Change Media meets iStreet Lab, March 2010
CHALLENGE: 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.
PARTNERS: Australia Council for the Arts Creative Community Partnership Initiative; Indigenous Cultural Support through DEWHA; Arts SA Partnerships for Healthy Communities; dLux Sydney; Darwin Community Arts; ICE Sydney, The Edge Brisbane; Tallstoreez Productionz; Apple Australia
Concept: ArtGate – a Xcolonial collaboration
OUTCOMES: 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!
SCREENINGS & AWARDS: Please watch this space for updates.
IMPACT & FEEDBACK: 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.
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.
Tags: art, emerging communities, history, indigenous, international, media, music, social justice, youth
The following is a comment I received per email today from Rohan Webb, from the iStreet Lab and Container team in Jamaica:
2 April 2010
Greetings Carl,
This is Rohan, hailing you from New Jersey on a bright spring day. I looked at your site recently and was really encouraged by the depth of the work. I came across this “educational” product when going through my mail recently. I am sure if there is any value in analyzing what is being offered from companies like these but I thought I would pass it on.
I also wanted to say a very big thank you for your patience and indulgence with me texting during the meeting. I found it very engaging and the experience is very unique-I had to hang on to every word everyone said to create not only an appreciation of the dynamics of the conversation but to design a mental picture of each person, the small group dynamics, the group wrestling with ideas, of how your pragmatism and ability to gain consensus while articulating your points ever so intricately made the exercise extraordinary for me. The type of learning that occurred in that room demonstrated several things to me but key among them was how everyone complimented the nature and sense of being of the others. People were diligent in their discourse, articulate in an intellectual yet creative and benevolent way.
I really appreciated the opportunity to be there and want to laud Tallstoreez and Change Media for their gallant passionate commitment to constructive change and human development. Both you and Jan may not hear it enough but the image you have created in my mind is a positive one, an image of heroes unsung, therefore I do not wish to shout this, I just to say thank you. All the best and take care.
PS. Thanks for the kind words on your blog and for changing the text. I would also like to add Franni’s contribution to the dialog-it was an oversight that should not have been made and must be addressed forthwith.
Guidance,
Rohan
Forgot to add the info for the Red Moon DVD that Rohan mentioned – here is the link to the e-newsletter:
http://g.pm0.net/mediaed/sent/1269440928.14962.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Savicom&utm_campaign=New%20DVD%20release%20on%20menstruation%20and%20culture&utm_term=Please%20click%20here%20to%20view%20a%20web%20copy%20of%20this%20message&utm_content=webbedtech%40gmail.com