Everyone an artist: sectarian killer's defence

There is art in everything, everything has the potential of art. However, art should not be available as an excuse for fascist killers. Michael Stone is a sectarian killer of the worst kind who has served much time for horrendous slaughter. While his most recent escapade, for which he is standing trial, may be indicative of mental health issues, it is not art that should come to his defence.
I can't believe that any 'academics' would play a role in such a charade - but if they do, I await their names and evidence with interest.

Art experts aiding Stone defence

Performance art experts are helping the defence team of a loyalist killer who raided NI's assembly allegedly carrying explosives and a knife.

A barrister for Michael Stone, 53, said he was awaiting the "academic study" ahead of his client's trial this month.

Stone insists the attack, which forced the evacuation of Parliament Buildings near Belfast, was performance art.

The former UDA gunman faces 14 charges including trying to kill Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness in November 2006.

"Experts have been engaged, they believe they can provide a report of an academic nature," said one of his defence team.

Stone is charged with possessing home-made explosives and a real or imitation gun with intent. He was also accused of carrying a garrotte, three knives and an axe and assaulting staff members who trapped him in the revolving entrance door at Stormont.

Grenades

In 1988, Stone killed three mourners at a republican funeral in west Belfast. He also hurled grenades into the crowd of 10,000 people.

In December 2006 his lawyer told Belfast High Court that he did not intend to endanger anybody's life and the explosives were not viable. The trial is expected to start later this month.

Michael Stone - Wikipedia

Stone, who apparently objected to the newspapers' portrayal of him as a mad Rambo-style gunman, also confessed to shooting dead three other Catholics between 1984 and 1987. He claimed the victims were linked to the IRA, although it appears that they were unaligned civilians. At his trial he pleaded not guilty, but refused to offer any defence. Convicted of six murders, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with sentences totaling 684 years, with a recommendation he serve at least thirty years.

Where art thou Google?

Official Google Blog: Where art thou?

If you use iGoogle you sort of have to take your hat off to them for getting so many artists involved - even if Rolf Harris is in there somewhere.

Did you notice the chrome tulips on Google's homepage today? They are part of a special Google doodle done by renowned artist Jeff Koons. And that isn't the only art appearing anew on Google today. As part of our iGoogle Artists project, we have collaborated with almost 70 artists in 17 countries on 6 continents to create special iGoogle themes -- works of art that appeal to all ages and interests. Artists, designers and other notables involved include Jeff Koons, Dale Chihuly, Coldplay, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Michael Graves, Philippe Starck, Robert Mankoff, Mark Morris, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Geddes and Tory Burch. While the list of those who have contributed themes is impressive (I've only listed 1/5th(!) of the artists here), even more impressive is the art itself -- it's spectacularly beautiful! Until now, iGoogle has been about getting the content you want on your homepage. The iGoogle artist themes take personalization to the next level -- allowing you to select world-class art that really reflects your personality for your pages. It's what happens when great art meets technology.

As part of our launch, we will be holding an outdoor art gallery this weekend in New York's Meatpacking District, where on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights the art from the iGoogle artists project will be projected on the buildings, sidewalks, and streets. This is a map of where you can find the display. We will post video of the event on YouTube.

Eyeballs

Untitled Document

A Second Life for Some Old Performance Art

The annual Exit Festival is currently taking place at Maison Creteil des Arts, offering Parisians and their visitors a glimpse into the international pulse of the contemporary art scene, but you don't need a passport to enjoy tonight's featured event. Eva and Franco Mattes (a.k.a. 0100101110101101.ORG) have been teleporting-in to Second Life to reenact famous early performance art works and tonight they will reenact pieces by Marina Abramovic and Ulay, Valie Export, and Gilbert & George. According to the site for the artists' Synthetic Performances project, Abramovic--also known for reenacting famous performances by herself and others--said of the Mattes's reenactment of her Imponderabilia, "It was such a good idea, I'm sort of jealous that it never crossed my mind." Of course, avatarism opens up the possibility of anyone reenacting anything, virtually anywhere. For now, start with this SLURL. - Marisa Olson

http://www.0100101110101101.org/home/performances/

Greg Daville RIP

I'm very sad to hear that Greg Daville has died.

"Greg died on Tuesday 1st April at 8.04pm. He went peacefully after a
very painful battle with cancer, and surrounded with love."

Me, I just thought Greg's work was spot on -




MySpace.com - greg daville - 47 - Male - Brighton, UK - www.myspace.com/gregdaville
site to be destroyed

Angus Fairhurst dies

See how everything revolves around Hirst? I was at college with both of them. Angus actually grew up down the road from me, but I never knew that till today. I do know at least one of his childhood friends. Sad all round.

Hirst pays tribute to late artist

Hirst pays tribute to late artist
Angus Fairhurst (r) with Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas
Fairhurst (r) studied with Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas

Artist Damien Hirst has paid tribute to his "great friend" and contemporary Angus Fairhurst, who has apparently committed suicide at the age of 41.

"He always supported me in fair weather and foul," said Hirst.

"He shone like the moon and as an artist he had just the right amount of slightly round the bend. I loved him."

One of the "Young British Artists" who rose to prominence in the 1990s, Fairhurst is thought to have taken his life on Saturday in Argyll, Scotland.

Born in Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, he studied art at London's Goldsmiths College in the 1980s, where he formed a lasting friendship and artistic collaboration with Hirst and their fellow student Sarah Lucas.

Hijacking digital billboards in California

textually.org: Skullphone hijacks digital billboards in Southern California

Southern California is all abuzz the hijacking of digital billboards.

Silenced Majority Portal, reports that last Thursday, 18 year old graffiti artist Skullphone hacked into 10 of ClearChannel's digital billboards in Hollwood, Culver City, and elsewhere around LA, putting up his logo in between the more normal ads.

According to SuperTouch Blog, "Hacking into the billboard’s computer network today, Skullphone positioned his trademark imagery in between the array of flashing movie, TV, and auto company ads that make up the normal paid advertising barrage on the giant illuminated monitors."

Out of the Box

I want to go to this:

Out of the Box conference

 | 7 - 8 March 2008 | South West Scotland

Four Years and Counting

Just a quick note to point out that I've been blogging here for over four years now.
First Post - Feb 2004
There's a lot of great stuff in the archives. For some strange reason the Archive page stopped updating years ago and I've never been able to sort it out.
So I'm not even sure how you find the stuff inbetween. I'll take a look and bring it back soon.
I was reading my old posts recently and loving it. A great record of years working away and collecting stuff.
Four more years coming up.
When I started blogging there were very few artist blogs. I started the blog because I thought the voice of the artist was rarely heard. I still think that is true. I will try harder to put my voice in here.
I'd love to hear about other artists who are blogging.

Palestinian National Reactor

Work in Progress

Concrete Collection: Edgware Rd

Posted

In Memoriam

Matthew Ronay

ArtCal Zine - Features - Matthew Ronay at Andrea Rosen

Matthew Ronay is a good sculptor. He's not just making iconography in 3-D. He consistently tells a story about something larger than himself using our ideas about space and arranging objects to create interesting visual fields . I use Matthew Ronay's work when I am trying to explain the difference between a sculpture and an object to my students. He's definitely doing it right.

Matthew Ronay
Andrea Rosen Gallery - 525 W 24 St, New York NY
1 Februrary - 8 March 2008