free radical notes #100

  Desecrater fan oil [aka a bunch of stuff]           #100     26/10/2008

[doggy] Haiku stuff

I enjoy my slurps
From the cool porcelain well
O toilet, my friend

editorial stuff

I can't believe it's been more than 2 months since the last edition of the notes! [well actually I can because a couple of people have commented on the fact]  I suppose some of you have been hanging out for a bumper centenary edition of the notes – and I suppose I could have written a lengthy novel in the interim since #99 – but unfortunately no! The evolution of the Daylesford Foto Biennale into the Ballarat International Foto Biennale has seen me making the 45 minute trip from World HQ to Ballarat 5 days a week. Also since #99 I had 12 days in Canberra with the Galeria Bezdomna and checking out all the shows that VIVID had on offer while I was there. So it's been a fairly hectic time at world HQ. Roll on Xmas I say – another kind of madness we visit upon ourselves – but at least I am looking for a bit of a breather while the silly season preoccupies others.

So my apologies to those of you who have sent me details of your exhibitions, events, competitions etc. that have come and gone in the interim. Will endeavour to get #101 on your desktops before the end of November.
* note from Cam (the so-called webmeister) ~ apologies from me too as I have been tardy in placing this, the 100th of notes up on the web. What can I say? The dog ate my homework!

save our pics stuff

[the following comes from Rob Gray [not a free radical because he subscribes to the theory of 'Why would I join any organization that would have me as a member?!']

For some time I have been concerned about the photographic history of Australia and I'm sure my attitudes are shared by a number of people and organisations. I write for your wise counsel and opinion about the subject. All around our great Nation there are archives of photographic negatives. Professional photographers, serious amateurs, newspapers and government bodies are no doubt holding reserves of great and important images. I think we should have a central, well funded and organised, repository for this material. "The Digital Age" has brought forward a number of powerful tools to allow us to make this happen. What we need is a plan and some funding. I have approached the AIPP, and they have given me permission to begin "kicking the tyres" on the subject and come back to them with a proposal of some sort. This is a big task and it'll take a while. Also, we will need a great deal of support from which will come lobbying, fundraising, sorting through strategies and arriving at a solution to many issues. So, could you please do two things for me: 
[a] Let me know whether you think this is a matter we should pursue?
[b] Consider who would be a good contact to include in our planning/consultation processes. I'm looking for people/organisations that may be a "contact" you have nurtured or are aware of in government, universities, professional organisations or companies.

I realise you have a busy schedule, but I would appreciate you making time. Initially, I'm willing to give this 5 years, and I've established a hotmail account to work through.
My contact details are: Robert Gray GPO Box 2092  Brisbane QLD 4001 mob 0407159487 saveozpics (at) hotmail.com

births, deaths and marriages stuff

Mostly on the side of the ledger that most would prefer not to be on I'm afraid. fr#29 Eddie Schreiber, the erudite fr#216 Peter Davis and from NZ, Richard Poole - who though he never was a free radical, from what I hear he had all the attributes - all gone to the big darkroom in the sky.
free radical commiserations to friends and family.
And on the matrimonial side, fr#13 John Bodin to Ros Thorn, and, keeping it all in the free radical family, fr#62 Mike Langford  to fr#355 Jackie Ranken. Congratulations of the highest order to all [and no Mike, I haven't forgotten about your replacement badge -  last container load got washed overboard in a fierce storm off the Moluccas. Expecting a call from the shipping agent re a replacement container any day now!]

other stuff

[from Peter Adams fr# 159]
I am in the process of writing a book on the cameras I have owned, and how they have an effect on the pictures you make.  My first camera was a Voightlander VITO BL (which was released in 1956, I think). I am hoping to borrow one for a couple of days to photograph and include in the book. If anyone has one I could loan to photograph - obviously I would cover freight and insurance, etc. and credit the owner.  They can contact me on peter.adams (at) peteradams.com or on my phone number 02-4782-7612.

VIVID stuff

As I mentioned earlier, spent the best part of 2 weeks in the national capital for edition #66 of the Galeria Bezdomna, the opening of the Pinhole Show at Parliament House, and to have a look see at 38 of the 45 VIVID shows available for viewing while I was there. Quite a novel experience navigating around Canberra, luckily made practical with a borrowed GPS, otherwise I would probably still be going around in circles. And has anyone else who has visited Canberra noticed the interminable delay in traffic light changes? I expect that the Canberran populace is responsible for a large proportion of our total greenhouse gas emissions whilst waiting for red lights to turn green.

Edition #66 of the Galeria Bezdomna was reasonably successful, with around 30 photographers showing  over 300 images in two railway carriages at the Canberra Railway Museum, and given that the dates and venue were not finalized until way past the deadline for inclusion in the official program, a respectable number of visitors came aboard to view the exhibition. It's surprising how much space there is in a railway carriage. The venue could have accommodated perhaps double the number of participants at a pinch. To view some pics from #66, find out more about the Galeria Bezdomna, and where and when the next Australian edition may appear, go to http://galeriabezdomna.tripod.com Fill in the form and get your name on the email list.

bonus haiku courtesy of Chris Holly [fr#275]

step from the platform
the train springs on images
homeless gallery

new members stuff

A big warm free radical welcome to the following who have anted up with their ten bucks since the last edition – Tim Rawlings, Ted Edkins, Mike Wearne, Satis Arnold, Wolf Sverak, Vicki Bell and Sue Clisby (Hi Sue! ~ Cam)
They have all earned the right to wear the free radical badge for life. 

Don't forget 2008 is free radical 'sign up a friend' year, so get out there and get arm twisting. How about joining your dog? Dogs can be free radicals. What about the kids? – it's never too early to start them on road to untold fame and fortune that we all acknowledge is photography. Just like being a freemason, membership of the free radicals opens doors! [air hair lair!]

call for entry  stuff

It's always a good idea to thoroughly read and understand terms of entry for any photographic prize or competition. If you don't like what they say, or feel terms and conditions are not clearly spelled out, or appear exploitative, and/or unfair, or the judges are biased, or blind don't enter!

iBIENNIAL of contemporary art - 24 months on display, award value EUR 8,990 Artoteque.com (www.artoteque.com) is pleased to invite artists to 1st iBIENNIAL juried contemporary art competition 24 months on display online. iBIENNIAL is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place online at Artoteque.com once every two years. The call for entries for the 1st iBIENNIAL is open to works of any genre. There is a US$ 80 / EUR 50 entry fee for 6 works. and US$ 15 / EUR 10 for each additional work.
The selection panel for art in ONLINE 1st Biennial of Contemporary Art of Artoteque.com Awards nomination is:  Andrea Pagnez, art critic, fine artist, editor, Venice Biennial curator (Florence, Italy); Christopher Chamber, art critic, fine artist, editor, (New York, USA); Marta Dimitrescu, fine artist, director of Artoteque.com (London, UK); Åke Wallén, director of BGAB, art collector, (Stockholm, Sweden); Andre Russu, fine artist (Stockholm, Sweden).
The event will run two-years: 2008 -2009 .

32nd Nikon Photo Contest International Entries to the 32nd Nikon Photo Contest International will be accepted until November 30, 2008. This year's theme: "At the heart of the image" is not only the brand statement of Nikon Imaging Company, but it is also the theme of the 32nd contest. We have carefully selected categories as stated below and we look forward to receiving images expressing the emotions that are true to your heart. Nikon welcomes and embraces photographic creativity and encourages images of human happiness from all over the world. 54 prizes will be awarded by a panel of international photographers. The Nikon Photo Contest International is open to all photographers, professional or amateur, from any part of the world.
Details from http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2008/0605_npci_01.htm

The Sony World Photography Awards The Sony World Photography Awards are entirely international, welcoming professional photographers from across the globe to submit their photographs into a highly competitive awards programme. You will be judged by the World Photographic Academy to receive one of the 12 prestigious category awards and, the most coveted prize, L'iris d'Or, with the recipient taking prize money of $25,000. A shortlist of 7 photographers in each of the 12 categories will be selected and announced on 24th of February, 2009. The announcement of the 36 total winners will be made on 17th of March, 2009. For the final stage of judging, one single photographer will be chosen by the Honorary Judging Committee from the 12 First Place category winners. This photographer will be announced and awarded in Cannes as the recipient of the 2009 L'iris d'or. All 36 Category finalists will be showcased as part of the official 2009 Finalists exhibitions in Cannes .The first place winner of each category will be flown out to Cannes to attend the World Photography Festival screenings, workshops, exhibitions, talks and other events taking place throughout the city of Cannes from the 14th – 19th of April. Detail from www.worldphotographyawards.org

photography festival stuff

Ballarat International Foto Biennale. The Festival will run from Sept 4 to Oct 4 2009, with a Core Program of 25 exhibitions of the best of Australian and International contemporary photography. The Fringe will grow with events in both Ballarat and Daylesford, as well as a comprehensive program of workshops, seminars, lectures, projections, special and affiliate events throughout the month. To keep abreast of all the news, go to www.ballaratfoto.org to get on the email list.

miscellaneous stuff

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale seems like a good opportunity to resurrect the free radical 'R Chee Ball" prize for photographic self portraiture. Naturally the event will take a degree of organizational expertise, and as I probably have more on my plate than I can possibly handle for September 2009, I am looking for someone with energy and nous [I know that lets quite a few of you off the hook!] to put up their hand to manage the event.

exhibition stuff  stuff

Happy to list your show be it in Melbourne, Darwin, Hobart or wherever, but if it's too much trouble to send me your exhibition details in a format that I can readily cut and paste, ie in the body of an email, then it's too much trouble for me to transcribe details from a pdf or go chasing websites for the information that's missing. Send the details to free radicaloz [at] gmail.com Include details of opening and closing dates, gallery address, opening hours, and if you like, a brief synopsis of the show.
Send information as text only, preferably pasted into the body of an email and not as an attachment. Sometimes it's 4 - 6 weeks between editions of the notes, so if you want to be sure of getting a listing, get your details in early.

Sun Studios Assistant Award exhibition, Show runs Nov 6 to 28. Opening night Nov 11, 6.30 – 9.30 Sun Studios Atrium, 42 Maddox St, Alexandria

Moments of Tranquility – New Zealand's Landscapes, by Jens Waldenmaier [fr# 681]  at X2 Creative Park, 20 Cha Ling Bei Lu, Crossing 1238 Xietu Lu, Shanghai. Show current to Nov 6.

The 2008 Nikon Walkley Press Photo Exhibition - Friday 31 October to Saturday 15 November Tue - Fri: 12.00 - 7.00pm, Sat & Sun 10.00am - 6.00pm . The Nikon-Walkley Photographic Awards are today regarded as the most comprehensive and prestigious competition for press photographers in Australia. Every year more than 1000 photographs are judged for selection in the awards. This exhibition will showcase in excess of 90 works by Australia`s best photojournalists whose images chronicle the news and events, elation and tragedy of the year in the media. At the Australian Centre for Photography, 257 Oxford Street Paddington

Christian Pearson – The Secret River, Nov 24th – Dec 14th At The Incinerator Arts Complex, 180 Holmes Rd, Moonee Ponds, Wed-Sun 11-4pm To be officially opened by the President of Greening Australia Victoria Rob Gell Sat 29th Oct 2-4pm. Sponsored by Melbourne Water. Go to www.misheye.com for more information.

Damon Smith's Wild Australasia - For the past three decades, Damon Smith has forged a career as one of Australia's top directors to become an award winning film maker of adventure and wildlife films. Today, his passion lies in collecting the most stunning panoramic images of Australia and of exotic locations. Showing from 10 October 2008
plus
Capturing the Worlds Wild Visions - Queensland based photographer Darran Leal, one of the worlds most diverse and travelled photographers, undertakes several major expeditions to regions in the USA, Africa, South America and beyond, each year. Well known for his unique and limited small group photo tours and workshops, Darran has helped thousands of photographers from all walks of life to take better images. Darren will be exhibiting in three rooms at The Wilderness Gallery. Showing from the 31 October 2008
plus
Africa - A land of dramatic and varied landscapes, exotic wildlife and beautiful people, two of Tasmania's exceptional photographers Alice Bennett [fr# 253] and Phil Kuruvita [fr# 257] join forces to share their individual journeys. These poignant and gentle portraits combine with the harsh environmental conditions to create a sense of empathy and awe. Showing from 31 October 2008
plus
Kevin Cooper's Air – Kevin [fr# 379] combines an unusual view point with technical mastery and a superb eye for a pleasing composition to create these award winning images. These amazing semi abstract photographs are captured from the edge of his balloon as he skims across the landscape. Showing from 31 October 2008.
All at the Wilderness Gallery,  Cradle Mountain Chateau, Tasmania

Bruno Leti – Huangshan Poems – photographs more than paintings. Show current to November 2nd
plus
Bill Henson – Images from the MGA Collection – show current to November 16th
plus
William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize 2008 current to 02 November, 2008 [I guess if nothing else, the Bowness gives us hope that one day any one of us can win a major art photography prize. Ed.]

At the Monash Gallery of Art Corner Jells & Ferntree Gully Roads, Wheelers Hill Victoria 3150 Tel: 03 9562 1569 mga (at) monash.vic.gov.au Web: www.mga.org.au Open: Tue-Fri: 10-5pm, Sat-Sun: 12-5pm, Mon & public holidays: closed. Gallery, gift shop, licensed cafe and sculpture park FREE ADMISSION

Anne Noble – Ice Blink – Antarctic Photographs
plus
Steven Sebring -  Objects of life[both remarkably uninteresting components of the Melbourne Festival  Visual Arts program. Ed]
plus
Foto-Ography – group show?
All at the CCP, 404 George St Fitzroy.  Gallery hours Weds to Sat 11 - 6. info at www.ccp.org.au Shows current to November 25th

classified stuff

classifieds are free, but only run for one edition unless you email me to run in the following edition due to lack of enquiries, or you wish to delete, add, or change the price of items. Don't send an essay – just item, price and contact details. KISS

Various bits and pieces, all in very good condition, will sell the lot at one low price. Most of the equipment has been used only a few times, so is in very good condition and a lot cheaper than new replacement cost.
2 x Dragon Image (sprung) lighting stands.
2 x shoot through white Umbrellas.
1 x bounce silver umbrella.
1 x shoot through soft box type umbrella.
1 x reflector holder ( multiple positions) attaches to lighting stand.
1 x multi clamp
1 x Dragon Image BACK DROP SET, two different widths and heights in it's own carry bag.
All in an excellent carry bag.  $ 450 or nearest offer, I need the room.
plus
1 x Low Pro Trecker AW  2 Back Pack Camera Bag, vg condition, has it's own storm cover.  $80.00
Tony Reddrop [fr# 447]   0419 58 2313  or toneredd (at) hotmail.com

I am searching for a sublet or shared inner city space with either photographers or mixed creative businesses such as graphic designers/ architects. Minimum secured space required is 40 sq metres. Ground or first floor would be suitable. John Bodin [fr# 13]  bodin (at) connexus.net.au

end stuff

Feeling neglected because of lack of information on events happening in your neck of the woods? I can't include it if i don't know about it!! Any editorial content, exhibition notices, classifieds etc. to free radicaloz [at] gmail.com

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