where is my mind?

These images kind of suit my mood at the moment. I've come to the conclusion that exams are simply soul crushing, and I'd rather be frolicking wildly in the forest beside our home. I don't remember who photographed these or where I found them, but their anonymity, in this case, adds to their meaning in my eyes. They are simply raw photographs, undisturbed by the preconceptions surrounding the person behind the camera. The bottom image is beautiful, I think. It epitomises my aspiring thoughts about the future, the constant daydreaming that I'm possessed by of late. I love that these mountains, these imposing masses of earth, stoical in their presence, have been cut out and pasted on a wall. It strangely magnifies their majesty in a way. For me, it prompts thoughts about the possible trip to Nepal mum and I might be taking... I'm so ridiculously excited about life after hsc, it hurts.

green dreams.

So, I bought a magazine yesterday, Peppermint, and, just like Frankie, I think I'll continue to save my pennies for it. It's all about 'fresh green fashion' and it's incredibly inspiring. It was also a surprise to see renee-anne on the front cover, whose blog I've been following for a while. She creates some very pretty illustrations, takes equally pretty photos, owns a vintage store, co-curates art shows with Leeloo, and 'repurposes to make pretty things'. She's a rather talented lady.

I've grown to be rather passionate about the environment of late. I've recently gone vegetarian and don't think I'll ever go back. It's made me feel so much healthier, almost pure in that I feel like its detoxified my body. We've also been trying to buy as much local and organic produce as possible, which turns out to be really satisfying as it tastes better and you're helping out and meeting some amazing and passionate families. I've also aimed to opp shop all year (save essentials of course), which has, so far- touch wood, been quite easy, cheap and fun. I keep learning about the many little things that i can do to make a difference, even if they're small, and sometimes I can't help but take up the challenge. I guess, if I don't do these little things, which realistically aren't going to dramatically change things, if at all, I feel incredibly guilty. It's also people with attitudes who believe that these little things won't make a difference to the future of the environment or the lives of destitute peoples, that are contributing to its continuance, if that makes sense. If everyone did little things to help, the world can and will be transformed. What I eat and how I spend my money are the only political acts I can do on a daily basis. It makes me wonder why more people in this community aren't doing extra to help, especially when it's not hard. Even kids at my school; they're educated, they understand how influential their behaviour is to the environment, to the world, but they choose to ignore. It escapes me how indolent and sheltered some people can be; I don't know how they can live and continue pretending that the luxury they live in is common throughout the world and will continue for the rest of mankind.

I've been thinking one day, if I was to ever open a gallery it would have an ethical purpose. All art that would be displayed and sold within the space would have been produced ethically, maybe conveying an ethical message too. Perhaps I could support artists who use purely recycled or organic materials, or maybe struggling aboriginal artists living in poverty in the northern territory who are being exploited by the fine arts industry. It would mean I could travel, visit remote or even poverty stricken communities, inside and outside Australia, and source artists utilising sustainable methods and practices. It's basically my three passions combined- art, travel and ethics both social and environmental.

I've also been thinking, which is most convenient as I should be studying for exams, that next year, if i have a gap year, I'd like to develop a body of work using only recycled and organic materials. I'm disappointed my visual arts major work won't be as environmentally friendly as I'd like, kind of contradicting the concept behind the work (how we, as people, have the ability to shape the environment and also how the environment shapes our identity). In Peppermint, they reviewed the book, Green Guide for Artists. It's the kind of book I wish I wrote myself. I'm so very eager to get my grubby mitts on it pages and exploit it, once my life is redeemed that is.

My rant is thereby concluded :)

illustrations by renee-ann from her flickr

sleep with moths

sleep with moths, 2008 Peter Madden

To me, this work is fragile yet resounding, awakening something untouched but intrinsic. Despite the skeleton, i think it's more concerned with birth and regeneration; it echoes the complex system of dependence that is imbedded within nature, where everything is interconnected. I don't think it's an upsetting image, more so one that is accepting of the inevitability of death, transforming it into a beautiful stage of arrival instead of departure where, from death, life emerges and prospers according to the natural cycle. On another level, it evokes the delicate but integral relationship between nature and humans.

wiliam fox talbot

searching.

'If our civilisation were turned upside down and subsequently this gallery were excavated what would the remnants reveal? Would the forms prove that the subject was evolving, devolving or just coming around again?' - Ricky Swallow

viktor and rolf

I've always loved them. But this show has transformed my love into a slightly disturbing form of obsession. My mind's still polarised; is it art or fashion? Whatever it is, it's unbelievable. I wish I could have been there to witness such an embodiment of genius, of pure innovation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3jqh-kmmk8

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I'm also digging Corey Corcoaran's new work for his exhibition 'Half Life' at the fivesevendelle in Boston massachusetts . I simply love the colour and texture; It's the kind I want to incorporate in my major work.

"Through paintings, mixed media, and site-specific installation, Corcoran creates dense visual ecosystems. Using everything from plaster to watercolor and faux fur, his landscapes teeter on the edge of collapse and fruition. Half-dead bodies fill these transitory spaces as gods of destruction or biological fodder for its change. Color, texture, and pattern act as the primordial soup from which the notion of progress and finality may arise."

spiral

I opened my first exhibition tonight. It was great. I met so many amazing, supportive people and I've decided curatorship is definitely something I would like to pursue as a career in the future. The wonderful madison created the illustration for the invite. She's incredible, really.

HSC at the moment is killing me slowly. All I want to do is paint and dream, dream about travelling of course, but also life after year 12. I'm excited about uni, studying art history and curatorship, perhaps fine arts, meeting creative people with visions bolder than my own. There's an extensive list of things I want to do once the HSC is over, it seems to be growing every day. Save for tonight, which, have i mentioned, was really really great, its as if my life is on hold. It will be over, they tell me, before I know it, before I want it to be over. But I can deal with that.

A girl I met today has founded 'South Coast Art Club' for young artists and enthusiasts to get together and mingle. I think it's a great idea. I'm envisioning large scale collaborations, in the streets perhaps. There's definite potential in this area, it's exciting.