Posters placards and signs that we are here!

Just saw this link about 100 best placards in Wisconcin - and it made me think, we all want to try and say something, well some of us. Its not enough to march but trying so say what we are connected to. Is the frustration of the mass media not representing the full picture of anti cuts actions and ideas permeating through a wider group part of the reason?

Noticed that many press photographers like to take the diy version, the individual response, rather than the pre printed, pre discussed and agreed slogans. Why? They want us to be individualised? Want it to look random, leadership, without ideological ideas within them. That we see the ideolgical game that is being played and have our own ideas that we wish to promote.

Its a battle beyond posters, placards and slogans.. but they are all important and symbols, sometimes suggesting one version of events and truth.

Madison protest with Radio head

I often want to film parts of protests that I am on.. but sometimes the camera gets in the way of conversations and I let go. I also end up taking pictures of the ground and feet and skylines which isn't always what I think they expect of me, whoever they are..

Anyway some dropped this link through and I love it. Time lapse, great sound, and movement..

Tax the rich. (Shared on NSSN facebook pages and others have in build up for the 26th March)

Uncovered..

I finally sent out the link to this to more than 30 people I know very well, some less so, and one or two I hardly know but think this process, themes might link into.

I keep wanting to read all that I have written and edit and cut and delete but there is no time, unless I give up this day to that. I am imperfect and these words reflect that.

No point just having me ramble in this space alone, when your there and I could be working with you, around you and through you too.

Step up missy dillon, theres more to uncover....

Franz Marc colour in darkness

I was looking for colour... in the sadder times and spaces that are happening.. going ahead and I feel and reach.

At the end of the TUC womens conference, which ironically ended with a debate on cuts to the arts, a couple of us stayed to walk by the water before and walked into a small gallery. The artists work used colours like Franz Marc and Marc Chagall did... warmth, depth, inviting but layered.

I added a photo to profile pic on facebook... but I also learnt more about him and the work. I felt an incompleteness to the work, unfinished, unstarted, but actually it was far worse than that he was imagining... far worse that we can see..:

It wont let me upload.. something about the file format:

This is his wiki -

And here is the image: unfinished, chaos with beauty inter twined and bound.

RMT Vs The standard

From Steve Hedley Regional Organiser for RMT.

(Early on I thought I would follow the RMT's coverage of the RMT though I am in an active way and supportive, its not the key part of this MA.. but important)

Dear colleauges

You may have read a completley false story about me in the evening standard .
The story is this.I was at mile end station and was aware that three trains had dropped off pasangers at a station that was supposed to be closed.I went to question a manager as to why he was keeping the station open with less people than the minimum number required and in so doing breaking the law so move him back.section12(brought in after the Kings Cross disaster)

The manager leaned towards me in an agressive way only inches from my face and i put my hand on his shoulder to prevent him headbutting me.Three independent witnesses including a prosecution witness confirmed my story the manager had no witnesses.Despite this the bosses court could not resist the opportunity to have a political stab at the RMT and fined me 200 pounds plus 500 costs.I am of course appealing.

http://guy-smallman-photos.photoshelter.com/gallery/RMT-metronet-strike-protest-4-9-07/G0000akR8mUC3Xac


Ironically during the last metronet strike I saved a standard photographer from a management thug who attacked him see link.Of coures this did not get reported in the standard or any other paper.One law for them another for us.

Madness & sadness (draft after watching HOWL)

The madness and the sadness that follows me

Follows you

I have opened the door and let it in

It is what becomes of them, of me,

It is what is brews in me, what I am

But the maddness is not mine alone

nor sadness that I own

...

I have fed on these for years and fears

and eaten them up like there is no more

and you, each of you I bite,

in kindness, darkness and delight

I have fed on these for fears, for years

and eaten you for light and sight

I eat less today, no need to grieve

on your, on mine, the past, not now

My madness, my sadness

is not mine alone

My madness, my sadness

is not my only home

Fed on you for fears, for tears

torn up, torn blue

turned red, torn through

My madness, your sadness

I held, too tight

this day, this time

I let go, let light..

let light.

Arts..

I woke up early today half four in the morning and have trundled downstairs as it feels like I can move here. A hot choclate and lets see.

My mind started on what could I or should I say at the TUC women's conference? Section on cuts, which I need to go through but also the final resolution, around cuts in arts.

What cuts have their been in arts over the years, what impact has that had, cuts in HE and FE, what are arts and purpose in society. .. Women in 1917 bread and roses... wanted and need material basics but also something that began to fill the empty bursting soul that we can be told to accept.

Why do I need the arts in my life? Colour, purpose, research, process, disabilities?

I need to research the cuts made and proposals, impacts on local and national work not mainstream theatres or galleries which already suck up the majority of arts funding. Funding which comes from most of our taxes.

This is a ramble but needed as I begin to work my way through this and also begin to consider the process. How will I work out what I need to work out..

Will I forget this MA as time ticks over and over and I become less and less engaged with the student world I was almost part of?