lip magazine: for girls who think feel create speak out live

Do you live in NSW?
Are you aged 16 to 25?
Do you know how to party smart?
Do you want to have the chance to share in $12,000 in cash and prizes?
Then start filming, writing or designing NOW.

Play Now Act Now is a film, graphic design and writing competition for young people aged 16 to 25 in NSW. Play Now Act Now recognises that young people do and will drink alcohol and use other drugs, and sets out to minimise the harms associated with this.

This year’s theme is party smART.

Finalists from each category will be showcased at an Award Presentation and on the 2008 DVD & Education Resource.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES 25th JULY 2008.
ENTRY IS FREE + OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS OF NSW AGED 16 TO 25.

For entry forms and more information visit the website www.playnowactnow.net.au
or contact Katrina Douglas p: 02 9356 1818
e: partysmart@metroscreen.org.au

Play Now Act Now is a collaboration between NSW Health & Metro Screen

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Is defining art a pointless exercise? Does it have more in common with vacuuming than the fact that both seem to be done regularly and everybody does it differently?

Today our guide led us through a small hallway to a dead end. The reason we were brought here was to look upon a vacuum cleaner in a glass container and positioned on a white plinth. It had a little white sign stating the artist’s name and the title of the work among other details. This scenario raised the question: “What is art?”

It is a very old question that has been explored to death, but that does not mean there is any definitive answer. One lady exclaimed, “Why, that’s not art! It’s just a gimmick by the gallery.” Another said, “Art is anything you can get away with.” We were asked to raise our hand if we thought what we were viewing was art. I immediately raised my hand as did two others in a group of 15 or so. Our guide was surprised that so few of us were of this opinion, but maybe this was an act to manipulate the response, I don’t know.

Later, as we moved on, I overheard one lady, who was determined the vacuum was not art, saying, “I wasn’t fooled. They weren’t going to trick me.” This struck me as surprising because I didn’t think that anybody had been tricked. Was I supposed to feel as though I had been the brunt of some prank or the lab rat to some experiment? I felt that different views had been put forward and there was no real resolution. If anything, I thought that the gallery staff had supported my decision so I didn’t understand why she thought she was correct. Admittedly, the staff did say it was actually the cleaner’s vacuum. Does this make it any less valid as an artwork?

I think that if a person had the insight and courage to showcase an everyday object in the way artworks are conventionally presented in order to show something, then it is art. Even if the artwork is challenging the notion of what is accepted as art then it is valid. Artists continually push the boundaries of their practice, redefining the parameters of their work for themselves and the greater art world.

Art is all about the artist’s intention. It is about exposing people to ideas and viewpoints that they would not usually come across. Art is a realm in which household appliances can be given the time and space to be considered in other terms. A vacuum cleaner can become an example of clever design or a comment on domesticity and gender roles in the home. Marcel Duchamp did a similar thing over eighty years ago with a urinal. What I find shocking is that people are still shocked by a similar artwork today.

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Ready to be inspired to step out of the box and find something new? Check out these few sites that will give your life a little shake up, with tips on how you can satisfy your mind, body, soul and, well… you!

www.freerice.com - improve your vocabulary while contributing to a cause much needed, for free!

www.reclaimfashion.com - Fashion with the tags still on? Are you tired of trying to fit the trends and spending all your cash? Check out this site, for inspiration and discover the beauty of recycling.

Got some free time? Want to give something back to the community? Volunteering doesn’t only give you something awesome to have on your resume, but the experiences you have, skills you learn and friends you make can be simply amazing, check out what you can do here: www.volunteeringaustralia.org/html/s01_home/home.asp

Take a walk: you can form a walking group and socialise while improving your health. www.walkingwithattitude.com

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International Women’s Day has been observed since in the early 1900’s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. While there are many large-scale initiatives, a rich and diverse fabric of local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make every day International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

For more information visit http://www.internationalwomensday.com.

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I missed the opening night, but managed to head over to Front on the weekend to check out some amazing artworks by ex-lip artist, Paul Summerfield. Paul has contributed some spectacular pieces to lip over the years, and the amount of detail you can see in his work just blows my mind.

If you get a chance to go see his work, I highly recommend it. The exhibition is open until 2 March.

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The so-called “obesity crisis” makes headlines frequently, with pleas for parents to better control what their children eat and force them outside in order to get some exercise. Clearly it’s easier said than done, and schools may soon be stepping in with some radical changes proposed by health and childhood professionals, such as including a child’s physical fitness and weight on their report cards.

Schools in the US have been doing this for some time: “You can see schools telling parents about the progression of their children with BMI and physical activity. To me that’s just as legitimate a report as the progress on mathematics or latin or any other subject they do at school.”

Concerns over how parents will respond to these reports focus on: “…whether individual student BMI information should be sent home to parents … [and] what type of health related communication from the school to the family is most likely to result in positive behavior changes?”

and the not so positive outcomes: “…the letters sent home with report cards have been a shock. Many parents threw them out, outraged to be told how much their children should weigh, or unconvinced that children who look just fine by local standards are too large by official ones. Seventh-graders traded scores during their lunch periods.”

But to me, the more important issue here, and one that is lacking representation in the media, is how these results are going to affect the student, when:

Eating disorders have been diagnosed in children as young as 8 with an average age of onset at 17 years.

1 in 20 Australian women admitted to having suffered from an eating disorder, while 1 in 4 individuals know someone who has an eating disorder.

With this information at hand, how can a BMI report card possibly be a responsible approach to dealing with the issue of obesity?

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Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) work together with communities all over Australia to change young lives through music and the creative arts. 2007 proved to be another year of massive impact with several MMAD Tours, 351 Camps, MMAD Workshops & MMAD Events and now they’re all gearing up for an even more incredible 2008.

Their purpose is to make a difference in the lives of young people through music and music related programs. MMAD empower young people through encouragement and skill development to make a difference to their immediate environment and to their own community.

Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) facilitate the nation wide youth program ‘351 Camp’, which stands for 3 Days, 5 Elements, 1 Shot. This can be a life changing experience for participants. The 351 program uses music as a tool to inspire, motivate and challenge young people to connect with their unique ability and potential.

MMAD Workshops include:

• Vocals
• Songwriting
• MC (written rap and freestyle) and DJ
• Legal Aerosol Art
• Motivation (Dream-Reality sessions)
• Dance (Hip Hop, KRUMP, Break and more)
• Spoken Word
• Production and Beat Making
• Event Management and Instrument Basics (including didgeridoo, guitar and bass).

MMAD’s 351 Camps, Workshops, Concerts, Performances and other event requests can be booked now:

QLD – July
WA – September
NSW & ACT – where available
VIC & SA – TBA

Be quick and make a booking for 2008!

Call the MMAD Office on (02) 4322 5350 or email info@mmad.org.au.

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Earth Hour is taking place on Saturday, 29 March at 8pm, local time.

We want all of you, your friends and your communities to help raise awareness to climate change by turning off your lights for one hour and changing all of your bulbs to energy efficient, compact fluorescents.

This symbol, the largest voluntary power down in the world, will show that united together we can each make a difference in climate change.

Sign-up to participate at www.earthhour.org

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SEARCH is initiating an exciting new training program for young activists interested and engaged in left/progressive social change.

The training sessions will consist of an inter-generational dialogue and exchange with veteran activists who will share their experiences, knowledge and ideas with younger activists. This will be done through exploring case studies of previous Australian campaigns and social movements and analysing the successes/failures of these campaigns. Political education will be a key component of the trainings with an emphasis on exploring theoretical perspectives and key vision and values which run across all progressive social movements. Particular skills sharing sessions will also take place, focused on how to organise campaigns and develop strategy and tactics.

Young activists will have access to a network of experienced and supportive left/progressive activists with possibilities of mentoring, sharing of ideas and solidarity on campaigns. The veteran activists involved have had considerable experience in successful mass movements, which include: the environment movement, union activism, women’s movement, indigenous rights, refugee and asylum seeker campaigns, human rights, as well as many more.

This is an opportunity to make some new activist friends, be supported while being active and gaining some insights into progressive political strategies for Australia’s future.

Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a mentoring program with a veteran activist as well as help create an activist network where support can be given and information is freely shared.

They are seeking young individuals (18 – 26) who:
-    are currently active on social/political issues
-    are from diverse backgrounds
-    want to join a learning circle
-    are interested in learning about historical social movements
-    want to explore the ‘big picture’
-    are available for all dates listed below

The training sessions will be held on two consecutive Saturdays with an introduction session on the Thursday night before.
Dates: Thursday 10th April (6:00pm-8:00pm),
Saturday (full day) 12th April, Saturday (full day) 19th April
Location: Ground Floor Training Room, Unions NSW, 377 Sussex St, Sydney.
Cost: $20 to cover lunch on both Saturdays

Visit www.search.org.au for more information and to download a registration form.

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Thank you, Mr. Rudd.

Thank you for finally formally recognising that, generations back, we did wrong.
Thank you for using such sympathetic and genuine words in apologising.
Thank you for allowing Australia to feel proud for acknowledging what was not right and beginning the process to change.

Although its just an apology; it means a great deal to many people. It’s the first step.
I sincerely hope that the formalised apology can bring closure and relief to many indigenous Australians who have suffered. Let’s not allow any more people to go through what they have been through. Let’s begin a new Australia.

Mr. Rudd’s Speech:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/rudds-apology-revealed/
2008/02/12/1202760286861.html

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