Comments on: Napier studios retrospective at CCP

By: brian

brian — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:39:48 +0000

My point is that non-profit community projects measure their success by community engagement and reach. Printing several hundred copies of a booklet results in a very small audience. An online publication can be read by many thousands. It is simply more efficient.

Doyle does not make a case for print. He does not justify print other than that he acknowledges the Napier studio is fortunate to have a corporate sponsor.

There are fundamental differences between the non profit community model of sharing information to benefit the community and for profit commercial publishing, where publishers, authors and retailers all partificate in a market.

My case remains that print is an inefficient means for community groups to share their message. What are your thoughts on that?

Sorry but I cannot really take your comment seriously with the incorrect apostrophe on egos’ (sic).

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By: Strawberry Smith

Strawberry Smith — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:55:44 +0000

Hi Brian,

Just because a blog site suits your project, it does not mean it is the best medium for all others and in the case of the documentation of Napier Studio’s artwork it certainly wasn’t. I am sorry to have to tell you this but sometimes it is necessary to put our big, fat Fitzroyalty egos’ aside and consider things from other peoples perspectives.

Fristly, Doyle outlined why the project goals were better met by a book rather than a web blog. Secondly, if someone has an opinion different than your own don’t be intellectually lazy by disregarding it as simply ‘defensive’. It has less meaning than your ridiculous assumptions, including my favourite, – hardcopy books are ‘anachronistic’ (you only need to walk into Readings any night of the week to realise that is total BS).

I encourage you to see this criticism in its full existence and hope that you become less of a wanker soon.

S. Smith

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By: brian

brian — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:16:57 +0000

Again, you’re seeing criticism where none exists. I have no criticism of the photos – they show the artists at work and that is great. I simply said the exhibition was not what I was expecting. I think many people would think that actual work would be on display at a gallery hosted retrospective.

As I said, the booklet is of high quality and is a great thing to be able to take away.

I will come and see Blender – thanks for the invite!

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By: Doyle

Doyle — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:14:05 +0000

I felt that the photos were great. They were not graffiti, but they were certainly exceptional works on an artistic and research based level, they were clearly art.
I think that you should come down to the Blender Studios. I would love you to see what we have got down here. I think it will be right up your ally.
I am here most days 110 Franklin Street, Melbourne. Enter from lane way.
It is an artist studio with a gallery and a massive legal graf laneway. (With many of the local heros here.) We are also launching a public projection window from next month. It would be nice to catch up and have a beer.
Give me a call or just drop by.

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By: brian

brian — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:44:12 +0000

I have made no comparison between the Witlam wall and the booklet. I don’t understand what point you are trying to make with this. I have made only positive comments about the artists’ work and the aims of Napier studio, as you can see from my pevious posts about it.

If I can read between the lines of what you have said then it is apparent that the direct financial support comes from CityLink and the coordination comes from the City of Yarra, as per your official title in the council.

Any of the young people attached to Napier studio could have their own blog or website with or without the studio. Many probably have profiles in online social networks like MySpace.

I can see no legal reasons why their work cannot be shown on a site or blog of their own making. Many artists do not reveal their real identities online and there would be no need for a Napier site to reveal real information about the artists, any more than the booklet does (it contains no information about individuals).

I am not trying to argue with you Doyle. People in your position are perhaps not used to the techniques of online journalism being applied to local events that have often tried but failed to get traditional media attention. I may not be the Melbourne Leader or The Melbourne Times but they are not interested in providing in depth reporting on community events. I am. Welcome to the hyperlocal web.

I came to the exhibition expecting to see a lot of art, like the examples I had seen at Safeway. As the exhibition does not display a lot of work I reported on what I did see and what I thought about it. That’s what I do. You can see that I love street art from the many posts I have done on it here.

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By: Doyle

Doyle — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:15:34 +0000

My response was not defensive, and I am sorry if I was misunderstood. Remember I am an artist first foremost and only work part time with the Napier. And this is an art exhibition that you were reviewing.

I am in no position to discuss the funding all I can say is that CityLink is our very best friend.
As for the book I still see no artistic difference conceptualy, between the Whitlam wall and the book. The idea is to let the young people make art in a safe and fun place. And to help them aim high. And I believe that the book is awesome for that reason. The young people worked with me on it and feel a sense of ownership over it.
We can not set up the website because of the safety of some of the young people. Many are under 18 and have DHS issues. So we are not allowed to set one up. I would have one otherwise. I agree with you and I have tried my hardest to get one up and running. Don’t worry I never give up. I will continue to work out ways around these issues and the COY constraints.

The cost of the book was about the same as any project that we do. We do 4 outcomes a year and this book ‘disquiet’ is one or the outcomes.
I have never met Steve Jolly so I don’t know if he would be much help in informing you about the Napier Studios. I think is probably better if you direct your questions to me and I will try my best to answer any queries.
I am glad about one thing and that exhibition has created critical debate.

As three of the Napier kids apply for the VCA I can feel safe that I have done all I can to help them, train them and develop their techniques and mentored them to be ready for the challenges that they are about to face.

WeRd uP

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By: brian

brian — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:39:56 +0000

I always aim to be factually correct so if I have reported something in error please correct me.

The City of Yarra has its logo on the Napier studio booklet and is variously described as “supporting”, “managing” or having a “partnership” in relation to Napier studio in Yarra press releases and other official sources over the years. Perhaps Doyle you could clarify the financial arrangement.

Setting up a website is easy. It simply requires initiative. It is no more difficult than publishing a booklet and considerably cheaper. The complaint about the complexity of it is a typical fear response based on ignorance. I’d be happy to run a workshop (for free) on how to do it.

I’m not criticising the expense overall – I’m questioning the spending priorities. Not for profit community projects usually have the goal of demonstrating community engagement and relevence. The reader to $ ratio is important and I maintain that online gets an organisation more readers per $ spent.

Financial waste and mismanagement have been priority issues in the Yarra council elections. I note that the Socialist Party candidate Steve Jolly won the popular vote. He thinks the $6000 grant to BOSS is a waste of money and I agree. I might ask Steve Jolly to find out more about what Yarra does for Napier studio.

Whether you think local government issues are interesting or boring is an opinion not a fact. Whether this post is interesting or boring will be judged by its readers. Your defensive response is indicative of a lack of confidence in your position.

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By: Doyle

Doyle — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:59:53 +0000

I view the book as an outcome in its own right the same as any wall. There are many forms that street art can take on. This project was not any more expensive than any other project that we do. (Whitlam Wall) It is just that some people view street art in a conservitive manner creating all sorts of boundries, content, media, location, form.

(Oh Yeah, I nearly forgot, this project is not funded by the City of Yarra.)

First of all it is very complicated to set up a sight for the Napier Studios as some of the young people have a past and age that needs to be thought about. Don’t you think that we would have a website if it was that easy. In stead of thinking about the wonderful art that has been created over the years, or even the great work on the walls. (It is a great show people go and check it out.) You had to make it about politics and boring stuff. And many of your facts are wrong.

I also recommend seeing Drewfunks show on Thursday 3rd @ Gorka Gallery
It is hot work.
WerD uP pUnks

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