Monday, January 12, 2009

ACTION MAIL 13 JANUARY 2009



NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR COLLECTIVE... WELCOME AND INVITE!

The more the merrier and the more bizarre and informative minds we get to mingle with...

Our community collective has had members join from lots of diverse places recently and the new year has brought new thoughts and perspectives for the education and awareness of any who happen by the spaces the Art Action Union Inhabits. We now are up to 97 members, can we kick in past ONE HUNDRED with a sprint? INVITE INVITE INVITE people... go nuts...

Our facebook group has swelled to 168 members... feel free to intercept and network through us there also.

On RedBubble.com the Art Action Union Creative Activism Group is at 470 likeminded folks who make and post provoking pieces of art and writing pretty much constantly... a activist art feast... We also are affiliated with other groups and have a moderating presence on the panel for Current Issues and Anti-Consumerism...

Follow the movements of the Art Action Union on Twitter by clicking FOLLOW KAOSKYANE

And I have just joined MySpace where I will also be gathering souls for promoting our wears... spread the word, use all your resources and become our army of advertisements... add our badges or logos or banners...

This year too, i will be revisiting our artactionunion.org portal to hopefully get it up... as time, life and resources allow :-)


CALL FOR COLLABORATIONS - THE TAR SANDS AND THE LEPUFOLOGY PROJECT



The Art Action Union are very glad to be associated with this great effort from a group of activists in Quebec Canada. Do you know what Tar Sands are? Do you know why they are important and why if they are 'used' for dirty energy it will be a bad thing? Well... find out, educate and make art to spread awareness. What goes around comes around contribute and your heart will find further repose... or at best, good karma will come to you.

From one of the organisers, Christopher Stewart:

The Lepufology Project is a not-for-profit collaborative art project which aims mainly to raise public awareness of the issues and impacts of the non-consensual development of oil sands in Alberta, of the various organizations taking action against it, and of alternative energy sources.

The Alberta tar sands development project has been described as “the largest industrial project in human history and likely also the most destructive.” It raises numerous social, environmental, and economic issues such as declining human health in many communities, the second fastest rate of deforestation on the planet behind the Amazon Rainforest Basin, fragmentation and devastation of bird and wildlife habitat, species loss, atmospheric pollution, acid rain, greenhouse gases, climate change, water pollution, degradation of water quality, contamination and sickening of wildlife and residents, lack of proper consultation and accommodation of First Nations interests, and loss of fishing grounds and traditional hunting and trapping territory.

Because of its sheer scale, the development of tar sands in Alberta impacts all of us, no matter where we are located on the planet.

Artists and artistically inclined people are invited to participate by creating digital art inspired by the cause or by the accompanying sci-fi short story and soundtrack. Then they are asked to submit their artwork to the project, spread it around, and link back to the project's website. Already existing pieces of art are also accepted, and so is art which is related to the cause even if not directly inspired by the story. All forms of art are accepted, as long as they are submitted in digital format easily shareable on the world wide web.

Take action right now ! Participate and help stop the tar sands !


WOMEN'S STUFF ON THE RADIO ...



4zZz fm Community Radio in Brisbane is one of Queensland (and Australia's) pioneering grassroot mainstays, not only delivering cutting edge music entertainment and events but offer a bunch of Radical Radio shows... including MegaherzZz. Join us on Facebook!

Unfortunately there is no podcast but ideas for awareness are encouraged and welcome from all parts of the globe. Contact me directly or post to the group if you are not Facebook shy.

SHE IS AMAZING ... AND SO IS THE ARTIST WHO CAPTURED HER STRENGTH ...

Art Action Union member Angelique Price has been copping some great press lately for her beautiful portraits, most recently from Juxtopoz Magazine... and with damn good reason... she is one of the most awesome portrait poster print-makers with a pantone! or sharpie... ever!

What is extra awesome however, enhancing the beauty that emanates from her work, is that she has a gift in bringing out the most vulnerable aspects of political and social leaders through bright, almost psychedelic, hand-drawn and coloured posterisations.

Angelique's portrait of Barack Obama shows not just his strength of character, but she has chosen a pose for him that is less than confident in feel but more the confident looking for counsel. Seemingly a leader who is looking to the people for advice.

But it is her portrayal of strong and courageous women that I love the most ...

Particularly Angelique's tribute to Benazir Bhutto, this artwork brought the knowledge of this woman's strength and untimely demise at the hands of the corrupt and intolerant.



ART BLOG FOR PEACE REDBUBBLE CHALLENGE RESULTS

Congratulations to rubyred for gaining the voting advantage for the Peace knot tshirt - buy it now by clicking the image below.



To view (and/or purchase) some of the other inspiring entries of tshirts and wall art, follow the blue link line.....

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Action Mail 29.12.08 Between Christmas and New Year… what to do?

Action Mail 29.12.08
Between Christmas and New Year... what to do?

Hey y'all...

I realise that many are most likely at the summer festivals or dodging the blustery northern chills... most likely trying to forget that which makes us vigilant.

Never the less...

Here's some stuff to read and do and listen to...

ACTIVE MUSICIANS
Click on the Music player on the homepage of our community site to listen to some fine compositions from passionate artists from the world over.

Profiles of note are:
Christopher Stewart - Poligraf >>> Prog Rocking In Quebec City
justjason and morphed productions

Clinton Tyree has added some cool audio too here

or... for something totally weird...
listen to this composition (track 16) by spidergoatal... then follow the weirdness and learn about her interest in the moral dilemma of genetically engineering animals.

RADIO

For those who ignored me last time, I have become involved in community radio... so if you have any ideas that you think should be discussed, the show centres on women's stuff... read more
send any ideas to me or better yet, put them in the AAU forums for all to see...

FEEDBACK...

What can we do to inspire you in 2009
How can we make the redbubble AAU crowd more integral to our world

In short, how can we get you to actually do more in this group... I watch and hype but generally voting on challenges tends to be low, IF that is an indication, and participation in forums is negligible...

the GOOD news is that we do see LOTS of F@#%&G (ahem, sometimes the word is good for emphasis) AWESOME ART THAT IS EXTREME AND PASSIONATE...

We all gotta cleanse somehow, art is good for that...

ACTIONS OF THE DAY...

Brisbanites Unite

The Regent Theatre is under threat...

This facebook group has all the info and links...

To those who don't know, we haven't got much heritage left here...

It's all grey and glass and stainless...

and sterile...

artistically dull if you live in the past like me...

Spread the word and write to the Premier (one Ms. Anna Blight) here...
Premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au

If you aren't on Facebook and don't desire to do so, the official action site is here

Blog For Peace - December 31

More details can be found in Helen's Journal here

You can watch here video about it on AAU Community here

READ MORE IN OUR BLOG FOR PEACE CHALLENGE HERE

SPECIAL THANKS TO HELEN TOO FOR OFTEN HOLDING THE FORT... CAN'T YOU SEE HER WITH HER TIN HAT AND BAZOOKA!

AGAIN... I THINK YOU ROCK HELEN!!!
(btw can you add your attention seeking animated Christmas boobies to the AAU forums somewhere... they are so flashy!)

Monday, October 20, 2008

WORLD TOILET DAY ART CHALLENGE

This interesting challenge just came through my Queensland Environmental Activist Network Group List... All dues go to the author:

The World Toilet Day web site went live this week.
Check out www.insanitation.org

In 2001 the World Toilet Organisation in Singapore declared its founding day – 19th November as "World Toilet Day".

This is now being celebrated by members all over the world. We celebrate the humble, yet vitally important toilet and raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis.

It is not about white porcelain shiny things. The majority of toilets are just a hole in the ground. It is about making the connections between malnutrition and dysentery.

A toilet in a school provides the dignity and privacy for young women to continue their education beyond puberty.

2.6 billion people in the world do not have access to a sustainable, designated place to poo.

A key objective of World Toilet Day is to provoke discussion of toilets and sanitation in everyday conversations.

Event in Brisbane organised by Rowan Barber

TO CELEBRATE SUCH PRECIOUS AWARENESS...

THE ART ACTION UNION...

PRESENTS...

THE WORLD TOILET DAY CHALLENGE

The theme is simple...

A toilet capture of the most political of kind...

Artwork centred around the toilet (aka. loo, crapper, shit-house, poo room, WC, out-house, john, bathroom etc.) as a celebration of the ability to manage our personal waste is a systematic way... a personal thanks to Mr. Thomas Crapper (sp.?)

Give thought in your description to the masses of people who have been denied access to such fundamental sanitary needs...

Be funny, be serious, be gross, be active and aware...

You may also add your entries to our RedBubble Challenge if you are a member of the Art Action Union at RedBubble... or to the Facebook Group... or add it to your profile and our gallery on the Art Action Union Community site

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

ACTION MAIL - 8 OCTOBER 2008

HI Active Artists...

The Challenged...

Well, there was a little controversy surrounding our first ever redbubble group challenge... we had issues with the launch first up... thanks for your patience in that one... then we had some tough lessons learned... none too major but had to rethink things a little...

Nevertheless... we are not scared to keep it going...

Participation is not exactly in the high echelon of the spectrum... so we would love to see more entries but also, more importantly more VOTING...

I will endeavour to be more proactive in hypin' them up... but it's important for this group to show their concerns are acted ... of course... I don't wish to force people to participate... but rather inspire you to!

We currently have the following challenge live...

OXFAM CANVAS FOR CHANGE REDBUBBLE CHALLENGE
Taking entries still for quite a few days and frankly... there aren't many there - so come on guys... you most likely have something you can enter already - if not, human rights and the environment are very linked... this challenge is only a redbubble challenge, but if you ARE inspired, send your canvas to OXFAM by following the links on the challenge page...

Coming VERY soon to a REDBUBBLE challenge feed near you...

ANIMAL RIGHTS
This challenge opens in the next 24 hours...
Cover image: I helped Test & Approve by crockpot

Some of the educational and fascinating topics from the ART ACTION UNION community site...

"Women in Islam - female genital mutilation - by warchild bender"

"THE ART OF 2012 AND BEYOND NEOLOGY - by Raithy"

"something about tibet - by sunrise"

"activism in extreme music - by Michael Grefski"

"Who Are We Voting For? - by justjason"

"30 years of leading by example - by Ashworth"

"Research: 1kg beef = CO2 emitted by the average car over a distance of 250 kilometres - by Live Vegan"

"The Importance of Developing a Multi- Cultured Society using the meduim of the Arts! - by Ross Naidoo"

"Big Brother is Watching You - by Ashworth"

*Featured Blog is "The story and reasons behind creating the SpIderGoAtaL costume.. by SpIderGoAtaL"

Featured Image is "Victims" by Warchild Bender

Join our Facebook Group if you are there and help spread the word...*

Aspire to inspire!

Kath

Monday, September 22, 2008

ACTION MAIL 23 SEPTEMBER 2008

ACTION MAIL 23 SEPTEMBER 2008

Congratulations to cometman for winning the art action union freedom to create challenge on the redbubble site.

You can view all the entries here

Our New "Challenge!!!

Although the Oxfam Challenge is for painters only, we invite you to use your individual skills and talents in whichever medium you love to explore the same theme.

We want you to not only enter our Challenge here on RedBubble but enter it for
OXFAM... the details are below... when you make it... submit it here, there and everywhere...

Oxfam “Canvas for Change” (courtesay of VenusΨ on Heroine)

Oxfam is currently taking entries for the Canvas for Change exhibition. We encourage you to submit an artwork and to tell others about this project. There are various entry categories with the possibility for your artwork to be shown at the UN Climate Summit in Poland later this year, to be shown in other local exhibitions in Australia, or to be reproduced as a poster, postcard or other campaigning materials to help others See the bigger picture.

There are a couple of entry criteria, the key one being that artworks need to show the climate change impacts being felt by vulnerable communities in developing countries, or alternatively show how these communities are taking action to adapt to these impacts.

find out more

Australian Student Environmental Network and YOUR ART!!! (courtesay of Erland Howland)

The Australian Student Environment Network are a group of students and their sympathisers who are dedicated to providing education for the facilitation of activist workshops, meetings and action groups. They provide tools and lists of information to help people become skilled in activism and lobbying.

AAU member Erland, posted this last week... evidently, he is a sympathiser such as I (i.e. not actually a student).

The Australian Student Environment Network a great crew of environmental advocates from universities and schools across Australia are holding an art auction fundraiser on October 17 and they are looking for donations.

If you can provide an artwork, please contact me by BubbleMail or via my contact form here.

ASEN do a whole bunch of great work, from putting on the Students of Sustainability Conference each year (which is actually the largest annual environmental conference in Australia!), training high school kids and university students in climate change, facilitation and activism, and working with local indigenous people on campaigns like Uranium mining in the NT and the poisonous gold mining at Lake Cowal.

Next Facebook Art For Awareness Application Submissions

I am planning another adventure in the world of facebook virtual gifting for awareness, I assure you it's all for the messages...

This one will be themed for the ENVIRONMENT... so I will only be accepting images based on this theme. Submissions can be as simple or as complex as you like but must address the theme...

Please send ALL submissions to contact@artactionunion.org...

Our current Art For Awareness application stats to date are...

Monthly Active Users
242
About Page Fans
31
Total Users
443
Sent
5246

I wrote up some stats in the last mail if you are interested in comparing here.

Trees Are Homes has been sent 713 times which was great exposure and seeing some of the comments on the site has been invaluably amusing!

This is one way to send the ideas out further... trying to find others...

Video that's easy - for awareness if you like

One thing that I did find that has been fun is the powers of Animoto.com ... you can make a FREE 30 sec movie with no more than a few stills and a YouTube account...

I made one and added it to my YouTube Channel and the art action union community site and it was great fun... i uploaded a couple of photos, added a title and chose a piece of free music from their libray... the site then proceeded to mash it all together through some filters and the result was ACTIVE ART.



Enthused so much by it, I am now looking at making vids on and of my own... inspiring!

Aspire to Inspire!...

Kath

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Our Network is Growing

Hello creative pro-activists!

Another update!

Our Network Is Growing Bigger!!!

You are all contributing to global positivity and awareness in so many beautiful and creative ways... so, in order to serve you better, myself and some other key investors are working very hard to provide you with a higher pedestal and a bigger soapbox. So keep making great art, tshirts and whatever it takes to move us to a conscientious world.

Some stats, 'cause they are always a really good visual pleaser!

The Art Action Union Network...

Redbubble Art Action Group the group that just constantly make stuff
377 members

Facebook Art Action Awareness Group the group that brings new recruits and promotes our activities
91 members

Facebook Art For Awareness Gift Application a little program where you can send artistic gifts from artists who receive exposure along with the messages
363 total users (current people with the application installed on their pages)
4800 sent items
198 monthly active users
15 about page fans (including 2 reviews)

Art Action Union Community where we have convergence
59 members
441 images
25 videos
20 audios
(songs and spoken word)
25 active forums
12 groups


... and counting!

We are also spreading our wings wherever it be relevant with memberships to activist groups, art groups etc. I list forums in the weirdest of places... hee he...

This is always expanding...

In the beautiful future, we will have everything of our own... the site is being expanded in concept and soon we hope to have a hugely integrated dedicated and independent site... ideas that we float around are community functions, a gallery for images/sound/video, forums, and a wiki contribution for articles and education.

A massive artistic web collaboration for action... lovin' it!

Other stuff...

EVENTS...

AAU Beach Clean in Sopporo, Japan

Over the weekend just past, the Art Action Union was involved in it's first environmental event to date... a beach cleanup in Sopporo Japan, organised by my friend and intellectual investor Barry (you can see his amazing photography at www.artactionunioncommunity.ning.com)...

As soon as I hear what went on and see some photos, I'll let you know of it's success...

Exhibition Opportunities of the Future

I hope to add to the plethora of services that the AAU offer their artists and supporters in the future by forging links with other organisations and the business sector... one such hope was floated on Friday when I met with a group who wanted to discuss with me the prospect of the Art Action Union assisting them with sourcing artists from the Asia Pacific region for exhibitions and artist talks at key business convergence events to aid in the understanding of the arts culture and business integration of this region... if you have heritage of the Asia Pacific (or are heavily influenced by it in your art) and may be interested, I have no time frame, but would love to add you to my database (contact@artactionunion.org)... talent scout I am now!!!

E-Newsletter

This will hopefully go out through the email this week or so, but there is still time to add yourself to our mailing list... send me a request to subscribe at contact@artactionunion.org

happy days...

Kathleen

ART ACTION UNION
contact@artactionunion.org
artactionunioncommunity.ning.com
kathleen.redbubble.com


Monday, July 7, 2008

ACTION MAIL - 8.7.2008










+Unionists...

News and bits and pieces for your glorious knowledge...


Peace Sign Competition...

sugarpop is the managing editor of arabad magazine, Beirut – Lebanon... They are kicking out to the audience a celebratory competition offering cash prizes... the theme "Peace poster design contest at the occasion of the 50 years of the peace sign".

More information below...

flickr: www.flickr.com/groups/arabadpeace

blog:
http://arabadvertising.blogspot.com

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14760881596


Interesting Interviews of Interesting Interest


Just posted my latest interview with aid-worker/photographer Jacob Simkin...

1001 - Jacob Simkin Is In Afghanistan Interview

You may also enjoy...
Chris Barker Interview

Facebook Stuff...

Art For Awareness Gift Application Update...

Since the release of the little Art For Awareness Facebook Gift Program the stats are (at last count):

Sent: 2073 times...

Total Users: 160...


I think this is a great effort for just over a week of circulation... and there has been more awareness of our groups, our action, our artists and our art brought forward, this group has swelled greatly with membership in recent weeks... You can still contribute art as a gift image if you wish, send a URL of your activist piece to me in a bubblemail...

Facebook Application _Art for Awareness_ Fan page

Group posts...

Been putting links up for anything relevant that casually comes my way about activism in the news and the arts, please feel free to contribute but I must stress relevance... thank you...

Facebook Art Action Union Group

The Gift of Art


A collective of photographer's that are promoting their effort through RedBubble and everywhere else possible to raise money for charity... Read it all here and see the artists involved and their charitable contributions...

Promotional Materials & Street Teams...

A few people have decided to add our banner...










{For information on how to insert images into your Redbubble profile click here}

... in their profile pages...

when there is more time to focus on pretty graphics, I will be making a whole heap of graphics, gifs and things for us to spread around the net like a virus.... in the meantime though, please feel 100% free to take this graphic and promote it wherever the hell you can...


The idea of having Art Action Union Street Teams is one I have been floating around for ages now... it basically involves recruiting dedicated active members to take these promotional tools and materials, all the web URL's, emails and newsletters and whatever other promotion you need or want, and start actively going to other sites to spread the word, sending it to friends and handing out pamphlets in the street... maybe we can even make merch and fundraise for something significant one day... ahhh a dream... but one worth sending you all anyway... If you are interested in petitioning for the Union as an active outlet and network for creative activism... please add your name to this list in the forums.


Orphans in North America

North American Artists need to take ACTION NOW to protect their property...

Read more from these contributions...


ORPHAN WORKS ACT?!!!!!?!? - justjason

April's Blog Announcement

Our Independent Protest Portal

And the exciting news is that, we are hopefully nearly at the end of the website project... just gotta get the stuff sorted better and then Faizan needs to do it... but he is doing it for free so please CONSIDER PURCHASING SOMETHING OF HIS WORK that would be lovely for him... but not till he finishes the site haa ha ha...


Find a glimpse of how it will look:
Art Action Union Website Sneak Peak


Lastly... some topics of interest for discussion in the forums

I wish there was oil in Zimbabwe

Gangs

mohawk indians - land takeover?

Carbon Trading

All campaigns are always current (unfortunately)...
Aspire To Inspire!!!
kath