Protest in the Streets of Belfast

What is this: Protest against the Bill 37 (Public assemblies bill) which prevents protests and public gatherings taking place unless permission is given 38 days in advance or 3 days permission given by the police if it is an emergency.

Where was it: Meeting at the University of Ulster's Buoy Park

When I got there, there was a crowd of over 60 people who from either a socialist party, communist party, or from a trade union. I thought there would have been more people concerned that the Local assembly was trying to change the fundamental rights to protest.

The march took off at 12:30 on Saturday 23rd walking down Royal Avenue to the City Hall. Was great seeing all the City's traffic stop for 35minutes. I got stuck behind the a Trade Union banner-it was funny because I hadn't a clue who they where.

If the bill is passed public meetings and public art projects with more than 50 people will need permission. Bad Times

City is our factory and Pecha Kucha @ the Black Box: Review

"The city is our factory" was organised by the forum for an alternative Belfast and Ps2 gallery. The talk was by Christoph Schäfer (German) running through some of the main headings from his book :"This city is our factory". It was interesting and raised some issues similar to that of Dan Thompson at "Out of Place" a week before. The audience contained the same faces including the "artist maker" Wilfred Bramble look a like (left) who raised questions and made "artistic statements" time and time again. The architectural intelligentsia were sitting on the comfy chairs over to the right of the room including the el co Creator of alternative Belfast Mark Hackket. When the 4 intelligentsia guys started talking Wilfred started shouting back. Got a bit awkward a couple of times especially when the Nazi party and trade unions were mentioned a few times.

It was a good talk and interesting perspectives talked about on how people use the city and who owns it and how it can be used to its potential.

The talk went on a bit longer than I expected and I missed the first few people of the Pecha Kucha night. The first was the Bearded and moustached cladded duo Chris and Nik who talked about their website among other obsessions. The most 'chillaxed' talk was by Rob Durston and his Californian photographs. The best by far was Paul May's talk who took the stage like a comedian rather than a designer and got the biggest applause. Another favorite was Jamie Neely who didn't show any work either but gave a less serious Mr Keating (Dead Poets Society)esque speech about seizing the day.

The moral of the Pecha Kucha night is that it is better to be funny than show any real work!

The next Pecha Kucha night is in September See you then.

Lets make Terri Hooley the Lord Mayor of Belfast

Terri Hooley (left) is a local legend founder of Good Vibrations Records and maker of the Undertones. Recently his fame has increased with a film being made about Good Vibration records directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Belfast D'sa. The most recent fame is the facebook campaign to make him the Lord Mayor of Belfast the campaign featured in the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday World.

However nothing seems to be happening to make this happen were are the anarchist riots and punk protests. Do we really need the same old type of Lord Mayor like Pat Convery (right).

Lets get the petitions and protests etc and get Terri Hooley as Lord mayor!

"Out of Place" on Castle Lane: Review

I was at the "Out of Place" launch on Castle Lane, Belfast. Dan Thompson who was one of the first to start the Empty Shops Network in England talked about how important it is for empty buildings to be taken over and used by creative people. His English accent, tweed jacket and large glasses reminded me of the Wayne Hemingway (a Uni of Ulster favorite).

It was exciting to here Dan speak on something which seems complicated and hard to undertake but it is probably his job to make it seem that way! Launchers of the event were bosom buddies Sammy Wilson and Lord Mayor Pat Convery. They both spoke of how using empty shops and buildings can help bring back the city to life. It would be good to hear of unused building being taken over by artists etc. A friend in Germany said this is normal practice particularly in areas that used to be East Germany. It is good to see Belfast is stepping up there game.

I remember a few years ago writing to a property owner about using there unused building for an art project but nothing ever came of it. Bad Times.

The food served after was really good with it being supplied by Bagelbagel. Good Times.

North Korea's Escape to Victory

Its great to see the North Koreans in the world cup it reminded me of a report I saw on Newsnight on North Korea. The report showed how the goverment showed the society as a socialist utopia. The relaity was that the people were hungry and less than happy with the country. Only the elite lived a more than comfortable life style. The national football team would be looked after by the state living in luxury while there country men and women are paying the price.

It would be impressive if the football team protested about the North Korean's regime at this World Cup or tried to escape like in the film "Escape to Victory" a trailer shown above. "Escape to Victory" is set during World War 2, the Allies captured by the Germans are told they have to play a game of football against the Nazi's, the main actors are Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine and some football stars such as Bobby Moore and Pele.

Station and Platform gallery

I was heading round to platform and station gallery last week. A mate in MFA had work up there so thought I should check it out. Went round and the Platform gallery was closed! Then went round to Station gallery the gate and door was open but there was no lights on. The only sign that someone had been there was that the visitor alarm was on. had a walk up the stairs and round the rooms. Not sure if I went to the right corridor because the doors were shut. Bad Times. I will have to head back this week. or just enjoy the these photos. Hopefully this wont be my last platform adventure. I will keep you posted.

Late Night Art: review

Last Thursday was the late night art in Belfast. It was set be a good night, meeting up with friends to get to as many galleries as possible. First stop was the Naughton Gallery where I had a quick walk round Gary Shaws's work. The paintings are like magic eye pictures. Trippy. Then headed for the Omeau Baths Gallery where I waited for about 5mins until someone told me they weren't open that night. Bad times!

Luck seemed to change when we went round to SpaceCraft on Fountain Street. It was packed to the door and showed some great work from some 2nd year fine and applied students. There was a textile piece with some religious themes such as 'Babes of the Bible'. It was Funny. Saw some friends then headed to the next destination the Ps2 gallery. Was there for about 20mins drawing a plant-it was judged by a 10 year old kid and passed so I got to keep the plant I just drew. Nice present for some unlucky person. Me and mates were walking with 3 plants between us heading towards the Golden thread gallery getting weird looks by passers by. We arrived way too late and got only the last few crisps. The video installation by MacWilliam exploring the Life of a pencil (Bottom Image) and John Erickson photo montages Jema.us are a must see. We all went home with are heads filled with art and are hands each holding a potted plant. With one of the flowers getting eaten on the way home. You know who you are! I hid my plant in a brown paper bag when I entered the house as not to get a slagging from my flat mates.

It was a fun, see you at the next late night art. I should have some more calling cards next time.

End of year show banter

The end of year show was a success at Belfast art college. There was a great crowd and fun on every floor. The contemporary architecture dance was interesting in the library, ice cream at 3d design and the heat was rising at fine art. Saw some people who were suited and booted, they must have been sweltering! I also left my calling cards around the place that should get some attention. The night was finished off at either the Duke of York or the Union depending on how cool you were.

The Ulster Festival is now in full swing. Starting on the 4th of June to the 19th. There is loads of stuff happening check here. There is also performance and installation work all this week down at the Fish Bowl on the ground floor. Check it out.

Late Night Art Tonight

Late night art tonight in Belfast! Haven't been in a few months so it should be good fun. Looking forward to the PS2's 'plant drawings' I have seen the guy constructing the work this week and its good to see its finally finished. Golden Thread Gallery has an exhibition called 'Venice @ the Golden Thread' with some video and photography. Catalyst has a retrospective which will be interesting. If its anything like the last opening with the Police being called -will be an interesting finale. Hope you all have fun tonight. I hope to get a few of the highlights put up on the blog over the weekend. See you there!

Image from PS2

Graphics of China

This is a graphic of the 'The Long Tail of China' showing all the cities with a population over 1million. Check out more work at Chinfographics.com