JiscMail Logo
Email discussion lists for the UK Education and Research communities

Help for NEW-MEDIA-CURATING Archives


NEW-MEDIA-CURATING Archives

NEW-MEDIA-CURATING Archives


NEW-MEDIA-CURATING@JISCMAIL.AC.UK


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Monospaced Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

NEW-MEDIA-CURATING Home

NEW-MEDIA-CURATING Home

NEW-MEDIA-CURATING  2004

NEW-MEDIA-CURATING 2004

Options

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password

Subject:

Re: gate keeping & who gets seen...

From:

Sue Golding <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

[log in to unmask]

Date:

Sun, 28 Mar 2004 14:13:45 EST

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (342 lines)

dear marc, jess, susan, simon, secret fluxus and the list
i have been reading with a mixture of curiosity and amusement some bitterness
and not a little sadness, the various remarks on gatekeeping, who gets 'in'
and who gets (left) 'out'. i certainly agree with marc's eloquent last note
(below) and would simply add that for all of us who continue to work '24/7' on
our philosophical/art/techno/techne, it is inspiring to get to meet, at least
via the net, some rather profound thinkers on this subject, even if few or none
get a mention at the proverbial 'tate'. in some very real sense, the power
games continue; and the old addage 'power corrupts, absolute power corrupts
absolutely' seems apt (though perhaps for some of the power brokers it might be
rephrased to: 'power corrupts; absolute power seems kinda neat').

but it also seems to be the case -- exactly at the same time as the
power-games continue and the tate, in particular builds its base --that the tate
itself seems a tad bit 'out of the loop' as does the book which 'documents' the
selective memory banks of the (so-called) 'new' media arts crowd (tekkies,
designers, scholars, artists, curators, x).

at the risk of saying either too much by saying too little or not saying
enough(!): one of the attractions (for me) to this field(s) -- one of the reasons
i love it -- is that it seems to hold out the promise of a certain kind of
anarchy -- one that cannot be easily hijacked (read: mastered) by one
organisation or type of institution (galleries/star systems) at the expense of other
voices; or at least it cannot be hijacked for too long and certainly not without a
fight.

i don' think that promise -- a sensuous + pluralised kind of
anarchy/art/science -- is either 'empty' or secretly a 'threat' or 'a something x to come' in
some future that never gets 'here'. rather: that some very brilliant people
have been top-sliced off the list is a political issue, here and now. but it is
also a reminder for all of us who may need reminding, that power is toxic
(which does not mean one shouldn't go after it or want it; one should just be
fully aware of the the level of toxicities and dress accordingly).
johnny


In a message dated 27/3/04 3:28:30 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< Firstly, I would like to thank all those who have sent me personal

emails (which surprised me, and there are quite a few) regarding this

issue. And also, a thank you to Sarah & Simon who both declared

honourable text’s that I agreed with on the whole…


It seems that many are too afraid to openly declare their own

experiences and misgivings on this list because they fear being

blacklisted or not included in certain funding or potentially

collaborative remits. Isn’t that a sad state of affairs?


Secondly, I would like to welcome the sudden (masked) appearance of

'Secret Fluxus' to this list.


Hello ‘secret Fluxus’ - you may have managed to place (hopefully not

deliberately) Jess in a box that is not appropriate to the discussion

needed on here. By inferring that Jess is only interested in her own

state of being or personal, nationalist vision or as you say 'special

pleading to give British artists a place in the American sun', you have

managed to belittle original intentions – if you are seriously

progressive then you will not mind who wishes to have their own voice

heard. Whether one wishes to change the currently stale ‘new media’

hierarchies as an artist or as a group, there is plenty of room for

alternative imaginations to explore such options; seen and acknowledged

(or not, as is the case here).


So what you are said you are doing is of course admirable...


If you really are a secret ‘Fluxus entity’, or belong to a Situationist

sect/group – you might possibly (hopefully) be aware or informed that

the ‘Temporary Autonomous Zone’, is no longer appropriate. It does not

work any more, it merely puts those who refer and expound its relevance

in the driving seat, and those who lived it, become consumable

curiosities. Fodder left in the vaults of selected historical annuals,

categorized as ‘safe = past’ therefore, ineffectual.


Rather than taking on the very real and urgent challenges at hand,

certain default led individuals and groups would rather just say ah, he

or she is just whining. One of the most commonly used weapons, tactics

by despotic rulers, or tactically controlling organizations; is to drown

out valid concerns, dissent and social disquiet by stigmatizing them as

whiners. Dumbing it down to a level that cheapens the original intention

itself. Putting it all down to a backward non progressive act of jealousy…


In essence these tactics and responses are psychologically reactionary.

Such properties are mannerist, whether conscious or not - they do serve

to inflict disempowerment and do act to trivialize the disputer’s voice,

diverting them and others away from the actual context of what was

originally argued or disputed. A patriarchal function (similar to

governmental functions) that pulls rank, displacing the upstart in

question and literally placing them to the back of the queue called

'shut up listen person'.


Thomas Moore said 'All attempts to give a strict form to life, even if

they are based in a fantasy of self improvement, participate in Sadeian

monastic ideals'.


This is the perptually (unconscious probably) repeated action that

occurs between situations suchas this.


Jean Dubuffet wrote 'What cultured people want, in terms of language

(and thought), is to be well-defined, correctly positioned in strictly

combined terms, and this is what they call good speech, good thought,

and good writing. But they do not realize that they are thereby creating

a closed circuit that leaves no room for anything but what was there in

the first place---except for the decomposition inherent to all closed

circuits, like moss that grows in a hermetically sealed jar.'


The psychological relationship between academic intelligence and

outsider intellectuals has been a constant battle through history and

one that institutions should not be proud of. The stance that many

academic individuals use to hide their emotional and intellectual

inadequacies is to add clout to their own use of language by imposing

the official 'wild card' that they know more because they have gone

through the process of induced learning. This failing of coming to terms

to the idea, the reality that actually there might be equivalent,

relevant ideas and people out there that have not of been processed by

the same protocols, is shameful. For this puts in place barriers

enhanced via denial, plus the default of the traditional and tiresome

dichotomy of, we are right and you are not. 'We are right and you are

not' does not even have to be said, for it is assumed.


What this means is that the probability for those who have not had

institutional support compared to those who have had institutional

support, regarding being seen by writers and critics with strong

institutional connections, is a vast chasm. For institutional historians

for some reason by habit it do not value social change, they seem to

value history instead. Thus they do not feel that it as part of their

remit to put forward a more democratic vision. A more realistic

multi-explorative world.


Secret Fluxus - Your secrecy worries me slightly, because you could be

either a group of top down instigators and we have no way of knowing

that - your acceptance or recognition that something is indeed not

working does declare a mutual possibility that I do warm to; yet,

declaration of your selves, or yourself can open things up a little in

regard to the dynamics of this current argument. Then, I will feel that

you are putting your money where your mouth is (excuse the wording here).


Getting back to what I view as a misdirected reference yet seemingly

relevant statement 'special pleading to give British artists a place in

the American sun'. May be it would be more constructive to redirect that

statement elsewhere. Surely the Tate needs to stop gloating on American

institutions and go wider a field, invite other groups who are not

necessarily institutionally supported but are equally effective in their

critical and fluid presence and experience in respect of new media (hate

that word), digital and networked creativity. Perhaps be more

imaginative, playful, and less self-conscious and include a mixture –

surely this is more productive rather than supporting the same old

names, perpetually building larger walls.


It is not about wanting to be part of an institution as many might

think. No, many of us have opted out of such things to consciously

discover other options instead, forging new territories that are

actually very exciting and offer great rewards. There is nothing more

stimulating than building something of value that is special, with other

like-minded people who are passionately involved in the process,

context, inventing, re-inventing new fields and platforms that were not

there before for others to enjoy with you. In fact it is beautiful,

magical and contextually liberating, and one is continuously

reevaluating, relearning, learning new ways to negotiate and

communicate. Sharing self- made platforms independently is a respectable

thing to do, not a negative thing. And what many of these groups and

people are asking is that they should be seen, not ignored.


No, of course soft groups such as Furtherfield do not wish to become the

same as other more static, bricks and buildings ‘hard groups’, who

(obviously) find it less easier to move beyond the remits of traditional

constraints. We wish to be working with people who have vision beyond

top down led conferences, who actively work together because they

believe in what they are doing collectively. Who are genuinely wishing

for something better than what is already here – build a new creative

world that does not rely on history alone to change our perceptions, we

want to change things now, not tomorrow.


Those who are not comfortable with such changes will view this sort of

talk as scary. Well, we are not asking for a revolution silly, we are

asking for an evolution, that’s all – calm down. Do your job and let

others be seen…


marc >>




******************************************************************************
****************
Professor Johnny Golding (SGolding/johnny de philo)
Director of the Programme in
Critical Studies, New Media and the Practising Arts
**a unique graduate programme interlacing contemporary philosophy
    new media and the arts through independent research,
    experimentation and play **
University of Greenwich, Maritime Campus, London, UK
    a world heritage site of extraordinary elegance
dedicated to making research and higher education accessible to all.

For more information:
http://www.gre.ac.uk/~gs04 and follow the links
            or
t: +44 (0) 20 8331 8948
o: Queen Anne, room 112,
    Maritime Campus
            
join our Philo/MediArts discussion group/events listings/grants info & etc
 to subscribe:
[log in to unmask]
 to post a message: [log in to unmask]
 to unsubscribe:
[log in to unmask]



Mailing address:
Professor J Golding
Chair/Prof of Philosophy
in the Visual Arts & Communication Technologies
Director of the CritMediaArts Programme
Dept. of Creative, Critical and Communication Studies
School of Humanities, University of Greenwich
Maritime Campus, Greenwich
London SE10 9LS
U.K.

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

JiscMail Tools


RSS Feeds and Sharing


Advanced Options


Archives

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001


JiscMail is a Jisc service.

View our service policies at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/ and Jisc's privacy policy at https://www.jisc.ac.uk/website/privacy-notice

For help and support help@jisc.ac.uk

Secured by F-Secure Anti-Virus CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager