(posters and web pages)
Tom Tomorrow Cartoons
objectives are that through collaboration and members' involvement in their own explorative projects, ICOLS will become a fascinating conceptual and sometimes also humourous and beautiful investigation into, and commentary upon, our current position/s in relation to history, culture, nostalgia, communications and bio-technologies, global capitalism, aesthetics, ethics, belief systems and revolution.
Artists Leslie Hill and Helen Paris have created the Guerilla Performance Locator, a live net map of art and activism at this time of global crisis. As belief in direct public action surges in the face of impending war, the Guerilla Performance Locator brings non-violent politically motivated performances and iconoclastic art works together by inviting contributions from artists and activists around the world.
Study in Adult Education
and Peace at UNE
last updated 9/4/03
The Works on Shirts ProjectOn, May 3rd, 2003,
(http://www.worksonshirts.org) invites you to join "WEARNICA", an international exhibition of artistic reactions to war created on the backs of white cotton dress shirts. On the day of the event, participants in cities around the world will form a walking art gallery, wearing original works they've created into museums and monuments, parks and shopping malls to help raise public awareness of the brutal and self-destructive nature of war in our time.
On March 20th, The US and it's allies began their invasion of Iraq. Don't let battlemaps and high-tech pictures of military weaponry be the only images we remember from this war! It's up to all of us to bear witness to the images that don't show up on the evening news.
In 1937, Pablo Picasso was moved by the massive bombings of a small town in Northern Spain to create "Guernica," one of the twentieth century's greatest, most unsettling visual expressions of the horrors of war. By
following Picasso's example we can help portray this tragedy for what it is, in the hopes of making future wars less palatable to those who would wage them, and those who would stand by and do nothing.
Here's what YOU can do:
Please take a moment to visit the site and please forward this information to anyone who opposes the war in Iraq. No previous art experience is required, only a desire to DO SOMETHING to express your personal opposition to this war and your concern for the future of peace in the world.
The Idea is Simple: By creating original anti-war inspired artwork that can be worn as clothing, it's possible to stage a demonstration in any location open to the public. As long as the individual participants conform to the standard behavior for the general public in the space, the white dress shirts will tie the pieces together into a cohesive whole, and the images will speak for themselves.
For more information go to:
http://www.worksonshirts.org
AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTER PLACED UNDER MASS
CITIZEN'S ARREST.
As Australia commits troops to the war in Iraq tens
of thousands of concerned Australian citizens have
become voluntary UN peacekeepers and are surrounding
The Lodge in Australia's capital Canberra this week,
placing John Howard under house arrest on behalf of
the United Nations.
>
The action began early this morning (Wednesday 19th
March) as a Greenpeace cadre, dressed in blue UN
berets, swooped on The Lodge in a number of mock
United Nations four-wheel-drive vehicles, blocking
each entrance and chaining themselves to the gates.
>
Mr Howard has stated recently that "any opposition to
the war should be aimed at him and his party rather
than the troops in the Gulf or the Americans". To that
end a large peaceful citizens army is converging on
Canberra today to assist Greenpeace officials in
placing John Howard under house arrest in an attempt
to prevent a gross miscarriage of international
justice. Organisers, under advice from lawyers
specialising in international law, say he has no legal
right to take military action explicitly against the
directives of the UN security council. Among the many
other tragic outcomes of war, it will expose Australia
to a possible international war
crimes trial and vastly increase targeting of
Australia by middle-eastern terrorist organisations.
Prime Minister Howard is increasingly isolated in
his position to commit troops, with massive resistance
to his actions both in the population at large,
amongst the opposition parties and increasingly within
his own
party.
Citizens coming to Canberra are encouraged to bring
tents, camping equipment, food and drink, barbeques,
motor-homes, house-trucks, caravans, hammocks, banana
lounges and volley-ball nets. If they own, or have
access to, a white 4WD or any other white vehicle,
they
have been asked to neatly tape the large black UN
initials on the front doors and, if possible,
the roof, as these will be highly visible from
television news helicopters. Citizens wearing a pale
blue beret or head-wear will become honorary UN
peacekeepers.
This mass protest action is non-violent and will
involve possibly the largest number of citizens ever
to gather in Canberra, completely surrounding the
official residence. Based on the huge turn-out at
recent
protests it is planned to form a wide, peaceful,
all-human 'no fly zone' campsite around the compound.
The action will continue as long as Australian troops
are firing shots in anger in Iraq.
At this stage tacit support has been given to this
action by Jon Stanhope, the ACT's chief minister, on
the condition that
a) it remains
non-violent,
b) does not include trespass inside the Lodge
compound and
c) there is no damage to property.
He said in a public statement earlier today that
"..it is every citizens right to protest peacefully,
and
if necessary, to preserve the safety of protesters on
public roads, particularly in front of the
Lodge itself and the surrounding roads, then police
and local officials will be directed to make any
medium-term road closures as would be appropriate".
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has
stated that it will support it's membership in
co-ordinating local-government-funded buses from towns
and cities in each state to provide subsidised
transport to
Canberra in the next few days. Councillor Brian
Matthews, ALGA Senior Vice President, and President of
the Municipal Association of Victoria, has encouraged
rate-payers to contact their councillors to make use
of the bussing co-ordination strategy. Mr Matthews
said this morning "Local government can have an
important role in providing services to the community
that allow
smaller centres, particularly in regional and remote
areas, to express their views."
There will be a range of entertainment provided and
short-term child-minding facilities are being
negotiated with local creches, although toilets and
other services services are being finalised. Citizens
are encouraged to bring their own supplies and
particularly fresh water.
A memorial service will be held on the occasion of the
first civilian and/or military deaths by Australian
military action. Organiser Warren Goodfellow said
today "Many Australians feel numb and disconnected at
the moment, confused about what to do and how to make
themselves heard by Mr Howard. This is a turning point
in history, and Australia is one of only a very few
countries that are going in boots and all. Don't look
back at this week from some time in the future and say
'I stood by and did nothing'. Organise some friends or
family, take some time off work, pack a tent, pile
into a car and come to Canberra. You'll be able to say
you were there when we brought the troops home."
This is a citizens action. You have an important role
as part of this movement. Please cut and paste this
mail to your own email and send it to as many people
on your address list today. Send it to people who you
wouldn't think would normally participate in an action
like this, recent events show that huge numbers of
Australians will join us. Please make sure that people
who work in the media, newspapers, and in large
organisations get this email. People like
receptionists can have access to huge numbers of
contacts. Send it to people you know who have contact
with large memberships, like sporting clubs and
volunteer organisations and local, state and federal
representatives. If necessary
make a couple of calls today to find their email
addresses. For this movement to grow quickly this
email needs to go today to people who can send it on
to
many hundreds of others.
Even if you are unable to participate yourself, if
only one or two of your friends or acquaintances goes
to Canberra on your behalf, your vote will be
heard and democracy will be served. It's as easy as
forwarding a petition, but it's impact will be felt
right at the heart of the problem. John Howard
himself.
Gone are the days when the leaders nations would lead
their own troops into battle, so we would like Mr
Howard to learn a little about what it is like to live
under siege.
In the mean time we urge you to telephone the Prime
Minister's office today and share your views.
Phone:(02) 6277-7700
Fax: (02) 6273-4100
This is a direct line to his office staff, who will
take your call in person and in a very calm
professional way. Make yourself heard any way you can.
See you in Canberra!
Peace.
Ellis Hutch
Pablo Picasso has words for Colin Powell
from the other side of death
Ariel Dorfman
25 - 2 - 2003
When the US Secretary of State presented his case against Iraq at the UN Security Council on 5 February, the tapestry of Guernica that routinely hangs there was covered up. This symbolic denial of a supreme artistic response to war moved Ariel Dorfman to poetry.
Yes, even here, here more than anywhere else,
we know and watch what is going on
what you are doing with the world
we left behind
What else can we do with our time?
Yes, there you were, Mr. Secretary,
I think that is how they call you
there you were
standing in front of my Guernica
a replica it is true
but still my vision of what was done
that day to the men to the women
and to the children to that one child
in Guernica that day in 1937
from the sky
Not really standing in front of it.
It had been covered, our Guernica,
covered so you could speak.
There in the United Nations building.
So you could speak about Iraq.
Undisturbed by Guernica.
Why should it disturb perturb you?
Why did you not ask that the cover
be removed
the picture
be revealed?
Why did you not point to the shrieking
the horse dying over and over again
the woman with the child forever dead
the child that I nurse here in this darkness
the child who watches with me
as you speak
and you speak.
Why did you not say
This is why we must be rid of the dictator.
Why did you not say
This is what Iraq has already done and undone.
Why did you not say
This is what we are trying to save the world from.
Why did you not use
Guernica to make your case?
Were you afraid that the mother
would leap from her image and say
no he is the one
they are the ones who will bomb
from afar
they are the ones who will kill
the child
no no no
he is the one they them
from the distance the bombs
keeping us always out of sight
inside death and out of sight
Were you afraid that the horse
would show the world the near future
three thousand cruise missiles in the first hour
spinning into Baghdad
ten thousand Guernicas
spinning into Baghdad
from the sky
Were you afraid of my art
what I am still saying
more than sixty five years later
the story still being told
the vision still dangerous
the light bulb still hanging
like an eye from the dead
my eye that looks at you from the dead
beware
beware the eye of the child
in the dark
you will join us
the child and I
the horse and the mother
here on the other side
you will join us soon
you will journey here
as we all do
is that why you were
so afraid of me?
join us
and spend the rest of eternity
watching
watching
watching
next to us
next to the remote dead
not only of Iraq
not only of
is that why you were
so afraid of that eye?
watching
your own eyes sewn open wide looking
at the world you left behind
there is nothing else to do
with our time
sentenced to watch
and watch
by our side
until there will be no Guernicas left
until the living understand
and then, Mr. Secretary,
and then
a world with no Guernicas
and then
yes then
you and I
yes then
we can rest
you and I and the covered child
STATEMENT OF MOTIVATIONS REGARDING SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE PAINTING
David Burgess
c/- The Wilderness Society
PO Box K249
Haymarket
NSW 1240
& fax to:
(02) 9282 9557
Case to be heard at:
The Downing Centre Local Court
cnr Elizabeth & Liverpool Streets
Sydney
Wed 16th April, 9:30am
STATEMENT OF MOTIVATIONS REGARDING SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE PAINTING
On the morning of the 18th of March 2003, Australia became an aggressor in a war for the first time. Also on that morning, with my friend Dr. Will Saunders, I painted the message ’NO WAR’ on the Concert Hall sail of the Sydney Opera House. I did this as an act of civil disobedience against a war I feel is illegal, immoral and will have terrible consequences for our country.
I do not intend to use the court system as a political platform and I also understand that legally, my actions are to be judged on what occurred at the Opera House. But having watched our Prime Minister and his government ignore the wishes of the vast majority of the Australian people and flout the international statutes and safeguards of the United Nations and the Geneva Convention, I felt betrayed by our democratic system and that my act of civil disobedience had to be as strong as possible while not being violent.
I also wish it to be known that we asked a lawyer and another friend to be present when we ascended the Opera House. I provided the lawyer with my mobile phone number to give to the police, and a written explanation of what we were doing to my friend to hand to any Opera House staff that may have been distressed. I spoke with the police from the top of the Opera House and assured them we would cooperate with them and would not struggle.
Although I have previously used civil disobedience within environmental and peace related issues, I have never used graffiti and do not intend to again. Last week I made contact with the Sydney Opera House and sought to establish the exact costs of cleaning the paint off the building, with a view to paying this out of my own wages and a number of offers of help that Will and I have received.
I also wish to state that I have been moved on a daily basis by the messages of support we have received for our action, not only from Australians, but ordinary people from a large number of other countries as well. This began following our arrests, when, in the loading dock of the Opera House, large numbers of the staff applauded us into the police vehicle.
I do not feel personally gratified by what took place, but I do feel very strongly about the issue our action related to. I would like to apologise to all Australians who were offended by my actions, but would also like to point out that this was a day in our history like no other. I wish to raise all funds associated with the costs of the clean up and that NSW taxpayers do not foot the bill.
It has also been suggested repeatedly by some media commentators in the weeks following our action that we must have received inside help from somebody within the Opera House. This is not true. We simply approached the building and climbed it from the outside.
We had nothing to hide with our action and I have nothing to hide now. I am looking forward to covering the costs of the clean up and getting on with my life. I have no intention of breaking the law in this manner again.