sQuareOne art auction

sQuareOne is a Vibewire-funded not-for-profit youth organisation, who sometimes need a little money to get by. Because of this, they’ll be running their second annual art auction on Saturday, September 13th 2008 at Mori Gallery, Sydney, selling works by local artists.

All works will be exhibited and auctioned on the night, with entertainment, drinks and nibblies. There will also be an exhibition by Matthew Rochford running at the same time.

They’re currently looking for works to be submitted for auction, with 80% of profits will go to support sQuareOne, and artists retaining 20% of sales. If you’d like to donate some work, please email Natalie by August 20, 2008 with a description of your work (and a photo if possible), including title, dimensions and media.

It’s Out of Controller!!

Out of Controller is a cool upcoming exhibit showing a range of work based around Nintendo characters. NERD YAY! Artists are encouraged to use a variety of mediums and to show what our pixelated friends get up to when the Nintendo’s turned off. Plus, there is over $4000 in cash and prizes to be won. DUBBLE NERD YAY!!

Work will be displayed in Melbourne’s FAD Gallery from 10 – 27 September, 2008. More information and entry details can be viewed on the website.

Speed dating for artists

Theatreworks is giving Melbourne artists a chance to meet other like minded folk for some project making at Speed Dating For Artists. It’s a great chance to network with other artists and theatre makers, and best of all – it’s free. But no actors!

You will need to book ahead, and you will recieve a free glass of wine and 2-for-1 Theatreworks season ticket. The next event is on Monday, 21 July at 6pm. The remaining dates for 2008 are also available, and bookings can be made via their website.

HighFive!

So much goodness to bring you this week! You guys better have your shoelaces done up. With the amount of big projects happening,  you’ll be geared to get up and run straight out the door. But first, HighFive!

5. TOPSHOP’S DARKSIDE COLLECTION

Shuttup. As long as I’m a girl living in Australia and as long as Australian chain stores keep producing shit clothing, I will forever always be in love with Topshop. I was a bit scared by their Summer predictions (rah rah skirts? REALLY WHAT ARE YOU THINKING) but my faith has been restored with their Darkside range. FFS, there’s even a coat with tails. WITH TAILS! Dream come true!!

4. MY LOVE FOR YOU IS LIKE A STAMPEDE OF HORSES

This is officially my new favourite blog. It’s all lolita rosewater kisses and fresh chrysanthemums and lace lined windows. Great artists, great writing, great design. What else could a blogger want?

3. MATT LEE MYSTERY PHOTO

A good friend and I found this random Christmas photo in an op shop in Newtown just after Australia’s So You Think You Can Dance had finished. And how much does the kid in it look like manchild judge Matt Lee??? Even the little photo on the wall in the background looks like him. Anyway, I lost it then found it again, and with it’s 2nd discovery came waves of giggles. Oh Matt Lee.

C’mon, how much do they look like the same person! They’re both grabbing girls as well! PROOOF!

2. LITTLE RED’S COCA COLA

So Little Red look to be the band of the moment. Hearing their interview on JJJ the other day reminded me of that episode of Real Life Stories, with the delinquent choir boys. Anyway, I don’t mind them but I am FANATICAL about their Coca Cola song at the moment. It’s on repeat on my itunes all the time. Did I tell you I’m a secret 50s barbershop junkie? Yeaaaaah. Go listen to it now on their myspace. 

1. SUPERBOMBA

Okay, so last week’s Star Wars Flickr was pretty impressive. But I think I have found the best Flickr stream of all time. Introducing… SUPERBOMBA! She  posts bizarrely beautiful vintage photos, but half of the hilarity comes from her captions and viewer comments. I probably spent about 3 hours yesterday clutching my sides at her stream.

Arte Laguna international art prize

Painters, sculptors, and photographers are invited to enter the International Arte Laguna contest. Artists can enter up to 2 entries in each section, and winners of each section will recieve a 4,500,000 euro prize. Finalists will also be exhibited in Venice, Treviso and Mogliano Veneto.

There is an entry fee, and works must be posted by 28th August, 2008. Application forms and terms and conditions can be read on the website.

Keith + Lottie gallery call out

Keith + Lottie is a little gallery/shop space found on the West Coast of Australia. In the past they’ve exhibited a bunch of cool artists including YOK, Beci Orpin, Pat Doherty and Deathbot.

They’re currently accepting applications for art shows, product launches, fundraisers and other fun events for the remainder of the year. Deadline for applications is 30 June, 2008. To find out more, download the gallery application pack. 

How to run a professional blog

Let’s face it – if you’re a designer, crafter or an artist with a blog you’re inevitably going to be wanting to pimp your skills. However, when you start going from personal blog to a professional folio blog, you need to carefully look at the way you present yourself and the way you interact with your readers and the rest of the world wide web.

Luckily, there’s a number of talented bloggers out there who have some tips to help you. As I come along more articles, I’ll add them to this post so it becomes EXTRA-helpful.

Nubby Twiglet has a number of posts on Business & Marketing, coming from her experience as a freelance designer.

• The benefits of folio blogs vs websites
• 13 steps to a successful blog-based business
• Choosing a business name
• The art of networking

Pip from Meet Me at Mikes has recently done a run of entries on how to maintain a craft blog, but they can be applied to pretty much any blog possible.

• How to start a craft blog
• How to market a craft blog
• How to make your blog look cuter
• How to have nice blog manners

Every Tuesday, Leni & Rose does a post on blogging tips & tricks. They also include step-by-step guides on how to customise your Blogger account, if that’s your processor of choice.

Other articles:

• Passive marketing for freelancers
• Build a killer online portfolio in 9 easy steps

 

Arts, schmarts

Artschmart is a gallery situated above the Revolver nighclub in Prahran, Melbourne. They hold a mix of exhibitions, launch parties and opening nights. But the best part? It’s free to rent and takes no commissions from sales.

They are currently accepting proposals for group shows, launches and exhibitions. To find out more, email the crew at sarah@revolverupstairs.com.au

Design is Kinky employment orgy

The good folks over at Design is Kinky have set up a new freelance employment network for visual artists to pimp their talents. Design is Kinky Connect allows approved artists to upload a folio of work, with their work details and hourly rates. Agencies and other companies can then search Design is Kinky Connect for illustrators, graphic designers, photographers, animators, and people who work in motion graphics and with Flash.

It’s absolutely free to submit your work, so you’ve got no excuse not to try.

Cultcha Shock!

…is the title of the new ABC1 series by Marcus Westbury, of Not Quite Art fame (okay, he’s spelt it “Culture” but I think he should consider slanging it up a bit to make it cooler with the kids). Filming and production hasn’t started yet, and Mr Westbury is still on the lookout for artists and the like who can contribute.

I started reading Culture Shock’s proposal, but had a minor brain explosion, so instead I’ll just post excerpts of it here. Please don’t ask me to decipher, I need a sit down instead.

“Picking up from the themes explored in Not Quite Art, Culture Shock takes the audience on an insightful and amusing journey through an increasingly fragmented cultural landscape – where the Internet and communications have given all of us a set of cultural choices and influences unimaginable even a decade ago.

Culture Shock finds an eclectic and amusing mix of artists, writers and musicians whose work has found their audiences through networks well outside the traditional Australian structures of cultural authority.

Over three episodes, Marcus Westbury takes us to meet Australian artists and creators exhibiting and performing internationally while remaining largely unknown in their own communities.

Culture Shock looks at the spectrum of specialist cultures and niche audiences unleashed globally by communications technology. With rapid change in art and cultural influences occurring all the time, this series is not about art that is dependent on technology but on the new cultural landscape that has grown up because of it.”

Ooookay, so if you know someone who is doing something along those lines, drop Marcus a line at his blog. You should also read the rest of his posts. They are very good.