free radical notes #97

See olden aircraft [aka a bunch of stuff]           # 97 11/6/08

Haiku stuff

The computer nerd
hacks at his keys all day long.
Bits of life surf by.

editorial stuff

Surprise, surprise, Bill Henson, Roslyn Oxley Gallery et al have no case to answer. But not surprising that the general Australian public, including Kevin 07, have yet to develop an intellect that can't distinguish between art and pornography. Most disturbing aspect of the whole saga was the rapidity which gallery directors across the country removed Henson works which had hung, in some cases for a decade, from their gallery walls. Knee jerk reaction begets knee jerk reaction! I hope none of galleries are holding works by Lewis Carroll, or Jan Saudek, or Sally Mann or Jock Sturges or god forbid David Hamilton.

other stuff

Quite a gathering of the free radical troops at the Canon Australian Professional Photographer of the Year judging in Brisbane and the huge PMA trade show. 'Come to Brisbane' said fr#72 Ian Poole – 'beautiful one day, perfect the next' – he lied, coz it pissed down all weekend. But the sun did shine on a few of our number, including Mercury Megaloudis fr#33 who took out the title of 2008 Canon Photographer of the Year. Category winners also included Nick Melidonis fr#296 Landscape Photographer of the Year, and Marcus Bell fr#747. Wedding Photographer of the Year. Also quite a few free radicals scored bling at the awards night. My apologies if I have missed anyone – information was gleaned from the online happy snaps of the presentations - congrats to Robyn Stewart fr#73, Don Burrows fr#416, Ian Van der Wolde fr#181, Suzette Nesire fr#55, Craig Wetjen fr#725, Anne Vardanaga fr#602, Richard Muldoon fr#730, Sally Sargood fr#288, Angie Higginbotham fr#82, Shireen Hammond fr#470, George Trifunovic fr#30, Jeff Gregory fr#87, Rob Burnett fr#74, Vin Natoli fr#302 and Leslie Downie fr#95

Any idea what a free radical badge looks like after it has spent an hour in the clothes dryer on maximum heat? It looks very much like a prawn cracker – just ask Andrew Kopp fr#78. Andrew got caught in a beautiful one day, perfect the next downpour in Brisbane, and inadvertently threw his jacket into the clothes dryer without first removing his free radical badge. The badge, which had a mottled appearance thanks to an earlier incident with a washing machine, disintegrated in the dryer leaving nowt but a misshapen cream plastic backing and stainless steel clasp. Moral of the tale – if you feel the need to spruce up your badge - use the gentle cycle for the wash and low heat for the dryer.

happening events stuff

Courting Controversy lecture series 'Disturbing Australia: Art or porn?' Allan Myers AO QC has said the controversy surrounding Bill Henson's work reflects Australia's immaturity and intolerance of artistic expression. He argues that, while the images may disturb sections of society, this should not determine the rules of freedom of expression. Join members of the legal, arts and general community to discuss and debate this important issue. Hear from experts with differing perspectives as the Melbourne Law School Courts Controversy at the Melbourne Law School, Monday June 16th at 6pm, 185 Pelham St Carlton. Enquiries 8344 1153

Presentation and talk by 5 of the members of Degree South a new collective of eight award-winning Australian photographers based throughout the Asia Pacific region will take place at Building 131, Australian National University, Garran Road, Acton, Canberra at the Finkel theatre Tuesday 15th July at noon.

Floortalk with Dr Conrad Hamann 2pm Saturday 21 June 2008 In 2001 the City of Whitehorse commissioned celebrated architectural photographer John Gollings to document the architecture of Whitehorse. Join Dr Conrad Hamann for an enlightening floortalk at the Art Space and discover the mysteries behind the iconic and the ordinary architectural features of Whitehorse. Distinguished educator Dr Conrad Hamann is currently teaching in Architectural History and Design Studios at RMIT. Prior to this he taught at Monash University for 25 years, where he was Associate Professor in Architectural History in the School of Literary, Visual and Performance Studies. Presently, Dr Hamann is writing a catalogue for the International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale. In 2007, with colleagues Doug Evans and Huan Chen Borland, he wrote the highly acclaimed book Kevin Borland: Architecture From the Heart. Bookings essential for this free floortalk on 9262 6250 afternoon tea provided. Box Hill Town Hall 1022 Whitehorse Rd Box Hill

Melbourne-CHANGES. A Panel Discussion and Book Launch as part of the MELBOURNE-SCAPES exhibition at Obscura Gallery - Artists include: Con Hionis, Shannon Reddaway, Joseph Feil, Andrew Chapman fr#449, Arsineh Houspian fr#433. Since its opening, Melbourne-SCAPES has generated a large amount of public interest due to the diversity of Melbourne icons in the images on display. To enhance this cultural exploration, Obscura Gallery invites the public to a panel discussion and book launch, Melbourne-CHANGES, designed to give further insight into the featured works on Thursday, 12th June, 6.30pm for 7.00pm start.
Panelists include: Ash Keating who is a Multi-Disciplinary Visual Artist, integrates environmental issues with his art strategies. These vary from public art, performance, video, painting, photography and installations.
Dr Ros Bandt who is an international sound artist, author and senior researcher in sound culture at the Australian Centre, The University of Melbourne, directs the Australian Sound Design website and online gallery.
Kevin Carrucan is the Project Architect representing HASSELL, for the ANZ Docklands project currently under construction at 833 Collins Street. HASSELL has been involved in architectural developments such as the State Library of Victoria Forecourt, the Werribee Open Range Zoo, VicUrban, Australia Post, Central City Studios [Docklands] and The Urban Workshop [Lonsdale Street], to name a few.
Join us for a glass of wine with the panelists and photographers on Thursday 12th June, 6.30pm for 7pm start. Obscura Gallery, First Floor, 285 Carlisle Street, East St Kilda, 3183.

pinhole stuff

AIPP PINHOLE – AUSTRALIA Exhibition As part of the VIVID National Festival of Photography in August/September an exhibition of contemporary pinhole images will be held at the Presiding Officer's Exhibition Gallery in Parliament House. The exhibition is being curated by fr# 100 David Paterson and is being mounted as a free-to-the-public showing of works in this field by Australian pinholers. The exhibition will acknowledge that pinhole work has become a haven for retro-technology practitioners of traditional photography. Equally important will be the way in which pinhole imaging and digital technology has been used by some practitioners to extend the practice.
What is required for a submission is either: A JPEG (medium compression) digital file of the work - Size: A4 @ 300ppi Include an artist's statement about the work - Advise if it is part of a series - Advise the size of the work and if it can be printed to fit on an A2 sheet. EMAIL Each image as an attachment with other data as an individual message to d.paterson@adfa.edu.au or send an A4 or 8"x10" sized print of the work, attach an artist's statement about the work - Advise if it is part of a series - Advise the size of the work and if it will be printed to fit on an A2 sheet. Include SSAE if you want the print/s returned to David Paterson 41 Boldrewood Turner, ACT, 2612. There is no entry fee for submission however entrants who have work selected will be required to pay a hanging and handling fee. Whilst we do not wish to limit possible inclusions to the show please limit your submissions to substantial work that may have been exhibited, published or accepted into an award. If you have a series that you wish to have considered please indicate each image to indicate such. You don't have to be an AIPP member to participate. All entries will be considered by a suitably qualified panel and selected works will be sent a letter of offer to exhibit. All entrants will receive a list of the accepted works. Closing date for entries: 20 June, 2008. Date when selected exhibitors will be advised: 4 July, 2008. Date when work will be required in Canberra: 25 July, 2008. Dates of exhibition: 8 August ~ 19 September. Email David for any other information.

And whilst on the subject of pinholes, the book is closed on WPPD for 2008. Final tally was 2630 pinholers made a picture on the last Sunday in April and uploaded to the WPPD website www.pinholeday.org They came from 62 countries, and 67 of them were from Australia. Late uploaders [early ones were acknowledged back in edition #96] were fr#545 Margaret Wallen, fr#364 Trudy Schuringa and fr#703 Anthony Browell. Overall numbers were down by around 300 on 2007, so lets get out those brass shims and emery paper out and get things ready for when the last Sunday in April 2009 comes around. You'll get plenty of prior warning here in the notes.

new members stuff

Quite a few new free rads thanks to the gathering at APPA, and good to see a few long time members taking things seriously and proudly wearing their free radical badges. A big Air hair lair to our newest badge holders - Robert Cobcroft, Craig Wetjen, Stuart Poignand [not before time] Jean Marc La Roque [ditto] Nicola Poole, Tony Corbell [from the USA] Richard Muldoon, Catherine Muldoon, Alyda McGaw, Rhonda Kramer, Suzie Latham, Rebecca Green, Todd McGaw, Marcus Bell, and from across the dutch in enzed, Chris Parker and Richard Linton. Don't forget that 2008 is the year of the concerted membership drive, where every genuine free radical encourages just one non free radical to make one of the cheapest photographic investments ever – a free radical lifetime membership for a paltry ten bucks. You know the details!!

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!

Up Close and Spineless The Australian Museum is holding a photo competition in recognition of invertebrates (animals without a backbone). Entries close 29 August 2008. Details: http://www.austmus.gov.au/up_close/competition.htm

Student Competition – Ian Parry Scholarship 2008. Ian Parry was a photojournalist who died whilst on assignment for The Sunday Times during the Romanian revolution in 1989. He was just 24 years old. The scholarship was set up by his friends and family in order to build something positive from such a tragic death. Each year we hold a competition for photographers who are either attending a full-time photography course or are under the age of 24. Entrants must submit a portfolio of their work and a brief synopsis of a project they would undertake if they won the scholarship. The prize is £2,500 towards their assignment. Metro Imaging also offer £500 worth of vouchers to the winner and £250 to those awarded highly commended and commended. For more info go to the website - http://www.ianparry.org/main.php

The RovingEye 2008 Expose Your World Photo Competition is calling for entries This year the focus is travel You can enter as many of the following categories as you like as often as you like:
Photography, Photo Essay, Single Shot, Young Australian Photographer of the Year etc. etc. The RovingEye 2008 Expose Your World Photo Competition is open to international entrants with the exception of the Young Australian Photographer of the Year, and the Australian Adventurer of the Year categories, both of whom must be Australian citizens. The deadline for submissions is 25 July 2008, 23.59 (Eastern Standard Time). Go to www.exposeyourworld.com for full details on the competition, prizes and terms of entry or download the information pack at www.exposeyourworld.com/info/comp.

miscellaneous stuff

The Galeria Bezdomna/Homeless Gallery will have it's seventh Australian edition as part of Vivid in Canberra. Dates and venues have yet to be confirmed, but to get into the loop to find out exactly where and when, go to this link and fill in the e form to get on the database. GB/HG is a low tech no rules [well very few rules] exhibition without any review panel, style police, submission panel etc. etc. You turn up with your pictures and hanging tools, find a space and curate your own work. Simple as that! It's a great way to get a bit of exhibition history. It can be as low cost as you want – many participants simply blu tac unframed prints direct onto the walls [or floor, or ceiling] There are no restrictions as to quantity, quality, size or content of works. Installations and alternative methods of showing work are encouraged. Only proviso is you sign an indemnity form on hanging day before you can participate. And of course you have to also turn up on closing day to dismantle your stuff or it gets consigned to the rubbish skip. As we generally get a number of international works [a reciprocal arrangement] you may be asked to also hang pictures on behalf of someone from overseas.

Presentation and talk by 5 of the members of Degree South a new collective of eight award-winning Australian photographers based throughout the Asia Pacific region will take place at Building 131, Australian National University, Garran Road, Acton, Canberra at the Finkel theatre Tuesday 15th July at noon.

Lots of stuff happening as part of VIVID, Canberra's First National Festival of Photography, which kicks off on July 11th and runs through to October 12th, including exhibitions, seminars, lectures, floortalks, projections and more. Check out all the details at www.nla.gov.au/vivid/index.html

exhibition 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.

Abstract Earth – The Photography of Richard Woldendorp – 20 June-3 August This unique perspective reveals diverse landscapes and ancient forms, and Woldendorp's images eloquently capture the vastness and solitude of the land from above. This exhibition acknowledges Woldendorp's important contribution to Australian landscape photography over the past 50 years and has been selected by eminent art critic John McDonald and photographer R. Ian Lloyd. National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery, Watons Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, NSW

Architecture in Whitehorse Images by John Gollings from the City of Whitehorse Art Collection. Art Space,Box Hill Town Hall 1022 Whitehorse Rd Box Hill Show current to June 27th

Photographers in the circle of Alfred Stieglitz at the National Gallery of Victoria. Show current to 28 September 2008. Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) was a monumental figure in the history of twentieth century photography. In the opening decades of the century, Stieglitz championed the cause of artistic photography with the Photo-Secession group, and went on to become an important and influential modernist photographer. NGV Photography Gallery, Level 1 Admission free
http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Salt and Paper by Ellie Young fr#167. Salted Paper Prints on French cotton papers exploring the world of photomacrography – Show current to 22nd June 2008 Meyer Gallery in Sydney 269 Bourke St Darlinghurst NSW contact: 02 9380 8014 mary@meyergallery.com.au

The Blue Man by Charlie Sublet fr#251 Current to 8 July 2008 (Photographic Gallery) The Blue Man ? Preacher? Prophet? Tormented Soul? He wanders the Australian bush exorcising demons.Part documentary, part theatre, The Blue Man is anguish, loneliness, anxiety, depression, grief and desperation. plus Paul Carracher: The Art Of News 10 June - 6 July, 2008 (Community Gallery) Paul Carracher is an award-winning Wimmera Mail-Times photographer who has been covering the news in the Wimmera for over 20 years. These recent photographs documents sports, community clubs and local events. Horsham Regional Art Gallery Telephone: 03 5362 2880 80 Wilson Street, Horsham VIC 3400 www.horshamartgallery.com.au

Simon Obarzanek. The first survey exhibition of the Melbourne-based photographer Simon Obarzanek. Over recent years Obarzanek has gained a significant reputation in the art world for his conceptually driven photographic series, which explore the expressive potential of isolated human forms. His early work was primarily concerned with portraiture, but he countered the traditional conventions of that genre by privileging anonymity and the formal qualities of the visage over a psychological interest in the sitter's personality. In his more recent series, Obarzanek withdraws from the facial close-up to work with the human figure in space. Throughout his practice there is a recurring treatment of the human form as a sensitive membrane, which harnesses and expresses the elemental forces of existence. Show current to 13 July.
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

There Stands The Glass by Conor O'Brien. There Stands The Glass follows on from Hold On To Each Other, as the second body of work created over a three-year period whilst I was living in Melbourne. These portraits, landscapes and observations explore personal and emotional connections with my surroundings and people I am close to. My aim is to communicate ideas and feelings that viewers can explore and question within the context of their own experiences.
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Time And Distance by Peter Jeffs. Peter Jeffs converted a heavy-duty enlarger to project his images onto a wall for the production of his mural-sized photographic prints. Dispensing with conventional notions of composition, he made these gritty, street images at night whilst working as a Melbourne taxi driver. The use of black and white film exaggerates the impact of artificial light in the darkness, while the size of the images invites the viewer to participate as a passenger in a spontaneous moment. A moment of contemplation and reflection; the taxi mirror reflects a moment just passed. There is more going on than meets the eye in these non-judgmental observations. Jeffs recently discovered his Wotjobaluk heritage. His thumbprint signature refers to the Aboriginal 'signatories' of Batman's Treaty for the land of the Kulin nation in 1835, where the Centre for Contemporary Photography is situated.
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Huang Po-Chih & Wang Ya-Hui. Selections From Penumbra: Contemporary Art From Taiwan
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Not Really Aboriginal by Bindi Cole. Does dark skin make you black or light skin make you white? When Bindi Cole tells people that she is Aboriginal, so many of them respond by saying: "Not really Aboriginal". What is Aboriginal? According to most white experts, it's a black person who lives in a remote community, has social issues and claims benefits that are way above what they deserve. So, being white, fairly socially adjusted and living in an urban area in Victoria, where does Cole fit in? "Not Really Aboriginal" explores how black you need to look to be considered Aboriginal and how white Aboriginals cross the cultural divide. Ultimately, it is a celebration of Aboriginality in all its forms.
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Spinning by Kotoe Ishii in The Projection Window All shows current to July 5th at the CCP, 404 George St Fitzroy. Gallery hours Weds to Sat 11 - 6. info at www.ccp.org.au Degree South, Ben Bohane, Michael Coyne [fr# 213], Stephen Dupont, Joyce Evans, [fr#529] Tim Page, David Dare Parker [fr#540], Jack Picone, 'honorary member' – Sean Flynn. An exhibition of documentary photography by Degree South, a new collective of eight award-winning Australian photographers based throughout the Asia Pacific region. ACT Legislative Assembly London Circuit, Canberra City - opening Tues 15th July. Show runs 11 July to 6 August 2008

David Ellis [fr#17] presents Images of France at the Alliance Francaise Gallery 51 Grey St, St Kilda from June 10th to 30th. Gallery hours Mondays to Thursdays 9.00 am to 8.30 pm, Fridays 9.00am to 6.00 pm, and Saturdays 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Closed Sundays.

The Royal Photographic Society Victorian Chapter presents Near and Far at the Melbourne Camera Club, Cnr Ferrars and Dorcas Sts South Melbourne July 12th & 13th and 19th & 20th from 2 – 5

A Reflection: Jewish Diaspora in Carlisle Street, Balaclava 2006-2008 You are invited to celebrate Shoshanna Jordan's fr#350 MA exhibition at RMIT School of Art Gallery RMIT University, Bld 2 (Bowen Lane, City Campus) Thursday, 12th June 2008 6.00 - 8.00 pm Email: s.jordan@ozemail.com.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

Nikon D2x digital SLR camera body $2500 cables, box & books
Nikon 24-200mm 1: 2.8 D AF $1100
Nikon D70s Digital Camera SLR $1000
AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm 1:2.8-4 D lens $350
Nikon F80 film body x 2 $200 each
Nikon N80 film body $200
Nikon 801 film body $100
KODAK Pro 14n Digital Camera $800
Sigma 17-35mm D Aspherical 1: 2.8-4 $300 Nikon compatible
Tonika AT -X 24-200 Aspherical 1: 3.5-5.6 $500 Nikon compatible
Nikon SB- 80DX Speedlight/Flash Unit $200
Nikon SB- 28 Speedlight/Flash Unit $55
Open to offers- happy to trade for canon equipment. Mint condition gear-all lenses have had UV filters on so no scratches. Lucy Morton [fr#65] Melbourne 0416 257720 lucy [at] lucymortonphotography.com.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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