Comments on: Griffith REVIEW essay: Fluid Cities Create

By: matt

matt — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:03:28 +0000

I agree it's the niches, the thrill of creativity reacting against public interventions that need support. But how - given it's so fluid - and how - given it's so reactionary?

Global cities increasingly aspire to cultural prestige for its intangible aura and because they believe it will drive economic growth.

Cities invest in this stuff for a bunch of reasons - cultural capital, potential economic return, etc. The big things need that support and they're easier to support - being institutional like the government - maybe what's needed is a new kind of model. Maybe like one of these?

By: Ben Griffin

Ben Griffin — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:33:46 +0000

I think it’s a great essay, and the RN interview was particularly effective too.

The physical metaphor of fluidity gives it a clarity and motive force, and is perfect for your argument in favour of Spaces, literally and figuratively. I think the essay pushes the line you picked up in Not Quite Art, and expresses your exasperation that all our arts funding goes to compliance and administration of old work, instead of anything new.

It makes for a great follow up to the TV show. Maybe an immediate link to the that would be good here? … ( http://www.abc.net.au/tv/notquiteart/ )

I remember the upset that the Artists made at 2020, and that phrase “where are the artists??” that came echoing out, and couldn’t help but wonder if you’d coined it.

You see, I’m very interested in hearing how did the concrete policy suggestions that you make float at the 2020 summit? Or even at Newcastle local council? I can only find the ‘initial report’ online… which doesn’t say much to what you argue for here … anything to add? (or is this essay itself exactly the 2020 additions that i’m asking for?)

By: kath

kath — Sat, 10 May 2008 11:37:00 +0000

I liked and agree with your paper Marcus. for me the culture is in the smaller spaces – I’ve seen quite a few whilst on different travels and they’re definitely the more interesting places for me. perhaps not the general public, but I think when there’s a few in the same region then it builds a cultural precinct & then the general public mix in too. maybe unused buildings should be given/allocated/subsidized to arts collective clubs like they have been for bowls clubs and community clubs and associations over the years. thanks for mentioning Brisbane too!