..to the Fringe and other Border Farces

Shane on the Fringe

G’day Possums,

“The Fringe” 2015

This year there are 81 venues showing some 120 photographers works in this “Fringe” section of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

Whilst intending to see most of the shows on offer that may not be possible but I hope I’ll be able to provide a flavour of this years Biennale Fringe.

Julian Burnside AO, QC opening BIFB '15

A well attended first night of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale was opened by Julian Burnside AO QC who spoke elouently of the importance of the arts in a civilized society.
A refreshing aesthetic attitude in this Age of the Aspirational Bogan of “Bookshelves” Brandis.

So, on the first stroll through the Fringe we noted ….

Oli, Ahmad, John and Morganna- Unicorn Hotel

Some nice work in this venue, particularly the Still-Lives pictured.

Nice stuff too here from the Karden Disability Support Foundation in its “Snap-Flash” exhibition.

Arthur Creative Photo- Little Bird Café

Moorfoot in Police Lane

The BIFB director beneath some very under whelming work flapping in the breeze.

Leigh Lambert, Silver Light- Sebasstians

Melbourne Silver Mine Inc is always worth a look and I very much like the minimalism of Leigh lambert’s work.

Sandhya Porritt- The Ansonia

James Niven- The Ansonia

Spare and well seen.

Jan Wissfeld - Europa Café

Cool minimalism becoming painterly, and I suspect geared to the “tone” of the venue…successfully worked.

Eric Algra - Gallery on Sturt

Humanist observations of time working at the fabric of structure… fascinating

Tony Kearney Adelaide Photo Artists - The Lost Ones Gallery

Sandra Elms Adelaide Photo Artists - The Lost Ones Gallery

Always quality from the South Australians…downstairs…

Michelle Williams, Backspace Gallery

Lastly, work from these two, which I think more than rivals the quality of the “Core” program exhibits with some utterly brilliant printing quality and sensitivity to subject, medium and technique. Certainly the best of the first days veiwing.

Silvi Glattaeur, Backspace Gallery

Silvi Glattaeur, Backspace Gallery

A brave, dedicated recorder of work in a harsh climate and an ebullient guest in the "Core" program appropriately housed in Trades Hall.

Pang Xiangliang Trades Hall.

One interesting event to note is the Fringe Artist talks to the public… not quite what or why I made a very similar suggestion to the committee some four years ago but something in the right direction, none-the-less.

The criticisms again levelled at the program booklet design are depressingly similar to those made in the past; and to paraphrase Mr Burnside’s opening remarks……..it is a Winterhalter, not  a Monet!

1/ Having to “learn” how to navigate it.

2/ Odd hierarchy of fonts and sizes making reading difficult.

3/ Illogical venue numbering placements on map

4/ Constant back and forth referencing to find full info.

5/ Unhelpful to visitors when some venues do not even appear or are indicated on the map.

Wombat Droppings

Or Australia’s inexorable slide into Fascism

They must be good!  Greg “Sycophant” Sheridan from the Ugly American's rag said that both Bernie Sanders  and Jeremy Corbyn were "fruit cakes!"

But as they are both more popular with the young than other representatives from mainstream parties the prissy mincing criticism of them by “Sycophant” suggests the tide may be turning.

When a group like the CPA’s of the country, a mob not noted for their leftist leanings, accuse Anti-Treasurer, Joe “Eleventy” Hockey of “Rhetoric …and not providing solutions… only pre-election fiscal give-aways.” You sort of have proof that this ruling rabble is on the nose with more than just Bolshie Wombats. The same spokesman also added for emphasis, "...that  .It would be funny (not having any policy ideas ) only if it wasn't so tragic.”

It seems that with forecasting tax cuts in the time honoured Liarbril manner of bribing the electorate we can safely assume that the “Budget Emergency “ is over….

Dessicated Cadaver, Dyson Heydon is earning around $12,400.00 per day deciding whether or not he is biased.  It has, so far, taken him two weeks to not come to a decision on this matter which might suggest that there are some in the legal fraternity who value their integrity and good name enough not to be sullied by association with Rabid-the-Hun’s political witch-hunt.

One way to stop the RC is for the targeted "accused" not to turn up, claiming bias!

Rabid-the-Hun has used these RC's like the Popes used the threat and or the implementation of interdict. 

They have become so abused as to have has lost all meaning.

I think that Rabid-the-Hun in his vindictive and bullying soul has admitted unwittingly that he wants to destroy the Labor Party but with the admission  he has cruelled his own pitch of his vicious and unreflectively anal  political pugilism.

Then in Melbourne we had the Border Farce Follies.  A show so ineptly managed in showing off their $10,000,000.00 worth of black uniforms that the fascist thugs called it off because they were made to look foolish on “twitter.”

Right-Wing pundits like Brendan “Tosser” O’Neil instead railed against the social media rather  than discussing the real threat to democracy implied by this sort of police action. 

It is a re-run of Germany 1936

Will Rabid-the-Hun or Dodo Dutton have heads roll over the Border Farce Follies or will they just send in faithful Handy Andy to slash a few wrists?

These mongrels are so bereft of productive ideas that Keating's "Banana Republic" is being realised before our eyes.

I found another reason to dislike Peter Fitzsimon's work!  His press club address was all about the fascists setting themselves up as "real" Republican's....The republic debate is F####D before it even starts with “Eleventy” at the helm. These Xtian hypocrites are incompetent and foul everything they touch!

Hoo-roo Petals,

Shane