Re: [-empyre-] chipping in

[su b <suballard@optusnet.com.au>]

Hi everyone,
The point about isolation is a valid one, but I do think the more 
significant issue is the economic and social infrastructure of nz arts. 
It is like the artists are not themselves isolated, as most of us 
operate within some kind of international sphere,  but our practice is 
isolated from new zealand audiences. This is the key difference I have 
noticed between nz and Australia.  Living between the two countries has 
been interesting and has tested my preconceptions of both. I feel 
confident that nz is a pacific country, australia I am not sure, it's 
eyes seem directed elsewhere. Particularly in terms of mainstream 
politics, it can be a very long way from nz. Historically, I can go 
into the galleries in sydney and see paintings by nz artists labelled 
as australian, and I even found Len Lye claimed as Australian! The tug 
of war  seems to be about nationalistic ownership, I'm not sure if this 
is something particularly antipodean!? The demise of new media funding 
in .au is absolutely tragic. Hopefully it does not have the same impact 
that the shunting around of funding for film did in nz during the 80s 
and 90s.