Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Forbidden Fruit, A Clockwork Orange: A documentary
"A With Out Walls Documentary from 1993 About A Clockwork Orange which was Still Withdrawn From Public Viewing In The UK At The Time Of Making, At Stanley Kubrick's Request. "
Happy halloween! x
Sunday, 28 October 2012
"MANDY! YOU'RE DAUGHTER IS A BEAUTIFUL FEMINIST"
Quick thoughts on Feminism
I was recently fortunate to engage in a discussion with one of my parents friends who were a homosexual couple about gender issues and feminism at my father’s birthday party. The flamboyant and significantly more intoxicated individual of the pair exclaimed to my mother “MANDY! YOU’RE DAUGHTER SAYS THAT YOU DON’T SAY YOU ARE A FEMINIST!” to which she replied “I am not a feminist, I am a woman and therefore I am naturally a feminist”
Misogyny in our patriarchal society has been around for thousands of years, and feminism is only a reason 100 year old advent. It is going to take a lot longer than 100 years to change deeply embedded patriarchal values. This is why I think it is important to identify as feminist. If you don’t continue to protect your rights, the walls of the establishment will slowly close around you. And my parent’s friend Tom was quick to retort, gay rights, women’s rights any rights can be taken away in a second.
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Me + Noel Fielding =
I was aware Noel Fielding was in Sydney as my friend had spotted him perusing the Museum of contemporary art where we both work (alas I wasn't there that day)
Anyway, bummed that I wasn't able to bump into him, I soon found out that he was having a signing in my city and I felt like I simply had to go. If only to honour my 15 year old obsession with him and his shiny boots.
I didn't have anything for him to sign so I printed off an old photoshop I made of us and got him to sign it. He found it hilarious and it was great
Part of the reason I went to the signing was just for the novelty, I mean he's a cool guy but there were girls there CRYING. I mean he's just a dude... you know?
My awful posture and I justifying the picture.
"I used to be obsessed with you.. I mean not really.. I mean I thought it was funny... do you think it's funny?"
"Is that.. .Allison"
My awful posture and I justifying the picture.
"I used to be obsessed with you.. I mean not really.. I mean I thought it was funny... do you think it's funny?"
"Is that.. .Allison"
Monday, 15 October 2012
What I have learnt about feminism from a junkyard record
Last weekend I took a visit to my very un-local junkyard to
try find some bits and bobs for my art and perhaps a colour parade costume. Rummaging
through the trunks of pieces of fabric, old school folders and unused raver
candy, I stumbled upon a box of old vinyl.
In this old box of vinyl I was fortunate to come across this
fantastic “I am Woman: A compilation of 20 BEAUTIFUL songs” It was admittedly the
bright orange cover that caught my eye, but I couldn't help fall in love with the
records title track I AM WOMAN and gloriously fabulous woman on the cover.
The record was a compilation of woman-power and relics of 70s feminism and disco. As I held the record in my hand, I felt this warm rush throughout my body to think that there was a time in history when this record was enthusiastically hung on the walls of Australian feminists everywhere.
I then handed the record to my father as he checked out all
the other goodies we had picked up that day and I can't help but giggle at the
thought of the check-out woman’s face when he handed her the “I am woman” record.
However, as much as I love all things kitsch and womanly, it wasn't until I arrived in my bedroom and placed the needle on the record when I
really began to understand second-wave feminism and the mistakes I might
have made about my own.
As the title track “I am Woman” Proudly blasted through my bedroom windows,
I pranced around to Helen Reddy’s glorious war-cry , “I am in invincible!” and
threw my arms open at the final “I AM WOOOOOOMAAAANN” To me this song is exactly
what feminism means to me, powerful, passionate, strong and melodic. However I
was thoroughly caught off guard when the next song “Misty Blue” played. What
does this have to do with feminism? I thought. Apart from the fact that it was
a female singer, I was incredibly critical of the lyrics that tell the story of
a woman’s heart-break at a failed relationship. Where was the strength? Where
was the anger and passion? I was honestly slightly offended by the fact that a
song about a woman crying over a MAN made it to MY feminist compilation record.
But then something clicked. As the sappy kitsch love songs
flowed on, I was reminded of a part of feminism that I may have forgotten and
needed to be reminded of. Part of the movement is to understand and respect the
fact that as women/humans we are emotional beings. These love songs were
justified in the way they portrayed women and feminists as still having
emotional attachments to people and men and most importantly reiterated the
fact that as women and feminists, we still have HEARTS. Perhaps it’s because I
have become so exhausted by the fact
that I have needed to defend my feminism so long that I have become a... heartless, almost angsty feminist? Maybe I've internalized the angst/angry feminist
trope unintentionally and found myself forming into the very being that most
teenage girls unfortunately have come to resent about feminism. Cue the common: “I don't like feminism because I like men”
Le sigh.
By throwing my cynical attitude away I was able to enjoy “Dance
Little Lady Dance” with a huge grin on my face. This record had taught me a lot
about feminism that I had forgotten, that feminism can be fun, emotional but
most of all, strong.
Monday, 8 October 2012
Profumo Affair
The Profumo Affair was a 1963 British political scandal named after John Profumo who was the Secretary of State for War. He was alleged to have had an affair with call girl Christine Keeler who was the reputed mistress of an alleged Soviet Spy. Profumo had previously denied the affair by lying in the House of Commons but he was later forced to resign as he had damaged the reputation of the British conservative Mcmillian government. The affair caused a stir within the British public as it revealed an almost hedonistic aspect to the British aristocracy. This was also symbolic within the atmosphere of the "Swinging sixties" as it represented the downfall of conservative ideas and ideology amongst British public.
In my day, there was a sense of style about the whole thing, you know. Christine Keeler, Mandy Rice-Davies… Gorgeous little women who kept their mouths shut and just looked gorgeous, and gave the whole thing an air of dignity. - Patsy Stone
Cool documentary on Profumo Affair!
Liebster Award
Liebster Award
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile and this post is hardly content-heavy or anything but I was nominated by Lovelier Words WHICH IS SO NICE and I feel obligated to acknowledge it. Only due to the fact that I rarely get nominated for anything, I feel as though this is a momentous occasion.
Please do not feel obligated to read this, It's a break from my usual pop-culture posts and I rarely talk about myself or my life on my blog. I will answer all questions with utmost honesty.
Apparently you answer 11 questions and then nominate 11 people with 200 followers or less.
What do you think of my blog?
LovelierWords? Well I think you're super sweet and lovely and that you have a great taste in books and films and music! I wish you all the best in your future blog/life/posts?
What do you think of the blogosphere?
As much as I try, I don't feel like I particularly "fit" into the blogosphere world. As with most things, I'm kind of content skimming the surface and meeting the people that cross my path, without necessarily diving into it and engulfing myself within the world of bloggers. I think it's because I find it hard to really define what my blog is and I guess that makes it harder for me to find blogs/other bloggers that are into the same things as me. I feel like energy is best focused to creating and finding content for my blog which means keeping my antennae up at all times. I really do love however connecting with other bloggers when I do, but it's not the most important thing for me. That said I do appreciate all comments and acknowledgements!
Most beautiful thing?
I love the feeling of riding on the bus in a beautiful sunny day and passing the marina and beautiful sydney parks on my way home from a good day. I also love beautiful films with honest characters and storylines.
Main objective?
To connect with people and create a life for myself that exceeds my imagination. I know that's weird, but I would really love my future to surprise me and to look back and be like "WOW I would never have guessed this would have been my life 10 years ago AND IT'S AWESOME" That means taking every opportunity that is given to me and always keeping my eyes open to new possibilities.
Biggest vice?
Probably being too self-critical and critical of others. Maybe it's a virgo thing but I tend to place incredibly high expectations on myself/others and feel incredibly betrayed when people/I don't exceed those standards. I'm also in a constant state of self-doubt which prevents me from achieving what i probably can.
Probably being too self-critical and critical of others. Maybe it's a virgo thing but I tend to place incredibly high expectations on myself/others and feel incredibly betrayed when people/I don't exceed those standards. I'm also in a constant state of self-doubt which prevents me from achieving what i probably can.
Favorite song?
Ah!!! I don't know! I really love the song When we was fab by George Harrison. 4eva.
What do you hate most?
I hate hate! I really dislike negativity and bad-vibes. I'm not interested in people who are constantly bringing me/themselves down. Just get that negativity away from me!!
Best Quality?
Oooft! I don't know! Maybe my self-doubt can be productive at times? But it is by no way my BEST quality. Maybe good study habits and good organization skills? I'm also really enthusiastic to learn about new things and love learning.
Defect?
I have insulin intolerance which means I can't digest sugar and will most probably develop diabetes in 10 years and I need to exercise a lot.
Idol?
Sebastian Bach.
Sebastian Bach.
Are you happy?
At this moment, yes. I have an awesome job, good friends, an awesome kitten, food, a good support system ALL GOOD THINGS.
Who I nominate:
Gap-Teeth for sure. Probably one of my earliest followers. I absolutely love/admire her blog. She hasn't been posting recently but I really like the mutual support/fangirlyness.
Leah - Because I admire her honest posts and she makes the best fucking mixes ever
Roma - Because she's also one of my earliest followers and likes cool shit and I'm contributing to her zine SOON OKAY.
CAELAN - How could I chose my favourite blogger people without mentioning her? I'm constantly appreciative of her support and altogether loveliness
Nevena - because she's awesome and we both like similar things.
stone-age stomp - Great blog for inspiration and beautiful things! And music!
the red telephone - Probably one of my all-time favourites. Her posts are INTERESTING and cool and beautiful. I would love for my blog to one day be up to this standard. She finds the most interesting things, definitely inspirational.
googirls - beautiful, cool, awesome, FUNKY girls! They also have friggen cool hair and seem like they would be cool chicks to hang out with!
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