MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY Bag of pressies under your tree.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Relaxing New Year!

SCHMIK - extended trading hours

SCHMIK will now be open 7 days a week 11am - 4pm.

The store will be closed for the holiday season:
CLOSED 25 December - Christmas Day
CLOSED 31 December - New Year's Eve
CLOSED 1 January - New Year's Day


I will be manning the store on XMAS eve, i hope to see you there!

SCHMIK - hand-crafted art and design store by Brisbane artists

You are invited to the official opening of SCHMIK

A team of 9 artists are sailing into - Portside - Brisbane’s latest social hub this Christmas with the opening of a temporary artist space selling hand-made, one-of-a-kind jewellery, paintings, photography, fashion, digital video, fashion, artist books, purses, and body products.

Opening Saturday 8th December, until Monday 31st January, Schmik will allow savvy Brisbanites the chance to buy something extra special for a friend or family member which has been hand-crafted and designed byBrisbane’s most talented artists.

Schmik will include:
Jewellery and Gift cards by Marisa Molin
Photography by Romy Willing
Paintings by Simon Degroot
Purses by Rebekah Coffey
Body Products by Annie Burns
Fashion by Anna Varendorff
Artist books by Hiromi Tango
Jewellery by Eliza Tee
Digital Video by Janice Kuckowski

Schmik opening party is on Saturday 8th December 6-9pm,
and will entertain with snacks, refreshments, free hugs by Molly and Hiromi and some live music.

Schmik, Shop 2 (ex ’Licious store) The Fresh Food Market,
Ground Floor Portside Wharf
will be open Friday 1pm–8pm
Saturday/Sunday 11am-4pm
or by appointment.

The academy Art & Design magazine 2007

The University of tasmania released a new publication this year. the academy Art & Design Magazine: 2007. This is an exerpt from the publication where I have been included to discuss my first public art commission for the Mater Mother's Hospital.

Singapore Design Festival 2007

I'm off!

From 27th november - 3 December, I will be in Singapore as a Tasmanian Jeweller representative from the Singular and Multiple Exhibition. Jeanette James and I have been successful in receiving the Artbridge Grant from Arts Tasmania to attend. This exhibition, hosted at Curiocity Gallery, has been picked up and is now an official event for the Singapore Design Festival 2007.

Venue : Curiocity Gallery @ NAFA Campus 2
Date : 28 Nov - 08 Dec
Time: 11AM – 6PM, Monday – Sunday
http://app.singaporedesignfestival.com/

Artist Talk

Greetings!!

I'm doing a brief artist talk on Friday, 26 October 2007
@ Artisan (previously known as Craft QLD)
381 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
1030am - 1230pm

For more info CLICK HERE

Hope to see some of you there. Sorry for the late notice.

Quality Brissie Talent

My wonderfully talented friend, Janice Kuczkowski, was involved with the Young Brisbane Artists Exhibition at Metro Arts this month.

Below is an excerpt from the website discussing Janice's work.



EXPERIMENTATION IN LIMITS OF TOLERANCE #5

Sneezing was once thought to involve an individual’s heart stopping and their soul escaping through their mouth and nostrils. Working from this myth, Janice Kuczkowski attempts to capture the soul of her subjects in Experimentation in the Limits of Tolerance #5, a series of digital video portraits.

Against a black backdrop, Kuczkowski’s subjects are split from the upper torso diagonally, horizontally or vertically; the remaining half is then mirrored on the other side of the screen. Each of the five subjects are filmed as they attempt to sneeze. In anticipation of the oncoming sneeze, their bodies convulse and their eyelids pull shut; before they are able to execute a sneeze, however, their movements are replayed at varying speeds and the sequence is ruptured by jump-cuts. Frames cut between moments of the subject’s bodies preparing for the expulsion of breath and the changing of the angle at which the screen is split.

In these physically demanding moments, Kuczkowski presents us with the possibility – perhaps never to be realised – of capturing the true subject. In doing so, Kuczkowski echoes concerns expressed by artists such as Bill Viola – with whom Kuczkowski shares formal similarities – and Francis Bacon. As the sneeze momentarily takes hold of the subject, they lose their self-consciousness before the camera, analogous to the loss of the heartbeat in the myth of the sneeze. No longer self-conscious, the subjects of Kuczkowski’s portraits appear to drop their veneer, letting their unmediated self (soul) escape temporarily. Kuczkowski’s subjects, like Bacon’s, are presented in their fervent and visceral form. What Kuczkowski envisions, however, is the movement which takes place between Bacon’s violent lines. Kuczkowski’s careful editing draws the viewer’s attention to the barely visible movements of the subject’s flesh clinging to their bones in tense anticipation.

Not only a contemplation of the possibility of portraiture, Kuczkowski’s Experimentation in the Limits of Tolerance #5 references its own medium. Moving image feeds the viewer’s anticipation of the next frame, akin to the way in which Kuczkowski’s individual tries to anticipate when their oncoming sneeze will finally arrive. Just as the finial event of sneezing brings relief after the build up, so does the last frame of a film. In Experimentation in the Limits of Tolerance #5, however, the subjects never reach this moment of full release. Moreover, the viewer watching the video’s subjects is also left without reprieve since the images play before them on loop.

WORDS: Ellie Buttrose

Tell Mr Smith...

Hi there,

A request for your help. The organisation Banktrack.org, a web operation tracking global finance, is running an online slide show displaying the pristine waterways and native forests before flashing scenes of mown-down forests. You can access this presentation by going to:

http://www.tellmrsmith.org/

At the conculsion of the presentation is a letter to Mr Smith, the new CEO of the ANZ Bank, Gunns' bank since 1995, has yet to decide whether it will fund the project. The bank has commissioned its own indepentent technical review, as it is a signatory to the Equator Principles on socially responsible lending practices. With the current liquidity crisis (post the sub-prime morgage fiasco and the consequent fallout), the inability to finance this mill may be our last hope of stopping it.

You can influence Mr Smith by sending this letter to him online. You can amend the letter if you wish.

And tell all your friends, please


www.tellmrsmith.org
http://www.tellmrsmith.org/
Share

Oh no!!!

Gunns Ltd is ready to start construction on its proposed pulp mill in a matter of weeks. The Wildnerness society's challenge to the fast-tracked federal government assessment process of Gunns Ltd's proposed pulp mill has been rejected in the Federal Court.


What does this mean? (exert taken from www.wilderness.org.au)
Logging and land clearing release massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and destroy precious carbon banks that have been accumulating over centuries.

If Gunns have their way, they will build this polluting pulp mill, burn our native forests and ancient ecosystems for power generation AND continue export woodchipping.

Some consequences are irreversible, such as the extinction of our struggling wildlife. For example, scientists predict a 97% risk of extinction for the endangered Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle in North East Tasmania.

The pulp mill alone would contribute more than 110 million tonnes of carbon pollution to our atmosphere every 25 years - that's equivalent to all transport on Tasmania's roads for the next 80 years!

If this pulp mill goes ahead, generations to come will be dealing with the opportunity we lost - they will be the ones to face the forest destruction, the impact on climate change, the massive air and water pollution, and be condemned to the task of repairing the damage of a poor decision made today.

If you feel the sense of loss that will occur if this mill goes ahead, please make a donation to help stop Gunns Ltd's outrageous pulp mill, and to protect our forests, wildlife and climate for today and for future generations. I have spent many months living in the Tamar, hence my passion for this cause. My friend's home 'Toad Hall' is based along the river and was one of the most special times i had spent in Tasmania over the past 3 years. To think a smelly, polluting mill may affect the tranquility of that area - well, it simply is a depressing thought!


If you are interested to learn more, please visit www.wilderness.org and help! This is a travesty for locals to the Tamar and Launceston.

Marisa's online shop.

It is finally here - my online shop.

www.marisamolin.etsy.com

I have just finished uploading my greeting cards series. I'll be updating the jewellery soon, i promise! (keep in mind the prices are in $US)

Happy Shopping!

Yellow monday

I have just discovered a wonderfully talented like minded Illustrator from Sydney who works under the name Yellow Monday.

Linda Kruger works in ink, pencil and digital prints. Her blog is definately worth a visit.

What does contemporary jewellery mean anyway?

Benjamin Lignel from Bethel, Metalsmith Magazine, attempts to answer this question...
http://www.klimt02.net/forum/index.php?item_id=7624

an excerpt from the article:
'Contemporary Jewellery is a type of practice - understood as the contemporary offspring of a craft-based design activity that finds its origin in medieval workshops. Such a definition stresses contemporary jewellery’s historical past, and finds antecedents in the British and American Arts & Crafts movements, the renewed late XIXth century interest in manual skills (as a last stand against industrialisation), and the emergence of radical jewellery movements in the 60s: it underlines the notions of individuality, craftsmanship, and its troubled relationship to the production mainstream; or a type of object: poised between high-street jewellery and art (the former’s glorified other, the latter’s poor relative), we know what it’s not (‘just’ manufactured artefacts for wearing), and what it wants to be (the expression of individual talent that reflects on, and sometimes influences, contemporary culture), much less what it is.'



image credits:Benjamin Lignel
Ring: Happy family NHS 2002
Rubber, gauze, ink
Set of two adhesive rings, edition of 300
Photograph by Joel Degen (London)

STUDIO SALE - success!

The sale was a success! Everyone involved benefited by the mass crowds that gathered at the Powerhouse on wednesday.

Thankyou to everyone who helped out and was involved - especially Tim Walker from the powerhouse gallery and Louise thrush for assisting with me on the night.

Artists included: Marisa Molin, Fernando DoCampo, Joleen Jenkin, Tim Chatwin, Lucy Cameron,Sonja Brough, Mairi Ward, and Evan Thien.

STUDIO SALE - everything must go!

Don't miss your opportunity to buy local handmade arts and crafts at studio prices.
@ Powerhouse above blue cafe, inveresk, Launceston.
5-8pm.
Cash sales only.

Everyone is invited!!!

Fireworks are legal...

fireworks are legal in tassie! The three grannys from granville st decided to have an anti xmas in july party last night. Complete with our own freaks and fireworks.

she has grown branches...

SHE IS GROWING!

The xmas tree looking creation in the background will be welded ontop of the tree shown on the left of the picture.

Thanks must go to Franko, Jurko and UAP for their continued support and skill in getting the sculpture this far!

When two become one...

Entitled 'when two become one', these rings were inspired by the story of Renee and Kriss' long friendship and when they decided to stand in front of all their friends and family and become one.

The rings were cast in 18ct white gold from a willow branch collected in Launceston.

Congrats Renee and Kriss - good luck with your happy day :)

i have joined Facebook...

www.facebook.com

Maria Island

From 25-28 June, i went for a 4 day bike/hike around Maria Island. Now a national park, this stunning landscape was previously a cement works, gaol, whaling station, farming land and a penitentiary in the 1830s.

On the last day, at low tide, we climbed down to the painted cliffs to see this marvel. just BEAUTIFUL!

'NO MILL! Shame on Gunns.'

On the 16th June 2007 more than 11,000 people came together to protest against the proposed Pulp Mill for the Tamar Valley.
Even my mum from Brisbane joined in the march from City Park to Civic Centre.

The wilderness society put up a good fight and do a great job! Read more at this link...
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/forests/tasmania/gunns_proposed_pulp_mill/pulp-mill-rally-jun07/

SYMBIOSIS - the relationship between the body and adornment

A Masters of Contemporary Arts Graduate Exhibition by Marisa Molin

OPENING NIGHT: 15th June 2007
s.p.a.c.e. gallery. Scotch Oakburn College, 85 Penquite Road, Launceston.
Exhibition continues till 29 June 2007
Gallery opening hours: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm

Symbiosis is a close ecological relationship between the individuals of two (or more) different species. Sometimes, a symbiotic relationship benefits both species. Sometimes however, one species benefits at the other’s expense, and in other cases neither species benefit.

Symbiosis, in relation to my project, is a collection of adornment inspired by Tasmania fungus and saprophytes and its relationship with its environment. I have replaced fungus with adornment and the environment with the body. These works aim to redefine jewellery as simple objects of desire and create adornment that relates to the part of the body it belongs to by feeding or growing from it. The work is part of the wearer and not just an item that is worn for decoration.

Catch of the day!

The easter bunny left eggs for me in the form of sea urchins as i found these on a coastal walk on the north east coast of Tasmania on easter sunday.

Cyberactivism for Tasmania's Ancient forests

Destruction of Australia's ancient forests in Tasmania is occuring on an industrial scale at an unrelenting rate, and is sanctioned by the Tasmanian Government and certified internationally by PEFC as sustainable!

Tasmania's unsustainable forestry practices include:

poisoning wildlife - tens of thousands of animals die from 1080 poison yearly
mass conversion of forest to short rotation plantations
fire bombing forest with napalm, producing more than 30% of Tasmania's annual greenhouse gas emissions

PEFC is a global organisation that certifies forestry schemes and the products from them as environmentally sustainable. PEFC approves Tasmanian forest products as sustainable and endorses Australia's forestry practices, including those in Tasmania, where Gunns Ltd woodchips thousands of hectares of native forest every year.

Cyberactivist : noun a person using internet campaigning tools to bring about social or political change.

Take Action: Act now and ask the UK and German governments to withdraw their support of PEFC-approved unsustainable timber from Tasmania

follow this link to take part - every voice counts!https://www.wilderness.org.au/cyberactivist/cyberactions/07_04_pefc_cyberaction.php

New Handmade Market in Brisbane

The first little market at avid reader bookstore is on friday april 27 from 5.30-8pm. Feast on delightful handmade objects by local makers (just in time for mother's day!)

The little market at avid will be on the last friday of every month, from 5.30pm -8pm. all are welcome.
For more info... littlemarketatavid@gmail.com

The tree is taking form

The sculpture has transformed from polystyrene to aluminium and bronze. Here are some of the progress shots taken in April. Thankyou to Mary from UAP for supplying the images.

HAPPY easter!

This image was taken on North East Coast of Tasmania at sunset on Easter Sunday.

No Easter bunny was harmed in the making of this image. ;)

Kiss a tree and make a wish!

What can i say - it was my birthday and he was the best lookin fella around!

Turning 27 in New Zealand with my best friend and couple of bottles of red wine - left for an interesting evening when we walked through a sculpture park outside Abel Tasman National Park on the way back to our camp site. After a 5 hour hike back from a boat drop off in the middle of the national park, we celebrated the evening by getting frocked up and dining in style.

East Coast Camp...

16-18 March i went on a relaxing camp trip to the East coast of Tasmania. Roughly around the Bicheno area.

Aaaaaaaah! its good to be back! The weather here is still warm enough to enjoy a swim, surf and the beach. Something tells me it won't stay that way for long.

This piccie was taken at the Chain of Lagoons beach where we camped the second night.

Another day at the office...

When in Chang Mai...

Sawatdee Kaa!!

Sawatdee Kaa!! (hello in Thai) - My 12 day crash tour of Thailand was the eye opening journey i was hoping for. Bangkok was our base and cultural mecca of museums and palaces. While a 3 day trek into the jungle of Chang Mai with 2 friendly guides, a sling shot, elephant ride and bamboo raft down the river made for more of a non stop adventure.

After all that walking in the north, we changed for a 4 day coastal bungalow retreat at Ko Chang with 2 days of Scuba diving.

Not even 24 hours in Australia, and i'm missing my bungalow by the beach. The trek was the overall highlight for me as we were housed and fed by the beautiful hill tribe villagers. Their hospitality was warm and the food was nothing short of yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Kiwi Land has come to an end...

After 17 days travelling the south island of New Zealand, it has come to an end. I had an amazing time with my beautiful travel buddy - bek (pictured together in Milford Sound). I'll try to update my website journal page with more images of the landscapes and walks that we did.

I leave tomorrow for my next adventure... THAILAND!

kiwi land

Just arrived in Queenstown after 8 days driving around the south island of New Zealand. Time is escaping us very quickly. There is so much to do and see here. Yesterday, Bek and I, hiked up to the Franz Josef Glacier on the west coast. A little bit of magic is a play here.

Apart from the rain, cold winds and higher than normal altitude - this place took my breath away...

My baby is growing!

Taken 15 January 2006, i stand in front of my maternity tree sculpture for the mater mother's hospital. It's currently in styrofoam and is almost complete in this stage. The next two weeks will be finalising curves and covering the form with plasticine where the texturing process will begin.