[LAF] Fwd: [ror-blah] alt space alliance event this sunday

stevphen shukaitis stevphen at mutualaid.org
Sun May 29 03:37:02 UTC 2005


this looks really interesting. do you have more information about the
people putting this together? if someone goes can you please take notes on
the conversation and what comes out of it?
cheers
stevphen


> Forwarding... er forwarded message...
>
> Justin
>
>> > CALL FOR ALLIANCE
>> >
>> > We are pleased to announce this call for the formation of a global
>> > alternative space, artist collective and nomadic projects
>> > alliance. We'd like you to join the conversation.
>> >
>> > What IF there was a way to create an alliance or network for active
>> > communication among artist-run spaces, alternative institutions, non-
>> > profit galleries, cultural and social spaces, co-ops, and activist
>> > groups? To share projects and skills with each other while trying to
>> > reach new publics? Where we open up our own informal personal networks
>> > to liberate our goals from our egos. Where we could locate and share
>> > programs, concepts, and skills more efficiently over a platform
>> > recognized and remembered by those in the alliance.
>> >
>> > The idea is the creation of a media distribution network, a potential
>> > artist touring circuit, a website, or mailing list. We have been
>> > dreaming of the codename N.A.S.A. - the Northern Alt.Space
>> > Alliance. But we'd like to breach the global north/south divide. So
>> > we call for a new project name! :)
>> >
>> > During the NFO EXPO on the last day of Version>05 Invincible Desire,
>> > members of these spaces and co-ops along with interested individual
>> > artists and activists will together take part in the alt.space summit.
>> >
>> > Our first thought was simply that it would great if there was some
>> > easy way to cooperate with a wide network of spaces and groups in
>> > passing along the compelling 'underground' media we each often come
>> > across - dvds, zines, etc. An informal yet effective DIY distribution
>> > service for those of us engaged in the culture wars.
>> >
>> > Initially we thought of using the phone tree concept as a model.
>> > Everyone discovers an amazing film or magazine that they think would
>> > be good for others to see; why not burn, dub, or photocopy to send off
>> > to other allied spaces/groups - knowing that they in turn would share
>> > it with their extended families?
>> >
>> > But the idea has legs. Others have called for a "Book your own fucking
>> > life" type guide for workshoppers and microcinemas. Where artists,
>> > groups or projects could make contact with similarly aligned agents
>> > and spaces in
>> > unfamiliar cities. If there are countercultures not seeking to gain
>> > currency in the institutional or commercial cultural fields of
>> > operation, where do they go to distribute their ideas? Where is this
>> > map? How can we expand our fields of activity within certain academic
>> > worlds, the marginal media, artist communities, and activist milieus?
>> > How can these ideas be amplified without becoming meaningless?
>> >
>> > Others have called for a website directory of interested groups and
>> > spaces with message boards, listservs, or related architectures to
>> > publicize projects, invite critique, and gather participants. The site
>> > would be a place where fellow travelers could find compelling culture
>> > laboratories in their own city or others, whether to propose
>> > collaboration or just check out a link. The interface of the alliance
>> > website would ensure ease of both participation and withdrawal.
>> >
>> > A big problem we see - as evidenced for example in preliminary
>> > correspondence related to this very project - is that many of us do
>> not
>> > have the time/energy, or perhaps even the interest in linking up with
>> > these invisible networks and mystery allies. With no personal
>> > introductions made or compelling reasons to communicate with
>> > strangers, there's usually not
>> > much excitement about engaging in any new projects or adding spam to
>> > your inbox.
>> >
>> > Another larger issue is establishing criteria for membership in such
>> > an alliance. How do we keep it decentralized, with no "owners" of the
>> > project? How could this network or alliance be of interest to
>> > individuals/groups already far too busy to be active participants even
>> > though their work is crucial to the landscape? What are best practices
>> > and models of operation? Are there secret histories in this arena from
>> > which we could learn? Still more questions need to be asked and a
>> > series of goals need to be set to make it happen.
>> >
>> > Like the big question::: Is it even worth the effort?
>> >
>> > At the very least, by engaging in this attempt more of us will know
>> > that we are not alone in our shared goals to create a better world. We
>> > will learn about a few more inspiring projects and groups giving us
>> > the strength to keep on keeping on.
>> >
>> > To paraphrase the World Social Forum:
>> > Another world is happening.
>> > Let's tell everyone about it.
>> >
>> > We don't know what we are doing. We hold an annual convergence in the
>> > hopes that connections will be made. But that is not enough. Given
>> > the state of emergency we live in, emergency measures are called for.
>> >
>> > We hope you are down.
>> > Would you be interested in sharing your thoughts?
>> > Would you be interested in being in this alliance?
>> >
>> > We want to start talking about it via email or on message board soon
>> > and get something initiated by may day 2005. There is an Alt space
>> > summit planned on MayDay at the version>05 festival in Chicago where
>> > we hope to discuss
>> > some talking points and a place to connect in the future.
>> >
>> > We've been developing a list of participants to coordinate this
>> > effort, based on our own experiences & word of mouth. It's not very
>> > deep. Please keep in mind that we do not want to imbue it with just
>> > our own agenda. We want to see where our interests are shared and how
>> > we can act on them. If you know of anyone who might be interested in
>> > forming this alliance please send along their coordinates and send
>> > them this email. And if you know of any projects or events which could
>> > help on this journey please send urls.
>> >
>> >
>> > __________________________________________________________
>> >
>> > INVITATION TO LONDON EVENT
>> >
>> > WELCOME TO -
>> > ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
>> >
>> > C.CRED [ Collective CREative Dissent ]
>> >
>> > invites you to an evening of screenings, music, art type events and
>> > other related activities.
>> > Program includes:
>> >
>> >
>> > 5pm - 7pm:
>> >
>> > points of entry - discussion
>> >
>> > C.CRED will present their nomadic platform practice and open up to a
>> > dialogue around possible collaborations and joint initiatives in
>> > London. Join us in this emerging dialogue simply by showing up and
>> > have a drink with us at 5pm + by bringing a definition of a term or
>> > notion or concept that you feel could be a point of entry into a
>> > dialogue around collaborative practices within the context of London.
>> >
>> > alt.space.alliance - discussion
>> >
>> > alt.space.alliance is a collaborative initiative taken by a number of
>> > groups participating in the recent Version>05 festival in Chicago. The
>> > motivation behing this initiative is to try to build up a set of close
>> > alliances between alternative spaces and practices as a form of
>> > dialogue, but also as a way to exchange material, host events,
>> > facilitate traveling between cities and contexts, etc. It is still
>> > very early days though, so it’s all up for negotiation. As a
>> > continuation of this discussion, C.CRED will present this emerging
>> > networking project to interested visitors and a number of invited
>> > local spaces, groups, collectives, etc. in the hope that we can find
>> > collaborators in London interested in joining this alliance. Join this
>> > discussion simply by showing up prepared to make a very brief and
>> > informal presentation of your working practice.
>> >
>> >
>> > 7pm - 9pm:
>> >
>> > Screenings, including the prestigious work of the following folks; -
>> >
>> > Nico Dockx (Antwerp)
>> > Volatile Works (Montreal)
>> > Transyltopia (Amsterdam)
>> > e-xplo (New York / Berlin)
>> > plus other surpises
>> >
>> > AND videos from the Cultural CounterIntelligence and Digital
>> > Disobedience collections of Chicago's great Lumpen Collective.
>> >
>> >
>> > 9pm - 10pm:
>> >
>> > Storytelling from Yorkshire's finest teller of tales, the great Mr.
>> > Joe Collins.
>> >
>> >
>> > 10pm - late:
>> >
>> > Audio program of abstract sound work, free improv and cosmic jazz,
>> > post-rock, electronica, early house, indie and 80s trash, curated by
>> > C.CRED and the audiophile and great connoisseur of all sounds Dr.
>> > Marcel Swiboda.
>> >
>> >
>> > Throughout the day...
>> > you can also visit C.CRED's mobile library and archive and check out
>> > our previous activities, events, happenings, interventions + the work
>> > of some of our friends and allies.
>> >
>> >
>> > ALL WELCOME
>> >
>> > FUNKY MUNKY BAR
>> > 25 CAMBERWELL CHURCH STREET
>> > LONDON
>> >
>> > SUNDAY 29TH MAY
>> > 5PM - LATE
>> >
>> > NO ADMISSION CHARGE
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------
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>
>
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