There are only a handful of days left now for Liverpool's year of culture and this time next week it will be 'Liverpool's year of the environment 2009'.
Although local people should have had more opportunities to ehxibit their own culture rather than most of the 'culture' being imported at great cost,there has been an awakening for many Liverpool citizens.
People who maybe had no idea what culture is are now discovering the joys of self expression and sharing this with others.It has given many a sense of pride in their city.There is also the self esteem,confidence and empowerment that this brings.
The City Council has said this is only the beginning and they intend to help to further the city's cultural endeavours for the future years to come.Adults,teenagers and children have certainly been resourceful,often working with low or no budgets to produce projects and artworks.
Without culture life is dull.The superlambananas appeared to be the most popular project and it was a joy to visit as many as possible all over the city.The plateau at St.Georges hall the night before they were auctioned off was buzzing with the crowds that came to say goodbye to them all.It was quite moving being there.I wasn't in town for La Machine's giant mechanical spider but that drew huge crowds who enjoyed walking around town with it.
It would be great if the Council stopped spending so much money on dignitary dinners and demolishing homes (or paying a small fortune hiding neglected buildings with expensive,boring 'artwork') and really connected with the citizens and invested in what they wanted.
Well done to TATE Liverpool for engaging with local groups and asking them what they wanted in the gallery,handing over the whole of the 4th floor for six weeks at the end of the year to local communities.
Although the TATE still employed mostly international artists to run 'the 5th floor ideas taking space' exhibition the locals have been included.It's a radical risk and much needed and appreciated.Expressing ourselves is essential to health and wellbeing.It's also important to experience Liverpool's view of itself.Let's hope this is the beginning of a more inclusive city.
Thanks for reading the blog,hope you enjoyed it !
p.s. What was the point of that hideous,distracting advertising screen going up opposite Lime Street that cost us TWO MILLION pounds ?
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Saturday, 22 November 2008
'SOMALIFIELDS' POETS IN TOXTETH
5 Somali poets from Liverpool 8 have published a booklet of their recent work.They worked with Def Jam poetry group and Somali poet Gaarriye.The poems sound like Somali,Arabic and local dialect.Here are 2 poems.
ZAK
'I express myself through poetry:it enables me to release tension and stress.All in all it's a form of escapism.'
Poetry for me is more than therapy
It's part of me
Internally I feel it flowing
Growing and growing
Inside it bides
Waiting patiently
Sitting dormant
I keep it cornered and caged
Deep within
Fearing it's impact
On innocent minds
They're not ready
Or maybe I am not?
Perhaps I fear...
Fear what?
Will they like it?
Don't think that way
But what they say
Really matters
Mind state in tatters
Then independently it pours
From my mouth
A mind of it's own
Now it's in control
Enslaved by my own rhymes
Anger enters me
Could it be?
I envy my own poetry?...
What is war?
To kill another brother
But what for
Because he represents another flag
That differs from mine
Where is the thin line
And when does one step over it
To cause war
Is it land that he wants more
Then I'll gladly share with him
But no more war
No more hurt
No more hate
What is more great?
Peace or totalitarian state
If we did go to war
Warlords would be my enemy
Their deaths would be my remedy
So take my hand brother
Together we can climb this mountain
Steadily
ZAK
'I express myself through poetry:it enables me to release tension and stress.All in all it's a form of escapism.'
Poetry for me is more than therapy
It's part of me
Internally I feel it flowing
Growing and growing
Inside it bides
Waiting patiently
Sitting dormant
I keep it cornered and caged
Deep within
Fearing it's impact
On innocent minds
They're not ready
Or maybe I am not?
Perhaps I fear...
Fear what?
Will they like it?
Don't think that way
But what they say
Really matters
Mind state in tatters
Then independently it pours
From my mouth
A mind of it's own
Now it's in control
Enslaved by my own rhymes
Anger enters me
Could it be?
I envy my own poetry?...
What is war?
To kill another brother
But what for
Because he represents another flag
That differs from mine
Where is the thin line
And when does one step over it
To cause war
Is it land that he wants more
Then I'll gladly share with him
But no more war
No more hurt
No more hate
What is more great?
Peace or totalitarian state
If we did go to war
Warlords would be my enemy
Their deaths would be my remedy
So take my hand brother
Together we can climb this mountain
Steadily
Friday, 7 November 2008
CONGRATULATIONS TO BARACK OBAMA AND LEWIS HAMILTON by Tracey Dunn
A great week for U.S.A. and Great Britain as 2 black people achieve groundbreaking firsts.
Barack Obama has swept to victory in a landslide vote to become the first black President of the United States. Meanwhile in England Lewis Hamilton wins the Formula One racing prize.
It's astounding that in the 21st century this is a 'big deal' but sadly we still live in an ignorant world.
I wish them both the best of luck for the future and hopefully they will inspire others to reach for the stars!
Barack Obama has swept to victory in a landslide vote to become the first black President of the United States. Meanwhile in England Lewis Hamilton wins the Formula One racing prize.
It's astounding that in the 21st century this is a 'big deal' but sadly we still live in an ignorant world.
I wish them both the best of luck for the future and hopefully they will inspire others to reach for the stars!
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
THE LONG NIGHT OF THE BIENNIAL BY TRACEY DUNN
Thursday 30th October was the night that many Biennial exhibitions stayed open until 11pm and many venues put on special events to celebrate this.
I visited TATE Liverpool to see a performance piece by Wolfgang Flur who was the 'drummer' for Kraftwerk when they were at their peak in the late 70's and 80's.The first album I received (from my father) was Kraftwerk's Autobahn so I was especially keen to go.Wolfgang designed a lot of Kraftwerk's electronic instruments and consoles.A real talented tech-head.
He talked from his book 'I was a teenage robot' for over an hour and then showed some film with his latest music on.There was a prize of a signed remixed version for anyone who could name a particular insrument Kraftwerk used somewhere.Answer was a mellotron ...no one knew so the question became 'what was the first instrument Wolfgang ever played?' I said the flute but it was the mouth organ.I had hoped that because I was the only person there who had read his book I would win the remix !! I didn't.
We then visited the Red Wire Gallery's basement in Castle Street for Daniel Johnson's songs performed by local musicians.Daniel Johnson is a very talented American artist and musician who suffers quite severely with mental health problems ( inc. bi-polar) but has been an inspiration to Spiritualized,Beck and the late Kurt Cobain from Nirvana.In fact Kurt wore a Daniel Johnson T shirt frequently which I think introduced Daniel to a wider audience.
I also visited Daniel Johnson's exhibition of cartoons a few days later on its last day.It seems Daniel has a real struggle with good and evil.He is constantly trying to defeat the' demons' that swamp him from time to time.The art is about how we are born innocent and can slowly become corrupted in life and lose that innocence.Some symbols used are toddler's building blocks and winged eyeballs.The more eye's a character has the more corrupt it is in Daniel Johnson's world.
I visited TATE Liverpool to see a performance piece by Wolfgang Flur who was the 'drummer' for Kraftwerk when they were at their peak in the late 70's and 80's.The first album I received (from my father) was Kraftwerk's Autobahn so I was especially keen to go.Wolfgang designed a lot of Kraftwerk's electronic instruments and consoles.A real talented tech-head.
He talked from his book 'I was a teenage robot' for over an hour and then showed some film with his latest music on.There was a prize of a signed remixed version for anyone who could name a particular insrument Kraftwerk used somewhere.Answer was a mellotron ...no one knew so the question became 'what was the first instrument Wolfgang ever played?' I said the flute but it was the mouth organ.I had hoped that because I was the only person there who had read his book I would win the remix !! I didn't.
We then visited the Red Wire Gallery's basement in Castle Street for Daniel Johnson's songs performed by local musicians.Daniel Johnson is a very talented American artist and musician who suffers quite severely with mental health problems ( inc. bi-polar) but has been an inspiration to Spiritualized,Beck and the late Kurt Cobain from Nirvana.In fact Kurt wore a Daniel Johnson T shirt frequently which I think introduced Daniel to a wider audience.
I also visited Daniel Johnson's exhibition of cartoons a few days later on its last day.It seems Daniel has a real struggle with good and evil.He is constantly trying to defeat the' demons' that swamp him from time to time.The art is about how we are born innocent and can slowly become corrupted in life and lose that innocence.Some symbols used are toddler's building blocks and winged eyeballs.The more eye's a character has the more corrupt it is in Daniel Johnson's world.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
KENSINGTON ONE WORLD FESTIVAL report by Tracey Dunn
Here are some highlights from this festival which is a celebration of Global Citizenship.Celebrating the culture of the many diverse groups in Kensington.Please contact Mark Jackson on 0151 233 6153 for more info.
Tuesday 4th November Czech Slovak Roma Event
Kensington Fields Community Centre
24 Hall Lane L7 8TQ
6-9pm.Films showing the Czech Slovak Roma community in the U.K. and life during the 2nd world war for the Roma communty followed by discussions and free buffet.Music by Gypsy Brothers.
Saturday 8th November Kensington Diwali.Hindu Temple, Edge Lane Kensington L7
6-9pm To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Temple.A celebration of the significance of Diwali with a tour of the Temple,an Indian band and dancers,free buffet and a firework light show.
Thursday 20th November Islamic Event. Al Ghazali Centre. Earle Road L7.
6-9pm Multicultural discussions and feast.Palestinian band,dancers and music.Tickets by invitation only.Call Mark Jackson (233 6153)
Tuesday 25th November International Day Against Violence to Women
Frontline church.Corner Lawrence Rd /Wellington Rd,Wavertree L15 0HY
6-8.30pm Discussions on the situation in Dharfur,Democratic Republic of Congo,Uganda and Liverpool around violence to women,children and child soldiers as well as the use of violence to women locally.Issues,solutions and oppurtunities for solidarity.Free refreshments.
Wednesday 26th November Yellow House Event. Venue to be confirmed.
7-9pm Young People from Kensington and Poland will perform an improvised piece about global citizenship through music,dance,art,drama,photography and video,demonstrating new skills learnt in a week long series of workshops.Call George on 260 2996.
Sunday 30th November Finale. Devonshire House Hotel,Edge Lane,Kensington L7
7-11pm A fun,happy celebration of global citizenship,led by the polish community.All who took part in ONE WORLD FESTIVAL will entertain you.Free buffet
Tuesday 4th November Czech Slovak Roma Event
Kensington Fields Community Centre
24 Hall Lane L7 8TQ
6-9pm.Films showing the Czech Slovak Roma community in the U.K. and life during the 2nd world war for the Roma communty followed by discussions and free buffet.Music by Gypsy Brothers.
Saturday 8th November Kensington Diwali.Hindu Temple, Edge Lane Kensington L7
6-9pm To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Temple.A celebration of the significance of Diwali with a tour of the Temple,an Indian band and dancers,free buffet and a firework light show.
Thursday 20th November Islamic Event. Al Ghazali Centre. Earle Road L7.
6-9pm Multicultural discussions and feast.Palestinian band,dancers and music.Tickets by invitation only.Call Mark Jackson (233 6153)
Tuesday 25th November International Day Against Violence to Women
Frontline church.Corner Lawrence Rd /Wellington Rd,Wavertree L15 0HY
6-8.30pm Discussions on the situation in Dharfur,Democratic Republic of Congo,Uganda and Liverpool around violence to women,children and child soldiers as well as the use of violence to women locally.Issues,solutions and oppurtunities for solidarity.Free refreshments.
Wednesday 26th November Yellow House Event. Venue to be confirmed.
7-9pm Young People from Kensington and Poland will perform an improvised piece about global citizenship through music,dance,art,drama,photography and video,demonstrating new skills learnt in a week long series of workshops.Call George on 260 2996.
Sunday 30th November Finale. Devonshire House Hotel,Edge Lane,Kensington L7
7-11pm A fun,happy celebration of global citizenship,led by the polish community.All who took part in ONE WORLD FESTIVAL will entertain you.Free buffet
Monday, 27 October 2008
'SAFE FROM HARM' AND 'BREAK THE CYCLE' useful advice for those experiencing racism or domestic violence
KENSINGTON DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE (KDAS) is an organisation based in Kensington,Liverpool which supports those suffering from abusive people.
'SAFE FROM HARM'
A service specifically for people from Black and racial minority groups and refugees.Call Gill,Jeanette or Natalie on 0151 263 7474.Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm or Friday 9am-3pm.In an emergency dial 999.Women's aid 24 hour line 0808 2000247.
If anyone is bullying you,using your immigration status to control you or behaving in any way that hurts you please contact these people.It takes a great deal of confidence to contact strangers to ask for help but don't suffer in silence.STOP the hurt and the harm.
'BREAK THE CYCLE'
An abusive person will rarely see themselves as such.In fact,if someone you care about is abusive towards you,they will probably tell you that you are to blame for their behaviour BUT IT'S JUST NOT TRUE.This is a common way of avoiding personal responsibility for being awful.
For domestic abuse problems ( and this can be emotional abuse as well as physical harm) call the same people above.REMEMBER domestic violence is a crime from which you deserve protection.
'SAFE FROM HARM'
A service specifically for people from Black and racial minority groups and refugees.Call Gill,Jeanette or Natalie on 0151 263 7474.Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm or Friday 9am-3pm.In an emergency dial 999.Women's aid 24 hour line 0808 2000247.
If anyone is bullying you,using your immigration status to control you or behaving in any way that hurts you please contact these people.It takes a great deal of confidence to contact strangers to ask for help but don't suffer in silence.STOP the hurt and the harm.
'BREAK THE CYCLE'
An abusive person will rarely see themselves as such.In fact,if someone you care about is abusive towards you,they will probably tell you that you are to blame for their behaviour BUT IT'S JUST NOT TRUE.This is a common way of avoiding personal responsibility for being awful.
For domestic abuse problems ( and this can be emotional abuse as well as physical harm) call the same people above.REMEMBER domestic violence is a crime from which you deserve protection.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
A Trip To Africa in Black History Month by Tracey Dunn
I was invited to Morocco for 10 days from October 1st to help create a yoga dvd and also to make my own film.We arrived at Marrakesh and after checking in at the gorgeous Riad Magellan headed off to the gathering place Jamaa El Fna to see snake charmers with their cobras and various stalls and entertainers.
It's a crazy place filled with families on 1 motorbike with no crash helmets zipping through the crowds.The souks in the Medina were filled to the brim with metalwork,textiles,leatherwork,shoes,bags and lanterns.It was like a step back in time to medieval ages.So much character and so many people and animals.
The next morning we visited Les Jardins Majorelle.These were owned by Yves Saint Laurent and he also had a house there painted in' Yves Klein' blue.The gardens were filled with cactii and exotic plants.A memorial to YSL is also there after his death recently.
We then went to a hamman which is a wash house.I had a massage and scrub.I felt very clean afterwards!
That afternoon we travelled by coach for 4 hours to Agadir on the Atantic coast.There is a mountain lit up with the whole side saying 'Allah is Great' in arabic.The beach was beautiful and the sun was hot.It was nice to relax for a few days by the sea. Many thanks to Fatima Legrou at the Palais des Roses who allowed us to film in the grounds of the beautiful hotel.
Next stop is Skoura on the way to the Sahara desert.We travelled through many miles of mountains and desert for about 7 hours via Taroudant and Ouzazarte which is the centre of the morrocan film industry.Many western films like Kundun and Gladiator were filmed around there.
We spent one night at Les Jardins de Skoura miles away from civilization. and I sat on an unlit terrace to watch the stars after dinner. The houses around were made of earth and surrounded by palm trees and sand.It was like being in a scene from the bible.Scorching sunshine too,last year Skoura only had 7 days of rain.
We travelled back to Ouzazarte to meet up with Chris Pyper who we met on the bus the day before.Chris is a member of the Peace Corp who were set up by John F.Kennedy to help Moroccan people with things like business support.It is Chris's job to help the artisans who make silver daggers in nearby El Kelaa M'gouna about 25 minutes away.It's the town that grows roses and every May or June hosts the Rose festival.The town is filled with Berbers and the silversmithing tradition is 800 years old there.We visited the Dagger co-operative where I filmed the shops and showroom and met some artisans.
We stayed at Chris's house in a nearby village where they also make the daggers.They are ceremonial and used at weddings and dances.The Moroccans I met are very gentle,peace loving people.They were shocked when I told them about our problems with knife and gun crime.I was told it is even safe to leave your bags around and they would be completely safe.
In the evening we visited some homes in the village and were made very welcome with mint tea,almonds,dates and madeira cake.One lady had 15 children.I was given a berber name 'Rqia" she was the daughter of Allah and had 99 names.
In another house we had a meal with salad,tagine and fruits.Lots of the villagers came out to say hallo. It was a wonderful enriching experience.We gave some design advice for the showroom and talked ideas about improving business.
The next morning I heard the most beautiful sound I have ever heard in my life.It was the 1st call to prayer and lasted for about 40 minutes.It was truly hypnotic and otherworldly.I wish I had a copy of that sound/prayer.
We left the next morning with M'hamed and Chris to get a taxi to Ouzazarte.We met some people we shared a car with on the way to Skoura so again we travelled with them.From Ouzazarte we took a taxi to Marrakesh across the high Atlas and were they high!.Unbelievable.It took about 4 hours and we went through hairpin bends and really scary mountainside roads so high
up.
We travelled straight to Imlil,again across the high Atlas mountains for an hour.This time we stayed up at 2,000 feet-the same height as Mount Snowdon.We had to get a mule to carry our luggage up the mountain for 25 minutes to Tamaret's Kasbah Samra.We were near mount Toubakel,at around 4,000 feet it's the highest mountain in North Africa.
I met people staying there who had been to my school and the local boy's school and there was a retired school teacher there so it was like a school reunion.We lived for 2 days with the local Berbers more or less .This was real eco-tourism.I can not believe how these people lived in such harmony with their environment.Nothing was wasted and everything was natural.A truly great place.
Our final destination was Marrakesh and after a lovely tour with Hussain seeing eagles,camels and horses we stopped off at our last Riad.Thanks to Aidan Webster at Les Trois Mages for his great hospitality.I hope to stay in his apartment 'Dar Mellah' in Essouira on the coast next time I visit this country.I definitely plan to go back and film there and in Fes and Meknes,hopefully in the near future.It was with sadness I left the sunshine and people of this African country.A life changing experience for sure!!
It's a crazy place filled with families on 1 motorbike with no crash helmets zipping through the crowds.The souks in the Medina were filled to the brim with metalwork,textiles,leatherwork,shoes,bags and lanterns.It was like a step back in time to medieval ages.So much character and so many people and animals.
The next morning we visited Les Jardins Majorelle.These were owned by Yves Saint Laurent and he also had a house there painted in' Yves Klein' blue.The gardens were filled with cactii and exotic plants.A memorial to YSL is also there after his death recently.
We then went to a hamman which is a wash house.I had a massage and scrub.I felt very clean afterwards!
That afternoon we travelled by coach for 4 hours to Agadir on the Atantic coast.There is a mountain lit up with the whole side saying 'Allah is Great' in arabic.The beach was beautiful and the sun was hot.It was nice to relax for a few days by the sea. Many thanks to Fatima Legrou at the Palais des Roses who allowed us to film in the grounds of the beautiful hotel.
Next stop is Skoura on the way to the Sahara desert.We travelled through many miles of mountains and desert for about 7 hours via Taroudant and Ouzazarte which is the centre of the morrocan film industry.Many western films like Kundun and Gladiator were filmed around there.
We spent one night at Les Jardins de Skoura miles away from civilization. and I sat on an unlit terrace to watch the stars after dinner. The houses around were made of earth and surrounded by palm trees and sand.It was like being in a scene from the bible.Scorching sunshine too,last year Skoura only had 7 days of rain.
We travelled back to Ouzazarte to meet up with Chris Pyper who we met on the bus the day before.Chris is a member of the Peace Corp who were set up by John F.Kennedy to help Moroccan people with things like business support.It is Chris's job to help the artisans who make silver daggers in nearby El Kelaa M'gouna about 25 minutes away.It's the town that grows roses and every May or June hosts the Rose festival.The town is filled with Berbers and the silversmithing tradition is 800 years old there.We visited the Dagger co-operative where I filmed the shops and showroom and met some artisans.
We stayed at Chris's house in a nearby village where they also make the daggers.They are ceremonial and used at weddings and dances.The Moroccans I met are very gentle,peace loving people.They were shocked when I told them about our problems with knife and gun crime.I was told it is even safe to leave your bags around and they would be completely safe.
In the evening we visited some homes in the village and were made very welcome with mint tea,almonds,dates and madeira cake.One lady had 15 children.I was given a berber name 'Rqia" she was the daughter of Allah and had 99 names.
In another house we had a meal with salad,tagine and fruits.Lots of the villagers came out to say hallo. It was a wonderful enriching experience.We gave some design advice for the showroom and talked ideas about improving business.
The next morning I heard the most beautiful sound I have ever heard in my life.It was the 1st call to prayer and lasted for about 40 minutes.It was truly hypnotic and otherworldly.I wish I had a copy of that sound/prayer.
We left the next morning with M'hamed and Chris to get a taxi to Ouzazarte.We met some people we shared a car with on the way to Skoura so again we travelled with them.From Ouzazarte we took a taxi to Marrakesh across the high Atlas and were they high!.Unbelievable.It took about 4 hours and we went through hairpin bends and really scary mountainside roads so high
up.
We travelled straight to Imlil,again across the high Atlas mountains for an hour.This time we stayed up at 2,000 feet-the same height as Mount Snowdon.We had to get a mule to carry our luggage up the mountain for 25 minutes to Tamaret's Kasbah Samra.We were near mount Toubakel,at around 4,000 feet it's the highest mountain in North Africa.
I met people staying there who had been to my school and the local boy's school and there was a retired school teacher there so it was like a school reunion.We lived for 2 days with the local Berbers more or less .This was real eco-tourism.I can not believe how these people lived in such harmony with their environment.Nothing was wasted and everything was natural.A truly great place.
Our final destination was Marrakesh and after a lovely tour with Hussain seeing eagles,camels and horses we stopped off at our last Riad.Thanks to Aidan Webster at Les Trois Mages for his great hospitality.I hope to stay in his apartment 'Dar Mellah' in Essouira on the coast next time I visit this country.I definitely plan to go back and film there and in Fes and Meknes,hopefully in the near future.It was with sadness I left the sunshine and people of this African country.A life changing experience for sure!!
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