Activism. Blog, tweet or actually do something?
on Sep 30 in Bristol, Culture tagged by Peter Blackman
Malcolm Gladwell writes in The New Yorker that social networks such as Twitter and Facebook are “enormously resilient and adaptable in low-risk situations,” but are almost useless as a catalyst for genuine change. Here’s an excerpt (thanks to ‘The Week’ for, as ever, the best precis):
“Twitter is a way of following (or being followed by) people you may never have met. Facebook is a tool for efficiently managing your acquaintances, for keeping up with the people you would not otherwise be able to stay in touch with. That’s why you can have a thousand “friends” on Facebook, as you never could in real life…
But how [does one enlist such large numbers of people]? By not asking too much of them.
What I did
on Sep 30 in Bristol, Culture, News tagged by Peter BlackmanOccasional Free Thinker contributor Chris Wakling has a new book out in 2011. It’s called ‘What I did’ Click on the image to be taken to the ‘What I did’ blog to read exclusive preview excerpts.
'What I did' by Chris Wakling
Of Sustrans, pubs and postcards
on Sep 17 in Random tagged by Peter BlackmanOn Saturday, along with some friends, I did the Sustrans Cheddar Adventure. 58 miles of multi-terrain mountain biking. It was great. The pictures took a week to be developed. Yes - that’s right. Developed. As I fall off a lot in the course of an offroad cycle, I was forbidden to take the digital camera. I wanted to take some decent shots of the day, so I thought, ‘Aha, I will load in a film and take my old SLR’. Which is what I did - and shot a reel of film. However, thanks to work and what not, it took a week to get them to the developers.
You can view all the pictures - and read more about the ride over on the Double Art blog .
Better blogs than this one have already covered the subject of our immediate, demanding, ‘real time’ culture. Where we offer a photographic record or comment on social media contemporaneously with our actual enjoyment of an event. Taking photos on an old SLR doesn’t allow you to do this.
I was musing on this, telling fellow team members that they would have to wait for the photos, in the pub after the ride. Not impressed by my real time social media commentary, I was told to go to the bar.
Brisfest. Ashton Court in the city.
on Sep 13 in Bristol, Culture, News, Projects tagged by Peter BlackmanBrisfest. It’s Ashton Court. But on the Harbourside.
Apologies if that leaves you a little bit confused. Allow me to explain.
Over the last year, I’ve been helping the Bristol Festival Community Group to revitalise and give clarity and focus to the branding, design and marketing of Brisfest - a three day urban spectacular that brings the excitement of a summer festival to the heart of the city.
The Bristol Festival Community Group formed in October 2007 by a group of people determined to ensure the survival of a community festival for the city of Bristol, after the sad demise of the legendary Ashton Court Festival which had been running for over thirty years.
Ah, Ashton Court. *Nostalgic sighs for past youth*. Ashton Court and I have history. Back in the day - or 1989 as it was known then, I worked backstage at Ashton Court. I painted stages in the sunshine, drank cider and rode around the festival site in a beaten up Land Rover Defender. Memories are a bit hazy, but I think Gaye Bykers on Acid headlined.
So when the Bristol Community Festival Group asked if Double Art would help them out with some free strategic advice, copywriting and design - how could we say no? Not just for old times sake of course, but because we agree with the Group when they say: “We all feel it’s vital that the city retain a not for profit event, offering high profile exposure to local talent as well as an accessible, affordable festival for all that is an asset to the city.”
Brisfest is on 24th, 25th, and 26th of September. Details at brisfest.co.uk
I’ll be there, twenty years on from Gaye Bykers, taking advantage of the ‘The Early Years Catering Kids Area’. Rock. And Roll.
Run You Big Demented Baby Run!
on Sep 01 in Bristol, Frivolity, Random tagged by Peter BlackmanMy friend Tom Rendall, who runs PT Troop, wanted people to ’star’ in a video showing the type of personal training sessions he runs. I agreed - without knowing that I’d be attached to some huge reins and made to run like a demented toddler. Still, at least I got to thump him a few times.