Current exhibiting artist, Kristian Laemmle-Ruff, has been featured in the local paper by renowned arts writer, Kieran Finnane. Follow the link below to read about his exhibition Mind the Gap and Finnane’s insightful musings…
This fertile space between us
By KIERAN FINNANE
Alice Springs is often seen as a town beset by racial division and conflict, but its creative culture can tell a different story. Looking back over three decades I find an already rich history of intersection and collaboration, in work by visual artists, writers and thinkers, designers and producers. This history shows the potential of re-imagining the future in this community.
This is an edited version of a talk that I gave recently at Watch This Space, the artist-run initiative founded in Alice Springs in 1993. I was speaking as the recipient of last year’s LOFTY Award, named in honour of the late Pamela Lofts, a founding member of the Space, its first coordinator, and an important desert artist. I was honoured to have the LOFTY acknowledge my contribution to the arts in Alice Springs through my writing. From the start I thought that the scope of whatever I did on this occasion should take a long view, a perspective gained through the two and a half decades that I’ve spent in Alice Springs. From there it didn’t take me long to arrive at wanting to address ‘this space between us’ – ‘us’ being as broad as the people of Central Australia, with the ‘space between’ implying the dichotomies of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal life and cultural production.
I have called the talk ‘The fertile space between us’, but how is the space ‘fertile’? you may ask. What’s the evidence? Most days a visitor arriving in Alice Springs might look around and think that it’s an almost vacant space or at best put it under the heading ‘can do better‘. Generally I would agree, and a good part of my meaning, in choosing the word ‘fertile’, is in its idea of latency – there is important work, and a great deal of it, to be done here. But the ground, ‘this space between us’ so rich in potential, has already yielded some fine fruit.
You can read the full article here [at Alice Springs News]
Call for Nominations: The 4th Annual LOFTY Award
Nominations are now open for Watch this Space’s 4th annual LOFTY Award.
The award recognises a Central Australian artist that has, through their own artistic work and engagement in the local and broader artistic community, contributed to the artistic conversation of Alice Springs and beyond.
The Lofty winner is awarded $1000 prize money, the unique hand-crafted ‘Lofty’ and the opportunity to exhibit in 2015 at WTS with all gallery costs given for free.
The Lofty Award is named after the late Pamela Lofts, one of the founding members of Watch this Space ARI in 1993. It recognises her dedication to her arts practice, consistently producing works of a high quality across a variety of media, and her contribution to the development and exhibition of contemporary and experimental art and the cultural dialogue in Alice Springs and Central Australia.
Previous winners of the award are Franca Barraclough, David Nixon and Kieran Finnane.
Download the TheLofty-NominationForm-2014
Nominations close 4:21pm on Friday 28 November.
The winner will be announced at a gala event on Friday 5 December.
The Lofty Award is generously sponsored by Brian Tucker.
Cleopatra’s Dress performs tonight
A visually and emotionally stunning performance of dance showcasing the transformative power of one woman’s love of textiles and fashion, and how her great-granddaughter brings her love back to life. A marriage of love and textile that becomes beautiful art.Cleopatra’s Dress is performed tonight from 7pm at Watch this SPACE.
Sia Cox, whose great-grandmother inspired the dresses and dance, will talk about the inspiration for the work, and showcase the screen prints and circle skirts used in the production on Saturday 6 September at 10am.
More information: wts.org.au/events/cleopatras-dress
CALL OUT: Exhibition Proposals + Travelling Artist Residencies in 2015
Watch this Space ARI is now calling for artists and content for its 2015 exhibition and residency programs.
Watch this Space in Alice Springs NT is an artist-run initiative that focuses on developing and showcasing contemporary and experimental art in all its forms. It has been running since 1993, making it one of the oldest ARIs in Australia. Despite its modest population of only 25,000, Alice Springs hosts a vibrant and supportive arts community and culture.
Proposals for exhibitions are sought from local, national and international artists at any stage in their career.
Residencies for one month or longer can be applied for by residents living outside of Central Australia.
To apply or find more information about exhibition proposals and residencies click here.
Applications close 15 August.
DEADLINE EXTENDED for entries to SQUARED now due 11 July
The deadline for entries to the 21st Birthday Members Show, SQUARED, has been extended to 11 July.
Artworks due by 22 July for 1 August exhibition opening.
Go to the original CALL OUT entry on the News page for details and entry forms.
Donate now for Free BBQ Cash Giveaway
Donate now or before June 29 to make Free BBQ Cash Giveaway (FBCG) happen.
FBCG is a mini-arts festival and project to inspire Alice Springsians into art and action. Initiated by Alex Hullah and Josh Davis, the dynamic duo of Elephant Island. They are fundraising through Pozible, a dollar-for-dollar venture run by Creative Partnerships Australia. Overall, they need $10,000 for 9 separate yet inextricably linked projects.
$8480 has been raised so far. But they still need $2045 and only 5 days to do it in.
So support grass-roots artists in action and donate now! For arts sake!
It’s a double or nothing bet. If a funding campaign doesn’t reach the target it gets nothing.
http://www.pozible.com/project/181968 RAISED $1405 NEED $595
http://www.pozible.com/project/182252 RAISED $620 NEED $380
http://www.pozible.com/project/182201 RAISED $475 NEED $525
http://www.pozible.com/project/182238 RAISED $510 NEED $490
http://www.pozible.com/project/182287 RAISED $945 NEED $55
http://www.pozible.com/project/182320 RAISED $1285 TARGET MET
http://www.pozible.com/project/182421 RAISED $1025 TARGET MET
http://www.pozible.com/project/182327 RAISED $1050 TARGET MET
http://www.pozible.com/project/182237 RAISED $1165 TARGET MET
CALL OUT for 21st Birthday Members Show, SQUARED
Entries close 4pm, Friday 11 July [extended from 27 June]
It’s our 21st year and we are celebrating! How?
With a big group exhibition of works from YOU our awesome members.
Not a member and want to contribute? No problem. Read on.
Entry Requirements:
Theme: ‘Watch This Space’ – whatever that means to you.
Restrictions:
1) All works MUST be SQUARE in shape, maximum size 50 x 50 cm.
2) 2D works preferred. Square plinth-based works may be considered.
3) One entry per person, but you can enter up to 3 artworks with the one entry. [Generous offer!]
Entry fee: $33 inc GST (for up to 3 works), includes one year WTS membership.
Download entry form: WTS Members Show entry form
Entries to: wts@wts.org.au or PO Box 8405, Alice Springs NT 0871
Key dates:
Entries close 4pm, Friday 11 July.
Artworks to be received by 4pm, Tuesday 22 July.
Opening night – 6pm, Friday 1 August
Until Saturday 30 August
Position Vacant: Coordinator
Watch this Space is seeking a new Coordinator to run this dynamic contemporary arts organisation. Our 2014 Program is in full swing, and you will be working in an organised and welcoming environment. Read on to find out more!
Click here to download the full position description
Watch This Space is an artist run initiative and the only dedicated contemporary art space in a 1500km radius. We support local and national artists at all stages of their careers through providing exhibition space, artist studios, advice and advocacy. We currently receive three-year funding from the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT, yearly Visual Arts and Craft Strategy funding from the Australia Council, and generate additional income through our operational activities and private donations.
The Coordinator role is an exciting and varied job where you will coordinate all aspects of the exhibition program, special projects, develop new artistic initiatives and oversee all aspects of the art gallery, artist studios and outdoor performance space. You will be working autonomously for most day-to-day tasks. This is an incredibly rewarding role with a high degree of responsibility and the capacity to really contribute to the artistic and cultural life of our region.
The position is 35 hours per week and core working hours onsite at 4/9 George Crescent are Tuesday – Friday 11-5pm, however the remaining hours can be completed at a time that suits you. There is regular evening work involved in this role on average once a fortnight. Entitlements are pro rata and include six weeks annual leave and two weeks personal leave.
For enquiries please contact wts@wts.org.au or 08 8952 1949 during office hours Tue-Fri 11-5pm. Applications close 5pm, Thursday 15 May.
Keep In Touch
Keep In Touch
Opening Hours
Office Hours Tues-Fri 11-5pm
Gallery Hours Wed-Fri 12-5pm, Sat (when exhibitions are on) 10-2pm
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