So, thinking about SPARK, what was good about it for me?
Darryn George: it was great to meet an artist who has inspired me since I first viewed his work. What immediately struck me about him was the way he embodied all the professional qualities that we have been told, good artists should aspire to exhibit. Being humble, organised, well presented, a team player etc. etc. flowed from the man. He is a very good example of a person who is both a highly accomplished artist and the consummate professional. He made it clear this approach has worked for him; I now have little doubt, without exhibiting these qualities it will be very difficult to establish a career in this competitive, demanding yet highly satisfying vocation.
The exhibitions accompanying the event: It was great to see real finished art as well as hearing about the making of art. In particular I enjoyed the National Contemporary Art Award, on show at the nearby Waikato Museum. I enjoyed the variety of art on show as well as most of the choices made by the judge. Certain works were controversial (at least in my book). The winner, ‘Tell someone if something happens’ by Deanna Dowling featured a small empty shelf and smashed ceramic pieces on the ground. It reminded me somewhat of a previous competition winner, which was composed of the screwed up remains of the packaging material used to freight accompanying artworks. Both works at first glance appeared almost pointless, a joke to some perhaps?
Likewise another entry in the competition featured photos of dog poo (titled The Selfish gene by Simon Esling) and a graffiti image of a spray painted dick (penis); Dick by Samantha Matthews. Is this really art? I came away with a resounding yes for all of these works. I may not necessarily like them or want them in my home; but what they are all doing is saying something fundamental about human existence. They make you think – and after all isn’t that what art an important aspect of art?
The PechaKucha evening: In case you don’t know what this is, these are evenings that are all about ideas. The presenters are asked to show 20 slides – they have 20 seconds per slide to talk about their idea. As a result the presentations are relatively quick and in one 2 hour session its possible to hear from 8 or so people who basically talk about their passion or idea. As a result, the audience is exposed to a broad variety of people, ideas and challenges. Its great for networking, stretching the mind and being entertained. The Hamilton night was all these things and a little more. There’s been a Hawke’s Bay series of PechaKucha evenings running for a few years now. I’ve got to the occasional one, but I was again reminded of their value. Note to self: get along more often…
Derek Henderson: Born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, Derek is now a highly regarded fine arts and fashion photographer. More recently he has moved into the moving image and has produced stunning advertising campaigns using both medias. Derek was both speaking and running a workshop which was full before I could get my name down.
What I liked about him was his honesty, good advice and down to earth approach. He kept asking us the audience what we wanted to hear, rather than approaching us with words of wisdom from on high. I liked that about him (I also liked him because I once emailed him a question and he replied with useful advice). Despite his success, he was still prepared to give back and make a little room for those who have yet to make it.
During question time I asked him if the sexualised imagery in some of his fashion photography ever worried him? He said no – sex sells. I suspect it did worry him at times (after all I cannot see how a man can produce such stunning social documentary photography and not be concerned about these things). But the reality is if he didn’t produce these kind of photographs he wouldn’t get any work. This reminded me there will at times be dilemmas in an arts career whether one is producing commercial work or so called fine art imagery. If you are dealing with ideas, people or environmental subjects there will always be questions and answers that are not necessarily easy or comfortable. We will all have to decide where our line will be…
The art of Ta Moko: was an event that took place alongside the main programme at SPARK. I haven’t had much to do with tattoos (or Ta Moko in Maori), nor have I any myself so I found the whole process really fascinating. Yes, the technical side of setting up the machines, needles and the different kinds of inks was interesting, but what really caught my imagination was the cultural aspect of what I was observing. I noted a particular care for the person being tattooed or marked. Respect for the process, the person and what was happening was very much in evidence. The process was soaked in Karakia and protocol. The design wasn’t just for that person, it had to become a part of who they were and reflect their ancestry, passions, personality and calling in life. Great care was taken to find a design that did this and appealed to the person who would have to carry it with them for the rest of their life.
I came away with a healthy respect for the process and the very real art form of tattoo / Ta Moko. Perhaps its time to face the pain and get inked…. If I do I’ll post the result.
Hanging out and getting to know my classmates better: Yes for me perhaps one of the best aspects of SPARK was the chance to get to know my fellow travellers better. Although I am one of the older members of the group I have always felt included and respected. They really are a great bunch of mainly young people (they remind you that most of them do turn out good). SPARK has reminded me the pursuit of arts has to be a individual and collective endeavour. You will always need people to help you at some stage of the process, even if it at the dealer or promotions end.
The ability to muck in and make it work will always be important. This crew largely make it easy. Getting to know people I only knew at a more surface level is also making it easier. I feel I’ve made a bit of a break through…
What was not so good: Like any event there will always be things that did not measure up so well. For me some of the talks or group discussions lack relevance or did little to inspire me. The emerging practitioner panel was scary in its lack of focus or relevant advice. Perhaps for me they were the wrong people for where I am at in the process?
Some of the events were a little strange in their organisation. The opening function (day one in the evening) was held in a tiny two roomed gallery – to me a larger space would have been better. At times I felt I was looking for something a little more professional and felt a little let down by people who were not quite there yet.
Overall for me SPARK was a useful time and something I’m glad I attended. There were speakers who inspired and encouraged me (notably Darryn George and Derek Henderson) and experiences I’m glad I had. But perhaps the best thing was getting just that little bit closer to my classmates… something that’s now really special for me.
The art of life 