Comments on: Artsfest themes announced

By: Kate Spragg

Kate Spragg — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:13:47 +0000

I don’t know how far into the planning stages Artsfest are into, but hopefully the organisers shall take on board these more Brummie celebrations into the mix. I think it is another case of a innocent brainstorming session making it’s way onto their website before enough research has been done and final decisions made.

I really like the overall theme but as a festival that attempts to combine so many different cultures, practices, partners and venues surely it shouldn’t try incorporating all of these seemingly tenuous links. One consistent theme or rule to the events might give the clarity it has been lacking in previous years.

By: Anoneemouse

Anoneemouse — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:58:27 +0000

I agree with most of the points about the seemingly random anniversaries that seem to be being shoe-horned into becoming themes for Artsfest. And will any of it have a noticeable effect on the work which is programmed? Fundamentally, I think there’s one thing wrong with Artsfest and that’s the obsession with making it ‘the biggest free arts festival in the UK’. It’s quantity over quality and I for one would much rather have ‘the best arts festival in the UK’ and performers actually paid for their hard work.

By: Henry Green

Henry Green — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:46:56 +0000

I think that this last post and the responses from the mass creative community assembled and evidently whingeing about Artsfest pinpoints some major points.

He’s calling your pint a puff and you’re standing for it!

Or is anyone listening?

By: WystanAuden

WystanAuden — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Hmmm – is this REALLY the creative community of Birmingham? There are only 5 comments after all. I know that there are many readers but come on…(and no disrespet to the eminences herein).

Likewise, some distinction needs to be made between whinging and debate. Constructuve criticism and debate are part of a healthy creative community – they have defined the great historical groups of artists, makers, doers. Do away with this in favour of complaints that it is just whingeing and you become corporate cheerleaders…Is that what you want? Coz’ that’s what’ll happen.

If you want to be taken seriously then you have to talk seriously and candidly rather than guard what you say because it might offend or suggest that the ‘community’ is not united. Plenty of creative activity is confrontational and challenging, just as much of it is smug and conservative.

As pointed out elsewhere in CIB, evidence of this anti-debate is in full effect on Dave Harte’s blog for good and bad.

And another thing…after Shannon… Barbie? And he’s right… no women?

Part and parcel of the depolicitised creative sector approach I guess.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:51:05 +0000

Nice to see the coming together of Birmingham’s creative community once again.

If we’re not whinging about ArtsFest, it’s CiB, or 4iP, or Creative Republic, or the Jazz Festival or something…

Personally I’m starting to get a little sick of it.

Surely if more of us spent our time coming together to do constructive things in our sector, Birmingham and the Midlands would be taken more seriously by the rest of the UK for our art and design output.

By: Jon Bounds

Jon Bounds — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:07:18 +0000

All the themes seem a bit odd, Boulton you could make a Brum-centric case for, but ‘Barbie’? Seesh.

I shouldn’t worry too much about them in any case, since Arsfest doesn’t really do any curatorial selection of acts or any direction how will (or would) any themes be realised in the programme?

By: Roger Shannon

Roger Shannon — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:48:57 +0000

Doesn’t the city have any women to celebrate ? Save for Barbie ?
Come on – are we already back in the 1950’s ?

Roger Shannon

By: we make art

we make art — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:52:30 +0000

Such great themes though:
1_ex slave trader
2_founder of the biggest corporate corruption in sport
3_OK we’ll let that one go
4_Is the motor trade on its knees?
5_What about Factory or another British Label – bandwagon or what – sorry about the pun
6_ I give up. I mean, come on please…

Looking forward to seeing the balloon animal making clown though…

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 07:59:25 +0000

Moor Street Station is 100 this year.

By: Lyle

Lyle — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:49:05 +0000

Lisa – definitely!

2009 also sees the 175th birthday of Town Hall Birmingham…