free radical notes #101

  Feel sectarian rod [aka a bunch of stuff]           #101     7/12/2008

Haiku stuff

When the light turns green
like a leaf on a spring wind
the horn blows quickly.

editorial stuff

Interesting happening in Canberra last week when labour member of the House of Reps tried to sell a picture he had snapped of a protestor about to engage in a spot of self immolation.
Aside from the said politician [and the protestor] both being nut cases [allegedly of course], interesting reaction from the rest of the Parliament over the incident [and unfortunately it was all about the alleged attempt to sell the alleged resulting picture rather than the alleged lot of the protestor, who it would seem must have been fairly aggrieved to go to such alleged lengths to put an exclamation point to his cause! Allegedly!!]
But no, his colleagues – from his own side as well as the opposition, were mollified over his attempt to profit from the pending misfortune of another. Interesting that one person is pilloried when, had it been a press photographer making the picture he may well have been nominated for a Walkley. Perhaps the govt. is working on a paper [white, green or pink] which will outlaw non professionals from taking photographs. Hear hear! I hear all the wedding photographers shout.
No more uncle Harry sniping over your shoulder for the shot that you just spent 90 seconds setting up. Chuck him in leg irons says I!! No more perverts aiming their point and shoots at the kiddies, no more amateurs trying to steal our clients, no more students undercutting our day rates. It's good that someone out there is looking after our interests.

begetting stuff

Campbell Andrew [fr#333] and Campbell Robyn [fr#250] announce the arrival of Campbell, Archie Alexander, Scott

Winners are grinners stuff

free radicals feature strongly amongst the category winners at the International Aperture Awards. Most prominent is Peter Rossi [fr#408] along with partner Charmaine Heyer [fr#409] as well as Shireen Hammond [fr#470] Tony Hewitt [fr#111] Rocco Ancora [fr#44] and Mike Langford [fr#62] Congratulations all and spend your prize-money wisely. Also Roger Skinner [fr#702] won the Local photographer section of the Muswellbrook Photographic Prize. Don't know what the judges were thinking when they chose the major prizewinner though. Check it out for yourself at Muswellbrook Photographic Prize Winners

other stuff

Another year almost gone, so this will probably be the last edition of the notes until 2009. I'll take the opportunity to wish you all a very free radical Xmas and a free radical new year. And as is customary in most media at this time, to follow with short review of the year that was.
2008, the year of the GFC [global financial crisis that is – not the Geelong Football Club – although far and away the best team in the competition, the catters were unable to come up with back to back flags – ditto the Stormers] 2008 saw free radical membership grow by just under 50 [a good proportion of them coerced by Roger Garwood – thanks Rog]

On the notes front I only managed to get out 9 issues but they included the landmark centenary edition [if I had only known where things would lead back in 2001!] and am not even close to running out of anagrams or haikus [the only bits that some members read!]
We managed to go a full year without a single meeting or event [a one person Foto Freo gallery crawl doesn't qualify] 2008 was the year of the big debate on underage nudity in photography.

The stoush between Bill Henson in the black corner and font of all knowledge Kevin '07 ['I don't know if it's art, but I know I don't like it!!'] in the white corner appears to have been shunted off the front pages courtesy of the GFC. Maybe we should all chip in and send Kev a copy of the new Jock Sturges DVD for Xmas just to keep the pot on simmer.

Meanwhile, back at the website [www.freeradicaloz.com] the hit counter keeps ticking over and Cam continues to burn the midnight oil keeping the pages current. The Flickr site has 24 contributors who have posted 139 images http://www.flickr.com/groups/freeradical/ but despite Cam's sub editor headlines, responses to discussion posts are yet to be forthcoming. *sigh ~ Cam*

And via fr#708 John Austin comes the following:
Our campaign to 'Save the Net' is gaining momentum faster than all expectations, as the Government's ill-considered plans to slow down and censor the internet is "facing a major backlash", according to media reports. Only a massive public outcry will make the Government see sense on this issue. That's why we're taking a moment to ask you help build an unprecedented community movement to save the internet from being slowed and censored. Please take a moment to tell all anyone you know who uses the internet to add their signature to yours on our petition: www.getup.org.au/campaign/SaveTheNet More than 55,000 fellow Australians have already signed the petition to Communications Minister Senator Conroy. His plan has even been slammed by children's welfare groups, who say the filter is "fundamentally flawed" and simply will not work. Without an immense reaction from the community, the Government will claim they have the green light to begin limiting our freedoms - and who knows where that slippery slope will end? Already euthanasia, gambling, anorexia and legal adult content are being discussed. Be part of the solution by letting your friends know about this campaign, and ask them to join you, children's welfare groups, internet providers, consumers, engineers, network administrators, and 55,000 everyday Australians in defense of our freedom and in defence of our internet: Help build a movement today in defence of our rights, to prevent Australia joining Iran, China, Saudi Arabia and Burma in an undemocratic club of governments who view the internet as a threat. Thanks for being part of the solution,
The GetUp team

[Most of you are white, protestant and over 21[except for Humphrey – but he hasn't paid up yet] so make up your own minds and don't bother sending me feedback on the subject. Ed.]

new members stuff

Had an email from an 8YO blue heeler named Humphrey who would like to become a member, but was under the impression that membership was free! Sorry Humphrey, the word 'free' in our title refers to liberated rather than no cost. But let's face it – in these GFC days, ten bucks is as good as free. It's a long time since I bought a can of Pal, but I'm reckoning you wouldn't have to go without too many meals to avail yourself of a lifetime of free radical philosophy and wit [I still have a few doggy haikus up my sleeve!]

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, don't enter!

ChillOut Photography Prize. The Ballarat International Foto Biennale presents the ChillOut Photography Prize as part of the ChillOut Festival staged in and around Daylesford over the Labour Day weekend in March. In a couple of departures from the Prize in 2008, the 2009 exhibition will hang in the Novotel Forest Resort at Creswick and the show will reprise as part of the Fringe Program at BIFB'09 in case you happen to miss it at ChillOut. 2009 also sees an increase in the prize to $3000. This years theme is 'Diversity'. Call for entry closes Friday Jan 23rd, so load up your pixels / halides and get shooting for your chance to win $3000 and have your images seen by a potential ChillOut audience of 20,000 and another 40,000 at BIFB'09. All entrants get a guernsey, as all entries will be included in a screen based show which will accompany the short-listed print exhibition. Full details and entry forms at the website www.ballaratfoto.org

The Photo Award was founded in Sweden in 2008. The purpose of this event is to enhance journalistic photography and to strengthen the position for the professional photographer. It is also intended to inspire young and new photographers and get more people interested in photography. Compete for $30,000 (USD) in cash prizes and the honorable bronze statues. Both professional and amateur photographers are welcome to compete in The Photo Award. The pictures submitted must be your own copyright and can only be submitted into the specified categories. The competition is open until 4 January, 2009. Participating pictures must have been taken during the year 2008. They do not need to have been published. The jury is allowed to move pictures between categories if they deem it necessary.
For each submitted picture there is an entry fee of US$10. The prize pool is US$30,000 in cash. US$10,000 is awarded to the winner in the category Photographer of the Year and to the winner in the category Picture of the Year. There is a cash prize of US$1,000 for each 1st prize winner in the other categories. The Photo Award bronze statue is presented to all 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners in every category. More info from www.thephotoaward.com/

Heart of Gold Photography Award. Entries are being accepted now for images that fall into one or more of the themes below. A team of world class judges who will decide the best photos from each category and then the best overall image. There are two categories – Student (up to 18 yrs) and General. Professional photographers and amateurs are welcome to enter.
As well as winning a major photography prize, the winners' photographs will be displayed in an exhibition at the Heart of Gold Film festival in March 2009. Themes are LOVE, CONNECTION, FUN, HOPE, CREATIVITY and FAMILY. More information from www.heartofgold.com.au/hogip/home.html

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

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

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.

workshopstuff

Photogravure 4 day summer workshop with Silvi Glattauer 23 - 26 January 10 am - 4 pm $550 (materials included) www.baldessinpress.com . An ideal workshop for photographers or printmakers wanting to explore this non-silver alternative process, using non-toxic photosensitive printing plates. Photogravure produces the most exquisite, rich and velvety tones through the printing process. Includes digital techniques for making high quality films. Visit Silvi's website for examples of photogravure work: www.silvi.com.au

Full Moon Perceptive Vision - Photographic Workshop at Wilson's Prom with Lloyd Godman & Silvi Glattauer Fri - Sun 6 - 8 February $480 (camping & transport not inc.) www.baldessinpress.com A 3 day workshop in landscape photography with artist/photographer Lloyd Godman. Camping and working at Wilson's Prom for 3 days, this workshop is guaranteed to be an intense experience. Rather than a quest for the classic landscape image explore strategies for identifying and developing a personal photographic vision, style or iconography. www.lloydgodman.net

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.

Hyde Park Harmony - Portraits in the Park - large-format pinhole photographs by Anthony Browell [fr#703] For two years, Anthony Browell has been photographing randomly met people in Hyde Park, with the threatened and magnificent Fig Trees as backgrounds. A lot of these 70-80-year-old trees, which line the central walkways within the park, will be removed over the next few years, as they are diseased, and fragile. They will be replaced with a similar species of tree, but the grand and shady ceremonial walkways will not be the same for some 20 years, while the new trees grow up. At Point Light Gallery, 4/50 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills 2010. Thursday-Sunday, 10am-5pm, or by appointment, Show current to December 20th. Info 0418-212-485. Shooting Through – Ultimo TAFE graduating students
Opening 12th December 2008 6-9pm. The Muse (TAFE Campus) - Corner of Mary Ann and Harris Street Ultimo. Exhibition runs 12th – 18th December 2008
more info from http://shootingthrough.com

No standing only dancing - Photographs by Rennie Ellis at the NGV Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square . Show current to 22 February 09 Galleries 15 & 16, Level 3 Admission free

Emergence – 1st Annual Exhibition of Emerging artists featuring Yiwen Yao, Josh Robenstone, Richard Lipp, Christian Roux and Mandy Warr at at Obscura Gallery – 1st Floor 285 Carlisle St East St Kilda 03 9525 9377 www.obscuragallery.com

Names - NMIT 2008 Applied Photography Graduation Exhibition.
The final year students from the Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE Applied Photography course are exhibiting their photography work in a joint exhibition at Cambridge Studio Gallery, 58 Cambridge Street, Collingwood. Show current to 13 December 2008
Open Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm. More information phone: 9486 0169.

Strange New Quarry – Photography Studies College Art major graduate show at the Substation, 1 Market St Newport. Show current to Dec 14th. Gallery open Fri – Sun 11 – 6. http://strangenewquarry.com/

Photographs by Stuart Gibson. Opens December 14th at Red Wall Gallery, Republic Bar, 299 Elizabeth St Hobart.

Christian Pearson [fr#591] – The Secret River, current to Dec 14th at The Incinerator Arts Complex, 180 Holmes Rd, Moonee Ponds, Wed-Sun 11-4pm
Sponsored by Melbourne Water. Go to www.misheye.com for more information.

Places I've Been, photographs by Richard White. Silver Gelatin B&W prints from many places at the Yering Station Gallery upstairs. 38 Melba Hwy Yarra Glen Show current to February 1 2009. white@mcmedia.com.au www.richardwhite.com.au

3ye – WA Central TAFE graduate show, Breadbox Gallery, The Bakery Artrage Complex, 233 James St Northbridge. Show current to Dec 14th. Gallery hours 12 – 5 weekdays, 2 – 5 weekends. Info www.3ye.com.au

Photography is often associated with the noisy proliferation of information that characterises the modern world. But it is a medium that also has the capacity to create opportunities for reflection and pause within the hubbub of contemporary life. MGA's new exhibition, The MGA Collection: Quiet Earth brings together a number of contemporary artists who understand photography's capacity for deadening the racket of our information age, and drawing viewers into a contemplative visual space. The show features works from the MGA permanent collection by Marcia Lochhead, Rebecca Ann Hobbs, Beverley Veasey and Paul Cox. plus
Joachim Froese - Archive
plus
The MGA Collection - Tracey Moffatt
all shows current to 25 January 2009 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

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

Martin Smith - In Response To Never Being Answered Again plus
Neale Stratford/Colour Factory Award - Making Faces plus
Sarah Baker (Usa/Uk), Philip Brophy (Aus), Sue Dodd (Aus), Kate Murphy (Aus), Pipilotti Rist (Ch), Darren Sylvester (Aus), Kellie Wells (Aus) - One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong,
All shows current to December 13th at the CCP, 404 George St Fitzroy. Gallery hours Weds to Sat 11 - 6. info at www.ccp.org.au

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

Wanted, Set of Russian lenses to fit Fed/Zorki, 20mm, 35mm, 50mm f2, 85mm and viewfinders
Must be in good working order as I wish to use the lenses for a current body of work
John Austin fr#708 mail2 (at) baphoto.com.au www.jbaphoto.com.au 08 9773 1288

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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