ALTERNATIVE WORLDS
THREE PROJECTS – THREE COLLABORATORS – THREE CITIES AUSTRALIA – 2010 – MEXICO – 2011 – CANADA – 2012
STAGE ONE – MELBOURNE ‐ JULY, 2010
RESEARCH REPORT
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The Alternative Worlds Framework The Alternative Worlds framework is a series of inter‐cultural, trans‐disciplinary projects between parallel communities – Australia, Mexico and Canada. The project has commenced in 2010, the year of Mexico’s Bicentenary of Independence and is a collaboration between RMIT University, Melbourne, University of Lethbridge, Canada and The City of Oaxaca, Mexico. An emphasis is placed on collaboration between Indigenous artist/designers from the three similar yet different communities. The project series will occur over three years 2010‐2012 in each host city through the implementation of art in public space projects through the collaborative groups. A one‐month residency will be held by the collaborators in each city, with representatives from each of the three countries and will employ a praxiological method of research, a method involving a core practical project work and reflection upon the project through a one‐day symposium and publication at the end of this process. This framework creates an opportunity to bring together practice and theoretical engagement through the intersecting themes of the project. The framework will be used to research through practice issues of future directions in the decolonised world, in societies that have had differing but parallel colonial, settlement and migration histories. The research will investigate how this has informed and transformed the three societies to become new social constructions and how this has made an impact on contemporary culture art/design. Background to the Alternative Worlds Framework This three‐way collaboration explores characteristics of art and design in the three communities. The three countries were created in their modern form through colonialism and subsequent migration. Indigenous cultures continue to vie with colonial ones and we also see the creation of new artistic and cultural insights which are neither indigenous or metropolitan, rather forms of expression that are particular to societies created through the colonial period and its aftermath. Mexico’s Special Role ‐ Following the revolution of 1910 Mexican artists led the world in creating a new form of public art with murals on the walls of schools, hospitals and public buildings. These works also expressed a new respect for indigenous and pre‐Hispanic culture. They also drew on popular imagery and illustration, a vibrant part of every‐day street life. Combining insights of European modernism with local knowledge and pictorial design, Mexican artists showed how the “periphery” can shake the centre in art and social values 70 years before the term post‐colonialism was coined to describe such a condition. Coinciding also with the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence, this project involves three collaborative Artists and Designers in Residence projects with RMIT University, Melbourne Australia, the University of Lethbridge, Alberta Canada and the Ministry of Culture, Mexico DF, Mexico. Alternative Worlds ‐ Melbourne, Australia – June – July, 2010 Research Team The research team consisted of: Geoff Hogg – Research Leader Art Public Space John Harding – Indigenous Researcher Officer RMIT Brenda Rocha – Masters of Art in Public Space Researcher
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Cynthia Granados – Masters of Art in Public Space Researcher Karla Sanz – Director of Kopalli Art Foundation & RMIT Alumni Tammy Wong – Design Research Institute – Research Assistant Research Methodology The theoretical analysis of the development process, and art and design work, will be undertaken by members of the international research group. In Australia, Cynthia Granados and Brenda Rocha are both candidates in the program Master of Arts (Art in Public Space) and they have incorporated this work into their major research project as a collaborative engagement with artists, designers and researchers in the international research group. This research explores the cultural similarities and differences of the three “New World” countries to investigate points of connection between one another towards projects in to the to future. Artists for Alternative Worlds Melbourne For the Melbourne component of the project two artists were selected as key collaborators in the project. Natalia Toledo of Oaxaca, Mexico travelled to Melbourne for a four week period. Melbourne based Karen Casey was selected as the Australian collaborating artist. The two artists developed the work at the RMIT Art in Public Space studios over a period of one month. Natalia Toledo (Mexico) is the recipient of several distinctions from the Mexican National Council for the Arts. She is the first and only woman to receive the Netzahualcoyotl National Prize in Indigenous Literature (2004). She was born in Juchitan, Oaxaca in Southwestern México in 1967. Bilingual Spanish/Zapotec, her poetry has been published in several books such as: Paraíso de Fisuras in Mexico, Femmes de Soleil, Femmes d'or, Ecrits des Forges, Quebec, Canada, Le Temps des Cerises, Pantin, France. Her work has also been included in various anthologies published in different countries. She combines her literary work with the diffusion of the gastronomy from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and the design of huipiles and jewellery. In 2008 she entered the National System of Creators.
Karen Casey (Australia) is an interdisciplinary artist working across a broad spectrum of the visual arts. Starting out as a painter and printmaker Casey was among a vanguard group of urban Aboriginal artists exhibiting widely in Australia and overseas from the late 1980’s. Since those early years her practice has diversified and expanded to incorporate a range of both traditional and digital media processes. While her works have taken numerous forms Casey’s thematic interests have focused steadily on the interplay between mind and matter, the physical and the spiritual, referencing both ancient and contemporary modes of thought as she questions and challenges perceived notions of reality, time and space and our collective world view.
Tanya Harnett (Canada) is Nakota and a member of the Carry the Kettle First Nation. Harnett is an artist and a professor teaching studio art at the University of Lethbridge, in a joint appointment between the Department of Native American Studies and the Department of Art. She has also taught at the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University. Harnett obtained her BFA and the first MFA in Drawing from the University of Alberta. Tanya’s work incorporates painting, printmaking, drawing and much of her work is photography based. Traces of her Aboriginal heritage are interwoven into the work. Tanya explores notions of spirituality and materiality, technological modes of representation and hierarchy of media. Her work is in various private and public collections including the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Puskin Museum of Fine Arts. Tanya visited Melbourne for two weeks prior to beginning of the project through Lethbridge University to connect with Australian indigenous artists and RMIT University. She took part in this project as a virtual collaborator, making her input through web‐based communications. After having several video meetings through the Skype network, with the team, Tanya decided to send two self‐portrait photographs Repair and Clay that related to the overall themes of the work by the artists in Australia. The images were included in the final projection artwork.
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PARTNERSHIPS for the Melbourne Project The City of Yarra The City of Yarra was the Melbourne based local government partner for this project and have assisted with finding the appropriate site for the project. Initial research led to site investigations of the Abbotsford Convent and the Collingwood Children’s farm. As these locations were inappropriate due to refurbishment, the North Carlton Railway Station Neighbourhood House (at 20 Solly Avenue, Princess Hill, North Carlton) was negotiated through the City of Yarra as the final site of the project. The RMIT International Artist in Residence program (AIR) The RMIT AIR program, through Peter Westwood, was a partner in this project supporting the residency, accommodation and stipend of the visiting Mexican artist Natalia Toledo. RMIT Indigenous Research Unit This unit supported the project through assistance with artist research, project and program support. In particular John Harding was instrumental in assisting with the selection of the Australian artist Karen Casey. John also made the opening speech at the launch event. Also, Natalia visited the Koorie Unit at RMIT Bundoora Campus to make contact with local indigenous art students. The Mexican Embassy The Mexican Embassy in Australia, contacted through the duration of this project, showed their support through their network. EVENTS Alternative Worlds Gathering at Railway House – Morning Tea On Thursday 17 June, an informal afternoon tea was held at the North Carlton Railway Station Neighbourhood House. The Mexican restaurant Los Amates provided the catering. The artists, Karen Casey and Natalia Toledo, the research team and the Neighbourhood House community attended the event. Alternative Worlds Lunch at Railway House On Wednesday 23 June, the House staff invited the team for lunch a select group of regular members. It was an event for the research team to connect with the individuals that are part of Neighbourhood House community and introduce and talk about the project. Alternative Worlds Melbourne Symposium A talk was held at the RMIT building 94 on Tuesday 29 June, 2010 in conjunction with the RMIT winter school program. Karen and Natalia gave a fascinating overview of their careers leading up to the collaboration between the three artists. The artists invited those that attended the talk to view the final work in the launch of the exhibition. Alternative Worlds Launch
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The project launch was held on Tuesday 6 July, 2010 at 5:30pm at North Carlton Railway Station Neighbourhood House. The opening was attended by over 100 people and was launched by John Harding. The final work consisted of an exhibition of objects representing clothing adorned by Natalia’s poetry suspended from the roof top of the under cover area of Railway House. Photographs of the ‘clothing’ worn by people were also shot and back projected on rotation on the windows of Railway house.
Alternative Worlds Schedule
June 10 ‐ July 9, 2010
Date Time Activity Notes
JUNE Thu 10 15:00 Natalia and Karla arrive, go to accommodation
Fri 11 12:00 Team meets up with artists for lunch and NC Railway House site visit
17:30 Welcome drinks at Project Space Gallery RMIT
Sat 12 Public Art tour (CBD, city of Yarra, Birrarung Marr) Including City of Yarra indigenous artworks
Sun 13 Shelmerdine, Tooborac Winery trip
Mon 14 Studio Work Queen’s birthday – Public holiday
Tue 15 Studio Work
Wed 16 Studio work
Thur 17 10:00 15:30
Bundoora Campus Koorie Unit visit TBC DRI and City of Yarra project Welcome event
Afternoon tea at Railway House
Fri 18 Studio work
Sat 19 Day off
Sun 20 Day off
Mon 21 NC Railway House Site work in pavilion Solstice
Tue 22 NC Railway House Site work in pavilion
Wed 23 NC Railway House Site work in pavilion
Thur 24 NC Railway House Site work in pavilion Karen away
Fri 25 NC Railway House Site work in pavilion Karen away
Sat 26 Day off Karen away
Sun 27 Day off
Mon 28 NC Railway House Site work in pavilion
Tue 29 15:00
17:00
Alternative Worlds Symposium RMIT Building 94 – in conjunction with the RMIT School of Art Winter School Photography Shoot
Wed 30 NC Railway House Site work in pavilion
JULY Thu 1 NC Railway House Site Work in pavilion (Cynthia leaves)
Fri 2 Studio work
Sat 3 Studio work Studio exhibition (TBC)
Sun 4 Studio work Visits to studio and workshops (TBC)
Mon 5 Studio work
Tue 6 Project Launch, City of Yarra and RMIT representatives At NC Railway Neighbourhood House
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Wed 7 Studio Work
Thur 8 Day off
Fri 9 Natalia and Karla return home
Web presence An RMIT research page was set up giving updates on the progress of the project for the public to be informed. A ning webpage was also set up for researchers to collaborate on the development of the project. Also a Facebook webpage was set up to provide publicity to interested parties about events. Media Public relations was organized through the RMIT public relations team and resulted in media coverage in both local Melbourne based media and Mexican media. In particular SBS Spanish radio interviewed Natalia Toledo whilst undertaking her residency. The project was also publicised through the Artshub news section, a leading arts community web page for the arts industry. In the Mexican media, the article was Milenio newspaper. Budget for Alternative Worlds – Stage 1 ‐ Melbourne Expense Amount $ Organisation Responsible Airfare for Mexican Artist & Researcher Natalia Toledo & Karla Sanz Mexico to Melbourne Rtn $3000 Kopalli Art Foundation Artist Fee ‐ Australian Karen Casey $2900 City of Yarra Public Art Site North Carlton Railway House $500 City of Yarra Art materials Karen Casey & Natalia Toledo $1000 City of Yarra Artist Stipend ‐ International Natalia Toledo, Mexican $1000 RMIT AIR Program Accommodation Natalia Toledo, Mexico $6000 RMIT AIR Program Studio space (2 studios x 1mth) $2000 RMIT Public Art Translator Spanish‐English $1000 RMIT Public Art
Project Management $2000 RMIT Public Art
Stationary $200 RMIT Public Art
Couriers, postage & communications $400 RMIT Public Art
Webpage creation and maintenance $500 RMIT Public Art
Opening Launch $300 RMIT Public Art
Symposium rent of location $200 RMIT Public Art
Multimedia documentation $500 RMIT video unit
Public Relations & Press Release $200 RMIT Public Relations Railway House Morning Tea Food provided by Los Amates $100 Los Amates, Fitzroy
TOTAL $21 800
Funding Sources
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Funding was sort from Our partners in the project the City of Yarra, who provided the use of the location and artists fees. Internal RMIT resources were also used to accommodate the artists and the administrative costs of the project. RESEARCH SUMMARY Researchers of the project were bought together on 30 July, 2010 to discuss the process of the project and the experiences that were gained by the research team. A SWOT analysis was conducted by the research team members Geoff Hogg, Tammy Wong, Brenda Rocha & Cynthia Granados to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this stage of the project. SWOT Analysis findings Below is a summary of findings through the SWOT process. Overall Stage One of the Alternative Worlds framework was successfully completed with relatively few difficulties. Areas of success and improvement were identified through out the process and have been summarised below for future reference. Strengths Project strengths included the project established, strengthened and developed relationships between the research teams in Australia, Mexico and Canada, between artists and researchers. The artists through the projects had good working chemistry, allowed the collaboration to be a smooth process. The project also leveraged off RMIT Internal resources well to get the initial stages of the project up and running. In particular the use of the RMIT Air program provided the Mexican artist with accommodation and a stipend. Also the connection of the artists talk with the Winter School program benefitted the program with a lecture by the visiting artist in the midst of project development and access to international artists. The project also allowed the research team to expand networks with the local indigenous arts community, Mexican community and the Canadian community. Weaknesses Attempts were made in developing forms of collaboration between researchers through social networking sites such as Ning.com. The Ning in this case proved to be under utilised and as the technology is not yet commonly used for project development, the use of the site seemed inappropriate for this particular project. Another reason may have been that some of the researchers were Spanish speaking and had preferences for face to face video calling to communicate internationally more clearly through conversation and then articulating this information back to the group in English. Other areas which needed further strengthening was the clarity of roles in this project and specific tasks that needed to be carried out. The budget was also an area that required further preplanning and preparation. Opportunities The project proved to be a solid foundation for continuing the series in Mexico in 2011. Materials developed in this first stage have formed the basis for the second stage to proceed. The experiences of analysing the first projects through this SWOT analysis has helped the research team to identify areas in which we need to clarify in the next stage and improve upon. Recognising that clarity of roles is important, we will be able to identify specific tasks that the research team will be responsible for in the next stages. Also the we will be able leverage of a strong research team relationships which will make stage two operate more smoothly. As the management of the last budget was fairly dependent on RMIT resources stage two will seek to look further at funding arrangement externally through competitive grant processes.
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Threats Identified threats seem quite minor in comparison, as they point to issues related to time management and the project being bogged down in administration. As there was awareness that the project had long term intensions, these are on going issues that need to be managed through out the process of the project. IMPACT & LEGACY The Alternative Worlds project provided a strong foundation for the research team to progress to the next stage. The established relationship between artists and researchers will provide a strong basis for the development of the Mexican component in Stage two. The project has also demonstrated how the activation of an arts based project has provided a platform for further opportunities for the research team involved. This includes viewing researchers as Australian based cultural diplomats for Mexico in showing wider Australian audiences synergies in the Mexican Indigenous & Canadian Indigenous experience compared to the Australian Indigenous experience. Through this process of the development of the project, researchers were also able to identify the capability of the individuals of the team and looking forward to future were also able to identify potential other opportunities to work with individual skills of the research team in other contexts. Images: 1. Cover: Projected photograph produced using Ochre 2. Images of the objects worn projected in the window of Railway House on the opening night. Images were produced throughout the process of collaboration between artists Natalia Toledo and Karen Casey 3. Installation view of artwork produced and installed, a result of the research collaboration 4. The research team present at the launch (from left to right) Karla Sanz, Suzie Pinchen, John Harding, Brenda Rochas, Natalia Toledo, Karen Casey, Geoff Hogg, Ceri Hann & Tammy Wong