2010 March - Clare SA
The Change Media Team worked for 2 days with Mervin Jarman from the iStreetLab and the Container Project, to compare our art and community capacity building practice in Australia and Jamaica. The workshop was the first stop of Mervin’s Australia tour over the coming weeks. The workshop was broadcast live via iStreet Radio, with listeners in New Jersey participating live thoughout all sessions.
During the workshop we developed a long term project for 2010-2012, to create an international community arts exchange workshop program and interactive hard/software interface, a social archive and reference video manuals for marginalized communities worldwide, to enhance cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect. Project officers Wallace McKitrick and Davina Egege, from the Indigenous Coordination Centre SA [DEWHA], took part in the discussion on the second day, to provide feedback and add to the feasibility of the project, in terms of relevance for Indigenous communities in SA. Francesca Da Rimini offered her vast experience in international collaborative new media work as observer/adviser. Rohan Webb, iStreet Lab educator, youth mentor and educational researcher, logged in as a participant remotely from New Jersey, USA – he was there for all of both broadcasts…regardless of time zone difference!
It was very refreshing to compare notes about both our projects with Mervin, and start immediately to collaborate on a new venture, that will combine Change Media methodology with iStreet Lab work in Jamaica and join up with Canadian artists Camiile Turner and Mike Steventon for the Canadian part of the triangle.
The following text is from Mervin’s blog at istreetlab.ning.com:
Tallstoreez/Change Media was host to discussions on the feasibility of developing a relevant and sustainable architecture for cross-cultural exchange. Carl and Jen of Change Media have been especially engaging in our examination of the broad scope of possibilities, potential challenges, risks, and social benefits. The discussions have been charged with high expectations, enthusiasm, and a profound sense of purpose. The context of the dialogue is based on the need to forge forward in demonstrating the relevance of our working art practices and the implications for community development. The central idea of how to make meaningful changes for both our communities is an enduring theme.
Cross-cultural exchanges, we agreed, are a potent expression of the need to find commonality between and throughout our communities with an aim to reducing marginalization. Using our art in a socially conscious way to make a difference through incremental change is already occurring. However, we seek to amplify this by creating opportunities for learning and synergy. This in many ways has emerged as our overarching theme.
This idea spawned conversations on a concept of expression through a “Xcolonial triangle” in which Canadian, Jamaican, and Australian marginalized/first nation communities work on developing a global village art interface (code name ‘Art Gate‘). Further discussion will ensue!!!
Mike Steventon’s idea/work was also introduced in the discussions as I am collaborating with him on his work on OCIS – Open Interactive Collaborative Space, which he introduces to me and I immediately saw as a practical and relevant community resource.
It was exciting to nut out a community development project that invites the mentors to take risks as artists, and share their creative energy as well as mentoring to build the project.
Partners
Apple
Arts SA Partnerships for Healthy Communities
Australia Council for the ArtsDarwin Community Arts
ICE Sydney
Indigenous Cultural Support, Office for the Arts, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
The Edge Brisbane
dLux Sydney
