Ever since my camera was destroyed in THIS INCIDENT I hate taking photos cause all I got around to use is a crappy, cheap lens econo-consuma 'Snappie-Pix' box. But today's news event dictated that I bring it out and take a few pics.
As detailed in THIS POST the Ormeau Baths Gallery has closed due to withdrawl of funds by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Now I can't comment on the rights and wrongs of the withdrawl of funds and the subsequent closure as I don't know the players involved and am not privy to the politics of the 'Arts Scene' here in Northern Ireland. But I can document the events both in pictures and on the 'Letter to America' Podcast - so I was there today for the 'Silent Vigil' as artists from the area congregated to show their support. As you can see in the photo above it did snow.
This 'Art Couple' looked pretty cool so I interviewed them - tune in to this weekend's Podcast to hear what they had to say.
The guy was nice enough to pose with me as I point to this dramatic sign illustrating the artists' concerns about the Arts Council.
Man, that sign is pretty vicious - I don't know if the person portrayed is one of the Staff of the Arts Council - I hope to interview either their Chief Executive or their Director. Grainne McCann, Communications Manager of the Council was supposed to get back to me this morning about this - I imagine they are quite busy dealing with this issue.
Here's the 'Cool Art Couple' again - I like anybody who makes a sign with the word 'Warum?' on it.
Anyhew, Dear Listener, I'll be discussing the closure of the gallery and playing the interviews I recorded on this weekend's show.
For more photos of the vigil visit Carisenda's Flickr set HERE.
Update - 5:30pm: The Art Councils' Statement regarding the closure of the gallery can be read HERE.
It's all going off. I'm impressed; shockwaves being sent out from the epicentre of the NI art scene in demise.
Have there been any moments of tension or has this passed off without aggro? Where are the art couple from?
Posted by: JC | March 01, 2006 at 11:10 AM
Wikipedia's up to date too ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormeau_Baths_Gallery
Posted by: Alan | March 01, 2006 at 12:18 PM
See, this is the problem with protestors. What do their signs mean?? No one knows!
A woman, who has some sort of exo-skeleton and hypnotic eyes on an Ace of spades card...WTF?? What does that mean??
No one can take their message seriously because no one can understand the message!
Posted by: Phil | March 01, 2006 at 02:20 PM
Hear! Hear! I thought I might be the only one who couldn't quite grasp the meaning of the signs.
However, I did 'understood' the "Fir Wat?" on the last pic but only because I spend a LOT of time with the Chavs and Spides in the Belfast train station.
Posted by: Wayne Ordinary American | March 01, 2006 at 05:17 PM
I was wondering what the American guy was doing with the microphone.... Nice to know you're not just a random pervert tricking people into speaking into a ciggarette box painted black.
The art couple are students from the Art College on York St. AFAIK, there was no-one from the Arts Council at the protest.
Posted by: Needia | March 02, 2006 at 05:04 AM