Steve Dixon
17th March 2006 - Messenger Chat Via Email
Posted by Johnny Magee on 16th September 2006
Friday 17th March 2006
Web Chat ....Manchester-Adelaide
Start Time: 08:01:43; End Time: 08:53:15Steve says: (08:02:34)
Hi Johnny, fire away, i only have til 7.30, hectic social engagements - making best of last weekend of festival.
Johnny says: (08:02:34)
Good Evening (Morning)
Johnny says: (08:02:52)
No pictures to look at today
Steve says: (08:02:58)
G'day
Steve says: (08:03:44)
Sorry no new ones will try to get photos of fridge at Stephen Bowers place, would you like some photos of the house?
Johnny says: (08:04:50)
I wanted to discuss life'around' creative practice.... what the impact a new domestic environment can have!
Steve says: (08:06:47)
Bloody hell, where do I start! Its awhole new experience here, without family and teaching etc. a bit like university again, except with a bit of status and an entre into the art scene.
Johnny says: (08:08:36)
Sorry, it was a BIG question. It's early for me... still not 100% awake. How long again in Adelaide before you head off to the desert?
Steve says: (08:09:26)
One more full week here, which will focus on the prep. for the exhibition and finishing the new pieces.
Johnny says: (08:10:37)
Great.... re the domestic, I was exploring to see if there is a link between your plates, soap holders, houses and those small reprezentations of coffee pots and jugs?
Steve says: (08:13:13)
Thats hard to answer in an instant, the link is that they are all representative of material culture - no thats too general, they all just spoke to me for different but connected reasons - thats too wooly too!
Johnny says: (08:14:36)
I understand, they are obviously connecting you with Australian history in some way, and social history, rather than ploitical!
Steve says: (08:15:44)
There are a series of threads in the work here, which kind of weave together but I'm not trying to tie them down right now, I'm enjoying exploring a variety of things. Some will gel, others may fallout of the picture, or several may combine.
Steve says: (08:17:06)
Yes its historical rather than political,though the colonial thing is still a political issue. Ernabella may reveal more political/social issues
Johnny says: (08:19:43)
I see, and I suppose that's the joy of the residency, to free you into an explorative journey without having to justify anything. You mentioned feeling like a student again, and in this respect being 'playful'. How does the work get challenged?
Steve says: (08:22:49)
Its kind of challenged all the time, because the residnt artists are a bit 'on show' and scrutinised the whole time, by other Jam artists and visitors, and the exhibition is a challenge, and the knowledge that there needs to be a product/ outcome from the residency, so perhaps its not as free and playful as I make it sound.
Johnny says: (08:24:33)
Ahhh! Has anyone felt uncomfortable' with your exploration into Australian history....? I know some individuals celebrate this, and others are defensive.
Steve says: (08:26:31)
No not at all, I've been quite gentle with imagery so far I think, but when I've given talks the people here relate very strongly to the political position I put forward, esp. re Iraq and terrorism etc.
Johnny says: (08:27:47)
Do you mean.... in an accusational way.... as a brit (Blair) and all the war/lies stuff??
Steve says: (08:28:44)
Yes, it seems Howard and Blair are peas from the same pod - both poodles to the USA
Johnny says: (08:29:56)
Your 'gentle' approach.... is this the real you? or are you being 'sensitive' to being a guest in Australia?
Steve says: (08:31:30)
No not sensitive, but feeling my way in - dont think I can 'parachute' into a new environment and start to pontificate about issues I'm not well enough clued up on.
Steve says: (08:31:55)
So maybe yes I am being sensitive!
Johnny says: (08:33:18)
I understand, I'm curious about how this is affecting the way you work. I see your previous work as being 'strong' in how it confronts/challenges isses.
Johnny says: (08:33:25)
Sorry mean issues
Steve says: (08:35:19)
Yes, and I think this new work will be, but it will need more time to germinate and more research to be confident I'm not just seeing the superficial picture. I tend to work very slowly anyway, and develop work over a long period of time.
Johnny says: (08:37:21)
Thanks Steve... can I ask a different question..... you mentioned earlier about giving talks.... has any aspect of your residency involved teaching? and if so, is this at the Jam Factory or in a mainstream school/university way?
Steve says: (08:41:06)
Given a few talks about my work so far, one at JAM (as part of a 1 day workshop) 1 at Melbourne Ceramic group (peers/ceramic artists) 1 at University South Australia (ceramic students) Also due to give talks at Sydney (National Schoolof Art) and Canberra (School of Art) and another to the Art School at Uni S.A. in the next few weeks.
Johnny says: (08:43:52)
And when your work is received, how do your student's/Audiences respond..... Are they familiar with ceramics being used (need to choose my words carefully here...) as a vehicle for a political/social commentating.
Steve says: (08:46:19)
Its a bit of a novelty, but not unique here by any means. Gerry Wedd is an Adelaide ceramic artist (and surfing coach to international potters!) who uses political narratives too (see recent ex at Craft Victooria, Melbourne). But its not mainstream in ceramics , of course!
Steve says: (08:49:15)
Will need to signn off in a few mins, heavy duty dance performance awaits…
Johnny says: (08:50:21)
Yes, your weekend social life awaits... re doing this again, do you want to wait until you have been to the desert?
Steve says: (08:50:21)
When can we meet again? How about Monday? Does it matter if messages are out of synch?
Johnny says: (08:50:56)
No, synch doesn't matter as I will be editing them with you anyhow.
Johnny says: (08:51:14)
Monday ois fine...... same time.... 6.30pm your time?
Johnny says: (08:51:58)
I quite like being out of synch... it can throw up intereting conversational oddities.... messenger stylee!!
Steve says: (08:52:03)
Yes lets try Monday again. All the best have a good weeknd.
Steve says: (08:52:21)
STEVEx
Johnny says: (08:52:24)
Have fun.... until Monday.... byeeeee!!
Johnny says: (08:52:35)
Johnny x
Steve says: (08:52:59)
OK bye
CHAT WEEK
Click on image to open QuickTime movie
"ARTIST'S TALK"
Steve Dixon talks to conference during cHAT week at Sanskriti, Delhi, India. March 2007
------------------------------
ONE YEAR ON
Watch Steve Dixon's presentation "one year on" given at cHAT week in Sanskriti, New Delhi: Click on image to watch movie (Duration 36 Mins)
DOCUMENTATION
A small web site showing the enamelled plates Steve created during his time at the Jam Factory.
See Steve's plates
Steve Gets 'Hooded Up'
A visit to Steve's studio in Manchester to make a short film, click here to see some stills
Documentation ©2006 Johnny Magee
