aims, esp. one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.
Some good manifestos include:
Personism: A Manifesto by Frank O’Hara
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20421
Scum Manifesto by Valerie Solanas
http://www.spunk.org/texts/anarcfem/sp001291.txt
The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels
http://www.anu.edu.au/polsci/marx/classics/manifesto.html
Your manifesto can be about anything, but there are some RULEZ:
It must be personal (no abstract polemics)
It must have direction (no meandering rants)
It must be funny (Even M&E are kinda witty, if you like that sort of thing)
It must be between 200 and 1000 words long
(2) Interviews!
The Rookie Files Issue 2 will feature interviews – not with the rich and famous, but with nobodies, losers, failures, underachievers, ne'er-do-wells, write-offs, has-beens, misfits, freaks, unpopular persons, geeks, dweebs, nerds, hosers, flops, no-hopers, washouts, lemons (Thesaraus? Who, me? I’m no lemon.) Regular guys, like you and me. I could interview you. You could interview your cat, or your girlfriend, or your ex-best friend who dumped you because you looked better in clogs than she did, or the weird man on your corridor who always smells of noodles (but STAY SAFE!) Rules are the same as above, word count more flexible.
(3) Art!
You can draw, I can’t, you make the rules.
Perks of contributing to my zine include:
A free bottle of Orangina
The chance to win an unpaid internship with me
Free entry to all future exhibitions and conferences
But really, you will just be able to bask in the knowledge that you are doing something that will NOT look good on your CV, earn you ANY money or contribute to your future success AT ALL. Therefore you will be doing it for an inexplicable, secret reason, and these are the best sorts of reasons and the best sorts of things.
Email therookiefiles@gmail.com and it will be brilliant. And please pass this on to anyone you think might like it.
Love,
Sophie x
Guess what?
The Rookie Files zine wants submissions for Issue 2!
There are 3 types of submission:
(1) Manifestos!
Here is what manifesto means
manifesto |ˌmanəˈfestō|
noun ( pl. -tos)
a public declaration of policy and aims, esp. one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.
Some good manifestos include:
Personism: A Manifesto by Frank O’Hara
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20421
Scum Manifesto by Valerie Solanas
http://www.spunk.org/texts/anarcfem/sp001291.txt
The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels
http://www.anu.edu.au/polsci/marx/classics/manifesto.html
Your manifesto can be about anything, but there are some RULEZ:
It must be personal (no abstract polemics)
It must have direction (no meandering rants)
It must be funny (Even M&E are kinda witty, if you like that sort of thing)
It must be between 200 and 1000 words long
(2) Interviews!
The Rookie Files Issue 2 will feature interviews – not with the rich and famous, but with nobodies, losers, failures, underachievers, ne'er-do-wells, write-offs, has-beens, misfits, freaks, unpopular persons, geeks, dweebs, nerds, hosers, flops, no-hopers, washouts, lemons (Thesaraus? Who, me? I’m no lemon.) Regular guys, like you and me. I could interview you. You could interview your cat, or your girlfriend, or your ex-best friend who dumped you because you looked better in clogs than she did, or the weird man on your corridor who always smells of noodles (but STAY SAFE!) Rules are the same as above, word count more flexible.
(3) Art!
You can draw, I can’t, you make the rules.
Perks of contributing to my zine include:
A free bottle of Orangina
The chance to win an unpaid internship with me
Free entry to all future exhibitions and conferences
But really, you will just be able to bask in the knowledge that you are doing something that will NOT look good on your CV, earn you ANY money or contribute to your future success AT ALL. Therefore you will be doing it for an inexplicable, secret reason, and these are the best sorts of reasons and the best sorts of things.
Email therookiefiles@gmail.com and it will be brilliant. And please pass this on to anyone you think might like it.
Love,
Sophie x
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
lizz makes me smile!
By Lizz Lunney.
I managed to totally miss making any pancakes today. Maybe I'll have some flippin' fun tomorrow instead...
Sunday, 22 February 2009
llgff
There's so much amazing stuff at this year's London lesbian & gay film festival.
I'm gonna try my hardest to get down for some of it, but alas i know i'm gonna end up missing some terrific stuff.
My highlights, were I to live close enough to catch as much as possible would be:
Invasion of the Chubsters
The Raincoats, Fairytales – A Work in Progress + Panel Discussion
Deep Lez: An Allyson Mitchell Retrospective + Artists Talk
Keep It Movin' - Queer Women Making Music
The Lollipop Generation
Travel Queeries
I'm gonna try my hardest to get down for some of it, but alas i know i'm gonna end up missing some terrific stuff.
My highlights, were I to live close enough to catch as much as possible would be:
Invasion of the Chubsters
The Raincoats, Fairytales – A Work in Progress + Panel Discussion
Deep Lez: An Allyson Mitchell Retrospective + Artists Talk
Keep It Movin' - Queer Women Making Music
The Lollipop Generation
Travel Queeries
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Friday, 20 February 2009
upcoming from my friends
* pash(ly), fever fever and the bon bon club at the brudenell, leeds on monday (23rd) (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=46224640757)
* suck my left one at the subculture, leeds next friday (27th) (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=56676027517)
* wavves, pens, mazes and the hipshakes at the fenton, leeds on saturday (28th) (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=48198214316)
* ship ahoy! at islington mill in manchester on saturday (28th)(http://www.facebook.com/events.php#/event.php?eid=57561948736)
* suck my left one at the subculture, leeds next friday (27th) (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=56676027517)
* wavves, pens, mazes and the hipshakes at the fenton, leeds on saturday (28th) (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=48198214316)
* ship ahoy! at islington mill in manchester on saturday (28th)(http://www.facebook.com/events.php#/event.php?eid=57561948736)
this sounds super fantastic...
...so i thought I'd post it here.
From my inbox...
FemAdLib Kolektiv meeting/next actions
Hello,
We had our first meeting! Thanks for coming. Since the meeting some of us went to Ramparts (an autonomous space - http://therampart.wordpress.com/). They agreed to us using the space between 18-21 March (inc.) for fundraising. This could be for party/cafe/showing some works/
workshops/theatre/performance. Please come on 24th Feb (our next meeting) if you would like to have some input on the event/do performances/workshops and offer other help and skills.
Next steps: we will be organising our first direct action and party. Next meeting where we'll discuss both is 24th Feb at 6pm at 56a info shop on Crampton street (nearest tube is elephant and castle) http://www.56a.org.uk/ Bring ideas for gender related direct actions and bring info on bands/performers/sound technicians (we need the equipment as well), films/projetors/setting up exhibitions/people you've asked to participate and other help you can give that week (ie skipping/bringing food, cooking, cleaning, childcare, installations etc).
Other important info - esp. relevant to anyone outside london - is that we decided that people involved in the group but who aren't often in London can organise actions/workshops/fundraisers under the FemAdLib Kolektiv banner. ie Eleanor is setting up an art workshop to skillshare and raise money in Oxford. Let us know your plans so we can advertise on the website.
We would like our projects to be varied, reaching different audiences at different events. We aim to be international/national and local and cross radical and mainstream groups. We are a non-hierarchical mix of well-known and less known artists. One artist has exhibited recently at WACK!, others use street interventions and direct actions. We are inter-generational as a group and a mix in terms of backgrounds, race, class, sexuality and so on. We are keen to work in a positive way showing the advantages of working together on these intersections but always keeping feminism at the forefront of anything we do.
We welcome all feminist artists and feminists.
Thanks t'all for your input.
FemAdLib K
femadlibkolektiv@yahoo.co.uk
From my inbox...
FemAdLib Kolektiv meeting/next actions
Hello,
We had our first meeting! Thanks for coming. Since the meeting some of us went to Ramparts (an autonomous space - http://therampart.wordpress.com/). They agreed to us using the space between 18-21 March (inc.) for fundraising. This could be for party/cafe/showing some works/
workshops/theatre/performance. Please come on 24th Feb (our next meeting) if you would like to have some input on the event/do performances/workshops and offer other help and skills.
Next steps: we will be organising our first direct action and party. Next meeting where we'll discuss both is 24th Feb at 6pm at 56a info shop on Crampton street (nearest tube is elephant and castle) http://www.56a.org.uk/ Bring ideas for gender related direct actions and bring info on bands/performers/sound technicians (we need the equipment as well), films/projetors/setting up exhibitions/people you've asked to participate and other help you can give that week (ie skipping/bringing food, cooking, cleaning, childcare, installations etc).
Other important info - esp. relevant to anyone outside london - is that we decided that people involved in the group but who aren't often in London can organise actions/workshops/fundraisers under the FemAdLib Kolektiv banner. ie Eleanor is setting up an art workshop to skillshare and raise money in Oxford. Let us know your plans so we can advertise on the website.
We would like our projects to be varied, reaching different audiences at different events. We aim to be international/national and local and cross radical and mainstream groups. We are a non-hierarchical mix of well-known and less known artists. One artist has exhibited recently at WACK!, others use street interventions and direct actions. We are inter-generational as a group and a mix in terms of backgrounds, race, class, sexuality and so on. We are keen to work in a positive way showing the advantages of working together on these intersections but always keeping feminism at the forefront of anything we do.
We welcome all feminist artists and feminists.
Thanks t'all for your input.
FemAdLib K
femadlibkolektiv@yahoo.co.uk
hey YOU, say what she needs to hear
I can't get these lyrics out of my head tonight...
She wants to embrace her, however the world will change
She wants to feel, but she can only describe it
Don`t let the monster stay under the bed , don't let the monster stay under the bed
Hey you, say what she needs to hear
It`s just like Donna said it depends where you`re at in your head
You can find what you need maybe it`s finding a very secret place to hide your copy of Rubyfruit Jungle maybe you`re writing your own
There`s a wig wearing boy named psychic Al what`s he`s looking for, he won`t find in school
He stays up late, flipping through tapes
Listening to songs he`s heard a hundred times, but nothing`s there
Hey you, say what he needs to hear
Queer sex is great, it`s fun as shit don`t worry Jesus is dead and God don`t exist
And swearing is fun, it`s funner than piss, that`s it`s stupid is a cruel and classist myth.
Queer sex is great, it`s fun as shit,
Don`t kill yourself cause people can`t deal with your brilliance
Sometimes I can`t remember why i want to live
Then i think of all the freaks and i don`t want to miss this
It`s just like Donna said it depends where you`re at in your head.
Musical Fanzine by Team Dresch.
If this isn't one of the greatest songs ever written, then I'll eat my hat. The title of this post is the reason I'm up at 2am doing what I'm doing...
Thursday, 19 February 2009
best gig night in ages
All these bands made my little world complete last night. There's nothing like seeing your friends creating music that makes your heart rush up to meet your mouth halfway to remind you what it's all about.
Vile Vile Creatures
Drunk Granny
Chaps
Husbands
Friday, 13 February 2009
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
koala burns
I'm not one for sappiness, but this photo of a koala in the current Australian fires really got to me...
the new moustache tv?
Almost as great as sticking a moustache to the middle of your tv screen to cheer yourself up (see Atom & This package lyrics below for full inspiration!), here's Camilla Engman's idea... She says, "Use this - If you have a bad day, have to meet people you don't like, someone talks to much, eats with their mouth open or just makes you nervous"
:)
Moustache TV:
Josh Mills, You're a goddamn genius and a motherfucking idiot
But I can never stay mad because I'm forever in your stupid debt
The top six inventions in the twenty-hundred time
I was sad, but now i'm fine fine fine
We're not shining up shit, we're coating it with gold
It's only juvenile, twenty seven years old
It's a nice new den that we're making a mess in
Let's throw away each of the anti-depressants!
[Chorus]
It's the mustache, it's the mustache
Put it on the T.V screen, it'll make you feel better
It's the mustache, it's the mustache
Put it on the T.V screen, it'll make you feel better
Yeah!
I have a piece of Scotch tape and a Sharpie pen
I'm drawing on the mustache from end to stupid end
With the sticky side down in the middle of the shit
Improving television on the space above the lip
:)
Moustache TV:
Josh Mills, You're a goddamn genius and a motherfucking idiot
But I can never stay mad because I'm forever in your stupid debt
The top six inventions in the twenty-hundred time
I was sad, but now i'm fine fine fine
We're not shining up shit, we're coating it with gold
It's only juvenile, twenty seven years old
It's a nice new den that we're making a mess in
Let's throw away each of the anti-depressants!
[Chorus]
It's the mustache, it's the mustache
Put it on the T.V screen, it'll make you feel better
It's the mustache, it's the mustache
Put it on the T.V screen, it'll make you feel better
Yeah!
I have a piece of Scotch tape and a Sharpie pen
I'm drawing on the mustache from end to stupid end
With the sticky side down in the middle of the shit
Improving television on the space above the lip
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
help sabrina come to your town (uk)
A message from Sabrina to the good folks of the UK...
Hey everyone, My name is Sabrina Chapadjiev, and I'm the editor of Live Through This- On Creativity and Self-Destruction.
I'm booking some tour dates in the UK and would love to come to your town to talk about art, feminism, self-destruction, and how to survive in this mad, mad world!
Live Through This is a collection of original stories, essays, artwork, and photography, Nan Goldin, Eileen Myles, bell hooks, and other cutting-edge artists explore their use of art to survive madness, abuse, incest, depression, and the impulse toward self-destruction manifest in eating disorders, cutting, addiction, and contemplation of suicide.
The book confronts the brutality many women and girls encounter in the world around them, and bravely takes as its subject the often misunderstood violence they at times inflict upon themselves.
People can find out about the book Here
about THE TOUR
While putting "Live Through This" together, I found myself constantly attempting to understand what makes a person take their silent rage out on themselves, rather than understand it. Themes of shame, control, power and isolation came up continually- and soon I realized that each artists’ story shone some light on why some of the most intelligent and powerful people I knew were destroying themselves.
I'm currently touring colleges, writing centers and basically, anyone who’s interested in the fine line between destroying and creating yourself, both as an artist, and simply, as a person discovering their power. I offer lectures, workshops, classroom talks and more- all within a reasonable fee, all designed to begin a real discourse on art and survival.
I offer six different workshops (gasp!) on art, gender, self-destruction, mental health and creativity.
To find out more about the workshops- go Here
ABOUT SABRINA
“I've seen the kind of show Sabrina can put on. It's good, strong work. Right to the heart. Her talk is articulate, accessible, compassionate, and street level smart. As illustrations accompany many pieces in the book, she has woven together a mind-boggling kick ass a/v presentation. She carries an important message, and she's a perfectly lovely human being to work with.” -KATE BORNSTEIN
author of “Gender Outlaw” and “Hello Cruel World, 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Freaks, Geeks and Other Outlaws”
“Talking about self-destruction isn’t easy, but Chapadjiev, a dynamic and supportive leader, shared and encouraged ways to channel self-destructive behaviors into positive energies andcreative work through facilitating real conversations around experiences that many of us shared.” -KL PERIERA
Center for New Words, Boston
That's it- if you're interested, e-mail me at livethroughthis2008@yahoo.com
keep fighting!
xo,Sabrina
Hey everyone, My name is Sabrina Chapadjiev, and I'm the editor of Live Through This- On Creativity and Self-Destruction.
I'm booking some tour dates in the UK and would love to come to your town to talk about art, feminism, self-destruction, and how to survive in this mad, mad world!
Live Through This is a collection of original stories, essays, artwork, and photography, Nan Goldin, Eileen Myles, bell hooks, and other cutting-edge artists explore their use of art to survive madness, abuse, incest, depression, and the impulse toward self-destruction manifest in eating disorders, cutting, addiction, and contemplation of suicide.
The book confronts the brutality many women and girls encounter in the world around them, and bravely takes as its subject the often misunderstood violence they at times inflict upon themselves.
People can find out about the book Here
about THE TOUR
While putting "Live Through This" together, I found myself constantly attempting to understand what makes a person take their silent rage out on themselves, rather than understand it. Themes of shame, control, power and isolation came up continually- and soon I realized that each artists’ story shone some light on why some of the most intelligent and powerful people I knew were destroying themselves.
I'm currently touring colleges, writing centers and basically, anyone who’s interested in the fine line between destroying and creating yourself, both as an artist, and simply, as a person discovering their power. I offer lectures, workshops, classroom talks and more- all within a reasonable fee, all designed to begin a real discourse on art and survival.
I offer six different workshops (gasp!) on art, gender, self-destruction, mental health and creativity.
To find out more about the workshops- go Here
ABOUT SABRINA
“I've seen the kind of show Sabrina can put on. It's good, strong work. Right to the heart. Her talk is articulate, accessible, compassionate, and street level smart. As illustrations accompany many pieces in the book, she has woven together a mind-boggling kick ass a/v presentation. She carries an important message, and she's a perfectly lovely human being to work with.” -KATE BORNSTEIN
author of “Gender Outlaw” and “Hello Cruel World, 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Freaks, Geeks and Other Outlaws”
“Talking about self-destruction isn’t easy, but Chapadjiev, a dynamic and supportive leader, shared and encouraged ways to channel self-destructive behaviors into positive energies andcreative work through facilitating real conversations around experiences that many of us shared.” -KL PERIERA
Center for New Words, Boston
That's it- if you're interested, e-mail me at livethroughthis2008@yahoo.com
keep fighting!
xo,Sabrina
Sunday, 8 February 2009
contemporary artists' bookfair
From my inbox...
12th International Contemporary Artists' Bookfair
Friday 6th & Saturday 7th March 2009
Parkinson's Court, University of Leeds. 11am - 6pm
The 12th International Contemporary Artists’ Book Fair presents unique and multiple book works by artists and publishers from around the world.
An accompanying programme of related exhibitions and live art performances at the University of Leeds includes:
Starting Point - books as scores
15 to 1 - artists’ books from China
sub(Missive) - collaborative mail art book project
Concerto for Penguins - performance reading
At Leeds Central Library:
Biblio, Book, Buch, Livre, Libro - four artists explore the form
Free admission to the fair and events
Bookmaking workshops for children on the Saturday
A fully illustrated catalogue is available
The Parkinson Court is located within the Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT
For futher information visit www.leeds.ac.uk/fine_art/events/
- - -
I couldn't get the website to work :(
I heard about this event from Karoline Rerrie who will have a stall, and she tells me other diy press such as Lucky Dip, Black and White Cat Press and Bracket Press will be exhibiting too.
12th International Contemporary Artists' Bookfair
Friday 6th & Saturday 7th March 2009
Parkinson's Court, University of Leeds. 11am - 6pm
The 12th International Contemporary Artists’ Book Fair presents unique and multiple book works by artists and publishers from around the world.
An accompanying programme of related exhibitions and live art performances at the University of Leeds includes:
Starting Point - books as scores
15 to 1 - artists’ books from China
sub(Missive) - collaborative mail art book project
Concerto for Penguins - performance reading
At Leeds Central Library:
Biblio, Book, Buch, Livre, Libro - four artists explore the form
Free admission to the fair and events
Bookmaking workshops for children on the Saturday
A fully illustrated catalogue is available
The Parkinson Court is located within the Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT
For futher information visit www.leeds.ac.uk/fine_art/events/
- - -
I couldn't get the website to work :(
I heard about this event from Karoline Rerrie who will have a stall, and she tells me other diy press such as Lucky Dip, Black and White Cat Press and Bracket Press will be exhibiting too.
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